APPENDICES 2G9 



The Duchess made these blots/ and values herself 

 upon it. 



I desire you would send word whether white currants 

 be proper to make tarts : it is a point that we dispute 

 upon every day, and will never be ended unless you 

 decide it. 



The Duchess would be extremely glad if you could 

 come here this day se'nnight; but if you cannot, come 

 this day fortnight at farthest, and bring as many unlikely 

 people as you can to keep you company. Have you lain 

 at Marble Hill since we left Petersham 1 Hath the 

 Duchess an aunt Thanet alive again 1 She says there are 

 but two people in the world that love and fear me — and 

 those are. Lord Drum(lanrig) and Lord Charles.^ If 

 they were awake, I would make them love those that 

 I love, and say something civil to you. The Duchess hath 

 left oflF taking snuff ever since you have ; but she takes a 

 little every day. I have not left it off, and yet take 

 none ; my resolution not being so strong, Though you 

 are a water-drinker yourself, I dare say you will be sorry 

 to hear that your friends have strictly adhered to that 

 liquor ; for you may be sure their heads cannot be affected 

 by that. 



General Dormer refused to eat a wheat-ear, because 

 they call it a fern-knacker ; but since he knew it was a 

 wheat-ear, he is extremely concerned. You are desired to 

 acquaint Mrs. Smith that the Duchess was upon the brink 

 of leaving off painting the first week she came here, but 

 hath since taken it up with great success. She hopes she 

 will never think of her and my Lord Castlemain of the 



^ The paper is here smeared with blots. 



- Her two children, born respectively 1722 and 1726. 



