17.  Morning.  This goes to-night; I will put it myself in the post-office.  I had just now a long letter from the Archbishop of Dublin, giving me an account of the ending your session, how it ended in a storm; which storm, by the time it arrives here, will be only half nature.  I can’t help it, I won’t hide.  I often advised the dissolution of that Parliament, although I did not think the scoundrels had so much courage; but they have it only in the wrong, like a bully that will fight for a whore, and run away in an army.  I believe, by several things the Archbishop says, he is not very well either with the Government or clergy.—­See how luckily my paper ends with a fortnight.—­God Almighty bless and preserve dearest little MD.—­I suppose your Lord Lieutenant is now setting out for England.  I wonder the Bishop of Clogher does not write to me, or let me know of his statues, and how he likes them:  I will write to him again, as soon as I have leisure.  Farewell, dearest MD, and love Presto, who loves MD infinitely above all earthly things, and who will.—­My service to Mrs. Stoyte and Catherine.  I’m sitting in my bed, but will rise to seal this.  Morrow, dear rogues:  Farewell again, dearest MD, etc.

LETTER 35.

London, Nov. 17, 1711.

I put my last this evening in the post-office.  I dined with Dr. Cockburn.  This being Queen Elizabeth’s birthday, we have the D——­ and all to do among us.  I just heard of the stir as my letter was sealed this morning, and was so cross I would not open it to tell you.  I have been visiting Lady Oglethorpe[1] and Lady Worsley;[2] the latter is lately come to town for the winter, and with child, and what care you?  This is Queen Elizabeth’s birthday, usually kept in this town by apprentices, etc.; but the Whigs designed a mighty procession by midnight, and had laid out a thousand pounds to dress up the Pope, Devil, cardinals, Sacheverell, etc., and carry them with torches about, and burn them.  They did it by contribution.  Garth gave five guineas; Dr. Garth I mean, if ever you heard of him.  But they were seized last night, by order from the Secretary:  you will have an account of it, for they bawl it about the streets already.[3] They had some very foolish and mischievous designs; and it was thought they would have put the rabble upon assaulting my Lord Treasurer’s house and the Secretary’s, and other violences.  The militia was raised to prevent it, and now, I suppose, all will be quiet.  The figures are now at the Secretary’s office at Whitehall.  I design to see them if I can.