etc.

LETTER 40.

LONDON, Jan. 26, 1711-12.

I have no gilt paper left of this size, so you must be content with
plain. Our Society dined together today, for it was put off, as I told
you, upon Lord Marlborough's business on Thursday. The Duke of Ormond
dined with us to-day, the first time: we were thirteen at table; and
Lord Lansdowne came in after dinner, so that we wanted but three. The
Secretary proposed the Duke of Beaufort, who desires to be one of our
Society; but I stopped it, because the Duke of Ormond doubts a little
about it; and he was gone before it was proposed. I left them at seven,
and sat this evening with poor Mrs. Wesley, who has been mightily ill
to-day with a fainting fit; she has often convulsions, too: she takes
a mixture with asafoetida, which I have now in my nose, and everything
smells of it. I never smelt it before; 'tis abominable. We have eight
packets, they say, due from Ireland.

27. I could not see Prince Eugene at Court to-day, the crowd was so
great. The Whigs contrive to have a crowd always about him, and employ
the rabble to give the word, when he sets out from any place. When the
Duchess of Hamilton came from the Queen after church, she whispered me
that she was going to pay me a visit. I went to Lady Oglethorpe's, the
place appointed; for ladies always visit me in third places; and she
kept me till near four: she talks too much, is a plaguy detractor, and
I believe I shall not much like her. I was engaged to dine with Lord
Masham: they stayed as long as they could, yet had almost dined, and
were going in anger to pull down the brass peg for my hat, but Lady
Masham saved it. At eight I went again to Lord Masham's; Lord Treasurer
is generally there at night: we sat up till almost two. Lord Treasurer
has engaged me to contrive some way to keep the Archbishop of York(1)
from being seduced by Lord Nottingham. I will do what I can in it
to-morrow. 'Tis very late, so I must go sleep.

28. Poor Mrs. Manley, the author, is very ill of a dropsy and sore leg:
the printer tells me he is afraid she cannot live long. I am heartily
sorry for her: she has very generous principles for one of her sort,
and a great deal of good sense and invention: she is about forty, very
homely, and very fat. Mrs. Van made me dine with her to-day. I was
this morning with the Duke of Ormond and the Prolocutor about what Lord
Treasurer spoke to me yesterday; I know not what will be the issue.
There is but