a line to give me so much
satisfaction: but I hope all my doubts will vanish if your ladyship
does me the favour to confirm what will be so great a content to us.
If I could but be sure that my dear uncle avows all his fancys about
the men he thought spoke to him, to be nothing but the unlucky
effect of his favour,[402] and that he thinks to come over to manage
his affairs, will be the most credeble and most kind way of
proceeding, both as to himself and family, then I shall believe he
was the same man he was befor, which, if you confirm, will be one of
the most joyfull and the most unexpected good news that could befall
your ladyship's humble, obedient servant, and affectionate kindsman,

"DARWENTWATER.

"I should have writ to your ladyship sooner, and really can have no
good excuse: for I should have write to my dear cousen, though my
head was full of fox-hunting: and though I had a mind to banish out
of a new-married head some melancholic accounts of my brother's
behaviour, which I suppose you have had intelligence of, or else of
my dear wife's second miscarriage, which has been a great affliction
to us, but I flatter myself with the hope of her having better luck
another time. She presents her humble service, and so does my Lady
Webb. I hope Sir William was well, and cosen Jacky, when you heard
last. My brother Charles has been at Sir Marmeduke Constable's, and
designs for London. Adieu!"

In May 1714, only one year before the fatal insurrection of 1715 broke
out, the following letter, referring to different members of his family,
was written by the Earl. What a pleasing picture of an affectionate
nature does this correspondence afford.[403]

FOR MY LADY SWINBURNE, JUNIOR, AT CAPHEATON.

"Kathcrosse, May, 6, 1714.

"Now I write with pleasure to your ladyship, since I hope to be so
happy as to enjoy your good companie in a few months, I mean
immediately after York Races, for my two years will be out here the
tenth of July. Indeed Sir John has behaved himself wonderfully well
to us quite the holl time, really performing in everything more than
I could have expected from a man of honnor, as indeed I had reason
to believe him. My lady is not of so steady a temper; but however,
we agree very well: and she