much more concerned for their sarvents then for al the other lossis. You know Bel Skinner went to Etally with Lord Shasbury and his Lady, they wear but just setled at Naples befor my Lady and Bell Skinner fel out, and my Lord paid twenty ginneys for her passadg back, and writins drawn for the captain to set her safe at Bristoe, which is near cus Han- bury. My Lord is the best of husbands. Mrs. Skinner hard thear you was marryed to a great fortune ; my Lord said he did know your Lady, and if she had not a fardin, she would be the best fortune in England, she was soe good. Indeed I am of my Lord's opinion
��[Lord Berkeley of Stratton.]
March 5, 17 12.
This is to thank your Lordship for your letter by the Queen's Messenger, who by the way I can say nothing of, neither now nor formerly, and I intend this shall goe by him, if he is dispatched soe soon as he tells me. I am sorry to hear the French are not likely to rise in their offers, because I am afraid it will goe down very ill here, where people are not wanting to give every thing the worst turn, and to let nothing fall that is likely to give an ill look to those they would expose, and those who have fed themselves with fancies of getting the entire monarchy of Spain, will not easily digest such an abatement. However a peace is neces- sary and I doe not doubt but we shall get as good as is to be had, and may we not hope that the dreadful blows the French King hath lately received in his family and the burning of his Magazines added to all other things will make him willing to pay something dearer for peace. As for your being Master of the Horse and the D. of Shrewsbury's going over, I cannot think it more that Coffee house news, tho' I never wisht more to be mistaken. That Duke hath been of late much out of order and soe hath the D. of Buckingham, both for the same reason, as the town will have it, who give out that they have both layn in for their wives, that is, have been sick with
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