my answer. Some things are in my way, and then I serve
those I can. But people will not distinguish, but take things ill, when
I have no power; but Ppt is wiser. And employments in general are very
hard to be got. Nite MD.

3. I dined to-day with Lord Treasurer, who chid me for my absence, which
was only from Saturday last. The Parliament was again prorogued for a
week, and I suppose the peace will be ready by then, and the Queen
will be able to be brought to the House, and make her speech. I saw Dr.
Griffith(5) two or three months ago, at a Latin play at Westminster;
but did not speak to him. I hope he will not die; I should be sorry for
Ppt's sake; he is very tender of her. I have long lost all my colds,
and the weather mends a little. I take some steel drops, and my head
is pretty well. I walk when I can, but am grown very idle; and, not
finishing my thing, I gamble(6) abroad and play at ombre. I shall be
more careful in my physic than Mrs. Price: 'tis not a farthing matter
her death, I think; and so I say no more to-night, but will read a dull
book, and go sleep. Nite dee MD.

4. Mr. Ford has been this half-year inviting me to dine at his lodgings:
so I did to-day, and brought the Provost and Dr. Parnell with me, and my
friend Lewis was there. Parnell went away, and the other three played at
ombre, and I looked on; which I love, and would not play. Tisdall is a
pretty fellow, as you say; and when I come back to Ireland with nothing,
he will condole with me with abundance of secret pleasure. I believe
I told you what he wrote to me, that I have saved England, and he
Ireland;(7) but I can bear that. I have learned to hear and see, and say
nothing. I was to see the Duchess of Hamilton to-day, and met Blith(8)
of Ireland just going out of her house into his coach. I asked her how
she came to receive young fellows. It seems he had a ball in the Duke
of Hamilton's house when the Duke died; and the Duchess got an
advertisement put in the Postboy,(9) reflecting on the ball, because
the Marlborough daughters(10) were there; and Blith came to beg the
Duchess's pardon, and clear himself. He's a sad dog. Nite poo dee
deelest MD.

5. Lady Masham has miscarried; but is well almost again. I have many
visits to-day. I met Blith at the Duke of Ormond's; and he begged me to
carry him to the Duchess of Hamilton, to beg her pardon again. I did
on purpose to see how the blunderbuss behaved himself; but I begged the
Duchess to use him