LONDON, _April_ 7, 1713.
I FANCY I marked my last, which I sent this day, wrong; only 61, and it
ought to be 62. I dined with Lord Treasurer, and though the business I
had with him is something against Thursday, when the Parliament is to
meet, and this is Tuesday, yet he put it off till to-morrow. I dare not
tell you what it is, lest this letter should miscarry or be opened; but I
never saw his fellow for delays. The Parliament will now certainly sit,
and everybody’s expectations are ready to burst. At a Council to-night
the Lord Chief-Justice Parker, a Whig, spoke against the peace; so did
Lord Chomley, {538a} another Whig, who is Treasurer of the Household. My
Lord Keeper {538b} was this night made Lord Chancellor. We hope there
will soon be some removes. Nite, dee sollahs; Late. Rove Pdfr. {538c}
8. Lord Chomley (the right name is Cholmondeley) is this day removed
from his employment, for his last night’s speech; and Sir Richard Temple,
{538d} Lieutenant-General, the greatest Whig in the army, is turned out;
and Lieutenant-General Palmes {538e} will be obliged to sell his
regiment. This is the first-fruits of a friendship I have established
between two great men. I dined with Lord Treasurer, and did the business
I had for him to his satisfaction. I won’t tell MD what it was. . . .
{538f} for zat. The Parliament sits to-morrow for certain. Here is a
letter printed in Maccartney’s name, vindicating himself from the murder
of the Duke of Hamilton. I must give some hints to have it answered;
’tis full of lies, and will give an opportunity of exposing that party.
To morrow will be a very important day. All the world will be at
Westminster. Lord Treasurer is as easy as a lamb. They are mustering up
the proxies of the absent lords; but they are not in any fear of wanting
a majority, which death and accidents have increased this year. Nite MD.
9. I was this morning with Lord Treasurer, to present to him a young son
{538g} of the late Earl of Jersey, at the desire of the widow. There I
saw the mace and great coach ready for Lord Treasurer, who was going to
Parliament. Our Society met to-day; but I expected the Houses would sit
longer than I cared to fast; so I dined with a friend, and never inquired
how matters went till eight this evening, when I went to Lord Orkney’s,
where I found Sir Thomas Hanmer. The Queen delivered her speech very
well, but a little weaker in her voice. The crowd was vast. The order
for the Address {539a} was moved, and opposed by Lord Nottingham,
Halifax, and Cowper. Lord Treasurer spoke with great spirit and
resolution; Lord Peterborow flirted {539b} against the Duke of
Marlborough (who is in Germany, you know), but it was in answer to one of
Halifax’s impertinences. The order for an Address passed by a majority
of thirty-three, and the Houses rose before six. This is the account I
heard at Lord Orkney’s. The Bishop of Chester, {539c} a high Tory, was
against the Court. The Duchess of Marlborough sent for him some months
ago, to justify herself to him in relation to the Queen, and showed him
letters, and told him stories, which the weak man believed, and was
perverted. Nite MD.
10. I dined with a cousin in the City, and poor Pat Rolt was there. I
have got her rogue of a husband leave to come to England from Port-Mahon.
The Whigs are much down; but I reckon they have some scheme in agitation.
This Parliament-time hinders our Court meetings on Wednesdays, Thursdays,
and Saturdays. I had a great deal of business to-night, which gave me a
temptation to be idle, and I lost a dozen shillings at ombre, with Dr.
Pratt and another. I have been to see t’other day the Bishop of Clogher
and lady, but did not see Miss. It rains every day, and yet we are all
over dust. Lady Masham’s eldest boy is very ill: I doubt he will not
live, and she stays at Kensington to nurse him, which vexes us all. She
is so excessively fond, it makes me mad. She should never leave the
Queen, but leave everything, to stick to what is so much the interest of
the public, as well as her own. This I tell her; but talk to the winds.
Nite MD.
11. I dined at Lord Treasurer’s, with his Saturday company. We had ten
at table, all lords but myself and the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Argyle went off at six, and was in very indifferent humour as usual.
Duke of Ormond and Lord Bolingbroke were absent. I stayed till near ten.
Lord Treasurer showed us a small picture, enamelled work, and set in
gold, worth about twenty pounds; a picture, I mean, of the Queen, which
she gave to the Duchess of Marlborough, set in diamonds. When the
Duchess was leaving England, she took off all the diamonds, and gave the
picture to one Mrs. Higgins (an old intriguing woman, whom everybody
knows), bidding her make the best of it she could. Lord Treasurer sent
to Mrs. Higgins for this picture, and gave her a hundred pounds for it.
Was ever such an ungrateful beast as that Duchess? or did you ever hear
such a story? I suppose the Whigs will not believe it. Pray, try them.
Takes off the diamonds, and gives away the picture to an insignificant
woman, as a thing of no consequence: and gives it to her to sell, like a
piece of old-fashioned plate. Is she not a detestable slut? Nite
deelest MD.
12. I went to Court to-day, on purpose to present Mr. Berkeley, {540}
one of your Fellows of Dublin College, to Lord Berkeley of Stratton.
That Mr. Berkeley is a very ingenious man, and great philosopher, and I
have mentioned him to all the Ministers, and given them some of his
writings; and I will favour him as much as I can. This I think I am
bound to, in honour and conscience, to use all my little credit toward
helping forward men of worth in the world. The Queen was at chapel
to-day, and looks well. I dined at Lord Orkney’s with the Duke of
Ormond, Lord Arran, and Sir Thomas Hanmer. Mr. St. John, Secretary at
Utrecht, expects every moment to return there with the ratification of
the peace. Did I tell you in my last of Addison’s play called Cato, and
that I was at the rehearsal of it? Nite MD.
13. This morning my friend, Mr. Lewis, came to me, and showed me an
order for a warrant for the three vacant deaneries; but none of them to
me. This was what I always foresaw, and received the notice of it
better, I believe, than he expected. I bid Mr. Lewis tell Lord Treasurer
that I took nothing ill of him but his not giving me timely notice, as he
promised to do, if he found the Queen would do nothing for me. At noon,
Lord Treasurer hearing I was in Mr. Lewis’s office, came to me, and said
many things too long to repeat. I told him I had nothing to do but go to
Ireland immediately; for I could not, with any reputation, stay longer
here, unless I had something honourable immediately given to me. We
dined together at the Duke of Ormond’s. He there told me he had stopped
the warrants for the deans, that what was done for me might be at the
same time, and he hoped to compass it to-night; but I believe him not. I
told the Duke of Ormond my intentions. He is content Sterne should be a
bishop, and I have St. Patrick’s; but I believe nothing will come of it,
for stay I will not; and so I believe for all oo . . . {541} oo may see
me in Dublin before April ends. I am less out of humour than you would
imagine: and if it were not that impertinent people will condole with me,
as they used to give me joy, I would value it less. But I will avoid
company, and muster up my baggage, and send them next Monday by the
carrier to Chester, and come and see my willows, against the expectation
of all the world.—Hat care I? Nite deelest logues, MD.
14. I dined in the City to-day, and ordered a lodging to be got ready
for me against I came to pack up my things; for I will leave this end of
the town as soon as ever the warrants for the deaneries are out, which
are yet stopped. Lord Treasurer told Mr. Lewis that it should be
determined to-night: and so he will for {542a} a hundred nights. So he
said yesterday, but I value it not. My daily journals shall be but short
till I get into the City, and then I will send away this, and follow it
myself; and design to walk it all the way to Chester, my man and I, by
ten miles a day. It will do my health a great deal of good. I shall do
it in fourteen days. Nite dee MD.
15. Lord Bolingbroke made me dine with him to-day; he {542b} was as good
company as ever; and told me the Queen would determine something for me
to-night. The dispute is, Windsor or St. Patrick’s. I told him I would
not stay for their disputes, and he thought I was in the right. Lord
Masham told me that Lady Masham is angry I have not been to see her since
this business, and desires I will come to-morrow. Nite deelest MD.
16. I was this noon at Lady Masham’s, who was just come from Kensington,
where her eldest son is sick. She said much to me of what she had talked
to the Queen and Lord Treasurer. The poor lady fell a shedding tears
openly. She could not bear to think of my having St. Patrick’s, etc. I
was never more moved than to see so much friendship. I would not stay
with her, but went and dined with Dr. Arbuthnot, with Mr. Berkeley, one
of your Fellows, whom I have recommended to the Doctor, and to Lord
Berkeley of Stratton. Mr. Lewis tells me that the Duke of Ormond has
been to-day with the Queen; and she was content that Dr. Sterne should be
Bishop of Dromore, and I Dean of St. Patrick’s; but then out came Lord
Treasurer, and said he would not be satisfied but that I must be
Prebend[ary] of Windsor. Thus he perplexes things. I expect neither;
but I confess, as much as I love England, I am so angry at this treatment
that, if I had my choice, I would rather have St. Patrick’s. Lady Masham
says she will speak to purpose to the Queen to-morrow. Nite, . . . dee
MD.
17. I went to dine at Lady Masham’s to-day, and she was taken ill of a
sore throat, and aguish. She spoke to the Queen last night, but had not
much time. The Queen says she will determine to-morrow with Lord
Treasurer. The warrants for the deaneries are still stopped, for fear I
should be gone. Do you think anything will be done? I don’t care
whether it is or no. In the meantime, I prepare for my journey, and see
no great people, nor will see Lord Treasurer any more, if I go. Lord
Treasurer told Mr. Lewis it should be done to-night; so he said five
nights ago. Nite MD.
18. This morning Mr. Lewis sent me word that Lord Treasurer told him the
Queen would determine at noon. At three Lord Treasurer sent to me to
come to his lodgings at St. James’s, and told me the Queen was at last
resolved that Dr. Sterne should be Bishop of Dromore, and I Dean of St.
Patrick’s; and that Sterne’s warrant should be drawn immediately. You
know the deanery is in the Duke of Ormond’s gift; but this is concerted
between the Queen, Lord Treasurer, and the Duke of Ormond, to make room
for me. I do not know whether it will yet be done; some unlucky accident
may yet come. Neither can I feel joy at passing my days in Ireland; and
I confess I thought the Ministry would not let me go; but perhaps they
can’t help it. Nite MD.
19. I forgot to tell you that Lord Treasurer forced me to dine with him
yesterday as usual, with his Saturday company; which I did after frequent
refusals. To-day I dined with a private friend, and was not at Court.
After dinner Mr. Lewis sent me a note, that the Queen stayed till she
knew whether the Duke of Ormond approved of Sterne for Bishop. I went
this evening, and found the Duke of Ormond at the Cock-pit, and told him,
and desired he would go to the Queen, and approve of Sterne. He made
objections, desired I would name any other deanery, for he did not like
Sterne; that Sterne never went to see him; that he was influenced by the
Archbishop of Dublin, etc.; so all now is broken again. I sent out for
Lord Treasurer, and told him this. He says all will do well; but I value
not what he says. This suspense vexes me worse than anything else. Nite
MD.
20. I went to-day, by appointment, to the Cock-pit, to talk with the
Duke of Ormond. He repeated the same proposals of any other deanery,
etc. I desired he would put me out of the case, and do as he pleased.
Then, with great kindness, he said he would consent; but would do it for
no man alive but me, etc. And he will speak to the Queen to-day or
to-morrow; so, perhaps, something will come of it. I can’t tell. Nite
dee dee logues, MD.
21. The Duke of Ormond has told the Queen he is satisfied that Sterne
should be Bishop, and she consents I shall be Dean; and I suppose the
warrants will be drawn in a day or two. I dined at an ale-house with
Parnell and Berkeley; for I am not in humour to go among the Ministers,
though Lord Dartmouth invited me to dine with him to-day, and Lord
Treasurer was to be there. I said I would, if I were out of suspense.
Nite deelest MD.
22. The Queen says warrants shall be drawn, but she will dispose of all
in England and Ireland at once, to be teased no more. This will delay it
some time; and, while it is delayed, I am not sure of the Queen, my
enemies being busy. I hate this suspense. Nite deelest MD. {544a}
23. I dined yesterday with General Hamilton. {544b} I forgot to tell
oo. I write short journals now. I have eggs on the spit. This night
the Queen has signed all the warrants, among which Sterne is Bishop of
Dromore, and the Duke of Ormond is to send over an order for making me
Dean of St. Patrick’s. I have no doubt of him at all. I think ’tis now
passed. And I suppose MD is malicious enough to be glad, and rather have
it than Wells. {545a} But you see what a condition I am in. I thought I
was to pay but six hundred pounds for the house; but the Bishop of
Clogher says eight hundred pounds; first-fruits one hundred and fifty
pounds, and so, with patent, a thousand pounds in all; so that I shall
not be the better for the deanery these three years. I hope in some time
they will be persuaded here to give me some money to pay off these debts.
I must finish the book I am writing, {545b} before I can go over; and
they expect I shall pass next winter here, and then I will dun them to
give me a sum of money. However, I hope to pass four or five months with
MD, and whatever comes on it. MD’s allowance must be increased, and
shall be too, fais . . . {545c} I received oor rettle No. 39 to-night;
just ten weeks since I had your last. I shall write next post to Bishop
Sterne. Never man had so many enemies of Ireland {545d} as he. I
carried it with the strongest hand possible. If he does not use me well
and gently in what dealings I shall have with him, he will be the most
ungrateful of mankind. The Archbishop of York, {545e} my mortal enemy,
has sent, by a third hand, that he would be glad to see me. Shall I see
him, or not? I hope to be over in a month, and that MD, with their
raillery, will be mistaken, that I shall make it three years. I will
answer oo rettle soon; but no more journals. I shall be very busy.
Short letters from hence forward. I shall not part with Laracor. That
is all I have to live on, except the deanery be worth more than four
hundred pounds a year. Is it? If it be, the overplus shall be divided
between MD and FW beside usual allowance of MD. . . . {545f} Pray write
to me a good-humoured letter immediately, let it be ever so short. This
affair was carried with great difficulty, which vexes me. But they say
here ’tis much to my reputation that I have made a bishop, in spite of
all the world, to get the best deanery in Ireland. Nite dee sollahs.
24. I forgot to tell you I had Sterne’s letter yesterday, in answer to
mine. Oo performed oor commission well, dood dallars both. {546a} I
made mistakes the three last days, and am forced to alter the number.
{546b} I dined in the City to-day with my printer, and came home early,
and am going to [be] busy with my work. I will send this to-morrow, and
I suppose the warrants will go then. I wrote to Dr. Coghill, to take
care of passing my patent; and to Parvisol, to attend him with money, if
he has any, or to borrow some where he can. Nite MD.
25. Morning. I know not whether my warrant be yet ready from the Duke
of Ormond. I suppose it will by to-night. I am going abroad, and will
keep this unsealed, till I know whether all be finished. Mollow, {546c}
sollahs.
I had this letter all day in my pocket, waiting till I heard the warrants
were gone over. Mr. Lewis sent to Southwell’s clerk at ten; and he said
the Bishop of Killaloe {546d} had desired they should be stopped till
next post. He sent again, that the Bishop of Killaloe’s business had
nothing to do with ours. Then I went myself, but it was past eleven, and
asked the reason. Killaloe is removed to Raphoe, and he has a mind to
have an order for the rents of Raphoe, that have fallen due since the
vacancy, and he would have all stop till he has gotten that. A pretty
request! But the clerk, at Mr. Lewis’s message, sent the warrants for
Sterne and me; but then it was too late to send this, which frets me
heartily, that MD should not have intelligence first from Pdfr. I think
to take a hundred pounds a year out of the deanery, and divide it between
MD and Pr, {546e} and so be one year longer in paying the debt; but we’ll
talk of zis hen I come over. So nite dear sollahs. Lele. {547a}
26. I was at Court to-day, and a thousand people gave me joy; so I ran
out. I dined with Lady Orkney. Yesterday I dined with Lord Treasurer
and his Saturday people as usual; and was so bedeaned! The Archbishop of
York says he will never more speak against me. Pray see that Parvisol
stirs about getting my patent. I have given Tooke DD’s note to prove she
is alive. I’ll answer oo rettle. . . . Nite.
27. Nothing new to-day. I dined with Tom Harley, etc. I’ll seal up
this to-night. Pray write soon. . . . MD MD MD FW FW FW ME ME ME Lele,
lele.