long a time and a new person to sing into the (bargain ?). I heard (but it is so unHkely that I do not put it in by way of news) that the King is to be married the summer after next to the King of Denmark's sister. I am surpriz'd pocple can raise such reports when they see the King is so vastly troubled still ; and it is fixing a thing a vast while before it happens.
��[Lady Strafford.]
St. James's Square, January 5, 1738.
I am glad to hear my Dearest that you are so well. I was yesterday at Lady Huntingdon's christening ; we first had a dinner of five and then seven. The godfathere was Lord Batman, and the godmother Lady K. Wheeler (but Mrs. Walkenshaw stood for her) so there was but six at dinner, viz. my Lord and Lady Batman, Mrs. Walkenshaw, Mr. Kent, and myself I think the Princess puts me in mind of the chapter where they send out into the highways to call in the lame, the halt, and the blind, for never people took so much pains to get company. Mrs. Walkenshaw told Lady Huntingdon that the Princess was quite in a fuss ; she had sent to her. Lady Huntingdon sayd she did not in the least expect it^ having never had the honour to see the Princess, having been at no court of some years. But just as we had dinn'd comes a gentleman usher from the Princess to say she wou'd wait on Lady Huntingdon ; but she sent an excuse saying her house was not fitt to receave her. As soon as the man was gon Mrs. Walkenshaw cry'd ' now. Madam, you must wait on the Princess.' The Duchess of Qucensborough was presented yesterday to the Princess. Mrs. Walkenshaw sayd they had a very full court, upon which Lady Huntingdon asked who there was. All the ladies named was. Duchess Qucensborough, Lady Blandford, Miss Windham, Lady Orkney, Lady Cobham, Dow. Lady Fitzwaters, Lady Mary Cowley, Lady Kaye ; men, Duke of Qucensborough, Duke of Marlborough, Lord Coventry, Lord Chessterfield, Lord
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