26.  I was again busy with the Secretary.[8] We read over some papers, and did a good deal of business; and I dined with him, and we were to do more business after dinner; but after dinner is after dinner—­an old saying and a true, “much drinking, little thinking.”  We had company with us, and nothing could be done, and I am to go there again to-morrow.  I have now nothing to do; and the Parliament, by the Queen’s recommendation, is to take some method for preventing libels, etc., which will include pamphlets, I suppose.  I don’t know what method they will take, but it comes on in a day or two.  To-day in the morning I visited upwards:  first I saw the Duke of Ormond below stairs, and gave him joy of his being declared General in Flanders; then I went up one pair of stairs, and sat with the Duchess; then I went up another pair of stairs, and paid a visit to Lady Betty; and desired her woman to go up to the garret, that I might pass half an hour with her, but she was young and handsome, and would not.  The Duke is our President this week, and I have bespoke a small dinner on purpose, for good example.  Nite mi deelest logues.

27.  I was again with the Secretary this morning; but we only read over some papers with Sir Thomas Hanmer; then I called at Lord Treasurer’s; it was his levee-day, but I went up to his bed-chamber, and said what I had to say.  I came down and peeped in at the chamber, where a hundred fools were waiting, and two streets were full of coaches.  I dined in the City with my printer,[9] and came back at six to Lord Treasurer, who had invited me to dinner, but I refused him.  I sat there an hour or two, and then went to Lord Masham’s.  They were all abroad:  so truly I came, and read whatever stuff was next me.  I can sit and be idle now, which I have not been above a year past.  However, I will stay out the session, to see if they have any further commands for me, and that, I suppose, will end in April.  But I may go somewhat before, for I hope all will be ended by then, and we shall have either a certain peace, or certain war.  The Ministry is contriving new funds for money by lotteries, and we go on as if the war were to continue, but I believe it will not.  ’Tis pretty late now, ung oomens; so I bid oo nite, own dee dallars.

28.  I have been packing up some books in a great box I have bought, and must buy another for clothes and luggage.  This is a beginning towards a removal.  I have sent to Holland for a dozen shirts, and design to buy another new gown and hat.  I will come over like a zinkerman,[10] and lay out nothing in clothes in Ireland this good while.  I have writ this night to the Provost.  Our Society met to-day as usual, and we were fourteen, beside the Earl of Arran,[11] whom his brother, the Duke of Ormond, brought among us against all order.  We were mightily shocked; but, after some whispers, it ended in choosing Lord Arran one of our Society, which I opposed to his face, but it was carried by all the rest against me.