, except the first part of the 46th;(19) all the rest is trash; and
if you like them, especially the 47th, your judgment is spoiled by ill
company and want of reading, which I am more sorry for than you think:
and I have spent fourteen years in improving you to little purpose.
(Mr. Tooke is come here, and I must stop.)--At night. I dined with
Lord Treasurer to-day, and he kept me till nine; so I cannot send this
to-night, as I intended, nor write some other letters. Green,(20) his
surgeon, was there, and dressed his breast; that is, put on a plaster,
which is still requisite: and I took an opportunity to speak to him of
the Queen; but he cut me short with this saying, "Laissez faire a Don
Antoine," which is a French proverb, expressing, "Leave that to me."
I find he is against her taking much physic; and I doubt he cannot
persuade her to take Dr. Radcliffe. However, she is very well now, and
all the story of her illness, except the first day or two, was a lie.
We had some business, that company hindered us from doing, though he is
earnest for it, yet would not appoint me a certain day, but bids me come
at all times till we can have leisure. This takes up a great deal of my
time, and I can do nothing I would do for them. I was with the Secretary
this morning, and we both think to go to Windsor for some days, to
despatch an affair, if we can have leisure. Sterne met me just now in
the street by his lodgings, and I went in for an hour to Jemmy Leigh,
who loves London dearly: he asked after you with great respect and
friendship.--To return to your letter. Your Bishop Mills(21) hates me
mortally: I wonder he should speak well of me, having abused me in
all places where he went. So you pay your way. Cudsho: you had a
fine supper, I warrant; two pullets, and a bottle of wine, and some
currants.--It is just three weeks to-day since you set out to Wexford;
you were three days going, and I do not expect a letter these ten days
yet, or rather this fortnight. I got a grant of the Gazette(22) for Ben
Tooke this morning from Mr. Secretary: it will be worth to him a hundred
pounds a year.

18. To-day I took leave of Mrs. Barton, who is going into the country;
and I dined with Sir John Stanley,(23) where I have not been this great
while. There dined with us Lord Rochester, and his fine daughter, Lady
Jane,(24) just growing a top-toast. I have been endeavouring to save
Sir Matthew Dudley,(25) but fear I cannot. I walked the Mall six time