next house with the wind. Don't put such things upon us; those
matters will not pass here: keep a little to possibilities. My Lord
Hertford(12) would have been ashamed of such a stretch. You should take
care of what company you converse with: when one gets that faculty, 'tis
hard to break one's self of it. Jemmy Leigh talks of going over; but
quando? I do not know when he will go. Oh, now you have had my ninth,
now you are come up with me; marry come up with you, indeed. I know all
that business of Lady S----.(13) Will nobody cut that D--y's throat?
Five hundred pounds do you call poor pay for living three months the
life of a king? They say she died with grief, partly, being forced
to appear as a witness in court about some squabble among their
servants.--The Bishop of Clogher showed you a pamphlet.(14) Well, but
you must not give your mind to believe those things; people will say
anything. The Character is here reckoned admirable, but most of the
facts are trifles. It was first printed privately here; and then some
bold cur ventured to do it publicly, and sold two thousand in two
days: who the author is must remain uncertain. Do you pretend to
know, impudence? How durst you think so? Pox on your Parliaments: the
Archbishop has told me of it; but we do not vouchsafe to know anything
of it here. No, no, no more of your giddiness yet; thank you, Stella,
for asking after it; thank you; God Almighty bless you for your kindness
to poor Presto. You write to Lady Giffard and your mother upon what I
advise when it is too late. But yet I fancy this bad news will bring
down stocks so low, that one might buy to great advantage. I design to
venture going to see your mother some day when Lady Giffard is abroad.
Well, keep your Rathburn(15) and stuff. I thought he was to pay in
your money upon his houses to be flung down about the what do you call
it.--Well, Madam Dingley, I sent your enclosed to Bristol, but have not
heard from Raymond since he went. Come, come, young women, I keep a good
fire; it costs me twelvepence a week, and I fear something more; vex me,
and I will have one in my bed-chamber too. No, did not I tell you but
just now, we have no high winds here? Have you forgot already?--Now
you're at it again, silly Stella; why does your mother say my candles
are scandalous? They are good sixes in the pound, and she said I was
extravagant enough to burn them by daylight. I never burn fewer at a
time than one. What would people h