Beaufort, 7th Feb. 1710.
"Dear Love!
"My Lord" (Derwentwater) "is very well pleased with Dilstone, and
says it answers all that he has heard of it: but is resolved to
build a new house, though Roger Fenwick told him he thought his
lordship need not alter a stone of it. Upon Thursday my lord dines
at Dilstone. Yours for ever,
"WILLIAM SWINBURNE.
"P.S. I understand my lord intends to be at Capheaton on Saturday,
and then upon Tuesday at Witton, and so for Widdrington. My lord's
leg is a little troublesome; but he intends to hunt the fox
to-morrow, and it is a rule all to be abed at ten o'clock the night.
Here is old Mr. Bacon and his son, Mr. Fenwick, of Bywell. My lord
killed a squirl, and Sir Marmaduke a pheasant or two, and myself
one, this morning--which is all, &c."
The following letter from Lord Derwentwater, to Lady Swinburne, shows
that the illness which occasioned so much uneasiness was obstinate: it
affords a curious sample of the medical treatment of Dr. Radcliffe, who
kindly, and perhaps wisely, humoured his patient in the desire to go to
Newcastle.
"I have been just now with my dear uncle, and Jack Thornton was with
me. He received us very well: but is yet unease about those people
that disturb him, and he says that he must go down to Newcastle by
sea, or else he will never get quitte of them. This is an ode fancy;
but I believe we shall comply with it, for the doctor dous not sime
very averce to it, and was for sending Joseph back with him; but I
have taken the horse into my stable, for I feared it mit hurt the
horse to return so soon. In fin, I fansed Sir William would like the
value of the horse better than to have him sent back. I have been
offered eighteen pound. I would have Sir William let me know by the
next post whether he will have the horse or the money. I shall have
the honor to whrit to him very soon."
The two following epistles, one from Lady Derwentwater, the other from
the Earl, speak of married happiness, alloyed, not only by the
distempered fancies of an invalid uncle, but by the melancholy accounts
of a brother's behaviour. It does not, however, appear certain which of
the brothers, whether Francis or Charles, was thus alluded to.