rowe, late Governor of Barbados,(17) and your friend
Sterne was the third: he is very kind to Sterne, and helps him in his
business, which lies asleep till Mr. Harley is Lord Treasurer, because
nothing of moment is now done in the Treasury, the change being expected
every day. I sat with Dean Atterbury till one o'clock after I came home;
so 'tis late, etc.

19. Do you know that about our town we are mowing already and making
hay, and it smells so sweet as we walk through the flowery meads; but
the hay-making nymphs are perfect drabs, nothing so clean and pretty as
farther in the country. There is a mighty increase of dirty wenches in
straw hats since I knew London. I stayed at home till five o'clock, and
dined with Dean Atterbury; then went by water to Mr. Harley's, where the
Saturday Club was met, with the addition of the Duke of Shrewsbury. I
whispered Lord Rivers that I did not like to see a stranger among us;
and the rogue told it aloud: but Mr. Secretary said the Duke writ to
have leave; so I appeared satisfied, and so we laughed. Mr. Secretary
told me the Duke of Buckingham(18) had been talking to him much about
me, and desired my acquaintance. I answered it could not be, for he
had not made sufficient advances. Then the Duke of Shrewsbury said he
thought that Duke was not used to make advances. I said I could not help
that; for I always expected advances in proportion to men's quality, and
more from a duke than any other man. The Duke replied that he did not
mean anything of his quality; which was handsomely said enough; for he
meant his pride: and I have invented a notion to believe that nobody
is proud. At ten all the company went away; and from ten to twelve
Mr. Harley and I sat together, where we talked through a great deal
of matters I had a mind to settle with him; and then walked in a fine
moonshine night to Chelsea, where I got by one. Lord Rivers conjured me
not to walk so late; but I would, because I had no other way; but I had
no money to lose.

20. By what the Lord Keeper told me last night, I find he will not be
made a peer so soon; but Mr. Harley's patent for Earl of Oxford is now
drawing, and will be done in three days. We made him own it, which he
did scurvily, and then talked of it like the rest. Mr. Secretary had too
much company with him to-day; so I came away soon after dinner. I give
no man liberty to swear or talk b---dy, and I found some of them were
in constraint, so I left them to themse