find by the event whether my intelligence be good; but I do not care twopence
whether it be or no.--At night. To-day I was all about St. Paul's, and up at
the top like a fool, with Sir Andrew Fountaine and two more; and spent seven
shillings for my dinner like a puppy: this is the second time he has served
me so; but I will never do it again, though all mankind should persuade me,
unconsidering puppies! There is a young fellow here in town we are all fond
of, and about a year or two come from the University, one Harrison,[12] a
little pretty fellow, with a great deal of wit, good sense, and good nature;
has written some mighty pretty things; that in your 6th Miscellanea,[13] about
the Sprig of an Orange, is his: he has nothing to live on but being governor
to one of the Duke of Queensberry's[14] sons for forty pounds a year. The
fine fellows are always inviting him to the tavern, and make him pay his club.
Henley[15] is a great crony of his: they are often at the tavern at six or
seven shillings reckoning, and he always makes the poor lad pay his full
share. A colonel and a lord were at him and me the same way to-night: I
absolutely refused, and made Harrison lag behind, and persuaded him not to go
to them. I tell you this, because I find all rich fellows have that humour of
using all people without any consideration of their fortunes; but I will see
them rot before they shall serve me so. Lord Halifax is always teasing me to
go down to his country house, which will cost me a guinea to his servants, and
twelve shillings coach-hire; and he shall be hanged first. Is not this a
plaguy silly story? But I am vexed at the heart; for I love the young fellow,
and am resolved to stir up people to do something for him: he is a Whig, and
I will put him upon some of my cast Whigs; for I have done with them; and they
have, I hope, done with this kingdom for our time. They were sure of the four
members for London above all places, and they have lost three in the four.[16]
Sir Richard Onslow,[17] we hear, has lost for Surrey; and they are overthrown
in most places. Lookee, gentlewomen, if I write long letters, I must write
you news and stuff, unless I send you my verses; and some I dare not; and
those on the "Shower in London" I have sent to the Tatler, and you may see