r much eating and great tables,
dined with honest Jemmy Eckershall,(11) Clerk of the Kitchen, now in
waiting, and I bespoke my dinner: but the cur had your acquaintance
Lovet, the gentleman porter, to be our company. Lovet, towards the end
of dinner, after twenty wrigglings, said he had the honour to see me
formerly at Moor Park, and thought he remembered my face. I said I
thought I remembered him, and was glad to see him, etc., and I escaped
for that much, for he was very pert. It has rained all this day, and I
doubt our good weather is gone. I have been very idle this afternoon,
playing at twelvepenny picquet with Lewis: I won seven shillings, which
is the only money I won this year: I have not played above four times,
and I think always at Windsor. Cards are very dear: there is a duty on
them of sixpence a pack, which spoils small gamesters.

3. Mr. Masham sent this morning to desire I would ride out with him, the
weather growing again very fine. I was very busy, and sent my excuses;
but desired he would provide me a dinner. I dined with him, his lady,
and her sister, Mrs. Hill, who invites us to-morrow to dine with her,
and we are to ride out in the morning. I sat with Lady Oglethorpe till
eight this evening, then was going home to write; looked about for the
woman that keeps the key of the house: she told me Patrick had it.
I cooled my heels in the cloisters till nine, then went in to the
music-meeting, where I had been often desired to go; but was weary
in half an hour of their fine stuff, and stole out so privately that
everybody saw me; and cooled my heels in the cloisters again till after
ten: then came in Patrick. I went up, shut the chamber door, and gave
him two or three swinging cuffs on the ear, and I have strained the
thumb of my left hand with pulling him, which I did not feel until he
was gone. He was plaguily afraid and humbled.

4. It was the finest day in the world, and we got out before eleven, a
noble caravan of us. The Duchess of Shrewsbury in her own chaise
with one horse, and Miss Touchet(12) with her, Mrs. Masham and Mrs.
Scarborow, one of the dressers, in one of the Queen's chaises; Miss
Forester and Miss Scarborow,(13) two maids of honour, and Mrs. Hill
on horseback. The Duke of Shrewsbury, Mr. Masham, George Fielding,(14)
Arbuthnot, and I, on horseback too. Mrs. Hill's horse was hired for Miss
Scarborow, but she took it in civility; her own horse was galled and
could not be rid, but kicked