Diary of the times of Charles II/Volume 1/Mr. Mountstevens to Mr. Sidney, September 2
MR. MOUNTSTEVENS TO MR. SIDNEY.
Honoured Sir,
It's now almost a week since the King has had any appearance of an ague; and you may guess, by the method he takes, he will soon recover his strength as well as his health, having exchanged water-gruels and potions for mutton and partridges, on which he feeds frequently and heartily; and whereas the general discourse of the Court about a week since was of his Majesty's speedy return to Whitehall, it's now as generally talk't of, and as generally believed, that he will take Newmarket in his way, having lately reassumed fresh resolutions of removing thither about the 18th of this month, and having likewise given order that all necessary preparations be made there to that purpose: this day his Majesty has been abroad, which is the first attempt he has made of that kind since his illness. His Majesty has been pleased to bestow the Savour of knighthood on Dr. Micklethwaite, President of the College of Physicians, who was very instrumental in recovering him from his late indisposition.
Jack How, Sir Jervois How's brother, a young amorous spark of the Court, has for some months declared a very great veneration for the Duchess of Richmond; but her Grace neither regarding Will of the Wisp nor his feigned fires, has at length converted the Squire's soft passion into revenge. Whereupon, he has of late reported that he has had several testimonies of her kindness, as well by letters as otherwise. As soon as the Duchess understood this malicious report, she forthwith made her application to the King, who was pleased to refer the examination of the matter to the Duke of Monmouth, the Earl of Essex, my Lord Sunderland, and the Earl of Halifax. Upon inquiry, their Lordships found that, amongst the many evidences of her Grace's favour that Mr. How had boasted of, he could only produce one letter, which the King, as soon as he saw, said was neither her hand nor style; whereupon his Majesty was pleased to give order that he forthwith refrain from coming to Court.[1] Since my last of the 29th, we have had every day fresh supplies of Aldermen from the city, who come hither to confirm themselves and fellow-citizens of the King's condition.
Yesterday morning, the Duke of York arrived at Dover, and this morning he came hither, but very slenderly attended, who immediately went to wait upon the King, where he begged his Majesty's pardon for presuming to come over without his leave, and withal said he hoped the King would grant it, since the unhappy news of his sickness did in a manner force him to come; and that he now had seen his Majesty he was ready to return as soon as he should think fit.
I am, with all respect,
Yours sincerely,
Sir,
Since I have finished my letter, my Lord has commanded me to tell you that the unexpected arrival of the Duke here has occasioned a general surprise; that all people are as yet unsettled, and scarce know what to think of it; that the Duke begged the King's pardon for coming, and said withal that he came with the resolution to be gone the next moment after he had seen him, either to Flanders or any other part of the world, where his Majesty should command him.
- ↑ How appears to have been received into favour at Court in a subsequent reign, being Vice-Chamberlain to Queen Anne.—Clarendon's Diary, ii. 343.