The Journal to Stella by Jonathan Swift

. ![25] Nite MD.

25. Lord Treasurer met me last night at Lord Masham’s, and thanked me for my company in a jeer, because I had not dined with him in three days. He chides me if I stay away but two days together. What will this come to? Nothing. My grandmother used to say, “More of your lining, and less of your dining.” However, I dined with him, and could hardly leave him at eight, to go to Lady Jersey’s, where five or six foreign Ministers were, and as many ladies. Monteleon played like the English, and cried “gacco,” and knocked his knuckles for trump, and played at small games like Ppt. Lady Jersey whispered me to stay and sup with the ladies when the fellows were gone; but they played till eleven, and I would not stay. I think this letter must go on Saturday; that’s certain; and it is not half full yet. Lady Catherine Hyde had a mighty mind I should be acquainted with Lady Dalkeith,[26] her sister, the Duke of Monmouth’s eldest son’s widow, who was of the company to−night; but I did not like her; she paints too much. Nite MD.

26. This day our Society met at the Duke of Ormond’s, but I had business that called me another way; so I sent my excuses, and dined privately with a friend. Besides, Sir Thomas Hanmer whispered me last night at Lady Jersey’s that I must attend Lord Treasurer and Duke of Ormond at supper at his house to−night; which I did at eleven, and stayed till one, so oo may be sure ’tis late enough. There was the Duchess of Grafton, and the Duke her son; nine of us in all. The Duke of Ormond chid me for not being at the Society to−day, and said sixteen were there. I said I never knew sixteen people good company in my life; no, fais, nor eight either.

We have no news in this town at all. I wonder why I don’t write you news. I know less of what passes than anybody, because I go to[27] no coffee−house, nor see any but Ministers, and such people; and Ministers never talk politics in conversation. The Whigs are forming great schemes against the meeting of Parliament, which will be next Tuesday, I still think, without fail; and we hope to hear by then that the peace is ready to sign. The Queen’s gout mends daily. Nite MD.

27. I passed a very insipid day, and dined privately with a friend in the neighbourhood. Did I tell you that I have a very fine picture of Lady Orkney,[28] an original, by Sir Godfrey Kneller, three−quarters length? I LETTER 60.[1]

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have it now at home, with a fine frame. Lord Bolingbroke and Lady Masham have promised to sit for me; but I despair of Lord Treasurer; only I hope he will give me a copy, and then I shall have all the pictures of those I really love here; just half a dozen; only I’ll make Lord Keeper give me his print in a frame. This letter must go to−morrow, because of sending ME a bill; else it should not till next week, I assure oo. I have little to do now with my pen; for my grand business stops till they are more pressing, and till something or other happens; and I believe I shall return with disgust to finish it, it is so very laborious. Sir Thomas Hanmer has my papers now. And hat is MD doing now? Oh, at ombre with the Dean always on Friday night, with Mrs.

Walls. Pray don’t play at small games. I stood by, t’other night, while the Duke d’Atree[29] lost six times with manilio, basto, and three small trumps; and Lady Jersey won above twenty pounds. Nite dee richar[30] MD.

28. I was at Court to−day, when the Abbe Gaultier whispered me that a courier was just come with an account that the French King had consented to all the Queen’s demands, and his consent was carried to Utrecht, and the peace will be signed in a few days. I suppose the general peace cannot be so soon ready; but that is no matter. The news presently ran about the Court. I saw the Queen carried out in her chair, to take the air in the garden. I met Griffin at Court, and he told me that orders were sent to examine Filby; and, if he be fit, to make him (I think he called it) an assistant; I don’t know what, Supervisor, I think; but it is some employment a good deal better than his own. The Parliament will have another short prorogation, though it is not known yet. I dined with Lord Treasurer and his Saturday company, and left him at eight to put this in the post−office time enough. And now I must bid oo farewell, deelest richar Ppt. God bless oo ever, and rove Pdfr. Farewell MD MD MD FW FW FW FW ME ME ME Lele Lele.

LETTER 61.[1]

LONDON, March 1, 1712−13.

‘Tis out of my head whether I answered all your letter in my last yesterday or no. I think I was in haste, and could not: but now I see I answered a good deal of it; no, only about your brother, and ME’s bill. I dined with Lady Orkney, and we talked politics till eleven at night; and, as usual, found everything wrong, and put ourselves out of humour. Yes, I have Lady Giffard’s picture sent me by your mother. It is boxed up at a place where my other things are. I have goods in two or three places; and when I leave a lodging, I box up the books I get (for I always get some), and come naked into a new lodging; and so on. Talk not to me of deaneries; I know less of that than ever by much. Nite MD.

2. I went to−day into the City to see Pat Rolt,[2] who lodges with a City cousin, a daughter of coz Cleve; (you are much the wiser). I had never been at her house before. My he−coz Thompson the butcher is dead, or dying. I dined with my printer, and walked home, and went to sit with Lady Clarges. I found four of them at whist; Lady Godolphin[3] was one. I sat by her, and talked of her cards, etc., but she would not give me one look, nor say a word to me. She refused some time ago to be acquainted with me. You know she is Lord Marlborough’s eldest daughter. She is a fool for her pains, and I’ll pull her down. What can I do for Dr.

Smith’s daughter’s husband? I have no personal credit with any of the Commissioners. I’ll speak to Keatley;[4] but I believe it will signify nothing. In the Customs people must rise by degrees, and he must at first take what is very low, if he be qualified for that. Ppt mistakes me; I am not angry at your recommending anyone to me, provided you will take 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 LETTER 61.[1]

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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]