23.  This morning I presented one Diaper,[12] a poet, to Lord Bolingbroke, with a new poem, which is a very good one; and I am to give him a sum of money from my lord; and I have contrived to make a parson of him, for he is half one already, being in deacon’s orders, and serves a small cure in the country; but has a sword at his a—–­ here in town.  ’Tis a poor little short wretch, but will do best in a gown, and we will make Lord Keeper give him a living.  Lord Bolingbroke writ to Lord Treasurer to excuse me to-day; so I dined with the former, and Monteleon, the Spanish Ambassador, who made me many compliments.  I stayed till nine, and now it is past ten, and my man has locked me up, and I have just called to mind that I shall be in disgrace with Tom Leigh.[13] That coxcomb had got into acquaintance with one Eckershall,[14] Clerk of the Kitchen to the Queen, who was civil to him at Windsor on my account; for I had done some service to Eckershall.  Leigh teases me to pass an evening at his lodgings with Eckershall.  I put it off several times, but was forced at last to promise I would come to-night; and it never was in my head till I was locked up, and I have called and called, but my man is gone to bed; so I will write an excuse to-morrow.  I detest that Tom Leigh, and am as formal to him as I can when I happen to meet him in the Park.  The rogue frets me, if he knew it.  He asked me why I did not wait on the Bishop of Dromore.[15] I answered I had not the honour to be acquainted with him, and would not presume, etc.  He takes me seriously, and says the Bishop is no proud man, etc.  He tells me of a judge in Ireland that has done ill things.  I ask why he is not out?  Says he, “I think the bishops, and you, and I, and the rest of the clergy, should meet and consult about it.”  I beg his pardon, and say, “I cannot be serviceable that way.”  He answers, “Yes, everybody may help something.”—­Don’t you see how curiously he contrives to vex me; for the dog knows that with half a word I could do more than all of them together.  But he only does it from the pride and envy of his own heart, and not out of a humorous design of teasing.  He is one of those that would rather a service should not be done, than done by a private man, and of his own country.  You take all this, don’t you?  Nite dee sollahs, I’ll go seep a dozey.

24.  I dined to-day with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in order to look over some of my papers; but nothing was done.  I have been also mediating between the Hamilton family and Lord Abercorn, to have them compound with him; and I believe they will do it.  Lord Selkirk,[16] the late Duke’s brother, is to be in town, in order to go to France, to make the demands; and the Ministry are of opinion they will get some satisfaction, and they empowered me to advise the Hamilton side to agree with Abercorn, who asks a fourth part, and will go to France and spoil all if they won’t yield it.  Nite sollahs.