26. I went to Mr. Secretary this morning, and he would have me dine with him. I called at noon at Mrs.
Masham’s, who desired me not to let the Prophecy be published, for fear of angering the Queen about the Duchess of Somerset; so I writ to the printer to stop them. They have been printed and given about, but not sold. I saw Lord Treasurer there, who had been two hours with the Queen; and Mrs. Masham is in hopes things will do well again. I went at night again, and supped at Mr. Masham’s, and Lord Treasurer sat with us till one o’clock. So ’tis late, etc.
27. I entertained our Society at the Thatched House Tavern to−day at dinner; but brother Bathurst sent for wine, the house affording none. The printer had not received my letter, and so he brought up dozens apiece of the Prophecy; but I ordered him to part with no more. ‘Tis an admirable good one, and people are mad for it.
The frost still continues violently cold. Mrs. Masham invited me to come to−night and play at cards; but our Society did not part till nine. But I supped with Mrs. Hill, her sister, and there was Mrs. Masham and Lord Treasurer, and we stayed till twelve. He is endeavouring to get a majority against next Wednesday, when the House of Lords is to meet, and the Whigs intend to make some violent addresses against a peace, if not prevented. God knows what will become of us.It is still prodigiously cold; but so I told you already. We have eggs on the spit, I wish they may not be addled. When I came home tonight I found, forsooth, a letter from MD, N.24, 24, 24, 24; there, do you know the numbers now? and at the same time one from Joe,[13]
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full of thanks: let him know I have received it, and am glad of his success, but won’t put him to the charge of a letter. I had a letter some time ago from Mr. Warburton,[14] and I beg one of you will copy out what I shall tell you, and send it by some opportunity to Warburton. ‘Tis as follows: The Doctor has received Mr.
Warburton’s letter, and desires he will let the Doctor know where[15] that accident he mentions is like soon to happen, and he will do what he can in it.And pray, madam, let them know that I do this to save myself the trouble, and them the expense of a letter. And I think that this is enough for one that comes home at twelve from a Lord Treasurer and Mrs. Masham. Oh, I could tell you ten thousand things of our mad politics, upon what small circumstances great affairs have turned. But I will go rest my busy head.
28. I was this morning with brother Bathurst to see the Duke of Ormond. We have given his Grace some hopes to be one of our Society. The Secretary and I and Bathurst are to dine with him on Sunday next. The Duke is not in much hopes, but has been very busy in endeavouring to bring over some lords against next Wednesday. The Duchess caught me as I was going out; she is sadly in fear about things, and blames me for not mending them by my credit with Lord Treasurer; and I blame her. She met me in the street at noon, and engaged me to dine with her, which I did; and we talked an hour after dinner in her closet. If we miscarry on Wednesday, I believe it will be by some strange sort of neglect. They talk of making eight new lords by calling up some peers’ eldest sons; but they delay strangely. I saw Judge Coote[16] to−day at the Duke of Ormond’s: he desires to come and see me, to justify his principles.
29. Morning. This goes to−day. I will not answer yours, your 24th, till next, which shall begin to−night, as usual. Lord Shelburne has sent to invite me to dinner, but I am engaged with Lewis at Ned Southwell’s. Lord Northampton and Lord Aylesbury’s sons[17] are both made peers; but we shall want more. I write this post to your Dean. I owe the Archbishop a letter this long time. All people that come from Ireland complain of him, and scold me for protecting him. Pray, Madam Dingley, let me know what Presto has received for this year, or whether anything is due to him for last: I cannot look over your former letters now. As for Dingley’s own account of her exchequer money, I will give it on t’other side. Farewell, my own dearest MD, and love Presto; and God ever bless dearest MD, etc. etc. I wish you many happy Christmases and new years.
I have owned to the Dean a letter I just had from you, but that I had not one this great while before.
DINGLEY’S ACCOUNT
Received of Mr. Tooke . . 6 17 6
Deducted for entering the letter of attorney . 0 2 6
For the three half−crowns it used to cost you,
I don’t know why nor wherefore . . 0 7 6
For exchange to Ireland . . 0 10 0
For coach−hire. . 0 2 6
In all, just 8 0 0
So there’s your money, and we are both even: for I’ll pay you no more than that eight pounds Irish, and pray be satisfied.
Churchwarden’s accounts, boys.
Saturday night. I have broke open my letter, and tore it into the bargain, to let you know that we are all safe: the Queen has made no less than twelve lords,[18] to have a majority; nine new ones, the other three peers’
sons; and has turned out the Duke of Somerset. She is awaked at last, and so is Lord Treasurer: I want nothing now but to see the Duchess out. But we shall do without her. We are all extremely happy. Give me joy, sirrahs. This is written in a coffee−house. Three of the new lords are of our Society.
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LETTER 38.
LONDON, Dec. 29, 1711.
I put my letter in this evening, after coming from dinner at Ned Southwell’s, where I drank very good Irish wine, and we are in great joy at this happy turn of affairs. The Queen has been at last persuaded to her own interest and security, and I freely think she must have made both herself and kingdom very unhappy, if she had done otherwise. It is still a mighty secret that Masham is to be one of the new lords; they say he does not yet know it himself; but the Queen is to surprise him with it. Mr. Secretary will be a lord at the end of the session; but they want him still in Parliament. After all, it is a strange unhappy necessity of making so many peers together; but the Queen has drawn it upon herself, by her confounded trimming and moderation. Three, as I told you, are of our Society.
30. I writ the Dean and you a lie yesterday; for the Duke of Somerset is not yet turned out. I was to−day at Court, and resolved to be very civil to the Whigs; but saw few there. When I was in the bed−chamber talking to Lord Rochester, he went up to Lady Burlington,[1] who asked him who I was; and Lady Sunderland and she whispered about me: I desired Lord Rochester to tell Lady Sunderland I doubted she was not as much in love with me as I was with her; but he would not deliver my message. The Duchess of Shrewsbury came running up to me, and clapped her fan up to hide us from the company, and we gave one another joy of this change; but sighed when we reflected on the Somerset family not being out. The Secretary and I, and brother Bathurst, and Lord Windsor, dined with the Duke of Ormond. Bathurst and Windsor[2] are to be two of the new lords. I desired my Lord Radnor’s brother,[3] at Court to−day, to let my lord know I would call on him at six, which I did, and was arguing with him three hours to bring him over to us, and I spoke so closely that I believe he will be tractable; but he is a scoundrel, and though I said I only talked for my love to him, I told a lie; for I did not care if he were hanged: but everyone gained over is of consequence. The Duke of Marlborough was at Court today, and nobody hardly took notice of him. Masham’s being a lord begins to take wind: nothing at Court can be kept a secret. Wednesday will be a great day: you shall know more.
31. Our frost is broken since yesterday, and it is very slabbery;[4] yet I walked to the City and dined, and ordered some things with the printer. I have settled Dr. King in the Gazette; it will be worth two hundred pounds a year to him. Our new lords’ patents are passed: I don’t like the expedient, if we could have found any other. I see I have said this before. I hear the Duke of Marlborough is turned out of all his employments: I shall know to− morrow when I am to carry Dr. King to dine with the Secretary.These are strong remedies; pray God the patient is able to bear them. The last Ministry people are utterly desperate.