y health. The Bath
waters have done a good deal towards the recovery of it, and the
great specific, _Cape Caballum_, will, I think, confirm it. Upon
this head I must tell you that my mare Betty grows blind, and may
one day, by breaking my neck, perfect my cure: if at Rixham fair any
pretty nagg that is between thirteen and fourteen hands presented
himself, and you would be pleased to purchase him for me, one of
your servants might ride him to Euston, and I might receive him
there. This, sir, is just as such a thing happens. If you hear, too,
of a Welch widow, with a good jointure, that has her _goings_ and is
not very skittish, pray, be pleased to cast your eye on her for me,
too. You see, sir, the great trust I repose in your skill and
honour, when I dare put two such commissions in your hand...."--_The
Hanmer Correspondence_, p. 120.

FROM MR. PRIOR.

"Paris, 1st-12th May, 1714.

"MY DEAR LORD AND FRIEND,

"Matthew never had so great occasion to write a word to Henry as
now: it is noised here that I am soon to return. The question that I
wish I could answer to the many that ask, and to our friend Colbert
de Torcy (to whom I made your compliments in the manner you
commanded) is, What is done for me: and to what I am recalled? It
may look like a bagatelle, what is to become of a philosopher like
me? but it is not such: what is to become of a person who had the
honour to be chosen, and sent hither as intrusted, in the midst of a
war, with what the Queen designed should make the peace; returning
with the Lord Bolingbroke, one of the greatest men in England, and
one of the finest heads in Europe (as they say here, if true or not,
_n'importe_); having been left by him in the greatest character
(that of Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary), exercising that power
conjointly with the Duke of Shrewsbury, and solely after his
departure; having here received more distinguished honour than any
minister, except an Ambassador, ever did, and some which were never
given to any, but who had that character; having had all the success
that could be expected, having (God be thanked!) spared no pains, at
a time when at home the peace is voted safe and honourable--at a time
when the Earl of Oxford is Lord Treasurer and Lord Bolingb