m very well, a young slender fellow
with freckles in his face: you must remember him; he waited at table as
a better sort of servant. I gave him a crown, and promised to do what I
could to help him to a service, which I did for Harry Tenison's memory.
It was bloody hot walking to-day, and I was so lazy I dined where my new
gown was, at Mrs. Vanhomrigh's, and came back like a fool, and the Dean
of Carlisle has sat with me till eleven. Lord Oxford has not the staff
yet.

29. I was this morning in town by ten, though it was shaving-day, and
went to the Secretary about some affairs, then visited the Duke and
Duchess of Ormond; but the latter was dressing to go out, and I could
not see her. My Lord Oxford had the staff given him this morning; so now
I must call him Lord Oxford no more, but Lord Treasurer: I hope he will
stick there: this is twice he has changed his name this week; and I
heard to-day in the City (where I dined) that he will very soon have the
Garter.--Pr'ythee, do not you observe how strangely I have changed my
company and manner of living? I never go to a coffee-house; you hear no
more of Addison, Steele, Henley, Lady Lucy, Mrs. Finch,(7) Lord Somers,
Lord Halifax, etc. I think I have altered for the better. Did I tell you
the Archbishop of Dublin has writ me a long letter of a squabble in your
town about choosing a Mayor, and that he apprehended some censure for
the share he had in it?(8) I have not heard anything of it here; but I
shall not be always able to defend him. We hear your Bishop Hickman is
dead;(9) but nobody here will do anything for me in Ireland; so they
may die as fast or slow as they please.--Well, you are constant to your
deans, and your Stoyte, and your Walls. Walls will have her tea soon;
Parson Richardson is either going or gone to Ireland, and has it with
him. I hear Mr. Lewis has two letters for me: I could not call for them
to-day, but will to-morrow; and perhaps one of them may be from our
little MD, who knows, man? who can tell? Many a more unlikely thing has
happened.--Pshaw, I write so plaguy little, I can hardly see it myself.
WRITE BIGGER, SIRRAH(10) Presto. No, but I won't. Oh, you are a saucy
rogue, Mr. Presto, you are so impudent. Come, dear rogues, let Presto go
to sleep; I have been with the Dean, and 'tis near twelve.

30. I am so hot and lazy after my morning's walk, that I loitered at
Mrs. Vanhomrigh's, where my best gown and periwig are, and out of mere
listlessness d