im now with humanity and pity,
because he is dead, and can do them no more hurt. Lady Orkney,(5) the
late King's mistress (who lives at a fine place, five miles from hence,
called Cliffden(6)), and I, are grown mighty acquaintance. She is the
wisest woman I ever saw; and Lord Treasurer made great use of her advice
in the late change of affairs. I heard Lord Marlborough is growing ill
of his diabetes; which, if it be true, may soon carry him off; and then
the Ministry will be something more at ease. MD has been a long time
without writing to Pdfr, though they have not the same cause: it is
seven weeks since your last came to my hands, which was N.32, that you
may not be mistaken. I hope Ppt has not wanted her health. You were then
drinking waters. The doctor tells me I must go into a course of steel,
though I have not the spleen; for that they can never give me, though I
have as much provocation to it as any man alive. Bernage's(7) regiment
is broke; but he is upon half-pay. I have not seen him this long time;
but I suppose he is overrun with melancholy. My Lord Shrewsbury is
certainly designed to be Governor of Ireland; and I believe the Duchess
will please the people there mightily. The Irish Whig leaders promise
great things to themselves from his government; but care shall be taken,
if possible, to prevent them. Mrs. Fenton(8) has writ to me that she has
been forced to leave Lady Giffard, and come to town, for a rheumatism:
that lady does not love to be troubled with sick people. Mrs. Fenton
writes to me as one dying, and desires I would think of her son: I have
not answered her letter. She is retired(9) to Mrs. Povey's. Is my aunt
alive yet? and do you ever see her? I suppose she has forgot the loss of
her son. Is Raymond's new house quite finished? and does he squander as
he used to do? Has he yet spent all his wife's fortune? I hear there are
five or six people putting strongly in for my livings; God help them!
But if ever the Court should give me anything, I would recommend Raymond
to the Duke of Ormond; not for any particular friendship to him, but
because it would be proper for the minister of Trim to have Laracor. You
may keep the gold-studded snuff-box now; for my brother Hill, Governor
of Dunkirk, has sent me the finest that ever you saw.(10) It is allowed
at Court that none in England comes near it, though it did not cost
above twenty pounds. And the Duchess of Hamilton has made me pockets for
(it) like a wom