it, or I by MD's.--At night. I forgot to tell you, Madam Dingley, that
I paid nine shillings for your glass and spectacles, of which three were
for the Bishop's case: I am sorry I did not buy you such another case;
but if you like it, I will bring one over with me; pray tell me: the
glass to read was four shillings, the spectacles two. And have you had
your chocolate? Leigh says he sent the petticoat by one Mr. Spencer.
Pray have you no further commissions for me? I paid the glass-man but
last night, and he would have made me a present of the microscope worth
thirty shillings, and would have sent it home along with me; I thought
the deuce was in the man: he said I could do him more service than that
was worth, etc. I refused his present, but promised him all service
I could do him; and so now I am obliged in honour to recommend him to
everybody.--At night. I went to Mr. Harley's levee; he came and asked
me what I had to do there, and bid me come and dine with him on a family
dinner; which I did, and it was the first time I ever saw his lady(58)
and daughter;(59) at five my Lord Keeper(60) came in: I told Mr. Harley,
he had formerly presented me to Sir Simon Harcourt, but now must to my
Lord Keeper; so he laughed, etc.

23. Morning. This letter goes to-night without fail; I hope there is
none from you yet at the Coffee-house; I will send and see by and by,
and let you know, and so and so. Patrick goes to see for a letter: what
will you lay, is there one from MD or no? No, I say; done for sixpence.
Why has the Dean never once written to me? I won sixpence; I won
sixpence; there is not one letter to Presto. Good-morrow, dear sirrahs:
Stratford and I dine to-day with Lord Mountjoy. God Almighty preserve
and bless you; farewell, etc.

I have been dining at Lord Mountjoy's; and am come to study; our news
from Spain this post takes off some of our fears. The Parliament is
prorogued to-day, or adjourned rather till after the holidays. Bank
Stock is 105, so I may get 12 shillings for my bargain already. Patrick,
the puppy, is abroad, and how shall I send this letter? Good-night,
little dears both, and be happy; and remember your poor Presto, that
wants you sadly, as hope saved. Let me go study, naughty girls, and
don't keep me at the bottom of the paper. O, faith, if you knew what
lies on my hands constantly, you would wonder to see how I could write
such long letters; but we'll talk of that some other time. Good-night
again, a