dined with Prior, and
did business this afternoon till about eight; and I must alter and undo,
and a clutter. I am glad the Parliament is prorogued. I stayed with
Prior till eleven; the Secretary left us at eight. Prior, I believe,
will be one of those employed to make the peace, when a Congress is
opened. Lord Ashburnham told to-day at the Coffee-house that Lord
Harley(7) was yesterday morning married to the Duke of Newcastle's
daughter, the great heiress, and it got about all the town. But I saw
Lord Harley yesterday at noon in his nightgown, and he dined in the City
with Prior and others; so it is not true; but I hope it will be so; for
I know it has been privately managing this long time:(8) the lady will
not have half her father's estate; for the Duke left Lord Pelham's son
his heir.(9) The widow Duchess will not stand to the will, and she is
now at law with Pelham. However, at worst, the girl will have about ten
thousand pounds a year to support the honour; for Lord Treasurer will
never save a groat for himself. Lord Harley is a very valuable young
gentleman; and they say the girl is handsome, and has good sense, but
red hair.

9. I designed a jaunt into the City to-day to be merry, but was
disappointed; so one always is in this life; and I could not see Lord
Dartmouth to-day, with whom I had some business. Business and pleasure
both disappointed. You can go to your Dean, and for want of him, Goody
Stoyte, or Walls, or Manley, and meet everywhere with cards and claret.
I dined privately with a friend on a herring and chicken, and half a
flask of bad Florence. I begin to have fires now, when the mornings
are cold. I have got some loose bricks at the back of my grate for good
husbandry. Fine weather. Patrick tells me my caps are wearing out. I
know not how to get others. I want a necessary woman strangely. I am
as helpless as an elephant.--I had three packets from the Archbishop of
Dublin, cost me four shillings, all about Higgins,(10) printed stuff,
and two long letters. His people forgot to enclose them to Lewis;
and they were only directed to Doctor Swift, without naming London
or anything else. I wonder how they reached me, unless the postmaster
directed them. I have read all the trash, and am weary.

10. Why, if you must have it out, something is to be published of great
moment,(11) and three or four great people are to see there are no
mistakes in point of fact: and 'tis so troublesome to send it among
them