78 The Duchess of Newcastle 



some debts, was necessitated to sell some land of his 

 at an under-rate. My Lord's two sons (who were also 

 in England at that time) were no less in want and 

 necessity, then we, having nothing but bare credit 

 to Hve on ; and My Lord's estate being then to be sold 

 outright. Sir Charles, his brother, endeavoured, if 

 possible, to save the two chief houses, viz. Welbeck 

 and Bolsover, being resolved rather to part with some 

 more of his land, which he had lately compounded for, 

 then to let them fall into the enemies hands; but 

 before such time as he could compass the money, 

 some body had bought Bolsover, with an intention 

 to pull it down, and make money of the materials; 

 of whom Sir Charles was forced to buy it again at a 

 far greater rate then he might have had it at first, 

 notwithstanding a great part of it was pulled down 

 already; and though My Lord's eldest son Charles 

 Lord Mansfield, had those mentioned houses some 

 time in possession, after the death of his uncle; 

 yet for want of means he was not able to repair 



them. 



I having now been in England a year and a half, 

 some intelligence which I received of My Lord's being 

 not very well, and the small hopes I had of getting 

 some rehef out of his estate, put me upon design of 

 returning to Antwerp to My Lord; and Sir Charles, 

 his brother, took the same resolution, but was 

 prevented by an ague that seized upon him. Not long 

 had I been with My Lord, but we received the sad 

 news of his brother's death, which was an extream 

 affliction both to My Lord, and my self, for they loved 

 each other entirely : In truth, he was a person of so 

 great worth, such extraordinary civihty, so obliging a 

 nature, so full of generosity, justice and charity, 

 besides all manner of learning, especially in the 



