Nederlandse historische bronnen 10

7*

Hague, 12th October 1728

My Dear Lord, I don't know whether you will pardon my troubling you with two letters by the same post, but I hope you will when you consider, that they are written in two very different capacities; the other is what our employments oblige us to, this is what, the friendship and long acquaintance between us, requires. I am persuaded I need not tell you how much I value that friendship, and desire the continuance of it, for which reason I think it proper that now and then, the fami-

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liarity of a friend, should accompany the formality of a minister; or else we might in time Excellency one another, into a grave ceremonious acquaintance. If you please then, I will for a moment lay aside, the important affairs of Europe, and enquire a little into your private pleasures; does that manly vigour and that noble contempt of danger, still continue? I am informed it distinguish'd itself at Paris; I hope it does so at Vienna too. As I know that both your rammer and balls are made for a German calibre, you may certainly attack with infinite success, and I know your fortitude too well to suppose that you will decline the combat, lett the danger be ever so great. So I expect some account of your performances²¹. As for mine they are not worth reciting; you know I never was a great hero; and in this place there are few provocations for courage, and the coldness of the enemy, even damps one's bravery; the warmest thing I have mett with here between a pair of leggs has been a stove; and they have not liked what I putt in the place of it, half so well. D'ailleurs, I divert myself here very well; the people are extream good sort of people, and very kind to me²², the ministers here particularly, I have infinite obligation to, who make everything as easy to me as possible; and I believe there is not in the world so amiable a character as the Pensionary's. It is impossible to describe his superior talents in all sorts of business; and his good humour and witt in conversation. And I verily believe a greater and an honester man never liv'd²³. I'll tire you no longer; continue me your friendship, and do me the justice to think me, Dear Waldegrave - - -

21 None survive in Chewton.

22 Chesterfield was a very generous host, and this made him popular in The Hague. Gansinot, Wittelsbach envoy at The Hague, to Count Plettenberg, minister of the Elector of Cologne, 13 Sept. 1729, Münster, Staatsarchiv, Deposit Nordkirchen, Papers of the Plettenberg family, num. NB 259, f. 209; Broglie, French ambassador in London to Chauvelin, 28 Nov. 1729, AE, Correspondance politique Angleterre (CP Ang.), num. 367, f. 172; Daily Post Boy, 6 Nov. 1728 OS; Edward Mellish to Joseph Mellish, 23 Aug. 1731, Nottingham University Library, Mellish papers.

23 Simon van Slingelandt, 1664-1736.