dear Brag into fashion, and ever since it has been the joy of my life; so easy, so cheerful and careless, so void of thought, and so genteel! Who can help loving it? Yet the perfidious thing has used me very ill of late, and to-morrow I should have changed it for Faro. But, oh! this detestable to-morrow, a thing always expected, and never found.——Within these few hours must I be dragged into the country. The wretch, Sir, left me in a fit, which his threatenings had occasioned, and unmercifully ordered a post-chaise. Stay I cannot, for money I have none, and credit I cannot get.——But I will make the monkey play with me at piquet upon the road for all I want. I am almost sure to beat him, and his debts of honour I know he will pay. Then who can tell but I may still come back and conquer Lady Packer? Sir, you need not print this last scheme and, upon second thoughts you may.——Oh distraction! the post-chaise is at the door. Sir, publish what you will, only let it be printed without a name.
Numb. 16. Saturday, May 12, 1750.
- SIR,
I AM the modest young man whom you favoured with your advice, in a late paper; and, as I am very far from suspecting that you foresaw the