a slender majority in the House of Lords, and we want more.
We are sadly mortified at the news of the French taking the town in
Brazil from the Portuguese. The sixth edition of three thousand of
the Conduct of the Allies is sold, and the printer talks of a seventh:
eleven thousand of them have been sold, which is a most prodigious run.
The little twopenny Letter of Advice to the October Club does not sell:
I know not the reason, for it is finely written, I assure you; and, like
a true author, I grow fond of it, because it does not sell: you know
that it is usual to writers to condemn the judgment of the world: if I
had hinted it to be mine, everybody would have bought it, but it is a
great secret.

29. I borrowed one or two idle books of Contes des Fees,(2) and have
been reading them these two days, although I have much business upon
my hands. I loitered till one at home; then went to Mr. Lewis at his
office; and the Vice-Chamberlain told me that Lady Rialton(3) had
yesterday resigned her employment of lady of the bed-chamber, and that
Lady Jane Hyde,(4) Lord Rochester's daughter, a mighty pretty girl, is
to succeed. He said, too, that Lady Sunderland would resign in a day or
two. I dined with Lewis, and then went to see Mrs. Wesley, who is better
to-day. But you must know that Mr. Lewis gave me two letters, one from
the Bishop of Cloyne, with an enclosed from Lord Inchiquin(5) to Lord
Treasurer, which he desires I would deliver and recommend. I am told
that lord was much in with Lord Wharton, and I remember he was to have
been one of the Lords Justices by his recommendation; yet the Bishop
recommends him as a great friend to the Church, etc. I'll do what I
think proper. T'other letter was from little saucy MD, N.26. O Lord,
never saw the like, under a cover, too, and by way of journal; we shall
never have done. Sirrahs, how durst you write so soon, sirrahs? I won't
answer it yet.

30. I was this morning with the Secretary, who was sick, and out of
humour: he would needs drink champagne some days ago, on purpose to
spite me, because I advised him against it, and now he pays for it.
Stella used to do such tricks formerly; he put me in mind of her. Lady
Sunderland has resigned her place too. It is Lady Catherine Hyde(6) that
succeeds Lady Rialton, and not Lady Jane. Lady Catherine is the late
Earl of Rochester's daughter. I dined with the Secretary, then visited
his lady; and sat this evening with Lady Masham: the Secret