es his wife
behind; for when he left London he had no thoughts of stirring till
summer. So I suppose he will be with you before this. Ford came and
desired I would dine with him, because it was Opera-day; which I did,
and sent excuses to Lord Shelburne, who had invited me.

11. I am setting up a new Tatler, little Harrison,(18) whom I have
mentioned to you. Others have put him on it, and I encourage him; and he
was with me this morning and evening, showing me his first, which comes
out on Saturday. I doubt he will not succeed, for I do not much approve
his manner; but the scheme is Mr. Secretary St. John's and mine, and
would have done well enough in good hands. I recommended him to a
printer,(19) whom I sent for, and settled the matter between them this
evening. Harrison has just left me, and I am tired with correcting his
trash.

12. I was this morning upon some business with Mr. Secretary St. John,
and he made me promise to dine with him; which otherwise I would have
done with Mr. Harley, whom I have not been with these ten days. I cannot
but think they have mighty difficulties upon them; yet I always find
them as easy and disengaged as schoolboys on a holiday. Harley has the
procuring of five or six millions on his shoulders, and the Whigs will
not lend a groat;(20) which is the only reason of the fall of stocks:
for they are like Quakers and fanatics, that will only deal among
themselves, while all others deal indifferently with them. Lady
Marlborough offers, if they will let her keep her employments, never to
come into the Queen's presence. The Whigs say the Duke of Marlborough
will serve no more; but I hope and think otherwise. I would to Heaven
I were this minute with MD at Dublin; for I am weary of politics, that
give me such melancholy prospects.

13. O, faith, I had an ugly giddy fit last night in my chamber, and I
have got a new box of pills to take, and hope I shall have no more
this good while. I would not tell you before, because it would vex you,
little rogues; but now it is over. I dined to-day with Lord Shelburne;
and to-day little Harrison's new Tatler came out: there is not much in
it, but I hope he will mend. You must understand that, upon Steele's
leaving off, there were two or three scrub Tatlers(21) came out, and one
of them holds on still, and to-day it advertised against Harrison's;
and so there must be disputes which are genuine, like the strops for
razors.(22) I am afraid the little toad h