s
still a mighty secret that Masham is to be one of the new lords; they
say he does not yet know it himself; but the Queen is to surprise him
with it. Mr. Secretary will be a lord at the end of the session; but
they want him still in Parliament. After all, it is a strange unhappy
necessity of making so many peers together; but the Queen has drawn it
upon herself, by her confounded trimming and moderation. Three, as I
told you, are of our Society.

30. I writ the Dean and you a lie yesterday; for the Duke of Somerset is
not yet turned out. I was to-day at Court, and resolved to be very civil
to the Whigs; but saw few there. When I was in the bed-chamber talking
to Lord Rochester, he went up to Lady Burlington,(1) who asked him who
I was; and Lady Sunderland and she whispered about me: I desired Lord
Rochester to tell Lady Sunderland I doubted she was not as much in love
with me as I was with her; but he would not deliver my message. The
Duchess of Shrewsbury came running up to me, and clapped her fan up to
hide us from the company, and we gave one another joy of this change;
but sighed when we reflected on the Somerset family not being out. The
Secretary and I, and brother Bathurst, and Lord Windsor, dined with the
Duke of Ormond. Bathurst and Windsor(2) are to be two of the new lords.
I desired my Lord Radnor's brother,(3) at Court to-day, to let my lord
know I would call on him at six, which I did, and was arguing with
him three hours to bring him over to us, and I spoke so closely that I
believe he will be tractable; but he is a scoundrel, and though I said
I only talked for my love to him, I told a lie; for I did not care if
he were hanged: but everyone gained over is of consequence. The Duke of
Marlborough was at Court today, and nobody hardly took notice of him.
Masham's being a lord begins to take wind: nothing at Court can be kept
a secret. Wednesday will be a great day: you shall know more.

31. Our frost is broken since yesterday, and it is very slabbery;(4)
yet I walked to the City and dined, and ordered some things with the
printer. I have settled Dr. King in the Gazette; it will be worth two
hundred pounds a year to him. Our new lords' patents are passed: I don't
like the expedient, if we could have found any other. I see I have said
this before. I hear the Duke of Marlborough is turned out of all his
employments: I shall know to-morrow when I am to carry Dr. King to dine
with the Secretary.--These are stro