Page:The Wentworth Papers 1715-1739.djvu/495

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allways find one something to do. I am now upon a trans- action for your godson, which (if it goes on) I shall take the liberty to send your lordship an account off.

I am extreamly glad to find that your lordship is so well recovered after such an ugly accident. I wonder why you have so little regard for your own safety as to venture upon a skittish colt. I think the Duke of Argyle's maxim is a very good one, that one ought not to run any hazards in time of peace. It sounds well in his mouth and it wou'd so in your lordship's, as you have both distinguish'd yourselves by military courage. We country gentlemen may be fond of showing our prowess in venturing our necks a hunting, but such atchievements will add no honour to those who have lookt death in the face in battles and seiges. Your country, your family, your friends, my lord, have all a right to reproach you for this useless danger you have run yourself into.

3(C 5(C 3^i 'A'

[George Phipps.]

January 8, 1733.

.... Lord Malton is to have a Diner to morrow for his

tenants, itt being his son's birth day. They say 'tis an out

of way thing, the people are to dine upon wood dishes ; they

cutt down wood on purpose to make them of Punch is to be

the liquor cheifly and I think the cheapest, for Lord Ma

seldom keeps any great stock of malt drink. They have bought verjuce for the punch, a little brandy will make country people drunk. I and my wife are invited, but shee does nott go abroad yett. I design to go and see in what maner this feast is ; we have all ticketts sent, so no person addmitted without, and the roome we must dine in sett upon the tickett.*

  • The writer of this, and some succeeding letters not remarkable for

refinement of expression, was one of Lord Strafford's Yorkshire agents probably an attorney in the neighbourhood of Barnsley. Lord Malton was the son of Thomas Watson Wentwonh (frequently referred to with no friendly spirit in the early part of the Correspondence), having been made a peer in 1728. His son became Marquis of Rockingham, and Prime Minister in 1765 and 1782.

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