24.  I walked this morning to Chelsea, to see Dr. Atterbury, Dean of Christ Church.  I had business with him about entering Mr. Fitzmaurice,[20] my Lord Kerry’s son, into his College; and Lady Kerry[21] is a great favourite of mine.  Lord Harley, Lord Dupplin, young Bromley[22] the Speaker’s son, and I, dined with Dr. Stratford[23] and some other clergymen; but I left them at seven to go to Lady Jersey, to see Monteleon the Spanish Ambassador play at ombre.  Lady Jersey was abroad, and I chid the servants, and made a rattle; but since I came home she sent me a message that I was mistaken, and that the meeting is to be to-morrow.  I have a worse memory than when I left you, and every day forget appointments; but here my memory was by chance too good.  But I’ll go to-morrow; for Lady Catherine Hyde and Lady Bolingbroke are to be there by appointment, and I listed[24] up my periwig, and all, to make a figure.  Well, who can help it?  Not I, vow to. . . ![25] Nite MD.

25.  Lord Treasurer met me last night at Lord Masham’s, and thanked me for my company in a jeer, because I had not dined with him in three days.  He chides me if I stay away but two days together.  What will this come to?  Nothing.  My grandmother used to say, “More of your lining, and less of your dining.”  However, I dined with him, and could hardly leave him at eight, to go to Lady Jersey’s, where five or six foreign Ministers were, and as many ladies.  Monteleon played like the English, and cried “gacco,” and knocked his knuckles for trump, and played at small games like Ppt.  Lady Jersey whispered me to stay and sup with the ladies when the fellows were gone; but they played till eleven, and I would not stay.  I think this letter must go on Saturday; that’s certain; and it is not half full yet.  Lady Catherine Hyde had a mighty mind I should be acquainted with Lady Dalkeith,[26] her sister, the Duke of Monmouth’s eldest son’s widow, who was of the company to-night; but I did not like her; she paints too much.  Nite MD.

26.  This day our Society met at the Duke of Ormond’s, but I had business that called me another way; so I sent my excuses, and dined privately with a friend.  Besides, Sir Thomas Hanmer whispered me last night at Lady Jersey’s that I must attend Lord Treasurer and Duke of Ormond at supper at his house to-night; which I did at eleven, and stayed till one, so oo may be sure ’tis late enough.  There was the Duchess of Grafton, and the Duke her son; nine of us in all.  The Duke of Ormond chid me for not being at the Society to-day, and said sixteen were there.  I said I never knew sixteen people good company in my life; no, fais, nor eight either.  We have no news in this town at all.  I wonder why I don’t write you news.  I know less of what passes than anybody, because I go to[27] no coffee-house, nor see any but Ministers, and such people; and Ministers never talk politics in conversation.  The Whigs are forming great schemes against the meeting of Parliament, which will be next Tuesday, I still think, without fail; and we hope to hear by then that the peace is ready to sign.  The Queen’s gout mends daily.  Nite MD.