appened to be
disengaged: it is the worst provided table at Court. We ate on pewter:
every chaplain, when he is made a dean, gives a piece of plate, and so
they have got a little, some of it very old. One who was made Dean of
Peterborough (a small deanery) said he would give no plate; he was
only Dean of Pewterborough. The news of Mr. Hill's miscarriage in his
expedition(19) came to-day, and I went to visit Mrs. Masham and Mrs.
Hill, his two sisters, to condole with them. I advised them by all means
to go to the music-meeting to-night, to show they were not cast down,
etc., and they thought my advice was right, and went. I doubt Mr. Hill
and his admiral made wrong steps; however, we lay it all to a storm,
etc. I sat with the Secretary at supper; then we both went to Lord
Treasurer's supper, and sat till twelve. The Secretary is much mortified
about Hill, because this expedition was of his contriving, and he
counted much upon it; but Lord Treasurer was just as merry as usual,
and old laughing at Sir John Walter and me falling out. I said nothing
grieved me but that they would take example, and perhaps presume upon
it, and get out of my government; but that I thought I was not obliged
to govern bears, though I governed men. They promise to be as obedient
as ever, and so we laughed; and so I go to bed; for it is colder still,
and you have a fire now, and are at cards at home.

7. Lord Harley and I dined privately to-day with Mrs. Masham and Mrs.
Hill, and my brother Masham. I saw Lord Halifax at Court, and we joined
and talked; and the Duchess of Shrewsbury came up and reproached me for
not dining with her. I said that was not so soon done, for I expected
more advances from ladies, especially duchesses: she promised to comply
with any demands I pleased; and I agreed to dine with her to-morrow,
if I did not go to London too soon, as I believe I shall before dinner.
Lady Oglethorpe brought me and the Duchess of Hamilton(20) together
to-day in the drawing-room, and I have given her some encouragement, but
not much. Everybody has been teasing Walter. He told Lord Treasurer that
he took his company from him that were to dine with him: my lord said,
"I will send you Dr. Swift:" Lord Keeper bid him take care what he
did; "for," said he, "Dr. Swift is not only all our favourite, but our
governor." The old company supped with Lord Treasurer, and got away by
twelve.

London, 8. I believe I shall go no more to Windsor, for we expect