18.  The Earl of Abingdon[10] has been teasing me these three months to dine with him; and this day was appointed about a week ago, and I named my company; Lord Stawel,[11] Colonel Disney,[12] and Dr. Arbuthnot; but the two last slipped out their necks, and left Stawell and me to dine there.  We did not dine till seven, because it is Ash Wednesday.  We had nothing but fish, which Lord Stawell could not eat, and got a broiled leg of a turkey.  Our wine was poison; yet the puppy has twelve thousand pound a year.  His carps were raw, and his candles tallow.  He[13] shall not catch me in haste again, and everybody has laughed at me for dining with him.  I was to-day to let Harrison’s mother know I could not pay till she administers; which she will do.  I believe she is an old bawd,[14] and her daughter a -----.  There were more Whigs to-day at Court than Tories.  I believe they think the peace must be made, and so come to please the Queen.  She is still lame with the gout.  Nite MD.

19.  I was at Court to-day, to speak to Lord Bolingbroke to look over Parnell’s poem since it is corrected; and Parnell and I dined with him, and he has shown him three or four more places to alter a little.  Lady Bolingbroke came down to us while we were at dinner, and Parnell stared at her as if she were a goddess.  I thought she was like Parnell’s wife, and he thought so too.  Parnell is much pleased with Lord Bolingbroke’s favour to him, and I hope it may one day turn to his advantage.  His poem will be printed in a few days.  Our weather continues as fresh raining as if it had not rained at all.  I sat to-night at Lady Masham’s, where Lord Treasurer came and scolded me for not dining with him.  I told him I could not till Saturday.  I have stayed there till past twelve.  So nite dee sollahs, nite.

20.  Lady Jersey, Lady Catherine Hyde,[15] the Spanish Ambassador, the Duke d’Atree,[16] another Spaniard, and I, dined to-day by appointment with Lord Bolingbroke; but they fell a drinking so many Spanish healths in champagne that I stole away to the ladies, and drank tea till eight; and then went and lost my money at ombre with Sir Andrew Fountaine, who has a very bad leg.  Miss Ashe is past all danger; and her eye, which was lately bad (I suppose one effect of her distemper), is now better.  I do not let the Bishop see me, nor shall this good while.  Good luck! when I came home, I warrant, I found a letter from MD, No.38; and oo write so small nowadays, I hope oo poor eyes are better.  Well, this shall go to-morrow se’nnight, with a bill for MD.  I will speak to Mr. Griffin[17] to-morrow about Ppt’s brother Filby, and desire, whether he deserves or no, that his employment may be mended; that is to say, if I can see Griffin; otherwise not; and I’ll answer oo rettle hen I Pdfr think fit.  Nite MD.