182
THE HISTORY OF
it the finishing stroke; an honour that I would grudge any body but yourself. In order to ease you of some part of the charges, I promise to furnish pen, ink, and paper, provided you pay for the stamps. Besides, I have ordered my stewards to pay, out of the readiest and best of my rents, five pounds ten shillings a year, till my suit is finished. I wish you health and happiness, being, with due respect,
Madam,
Your assured friend,
What answer Mrs. Bull returned to his letter you shall know in my Second Part, only they were at a pretty good distance in their proposals; for as esquire South only offered to be at the charges of pen, ink, and paper, Mrs. Bull refused any more than to lend her barge[1], to carry his counsel to Westminster-hall.
- ↑ This proportion was however thought to be so inconsiderable, that the letter produced no other effect, than the convoy of the forces by the English fleet to Barcelona.
