is exactly true, as I have been inform'd by Persons whose intcHigcnce there is noc reason to scruple. People are in a strange consternation upon this sudden illness of her Majesty, soe that the Militia is up and the D. of Ormond has thought it convenient to order the guards at Kensington, at St. James's, and at the Tower to be redoubled. Lord Treasurer I believe was as soon libeird as displaced, and there have come out three or four different Papers of him to day, one of which they call the live mare's elegy. I am informed that when Dr. Ratcliffe was sent for to her Majesty in her illness, he answer'd, too morrow would be time enough to wait on her Majesty, but the insolence of this expression makes me scruple the truth of it. Mr. Wentworth is now at Kensington and perhaps may bring home the news of some alteration in her Majesty. If he comes home time enough your Lordship shall have it in a separate Letter, but this I was obliged to send now, for fear it should be too late for your Lordship.
��[Peter VVentworth.]
London, /w/y 30, 17 14. Dear Brother,
I came to-day from signing Articles with Mr. Fitch in Dorsetshire. I mett the unwellcome news of the Queen's illness, wch was very surprising. I got to Kingsenton about six a clock and whilest I was there her Majesty had the benefitt of vomitting thrice by the help of Cardis. Dr. Alburtenhead came out and told the company of it and said 'twas the best symptom they had to day, and that she felt pain in her feet, their being Garlick laid to't wch likewise was well, and was then gone to sleep. 'Tis now nine a clock and I am come home to writ you this, but they tell me there's no judging how the decease will turn till twelve a clock. I
overheard Dr. A in a whisper say 'twas ten thousand to
one if she recover'd, wch was dismall to me.^The chaplains dcsir'd the Queen's servants that were in waiting to come and pray for the Queen, so I and three or four more was the
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