29.  I dined to-day with Lord Abercorn, and took my leave of them:  they set out to-morrow for Chester, and, I believe, will now fix in Ireland.  They have made a pretty good journey of it:  his eldest son[4] is married to a lady with ten thousand pounds; and his second son[5] has, t’other day, got a prize in the lottery of four thousand pounds, beside two small ones of two hundred pounds each:  nay, the family was so fortunate, that my lord bestowing one ticket, which is a hundred pounds, to one of his servants, who had been his page, the young fellow got a prize, which has made it another hundred.  I went in the evening to Lord Treasurer, who desires I will dine with him to-morrow, when he will show me the answer he designs to return to the letter of thanks from your bishops in Ireland.  The Archbishop of Dublin desired me to get myself mentioned in the answer which my lord would send; but I sent him word I would not open my lips to my lord upon it.  He says it would convince the bishops of what I have affirmed, that the First-Fruits were granted before the Duke of Ormond was declared Governor; and I writ to him that I would not give a farthing to convince them.  My Lord Treasurer began a health to my Lord Privy Seal:  Prior punned, and said it was so privy, he knew not who it was; but I fancy they have fixed it all, and we shall know to-morrow.  But what care you who is Privy Seal, saucy sluttikins?

30.  When I went out this morning, I was surprised with the news that the Bishop of Bristol is made Lord Privy Seal.  You know his name is Robinson,[6] and that he was many years Envoy in Sweden.  All the friends of the present Ministry are extremely glad, and the clergy above the rest.  The Whigs will fret to death to see a civil employment given to a clergyman.  It was a very handsome thing in my Lord Treasurer, and will bind the Church to him for ever.  I dined with him to-day, but he had not written his letter;[see above, 29th Aug.] but told me he would not offer to send it without showing it to me:  he thought that would not be just, since I was so deeply concerned in the affair.  We had much company:  Lord Rivers, Mar,[7] and Kinnoull,[8] Mr. Secretary, George Granville, and Masham:  the last has invited me to the christening of his son to-morrow se’ennight; and on Saturday I go to Windsor with Mr. Secretary.

31.  Dilly and I walked to-day to Kensington to Lady Mountjoy, who invited us to dinner.  He returned soon, to go to a play, it being the last that will be acted for some time:  he dresses himself like a beau, and no doubt makes a fine figure.  I went to visit some people at Kensington:  Ophy Butler’s wife[9] there lies very ill of an ague, which is a very common disease here, and little known in Ireland.  I am apt to think we shall soon have a peace, by the little words I hear thrown out by the Ministry.  I have just thought of a project to bite the town.  I have told you that it is now known that Mr. Prior has been lately in France.  I will make a printer of my own sit by me one day, and I will dictate to him a formal relation of Prior’s journey,[10] with several particulars, all pure invention; and I doubt not but it will take.