FW FW FW ME ME ME Lele.

Smoke the folding of my letters of late.(20)

LETTER 56.(1)

LONDON, Dec. 12, 1712.

Here is now a stlange ting; a rettle flom MD unanswered: never was
before. I am slower, and MD is faster: but the last was owing to DD's
certificate. Why could it not be sent before, pay now? Is it so hard for
DD to prove she is alive? I protest solemnly I am not able to write to
MD for other business, but I will resume my journal method next time. I
find it is easier, though it contains nothing but where I dine, and the
occurrences of the day. I will write now but once in three weeks
till this business is off my hands, which must be in six, I think, at
farthest. O Ppt, I remember your reprimanding me for meddling in other
people's affairs: I have enough of it now, with a wanion.(2) Two women
have been here six times apiece; I never saw them yet. The first I have
despatched with a letter; the other I must see, and tell her I can
do nothing for her: she is wife of one Connor,(3) an old college
acquaintance, and comes on a foolish errand, for some old pretensions,
that will succeed when I am Lord Treasurer. I am got (up) two pair of
stairs, in a private lodging, and have ordered all my friends not to
discover where I am; yet every morning two or three sots are plaguing
me, and my present servant has not yet his lesson perfect of denying me.
I have written a hundred and thirty pages in folio, to be printed,
and must write thirty more, which will make a large book of four
shillings.(4) I wish I knew an opportunity of sending you some snuff.
I will watch who goes to Ireland, and do it if possible. I had a
letter from Parvisol, and find he has set my livings very low. Colonel
Hamilton, who was second to the Duke of Hamilton, is tried to-day.
I suppose he is come off, but have not heard.(5) I dined with Lord
Treasurer, but left him by nine, and visited some people. Lady Betty,(6)
his(7) daughter, will be married on Monday next (as I suppose) to the
Marquis of Caermarthen. I did not know your country place had been
Portraine, till you told me so in your last. Has Swanton taken it of
Wallis? That Wallis was a grave, wise coxcomb. God be thanked that Ppt
im better of her disoddles.(8) Pray God keep her so. The pamphlet of
Political Lying is written by Dr. Arbuthnot, the author of John Bull;
'tis very pretty, but not so obvious to be understood. Higgins,(9) first
chaplain to the Duke of Hamilton? Why, the Duke of