the Exq"", Mr. Paget is to be call'd up by writ to the house of Lords and to be made first Lord of the Admiralty. There's some talk that the Duke of Shrewsbury is to be Master of the Horse and President too, but that I don't think likely, because it has been a maximc of late that nobody shou'd have two places of such different nature ; and besides I believe the Duke of Sommerset is still very well with the Queen, and the Dutchess you know, since he has been reported to be out of favour, carried the point of being Groom of the Stole and Mrs. of the Robes. Mr. Masham is declar'd Cofferer.
Some great ladies has afford the town some divertion by their quarrel. Lady Harvey who has been a Slave to the
Dutchess of M Daughters has at last pluckt a spirit not
to be the object of their laughter any longer, for the Dutchess of Montague had told her she was a fool. Lady Harvey in return in a whole assembly of Ladys told her that might be, but she was honest and had lain with nobody but her own Lord. Her Grace had lain with the Duke of Grafton and the Marchal, so they call Lord Villars. This quarrel is spoke of in all companys, and the Ladys are ready to fall into parties who was most to blame from the begining to the
end. The Dutchess of M made not reply, but O Lord
my Lady is in a Passion.
London, May 15, 171 1. Dear Brother,
'Twas much talk't of as I writ you last post that Mr. Harlcy wou'd last Sunday come out Earle of Oxford, Lord Treasurer and Knight of the Garter, but now 'tis said that it won't be till next Sunday by wch time 'tis supposed the mony Bill will be got thro' the house of Commons, in wch house Mr. Harley is thought so necessary that he can't be spared from thence till the Queen's business is done there. Mrs. Masham 'tis suppose will yet for some time defer having a title confer'd upon her husband, for he has been down at Windsor to be choose a Member of the House of Commons upon his having the Cofferer's Place. The Duke of North-
�� �
