another. What you say about Stella's mother, I have spoken enough to it
already. I believe she is not in town; for I have not yet seen her. My
lampoon is cried up to the skies; but nobody suspects me for it, except Sir
Andrew Fountaine: at least they say nothing of it to me. Did not I tell you
of a great man who received me very coldly?[27] That's he; but say nothing;
'twas only a little revenge. I will remember to bring it over. The Bishop of
Clogher has smoked my Tatler,[28] about shortening of words, etc. But, God
So![29] etc.

15. I will write plainer if I can remember it; for Stella must not spoil her
eyes, and Dingley can't read my hand very well; and I am afraid my letters are
too long: then you must suppose one to be two, and read them at twice. I
dined to-day with Mr. Harley: Mr. Prior[30] dined with us. He has left my
memorial with the Queen, who has consented to give the First-Fruits and
Twentieth Parts,[31] and will, we hope, declare it to-morrow in the Cabinet.
But I beg you to tell it to no person alive; for so I am ordered, till in
public: and I hope to get something of greater value. After dinner came in
Lord Peterborow:[32] we renewed our acquaintance, and he grew mightily fond
of me. They began to talk of a paper of verses called "Sid Hamet." Mr.
Harley repeated part, and then pulled them out, and gave them to a gentleman
at the table to read, though they had all read them often. Lord Peterborow
would let nobody read them but himself: so he did; and Mr. Harley bobbed[33]
me at every line, to take notice of the beauties. Prior rallied Lord
Peterborow for author of them; and Lord Peterborow said he knew them to be
his; and Prior then turned it upon me, and I on him. I am not guessed at all
in town to be the author; yet so it is: but that is a secret only to you.[34]
Ten to one whether you see them in Ireland; yet here they run prodigiously.
Harley presented me to Lord President of Scotland,[35] and Mr. Benson,[36]
Lord of the Treasury. Prior and I came away at nine, and sat at the
Smyrna[37] till eleven, receiving acquaintance.