ce I have. The usual(40) company are Lord and Lady Masham, Lord
Treasurer, Dr. Arbuthnot, and I; sometimes the Secretary, and sometimes
Mrs. Hill of the bed-chamber, Lady Masham's sister. I assure oo, it im
vely rate now; but zis goes to-morrow: and I must have time to converse
with own richar MD. Nite, deelest sollahs.(41)

23. I have no news to tell you this last day, nor do I know where I
shall dine. I hear the Secretary is a little out of order; perhaps I may
dine there, perhaps not. I sent Hanmer what he wanted from me, I know
not how he will approve of it. I was to do more of the same sort; I am
going out, and must carry zis in my pottick to give it at some general
post-house. I will talk further with oo at night. I suppose in my next
I shall answer a letter from MD that will be sent me. On Tuesday it will
be four weeks since I had your last, N.26. This day se'nnight I expect
one, for that will be something more than a full month. Farewell, MD...
deelest... MD MD MD... ME ME ME... logues... lele.(42)

LETTER 42.(1)

LONDON, Feb. 23, 1711-12.

After having disposed my last letter in the post-office, I am now to
begin this with telling MD that I dined with the Secretary to-day,
who is much out of order with a cold, and feverish; yet he went to the
Cabinet Council tonight at six, against my will. The Secretary is much
the greatest commoner in England, and turns the whole Parliament, who
can do nothing without him; and if he lives and has his health, will,
I believe, be one day at the head of affairs. I have told him sometimes
that, if I were a dozen years younger, I would cultivate his favour,
and trust my fortune with his. But what care oo for all this? I am sorry
when I came first acquainted with this Ministry that I did not send you
their names and characters, and then you would have relished what(2)
I would have writ, especially if I had let you into the particulars of
affairs: but enough of this. Nite, deelest logues.

24. I went early this morning to the Secretary, who is not yet well.
Sir Thomas Hanmer and the Chancellor of the Exchequer came while I was
there, and he would not let me stir; so I did not go to church, but was
busy with them till noon, about the affair I told you in my last. The
other two went away; and I dined with the Secretary, and found my head
very much out of order, but no absolute fit; and I have not been well
all this day. It has shook me a little. I sometimes sit up very late