but I was
denied; and now I am in bed between eleven and twelve, just going to
sleep, and dream of my own dear roguish impudent pretty MD.

18. You will now have short days' works, just a few lines to tell you
where I am, and what I am doing; only I will keep room for the last day
to tell you news, if there be any worth sending. I have been sometimes
like to do it at the top of my letter, until I remark it would be old
before it reached you. I was hunting to dine with Mr. Harley to-day, but
could not find him; and so I dined with honest Dr. Cockburn, and came
home at six, and was taken out to next door by Dopping and Ford, to
drink bad claret and oranges; and we let Raymond come to us, who talks
of leaving the town to-morrow, but I believe will stay a day or two
longer. It is now late, and I will say no more, but end this line with
bidding my own dear saucy MD goodnight, etc.

19. I am come down proud stomach in one instance, for I went to-day to
see the Duke of Buckingham,(50) but came too late: then I visited Mrs.
Barton,(51) and thought to have dined with some of the Ministry; but
it rained, and Mrs. Vanhomrigh was nigh, and I took the opportunity of
paying her for a scarf she bought me, and dined there; at four I went to
congratulate with Lord Shelburne, for the death of poor Lady Shelburne
dowager;(52) he was at his country house, and returned while I was
there, and had not heard of it, and he took it very well. I am now come
home before six, and find a packet from the Bishop of Clogher, with one
enclosed to the Duke of Ormond, which is ten days earlier dated than
another I had from Parvisol; however, 'tis no matter, for the Duke
has already disposed of the Vice-Chancellorship to the Archbishop of
Tuam,(53) and I could not help it, for it is a thing wholly you know in
the Duke's power; and I find the Bishop has enemies about the Duke. I
write this while Patrick is folding up my scarf, and doing up the fire
(for I keep a fire, it costs me twelvepence a week); and so be quiet
till I am gone to bed, and then sit down by me a little, and we will
talk a few words more. Well; now MD is at my bedside; and now what shall
we say? How does Mrs. Stoyte? What had the Dean for supper? How much did
Mrs. Walls win? Poor Lady Shelburne: well, go get you to bed, sirrahs.

20. Morning. I was up this morning early, and shaved by candlelight, and
write this by the fireside. Poor Raymond just came in and took his leave
of me; he is s