UNPUBLISHED LETTER.

I have thought that the following old letter, from a retired lawyer of the seventeenth century to his future son-in-law, might not be altogether uninteresting to your readers, as referring to the value of land and money at the period when it was written.

C. W. B.

July y^e 16^th, (16)95.

S^r,

Since you are pleased to demand my opinion concerning your intended purchase, I shall give you it as well as I can upon so short a warning. You say, if lett, you suppose it was worth a 130l. per annū. I cannot tell by your letter whether the mills, lett at 20l. per annū, are a part of y^e 130l.: if it be, I think 2600l. a great price, being much above twenty years' purchase, considering the lord's rent. But if they are not included in that sum, 'tis a good twenty years' purchase. Now you must consider what returne this will make for your money. I am sure, as times goe, not three per cent; and money makes full five, and very seldom, if ever, pays taxes. I believe it may be very convenient for you, and it is very advantageous to be entire; but if you should contract a debt to buy this estate you will be very uneasy, and, if you marry, the first setting out will be expensive, and it will be ill taking up money to defray necessary charges. I conceive the land is in hand, and not lett; so that, if you have not a tenant, you must be at the expence of stocking, w^ch will sett very hard upon you. And you know, wⁿ your sister marrys, there is a 1000 pounds more to be provided. Pray putt all these things together, and propose some way of solving all these difficultys; and, if you can, I should be glad to have it annexed to your estate, and settled upon the heirs male of your body. Upon w^ch consideration I shall be more inclined to farther your desires in a reasonable manner.

Pray, wⁿ you hear any more of that coūselor's amours send me word, but lett me advise you never to say anything of him or his estate that may come to the lady's ears. I hope my Lady Morton will not tell M^rs Tregonell any more than what all the world should know. I heard the K^t had bid adieu to the Woodland Lady. I am very glad of it, for I wish him better ffortune. I writt lately to S^r John, who honoured me with a letter. As for public news, you have heard, I suppose, of our burning St. Malos and Grandvile; and that wee have left a great many of our men before Namur, but they continue the siege vigorously. They say the ffrench are about to sett downe before Dixmude, to bring us of by revultion. Pray p^rsent mine and my daughter's service to your sister, and believe me to be, S^r, your affectionate kinsman and servant

J. Potenger.

Remember, at this time there is a great deal of land to be sold, but few purchasers. I have spooke to S^r Miles Cooke, who promises to lett me have your settlement to peruse, and to end matters fairly. Since I writt my letter 'tis reported ... is surrendered or taken.

These ffor Richard Binghā, Esq., at

Bingham's Malcombe, to be left at

the post-house in St. Andrew's,

Milborne, Dorsett.