2/2 THE WENTWORTH PAPERS.
before of the D. of Newcastle's estate he must have admirable talents from nature, if such a heap of riches soe young let's him be good for anything* They talk of great news of my Lord Albemarle's burning the French Magazines. If it proves true such a train of misfortunes upon France may make your work the easier.
[Peter Wentworth.]
London, February 29, 17 12. Dear Brother,
I have no news to tell you but a parcel of invented stories of you and the Bishop. They have been about the town for some time, but late came to my ears. They say when the French deliver'd their explanation of their proposal, the Bishop began his speech with highest indignation against them, and was going to give his opinion that they shou'd break off any farther treaty, but you aw'd him with your looks and made him think of turning his discourse to modera- tion. Some report that you govern the Bishop as you please, and others that you and he has continual dispute about place. Some Whigs, that I know in King William's time cry'd up Dr. Robison as one of the ablest ministers the King had, and understood the several interests of Princes the best of any Englishman, now run down the Bishop of Bristow as an ignorant man that knows nothing. For you they say is a brisk enterprizing man, but they know how to get things out
- This youth, in whom the title of Newcastle was revived, became the
notorious Prime Minister of George II. Later in the correspondence we find the following reference to him in a French news letter, dated
July 23, 1714:—
Avant hier 21 de Juillet jour aucjuel le Lord Pelham fut majeur (c'est a dire eut 21 ans accomplis) et entra en possession de plus de vingt quatre mille Livres sterlin de Rente, de la succession du feu Due de Newcastle, ce jeune seigneur donna k sa Terre, ^ tous les gentilhommes de la Pro- vince de Sussex, un Regal des plus magnifiques, dont on fait monter la Ddpense k plus de deux mille Livres sterlin. Outre les marques de sa liberalite et de sa gdndrositd qu'il repand dans le Public, on assure qu'il en a donn^ une tres particuliere k son Frere auquel il cede tout son Bien Patrimonial qui est de 5 a 6000/. st. de rente.
�� �
