17.  To-day I dined six miles out of town, with Will Pate,[30] the learned woollen-draper; Mr. Stratford went with me; six miles here is nothing:  we left Pate after sunset, and were here before it was dark.  This letter shall go on Tuesday, whether I hear from MD or no.  My health continues pretty well; pray God Stella may give me a good account of hers! and I hope you are now at Trim, or soon designing it.  I was disappointed to-night:  the fellow gave me a letter, and I hoped to see little MD’s hand; and it was only to invite me to a venison pasty to-day:  so I lost my pasty into the bargain.  Pox on these declining courtiers!  Here is Mr. Brydges,[31] the Paymaster-General, desiring my acquaintance; but I hear the Queen sent Lord Shrewsbury[32] to assure him he may keep his place; and he promises me great assistance in the affair of the First-Fruits.  Well, I must turn over this leaf to-night, though the side would hold another line; but pray consider this is a whole sheet; it holds a plaguy deal, and you must be content to be weary; but I’ll do so no more.  Sir Simon Harcourt is made Attorney-General, and not Lord Keeper.

18.  To-day I dined with Mr. Stratford at Mr. Addison’s retirement near Chelsea; then came to town; got home early, and began a letter to the Tatler,[33] about the corruptions of style and writing, etc., and, having not heard from you, am resolved this letter shall go to-night.  Lord Wharton was sent for to town in mighty haste, by the Duke of Devonshire:[34] they have some project in hand; but it will not do, for every hour we expect a thorough revolution, and that the Parliament will be dissolved.  When you see Joe, tell him Lord Wharton is too busy to mind any of his affairs; but I will get what good offices I can from Mr. Addison, and will write to-day to Mr. Pratt; and bid Joe not to be discouraged, for I am confident he will get the money under any Government; but he must have patience.

19.  I have been scribbling this morning, and I believe shall hardly fill this side to-day, but send it as it is; and it is good enough for naughty girls that won’t write to a body, and to a good boy like Presto.  I thought to have sent this to-night, but was kept by company, and could not; and, to say the truth, I had a little mind to expect one post more for a letter from MD.  Yesterday at noon died the Earl of Anglesea,[35] the great support of the Tories; so that employment of Vice-Treasurer of Ireland is again vacant.  We were to have been great friends, and I could hardly have a loss that could grieve me more.  The Bishop of Durham[36] died the same day.  The Duke of Ormond’s daughter[37] was to visit me to-day at a third place by way of advance,[38] and I am to return it to-morrow.  I have had a letter from Lady Berkeley, begging me for charity to come to Berkeley Castle, for company to my lord,[39] who has been ill of a dropsy; but I cannot go, and must send my excuse to-morrow.  I am told that in a few hours there will be more removals.