Autograph letter signed : Utrecht, to The Duke of Leeds, 1707 June 28.

Responding to a concern expressed by the Duke about music lessons for Lord Peregrine and putting forth a request by Lord Danby to cut his hair; defending the importance of music saying "I acknowledge that playing upon any Instrument is a very Indifferent qualification for a person of quality, & is not to be reckoned amongst those that make up the true caracter of a Nobleman. I am Satisfied a Gentleman is not to be Less valued for wanting a skill in Musick, and that if it were possible to keep young People always busy about & intent upon more material studies & exercises, it would be far more advantageous to them. But there are active & lively spirits that can by no means, be long intent upon one thing (tho never so willing to be so) & must needs be kept in exercises with some new Imployment, otherwise they would be so tired as to be incapable of returning to the former. Besides young Persons of that temper ought to be constantly Imployed about some good or, at least, Indifferent thing, to keep them from worse; for they must be always doing some thing or other. Y'r Grace knows that Lord Peregrine is somewhat of that temper, therefore I think, with submission, that the more Innocent occupations he has, the better it is for his Lordship. I would not have him to spend too much time about Musick, but only to Imploy himself about it whilst My Lord Danby is leaning his lute, wherein his Lordship improves wonderfully, tho he spends no more time about it, but from five to six of the Clock, when he takes his Lesson & in repeating it after supper. This consideration, together with my constant observation that those who love musick are the soberer part of the young Gentlemen of this age, confirm me in my opinion: which nevertheless I humbly submit to y'r Graces great wisdom;" putting forth the request by Lord Danby to cut his hair saying "I confess 'tis pitty to cut of so good head of hair as his is: But the thicker it is, the more troublesom[e] it is in the heat of summer, specially having to perform so many violent exercises; besides the Combing, Curling & powdering every day his Lordships & Lord Peregrine's hair takes much time, which could be spent to better purpose. But above all the Doctor who has often visited them, says that nothing would contribute more to preserve them in health, specially my Lord Peregrine, then to wear a perrwig. I shall say no more, leaving that matter wholly to y'r Grace & to My Lady. I shall only add, that if My Lords request were granted, t'would be no need to send any perrwigs from England, at least as long as my Lords stay at Utrecht, because, besides there are pretty good perrwig makers here, they are cheaper by near one half then at London;" saying he will soon send a summary of his accounts.