Diary of the times of Charles II/Volume 1/The Countess Dowager of Sunderland to Mr. Sidney, February 27
THE COUNTESS DOWAGER OF SUNDERLAND TO MR. SIDNEY.
That you should be so good as to write when you have a great deal of business, and not well, to the poor old dolt in the corner is thankfully received.
Our marriage is all fully agreed; and now our good-natured sister and Lucy, who has some of her easiness from a good cause, with a few compliments, forgets what they have done.
You know in some play it is, "Now you are King, who says you are not?" All is as well as can be. They shall not be put in mind of their thoughts by me. He will be a great deal richer than he has given in as sure to him. He has sent down the writings to my brother Pelham yestrday, drawn by Sir W. Jones's directions; to whom I hear our two loving brothers here are willing to refer their whole business. My Lord Sunderland and I say that our Ambassador will not refuse peace: who has ever been more inclined to it than either of them! God send it, I say.
I have but little time, and am not well. I must not forget my business which is for Mr. Pierpoint; he has in Holland some pictures, of considerable value he thinks them, and he says they are prohibited goods; most of them are popish pictures, but not a crucifix amongst them. If you can, without inconvenience to yourself, get them over for him, you will do him a great favour, and I will let you know where they are as soon as I hear from you. There is no change of any thing yet that I hear of since his Royal Highness came. There shall never be any in me to you. I will ever love you, and soon tell you so again.