ember Stella's chiding,
"What had you to do with what did not belong to you?" etc. However, you
will give me leave to tell the Ministry my thoughts when they ask them,
and other people's thoughts sometimes when they do not ask; so thinks
Dingley.

13. I called this morning at Mrs. Vedeau's again, who has employed a
friend to get the money; it will be done in a fortnight, and then she
will deliver me up the parchment. I went then to see Mr. Harley, who I
hope will be out in a few days; he was in excellent good humour, only
complained to me of the neglect of Guiscard's cure, how glad he would
have been to have had him live. Mr. Secretary came in to us, and we were
very merry till Lord Chamberlain (Duke of Shrewsbury)(12) came up; then
Colonel Masham and I went off, after I had been presented to the
Duke, and that we made two or three silly compliments suitable to the
occasion. Then I attended at the House of Commons about your yarn, and
it is again put off. Then Ford drew me to dine at a tavern; it happened
to be the day and the house where the October Club dine. After we had
dined, coming down we called to inquire whether our yarn business
had been over that day, and I sent into the room for Sir George
Beaumont.(13) But I had like to be drawn into a difficulty; for in two
minutes out comes Mr. Finch,(14) Lord Guernsey's son, to let me know
that my Lord Compton,(15) the steward of this feast, desired, in the
name of the Club, that I would do them the honour to dine with them. I
sent my excuses, adorned with about thirty compliments, and got off as
fast as I could. It would have been a most improper thing for me to dine
there, considering my friendship with the Ministry. The Club is about a
hundred and fifty, and near eighty of them were then going to dinner at
two long tables in a great ground-room. At evening I went to the auction
of Barnard's books, and laid out three pounds three shillings, but I'll
go there no more; and so I said once before, but now I'll keep to it. I
forgot to tell that when I dined at Webb's with Lord Anglesea, I spoke
to him of Clements, as one recommended for a very honest gentleman and
good officer, and hoped he would keep him. He said he had not thought
otherwise, and that he should certainly hold his place while he
continued to deserve it; and I could not find there had been any
intentions from his lordship against him. But I tell you, hunny, the
impropriety of this. A great man will do a favo