uring my illness,
though she often came; but she has been once here since I recovered.
Bernage has been twice to see me of late. His regiment will be broke,
and he only upon half-pay; so perhaps he thinks he will want me again.
I am told here the Bishop of Clogher and family are coming over, but he
says nothing of it himself. I have been returning the visits of those
that sent howdees(8) in my sickness; particularly the Duchess of
Hamilton, who came and sat with me two hours. I make bargains with all
people that I dine with, to let me scrub my back against a chair; and
the Duchess of Ormond(9) was forced to bear it the other day. Many of
my friends are gone to Kensington, where the Queen has been removed for
some time. This is a long letter for a kick(10) body. I will begin the
next in the journal way, though my journals will be sorry ones. My left
hand is very weak, and trembles; but my right side has not been touched.

This is a pitiful letter
For want of a better;
But plagued with a tetter,
My fancy does fetter.

Ah! my poor willows and quicksets! Well, but you must read John Bull.
Do you understand it all? Did I tell you that young Parson Gery(11) is
going to be married, and asked my advice when it was too late to break
off? He tells me Elwick has purchased forty pounds a year in land
adjoining to his living. Ppt does not say one word of her own little
health. I am angry almost; but I won't, 'cause see im a dood dallar in
odle sings;(12) iss, and so im DD too. God bless MD, and FW, and ME, ay
and Pdfr too. Farewell, MD, MD, MD, FW, FW, FW. ME, ME Lele. I can say
lele it, ung oomens, iss I tan, well as oo.

LETTER 47.(1)

LONDON, May 31, 1712.

I cannot yet arrive to my journal letters, my pains continuing still,
though with less violence; but I don't love to write journals while I am
in pain; and above all, not journals to MD. But, however, I am so much
mended, that I intend my next shall be in the old way; and yet I shall,
perhaps, break my resolution when I feel pain. I believe I have lost
credit with you, in relation to my coming over; but I protest it is
impossible for one who has anything to do with this Ministry to be
certain when he fixes any time. There is a business which, till it take
some turn or other, I cannot leave this place in prudence or honour. And
I never wished so much as now that I had stayed in Ireland; but the
die is cast, and is now a spinning, and till it set