ll come here again on
Saturday, when our Society are to meet at supper at Mr. Secretary's.
My life is very regular here: on Sunday morning I constantly visit Lord
Keeper, and sup at Lord Treasurer's with the same set of company. I was
not sleepy to-night; I resolved I would not; yet it is past midnight at
this present writing.

London, 10. Lord Treasurer and Masham and I left Windsor at three this
afternoon: we dropped Masham at Kensington with his lady, and got home
by six. It was seven before we sat down to dinner, and I stayed till
past eleven. Patrick came home with the Secretary: I am more plagued
with Patrick and my portmantua than with myself. I forgot to tell you
that when I went to Windsor on Saturday I overtook Lady Giffard and
Mrs. Fenton(2) in a chariot, going, I suppose, to Sheen. I was then in
a chariot too, of Lord Treasurer's brother, who had business with the
Treasurer; and my lord came after, and overtook me at Turnham Green,
four miles from London; and then the brother went back, and I went in
the coach with Lord Treasurer: so it happened that those people saw me,
and not with Lord Treasurer. Mrs. F. was to see me about a week ago; and
desired I would get her son into the Charter-house.

11. This morning the printer sent me an account of Prior's Journey;(3)
it makes a twopenny pamphlet. I suppose you will see it, for I dare
engage it will run; 'tis a formal, grave lie, from the beginning to
the end. I writ all but about the last page; that I dictated, and the
printer writ. Mr. Secretary sent to me to dine where he did; it was
at Prior's: when I came in, Prior showed me the pamphlet, seemed to be
angry, and said, "Here is our English liberty!" I read some of it, and
said I liked it mightily, and envied the rogue the thought; for, had it
come into my head, I should have certainly done it myself. We stayed at
Prior's till past ten; and then the Secretary received a packet with the
news of Bouchain being taken, for which the guns will go off to-morrow.
Prior owned his having been in France, for it was past denying: it seems
he was discovered by a rascal at Dover, who had positive orders to let
him pass. I believe we shall have a peace.

12. It is terrible rainy weather, and has cost me three shillings in
coaches and chairs to-day, yet I was dirty into the bargain. I was three
hours this morning with the Secretary about some business of moment, and
then went into the City to dine. The printer tells me he