as not the true vein for it.
I will tell you a copy of verses. When Mr. St. John was turned out from
being Secretary at War, three years ago, he retired to the country:
there he was talking of something he would have written over his
summer-house, and a gentleman gave him these verses--

From business and the noisy world retired,
Nor vexed by love, nor by ambition fired;
Gently I wait the call of Charon's boat,
Still drinking like a fish, and ------- like a stoat.

He swore to me he could hardly bear the jest; for he pretended to retire
like a philosopher, though he was but twenty-eight years old: and I
believe the thing was true: for he had been a thorough rake. I think the
three grave lines do introduce the last well enough. Od so, but I will
go sleep; I sleep early now.

14. O, faith, young women, I want a letter from MD; 'tis now nineteen
days since I had the last: and where have I room to answer it, pray? I
hope I shall send this away without any answer at all; for I'll hasten
it, and away it goes on Tuesday, by which time this side will be full. I
will send it two days sooner on purpose out of spite; and the very next
day after, you must know, your letter will come, and then 'tis too late,
and I will so laugh, never saw the like! 'Tis spring with us already. I
ate asparagus t'other day. Did you ever see such a frostless winter? Sir
Andrew Fountaine lies still extremely ill; it costs him ten guineas a
day to doctors, surgeons, and apothecaries, and has done so these three
weeks. I dined to-day with Mr. Ford; he sometimes chooses to dine at
home, and I am content to dine with him; and at night I called at the
Coffee-house, where I had not been in a week, and talked coldly a while
with Mr. Addison. All our friendship and dearness are off: we are civil
acquaintance, talk words of course, of when we shall meet, and that is
all. I have not been at any house with him these six weeks: t'other day
we were to have dined together at the Comptroller's;(23) but I sent my
excuses, being engaged to the Secretary of State. Is not it odd? But
I think he has used me ill; and I have used him too well, at least his
friend Steele.

15. It has cost me three guineas to-day for a periwig.(24) I am undone!
It was made by a Leicester lad, who married Mr. Worrall's daughter,
where my mother lodged;(25) so I thought it would be cheap, and
especially since he lives in the city. Well, London lickpenny:(26) I
find it tr