to be
swinged for bribery, and the Queen is to communicate something of great
importance to the two Houses, at least they say so. But I must think of
answering your letter in a day or two.

17. I went this morning to the Duke of Ormond about some business, and
he told me he could not dine with us today, being to dine with Prince
Eugene. Those of our Society of the House of Commons could not be with
us, the House sitting late on Walpole. I left them at nine, and they
were not come. We kept some dinner for them. I hope Walpole will be sent
to the Tower, and expelled the House; but this afternoon the members I
spoke with in the Court of Requests talked dubiously of it. It will be
a leading card to maul the Duke of Marlborough for the same crime, or at
least to censure him. The Queen's message was only to give them notice
of the peace she is treating, and to desire they will make some law to
prevent libels against the Government; so farewell to Grub Street.

18. I heard to-day that the commoners of our Society did not leave the
Parliament till eleven at night, then went to those I left, and stayed
till three in the morning. Walpole is expelled, and sent to the Tower.
I was this morning again with Lord Rivers, and have made him give the
other employment to my printer and bookseller; 'tis worth a great deal.
I dined with my friend Lewis privately, to talk over affairs. We want to
have this Duke of Somerset out, and he apprehends it will not be, but I
hope better. They are going now at last to change the Commissioners of
the Customs; my friend Sir Matthew Dudley will be out, and three more,
and Prior will be in. I have made Ford copy out a small pamphlet, and
sent it to the press, that I might not be known for author; 'tis
A Letter to the October Club,(4) if ever you heard of such a
thing.--Methinks this letter goes on but slowly for almost a week: I
want some little conversation with MD, and to know what they are doing
just now. I am sick of politics. I have not dined with Lord Treasurer
these three weeks: he chides me, but I don't care: I don't.

19. I dined to-day with Lord Treasurer: this is his day of choice
company, where they sometimes admit me, but pretend to grumble. And
to-day they met on some extraordinary business; the Keeper, Steward,
both Secretaries, Lord Rivers, and Lord Anglesea: I left them at seven,
and came away, and have been writing to the Bishop of Clogher. I forgot
to know where to direct to him sinc