LETTER 25.
CHELSEA, June 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20.
I have been all this time at Wycombe, between Oxford and London, with Lord
Shelburne, who has the squire's house at the town's end, and an estate there
in a delicious country. Lady Kerry and Mrs. Pratt were with us, and we passed
our time well enough; and there I wholly disengaged myself from all public
thoughts, and everything but MD, who had the impudence to send me a letter
there; but I'll be revenged: I will answer it. This day, the 20th, I came
from Wycombe with Lady Kerry after dinner, lighted at Hyde Park Corner, and
walked: it was twenty-seven miles, and we came it in about five hours.
21. I went at noon to see Mr. Secretary at his office, and there was Lord
Treasurer: so I killed two birds, etc., and we were glad to see one another,
and so forth. And the Secretary and I dined at Sir William Wyndham's,[1] who
married Lady Catharine Seymour, your acquaintance, I suppose. There were ten
of us at dinner. It seems, in my absence, they had erected a Club,[2] and
made me one; and we made some laws to-day, which I am to digest and add to,
against next meeting. Our meetings are to be every Thursday. We are yet but
twelve: Lord Keeper and Lord Treasurer were proposed; but I was against them,
and so was Mr. Secretary, though their sons are of it, and so they are
excluded; but we design to admit the Duke of Shrewsbury. The end of our Club
is, to advance conversation and friendship, and to reward deserving persons
with our interest and recommendation. We take in none but men of wit or men
of interest; and if we go on as we begin, no other Club in this town will be
worth talking of. The Solicitor-General, Sir Robert Raymond, is one of our
Club; and I ordered him immediately to write to your Lord Chancellor in favour
of Dr. Raymond: so tell Raymond, if you see him; but I believe this will find
you at Wexford. This letter will come three weeks after the last, so there is
a week lost; but that is owing to my being out of town; yet I think it is
right, because it goes enclosed to Mr. Reading:[3] and why should he know how
often Presto writes to MD, pray?--I sat this evening with Lady Betty Butler
and Lady Ashburnham, and then came home by eleven, and had a good cool walk;
for we have had no extreme hot weather this fortnight, but a great deal of
rain at times, and a body can live and breathe. I hope it will hold so. We
had peaches to-day.
22. I went late to-day to town, and dined with my friend Lewis. I saw Will
Congreve attending at the Treasury, by order, with his brethren, the
Commissioners of the Wine Licences. I had often mentioned him with kindness
to Lord Treasurer; and Congreve told me that, after they had answered to what
they were sent for, my lord called him privately, and spoke to him with great
kindness, promising his protection, etc. The poor man said he had been used
so ill of late years that he was quite astonished at my lord's goodness, etc.,
and desired me to tell my lord so; which I did this evening, and recommended
him heartily. My lord assured me he esteemed him very much, and would be
always kind to him; that what he said was to make Congreve easy, because he
knew people talked as if his lordship designed to turn everybody out, and
particularly Congreve: which indeed was true, for the poor man told me he
apprehended it. As I left my Lord Treasurer, I called on Congreve (knowing
where he dined), and told him what had passed between my lord and me; so I
have made a worthy man easy, and that is a good day's work.[4] I am proposing
to my lord to erect a society or academy for correcting and settling our
language, that we may not perpetually be changing as we do. He enters
mightily into it, so does the Dean of Carlisle;[5] and I design to write a
letter to Lord Treasurer with the proposals of it, and publish it;[6] and so I
told my lord, and he approves it. Yesterday's[7] was a sad Examiner, and last
week was very indifferent, though some little scraps of the old spirit, as if
he had given some hints; but yesterday's is all trash. It is plain the hand
is changed.
23. I have not been in London to-day: for Dr. Gastrell[8] and I dined, by
invitation, with the Dean of Carlisle, my neighbour; so I know not what they
are doing in the world, a mere country gentleman. And are not you ashamed
both to go into the country just when I did, and stay ten days, just as I did,
saucy monkeys? But I never rode; I had no horses, and our coach was out of
order, and we went and came in a hired one. Do you keep your lodgings when
you go to Wexford? I suppose you do; for you will hardly stay above two
months. I have been walking about our town to-night, and it is a very scurvy
place for walking. I am thinking to leave it, and return to town, now the
Irish folks are gone. Ford goes in three days. How does Dingley divert
herself while Stella is riding? work, or read, or walk? Does Dingley ever
read to you? Had you ever a book with you in the country? Is all that left
off? Confess. Well, I'll go sleep; 'tis past eleven, and I go early to
sleep: I write nothing at night but to MD.
24. Stratford and I, and Pastoral Philips (just come from Denmark) dined at
Ford's to-day, who paid his way, and goes for Ireland on Tuesday. The Earl of
Peterborow is returned from Vienna without one servant: he left them
scattered in several towns of Germany. I had a letter from him, four days
ago, from Hanover, where he desires I would immediately send him an answer to
his house at Parson's Green,[9] about five miles off. I wondered what he
meant, till I heard he was come. He sent expresses, and got here before them.
He is above fifty, and as active as one of five-and-twenty. I have not seen
him yet, nor know when I shall, or where to find him.
25. Poor Duke of Shrewsbury has been very ill of a fever: we were all in a
fright about him: I thank God, he is better. I dined to-day at Lord
Ashburnham's, with his lady, for he was not at home: she is a very good girl,
and always a great favourite of mine. Sterne tells me he has desired a friend
to receive your box in Chester, and carry it over. I fear he will miscarry in
his business, which was sent to the Treasury before he was recommended; for I
was positive only to second his recommendations, and all his other friends
failed him. However, on your account I will do what I can for him to-morrow
with the secretary of the Treasury.
26. We had much company to-day at dinner at Lord Treasurer's. Prior never
fails: he is a much better courtier than I; and we expect every day that he
will be a Commissioner of the Customs, and that in a short time a great many
more will be turned out. They blame Lord Treasurer for his slowness in
turning people out; but I suppose he has his reasons. They still keep my
neighbour Atterbury in suspense about the deanery of Christ Church,[10] which
has been above six months vacant, and he is heartily angry. I reckon you are
now preparing for your Wexford expedition; and poor Dingley is full of carking
and caring, scolding. How long will you stay? Shall I be in Dublin before
you return? Don't fall and hurt yourselves, nor overturn the coach. Love one
another, and be good girls; and drink Presto's health in water, Madam Stella;
and in good ale, Madam Dingley.
27. The Secretary appointed me to dine with him to-day, and we were to do a
world of business: he came at four, and brought Prior with him, and had
forgot the appointment, and no business was done. I left him at eight, and
went to change my gown at Mrs. Vanhomrigh's; and there was Sir Andrew
Fountaine at ombre with Lady Ashburnham and Lady Frederic Schomberg, and Lady
Mary Schomberg,[11] and Lady Betty Butler, and others, talking; and it put me
in mind of the Dean and Stoyte, and Walls, and Stella at play, and Dingley and
I looking on. I stayed with them till ten, like a fool. Lady Ashburnham is
something like Stella; so I helped her, and wished her good cards. It is
late, etc.
28. Well, but I must answer this letter of our MD's. Saturday approaches,
and I han't written down this side. O, faith, Presto has been a sort of a
lazy fellow: but Presto will remove to town this day se'ennight; the
Secretary has commanded me to do so; and I believe he and I shall go for some
days to Windsor, where he will have leisure to mind some business we have
together. To-day, our Society (it must not be called a Club) dined at Mr.
Secretary's: we were but eight; the rest sent excuses, or were out of town.
We sat till eight, and made some laws and settlements; and then I went to take
leave of Lady Ashburnham, who goes out of town to-morrow, as a great many of
my acquaintance are already, and left the town very thin. I shall make but
short journeys this summer, and not be long out of London. The days are grown
sensibly short already, all our fruit blasted. Your Duke of Ormond is still
at Chester; and perhaps this letter will be with you as soon as he. Sterne's
business is quite blown up: they stand to it to send him back to the
Commissioners of the Revenue in Ireland for a reference, and all my credit
could not alter it, though I almost fell out with the secretary of the
Treasury,[12] who is my Lord Treasurer's cousin-germain, and my very good
friend. It seems every step he has hitherto taken hath been wrong; at least
they say so, and that is the same thing. I am heartily sorry for it; and I
really think they are in the wrong, and use him hardly; but I can do no more.
29. Steele has had the assurance to write to me that I would engage my Lord
Treasurer to keep a friend of his in an employment: I believe I told you how
he and Addison served me for my good offices in Steele's behalf; and I
promised Lord Treasurer never to speak for either of them again. Sir Andrew
Fountaine and I dined to-day at Mrs. Vanhomrigh's. Dilly Ashe has been in
town this fortnight: I saw him twice; he was four days at Lord Pembroke's in
the country, punning with him; his face is very well. I was this evening two
or three hours at Lord Treasurer's, who called me Dr. Thomas Swift twenty
times; that's his way of teasing. I left him at nine, and got home here by
ten, like a gentleman; and to-morrow morning I'll answer your little letter,
sirrahs.
30. Morning. I am terribly sleepy always in a morning; I believe it is my
walk over-night that disposes me to sleep: faith, 'tis now striking eight,
and I am but just awake. Patrick comes early, and wakes me five or six times;
but I have excuses, though I am three parts asleep. I tell him I sat up late,
or slept ill in the night, and often it is a lie. I have now got little MD's
letter before me, N.16, no more, nor no less, no mistake. Dingley says, "This
letter won't be above six lines"; and I was afraid it was true, though I saw
it filled on both sides. The Bishop of Clogher writ me word you were in the
country, and that he heard you were well: I am glad at heart MD rides, and
rides, and rides. Our hot weather ended in May, and all this month has been
moderate: it was then so hot I was not able to endure it; I was miserable
every moment, and found myself disposed to be peevish and quarrelsome: I
believe a very hot country would make me stark mad.--Yes, my head continues
pretty tolerable, and I impute it all to walking. Does Stella eat fruit? I
eat a little; but I always repent, and resolve against it. No, in very hot
weather I always go to town by water; but I constantly walk back, for then the
sun is down. And so Mrs. Proby[13] goes with you to Wexford: she's admirable
company; you'll grow plaguy wise with those you frequent. Mrs. Taylor and
Mrs. Proby! take care of infection. I believe my two hundred pounds will be
paid, but that Sir Alexander Cairnes is a scrupulous puppy: I left the bill
with Mr. Stratford, who is to have the money. Now, Madam Stella, what say
you? you ride every day; I know that already, sirrah; and, if you rid every
day for a twelvemonth, you would be still better and better. No, I hope
Parvisol will not have the impudence to make you stay an hour for the money;
if he does, I'll UN-PARVISOL him; pray let me know. O Lord, how hasty we are!
Stella can't stay writing and writing; she must write and go a cock-horse,
pray now. Well, but the horses are not come to the door; the fellow can't
find the bridle; your stirrup is broken; where did you put the whips, Dingley?
Marget, where have you laid Mrs. Johnson's ribbon to tie about her? reach me
my mask: sup up this before you go. So, so, a gallop, a gallop: sit fast,
sirrah, and don't ride hard upon the stones.--Well, now Stella is gone, tell
me, Dingley, is she a good girl? and what news is that you are to tell me?--
No, I believe the box is not lost: Sterne says it is not.--No, faith, you
must go to Wexford without seeing your Duke of Ormond, unless you stay on
purpose; perhaps you may be so wise.--I tell you this is your sixteenth
letter; will you never be satisfied? No, no, I will walk late no more; I
ought less to venture it than other people, and so I was told: but I will
return to lodge in town next Thursday. When you come from Wexford, I would
have you send a letter of attorney to Mr. Benjamin Tooke, bookseller, in
London, directed to me; and he shall manage your affair. I have your
parchment safely locked up in London.--O, Madam Stella, welcome home; was it
pleasant riding? did your horse stumble? how often did the man light to settle
your stirrup? ride nine miles! faith, you have galloped indeed. Well, but
where is the fine thing you promised me? I have been a good boy, ask Dingley
else. I believe you did not meet the fine-thing-man: faith, you are a cheat.
So you will see Raymond and his wife in town. Faith, that riding to Laracor
gives me short sighs, as well as you. All the days I have passed here have
been dirt to those. I have been gaining enemies by the scores, and friends by
the couples; which is against the rules of wisdom, because they say one enemy
can do more hurt than ten friends can do good. But I have had my revenge at
least, if I get nothing else. And so let Fate govern.--Now I think your
letter is answered; and mine will be shorter than ordinary, because it must go
to-day. We have had a great deal of scattering rain for some days past, yet
it hardly keeps down the dust.--We have plays acted in our town; and Patrick
was at one of them, oh oh. He was damnably mauled one day when he was drunk;
he was at cuffs with a brother-footman, who dragged him along the floor upon
his face, which looked for a week after as if he had the leprosy; and I was
glad enough to see it. I have been ten times sending him over to you; yet now
he has new clothes, and a laced hat, which the hatter brought by his orders,
and he offered to pay for the lace out of his wages.--I am to dine to-day with
Dilly at Sir Andrew Fountaine's, who has bought a new house, and will be weary
of it in half a year. I must rise and shave, and walk to town, unless I go
with the Dean in his chariot at twelve, which is too late: and I have not
seen that Lord Peterborow yet. The Duke of Shrewsbury is almost well again,
and will be abroad in a day or two: what care you? There it is now: you do
not care for my friends. Farewell, my dearest lives and delights; I love you
better than ever, if possible, as hope saved, I do, and ever will. God
Almighty bless you ever, and make us happy together! I pray for this twice
every day; and I hope God will hear my poor hearty prayers.--Remember, if I am
used ill and ungratefully, as I have formerly been, 'tis what I am prepared
for, and shall not wonder at it. Yet I am now envied, and thought in high
favour, and have every day numbers of considerable men teasing me to solicit
for them. And the Ministry all use me perfectly well; and all that know them
say they love me. Yet I can count upon nothing, nor will, but upon MD's love
and kindness.--They think me useful; they pretended they were afraid of none
but me, and that they resolved to have me; they have often confessed this:
yet all makes little impression on me.--Pox of these speculations! they give
me the spleen; and that is a disease I was not born to. Let me alone,
sirrahs, and be satisfied: I am, as long as MD and Presto are well.
Little wealth,
And much health,
And a life by stealth:
that is all we want; and so farewell, dearest MD; Stella, Dingley, Presto, all
together, now and for ever all together. Farewell again and again.
