I have not written to, having not had opportunity to perform that business he employed me in; but shall soon, now the days are longer. We are all here in great impatience at the king of Spain's delay, who yet continues in the isle of Wight[1].
My humble service to dean Ryves, Dilly, Jones[2], and other friends. And I assure you nobody can possibly be more, or I believe is half so entirely, yours, as
YESTERDAY coming from the country I found your letter, which had been four or five days arrived, and by neglect was not forwarded as it ought. You have got three epithets for my former letter, which I believe are all unjust: you say it was unfriendly, unkind, and unaccountable. The two first, I suppose, may pass but for one, saving (as capt. Fluellin says, the phrase is) a little variation.
- ↑ The archduke Charles arrived at Spithead, in his way from Holland to Portugal, Dec. 26, 1703. By invitation from queen Anne, he visited her majesty at Windsor on the 29th. On the 31st he went to the seat of the duke of Somerset at Petworth in Sussex; and set sail for Portugal, Jan 5; but, being driven back by contrary winds, it was the 27th of February before he arrived at Lisbon.
- ↑ See an anecdote of dean Jones, in Dr. King's Works, vol. ii, p. 250.
