8.  Morning.  Methinks, young women, I have made a great progress in four days, at the bottom of this side already, and no letter yet come from MD (that word interlined is morning).  I find I have been writing State affairs to MD.  How do they relish it?  Why, anything that comes from Presto is welcome; though really, to confess the truth, if they had their choice, not to disguise the matter, they had rather, etc.  Now, Presto, I must tell you, you grow silly, says Stella.  That is but one body’s opinion, madam.  I promised to be with Mr. Secretary St. John this morning; but I am lazy, and will not go, because I had a letter from him yesterday, to desire I would dine there to-day.  I shall be chid; but what care I?—­Here has been Mrs. South with me, just come from Sir Andrew Fountaine, and going to market.  He is still in a fever, and may live or die.  His mother and sister are now come up, and in the house; so there is a lurry.[13] I gave Mrs. South half a pistole for a New Year’s gift.  So good-morrow, dears both, till anon.—­At night.  Lord!  I have been with Mr. Secretary from dinner till eight; and, though I drank wine and water, I am so hot!  Lady Stanley[14] came to visit Mrs. St. John,[15] and sent up for me to make up a quarrel with Mrs. St. John, whom I never yet saw; and do you think that devil of a Secretary would let me go, but kept me by main force, though I told him I was in love with his lady, and it was a shame to keep back a lover, etc.?  But all would not do; so at last I was forced to break away, but never went up, it was then too late; and here I am, and have a great deal to do to-night, though it be nine o’clock; but one must say something to these naughty MD’s, else there will be no quiet.

9.  To-day Ford and I set apart to go into the City to buy books; but we only had a scurvy dinner at an alehouse; and he made me go to the tavern and drink Florence, four and sixpence a flask; damned wine! so I spent my money, which I seldom do, and passed an insipid day, and saw nobody, and it is now ten o’clock, and I have nothing to say, but that ’tis a fortnight to-morrow since I had a letter from MD; but if I have it time enough to answer here, ’tis well enough, otherwise woe betide you, faith.  I will go to the toyman’s, here just in Pall Mall, and he sells great hugeous battoons;[16] yes, faith, and so he does.  Does not he, Dingley?  Yes, faith.  Don’t lose your money this Christmas.

10.  I must go this morning to Mr. Secretary St. John.  I promised yesterday, but failed, so can’t write any more till night to poor, dear MD.—­At night.  O, faith, Dingley.  I had company in the morning, and could not go where I designed; and I had a basket from Raymond at Bristol, with six bottles of wine and a pound of chocolate, and some tobacco to snuff; and he writ under, the carriage was paid; but he lied, or I am cheated, or there is a mistake; and he has written to me so confusedly