s fatal(39) to me to be a scoundrel and a prince
the same day: for, being to see him at four, I could not engage myself
to dine at any friend's; so I went to Tooke,(40) to give him a ballad,
and dine with him; but he was not at home: so I was forced to go to
a blind(41) chop-house, and dine for tenpence upon gill-ale,(42) bad
broth, and three chops of mutton; and then go reeking from thence to the
First Minister of State. And now I am going in charity to send Steele
a Tatler, who is very low of late. I think I am civiller than I used
to be; and have not used the expression of "you in Ireland" and "we
in England" as I did when I was here before, to your great
indignation.--They may talk of the you know what;(43) but, gad, if it
had not been for that, I should never have been able to get the access I
have had; and if that helps me to succeed, then that same thing will be
serviceable to the Church. But how far we must depend upon new friends,
I have learnt by long practice, though I think among great Ministers,
they are just as good as old ones. And so I think this important day has
made a great hole in this side of the paper; and the fiddle-faddles of
tomorrow and Monday will make up the rest; and, besides, I shall see
Harley on Tuesday before this letter goes.

8. I must tell you a great piece of refinement(44) of Harley. He charged
me to come to him often: I told him I was loth to trouble him in so much
business as he had, and desired I might have leave to come at his levee;
which he immediately refused, and said, that was not a place for friends
to come to. 'Tis now but morning; and I have got a foolish trick, I must
say something to MD when I wake, and wish them a good-morrow; for this
is not a shaving-day, Sunday, so I have time enough: but get you gone,
you rogues, I must go write: Yes, 'twill vex me to the blood if any
of these long letters should miscarry: if they do, I will shrink to
half-sheets again; but then what will you do to make up the journal?
there will be ten days of Presto's life lost; and that will be a sad
thing, faith and troth.--At night. I was at a loss today for a dinner,
unless I would have gone a great way, so I dined with some friends
that board hereabout,(45) as a spunger;(46) and this evening Sir Andrew
Fountaine would needs have me go to the tavern; where, for two bottles
of wine, Portugal and Florence, among three of us, we had sixteen
shillings to pay; but if ever he catches me so again, I