spoke so, that he almost put poor Leigh into tears, and
would have made me run distracted; though your letter is dated the 11th
instant, and I saw Smyth in the city above a fortnight ago, as I passed
by in a coach. Pray, pray, don't write, Stella, until you are mighty,
mighty, mighty, mighty well in your eyes, and are sure it won't do you
the least hurt. Or come, I'll tell you what; you, Mistress Stella, shall
write your share at five or six sittings, one sitting a day; and then
comes Dingley all together, and then Stella a little crumb towards
the end, to let us see she remembers Presto; and then conclude with
something handsome and genteel, as your most humblecumdumble, or, etc.
O Lord! does Patrick write word of my not coming till spring? Insolent
man! he know my secrets? No; as my Lord Mayor said, No; if I thought my
shirt knew, etc. Faith, I will come as soon as it is any way proper for
me to come; but, to say the truth, I am at present a little involved
with the present Ministry in some certain things (which I tell you as a
secret); and soon as ever I can clear my hands, I will stay no longer;
for I hope the First-Fruit business will be soon over in all its forms.
But, to say the truth, the present Ministry have a difficult task,
and want me, etc. Perhaps they may be just as grateful as others:
but, according to the best judgment I have, they are pursuing the true
interest of the public; and therefore I am glad to contribute what is
in my power. For God's sake, not a word of this to any alive.--Your
Chancellor?(9) Why, madam, I can tell you he has been dead this
fortnight. Faith, I could hardly forbear our little language about a
nasty dead Chancellor, as you may see by the blot.(10) Ploughing? A pox
plough them; they'll plough me to nothing. But have you got your money,
both the ten pounds? How durst he pay you the second so soon? Pray be
good huswifes. Ay, well, and Joe, why, I had a letter lately from Joe,
desiring I would take some care of their poor town,(11) who, he says,
will lose their liberties. To which I desired Dr. Raymond would return
answer, that the town had behaved themselves so ill to me, so little
regarded the advice I gave them, and disagreed so much among themselves,
that I was resolved never to have more to do with them; but that
whatever personal kindness I could do to Joe, should be done. Pray, when
you happen to see Joe, tell him this, lest Raymond should have blundered
or forgotten--Poor Mrs