Walls, but I don't deserve it by
any usage of him here, having seen him but twice, and once en passant.
Mrs. Manley forsworn ombre! What! and no blazing star appear? no
monsters born? no whale thrown up? have you not found out some evasion
for her? She had no such regard to oaths in her younger days. I got the
books for nothing, Madam Dingley; but the wine I got not; it was but a
promise.--Yes, my head is pretty well in the main, only now and then a
little threatening or so.--You talk of my reconciling some great folks.
I tell you what. The Secretary told me last night that he had found the
reason why the Queen was cold to him for some months past; that a friend
had told it him yesterday; and it was, that they suspected he was at the
bottom with the Duke of Marlborough. Then he said he had reflected upon
all I had spoken to him long ago, but he thought it had only been my
suspicion, and my zeal and kindness for him. I said I had reason to take
that very ill, to imagine I knew so little of the world as to talk at
a venture to a great Minister; that I had gone between him and Lord
Treasurer often, and told each of them what I had said to the other, and
that I had informed him so before. He said all that you may imagine to
excuse himself, and approve my conduct. I told him I knew all along that
this proceeding of mine was the surest way to send me back to my willows
in Ireland, but that I regarded it not, provided I could do the kingdom
service in keeping them well together. I minded him how often I had told
Lord Treasurer, Lord Keeper, and him together, that all things depended
on their union, and that my comfort was to see them love one another;
and I had told them all singly that I had not said this by chance, etc.
He was in a rage to be thus suspected; swears he will be upon a better
foot, or none at all; and I do not see how they can well want him in
this juncture. I hope to find a way of settling this matter. I act an
honest part, that will bring me neither honour nor praise. MD must
think the better of me for it: nobody else shall ever know of it. Here's
politics enough for once; but Madam DD gave me occasion for it. I think
I told you I have got into lodgings that don't smell ill--O Lord! the
spectacles: well, I'll do that on Monday too; although it goes against
me to be employed for folks that neither you nor I care a groat for. Is
the eight pounds from Hawkshaw included in the thirty-nine pounds five
shillings and