Earls of Middleton, Lords of Clermont and of Fettercairn

Charles, Second Earl of Middleton. 199
20, or 86 (the king, the Princess of Denmark, or
Lord Churchill) give it over to be 163 (are dead)
before 534 (the Prince of Orange), then we might
shut up shop ; and three to one, you know, are great
odds. Why should not these factors, who have in
their hands that bale of goods No 176 (England), be
called upon to deliver it ? This is a critical time ; no
stone should be left unturned. I shall not pretend to
set down the means, nor need I conjure you to bestir
yourself, since I know you are both able and willing
to restore our trade. Farewell ! "
From this time we meet with frequent mention of
the Earl of Sunderland's intrigues with King James.
The following letter is from John Anderson (the Earl
of Middleton) to his correspondent in England, under
the name of Appleby 2 : —
"June 20th, 1695.
" Since my last of the 16th inst, I have re-
ceived two of yours together, the 22nd and 29th
of May. I cannot guess nor imagine how 781 (Lord
Sunderland) should come to know anything of 20
(Princess of Denmark). Things of that nature are
often spoke at a venture, and not out of any cer-
tain knowledge, either out of malice or to value
oneself on a discovery. However, it is impossible
to make any true judgment of a matter that one is
1 Note by Macpherson.