25.  All melly Titmasses—­melly Titmasses—­I said it first—­I wish it a souzand [times] zoth with halt[17] and soul.[18] I carried Parnell to dine at Lord Bolingbroke’s, and he behaved himself very well; and Lord Bolingbroke is mightily pleased with him.  I was at St. James’s Chapel by eight this morning; and church and sacrament were done by ten.  The Queen has the gout in her hand, and did not come to church today; and I stayed so long in my chamber that I missed going to Court.  Did I tell you that the Queen designs to have a Drawing-room and company every day?  Nite dee logues.

26.  I was to wish the Duke of Ormond a happy Christmas, and give half a crown to his porter.  It will cost me a dozen half-crowns among such fellows.  I dined with Lord Treasurer, who chid me for being absent three days.  Mighty kind, with a p—­; less of civility, and more of his interest!  We hear Maccartney is gone over to Ireland.  Was it not comical for a gentleman to be set upon by highwaymen, and to tell them he was Maccartney?  Upon which they brought him to a justice of peace, in hopes of the reward,[19] and the rogues were sent to gaol.  Was it not great presence of mind?  But maybe you heard this already; for there was a Grub Street of it.  Lord Bolingbroke told me I must walk away to-day when dinner was done, because Lord Treasurer, and he, and another, were to enter upon business; but I said it was as fit I should know their business as anybody, for I was to justify [it].[20] So the rest went, and I stayed, and it was so important, I was like to sleep over it.  I left them at nine, and it is now twelve.  Nite, MD.

27.  I dined to-day with General Hill, Governor of Dunkirk.  Lady Masham and Mrs. Hill, his two sisters, were of the company, and there have I been sitting this evening till eleven, looking over others at play; for I have left off loving play myself; and I think Ppt is now a great gamester.  I have a great cold on me, not quite at its height.  I have them seldom, and therefore ought to be patient.  I met Mr. Addison and Pastoral Philips on the Mall to-day, and took a turn with them; but they both looked terrible dry and cold.  A curse of party!  And do you know I have taken more pains to recommend the Whig wits to the favour and mercy of the Ministers than any other people.  Steele I have kept in his place.  Congreve I have got to be used kindly, and secured.  Rowe I have recommended, and got a promise of a place.  Philips I could certainly have provided for, if he had not run party mad, and made me withdraw my recommendation; and I set Addison so right at first that he might have been employed, and have partly secured him the place he has; yet I am worse used by that faction than any man.  Well, go to cards, sollah Ppt, and dress the wine and olange, sollah MD, and I’ll go seep.  ’Tis rate.  Nite MD.