them, and hear very different reports, especially of the last. Forget not your own, and reckon upon me as always most affectionately yours,
MR. GILBERT SPENCER TO MR. SIDNEY.
Most Honoured Sir,
I have received two letters you were pleased to write to me the 26th, and will take care of the punctual payment, according to your commands. I wish you could be pleased to have money paid here first; for it is your loss to take it there.
The business with my Lord Leycester is come to nothing as to the reference, for he would never be bound, and so has played fast and loose to try which he would bring us to; but he has gained no ground, though we have lost a little time. There was no avoiding your accepting the reference, for it would have been hard on you if you had refused it. Yesterday, being the day of our meeting, Mr. Baker declared from my Lord, that my Lord would not stand to any reference; but if Sir Wil-
