Page:The Wentworth Papers 1715-1739.djvu/410

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394
THE WENTWORTH PAPERS.

favourites who did not deserve it of the Nation. The Town takes notice that her Majesty did not answer the address, but the same day that it was presented sent her part of the Assiento with a Letter as a Present to the South Sea Company. This affair of Arthur More's, which the Lords and Commons will both have under examination, makes it more apparent that it was designed to be given among some of the Courtiers. Arthur More denies all, but says that if what they accuse him of were true, he could justify himself from the instructions of the Admiralty, as no body in this world passes without censure. People have been bold enough to say, that your Lordship has dropt some expressions in favour of the Pretender, which report is the more malicious at this time, because he and his interest is so much run down.


[Peter Wentworth.]

London, June 29, 1714.

Dear Brother,

The changes at Court does not go so rug[1] as some people expected and gave out, that 'twas to be all intire Tory with the least seeming mixture of Whigs. 'Twas hotly reported that Lord Dartmouth wou'd be out and that Atturbury Bishop of Rotchester wou'd be made Lord Privy Seal, but that discourse begins to cool. To-morrow 'tis expected that there will be warm work in the house of Lords. I have had a mischance to sprain my foot, so that I am affaird I sha'n't be well enough to be there, but have a promise from one to bring me an account how it goes. Some tells me 'tis to be open'd by Lord Notingham, others by Lord Sommers; if by the latter 'tis look't upon as matter of more weight. There has been a rumour about the town as if the F. K. had refused to send the P. over, fearing the success might draw him into a fresh war, and it has been said that Lord

  1. The word "rugg" is used by Swift in his essay on Sharpers in No. 68 of the Tatler. He writes:—" I am employed in looking over the several notices which I have received of their manner of dexterity, and the way at dice of making all rugg, as the cant is."