I send this letter from hence, not to lose a post, that your grace may have as early information as I can give you of this matter; _which I am little otherwise concerned at, than as I fear it must give you some uneasyness_. I shall be very glad to hear no mischief does happen on this method of proceeding; but ’tis certain so small a sum as six or seven hundred pounds to have paid off the poor labourers, &c., would have prevented it; and I had prevailed with the undertakers not to give over till the whole work was covered safe. I shall, notwithstanding all this cruel usage from the Duchess of Marlborough, receive, and with pleasure obey, any commands your grace may please to lay upon me; being with the defference I ever was, Your Grace’s most humble And most obedient servant, J. VANBURGH. SIR JOHN VANBURGH TO THE DUCHESS OF MARLBOROUGH.[417] _Extract from a Letter, dated Blenheim, July 27, 1716._ * * * * * And I hope you will, in almost every article of the estimate for finishing this great design, find the expense less than is there allowed. Even that frightful bridge will, I believe, at last be kindlier looked upon, if it be found (instead of twelve thousand pounds more) not to cost above three; and I will venture my whole prophetic skill in this one point, that if I lived to see that extravagant project compleat, I shall have the satisfaction to see your grace fonder of it than of any part whatsoever of the house, gardens, or park. I don’t speak of the magnificence of it, but of the agreeableness, which I do assure you, madam, has had the first place in my thoughts and contrivance about it: which I have said little of hitherto, because I know it won’t be understood till ’tis seen, and then everybody will say, _’twas the best money laid out in the whole design. And if at last_ there is a house found in that bridge, _your grace will go and live in it_. _A Letter respecting a Suit in Chancery, which one Gardiner had commenced against her._ (This probably relates to the expenses of Blenheim. Supplied by W. Upcott, Esq.) Marlborough-house, the 9th of July, 1712.