You will see by my other letter what an honest gentleman Monsieur de Barillon is, who has given the lie to himself, or to Monsieur D'Avaux, or to both; and though he has denied it so formally to the Ministers here—I mean the foreign—he intimates as if the thing were true—"Mais il ne faut rien contester avec les Rois;" and by that he endeavours to continue the jealousies still; but I think the King has declared himself so as to leave little doubt of the sincerity of his intentions; and, besides, I am sure he never said any such thing. You are mightily commended, and I am ten times more pleased than I can be for any thing that is said of me. I am in a post that, I know, as things are now, I cannot be liked above a day, which makes me mind very little what is said, so long as I do my duty to the King.
I am entirely yours.
THE COUNTESS OF SUNDERLAND TO MR. SIDNEY.
January 8th.
I cannot forbear writing to let you know that your memorials and all you do is found most excellent and approved of by all persons. What a satisfaction 'tis to me to have you succeed so well,