the Queen, desiring
him to let his wife continue with her. Is not that rare! I find Dingley
smelled a rat; because the Whigs are UPISH; but if ever I hear that word
again, I'll UPPISH you. I am glad you got your rasp safe and sound; does
Stella like her apron? Your critics about guarantees of succession are
puppies; that's an answer to the objection. The answerers here made the
same objection, but it is wholly wrong. I am of your opinion that Lord
Marlborough is used too hardly: I have often scratched out passages
from papers and pamphlets sent me, before they were printed, because I
thought them too severe. But he is certainly a vile man, and has no sort
of merit beside the military. The Examiners are good for little: I would
fain have hindered the severity of the two or three last, but could
not. I will either bring your papers over, or leave them with Tooke, for
whose honesty I will engage. And I think it is best not to venture them
with me at sea. Stella is a prophet, by foretelling so very positively
that all would be well. Duke of Ormond speak against peace? No,
simpleton, he is one of the staunchest we have for the Ministry. Neither
trouble yourself about the printer: he appeared the first day of the
term, and is to appear when summoned again; but nothing else will come
of it. Lord Chief-Justice(17) is cooled since this new settlement. No;
I will not split my journals in half; I will write but once a fortnight:
but you may do as you will; which is, read only half at once, and
t'other half next week. So now your letter is answered. (P--- on these
blots.) What must I say more? I will set out in March, if there be a fit
of fine weather; unless the Ministry desire me to stay till the end of
the session, which may be a month longer; but I believe they will not:
for I suppose the peace will be made, and they will have no further
service for me. I must make my canal fine this summer, as fine as I can.
I am afraid I shall see great neglects among my quicksets. I hope the
cherry-trees on the river walk are fine things now. But no more of this.

26. I forgot to finish this letter this morning, and am come home so
late I must give it to the bellman; but I would have it go to-night,
lest you should think there is anything in the story of my being
arrested in an action of twenty thousand pounds by Lord Marlborough,
which I hear is in Dyer's Letter,(18) and, consequently, I suppose, gone
to Ireland. Farewell, dearest MD, etc.