20.  To-day I returned my visits to the Duke’s daughters;[40] the insolent drabs came up to my very mouth to salute me.  Then I heard the report confirmed of removals; my Lord President Somers; the Duke of Devonshire, Lord Steward; and Mr. Boyle,[41] Secretary of State, are all turned out to-day.  I never remember such bold steps taken by a Court:  I am almost shocked at it, though I did not care if they were all hanged.  We are astonished why the Parliament is not yet dissolved, and why they keep a matter of that importance to the last.  We shall have a strange winter here, between the struggles of a cunning provoked discarded party, and the triumphs of one in power; of both which I shall be an indifferent spectator, and return very peaceably to Ireland, when I have done my part in the affair I am entrusted with, whether it succeeds or no.  To-morrow I change my lodgings in Pall Mall for one in Bury Street,[42] where I suppose I shall continue while I stay in London.  If anything happens tomorrow, I will add it.—­Robin’s Coffee-house.[43] We have great news just now from Spain; Madrid taken, and Pampeluna.  I am here ever interrupted.

21.  I have just received your letter, which I will not answer now; God be thanked all things are so well.  I find you have not yet had my second:  I had a letter from Parvisol, who tells me he gave Mrs. Walls a bill of twenty pounds for me, to be given to you; but you have not sent it.  This night the Parliament is dissolved:  great news from Spain; King Charles and Stanhope are at Madrid, and Count Staremberg has taken Pampeluna.  Farewell.  This is from St. James’s Coffee-house.  I will begin my answer to your letter to-night, but not send it this week.  Pray tell me whether you like this journal way of writing.—­I don’t like your reasons for not going to Trim.  Parvisol tells me he can sell your horse.  Sell it, with a pox?  Pray let him know that he shall sell his soul as soon.  What? sell anything that Stella loves, and may sometimes ride?  It is hers, and let her do as she pleases:  pray let him know this by the first that you know goes to Trim.  Let him sell my grey, and be hanged.

LETTER 4.

London, Sept. 21, 1710.

Here must I begin another letter, on a whole sheet, for fear saucy little MD should be angry, and think much that the paper is too little.  I had your letter this night, as told you just and no more in my last; for this must be taken up in answering yours, saucebox.  I believe I told you where I dined to-day; and to-morrow I go out of town for two days to dine with the same company on Sunday; Molesworth[1] the Florence Envoy, Stratford, and some others.  I heard to-day that a gentlewoman from Lady Giffard’s house had been at the Coffee-house to inquire for me.  It was Stella’s mother, I suppose.  I shall send her a penny-post letter[2] to-morrow, and contrive to see her without hazarding seeing Lady Giffard, which I will not do until she begs my pardon.