shall go to-morrow, I think, and that will be in ten days from the last, young women; that’s too soon of all conscience:  but answering yours has filled it up so quick, and I do not design to use you to three pages in folio, no, nooooh.  All this is one morning’s work in bed;—­and so good-morrow, little sirrahs; that’s for the rhyme.[18] You want politics:  faith, I can’t think of any; but may be at night I may tell you a passage.  Come, sit off the bed, and let me rise, will you?—­At night.  I dined to-day with my neighbour Vanhomrigh; it was such dismal weather I could not stir further.  I have had some threatenings with my head, but no fits.  I still drink Dr. Radcliffe’s[19] bitter, and will continue it.

10.  I was this morning to see the Secretary of State, and have engaged him to give a memorial from me to the Duke of Argyle in behalf of Bernage.  The Duke is a man that distinguishes people of merit, and I will speak to him myself; but the Secretary backing it will be very effectual, and I will take care to have it done to purpose.  Pray tell Bernage so, and that I think nothing can be luckier for him, and that I would have him go by all means.  I will order it that the Duke shall send for him when they are in Spain; or, if he fails, that he shall receive him kindly when he goes to wait on him.  Can I do more?  Is not this a great deal?—­I now send away this letter, that you may not stay.—­I dined with Ford upon his Opera-day, and am now come home, and am going to study; do not you presume to guess, sirrahs, impudent saucy dear boxes.  Towards the end of a letter I could not say saucy boxes without putting dear between.  An’t that right now?  Farewell.  This should be longer, but that I send it to-night.[20]

O silly, silly loggerhead!

I send a letter this post to one Mr. Staunton, and I direct it to Mr. Acton’s in St. Michael’s Lane.  He formerly lodged there, but he has not told me where to direct.  Pray send to that Acton, whether[21] the letter is come there, and whether he has sent it to Staunton.

If Bernage designs to sell his commission and stay at home, pray let him tell me so, that my recommendation to the Duke of Argyle may not be in vain.

LETTER 16.

London, Feb. 10, 1710-11.

I have just despatched my fifteenth to the post; I tell you how things will be, after I have got a letter from MD.  I am in furious haste to finish mine, for fear of having two of MD’s to answer in one of Presto’s, which would be such a disgrace, never saw the like; but, before you write to me, I write at my leisure, like a gentleman, a little every day, just to let you know how matters go, and so and so; and I hope before this comes to you, you’ll have got your box and chocolate, and Presto will take more care another time.