12.  One letter was from the Bishop of Clogher last night, and t’other from Walls, about Mrs. South’s[11] salary, and his own pension of 18 pounds for his tithe of the park.  I will do nothing in either; the first I cannot serve in, and the other is a trifle; only you may tell him I had his letter, and will speak to Ned Southwell about what he desires me.  You say nothing of your Dean’s receiving my letter.  I find Clements,[12] whom I recommended to Lord Anglesea last year, at Walls’s desire, or rather the Bishop of Clogher’s, is mightily in Lord Anglesea’s favour.  You may tell the Bishop and Walls so; I said to Lord Anglesea that I was [glad] I had the good luck to recommend him, etc.  I dined in the City with my printer, to consult with him about some papers Lord Treasurer gave me last night, as he always does, too late; however, I will do something with them.  My third cold is a little better; I never had anything like it before, three colds successively; I hope I shall have the fourth.[13] Those messengers come from Holland to-day, and they brought over the six packets that were due.  I know not the particulars yet, for when I was with the Secretary at noon they were just opening; but one thing I find, that the Dutch are playing us tricks, and tampering with the French; they are dogs; I shall know more tomollow. . .  MD.[14]

13.  I dined to-day privately with my friend Lewis, at his lodgings, to consult about some observations on the Barrier Treaty.  Our news from Holland is not good.  The French raise difficulties, and make such offers to the Allies as cannot be accepted.  And the Dutch are uneasy that we are likely to get anything for ourselves; and the Whigs are glad at all this.  I came home early, and have been very busy three or four hours.  I had a letter from Dr. Pratt[15] to-day by a private hand, recommending the bearer to me, for something that I shall not trouble myself about.  Wesley[16] writ to recommend the same fellow to me.  His expression is that, hearing I am acquainted with my Lord Treasurer, he desires I would do so and so:  a matter of nothing.  What puppies are mankind!  I hope I shall be wiser when I have once done with Courts.  I think you han’t troubled me much with your recommendations.  I would do you all the saavis[17] I could.

Pray have you got your aplon,[18] maram Ppt?  I paid for it but yesterday; that puts me in mind of it.  I writ an inventory of what things I sent by Leigh in one of my letters; did you compare it with what you got?  I hear nothing of your cards now; do you never play?  Yes, at Ballygall.  Go to bed.  Nite, deelest MD.[19]