but writ to her.  She has left me some physic.  Fais, I never knew MD’s politics before, and I think it pretty extraordinary, and a great compliment to you, and I believe never three people conversed so much with so little politics.  I avoid all conversation with the other party; it is not to be borne, and I am sorry for it.  O yes, things [are] very dear.  DD must come in at last with DD’s two eggs a penny.  There the proverb was well applied.  Parvisol has sent me a bill of fifty pounds, as I ordered him, which, I hope, will serve me, and bring me over.  Pray God MD does not be delayed for it; but I have had very little from him this long time.  I was not at Court to-day; a wonder!  Nite sollahs. . .  Pdfr.

8.  Oo must know, I give chocolate almost every day to two or three people that I suffer to come to see me in a morning.  My man begins to lie pretty well.  ’Tis nothing for people to be denied ten times.  My man knows all I will see, and denies me to everybody else.  This is the day of the Queen’s coming to the Crown, and the day Lord Treasurer was stabbed by Guiscard.  I was at Court, where everybody had their Birthday clothes on, and I dined with Lord Treasurer, who was very fine.  He showed me some of the Queen’s speech, which I corrected in several places, and penned the vote of address of thanks for the speech; but I was of opinion the House should not sit on Tuesday next, unless they hear the peace is signed; that is, provided they are sure it will be signed the week after, and so have one scolding for all.  Nite MD.

9.  Lord Treasurer would have had me dine with him to-day; he desired me last night, but I refused, because he would not keep the day of his stabbing with all the Cabinet, as he intended:  so I dined with my friend Lewis; and the Provost and Parnell, and Ford, was with us.  I lost sixteen shillings at ombre; I don’t like it, as etc.  At night Lewis brought us word that the Parliament does not sit to-morrow.  I hope they are sure of the peace by next week, and then they are right in my opinion:  otherwise I think they have done wrong, and might have sat three weeks ago.  People will grumble; but Lord Treasurer cares not a rush.  Lord Keeper is suddenly taken ill of a quinsy, and some lords are commissioned, I think Lord Trevor,[17] to prorogue the Parliament in his stead.  You never saw a town so full of ferment and expectation.  Mr. Pope has published a fine poem, called Windsor Forest.[18] Read it.  Nite.

10.  I was early this morning to see Lord Bolingbroke.  I find he was of opinion the Parliament should sit; and says they are not sure the peace will be signed next week.  The prorogation is to this day se’nnight.  I went to look on a library I am going to buy, if we can agree.  I have offered a hundred and twenty pounds, and will give ten more.  Lord Bolingbroke will lend me the money.  I was two hours poring on the books.  I will sell some of them, and keep the rest; but I doubt they won’t take the money.  I dined in the City, and sat an hour in the evening with Lord Treasurer, who was in very good humour; but reproached me for not dining with him yesterday and to-day.  What will all this come to?  Lord Keeper had a pretty good night, and is better.  I was in pain for him.  How do oo do sollahs?. . .  Nite MD.[19]