14.  The Parliament was to sit to-day, and met; but were adjourned by the Queen’s directions till Thursday.  She designs to make some important speech then.  She pretended illness; but I believe they were not ready, and they expect some opposition:  and the Scotch lords are angry,[2] and must be pacified.  I was this morning to invite the Duke of Ormond to our Society on Thursday, where he is then to be introduced.  He has appointed me at twelve to-morrow about some business:  I would fain have his help to impeach a certain lord; but I doubt we shall make nothing of it.  I intended to have dined with Lord Treasurer, but I was told he would be busy:  so I dined with Mrs. Van; and at night I sat with Lord Masham till one.  Lord Treasurer was there, and chid me for not dining with him:  he was in very good humour.  I brought home two flasks of burgundy in my chair:  I wish MD had them.  You see it is very late; so I’ll go to bed, and bid MD good night.

15.  This morning I presented my printer and bookseller to Lord Rivers, to be stationers to the Ordnance; stationers, that’s the word; I did not write it plain at first.  I believe it will be worth three hundred pounds a year between them.  This is the third employment I have got for them.  Rivers told them the Doctor commanded him, and he durst not refuse it.  I would have dined with Lord Treasurer to-day again, but Lord Mansel would not let me, and forced me home with him.  I was very deep with the Duke of Ormond to-day at the Cockpit, where we met to be private; but I doubt I cannot do the mischief I intended.  My friend Penn came there, Will Penn the Quaker, at the head of his brethren, to thank the Duke for his kindness to their people in Ireland.  To see a dozen scoundrels with their hats on, and the Duke complimenting with his off, was a good sight enough.  I sat this evening with Sir William Robinson,[3] who has mighty often invited me to a bottle of wine:  and it is past twelve.

16.  This being fast-day, Dr. Freind and I went into the City to dine late, like good fasters.  My printer and bookseller want me to hook in another employment for them in the Tower, because it was enjoyed before by a stationer, although it be to serve the Ordnance with oil, tallow, etc., and is worth four hundred pounds per annum more:  I will try what I can do.  They are resolved to ask several other employments of the same nature to other offices; and I will then grease fat sows, and see whether it be possible to satisfy them.  Why am not I a stationer?  The Parliament sits to-morrow, and Walpole, late Secretary at War, is to be swinged for bribery, and the Queen is to communicate something of great importance to the two Houses, at least they say so.  But I must think of answering your letter in a day or two.