[T]he modern Philosophy holds the Eternity of the Earth, or at least an Antiquity of 50,000 Years; & Mr. Byers gets thirty Zecchines apiece for his Infidel Lectures from all the English who travel thro' Rome […] .

Without any context, I can't tell you if the dish refers to the food, or the thing you eat it on.

The economic forecast contained the usual doom and gloom.

Will you be so kind as to impress him with the fact that this expedition is on the Q.T.? Not that I think he will say anythin'.