Garter wear their collars;
but the Queen stayed so late at Sacrament, that I came back, and dined
with my neighbour Ford, because all people dine at home on this day.
This is likewise a Collar-day all over England in every house, at least
where there is BRAWN: that's very well.--I tell you a good pun; a fellow
hard by pretends to cure agues, and has set out a sign, and spells it
EGOES; a gentleman and I observing it, he said, "How does that fellow
pretend to cure AGUES?" I said I did not know; but I was sure it was not
by a SPELL. That is admirable. And so you asked the Bishop about that
pun of Lord Stawel's brother. Bite! Have I caught you, young women? Must
you pretend to ask after roguish puns, and Latin ones too? Oh but you
smoked me, and did not ask the Bishop. Oh but you are a fool, and you
did. I met Vedeau again at Court to-day, and I observed he had a sword
on; I fancy he was broke, and has got a commission, but I never asked
him. Vedeau I think his name is, yet Parvisol's man is Vedel, that is
true. Bank Stock will fall like stock-fish by this bad news, and two
days ago I could have got twelve pounds by my bargain; but I do not
intend to sell, and in time it will rise. It is odd that my Lord
Peterborow foretold this loss two months ago, one night at Mr. Harley's,
when I was there; he bid us count upon it, that Stanhope would lose
Spain before Christmas; that he would venture his head upon it, and gave
us reasons; and though Mr. Harley argued the contrary, he still held to
his opinion. I was telling my Lord Angelsea this at Court this morning;
and a gentleman by said he had heard my Lord Peterborow affirm the same
thing. I have heard wise folks say, "An ill tongue may do much." And
'tis an odd saying,

"Once I guessed right,
And I got credit by't;
Thrice I guessed wrong,
And I kept my credit on."

No, it is you are sorry, not I.

26. By the Lord Harry, I shall be undone here with Christmas boxes.
The rogues of the Coffee-house have raised their tax, everyone giving
a crown; and I gave mine for shame, besides a great many half-crowns
to great men's porters, etc. I went to-day by water into the city, and
dined with no less a man than the City Printer.(6) There is an intimacy
between us, built upon reasons that you shall know when I see you; but
the rain caught me within twelvepenny length of home. I called at Mr.
Harley's, who was not within, dropped my half-crown with his porter,
dro