etter for that. Well, I will stay till to-morrow before I
answer your letter; and you must suppose me always writing at Chelsea
from henceforward, till I alter, and say London. This letter goes on
Saturday, which will be just a fortnight; so go and cheat Goody Stoyte,
etc.

27. Do you know that I fear my whole chest of Florence is turned sour,
at least the two first flasks were so, and hardly drinkable. How plaguy
unfortunate am I! and the Secretary's own is the best I ever tasted;
and I must not tell him, but be as thankful as if it were the best in
Christendom. I went to town in the sixpenny stage to-day; and hearing
Mr. Harley was not at home, I went to see him, because I knew by the
message of his lying porter that he was at home. He was very well, and
just going out, but made me promise to dine with him; and betwixt
that and indeed strolling about, I lost four pound seven shillings
at play--with a--a--a--bookseller, and got but about half a dozen
books.(13) I will buy no more books now, that's certain. Well, I
dined at Mr. Harley's, came away at six, shifted my gown, cassock, and
periwig, and walked hither to Chelsea, as I always design to do when
it is fair. I am heartily sorry to find my friend the Secretary stand
a little ticklish with the rest of the Ministry; there have been one or
two disobliging things that have happened, too long to tell: and t'other
day in Parliament, upon a debate of about thirty-five millions that have
not been duly accounted for, Mr. Secretary, in his warmth of speech,
and zeal for his friend Mr. Brydges,(14) on whom part of the blame
was falling, said he did not know that either Mr. Brydges or the late
Ministry were at all to blame in this matter; which was very desperately
spoken, and giving up the whole cause: for the chief quarrel against the
late Ministry was the ill management of the treasure, and was more than
all the rest together. I had heard of this matter: but Mr. Foley(15)
beginning to discourse to-day at table, without naming Mr. St. John, I
turned to Mr. Harley, and said if the late Ministry were not to blame
in that article, he (Mr. Harley) ought to lose his head for putting the
Queen upon changing them. He made it a jest; but by some words dropped,
I easily saw that they take things ill of Mr. St. John; and by some
hints given me from another hand that I deal with, I am afraid the
Secretary will not stand long. This is the fate of Courts. I will, if I
meet Mr. St. John a