evening, sure as you're
alive, young women, and then you will be so shamed that I have had none
from you; and, if I was to reckon like you, I would say, I were six
letters before you, for this is N.16, and I have had your N.10. But I
reckon you have received but fourteen, and have sent eleven. I think to
go to-day a Minister-of-State-hunting in the Court of Requests; for
I have something to say to Mr. Harley. And it is fine, cold, sunshiny
weather; I wish dear MD would walk this morning in your Stephen's Green;
'tis as good as our Park, but not so large.(24) Faith, this summer we'll
take a coach for sixpence(25) to the Green Well, the two walks, and
thence all the way to Stoyte's.(26) My hearty service to Goody Stoyte
and Catherine; and I hope Mrs. Walls had a good time. How inconstant I
am! I can't imagine I was ever in love with her. Well, I'm going; what
have you to say? I DO NOT CARE HOW I WRITE NOW.(27) I don't design to
write on this side; these few lines are but so much more than your
due; so I will write LARGE or small as I please. O, faith, my hands are
starving in bed; I believe it is a hard frost. I must rise, and bid
you good-bye, for I'll seal this letter immediately, and carry it in
my pocket, and put it into the post-office with my own fair hands.
Farewell.

This letter is just a fortnight's journal to-day. Yes, and so it is, I'm
sure, says you, with your two eggs a penny.

Lele, lele, lele.(28)

O Lord, I am saying lele, lele, to myself, in all our little keys: and,
now you talk of keys, that dog Patrick broke the key-general of the
chest of drawers with six locks, and I have been so plagued to get a new
one, besides my good two shillings!

LETTER 17.

LONDON, Feb. 24, 1710-11.

Now, young women, I gave in my sixteenth this evening. I dined with Ford
(it was his Opera-day) as usual; it is very convenient to me to do so,
for coming home early after a walk in the Park, which now the days will
allow. I called on the Secretary at his office, and he had forgot to
give the memorial about Bernage to the Duke of Argyle; but, two days
ago, I met the Duke, who desired I would give it him myself, which
should have more power with him than all the Ministry together, as he
protested solemnly, repeated it two or three times, and bid me count
upon it. So that I verily believe Bernage will be in a very good way
to establish himself. I think I can do no more for him at present, and
there's an end of that;