for in two minutes out comes Mr. Finch,[14] Lord Guernsey’s son, to let me know that my Lord Compton,[15] the steward of this feast, desired, in the name of the Club, that I would do them the honour to dine with them.  I sent my excuses, adorned with about thirty compliments, and got off as fast as I could.  It would have been a most improper thing for me to dine there, considering my friendship with the Ministry.  The Club is about a hundred and fifty, and near eighty of them were then going to dinner at two long tables in a great ground-room.  At evening I went to the auction of Barnard’s books, and laid out three pounds three shillings, but I’ll go there no more; and so I said once before, but now I’ll keep to it.  I forgot to tell that when I dined at Webb’s with Lord Anglesea, I spoke to him of Clements, as one recommended for a very honest gentleman and good officer, and hoped he would keep him.  He said he had not thought otherwise, and that he should certainly hold his place while he continued to deserve it; and I could not find there had been any intentions from his lordship against him.  But I tell you, hunny, the impropriety of this.  A great man will do a favour for me, or for my friend; but why should he do it for my friend’s friend?  Recommendations should stop before they come to that.  Let any friend of mine recommend one of his to me for a thing in my power, I will do it for his sake; but to speak to another for my friend’s friend is against all reason; and I desire you will understand this, and discourage any such troubles given me.—­I hope this may do some good to Clements, it can do him no hurt; and I find by Mrs. Pratt,[16] that her husband is his friend; and the Bishop of Clogher says Clements’s danger is not from Pratt, but from some other enemies, that think him a Whig.

14.  I was so busy this morning that I did not go out till late.  I writ to-day to the Duke of Argyle, but said nothing of Bernage, who, I believe, will not see him till Spain is conquered, and that is, not at all.  I was to-day at Lord Shelburne’s, and spoke to Mrs. Pratt again about Clements; her husband himself wants some good offices, and I have done him very good ones lately, and told Mrs. Pratt I expected her husband should stand by Clements in return.  Sir Andrew Fountaine and I dined with neighbour Vanhomrigh; he is mighty ill of an asthma, and apprehends himself in much danger; ’tis his own fault, that will rake and drink, when he is but just crawled out of his grave.  I will send this letter just now, because I think my half-year is out for my lodging; and, if you please, I would be glad it were paid off, and some deal boxes made for my books, and kept in some safe place.  I would give something for their keeping:  but I doubt that lodging will not serve me when I come back; I would have a larger place for books, and a stable, if possible.  So pray be so kind to pay the lodging, and all accounts about it; and get Mrs. Brent to put up my things.  I would have no books put in that trunk where my papers are.  If you do not think of going to the Bath, I here send you a bill on Parvisol for twenty pounds Irish, out of which you will pay for the lodging, and score the rest to me.  Do as you please, and love poor Presto, that loves MD better than his life a thousand millions of times.  Farewell, MD, etc. etc.