off? confess. Well, I'll go sleep, 'tis past eleven, and I go early to sleep; I write nothing at night but to MD. 24. Stratford and I, and pastoral Philips (just come from Denmark) dined at Ford's to-day, who paid his way, and goes for Irelaud on Tuesday. The earl of Peterborow is returned from Vienna without one ser vant he left them scattered in several towns of Ger many. I had a letter from him, four days ago, from Hanover, where he desires I would immediately send him an answer to his house at Parson's green, about five miles off. I wondered what he meant, till I heard he He sent expresses, and got here before them. He is above fifty, and as active as one of five-and-twen ty. I have not seen him yet, nor know when I shall, or where to find him. was come. : 25. Poor duke of Shrewsbury has been very ill of a fever we were all in a fright about him: I thank God, he is better. I dined to-day at Lord Ashburubam's with his lady for he was not at home: she is a very good girl and always a great favourite of mine. Sterne tells me, "he has desired a friend to receive your box in Chester, and carry it over." I fear he will miscarry in his business, which was sent to the treasury before he was recommended; for I was positive only to second his recommendations, and all his other friends failed him. However, on your account, I will do what I can for him to-morrow with the secretary of the treasury. 26. We had much company to-day at dinner at lord treasurer's. Prior never fails: he is a much better courtier than I; and we expect every day that he will be a commissioner of the customs, and that in a short time a great many more will be turned out. They blame lord treasurer for his slowness in turning people out, but I suppose he has his reasons. They still keep my neighbour Atterbury in suspense about the deanery of Christchurch, which has been above six months vacant, and he is heartily angry. I reckon you are now preparing for your Wexford expedition; and poor Dingley is full of carking, and caring, and scolding. How long will you stay? shall I be in Dublin before you return? dont fall and hurt yourselves, nor overturn the coach. Love one another, and be good girls; and drink Presto's health in water, Madam Stella; and in good ale,* Madam Dingley. 27. The secretary appointed me to dine with him today, and we were to do a world of business: he came at four, and brought Prior with him, and had forgot the appointment, and no business was done. I left him at eight, and went to change my gown at Mrs. Vanhomrigh's: and there was Sir Andrew Fountaine at ombre, with Lady Ashburnham, and Lady Frederick Schomberg, and Lady Mary Schomberg, and Lady Betty Butler, and others talking: and it put me in mind of the dean and Stoyte, and Walls, and Stella at play, and Dingley and I looking on. I staid with them till tea, like a fool. Lady Ashburnham is something like Stella; so I helped her, and wished her good cards. It is late, &c. 28. Well, but I must answer this letter of our MD's. Saturday approaches, and I han't written down this side O faith, Presto has been a sort of a lazy fellow: but Presto will remove to town this day se'nnight: the secretary has commanded me to do so, and I believe he and I shall go for some days to Windsor, where he will have leisure to mind some business we have together. To-day our society (it must not be called a club) dined at Mr. Secretary's; we were but eight, the rest sent excuses, or were out of town. We sat till eight, and made The Wexford ale is highly esteemed, which is hinted at in this passage; and the Wexford waters were prescribed to Stella. D. S. some laws and settlements; and then I went to take leave of Lady Ashburnham, who goes out of town tơ morrow, as a great many of my acquaintance are already, and left the town very thin. I shall make but short journies this summer, and not be long out of Londen. The days are growing sensibly shorter already, and all our fruit blasted. Your duke of Ormond is still at Chester; and perhaps this letter will be with you as soon as he. Sterne's* business is quite blown up: they stand to it to send him back to the commissioners of the revenue in Ireland for a reference, and all my credit could not alter it, although I almost fell out with the se cretary of the treasury, who is my lord treasurer's cousin-german, and my very good friend. It seems every step he has hitherto taken hath been wrong; at least they say so, and that is the same thing. I am heartily sorry for it; and I really think they are in the wrong, and use him hardly; but I can do no more. 29. Steele has had the asurance to write to me, that I would engage my lord treasurer to keep a friend of his in an employment: I believe I told you how he and Addison served me for my good offices in Steele's behalf; and I promised lord treasurer never to speak for either of them again. Sir Andrew Fountaine and I dined to-day at Mrs. Vanhomrigh's. Dilly Ashe has been in town this fortnight: I saw him twice; he was four day's at Lord Pembroke's in the country, punning with him; his face is very well. I was this evening two or three hours at lord treasurer's, who called me Dr. Thomas Swift twenty times, that's his way of teasing. I left him at nine, and got home here by ten, like a gentleman; and to-morrow morning I'll answer your letter, sirrahs. * Collector of Wicklow. F. 30. Morning. I am terrible sleepy always in a morning; I believe it is my walk overnight that disposes me to sleep; faith 'tis now striking eight, and I am but just awake. Patrick comes early and wakes me five or six times, but I have excuses, though I am three parts asleep. I tell him "I sat up late," or "slept ill in the night,” and often it is a lie. I have now got little MD's letter before me. No. 16, uo more, nor no less, no mistake. Dingley says, "This letter won't be above six lines," and I was afraid it was true, though I saw it filled on both sides. The bishop of Clogher writ me word " you were in the country, and that he heard you were well;" I am glad at heart MD rides, and rides, and rides. Our hot weather ended in May, and all this month has been moderate: it was then so hot, I was not able to endure it; I was miserable every moment, and found myself disposed to be peevish and quarrelsome; I believe a very hot country would make me stark mad. Yes, my head continues pretty tolerable, aud I impute it all to walking. Does Stella eat fruit? I cat a little, but always repent and resolve against it. No, in very hot weather I always go to town by water: but I constantly walk back, for then the sun is down. And so Mrs. Proby goes with you to Wexford, she's admirable company you'll grow plaguy wise with those you frequent. Mrs. Taylor, and Mrs. Proby; take care of infection. I believe my two hundred pounds will be paid; but that Sir Alexander Cairnes is a scrupulous puppy : I left the bill with Mr. Stratford, who is to have the money. Now, Madam Stella what say you? ride every day; I know that already, sirrah; and if you rid every day for a twelvemonth, you would be still better and better. No, I hope Parvisol will not have the impudence to make you stay an hour for the money; if he does I'll un-Parvisol him; pray let me know. O you Lord, how hasty we are! Stella can't stay writing and writing; she must write and go a cockhorse, pray now. Well, but the horses are not come to the door; the fellow can't find the bridle; your stirrup is broken; where did you put the whips, Dingley ? Marg'et, where have you laid Mrs. Johnson's ribband to tie about her? reach me my mask sup up this before you go. So, so, a gallop, a gallop, sit fast, sirrah, and don't ride hard. upon the stones. Well, now Stella is gone, tell me, Dingley, is she a good girl? and what news is that you are to tell me? No I believe the box is not lost: Sterne says, it is not. No, faith, you must go to Wexford without seeing your duke of Ormond, unless you stay on purpose; perhaps you may be so wise. I telk you this is your sixteenth letter; will you never be satisfied? No, no, I'll walk late no more; I ought less to venture it than other people, and so I was told, but I'll return to lodge in town next Thursday. When you come from Wexford I would have you send a letter of attorney to Mr. Benjamin Tooke, bookseller in London, directed to me, and he shall manage your affair. I have your parchment safely locked up in London. O Madam Stella, welcome home; was it pleasant riding? did your horse stumble? how often did the man light to settle your stirrup ? ride nine miles? faith you have galloped indeed. Well, but where's the fine thing you promised me? I have been a good boy, ask Dingley else. I believe you did not meet the fine-thing-man : faith you are a cheat. So you'll see Raymond and his wife in town. Faith that riding to Laracor gives me short sighs, as well as you. All the days I have passed here, have been dirt to those. I have been gaining ene mies by the scores, and friends by the couples, which is against the rules of wisdom; because they say, one enemy can do more hurt than ten friends can do good. But I |