nd two years old;
the eldest is sick. There is a foolish story got about the town that
Lord Strafford, one of our Plenipotentiaries, is in the interests of
France; and it has been a good while said that Lord Privy Seal(24) and
he do not agree very well. They are both long practised in business, but
neither of them of much parts. Strafford has some life and spirit, but
is infinitely proud, and wholly illiterate. Nite, MD.

16. I dined to-day in the City with my printer, to finish something I
am doing about the Barrier Treaty;(25) but it is not quite done. I went
this evening to Lord Masham's, where Lord Treasurer sat with us till
past twelve. The Lords have voted an Address to the Queen, to tell
her they are not satisfied with the King of France's offers. The Whigs
brought it in of a sudden; and the Court could not prevent it, and
therefore did not oppose it. The House of Lords is too strong in Whigs,
notwithstanding the new creations; for they are very diligent, and the
Tories as lazy: the side that is down has always most industry. The
Whigs intended to have made a vote that would reflect on Lord Treasurer;
but their project was not ripe. I hit my face such a rap by calling the
coach to stop to-night, that it is plaguy sore, the bone beneath the
eye. Nite dee logues.

17. The Court was mighty full to-day, and has been these many Sundays;
but the Queen was not at chapel. She has got a little fit of the gout
in her foot. The good of going to Court is that one sees all one's
acquaintance, whom otherwise I should hardly meet twice a year. Prince
Eugene dines with the Secretary to-day, with about seven or eight
General Officers, or foreign Ministers. They will be all drunk, I am
sure. I never was in company with this Prince: I have proposed to some
lords that we should have a sober meal with him; but I can't compass
it. It is come over in the Dutch news prints that I was arrested on an
action of twenty thousand pounds by the Duke of Marlborough. I did not
like my Court invitation to-day; so Sir Andrew Fountaine and I went and
dined with Mrs. Van. I came home at six, and have been very busy till
this minute, and it is past twelve. So I got into bed to write to MD...
MD.(26) We reckon the Dauphin's death will put forward the peace a good
deal. Pray is Dr. Griffith(27) reconciled to me yet? Have I done enough
to soften him?... (28) Nite deelest logues.

18. Lewis had Guiscard's picture: he bought it, and offered it to Lord