honor and Miss Touchet ; men, the Duke of Argile, Lord Cardigan, Lord Masham, Lord Bathurst, Sir Robert Rich, Mr. Darcy, and myself. Lord Masham told me my Lord Bullingbrook wou'd be back here this week, but I am affraid I must wait to hear from London what has been the success of his expedition. They that came from thence yesterday told me 'twas to conclude a league with France and Sweden, ofifencive and defencive.
��[Lord Berkeley of Stratton.]
August 12, 17 12.
I can never say half enough to your Lordship for your kindness in writing to me such a letter as I received last post, tired as you were with writing. I was almost in the spleen for want of hearing from you, but now I am refresh't with such a mark of your kindness, and the agreable account of your progress to and from the army. I hope you are almost at the end of your trouble, and near coming home to enjoy the good place design'd you, and the bleu ribbond, which I shall be overjoy'd to see you adorn'd with. I never yet saw an installment, but am resolv'd when yours is, to be one of your guests. I heard one piece of news lately that you can best tell the truth of, that Sir Henry Johnson is to be one of the Admiralty as well as yourself. I was again at Windsor last Sunday, and think the Queen looks and walks better then I have seen her in some years. Her subjects have for the most part been sick with a feavorish distemper that tor- ments them extreamly for some days. I have escaped it hitherto, but all else in the house have had it. Lord Rivers is languishing at the Bath without hopes of recovery, and will be succeeded in his title by a priest, but his estate will goe as he pleases. Lord Scarsdale I find is going to Vienna, and Lord Bolingbrook expected back in a little time, and then they say we shall hear more of the Peace. If the french man you saw at Utrecht is poor, I believe him very honest, for he never ask'd me for any thing, and I have offer'd to lend him
�� �
