lady Masham, to have prevented your going. Pray do not go, for I will come to you when I see how things stand. My lord Shrewsbury is made lord treasurer, and every thing is ready for the proclaiming the duke of Brunswick king of England. The parliament will sit to morrow, and choose a new speaker, for sir Thomas[1] is in Wales.
For God's sake do not go; but either come to London, or stay till I come to you.
FROM ERASMUS LEWIS, ESQ.
KENSINGTON, SATURDAY, JULY 31, 1714.
AT the time I am writing, the breath is said to be in the queen's nostrils; but that is all. No hope left of her recovery. Lord Oxford is in council; so are the whigs. We expect the demise to night. There is a prospect, that the elector will meet with no opposition; the French having no fleet, nor being able to put one out soon. Lady Masham did receive me kindly. Poor woman, I heartily pity her. Now, is not the dragon born under a happy planet, to be out of the scrape? Dr. Arbuthnot thinks you should come up. You will not wonder if all my country resolutions are in suspense. Pray come up, to see how things go.
