in the market of ambition, let him give me his selling price, and employ your Lordship's most thankful, etc., etc.,[1]
The death at this moment of John Petty, who had managed his affairs in Ireland and understood the labyrinth of suits in which they were involved, not only deprived him of a near relative, but of a trusted adviser. Sir William's marriage in some respects also increased his troubles. The 'war with Lord Kingston,' which is frequently referred to in his papers, was originally undertaken on behalf of Lady Petty's son by her first husband, whose cause, once espoused by Sir William, was pushed by him with characteristic determination. A Mr. Napper also, who had married Sir William's only sister, died, and left his wife and family dependent upon his brother-in-law. Sir William was not wanting to his duty. Writing to Southwell, he says: 'I am, and ever shall be, a friend, and as an only brother to my sister and hers; and will do for them as for my own self; but God knows how long I shall be able to act for either. Let her doubt nothing of those steady principles whereby I have ever acted.'[2] The desponding tone of his letter was no doubt owing to the losses he had himself sustained. 'Sir William,' Lady Petty says, writing to Lady Ingoldsby, 'lost about 4,000l. by the fire of London; has lately paid about 2,000l. for the "yearly value" (which is more than the land is worth); has expended more than 5,000l. in Kerry, without a penny return; hath laid out for William Fenton about 1,500l. more than he hath received; is now paying 700l. of Sir Michael Fenton's debts; and lives all the time on money taken up at interest. Consider that I have neither jewels, plate, nor house to put my head in.'[3]
Sir William himself writes in the same strain to Mr. Waller: 'Exchange being at the intolerable rate of ten per cent., and we having contracted many debts for furnishing our house, it behoves us to be frugal;'[4] and Mr. Waller's
