LETTERS OF PETER WENTWORTH. 20I
Harley, and according to your orders I shcw'd them to Lord B — — that morning, and his advise was that I might deliver the Duke's because that was in a manner a letter of thanks for the thing done or to be done ; but as things then stood th' other was not so much a propos, for last friday he was
introduced into the house as Earle of O , but the giving
of him the White Staff was defer till this remarkable day the Restoration. If in my absence there was any post arrived, I had taken care to have had it in two hours, and like wise if any thing news that cou'd be communicated to you only by me I shou'd have been inform'd on't to have writ you by the friday's post ; but there was nothing but this promotion of Mr. Harley's wch I knew you wou'd have by the publick news, so I hope you will excuse the omisson of that post, being detain by the charms of Twit. I have sent you the Preamble of the Earle of Oxford's Patent wch they tell me was drawn by Dr. Friend one of the School Masters of West- minster, who is reckon'd to have a very correct stile in the Latine. 'Twas printed with the English translation, so I have sent that too wch I think was very well done. 'Tis thought the Parliament will be up a Saturday, this day sevenight will be the longest, so that in a week or ten days I hope I may wish you joy of the Earldome of Strafford, and as you have more goodness then most Brothers usually have I shall venture to put you in mind that if you continue in the mind you some time ago sent me word you were, that in default of your Ishue, )'ou wou'd have me and my Heirs incerted in the Patent if I desired it ; I then answer'd you tho' 'twas an affair of that nature wch was not decent for me to solicite you in, yet when offer'd by you, not to be refused by me, but accepted of with all due gratitude for so perticular a mark of your esteem, and that I ought to be far from repining at my Fate of being a younger Brother but to re- joyce to be preceeded by one who has so great and noble a Soul as to think of his family and Posterity in its largest extent. May you be remembered with veneration by late Posterity, who has retrieved an honour, and estate to support it when the Late Earle shall be held in detestation by them.
�� �
