11.  Joe has written me to get him a collector’s place, nothing less; he says all the world knows of my great intimacy with Mr. Harley, and that the smallest word to him will do.  This is the constant cant of puppies who are at a distance, and strangers to Courts and Ministers.  My answer is this, which pray send:  that I am ready to serve Joe as far as I can; that I have spoken to the Duke of Ormond about his money, as I writ to Warburton; that for the particular he mentions, it is a work of time, which I cannot think of at present; but, if accidents and opportunities should happen hereafter, I would not be wanting; that I know best how far my credit goes; that he is at a distance, and cannot judge; that I would be glad to do him good, and if fortune throws an opportunity in my way I shall not be wanting.  This is my answer, which you may send or read to him.  Pray contrive that Parvisol may not run away with my two hundred pounds; but get Burton’s[18] note, and let the money be returned me by bill.  Don’t laugh, for I will be suspicious.  Teach Parvisol to enclose, and direct the outside to Mr. Lewis.  I will answer your letter in my next, only what I take notice of here excepted.  I forgot to tell you that at the Court of Requests to-day I could not find a dinner I liked, and it grew late, and I dined with Mrs. Vanhomrigh, etc.

12.  Morning.  I will finish this letter before I go to town, because I shall be busy, and have neither time nor place there.  Farewell, etc. etc.

LETTER 23.

Chelsea, May 12, 1711.

I sent you my twenty-second this afternoon in town.  I dined with Mr. Harley and the old Club, Lord Rivers, Lord Keeper, and Mr. Secretary.  They rallied me last week, and said I must have Mr. St. John’s leave; so I writ to him yesterday, that foreseeing I should never dine again with Sir Simon Harcourt, Knight, and Robert Harley, Esq., I was resolved to do it to-day.  The jest is, that before Saturday[1] next we expect they will be lords; for Mr. Harley’s patent is drawing, to be Earl of Oxford.  Mr. Secretary and I came away at seven, and he brought me to our town’s end in his coach; so I lost my walk.  St. John read my letter to the company, which was all raillery, and passed purely.

13.  It rained all last night and this morning as heavy as lead; but I just got fair weather to walk to town before church.  The roads are all over in deep puddle.  The hay of our town is almost fit to be mowed.  I went to Court after church (as I always do on Sundays, and then dined with Mr. Secretary, who has engaged me for every Sunday; and poor MD dined at home upon a bit of veal and a pint of wine.  Is it not plaguy insipid to tell you every day where I dine? yet now I have got into the way of it, I cannot forbear it neither.  Indeed, Mr. Presto, you had better go answer MD’s letter, N.14.  I will answer it when I please, Mr. Doctor.