I soon hastened thence, but by this time being Fainty and night Spent, I put forward, and seeing a Light near the Savoy-Gate, I was resolv’d not to make Light of the Opportunity, but call’d for an hearty Dram of Luther and Calvin, that is, Mum and Geneva mix’d; but having Fasted so long before, it soon got into my Noddle, and e’er I had gone twenty steps, it had so intirely Stranded my Reason, that by the time I came to Half-Moon-Street end, it gave a New-Exchange to my Senses, and made me quite Lunatick.

However, after a little Rest, I stole down George-Passage into Oaf-Alley in York-Buildings, and thence (tho’ a vile Man) into Villiers-Street, and so into the Strand again, where having gone a little way, Hefford’s-Harp at the Sign of the Irish-Harp, put me a Jumping and Dancing to that degree that I could not forbear making a Somerset or two before Northumberland-House.  I thought once of taking the Windsor Coach for my self John Sheppard, by the Name of Crook——­ but fearing to be Hook’d in before my Journey’s End, I stept into Hedge-Lane, where two Harlots were up in the Boughs (it seems) Branching out their Respects to one another, through their Windows, and People beginning to gather thereabout, I ran Pelmel to Piccadilly, where meeting by meer chance a Bakers Cart going to Turnham-Green, I being not Mealy Mouth’d, nor the Man being Crusty I wheel’d out of Town.

I did call at Hammersmith, having no occasion directly.  I shall stay two or three Days in that Neighbourhood, so, if you Direct a letter for Mr. Sligh Bolt, to be left with Mrs. Tabitha Skymmington at Cheesewick, it’s Safety will Bear Water by any Boat, and come Current with the Tyde to

Dear BOB
Yours from the Top
of Newgate to the Bottom

J. SHEPPARD.

P.S. If you see Blewskin, tell him I am well, and hope he receiv’d my last—­I wou’d write by the Post if I durst, but it wou’d be, certainly Post-pon’d if I did, and it would be stranger too, to trust a Line by a Stranger, who might Palm upon us both and never Deliver it to Hand.

I send this by a Waterman, (I dare trust) who is very Merry
upon me, and says he wou’d not be in my Jacket. Saturday
Octob. 17, 1724.