ur for me, or for my
friend; but why should he do it for my friend's friend? Recommendations
should stop before they come to that. Let any friend of mine recommend
one of his to me for a thing in my power, I will do it for his sake; but
to speak to another for my friend's friend is against all reason; and I
desire you will understand this, and discourage any such troubles given
me.--I hope this may do some good to Clements, it can do him no hurt;
and I find by Mrs. Pratt,(16) that her husband is his friend; and the
Bishop of Clogher says Clements's danger is not from Pratt, but from
some other enemies, that think him a Whig.

14. I was so busy this morning that I did not go out till late. I
writ to-day to the Duke of Argyle, but said nothing of Bernage, who, I
believe, will not see him till Spain is conquered, and that is, not at
all. I was to-day at Lord Shelburne's, and spoke to Mrs. Pratt again
about Clements; her husband himself wants some good offices, and I
have done him very good ones lately, and told Mrs. Pratt I expected her
husband should stand by Clements in return. Sir Andrew Fountaine and
I dined with neighbour Vanhomrigh; he is mighty ill of an asthma, and
apprehends himself in much danger; 'tis his own fault, that will rake
and drink, when he is but just crawled out of his grave. I will send
this letter just now, because I think my half-year is out for my
lodging; and, if you please, I would be glad it were paid off, and some
deal boxes made for my books, and kept in some safe place. I would give
something for their keeping: but I doubt that lodging will not serve me
when I come back; I would have a larger place for books, and a stable,
if possible. So pray be so kind to pay the lodging, and all accounts
about it; and get Mrs. Brent to put up my things. I would have no books
put in that trunk where my papers are. If you do not think of going to
the Bath, I here send you a bill on Parvisol for twenty pounds Irish,
out of which you will pay for the lodging, and score the rest to me. Do
as you please, and love poor Presto, that loves MD better than his life
a thousand millions of times. Farewell, MD, etc. etc.

LETTER 21.

LONDON, April 14, 1711.

Remember, sirrahs, that there are but nine days between the dates of
my two former letters. I sent away my twentieth this moment, and now am
writing on like a fish, as if nothing was done. But there was a cause
for my hasting away the last, for fear it sh