k of returning to Ireland, if these people will
let me; and I know nothing else they have for me to do. I gave Dr.
Arbuthnot my thanks for his kindness to Bernage, whose commission is
now signed. Methinks I long to know something of Stella's health, how it
continues after Wexford waters.

30. The Queen was not at chapel to-day, and all for the better, for we
had a dunce to preach: she has a little of the gout. I dined with
my brother Masham, and a moderate company, and would not go to Lord
Treasurer's till after supper at eleven o'clock, and pretended I had
mistaken the hour; so I ate nothing: and a little after twelve the
company broke up, the Keeper and Secretary refusing to stay; so I saved
this night's debauch. Prior went away yesterday with his Frenchmen, and
a thousand reports are raised in this town. Some said they knew one to
be the Abbe de Polignac: others swore it was the Abbe du Bois. The Whigs
are in a rage about the peace; but we'll wherret(9) them, I warrant,
boys. Go, go, go to the Dean's and don't mind politics, young women,
they are not good after the waters; they are stark naught: they strike
up into the head. Go, get two black aces, and fish for a manilio.

Oct. 1. Sir John Walter,(10) an honest drunken fellow, is now in
waiting, and invited me to the Green Cloth to-day, that he might not
be behindhand with Colonel Godfrey, who is a Whig. I was engaged to
the Mayor's feast with Mr. Masham; but waiting to take leave of Lord
Treasurer, I came too late, and so returned sneaking to the Green Cloth,
and did not see my Lord Treasurer neither; but was resolved not to lose
two dinners for him. I took leave to-day of my friend and solicitor
Lord Rivers, who is commanded by the Queen to set out for Hanover on
Thursday. The Secretary does not go to town till to-morrow; he and I,
and two friends more, drank a sober bottle of wine here at home, and
parted at twelve; he goes by seven to-morrow morning, so I shall not see
him. I have power over his cellar in his absence, and make little use
of it. Lord Dartmouth and my friend Lewis stay here this week; but I can
never work out a dinner from Dartmouth. Masham has promised to provide
for me: I squired his lady out of her chaise to-day, and must visit her
in a day or two. So you have had a long fit of the finest weather in the
world; but I am every day in pain that it will go off. I have done no
business to-day; I am very idle.

2. My friend Lewis and I, to avoid ove