From business and the noisy world retired,
     Nor vexed by love, nor by ambition fired;
     Gently I wait the call of Charon’s boat,
     Still drinking like a fish, and ------- like a stoat.

He swore to me he could hardly bear the jest; for he pretended to retire like a philosopher, though he was but twenty-eight years old:  and I believe the thing was true:  for he had been a thorough rake.  I think the three grave lines do introduce the last well enough.  Od so, but I will go sleep; I sleep early now.

14.  O, faith, young women, I want a letter from MD; ’tis now nineteen days since I had the last:  and where have I room to answer it, pray?  I hope I shall send this away without any answer at all; for I’ll hasten it, and away it goes on Tuesday, by which time this side will be full.  I will send it two days sooner on purpose out of spite; and the very next day after, you must know, your letter will come, and then ’tis too late, and I will so laugh, never saw the like!  ’Tis spring with us already.  I ate asparagus t’other day.  Did you ever see such a frostless winter?  Sir Andrew Fountaine lies still extremely ill; it costs him ten guineas a day to doctors, surgeons, and apothecaries, and has done so these three weeks.  I dined to-day with Mr. Ford; he sometimes chooses to dine at home, and I am content to dine with him; and at night I called at the Coffee-house, where I had not been in a week, and talked coldly a while with Mr. Addison.  All our friendship and dearness are off:  we are civil acquaintance, talk words of course, of when we shall meet, and that is all.  I have not been at any house with him these six weeks:  t’other day we were to have dined together at the Comptroller’s;[23] but I sent my excuses, being engaged to the Secretary of State.  Is not it odd?  But I think he has used me ill; and I have used him too well, at least his friend Steele.

15.  It has cost me three guineas to-day for a periwig.[24] I am undone!  It was made by a Leicester lad, who married Mr. Worrall’s daughter, where my mother lodged;[25] so I thought it would be cheap, and especially since he lives in the city.  Well, London lickpenny:[26] I find it true.  I have given Harrison hints for another Tatler to-morrow.  The jackanapes wants a right taste:  I doubt he won’t do.  I dined with my friend Lewis of the Secretary’s office, and am got home early, because I have much business to do; but before I begin, I must needs say something to MD, faith—­No, faith, I lie, it is but nineteen days to-day since my last from MD.  I have got Mr. Harley to promise that whatever changes are made in the Council, the Bishop of Clogher shall not be removed, and he has got a memorial accordingly.  I will let the Bishop know so much in a post or two.  This is a secret; but I know he has enemies, and they shall not be gratified, if they designed any such thing, which perhaps they might; for some changes there will be made.  So drink up your claret, and be quiet, and do not lose your money.