husband.--I must send this away now. I came back
just by nightfall, cruel cold weather; I have no smell yet, but my cold
something better. Nite (?) sollahs; I'll take my reeve. I forget how
MD's accounts are. Pray let me know always timely before MD wants; and
pray give the bill on t'other side to Mrs. Brent as usual. I believe I
have not paid her this great while. Go, play cards, and... rove Pdfr.
Nite richar MD... roves Pdfr. FW lele.. . MD MD MD MD MD FW FW FW FW MD
MD Lele...(31)

The six odd shillings, tell Mrs. Brent, are for her new year's gift.

I(32) am just now told that poor dear Lady Ashburnham,(33) the Duke
of Ormond's daughter, died yesterday at her country house. The poor
creature was with child. She was my greatest favourite, and I am in
excessive concern for her loss. I hardly knew a more valuable person on
all accounts. You must have heard me talk of her. I am afraid to see the
Duke and Duchess. She was naturally very healthy; I am afraid she has
been thrown away for want of care. Pray condole with me. 'Tis extremely
moving. Her lord's a puppy; and I shall never think it worth my while
to be troubled with him, now he has lost all that was valuable in his
possession; yet I think he used her pretty well. I hate life when I
think it exposed to such accidents; and to see so many thousand wretches
burdening the earth, while such as her die, makes me think God did never
intend life for a blessing. Farewell.

LETTER 58.(1)

LONDON, Jan. 4, 1712-13.

I ended my last with the melancholy news of poor Lady Ashburnham's
death. The Bishop of Clogher and Dr. Pratt made me dine with them to-day
at Lord Mountjoy's, pursuant to an engagement, which I had forgot. Lady
Mountjoy told me that Maccartney was got safe out of our clutches, for
she had spoke with one who had a letter from him from Holland. Others
say the same thing. 'Tis hard such a dog should escape.--As I left Lord
Mountjoy's I saw the Duke d'Aumont, the French Ambassador, going from
Lord Bolingbroke's, where he dined, to have a private audience of the
Queen. I followed, and went up to Court, where there was a great
crowd. I was talking with the Duke of Argyle by the fireside in the
bed-chamber, when the Ambassador came out from the Queen. Argyle
presented me to him, and Lord Bolingbroke and we talked together a
while. He is a fine gentleman, something like the Duke of Ormond, and
just such an expensive man. After church to-day I showed the Bi