etary and I went away early, and left him drinking with the rest,
and he told me that two or three of them were drunk. They talk of great
promotions to be made; that Mr. Harley is to be Lord Treasurer, and Lord
Poulett(7) Master of the Horse, etc., but they are only conjecture. The
Speaker is to make Mr. Harley a compliment the first time he comes into
the House, which I hope will be in a week. He has had an ill surgeon,
by the caprice of that puppy Dr. Radcliffe, which has kept him back so
long; and yesterday he got a cold, but is better to-day.--What! I think
I am stark mad, to write so much in one day to little saucy MD; here
is a deal of stuff, indeed! can't you bid those little dear rogues
good-night, and let them go sleep, Mr. Presto? When your tongue runs
there's no ho with you, pray.

11. Again at the lobby (like a lobcock)(8) of the House of Commons,
about your Irish yarn, and again put off till Friday; and I and Patrick
went into the City by water, where I dined, and then I went to the
auction of Charles Barnard's books; but the good ones were so monstrous
dear, I could not reach them, so I laid out one pound seven shillings
but very indifferently, and came away, and will go there no more. Henley
would fain engage me to go with Steele and Rowe, etc., to an invitation
at Sir William Read's.(9) Surely you have heard of him. He has been a
mountebank, and is the Queen's oculist; he makes admirable punch, and
treats you in gold vessels. But I am engaged, and will not go, neither
indeed am I fond of the jaunt. So good-night, and go sleep.

12. I went about noon to the Secretary, who is very ill with a cold, and
sometimes of the gravel, with his champagne, etc. I scolded him like a
dog, and he promises faithfully more care for the future. To-day my Lord
Anglesea, and Sir Thomas Hammer, and Prior, and I dined, by appointment,
with Lieutenant-General Webb.(10) My lord and I stayed till ten o'clock;
but we drank soberly, and I always with water. There was with us one Mr.
Campain,(11) one of the October Club, if you know what that is; a
Club of country members, who think the Ministers are too backward
in punishing and turning out the Whigs. I found my lord and the rest
thought I had more credit with the Ministry than I pretend to have,
and would have engaged me to put them upon something that would satisfy
their desires, and indeed I think they have some reason to complain;
however, I will not burn my fingers. I will rem