hmonger? don't read a word more till you
have got it. And Stella is handsome again, you say? and is she fat? I
have sent to Leigh the set of Examiners: the first thirteen were written
by several hands, some good, some bad; the next three-and-thirty were
all by one hand, that makes forty-six: then that author,(13) whoever he
was, laid it down on purpose to confound guessers; and the last six were
written by a woman.(14) Then there is an account of Guiscard by the same
woman, but the facts sent by Presto. Then an answer to the letter to the
Lords about Gregg by Presto; Prior's Journey by Presto; Vindication of
the Duke of Marlborough, entirely by the same woman; Comment on Hare's
Sermon by the same woman, only hints sent to the printer from Presto to
give her.(15) Then there's the Miscellany, an apron for Stella, a pound
of chocolate, without sugar, for Stella, a fine snuff-rasp of ivory,
given me by Mrs. St. John for Dingley, and a large roll of tobacco,
which she must hide or cut shorter out of modesty, and four pair of
spectacles for the Lord knows who. There's the cargo, I hope it will
come safe. Oh, Mrs. Masham and I are very well; we write to one another,
but it is upon business; I believe I told you so before: pray pardon my
forgetfulness in these cases; poor Presto can't help it. MD shall have
the money as soon as Tooke gets it. And so I think I have answered all,
and the paper is out, and now I have fetched up my week, and will
send you another this day fortnight.--Why, you rogues, two crowns make
TENCH-ILL-LING:(16) you are so dull you could never have found it out.
Farewell, etc. etc.

LETTER 34.

LONDON, Nov. 3, 1711.

My thirty-third lies now before me just finished, and I am going to seal
and send it, so let me know whether you would have me add anything: I
gave you my journal of this day; and it is now nine at night, and I am
going to be busy for an hour or two.

4. I left a friend's house to-day where I was invited, just when dinner
was setting on, and pretended I was engaged, because I saw some fellows
I did not know; and went to Sir Matthew Dudley's, where I had the same
inconvenience, but he would not let me go; otherwise I would have gone
home, and sent for a slice of mutton and a pot of ale, rather than dine
with persons unknown, as bad, for aught I know, as your deans, parsons,
and curates. Bad slabby weather to-day.--Now methinks I write at ease,
when I have no letter of MD's to answer. Bu