the box, directed to Mrs. Curry's, and sent by Dr.
Hawkshaw,(40) whom I have not seen; but Sterne has undertaken it. The
chocolate is a present, madam, for Stella. Don't read this, you little
rogue, with your little eyes; but give it to Dingley, pray now; and I
will write as plain as the skies: and let Dingley write Stella's part,
and Stella dictate to her, when she apprehends her eyes, etc.

17. This letter should have gone this post, if I had not been taken
up with business, and two nights being late out; so it must stay till
Thursday. I dined to-day with your Mr. Sterne,(41) by invitation, and
drank Irish wine;(42) but, before we parted, there came in the prince
of puppies, Colonel Edgworth;(43) so I went away. This day came out the
Tatler, made up wholly of my "Shower," and a preface to it. They say it
is the best thing I ever writ, and I think so too. I suppose the Bishop
of Clogher will show it you. Pray tell me how you like it. Tooke is
going on with my Miscellany.(44) I'd give a penny the letter to the
Bishop of Killaloe(45) was in it: 'twould do him honour. Could not you
contrive to say, you hear they are printing my things together; and that
you with the bookseller had that letter among the rest: but don't say
anything of it as from me. I forget whether it was good or no; but only
having heard it much commended, perhaps it may deserve it. Well, I have
to-morrow to finish this letter in, and then I will send it next day. I
am so vexed that you should write your third to me, when you had but my
second, and I had written five, which now I hope you have all: and so I
tell you, you are saucy, little, pretty, dear rogues, etc.

18. To-day I dined, by invitation, with Stratford and others, at a young
merchant's in the City, with Hermitage and Tokay, and stayed till nine,
and am now come home. And that dog Patrick is abroad, and drinking, and
I cannot I get my night-gown. I have a mind to turn that puppy away: he
has been drunk ten times in three weeks. But I han't time to say more;
so good-night, etc.

19. I am come home from dining in the city with Mr. Addison, at a
merchant's; and just now, at the Coffee-house, we have notice that the
Duke of Ormond was this day declared Lord Lieutenant at Hampton Court,
in Council. I have not seen Mr. Harley since; but hope the affair is
done about First-Fruits. I will see him, if possible, to-morrow morning;
but this goes to-night. I have sent a box to Mr. Sterne, to send to yo