21.  Methinks I writ a little saucy last night.  I mean the last. . . [18] I saw Griffin at Court.  He says he knows nothing of a salt-work at Recton; but that he will give Filby a better employment, and desires Filby will write to him.  If I knew how to write to Filby, I would; but pray do you.  Bid him make no mention of you; but only let Mr. Griffin know that he has the honour to be recommended by Dr. S——­, etc.; that he will endeavour to deserve, etc.; and if you dictated a whole letter for him, it would be better; I hope he can write and spell well.  I’ll inquire for a direction to Griffin before I finish this.  I dined with Lord Treasurer and seven lords to-day.  You know Saturday is his great day, but I sat with them alone till eight, and then came home, and have been writing a letter to Mrs. Davis, at York.  She took care to have a letter delivered for me at Lord Treasurer’s; for I would not own one she sent by post.  She reproaches me for not writing to her these four years; and I have honestly told her it was my way never to write to those whom I am never likely to see, unless I can serve them, which I cannot her, etc.  Davis the schoolmaster’s widow.  Nite MD.

22.  I dined to-day at Lord Orkney’s, with the Duke of Ormond and Sir Thomas Hanmer.[19] Have you ever heard of the latter?  He married the Duchess of Grafton in his youth (she dined with us too).  He is the most considerable man in the House of Commons.  He went last spring to Flanders, with the Duke of Ormond; from thence to France, and was going to Italy; but the Ministry sent for him, and he has been come over about ten days.  He is much out of humour with things:  he thinks the peace is kept off too long, and is full of fears and doubts.  It is thought he is designed for Secretary of State, instead of Lord Dartmouth.  We have been acquainted these two years; and I intend, in a day or two, to have an hour’s talk with him on affairs.  I saw the Bishop of Clogher at Court; Miss is recovering.  I know not how much she will be marked.  The Queen is slowly mending of her gout, and intends to be brought in a chair to Parliament when it meets, which will be March 3; for I suppose they will prorogue no more; yet the peace will not be signed then, and we apprehend the Tories themselves will many of them be discontented.  Nite dee MD.

23.  It was ill weather to-day, and I dined with Sir Andrew Fountaine, and in the evening played at ombre with him and the Provost, and won twenty-five shillings; so I have recovered myself pretty well.  Dilly has been dunning me to see Fanny Manley; but I have not yet been able to do it.  Miss Ashe is now quite out of danger; and hope will not be much marked.  I cannot tell how to direct to Griffin; and think he lives in Bury Street, near St. James’s Street, hard by me; but I suppose your brother may direct to him to the Salt Office, and, as I remember, he knows his Christian name, because he sent it me in the list of the Commissioners.  Nite dee MD.