left.

6. I was to-day gambling(17) in the City to see Patty Rolt, who is going
to Kingston, where she lodges; but, to say the truth, I had a mind for a
walk to exercise myself, and happened to be disengaged: for dinners are
ten times more plentiful with me here than ever, or than in Dublin. I
won't answer your letter yet, because I am busy. I hope to send this
before I have another from MD: it would be a sad thing to answer two
letters together, as MD does from Presto. But when the two sides are
full, away the letter shall go, that is certain, like it or not like it;
and that will be about three days hence, for the answering-night will be
a long one.

7. I dined to-day at Sir Richard Temple's, with Congreve, Vanbrugh,
Lieutenant-General Farrington,(18) etc. Vanbrugh, I believe I told you,
had a long quarrel with me about those verses on his house;(19) but we
were very civil and cold. Lady Marlborough used to tease him with them,
which had made him angry, though he be a good-natured fellow. It was a
Thanksgiving-day,(20) and I was at Court, where the Queen passed us by
with all Tories about her; not one Whig: Buckingham,(21) Rochester,(22)
Leeds,(23) Shrewsbury, Berkeley of Stratton, Lord Keeper Harcourt, Mr.
Harley, Lord Pembroke, etc.; and I have seen her without one Tory. The
Queen made me a curtsey, and said, in a sort of familiar way to Presto,
"How does MD?" I considered she was a Queen, and so excused her.(24) I
do not miss the Whigs at Court; but have as many acquaintance there as
formerly.

8. Here's ado and a clutter! I must now answer MD's fifth; but first
you must know I dined at the Portugal Envoy's(25) to-day, with Addison,
Vanbrugh, Admiral Wager,(26) Sir Richard Temple,(27) Methuen,(28) etc. I
was weary of their company, and stole away at five, and came home like a
good boy, and studied till ten, and had a fire, O ho! and now am in bed.
I have no fireplace in my bed-chamber; but 'tis very warm weather when
one's in bed. Your fine cap,(29) Madam Dingley, is too little, and too
hot: I will have that fur taken off; I wish it were far enough; and my
old velvet cap is good for nothing. Is it velvet under the fur? I was
feeling, but cannot find: if it be, 'twill do without it else I will
face it; but then I must buy new velvet: but may be I may beg a piece.
What shall I do? Well, now to rogue MD's letter. God be thanked for
Stella's eyes mending; and God send it holds; but faith you writ too
much at a time: