LETTER 57.[1]
LONDON, Dec. 18, 1712.
Our Society was to meet to-day; but Lord Harley, who was President this week,
could not attend, being gone to Wimbledon with his new brother-in-law, the
young Marquis of Caermarthen, who married Lady Betty Harley on Monday last;
and Lord Treasurer is at Wimbledon too. However, half a dozen of us met, and
I propose our meetings should be once a fortnight; for, between you and me, we
do no good. It cost me nineteen shillings to-day for my Club at dinner; I
don't like it, fais. We have terrible snowy slobbery weather. Lord Abercorn
is come to town, and will see me, whether I will or no. You know he has a
pretence to a dukedom in France, which the Duke of Hamilton was soliciting
for; but Abercorn resolves to spoil their title, if they will not allow him a
fourth part; and I have advised the Duchess to compound with him, and have
made the Ministry of my opinion. Night, dee sollahs, MD, MD.
19. Ay mally zis is sumsing rike,[2] for Pdfr to write journals again! 'Tis
as natural as mother's milk, now I am got into it. Lord Treasurer is returned
from Wimbledon ('tis not above eight miles off), and sent for me to dine with
him at five; but I had the grace to be abroad, and dined with some others,
with honest Ben Tooke, by invitation. The Duchess of Ormond promised me her
picture, and coming home tonight, I found hers and the Duke's both in my
chamber. Was not that a pretty civil surprise? Yes, and they are in fine
gilded frames, too. I am writing a letter to thank her, which I will send to-
morrow morning. I'll tell her she is such a prude that she will not let so
much as her picture be alone in a room with a man, unless the Duke's be with
it; and so forth.[3] We are full of snow, and dabbling. Lady Masham has come
abroad these three days, and seen the Queen. I dined with her t'other day at
her sister Hill's. I hope she will remove in a few days to her new lodgings
at St. James's from Kensington. Nite, dee logues MD.
20. I lodge [up] two pair of stairs, have but one room, and deny myself to
everybody almost, yet I cannot be quiet; and all my mornings are lost with
people, who will not take answers below stairs; such as Dilly, and the Bishop,
and Provost, etc. Lady Orkney invited me to dinner to-day, which hindered me
from dining with Lord Treasurer. This is his day that his chief friends in
the Ministry dine with him. However, I went there about six, and sat with
them till past nine, when they all went off; but he kept me back, and told me
the circumstances of Lady Betty's match. The young fellow has 60,000 pounds
ready money, three great houses furnished, 7,000 pounds a year at present, and
about five more after his father and mother die. I think Lady Betty's portion
is not above 8,000 pounds. I remember either Tisdall writ to me in somebody's
letter, or you did it for him, that I should mention him on occasion to Lord
Anglesea, with whom, he said, he had some little acquaintance. Lord Anglesea
was with me to-night at Lord Treasurer's; and then I asked him about Tisdall,
and described him. He said he never saw him, but that he had sent him his
book.[4] See what it is to be a puppy. Pray tell Mr. Walls that Lord
Anglesea thanked me for recommending Clements[5] to him; that he says he is
20,000 pounds the better for knowing Clements. But pray don't let Clements go
and write a letter of thanks, and tell my lord that he hears so and so, etc.
Why, 'tis but like an Irish understanding to do so. Sad weather; two
shillings in coaches to-day, and yet I am dirty. I am now going to read over
something and correct it. So, nite.
21. Puppies have got a new way of plaguing me. I find letters directed for
me at Lord Treasurer's, sometimes with enclosed ones to him, and sometimes
with projects, and some times with libels. I usually keep them three or four
days without opening. I was at Court to-day, as I always am on Sundays,
instead of a coffee-house, to see my acquaintance. This day se'nnight, after
I had been talking at Court with Sir William Wyndham, the Spanish
Ambassador[6] came to him and said he heard that was Dr. Swift, and desired
him to tell me that his master, and the King of France, and the Queen, were
more obliged to me than any man in Europe; so we bowed, and shook hands, etc.
I took it very well of him. I dined with Lord Treasurer, and must again to-
morrow, though I had rather not (as DD says); but now the Queen is in town, he
does not keep me so late. I have not had time to see Fanny Manley since she
came, but intend it one of these days. Her uncle, Jack Manley,[7] I hear,
cannot live a month, which will be a great loss to her father in Ireland, for
I believe he is one of his chief supports. Our peace now will soon be
determined; for Lord Bolingbroke tells me this morning that four provinces of
Holland[8] have complied with the Queen, and we expect the rest will do so
immediately. Nite MD.
22. Lord Keeper promised me yesterday the first convenient living to poor Mr.
Gery,[9] who is married, and wants some addition to what he has. He is a very
worthy creature. I had a letter some weeks ago from Elwick,[10] who married
Betty Gery. It seems the poor woman died some time last summer. Elwick grows
rich, and purchases lands. I dined with Lord Treasurer to-day, who has
engaged me to come again to-morrow. I gave Lord Bolingbroke a poem of
Parnell's.[11] I made Parnell insert some compliments in it to his lordship.
He is extremely pleased with it, and read some parts of it to-day to Lord
Treasurer, who liked it as much. And indeed he outdoes all our poets here a
bar's length. Lord Bolingbroke has ordered me to bring him to dinner on
Christmas Day, and I made Lord Treasurer promise to see him; and it may one
day do Parnell a kindness. You know Parnell. I believe I have told you of
that poem. Nite, deel MD.
23. This morning I presented one Diaper,[12] a poet, to Lord Bolingbroke,
with a new poem, which is a very good one; and I am to give him a sum of money
from my lord; and I have contrived to make a parson of him, for he is half one
already, being in deacon's orders, and serves a small cure in the country; but
has a sword at his a--- here in town. 'Tis a poor little short wretch, but
will do best in a gown, and we will make Lord Keeper give him a living. Lord
Bolingbroke writ to Lord Treasurer to excuse me to-day; so I dined with the
former, and Monteleon, the Spanish Ambassador, who made me many compliments.
I stayed till nine, and now it is past ten, and my man has locked me up, and I
have just called to mind that I shall be in disgrace with Tom Leigh.[13] That
coxcomb had got into acquaintance with one Eckershall,[14] Clerk of the
Kitchen to the Queen, who was civil to him at Windsor on my account; for I had
done some service to Eckershall. Leigh teases me to pass an evening at his
lodgings with Eckershall. I put it off several times, but was forced at last
to promise I would come to-night; and it never was in my head till I was
locked up, and I have called and called, but my man is gone to bed; so I will
write an excuse to-morrow. I detest that Tom Leigh, and am as formal to him
as I can when I happen to meet him in the Park. The rogue frets me, if he
knew it. He asked me why I did not wait on the Bishop of Dromore.[15] I
answered I had not the honour to be acquainted with him, and would not
presume, etc. He takes me seriously, and says the Bishop is no proud man,
etc. He tells me of a judge in Ireland that has done ill things. I ask why
he is not out? Says he, "I think the bishops, and you, and I, and the rest of
the clergy, should meet and consult about it." I beg his pardon, and say, "I
cannot be serviceable that way." He answers, "Yes, everybody may help
something."--Don't you see how curiously he contrives to vex me; for the dog
knows that with half a word I could do more than all of them together. But he
only does it from the pride and envy of his own heart, and not out of a
humorous design of teasing. He is one of those that would rather a service
should not be done, than done by a private man, and of his own country. You
take all this, don't you? Nite dee sollahs, I'll go seep a dozey.
24. I dined to-day with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in order to look
over some of my papers; but nothing was done. I have been also mediating
between the Hamilton family and Lord Abercorn, to have them compound with him;
and I believe they will do it. Lord Selkirk,[16] the late Duke's brother, is
to be in town, in order to go to France, to make the demands; and the Ministry
are of opinion they will get some satisfaction, and they empowered me to
advise the Hamilton side to agree with Abercorn, who asks a fourth part, and
will go to France and spoil all if they won't yield it. Nite sollahs.
25. All melly Titmasses--melly Titmasses--I said it first--I wish it a
souzand [times] zoth with halt[17] and soul.[18] I carried Parnell to dine at
Lord Bolingbroke's, and he behaved himself very well; and Lord Bolingbroke is
mightily pleased with him. I was at St. James's Chapel by eight this morning;
and church and sacrament were done by ten. The Queen has the gout in her
hand, and did not come to church today; and I stayed so long in my chamber
that I missed going to Court. Did I tell you that the Queen designs to have a
Drawing-room and company every day? Nite dee logues.
26. I was to wish the Duke of Ormond a happy Christmas, and give half a crown
to his porter. It will cost me a dozen half-crowns among such fellows. I
dined with Lord Treasurer, who chid me for being absent three days. Mighty
kind, with a p--; less of civility, and more of his interest! We hear
Maccartney is gone over to Ireland. Was it not comical for a gentleman to be
set upon by highwaymen, and to tell them he was Maccartney? Upon which they
brought him to a justice of peace, in hopes of the reward,[19] and the rogues
were sent to gaol. Was it not great presence of mind? But maybe you heard
this already; for there was a Grub Street of it. Lord Bolingbroke told me I
must walk away to-day when dinner was done, because Lord Treasurer, and he,
and another, were to enter upon business; but I said it was as fit I should
know their business as anybody, for I was to justify [it].[20] So the rest
went, and I stayed, and it was so important, I was like to sleep over it. I
left them at nine, and it is now twelve. Nite, MD.
27. I dined to-day with General Hill, Governor of Dunkirk. Lady Masham and
Mrs. Hill, his two sisters, were of the company, and there have I been sitting
this evening till eleven, looking over others at play; for I have left off
loving play myself; and I think Ppt is now a great gamester. I have a great
cold on me, not quite at its height. I have them seldom, and therefore ought
to be patient. I met Mr. Addison and Pastoral Philips on the Mall to-day, and
took a turn with them; but they both looked terrible dry and cold. A curse of
party! And do you know I have taken more pains to recommend the Whig wits to
the favour and mercy of the Ministers than any other people. Steele I have
kept in his place. Congreve I have got to be used kindly, and secured. Rowe
I have recommended, and got a promise of a place. Philips I could certainly
have provided for, if he had not run party mad, and made me withdraw my
recommendation; and I set Addison so right at first that he might have been
employed, and have partly secured him the place he has; yet I am worse used by
that faction than any man. Well, go to cards, sollah Ppt, and dress the wine
and olange, sollah MD, and I'll go seep. 'Tis rate. Nite MD.
28. My cold is so bad that I could not go to church today, nor to Court; but
I was engaged to Lord Orkney's with the Duke of Ormond, at dinner; and
ventured, because I could cough and spit there as I pleased. The Duke and
Lord Arran left us, and I have been sitting ever since with Lord and Lady
Orkney till past eleven: and my cold is worse, and makes me giddy. I hope it
is only my cold. Oh, says Ppt, everybody is giddy with a cold; I hope it is
no more; but I'll go to bed, for the fellow has bawled "Past twelve." Night,
deels.
29. I got out early to-day, and escaped all my duns. I went to see Lord
Bolingbroke about some business, and truly he was gone out too. I dined in
the City upon the broiled leg of a goose and a bit of brawn, with my printer.
Did I tell you that I forbear printing what I have in hand, till the Court
decides something about me? I will contract no more enemies, at least I will
not embitter worse those I have already, till I have got under shelter; and
the Ministers know my resolution, so that you may be disappointed in seeing
this thing as soon as you expected. I hear Lord Treasurer is out of order.
My cold is very bad. Every[body] has one. Nite two dee logues.
30. I suppose this will be full by Saturday; zen[21] it sall go. Duke of
Ormond, Lord Arran, and I, dined privately to-day at an old servant's house of
his. The Council made us part at six. One Mrs. Ramsay dined with us; an old
lady of about fifty-five, that we are all very fond of. I called this evening
at Lord Treasurer's, and sat with him two hours. He has been cupped for a
cold, and has been very ill. He cannot dine with Parnell and me at Lord
Bolingbroke's to-morrow, but says he will see Parnell some other time. I
hoise[22] up Parnell partly to spite the envious Irish folks here,
particularly Tom Leigh. I saw the Bishop of Clogher's family to-day; Miss is
mighty ill of a cold, coughs incessantly.[23] Nite MD.
31. To-day Parnell and I dined with Lord Bolingbroke, to correct Parnell's
poem. I made him show all the places he disliked; and when Parnell has
corrected it fully he shall print it. I went this evening to sit with Lord
Treasurer. He is better, and will be out in a day or two. I sat with him
while the young folks went to supper; and then went down, and there were the
young folks merry together, having turned Lady Oxford up to my lord, and I
stayed with them till twelve. There was the young couple, Lord and Lady
Caermarthen, and Lord and Lady Dupplin, and Lord Harley and I; and the old
folks were together above. It looked like what I have formerly done so often;
stealing together from the old folks, though indeed it was not from poor Lord
Treasurer, who is as young a fellow as any of us: but Lady Oxford is a silly
mere old woman.[24] My cold is still so bad that I have not the least
smelling. I am just got home, and 'tis past twelve; and I'll go to bed, and
settle my head, heavy as lead. Nite MD.
Jan. 1, 1712-13. A sousand melly new eels[25] to deelest richar MD. Pray God
Almighty bless you, and send you ever happy! I forgot to tell you that
yesterday Lord Abercorn was here, teasing me about his French duchy, and
suspecting my partiality to the Hamilton family in such a whimsical manner
that Dr. Pratt, who was by, thought he was mad. He was no sooner gone but
Lord Orkney sent to know whether he might come and sit with me half an hour
upon some business. I returned answer that I would wait on him; which I did.
We discoursed a while, and he left me with Lady Orkney; and in came the Earl
of Selkirk, whom I had never seen before. He is another brother of the Duke
of Hamilton, and is going to France, by a power from his mother, the old
Duchess,[26] to negotiate their pretensions to the duchy of Chatelherault. He
teased me for two hours in spite of my teeth, and held my hand when I offered
to stir; would have had me engage the Ministry to favour him against Lord
Abercorn, and to convince them that Lord Abercorn had no pretensions; and
desired I would also convince Lord Abercorn himself so; and concluded he was
sorry I was a greater friend to Abercorn than Hamilton. I had no patience,
and used him with some plainness. Am not I purely handled between a couple of
puppies? Ay, says Ppt, you must be meddling in other folks' affairs. I
appeal to the Bishop of Clogher whether Abercorn did not complain that I would
not let him see me last year, and that he swore he would take no denial from
my servant when he came again. The Ministers gave me leave to tell the
Hamilton family it was their opinion that they ought to agree with Abercorn.
Lord Anglesea was then by, and told Abercorn; upon which he gravely tells me I
was commissioned by the Ministers, and ought to perform my commission, etc.--
But I'll have done with them. I have warned Lord Treasurer and Lord
Bolingbroke to beware of Selkirk's teasing,; --x on him! Yet Abercorn vexes
me more. The whelp owes to me all the kind receptions he has had from the
Ministry. I dined to-day at Lord Treasurer's with the young folks, and sat
with Lord Treasurer till nine, and then was forced to Lady Masham's, and sat
there till twelve, talking of affairs, till I am out of humour, as everyone
must that knows them inwardly. A thousand things wrong, most of them easy to
mend; yet our schemes availing at best but little, and sometimes nothing at
all. One evil, which I twice patched up with the hazard of all the credit I
had, is now spread more than ever.[27] But burn politics, and send me from
Courts and Ministers! Nite deelest richar MD.
2. I sauntered about this morning, and went with Dr. Pratt to a picture
auction, where I had like to be drawn in to buy a picture that I was fond of,
but, it seems, was good for nothing. Pratt was there to buy some pictures for
the Bishop of Clogher, who resolves to lay out ten pounds to furnish his house
with curious pieces. We dined with the Bishop, I being by chance disengaged.
And this evening I sat with the Bishop of Ossory,[28] who is laid up with the
gout. The French Ambassador, Duke d'Aumont,[29] came to town to-night; and
the rabble conducted him home with shouts. I cannot smell yet, though my cold
begins to break. It continues cruel hard frosty weather. Go and be melly,. .
. sollahs.[30]
3. Lord Dupplin and I went with Lord and Lady Orkney this morning at ten to
Wimbledon, six miles off, to see Lord and Lady Caermarthen. It is much the
finest place about this town. Did oo never see it? I was once there before,
about five years ago. You know Lady Caermarthen is Lord Treasurer's daughter,
married about three weeks ago. I hope the young fellow will be a good
husband.--I must send this away now. I came back just by nightfall, cruel
cold weather; I have no smell yet, but my cold something better. Nite (?)
sollahs; I'll take my reeve. I forget how MD's accounts are. Pray let me
know always timely before MD wants; and pray give the bill on t'other side to
Mrs. Brent as usual. I believe I have not paid her this great while. Go,
play cards, and. . . rove Pdfr. Nite richar MD. . . roves Pdfr. FW lele. .
. MD MD MD MD MD FW FW FW FW MD MD Lele. . .[31]
The six odd shillings, tell Mrs. Brent, are for her new year's gift.
I[32] am just now told that poor dear Lady Ashburnham,[33] the Duke of
Ormond's daughter, died yesterday at her country house. The poor creature was
with child. She was my greatest favourite, and I am in excessive concern for
her loss. I hardly knew a more valuable person on all accounts. You must
have heard me talk of her. I am afraid to see the Duke and Duchess. She was
naturally very healthy; I am afraid she has been thrown away for want of care.
Pray condole with me. 'Tis extremely moving. Her lord's a puppy; and I shall
never think it worth my while to be troubled with him, now he has lost all
that was valuable in his possession; yet I think he used her pretty well. I
hate life when I think it exposed to such accidents; and to see so many
thousand wretches burdening the earth, while such as her die, makes me think
God did never intend life for a blessing. Farewell.
