I shall take speedy course in the business concerning my Tenants; for which, thanks. My service to your Lady. I am really, your affectionate servant,
Had Cromwell come out to Farnham on military business? Kent is in a ticklish state; it broke out some weeks hence in open insurrection,[2]—as did many other places, when once the ‘Scotch Army of 40,000’ became a certainty.
‘The business concerning my Tenants’ will indicate that in Hampshire, within ken of Norton, in Fawley Park, in Itchin, Abbotston, or elsewhere, ‘my Tenants’ are felling wood, cutting copses, or otherwise not behaving to perfection: but they shall be looked to.
For the rest, Norton really ought to attend his duties in Parliament! In earnest ‘an idle fellow,’ as Oliver in sport calls him. Given to Presbyterian notions; was purged out by Pride; came back; dwindled ultimately into Royalism. ‘Brother Russel’ means only, brother Member. He is the Frank Russel of the Letter on Marston Moor. Now Sir Francis; and sits for Cambridgeshire. A comrade of Norton’s; seemingly now in his neighbourhood, possibly on a visit to him.
The attendance on the House in these months is extremely thin; the divisions range from 200 to as low as 70. Nothing going on but Delinquents’ fines, and abstruse negotiations with the Isle of Wight, languid Members prefer the country till some result arrive.
Here is a new phasis of the Wedding-treaty; which, as seems, ‘doth now a little stick.’ Prudent Mr. Mayor insists on his advantages; nor is the Lieutenant-General behindhand.
