6.  I was this morning at ten at the rehearsal of Mr. Addison’s play, called Cato, which is to be acted on Friday.  There were not above half a score of us to see it.  We stood on the stage, and it was foolish enough to see the actors prompted every moment, and the poet directing them; and the drab that acts Cato’s daughter,[33] out in the midst of a passionate part, and then calling out, “What’s next?” The Bishop of Clogher was there too; but he stood privately in a gallery.  I went to dine with Lord Treasurer, but he was gone to Wimbledon, his daughter Caermarthen’s[34] country seat, seven miles off.  So I went back, and dined privately with Mr. Addison, whom I had left to go to Lord Treasurer.  I keep fires yet; I am very extravagant.  I sat this evening with Sir A. Fountaine, and we amused ourselves with making IFS for Dilly.  It is rainy weather again; nevle saw ze rike.[35] This letter shall go to-morrow; remember, ung oomens, it is seven weeks since oor last, and I allow oo but five weeks; but oo have been galloping into the country to Swanton’s.[36] O pray tell Swanton I had his letter, but cannot contrive how to serve him.  If a Governor were to go over, I would recommend him as far as lay in my power, but I can do no more:  and you know all employments in Ireland, at least almost all, are engaged in reversions.  If I were on the spot, and had credit with a Lord Lieutenant, I would very heartily recommend him; but employments here are no more in my power than the monarchy itself.  Nite, dee MD.

7.  Morning.  I have had a visitor here, that has taken up my time.  I have not been abroad, oo may be sure; so I can say nothing to-day, but that I rove MD bettle zan ever, if possibbere.  I will put this in the post-office; so I say no more.  I write by this post to the Dean, but it is not above two lines; and one enclosed to you, but that enclosed to you is not above three lines; and then one enclosed to the Dean, which he must not have but upon condition of burning it immediately after reading, and that before your eyes; for there are some things in it I would not have liable to accident.  You shall only know in general that it is an account of what I have done to serve him in his pretensions on these vacancies, etc.  But he must not know that you know so much.[37] Does this perplex you?  Hat care I?  But rove Pdfr, saucy Pdfr.  Farewell, deelest MD MD MD FW FW FW,. . .  Me, MD Lele.

LETTER 63.[1]

London, April 7, 1713.

I fancy I marked my last, which I sent this day, wrong; only 61, and it ought to be 62.  I dined with Lord Treasurer, and though the business I had with him is something against Thursday, when the Parliament is to meet, and this is Tuesday, yet he put it off till to-morrow.  I dare not tell you what it is, lest this letter should miscarry or be opened; but I never saw his fellow for delays.  The Parliament will now certainly sit, and everybody’s expectations are ready to burst.  At a Council to-night the Lord Chief-Justice Parker, a Whig, spoke against the peace; so did Lord Chomley,[2] another Whig, who is Treasurer of the Household.  My Lord Keeper[3] was this night made Lord Chancellor.  We hope there will soon be some removes.  Nite, dee sollahs; Late.  Rove Pdfr.[4]