at will fright him. He has no relish
for London; and I do not wonder at it. He has got some Templars from
Ireland that show him the town. I do not let him see me above twice a
week, and that only while I am dressing in the morning.--So, now the
puppy's come in, and I have got my own ink, but a new pen; and so now
you are rogues and sauceboxes till I go to bed; for I must go study,
sirrahs. Now I think of it, tell the Bishop of Clogher, he shall not
cheat me of one inch of my bell metal. You know it is nothing but to
save the town money; and Enniskillen can afford it better than Laracor:
he shall have but one thousand five hundred weight. I have been reading,
etc., as usual, and am now going to bed; and I find this day's article
is long enough: so get you gone till to-morrow, and then. I dined with
Sir Matthew Dudley.
11. I am come home again as yesterday, and the puppy had again locked up
my ink, notwithstanding all I said to him yesterday; but he came home a
little after me, so all is well: they are lighting my fire, and I'll go
study. The fair weather is gone again, and it has rained all day. I do
not like this open weather, though some say it is healthy. They say
it is a false report about the plague at Newcastle.(4) I have no news
to-day: I dined with Mrs. Vanhomrigh, to desire them to buy me a scarf;
and Lady Abercorn(5) is to buy me another, to see who does best: mine is
all in rags. I saw the Duke of Richmond(6) yesterday at Court again, but
would not speak to him: I believe we are fallen out. I am now in bed;
and it has rained all this evening, like wildfire: have you so much rain
in your town? Raymond was in a fright, as I expected, upon the news of
this shipwreck; but I persuaded him, and he leaves this town in a week.
I got him acquainted with Sir Robert Raymond,(7) the Solicitor-General,
who owns him to be of his family; and I believe it may do him a
kindness, by being recommended to your new Lord Chancellor.--I had a
letter from Mrs. Long, that has quite turned my stomach against her:
no less than two nasty jests in it, with dashes to suppose them. She is
corrupted in that country town(8) with vile conversation.--I will not
answer your letter till I have leisure: so let this go on as it will,
what care I? what cares saucy Presto?
12. I was to-day at the Secretary's office with Lewis, and in came Lord
Rivers;(9) who took Lewis out and whispered him; and then came up to me
to desire my acquaintance, etc.,
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