yesterday in a duel shot through the body, by one Mr. Thornhill, in Tothilfields, and died in some hours.
I never mention any thing of the first-fruits either to Mr. Harley or the duke of Ormond. If it be done before his grace goes over, it is well, and there's an end: if not, I shall have the best opportunity of doing it in his absence. If I should speak of it now, perhaps it would be so contrived as to hinder me from soliciting it afterward; but, as soon as the duke is gone, I shall learn at the treasury what he has done in it.
I am, with great respect,
my lord,
your grace's most dutiful
and obliged humble servant,
BEING convinced, by certain ominous prognosticks, that my life is too short to permit me the honour of ever dining another Saturday with sir Simon Harcourt, knight, or Robert Harley, esq.,