es I would rise, for it is a good fire, and faith 'tis
cold. I was so politic last night with MD, never saw the like. Get the
Examiners, and read them; the last nine or ten are full of the reasons
for the late change, and of the abuses of the last Ministry; and
the great men assure me they are all true. They are written by
their encouragement and direction. I must rise and go see Sir
Andrew Fountaine; but perhaps to-night I may answer MD's letter: so
good-morrow, my mistresses all, good-morrow.

I wish you both a merry New Year,
Roast beef, minced pies, and good strong beer,
And me a share of your good cheer,
That I was there, or you were here;
And you're a little saucy dear.

Good-morrow again, dear sirrahs; one cannot rise for your play.--At
night. I went this morning to visit Lady Kerry and Lord Shelburne; and
they made me dine with them. Sir Andrew Fountaine is better. And now
let us come and see what this saucy, dear letter of MD says. Come out,
letter, come out from between the sheets; here it is underneath, and
it will not come out. Come out again, I say: so there. Here it is. What
says Presto to me, pray? says it. Come, and let me answer for you to
your ladies. Hold up your head then, like a good letter. There. Pray,
how have you got up with Presto, Madam Stella? You write your eighth
when you receive mine: now I write my twelfth when I receive your
eighth. Do not you allow for what are upon the road, simpleton? What say
you to that? And so you kept Presto's little birthday, I warrant: would
to God I had been at the health rather than here, where I have no manner
of pleasure, nothing but eternal business upon my hands. I shall grow
wise in time; but no more of that: only I say Amen with my heart and
vitals, that we may never be asunder again ten days together while poor
Presto lives.

*****

I can't be merry so near any splenetic talk; so I made that long line,
and now all's well again. Yes, you are a pretending slut, indeed, with
your fourth and fifth in the margin, and your journal, and everything.
Wind--we saw no wind here, nothing at all extraordinary at any time. We
had it once when you had it not. But an old saying and a true:

"I hate all wind,
Before and behind,
From cheeks with eyes,
Or from blind.----"

Your chimney fall down! God preserve you. I suppose you only mean a
brick or two: but that's a d--ned lie of your chimney being carried
to the