case (not her case), and whenever a proper time comes, I will do all I can; zat’s enough to say when I can do no more; and I beg oo pardon a sousand times,[15] that I cannot do better.  I hope the Dean of St. P[atrick’s] is well of his fever:  he has never writ to me:  I am glad of it; pray don’t desire him to write.  I have dated your bill late, because it must not commence, ung oomens, till the first of November[16] next.  O, fais, I must be ise;[17] iss, fais, must I; else me will cheat Pdfr.  Are you good housewives and readers?  Are you walkers?  I know you are gamesters.  Are you drinkers?  Are you—­ O Rold, I must go no further, for fear of abusing fine radies.[18] Parvisol has never sent me one word how he set this year’s tithes.  Pray ask whether tithes set well or ill this year.  The Bishop of Killaloe[19] tells me wool bears a good rate in Ireland:  but how is corn?  I dined yesterday with Lady Orkney, and we sat alone from two till eleven at night.—­You have heard of her, I suppose.  I have twenty letters upon my hands, and am so lazy and so busy, I cannot answer them, and they grow upon me for several months.  Have I any apples at Laracor?  It is strange every year should blast them, when I took so much care for shelter.  Lord Bolingbroke has been idle at his country-house this fortnight, which puts me backward in a business I have.  I am got into an ordinary room two pair of stairs, and see nobody, if I can help it; yet some puppies have found me out, and my man is not such an artist as Patrick at denying me.  Patrick has been soliciting to come to me again, but in vain.  The printer has been here with some of the new whims printed, and has taken up my time.  I am just going out, and can only bid oo farewell.  Farewell, deelest ickle MD, MD MD MD FW FW FW FW me me me me.  Lele deel me.  Lele lele lele sollahs bose.[20]

LETTER 54.[1]

London, Oct. 28, 1712.

I have been in physic this month, and have been better these three weeks.  I stop my physic, by the doctor’s orders, till he sends me further directions.  DD grows politician, and longs to hear the peace is proclaimed.  I hope we shall have it soon, for the Dutch are fully humbled; and Prior is just come over from France for a few days; I suppose upon some important affair.  I saw him last night, but had no private talk with him.  Stocks rise upon his coming.  As for my stay in England, it cannot be long now, so tell my friends.  The Parliament will not meet till after Christmas, and by that time the work I am doing will be over, and then nothing shall keep me.  I am very much discontented at Parvisol, about neglecting to sell my horses, etc.