y; but away I went to Mr. Harley's,
and he did not dine at home; and at last I dined at Sir John
Germaine's,(13) and found Lady Betty but just recovered of a
miscarriage. I am writing an inscription for Lord Berkeley's(14) tomb;
you know the young rake his son, the new Earl, is married to the Duke of
Richmond's daughter,(15) at the Duke's country house, and are now coming
to town. She will be fluxed in two months, and they'll be parted in a
year. You ladies are brave, bold, venturesome folks; and the chit is but
seventeen, and is ill-natured, covetous, vicious, and proud in extremes.
And so get you gone to Stoyte to-morrow.

16. Faith, this letter goes on but slow; 'tis a week old, and the first
side not written. I went to-day into the City for a walk, but the person
I designed to dine with was not at home; so I came back, and called at
Congreve's, and dined with him and Estcourt,(16) and laughed till six;
then went to Mr. Harley's, who was not gone to dinner; there I stayed
till nine, and we made up our quarrel, and he has invited me to dinner
to-morrow, which is the day of the week (Saturday) that Lord Keeper
and Secretary St. John dine with him privately, and at last they have
consented to let me among them on that day. Atterbury and Prior went
to bury poor Dr. Duke. Congreve's nasty white wine has given me the
heart-burn.

17. I took some good walks in the Park to-day, and then went to
Mr. Harley. Lord Rivers was got there before me, and I chid him for
presuming to come on a day when only Lord Keeper and the Secretary and I
were to be there; but he regarded me not; so we all dined together,
and sat down at four; and the Secretary has invited me to dine with him
to-morrow. I told them I had no hopes they could ever keep in, but that
I saw they loved one another so well, as indeed they seem to do. They
call me nothing but Jonathan; and I said I believed they would leave me
Jonathan as they found me; and that I never knew a Ministry do anything
for those whom they make companions of their pleasures; and I believe
you will find it so; but I care not. I am upon a project of getting
five hundred pounds,(17) without being obliged to anybody; but that is
a secret, till I see my dearest MD; and so hold your tongue, and do not
talk, sirrahs, for I am now about it.

18. My head has no fits, but a little disordered before dinner; yet I
walk stoutly, and take pills, and hope to mend. Secretary St. John would
needs have me din