nto a handsome speech, and represent it
to him from me, and that I would write, if I knew where to direct to
him; and so I have told you, and desired you would tell him, fifty
times. Yes, Madam Stella, I think I can read your long concluding word,
but you can't read mine after bidding you good-night. And yet methinks,
I mend extremely in my writing; but when Stella's eyes are well, I hope
to write as bad as ever.--So now I have answered your letter, and mine
is an answer; for I lay yours before me, and I look and write, and write
and look, and look and write again.--So good-morrow, madams both, and I
will go rise, for I must rise; for I take pills at night, and so I must
rise early, I don't know why.

25. Morning. I did not tell you how I passed my time yesterday, nor
bid you good-night, and there was good reason. I went in the morning
to Secretary St. John about some business; he had got a great Whig with
him; a creature of the Duke of Marlborough, who is a go-between to make
peace between the Duke and the Ministry: so he came out of his closet,
and, after a few words, desired I would dine with him at three; but Mr.
Lewis stayed till six before he came; and there we sat talking, and the
time slipped so, that at last, when I was positive to go, it was past
two o'clock; so I came home, and went straight to bed. He would never
let me look at his watch, and I could not imagine it above twelve when
we went away. So I bid you good-night for last night, and now I bid you
good-morrow, and I am still in bed, though it be near ten, but I must
rise.

26, 27, 28, 29, 30. I have been so lazy and negligent these last four
days that I could not write to MD. My head is not in order, and yet is
not absolutely ill, but giddyish, and makes me listless; I walk every
day, and take drops of Dr. Cockburn, and I have just done a box of
pills; and to-day Lady Kerry sent me some of her bitter drink, which I
design to take twice a day, and hope I shall grow better. I wish I were
with MD; I long for spring and good weather, and then I will come over.
My riding in Ireland keeps me well. I am very temperate, and eat of the
easiest meats as I am directed, and hope the malignity will go off;
but one fit shakes me a long time. I dined to-day with Lord Mountjoy,
yesterday at Mr. Stone's, in the City, on Sunday at Vanhomrigh's,
Saturday with Ford, and Friday I think at Vanhomrigh's; and that is all
the journal I can send MD, for I was so lazy while I w