but she is very malicious, and therefore I think I must keep fair with her.  I cannot send this letter till Saturday next, I find; so I will answer oors now.  I see no different days of the month; yet it is dated January 3:  so it was long a coming.  I did not write to Dr. Coghill that I would have nothing in Ireland, but that I was soliciting nothing anywhere, and that is true.  I have named Dr. Sterne to Lord Treasurer, Lord Bolingbroke, and the Duke of Ormond, for a bishopric, and I did it heartily.  I know not what will come of it; but I tell you as a great secret that I have made the Duke of Ormond promise me to recommend nobody till he tells me, and this for some reasons too long to mention.  My head is still in no good order.  I am heartily sorry for poo Ppt, I’m sure.  Her head is good for. . .[15] I’ll answer more to-mollow.  Nite, dearest MD; nite dee sollahs, MD.[16]

5.  I must go on with oo letter.  I dined to-day with Sir Andrew Fountaine and the Provost, and I played at ombre with him all the afternoon.  I won, yet Sir Andrew is an admirable player.  Lord Pembroke[17] came in, and I gave him three or four scurvy Dilly puns, that begin with an if.  Well, but oor letter, well, ret me see.—­No; I believe I shall write no more this good while, nor publish what I have done.  Nauty (?) Ppt, oo are vely tempegant.  I did not suspect oo would tell Filby.[18] Oo are so. . . [19] Turns and visitations—­ what are these?  I’ll preach and visit as much for Mr. Walls.  Pray God mend poopt’s[20] health; mine is but very indifferent.  I have left off Spa water; it makes my leg swell.  Nite deelest MD.

6.  This is the Queen’s Birthday, and I never saw it celebrated with so much luxury and fine clothes.  I went to Court to see them, and I dined with Lord Keeper, where the ladies were fine to admiration.  I passed the evening at Mrs. Vanhomrigh’s, and came home pretty early, to answer oo rettle again.  Pray God keep the Queen.  She was very ill about ten days ago, and had the gout in her stomach.  When I came from Lord Keeper’s, I called at Lord Treasurer’s, because I heard he was very fine, and that was a new thing; and it was true, for his coat and waistcoat were embroidered.  I have seen the Provost often since, and never spoke to him to speak to the Temples about Daniel Carr, nor will; I don’t care to do it.  I have writ lately to Parvisol.  Oo did well to let him make up his accounts.  All things grow dear in Ireland, but corn to the parsons; for my livings are fallen much this year by Parvisol’s account.  Nite dee logues, MD.

7.(8) I was at Court to-day, but saw no Birthday clothes; the great folks never wear them above once or twice.  I dined with Lord Orkney, and sat the evening with Sir Andrew Fountaine, whose leg is in a very dubious condition.  Pray let me know when DD’s money is near due:  always let me know it beforehand.  This, I believe, will hardly go till Saturday; for I tell you what, being not very