people will say anything.  The Character is here reckoned admirable, but most of the facts are trifles.  It was first printed privately here; and then some bold cur ventured to do it publicly, and sold two thousand in two days:  who the author is must remain uncertain.  Do you pretend to know, impudence?  How durst you think so?  Pox on your Parliaments:  the Archbishop has told me of it; but we do not vouchsafe to know anything of it here.  No, no, no more of your giddiness yet; thank you, Stella, for asking after it; thank you; God Almighty bless you for your kindness to poor Presto.  You write to Lady Giffard and your mother upon what I advise when it is too late.  But yet I fancy this bad news will bring down stocks so low, that one might buy to great advantage.  I design to venture going to see your mother some day when Lady Giffard is abroad.  Well, keep your Rathburn[15] and stuff.  I thought he was to pay in your money upon his houses to be flung down about the what do you call it.—­Well, Madam Dingley, I sent your enclosed to Bristol, but have not heard from Raymond since he went.  Come, come, young women, I keep a good fire; it costs me twelvepence a week, and I fear something more; vex me, and I will have one in my bed-chamber too.  No, did not I tell you but just now, we have no high winds here?  Have you forgot already?—­Now you’re at it again, silly Stella; why does your mother say my candles are scandalous?  They are good sixes in the pound, and she said I was extravagant enough to burn them by daylight.  I never burn fewer at a time than one.  What would people have?  The D——­ burst Hawkshaw.  He told me he had not the box; and the next day Sterne told me he had sent it a fortnight ago.  Patrick could not find him t’other day, but he shall to-morrow.  Dear life and heart, do you tease me? does Stella tease Presto?  That palsy-water was in the box; it was too big for a packet, and I was afraid of its breaking.  Leigh was not in town then; or I would not have trusted it to Sterne, whom yet I have befriended enough to do me more kindness than that.  I’ll never rest till you have it, or till it is in a way for you to have it.  Poor dear rogue, naughty to think it teases me; how could I ever forgive myself for neglecting anything that related to your health?  Sure I were a Devil if I did. --------- --------------------------------------------- See how far I am forced to stand from Stella, because I am afraid she thinks poor Presto has not been careful about her little things; I am sure I bought them immediately according to order, and packed them up with my own hands, and sent them to Sterne, and was six times with him about sending them away.  I am glad you are pleased with your glasses.  I have got another velvet cap; a new one Lord Herbert[16] bought and presented me one morning I was at breakfast with him, where he was as merry and easy as ever I saw him, yet had received a challenge half an hour before, and half an hour after fought a duel.  It was