said he had been to see the Queen (who was just come to town, and the people
in waiting would not let him see her; that he had two hundred thousand men
ready to serve her in the war; that he knew the Queen perfectly well, and had
an apartment at Court, and if she heard he was there, she would send for him
immediately; that she owed him two hundred thousand pounds, etc., and he
desired my opinion, whether he should go try again whether he could see her;
or because, perhaps, she was weary after her journey, whether he had not
better stay till to-morrow. I had a mind to get rid of my companion, and
begged him of all love to go and wait on her immediately; for that, to my
knowledge, the Queen would admit him; that this was an affair of great
importance, and required despatch: and I instructed him to let me know the
success of his business, and come to the Smyrna Coffee-house, where I would
wait for him till midnight; and so ended this adventure. I would have fain
given the man half a crown; but was afraid to offer it him, lest he should be
offended; for, beside his money, he said he had a thousand pounds a year. I
came home not early; and so, madams both, goodnight, etc.

19. I dined to-day with poor Lord Mountjoy, who is ill of the gout; and this
evening I christened our coffee-man Elliot's[15] child, where the rogue had a
most noble supper, and Steele and I sat among some scurvy company over a bowl
of punch; so that I am come home late, young women, and can't stay to write to
little rogues.

2O. I loitered at home, and dined with Sir Andrew Fountaine at his lodging,
and then came home: a silly day.

21. I was visiting all this morning, and then went to the Secretary's office,
and found Mr. Harley, with whom I dined; and Secretary St. John, etc., and
Harley promised in a very few days to finish what remains of my business.
Prior was of the company, and we all dine at the Secretary's to-morrow. I saw