19.  This proved a terrible rainy day, which prevented my walk into the City, and I was only able to run and dine with my neighbour Vanhomrigh, where Sir Andrew Fountaine dined too, who has just began to sally out, and has shipped his mother and sister, who were his nurses, back to the country.  This evening was fair, and I walked a little in the Park, till Prior made me go with him to the Smyrna Coffee-house, where I sat a while, and saw four or five Irish persons, who are very handsome, genteel fellows; but I know not their names.  I came away at seven, and got home.  Two days ago I writ to Bernage, and told him what I had done, and directed the letter to Mr. Curry’s, to be left with Dingley.  Brigadiers Hill and Masham, brother and husband to Mrs. Masham, the Queen’s favourite, Colonel Disney,[20] and I, have recommended Bernage to the Duke of Argyle; and Secretary St. John has given the Duke my memorial; and, besides, Hill tells me, that Bernage’s colonel, Fielding,[21] designs to make him his captain-lieutenant:  but I believe I said this to you before, and in this letter; but I will not look.

20.  Morning.  It snows terribly again; and ’tis mistaken, for I now want a little good weather.  I bid you good-morrow; and, if it clear up, get you gone to poor Mrs. Walls, who has had a hard time of it, but is now pretty well again.  I am sorry it is a girl:  the poor Archdeacon too, see how simply he looked when they told him:  what did it cost Stella to be gossip?  I’ll rise; so, d’ye hear, let me see you at night; and do not stay late out, and catch cold, sirrahs.—­At night.  It grew good weather, and I got a good walk, and dined with Ford upon his Opera-day; but, now all his wine is gone, I shall dine with him no more.  I hope to send this letter before I hear from MD, methinks there is—­something great in doing so, only I can’t express where it lies; and, faith, this shall go by Saturday, as sure as you’re a rogue.  Mrs. Edgworth was to set out but last Monday; so you won’t have your box so soon perhaps as this letter; but Sterne told me since that it is safe at Chester, and that she will take care of it.  I’d give a guinea you had it.

21.  Morning.  Faith, I hope it will be fair for me to walk into the City; for I take all occasions of walking.—­I should be plaguy busy at Laracor if I were there now, cutting down willows, planting others, scouring my canal, and every kind of thing.  If Raymond goes over this summer, you must submit, and make them a visit, that we may have another eel and trout fishing; and that Stella may ride by, and see Presto in his morning-gown in the garden, and so go up with Joe to the Hill of Bree, and round by Scurlock’s Town.  O Lord, how I remember names! faith, it gives me short sighs; therefore no more of that, if you love me.  Good-morrow, I will go rise like a gentleman; my pills say I must.—­At night.  Lady Kerry sent to desire me to engage some lords about an affair she has in their house