Stella,
but the dog Patrick was abroad; at last he came, and I got my letter.
I found another hand had superscribed it; when I opened it, I found it
written all in French, and subscribed Bernage:(4) faith, I was ready to
fling it at Patrick's head. Bernage tells me he had been to desire your
recommendation to me, to make him a captain; and your cautious answer,
that he had as much power with me as you, was a notable one; if you
were here, I would present you to the Ministry as a person of ability.
Bernage should let me know where to write to him; this is the second
letter I have had without any direction; however, I beg I may not have a
third, but that you will ask him, and send me how I shall direct to him.
In the meantime, tell him that if regiments are to be raised here, as he
says, I will speak to George Granville,(5) Secretary at War, to make him
a captain; and use what other interest I conveniently can. I think that
is enough, and so tell him, and do not trouble me with his letters, when
I expect them from MD; do you hear, young women? write to Presto.

18. I was this morning with Mr. Secretary St. John, and we were to dine
at Mr. Harley's alone, about some business of importance; but there were
two or three gentlemen there. Mr. Secretary and I went together from
his office to Mr. Harley's, and thought to have been very wise; but the
deuce a bit, the company stayed, and more came, and Harley went away at
seven, and the Secretary and I stayed with the rest of the company till
eleven; I would then have had him come away; but he was in for't; and
though he swore he would come away at that flask, there I left him. I
wonder at the civility of these people; when he saw I would drink no
more, he would always pass the bottle by me, and yet I could not keep
the toad from drinking himself, nor he would not let me go neither, nor
Masham,(6) who was with us. When I got home, I found a parcel directed
to me; and opening it, I found a pamphlet written entirely against
myself, not by name, but against something I writ:(7) it is pretty
civil, and affects to be so, and I think I will take no notice of it;
'tis against something written very lately; and indeed I know not what
to say, nor do I care. And so you are a saucy rogue for losing your
money to-day at Stoyte's; to let that bungler beat you, fie, Stella,
an't you ashamed? Well, I forgive you this once, never do so again; no,
noooo. Kiss and be friends, sirrah.--Come, let me go