25. The queen is at Hampton Court; she went on Tuesday in that terrible rain. I dined with Lewis at his lodgings, to dispatch some business we had. I sent this morning and evening to lord-treasurer, and he is much worse by going out; I am in pain about evening. He has sent for Dr Ratcliffe; pray God preserve him. The chancellor of the exchequer showed me to-day a ballad in manuscript against lord-treasurer and his South Sea project; it is very sharply written: if it be not printed, I will send it you. If it be, it shall go in your

*

* The reader may be desirous to see a ballad, which Swift deemed worthy being sent to Stella. It is a favourable specimen of the Whig lampoons so common at the period.

packet of pamphlets.-I found out your letter about directions for the apron, and have ordered to be bought a cheap, green silk work apron ; I have it by heart. I sat this evening with Mrs Barton, who is my near neighbour. It was a delicious day, and I got my walk, and was

thinking whether MD was walking too just at that time that Presto was.-This paper does not cost me a farthing, I have it from the secretary's office. I long till to-morrow to know how my lord-treasurer sleeps this night, and to hear he mends: we are all undone without him; so pray for him, sirrahs, and don't stay too late.at the dean's.

26. I dined with Mrs Van; for the weather is so bad, and I am so busy, that I can't dine with great folks : and besides I dare eat but little, to keep my head in order, which is better. Lord-treasurer is very ill, but I hope in no danger. We have no quiet with the Whigs, they are so violent against a peace; but I'll cool them, with a vengeance, very soon. I have not heard from the Bishop of Clogher, whether he has got his statues. writ to him six weeks ago; he's so busy with his parliament. I won't answer you letter yet, say what you will, saucy girls.

I

27. I forgot to go about some business this morning, which cost me double the time; and I was forced to be at the secretary's office till four, and lose my dinner ; so I went to Mrs Van's, and made them get me three herrings, which I am very fond of, and they are a light victuals besides, I was to have supped at Lady Ashburnham's; but the drab did not call for us in her coach, as she promised, but sent for us, and so I sent my excuses. It has been a terrible rainy day, but so flattering in the morning, that I would needs go out in my new hat. I met Leigh and Sterne as I was going into the Park. Leigh says he will go to Ireland in ten days, if he can get Sterne to go with him; so I will send him the things for MD, and I have desired him to inquire

about the box. I hate that Sterne for his carelessness about it; but it was my fault.

29. I was all this terrible rainy day with my friend Lewis upon business of importance; and I dined with him, and came home about seven, and thought I would amuse myself a little, after the pains I had taken. I saw a volume of Congreve's plays in my room, that Patrick had taken to read; and I looked into it, and in mere loitering read in it till twelve, like an owl and a fool if ever I do so again; never saw the like. Count Gallas, the emperor's envoy, you will hear, is in disgrace with us the queen has ordered her ministers to have no more commerce with him; the reason is, the fool writ a rude letter to Lord Dartmouth, secretary of state, complaining of our proceedings about a peace; and he is always in close confidence with Lord Wharton and Sunderland, and others of the late ministry. I believe you begin to think there will be no peace; the Whigs here are sure it cannot be, and stocks are fallen again. But I am confident there will, unless France plays us tricks; and you may venture a wager with any of your Whig acquaintance, that we shall not have another campaign. You will get more by it than by ombre, sirrah. I let slip telling you yesterday's journal, which I thought to have done this morning, but blundered. I dined yesterday at Harry Coote's, with Lord Hatton,

*Count Gallas was dismissed from the court of Britain with every mark of dishonour. He was informed by a message from the secretary, Mr St John, that he should no more come to court, that what his master had to communicate, would be well received from the hands of another minister, and that he might depart from Britain when he thought fit.

Mr Finch, a son of Lord Nottingham, and Sir Andrew Fountaine. I left them soon; but hear they staid till two in the morning, and were all drunk; and so good night for last night, and good night for to-night. You blundering goosecap, an't you ashamed to blunder to young ladies? I shall have a fire in three or four days now, oh ho.

30. I was to-day in the city concerting some things with a printer, and am to be to-morrow all day busy with Mr Secretary about the same. I won't tell you

now; but the ministers reckon it will do abundance of good, and open the eyes of the nation, who are half bewitched against a peace. Few of this generation can remember any thing but war and taxes, and they think it is as it should be; whereas 'tis certain we are the most undone people in Europe, as I am afraid I shall make appear, beyond all contradiction. But I forgot; I won't tell you what I will do, nor what I will not do so let me alone, and go to Stoyte, and give Goody Stoyte and Catherine my humble service; I love Goody Stoyte better than Goody Walls. Who'll pay me for this green apron ? I will have the money; it cost ten shillings and sixpence. I think it plaguy dear for a cheap thing; but they said that English silk would cockle, and I know not what. You have the making into the bargain. 'Tis right Italian: I have sent it and the pamphlets to Leigh, and will send the Miscellanies and spectacles in a day or two. I would send more; but faith I'm plaguy poor at present.

31. The devil's in this secretary; when I went this morning, he had people with him; but says he, we are to dine with Prior to-day, and then will do all our business in the afternoon at two, Prior sends word he is