and like a man of Honour, but they will allow nothing of that to Mr, Harley, and levell all their spleen at him. I hear all and say nothing. When the place Bill was brought in they say Mr. Harley spoke against its being read the first time, but 'tis thought 'twill pass the Commons by a great majority, but 'twill meet with a stop in the house of Lords. They tell a commical story of Lord Crommortney, who was ask't by the Queen how the Scotch Lords wou'd vote, he said they were all agreed, she ask't how agreed in what, he answer'd to take as much mony as her Majesty was please to give them. I believe nothing of this tho I was told it by one that said he had good reason to beleive it true. There's a town talk too as if there wou'd be three new Secretarys of State Lord Lexington, S"" Thomas Handmore, and Lord Isle, and that Lord Dartmouth is to have a pention of 3000/. a year for his resigning, but they know nothing of these matters at the office, or at least they wou'd not own it.
'Tis talk't too as if S' Thomas Frankling and Mr. Evelin are to be put out of the post office, and Franck Guin, L"^ Rotchester guine as they call him, is to have it to himself. I have heard the post office call'd the Scotch office because so many have pentions out on't, and so many of them expect the like. We have had a rumour that the plague was come to Newcastle, but from the best accounts it's found to be falls, every body was much alarm at its being there for by the great trade this town has here 'twou'd soon be brought here. The Queen since the Death of Mons*" Spanheim has made Madam Montander a present of a thousand in Mony wch she likes better then a jewel.
London, 15 December^ 17 10. Dear Brother,
All the talk of the town runs upon the dismission of the three officers I writ you last, there's nobody but what says if they were guilty of all that's reported of them they deserve great punishment, 'tis said 'twas not a health drunk in a drunken fitt, but a constant health among them — Confussion to the present ministry, and Damnation to all that had a
�� �
