mercifully, for she is the devil of a teaser. The
good of it is, she ought to beg his pardon, for he meant no harm; yet
she would not allow him to put in an advertisement to clear himself from
hers, though hers was all a lie. He appealed to me, and I gravely gave
it against him. I was at Court to-day, and the foreign Ministers have
got a trick of employing me to speak for them to Lord Treasurer and Lord
Bolingbroke; which I do when the case is reasonable. The College(11)
need not fear; I will not be their Governor. I dined with Sir Thomas
Hanmer and his Duchess.(12) The Duke of Ormond was there, but we parted
soon, and I went to visit Lord Pembroke for the first time; but it was
to see some curious books. Lord Cholmondeley(13) came in; but I would
not talk to him, though he made many advances. I hate the scoundrel for
all he is your Griffith's friend.--Yes, yes, I am abused enough, if that
be all. Nite sollahs.

6. I was to-day at an auction of pictures with Pratt,(14) and laid
out two pound five shillings for a picture of Titian, and if it were
a Titian it would be worth twice as many pounds. If I am cheated, I'll
part with it to Lord Masham: if it be a bargain, I'll keep it to myself.
That's my conscience. But I made Pratt buy several pictures for Lord
Masham. Pratt is a great virtuoso that way. I dined with Lord Treasurer,
but made him go to Court at eight. I always tease him to be gone. I
thought to have made Parnell dine with him, but he was ill; his head
is out of order like mine, but more constant, poor boy!--I was at Lord
Treasurer's levee with the Provost, to ask a book for the College.--I
never go to his levee, unless to present somebody. For all oor rallying,
saucy(15) Ppt, as hope saved, I expected they would have decided about
me long ago; and as hope saved, as soon as ever things are given away
and I not provided for, I will be gone with the very first opportunity,
and put up bag and baggage. But people are slower than can be thought.
Nite MD.

7. Yes, I hope Leigh will soon be gone, a p-- on him! I met him once,
and he talked gravely to me of not seeing the Irish bishops here, and
the Irish gentlemen; but I believe my answers fretted him enough. I
would not dine with Lord Treasurer to-day, though it was Saturday (for
he has engaged me for to-morrow), but went and dined with Lord Masham,
and played at ombre, sixpenny running ombre, for three hours. There were
three voles(16) against me, and I was once a