Mr. Harley in a Cornorand talk with him a good while before and since he was declar'd. Sunday I made my bows to the Duke of Bucks, and he's short sighted and I thought he had forgot me so I got Mr. Scarborough to present me to him, and he told me he had the favour of a letter from you. I said I knew you had congratulated his Grace upon the birth of his son, for the lost of wch I beg'd leave to condole for you and my self too ; and now I shall tell you a pleasant story accation'd by the death of this child. Lady Dotchester says^f the Duke kill'd it with over care, hewou'd not let it suck from the apprehention he had that there was no sound woman to be mett with, nor be fed with a Spoon because he designed the Dutchess when she was well enough shou'd give it suck herself, so he had an invention of a Sucking bottle wch was so managed in short the child was starved, then they were in hunt for a Nurse. Mr. Walpool had a child at nurse, that nurse got herself recommended there, the Duke examin'd her Breast himself and told her he like't her but wou'd see the child that suckt her wch she brought without asking Walpool's leave, and the Duke made her undress the child and he examined it all over strake naked and found it without any spot so he said he wou'd have her. She went with joy to her Master Walpool and told him all that had past and beg par- don she had gone without his leave ; he said he would not have her loose her place, but charged her to tell the Duke, that all the soundest Nurses in England cou'd never [make] a child of his sound, and if he had a mind to have a sound one there was no way but to desire him to get it. The child was open'd "^ and Lady Dotchester said they cou'd see nothing but that it was starved.
The Queen comes a Munday to Kingsenton to go to the Chapel at St. James's to the thanksgiven and return a Wed- nesday Hampton Court. I was to see Lord Berkley tod ay but cou'd not find him at home, by next post I hope to send you word what I can get out of him. I shall end my letter that I may carry it soon to the Office ; a Lady has promised a
very pritty song that is made upon Mrs. M wch I shall
send with her most humble service as soon as I can get it.
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