abroad. I challenged him this morning as one of the robbers.
He is a sad dog; and the minute I come to Ireland I will discard him. I
have this day got double iron bars to every window in my dining-room and
bed-chamber; and I hide my purse in my thread stocking between the bed's
head and the wainscot. Lewis and I dined with an old Scotch friend, who
brought the Duke of Douglas(17) and three or four more Scots upon us.

10. This was our Society day, you know; but the Duke of Ormond could
not be with us, because he dined with Prince Eugene. It cost me a guinea
contribution to a poet, who had made a copy of verses upon monkeys,
applying the story to the Duke of Marlborough; the rest gave two
guineas, except the two physicians,(18) who followed my example. I don't
like this custom: the next time I will give nothing. I sat this evening
at Lord Masham's with Lord Treasurer: I don't like his countenance; nor
I don't like the posture of things well.

We cannot be stout,
Till Somerset's out:

as the old saying is.

11. Mr. Lewis and I dined with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who eats
the most elegantly of any man I know in town. I walked lustily in the
Park by moonshine till eight, to shake off my dinner and wine; and then
went to sup at Mr. Domville's with Ford, and stayed till twelve. It is
told me to-day as a great secret that the Duke of Somerset will be out
soon, that the thing is fixed; but what shall we do with the Duchess?
They say the Duke will make her leave the Queen out of spite, if he be
out. It has stuck upon that fear a good while already. Well, but Lewis
gave me a letter from MD, N.25. O Lord, I did not expect one this
fortnight, faith. You are mighty good, that's certain: but I won't
answer it, because this goes to-morrow, only what you say of the
printer being taken up; I value it not; all's safe there; nor do I fear
anything, unless the Ministry be changed: I hope that danger is over.
However, I shall be in Ireland before such a change; which could not
be, I think, till the end of the session, if the Whigs' designs had
gone on.--Have not you an apron by Leigh, Madam Stella? have you all I
mentioned in a former letter?

12. Morning. This goes to-day as usual. I think of going into the City;
but of that at night. 'Tis fine moderate weather these two or three days
last. Farewell, etc. etc.

LETTER 39.

LONDON, Jan. 12,1711-12.

When I sealed up my letter this morning, I looked upon mys