[427f] Abel Roper (1665–1726), a Tory journalist, published, thrice weekly, the Postboy, to which Swift sometimes sent paragraphs. Boyer (Political State, 1711, p. 678) said that Roper was only the tool of a party; “there are men of figure and distinction behind the curtain, who furnish him with such scandalous reflections as they think proper to cast upon their antagonists.”
[427g] Joe Beaumont.
[428a] Beg your pardon, Madams, I’m glad you like your apron (see p. [402]).
[428b] This word was smudged by Swift.
[429a] I cannot find Somers in contemporary lists of officials. Cf. pp. [159], [298].
[429b] Obliterated and doubtful.
[429c] Words obliterated and illegible. Forster reads, conjecturally, “Pray send Pdfr the ME account that I may have time to write to Parvisol.”
[429d] Addressed to “Mrs. Dingley,” etc. Endorsed “Apr. 14.”
[430a] “Is” (MS.).
[430b] The words after “yet” are partially obliterated.