11.  I went between two and three to see Mrs. Masham; while I was there she went to her bed-chamber to try a petticoat.  Lord Treasurer came in to see her, and seeing me in the outer room, fell a rallying me:  says he, “You had better keep company with me, than with such a fellow as Lewis, who has not the soul of a chicken, nor the heart of a mite.”  Then he went in to Mrs. Masham, and as he came back desired her leave to let me go home with him to dinner.  He asked whether I was not afraid to be seen with him.  I said I never valued my Lord Treasurer in my life, and therefore should have always the same esteem for Mr. Harley and Lord Oxford.  He seemed to talk confidently, as if he reckoned that all this would turn to advantage.  I could not forbear hinting that he was not sure of the Queen, and that those scoundrel, starving lords would never have dared to vote against the Court, if Somerset had not assured them that it would please the Queen.  He said that was true, and Somerset did so.  I stayed till six; then De Buys, the Dutch Envoy, came to him, and I left him.  Prior was with us a while after dinner.  I see him and all of them cast down, though they make the best of it.

12.  Ford is come to town; I saw him last night:  he is in no fear, but sanguine, although I have told him the state of things.  This change so resembles the last, that I wonder they do not observe it.  The Secretary sent for me yesterday to dine with him, but I was abroad; I hope he had something to say to me.  This is morning, and I write in bed.  I am going to the Duke of Ormond, whom I have not yet seen.  Morrow, sirrahs.—­At night.  I was to see the Duke of Ormond this morning:  he asked me two or three questions after his civil way, and they related to Ireland:  at last I told him that, from the time I had seen him, I never once thought of Irish affairs.  He whispered me that he hoped I had done some good things here:  I said, if everybody else had done half as much, we should not be as we are:  then we went aside, and talked over affairs.  I told him how all things stood, and advised him what was to be done.  I then went and sat an hour with the Duchess; then as long with Lady Oglethorpe,[17] who is so cunning a devil that I believe she could yet find a remedy, if they would take her advice.  I dined with a friend at Court.

13.  I was this morning with the Secretary:  he will needs pretend to talk as if things would be well:  “Will you believe it,” said he, “if you see these people turned out?” I said, yes, if I saw the Duke and Duchess of Somerset out:  he swore if they were not, he would give up his place.  Our Society dined to-day at Sir William Wyndham’s; we were thirteen present.  Lord Orrery and two other members were introduced:  I left them at seven.  I forgot to tell you that the printer told me yesterday that Morphew, the publisher, was sent for by that Lord Chief-Justice, who was a manager against Sacheverell; he showed him two or three papers and pamphlets; among the rest mine of the Conduct of the Allies, threatened him, asked who was the author, and has bound him over to appear next term.  He would not have the impudence to do this, if he did not foresee what was coming at Court.