��[Lord Berkeley of Stratton.]
May 25, 1714.
The letters have come so regularly of late that if there was noe sea to cross, they could not be more exact, and have made me very happy in receiving soe often the honour of your letters, which french or english I am always infinitly pleas'd with. I find by your last I am to thank you for a present of snuf, which I dare say I shall find very good, having a partiality to every thing that comes from your Lordship, and I am such a moderate taker of snuff that if I should live seven years it would last me. I am sure it is very kind to think of me. You rejoyce my heart in telling me
that there is now noe thoughts of the D. of C 's coming,
for besides the ill manners and absurdity of the thing, it could tend to nothing, but setting us together by the ears.
Those who wish for his coming pretend that he will still be here in a little time. The new bp of Bristol who hath a very fair character in all kinds, by the perswasions of Sir Thomas Hanmer hath inclin'd a little towards that side, of which they are very proud and cry him up to the skies. When matters are pretty well between our great folks, there is another bp. that you have not seen, who renews the breach, and widens it worse then at first.
What these misunderstandings will end in, I cannot see, but it is pity that the entertainment it gives their enemies does not make them agree better. The house of Lords had some rest for this fortnight. To morrow they meet again, but I cannot see any great matters likely to take them up, unless a bill should pass the commons, brought by Sir W" Wyndham to suppress presbyterian Schools and Seminaries. It will alarm the Sectaries, and my humble opinion is that noe body should be made uneasy if it can be avoided, but I doubt it is design'd to inflame the high church against those of the ministry who doe not appear zealous for this bill. I am hinder'd from saying anything more, but nothing shall, from being ever your &c.
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