my letters and of the day of the
month is the same; that's lucky, boys; that's a sign that things will
meet, and that we shall make a figure together. What, will you still
have the impudence to say London, England, because I say Dublin,
Ireland? Is there no difference between London and Dublin, saucyboxes?
I have sealed up my letter, and am going to town. Morrow, sirrahs.--At
night. I dined with the Secretary to-day; we sat down between five and
six. Mr. Harley's patent passed this morning: he is now Earl of Oxford,
Earl Mortimer, and Lord Harley of Wigmore Castle. My letter was sealed,
or I would have told you this yesterday; but the public news may tell
it you. The Queen, for all her favour, has kept a rod(1) for him in her
closet this week; I suppose he will take it from her, though, in a day
or two. At eight o'clock this evening it rained prodigiously, as it did
from five; however, I set out, and in half-way the rain lessened, and I
got home, but tolerably wet; and this is the first wet walk I have had
in a month's time that I am here but, however, I got to bed, after a
short visit to Atterbury.

25. It rained this morning, and I went to town by water; and Ford and I
dined with Mr. Lewis by appointment. I ordered Patrick to bring my gown
and periwig to Mr. Lewis, because I designed to go to see Lord Oxford,
and so I told the dog; but he never came, though I stayed an hour longer
than I appointed; so I went in my old gown, and sat with him two hours,
but could not talk over some business I had with him; so he has desired
me to dine with him on Sunday, and I must disappoint the Secretary.
My lord set me down at a coffee-house, where I waited for the Dean
of Carlisle's chariot to bring me to Chelsea; for it has rained
prodigiously all this afternoon. The Dean did not come himself, but sent
me his chariot, which has cost me two shillings to the coachman; and so
I am got home, and Lord knows what is become of Patrick. I think I must
send him over to you; for he is an intolerable rascal. If I had
come without a gown, he would have served me so, though my life and
preferment should have lain upon it: and I am making a livery for him
will cost me four pounds; but I will order the tailor to-morrow to stop
till further orders. My Lord Oxford can't yet abide to be called
"my lord"; and when I called him "my lord," he called me "Dr. Thomas
Swift,"(2) which he always does when he has a mind to tease me. By a
second hand, he prop