you of already; now
to the next, turn over the leaf. Mrs. Dobbins lies, I have no more
provision here or in Ireland than I had. I am pleased that Stella the
conjurer approves what I did with Mr. Harley;(23) but your generosity
makes me mad; I know you repine inwardly at Presto's absence; you think
he has broken his word of coming in three months, and that this is
always his trick; and now Stella says she does not see possibly how I
can come away in haste, and that MD is satisfied, etc. An't you a rogue
to overpower me thus? I did not expect to find such friends as I
have done. They may indeed deceive me too. But there are important
reasons (Pox on this grease, this candle tallow!) why they should
not.(24) I have been used barbarously by the late Ministry; I am a
little piqued in honour to let people see I am not to be despised. The
assurances they give me, without any scruple or provocation, are such
as are usually believed in the world; they may come to nothing, but the
first opportunity that offers, and is neglected, I shall depend no more,
but come away. I could say a thousand things on this head, if I were
with you. I am thinking why Stella should not go to the Bath, if she be
told it will do her good. I will make Parvisol get up fifty pounds, and
pay it you; and you may be good housewives, and live cheap there some
months, and return in autumn, or visit London, as you please: pray think
of it. I writ to Bernage, directed to Curry's; I wish he had the letter.
I will send the bohea tea, if I can. The Bishop of Kilmore,(25) I don't
keep such company; an old dying fool whom I never was with in my life.
So I am no godfather;(26) all the better. Pray, Stella, explain those
two words of yours to me, what you mean by VILLIAN and DAINGER;(27) and
you, Madam Dingley, what is CHRISTIANING?--Lay your letter THIS WAY,
THIS WAY, and the devil a bit of difference between this way and the
other way. No; I will show you, lay them THIS WAY, THIS WAY, and not
THAT WAY, THAT WAY.(28)--You shall have your aprons; and I will put all
your commissions as they come, in a paper together, and do not think I
will forget MD's orders, because they are friends; I will be as
careful as if they were strangers. I knew not what to do about this
Clements.(29) Walls will not let me say anything as if Mr. Pratt was
against him; and now the Bishop of Clogher has written to me in his
behalf. This thing does not rightly fall in my way, and that people
nev