LETTERS OF LORD BERKELEY OF STRATTON. 31I
easiness till I found you had been indispos'd with a defluxion, a complaint that reigns much here, and which noc body will escape, if this foggy weather continues, comparable to nothing but what I have heard is frequent at Amsterdam. I hope your Lordship is before this time perfectly rccover'd, and that I shall some way or other hear it soon. The news of the provinces coming into the Queen's measures is very agreeable here, and I hope every body thinks your share in that turn as great as I think you deserve. The battle in the north is alsoe a great part of the conversation, and I own I had a secret pleasure in seeing Rosencrane's lofty looks a little humanis'd.
Otherwise I doe not know what is most desirable for us at this juncture. I din'd last Sunday at the D. of Buckingham, who always loads me with civilities, and had a magnificent service of new guilt plate from the beginning of his dinner. He was full of this ncAvs, and seemed pleas'd. Lord Fitzharding is dead at last, and hath thought fit to leave me one of his cxccutours, which will be noe profit to me, but some trouble, having to doe with odd kind of people. However he hath left but few debts, and his two good places are very welcome to the ministry who have long had an eye upon them, but the Queen had the goodness to keep him in for his life. I had a visit that surpris'd me two days agoe, of a young Spaniard, that came over with the ambassadour. His name is Montejo, nephew to the famous Porto carrero. He had heard by a mistake that I had been to see him, which I was glad of, when I found him to have a great deal o( wit, and a manner very engaging. Perhaps you may see him in Holland. He brought with him a Don Carlos de some thing, that I did not like soe well. I was to look for them this morning but did not find them. I will endeavour to pick up some thing next time more worthy your attention.
January 2, 1713.
After wishing your Lordship many happy years, and that they may be spent to your satisfaction in }-our own countrey,
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