Diary of the times of Charles II/Volume 2/The Dowager Countess of Sunderland to Mr. Sidney, March 22
THE DOWAGER COUNTESS OF SUNDERLAND TO MR. SIDNEY.
Some of your intelligence, I believe, will tell of a report as much believed as eyer I did know any lie, as that I dare Bay is, that my Lord Sunderland is either in disgrace or dissatisfied, but no longer secretary. I had heard so particularly the story, and not only what came out of the coffee-houses, but in every chamber in the town, and amongst those who are left in Whitehall 'tis as much as any where; and all say 'tis for some difference between him and my Lord Lauderdale, which, for the present, recommends him very much to the town; but their kindness upon the account of his disgrace at court will not last, I hope.
After our wedding at Holland, I had a letter from Mr. Mountague that made me fear that Mr. Pierpoint was not liked; but he is, I doubt, a little malicious, for Tom Pelham has been with me since: he says, for our niece, she is, he thinks, as well pleased as he has seen any body. My sister is very well satisfied as to the fortune and the probability of her living well, but she loves more compliments and mirth than she will ever find. I prepared her, as well as I could, not to expect it. He is not a pleasant man—very few are; neither is he the very next sort for entertainment. One thing pleased: when he said, "With all my worldly goods I thee endow," he put a purse upon the book with 200 guineas; every body puts somewhat, but this is the most I have heard. They will be here before Easter, and then you shall hear more.
Mr. Mountague goes no more to Madame Mazarine; the town says he is forbid; whether his love or his politics were too pressing, I know not. I hear he has lately endeavoured to make his peace at court; but it will not be, and he is reduced to spend much of his time at my Lady Oxford's. Perhaps you will think I express it ill, but no matter for that. The Duchess of Modena may be come, but I do not know it; I do know that nobody will go to her nor to the Duchess when she is with her. I heard last night the council had sat twice yesterday about information given of a design the apprentices had to rise, and that some were got together, but all is very quiet; and my intelligence must ever be late, for I write in the morning, and I see nobody but in the afternoon. My Lord Shaftesbury says, he never had anything to do with Mr. Montague, nor never will. His son has not much to do, for he is every night in Hyde Park, with his wife, and two dirty men at the other end of the coach. My Lady Lauderdale, who was ill of the gout at Whitehall, was on Sunday sent for to Ham in great haste to her Lord, who was fallen into a fit of an apoplexy. If he dies, that will be a loss to Scotland and England.
I am yours very affectionately,