LONDON, _April_ 5, 1711.
I PUT my nineteenth in the post-office just now myself, as I came out of
the City, where I dined. This rain ruins me in coach-hire; I walked away
sixpennyworth, and came within a shilling length, and then took a coach,
{186c} and got a lift back for nothing; and am now busy.
6. Mr. Secretary desired I would see him this morning; said he had
several things to say to me, and said not one; and the Duke of Ormond
sent to desire I would meet him at Mr. Southwell’s by ten this morning
too, which I did, thinking it was some particular matter. All the Irish
in town were there, to consult upon preventing a Bill for laying a duty
on Irish yarn; so we talked a while, and then all went to the lobby of
the House of Commons, to solicit our friends, and the Duke came among the
rest; and Lord Anglesea solicited admirably, and I did wonders. But,
after all, the matter was put off till Monday, and then we are to be at
it again. I dined with Lord Mountjoy, and looked over him at chess,
which put me in mind of Stella and Griffyth. {187} I came home, and that
dog Patrick was not within; so I fretted, and fretted, and what good did
that do me?
And so get you gone to your deans,
You couple of queans.