256 LETTERS CONCERNING April of this you best know nor could I contradict it in the least. Your brother John is sent for to marry Mrs Margarett Dixon which I beleeve will bee no disadvantage to you hee being intended for the Law. My Lord intends to purchase Baltinglasse and so to take an honour vppon him which will decide the businesse. The Duke is vppon purchasing pte of Chappie Izod lands to add vnto the parke intended at the Phenix, and my Lord will not keepe above 150 acres in his owne hands. Mrs Margarett Dixon will be as like her Aunt as you I believe, D Dixon must marry your sister My Lord is certainly a very great dissembler if hee intendeth not very much for you and I assure you that this match will bring you very many freinds if it go on. My Lord hath declared hee will not settle any estate as yett. If you should not have your health well I believe my Lord would bee content you come over and willing to send for you and if I live 24 houres I will know what hee intends or have a vile repulse. Pray see if you can match this stuff and send me word and bee sure that that shall never bee in my power that shall bee out of yours whilst I am Jo. Keating. Yrs. 1st. Sbr 1662. For Maurice Eustace Esqr. at Lyncolnes Inn London England. VI Del Muniment Book, lib. i, p. 374. 1 October— 3 November 1662 » Sir Maurice Eustace to King Charles II Most great & Gratious Soveraigne. I were not worthie to live if that I did not from the bottom of my hart to returne my most humble & harty thanks for the honor your MaM^ pleased to confere on both my nephews or rather on myself your Mat>e« most unworthy servant for to omitt this were to feed on the acorns & not to looke up to the Royall oake from whence this fruit is fallen This necessitie then Great Sir lying upon me pardon my presumption in making this addresse Thankfullnesse is the best returne that we have to make to God for his greatest blessings & God doth accept of a thankfull heart above all earthly thinges & why may it not be soe with good Kings who are like gods on earth for they command all who have the harts of their subjects I trespasse noe further that not only my nephewes but myself will live & die as we see great reason so to doe Your Matie8 most dutifull most obliged obedient & faithfull subject Maw Eustace can Dels. 3f , pp. 1541-6. 3 November 1662 Sir Maurice Eustace to Sir Maurice Eustace the Younger Sr. I received a foolish airie Letter from your brother to which I have returned this answer which when you have read you are to deliver and if
- This letter seems to refer to the knighthoods conferred by Charles II on Maurice
and John Eustace apparently before the date of the next letter, although Shaw (Knights of England, ii. 237) gives the date as 14 March 1662/3.
