satisfy you in particular, why the queen has not yet sent a letter in form. Upon that dispatch to Mr. Southwell, I was perplexed to the last degree. I did not value the slighting manner of the bishop of Kildare's letter, barely desiring Mr. Southwell to call on me for the papers, without any thing farther, as if I had been wholly insignificant; but I was at a loss how to behave myself with the duke and Mr. Harley. I met the latter yesterday in the court of requests, and he whispered me to dine with him. At dinner, I told him of the dispatch to Mr. Southwell, and rallied him for putting me under difficulties with his secrets; that I was running my head against a wall; that he reckoned he had done the church and me a favour; that I should disoblige the duke of Ormond; and that the bishops in Ireland thought I had done nothing, and had therefore taken away my commission. He told me, your lordship had taken it away in good time, for the thing was done; and that, as for the duke of Ormond, I need not be uneasy; for he would let his grace know it as soon as he saw him, which would be in a day or two, at the treasury; and then promised again to carry me to the queen, with the first opportunity. Your grace now sees how the affair stands, and whether I deserve such treatment from the bishops; from every part whereof I wholly exclude your grace, and could only wish my first letter, about the progress I had made, had found so much credit with you, as to have delayed that dispatch until you heard once more from me. I had at least so much discretion, not to pretend I had done more than I really did, but rather less: and if I had consulted my own interest, I should have employed my credit with the
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