enncmy, but his mother was partecularly kindc to mc when I was in Yorkeshirc. 1 have kist him many a time ; he was a very prety boy, he has a good estate, I wish Betty had him, he wants noe mony soe hee needs not a wife with a fortune.* Dear, dear soul, I am more then pen can exspress your moste infcnitt affcctionat mother.
[Peter VVentwortil]
London, 9 May, 1709. Dear Brother,
Here I have sent you two Tatlers by which you'l see the town is very empty of news, for they are writ by a club of wits, who make it there business to pick up all the merry of them out tho' they come thrice a week. If you like them I can send them all. Three of the authors are guest at, viz. Swift, that writ the tale of the tub, Yalden, fellow of Magdilin Colledge, Oxford, and Steel, the Gazeetier.
What's now most talk't of in town is the affair of Major General Mackartney, and perhaps wou'd be related in the Tatlcr if they did not fear to have their throats cut by this poor Gentleman whose fortune seems to be in a desparatc condition. His sad story in short is this, a housekeeper of his has swore a rape against him, which was try'd in West- minster Hall ; he got off on't as he thought bravely, for was only cast as to pay her cost and charges and damages, twenty or 30/. and the matter was shutt up for some time ; but the woman wou'd not be put off so, she being a parson widdow got the clergy of her side and they got the Bishop of London to present her petition to the Queen to complain of his bar- barous usuagc .... Upon this the Queen has sent him word she has no more accasion for his service, Mr. Walpool, Lord Halifax and a Bishop has spoke in his behalf, but the Queen is not to be prevail on to pardon him. He had thirty
- Robert Benson, of Red Hall, near Wakefield, and of Bramham
Park, who was for many years member for York. He filled many offices, including the Chancellorship of the Exchequer, and was made Lord Bingley in July, 1 7 1 3. Lord Raby's " character" of him will be found on p, 133 post.
�� �
