nk I will squander mornings
upon you, pray, good madam. Faith, if I go on longer in this trick of
writing in the morning, I shall be afraid of leaving it off, and think
you expect it, and be in awe. Good-morrow, sirrahs, I will rise.--At
night. I went to-day to the Court of Requests (I will not answer the
rest of your letter yet, that by the way, in hopes to dine with Mr.
Harley: but Lord Dupplin,(32) his son-in-law, told me he did not dine at
home; so I was at a loss, until I met with Mr. Secretary St. John, and
went home and dined with him, where he told me of a good bite.(33)
Lord Rivers told me two days ago, that he was resolved to come Sunday
fortnight next to hear me preach before the Queen. I assured him the day
was not yet fixed, and I knew nothing of it. To-day the Secretary told
me that his father, Sir Harry St. John,(34) and Lord Rivers were to be
at St. James's Church, to hear me preach there; and were assured I was
to preach: so there will be another bite; for I know nothing of the
matter, but that Mr. Harley and St. John are resolved I must preach
before the Queen; and the Secretary of State has told me he will give
me three weeks' warning; but I desired to be excused, which he will not.
St. John, "You shall not be excused": however, I hope they will forget
it; for if it should happen, all the puppies hereabouts will throng to
hear me, and expect something wonderful, and be plaguily baulked; for I
shall preach plain honest stuff. I stayed with St. John till eight, and
then came home; and Patrick desired leave to go abroad, and by and by
comes up the girl to tell me, a gentleman was below in a coach, who had
a bill to pay me; so I let him come up, and who should it be but Mr.
Addison and Sam Dopping, to haul me out to supper, where I stayed till
twelve. If Patrick had been at home, I should have 'scaped this; for I
have taught him to deny me almost as well as Mr. Harley's porter.--Where
did I leave off in MD's letter? let me see. So, now I have it. You are
pleased to say, Madam Dingley, that those who go for England can never
tell when to come back. Do you mean this as a reflection upon Presto,
madam? Sauceboxes, I will come back as soon as I can, as hope saved,(35)
and I hope with some advantage, unless all Ministries be alike, as
perhaps they may. I hope Hawkshaw is in Dublin before now, and that you
have your things, and like your spectacles: if you do not, you shall
have better. I hope Dingley's tobacco d