The Virginia Gazette

LONDON, September 16.

The Publick has lately been told in the Papers that a most respectable Nobleman, Lord Lyttleton, who died not many Weeks ago, has left his Son and Heir so closely tied up that he cannot sell a single Acre, nor cut down one Tree upon his Estate. This severe Restriction, from a Parent naturally kind and indulgent, is said chiefly to have owed its Rise to the following Circumstance. His Lordship being one Day walking about his Park, observed some Persons measuring the Ground. As their Survey seemed to be taken with more than ordinary Particularity, he went up to them, and after some little Discourse invited them to Dinner. Here Nothing very material passed, the Gentlemen treated remaining very close, and his Lordship behaving to them with his usual Politeness; but the next Day, observing the same Party at the like Work again, and even measuring and numbering out his Trees, he went up to them the second Time, and told them, that as he could not but observe the Particularity displayed on the Occasion they must excuse him if he asked them the Reason of it. "My Lord (replied the Person who appeared to be their Leader) your Lordship treated us with so much Hospitality yesterday that we cannot conceal the Cause; we have agreed for the Reversion of all these Grounds and Trees with your Son, and are come here to make out a Schedule and Survey of them." The Reader may better figure to himself, than we can describe, the noble Peer's Agony at the Recital.