Before I came away, she had recovered a warmth in her breast and one of her arms, and all the doctors agreed she would in all probability hold out till tọ morrow, except Mead, who pronounced several hours before, she could not live two minutes, and seems uneasy it did not happen so. I did not care to talk much to Arbuthnot, because I heard him cautious in his answers to other people; but by his manner, I fancy he does not yet absolutely despair. The council sat yesterday all day and night, taking it by turns to go out and refresh themselves. They have now adjourned, upon what the doctors said, till five. Last night the speaker and my lord, chief justice Parker were sent for, and the troops from Flanders. This morning the Hanoverian envoy was ordered to attend with the black box*, and the heralds to be in readi ness to proclaim the new king. Some of the whigs were at council yesterday, but not one failed to day; and most of the members of that party, in each house, are already come to town. If any change happens before the post goes out, I will send you word in a postscript; and you may conclude her alive,

welcome from me. Dinner shall be on the table at two, when you may be sure to find me ready to wait upon you. Nor shall I be at any other time from home, because I have received several letters, which threaten me with being pulled to pieces, if ever I come to London. After such menaces as these, it is easy to imagine, that the conversation of two such very good friends is not only extremely desirable, but the enjoyment of it will be a great happiness and satisfaction to him, who is, &c. JOHN RADCLIFFE.'' Radcliffe died on the first of November the same year, having survived the queen just three months; and it is said, that the dread he had of the populace, and the want of company in the country village, which he did not dare to leave, shortened his life. He was just 64 years old. He was buried in St. Mary's church, Oxtord

H

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Containing the instrument nominating the persons, in number thirteen, to be added as lords justices to the seven great officers of the realm.

H.

if you hear no more from me, and have no better authority than post-letters to inform you of the contrary. For God's sake do not think of removing from the place where you are, till matters are a little settled. Ireland is the last retreat you ought to think of; but you can never be better than you are now, till we see how things go.

#

I had yours with the printed pamphlet, as well as the other, and should have sent it away to morrow. * * * *†. Pray let me hear from Have you had all mine? post (I think it was the last) for a fortnight or more..

you.

I have failed you but one

Eleven at night.

The queen is something better, and the council again adjourned till eight in the morning.

TO MISS VANHOMRIGH.

Aug. 1, 1714.

WHO told you, I was going to Bath? No such thing. I had fixed to set out to morrow for Ireland, but poor lord Oxford desires I will go with him to Herefordshire, and only expect his answer whether I shall go there before, or meet him hereabouts; or to Wimple, (his son's house) and so go with him down : and I expect to leave this in two or three days one way or other. I will stay with him until the parliament meets again, if he desires it. I am not of your opinion about lord Bolingbroke; perhaps he may get the staff, but I cannot rely on his love to me: he knew I had a mind to be historiographer, though I valued it not, but for the publick service, yet it is gone to a worthless rogue that nobody knows. I am writ to earnestly by somebody to come to town, and

In the original six lines are here erased. N.

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join with those people now in power, but I will not do it. Say nothing of this, but guess the person. told lord Oxford I would go with him, when he was out and now he begs it of me, and I cannot refuse him. I meddle not with his faults, as he was a minister of state; but you know his personal kindness to me was excessive: he distinguished and chose me above all other men, while he was great; and his letter to me the other day was the most moving imaginable. When I am fixed any where, perhaps I may be so gracious to let you know, but I will not promise. Adieu.

FROM MR. JOHN BIRCH.

MR. DEAN,

Wantage, one o'clock,
Aug. 1, 1714.

AT twelve o'clock lord Bolingbroke's man rid through Wantage, to call Mr. Packer to London, the queen being dead. I am confounded at the melancholy news; yet could not forbear sending it to you. Your truly humble servant,

JO. BIRCH*.

FROM LORD BOLINGBROKE.

DEAR DEAN,

Aug. 3, 1714. THE earl of Oxford was removed on Tuesday: the queen died on Sunday. What a world is this! and how does fortune banter us! John Barber tells me,

Re

* Directed "To the reverend the Dean of St. Patrick's, Letcombe;" and endorsed, "Mr. Birch, of Wantage. ceived half after one on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 1, 1714. Queen's death. She died at seven that morning." H.

you

have set your face toward Ireland. Pray do not go. I am against it. But this is nothing; John is against it. Ireland will be the scene of some disorder, at least it will be the scene of mortification to your friends. Here every thing is quiet, and will continue so. Beside which, as prosperity divided, misfortune may perhaps to some degree unite us. The tories seem to resolve not to be crushed; and that is enough to prevent them from being so. Pope has sent me a letter from Gay: being learned in geography, he took Binfield * to be the ready way from Hanover to Whitehall. Adieu. But come to London, if you stay no longer than a fortnight, Ever yours, dear Jonathan, most sincerely.

I have lost all by the death of the queen, but my spirit; and I protest to you, I feel that increase upon me. The whigs are a pack of jacobites; that shall be the cry in a month, if you please.

FROM ERASMUS LEWIS, ESQ.

Tuesday, Aug. 3, 1714. I AM overwhelmed with business, and therefore have only time to tell you I received yours of August the first, and think you should come to town, to see how the world goes: for all old schemes, designs, projects, journeys, c. are broke by the great event. We are ili prognosticators. Every thing goes on with a tranquillity we durst not hope for. Earl Berkeley commands the fleet. Lord Dorset compliments the king. The duke of Bolton, lord lieutenant of Southampton. Addison secretary to the regents.

A village where Mr. Pope's father lived, and whence several of Mr. Pope's letters were written. It is in Windsor forest, and lies in Berkshire, H.

FROM MR. BARBER.

HONOURED SIR,

Aug. 3, 1714. You may easily imagine the concern we are all in on the sudden surprise of the queen's death. I have hardly recovered it yet. Lord Bolingbroke told me last Friday, that he would reconcile you to lady Somerset, and then it would be easy to set you right with the queen, and that you should be made easy here, and not go over. He said twenty things in your favour, and commanded me to bring you up, whatever was the consequence. He said farther, he would make clear work with them. But all vanished in a minute; and he is now threatened and abused every day by the party, who publickly rejoice, and swear they will turn out every tory in England.

Enclosed you have a letter from my lord; he desires you would come up, and be any where incognito. Why not at the queen's house?

The earl of Berkeley is to command the fleet to fetch over the king, and the duke of Argyll is to go to Scotland. I send you the list of the twenty-five Poor lady Masham is almost dead with

kings. grief

The parliament meets to-morrow, which will hinder me from coming down for three or four days; but if you resolve to stay in the country farther, I will certainly come down; for I must needs see you. Pray favour me with a line. I am, sir, your most obedient humble servant. Pray come up.

When my lord gave me the letter, he said, " he hoped you would come up, and help to save the constitution, which, with a little good management, might be kept in tory hands."

VOL. XVI,

*The lords of the regency. H.

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