to be Master of the Horse, and Ormond Lieutenant of Ireland and Shrewsbery to continue as he's ; but there's no know anything till 'tis done
Twickenham [end of September, 17 lo?]. Dear Brother,
.... From what I have told you in my late letters of Lord Barkley's opinion, that what is to be done for you is determin'd, and to speake of anything else is but teizing them to no purpose, and that the Duke of Sommerset is Stanhope's fast friend is certain, for 'tis he that setts him up for West- minster ; Cockermouth the place he has always serv'd for is the Duke of Sommerset's interest. The reputation the late victories in Spain has gain'd him with the generality of people, tho it has been indeavour'd to be lessen, in the Post Boy and other papers, as proceeding cheifly from the conduct and orders of Staremberg will make it very invidious for any to succeed him, and they must expect to have the brightest of their actions sull'd by black malicious coulors cast upon them, and every misfortune or humane failing ex- agerated into crimes, and if none of them shou'd happen a thousand lyes would be spread, and the distance is so great, 'twould be long before your friends cou'd have the sattis-
faction to have them disprov'd. The usage Lord P h
met with was an affliction to his friends in his absence, and when he came home he did not extricate himself out of them without difficulty. All wch I take to be a greater discourage- ment to a brave man, then the hazard of the change of climate, or the accidents of war. I believe you to have a greatness of soul capable of surmonting all difficulties, and therefore tho' tis more against my inclination then perhaps you will believe, yet I dare not from any pussilanimous thought as they may be esteem of mine give the least obstruction to what I see you have so much at heart to undertake. There seeming some propability that Stanhope may be remov'd, for the resentments are very great against the managers of the D""^ Tryal, and there was a town talk before Stanhope went from hence that the Duke of Argile
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