twelve. The ladies and lords have all their clothes ready against to-morrow: I saw several mighty fine, and I hope there will be a great appearance, in spite of that spiteful French fashion of the Whiggish ladies not to come, which they have all resolved to a woman; and I hope it will more spirit the queen against them for ever.

6. I went to dine at Lord Masham's at three, and met all the company just coming out of court; a mighty crowd: they staid long for their coaches: I had an opportunity of seeing several lords and ladies of my acquaintance in their fineries. Lady Asburnham looked the best in my eyes. They say the court was never fuller nor finer. Lord-treasu

rer, his lady, and two daughters, and Mrs Hill, dined with Lord and Lady Masham; the five ladies were monstrous fine. The queen gave Prince Eugene the diamond sword to-day; but nobody was by when she gave it, except my lord chamberlain. There was an entertainment of opera songs at night, and the queen was at all the entertainment, and is very well after it. I saw Lady Wharton, as ugly as the devil, coming out in the crowd all in an undress; she had been with the Marlborough daughters and Lady Bridgwater in St James's, looking out of the window all undressed to see the sight. I do not hear that one Whig lady was there, except those of the bed-chamber. Nothing has made so great a noise as one Kelson's chariot, that cost nine hundred and thirty pounds, the finest was ever seen. The rabble huzzaed him as much as they did Prince Eugene. This is birth-day chat.

7. Our society met to-day, the Duke of Ormond was not with us; we have lessened our dinners, which were grown so extravagant, that lord-treasurer and every body else cried shame. I left them at seven, visited for an hour, and then came home,

like a good boy. The queen is much better after yesterday's exercise: her friends wish she would use a little more. I opposed Lord Jersey's* election into our society, and he is refused: I likewise opposed the Duke of Beaufort; but I believe he will be chosen in spite of me: I don't much care; I shall not be with them above two months; for I resolve to set out for Ireland the beginning of April next (before I treat them again) and see my willows.

8. I dined to-day in the city; this morning a scoundrel dog, one of the queen's music, a German, whom I had never seen, got access to me in my chamber by Patrick's folly, and gravely desired me to get an employment in the customs for a friend of his, who would be very grateful; and likewise to forward a project of his own, for raising ten thousand pounds a year upon operas: I used him civiller than he deserved; but it vexed me to the pluck. He was told, I had a mighty interest with lord-treasurer, and one word of mine, &c.Well; I got home early on purpose to answer MD's letter, N. 26; for this goes to-morrow.-Well; I never saw such a letter in all my life; so saucy, so journalish, so sanguine, so pretending, so every thing. I satisfied all your fears in my last; all is gone well, as you say; yet you are an impudent slut to be so positive; you will swagger so upon your sagacity, that we shall never have done. Pray don't mislay your reply; I would certainly print it, if I had it here how long is it? I suppose half a sheet: was the answer written in Ireland? yes, yes, you shall

* William Villiers, second Earl of Jersey, to which title he succeeded by the death of his father, in August 1711.

* I

have a letter when you come from Baligall. need not tell you again who's out and who's in: we can never get out the Duchess of Somerset.--So, they say Presto writ the Conduct, † &c. Do they like it? I don't care whether they do or no; but the Resolutions printed t'other day in the Votes, are almost quotations from it; and would never have passed, if that book had not been written. I will not meddle with the Spectator, let him fair-sex ‡ it to the world's end. My disorder is over, but blood was not from the p-les.- -Well, madam Dingley, the frost; why we had a great frost, but I forget how long ago; it lasted above a week or ten days: I-believe about six weeks ago; but it did not break so soon with us I think as December 29; yet I think it was about that time, on second thoughts. MD can have no letter from Presto, says you; and yet four days before you own you had my thirty-seventh, unreasonable sluts! The Bishop of Gloucester is not dead, and I am as likely to succeed the Duke of Marlborough as him if he were; there's enough for that now. It is not unlikely that the Duke of Shrewsbury will be your governor; at least I believe the Duke of Ormond will not return.-Well, Stella again: why really three editions of the Conduct, &c. is very much for Ireland; it is a sign you have some honest among you. Well; I will do Mr Manley all the service I can but he will ruin himself. What business had he to engage at all about the city? can't he wish his cause well, and be quiet, when he finds that

* A village near Dublin.

+ Of the Allies.

Swift always ridiculed the perpetual mention of the fair-sex, in this celebrated periodical paper.

售

stirring will do it no good, and himself a great deal of hurt; I cannot imagine who should open my letter: it must be done at your side.-If I hear of any thoughts of turning out Mr Manley, I will endeavour to prevent it. I have already had all the gentlemen of Ireland here upon my back often, for defending him. So now I have answered your saucy letter. My humble service to goody Stoyte and Catherine; I will come soon for my dinner.

9. Morning. My cold goes off at last; but I think I have got a small new one. I have no news since last. They say we hear by the way of Calais, that peace is very near concluding. I hope it may be true. I'll go and seal up my letter, and give it myself to-night into the post-office; and so I bid my dearest MD farewell till to-night. I heartily wish myself with them, as hope saved. My willows, and quicksets, and trees, will be finely improved, I hope, this year. It has been fine hard frosty weather yesterday and to-day. Farewell, &c. &c.

&c.

LETTER XLI. *

London, Feb. 9, 1711-12.

WHEN my letter is gone, and I have none of yours to answer, my conscience is so clear, and my shoulder so light, and I go on with such courage to prate

*Endorsed, "9 Feb. to 23, inclusive; received March 1."

upon nothing to dear charming MD, you would wonder. I dined to-day with Sir Matthew Dudley, who is newly turned out of the commission of the customs. He affects a good heart, and talks in the extremity of Whiggery, which was always his principle, though he was gentle a little, while he kept in employment. * We can get no packets from Holland. I have not been with any of the ministry these two or three days. I keep out of their way on purpose, for a certain reason, for some time, though I must dine with the secretary † to-morrow, the choosing of the company being left to me. I have engaged Lord Anglesey and Lord Carteret, and have promised to get three more; but I have a mind that none else should be admitted. However, if I like any body at court to-morrow, I may perhaps invite them. I have got another cold, but not very bad.******

10. I saw Prince Eugene at court to-day very plain. He is plaguy yellow, and literally ugly be sides. The court was very full, and people had their birth-day clothes. I was to have invited five; but I only invited two, Lord Anglesey and Lord Carteret. Pshaw, I told you but yesterday. We have no packets from Holland yet. Here are a parcel of drunken Whiggish lords, like your Lord Santry, who come into chocolate-houses, and rail aloud at the Tories, and have challenges sent them, and the next morning come and beg pardon. General

* Upon carrying through the bill for securing the Protestant succession, Sir Matthew Dudley was so zealous for the rights of the Hanover family, that Granville called to him after the 'debate, "How do you, Mynherr Dudley?" to which he answered, alluding to Granville's attachment to what was called the French faction, "Thanks, Monsieur Granville."

+ St John.