ever saw; and it is admirable, yet not to the degree I expected. Stratford is
worth a plum,[21] and is now lending the Government forty thousand pounds; yet
we were educated together at the same school and university.[22] We hear the
Chancellor[23] is to be suddenly out, and Sir Simon Harcourt[24] to succeed
him: I am come early home, not caring for the Coffee-house.

15. To-day Mr. Addison, Colonel Freind,[25] and I, went to see the million
lottery[26] drawn at Guildhall. The jackanapes of bluecoat boys gave
themselves such airs in pulling out the tickets, and showed white hands open
to the company, to let us see there was no cheat. We dined at a country-house
near Chelsea, where Mr. Addison often retires; and to-night, at the Coffee-
house, we hear Sir Simon Harcourt is made Lord Keeper; so that now we expect
every moment the Parliament will be dissolved; but I forgot that this letter
will not go in three or four days, and that my news will be stale, which I
should therefore put in the last paragraph. Shall I send this letter before I
hear from MD, or shall I keep it to lengthen? I have not yet seen Stella's
mother, because I will not see Lady Giffard; but I will contrive to go there
when Lady Giffard is abroad. I forgot to mark my two former letters; but I
remember this is Number 3, and I have not yet had Number 1 from MD; but I
shall by Monday, which I reckon will be just a fortnight after you had my
first. I am resolved to bring over a great deal of china. I loved it
mightily to-day.[27] What shall I bring?

16. Morning. Sir John Holland,[28] Comptroller of the Household, has sent to
desire my acquaintance: I have a mind to refuse him, because he is a Whig,
and will, I suppose, be out among the rest; but he is a man of worth and
learning. Tell me, do you like this journal way of writing? Is it not
tedious and dull?

Night. I dined to-day with a cousin, a printer,[29] where Patty Rolt lodges,