great loser, but came off
for three shillings and sixpence. One may easily lose five guineas at
it. Lady Orkney is gone out of town to-day, and I could not see her for
laziness, but writ to her. She has left me some physic. Fais, I never
knew MD's politics before, and I think it pretty extraordinary, and a
great compliment to you, and I believe never three people conversed so
much with so little politics. I avoid all conversation with the other
party; it is not to be borne, and I am sorry for it. O yes, things (are)
very dear. DD must come in at last with DD's two eggs a penny. There the
proverb was well applied. Parvisol has sent me a bill of fifty pounds,
as I ordered him, which, I hope, will serve me, and bring me over. Pray
God MD does not be delayed for it; but I have had very little from him
this long time. I was not at Court to-day; a wonder! Nite sollahs...
Pdfr.

8. Oo must know, I give chocolate almost every day to two or three
people that I suffer to come to see me in a morning. My man begins to
lie pretty well. 'Tis nothing for people to be denied ten times. My man
knows all I will see, and denies me to everybody else. This is the
day of the Queen's coming to the Crown, and the day Lord Treasurer was
stabbed by Guiscard. I was at Court, where everybody had their Birthday
clothes on, and I dined with Lord Treasurer, who was very fine. He
showed me some of the Queen's speech, which I corrected in several
places, and penned the vote of address of thanks for the speech; but
I was of opinion the House should not sit on Tuesday next, unless they
hear the peace is signed; that is, provided they are sure it will be
signed the week after, and so have one scolding for all. Nite MD.

9. Lord Treasurer would have had me dine with him to-day; he desired
me last night, but I refused, because he would not keep the day of his
stabbing with all the Cabinet, as he intended: so I dined with my
friend Lewis; and the Provost and Parnell, and Ford, was with us. I
lost sixteen shillings at ombre; I don't like it, as etc. At night Lewis
brought us word that the Parliament does not sit to-morrow. I hope
they are sure of the peace by next week, and then they are right in
my opinion: otherwise I think they have done wrong, and might have sat
three weeks ago. People will grumble; but Lord Treasurer cares not a
rush. Lord Keeper is suddenly taken ill of a quinsy, and some lords are
commissioned, I think Lord Trevor,(17) to prorogue the