l be in commission, and Lord Galway(11) one. These letters
of mine are a sort of journal, where matters open by degrees; and, as I
tell true or false, you will find by the event whether my intelligence
be good; but I do not care twopence whether it be or no.--At night.
To-day I was all about St. Paul's, and up at the top like a fool, with
Sir Andrew Fountaine and two more; and spent seven shillings for my
dinner like a puppy: this is the second time he has served me so; but
I will never do it again, though all mankind should persuade me,
unconsidering puppies! There is a young fellow here in town we are
all fond of, and about a year or two come from the University, one
Harrison,(12) a little pretty fellow, with a great deal of wit, good
sense, and good nature; has written some mighty pretty things; that in
your 6th Miscellanea,(13) about the Sprig of an Orange, is his: he
has nothing to live on but being governor to one of the Duke of
Queensberry's(14) sons for forty pounds a year. The fine fellows are
always inviting him to the tavern, and make him pay his club. Henley(15)
is a great crony of his: they are often at the tavern at six or seven
shillings reckoning, and he always makes the poor lad pay his full
share. A colonel and a lord were at him and me the same way to-night: I
absolutely refused, and made Harrison lag behind, and persuaded him not
to go to them. I tell you this, because I find all rich fellows have
that humour of using all people without any consideration of their
fortunes; but I will see them rot before they shall serve me so. Lord
Halifax is always teasing me to go down to his country house, which will
cost me a guinea to his servants, and twelve shillings coach-hire; and
he shall be hanged first. Is not this a plaguy silly story? But I am
vexed at the heart; for I love the young fellow, and am resolved to stir
up people to do something for him: he is a Whig, and I will put him upon
some of my cast Whigs; for I have done with them; and they have, I hope,
done with this kingdom for our time. They were sure of the four members
for London above all places, and they have lost three in the four.(16)
Sir Richard Onslow,(17) we hear, has lost for Surrey; and they are
overthrown in most places. Lookee, gentlewomen, if I write long letters,
I must write you news and stuff, unless I send you my verses; and some I
dare not; and those on the "Shower in London" I have sent to the Tatler,
and you may see them in Ir