id not spoil Stella's chocolate,
and that all is safe: pray let me know. Mr. Addison and I are different
as black and white, and I believe our friendship will go off, by this
damned business of party: he cannot bear seeing me fall in so with
this Ministry: but I love him still as well as ever, though we seldom
meet.--Hussy, Stella, you jest about poor Congreve's eyes;(36) you do
so, hussy; but I'll bang your bones, faith.--Yes, Steele was a little
while in prison, or at least in a spunging-house, some time before
I came, but not since.(37)--Pox on your convocations, and your
Lamberts;(38) they write with a vengeance! I suppose you think it a
piece of affectation in me to wish your Irish folks would not like my
"Shower,"; but you are mistaken. I should be glad to have the general
applause there as I have here (though I say it); but I have only that of
one or two, and therefore I would have none at all, but let you all be
in the wrong. I don't know, this is not what I would say; but I am so
tosticated with supper and stuff, that I can't express myself.--What you
say of "Sid Hamet" is well enough; that an enemy should like it, and
a friend not; and that telling the author would make both change their
opinions. Why did you not tell Griffyth(39) that you fancied there was
something in it of my manner; but first spur up his commendation to the
height, as we served my poor uncle about the sconce that I mended? Well,
I desired you to give what I intended for an answer to Mrs. Fenton,(40)
to save her postage, and myself trouble; and I hope I have done it, if
you han't.

15. Lord, what a long day's writing was yesterday's answer to your
letter, sirrahs! I dined to-day with Lewis and Ford, whom I have brought
acquainted. Lewis told me a pure thing. I had been hankering with Mr.
Harley to save Steele his other employment, and have a little mercy on
him; and I had been saying the same thing to Lewis, who is Mr. Harley's
chief favourite. Lewis tells Mr. Harley how kindly I should take it, if
he would be reconciled to Steele, etc. Mr. Harley, on my account, falls
in with it, and appoints Steele a time to let him attend him, which
Steele accepts with great submission, but never comes, nor sends any
excuse. Whether it was blundering, sullenness, insolence, or rancour of
party, I cannot tell; but I shall trouble myself no more about him. I
believe Addison hindered him out of mere spite, being grated(41) to the
soul to think he should eve