Saturday, and this is
Thursday night, and it will be time enough for Wexford. Take my method:
I write here to Parvisol to lend Stella twenty pounds, and to take her
note promissory to pay it in half a year, etc. You shall see, and if you
want more, let me know afterwards; and be sure my money shall be always
paid constantly too. Have you been good or ill housewives, pray?

11. Joe has written me to get him a collector's place, nothing less; he
says all the world knows of my great intimacy with Mr. Harley, and that
the smallest word to him will do. This is the constant cant of puppies
who are at a distance, and strangers to Courts and Ministers. My answer
is this, which pray send: that I am ready to serve Joe as far as I can;
that I have spoken to the Duke of Ormond about his money, as I writ to
Warburton; that for the particular he mentions, it is a work of time,
which I cannot think of at present; but, if accidents and opportunities
should happen hereafter, I would not be wanting; that I know best how
far my credit goes; that he is at a distance, and cannot judge; that I
would be glad to do him good, and if fortune throws an opportunity in
my way I shall not be wanting. This is my answer, which you may send or
read to him. Pray contrive that Parvisol may not run away with my two
hundred pounds; but get Burton's(18) note, and let the money be returned
me by bill. Don't laugh, for I will be suspicious. Teach Parvisol to
enclose, and direct the outside to Mr. Lewis. I will answer your letter
in my next, only what I take notice of here excepted. I forgot to tell
you that at the Court of Requests to-day I could not find a dinner I
liked, and it grew late, and I dined with Mrs. Vanhomrigh, etc.

12. Morning. I will finish this letter before I go to town, because I
shall be busy, and have neither time nor place there. Farewell, etc.
etc.

LETTER 23.

CHELSEA, May 12, 1711.

I sent you my twenty-second this afternoon in town. I dined with Mr.
Harley and the old Club, Lord Rivers, Lord Keeper, and Mr. Secretary.
They rallied me last week, and said I must have Mr. St. John's leave; so
I writ to him yesterday, that foreseeing I should never dine again with
Sir Simon Harcourt, Knight, and Robert Harley, Esq., I was resolved to
do it to-day. The jest is, that before Saturday(1) next we expect they
will be lords; for Mr. Harley's patent is drawing, to be Earl of Oxford.
Mr. Secretary and I came away at seven, and he broug