Lord, I am loth to leave
you, faith--but it must be so, till the next time. Pox take that D; I
will blot it, to dry it.

LETTER 8.

LONDON, Oct. 31, 1710.

So, now I have sent my seventh to your fourth, young women; and now I
will tell you what I would not in my last, that this morning, sitting
in my bed, I had a fit of giddiness: the room turned round for about a
minute, and then it went off, leaving me sickish, but not very: and so I
passed the day as I told you; but I would not end a letter with telling
you this, because it might vex you: and I hope in God I shall have no
more of it. I saw Dr. Cockburn(1) to-day, and he promises to send me the
pills that did me good last year; and likewise has promised me an oil
for my ear, that he has been making for that ailment for somebody else.

Nov. 1. I wish MD a merry new year. You know this is the first day of
it with us.(2) I had no giddiness to-day; but I drank brandy, and have
bought a pint for two shillings. I sat up the night before my giddiness
pretty late, and writ very much; so I will impute it to that. But I
never eat fruit, nor drink ale; but drink better wine than you do, as I
did to-day with Mr. Addison at Lord Mountjoy's: then went at five to
see Mr. Harley, who could not see me for much company; but sent me his
excuse, and desired I would dine with him on Friday; and then I expect
some answer to this business, which must either be soon done, or begun
again; and then the Duke of Ormond and his people will interfere for
their honour, and do nothing. I came home at six, and spent my time in
my chamber, without going to the Coffee-house, which I grow weary of;
and I studied at leisure, writ not above forty lines, some inventions
of my own, and some hints, and read not at all, and this because I would
take care of Presto, for fear little MD should be angry.

2. I took my four pills last night, and they lay an hour in my throat,
and so they will do to-night. I suppose I could swallow four affronts
as easily. I dined with Dr. Cockburn to-day, and came home at seven; but
Mr. Ford has been with me till just now, and it is near eleven. I have
had no giddiness to-day. Mr. Dopping(3) I have seen; and he tells me
coldly, my "Shower" is liked well enough; there's your Irish judgment!
I writ this post to the Bishop of Clogher. It is now just a fortnight
since I heard from you. I must have you write once a fortnight, and then
I will allow for wind and weather. How g