a letter.  I had a letter some time ago from Mr. Warburton,[14] and I beg one of you will copy out what I shall tell you, and send it by some opportunity to Warburton.  ’Tis as follows:  The Doctor has received Mr. Warburton’s letter, and desires he will let the Doctor know where[15] that accident he mentions is like soon to happen, and he will do what he can in it.—­And pray, madam, let them know that I do this to save myself the trouble, and them the expense of a letter.  And I think that this is enough for one that comes home at twelve from a Lord Treasurer and Mrs. Masham.  Oh, I could tell you ten thousand things of our mad politics, upon what small circumstances great affairs have turned.  But I will go rest my busy head.

28.  I was this morning with brother Bathurst to see the Duke of Ormond.  We have given his Grace some hopes to be one of our Society.  The Secretary and I and Bathurst are to dine with him on Sunday next.  The Duke is not in much hopes, but has been very busy in endeavouring to bring over some lords against next Wednesday.  The Duchess caught me as I was going out; she is sadly in fear about things, and blames me for not mending them by my credit with Lord Treasurer; and I blame her.  She met me in the street at noon, and engaged me to dine with her, which I did; and we talked an hour after dinner in her closet.  If we miscarry on Wednesday, I believe it will be by some strange sort of neglect.  They talk of making eight new lords by calling up some peers’ eldest sons; but they delay strangely.  I saw Judge Coote[16] to-day at the Duke of Ormond’s:  he desires to come and see me, to justify his principles.

29.  Morning.  This goes to-day.  I will not answer yours, your 24th, till next, which shall begin to-night, as usual.  Lord Shelburne has sent to invite me to dinner, but I am engaged with Lewis at Ned Southwell’s.  Lord Northampton and Lord Aylesbury’s sons[17] are both made peers; but we shall want more.  I write this post to your Dean.  I owe the Archbishop a letter this long time.  All people that come from Ireland complain of him, and scold me for protecting him.  Pray, Madam Dingley, let me know what Presto has received for this year, or whether anything is due to him for last:  I cannot look over your former letters now.  As for Dingley’s own account of her exchequer money, I will give it on t’other side.  Farewell, my own dearest MD, and love Presto; and God ever bless dearest MD, etc. etc.  I wish you many happy Christmases and new years.

I have owned to the Dean a letter I just had from you, but that I had not one this great while before.

DINGLEY’S ACCOUNT

Received of Mr. Tooke . . 6 17 6
Deducted for entering the letter of attorney . 0 2 6
For the three half-crowns it used to cost you,
I don’t know why nor wherefore . . 0 7 6
For exchange to Ireland . . 0 10 0
For coach-hire. . 0 2 6
                                                 --------
                                    In all, just 8 0 0