THE OCTOBER MEETING.



   "It is now almost a week since the King has had any
appearance of ague; and you may guess by the methods
he takes, he will soon recover his health, having Newmarket.
exchanged water-gruels and potions for mutton Charles IL
and partridges, on which he feeds frequently and September-
heartily; and whereas the general discourse of October.
the Court about a week since was of his Majesty's speedy
return to Whitehall, it's now a generally talk't of, and as
generally believed, that he will take Newmarket in his way,
having lately reassumed fresh resolutions of removing thither
about the i8th of this month, and having likewise given order
that all necessary preparations be made there to that purpose:
this day his Majesty has been abroad, which is the first
attempt he has made of that kind since his illness."-John
Mountstevens to the Hon. Henry Sidney, Windsor, Aug. 29,
1679. Sidney, "Diary," vol. i., p. 99.
   " London, Sept. 6. From Windsor we have daily Advice
That His Majesty is every day sensibly better, being free from
all Symptoms of his late Distemper. And it still continues,
That His Majesty, as soon as it pleases God to restore a little
more strength,.intends to divert himself at New-Market, the
Air of which place is the Opinion of most, will much conduce
to His Majesty's health."-" The Domestick Intelligence, or
News both from City and Country, published to prevent false
reports," Sept. 8, i679, No. i8.
   " On Monday last in the Afternoon, His Majesty returned
safely and in Health to White/rall from Nzew-Market, accom-
panied with the Queen, and attended by the Nobility and
several persons of honour."-Ibid., Oct. 17, No. 30.
   " His Majesties design (as is reported) to return to White-
hall on Monday next: But the Physitians having advised that
royal buck-hounds, were put forward in support of the court party in
opposition to Messrs. Winwood and Starkey, the sitting members. The
royal candidates were returned by a considerable majority through the
votes of the retainers and servants of the castle; but on a petition to
the House of Commons the royal huntsmen were unseated, and the old
members reinstated on the grounds that their opponents were informally
returned " by the voices the King's servants, who have no pretence of
voting there but as such."-Ibid., p. 98.



1679.1



357