14.  I was mortified enough to-day, not knowing where in the world to dine, the town is so empty.  I met H. Coote,[5] and thought he would invite me, but he did not:  Sir John Stanley did not come into my head; so I took up with Mrs. Van, and dined with her and her damned landlady, who, I believe, by her eyebrows, is a bawd.  This evening I met Addison and Pastoral Philips in the Park, and supped with them at Addison’s lodgings:  we were very good company, and I yet know no man half so agreeable to me as he is.  I sat with them till twelve, so you may think it is late, young women; however, I would have some little conversation with MD before your Presto goes to bed, because it makes me sleep, and dream, and so forth.  Faith, this letter goes on slowly enough, sirrahs; but I cannot write much at a time till you are quite settled after your journey, you know, and have gone all your visits, and lost your money at ombre.  You never play at chess now, Stella.  That puts me in mind of Dick Tighe; I fancy I told you he used to beat his wife here; and she deserved it; and he resolves to part with her; and they went to Ireland in different coaches.  O Lord, I said all this before, I am sure.  Go to bed, sirrahs.

Windsor, 15.  I made the Secretary stop at Brentford, because we set out at two this afternoon, and fasting would not agree with me.  I only designed to eat a bit of bread-and-butter; but he would light, and we ate roast beef like dragons.  And he made me treat him and two more gentlemen; faith, it cost me a guinea.  I do not like such jesting, yet I was mightily pleased with it too.  To-night our Society met at the Secretary’s:  there were nine of us; and we have chosen a new member, the Earl of Jersey,[6] whose father died lately.  ’Tis past one, and I have stolen away.

16.  I design to stay here this week by myself, about some business that lies on my hands, and will take up a great deal of time.  Dr. Adams,[7] one of the canons, invited me to-day to dinner.  The tables are so full here on Sunday that it is hard to dine with a few, and Dr. Adams knows I love to do so; which is very obliging.  The Queen saw company in her bed-chamber; she looks very well, but she sat down.  I supped with Lord Treasurer as usual, and stayed till past one as usual, and with our usual company, except Lord Keeper, who did not come this time to Windsor.  I hate these suppers mortally, but I seldom eat anything.

17.  Lord Treasurer and Mr. Secretary stay here till tomorrow; some business keeps them, and I am sorry for it, for they hinder me a day.  Mr. Lewis and I were going to dine soberly with a little Court friend at one.  But Lord Harley and Lord Dupplin kept me by force, and said we should dine at Lord Treasurer’s, who intended to go at four to London.  I stayed like a fool, and went with the two young lords to Lord Treasurer, who very fairly turned us all three out of doors.  They both were invited to the Duke of Somerset, but he was gone to a horse-race, and would not come till five; so we were forced to go to a tavern, and sent for wine from Lord Treasurer’s, who at last, we were told, did not go to town till the morrow, and at Lord Treasurer’s we supped again; and I desired him to let me add four shillings to the bill I gave him.  We sat up till two, yet I must write to little MD.