but there's nothing of that; the lords desired to have laid before them all matters that were then transacting and not finish't. Those papers Mr. Addison has the possession of, and 'tis reported, as Boyer tells you, that you have such a project laying before you, and that the lords have writ to you not to proceed any farther in't. This day there's a very cleaver banter come out upon Doctor Swift, wch if you stay I must send you.
This day I have taken the Oath of office to King George, but I hope to God you'll get me something better.
****
[Lord Bathurst.]
August 10, 1714.
My Lord,
I believe your Lordship will think I might have had sufficient matter to fill a letter during this month, and therefore will accuse me of Negligence if I don't give some account of my self. I must therefore begin with telling you that I went into Glostershire about business the very day the Parliament rose and came back to town but a few days before the Poor Queen fell ill. I was going out of town again that very day when I heard she was taken with a fitt (as they call'd itt) of an Apoplexy. I went immediately to Kensington and found there was no room to expect her life. She did indeed hold out beyond every body's expectation. Every thing has been so quiet since her death, and we go on so unanimously in both Houses of Parliament for his Majesty's service that I have nothing of any moment to mention upon that head, only that the Tories in the House of Commons are the Persons that appear most forward to do the King's business. Sir William Wyndham and Secretary Bromley mov'd for the Civill list, and that will very soon be settled. There is a matter which occasions a good deal of talk here, tho' people generally know very little of the matter, I mean the treaty which was on foot between the Queen and Kings of France, Spain, and Sicily. There are some in great hopes