CHAPTER V.

Journey to London--The floods--A faithful steward--The Rogers’ pedigree--A curious letter--Mr. Montagu’s visit to Newcastle --Birth of “Punch”--Inoculation--Baby clothes--Sandleford Priory --A parson and his wife--Countess of Granville--Correspondence with Duchess of Portland--Courayer--Woman’s education--Lord Orford’s letter to General Churchill--Preparation for inoculation--Elizabeth’s letter to her husband--Army discipline--Physicians’ fees--Pope’s grotto--A highwayman--Dangers of a post-chaise--“Punch’s” chariot--A Bath ball--“Mathematical inseration”--Midgham--A footpad--The Ministry--Pope’s _Dunciad_--Mrs. Pococke--Sugar tax--The Pretender--Sir Septimus Robinson--“Hide” Park--Gowns and fans--The wearing of “Punch”--A wet-nurse--Aprons--Orange trees--Lord Anson--Clothes and table-linen--Stowe--Thoresby--Death of “Punch”--Loss of an only child--Submission to God’s will--Duchess of Marlborough’s death--A Raree Show--Cattle disease--Mrs. Robinson’s illness 141–197