Hampton Court, ^;^^^//j-^ 17, 1731. Dear Brother,
.... I have been with Mr. Draycot, and I am sencible that you cannot come off from Mr. Bence unless he's off him- self or letts you off, nor then shall I expect your interest unless the Court prevails with Capt. Purvise to give up his to me, which is not so impropable as you seem to think, for if we can make Sir Robert believe Purvise must loose it by having your interest against him, he will be for me. I do assure you I knew nothing of the letter that was writ to you the fift untill a post after, that I had a copy sent me as the thoughts of some coffee house politians that are always settling the nation, and are very much my friends ; nor did my wife know anything of it untill Sunday that I told her of it. I had an opportunity of showing the copy to Mr. George Tilson, who admires the letter saying 'twas a mighty well writ letter, and whoever they was, they was very much my friend, for nothing cou'd be more to my advantage then to be brought into Parliament, and he advis'd me as soon as I had any incouragement from you to propose it to Sir Robert, and he believed it wou'd do ; but I shan't do that yet, for I am a working it about that they shall propose it to me.
There's a new French song come out, said to be writ by Madam Veller, answer'd by Lord Harvey mighty well, and I have heard them both often as we ride out airing agreeably sung, but have not memory enough to remember the words. It begins with Sir Robert's telling Cardinal Fleury a short history of his life. The first time I heard the Queen and Lord Harvey sing she called up Lady Malpas* to her and told she should hear a song was made upon her and her father ; and last Saturday hunting she sung it to Sir Robert himself, with an additional stanzar " Voye Poultney le Triumph de cette jour. Sir Robert en liste, chacun auray son tour." The joke is that Sir Robert had the cord the Ranger wears, and 'tis supposed, one day Mr. P may have another sort
- George, Viscount Malpas, eldest son of the Earl of Cholmondeley,
married Mary, daughter of Sir Robert Walpole.
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