312 THE WENTWORTH PAPERS.
where you have been such a stranger, I must return my humblest thanks for the good news in your last. Every body seems pleas'd with the hopes of an approaching general peace, but the pleasure I have in seeing it effected by your Lordship is not equally felt, tho' I believe I have many sharers in it. The Duke of Shrewsbury is got over at last, after a tedious time in getting to Dover, but the Duke d'Aumont is not yet come.
The Queen hath had a touch of the gout in her hand with a good deal of pain, but was easier after it swell'd, and was soe well yesterday as to see company, which was soe little expected that there was not many ladies, but what with men and the littleness of the bedchamber it was a crowd ; I saw My Lady Strafford there. My Lord Treasurer hath been ill of a feavorish cold, and hath seen noe company this week. They say the parliament will not sit quite soe soon as was intended. They talk of the instalments being near, but have heard nothing of it from My Lord Paulet, tho' he call'd here lately when I was abroad, perhaps to tell me when it was to be, as I desir'd him. My Lord Selkirk is come from Scotland and going to France to sollicit the pretensions of his family. The young Duke of Hamilton is to marry My Lord Orkney's daughter. Lord Galloway is dead in Hamp- shire of the gout in his stomach and Lord Shaftesbury at Naples. My Lord Nottingham I hear is come to town, tho' many people thought he would not come this winter. He is no friend to the peace you know. Your pardon is much wanted for this interruption.
January 9, 17 13. I received your Lordship's of the 15th, new stile, and have since spoke to Lord Steward about the instalment, who tells me he believes it will be soon, tho' he does not yet know the time, but as soon as he knows it, he will doe himself the honour to write to you, and acquaint you with it. This I hope is enough to satisfy you in this point, for I dare say there is no noe thought of leaving you out, nor danger of your being forgot. I had an opportunity of speaking to him
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