me to dine with him yesterday as usual, with his Saturday company; which I did after frequent refusals. To day I dined with a private friend, and was not at court. After dinner Mr. Lewis sent me word, that the queen staid till she knew whether the duke of Ormond approved of Sterne for a bishop. I went this evening, and found the duke of Ormond at the cockpit, and told him, and desired he would go to the queen, and approve of Sterne. He made objections, and desired I would name any other deanery, for he did not like Sterne; that Sterne never went to see him; that he was influenced by the archbishop of Dublin, &c. so all is now broken again. I sent out for lord treasurer and told him this. He says all will do well; but I value not what he says. This suspense vexes me worse than any thing else. Night, MD.
20. I went to day, by appointment, to the cockpit, to talk with the duke of Ormond. He repeated the same proposals of any other deanery, &c. I desired he would put me out of the case, and do as he pleased. Then, with great kindness, he said he would consent; but would do it for no man alive but me, &c. And he will speak to the queen to day or to morrow: so, perhaps, something will come of it. I can't tell. Night, own dear MD.
21. The duke of Ormond has told the queen he is satisfied that Sterne should be bishop, and she consents I shall be dean; and I suppose the warrants will be drawn in a day or two. I dined at an alehouse with Parnell and Berkeley; for I am not in humour to go among the ministers, though lord Dartmouth invited me to dine with him to day, and lord trea-
surer
