Somerset's being out, that I writ so to the dean of St. Patrick's. A man of quality told me, he had it from my lord keeper, whom I asked next day, and found it a mistake; but it is impossible to fence against all lies; however, it is still expected that the duke will be out, and that many other removes will be made. Lord Ranelagh[1] died on Sunday morning: he was very poor and needy, and could hardly support himself for want of a pension, which used to be paid him, and which his friends solicited as a thing of perfect charity. He died hard, as the term of art is here, to express the woful state of men who discover no religion at their death.
The town talk is that the duke of Ormond will go no more to Ireland, but be succeeded by the duke of Shrewsbury, who is a very great and excellent person; and I will hold a wager that your grace will be an admirer of his duchess: if they go, I will certainly order her to make all advances to you: but this is only a general report, of which they know nothing at court, although I think it not altogether improbable.
We have yet heard nothing of my lord privy seal. Buys, the Dutch envoy, went to Holland, I think, at the same time. Buys is a great pretender to politicks, and always leaves the company with great
- ↑ Richard Jones, baron Jones of Navan, and viscount Ranelagh, created earl of Ranelagh, Dec. 11, 1677. He was vice treasurer of Ireland, constable of Athlone, several years paymaster of the army, and a lord of the privy council. Dying, Jan. 3, 1711, without surviving male issue, the title of earl became extinct; but those of viscount and baron reverted to the issue of a second son of sir Roger Jones, the first viscount. See a letter of lady Catharine Jones, his daughter, June 11, 1729; and another, June 15, 1732.
