y. I went to Lady Masham's to-night, and sat
with Lord Treasurer and the Secretary there till past two o'clock; and
when I came home, found some letters from Ireland, which I read, but
can say nothing of them till to-morrow, 'tis so very late; but I(8) must
always be...,(9) late or early. Nite deelest sollahs.(10)

12. One letter was from the Bishop of Clogher last night, and t'other
from Walls, about Mrs. South's(11) salary, and his own pension of 18
pounds for his tithe of the park. I will do nothing in either; the first
I cannot serve in, and the other is a trifle; only you may tell him I
had his letter, and will speak to Ned Southwell about what he desires
me. You say nothing of your Dean's receiving my letter. I find
Clements,(12) whom I recommended to Lord Anglesea last year, at
Walls's desire, or rather the Bishop of Clogher's, is mightily in Lord
Anglesea's favour. You may tell the Bishop and Walls so; I said to Lord
Anglesea that I was (glad) I had the good luck to recommend him, etc. I
dined in the City with my printer, to consult with him about some papers
Lord Treasurer gave me last night, as he always does, too late; however,
I will do something with them. My third cold is a little better; I never
had anything like it before, three colds successively; I hope I shall
have the fourth.(13) Those messengers come from Holland to-day, and they
brought over the six packets that were due. I know not the particulars
yet, for when I was with the Secretary at noon they were just opening;
but one thing I find, that the Dutch are playing us tricks, and
tampering with the French; they are dogs; I shall know more tomollow...
MD.(14)

13. I dined to-day privately with my friend Lewis, at his lodgings, to
consult about some observations on the Barrier Treaty. Our news from
Holland is not good. The French raise difficulties, and make such offers
to the Allies as cannot be accepted. And the Dutch are uneasy that we
are likely to get anything for ourselves; and the Whigs are glad at all
this. I came home early, and have been very busy three or four hours. I
had a letter from Dr. Pratt(15) to-day by a private hand, recommending
the bearer to me, for something that I shall not trouble myself about.
Wesley(16) writ to recommend the same fellow to me. His expression is
that, hearing I am acquainted with my Lord Treasurer, he desires I would
do so and so: a matter of nothing. What puppies are mankind! I hope
I shall be wiser when