ugh to go to church, pray? no numbings left?
no darkness in your eyes? do you walk and exercise? Your exercise is
ombre.--People are coming up to town: the Queen will be at Hampton Court
in a week. Lady Betty Germaine, I hear, is come; and Lord Pembroke is
coming: his wife(9) is as big with child as she can tumble.

15. I sat at home till four this afternoon to-day writing, and ate a
roll and butter; then visited Will Congreve an hour or two, and supped
with Lord Treasurer, who came from Windsor to-day, and brought Prior
with him. The Queen has thanked Prior for his good service in France,
and promised to make him a Commissioner of the Customs. Several of that
Commission are to be out; among the rest, my friend Sir Matthew Dudley.
I can do nothing for him, he is so hated by the Ministry. Lord Treasurer
kept me till twelve, so I need not tell you it is now late.

16. I dined to-day with Mr. Secretary at Dr. Coatesworth's,(10) where he
now lodges till his house be got ready in Golden Square. One Boyer,(11)
a French dog, has abused me in a pamphlet, and I have got him up in
a messenger's hands: the Secretary promises me to swinge him. Lord
Treasurer told me last night that he had the honour to be abused with me
in a pamphlet. I must make that rogue an example, for warning to
others. I was to see Jack Hill this morning, who made that unfortunate
expedition; and there is still more misfortune; for that ship, which was
admiral of his fleet,(12) is blown up in the Thames, by an accident and
carelessness of some rogue, who was going, as they think, to steal some
gunpowder: five hundred men are lost. We don't yet know the particulars.
I am got home by seven, and am going to be busy, and you are going to
play and supper; you live ten times happier than I; but I should live
ten times happier than you if I were with MD. I saw Jemmy Leigh to-day
in the street, who tells me that Sterne has not lain above once these
three weeks in his lodgings, and he doubts he takes ill courses; he
stays only till he can find Sterne to go along with him, and he cannot
hear of him. I begged him to inquire about the box when he comes to
Chester, which he promises.

17. The Secretary and I dined to-day with Brigadier Britton,(13) a great
friend of his. The lady of the house is very gallant, about thirty-five;
she is said to have a great deal of wit; but I see nothing among any of
them that equals MD by a bar's length, as hope saved. My Lord Treasurer