ted Lord Treasurer, who is
now right again, and all well, only that the Somerset family is not out
yet. I hate that; I don't like it, as the man said, by, etc. Then I went
and visited poor Will Congreve, who had a French fellow tampering with
one of his eyes; he is almost blind of both. I dined with some merchants
in the City, but could not see Stratford, with whom I had business.
Presto, leave off your impertinence, and answer our letter, saith MD.
Yes, yes, one of these days, when I have nothing else to do. O, faith,
this letter is a week written, and not one side done yet. These ugly
spots are not tobacco, but this is the last gilt sheet I have of large
paper, therefore hold your tongue. Nuttal was surprised when they gave
him bits of paper instead of money, but I made Ben Tooke put him in his
geers:(8) he could not reckon ten pounds, but was puzzled with the Irish
way. Ben Tooke and my printer have desired me to make them stationers
to the Ordnance, of which Lord Rivers is Master, instead of the Duke of
Marlborough. It will be a hundred pounds a year apiece to them, if I can
get it. I will try to-morrow.

6. I went this morning to Earl Rivers, gave him joy of his new
employment, and desired him to prefer my printer and bookseller to be
stationers to his office. He immediately granted it me; but, like an old
courtier, told me it was wholly on my account, but that he heard I had
intended to engage Mr. Secretary to speak to him, and desired I would
engage him to do so, but that, however, he did it only for my sake. This
is a Court trick, to oblige as many as you can at once. I read prayers
to poor Mrs. Wesley, who is very much out of order, instead of going
to church; and then I went to Court, which I found very full, in
expectation of seeing Prince Eugene, who landed last night, and lies at
Leicester House; he was not to see the Queen till six this evening. I
hope and believe he comes too late to do the Whigs any good. I refused
dining with the Secretary, and was like to lose my dinner, which was at
a private acquaintance's. I went at six to see the Prince at Court, but
he was gone in to the Queen; and when he came out, Mr. Secretary, who
introduced him, walked so near him that he quite screened me from him
with his great periwig. I'll tell you a good passage: as Prince Eugene
was going with Mr. Secretary to Court, he told the Secretary that
Hoffman, the Emperor's Resident, said to His Highness that it was not
proper