tter these three
weeks. I stop my physic, by the doctor's orders, till he sends me
further directions. DD grows politician, and longs to hear the peace
is proclaimed. I hope we shall have it soon, for the Dutch are fully
humbled; and Prior is just come over from France for a few days; I
suppose upon some important affair. I saw him last night, but had no
private talk with him. Stocks rise upon his coming. As for my stay in
England, it cannot be long now, so tell my friends. The Parliament will
not meet till after Christmas, and by that time the work I am doing will
be over, and then nothing shall keep me. I am very much discontented at
Parvisol, about neglecting to sell my horses, etc.

Lady Masham is not yet brought to bed; but we expect it daily. I dined
with her to-day. Lord Bolingbroke returned about two months ago, and
Prior about a week; and goes back (Prior I mean) in a few days. Who told
you of my snuff-box and pocket? Did I? I had a letter to-day from Dr.
Coghill,(2) desiring me to get Raphoe for Dean Sterne, and the deanery
for myself. I shall indeed, I have such obligations to Sterne. But
however, if I am asked who will make a good bishop, I shall name him
before anybody. Then comes another letter, desiring I would recommend a
Provost,(3) supposing that Pratt (who has been here about a week) will
certainly be promoted; but I believe he will not. I presented Pratt to
Lord Treasurer, and truly young Molyneux(4) would have had me present
him too; but I directly answered him I would not, unless he had business
with him. He is the son of one Mr. Molyneux of Ireland. His father wrote
a book;(5) I suppose you know it. Here is the Duke of Marlborough going
out of England (Lord knows why), which causes many speculations. Some
say he is conscious of guilt, and dare not stand it. Others think he has
a mind to fling an odium on the Government, as who should say that one
who has done such great services to his country cannot live quietly in
it, by reason of the malice of his enemies. I have helped to patch up
these people(6) together once more. God knows how long it may last.
I was to-day at a trial between Lord Lansdowne and Lord Carteret, two
friends of mine. It was in the Queen's Bench, for about six thousand a
year (or nine, I think). I sat under Lord Chief-Justice Parker, and his
pen falling down I reached it up. He made me a low bow; and I was going
to whisper him that I HAD DONE GOOD FOR EVIL; FOR HE WOULD HAVE TAKE