themselves, there's not any three people hold together. The Treasury was settled to day. Lord Halifax at the head of them, he has made his nephew that's to be his heir Auditor of the Exchequor for life, but 'tis supposed he reserves the profits during his life. They tell a pritty extraordinary thing of Guy Poultney that he shou'd tell his majesty that he was a man of Estate, and that he served his majesty only purely for the Honour of serving him, and that he found upon the old Estabishment that for Secretary of War there was but 1400, but upon my Lord Bullingbrook's coming to't 'twas made 2400, and he desired to accept it but upon the old
establishment, that his M might have a 1000 a year to
gratifie some body else. The King has taken him at his word and told him he shou'd find few such men ; this story he tells himself.
The Duke of A le told me he had received a letter from
you and wou'd writ to you this post, so I shall say no more to you but in generall that he assured me he had always a friendship for you. The Duke of Shrewsbury has been ill of the Gout, but was abroad to day and went before the King in Councill to day,
I am sorry you did not come over with the King, for then you might not have been forgot, but if things go on as they doe you may soon be remember'd. What one writs one post one is obliged to contradict the next. They say upon Sir Thomas Hanmer refusing the Chancelor of the Exchequor he has pluck't a spirit and refused Teller.
London, October 5, 1714. Dear Brother,
I have no more news to writ then what I sent you last post, only that I have heard since that the King and Prince has been very obliging and have been at several places in town at supper. The King play'd at sixpenny Ombre at the Dutchess of Shrewsbury's. The Duke of Argilc carried
the P to my Lady Rotchester's where was the quondam
Maids of Honour, and yesterday the Prince was at Mrs. Cadocran's. I hear there's three mails out of Holland but
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