o Walls, tell him
(with service to him and wife, etc.) that I have no imagination of Mr.
Pratt's(20) losing his place: and while Pratt continues, Clements is in
no danger; and I have already engaged Lord Hyde(21) he speaks of, for
Pratt and twenty others; but, if such a thing should happen, I will
do what I can. I have above ten businesses of other people's now on my
hands, and, I believe, shall miscarry in half. It is your sixth I now
have received. I writ last post to the Bishop of Clogher again. Shall I
send this to-morrow? Well, I will, to oblige MD. Which would you rather,
a short letter every week, or a long one every fortnight? A long one;
well, it shall be done, and so good-night. Well, but is this a long one?
No, I warrant you: too long for naughty girls.

23. I only ask, have you got both the ten pounds, or only the first; I
hope you mean both. Pray be good housewives; and I beg you to walk when
you can, for health. Have you the horse in town? and do you ever ride
him? how often? Confess. Ahhh, sirrah, have I caught you? Can you
contrive to let Mrs. Fenton(22) know, that the request she has made me
in her letter I will use what credit I have to bring about, although I
hear it is very difficult, and I doubt I shall not succeed? Cox is not
to be your Chancellor: all joined against him. I have been supping with
Lord Peterborow at his house, with Prior, Lewis, and Dr. Freind. 'Tis
the ramblingest lying rogue on earth. Dr. Raymond is come to town: 'tis
late, and so I bid you good-night.

24. I tell you, pretty management! Ned Southwell told me the other day
he had a letter from the bishops of Ireland, with an address to the Duke
of Ormond, to intercede with the Queen to take off the First-Fruits. I
dined with him to-day, and saw it, with another letter to him from the
Bishop of Kildare,(23) to call upon me for the papers, etc.; and I had
last post one from the Archbishop of Dublin, telling me the reason of
this proceeding; that, upon hearing the Duke of Ormond was declared Lord
Lieutenant, they met; and the bishops were for this project, and talked
coldly of my being solicitor, as one that was favoured by t'other party,
etc., but desired that I would still solicit.(24) Now the wisdom of this
is admirable; for I had given the Archbishop an account of my reception
from Mr. Harley, and how he had spoken to the Queen, and promised it
should be done; but Mr. Harley ordered me to tell no person alive. Some
time after, h