r from being blamable that the
Secretary designs to insist upon it in the House of Commons, when the
Treaty of Barrier(14) is debated there, as it now shortly will, for they
have ordered it to be laid before them. The pamphlet of Advice to the
October Club begins now to sell; but I believe its fame will hardly
reach Ireland: 'tis finely written, I assure you. I long to answer your
letter, but won't yet; you know, 'tis late, etc.

2. This ends Christmas,(15) and what care I? I have neither seen, nor
felt, nor heard any Christmas this year. I passed a lazy dull day. I was
this morning with Lord Treasurer, to get some papers from him, which
he will remember as much as a cat, although it be his own business. It
threatened rain, but did not much; and Prior and I walked an hour in the
Park, which quite put me out of my measures. I dined with a friend hard
by; and in the evening sat with Lord Masham till twelve. Lord Treasurer
did not come; this is an idle dining-day usually with him. We want to
hear from Holland how our peace goes on; for we are afraid of those
scoundrels the Dutch, lest they should play us tricks. Lord Mar,(16) a
Scotch earl, was with us at Lord Masham's: I was arguing with him about
the stubbornness and folly of his countrymen; they are so angry about
the affair of the Duke of Hamilton, whom the Queen has made a duke of
England, and the House of Lords will not admit him. He swears he would
vote for us, but dare not, because all Scotland would detest him if he
did: he should never be chosen again, nor be able to live there.

3. I was at Court to-day to look for a dinner, but did not like any that
were offered me; and I dined with Lord Mountjoy. The Queen has the gout
in her knee, and was not at chapel. I hear we have a Dutch mail, but I
know not what news, although I was with the Secretary this morning. He
showed me a letter from the Hanover Envoy, Mr. Bothmar, complaining that
the Barrier Treaty is laid before the House of Commons; and desiring
that no infringement may be made in the guarantee of the succession; but
the Secretary has written him a peppering answer. I fancy you understand
all this, and are able states-girls, since you have read the Conduct
of the Allies. We are all preparing against the Birthday; I think it
is Wednesday next. If the Queen's gout increases, it will spoil sport.
Prince Eugene has two fine suits made against it; and the Queen is
to give him a sword worth four thousand pounds, t