were always of their side. I dined again at Delaval's; and in the evening, at
the Coffee-house, heard Sir Andrew Fountaine[28] was come to town. This has
been but an insipid sort of day, and I have nothing to remark upon it worth
threepence: I hope MD had a better, with the Dean, the Bishop, or Mrs.
Walls.[29] Why, the reason you lost four and eightpence last night but one at
Manley's was, because you played bad games: I took notice of six that you had
ten to one against you: Would any but a mad lady go out twice upon Manilio;
Basto, and two small diamonds?[30] Then in that game of spades, you blundered
when you had ten-ace; I never saw the like of you: and now you are in a huff
because I tell you this. Well, here's two and eightpence halfpenny towards
your loss.

6. Sir Andrew Fountaine came this morning, and caught me writing in bed. I
went into the city with him; and we dined at the Chop-house with Will
Pate,[31] the learned woollen-draper: then we sauntered at China-shops[32]
and booksellers; went to the tavern, drank two pints of white wine, and never
parted till ten: and now I am come home, and must copy out some papers I
intend for Mr. Harley, whom I am to see, as I told you, to-morrow afternoon;
so that this night I shall say little to MD, but that I heartily wish myself
with them, and will come as soon as I either fail, or compass my business. We
now hear daily of elections; and, in a list I saw yesterday of about twenty,
there are seven or eight more Tories than in the last Parliament; so that I
believe they need not fear a majority, with the help of those who will vote as
the Court pleases. But I have been told that Mr. Harley himself would not let
the Tories be too numerous, for fear they should be insolent, and kick against
him; and for that reason they have kept several Whigs in employments, who
expected to be turned out every day; as Sir John Holland the Comptroller, and
many others. And so get you gone to your cards, and your claret and orange,
at the Dean's; and I'll go write.