ing and a tench, and then said he was paid: how
is that now? find it out; for I won't tell it you: which of you finds
it out?) Well, but as I was saying, what care I for your Mayor? I
fancy Ford may tell Forbes right about my returning to Ireland before
Christmas, or soon after. I'm sorry you did not go on with your story
about Pray God you be John; I never heard it in my life, and wonder what
it can be.--Ah, Stella, faith, you leaned upon your Bible to think what
to say when you writ that. Yes, that story of the Secretary's making me
an example is true; "never heard it before;" why, how could you hear
it? is it possible to tell you the hundredth part of what passes in our
companies here? The Secretary is as easy with me as Mr. Addison was. I
have often thought what a splutter Sir William Temple makes about being
Secretary of State:(11) I think Mr. St. John the greatest young man
I ever knew; wit, capacity, beauty, quickness of apprehension, good
learning, and an excellent taste; the best orator in the House of
Commons, admirable conversation, good nature, and good manners;
generous, and a despiser of money. His only fault is talking to his
friends in way of complaint of too great a load of business, which looks
a little like affectation; and he endeavours too much to mix the fine
gentleman and man of pleasure with the man of business. What truth and
sincerity he may have I know not: he is now but thirty-two, and has been
Secretary above a year. Is not all this extraordinary? how he stands
with the Queen and Lord Treasurer I have told you before. This is his
character; and I believe you will be diverted by knowing it. I writ to
the Archbishop of Dublin, Bishop of Cloyne(12) and of Clogher together,
five weeks ago from Windsor: I hope they had my letters; pray know if
Clogher had his.--Fig for your physician and his advice, Madam Dingley:
if I grow worse, I will; otherwise I will trust to temperance and
exercise: your fall of the leaf; what care I when the leaves fall? I am
sorry to see them fall with all my heart; but why should I take physic
because leaves fall off from trees? that won't hinder them from falling.
If a man falls from a horse, must I take physic for that?--This arguing
makes you mad; but it is true right reason, not to be disproved.--I
am glad at heart to hear poor Stella is better; use exercise and walk,
spend pattens and spare potions, wear out clogs and waste claret. Have
you found out my pun of the fis