��January 29, 1712.
I sit down to write to your Lordship by a kind of mechanick motion, forc'd by a natural bent, always inclining me towards you, without considering whether I have anything worth sending you ; but now it comes in my head that, people being much upon the reserve, and I not very inquisitive, I seldom hear anything but what is stale, for a little patience brings out every thing, and two or three days sooner or later makes no great difference with me. I dare say you know more then I doe of the D. of Marlborough's business, for I am con- founded between the contradictions I hear, some will have it that he hath taken vast sums that did not belong to him, others with great confidence affirm he hath had less then other Generals. Sir John Germain was brought witness for him, who in his ill English said that he had heard some people say that it was usual for Generals to take those sums for intelligence ; but they have not yet done with his Grace, and there are other things that will lye heavy upon him, particularly the loss of great numbers of men, for want of hospitals and surgeons, which being chargeable he took for himself the money which should have maintained them.
On Thursday they goe upon the treaty of barriere, a very sore place, that I doe not know how My Lord Townsend will get over. My Lady Harryct Rialton, and her sister Sunderland have both writ to the Dss. of Somerset to acquaint the Queen that since their father was out, they desir'd leave to give up their places. I wish with all my heart My Lady Strafford was to succeed one of them, for noc body would better become it. Prince Eugene din'd yesterday at my Lord Treasurer's and designs to appear in great splendor at the birth day, in a fine equipage. Hitherto he hath had but one footman.
I hear just now that Lady Catherine Hyde is Lady of the bedchamber.
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