gentlemen
ushers, among scurvy company; but the Queen was hunting the stag till
four this afternoon, and she drove in her chaise above forty miles, and
it was five before we went to dinner. Here are fine walks about this
town. I sometimes walk up the avenue.

8. There was a Drawing-room to-day at Court; but so few company, that
the Queen sent for us into her bed-chamber, where we made our bows, and
stood about twenty of us round the room, while she looked at us round
with her fan in her mouth, and once a minute said about three words to
some that were nearest her, and then she was told dinner was ready, and
went out. I dined at the Green Cloth, by Mr. Scarborow's(19) invitation,
who is in waiting. It is much the best table in England, and costs
the Queen a thousand pounds a month while she is at Windsor or Hampton
Court, and is the only mark of magnificence or hospitality I can see in
the Queen's family: it is designed to entertain foreign Ministers, and
people of quality, who come to see the Queen, and have no place to dine
at.

9. Mr. Coke, the Vice-Chamberlain, made me a long visit this morning,
and invited me to dinner; but the toast, his lady,(20) was unfortunately
engaged to Lady Sunderland.(21) Lord Treasurer stole here last night,
but did not lie at his lodgings in the Castle; and, after seeing the
Queen, went back again. I just drank a dish of chocolate with him. I
fancy I shall have reason to be angry with him very soon; but what
care I? I believe I shall die with Ministries in my debt.--This night
I received a certain letter from a place called Wexford, from two dear
naughty girls of my acquaintance; but, faith, I will not answer it here,
no in troth. I will send this to Mr. Reading, supposing it will find you
returned; and I hope better for the waters.

10. Mr. Vice-Chamberlain lent me his horses to ride about and see
the country this morning. Dr. Arbuthnot, the Queen's physician and
favourite, went out with me to show me the places: we went a little
after the Queen, and overtook Miss Forester,(22) a maid of honour, on
her palfrey, taking the air; we made her go along with us. We saw a
place they have made for a famous horse-race to-morrow, where the Queen
will come. We met the Queen coming back, and Miss Forester stood, like
us, with her hat off while the Queen went by. The Doctor and I left the
lady where we found her, but under other conductors; and we dined at a
little place he has taken, about a mil