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)

11. I was this morning to visit the Duke and Duchess of Ormond, and
the Duchess of Hamilton, and went with the Provost to an auction of
pictures, and laid out fourteen shillings. I am in for it, if I had
money; but I doubt I shall be undone; for Sir Andrew Fountaine invited
the Provost and me to dine with him, and play at ombre, when I fairly
lost fourteen shillings. Fais, it won't do; and I shall be out of
conceit with play this good while. I am come home; and it is late, and
my puppy let out my fire, and I am gone to bed and writing there, and
it is past twelve a good while. Went out four matadores and a trump in
black, and was bested. Vely bad, fais! Nite my deelest logues MD.

12. I was at another auction of pictures to-day, and a great auction it
was. I made Lord Masham lay out forty pounds. There were pictures sold
of twice as much value apiece. Our Society met to-day at the Duke of
Beaufort's: a prodigious fine dinner, which I hate; but we did some
business. Our printer was to attend us, as usual; and the Chancellor of
the Exchequer sent the author of the Examiner(20) twenty guineas. He is
an ingenious fellow, but the most confounded vain coxcomb in the world,
so that I dare not let him see me, nor am acquainted with him. I had
much discourse with the Duke of Ormond this morning, and am driving
some points to secure us all in case of accidents, etc.(21) I left the
Society at seven. I can't drink now at all with any pleasure. I love
white Portugal wine bet