days.  She had need; for the Duchess of Somerset is thought to gain ground daily.—­We have not sent you over all your bills; and I think we have altered your money-bill.  The Duke of Ormond is censured here, by those in power, for very wrong management in the affair of the mayoralty.[13] He is governed by fools, and has usually much more sense than his advisers, but never proceeds by it.  I must know how your health continues after Wexford.  Walk and use exercise, sirrahs both; and get somebody to play at shuttlecock with you, Madam Stella, and walk to the Dean’s and Donnybrook.

21.  Colonel Godfrey sent to me again to-day; so I dined at the Green Cloth, and we had but eleven at dinner, which is a small number there, the Court being always thin of company till Saturday night.—­This new ink and pen make a strange figure; I must write larger, yes I must, or Stella will not be able to read this.[14] S. S. S., there is your S’s for you, Stella.  The maids of honour are bit, and have all contributed their crowns, and are teasing others to subscribe for the book.  I will tell Lord Keeper and Lord Treasurer to-morrow; and I believe the Queen will have it.  After a little walk this evening, I squandered away the rest of it in sitting at Lewis’s lodging, while he and Dr. Arbuthnot played at picquet.  I have that foolish pleasure, which I believe nobody has beside me, except old Lady Berkeley.[15] But I fretted when I came away:  I will loiter so no more, for I have a plaguy deal of business upon my hands, and very little time to do it.  The pamphleteers begin to be very busy against the Ministry:  I have begged Mr. Secretary to make examples of one or two of them, and he assures me he will.  They are very bold and abusive.

22.  This being the day the Ministry come to Windsor, I ate a bit or two at Mr. Lewis’s lodgings, because I must sup with Lord Treasurer; and at half an hour after one, I led Mr. Lewis a walk up the avenue, which is two miles long.  We walked in all about five miles; but I was so tired with his slow walking, that I left him here, and walked two miles towards London, hoping to meet Lord Treasurer, and return with him; but it grew darkish, and I was forced to walk back, so I walked nine miles in all; and Lord Treasurer did not come till after eight; which is very wrong, for there was no moon, and I often tell him how ill he does to expose himself so; but he only makes a jest of it.  I supped with him, and stayed till now, when it is half an hour after two.  He is as merry and careless and disengaged as a young heir at one-and-twenty.  ’Tis late indeed.