[167b] Mrs. Walls’ baby (see p. [185]).
[168a] The phrase had its origin in the sharp practices in the horse and cattle markets. Writing to Arbuthnot in 1727, Swift said that Gay “had made a pretty good bargain (that is a Smithfield) for a little place in the Custom House.”
[168b] “There.”
[169a] See Swift’s paper in the Examiner, No. 32, and Mrs. Manley’s pamphlet, already mentioned.
[169b] Presumably Mrs. Johnson’s palsy-water (see p. [25]).
[170a] Thomas Wentworth, Baron Raby (1672–1739), was created Viscount Wentworth and Earl of Strafford in June 1711. Lord Raby was Envoy and Ambassador at Berlin for some years, and was appointed Ambassador at the Hague in March 1711. In November he was nominated as joint Plenipotentiary with the Bishop of Bristol to negotiate the terms of peace. He objected to Prior as a colleague; Swift says he was “as proud as hell.” In 1715 it was proposed to impeach Strafford, but the proceedings were dropped. In his later years he was, according to Lord Hervey, a loquacious and illiterate, but constant, speaker in the House of Lords.
[170b] A beauty, to whom Swift addressed verses in 1708. During the frost of January 1709 Swift wrote: “Mrs. Floyd looked out with both her eyes, and we had one day’s thaw; but she drew in her head, and it now freezes as hard as ever.” She was a great friend of Lady Betty Germaine’s.
[170c] Swift never had the smallpox.
[171a] Heart.