LONDON, _March_ 8, 1711–12.
I CARRIED my forty-second letter in my pocket till evening, and then put
it in the general post.—I went in the morning to see Lord Treasurer, who
had taken physic, and was drinking his broth. I had been with the
Secretary before, to recommend a friend, one Dr. Freind, {418b} to be
Physician-General; and the Secretary promised to mention it to the Queen.
I can serve everybody but myself. Then I went to Court, and carried Lord
Keeper and the Secretary to dine with Lord Masham, when we drank the
Queen and Lord Treasurer with every health, because this was the day of
his stabbing.—Then I went and played pools at picquet with Lady Masham
and Mrs. Hill; won ten shillings, gave a crown to the box, and came home.
I met at my lodgings a letter from Joe, with a bit annexed from Ppt.
What Joe asks is entirely out of my way, and I take it for a foolish whim
in him. Besides, I know not who is to give a patent: if the Duke of
Ormond, I would speak to him; and if it come in my head I will mention it
to Ned Southwell. They have no patents that I know of for such things
here, but good security is all; and to think that I would speak to Lord
Treasurer for any such matter at random is a jest. Did I tell you of a
race of rakes, called the Mohocks, {419a} that play the devil about this
town every night, slit people’s noses, and beat them, etc.? Nite,
sollahs, and rove Pdfr. Nite, MD.
9. I was at Court to-day, and nobody invited me to dinner, except one or
two, whom I did not care to dine with; so I dined with Mrs. Van. Young
Davenant {419b} was telling us at Court how he was set upon by the
Mohocks, and how they ran his chair through with a sword. It is not safe
being in the streets at night for them. The Bishop of Salisbury’s son
{419c} is said to be of the gang. They are all Whigs; and a great lady
sent to me, to speak to her father and to Lord Treasurer, to have a care
of them, and to be careful likewise of myself; for she heard they had
malicious intentions against the Ministers and their friends. I know not
whether there be anything in this, though others are of the same opinion.
The weather still continues very fine and frosty. I walked in the Park
this evening, and came home early to avoid the Mohocks. Lord Treasurer
is better. Nite, my own two deelest MD.
10. I went this morning again to the Lord Treasurer, who is quite
recovered; and I stayed till he went out. I dined with a friend in the
City, about a little business of printing; but not my own. You must buy
a small twopenny pamphlet, called _Law is a Bottomless Pit_. {420a} ’Tis
very prettily written, and there will be a Second Part. The Commons are
very slow in bringing in their Bill to limit the press, and the
pamphleteers make good use of their time; for there come out three or
four every day. Well, but is not it time, methinks, to have a letter
from MD? ’Tis now six weeks since I had your Number 26. I can assure oo
I expect one before this goes; and I’ll make shorter day’s journals than
usual, ’cause I hope to fill up a good deal of t’other side with my
answer. Our fine weather lasts yet, but grows a little windy. We shall
have rain soon, I dispose. Go to cards, sollahs, and I to seep. Nite,
MD.
11. Lord Treasurer has lent the long letter I writ him {420b} to Prior,
and I can’t get Prior to return it. I want to have it printed, and to
make up this Academy for the improvement of our language. Faith, we
never shall improve it so much as FW has done; sall we? No, faith,
ourrichar gangridge. {420c} I dined privately with my friend Lewis, and
then went to see Ned Southwell, and talk with him about Walls’s business,
and Mrs. South’s. The latter will be done; but his own not. Southwell
tells me that it must be laid before Lord Treasurer, and the nature of it
explained, and a great deal of clutter, which is not worth the while; and
maybe Lord Treasurer won’t do it [at] last; and it is, as Walls says
himself, not above forty shillings a year difference. You must tell
Walls this, unless he would have the business a secret from you: in that
case only say I did all I could with Ned Southwell, and it can’t be done;
for it must be laid before Lord Treasurer, etc., who will not do it; and
besides, it is not worth troubling his lordship. So nite, my two deelest
nuntyes nine MD. {421a}
12. Here is the D— and all to do with these Mohocks. Grub Street papers
about them fly like lightning, and a list printed of near eighty put into
several prisons, and all a lie; and I begin almost to think there is no
truth, or very little, in the whole story. He that abused Davenant was a
drunken gentleman; none of that gang. My man tells me that one of the
lodgers heard in a coffee-house, publicly, that one design of the Mohocks
was upon me, if they could catch me; and though I believe nothing of it,
I forbear walking late, and they have put me to the charge of some
shillings already. I dined to-day with Lord Treasurer and two gentlemen
of the Highlands of Scotland, yet very polite men. I sat there till
nine, and then went to Lord Masham’s, where Lord Treasurer followed me,
and we sat till twelve; and I came home in a chair for fear of the
Mohocks, and I have given him warning of it too. Little Harrison, {421b}
whom I sent to Holland, is now actually made Queen’s Secretary at The
Hague. It will be in the _Gazette_ to-morrow. ’Tis worth twelve hundred
pounds a year. Here is a young fellow has writ some Sea Eclogues, poems
of Mermen, resembling pastorals of shepherds, and they are very pretty,
and the thought is new. Mermen are he-mermaids; Tritons, natives of the
sea. Do you understand me? I think to recommend him to our Society
to-morrow. His name is Diaper. {422a} P— on him, I must do something
for him, and get him out of the way. I hate to have any new wits rise,
but when they do rise I would encourage them; but they tread on our heels
and thrust us off the stage. Nite deelest MD.
13. You would laugh to see our printer constantly attending our Society
after dinner, and bringing us whatever new thing he has printed, which he
seldom fails to do. Yet he had nothing to-day. Lord Lansdowne, one of
our Society, was offended at a passage in this day’s _Examiner_, which he
thinks reflects on him, as I believe it does, though in a mighty civil
way. ’Tis only that his underlings cheat; but that he is a very fine
gentleman every way, etc. {422b} Lord Orrery was President to-day; but
both our dukes were absent. Brother Wyndham recommended Diaper to the
Society. I believe we shall make a contribution among ourselves, which I
don’t like. Lord Treasurer has yet done nothing for us, but we shall try
him soon. The company parted early, but Freind, and Prior, and I, sat a
while longer and reformed the State, and found fault with the Ministry.
Prior hates his Commission of the Customs, because it spoils his wit. He
says he dreams of nothing but cockets, {422c} and dockets, and drawbacks,
and other jargon words of the custom-house. Our good weather went away
yesterday, and the nights are now dark, and I came home before ten.
Night nown . . . deelest sollahs.
14. I have been plagued this morning with solicitors, and with nobody
more than my brother, Dr. Freind, who must needs have to get old Dr.
Lawrence, {422d} the Physician-General, turned out and himself in. He
has argued with me so long upon the reasonableness of it, that I am fully
convinced it is very unreasonable; and so I would tell the Secretary, if
I had not already made him speak to the Queen. Besides, I know not but
my friend Dr. Arbuthnot would be content to have it himself, and I love
him ten times better than Freind. What’s all this to you? but I must
talk of things as they happen in the day, whether you know anything of
them or no. I dined in the City, and, coming back, one Parson Richardson
{423a} of Ireland overtook me. He was here last summer upon a project of
converting the Irish and printing Bibles, etc., in that language, and is
now returned to pursue it on. He tells me Dr. Coghill {423b} came last
night [to] town. I will send to see how he does to-morrow. He gave me a
letter from Walls about his old business. Nite, deelest MD.
15. I had intended to be early with the Secretary this morning, when my
man admitted upstairs one Mr. Newcomb, {423c} an officer, who brought me
a letter from the Bishop of Clogher, with four lines added by Mrs. Ashe,
all about that Newcomb. I think, indeed, his case is hard, but God knows
whether I shall be able to do him any service. People will not
understand: I am a very good second, but I care not to begin a
recommendation, unless it be for an intimate friend. However, I will do
what I can. I missed the Secretary, and then walked to Chelsea to dine
with the Dean of Christ Church, {423d} who was engaged to Lord Orrery
with some other Christ Church men. He made me go with him whether I
would or not, for they have this long time admitted me a Christ Church
man. Lord Orrery, generally every winter, gives his old acquaintance of
that college a dinner. There were nine clergymen at table, and four
laymen. The Dean and I soon left them, and after a visit or two, I went
to Lord Masham’s, and Lord Treasurer, Arbuthnot and I sat till twelve.
And now I am come home and got to bed. I came afoot, but had my man with
me. Lord Treasurer advised me not to go in a chair, because the Mohocks
insult chairs more than they do those on foot. They think there is some
mischievous design in those villains. Several of them, Lord Treasurer
told me, are actually taken up. I heard at dinner that one of them was
killed last night. We shall know more in a little time. I don’t like
them, as the men said. {424a} Nite MD.
16. This morning, at the Secretary’s, I met General Ross, {424b} and
recommended Newcomb’s case to him, who promises to join with me in
working up the Duke of Ormond to do something for him. Lord Winchelsea
{424c} told me to-day at Court that two of the Mohocks caught a maid of
old Lady Winchelsea’s, {424d} at the door of their house in the Park,
where she was with a candle, and had just lighted out somebody. They cut
all her face, and beat her without any provocation. I hear my friend
Lewis has got a Mohock in one of the messenger’s hands. The Queen was at
church to-day, but was carried in an open chair. She has got an ugly
cough, Arbuthnot, her physician, says. I dined with Crowe, {424e} late
Governor of Barbados; an acquaintance of Sterne’s. {424f} After dinner I
asked him whether he had heard of Sterne. “Here he is,” said he, “at the
door in a coach:” and in came Sterne. He has been here this week. He is
buying a captainship in his cousin Sterne’s {424g} regiment. He told me
he left Jemmy Leigh playing at cards with you. He is to give 800 guineas
for his commission. I suppose you know all this better than I. How
shall I have room to answer oo rettle {425a} hen I get it, I have gone so
far already? Nite, deelest logues MD.
17. Dr. Sacheverell came this morning to give me thanks for getting his
brother an employment. It was but six or seven weeks since I spoke to
Lord Treasurer for him. Sacheverell brought Trapp {425b} along with him.
We dined together at my printer’s, and I sat with them till seven. I
little thought, and I believe so did he, that ever I should be his
solicitor to the present Ministry, when I left Ireland. This is the
seventh I have now provided for since I came, and can do nothing for
myself. I don’t care; I shall have Ministries and other people obliged
to me. Trapp is a coxcomb, and the t’other is not very deep; and their
judgment in things of wit or sense is miraculous. The Second _Part of
Law is a Bottomless Pit_ {425c} is just now printed, and better, I think,
than the first. Night, my two deel saucy dallars.
18. There is a proclamation out against the Mohocks. One of those that
are taken is a baronet. I dined with poor Mrs. Wesley, who is returning
to the Bath. Mrs. Perceval’s {425d} young daughter has got the smallpox,
but will do well. I walked this evening in the Park, and met Prior, who
made me go home with him, where I stayed till past twelve, and could not
get a coach, and was alone, and was afraid enough of the Mohocks. I will
do so no more, though I got home safe. Prior and I were talking
discontentedly of some managements, that no more people are turned out,
which get Lord Treasurer many enemies: but whether the fault be in him,
or the Queen, I know not; I doubt, in both. Ung omens, it is now seven
weeks since I received your last; but I expect one next Irish packet, to
fill the rest of this paper; but if it don’t come, I’ll do without it: so
I wish oo good luck at ombre with the Dean. Nite, nuntyes nine. {425e}
19. Newcomb came to me this morning, and I went to the Duke of Ormond to
speak for him; but the Duke was just going out to take the oaths for
General. The Duke of Shrewsbury is to be Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. I
walked with Domville and Ford to Kensington, where we dined, and it cost
me above a crown. I don’t like it, as the man said. {426a} It was very
windy walking. I saw there Lord Masham’s children. The youngest, my
nephew, I fear, has got the king’s evil; the other two are daughters of
three and four years old. ’Twas very windy walking. The gardens there
are mighty fine. I passed the evening at Lord Masham’s with Lord
Treasurer and Arbuthnot, as usual, and we stayed till past one; but I had
my man to come with me, and at home I found three letters; one from one
Fetherston, a parson, with a postscript of Tisdall’s to recommend him:
and Fetherston, whom I never saw, has been so kind to give me a letter of
attorney to recover a debt for him. Another from Lord Abercorn, to get
him the dukedom of Chatelherault {426b} from the King of France; in which
I will do what I can, for his pretensions are very just. The third, I
warrant you, from our MD. ’Tis a great stir this, of getting a dukedom
from the King of France: but it is only to speak to the Secretary, and
get the Duke of Ormond to engage in it, and mention the case to Lord
Treasurer, etc., and this I shall do. Nite deelest richar MD.
20. I was with the Duke of Ormond this morning, about Lord Abercorn, Dr.
Freind, and Newcomb. Some will do, and some will not do; that’s wise,
marams. {426c} The Duke of Shrewsbury is certainly to be your Governor.
I will go in a day or two, and give the Duchess joy, and recommend the
Archbishop of Dublin to her. I writ to the Archbishop, some months ago,
that it would be so, and told him I would speak a good word for him to
the Duchess; and he says he has a great respect for her, etc. I made our
Society change their house, and we met to-day at the Star and Garter in
the Pall Mall. Lord Arran was President. The other dog was so
extravagant in his bills, that for four dishes and four, first and second
course, without wine or dessert, he charged twenty-one pounds, six
shillings, and eightpence, to the Duke of Ormond. We design, when all
have been Presidents this turn, to turn it into a reckoning of so much a
head; but we shall break up when the session ends. Nite deelest MD.
21. Morning. Now I will answer MD’s rettle, N. 27; you that are adding
to your number and grumbling, had made it 26, and then altered {427a} it
to 27. I believe it is above a month since your last; yes, it is above
seven weeks since I had your last: but I ought to consider that this was
twelve days right, {427b} so that makes it pretty even. O, the sirry
zade, {427c} with her excuses of a fortnight at Ballygall, seeing their
friends, and landlord running away. O Rold, hot a cruttle {427d} and a
bustle!—No—if you will have it—I am not Dean of Wells, {427e} nor know
anything of being so; nor is there anything in the story; and that’s
enough. It was not Roper {427f} sent that news: Roper is my humble
slave.—Yes, I heard of your resolves, and that Burton was embroiled.
Stratford spoke to me in his behalf; but I said I hated the rascal. Poor
Catherine gone to Wales? But she will come back again, I hope. I would
see her in my journey, if she were near the road; and bring her over.
Joe {427g} is a fool; that sort of business is not at all in my way, pray
put him off it. People laugh when I mention it. Bed ee paadon, Maram;
I’m drad oo rike ee aplon: {428a} no harm, I hope. And so . . . DD
wonders she has not a letter at the day; oo’ll have it soon. . . . The
D— he is! married to that vengeance! Men are not to be believed. I
don’t think her a fool. Who would have her? Dilly will be governed like
an ass; and she will govern like a lion. Is not that true, Ppt? Why,
Sterne told me he left you at ombre with Leigh; and yet you never saw
him. I know nothing of his wife being here: it may cost her a c— {428b}
(I don’t care to write that word plain). He is a little in doubt about
buying his commission. Yes, I will bring oo over all the little papers I
can think on. I thought I sent you, by Leigh, all that were good at that
time. The author of the _Sea Eclogues_ sent books to the Society
yesterday, and we gave him guineas apiece; and, maybe, will do further
from him (for him, I mean). So the Bishop of Clogher, and lady, were
your guests for a night or two. Why, Ppt, you are grown a great gamester
and company keeper. I did say to myself, when I read those names, just
what you guess; and you clear up the matter wonderfully. You may
converse with those two nymphs if you please, but the — take me if ever I
do. Iss, fais, it is delightful to hear that Ppt is every way Ppt now,
in health, and looks, and all. Pray God keep her so, many, many, many
years. I doubt the session will not be over till the end of April;
however, I shall not wait for it, if the Ministry will let me go sooner.
I wish I were just now in my garden at Laracor. I would set out for
Dublin early on Monday, and bring you an account of my young trees, which
you are better acquainted with than the Ministry, and so am I. Oh, now
you have got Number 41, have you so? Why, perhaps, I forgot, and kept it
to next post in my pocket: I have done such tricks. My cold is better,
but not gone. I want air and riding. Hold ee tongue, oo Ppt, about
colds at Moor Park! the case is quite different. I will do what you
desire me for Tisdall, when I next see Lord Anglesea. Pray give him my
service. The weather is warm these three or four days, and rainy. I am
to dine to-day with Lewis and Darteneuf at Somers’s, {429a} the Clerk of
the Kitchen at Court. Darteneuf loves good bits and good sups. Good
mollows richar sollohs.—At night. I dined, as I said; and it cost me a
shilling for a chair. It has rained all day, and is very warm. Lady
Masham’s young son, my nephew, is very ill; and she is out of mind {429b}
with grief. I pity her mightily. I am got home early, and going to
write to the Bishop of Clogher, but have no politics to send him. Nite
my own two deelest saucy d[ear] ones.
22. I am going into the City this morning with a friend about some
business; so I will immediately seal up this, and keep it in my pottick
till evening, and zen put it in the post. The weather continues warm and
gloomy. I have heard no news since I went to bed, so can say no more.
Pray send . . . that I may have time to write to . . . {429c} about it.
I have here underneath given order for forty shillings to Mrs. Brent,
which you will send to Parvisol. Farewell, deelest deel MD, and rove
Pdfr dearly dearly. Farewell, MD, MD, FW, FW, FW, ME, ME, ME, Lele lele
lele lele lele lele, and lele aden.