Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 14.djvu/315

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
JOURNAL TO STELLA.
307

on Sunday morning, and promises me to finish the affair in four days; so I shall know in a little time what I have to trust to. It is nine o'clock, and I must go study, you little rogues; and so good night, &c.

30. Morning. The weather grows cold, you sauceboxes. Sir Andrew Fountaine, they bring me word, is better. I will go rise, for my hands are starving while I write in bed. Night. Now sir Andrew Fountaine is recovering, he desires to be at ease; for I called in the morning to read prayers, but he had given orders not to be disturbed. I have lost a legacy by his living; for he told me he had left me a picture and some books, &c. I called to see my quondam neighbour Ford (do you know what quondam is? though) and he engaged me to dine with him; for he always dines at home on opera days. I came home at six, writ to the archbishop, then studied till past eleven, and stole to bed, to write to MD these few lines to let you know I am in good health at the present writing hereof, and hope in God MD is so too. I wonder I never write politicks to you: I could make you the profoundest politician in all the lane. Well, but when, shall we answer this letter, N. 8, of MD's? Not till next year, faith. O Lord bo but that will be a Monday next. Cod's so, is it? and so it is: never saw the like. I made a pun the other day to Ben Portlack about a pair of drawers. Poh, said he, that is mine a—— all over. Pray, pray, Dingley, let me go sleep; pray, pray, Stella, let me go slumber, and put out my wax candle.

31. Morning. It is now seven, and I have got a fire, but am writing abed in my bedchamber.

X 2
It