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,[22] 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 to-morrow’s race.  I was tired with riding a trotting mettlesome horse a dozen miles, having not been on horseback 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.[23]

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 28.

Windsor, Aug. 11, 1711.

I sent away my twenty-seventh this morning in an 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[1] 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 everybody 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 stayed till just now:  Lord Treasurer and Secretary were to come to us, but both failed.  ’Tis late, etc.

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 Presto.  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 Montagu;[2] he was mighty happy, and resolves to