e off.--When I came back I found
Mr. Scarborow had sent all about to invite me to the Green Cloth, and
lessened his company on purpose to make me easy. It is very obliging,
and will cost me thanks. Much company is come to town this evening,
to see to-morrow's race. I was tired with riding a trotting mettlesome
horse a dozen miles, having not been on horseback this twelvemonth.
And Miss Forester did not make it easier; she is a silly true maid of
honour, and I did not like her, although she be a toast, and was dressed
like a man.(23)

11. I will send this letter to-day. I expect the Secretary by noon. I
will not go to the race unless I can get room in some coach. It is now
morning. I must rise, and fold up and seal my letter. Farewell, and God
preserve dearest MD.

I believe I shall leave this town on Monday.

LETTER 28.

WINDSOR, Aug. 11, 1711.

I sent away my twenty-seventh this morning in an express to London, and
directed to Mr. Reading: this shall go to your lodgings, where I reckon
you will be returned before it reaches you. I intended to go to the
race(1) to-day, but was hindered by a visit: I believe I told you so in
my last. I dined to-day at the Green Cloth, where everybody had been at
the race but myself, and we were twenty in all, and very noisy company;
but I made the Vice-Chamberlain and two friends more sit at a side
table, to be a little quiet. At six I went to see the Secretary, who is
returned; but Lord Keeper sent to desire I would sup with him, where I
stayed till just now: Lord Treasurer and Secretary were to come to us,
but both failed. 'Tis late, etc.

12. I was this morning to visit Lord Keeper, who made me reproaches
that I had never visited him at Windsor. He had a present sent him of
delicious peaches, and he was champing and champing, but I durst not eat
one; I wished Dingley had some of them, for poor Stella can no more eat
fruit than Presto. Dilly Ashe is come to Windsor; and after church
I carried him up to the drawing-room, and talked to the Keeper and
Treasurer, on purpose to show them to him; and he saw the Queen and
several great lords, and the Duchess of Montagu;(2) he was mighty happy,
and resolves to fill a letter to the Bishop.(3) My friend Lewis and I
dined soberly with Dr. Adams,(4) the only neighbour prebendary. One of
the prebendaries here is lately a peer, by the death of his father. He
is now Lord Willoughby of Broke,(5) and will sit in the House of Lords
with hi