resignation I have no doubt of; yet nature will shrink, when the weight is heavy, and presses hard; which will not be imputed, because 'tis natural. I also pray to God to fortify your spirit under every tryal; till eternity swallows all our troubles, all our sorrows, all our disappointments, and all our pains in this life. The longest, how short to eternity! All these ought to be my own care to improve my weak self, as the fortitude of your mind, experience, and knowledge, does to you. And I pray for such a portion of them in mercy to me, as may secure an endless glorifying, to so feeble, so ignorant, so mean a creature as myself, that I can't be too little in my own sight. If there be a regency, the intended journey to Chatsworth must be laid aside; as I must my pen for want of day. I am certain of this being a truth, that I am faithfully and affectionately your's. May 28, 1716 R. RUSSELL. LETTER LETTER CLV. BISHOP OF LITCHFIELD AND COVENTRY* TO LADY RUSSELL. MADAM, I SHOULD have done myself this honour long since, could I have had the vanity to think I knew any thing which would not come to your Ladyship by better hands; but you, Madam, have account of the most important matters from persons who cannot be deceived; and, I am sure, you are above the relish of those common things which supply the news and conversation of the town. I cannot, however, leave this place (which purpose to do on Monday next) without presenting my most humble respects to your Ladyship, and my sincere prayers to Almighty God, for health and happiness to yourself and all yours. I leave a place which is now pretty empty since the royal family went to Hampton-court, where the public manner in which the King lives, makes it the rendezvous, not only of the ministers and great men, but of the people of all ranks and conditions. He dines openly and with company *John Hough, afterwards called the good Bishop of Worcester, greatly promoted the Revolution; died March 8, 1743, aged above 92. every day, and the novelty of the sight draws a mighty concourse. After so long a reserve, we may easily imagine how great a constraint he puts upon himself; but he certainly does a right thing, for by this means his face (which speaks nothing but what is great and good) will not only be familiar to his people, but he will enter into a degree of intimacy with the nobility, above what could be arrived at in the cabinet or drawing-room. Would to God it might prove the happy occasion of bringing him and the prince to a better understanding; for upon that depends the establishment of our peace, and we have already felt how much the want of it has shaken us, but there does not seem to be any appearance that way; this still continues to be the dark side of our prospect, and were it not that God has already carried so many threatening clouds over our own heads, one would dread to think how heavy this may fall.* I am now going to a place where I resolve to make as few of these reflections as possible, for they are attended with anxiety of thought, and raise apprehensions of danger, which by an hundred ways * Tindal, speaking of the difference between King George I. and the Prince, says, it arose from the Prince's resenting the Duke of Newcastle's standing godfather in his own name to Prince Geo. -William (who was born 2d Nov. 1717, died 6 Feb. 1717-18) and not as proxy for the Duke of York, Bishop of Osnabrug, his Uncle; on which the King was displeased. But by this letter it appears there was a disagreement before. unforeseen unforeseen by us, Providence may please to disappoint; but I mention them to your Ladyship, because I know you to be one of those very few, who can make a right use of them, by using them as occasion of fervent prayer for the public welfare, without suffering them to raise a passion, or disturb your mind. Give me leave, Madam, to wish you all the happiness your own soul can desire, and to profess myself as I do, with great humility and truth, MADAM, Your Ladyship's most obedient, 27 July, 1717. JO. LITCHFIELD and cov. I beg leave to present my most humble service to good Lord Gallway. My wife's humble duty attends your Ladyship; and we are both full of acknowledgment for the fine piece of venison you were pleased to send us. LETTER LETTER CLVI. LADY RUSSELL TO THE EARL OF GALWAY. AS the fine season continues, (for such I esteem a hot one) I slacken in my scribbling; the pure air alone abundantly exceeds my tattle under the roof, tho' very well meant to you, whethen sent in the French or English tongue. But altho' your Lordship spoke as well as you possibly could do of my French, if you did it to encourage my use of it, you will be under a small disappointment, for I intend to keep my credit, and meddle no more, unless unthinking, as I really did then, and occasion no discord between us. Any partiality for that country you have discharged sufficiently long since, and the time is come to do the like to this we at present live in. That there is a more sure abiding one, is the believing Christian's comfort, and to attain that grace our daily endeavour, and those that seek shall find in due time; 'tis a blessing worthy the waiting for, (&c.) Lady Anne Harvey* writes to me from Bath, that there was, at one o'clock at night, an earth * Daughter of Lady Russell's sister Montague. She was married first to Alexander Popham, Esq. and afterwards to Lieut. Gen. Harvey. quake |