ssed
and shaved after I came back, but was too late at Court; and Lord
Abingdon(32) was like to have snapped me for dinner, and I believe will
fall out with me for refusing him; but I hate dining with them, and I
dined with a private friend, and took two or three good walks; for it
was a very fine day, the first we have had a great while. Remember, was
Easter Day a fine day with you? I have sat with Lady Worsley till now.
Nite dee MD.

6. I was this morning at ten at the rehearsal of Mr. Addison's play,
called Cato, which is to be acted on Friday. There were not above half a
score of us to see it. We stood on the stage, and it was foolish enough
to see the actors prompted every moment, and the poet directing them;
and the drab that acts Cato's daughter,(33) out in the midst of a
passionate part, and then calling out, "What's next?" The Bishop of
Clogher was there too; but he stood privately in a gallery. I went to
dine with Lord Treasurer, but he was gone to Wimbledon, his daughter
Caermarthen's(34) country seat, seven miles off. So I went back,
and dined privately with Mr. Addison, whom I had left to go to Lord
Treasurer. I keep fires yet; I am very extravagant. I sat this evening
with Sir A. Fountaine, and we amused ourselves with making IFS for
Dilly. It is rainy weather again; nevle saw ze rike.(35) This letter
shall go to-morrow; remember, ung oomens, it is seven weeks since oor
last, and I allow oo but five weeks; but oo have been galloping into
the country to Swanton's.(36) O pray tell Swanton I had his letter, but
cannot contrive how to serve him. If a Governor were to go over, I would
recommend him as far as lay in my power, but I can do no more: and you
know all employments in Ireland, at least almost all, are engaged
in reversions. If I were on the spot, and had credit with a Lord
Lieutenant, I would very heartily recommend him; but employments here
are no more in my power than the monarchy itself. Nite, dee MD.

7. Morning. I have had a visitor here, that has taken up my time. I have
not been abroad, oo may be sure; so I can say nothing to-day, but that
I rove MD bettle zan ever, if possibbere. I will put this in the
post-office; so I say no more. I write by this post to the Dean, but it
is not above two lines; and one enclosed to you, but that enclosed to
you is not above three lines; and then one enclosed to the Dean, which
he must not have but upon condition of burning it immediately after
reading, and