die with ministries in my debt. This night I received a certain letter from a place called Wexford, from twe dear naughty girls of my acquaintance; but faith I won't answer it here, no, in troth, I will send this to Mr. Reading, supposing it will find you returned; and I hope better for the waters.

10. Mr. Vice Chamberlain lent me his horses to ride about and see the country this morning. Dr. Arbuthnot, the queen's physician and favourite, went out with me to show me the places: we went a little after the queen, and overtook Miss Forester, a maid of honour, on her palfrey, taking the air: we made her go along with us. We saw a place they have made for a famous horse race to-morrow, where the queen will come. We met the queen coming back, and Miss Forester stood, like us, with her hat off, while the queen went by. The doctor and I left the lady where we found her, but under other conductors, and we dined at a little place he has taken, about a mile off. When I came back, I found Mr. Scarborow had sent all about to invite me to the green cloth, and lessened his company on purpose to make me easy. It is very obliging, and will cost me thanks. Much company is come to town this evening, to see tomorrow's race. I was tired with riding a trotting mettlesome horse a dozen miles, having not been on horseI ack this twelvemonth. And Miss Forester* did not make it easier; she is a silly true maid of honour, and I did not like her, although she be a toast, and was dressed like a man.

* See the "Counsellor's Plea for the Divorce of Sir G. D. [George Downing] and Mrs. F. 1715." This couple were married in the year 1701; Sir George being then 15, and Miss F. but 13. The youth went upon his travels; and on his return, both parties having contracted an invincible aversion, application was mutually made for a divorce.

N.

11. I will send this letter to-day. I expect the secretary by noon. I will not go to the race, unless I can get room in some coach. It is now morning. I must rise, and fold up and seal my letter. Farewell, and God preserve dearest MD.

I believe I shall leave this town on Monday.

LETTER XXVIII.

Windsor, Aug. 11, 1711.

I SENT away my twenty-seventh this morning in au express to London, and directed to Mr. Reading: this shall go to your lodgings, where I reckon you will be returned before it reaches you. I intended to go to the race to-day, but was hindered by a visit, I believe I told you so in my last. I dined to-day at the green cloth, where every body had been at the race but myself, and we were twenty in all; and very noisy company : but I made the vice chamberlain and two friends more sit at a side-table, to be a little quiet. At six, I went to see the secretary, who is returned; but lord keeper sent to desire I would sup with him, where I staid till just now; lord treasurer and secretary were to come to us, but both failed. "Tis late, &c.

12. I was this morning to visit lord keeper, who made me reproaches that I had never visited him at Windsor. He had a present sent him of delicious peaches, and he was champing and champing, but I durst not eat one; I wished Dingley had some of them, for poor Stella can no more eat fruit than Fresto. Dilly Ashe is come to Windsor; and after church I carried him up to the drawing-room, and talked to the keeper and treasurer, on purpose to show them to him, and he saw the queen

and several great lords, and the duchess of Montague; he was mighty happy, and resolves to fill a letter to the bishop. My friend Lewis and I dined soberly with Dr. Adams, the only neighbour prebendary. One of the prebendaries here is lately a peer, by the death of his father. He is now Lord Willoughby of Brooke, and will sit in the house of Lords with his gown. supped to-night at Masham's with lord treasurer, Mr. Secretary, and Prior. The treasurer made us stay till twelve before he came from the queen, and 'tis now past

two.

I

13. I reckoned upon going to London to-day; but by an accident the cabinet council did not sit last night, and sat to-day, so we go to-morrow at six in the morning. I missed the race to-day by coming too late, when every body's coach was gone, and ride I would not; I felt my last riding three days after. We had a dinner to-day at the secretary's lodgings without him: Mr. Hare, his under secretary, Mr. Lewis, Brigadier Sutton and I dined together, and I made the vice-chamberlain take a snap with us, rather than stay till five for his lady, who was gone to the race. The reason why the cabinet council was not held last night, was because Mr. Secretary St. John would not sit with your duke of Somerset. So to-day the duke was forced to go to the race while the cabinet was held. We have music meetings in our town, and I was at the rehearsal t'other day, but I did not value it, nor would go to the meeting. Did I tell you this before ?.

London, 14. We came to town this day in two hours and forty minutes: twenty miles are nothing here. I found a letter from the archbishop of Dublin, sent me the Lord knows how. He 66 says, some of the bishops

* Of Clogher. D. S.

will hardly believe that lord treasurer got the queen to remit the first-fruits before the duke of Ormond was declared lord lieutenant; and that the bishops have written a letter to lord treasurer to thank him." He has sent me the address of the convocation, ascribing, in good part, that affair to the duke, who had less share in it than MD; for if it had not been for MD, I should not have been so good a solicitor. I dined to-day in the city, about a little bit of mischief with a printer. I found Mrs. Vanhomrigh all in combustion, squabbling with her rogue of a landlord, she has left her house, and gone out of our neighbourhood a good way. Her eldest daughter is come of age, and going to Ireland to look after her fortune, and get it in her own hands.

15. I dined to-day with Mrs. Van, who goes to-night to her new lodgings. I went at six to see lord treasurer, but his company was gone, contrary to custom, and he was busy, and I was forced to stay some time before I could see him. We were together hardly an hour, and he went away, being in haste. He desired me to dine with him on Friday, because there would be a friend of his that I must see my Lord Harley told me when he was gone, that it was Mrs. Masham his father meant, who is come to town to lie in, and whom I never saw, though her husband is one of our society. God send her a good time; her death would be a terrible thing. Do you know, that I have ventured all my credit with these great ministers, to clear some understandings between them; and if there be no breach, I ought to have the merit of it? 'Tis a plaguy ticklish piece of work, and a man hazards losing both sides. "Tis a pity the world does not know my virtue. I thought the clergy in convocation in Ireland would have given me thanks for being their solicitor, but I hear of no such thing. Pray talk occasionally on that subject, and let me know

what you hear. Do you know the greatness of my spirit, that I value their thanks not a rush? but at my return shall freely let all people know that it was my lord treasurer's action, wherein the duke of Ormond had no more share than a cat. And so they may go whistle,

and I'll go sleep.

16. I was this day in the city, and dined at Pontack's with Stratford, and two other merchants. Pontack told us" although his wine was so good, he sold it cheaper than others, he took but seven shillings a flask." Are not these pretty rates? The books he sent for from Hamburgh, are come, but not yet got out of the customhouse. My library will be at least double when I come back. I shall go to Windsor again on Saturday, to meet our society, who are to sup at Mr. Secretary's ; but I believe I shall return on Monday, and then I will answer your letter, that lies safe here underneath; I see it; lie still; I'll answer you, when the ducks have eaten up the dirt.

17. I dined to-day at lord treasurer's with Mrs. Masham, and she is extremely like one Mrs. Malolly, that was once my landlady in Trim. She was used with mighty kindness and respect, like a favourite. It signifies nothing going to this lord treasurer about business, although it be his own. He was in haste, and desires I will come again, and dine with him to-morrow. His famous lying porter is fallen sick, and they think he will die I wish I had all my half-crowns again. I believe

:

I have told you, he is an old Scotch fanatic, and the damn'dest liar in his office alive. I have a mind to recommend Patrick to succeed him: I have trained him up pretty well. I reckon for certain, you are now in town. The weather now begins to alter to rain.

Windsor, 18. I dined to-day with lord treasurer, and he would make me go with him to Windsor, although I