get a boat back as usual. I walked
by the bank to Cue (Kew), but no boat, then to Mortlake, but no boat,
and it was nine o'clock. At last a little sculler called, full of nasty
people. I made him set me down at Hammersmith, so walked two miles
to this place, and got here by eleven. Last night I had another such
difficulty. I was in the City till past ten at night; it rained hard,
but no coach to be had. It gave over a little, and I walked all the way
here, and got home by twelve. I love these shabby difficulties when they
are over; but I hate them, because they arise from not having a thousand
pound a year. I had your N.30 about three days ago, which I will now
answer. And first, I did not relapse, but found(2) I came out before I
ought; and so, and so, as I have told you in some of my last. The first
coming abroad made people think I was quite recovered, and I had no more
messages afterwards. Well, but John Bull is not writ by the person you
imagine, as hope!(3) It is too good for another to own. Had it been Grub
Street, I would have let people think as they please; and I think that's
right: is not it now? so flap ee hand, and make wry mouth oo-self, sauci
doxi. Now comes DD. Why sollah, I did write in a fortnight my 47th;
and if it did not come in due time, can I help wind and weather? am I a
Laplander? am I a witch? can I work miracles? can I make easterly winds?
Now I am against Dr. Smith. I drink little water with my wine, yet I
believe he is right. Yet Dr. Cockburn told me a little wine would not
hurt me; but it is so hot and dry, and water is so dangerous. The worst
thing here is my evenings at Lord Masham's, where Lord Treasurer comes,
and we sit till after twelve. But it is convenient I should be among
them for a while as much as possible. I need not tell oo why. But I hope
that will be at an end in a month or two, one way or other, and I am
resolved it shall. But I can't go to Tunbridge, or anywhere else out of
the way, in this juncture. So Ppt designs for Templeoag (what a name
is that!). Whereabouts is that place? I hope not very far from Dublin.
Higgins is here, roaring that all is wrong in Ireland, and would have
me get him an audience of Lord Treasurer to tell him so; but I will have
nothing to do in it, no, not I, faith. We have had no thunder till last
night, and till then we were dead for want of rain; but there fell a
great deal: no field looked green. I reckon the Queen will go to Windsor
in three or