Nov. 24. 1855.] 



NOTES AND QUERIES. 



397 



LONDON, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1855. 



X,ETTE]|S OF THE \VESTMOBELAND FAMILY. 



I send you the first part of a series of correspondence 

 relating principally to the family of the Earl of West- 

 moreland. They are of an early period, from 1686 to 

 1729; and they present many curious particulars, not 

 only concerning the domestic affairs of the familj-^ in 

 question, but also in reference to passing events, and to 

 the political occurrences of the time. 



William Henry Hakt. 



Albert Terrace, New Cross. 



July y 31»S 1686. 

 Dearest Heart. 

 Many accidents happen between y* cupp and y" 

 lipp, and therfore ought not to be so much ad- 

 mired at when they happen to frustrate resolutions 

 of more than a week's standing. If I may have 

 so much credit w*'' you, I doe assure you my reall 

 intentions, and earnest desires, were to be at 

 Mereworth this night; but my sister Rachell 

 coming out of Norfolk to towne on Thursday 

 night, and to goe downe to Windsore on Monday, 

 is so importunate w*'' me, I cannot refuse her ; so 

 that I have sent for my horses to come up to me, 

 that I may be at my owne liberty of coming away, 

 which I hope shall be in shorter time than she 

 speaks of in her letter. Y* side sadle is come up, 

 and I will have it altered some way or other to 

 pleas you, for that is allwayes y* desires and de- 

 signes of 



Your most affectionate husband, 



Vere Fane. 



My servis to deare Polly, and I desire 

 she will not labour too hard at y® 

 nett. I pray alsoe for all y'' little 

 cubbs. 



11. 



Maidston, Apr. y® 9i*-\ 

 Deare Heart, 

 I hope this will find thee well. John Browne 

 sayes, though he did not see you, he heares nothing 

 to y^ contrary. I feare I shall not see you till my 

 returne from liochester, for we have sett all too 

 morrow apart for y'' concerne of Boughton High- 

 way ; and y'' generall meeting of y" commissioners 

 upon y'' money act ; y^ sessions I suppose may be 

 adjourn'd in y*^ morning. I kept very good 

 houres last night, ten a clock, and eat no supper, 

 so (thank God) am extreame well this morning, 

 and just going out as John came, being nine a 

 clock. In y" morning when I awak't I felt for my 

 poor deare, but found nothing but a cold pillow ; 

 vi'^^ made me think of y*' old saying, one cannot 

 so rightly judge of y*^ comfort of a friend, till one 

 wants one ; and that, I assui'e thee, I doe thee 

 No. 317.] J 



every minuit ; therfore don't you imagine but I 

 will see you as soon as possible I can : in order to 

 it, I would have you send John againe too morrow 

 morning, that if I think we may dispatch in any- 

 convenient time, I may send for y" coach. I won't 

 tell you I love you, for I question not but you are 

 assur'd I am 



Thine to oetemity, 



Vere Fane, 

 (In dorio) 

 For y" Lady Fane at Mereworth. 



III. 



Nov. y« 9*, 1688. 

 10 A clock at night. 

 Dearest Heart. 

 Coming home just now I meet your letter, w*'' 

 an advertisement left by y^ porter, that if I sent 

 not too night, nothing could goe downe, for y^ 

 carrier went out of towne before day : however, 

 I have ventured to write this, and try if I can 

 meet with another carrier that may not goe so 

 soon, becaus I would not willingly miss an oper- 

 tunity to lett thee know I am well. I thank you 

 for remembring me in my clossett ; I doe assure 

 you I am even w**" you on that score, for from my 

 consience I speake it, day nor night, you are not 

 out of my thoughts, and I often drink your 

 healths, as our freinds at y* Goat can witness. 

 The Bishopps have in A eivill way refus'd signing 

 an abhorrence of y" P. of O. declaration and pro- 

 ceedings, and spoke very plainly to y'' king, w"^** 

 put him into great passions ; I dare not repeat y^ 

 dialogue, least I should mistake. The P. is said 

 to be in Exeter ; at court his army but 14,000 

 foot, and 4000 horse and dragoons ; by other ac- 

 counts it is by some 28,000, and some 35,000; by 

 y^ Court account y^ country fly from him and de- 

 stroy all before them, and not above 7 or 8 shabby 

 fellowes gone into him ; by other accounts y* 

 country does not stick, and 10,000 gone into him. 

 Ther went thro Oxford on Tuesday two Callashes 

 and six horses, attended with forscore horse well 

 armed, towards y® west. Y" army have almost 

 done marching out of London ; tho this dreadfuU 

 rainy night, as I am writing, I heare drumms beat- 

 ing, but know not for what. Too morrow y* 

 artillary march, and on Thursday sennight y* 

 King goes himself, but most are of opinion he 

 will not goe at all. 'Tis talk't as if severall hun- 

 dreds went out of thes partes on Tuesday night 

 westward, but we are not to beleive all rumores 

 at this time, when ther are more lies told then 

 one would think could be invented. I would have 

 been glad to have sent orders by this for my 

 horses, but I am in dayly expectation of our dull 

 executor, and cannot stirr till he come. 



My blessing to Moll and y'' rest of y® fry, and 

 tell Poll I wish mj^self heartyly A fourth pledger 

 in y* closett, and give her my humble servjs ; and 



