world of all parties and nations, but it may serve to divert the Spleen of Spleenitick people, of vvch number I am at present and shall be so till I hear my wife is better. The Prince and Princess walk in the Park every day and is much follow'd, and hetherto tho' they have drawing rooms every night they are much crowded.
��[Lord Berkeley of Stratton.]
November 2, 1 7 1 4.
Your Lordship is very kind in shewing soe much concern for me in regard to my being remov'd, which I will assure you, with all the sincerity I have ever us'd with you, was rather a pleasure then an affliction, for I should have had more squables about elections and other vexations then I could have born with patience. When my Lord Townsend came to me he said that, tho' the King was determin'd to give the Dutchy Seal to My Lord Guernsey, it was not with any design to discountenance me, or from any dislike, and he would be glad if I would accept to be a Commissioner of Trade. I said I would be very ready to serve him in any thing he thought proper, and would have been soe tho' I had noe imployment.
Since that I have heard nothing, and am under noe impa- tience, but not without some apprehensions of having com- pany in that Commission I should not like. Besides, tho' I did not think it proper to give myself airs as if I had been a leading man in refusing a place, I cannot think I can keep it long, if some people continue in power, for I cannot alter my opinion of things, nor of persons neither. As for the pension they have ofifer'd you, I am really glad of it, because whatever it be grounded upon, it shews a consideration they have for you, but what to advise in it, I am at a loss. Your fortune is soe much above it that you need not value it upon that account, and I know how ill solliciting My Lord Hallifax for your payments would goe down with you. On the other side it will be very disobliging to refuse it. In this dilemma I am
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