66 THE WENTWORTH PAPERS.
of the new buildings fall. It must be very warm having those brick walls. It is a great frost, my hands ar see cold I can hardly hold my pen.
December lo, 1708. My dearist and best of children ....
Yestirday I had lyke to have been ketched in a trap, your Brother Wentworth had almoste parswaded me to have gon last night to hear the fyne muisick, the famous Etallion sing att the rehersall of the Operer, which he asured me it was soe dark none could see me. Indeed musick was the greatist temtation I could have, but I was afraid he deceaved me, soe Betty only went with his wife and him ; and I rejoysed I did not, for thear was a vast deal of com- pany and good light— but the Dutchis of Molbery had gott the Etallian to sing and he sent an excuse, but the Dutchis of Shrosberry made him com, brought him in her coach but Mrs. Taufs huft and would not sing becaus he had first put it ofe ; though she was thear yet she would not, but went away.* I wish the house would al joyne to humble her and not receav her again. This man out dus Sefachoe, they say that has hard both.
Decetnber 21, 1708.
My dearist and best of children, — Now I hope all your troublesom time is over, but now myne is aproachin, for Crismass brings aboundenc of troublesom gess. I designe to be as sneeking as I can, and doe noe works of suparflewety, only what just nessessety foarsis. This time of mirth the
- Nicolini and Mrs. Tofts, the " Camilla " of the Spectator, are here
referred to. In a letter in Lord Egmont's possession, dated March 17, 1709, we read : " This day the opera of ' Camilla ' is acted expressly for Lord Marlborough. Our famous Nicolini got 800 guineas for his day ; and 'tis thought Mrs. Tofts, whose turn it is on Tuesday next, will get a vast deal She was on Sunday last at the Duke of Somerset's, where there was about 30 gentlemen, and every kiss was i guinea ; some took 3, others 4, others 5, at that rate, but none less than one." See Seventh Report of Historical MSS. Commission, p. 246.
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