Take your magnifying-glass, Madam Dingley.

You shan’t read this, sirrah Stella; don’t read it for your life, for fear of your dearest eyes.

There’s enough for this side; these Ministers hinder me.  Pretty, dear, little, naughty, saucy MD.

Silly, impudent, loggerhead Presto.

23.  Dilly and I dined to-day with Lord Abercorn, and had a fine fat haunch of venison, that smelt rarely on one side:  and after dinner Dilly won half a crown of me at backgammon at his lodgings, to his great content.  It is a scurvy empty town this melancholy season of the year; but I think our weather begins to mend.  The roads are as deep as in winter.  The grapes are sad things; but the peaches are pretty good, and there are some figs.  I sometimes venture to eat one, but always repent it.  You say nothing of the box sent half a year ago.  I wish you would pay me for Mrs. Walls’s tea.  Your mother is in the country, I suppose.  Pray send me the account of MD, Madam Dingley, as it stands since November,[19] that is to say, for this year (excluding the twenty pounds lent Stella for Wexford), for I cannot look in your letters.  I think I ordered that Hawkshaw’s interest should be paid to you.  When you think proper, I will let Parvisol know you have paid that twenty pounds, or part of it; and so go play with the Dean, and I will answer your letter to-morrow.  Good-night, sirrahs, and love Presto, and be good girls.

24.  I dined to-day with Lord Treasurer, who chid me for not dining with him yesterday, for it seems I did not understand his invitation; and their Club of the Ministry dined together, and expected me.  Lord Radnor[20] and I were walking the Mall this evening; and Mr. Secretary met us, and took a turn or two, and then stole away, and we both believed it was to pick up some wench; and to-morrow he will be at the Cabinet with the Queen:  so goes the world!  Prior has been out of town these two months, nobody knows where, and is lately returned.  People confidently affirm he has been in France, and I half believe it.  It is said he was sent by the Ministry, and for some overtures towards a peace.  The Secretary pretends he knows nothing of it.  I believe your Parliament will be dissolved.  I have been talking about the quarrel between your Lords and Commons with Lord Treasurer, and did, at the request of some people, desire that the Queen’s answer to the Commons’ address might express a dislike of some principles, etc.; but was answered dubiously.—­And so now to your letter, fair ladies.  I know drinking is bad; I mean writing is bad in drinking the waters; and was angry to see so much in Stella’s hand.  But why Dingley drinks them, I cannot imagine; but truly she’ll drink waters as well as Stella:  why not?  I hope you now find the benefit of them since you are returned; pray let me know particularly.  I am glad you are forced upon exercise, which, I believe, is as good as the waters for the heart of