LADY R. VAUGHAN TO MR. RUSSELL.

London, September 23, 1672.

IF I were more fortunate in my expression, I could do myself more right when I would own to my dearest Mr. Russell what real and perfect happiness I enjoy, from the kindness he allows me every day to receive new marks of, such as, in spite of the knowledge have of my own wants, will not suffer me to mistrust I want his love, though I do merit, to so desirable a blessing; but, my best life, you that know so well how to love and to oblige, make my felicity entire, by believing my heart possessed with all the gratitude, honour, and passionate affection to your person, any creature is capable of, or can be obliged to; and this granted, what have I to ask but a continuance (if God see fit) of these present enjoyments? if not, a submission, without murmur, to his most wise dispensations and unerring providence; having a thankful heart for the years I have been so perfectly contented in: he knows best when we have had enough here; what I most earnestly beg from his mercy is, that we both live so as, which ever goes first, the other may not sorrow as for one of whom they have no hope. Then let us cheerfully expect to be together to a good old age; if not, let us not doubt but he will support us under what trial he will inflict upon them. These are necessary

* Lady Vaughan retained the name of her first husband, Lord Vaughan, till Mr. Russell succeeded to his title, in 1678, by the death of his brother.

meditations sometimes, that we may not be surprised above our strength by a sudden accident, being unprepared. Excuse me if I dwell too long upon it; it is from my opinion that if we can be prepared for all conditions, we can with the greater tranquillity enjoy the present; which I hope will be long; though when we change, it will be for the better, I trust, through the merits of Christ. Let us daily pray it may be so, and then admit of no fears; death is the extremest evil against nature it is true; let us overcome the immoderate fear of it, either to our friend or self, and then what light hearts we may live with! But I am immoderate in my length of this discourse, and consider this is to be a letter. To take myself off, and alter the subject, I will tell you the news came on Sunday night to the Duke of York, that he was a married man; he was talking in the drawing-room, when the French ambassador brought the letters in, and told the news; the duke turned about and said, "Then I am a married man." It proved to be to the Princess of Modena; for it was rather expected to be Canaples' niece; she is to have a 100,000 francs paid here; and now we may say she has more wit than ever woman had before; as much beauty, and greater youth than is necessary; he sent his daughter, Lady Mary, word the same night, he had provided a playfellow for her. Mr. Neale, who interrupts me in this my most pleasant employment, tells me, my Lord Mulgrave has the garter given him. The duke of Monmouth goes this week, and more regiments, as they talk now. The emperor has made a

declaration, or remonstrance, how the French have made the first breaches, so forced him to war; that he has declared; but I do not find that the Swede joins yet with the French. The Lady Northumberlands have met at Northumberland House, After some propositions offered by my sister to the other, which were discoursed yesterday before my Lord Chancellor, between the elder lady and Mr. Montagu, Lord Suffolk by; my sister offers to deliver up the child, upon condition she will promise she shall have her on a visit for ten days or a month sometimes, and that she will enter into bonds not to marry the child without the mother's consent, nor till she is of years of consent; and, on her part, Mr. Montagu and she will enter into the same bonds, that when she is with them, or at no time, they will marry or contract any marriage for her, without the grandmother's consent; but she was stout yesterday, and would not hear patiently; yet went to Northumberland House, and gave my sister a visit. I hope for an accommodation. My sister urges it is hard her child (that if she has no other children must be her heir) should be disposed of without her consent; and in my judgment it is hard; yet I fancy I am not very apt to be partial. If the weather be with you as it is with us, there never was a more dismal time for the country; it is happy you have some society besides hawks. I hope Friday will bring the chiefest desire in the world by your

R. VAUGHAN.

My Lady Bellasys is going to France for a consumption.

VOL. V.

LADY R. VAUGHAN TO MR. RUSSELL.

London, 1675.

THE few hours we have been parted seem too many to me, to let this first post night pass, without giving my dear man a little talk, which must be an account how I have spent my time; for intelligence I have none, and my heart and thoughts are all known to Mr. Russell. Therefore, to return to my present design, I am to tell you, though I intended to dine where I am now, at Leicester House, yet your father coming to see our miss (their eldest child) carried me to dinner to Bedford House to eat Devonshire fish, and after wanting gamesters, I must play one hour; but before I had done one quarter, Lord Suffolk came, and I desired to resign to him, having won my lord five pounds and myself thirty shillings; so I came to my sister, and found her in great trouble, the child seeming indeed to be very ill, and the doctor directing a vomit, and whilst it was getting ready he went to see my Lady Jones' children, and whilst he was there her youngest boy died, played with him when he came in, and only flushed in his face and died instantly. My sister's girl is better to-day; our's fetched but one sleep last night, and was very good this morning. My Lord Stamford left his wife this morning at four o'clock, and is gone to his uncle Gray. This Mr. Darcy told me this morning; but you will suppose I have not bettered my information since, being at this day at Leicester House; the Lord Huntington's is a

better fortune than he was by the death of the Lord Stanhope, 1500l. a year coming to him. Mr. Grimes, that was at Wickham, was married yesterday to Dol. Howard, the maid of honour. Madam Mazarin is not arrived yet; but I hear Madam Tremblet is. My uncle told Sir Harry Vernon yesterday he was une des incurables.

If you are not mightily delighted, I hope you will not stay the longest of your time from your

R. VAUGHAN.

He

The doctor presents his services to you. has been to see the child. No city news, he says; but the monied men likely to be undone again, all calling in their money, and they not able to pay so suddenly.

Harry Saville is in a kind of disgrace with the duke (of York). When the king dined at the duke of Albermarle's, after dinner, the duke, talking to Saville, asked if he meant not to invite the king to the business of the day. Saville wondered what he meant. The duke told him he need not; for sure it was his constant endeavour to get the king to drink more than any that wished him well would do. Saville denied it. "Then go away," replies the other; so he did. And the next day, the king reproaching him for not staying, he told the occasion; so there is great anger. I write in the nursery, and Lady Harvey is just rushed by, and no sister at home; so I may be engaged, but I think not, for she is started back again, a perfect vision! I am going to see poor Lady Jones.