1

THE COUNTESS OF NOTTINGHAM.

2
4    The post served me just as it did y^r Losp., for last night I received
5both y^rs of the 30 of Jan: and that of the second of this moneth.
6Heneage is so well, he plays about his room, and to morrow is to
7take phisick. I have endeavoured all I can that Essex should have

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8them; and she herself had tryed if the small pox is to be catched,
9for the second day they were come out of her brother she gott into
10his room and kissed him, yet hitherto she keeps well.
11    I do not yet know when I shall leave this twone. Whenever I
12do, twill be w^th less relucktancy then ever I did in my life. There is
13so slow a progress made in ordering the dismal ceremony of the
14Queens funeral, that I cant ges when it will be finishd. I was told
15this day that the heralds had yet a quarter of their work to do: and
16I fear, when there work is over, there will come severall things
17betwixts that and the Abby. The King sent yesterday for all the
18Queens chief officers, and, upon seeing of them, fell into a great
19passion. He told them the Queen had recommended all her family
20to his care, w^thout w^ch tho he should not have been forgetfull of
21them, yet he had now another tye upon him to take care of them.
22I belive this was part of what he found written in the Queens desk.
23I do not yet hear of anny other thing mentioned, but I suppose this
24was not all.
25    I find it begins to be doubted wether the Princess be w^th child.
26A little time will resolve it. The Parliament setts very late every
27day, but what they do is so much above my understanding, I cant
28pretend to give an account of it; so this time will trouble y^r Losp
29no more w^th y^r most obedient, duttyful daughter,
30
32

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33

THE COUNTESS OF NOTTINGHAM.

34
37    I fear my Lady found it a wearisome day when she went to Exton,
38and they very much unprovided for her. I left them no cooke but
39a little boy, w^ch I doubt could perform but ill to entertain company.
40M^r Isaac, the dancing master, tells me he hears y^r Losp. had a mind
41to have a master to teach my sisters. Their is a German who he
42recommends for a sober man and very capable of teaching. His
43price will be three pound a moneth for each child, and for my
44little brother Will he will into the bargain teach him to walk and
45make a legg, and expects to have his charges born downe and up
46againe. Wither y^r Losp. has any such intention I know not; but,
47if you approve of this, if you please to lett me know y^r pleasure, I
48will tell it M^r Isaac.
49    S^r John Walter is going to be marryed to my Lady Stoel, w^ch
50will be very happy for him. With my humble deutty and thankes
51to my Lady, I will end from y^r most obedient, duttyfull daughter,
52