after it. I saw Lady Wharton,(19) as ugly as the devil, coming out
in the crowd all in an undress; she has been with the Marlborough
daughters(20) and Lady Bridgewater(21) in St. James's, looking out of
the window all undressed to see the sight. I do not hear that one Whig
lady was there, except those of the bed-chamber. Nothing has made so
great a noise as one Kelson's chariot, that cost nine hundred and thirty
pounds, the finest was ever seen. The rabble huzzaed him as much as they
did Prince Eugene. This is Birthday chat.

7. Our Society met to-day: the Duke of Ormond was not with us; we
have lessened our dinners, which were grown so extravagant that Lord
Treasurer and everybody else cried shame. I left them at seven, visited
for an hour, and then came home, like a good boy. The Queen is much
better after yesterday's exercise: her friends wish she would use a
little more. I opposed Lord Jersey's(22) election into our Society, and
he is refused: I likewise opposed the Duke of Beaufort; but I believe
he will be chosen in spite of me: I don't much care; I shall not be
with them above two months; for I resolve to set out for Ireland the
beginning of April next (before I treat them again), and see my willows.

8. I dined to-day in the City. This morning a scoundrel dog, one of the
Queen's music, a German, whom I had never seen, got access to me in my
chamber by Patrick's folly, and gravely desired me to get an employment
in the Customs for a friend of his, who would be very grateful; and
likewise to forward a project of his own, for raising ten thousand
pounds a year upon operas: I used him civiller than he deserved; but it
vexed me to the pluck.(23) He was told I had a mighty interest with Lord
Treasurer, and one word of mine, etc. Well; I got home early on purpose
to answer MD's letter, N.26; for this goes to-morrow.--Well; I never saw
such a letter in all my life; so saucy, so journalish, so sanguine, so
pretending, so everything. I satisfied all your fears in my last: all is
gone well, as you say; yet you are an impudent slut to be so positive;
you will swagger so upon your sagacity that we shall never have done.
Pray don't mislay your reply; I would certainly print it, if I had it
here: how long is it? I suppose half a sheet: was the answer written in
Ireland? Yes, yes, you shall have a letter when you come from Ballygall.
I need not tell you again who's out and who's in: we can never get out
the Duchess of Somerse