28.  I had a mighty levee to-day.  I deny myself to everybody, except about half a dozen, and they were all here, and Mr. Addison was one, and I had chocolate twice, which I don’t like.  Our rainy weather continues.  Coach-hire goes deep.  I dined with Eltee and his Saturday company, as usual, and could not get away till nine.  Lord Peterborow was making long harangues, and Eltee kept me in spite.  Then I went to see the Bishop of Ossory, who had engaged me in the morning; he is going to Ireland.  The Bishop of Killaloe[14] and Tom Leigh was with us.  The latter had wholly changed his style, by seeing how the bishops behaved themselves, and he seemed to think me one of more importance than I really am.  I put the ill conduct of the bishops about the First-Fruits, with relation to Eltee and me, strongly upon Killaloe, and showed how it had hindered me from getting a better thing for them, called the Crown rents, which the Queen had promised.  He had nothing to say, but was humble, and desired my interest in that and some other things.  This letter is half done in a week:  I believe oo will have it next.  Nite MD.

29.  I have been employed in endeavouring to save one of your junior Fellows,[15] who came over here for a dispensation from taking orders, and, in soliciting it, has run out his time, and now his fellowship is void, if the College pleases, unless the Queen suspends the execution, and gives him time to take orders.  I spoke to all the Ministers yesterday about it; but they say the Queen is angry, and thought it was a trick to deceive her; and she is positive, and so the man must be ruined, for I cannot help him.  I never saw him in my life; but the case was so hard, I could not forbear interposing.  Your Government recommended him to the Duke of Ormond, and he thought they would grant it; and by the time it was refused, the fellowship by rigour is forfeited.  I dined with Dr. Arbuthnot (one of my brothers) at his lodgings in Chelsea, and was there at chapel; and the altar put me in mind of Tisdall’s outlandish would[16] at your hospital for the soldiers.  I was not at Court to-day, and I hear the Queen was not at church.  Perhaps the gout has seized her again.  Terrible rain all day.  Have oo such weather?  Nite MD.

30.  Morning.  I was naming some time ago, to a certain person, another certain person, that was very deserving, and poor and sickly; and t’other, that first certain person, gave me a hundred pounds to give the other, which I have not yet done.  The person who is to have it never saw the giver, nor expects one farthing, nor has the least knowledge or imagination of it; so I believe it will be a very agreeable surprise; for I think it is a handsome present enough.  At night I dined in the City, at Pontack’s,[17] with Lord Dupplin, and some others.  We were treated by one Colonel Cleland,[18] who has a mind to be Governor of Barbados, and is laying these long traps for me and others, to engage our interests for him.  He is a true Scotchman.  I paid the hundred pounds this evening, and it was an agreeable surprise to the receiver.  We reckon the peace is now signed, and that we shall have it in three days.  I believe it is pretty sure.  Nite MD.