25.  Weather worse than ever; terrible rain all day, but I was resolved I would spend no more money.  I went to an auction of pictures with Dr. Pratt, and there met the Duke of Beaufort, who promised to come with me to Court, but did not.  So a coach I got, and went to Court, and did some little business there, but was forced to go home; for oo must understand I take a little physic over-night, which works me next day.  Lady Orkney is my physician.  It is hiera picra,[9] two spoonfuls, devilish stuff!  I thought to have dined with Eltee, but would not, merely to save a shilling; but I dined privately with a friend, and played at ombre, and won six shillings.  Here are several people of quality lately dead of the smallpox.  I have not yet seen Miss Ashe, but hear she is well.  The Bishop of Clogher has bought abundance of pictures, and Dr. Pratt has got him very good pennyworths.[10] I can get no walks, the weather is so bad.  Is it so with oo, sollahs?. . . [11]

26.  Though it was shaving-day, head and beard, yet I was out early to see Lord Bolingbroke, and talk over affairs with him; and then I went to the Duke of Ormond’s, and so to Court, where the Ministers did not come, because the Parliament was prorogued till this day fortnight.  We had terrible rain and hail to-day.  Our Society met this day, but I left them before seven, and went to Sir A[ndrew] F[ountaine], and played at ombre with him and Sir Thomas Clarges, till ten, and then went to Sir Thomas Hanmer.  His wife, the Duchess of Grafton, left us after a little while, and I stayed with him about an hour, upon some affairs, etc.  Lord Bolingbroke left us at the Society before I went; for there is an express from Utrecht, but I know not yet what it contains; only I know the Ministers expect the peace will be signed in a week, which is a week before the session.  Nite, MD.

27.  Parnell’s poem is mightily esteemed; but poetry sells ill.  I am plagued with that. . . [12] poor Harrison’s mother; you would laugh to see how cautious I am of paying her the 100 pounds I received for her son from the Treasury.  I have asked every creature I know whether I may do it safely, yet durst not venture, till my Lord Keeper assured me there was no danger.  I have not paid her, but will in a day or two:  though I have a great mind to stay till Ppt sends me her opinion, because Ppt is a great lawyer.  I dined to-day with a mixture of people at a Scotchman’s, who made the invitation to Mr. Lewis and me, and has some design upon us, which we know very well.  I went afterwards to see a famous moving picture,[13] and I never saw anything so pretty.  You see a sea ten miles wide, a town on t’other end, and ships sailing in the sea, and discharging their cannon.  You see a great sky, with moon and stars, etc.  I’m a fool.  Nite, dee MD.