16.  This morning, at the Secretary’s, I met General Ross,[20] and recommended Newcomb’s case to him, who promises to join with me in working up the Duke of Ormond to do something for him.  Lord Winchelsea[21] told me to-day at Court that two of the Mohocks caught a maid of old Lady Winchelsea’s,[22] at the door of their house in the Park, where she was with a candle, and had just lighted out somebody.  They cut all her face, and beat her without any provocation.  I hear my friend Lewis has got a Mohock in one of the messenger’s hands.  The Queen was at church to-day, but was carried in an open chair.  She has got an ugly cough, Arbuthnot, her physician, says.  I dined with Crowe,[23] late Governor of Barbados; an acquaintance of Sterne’s.[24] After dinner I asked him whether he had heard of Sterne.  “Here he is,” said he, “at the door in a coach:”  and in came Sterne.  He has been here this week.  He is buying a captainship in his cousin Sterne’s[25] regiment.  He told me he left Jemmy Leigh playing at cards with you.  He is to give 800 guineas for his commission.  I suppose you know all this better than I. How shall I have room to answer oo rettle[26] hen I get it, I have gone so far already?  Nite, deelest logues MD.

17.  Dr. Sacheverell came this morning to give me thanks for getting his brother an employment.  It was but six or seven weeks since I spoke to Lord Treasurer for him.  Sacheverell brought Trapp[27] along with him.  We dined together at my printer’s, and I sat with them till seven.  I little thought, and I believe so did he, that ever I should be his solicitor to the present Ministry, when I left Ireland.  This is the seventh I have now provided for since I came, and can do nothing for myself.  I don’t care; I shall have Ministries and other people obliged to me.  Trapp is a coxcomb, and the t’other is not very deep; and their judgment in things of wit or sense is miraculous.  The Second Part of Law is a Bottomless Pit[28] is just now printed, and better, I think, than the first.  Night, my two deel saucy dallars.

18.  There is a proclamation out against the Mohocks.  One of those that are taken is a baronet.  I dined with poor Mrs. Wesley, who is returning to the Bath.  Mrs. Perceval’s[29] young daughter has got the smallpox, but will do well.  I walked this evening in the Park, and met Prior, who made me go home with him, where I stayed till past twelve, and could not get a coach, and was alone, and was afraid enough of the Mohocks.  I will do so no more, though I got home safe.  Prior and I were talking discontentedly of some managements, that no more people are turned out, which get Lord Treasurer many enemies:  but whether the fault be in him, or the Queen, I know not; I doubt, in both.  Ung omens, it is now seven weeks since I received your last; but I expect one next Irish packet, to fill the rest of this paper; but if it don’t come, I’ll do without it:  so I wish oo good luck at ombre with the Dean.  Nite, nuntyes nine.[30]