16.  I took courage to-day, and went to Court with a very cheerful countenance.  It was mightily crowded; both parties coming to observe each other’s faces.  I have avoided Lord Halifax’s bow till he forced it on me; but we did not talk together.  I could not make less than fourscore bows, of which about twenty might be to Whigs.  The Duke of Somerset is gone to Petworth, and, I hear, the Duchess too, of which I shall be very glad.  Prince Eugene,[1] who was expected here some days ago, we are now told, will not come at all.  The Whigs designed to have met him with forty thousand horse.  Lord Treasurer told me some days ago of his discourse with the Emperor’s Resident, that puppy Hoffman, about Prince Eugene’s coming; by which I found my lord would hinder it, if he could; and we shall be all glad if he does not come, and think it a good point gained.  Sir Andrew Fountaine, Ford, and I dined to-day with Mrs. Van, by invitation.

17.  I have mistaken the day of the month, and been forced to mend it thrice.  I dined to-day with Mr. Masham and his lady, by invitation.  Lord Treasurer was to be there, but came not.  It was to entertain Buys, the Dutch Envoy, who speaks English well enough:  he was plaguily politic, telling a thousand lies, of which none passed upon any of us.  We are still in the condition of suspense, and I think have little hopes.  The Duchess of Somerset is not gone to Petworth; only the Duke, and that is a poor sacrifice.  I believe the Queen certainly designs to change the Ministry, but perhaps may put it off till the session is over:  and I think they had better give up now, if she will not deal openly; and then they need not answer for the consequences of a peace, when it is in other hands, and may yet be broken.  They say my Lord Privy Seal sets out for Holland this week:  so the peace goes on.

18.  It has rained hard from morning till night, and cost me three shillings in coach-hire.  We have had abundance of wet weather.  I dined in the City, and was with the printer, who has now a fifth edition of the Conduct, etc.:  it is in small, and sold for sixpence; they have printed as many as three editions, because they are to be sent in numbers into the country by great men, etc., who subscribe for hundreds.  It has been sent a fortnight ago to Ireland:  I suppose you will print it there.  The Tory Lords and Commons in Parliament argue all from it; and all agree that never anything of that kind was of so great consequence, or made so many converts.  By the time I have sent this letter, I expect to hear from little MD:  it will be a month, two days hence, since I had your last, and I will allow ten days for accidents.  I cannot get rid of the leavings of a cold I got a month ago, or else it is a new one.  I have been writing letters all this evening till I am weary, and I am sending out another little thing, which I hope to finish this week, and design to send to the