产
​ARTES
1837
SCIENTIA
LIBRARY
VERITAS
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
PLURIBUS E1 had
TUEBOR
SIQUERIS PENINSULA SA AMLI PE/ap`
IRCUMSPICE
GIFT OF
REGENT LLHUBBARD
I w
H3
LETTERS,
WRITTEN BY
JONATHAN SWIFT, D. D.
DEAN OF ST. PATRICK'S, DUBLIN,
AND
SEVERAL OF HIS FRIEND S.
FROM THE YEAR 1703 TO 1740.
PUBLISHED FROM THE ORIGINALS;
WITH
NOTES EXPLANATORY AND HISTORICAL,
BY JOHN HAWKESWORTH, LL. D.
THE FIFTH EDITION.
VOLUME III,
LONDON,
Printed for T. DAVIES, in Ruffel-Street, Covent-Garden;
R. DAVIS, in Piccadilly; L. DAVIS and C. REYMERS,
in Holborn; and J. DODSLEY, in Fall-ma!l.
M DCC LXVII,
【 ifi )
CONTENTS
V
то
OLUME III.
זי
Letter
CCLXXVIII. MR. Gay to Dr. Swift
CCLXXIX. Dr. Arbuthnot to Dr. Swift
CCLXXX. Earl of C. to Dr. Swift
CCLXXXI. Mr. Gay to Dr. Swift
CCLXXXII. Lady B. G. to Dr. Swift
CCLXXXIII. Mr. Pulteney to Dr. Swift
CCLXXXIV. Lady B. G. to Dr. Swift
CCLXXXV. Mr. Gay to Dr. Swift
CCLXXXVI. Mr. Gay and Duchefs of
Dr. Swift
1
Page
I
4
6
8
10
13
15
16
to
19
CCLXXXVII. Lord B. to Dr. Swift
CCLXXXVIII. Mr. Gay to Dr. Swift
22
26
CCLXXXIX. Lady B. G. to Dr. Swift
29
CCXC. Duchefs of
and Mr. Gay to Dr.
Swift
CCXCI. Lord Bolingbroke to Dr. Swift
CCXCII. Lady B. G. to Dr. Swift
CCXCIII. Lady - to Dr. Swift
CCXCIV. Lady B. G. to Dr, Swift
A 2
30
34
45
47
49
CCXCV
(iv)
Letter
}
Page
CCXCV. Mr. Gay and Duke of
Swift
CCXCVI. Lady B. G. to Dr. Swift
CCXCVII. Mr. Gay to Dr. Swift
CCXCVIII. Lady B. G. to Dr. Swift
CCXCIX, Mr. Gay to Dr. Swift
CCC. Lady B. G. to Dr. Swift
ECCI. Mr. Gay to Dr. Swift
CCCII. Lady Catherine Jones to Dr. Swift
CCCIII. Lord Bolingbroke to Dr. Swift
CCCIV. Lady B. G. to Dr. Swift
CCCV. Mr. Gay and Duchefs of-
Swift
to Dr.
51-
53
55
56
59
61
6.2.
65
67
4
70
to Dr.
72
CCCVI: Mrs. Cæfar to Dr. Swift
CCCVII: Lady Worfley to Dr. Swift
CCCVIII. Mr. Gay and Duchefs of
76
77
to Dr.
Swift
78
CCCIX. Sir W. Fownes to Dr. Swift
8z
CCCX. Lady B. G. to Dr. Swift
90.
CCCXI. Mr. Gay to Dr. Swift
91
CCCXII. Mr. Robert Arbuthnot to Dr. Swift
93
CCCXIII. Dr. Arbuthnot to Dr. Swift-
94.
CCCXIV Lady B. G. to Dr. Swift
97
CCCXV Duchefs of
to Dr. Swift
100
CCCXVI. Dr. Swift to the Duchefs of
102
CCCXVII. Lord C. to Dr. Swift
106
CCCXVIII. Lord B. to Dr. Swift
108
CCCXIX. Lord M. to Dr. Swift
110
CCCXX. Dutchefs of
CCCXXI. Lady B. G. to Dr. Swift
CCCXXII Duchefs of
to Dr. Swift-
112
115
to Dr. Swift 116
CCCXXIII.
( v )
Letter
CCCXXIII. Lady B. G. to Dr. Swift
CCCXXIV. Lady B. G. to Dr. Swift
CCCXXV. Duchefs of
Page
119
121
to Dr. Swift
123,
CCCXXVI. Duchefs of
to Dr. Swift
125
CCCXXVII. Lady Granville to Dr. Swift
128
CCCXXVIII. Lady B. G. to Dr. Swift
129
CCCXXIX. Duchefs of
to Dr. Swift
130
CCCXXX. Mr. Grant to Dr. Swift
133
CCCXXXXI. Lord Bolingbroke to Dr. Swift 136
CCCXXXII. Lord C. to Dr. Swift
138
CCCXXXIII. Lord Bolingbroke to Dr. Swift
139.
CCCXXXIV. Dr. Arbuthnot to Dr. Swift
145
CCCXXXV. Lady B. G. to Dr. Swift
148
CCCXXXVI. Mr. Jarvis to Dr. Swift
149
CCCXXXVII. Lady B. G. to Dr. Swift
151
€CCXXXVIII. Earl of Strafford to Dr. Swift
152
CCCXXXIX. Lord C. to Dr. Swift
154
CCCXL. Mr. Pulteney to Dr. Swift
156
CCCXLI. Lady B. G. to Dr. Swift
159
CCCXLII. Archbishop of Cafhell to Dr. Swift 161
CCCXLIII, Mr. Pulteney to Dr. Swift
163
CCCXLIV. Dr. Swift to Lady B. G.
165
CCCXLV. Lady B. G. to Dr. Swift
167
CCCXLVI. Archbishop of Cafhel to Dr. Swift 169-
CCCXLVII. Lady B. G. to Dr. Swift
175
CCCXLVIII. Lady B. G. to Dr. Swift
173-
CCCXLIX. Lady B. G. to Dr. Swift
175
CCCL. Dr. Swift to the Duke of Dorſet
177
CCCLI. Lady B. G. to `Dr. Swift
180
CCCLII. Mrs. Pendarves to Dr. Swift
181
CCCLIII. Lady B. G. to Dr. Swift
183
CCCLIV.
(vi)
Letter
CCCLIV. Mr. Donnellan to Dr. Swift
CCCLV. Lady B. G. to Dr. Swift
CCCLVI. Mrs. Pendarves to Dr. Swift
Page
184
186
187
CCCLVII. Mrs. Barber to Dr. Swift
190
CCCLVIII. Lady B. G. to Dr. Swift
194
CCCLIX. Lord Caſtledurrow to Dr. Swift
195.
CCCLX. Mr. Pulteney to Dr. Swift
198
CCCLXI. Lord Caftledurrow to Dr. Swift
CCCLXII. Dr. Swift to Lady B. G.
CCCLXIII. Dr. Swift to Mr. Pulteney
CCCLXIV. Earl of O— to Dr. Swift
CCCLXV. Earl of O to Dr. Swift
202
204
206
209.
211
CCCLXVI. Mr. Pope to Lord O——
212
CCCLXVII. Lord C. to Dr. Swift -
215
CCCLXVIII. Lord B, to Dr. Swift
217
CCCLXIX. Chevalier Ramfay to Dr. Swift
218
CCCLXX. Lord B. to Dr. Swift
219
CCCLXXI. Chevalier Ramfay to Dr. Swift
221
CCCLXXII. Mr. Pope to Dr. Swift
221
CCCLXXIII. Mr. Lyttleton to Dr. Swift
228
CCCLXXIV. Lord Caftledurrow to Dr. Swift
229
CCCLXXV. Mr. Pulteney to Dr. Swift
232
CCCLXXVI. Lord O. to Dr. Swift
234
CCCLXXVII. Lord Hyde to David Mallet, Efq; 237
CCCLXXVIII. David Mallet, Efq; to Ld. Hyde 241
CCCLXXIX. Dr. Swift to W. Pulteney, Efq; 242
CCCLXXX. Dr. Swift to W. Pulteney, Efq; 246
CCCLXXXI. Countess of Orkeney to Dr. Swift 250
CCCLXXXII. Countefs of Orkeney to Dr. Swift 251
CCCLXXXIII. Lord Poulett to Dr. Swift
CCCLXXXIV. Lady M- -- to Dr. Swift 252
CCCLXXXV.
251
【 vii)
Letter
Page
253
253
CCCLXXXV. Lord Peterborow to Dr. Swift
CCCLXXXVI. Dr. Swift to Lord Arran
CCCLXXXVII. Lady Bolingbroke to Dr. Swift 255
CCCLXXXVIII. Duchefs of Hamilton to Dr.
Swift
250
CCCLXXXIX: Duke of Wharton to Dr. Swift 257
CCCXC. Mr. Voltaire to Dr. Swift
CCCXCI. M. Voltaire au Comte de Morville
AL
CCCXCII. Dr. Swift to Mifs Vanhomrigh
CCCXCIII. Dr. Swift to Mifs Vanhomrigh
CCCXCIV. Dr. Swift to Mifs Vanhomrigh
CCCXCV. Dr. Swift to Mifs Vanhomrigh
CCCXCVI. Mifs Vanhomrigh to Dr. Swift
CCCXCVII. Mifs Vanhomrigh to Dr. Swift
CCCXCVIII. Dr. Swift to Mifs Vanhomrigh
CCCXCIX. Mifs Vanhomrigh to Dr. Swift.
CCCC. Mifs Vanhomrigh to Dr. Swift
CCCCI. Dr. Swift to Mifs Vanhomrigh
258
259
260
261
263
264
+
265
266
267
268
270
271
CCCCII. Dr. Swift to Mifs Vanhomrigh
272
CCCCIII. Mifs Vanhomrigh to Dr. Swift
273
CCCCIV. Cadenus to Vaneſſa
274
CCCCV. Dr. Swift to Vaneffa
275
CCCCVI. Dr. Swift to Vaneffa
277
CCCCVII. Dr. Swift to Vaneſſa
279
CCCCVIII. Dr. Swift to Vaneffa
280
CCCCIX. Dr. Swift to Mifs Vanhomrigh
CCCCX, A Letter of Dr. Swift's
281
282
CCCCXI. Dr. Swift to John Temple, Efq;
283
Tranſlations
viii
Tranflations of the FRENCH LETTERS.
་
Letter
1 {
CCCCXII. Mr. Le Clerc to Mr. Addiſon
ۂCCXIII. Dr. Swift to Mr. Giraldi
Page:
286
-287
CCCCXIV. The Abbé des Fontaines to Dr.
1
Swift
CCCCXV. Dr. Swift's Anſwer
.CCCCXVI. Lady Bolingbroke to Dr. Swift
CCCCXVII. Lady Bolingbroke to Dr. Swift
CCCCXVIII. Dr. Swift to Vanéſſa
289
291
293
295
297-
CCCCXIX. Mr. Voltaire to the Count de Mor-
ville
4
1
298
LETTERS.
+
LETTER S
FROM AND TO
DOCTOR SWIFT.
So
LETTER CCLXXVIII.
Mr. GAY to Dr. SWIFT.
DEAR SIR,
Ameſbury, Nov. 8, 1730.
you are determined never to write to me again:
but, for all that, you ſhall not make me hold my
tongue. You fhall hear from me (the poft-office
willing) whether you will or no. I fee none of the
folks you correſpond with, fo that I am forced to
pick up intelligence concerning you, as I can; which
hath been ſo very little, that I am refolved to make
my complaints to you as a friend, who I know loves
to relieve the diſtreſſed: and in the circumſtances I
am in, where ſhould I apply, but to my best friend?
Mr. Pope, indeed, upon my frequent enquiries, hath
told me, that the letters, which are directed to him,
concern me as much as himſelf: but what you fay
of yourſelf, or of me, or to me, I know nothing at
all. Lord Carteret was here yeſterday, on his return
from the Isle of Wight, where he had been a ſhooting,
VOL. III,
B
and
1
[ 2 ]
1
you come
and left feven pheafants with us. He went this
morning to the Bath, to lady Carteret, who is per-
fectly recovered. He talked of you three hours laſt
night, and told me, that you talk of me.
I mean,
that you are prodigiouſly in his favour, as he fays;
and, I believe, that I am in your's; for I know you
to be a juft and equitable perfon, and it is but my
due. He feemed to take to me, which may proceed
from your recommendation; though, indeed, there
is another reafon for it, for he is now out of employ-
ment, and my friends have been generally of that
fort: for I take to them, as being naturally inclined
to thoſe who can do no mifchief. Pray do
to England this year? He thinks you do. I wish
you would; and ſo does the ducheſs of Queensberry.
What would you have more to induce you? Your
money cries, come ſpend me; and your friends cry,
come fee me. I have been treated barbarouſly by
you. If you knew how often I talk of you, how
often I think of you, you would now and then di-
rect a letter to me, and I would allow Mr. Pope to
have a fhare in it. In fhort, I don't care to keep
any man's money, that ferves me fo. Love or mo-
ney I muſt have; and if you will not let me have the
comfort of the one, I think I muſt endeavour to get
a little comfort by fpending fome of the other. I
inuft beg, that you will call at Amesbury, in you
way to London; for I have many things to ſay to
you; and I can affure you, you will be welcome to
a three-pronged fork. I remember your prefcrip-
tion, and I do ride upon the downs; and, at pre-
fent,
[
3 ]
}
fént, I have no afthma. I have killed five brace of
partridges, and four brace and half of quails: and I
I do not envy either Sir Robert, or Stephen Duck, who
is the favourite poet of the court*. I hear fome-
times from Mr. Pope, and from ſcarce any body elſe.
Were I to live ever fo long, I believe I ſhould never
think of London; but I cannot help thinking of you.
Were you here, I could talk to you, but I would
not for yout; you fhall have all your ſhare of talk,
which was never allowed you at Twickenham. You
know this was a grievance you often complained of;
and fo, in revenge, you make me write all, and
anſwer nothing. I beg you to make my compli-
ments to Dr. Delaney. I am, dear Sir, yours moſt
affectionately,
J. GAY.
I ended the letter as above, to go to the duchefs,
and ſhe told me I might go down, and come a quar-
ter of an hour hence. I had a deſign to have aſked
her to fign the invitation, that I have made you.
As I don't know how much ſhe may have to ſay to
you, I think it will be prudent to leave off, that ſhe
may not be ſtinted for want of room. So much I
will fay, that, whether the figns it, or no, both the
duke and duchefs would be very glad you would
come to Amesbury; and you must be perfuaded, that
Stephen Duck was a poor threfher, who having written
ſome verſes, they were fhewed to the late queen, who made
him her library-keeper at Richmond. He afterwards took
orders, and was preferred to a living, but growing melancholy,
he at laft drowned himſelf.
+ Mr. Gay was referved in his converfation.
B 2
I fay
[ 4 ]
I fay this without the leaft private view. For, what
is it to me whether you come or not; for I can write
to you, you know.
Poſtſcript by the Duchefs of Q.
I would fain have you come. I can't ſay you'll
be welcome; for I don't know you, and per-
haps I fhall not like you; but if I do not, (un-
leſs you are a very vain perſon) you ſhall know
my thoughts as foon as I do myſelf.
LETTER CCLXXIX.
Dr. ARBUTHNOT to Dr. SWIFT.
DEAR SIR,
C. Q
Indorfed, "November, 1730."
THE paffage in Mr. Pope's letter about your health
does not alarm me: both of us have had the diftem-
per theſe thirty years. I have found that ſteel, the
warm gums, and the Bath, all do good in it. There-
fore, firſt take the vomit A; then, every day, the
quantity of a nutmeg in a morning, of the elec-
tuary marked B; with five fpoonfuls of the tincture
marked D. Take the tincture, but not the elec-
tuary, in the afternoon. You may take one of the
pills marked C, at any time, (when you are trou-
bled with it) or thirty of the drops marked E, in
any vehicle, even water. I had a fervant of my own
that was cured merely with vomiting. There is
another medicine not mentioned, which you may
try; the pulvis rad. Valerianæ fylveftris, about a
fcruple
L
!
1
[ 5
]
fcruple of it twice a day. How came you to take
it into your head that I was queen's phyfician?
When I am fo, you ſhall be a biſhop, or any thing
you have a mind to. Pope is now the great reigning
poetical favourite. Your lord lieutenant has a
mind to be well with you. Lady Betty Germain
complains you have not wrote to her fince fhe wrote
to you. I have fhewed as much civility to Mrs.
Barber as I could, and ſhe likewiſe to me. I have
no more paper, but what ferves to tell you, that I
am, with great fincerity, your moft faithful humblè
fervant,
J. ARBUTHNOT.
I recommended Dr. Helfham to be phyſician to the
lord lieutenant. I know not what effect it will have.
A.
Pulv. rad. ipocacoanæ, 9.
B.
Conferv. flavedin. aurant. abfynth Rom. ana
3vj. rubigin. Martis in pollin. redact. 3iij. fyrup
e fucco kermes, q. f.
C.
Af. foetid. 3ij. tinctur. caftor. q. f. fiant pilulæ
xxiv.
D.
Cortic. Peruviani elect. rubigin. Martis ana 3j.
digere tepide in vini alb. Gallic. fb ij per 24
horas poftea fiat colatura.
* The Duke of Dorſet.
B 3
E.
烫
​}
[61
E.
Sp. cor. cerv. fp. lavendul. tinctur. caftor. ana
3ij. miſce. *
LETTER CCLXXX.
The Earl of C. D to Dr. SWIFT.
SIR,
Hague, Dec. 15, N. S. 1730.
You need not have made any excufes to me for
your folicitation: on the contrary, I am proud of
being the first perfon, to whom you have thought it
worth the while to apply fince thoſe changes, which,
you ſay, drove you into diſtance and obfcurity. I
very well know the perfon you recommend to me,
having lodged at his houſe a whole fummer at Rich-
mond. I have always heard a very good character of
him, which alone could incline me to ferve him;
but your recommendation, I can affure you, will
make me impatient to do it. However, that he may
not again meet with the common fate of court-fui-
tors, nor I lie under the imputation of making
court-promiſes, I will exactly explain to you how
far it is likely I may be able to ſerve him.
* As theſe receipts may poffibly be uſeful to fome perfon
troubled with the Dean's complaint of giddineſs, Dr. Arbuthnot's
receipt of bitters, for ftrengthening the ftomach, is added.
Take of zadoary root one drachm; galangal and Roman
wormwood, of each two drachms; orange-peel, a drachm;
leffer cardamon feeds, two fcruples. Infufe all in a quart
of boiling fpring-water for fix hours; ſtrain it off, and add
to it four ounces of greater compound wormwood water.
When
[ 7 ]
+
When firſt I had this office, I took the refolu-
tion of turning out no-body; fo that I fhall only have
the diſpoſal of thoſe places, that the death of the
preſent poffeffors will procure me. Some old fervants,
that have ſerved me long and faithfully, have obtain-
ed the promiſes of the firft four or five vacancies ;
and the early folicitations of ſome of my particular
friends have tied me down for about as many more.
But, after having fatisfied theſe engagements, I do
affure Mr. Launcelot fhall be
firft care.
you,
my
I
confefs, his profpect is more remote than I could
have wifhed it; but as it is fo remote, he won't have
the uneafineſs of a difappointment, if he gets no-
thing; and if he gets fomething, we fhall both be
pleafed.
As for his political principles, I am in no manner
of pain about them. Were he a Tory, I would
venture to ſerve him, in the juft expectation, that
ſhould I ever be charged with having preferred a
Tory, the perfon, who was the author of my crime,
would likewiſe be the author of my vindication. I
am with real eſteem, Sir, your moſt obedient hum-
ble fervant,
C-
·D.
* Of lord ſteward of the king's houfhold, in which he
fucceeded the duke of Dorfet, appointed lord lieutenant of
Ireland.
LETTER
B 4
!
[ 8 ]
LETTER CCLXXXI.
Mr. GAY to Dr. SWIFT.
DEAR SIR,
Ameſbury, Dec. 6, 1730.
BOTH your letters, to my great fatisfaction, I have
received. You were miſtaken as to my being in
town; for I have been here ever fince the beginning
of May. But the best way is to direct your letters
always to the duke's houſe, in London; and they are
fent hither by his porter. You fay, we deferve
envy: I think, we do; for I envy no man, either in
town or out of it. We have had ſome few viſitors,
and every one of them fuch, as one would defire to
vifit. The duchefs is a more fevere check upon my
finances than ever you were; and I fubmit, as I did
to you, to comply to my own good. I was a long
time, before I could prevail with her to let me allow
myſelf a pair of fhoes with two heels; for I had
loft one, and the fhoes were fo decayed, that they
were not worth mending. You fee by this, that
thofe, who are the most generous of their own, can
be the moſt covetous for others. I hope you will
be fo good to me, as to ufe your intereft with her,
(for, whatever fhe fays, you feem to have ſome) to
indulge me with the extravagance fuitable to my
fortune.
The lady you mention, that diflikes you, hath no
difcernment. I really think, you may fafely ven-
ture to Amesbury, though, indeed the lady here likes
to
[ 9 ]
*
to have her own way as well as you; which may
fometimes occafion difputes: and, I tell you before-
hand, that I cannot take your part. I think her fo
often in the right, that you will have great difficulty
to perfuade me, that fhe is in the wrong. Then,
there is another thing, that I ought to tell you, to
deter you from this place; which is, that the lady
of the houſe is not given to fhew civility to thoſe ſhe
does not like. She fpeaks her mind, and loves.
truth. For the uncommonneſs of the thing, I fancy,
your curiofity will prevail over your fear; and you
will like to fee fuch a woman. But I fay no more,
till I know whether her grace will fill up the reſt of
the paper.
The Duchefs of Q-
Write I muft, particularly now, as I have an op-
portunity to indulge my predominant paffion of con-
tradiction. I do, in the first place, contradict moft
things Mr. Gay fays of me, to deter you from coming
here; which if you ever do, I hereby affure you,
that, unleſs I like my own way better, you ſhall have
yours; and in all diſputes you ſhall convince me,
if you can. But, by what I fee of you, this is not
a misfortune, that will always happen; for I find
you are a great miftaker. For example, you take
prudence for imperioufnefs: 'tis from this firft, that
I determined not to like one, who is too giddy-
headed for me to be certain whether or no I fhall ever
be acquainted with. I have known people take
great delight in building caftles in the air; but I
fhould
←
}
[ 10 ]
}
fhould chuſe to build friends upon a more folid foun
dation. I would fain know you; for I often hear
more good likeable things than 'tis poffible any one
can deſerve. Pray, come, that I may find out
fomething wrong; for I, and I believe moſt women,
have an inconceivable pleaſure to find out any faults,
except their own. Mr. Cibber is made poet laureat.
I am, Sir, as much your humble fervant as I can
be to any perſon I don't know,
C. Q.
P. S. Mr. Gay is very peevish that I ſpell and write.
ill; but I don't care for neither the pen nor I can
do better. Befides, I think you have flattered me,
and ſuch people ought to be put to trouble.
Mr. GAY's Poftfcript.
Now I hope you are pleafed, and that you will
allow for fo ſmall a fum as 2001. you have a lump-
ing pennyworth.
LETTER CCLXXXII.
Lady BG to Dr. SWIFT.
។
Dec. 24, 1730.
SINCE you, with a modeft affurance, affirm you
underſtand and practife good manners better than
any other perſon in either kingdom, I wiſh you
would therefore put into very handſome terms my
excufe to dean Swift, that I have not answered his
letter
t if ]
letter that I received before the laft. For even pre-
bendary Head affured my brother Harry, that he, in
all form and juſtice, took place of a colonel, as be-
ing major-general in the church; and therefore you
need not have called a council to know, whether
you or I were to write laft; becauſe, as being but
a poor courteſy lady, I can pretend to no other place
but what other people's goodness gives me. This
being fettled, I ought not to have writ again; but
however, I fear I ſhould have been wrong enough to
have defired the correfpondence to be kept up, but
that I have been ill for a fortnight, and of courſe
lazy, and not in a writing mood.
Firſt, as to Mrs. Barber, as I told you before, fo
I tell you the fame again, that, upon your recom-
mendation, I fhall be very glad to ſerve her, though
I never did fee her; and as I had not your letter till
I went from Tunbridge, the paffed unmarked by me
in the crowd; nor have I met with her fince. She
writ to me to preſent - -'s poems to the duke and
duchefs of Dorfet. I anfwered her letter, and obeyed
her commands. And as to her own, I fhall moft
willingly ſubſcribe; though I am of the opinion,
we ladies are not apt to be good poets, eſpecially if
we can't ſpell: but that is by the way of inviolable
fecret between you and me. So much for this let-
ter. Now to your laft epiftle, for which it feems I
am to give you thanks, for honouring me with your
commands. Well, I do fo, becaufe this gets a proof,
that, after fo many years acquaintance, there is one,
that will take my word; which is a certain fign,
that
[ 12 ]
that I have not often broke it. Therefore behold
the confequence is this; I have given my word to
the duke of Dorſet, that you would not ſo poſitively
affirm this fact concerning Mrs. Fox, without know-
ing the certain truth, that there is no deceit in this
declaration of truſt. And though it has been recom-
mended to him, as you fay, he never did give any
anſwer to it, nor defigned it, till he was fully, fatif-
fied of the truth; and even then, I believe, would
not have determined to have done it, becauſe it
is an easy way of fecuring a place for ever to a fa-
mily; and were this to be an example, be it ſo many
pence, or fo many pounds, for the future they would
be inheritances.
So now, not to fhew my power with his grace (in
ſpite of his dependants, who may caft their eyes on
it) for that I dare affirm there never will be need of,
where juftice or good nature is neceffary; but to
fhew you his dependance on your honour and inte-
grity, he gives me leave to tell you, it fhall cer-
tainly be done; nor does this at all oblige you to
give the thanks you feem fo defirous to have; for at
any time, whenfoever you have any buſineſs, fervice,
or requeſt to make to his grace of Dorfet (whether
my proper buſineſs or no) till you two are better
acquainted with one another's merits, I fhall be very
glad to fhew how fincerely I am your friend and
faithful humble fervant.
}
}
LET-
[ 13 ]
LETTER CCLXXXIII.
WILLIAM PULTENEY, Efq; to Dr. SWIFT.
DEAR SIR,
London, Feb. 9, 1730.
AMONG the many compliments I have received
from my friends on the birth of my ſon, I affure
you none gave me greater pleaſure than the kind
letter you honoured me with on the occafion. When
you were laft in England, your ftay was fo fhort,
that I ſcarce had time, and very few opportunities,
to convince you how great a defire I had to bear
ſome ſhare of your eſteem; but, ſhould you return
this fummer, I hope you will continue longer among
us. Lord Bolingbroke, lord Bathurst, Pope, myſelf,
and others of your friends, are got together in a
country neighbourhood, which would be much
enlivened, if you would come and live among us.
Mrs. Pulteney joins with me in the invitation, and
is much obliged to you for remembering her. She
bid me tell you, that ſhe is determined to have no
more children, unleſs you will promiſe to come over,
and chriften the next. You fee how much my hap-
pineſs, in many respects, depends upon your promife.
I have always defired Pope, when he wrote to you,
to remember my compliments; and I can affure
you with the greateſt truth, though you have much
older acquaintances, that you have not in England a
friend that loves and honours you more than I do,
or can be, with greater fincerity, than I am, your
moft humble and obedient fervant,
W. PULTENEY.
[ 14 ]
P. S. If any of our pamphlets (with which we
abound) are ever fent over to Ireland, and you
think them worth reading, you will perceive
how low they are reduced in point of argument
on one fide of the queftion. This has drove
certain people to that laft refort of calling
names. Villain, traitor, feditious rafcal, and
fuch ingenious appellations, have frequently
been bestowed on a couple of friends of yours.
Such ufage has made it neceffary to return the
fame polite language; and there has been
more Billingsgate ftuff uttered from the prefs*
within theſe two months, than ever was known
before. Upon this Dr. Arbuthnot has wrote a
very humorous treatiſet, which he ſhewed me
this morning; wherein he proves, from many
learned inftances, that this fort of altercation
is ancient, elegant, and claffical; and that
what the world falfely imagines to be polite, is
truly Gothic and barbarous. He fhews how
the gods and goddeffes uſed one another; dog,
bitch, and whore, were pretty common ex-
preffions among them: kings, heroes, ambaffa-
dors, and orators abufed one another much in
<
Among the pamphlets published within that period, was
one intitled Sedition and Defamation diſplayed, in a letter to the
Author of the Craftſman, publiſhed in Jan. 1730-31. It was
generally, though falfely, imputed to lord Hervey.'
،
+ Probably that publiſhed in the Miſcellaneous works of the
late Dr. Arbuthnot, Vol. I. p. 40. Printed at Glaſgow, in 173 1.
The title of the piece is, A brief account of Mr. John Ginglicut's
treatiſe concerning the Altercation or Scolding of the Ancients.
the
[ 15 ]
the fame way; and he concludes, that it is a
pity this method of objurgation fhould be loft.
His quotations from Homer, Demofthenes, Æf
chines, and Tully are admirable, and the whole
is very humorously conducted. I take it for
granted he will fend it you himſelf as foon as
it is printed.
LETTER CCLXXXIV.
Lady B——— G.
B-
G-
to Dr. SWIST.
Feb. 23, 1730-5.
Now were you in vaft hopes you ſhould hear no
more from me, I being flow in my motions: but
don't flatter yourſelf; you began the correfpon-
dence, fet my pen a-going, and God knows when
it will end; for I had it by inheritance from my
father, ever to pleaſe myſelf when I could; and
though I don't juft take the turn my mother did of
fafting and praying; yet to be fure that was her
pleaſure too, or elfe fhe would not have been fo
greedy of it. I don't care to deliver your meffage
this great while to lieutenant Head, he having been
dead theſe two years. And though he had, as you
fay, a head, I loved him very well; but, however,
from my dame Wadgar's firft impreffion, I have
-ever had a natural antipathy to ſpirits.
I have not acquaintance enough with Mr. Pope,
which I am forry for, and expect you ſhould come
The deaf houfekeeper at lord Berkeley's.
to
}
[ 16 ]
to England, in order to improve it. If it was the
queen, and not the duke of Grafton, that picked
out ſuch a laureat*, ſhe deſerves his poetry in her
praiſe.
4
Your friend Mrs. Barber has been here. I find
fhe has fome requeft; but neither you nor fhe has
yet let it out to me what it is: for certainly you can-
not mean That by fubfcribing to her book; if fo,
I fhall be mighty unhappy to have you call That a
favour. For furely there is nothing ſo eaſy as what
one can do one's felf, nor any thing fo heavy as
what one muft afk, other people for; thongh I don't
mean by this, that I fhall ever be unwilling, when
you require it; yet fhall be much happier, when
it is in my own power to fhew, how fincerely I am
my old friend's moſt faithful humble ſervant.
Mrs. Floyd is much yours; but dumber than
ever, having a violent cold.
LETTER CCLXXXV.
Mr. GAY to Dr. SWIFT.
March 20, 1730-1.
I Think it is a above three months fince I wrote
to you, in partnerſhip with the duchefs. About
a fortnight fince I wrote to you from Twic-
kenham, for Mr. Pope and myſelf. He was then dif-
abled from writing by a fevere rheumatic pain in
* Colley Cibber,
his
11
[ 17 17]
]
his arm; but is pretty well again, and at prefent in
town. Lord Oxford, lord Bathurst, he, and I dined
together yesterday at Barnes, with old Jacob Tonfon;
where we drank your health. I am again, by the
advice of phyficians, grown a moderate wine-drinker,
after an abſtinence of above two years; and now
look upon myſelf as qualified for fociety as before.
I formerly fent you a ftate of the accounts be-
tween us. Lord B hath this day paid me
your principal and intereft. The intereft amounted
to 127. and I want your directions how to difpofe
of the principal, which muft lie dead, till I receive
your orders. I had a fcheme of buying two lottery
tickets for you, and keeping your principal intire.
And as all my good fortune is to come, to fhew
you that I confult your advantage, I will buy two
more for myſelf, and then you and I will go halves
in the ten thousand pounds. That there will be a
lottery is certain: the fcheme is not yet declared,
but I hear it will not be the moſt advantageous one';
for we are to have but 31. per cent..
1
J
I folicit for no court favours, fo that I propofe
to buy the tickets at the market price, when they
come out, which will not be thefe two or three
months. If you do not like to have your money
thus difpofed of; or if you like to truft to your
own fortune, rather than to ſhare in mine, let me
have your orders; and at the fame time, tell me
what I fhall do with the principal fum.
I came to town the 7th of January laft, with the
duke and duchefs, about bufinefs, for a fortnight.
VOL. III.
As
}
1
[ 18 ]
As it depended upon others, we could not get it
done till now. Next week we return to Amesbury,
in Wiltshire, for the reft of the year; but the beſt
way is always to direct to me at the duke's, in Bur
lington-gardens, near Piccadilly. I am ordered by the
duchess to grow rich in the manner of Sir John
Cutler. I have nothing, at this prefent writing, but
my frock that was made at Saliſbury, and a bob per-
riwig. I perfuade myfelf that it is fhilling-weather
as feldom as poffible; and have found out, that there
are few court-vifits that are worth a fhilling. In
hort, I am very happy in my prefent independency.
I envy no man; but have the due contempt of vo-
luntary flaves of birth and fortune. I have fuch a
fpite against you, that I wish you may long for my
company, as I do for your's. Though you never
write to me, you cannot make me forget you; fo that
If it is out of friendſhip you write fo feldom to me, it
doth not answer the purpofe. Thofe who you like
fhould remember you, do ſo whenever I fee them.
I believe they do it upon their own account; for I
know few people who are folicitous to pleafe or fat-
The duchefs fends you her compliments,
and fo would many more, if they knew of my writ-
ing to you.
ter me.
{
E
LET.
[ 19 ]
LETTER CCLXXXVI.
Mr. GAY to Dr. SWIFT.
DEAR SIR,
April 11, 1731.
THE fortune of the perfon you intereft yourſelf
in, amounts to at prefent (all debts paid) above
three thousand four hundred pounds; ſo that, what-
ever other people think, I look upon him, as to for-
tune, to be happy'; that is to fay, an independent
creature. I have been in expectation, poft after
poft, to have received your directions about the dif
pofal of your money. I left that fum, with 200%
of my own, in Mr. Hoare's hands, at my coming out
of town. If I hear nothing from you, I fhall do
with it, as I do with my own. I made you a pro-
pofal about purchafing lottery tickets, in partner-
fhip with myself; that is to fay, four tickets be-
tween us. This can be done with the overplus, the
intereft-money I have received; but in this I will do
nothing, till I hear from you.
I am now got to my refidence at Amesbury, getting
health, and faving money. Since I have got over
the impediment to a writer, water-drinking, if I
can perfuade myſelf that I have any wit, and find I
have inclination, I intend to write; though as yet,
I have another impediment: for I have not provided
myſelf with a ſcheme. Ten to one but I fhall have
a propensity to write againſt vice, and who can tell
C 2
how
f
}
1
[ 20 ]
how far that may offend? But an author fhould con-
fult his genius, rather than his intereft, if he can-
not reconcile them. Juft before I left London, I
made a vifit to Mrs. Barber. I wish I could any
ways have contributed to her fubfcription. I have
always found myfelf of no confequence, and am
now of less than ever; but I have found out a way,
in one refpect, of making myſelf of more confe-
quence, which is by confidering other people of lefs.
Thoſe who have given me up, I have given up;
and in ſhort, I feek after no friendſhips, but am con-
tent with what I have in the houſe. They have-fub-
ſcribed, and I propofed it before Jo. Taylor, who,
upon hearing ſhe was a friend of your's, offered his
fubfcription, and defired his compliments to you.
I believe the hath given you an account that he
hath fome profpect of fuccefs from others recommen-
dations to thoſe I know; and I have not been want-
ing upon all occafions to put in my good word, -
which I fear avails but little. Two days ago
ceived a letter from Dr. Arbuthnot, which gave me
but a bad account of Mr. Pope's health. I have
writ to him; but have not heard from him fince I
came into the country. If you knew the pleaſure
you gave me, you would keep your contract of
writing more punctually; and efpecially you would
have anfwered my laft letter, as it was a money
affair, and you have to do with a man of buſineſs.
Your letter was more to the duchefs than to me;
fo I now leave off, to offer her the paper.
*
I re
Poft
[ 21 ]
1
+
1
Poftfcript by the Duchefs.
些
​It was Mr. Gay's fault that, I did not write fooner;
which if I had, I should hope you would have been
here by this time; for I have to tell you, all your
articles are agreed to; and that I only love my own
way, when I meet not with others whofe ways
I
like better. I am in great hopes that I fhall ap-
prove of your's; for to tell you the truth, I am at
prefent a little tired of my own. I have not a
clear or diftinct, voice, except when I am angry ;
but I am a very good nurfe, when people don't fanfy,
themſelves fick. Mr. Gay knows this; and he
knows too how to play at backgammon. Whether
the parfon of the parish can, I know not; but if he
cannot hold his tongue, I can. Pray fet out the
first fair wind, and, ftay with us as long as ever you
pleafe. I cannot name my fixed time, that I fhall
like to maintain you and your equipage; but if I
don't happen to like you, I know I can fo far go-
vern my temper, as to endure you for about five
days. So come away directly; at all hazards you'll
be allowed a good breathing time. I fhall make no
fort of refpectful conclufions; for till I know you,
I cannot tell what I am to you.
+
*
5
$
Mr. GAY's Poftfcript.
The direction is to the duke of Queenfberry's, in
Burlington-gardens, Piccadilly. Now I have told you
this, you have no excufe from writing but one,
$
{
b. C 13
which
2.
[ 22 ]
which is coming; get over your law-fuit, and re-
ceive your money.
The duchefs adds, "he fhall not write a word
more from Amesbury, in Wiltshire. Your groom was
miſtaken; for the houfe is big enough, but the park
is too little."
LETTER CCLXXXVII.
Lord B-
to Dr. SWIFT.
April 19, 1731.
I NEVER defigned to have wrote to you any
more, becauſe you bantered and abufed me fo
grofly in your laft. To flatter a man, from whom
you can get nothing, nor expect any thing, is do-
ing mifchief for mifchief-fake, and confequently
highly immoral. However, I will not carry my re-
fentments fo far, as to ftand by and fee you undone,
without giving you both notice and advice. Could
any man but you think of trusting John Gay with his
money? None of his friends would ever trust him
with his own, whenever they could avoid it. He
has called in the zool. I had of your's; I paid
him both principal and intereft. I ſuppoſe by this
time he has loft it. I give you notice, you muſt
look upon it as annihilated.
Now, as I have confidered, your deanry brings
you in little or nothing, and that you keep fervants
and horfes, and frequently give little neat dinners,
which
[ 23 ]
which are more expenfive than a few fplendid enter-
tainments; befides which, you may be faid to water
your flock with French wine, which altogether muſt
confume your fubftance. in a little while; I have
thought of putting you in a method, that may re-
trieve your affairs. In the first place, you must turn
off all your fervants, and fell your horfes (I will find
exerciſe for you). Your whole family muft conſiſt of
only one found wholefome wench. She will make
your bed, and warm it; befides washing your lin-
nen, and mending it, darning your ſtockings, &c.
But to fave all expence in houſe-keeping, you must
contrive fome way or other, that ſhe ſhould have
milk; and I can affure you, it is the opinion of fome
of the best phyficians, that womens milk is the
wholeſomeft food in the world.
Befides, this regimen, take it altogether, will cer-
tainly temper and cool your blood. You will not
be ſuch a boutefeu, as you have been, and be ready,
upon every trifling occafion, to fet a whole kingdom
in a flame. Had the Drapier been a milk-fop, poor
Wood had not fuffered fo much in his reputation and
fortune. It will allay that fervour of blood, and
quiet that hurry of fpirits, which breaks out every
now and then into poetry, and feems to communi-
cate itſelf to others of the chapter. You would not
then encourage Delaney and Stopford in their idleneſs,
but let them be as grave as most of their order are
with us. I am convinced they will fooner get prefer-
ment then, than in the way they now are. And I
hall not be out of hopes of feeing you a biſhop in
C4
time,
R
誉
​[ 24 ]
time, when you live in that regular way, which I pro-
pofe. In fhort, in a few years, you may lay up mo-
ney enough to buy even the bishopric of Durham.
For if you keep cows, inftead of horfes, in that high-
walled orchard, and cultivate by your own induſtry
a few potatoes in your garden, the maid will live well,
and be able to fell more butter and cheefe, than will
anfwer her wages. You may preach then upon your
temperance with a better grace, than now, that you
are known to conſume five or fix hogfheads of wine
every year of your life. You will be mild and meek
in your converfation, and not frighten parliament-
men, and keep even lords-lieutenants in awe. You
will than be qualified for that flavery, which the coun-
try you live in, and the order you profeſs, ſeem to be
defigned for. It will take off that giddinefs in your
head, which has disturbed yourfelf and others. The
difputes between Sir Arthur and my lady, will for
the future be confined to profe, and an old thorn may
be cut down in peace, and warm the parlour chimney,
without heating the heads of poor innocent people,
and turning their brains.
1
Į
1
You ought to remember what St. Auftin fays, Poefis
eft vinum dæmonum. Confider the life you now lead:
you, warm all that come near you with your wine and
*
J
:
Sir Arthur Achefon, at whofe feat, in a village called Market-
Hill in Ireland, the dean fometimes made a long vifit. The dif-
fute between Sir Arthur and my lady, here alluded to, is whe-
thier Hamilton's barn fhould be turned into a barrack, or a malt-
honfe? The Old Thory, is that cut down at Market-Hill, the fub-
ject of a little poem written by Swift. vol. vii. p. 121, 141.
edit. 1754.
converfation
[ 25 ]
converfation; and the reſt of the world, with your
pen dipped deep in St. Auſtin's vinum dæmonum.
So far for your foul's health. Now, as to the
health of the body; I muft inform you, that part of
what I prefcribe to you, is the fame which our great
friar Bacon prefcribed to the pope, who lived in his
days. Read his Cure of old Age, and Prefervation of
Youth, chap. the 12th. You uſed to ſay, that you
- found benefit from riding. The French, an inge-
nious people, ufe the word chevaucher, inftead of
monter à cheval, and they look upon it as the fame
thing in effect.
ነ
Now, if you will go on after this, in your old
ways, and ruin your health, your fortune, and your
reputation, it is no fault of mine. I have pointed
out the road, which will lead you to riches and pre-
ferment; and that you may have no excufe from
entering into this new courfe of life, upon pretence
of doubting, whether you can get a perfon properly
qualified to feed you, and compofe your new family,
I will recommend you to John Gay, who is much better
qualified to bring increafe from a woman, then from
a fum of money. But if he fhould be lazy, (he is fo
fat, that there is fome reafon to doubt him) I will with-
out fail fupply you myfelf, that you may be under no
diſappointments. Bracton fays Conjunctio maris et
fæminæ eft jure naturæ. Vide Cook upon Littleton.
Calvin's cafe 1ft vol. Reports.
This 1 fend you from my clofet at Richkings
where I am at leifure to attend ſerious affairs; but
*
A feat of his lordship's, in Buckinghamſhire?
when
26 ]
1
when one is in town, there are fo many things to
laugh at, that it is very difficult to compofe one's
thoughts, even long enough to write a letter of advice
to a friend. If I fee any man ferious in that crowd,
I look upon him for a very dull or defigning fellow.
By the bye, I am of opinion, that folly and cunning
are nearer allied than people are aware of. If a fool
runs out his fortune, and is undone, we fay, the
poor man has been outwitted. Is it not as reafona-
ble to fay of a cunning rafcal, who has lived mifera-
bly, and died hated and defpifed, to leave a great
fortune behind him, that he has outwitted himſelf?
In fhort, to be ferious about thoſe trifles, which the
majority of mankind think of confequence, feems to
me to denote folly; and to trifle with thofe things,
which they generally treat ludicroufly, may denote
knavery. I have obſerved that, in comedy, the beſt
actor plays the part of the droll, whilſt ſome ſcrub
rogue is made the hero, or fine gentleman. So in this
farce of life, wife men paſs their time in mirth, whilft
fools only are ferious. Adieu.
Continue to be merry and wife; but never turn fe-
rious, or cunning.
LETTER CCLXXXVIII.
Mr. GAY to Dr. SWIFT.
DEAR SIR,
Amesbury, April 27, 1731.
YOUR's, without a date, I received two days after
my return to this place from London, where I ſtayed
only four days. 1 faw Mr. Pope, who is much better:
I dined
[ 27 ]
*
I dined with him at lord Oxford's, who never fails
drinking your health, and is always very inquifitive
after every thing that concerns you. Mr. Pulteney
had received your letter, and feemed very much
pleaſed with it; and I thought you too very much
in the favour of the lady. Sir William Wyndham,
whom you will hear hath buried lady Catharine, was
at Dawley in great affliction. Dr. Arbuthnot I found
in good health and fpirits. His neighbour, Mr.
Lewis, was gone to Bath. Mrs. Patty Blount I faw
two or three times, who will be very much pleaſed,
when she knows you ſo kindly remember her. I am
afraid Mrs. Howard will not be fo well fatisfied with
the compliments you fend her. I breakfafted twice
with her at Mrs. Blount's; and fhe told me, that her
indifpofition had prevented her anfwering your let-
ter. This ſhe defired me to tell you, that ſhe would
write to you foon; and ſhe defires you will accept of
her compliments in the mean time, by me. You
fhould confider circumſtances before you cenfure. It
will be too long for a letter to make her apology; but
when I fee you, I fhall convince you, that you mif-
take her *. The day before I left London, I gave or-
ders for buying two South Sea or India bonds for you,
which carry 41. per cent. and are as eafily turned into
ready money, as bank-bills; which, by this time, I
fuppofe is done.
* See a further defence of this lady, in the letters of lady
B----G------- CCCX, CCCXIV.
Whenever
[
[ 28 ]
3.
Whenever you come to England, if you will puț
that confidence in me, to give me notice, I will meet
you at your landing-place, and conduct you hither.
You have experience of me as a traveller; and, I
promife, I will not drop you on the road for any
vifit whatever. You tell me of thanks I have not
given. I don't know what to fay to people who are
continually laying one under obligations: my beha-
viour to you, ſhall convince you that I am very fen-
fible of them, though I never once mention them.
I look upon you as my best friend and counſellor.
I long for the time when we fhall meet and converſe
together. I will draw you into no great company,
befide thofe I live with. In fhort, if you infift upon
it, I will give up all great company for your's.
Thefe are conditions, that I can hardly think you
will infift upon, after your declarations to the duchefs,
who is more and more impatient to fee you and all
my fear is, that you will give up me for her,, which,
after my ungallant declaration, would be very un-
generous. But we will fettle this matter together,
when you come to Amesbury. After all, I find I have
been faying nothing; for fpeaking of her I am talk
ing as if I were in my own power. You ufed to
blame me for over-folicitude about myself. I am
now grown fo rich, that I don't think myfelf worth
thinking on; fo that I will promife you never to
mention myſelf, or my own affairs; but you owed
it all to the inquifitiveness of your friendship; and
ten to one but you will every now and then draw
me in to talk of myſelf again. I fent you a grofs
ง
1
: ftate
[ 29 ]
t
}
ftate of my fortune already. I have not room to
draw it out in particulars. When you come over,
the duchefs will flate it to you. I have left no room
for her to write, fo that I will fay nothing till my
letter is gone; but he would not forgive me, if
I did not fend her compliments.
LETTER CCLXXXIX.
Lady B
G-
to Dr. SWIFT..
June 5, 1731.
I FANSY you have comforted your felf a long time
with the hopes of hearing no more; but you may
return your thanks to a downright fit of the gout in
my foot, and as painful a rheumatism that followed
immediately after in my arm, which bound me to
my good behaviour. So you may perceive I fhould
make a fad nurſe to Mr. Pope, who finds the effects
of age and a crazy carcafe already. However, if
it is true what I am informed, that you are com-
ing here foon, I expect you ſhould bring us toge÷
ther; and if he will bear me with patience, I fhall
hear him with pleaſure.
•
I don't know what number of chaplains the duke of
Dorset intends to carry over; but as yet, I have heard
of but one that he has fent, and he is as worthy, ho-
neft, fenfible a man, as any I know, Mr. Brandreth,
who I believe was recommended to your acquain-
tance. I believe you will find by my writing, that it
نيه
is
}
鲁
​[ 30 ]
is not quite eafy to me, fo I will neither teaze you, nor
trouble myſelf longer, who am moſt fincerely your
faithful humble fervant,
Duchefs of
LETTER CCXC.
E. G.
and Mr. GAY to Dr. SWIFT.
1
The DUCHESS.
July 18, 1731.
You are my dear friend, I am fure, for you are
hard to be found: that you are fo, is certainly owing
to fome evil genius. For if you fay true, this is
the very propereft place you can repair to. There
is not a head here upon any of our ſhoulders, that is
not, at fometimes, worfe than your's can poffibly be
at the worft; and not one to compare with your's,
when at best, except your friends are your fworn
liars. So in one refpect, at leaft, you will find
things just as they could be wished. It is farther
neceffary to affure you, that the duchefs is neither
healthy nor young; fhe lives in all the fpirits fhe can,
and with as little grandeur as fhe can poffibly. She
too, as well as you, can fcold, and command; but
ſhe can be filent, and obey, if the pleafes; and then
for a good nurfe, it is out of difpute, but fhe muft
prove an excellent one, who has been ſo experienced
In the infirmities of others, and of her own. As for
talking nonfenfe, provided you do it on purpoſe,
fhe has no objection: there is fo:ne fenfe in nonfenfe,
wher
[
31 ]
when it does not come by chance. In fhort, I am
very fure, that ſhe has fet her heart upon feeing you
at this place. Here are women enough to attend
you, if you ſhould happen not to approve of her.
She has not one fine lady belonging to her, or her
houſe. She is impatient to be governed, and is
cheerfully determined, that you fhall quietly enjoy
your own will and pleaſure as long as ever you
pleaſe.
MF. GAY,
You ſhall ride, you fhall walk, and ſhe will be
glad to follow your example: and this will be doing
good at the fame time to her and yourſelf. I had
not heard from you fo long, that I was in fears about
you, and in the utmoft impatience for a letter. I
had flattered myſelf, your law-fuit was at an end,
and that your own money was in your own pocket;
and about a month ago, I was every day expecting
a fummons to Bristol. Your money is either getting
or loſing ſomething; for I have placed it in the funds.
For I am grown fo much a man of buſineſs, that is to
fay, fo covetous, that I cannot bear to let a fum of mo-
ney lie idle. Your friend Mrs. Howard, is now coun-
tefs of Suffolk. I am ftill fo much a dupe, that I
think you miſtake her. Come to Amesbury, and you
and I will difpute this matter; and the duchefs fhall
be judge. But I fancy you will object againſt her;
for I will be fo fair to you, as to own, that I think
fhe is of my fide: but, in fhort, you ſhall chuſe
any impartial referee you pleafe. I have heard from
her;
[ 32 ]
I
&
her; Mr. Pope hath feen her; I beg you will fuf-
pend your judgment ti 1 we talk over this affair to-
gether; for I fanfy by your letter, you have neither
heard from her, or feen her, fo that you cannot åt
preſent be as good a judge as we are. I'll be a dupe
for you at any time, therefore I beg it of you, that
you would let me be a dupe in quiet.
As you have had feveral attacks of the giddinefs
you at prefent complain of, and that it hath formerly
left you, I will hope at this inftant you are perfectly
well; though my fears were fo very great, before I
received your letter, that I may probably flatter my-
felf, and think you better than you are. As to my
being a manager for the duke, you have been mif-
informed. Upon the diſcharge of an unjuſt ſteward,
he took the adminiftration into his own hands. I
own, I was called in to his affiſtance, when the ſtate
of affairs was in the greateſt confufion. Like an an-
cient Roman, I came, put my helping hand to fet
affairs right, and as foon as it was done, I am re-
tired again as a private man.
The DU CHESS.
What you imagined you heard her fay, was a good
deal in her ftile: it was a thoufand to one he had
not faid fo, but I must do her the juftice to fay,
that ſhe did not, either in thought or word. I am
fure the wants to be better acquainted with you,
for which he has found out ten thousand reaſons,
that we'll tell you, if you come.
Mr.
[ 33 ]
Mr. GAY.
By your letter, I cannot guess whether we are
like to fee you or no. Why might not the Amesbury
downs make you better?
The DucHES So
DEAR SIR;
Mr. Gay tells me, I muft write upon his line for
fear of taking up too much room. It was his fault,
that I omitted my duty in his laft letter, for he never
told me one word of writing to you, till he had fent
away his letter. However, as a mark of my great
humility, I ſhall be ready and glad, to aſk your par-
don upon my knees, as foon as ever you come,
though not in fault. I own this is a little mean-fpi-
rited, which I hope will not make a bad impreffion,
confidering you are the occafion. I fubmit to all
your conditions, fo pray, come; for, I have not
only promiſed myfelf, but Mr. Gay alfo, the fatif-
faction to hear you talk as much nonfenfe as you
can poffibly utter.
Mr. GA Y
You will read in the Gazette of a friend of your's,
who hath lately had the dignity of being diſgrac'd *:
for he, and every body, except five or fix, look
*' William Pulteney, Efq; who on the 1ft of July, 1731, was,
by order of king George II. ftruck out of the lift of the privy-coun-
cil, and put out of all the commiſſions of the peace,'
D
upon
“
[ 34 ]
upon it in the fame light. I know, were you here,
you would congratulate him upon it, I have no
fcheme at prefent, either to raiſe my fame or for-
tune.. I daily reproach myſelf for my idlenefs. You
know, one cannot write when one will. I think and
reject: one day or other, perhaps, I may think on
fomething that may engage me to write. You and
I are alike in one particular (I wiſh to be fo in many;)
I mean, that we hate to write upon other folks hints.
I love to have my own ſcheme, and to treat it in
my own way. This, perhaps, may be taking too
much upon myſelf, and I may make a bad choice;
but I can always enter into a ſcheme of my own
with more eafe and pleaſure, than into that of any
other body. I long to fee you; I long to hear from
you; I wish you health; I wish you happineſs;
and I should be very happy myfelf to be witnefs
that you enjoyed my wishes.
+
t
}
5
LETTER CCXCI.
Lord BOLINGBROKE
NG BROKE to Dr. SwIFT.
Auguft 2, 1731.
I AM indebted to you, my reverend Dean, for a let-
ter of a very old date: the expectation of feeing you
from week to week, which our friend Gay made me
entertain, hindered me from writing to you a good
while; and I have fince deferred it by waiting an
opportunity of fending my letter by a fafe hand.
That
[ 35 ]
That
opportunity prefents itſelf at laſt, and Mr.
Ecklin will put this letter into your hands.
You will hear from him, and from others, of the
general ſtate of things in this country, into which
I returned, and where I am confined for my fins. If
I entertained the notion, which by the way I believe to
be much older than Popery, or even than Chriſtianity,
of making up an account with heaven, and demand-
ing the balance in blifs, or paying it by good works
and fufferings of my own, and by the merits and
fufferings of others, I ſhould imagine that I had ex-
piated all the faults of my life, one way or other,
fince my return into England. One of the circum-
ftances of my fituation, which has afflicted me moſt,
and which afflicts me ftill fo, is the abfolute inutility
I am of to thofe whom I ſhould be the beſt pleaſed to
ferve. Succefs in ferving my friends would make
me amends for the want of it in differving my eni-
mies. It is intolerable to want it in both, and yet
both go together generally.
I have had two or three projects on foot for making
fuch an eſtabliſhment here as might tempt you to
quit Ireland. One of them would have fucceeded,
and would have been agreeable in every refpect, if
engagements to my lady's kinfman (who did not, I
fuppofe, deferve to be your clerk) had not prevented
it. Another of them cannot take place, without the
conſent of thoſe, who would rather have you a dean
in Ireland, than a pariſh prieſt in England; and who
are glad to keep you, where your fincere friend, my
late lord Oxford, fent you. A third was wholly in
Dz
our
}
E 36 ]
our power; but when I enquired exactly into the va-
lue, I found it lefs than I had believed; the diſtance
from thoſe parts was great; and befides all this, an
unexpected and groundleſs difpute about the right of
prefentation (but ftill fuch a difpute as the law muft
determine) had arifen. You will pleaſe to believe,
that I mention theſe things for no other reaſon than
to fhew you, how much thofe friends deferve you
fhould make them a vifit at leaſt, who are fo de firous
to fettle you amongst them. I hope their endeavours
will not be always unſucceſsful.
•
I received, fome time ago, a letter from Dr. De-
laney; and very lately Mr. Pope fent me fome ſheets,
which feem to contain the fubftance of two fermons
of that gentleman's. The philofophia prima is above
my reach, and eſpecially when it attempts to prove,
that God has done, or does fo and fo, by attempt-
ing to prove, that doing fo and fo is effential to his
attributes, or neceffary to his defign; and that the
not doing fo and fo would be inconfiftent with the
former, or repugnant to the latter. I content my-
felf to contemplate what I am fure he has done, and
to adore him for it in humble filence. I can demon-
ftrate, that every cavil, which has been brought
againſt the great fyftem of the world, phyfical" and
moral, from the days of Democritus and Epicurus to
this day, is abfurd; but I dare not pronounce why
things are made as they are, ftate the ends of infinite
wifdom, and fhew the proportion of the means*.
*Yet this appears to have been the attempt of Mr. Pope, in
his Effay on Man, in which he profeffes to have adopted lord Be-
lingbrcke's principles,
"Thou
[ 37 ]
Dr. Delaney, in his letter to me, mentioned fome
errors in the critical parts of learning, which he
hoped he had corrected, by fhewing the miſtakes,
particularly of Sir John Marsham, on whofe autho-
rity thofe errors were bailt. Whether I can be of
ufe to him, even in this part, I know not; for hav-
ing.fixed my opinion long ago concerning all ancient
history and chronology, by a careful examination
into the first principles of them, I have ever fince
laid that ſtudy totally afide. I confefs, in the let-
ter I writ lately to the doctor, notwithſtanding my
great reſpect for Sir John Marsham, that his autho-
rity is often precarious, becauſe he leans often on other
authorities, which are fo. But to you I will confefs a
little more; I think, nay I know, that there is no
poffibility of making any fyftem of that kind, with-
out doing the fame thing; and that the defect is in
the fubject, not in the writer. I have read the writ-
ings of fome who differ from him; and of others
who undertook particularly to refute him. It feems
plain to me, that this was the cafe. All the mate-
rials of this fort of learning are disjointed and bro-
ken. Time has contributed to render them fo, and
the unfaithfulneſs of thofe, who have tranſmitted
them down to us, particularly of that vile fellow
Eufebius*, has done even more than time itfelf. By
+
་
"Thou wert my guide, philofopher, and friend;"
and which lord Bolingbroke, in a ſubſequent part of this very letter
fays, was undertaken at his inftigation; approving, at the fame
time, of the firſt three books, which he had feen and confidered.
*The learned bishop of Cefarea, in the fourth century, in
his Chronicon, published by Jofeph Scaliger, with notes, at Leyden,
4
D 3
in
[ 38 ]
throwing theſe fragments into a different order, by
arbitrary interpretations. (and, is often impoffible to
to make any others) in fhort, by a few plaufible
gueffes for the connexion and application of them,
á man may, with tolerable ingenuity, prove almoſt
any thing by them. I tried formerly to prove, in a
learned differtation, by the fame fet of authorities,
that there had been four Affyrian monarchies; that
there had been but three; that there had been but two;
that there had been but one; and that there never had
been any. I puzzled myſelf, and a much nobler man
than myſelf, the friend to whom I lent the manufcript,
and who has, I believe, kept it. In fhort, I am afraid
that I fhall not be very ufeful to Dr. Delaney, in making
remarks on the work he is about. His communication
of this work may be uſeful, and I am fure it will be
agreeable to me. If you and he are ftill in Ireland,
pray give my beſt ſervices to him; but ſay no more
than may be proper of all I have writ to you.
I know very well the project you mean, and
about which you ſay, that Pope and you have often
teazed me. I could convince you, as he is con-
vinced, that a publication of any thing of that
kind would have been wrong on many accounts,
and would be ſo even now. Befides, call it pride, if
you will, I ſhall never make, either to the pre-
fent age, or to pofterity, any apology for the part
I acted in the late queen's reign *. But I will apply
in 1606, folio, and reprinted at Amfterdam, with great additions
to the notes, in 16582
* This probably alludes to a tract called Letters on the Spirit of
Paninifm, &c. of which lord Bolingbroke permitted a few copies
το
·I
[ 39 ]
myfelf very feriously to the compoſition of juſt and
true relations of the events of thofe times, in which
both I, and my friends and my enemies, muſt take
the merit, or the blame, which an authentic and
impartial deduction of facts will affign to us. I will
endeavour to write fo as no man could write, who
had not been a party in thoſe tranſactions, and as
few men would write, who had been concerned in
them. I believe I fhall go back, in confidering
the political interefts of the principal powers in
Europe, as far as the Pyrennean treaty; but I shall
not begin a thread of hiſtory till the death of Charles
the ſecond of Spain, and the acceffion of queen Anne
to the throne of England. Nay, even from that
time downwards, I fhall render my relations more
full, or piu magra, the word is father Paul's, juſt as
I have, or have not, a flock of authentic materials.
Theſe ſhall regulate my work, and I will neither
indulge my own vanity, nor other mens curiofity,
in going one step farther than they carry me.
fee, my dear Swift, that I open a large field to my-
felf: with what fuccefs I fhall expatiate in it, I
know as little, as I know whether I fhall live to go
through fo great a work; but I will begin immedi-
ately, and will make it one principal bufinefs of the
reft of my life. This advantage, at leaft, I fhall
reap from it, a great advantage it will be, my at
tention will be diverted from the prefent fcene. I
You
to be taken, for his particular friends, and which afterwards
found its way into the world by Mr. Pope's means. Gent. Mag.
Vol. XIX. p. 195, 196.
Ꭰ Ꮞ
fhal
W
[ 40 ]
ſhall grieve lefs at thoſe things which I cannot mend;
I fhall dignify my retreat; and fhall wind up the
labours of my life in ferving the cauſe of truth."
You fay, you could easily fhew, by comparing
my letters for twenty years paft, how the whole
fyftem of my philofophy changes by the feveral gra-
dations of life. I doubt it. As far as I am able
to recollect, my way of thinking has been uniform
enough for more than twenty years. True it is, to
my fhame, that my way of acting has not been al-
ways conformable to my way of thinking. My own
paffions, and the paffions and interefts of other men
ftill more, have led me afide. I launched into the
deep before I had loaded ballaft enough. If the fhip
did not fink, the cargo was thrown over-board. The
ftorm itſelf threw me into port. My own opinion,
my own defires, would have kept me there; the
opinion, the defires, of others fent me to fea again.
I did, and blamed myſelf for doing what others,
and you, among the reft, would have blamed me,
if I had not done. I have paid more than I owed
to party, and as much, at leaft as was due to
friendship. If I go off the ftage of public life,
without paying all I owe to my enemies, and to the
enemies of my country, I do affure you the bank-
ruptcy is not fraudulent. I conceal none of my
effects.
Does Pope talk to you of the noble work, which,
at my inftigation, he has begun in fuch a manner,
that he muſt be convinced, by this time, I judged
better of his talents than he did? The firft epiftle
which
[ 41 ]
L
which confiders man, and the habitation of man,
relatively to the whole fyftem of univerfal being.
The fecond, which confiders him in his own habita-
tion, in himſelf, and relatively to his particular
fyftem. And the third, which fhews how an uni-
verfal caufe works to one end, but works by vari-
ous laws; how man, and beat, and vegetable are
linked in a mutual dependency, parts neceffary to
each other, and neceffary to the whole; how hu-
man focieties were formed; from what fpring true
religion and true policy are derived; how God has
made our greateſt intereſts and our plaineft duty in-
divifibly the fame. Thefe three epiftles, I fay, are
finiſhed. The fourth he is now intent upon. It is
a noble ſubject; he pleads the caufe of God. I
ufe Seneca's expreffion, against that famous charge
which atheiſts in all ages have brought, the fup-
pofed unequal difpenfations of providence; a charge
which I cannot heartily forgive your divines for ad-
mitting *. You admit it indeed for an extreme
To prove that the difpenfations of providence in the pre-
fent ſtate are not unequal, is certainly very defirable; but there is
reafon to fear, that thofe who blame divines for admitting an in-
équality, hare not fucceeded in the attempt.
The philofophers, both ancient and modern, who have endea.
voured to justify the ways of God to man, by proving that happi-
nefs does not confift in externals, in order to fhew that his difpen-
fations are equal, have yet placed happiness in virtue chiefly, as
a principle of active benevolence.
<<
Happier as kinder in each due degree,
"And height of blifs, but height of charity.
Now there feems to be an inconfiftency between thefe two princi-
rles, of which they are not aware.
It
[ 42 ]
good purpoſe, and you build on this admiffion the
neceffity of a future ftate of rewards and puniſh-
ments. But what if you ſhould find, that this fu-
ture ſtate will not account for God's juſtice * in the
prefent ftate, which you give up, in oppofition to
the atheift? Would it not have been better to de-
fend God's juftice in this world, againſt theſe
daring men, by irrefragable reafons, and to have
refted the other point on revelation? I do not like
conceffions made against demonftration, repair or
fupply them how you will. The epiftles I have
mentioned will compofe a first book; the plan of
the fecond is fettled. You will not underſtand by
what I have faid, that Pope will go fo deep into the
argument, or carry it fo far as I have hinted. You
enquire fo kindly after my wife, that I must tell you
fomething of her. She has fallen upon a remedy,
invented by a furgeon abroad, and which has had
It may reaſonably be aſked, what virtue, as a principle of
adive benevolence, has to beftow? Can it heftow upon others
any thing more than externals? If not, it either has not. the
power of communicating happiness, or happiness is to be com-
municated in externals. If it has not the power of communicat-
ing happiness, it is indeed a mere name; the fubject receives
nothing; the agent gives nothing. The blifs of charity is found-
ed on a delufion; on the falfe fuppofition of a benefit communi-
cated by externals, which externals cannot communicate. If
happiness can be communicated by externals, and conſequently is
dependent upon thein, and thefe externals are unequally diftri-
buted, how is the difpenfation of Providence, with refpect to
happiness in the prefent ftate, equal?
*7.e. Will not reconcile the prefent unequal diſtribution of the
alvine juftice.
+
great
[ 43 ]
L
great fuccefs in cafes fimilar to her's. This remedy
has vifibly attacked the original caufe of all her com-
plaints, and has abated, in fome degree, by one
gentle and uniform effect, all the grievous and va-
rious fymptoms. I hope, and furely with reafon,
that fhe will receive ftill greater benefit from this -
method of cure, which fhe will refume as foon as
the great heat is over. If ſhe recovers, I ſhall not,
for her fake, abftract myfelf from the world, more
than I do at prefent in this place. But if the
fhould be taken from me, I fhould moft certainly
yield to that ftrong defire, which I have long had,
of fecluding myſelf totally from the company and
affairs of mankind; of leaving the management,
even of my private affairs, to others; and of ſe-
curing, by thofe means, for the rest of my life, an
uninterrupted tenor of philofophical quiet.
P————
A
I fuppofe you have feen fome of thofe volumes of
fcurrility, which have been thrown into the world
against Mr. P and myſelf, and the Craftsman,
which gave occafion to them. I think it is the ſenſe
of all my friends, that the perfon, who publiſhed
the Final Answer †, took a right turn, in a very nice
and very provoking circumftance. To anfwer all
the falfities, mifreprefentations, and blunders,
which a club of ſuch ſcoundrels, as Arnold, Concanen,
+ This pamphlet was written by lord Bolingbroke, in his own
vindication, in 1731. It is intituled, A Final Anfwer to the Re-
marks on the Craftſman's Vindication of his two honourable Patrons ;
and to all the Liķels which have come, or may come, from the fame
Quarter, against the Perfon laft mentioned in the Graftſman of 22d of
Mrn.
3
and
-
4
[ 44 ]
and other penfioners of the minifter, crouded toge
ther, would have been equally tedious and ridicu-
lous, and muſt have forced ſeveral things to be faid.
To have explained fome points, and to have ftop-
ped at others, would have given ftrength to that im-
pertinent fuggeftion, Guilt alone is filent in the day
of inquiry. It was therefore right to open no part
of the ſcene of the late queen's reign, nor fubmit
the paffages of her adminiſtration, and the conduct
of any of her minifters, to the examination of fo
vile a tribunal. This was fill the more right, be-
caufe, upon fuch points as relate to fubfequent tranf-
actions, and as affect me fingly, what the Craftsman
had faid, was juftified unanswerably; and what the
remarker had advanced, was proved to be infamously
falfe. The effect of this paper has anfwered the
defign of it; and, which is not common, all fides
agree, that the things faid ought to have been ſaid.
The public writers feem to be getting back, from theſe
perfonal altercations, to national affairs, much againſt
the grain of the minifter's faction. What the effect
of all this writing will be, I know not; but this I
know, that when all the information which can be
given, is given; when all the ſpirit which can be
raiſed, is raiſed, it is to no purpofe to write any
world have nothing
drive till fhe is caft
more.
Even you men of this
elfe to do, but to let the fhip
away, or till the ftorm is over.
For my own part,
I am neither an owner, an officer, nor a foremaft-
anan. I am but a paffenger, faid my lord Carbury.
It
[ 45 ]
It is well for you I am got to the end of my paper;
for you might elfe have a letter as long again from
me. If you anfwer me by the poft, remember whilſt
you are writing, that you write by the poft. Adieu,
my reverend friend.
LETTER CCXCII.
Lady B G to Dr. SWIFT.
Drayton, Sept. 7, 1737.
To fhew how ſtrictly I obey your orders, I came
from the duchefs of Dorfer's country-houfe to my
own, where I have rid and walked as often as the
weather permitted me. Nor am I very nice in that ;
for, if you remember, I was not bred up very ten-
derly, nor a fine lady; for which I acknowledge
myſelf exceedingly obliged to my parents: for had
I that fort of education, I fhould not have been fo
eafy and happy as, I thank God, I now am. As
to the gout, indeed, I do derive it from my ancef-
tors; but I may forgive even that, fince it waited
upon me no fooner; and eſpecially fince I fee my el-
der and two younger brothers fo terribly plagued
with it; fo that I am now the only wine-drinker in
my family; and, upon my word, I am not increaf-
ed in that fince you firft knew me.
I am forry you are involved in law-fuits; it is the
thing on earth I moft fear. I wish you had met with
as complaifant an adverfary as I did; for my lord
Peterborow
*
}
ť
46]:
Peterborow plagu'd Sir John * all his life-time; but
declared if ever he gave the eftate to me, he would
have done with it; and accordingly has kept his
word, like an honourable man.
I hope I fhall foon hear of the duke and duchefs
of Dorſet's fafe landing; and I do not queftion the
people of Ireland's liking them as well as they
deſerve. I defire no better for them; for if you
don't spoil him there, which I think he has too
good fenfe to let happen, he is the moft worthy, ho-
neft, good-natur'd, great-foul'd man that ever was
born. As to the duchefs, fhe is fo referved, that
perhaps the may not be at firft fo much admired; but,
upon knowledge, I will defy any body upon earth,
with fenfe, judgment, and good-nature, not only not
to admire her, but muft love and efteem her as muchi
as I do, and every one elfe does, that is really ac-
quainted with her. You know him a little; fo, for
his own fake, you must like him: and, till you are
better acquainted with 'them both, I hope you will
like them for minc. Your friend Biddy is juſt the
fame as he was; laughs fedately, and makes a
joke flily. And I am, as I ever was, and hope I
ever ſhall be, your moſt fincere friend, and faithful
humble fervant,
J
Hufband to lady - G---~~~
Mrs. Billy Floyd,
}
E G
LETTER
[ 47 ]
LETTER CCXCI.
The Countess of
to Dr. SWIFT.*
SIR,
Hampton-Court, Sept. 25, 1731.
YOU feem to think that you have a natural right
to abufe me, becauſe 1 am a woman, and a courtier.
I have taken it as a woman and as a courtier ought,
with great refentment, and a determined refolution
of revenge. The number of letters that have been
fent, and thought by many to be your's (and thank
God they were all filly ones) has been a fair field to
execute it. Think of
Think of my joy to hear you ſuſpected
of folly; think of my pleaſure when I entered the
lift for your juftification! indeed I was a little dif-
concerted to find Mr. Pope took the fame fide; for
I would have had the man of wit, the dignified di-
vine, the Irish Drapier, have found no friend but
the filly woman and the courtier. Could I have
preferved myfelf alone in the lift, I fhould not have
defpaired, that this monitor of princes, this Irish
patriot, this excellent man at ſpeech and pen, fhould
have cloſed the ſcene under fufpicion of having a vio-
lent paffion for Mrs. Barber and lady Mor: Mrs.
* Three letters recommending Mrs.Barber, the wife of a tradef-
man in Ireland, who had failed, to the queen, in order to forward
a fubfcription for fome poems, were forged in the Dean's name
and fent to her majesty. The Dean wrote an account of the
fraud, and a juftification of himself, to the countefs of S------,
in a letter, to which this is an anfwer. See one of the counter-
feit letters, and the Dean's to lady S------, in the volumes pub-
hed by Mr. Deane Swift.
Haywood
[ 48 ]
us.
Haywood has writ the progrefs of it. Now to my
mortification, I find every body inclined to think
that you had no hand in writing thofe letters; but
1 every day thank Providence that there is an epi-
taph in St. Patrick's cathedral t, that will be a laft-
ing monument of your imprudence. I cherish this
extremely; for, fay what you can to juftify it, I am
convinc'd I ſhall as eafily argue the world into the
belief of a courtier's fincerity, as you (with all your
wit and eloquence) will be able to convince man-
kind of the prudence of that action. I expect to
hear if peace fhall enfue, or war continue between
If I know but little of the art of war, you fee
I do not want courage; and that has made many
an ignorant foldier fight fuccefsfully. Befides I
have a numerous body of light armed troops to bring
into the field, who, when fingle, may be as inconfi-
derable as a Lilliputian, yet ten thousand of them
embarraffed captain Gulliver. If you fend honour-
able articles, they fhall be figned. I infift that you
own you have been unjuſt to me; for I have never for-
got you; for I have made others fend my compliments,
becauſe I was not able to write myſelf. If I cannot
juftify the advice I gave you, from the fuccefs of
it, I gave you my reafons for it: and it was your
bufinefs to have judged of my capacity, by the fo-
lidity of my arguments. If the principle was falfe,
you ought not to have acted upon it. So you have
* Mrs. Haywood, a well known writer of fcandal in novels.
+ On the duke of Schomberg. See the letter to which this is
an anfwer, in Mr. Deane Swift's colle&t.
been
[ 49 ]
Been only the dupe of your own ill judgment, and
not my falſhood. Am I to fend back the crown and
the plaid, well packed up, in my own character,
and continue very truly and very much your humble
fervant;
?
LETTER CCXCIV.
Lady BG to Dr. SwIFT.
Nov. 4, 1731 .
I BELIEVE in my confcience, that though you
had anſwered mine before, the fecond was never the
lefs welcome. So much for your topfcript, not
poftfcript; and in very fincere earneft I heartily
thank you for remembring me fo often. Since I
came out of the country, my riding days are over;
for I never was for your Hyde-Park courfes, although
my courage ferves me very well at a hand-gallop in
the country for fix or ſeven miles, with one horſe-
man, and a ragged lad, a labourer's boy, that is to
be cloathed when he can run fast enough to keep up
with my horfe, who has yet only proved his dexte-
rity by eſcaping from ſchool. But my courage fails
me for riding in town, where I ſhould have the hap-
pineſs to meet with plenty of your very pretty fel-
lows, that manage their own horſes to fhew their art;
or that think a poftilion's cap, with a white frock,
the most becoming drefs. Thefe and their grooms
I am most bitterly afraid of; becaufe, you muſt
VOL. III
E
know
3
}
}
[ 50 ]
know, if my complaifant friend, your prefbyterian
houſekeeper, can remember any thing like fuch
days with me, that is a very good reaſon for me to
remember that time is paft; and your toupees
would rejoice to ſee a horſe throw an ancient gen-
tlewoman.
I am forry to hear you are no wifer in Ireland than
we English; for our birth-day was as fine as hands
could make us; but I queftion much whether we all
paid ready money. I mightily approve of my
duchefs's being dreffed in your manufacture +; if
your ladies will follow her example in all things,
they cannot do amifs. And I dare fay you will foon
find that the more you know of them both, the bet-
ter you will like them; or elfe Ireland has ftrangely
depraved your tafte, and that my own vanity will
not let me believe, fince you ftill flatter me.
1
Why do you tantalize me! Let me fee you in
England again, if you dare; and chooſe your refi-
dence, fummer or winter, St. James Square, or Dray-
ton. I defy you in all fhapes; be it dean of St. Pa-
trick's governing England or Ireland, or politician
Drapier. But my choice fhould be the parfon in la-
dy Betty's chamber. Make hafte then, if you have
a mind to oblige your ever fincere and hearty old
friend.
}
+
Probably Mrs. White-Way, whom Swift humourously called
Mrs. Alba-Via.
The duchefs alfo appeared at the cafle in Dublin, wholly
clad in the manufactures of Ireland, on his majeſty's birth-day in
11.53, when the dake was a fecord time lord lieutenant.
LETTER
[ 51 j
LETTER CCXCV.
Mr. GAY, and the Duke of
Dr. SWIFT.
to
Nov. 8. 173 5.
FOR about this month or fix weeks paft, I have
been rambling from home, or have been at what I
may not improperly call other homes, at Dawley,
and at Twickenham; and, I really think, at every
one of my homes you have as good a pretenfion as
myſelf. For I find them all exceedingly difappointed
by the law-fuit that has kept you this fummer, from
us. Mr. Pope told me, that affair was now over,
that you have the eſtate which was your fecurity 3
I wiſh you had your own money; for I wiſh you free
from every engagement that keeps us from one ano-
ther. I think you decyphered the laſt letter we ſent
you very judiciously. You may make your own con-
ditions at Amesbury, were I am at prefent; you may
do the fame at Dawley; and Twickenham, you know,
is your own. But if you rather chufe to live with
me (that is to fay, if you will give up your right
and title) I will purchaſe the houſe you and I uſed
to diſpute about over-againſt Ham walks, on purpoſe
to entertain you. Name your day, and it ſhall be
done. I have lived with you, and I wiſh to do fo
again in any place, and upon any terms. The ducheſs
does not know of my writing; but I promiſed to
acquaint the duke the next time I wrote to you, and
E 2
for
[
52 ]
for aught I know he may tell the duchefs, and ſhe
tell Sir William Wyndham, who is now here; and
for fear they ſhould 'all have fomething to fay to you,
I leave the rest of the paper till I fee the duke.
The Duke.
Mr. Gay tells me, you feem to doubt what autho-
rity my wife and he have to invite a perfon hither,
who, by agreement, is to have the government of
the place during his ftay; when at the fame time it
does not appear, that the prefent maſter of theſe de-
mefnes hath been confulted in it. The truth of the
matter is this: I did not know whether you might
not have fufpected me for a fort of a pert coxcomb,
had I put in my word in the late correſpondence be-
tween you and my wife. Ladies (by the courteſy of
the world) enjoy privileges not allowed to men;
and in many caſes the fame thing is called a favour
from a lady, which might perhaps be looked upon
as an impertinence from a man. Upon this reflec-
tion, I have hitherto refrained from writing to you,
having never had the pleaſure of converfing with you
otherwife; and as that is a thing I moft fincerely
wiſh, I would not venture to meddle in a negocia-
tion that feemed to be in fo fair a way of producing
that defirable end. But our friend John has not
done me juſtice, if he has never mentioned to you
how much I wish for the pleaſure of feeing you here;
and tho' I have not till now avowedly taken any ſteps
towards bringing it about, what has paffed condu-
cive to it has been all along with my privity and
confent
[ 53 ]
confent, and I do now formally ratify all the preli-
minary articles and conditions agreed to on the part
of my wife, and will undertake to the due obferv-
ance of them. I depend upon my friend John to
anfwer for my fincerity. I was not long at court. I
have been a country gentleman for fome time.
Poll manus fub linus darque dds five nig ig gnipite
gnaros
LETTER CCXCVI.
Lady B G
to Dr. SWIFT.
Jan. 11, 1731.
IT is well for Mr. Pope your letter came as it did,
or elfe I had called for my coach, and was going to
make a thorough fearch at his houfe; for that I was
moft pofitively affured that you were there in
private, the duke of Dorſet can tell you. Non credo
is all the Latin I know, and the moſt uſeful word
upon all occafions to me. However, like most other
people, I can give it up for what I wiſh; fo for
once I believed, or at leaſt went half way in what I
hoped was true, and then, for the only time, your
letter was unwelcome. You tell me you have a re-
queft, which is purely perſonal to me: non credo for
that; for I am ſure you would not be fo difagreea-
ble as not to have made it, when you know 'tis a
pleaſure and fatisfaction to me to do any thing you
defire, by which you may find you are not fans con-
Sequence to me.
E 3
I met
[ 54 ]
f
I met with your friend Mr. Pope the other day,
He complains of not being well, and indeed looked
ill. I fear that neither his wit or fenfe do arm him.
enough againſt being hurt by malice; and that he is
too fenfible of what fools fay: the run is much a-
gainst him on the duke of Chandois's*
account; but
I believe their rage is not kindneſs to the duke, but
they are glad to give it vent with ſome tolerable
pre-
tence. I wish your prefence would have fuch a mira-
culous effect as your defign on Mrs. Biddy's+ fpeech:
you know formerly her tongue was not apt to run
much by inclination; but now every winter is kept
ftill per force, for fhe conftantly gets a violent cold
that lafts her all the winter. But as to that quarrel-
fome friend of the duke of Dorfet's, I will let her
loofe at you, and fee which can get the better.
Mifs Kelly was a very pretty girl when ſhe went
from hence, and the beaux fhew their good tafte by lik-
ing her. I hear her father is now kind to her; but
if fhe is not mightily altered, fhe would give up
fome of her airs and equipage to live in England.
Since you are fo good as to enquire after my health,
I ought to inform you I never was better in my life
than this winter. I have efcaped both head-achs
and gout and that your's may not be endangered-
by reading fuch a long letter, I will add no more,
but bid adieu to my dear dean.
E- G
*It was faid that Mr. Pope intended the character of Timon,
in his epiftle on the ufe of riches in works of tafte, addreffed to
the earl of Burlington, for the duke of Chandois.
Mrs. Biddy Floyd.
LETTER
[ 55 ]
LETTER CCXCVII.
Mr. GAY to Dr. SWIFT.
DEAR SIR,
M
London, Jan. 18, 1731.
IT is now paft nine o'clock. I deferred fitting
down to write to you, in expectation to have ſeen
Mr. Pope, who left me two or three hours ago to try
to find lord Burlington, within whofe walls I have
not been admitted this year and half; but for what
reaſon I know not. Mr. Pope is juft this minute
come in, but had not the good luck to find him; fo
that I cannot give you any fatisfaction in the affair
you writ laſt about. He defigns to fee him to-mor-
row; and if any thing can be done, he fays you
fhall hear from him.
By the beginning of my letter you fee how I de-
cline in favour; but I look upon it as my particu-
lar diftinction, that as foon as the court gains a man,
I lofe him. It is a mortification I have been uſed
to, ſo I bear it as a philofopher ſhould. The letter
which you writ to me and the duke I received, and
Mr. Pope fhewed me that directed to him, which
gave me more pleaſure than all the letters you have
writ fince I faw you, as it gives me hopes of feeing
you foon.
Were I to acquaint the duke and duchess of
my
writing, I know that they would have fomething to
fay to you, and perhaps would prevent my fending
the letter this poft, ſo I chufe to ſay nothing about
it,
น
[ 56 ]
it. You are in great favour and eſteem with all thofe
that love me, which is one great reafon that I love
and efteem them.
Whenever you will order me to turn your fortune
into ready money, I will obey you; but I chufe to
leave it where it is, till you want it, as it carries
fome intereft; though it might be now fold to fome
advantage, and is liable to rifes and falls with the
other ſtocks. It may be higher as well as lower;
fo I will not difpofc of it till I hear from you. I
am impatient to fee you, fo are all your friends.
You have taken your refolution, and I fhall hence-
forth every week expect an agreeable furprize. The
bellman rings for the letter, fo I can ſay no more.
4
1
LETTER CCXCVIII.
Lady BG-
to Dr. SwIFT.
Feb. 23, 1731
I LIKE to know my power (if it is fo) that I can
my not writing; tho' I fhan't
make you uneafy at
often care to exert it, left you ſhould grow weary of
me and my correfpondence; but the flowness of my
anfwers does not come from the emptiness of my
heart, but the emptiness of my head; and that you
know is nature's fault, not mine. I was not learned
enough to know non credo has been fo long in fa-
fhion; but every day convinces me more of the ne-
ceffity of it, not but that I often wifh againſt my-
1
felf;
[ 57 ]
felf; as per example, I would fain believe you are
coming to England, becauſe moſt of your acquain-
tance tell me fo; and yet turn, and wind, and fift
your letters to find any thing like it being true; but
inſtead of that, there I find a law-fuit, which is a
worſe tie by the leg than your lameness. And pray
what is this hurt above my heel ?" Have you had
a fellow-feeling with my lord lieutenant of the
gout, and call it a fprain as he does ? who has lain †
fo long and often to diſguiſe it, that I verily think
he has not a new ſtory left. Does he do the fame
in Ireland; for there I hoped he would have given
a better example ?
*
ex-
I find you are grown a horrid flatterer, or elſe
you could never have thought of any thing ſo much
to my tafte as this piece of marble you ſpeak of for
my fiſter Penelope ‡, which I defire may be at my ex
pence. I cannot be exact, neither as to the time,
nor year, but ſhe died foon after we came there, and
we did not ftay quite two years, and were in England
fome months before king William died. I wiſh I
* The duke of Dorfet.
This feems to be humouroufly made the participle of lie,
mentior.
Lady Penelope Berkeley died in Dublin, whilft her father was
in the government, and was interred in St. Andrew's church under
the altar. No monument was erected to her memory till about
this time, when Dr. Swift caufed a plate of black marble to be
fixed in the wall over the altar piece, with this infcription.
"Underneath lieth the body of the lady
"Penelope Berkeley, daughter of the right
"honourable Charles earl of Berkeley. She
"died September the 3d, 1699.”
ha
1
4
F
had
my
[ 58 ]
dame Wadgar's, or Mr. Ferrers's memoran-
dum head, that I might know whether it was at the
time § of goofeberries.
*
Surely your Iriſh air is very bad for darts; if Mrs.
Kelly's are blunted already, make her crofs father
let her come over, and we won't ufe her fo in Eng-
land. If my duchefs fees company in a morning,
you need not grumble at the hour; it must be purely
from great complaifance, for that never was her
tafte here, though fhe is as early a rifer as the gene-
rality of ladies are: and, I believe, there are not
many dreffing-rooms in London, but mine, where
the early idle come.
T
Adieu abruptly; for I will have no more formal
humble fervants, with your whole name at the bot-
tom; as if I was aſking you your catechiſm.
+
§ In the petition of-Frances Harris to the lord juftices, upor
Lofing her purfe, there are theſe verſes.
"Yes, fays he, the fteward I remember, when I was at
64 my lady Shrewsbury's,
"Such a thing as this happened just about the time of
"goofberries."
This fteward, was Mr. Ferrers; and dame Wadgar, was 'the old
deaf houſekeeper in lord Berkeley's family, when he was one of
the lords juftices of Ireland.
*The duchefs of Dorfet.
ད
1
LETTER
*
[ 59 1
LETTER CCXCIX.
Mr. GAY to Dr. SWIFT.
DEAR SIR,
Indorfed. "Received April 12, 1732
I HOPE this unlucky accident of hurting your
leg will not prevent your coming to us this ſpring,
though you fay nothing about it. All your friends
expect it, and particularly my landlord and land-
lady, who are my friends as much as ever; and I
fhould not think them fo, if they were not as much
your's. The downs of Amesbury are fo fmooth, that
neither horfe or man can hardly make a wrong ftep,
fo that you may take your exercife with us with
greater fecurity. If you prevail with the duchefs,
to ride and walk with you, you will do her good;
but that is a motive I could never prevail with her
to comply with. Iwith
you would try whether
your
oratory could get over this difficulty. General Dor-
mer, Sir Clement Cottrell, and I, fet out to-morrow
morning for Roufham, in Oxfordshire, to ftay ten days
or a fortnight. The duchefs will undertake to re-
commend the lords of her acquaintance to attend
Mr. Ryves his cauſe, if it ſhould come on before our
return the duke will do the fame. Her grace too
hath undertaken to answer your letter. I have not
difpofed of your South-Sea bonds; there is a year's
intereft due at Lady-day. Where I to diſpoſe of them
at prefent, I fhould lofe a great deal of the premium
1 paid for them: perhaps they may fall lower, but
I cannot
[ 60 ]
I cannot prevail with myfelf to fell them. The
rogueries that have been diſcovered in fome other
companies, I believe, makes them all have lefs cre-
dit. I find myſelf diſpirited for want of having
fome purfuit. Indolence and idleness are the moſt
tireſome things in the world. I begin to find a dif-
like to fociety. I think I ought to try to break
myfelf of it, but I cannot refolve to fet about it.
I have left off almoft all my great acquaintance,
which faves me fomething in chair-hire, though in
that article the town is ftill very expenfive. Thoſe
who were your old acquaintance, are almoſt the only
people I vifit; and indeed, upon trying all, I like
them beft. Lord Cornbury refuſed the penfion that
was offered him; he is chofen to reprefent the uni-
verfity of Oxford, (in the room of Mr. Bromley)
without oppofition. I know him, and I think he
deferves it. He is a young nobleman of learning
and morals, which is fo particular, that I know you
will refpect and value him; and, to my great com-
fort, he lives in our family. Mr. Pope is in town,
and in good health. I lately paffed a week with
him, at Twickenham. I must leave the rest to the
duchefs; for I muft pack up my fhirts, to ſet out
to-morrow, the 14th of March, the day after I re-
ceived your letter. If you would adviſe the duchefs
to confine me four hours a day to my own room,
while I am in the country, I will write; for, I can-
not confine myſelf as I ought.
LETTER
$
[61]
1
+
LETTER CCC.
Lady B G -
to Dr. SWIFT.
London, 13 May, 1732
I AM forry my writing fhould inconvenience your
eyes; but I fear, it is rather my ftile, than my ink,
that is fo hard to be read: however, if I do not
forget myſelf, I will enlarge my hand to give you
the lefs trouble. Their graces are at laſt arrived in
perfect health, in ſpite of all their perils and dan-
gers, though I muſt own, they were fo long in their
voyage, that they gave me an exceeding heart-ach;
and, if that would be any hindrance, they fhall
never have my confent to go back to Ireland, but
remain here, and be only king of Knowle and Dray-
ton*; and I do not think it would be worfe for him,
either in perfon or pocket. I dare fay he won't need
a remembrancer's office for any thing you have ſpoke
to him about; but however, I will not fail in the
part you have fet me.
I find you want a ftrict account of me, how I pafs
my time. But firft, I thank you for the nine hours
out of the twenty-four you allowed me for fleeping;
one or two of them, I-do willingly preſent you back
again. As to quadrille, though I am, generally
ſpeaking, a conſtant attendant on it every day, yet
I will moſt thankfully ſubmit to your allowance of
* Knowle, a fine old feat of the duke of Dorfer's, near Seven
Oaks, in Kent.
time;
7
[ 62 1
?
1
time; for when complaifance draws me on farther;
it is with great yawnings, and a vaſt expence of my
breath, in aſking, Who plays? Who's called? And,
what's trumps? If you can recollect any thing of
my former way of life, fuch as it was, fo it is. I
never loved to have my hands idle; they were either
full of work, or had a book; but as neither fort was
the beſt, or moſt uſeful, fo you will find forty years
have done no more good to my head, than they have
to my face. Your old friend Biddy † is much your
humble fervant, and could ſhe get rid of her cough,
her fpleen would do her and her friend no harm; for
fhe loves a fly fedate joke, as well as ever you knew
her do. The duke and ducheſs are juſt come in,
who both preſent their fervice to you, and will take
it as a favour, if you will beſtow any of your time
that you can upon lord George.
1
Adieu, for the duchefs, the countefs of S
Mr. Charden, and I, are going to quadrille.
+
'
LETTER CCCÍ.
Mr. GAY to Dr. SwIFT.
DEAR SIR,
London, May 19th, 1732..
TO-MORROW we fet out for Amesbury, where I
propofe to follow your advice, of employing myſelf
about fome work next winter.
Mrs. Biddy Floyd.
You feemed not to
Lord George Sackville was at this time a ftudent in the uni-
verfity of Dublin.
approve
[ 63 ]
approve of my writing more fables.
Thofe I am
now writing, have a prefatory difcourfe before each
of them, by way of epiftle, and the morals of them,
moft are of the political kind; which makes them
run into a greater length than thofe I have already
publiſhed. I have already finiſhed fifteen or fixteen;
four or five more would make a volume of the fame
fize as the firſt. Though this is a kind of writing
that appears very eafy, I find it is the moft difficult
of any I ever undertook. After I have invented
one fable, and finished it, I defpair of finding out
another; but I have a moral or two, which I wiſh
to write upon. I have alſo a ſort of ſcheme to raiſe
my finances by doing fomething for the ftage: with
this, and fome reading, and a great deal of exerciſe,
I propofe to pafs my fummer. I am forry it muſt
be without you. Why can't you come and faunter
about the downs a horfeback, in the autumn, to
mark the partridges for me to ſhoot for your dinner?
Yeſterday I received your letter, and notwithſtand-
ing your reproaches of laziness, I was four or five
hours about bufinefs, and did not ſpend a fhilling
in a coach or chair. I received a year's intereft on
your two bonds, which is 8. I have four of my
own. I have depofited all of them in the hands of Mr.
Hoare, to receive the half year's intereft at Michael-
mas. The premium of the bonds is fallen a great
deal fince I bought yours. I gave very near 671.
on each bond, and they are now fold for about 50s.
Every thing is very precarious, and I have no
opinion of any of their public fecurities; but, I
believe
1
امية
1
[ 64 ]
believe, the parliament next year intend to examine
the South-Sea fcheme. I do not know, whether it
will be prudent to truft our money there till that
time. I did what I could to affift Mr. Ryves; and
I am very glad that he hath found juftice. Lord Ba-
thurst fpoke for him and was very zealous on bring-
ing on his caufe. The duchefs intended to write
in my laſt letter, but he fet out all on a fudden,
to take care of lord Drumlanrig* who was taken
ill of the ſmall pox at Winchester fchool. He is
now perfectly well recovered, (for he had a favou-
rable kind) to the great joy of our family. I think
fhe ought, as fhe intends, to renew her correfpon-
dence with you at Amesbury. I was at Dawley on
Sunday. Lady Bolingbroke continues in a very bad
ſtate of health, but ftill retains her fpirits. You
are always remembered there with great refpect and
friendship. Mrs. Pope is fo worn out with old age,
but without any distemper, that I look upon her
life as very uncertain. Mr. Pope's ftate of health
is much in the fame way as when you left him.
As for myſelf, I am often troubled with the cholic.
I have as much inattention, and have, I think,
lower fpirits than ufual, which I impute to my
having no one purfuit in life. I have many com-
pliments to make you from the duke and duchefs,
and lords Bolingbroke, Bathurst, Sir William Wynd-
bam, Mr. Pulteney, Dr. Arburthnot, Mr. Lewis, &c.
Every one of them is difappointed in your not
* Her fon.
coming
[
1
65 البا
oming among us. I have not ſeen dean Berkeley,
But have read his book †, and like many parts of
it; but in general think, with you, that it is too
ſpeculative, at leaſt for me. Dr. Delaney I have very
feldom feen; he did not do me the honour to adviſe
with me about any thing he hath publiſhed f. I like
your thoughts upon this fort of writing, and I fhould
have adviſed him as you did, though I have loft his
good opinion. I write in very great hafte; for I have
many things to do before I go out of town. Pray
make me as happy as you can, and let me hear from
you often. But I am ſtill in hopes to fee you, and
will expect a fummons one day or other to come to
Bristol, in order to be your guide to Amesbury.
LETTER CCCII?
Lady CATHERINE JONES to Dr. SWIFT.
►
Júne 15, 1732
THE return of my humble thanks to Mr. Dean,
by the date it bears, looks more like a flümber of
gratitude, than the quick fenfe of that rare virtue
which I owe to you, Sir, for the trouble you have
1
**
†' Alciphron: Or, The Minute Philofopher. Printed at London,
In 1732, in two volumes 8vo,'
He publiſhed at London, in this year 1732, in z vol. 8vo;
Revelation examined with Candour: Or, a fair Inquiry into the
Senfe and Ufe of the feveral Revelations exprefly declared, or fuffici
ently implied, to be delivered to Mankind from the Creation, as they
were found in the Bible. By a profeſſed Friend to an honeft Free-
dom of Thought in religious Inquiries.
VOL. II.
F
La
1
1
I
E 66 ]
fo willingly undertaken, in executing what I fo
much defired; fince the manner you have done it
in,, anfwers my wishes in every refpect. The pro-
pofal you made, I acquainted my fifter Kildare, and
niece Fanny Coningsby with; for being but one part
of the family, I cannot act farther than they will
confent, which is, that they will fettle twenty. fhil-
lings per year, that you may never be liable to any
more trouble upon the fame occafion.
}
I need not inform you, Mr. Dean, that the world
teaches us, that relations and friends look like two
different fpecies: and, though I have the honour to
be allied to my lord Burlington, yet fince the death
of my good father and his, the notice he takes of
me, is, as if I was a feparated blood; or elfe, I am
vain enough to fay, we are fprung from one an-
ceftor, whofeialhes keep up a greater luftre than
thoſe who are not reduced to them.
I cannot conclude without faying, that were I
worthy in any way to have the pleaſure of feeing
dean Swift, I do not know any paffion, even envy
would not make innocent, in my ambition of feeing
the author of fo much wit and judicious writing,
as. I have had the advantage of. Your most humble
and obliged fervant,
CATHERINE JONES.
Your opinion of Mr. French is juft, and his due.
LET-
[ 67 ]
LETTER CCCIII.
Lord BOLINGBROKE to Dr. SWIFT.
峻
​July 18, 1732..
WRITE this letter, in hopes that Pope, a man
ſcattered in the world (according to the French phraſe)
will foon procure me an opportunity of conveying
it fafely to you, my reverend dean. For my own
part, half this wicked nation might go to you, or
half your nation might come to us, and the whole
migration be over before I knew any thing of the
matter. My letter will concern neither affairs of
ftate, nor of party; and yet I would not have it fall
into the hands of our minifters: it might pafs in
their excellent noddles for a piece of a plot againſt
themſelves, if not againſt the ſtate, or, at leaſt it
might furnish them with an opportunity of doing an
ill-natured, and diſappointing a good-natured thing;
which being a pleaſure to the malicious and the
bafe, I ſhould be forry to give it on any occafion,
and eſpecially on this, to the par nobile fratrum *.
دو
After this preamble, I proceed to tell you, that
there is in my neighbourhood, in Berkshire, a clergy-
man, one Mr. Talbot, related to the folicitor-general,
and protected by him. This man has now the liv-
ing of Burfield, which the late biſhop of Durham
held before, and for aught I know, after he was
**Sir Robert Walpole, and his brother Horace.
† A rectory in Berkshire.
F 2
biſhop
i
1
[ 68 ]
The
bishop of Oxford. The living is worth 400l. per
ann. over and above a curate paid, as Mr. Correy, a
gentleman who does my buſineſs in that country,
and who is a very grave authority, affures me.
parfonage-houſe is extremely good, the place plea-
fant, and the air excellent, the distance from London
a little day's journey, and from hence (give me leave
to think this circumftance of fome importance to
you) not much above half a day's, even for you who
are not a great jockey. Mr. Talbot has many rea-
fons, which make him defirous to fettle in Ireland
for the reſt of his life, and has been looking out for
a change of preferments fome time. As foon as I
heard this, I employed one to know whether he
continued in the fame mind, and to tell him, that
an advantageous exchange might be offered him, if
he could engage his kinfman to make it practicable
at court. He anſwered for his own acceptance, and
his kinfman's endeavours. I employed next fome
friends to fecure my lord Dorfet, who very frankly
declared himſelf ready ferve you in any thing, and
in this, if you defired it. But he mentioned a thing,
at the fame time, wholly unknown to me, which is,
that your deanery is not in the nomination of the
crown, but in the election of the chapter. This may
render our affair perhaps more' eafy, more hard, I
think, it cannot be ; but, in all cafes, it requires
other meaſures to be taken. One of theſe I believe
must be, to prepare Dr. Hoadly bishop of Salisbury, if
that be poffible, to prepare his brother the arch-
bishop of Dublin. The light, in which the propo-
•
fition
}
ว
[ 69 ]
1
-
fition must be reprefented to him, and to our mini-
fters, (if it be made to them) is this, that though
they gratify you, they gratify you in a thing advan-
tageous to themſelves, and filly in you to ask. I
fuppofe it will not be hard to perfuade them, that
it is better for them you fhould be a private pariſh
prieſt in an English county, than a dean in the me-
tropolis of Ireland, where they know, becaufe they
have felt, your authority and influence. At least,
this topic is a plaufible one for thoſe who ſpeak to
them, to infift upon, and coming out of a whig's
mouth may have weight. Sure I am, they will be
eafily perfuaded, that quitting power for eaſe, and
a greater for a lefs revenue, is a fooliſh bargain,
which they ſhould by confequence help you to make.
You fee now the ſtate of this whole affair, and
you will judge better than I am able to do, of the
means to be employed on your fide of the water: as
to thofe on this, nothing fhall be neglected. Find
fome fecure way of conveying your thoughts and
your commands to me; for my friend has a right to
command me arbitrarily, which no man elfe upon
earth has. Or rather, difpofe of affairs fo as to come
hither immediately. You intended to come fome
time ago.
You ſpeak, in a letter Pope has juſt now
received from
you, as
as if you
this journey before winter.
and the fooner the better.
ride with ftirrups, is trifling: get on pefagus, be-
ftride the hippogryph, or mount the white nag in
the Revelations. To be ferious; come any how,
F 3
ftill had in view to make
Make it in the fummer,
To talk of being able to
and
}
}
*
[ 70 ]
and put neither delay nor humour in a matter which
requires difpatch and management. Though I have
room, I will not fay one word to you about Berke-
ley's or Delany's books †, fome part of the former
is hard to be underſtood; none of the latter is to be
read. I propoſe, however, to reconcite you to me-
taphyfics, by fhewing how they may be employed
againft the metaphyficians; and that whenever you
do not underſtand them, nobody elfe does, no not
thoſe who write them.
¿
I know you are inquifitive about the health of the
poor woman who inhabits this place: it is tolerable,
better than it has been in fome years. Come and
fee her; you ſhall be nurfed, fondled, and humoured.
She defires you to accept this affurance, with her
humble fervice. Your horfes fhall be grazed in
fummer, and fothered in winter; and you and your
man ſhall have meät, drink, and lodging. Wafh-
ing I can't afford, Mr. dean, for I am grown faving.
Thanks to your fermon about frugality.
Lady B
LETTER CCCIV.
G-
to Dr. SWIFT,
Drayton, July 19, 1732.
I BELIEVE you won't wonder at my long fi-
lence, when I tell you, that Mrs. Floyd ‡ came ill
Alciphron: Or, the Minute Philofopher."
+ Revelation examined with Gandour.
Mrs. Biddy Floyd.
here,
[71]
}
here, but that ſhe kept pretty much to herfelf; and
ever fince fhe has been here, till within thefe two or
three days, I have had no hopes of her life. You
may easily gueſs what I muſt have fuffered for a fo
long tried, prudent, ufe fal, agreeable companion
and friend. And God knows, ſhe is now excef-
fively weak, and mends but flowly: however, I have
now great hopes, and I am very good at believing
what I heartily with. As I dare fay, you will be
concerned for her, you may want to knowther ill-
nefs, but that is more than I can tell you. She has
fanfied herſelf in a confumption a great while but
though the has had the moft dreadful cough Tever
heard in my life, all the doctors faid, it was not that;
but none of them did fay what it was. The doctor
here, who is an extraordinary good one, (but lives
fourteen long miles off) has lately been left ten
thousand pounds, and now hates his bufinefs; he
fays it is a ſharp humour that falls upon her nerves,
fometimes on her ftomach and bowels; and indeed
what he has given her, has, to appearance, had
much better effect than the millions of things fhe has
been forced to take. After this, you will not ex-
pect, I should have followed your orders, and ride,
for I have fcarcely walked; although I dare not be
very much in her room, because the constrained her-
felf to hide her illneſs from me.
ix di
The duke and duchefs of Dorfet have not been
here yet, but I am in hopes they will foon. I
don't know whether you remember Mrs. Crowther
and Mrs. Acourt they and Mr. Parfode are my com-
F 4
by
pany
1
=
t
[ 72 ]
pany; but as I love my houfe full, I expe& more
till. My lady talks of making me a fhort
vifit. I have been fo.full of Mrs. Floyd, that I had
like to have forgot to tell you, that I am fuch a
dunderhead, that I really do not not know what my
fifter Pen's age was, but I think, fhe could not be
above twelve years old. She was the next to me,
but whether two or three years younger I have for-
got; and what is more ridiculous, I do not exactly
know my own, for my mother and nurfe ufed to
differ upon that notable point. And I am willing
to be a young lady ftill, fo will not allow myfelf to
be more than forty-eight next birth-day; but if I
make my letter any longer, perhaps you will wish
I never had been born. So adieu, dear Dean.
1
7
!
LETTER CCCV.
Mr. GAY and the Duchefs of
DEAR SIR,
*
to Dr. SWIFT,
Amesbury, July 24, 1723.
As, the circumstances of our money affairs are al-
tered, I think myfelf obliged to acquaint you with
them as foon as I can; which if I had not received
your letter laſt poft, I fhould have done now. I
left your two South-Sea bonds, and four of my own,
in Mr. Hoare's hands, when I came out of town, that
he might receive the intereft for us, when due; or,
if
you ſhould want your money, that you might
receive it upon your order. Since I came out of
town,
$
[ 73 ]
ง
I
town, the South-Sea company have come to a refo-
lution to pay off 50 per cent. of their bonds, with
the interest of the 50 per cent. to Michaelmas next, So
that there is now half of our fortunes in Mr. Hoare's
hands at prefent, without any intereft going on. As
you ſeem to be inclined to have your money remitted
to Ireland, I will not lay out the fum that is paid
into his hands in any other thing, till I have your
orders. I cannot tell what to do with my own.
believe I fhall fee Mr. Hoare in this country very
foon; for he hath an houſe not above fix miles from
us, and I intend to adviſe with him; though, in the
prefent fituation of affairs, I expect to be left to take
my own way. The remaining 50 per cent. were it
to be fold at prefent, bears a premium. I do not
know whether I write intelligibly upon the fubject.
I cannot fend you the particulars of your account,
though I know I am in debt to you for intereft,
befides your principal; and you will underftand fo
much of what I intend to inform you, that half of
your money is now in Mr. Hoare's hands without
any intereſt.
So fince I cannot fend you the par-
țiculars of your account, I will now fay no morè
about it.
+
I fhall finiſh the work I intended this ſummer;
but I look upon the fuccefs in every refpect to be
precarious. You judge very right of my preſent
fituation, that I cannot propofe to fucceed by fa-
your; and I don't think, if I could flatter inyfelf
that I had any degree of merit, much could be ex-
pected from that unfaſhionable pretenfion.
I have
}
*
1
+
[ 74 ]
E
I have almoſt done every thing I propofed in the
way of fables; but have not fet the laft hand to
them. Though they will not amount to half the
number, I believe they will make fuck another vo-
Tume as the laft. I find it the most difficult taſk Í
ever undertook; but have determined to go through
with it; and, after this, I believe I ſhall never have
courage enough to think any more in this way. Laſt
poſt 1 had a letter from Mr. Pope, who informs me,
he hath heard from you; and that he is preparing
fome fcattered things of your's and his for the prefs.
I believe I fhall not fee him till the winter; for, by
riding and walking, I am endeavouring to lay in a
ftock of health, to fquander in the town. You fee, in
this refpect, my fcheme is very like the country gentle-
men in regard to their revenues. As to my eating
and drinking, I live as when you knew me; fo that
in that point we ſhall agree very well in living to-
gether; and the duchefs will answer for me, that I
am cured of inattention; for I never forget any thing
The fays to me.
The duchefs here takes up the rest of the line.
For he never hears what I fay, fo cannot forget.
If I ferved him the fame way, I fhould not care
farthing ever to be better acquainted with my Tun-
bridge acquaintance, whom, by my attention to him,
I have learned to fet my heart upon. I began to
give over all hopes, and from thence began my neg-
lect. I think this a very philofophical reafon,
though there might be another given. When fine
ladies
1
[75]
ladies are in London, it is very genteel and allowable
to forget their best friends; which, if I thought
modeftly of myſelf, muft needs be you, becauſe you
know little of me. Till you do more, pray don't'
perfuade Mr. Gay, that he is difcreet enough to
live alone; for I do affure you he is not, nor I either.
We are of great ufe to one another; for we never
flatter nor contradict, but when it is abfolutely ne-
ceffary, and then we do it to fome purpofe; particular-
ly the first agrees mightily with our conftitutions. If
ever we quarrel, it will be about a piece of bread
and butter; for fomebody is never fick, except he.
eats too much. He will not quarrel with you for a
glafs or fo; for by that means he hopes to gulp
down fome of that forty millions of fchemes that
hindred him from being good company. I would
fain fee you here, there is fo fair à chance that one
of us muſt be pleaſed; perhaps both, you with an
old acquaintance, and I with a new one: it is fo
well worth taking a journey for, that if the moun-
tain will not come to Mahomet, Mahomet muft go to
the mountain. But before either of our journies
are fettled, I defire you would refolve me one quef-
tion, whether a man, who thinks himſelf well where
he is, fhould look out for his houſe and fervants be-
fore 'tis convenient, before he grows old, or before
à perfon, with whom he lives, pulls him out by the
fleeve in private (according to oath) and tells him,
they have enough of his company? He will not let
me write one word more, but that I have a very
great regard for you, &c.
The
-
[ 76 ]
The duke is very much your's, and will never
leave you to your wine *.
Many thanks for your
drum I wish to receive your congratulations for
the other boy, you may believe.
LETTER CCCVI.
Mrs. CESAR to Dr. SWIFT.
Aug. 6, 1732.
PERMIT me to congratulate you upon the return
of Mrs. Barber, with thanks for pleafures enjoyed
in her company; for had fhe not come recommended.
by the dean of St. Patrick's, likely I had paſſed her
by unheeded, being apt to follow a good author, in-
hunning thofe of my own coat. But hold; I must
book if it runs not from corner to corner, which I more
fear than length. For Pope fays, Though fometimes
he finds too many letters in my words, never too
many words in my letters. So with Mr. Cæfar's
and my best wishes, thou worthy, witty, honeſt
Dean, farewel.
M. ADEL MAR CES AR.
When the Dean was with Mr. Pope at Twickenham, he uſed to
defert them foon after fupper, with, "Well gentlemen, I leave
you to your wine,”
+ Wife to the treaſurer of the navy during lord Oxford's admi-
niftration, in the reign of queen Anne.
det
LETTER
[ 77 ]
LETTER CCCVII.
LADY WORSLEY
SIR,
*
to Dr. SwIFT.
Aug. 6, 1732.
I FLATTER myfelf, that if you had received
my laſt letter, you would have favoured me with an
anfwer; therefore I take it for granted it is loft.
I was ſo proud of your commands, and ſo fearful
of being fupplanted by my daughter, that I went
to work immediately, that her box might not keep
her in your remembrance, whilft there was nothing
to put you in mind of an old friend, and humble
fervant. But Mrs. Barber's long ſtay here (who pro-
mifed me to convey it to you) has made me appear
very negligent. I doubt not but you think me un-
worthy of the fhare you once told me Ï had in your
heart. What if I am a great-grandmother, I can
ftill diftinguiſh your merit from all the reft of the
world; but it is not confiftent with your good breed-
ing to put me in mind of it; therefore I am deter-
mined not to uſe my intereft with Sir Robert for a
living in the Iſle of Wight, though nothing elſe could
reconcile me to the place. But if I could make you
archbishop of Canterbury, I fhould forget my refent-
ments for fake of the flock, who very much want a
careful fhepherd. Are we to have the honour of
* Frances lady Worsley, wife of Sir Robert Worsley, bart. and
mother of lady Carteret, wife of Jahn lord Garteret, afterwards
earl Granville.
feeing
[ 78 ]
譬
​feeing you, or not? I have fresh hopes given me;
but I dare not pleaſe myſelf too much with them,
left I ſhould be again difappointed. If I had it as
much in my power as my inclination to ferve Mrs.
Barber, fhe fhould not be kept thus long attending;
but I hope her next voyage may prove more fuccefs-
ful. She is just come in, and tells me you have
fprained your foot, which will prevent your journey
till the next fummer; but affure yourſelf the Bath
is the only infallible cure for fuch an accident. If
you have any regard remaining for me, you'll fhew
it by taking my advice; if not, I'll endeavour to for-
get you, if I can. But, till that doubt is cleared,
I am, as much as cver, the Dean's obedient hum-
ble fervant,
>
F. WORSLEY,
LETTER CCCVIII.
Mr. GAY and the Duchefs of
to Dr. SWIFT.
DEAR SIR,
Amesbury, Aug. 28 1732
*
MR, Hoare hath a hundred and odd pounds of
your's in his hands, which you may have whenever
you will pleaſe to draw upon me for it. I know I
am more indebted to you, I mean, befides the South
Sea bond of a hundred, that fill fubfifts; but I can-
not tell you exactly how your account ftands till I
go
to town. I have money of my own too in Mr.
Hoare's hands, which I know not at prefent how to
difpofe of. I believe I fhall leave it without intereft
till
[
79. ]
*
till I go to town, and fhall then be at the fame lofs
how to diſpoſe of it as now. I have an intention to
get more money next winter; but I am prepared
for diſappointments, which I think it is very likely I
fhall meet with; yet as you think it convenient and
neceffary that I ſhould have more than I have, you
fee I do what I can to oblige you. If my defigns
fhould not take effect, I defire you will be as eafy
under it as I fhall be; for I find you fo folicitous
about me, that you cannot bear my diſappointments
as well as I can. If I don't write intelligibly to
you, it is becauſe I would not have the clerks of the
poſt-office know every thing I am doing. If you
would come here this fummer, you might, with me,
have helped to have drank up the duke's wine, and
faved your money. I am grown fo ſaving of late,
that I very often reproach myſelf with being covet-
ous; and I am very often afraid that I fhall have
the trouble of having money, and never have the
pleaſure of making uſe of it. I wish you could live
among us; but not unleſs it could be to your eaſe
and fatisfaction. You infift upon your being mini-
fter of Amesbury, Dawley, Twickenham, Rifking, and
a prebendary of Westminster. For your being mi-
nifter in thofe places, I cannot promife you; but
I know you might have a good living in every
one of them. Gambadoes I have rid in, and I
think them a very fine uſeful invention; but I have
not made ufe of them fince I left Devonshire. I
ride and walk every day to fuch excefs, that I am
afraid that I fhall take a furfeit of it. I am fure, if
I am
t
I
[ 80 ]
I am not better in health after it, it is not worth the
pains. I fay this, though I have this feafon fhot
nineteen brace of partridges. I have very little ac-
quaintance with our vicar; he doth not live among
us, but refides in another parish. And I have not
played at backgammon with any body fince I came
to Amesbury, but lady Harold, and lady Bateman.
As Dr. Delaney hath taken away a fortune from us*;
I expect to be recommended in Ireland. If authors
of godly books are intitled to fuch fortunes, I defire
you would recommend me as a moral one; I mean,
in Ireland, for that recommendation would not do
in England.
The DUCHESS begins.
The duchefs will not lend you two or three thou-
fand pounds to keep up your dignity, for reaſons to
Strada dal Poe; but he had much rather give you
that, or ten thouſand pounds more, than lay it out
in a fine petticoat, to make herſelf reſpected.
I believe, for all you give Mr. Gay much good
advice, that you are a very indifcreet perfon your-
felf, or elfe you would come here to take care of
your own affairs; and not be fo indiſcreet, as to
fend for your money over to a place where there is
none. Mr Gay is a very rich man; for I really
think he does not wish to be richer; but he will,
for he is doing what you bid him; though, if it
may not be allowed, he will acquire greater honour,
* The doctor married Mrs. Pendarves.`
and
[ 31 ]
and lefs trouble. His covetoufnefs, at prefent, is
for health, which he takes fo much pains for, that
he does not allow himſelf time to enjoy it. Nei-
ther does he allow himſelf time to be either abfent
or prefent. When he began to be a fportfman, he'
had like to have killed a dog; and now every day I
expect he will kill himſelf, and then the bread and
butter affair can never be brought before you. It is
really an affair of too great confequence to be trufted
in a letter; therefore pray come on purpoſe to decide
it. If you do, you will not hear how familiar I am with
goody Dobson; for I have feen goody Dobſon play at
that with ſo ill a grace, that I was determined never
to rifque any thing fo unbecoming. I am not beloved,
neither do I love any creature, except a very few,
and thoſe for not having any fort of merit, but only
becauſe it is my humour. In this rank Mr. Gaj
ftands first, and yourfelf next, if you like to be ref
pected upon theſe conditions. Now do you know
me? He ſtands over me, and fcolds me for fpelling
ill; and is very peevish (and fleepy) that I do not
give him up the pen; for he has yawn'd for it a
thousand times. We both once heard a lady (who
at that time we both thought well of) wish that ſhe
had the best living in England to give you. It was
not I; but I do wish it with all my heart, if Mr.
Gay does not hang out falfe lights for his friend.
Mr. GAY goes on here.
I had forgot to tell you, that I very lately received
á letter from Twickenham, in which was this para
VOL. II.
G
graph:
[ 82 ].
graph: "Motte and another idle fellow, I find, have
"been writing to the Dean, to get him to give them
"fome copy-right, which furely he will be not fo
"indifcreet as to do, when he knows my defign,
❝ and has done theſe two months and more. Surely
"I fhould be a properer perfon to truſt the diftribu-
"tion of his works with, than fo common a book-
"feller. Here will be nothing but the ludicrous
and little things; none of the political, or any
things of confequence, which are wholly at his own
difpofal. But, at any rate, it would be filly in
"him to give a copy-right to any, which can only
put the manner of publiſhing them hereafter out.
of his own and his friend's power into that of
* mercenaries."
CC
I really think this is a very uſeful precaution,
confidering how you have been treated by theſe ſort
of fellows.
The duke is faſt afleep, or he would add a line.
LETTER CCCIX.
Sir WILLIAM FOWNES to Dr. SWIFT.
}
Ifland-Bridge, Sept. 9, 1732.
DEAR SIR,
IT has been the obfervation of travellers (as I have
been frequently told) that, in all the countries they
have feen, they never met with fewer public chari-
table foundations than in this kingdom.
Private charities, no doubt, will have their re-
ward; but public are great incitements; and good
examples
[ لا
83 1
{
examples often draw others on, though grudgingly;
and fo a good work be done, no matter who are the
workmen.
When I was lord mayor, I faw ſome miferable
lunatics expofed, to the hazard of others, as well
as themſelves. I had fix ftrong cells made at the
workhouſe for the moft outrageous, which were
foon filled; and by degrees, in a fhort time, thoſe
few drew upon us the folicitations of many, till by
the time the old corporation ceafed, we had, in that
houſe, forty and upwards. The door being opened,
intereſt foon made way to let in the foolish, and fuch
like, as mad folks. Theſe grew a needlefs charge
upon us, and had that courſe gone on, by this time
the houſe had been filled with fuch. The new cor-
poration got rid of moſt of theſe by death, or the
care of friends, and came to a refolution not to ad-
mit any fuch for the future; and the firft denial was
to a request of the earl of Kildare, which put a full
ſtop to all farther applications. As I take it, there
are, at this time, a number of objects which require
affiftance; and probably many may be reftored, if
proper care could be taken of them. There is no
public place for their reception, nor private under-
takers, as about London. Friends and relations here
would pay the charge of their fupport and attend-
ance, if there were a place for fecuring fuch lunatics.
4
I own to you, I was for fome time averfe to our
having a public Bedlam, apprehending we ſhould be
overloaded with numbers, under the name of mad.
G 2
Nay,
[ 84 ]
*
Nay, I was apprehenfive our cafe would foon bở
like that in England; wives and huſbands trying who
could first get the other to Bedlam. Many, who
were next heirs to eftates, would try their ſkill to
render the poffeffor diſordered, and get them con-
fined, and foon run them into real madneſs. Such
like confequences I dreaded, and therefore have
been filent on the fubject till of late. Now I am
convinced that regard fhould be had to thoſe under
fuch difmal circumftances; and I have heard the pri-
mate and others exprefs their concern for them; and
no doubt but very fufficient fubfcriptions may be
had to fet this needful work on foot. I fhould think
it would be a pleaſure to any one, that has any in-
tention this way, to fee fomething done in their
life-time, rather than leave it to the conduct of po-
fterity. I would not confent to the proceeding on
fuch a work in the manner I have feen our poor-houſe-
and Dr. Stevens's hofpital, viz. to have fo expenfive
a foundation laid, that the expence of the building.
fhould require fuch a fum, and fo long a time to
finiſh, as will take up half an age.
My ſcheme for fuch an undertaking fhould be
much to this effect:
Firſt, I would have a ſpot of ground fixed on, that
ſhould be in a good open air, free from the neigh-
bourhood of houfes; for the cries and exclamations.
of the outrageous would reach a great way, and
aught not to diſturb neighbours: which was what
you did not think of, when you mentioned a spot
in a clofe place, almoft in the heart of the city.
There
[ 85 1
There are many places, in the out-fkirts of the city,
I can name, very proper.
Next to the fixing of a proper fpot, I would, when
that is fecured, (which ſhould be a good ſpace) have
it well inclofed with a high wall, the coft of all
which must be known. Then I would have the cells
of the Royal Hofpital Infirmary, lately made for mad
people, be examined, how convenient, and how in
all points they are adapted to the purpofe, with the
coft of theſe cells, which I take to be fix or eight
pounds. Then I would proceed to the very needful
houſe for the maſter and the proper fervants. Then
another building, to which there ſhould be a piazza
for a ſtone gallery, for walking dry; and out of
that ſeveral lodging cells for ſuch as are not outra-
geous, but melancholy, &c. This may be inlarged
in length, or by a return; and over head the fame
fort of a gallery, with little rooms, or cells, open,
ing the doors into the gallery; for, by intervals,
the objects affected may be permitted to walk at
times in the galleries.
This is according to the cuftom of London. An-
nexed to the maſter's houſe muſt be the kitchen and
offices.
This proceeding may be fo contrived, as to be en-
larged from time to time, as there ſhall be a fund,
and occafion to require the additions. There is no
neceffity for any plans or architects; but an ordinary
capacity may contrive thofe enlargements. Perhaps
there may appear fome well-difpofed perfons, who
will fay, they will make this enlargement; and, by
G 3
fuch
1
}
[ 86 ]
fuch helps, they may be fufficiently done to anfwer
all purpoſes.
*
-It comes juft now into my head, that there is a
a very proper * fpot, which I think the chapter of
St. Patrick let to one Lee, a bricklayer, or builder.
It lies back of Aungier-ſtreet eaſt, comes out of York-
Street, down a place called the Dunghill, runs down
to the end of King-ftreet, facing William-ftreet; at
the north end of which fome alms-houfes are built by
Dowling and others. Alfo there ftands, to the front
of the freet, a large ftone building, called an Alms-
houfe, made by Mrs. Mercer; though by the bye, I
hear ſhe is weary of her project, and does little in
fupplying that houfe, or endowing it. Perhaps the
ground may be easily come at from Lee's heirs; and
by your application, I know not but Mrs. Mercer
may give her houſe up to promote fo good a work.
This will go a good way, and being followed by
fubfcriptions, a great and ſpeedy progrefs may
be made, in which I will readily join my intereſt
and labour. If that fpot fails, we will pitch upon
another. Whatſoever may be your future intentions,
don't deny me the confideration of the good your
appearance and help may now do. I would not
make a step in this affair, if it fhall not be agreed,
that all matters, which require the confent by votes,
fhall be determined by the method of a ballotting-
box, that no great folks, or their fpeeches, fhould
*The ground here mentioned by Sir William Fownes does not
belong to the dean and chapter of St. Patrick's, but to the corpo-
tion of Vicars cord in that cathedral.
carry
[
87 ]
{
carry what they pleafe, by their method of fcoring
upon paper, and feeing who marks, &c. too much
practifed.
If there be nothing in this paper, worth your at-
tention, you know how to diſpoſe of it. You have
the thoughts of your affured humble fervant.
W. FOWNE s.
THE PROPOSAL.
I. That an hofpital, called Bedlam, be built in the
city of Dublin, or liberties, for the reception of lu-
natics from any parts of the kingdom.
'
II. In order to promote fo good a work, let fub-
ſcriptions be taken in Dublin, and in every city and
town in the kingdom; and that the chief magiftrate
of each place be defired to recommend the fubfcrip-
tion paper fent to him for that purpoſe.
III. That when public notice is given in print,
that ground is fecured for building the hofpital of
Bedlam, the fubfcription be collected, and fent to
Dublin, and paid into the hands of
Query, Mr. Thorn, fteward to the Blue-Coat hofpital,
a very proper perſon.
IV. That, upon notice given by Mr. Thorn, that
he has received 200 l. a meeting ſhall be held of all
fubfcribers who happen to be in Dublin, at a proper
time and place.
V. Such perfons as fubfcribe 57. or upwards, to
have a vote at fuch meeting.
VI. That Mr. Thorn, giving fecurity, be con-
tinued to receive and pay out the money ſubſcribed
G
4
for
[ 88 ]
}
for one year, and be allowed only fix-pence per
pound, for receiving and paying.
VII. That the money first laid out ſhall be for
the building of fix or eight trong cells, for out-
rageous lunatics to be confined in, and after the
form of thoſe made at the infirmary of the Royal
Hofpital.
VIII. That the college of phyficians be deſired
to contribute to this good work, by appointing two
or three of their body to be prefent at the firft meet-
ing, and to give their opinion, as to the conveni-
ency of the cells, what boilers are proper to be fet
up in a kitchen, and what food is proper to be pro-
vided for fuch lunatics.
IX. That near the cells be made a kitchen, ſmall
at firft, and in fuch manner, as capable to be en-
larged. That over this kitchen be a middle room,
and over it a garret, to lodge the cook-maid, and
one other maid.
X. That adjoining the kitchen may be made onę
room, of 18 feet by 18, which may ferve for Mr.
Thorn to attend in, and where the doctors, or any
fubfcribers, may meet on occafion. And over this room
another, to ferve for a ftore-room; and a garret to
lodge a porter or two, that muſt attend the lunatics.
XI. That theſe buildings be made plain and
ftrong, with as little coft as can be.
XII. That the charge of theſe be computed fe-
parate, and that of the infide neceffaries; fo that the
work may go on as faft as the fubfcription fund
can be got in.
XIII. That
[ 89 ]
XIII. That fubfcribers at the firft meeting, do
elect ſeven of their number, fuch as are knowing in
carrying on of the work, and willing to attend 'at
needful times. That any three or more, at any
meeting of the hoſpital, may give directions for
proceeding on the buildings agreed upon to be made
at the first meeting of the fubfcribers; at which firſt
meeting a fecond meeting may be agreed upon, and
fo from time to time.
The walling-in of the piece of ground intended
for this ufe may go on as the fund will bear, with-
out obftructing the firſt uſeful buildings. And
whereas there are lunatics of feveral kinds, as the
melancholy, &c. and fome that are unruly by fits, a
building must be defigned for this fort; the floors
not lofty, but made fufficiently airy, twenty feet
wide, whereof ten for a gallery, and ten for lodges;
each lodge eight or ten feet broad.
Dear Sir,
Herewith you have my thoughts of the affair you
mentioned to me. I wish I could prevail on you to
patronize it, and lay down your own ſcheme. I am
moft confident it cannot fail going on briskly. You
have friends and intereſt enough to fet it a going,
although there may be fome grandees would rather
other hands had the conduct of it; yet the work
ſpeaks fo much for itfelf, they must be afhamed not
to contribute, much more to obftruct it.
In the paper called The Propofal, I have confidered
the privateſt and leaft expenfive way of going to
work,
[ 90 ]
1
work, avoided public forms, and grandees inter-
pofing. Tom Thorn by chance I thought upon for
that reaſon, and for preventing jobs, &c. Do what
you pleaſe with my papers. I am just ditto.
L
LETTER CCCX..
Lady BG to Dr. SWIFT.
London, Nov. 7, 1732.
ISHOULD have anſwered yours fooner, but
that I every day expected another from you, with
your orders to fpeak to the duke; which I fhould
with great pleaſure have obeyed, as it was to ferve
a friend of yours. Mrs. Floyd is now, thank God,
in as good health as I have ſeen her thefe many
years, though ſhe has ſtill her winter cough hanging
upon her; but that, I fear, I muft never expect fhe
fhould be quite free from at this time of day.
All my trouble with her now is, to make her drink
wine enough, according to the doctor's order, which
is not above three or four glaffes, fuch as are com-
monly filled at fober houfes; and that he makes fa
great a rout with, fo many faces, that there is no-
body that did not know her perfectly well, but
would extremely fufpect the drinks drams in private.
I am forry to find our taftes fo different in the
古
​fame perfon; and as every body has a natural par-
tiality to their own opinion, fo it is furprifing to
me to find lady. S dwindle in your's, who rifes
infinitely in mine, the more and the longer I know
her.
1
[ 91 ]
her. But you fay, you will fay no more of courts
for fear of growing angry; and indeed, I think
you are fo already, fince you level all without know-
ing them, and feem to think that none who belongs
to a court can act right. I am fure this cannot be
really and truly your fenfe, becauſe it is unjuſt :
and if it is, I fhall fufpect there is fomething of
your old maxim in it, (which I ever admired and
found true) that you must have offended them, be-
caufe you don't forgive. I have been about a fortnight
from Knowle, and fhall next Thurfday go there again.
for about three weeks, where I. fhall be ready and
willing to receive your commands, who am moſt
faithfully and fincerely yours.
LETTER CCCXI.
Mr. GAY to Dr. SwiFT.
DEAR SIR,
Nov. 16, 1732.
I AM at laſt come to London before the family, to
follow my own inventions. In a week or fortnight
I expect the family will follow me. You may now
draw upon me for your money, as foon' as · you
pleafe. I have fome of my own too that lies dead
and I proteft I do not know which way at preſent
to diſpoſe of it, every thing is fo precarious. I paid
Mr. Lancelot 12 l. and pay myfelf the five guineas
you had of me, and have deducted your lofs, by
paying off one of the South-Sea bonds: and I find I
have remaining of your's 2117; 15 s. 6d. And F
believe
[ 92 ]
!
believe over and above that fum, there will be more
owing to you upon account of intereft on the bonds,
about four or five pounds. Mr. Hoare hath done
this for me, but I have not had time to call upon
him yet, ſo that I cannot be more particular. As
the money now lies in Mr. Hoare's hands, you ſee
it is ready on demand. I believe you had beſt give
notice when you draw on me for it, that I may not
be out of the way. I have not as yet feen Mr. Pope,
but defign in a day or two to go to him, though I
am in hopes of ſeeing him here to-day or to-morrow.
If my preſent project fucceeds, you may expect a
better account of my own fortune a little while after
the holidays; but I promife myfelf nothing, for I
am determined, that neither any body elfe, or my-
felf, fhall difapppoint me. I wish the arguments
made uſe of to draw you here, were every way of
more confequence. I would not have you change.
one comfort of life for another. I wish you to keep
every one of thoſe you have already, with as many
additional ones as you like. When I fit down to
confider on the choice of any fubject, to amufe my-
felf by writing, I find I have a natural propenfity to
write againſt vice, fo that I don't expect much en-
couragement; though I really think in juſtice, I
ought to be paid for ftifling my own inclination;
but the great are ungrateful, Mr. Pulteney's young
fon hath had the fmall pox, and is perfectly reco-
vered. He is not in town, but is expected in about
a week from the Bath. I muft anſwer the letter you
writ to the duchefs and me, when her grace comes ta
town
&
[ 93 ]
town; for I know ſhe intended to have à part in it,
Why can't you come among us in the beginning of
the new year? The company will be then all in
in town, and the ſpring advancing upon us every
day. What I mean by the company is, thoſe who
call themſelves your friends, and I believe are ſo.
It is certain the parliament will not meet till the
middle of January. I have not been idle while
I was in the country; and I know your wiſhes in
general, and in particular, that induſtry may always
find its account. Believe me, as I am, unchangeable
in the regard, love, and efteem I have for you.
LETTER CCCXII.
Mr. ROBERT ARBUTHNOT to Dr. SwIFT.
DEAR SIR,
Rouen, Jan, 2, 1732.“
I HAVE flattered myſelf theſe many years, that
vapours or company could have brought you over
feas to Spaw, or to fome fuch place, and that you
would have taken Paris in your way; and fo I ſhould
have had the pleaſure of ſeeing you in fome place of
my own. I wonder much that a perſon of ſo much
good humour can let yourfelf grow old, or die with-
out ſeeing ſome other country than your own. I
am not quite fo wicked as to wish you any real ill-
nefs to bring you to us, though I ſhould not be
forry that you thought you had need of the change
of air. I wish you a happy new year, and many
more; and (whatever intereft I have againft it) good.
health
[ 94 ]
{
health, and profperity, and every thing that I can
wish to one that I much honour and eſteem.
I recommend to your friendſhip and acquaintance,
the bearer, Mr. Delamere. His brother, now dead,
has been with you in Ireland: and this gentleman
deferves from me all the kindnefs my friends can
fhew him.
Adieu, dear Sir. If I can ferve you in
any thing, command me always; for I am with great
eſteem your most humble and moſt obedient fervant.
ROB. ARBUTHNOT.
LETTER CCCXIII.
Dr. ARBUTHNOT to Dr. SWIFT.
MY DEAR FRIEND, London, Jan. 13, 1732.
I HAD the pleaſure of receiving one from you by
Mr.* I thank you for the opportunity it
gave me of being acquainted with a very agreeable
ingenious man. I value him very much for his
mufic, which you give yourſelf an air of contemn-
ing; and I think I treated him in that way to a
degree of furprize.
&
I have had but a melancholy forrowful life for
fome time paſt, having loft my dear child; whoſe
life, if it had fo pleafed Göd, I would willingly
have redeemed with my own. I thank God for a
new leffon of fubmiffion to his will, and likewife for
what he hath left me.
Probably the reverend Mr. Pilkington, who came over to
be' chaplain to alderman Sarber, when lord mayor of Lañilon,
We
[ 95 ].
的
​We have all had another lofs of our worthy and
dear friend Mr. Gayt. It was fome alleviation of
my grief to fee him fo univerfally lamented by al-
moſt every body, even by thofe who knew him only
by reputation. He was interred at Weſtminſter-Abbey,
as if he had been a peer of the realm; and the
good duke of Queensberry, who lamented him as a
brother, will fet up a handfome monument upon
him. Theſe are little affronts put upon vice and
injuſtice, and is all that remains in our power. I
believe the Beggar's Opera, and what he had to come
upon the ftage, will make the fum of the diverfions
of the town for fome time to come. Curll (who is
one of the new terrors of death) has been writing
letters to every body for memoirs of his life. I was
for fending him fome, particularly, an account of
his difgrace at court, which, I am fure, might
have been made entertaining; by which I fhould
have attained two ends at once, published truth,
and got a raſcal whipped for it. I was over-ruled
in this. I wish you had been here, though I think
you are in a better country. I fanfy to myſelf,
that you have fome virtue and honour left, fome
fmall regard for religion. Perhaps Chriftianity
may laſt with you at least twenty or thirty years
longer. You have no companies or ſtock-jobbing,
are yet free of excifes; you are not infulted in your
poverty, and told with a fneer, that you are a rich
and a thriving nation. Every man that takes neither
1
† He died December 4, 1732.
place
[ 96 ]
place nor penfion, is not deemed with you a rogue,
and an enemy to his country.
Your friends of my acquaintance are in tolerable
good health. Mr. Pope has his ufual complaints of
head-ach and indigeftion, I think, more than for-
merly. He really leads fometimes a very irregular
life, that is, lives with fuperior health and ſtrength.
You will fee fome new things of his, equal to any
of his former productions. He has affixed to the
new edition of his Dunciad, a royal declaration
againſt the haberdaſhers of points and particles, af-
fuming the title of critics and reſtorers, wherein he
declares, that he has reviſed carefully this his Dun-
ciad, beginning and ending fo and fo, confifting of
fo many lines, and declares this edition to be the
true reading; and it is figned by John Barber, major
civitatis Londini.
I remember you, with your friends, who are my
neighbours they all long to fee you. As for news,
there is nothing here talked of but the new ſcheme
of excife. You may remember that a miniſtry in the
queen's time, poffeffed of her majefty, the parlia-
ment, army, fleet, treaſury, confederate, &c. put all
to the teſt, by an experiment of a filly project of the
trial of a poor parfon
The fame game, in my
mind, is playing over again, from a wantonnefs of
power, Miraberis quam pauca fapientia mundus regitur.
I have confidered the grievance of your wine: the
friend that defigned you good wine, was abuſed by
* Sacheverels
an
1
[ 97 ]
+
an agent that he intrufted this affair to. It was not
this gentleman's brother, whofe name is
whom fhew what friendship you can.
My neighbour the profeman is
cowardly and defpairing than ever.
Delamere, to
wifer, and more
He talks me in-
to a fit of vapours twice or thrice a week. I dream
at night of a chain, and rowing in the gallies. But,
thank God, he has not taken from me the freedom
I have been accuftomed to in my difcourfe, (even
with the greatest perfons to whom I have accefs) in
defending the caufe of liberty, virtue; and religion:
for the laft, I have the fatisfaction of fuffering fome
fhare of the ignominy that belonged to the firft con-
feffors. This has been my lot, from a steady refolu-
tion I have taken of giving thefe ignorant impudent
fellows battle upon all occafions. My family fend
you their beſt wiſhes, and a happy new year; and
none can do it more heartily than myſelf, who am,
with the moſt fincere refpect, your most faithful
humble fervant.
LETTER CCCXIV:
Lady B G
to Dr. SwIFT.
Feb. 8, 1732.
I RECEIVED yours of the 8th of January but
laft week, fo find it has lain long on the road after
the date. It was brought me whilft at dinner, that
very lady fitting clofe to me, whom you feem to
think fuch an abfolute courtier *. She knew your
* The countefs of S
H
VOL. III
hand,
Ľ 98 I
1
}
hand, and enquired much after you, as the always
does; but I, finding her name frequently mentioned,
not with that kindness I am fure the deferves, put it
into my pocket with filence and furprife.. Indeed,
were it in people's power, that live in a court with
the appearance of favour, to do all they defire for
their friends, they might deferve their anger, and be
blamed, when it does not happen right to their
minds; but that, I believe, never was the caſe of
any one: and in this particular of Mr. Gay, thus far
I know, and ſo far I will anſwer for; that ſhe was
under very great concern, that nothing better could
Le got for him: the friendſhip upon all other occa-
fions in her own power, that the fhewed him, did
not look like a double-dealer:
{
A
As to that part concerning yourfelf and her, I fap-
pofe, it is my want of comprehenfion, that I cannot
find out why ſhe was to blame to give you advice,
when you aſked it, that had all the appearance of
fincerity, good nature, and right judgment. And
if after that, the court did not do what you wanted,:
and ſhe both believed and wished they would, was
it her fault? At leaſt, I cannot find out, that you have
hitherto proved it upon her. And though you fay,
you lamented the hour you had feen her, yet I can-
not tell how to fuppofe that your good fenfe and
juſtice can impute any thing to her; becauſe it did
not fall out just as the endeavoured, and hoped it
would.
*
*As to your creed in politics, I will heartily and
fincerely fubfcribe to it.That I deteft avarice in
bead
!courts;
[ 99 ]
J
courts; corruption in miniſters; ſchiſms in religion;
illiterate fawning betrayers of the church in mitres.
But at the fame time, 1 prodigiously want an infal-
lible judge, to determine when it is really fo: for
as I have lived longer in the world, and feen many
changes, I know thofe out of power and place al-
ways fee the faults of thofe in, with dreadful large
fpectacles; and, I dare fay, you know many in-
ftances of it in lord Oxford's time. But the ftrongeſt
in my memory is, Sir RW, being firft
pulled to pieces in the year 1720, becauſe the South-
Sea did not rife high enough; and fince that, he
has been to the full as well banged about, becauſe
it did riſe too high. So experience has taught me,
how wrong, unjuft, and fenfelefs party-factions are ;
therefore, I am determined never wholly to believe
any fide or party againſt the other; and to ſhew
that I will not, as my friends are in and out of all
fides, fo my houfe receives them all together; and
thofe people meet here, that have, and would fight
in any other place. Thofe of them that have great
and good qualities and virtues I love and admire;
in which number is lady ; and I do like and
love her, becaufe I believe, and as far as I am ca-
pable of judging, know her to be a wife, difcreet,
honeft and fincere courtier, who will promife no far-
ther than fhe can perform, and will always perform
what ſhe does promife; fo, now, you have my creed
as to her *:
* This fpirited defence of lady -----, against a man of Swift's
bility and difpofition, does lady E. G. more honour than the
1 A
would
1
[ roo ]
I thought I had told you in my laſt, at leaſt I ant
fure I defigned it, that I defire you would do juft
as you like about the monument; and then, it will
be moſt undoubtedly approved by your most fincere
and faithful fervant,
LETTER CCCXV.
I
The Duchefs of
to Dr. SWIFT.
SIR,
Feb. 21, 1732.
SOON after the death of Mr. Gay I found myſelf
more inclined to write to you, than to allow myſelf
any other entertainment. But confidering that might
draw you into a correfpondence, that moft likely
might be difagreeable, I left off all thoughts of this
kind, till Mr. Pope fhewed me your letter to him,
which encourages me to hope we may converfe to-
gether as ufual; by which advantage, I will not de-
fpair to obtain in reality fome of thofe good quali-
ties, you fay, I feem to have. I am confcious of
only one, that is, being an apt fcholar; and, if I
have any good in me, I certainly learned it infenfi-
bly of our poor friend, as children do any ftrange
language. It is not poffible to imagine the lofs his
death is to me; but as long as I have any memory,
the happineſs of ever having had fuch a friend can
never be loft to me.
would have deferved by writing the beft fatire against all the courts
and courtiers in the world..
*
As
E
[ 10 ]
:
As to himself, he knew the world too well to
regret leaving it; and the world in general knew
him too little to value him as they ought. I think
it my duty to my friend, to do him the juftice, to
affure you, he had a moft perfect and fincere regard
for you.
I have learned a good deal of his way of
thinking on your account; fo that, if at any time
you have any commands in this part of the world,
you will do me a pleaſure to employ me, as you
would him and, I fhall wish it could ever be in
my power to ferve you in any thing effential. The
duke of
meaned to write, if I had not,
concerning your money-affairs. We both thought
of it, as foon as we could of any thing; and, if you
will only write word what you would have done
with it, great care ſhall be taken, according to your
order. I differ with you extremely, that you are in
any likelihood of dying poor or friendleſs: the world
can never grow fo worthlefs. I again differ with
you, that it is poffible to comfort one's felf for the
lofs of friends, as one does upon the loſs of money.
I think, I could live on very little, nor think my-
felf poor, or be thought fo, but a little friendſhip
could never fatisfy one; and I could never expect
to find fuch another fupport as my poor friend. In
almoſt every thing, but friends, another of the fame
name may do as well; but friend is more than a
name, if it be any thing.
*
Your letter touched me extremely; it gave me a
melancholy pleaſure. I feel much more than you
wrote, and more, than I hope, you will continue
H 3
[102]
事
​to feel. As you can give Mr. Pope good advice,
pray practice it yourfelf. As you cannot lengthen
your friend's days, I muft beg you, in your own
words, not to fhorten your own: for I do full well
know by experience, that health and happineſs de-
pend on good fpirits. Mr. Pope is better in both
this year, than I have ſeen him a good while. This
you'll believe, unleſs he has told you what he tells
me, that I am his greateſt flatterer. I hope that
news has not reached you; for nothing is more plea-
fant than to believe what one wishes. I wish to be
your friend; I wish you to be mine; I with you
may not be tired with this; I wish to hear from you
foon; and all this in order to be my own flatterer,
I will believe.-I never write my name.-I hope
you have no averfion to blots.
Since I wrote this, the duke of
bids me
tell you, that if you have occafion for the money,
you need only draw upon him, and he will pay
the money to your order. He will take care to
have the account of intereft fettled, and made up
to you. He will take this upon himſelf, that you
may have no trouble in this affair,
LETTER CCCXVI.
Dr. SwiFT to the Duchefs of
MADAM,
March 20, 1732.
I HAD lately the honour of a letter from your
grace, which was dated just a month before it came
to
*
7
C
I 103 ]
+
1
to my hand, and the ten days fince, I have been much
difordered with a giddinefs, that I have been long
fubjected to at uncertain times. This hindered me
from an acknowledgement of the great favour you
have done me. The greateft unhappiness of my
life is grown a comfort under the death of my friend*,
I mean, my banishment in this miferable country;
for the diſtance I am at, and the defpair I have of
ever feeing my friends, further than by a fummer's
wifit; and this, fo late in my life, fo uncertain in
my health, and fo embroiled in my little affairs,
may probably never happen; fo that my lofs is not
fo great as that of his other friends, who had it al-
:ways in their power to converfe with him. But I
chiefly lament your grace's misfortune, becaufe I
greatly fear, with all the virtues and perfections
which can poffibly acquire the highest veneration to
a mortal creature from the worthieft of human kind,
you will never be able to procure another fo uſeful,
fo fincere, fo virtuous, fo difinterefted, fo entertain-
ing, fo eafy, and fo humble a friend, as that perfon
whofe death all good men lament. I turn to your
letter, and find your grace hath the fame thoughts.
Lofs of friends hath been called a tax upon long
life, and, what is worfe, it is then too late to get
others if they were to be had, for the younger ones
are all engaged. I fhall never differ from you in
any thing longer, than till you declare your opi-
nion; becauſe I never knew you wrong in any thing,
1
*Mr. Gay'.
H 4
*
except
[ 104 ]
1
except your condefcending to have any regard for
me; and therefore, all you fay upon the ſubject of
friendship, I heartily allow. But I doubt you are
a perverter; for fure I was never capable of comparing
the loſs of friends with the lofs of money. I think
we never lament the death of a friend upon his own
account, but merely on account of his friends, or the
public, or both; and his, for a perfon in private life,
was as great as poffible. How finely you preach to
us who are going out of the world, to keep our fpi-
rits, without informing us where we fhall find ma-
terials! Yet I have my flatterers too, who tell me,
I am allowed to have retained more fpirits than
hundreds of others who are richer, younger, and
healthier than myfelf; which confidering a thoufand
mortifications, added to the perfect ill-will of every
creature in power, I take to be a high point of me-
rit, as well as an implicit obedience to your grace's
commands. Neither are thoſe ſpirits (fuch as they
be) in the leaſt broken by the honour of lying under
the fame circumſtances with a certain great perſon,
whom I ſhall not name, of being in difgrace at court.
I will excufe your blots upon paper, becauſe they
are the only blots that you' ever 'did, or ever will
make in the whole courfe of your life. I am content,
upon your petition, to receive the duke and your
grace for my ſtewards for that immenfe fum; and in
proper time, I may come to thank you, as king™
does the commons, for your loyal benevolence. In
the mean while, I humbly intreat your grace, that
the money may lie where you' pleaſe, till I prefume
鴦
​tQ
$
}
*
[105]
to trouble you, with a bill as my lord duke allows
me.
One thing I find, that you are grown very touchy
fince I loft the dear friend who was my ſupporter; fo
that perhaps you may expect I fhall be very careful
how I offend you in words, wherein you will be
much mistaken: for I fhall become ten times worfe
after correction. It feems Mr. Pope, like a trea-
cherous gentleman, fhewed you my letter, wherein I
mention good qualities that you feem to have. You
have underftroaked that offenfive word, to fhew it
fhould be printed in italic. What could I fay more?
I never faw your perfon fince you were a girl, ex-
cept once in the dark (to give you a bull of this
country) in a walk next the Mall. Your letters may
poffibly be falfe copies of your mind, and the uni-
verfal, almoft idolatrous eſteem you have forced from
every perſon in two kingdoms, who have the leaſt
regard for virtue, may have been only procured
by a peculiar art of your own, I mean, that of
bribing all wife and good men to be your flat-
terers. My literal mistakes are worſe than your
blots. I am fubject to them, by a fort of infirmity
wherein I have a few fellow-fufferers; I mean, that
my
heart runs before my pen, which it will ever do
in a greater degree, as long as I am a fervant to your
grace, I'mean, to the laft hour of my life and fenfes.
I am with the greateſt reſpect and utmoft gratitude,
Madam, your grace's moft obedient, moft obliged,
and moft humble fervant.
I defire
七
​1
*
+
1
[106]
I defire to prefent my most humble refpects and
thanks to my lord duke of
For a man
of my level, I have as bad a name almoft as I
A
defire; and I pray God, that thoſe who give it
me, may never have reaſon to give me a better,
LETTER CCCXVII.
Lord C-
to. Dr. SWIFT
SIR,
↓
March 24, 1732.
I HAD the favour of your letter of the 19th of Fe-
bruary. A gentleman left it at my door. I have not
heard from him fince, though he faid he would call
again, and who he is, I don't know. I fhewed it
to my wife and lady Worley, who will not fail to
obey your commands, and teize me, if I could be
forgetful of your orders, to attend the caufe of the
city of Dublin when it comes into the houfe. I know
by experience, how much that city thinks itfelf un-
der your protection, and how ftri&tly they used to
obey all orders fulminated from the fovereignty of
St. Patrick's. I never doubted their compliance with
vou in fo trivial a point as a * recorder. You can
give any one law and capacity in half an hour;
and if by chance a rake fhould get thofe faculties
any other way, you can make the worthy citizens
* Mr. Stanard was about this time chofen recorder of the city
of Dublin, chiefly at the recommendation of Dr. Swift.
believe
[ 107 ]
believe he has them not; and you can fuſtain any
imachine in a furred gown.
I thank you for the letter by Mr. Pilkington
I have ſeen him twice at a great entertainment at my
lord mayor's, where you was the firſt toaft. I like
the young man very well, and he has great obliga-
tions to you, of which he ſeems fenfible.
I hope Dr. Delancy is well, and that you fee one
another often, and then the doctor won't have leifure
to purfue his differtations †, or to anfwer the reve
rend prelate on your fide, who I hear has anfwered
him. As I have not read the differtations, fo I fhall
not read the answer; which, I hope, without of
fence, I may fuppofe to be your cafe. If fo, I hope
you will endeavour to keep me well with the doctor,
who took it a little unkindly of me, that I would
Thut my eyes to fuch revelation fo demonſtrated. I
have a great eſteem for him, to which nothing that
he can write upon thoſe ſubjects can make any addi-
tion; and, therefore, I would run no rifques as to
altering my opinion of him by reading his books.
t
That health and profperity may attend you, is
my fincere wiſh; and I intreat you to believe that
I am, with great truth, Sir, your most humble and
obedient fervant.
The whole family of my ladies fend their com-
pliments.
Hufband of the celebrated Mrs. Letitia Pilkington. Alder-
man Barber was this year lord mayor; and having complimented
the dean with the nomination of his chaplain, the dean nomi-
nated Mr. Pilkington,
£
†' Revelation examined with Candour?
?
LETTER
[ 108 ]
LETTER CCCXVIII.
Lord B-
to Dr. SWIFT.
Cirenceſter, March 29, 1733.
MY MOST DEAR DEAN,
a
I AM indebted to you for ſeveral ſcraps of paper
which you have fent me; but I waited to receive
Fetter from you, and then would have returned you
an anſwer as well as I could. I obeyed your com-
mands fignified in your Penultiéme; I attended your
caufe; your client happened to be in the right, and
we are not a little in the wrong, that we gave no
cofts.. I fhould have moved for them, but I had
diftinguished myfelf in preffing lords to attend, and
told fo many that I had your commands fo to do,
that I did not think it proper to take that part upon
me, and no-body elfe would do it;
me leave to tell you, that you are
therefore give
bound in con-
fcience to pay that poor man 100 /. He wou'd-cer-
tainly have had that fum, if you had not interpofed
in that peremptory manner.
As to your laſt orders, in relation to the Dublin
caufe, I take it for granted you are in the wrong.
All corporations of men are perpetually doing in-
juftice to individuals. I will attend it, but am
as much prejudiced against them, as it is poffible,
though I know nothing of the man, nor the matter
in queſtion. I have often reflected, (from what
¨cauſe
[ 109 ]
T
caufe it arifes, I know not) that the majority of a
fociety are honeft men, and would act, feparately,
with fome humanity, and according to the rules of
morality; yet conjunctively, they are hard-hearted
determined villains. I know phyficians, who, if
you take them out of their practice, are very good
fort of men: but, was there ever in the world a
confultation of them, that tended to any thing elſe
than robbery and murder? Do the body of lawyers
think of any thing elſe, but to plunder and deſtroy
the reft of mankind? In fhort there is no corpora-
tion to be excepted out of this general rule, but
the two houſes of parliament; and all affemblies of
divines, wherefoever difperfed through the Chrif
tian world. So much for your Dublin cauſe.
Now, I muft tell you, I want exceedingly to
fee you here; and I would have you come juſt about
Midfummer. If you come a moment before that
time, you will find the parliament fitting, all in a
flame about excifes; and go into what company
you will, you can hear of nothing elfe. I reckon
by that time we fhall feparate, and then I come
down to this place en famille, (where I am now
only a fojourner for three days) and you fhall be
better accommodated than you were laft time you
was here. I can affure you, I have made great al-
terations; and to fpeak modeftly, I think, I may
fay, it is by much the fineſt place in England. What
Ireland may produce I cannot tell. Pope has pro-
miſed to come down; and it is time for him to re-
tire,
[ 110 ]
靠
​t
tire, for he has made the town too hot to hold
him*.
Poor John Gay! we fhall fee him no more; but
he will always be remembered, by thofe who knew
him, with a tender concern. I want to know how
you do, and what you are doing. I fufpe&t you are
grown very idle; for I have not heard of any pro-
duction from that fertile brain of your's a great
while. And befides, the greatest mark of idlenefs
that I know, is the minding of other people's bufi-
nefs. You that ufed to be employed in ſupporting
or pulling down minifters, in inftructing or di
verting mankind, in inflaming kingdoms, or paci-
fying contending parties, now feem to be dwindled
into an Irish folicitor. I expect to fee you in a
dirty brown. coat, with a little green bag under
your arm.
However, let me fee you. If I cannot
laugh with you, as I ufed to do, I will laugh at
you; for I am refolved to laugh as long as I livė.
So, my dear little pettifogger, adieu.
→
LETTER CCCXIX.
M to Dr. SwiFT.
SIR,
London, April 7, 1733-
[
I HOPE you will excufe me that I have not an-
fwered your letter fooner; but I fhall not be back-
Probably by the publication of The first Satire of the fecond
Book of Horace, imitated, in` à Dialogue between Alexander Pope,
Efq; on the one Part, and his learned Council on the other. Published
in February 1732-3.*
ward
[ III ]
1
ward in obeying your commands, by attending the
caufe you mentioned, when it comes into the houſe.
I shall not fail ſpeaking to thofe few lords, I can
be fo free with, to attend alfo ; and fhall rejoice if
it ſhould be determined to your fatisfaction: and I
have good reaſon to believe it will, being fully con-
vinced, that you can intereft yourſelf in nothing but
where juftice is uppermoft. We have long flattered
ourſelves with the hopes of having your good com-
pany here. I am fure there is no family in this king-
dóm wiſhes to fee you more than that of the M-
who will always have you in remembrance, for your
health and welfare. I doubt not but you hear from
better hands the ftate of our affairs, in relation to
the excifing tobacco and wine, therefore ſhall not
trouble you upon that fubject; and fhall only defire
your farther commands wherein I am capable to
ferve you; affuring you, that I am, with great
eſteem and faith, Sir, your most faithful and humble
fervant,
SIR,
Poftfcript by lady M.
'S,
There are few things in life would give me
more joy than to fee you again in this part of the`
world. Let your friends have that pleafure; for
in doing it you will oblige a vast number of people;
but nobody more, my dear Mr. Dean, than your
affectionate humble fervant.
*
}
EE T
เ
[ 112 ]
LETTER CCCXX.
The Duchefs of
DEAR SIR,
?
}
to Dr. SWIFT.
April 12, 1733,
I RECEIVED yours of the 23d of March. Per-
petual pains in my head have hindered me from
writing till this moment; fo you fee you are not
the only perfon that way tormented. I dare be-
lieve there are as many bad heads in England as in
Ireland; I am fure none worfe than my own; that
I am made for pain, and pain for me; for, of late,
we have been infeparable. It is a moft difpiriting
distemper, and brings on pain of mind, whether
real or imaginary, it is all one.
Whilft I had that very fincere good friend, I
could fometimes lay open all my rambling thoughts,
and he and I often would view and diffect them;
but now they come and go, and I feldom find out
whether they be right or wrong, or if there bé
any thing in them. Poor man! he was moſt truly
every thing you could fay of him. I have loft,
in him, the uſefulleft limb of my mind. This is
an odd expreffion; but I cannot explain my notion
otherwife.
I deny that, I am touchy; yet I am going to feem
fo again, by affuring you my letters are never falſe
copies of my mind. They are often, I believe, im-
perfections of an imperfect mind; which, however,
to do it juftice, often directs me better than I act
Though
tiis f
1
Though I will not take upon me, to déclare my way
of thinking to be eternally the fame; yet what-
ever I write is at that inftant true. I would rather
tell a lye, than write it down; for words are wind
('tis faid); but the making a memorandum of one's
own falfe heart would ftare one in the face imme-
diately, and ſhould put one out of countenance.
Now, as a proof of my unfettled way of thinking,
and of my fincerity, I fhall tell you, that I am not
fo much in the wrong as you obferved I was in my
laft: for my regard to you is leffened extremely,
fince I obferved you are just like most other people,
viz. difobliged at trifles, and obliged at nothings;
for what elfe are bare words? Therefore pray never
believe I wish to ferve you, till you have tried
me; till then proteſtations are bribes, by which I
may only mean to gain the friendſhip of a valuable
man, and therefore ought to be fufpected. I feldom
make any for that reafon; fo that if I have the
peculiar happineſs to have any wife good people
my flatterers, God knows how I came by it; but
fure nothing can equal fuch glory, except that of
having the filly and bad people my enemies.
*
Hère I think we agree. You declare, that nò
fuch can deprefs your fpirits; and if our conftitu-
tions are alike, I will not only preach up good
fpirits, but prefcribe the materials that have ever
agreed with me. If any body has done me an injury,
they have hurt themſelves more than me. If they
give me an ill name (unless they have my help) I
ſhall not deferve it. If fools fhun my company, it
VOL. III.
I
H
is
་
青
​t
༔
x
[ 114 ]
is becauſe I am not like them; if people make me
angry, they only raife my fpirits; and if they wish
me ill, I will be well and handfome, wife and
happy, and every thing, except a day younger than
I am, and that's a fancy I never yet faw becoming
to man or woman, fo it cannot excite envy. Here
I have betrayed to you the devilifhnefs of my temper;'
but I declare to you, nothing ever enlivened me
half ſo much, as unjuft ill ufage, either directed to
myſelf or my friends. The very reverſe happens to
me, when I am too well ſpoken of; for I am forry
to find I don't deferve it all. This humbleth me
as much too much, as the other exalts; fo I hope
you
will not be too civil, fince I have declared the
confequence.
I am in great hopes you will make us a vifit this
fammer; for though I have a fenfible fatisfaction
by converfing with you in this way, yet I love
mightily to look in the perfon's face I am ſpeaking
to. By that one foon learns to ftop when it is wiſhed,
or to mend what is faid amifs.
*
Your ſtewards will take great care of your money ;^
but you must first direct us to your friend Mr. Lan-
celot, and order him to give up Mr. Gay's note, on
his fifter's paying the money to his grace, who will
give him his note for the money, or fend it to you,
juſt as you order. And as to what intereſt is due,
I fuppofe you have kept fome account.
By this time you must be too much tired, to bear
reading one word more; therefore I will make no
excufes. Pray employ me; for I want to be cer-
tain
1
t
J
I tis 1.
tain whether I know my own mind or not: for
fomething or other often tells me, that I fhould be
very happy to be of any uſe to you. Whether it be
true or falſe, neither you or I can be pofitive, till
an opportunity fhews; but I do really think, that I
am, dear Sir, moft fincerely yours, &c.
LETTER CCCXXI.
Lady B-
G-
to Dr. SWIFT.
May 1, 1933.
I SHOULD have anfwered your's of the 22d of
March long ago; but that I have had fome troubles ·
and frights. The uneafinefs I was under made me
neglect what, at another time, would have been
agreeable to myſelf, Mrs. Chambers's youngest fifter,
having had the ſmall pox; but now perfectly well.
Mrs. Floyd too has been exceffively bad with her
winter cough and difpiritedneſs; but country air,
I think, has a little revived her.
His grace of Dorfet bids me prefent his humble
fervice to you, and fays, the rectory of Churchtown
is at Mr. Stafford Lightburn's fervice. As to the
countess of Suffolk's affair in difpute, I cannot pof-
fibly (according to your own juft rule) be angry, be-
cauſe I am in the right. It is you ought to be angry,
and never forgive her, becauſe you have been fo
much in the wrong, as to condemn her, without the
fhew of justice; and I wish with all my heart as a
judgment upon you, that you had feen her, as I did,
when
I a
[ 116 1
*
when the news of your friend's death came; for
though you are a proud parfon, yet (give you, devil,
your due) you are a fincere, good-natured, honeft
one. I am extremely Mrs. Kelly's humble ſervant;
but I will never believe the is more valued for her
beauty and good qualities in Ireland than fhe was in
England. The excife you mention has caufed great
changes here. Some that I am forry for; though I
will not enter into the merits of the caufe, becauſe
of my averfion from politics. But if you did dif-
like it, why did you beftow fuch a coftly funeral
upon it, as to burn its bones on a fumptuous pile,
like a Roman emperor?
Adieu, my ever-honoured old friend; and do not
let me fee any more refpects or ladyships from you.
LETTER CCCXXII.
$
The Duchess of
to Dr. SWIFT.
Amesbury, May 31, 1733.
I AM now again your Tunbridge correfpondent.
His grace and I have been here this fornight, with
no other company than bricklayers and labourers.
We are throwing down a parcel of walls, that
blocked us up every way, and making a funk fence
round the houſe. This will make the place as
chearful again, and we find great entertainment
by infpecting the work. Since I came here, éven
*Mr. Gay.
I have
the
[117]
K
We
I have often got up by fix in the morning, (I de-
figned it always) and the whole houſe are faſt aſleep
before twelve. This I call good hours. I walk as
much as I am able, fometimes rather more.
fometimes ride, though not often: for the evenings
and mornings are very cold, and the middle of the
day violently hot. North-eaft winds continually,
and fuch want of rain, that the ground is hard as
iron. I am the moſt temperate creature in my diet
you ever knew; yet, with all my care, I cannot be
well. I believe if I am never guilty of a greater
fault, I fhall meet with very little refentment, either
public or private. They are the faults in the world
fooneft forgot, and the feldomeft truly repented.
Let that be as it will, fince health is undoubtedly the
moft valuable thing in life, I fhall do all I can to
obtain it. This makes me confent to a thing in
the world I am moft averfe to, that is going to the
Spaw, about a month or fix weeks hence. I wiſh
it was good for your complaints, that we might be
there together. Really, if you think it will be of any
ufe to you, and that you can order your affairs fo as
to make it poffible, depend upon it we ſhall make it
our ftudy, and a very agreeable one too, to make you
as eaſy and happy as it is in the power of people
(not of a very troubleſome difpofition) to contrive.
Your complaint and mine are not very different,
as I imagine. Mine is a fort of dizzinefs, which
generally goes off by the head-ach. Some learned
people give it a name I do not know how to fpell,
a vertico, or a vertigo. Pray understand that I,
really
I 3
น
118 1
+
really and truly, do not only fay, but mean, that
I wish you could either meet us at the Spaw, or at
London, to go on with us; and in this I am fare I
fhall never change my mind. If it can do you any
good, I feel myself enough your friend to refent it
extremely, if you miss this opportunity. This you
would believe, if you knew what obligations I have
to you. I am generally poor in fpirit, or quarrelling
with myfelf for being good for nothing. When a
letter comes from you, it does not only entertain
and revive me, but inftantly I fancy I ought to
have a good opinion of myſelf; which is of very
great ufe to have, provided it is kept within juſt
bounds. I fhall punctually obey your commands
concerning that poem ; but I think you may be per-
fectly eafy on that account; for I faw it before I
left London, and heard feveral people talk of it, and
the general opinion was, that you had no hand in it;
but that the thing happened juft as you fay. I
think you need not be much diſturbed at it. The
other trouble you mention I can allow of. Philofo-.
phy cannot make fuch things not be; the moſt it
can pretend to is, to help people to patience. 1
am heartily forry you have any particular occafion
for any. Is your law-fuit ftill in being? Perhaps I
may be impertinent; but I remember you once
mentioned fomething of that kind.
I am pretty well fatisfied any thing is bad for
the head that fills it too full; therefore I adviſe you
to unbend your thoughts, and afk my advice; if it
should prove good, take it; if not, leave it. I
#
fhould
[119]
*
hould be mighty glad to be of fervice to you; in
making me fo, you would fhew kindneſs to the me-
mory of your very fincere friend, and be kind to
me. You may depend upon me, both for his fake
and your own. I will endeavour to convey your
meffages to lady Catherine and Charlotte as foon as
poffible. The firft I have not converſed with this
year and half; I believe the is nobody's friend,
but I more than believe that nobody is her's. I
have a brother, that I dare anſwer you would like,
if you knew him perfectly, not elfe. I love and
honour him, and he deferves it. When his grace
goes to London, which will be very foon, your
money ſhall be as you ordered. He is mightily
fhocked at fo many fpeeches. He is not by juft
now, or undoubtedly he would think you deſerve to
have them returned. It is lucky for me, for I am
come to the end of my paper. Note, without an
excufe,
LETTER CCCXXIII.
Lady B G—
to Dr. Sw I FT.
June 5, 1733.
HAS Mr. Stafford Lightburne's friend got the gout
in his fingers? Or is he fo bufy in meaſuring the
water, and cafting a figure to know the exact time
when to fet his friends a fwimming, that he can't
find one moment to let me know that he received
my letter, written a month ago, to inform you that
I 4
his
}
[ 120 ]
his grace would chearfully and readily obey your
commands. However I am again ordered by him
to tell you, that the warrant will be fent to Dublin
by next poft; fo pray let Mr. Lightburne be ready to
make his perfonal appearance, leaſt they ſhould not
elfe know how to find him. It was well you needed
no interceffor to his grace; and that the no-promife
from him, and the one word from you, is of much
more weight than my rhetoric: for I have been fọ
horridly uſed by a nafty griping brother black-coat,
in a ſmall three and fix-pence affair of my own,
that I don't know whether I fhould not have done
like you of the faction, revenge myſelf of the inno-
cent, for the fake of one biſhop and minifter*, that
I fay has cheated, fleeced, and flead me, juft as if
they had been South-Sea or East India directors.
You are angry, if I do not mention Mrs. Floyd,
to you; fo I muft tell you, fhe is gone for a little
time into the country, to try if that will ever cure
her cough. I am heartily forry for your new
friend
Mrs. Kelly, who writes in a defponding way to Mrs.
Chambers about her health, and talks of going to
Spa. This is a melancholy fubject, and I hate
to be vexed. So I will fay no more of it, but
adieu, my dear Dean, and let me hear from you foon,
1
53
* See Letters cccxxiv. and cccxxvii.
}
LETTER
[121]
LETTER CCCXXIV.
Lady BG- tọ Dr.. SWIFT.
Knole, 9 July, 1733-
Now, fays parfon Swift*, What the devil makes
this woman write to me with this filthy white ink?
I cannot read a word of it, without more trouble
than her filly fcribble is worth. Why, fay I again:
Ay, it is the women are always accufed of having
bad writing implements; but to my comfort be it
fpoke, this is his grace my lord lieutenant's ink.
My bureau at London is ſo well furniſhed, that his
grace and his fecretary make ſo much uſe of it, that
they are often obliged to give half a crown, that I
may not run out my eftate in paper. It is very
happy when a go-between pleafes both fides, and
I am very well pleaſed with my office; for his grace
is delighted, that it was in his power to oblige you.
So treve de compliment: Since I have declared my
paffion againſt a biſhop and a parfon, it is but fair,
I fhould tell you the ftory, whether you care to
hear it or not; but if you do not, I give you
leave not to mind it, for now it is over, I am calm
again.
As to the + bishop, I know neither his principles
nor his parts, but his dioceſe is Peterborough; and
The name the called the dean by, in the ftanza which fhe in-
Certed in his ballad on The Game of Traffic.
† Dr. Robert Clapering..
having
[122]
}
having a fmall park in Northamptonshire, which
had a mind to increaſe by a ſmall addition, to make
my houfe ftand in the middle of it. Three fhillings
and fix-pence worth of land, at the largeſt compu-
tation belongs to the church; for which my old par-
fon, (who flatters me black and blue, when he comes
from a Sunday dinner, and fays he loves me better
than any body in the world) has made me give him
up in lieu of that land, a houfe and ground that lets
for 40 s. a year, and is hardly content with that,
but reckons it a vaft favour. And the bishop has
put me to ten times more charge than it is worth,
by fending commiffioners to view it, and making
me give petitions, and dancing me through his
court; befides, a great dinner to his nafty people.
Now, am I not in the right to be angry? But per-
haps you will fay, if I will have my fancies I muſt
pay for them; fo I will fay no more about it. I
hear
poor Mrs. Kelly is not near fo well as the fays;
and a gentleman that came from Bristol, fays fhe
looks dreadfully, and fears it is almoſt over with
her, and that no mortal could know her; fo ends
youth and beauty! that is fuch a moral reflexion,
that, leaft it should make you melancholy, I will
tell you fomething to pleafe you. Your old friend
Mrs. Floyd is perfectly recovered. I think I have
not feen her fo well this great while; but winter is
always her bane, fo I fhall live in dread of that.
In your next, I defire to know what I am in your
debt for my fifter's monument. Adieu, my dear,
good, old beloved friend.
LET-
[ 123 ]
LETTER CCCXXV.
The Duchefs of
to Dr. SWIFT.
B
DEAR SIR,
Amesbury, Nov. 3, 1733-
I WAS mightily pleaſed to receive a letter from
you laft poft; yet I am fo ungrateful, I will not
thank you for it, and it may be you do not deferve
it. The crueleft revenge that one can poffibly in-
fli&t (without hurting one's felf) is, that of being
doubly diligent to thofe who neglect one, in order
to fhock them into better behaviour. As I tried
this trick myſelf, and that ftrong appearances are
againſt me, I muft defend myſelf, and then you'll
own I do not quite deferve chaftifement.
1.
f
+
The poft before I left this place, I received a
letter from you, which I defigned to have anſwered
before I left London and England; but was hindered
from both, for fome time, by an exprefs, which
hurried us down to Winchefter ſchool, to take care
of our little boy there, who was violently ill of
a fever. From that time till 1 came to Spaw, we
were never at home; and as foon as I began the
waters, writing could not be done with my bad
head. Since I left that place, and grew well, I
have been ftill upon the ramble. After all, theſe are
not very good fubftantial reaſons; but, upon my
word, I did defign it; in order to which, two days
ago I washed the mould out of my ink-horn, put
fresh ink into it, and promifed myfelf to write to
you
1
[ 124 ]
you this very poft. Pleafing myſelf with the fancy,
that this would reach you, and convince you, that
I had you ftill in great regard before you could or
would think it worth your while to put me in mind
of you. I could not poffibly fail to gain credit, if
you could poffibly conceive the great fatisfaction
your letters give me. I have feldom met with
any half fo converfible. I do not only pity, but
grieve at thofe complaints you mention; they are
a cruel incumbrance to you. Why cannot you
transfer them to a thouſand inanimate creatures,
who have nothing in their heads? I was, and am
really forry, that you could not go with us to
the Spaw. I am confident it muſt have done you
good. I cannot defcribe the vaft difference I felt
after drinking the waters a week, and am ftill much
better than I ever expected, though not quite free
of the complaints in my head, but they are greatly
keffened.
I have three or four letters to write this very
night, fo have not time to think of anſwering your
letters. This is only a volunteer, after which, I
may with greater affurance defire you to believe,
that I am, with great conftancy, regard and refpect,
your's, &c.
LETTER
1
[ 125 ]
LETTER CCCXXVI.
The Duchefs of
to Dr. SWIFT.
DEAR SIR,
Amesbury. Nov. 10, 1733,
I HAVE only ſtaid to give time for my letter.
There is fome fatisfaction in fitting down to write,
how that I am fomething lefs in your debt; I mean,
by way of letter. To ſpeak feriously, I muft love
contradiction more than ever woman did, if I did
not obey your commands; for I do fincerely take
great pleaſure in converfing with you.
heard of my figure abroad, it is no
If you have
more than I
have done on both fides of my ears, as the faying
is. I did not cut and curl my hair like a ſheep's
head, or wear one of their travelling facks; and
yet, by not doing fo, I did give fome offence.
We have ſeen many very fine towns, and travelled
through good roads, and pleaſant countries. I like
Flanders in particular, becauſe it is the likeft to Eng-
land. The inns were very unlike thoſe at home, be-
ing much cleaner and better ferved; fo that here I
could not maintain my partiality with common juſtice.
As to the civilizing any of that nation, it would em-
ploy more ill ſpent time fruitlefly than any one has to
fpare: they are the only people I ever faw that were
quite without genius, to be civil when they had to
be fo. Will you eat? Will you play at cards? are
literally the tip-top well-bred phrafes in ufe. The
French
*
{
a
[ 126 ]
เ
French people we met are quite of another turn,
polite and eafy; one is the natural confequence of.
the other, though à fecret, that few have difcovered.
I can bring you an Irish witnefs (if that be fufficient)
that I have wiſhed for you many times during this
journey, particularly at Spar, where I imagined
you might have been mending every day as faſt as I
did; and, you are a bafe man to fay, that any fuck
impediment as you have mentioned, thwarted your
journey; for you were fure of a welcome ſhare in
every thing we had. It were unneceffary to fay this
now, if we had no thoughts of ever going again;
but it is what I am ftiongly adviſed to, though I
fhould not much want it, and I am not averfe; tra-
velling agrees with me, and makes me good hu-
moured. At home I am generally more nice than
wife, but on the roads nothing comes amifs. Aṭ
Calais we were wind-bound four or five days, and
I was very well contented: when the wind changed
I was delighted to go. As impatience is generally
my reigning diftemper, you may imagine, how I
must be alarmed at this fudden alteration, tiil I hap-
pily recollected two inftances, where I was myſelf.
The one at Breda, where the inkeeper let drop, if
you mean to go, an hour and half after we had fifty
times told him, that pofitively, we would go. The
other, at Amfterdam, where we met with a very in-
curious gent, who affirmed, there was nothing worth
feeing; though befides the town, which far furpaffed
my imagination, there happened to be a most famous
fair.
÷
[ 127 ]
fair. It is long fince thofe two verfes of Dryden's
Cimon are ftrictly applicable to me.
*
Her corn and cattle are her only care,
And her fupreme delight a country fair.
I ſhall forget to name my Irish friend. It is Mr.
Coote. He is, in all appearance, a modeft, well-bred,
fplenetic, good-natured man. I had then one of
theſe qualifications more than was pleaſant, and fo
we became acquainted. He has a very great regard for
you, Sir; and there we agreed again. We were
all highly pleaſed with him. He feems to have a
better way of thinking than is common, and not to
want for ſenſe, or good humour. I tell you, that
I do uſe exerciſe; defignedly, never eat or drink
what can diſagree with me, but am no more certain
of my ftomach, than of my mind; at fometimes
proof againſt any thing, and at other times too eafily
fhocked; but time and care can certainly make a
ftrong defence. I will obey your commands, and
fo will his grace, concerning Mrs. Barber, as foon
as we come to London, where we stayed but three
days. We are now at Amesbury; but pray, direct
for me at London. I doubt we can do her but little
good; for as to my part, I have few acquaintance,
and little intereft. I will believe every thing you
fay of her, though I have hitherto had a natural
averfion to a poetefs.
The ftory of Cimon and Iphigenia, in his fable,
I am
[ 28 ]
I am come almoft to the end of my paper, before
I have half done with you. It was a rule, 1 rè-
member, with poor Mr. Gay and me, never to
exceed three pages. I long to hear from you,
that I may have an excufe, to write again; for I
doubt it would be carrying the joke too far to trou̟-
ble you too often. Adieu, dear Sir, health and hap-
pineſs attend you ever. I fear I have written fo ve-
ry ill, that I am quite unintelligible.
His grace is very much your's.
LETTER CCCXXVII.
The Countess of GRANVILLE
* to Dr. SWIFT.
DEAR SIR,
Hawnes, Nov. 27, 1733.
I HAVE received the honour of your commands,
and fhall obey them; for I am very proud of your
remembrance. I don't know we ever quarrelled;
but if we did, I am as good a Chriſtian as you are;
in perfect charity with you. My fon, my daughter,
and all our olive branches falute you moft tenderly.
I never wished fo much as I do now, that I were
bright, and had a genius, which could entertain
you, in return for the many excellent things that
entertain me daily, which I read over and over withr
*
*Grace, widow and relict of George lord Carteret, and daughter
of John Granville carl of Bath. She was created viſcounteſs Car-
teret, and counteſs Granville, 1ft January, 1714-15, with limi
Estion of thoſe honours to her fon John, the late earl,'
fresh
}
[ 129 ]
1
freſh delight. Will you never come into England, and
make Hawnes + in your road? You will find nothing
here to offend you; for I am a hermit, and live in
my chimney corner, and have no ambition, but that
you'll believe I am the charming Dean's
Moſt obedient humble fervant,
I
LETTER CCCXXVIII.
Lady B G to Dr. SWIFT.
March 2, 1733-4.
AM extreme glad to hear you are got well again;
and I do affure you, it was no point of ceremony
made me forbear writing, but the downright fear of
being troubleſome. If you have got rid of your
deafnefs, that is a happiness I doubt poor lady Suf-
folk will never have; for fhe does not mend, if the
does not grow rather worſe. But we ladies are fa-
mous for ſtraining our voices upon the bad occafion
of anger and fure then it is hard, if it is not more
agreeable to do it for the fake of friendſhip. By
the hiftories I hear from Ireland, Bettefworth, in the
midst of your illneſs, did not think your pen lay
idle* ; but this good you had from it, that ſuch a
:
+A feat of lord Carteret, late earl Granville, in Bedfordſhire.”
* About this time, an attempt was made to repeal the Teft
A in Ireland! and the diffenters on this occafion, affected to call'
themſelves Brother Proteftants, and Fellow Chriftians, with the
Members of the Eſtabliſhed Church. This the dean made the fuḥ-
ject of a ſhort copy of verfes, in which there is à paffage, that
Vol. III,
K
جا
J
$
}
[130]
* *
troubleſome fellow made your friends and neigh
hours fhew they could exert themſelves for your fake.
Mrs. Floyd has paffed this winter rather better than
the laft; but cold weather is an enemy to her; and
when you fee her, I fear you will find, that though
the goodness of the compofition will always hold,
yet fo many winters have taken the beauty of it en-
tirely off. It grows now near the time, that I have
hopes you will foon part with my duke and duchefs.
I always uſed to be her doctor; I wish you would
allow me to be your's, and take my advice, and try
how the change of air would mend your conftitution;
but, I fear you will not. However, God bless you,
and, adieu.n
LETTER CCCXXIX.
?
The Duchefs of
to Dr. SWIFT
DEAR SIR,..
*
t
London, March 4,- 1.733-4-´
I ever lying was neceffary, I fear it is fo at pre-
fent for no truth can furnish me with fufficient ex-
•
fo provoked one, Bettefworth, a lawyer, and member for the Irish
parliament, that he, fwore to revenge himſelf, either by maiming
of murdering the author; and, for this purpoſe, he engaged his
footman, with two ruffians, to focure the dean where ever he could
be found. As foon as this oath and attempt of Bettefworth were
known, thirty of the nobility, and gentry of St. Patrick's, waited
upon the dean in form, and prefented a paper, fubfcribed with
their names; in which they folemnly engaged, in behalf of them-
felves and the rest of the liberty, to defend his perfon and fortune
as the friend and benefactor of his country. Sec the verfes, vol.
vit. Bat. edit. 17542-P + 2·5.5 •
#
#
2
cufc
[ 131 ]
cufe for not having writ. long ago; therefore I have
been ſtrongly tempted to diſown having received any
return to my letters, which I wrote to you fince my
return to theſe parts; but upon more mature delibe-
ration, I have convinced myſelf, that it is better rá-
ther to confefs my fault, than to give you any handle
to fufpect my truth for the future. I wish every
body was as timorous as myſelf, and then lying and
deceit would never be fo much in the faſhion, as it
has and will be for many ages paft and to come.. I
remember you once told me, always to fit down to
write when I was in good health, and good humour;
neither of them have been perfect of fome time.
The first has been interrupted by perpetual colds,
and pains in my face and teeth. My temper, by
thefe trying truths which I am about to tell you, viz,
a journey to Scotland, where we have been going
every week, and every day fince Chriſtmas; the un-
certainty of which, and being confequently unfettled,
is even worſe than the thing itſelf. This is not all;
by theſe means I have been obliged to fend a little
boy (who has been my conftant companion ever
fince he was born, and who is not feven years old
till next July) to ſchool, a full year before it was-
neceffary or proper. The doing this, I own hast
damped my ſpirits more than was reaſonable, though:
it was by his own defire; and that I am perfuaded
he is well taken care of, both by the maſter and his
own brother, who is fond of him, and fo would
you be; if you knew him; for he has more fenfe
K. 2
than
}
هم
[ 132 ]
than above half the world. The other is a fine
boy, and grown very ſtrong and healthy. I am
much obliged to you for reproving me, that I did
not tell you ſo before. I am in great hopes to live
to ſee them both men ; therefore pray adviſe me
what to do with them after they have gone through
the ſchool; for I imagine that juft then is the most
difficult part of their education. Mr. Locke, with
whom I cannot help differing in fome things, makes
a full ftop there; and I never heard of any other
that ever mentioned, or at leaft publiſhed, any helps
for children at that time of life, which I apprehend
to be the moſt material.
There is a good deal of impertinence in filling
two fides of paper about me and mine; but I own,
at preſent, my whole thoughts are fo much employed:
on the latter, that I involuntarily think and talk
of little elſe. To-morrow will be acted a new play
of our friend Mr. Gay's*; we ſtay on purpofe now
for that, and ſhall go on Thurſday for Edinburgh, where
the greateſt good I can expect, or hope for, is a line
from you. We shall depofite our guineas for Mrs. Bar-
ber with Mr. Pope, or my brother. I wish you all health
and profperity. I will not wish you devoid of all trou-
ble and vexation, becauſe I think a moderate fhare-
is a great encouragement to good ſpirits; but may
*It was intituled, Achilles, an Opera, and was reprefented:
at the theatre in Drury-lane; but without fuccefs. It was written'
in the manner of the Beggar's Opera, and contained a ludicrous re-
prefentation of the diſcovery of Achilles by Vlyffes,
5
you
[133]
you never meet with more than is abfolutely ne-
ceſſary to be pleaſant.
Adieu, Sir. If you will oblige me, you muſt do
me the juftice to believe I am your moft faithful
friend, &c.
LETTER CCCXXX.
Mr. GRANT to Dr. SWIFT.
London, March 14, 1733-4.
VERY REVEREND SIR,
THOUGH I have been long an admirer of
your wit and learning, I have not lefs valued and
efteemed your public ſpirit and great affection to
your native country. Theſe valuable ingredients
in your character perfuade me to propofe to you
what I apprehend may be for your country's be-
nefit, and that you will excufe my taking the li-
berty to do it. As good principles difpofe you,
your real merit happily united with them, gives
you weight and influence to promote the public
good; to which I am well affured your country
owes not only the eſcaping many evils, but the ef-
tabliſhment of many valuable articles for the increaſe
of their wealth and ſtrength. Though I am not a
native of Ireland, I have always regarded it as fo
connected with this country, that the natives of
both iflands ought mutually to study and advance
the advantage of each other. And it is in confe-
.t
९
K 3
quence
}
1
[ 134 ]
quence of this principle, that I offer to your confi-
deration, that your countrymen fhould heartily
engage in and purſue the white herring, and cod
fifhing. This is a branch of trade which Providence
has given an opportunity to follow in both countries;
neither can they prejudice one another, as there
may be conſumption for all that may be caught on
both iflands. There is nothing that would fo effec-
tually employ your poor, and prevent their going
abroad, confidering the great variety of trades ne-
ceffary in this undertaking; it would alſo increaſe
the confumption of your home manufactures, and
increaſe the balance of your foreign trade.
ས་
The north and north-eaft parts of your iſland lie
exceeding well, both for the cod and herring fiſh-
ing, as will appear to you from their courſe, which
is defcribed in the inclofed pamphlet, if you take
the trouble to look upon it; but encouragements
are neceffary to fupport a new undertaking in its
infancy, becauſe they are always, at the beginning,
liable to charges and inconveniencies, which dif
courage private adventurers, if not fupported by
the public. I have with great pleaſure read, in
the minutes of your parliament, of late years, fe-
veral inſtances of their zeal for their country's good,
which inclines me to believe they would readily re-
ceive and encourage a propofition of this nature, if
properly introduced and recommended to them;
and I should reckon it a particular good fortune,
if I could fuggeft what would be acceptable to you
and them. I have been defirous to eſtabliſh and im-
prove
་
1
[ 135 ]
prove this valuable branch of commerce into Bri-
tain, for which reafon I have applied myfelf to it fe
veral years laſt paſt, and examined it in all its ſhapes,
from whence I flatter myfelf to have acquired a
thorough knowledge in the matter; and I am, with
other gentlemen, endeavouring to obtain the necef-
fary encouragements for it here; but it being late
before we moved in our application, and appear-
ance of a ſhort feffion, I am afraid we fhall make
little progrefs at this time. Not being fufficiently
acquainted with your laws and conftitutions, I can-
not take upon me to fay what may be proper en-
couragements in your country; yet I may freely
venture to affert one propofition, to which every
one muſt affent, that it is the intereft of any na-
tion to grant premiums and bounties for the encou-
ragement of any one branch of trade, which, in
proportion to what is paid by the public, and when
that is paid only to its own fubjects, brings into the
kingdom ten times the value. And I may, with
equal fafety, advance this other propofition, that no
article of trade better deferves encouragement, from
both Britain and Ireland, than the fiſhing does;.or
that might be made of fo great confequence and
general benefit to both: to which I believe I may
add, 'that there is not any buſineſs more natural
to either, or the eſtabliſhment whereof would re-
ceive more univerfal approbation and applaufe. I
Theſe things from my opinion of your character,
I thought I might take the liberty to trouble you
with; which I was the more readily induced to, as
K 4
[136]
it furniſhed me an opportunity of declaring, that I
am, with great efteem, Sir, your moft obedient
humble fervant
FRANCIS GRANT.
P. S. If you have any commands for me, or that
you think I may be any ways ufeful in ex-
plaining or promoting this fubject, I ſhall with
pleaſure obey you; in which cafe you may
direct for me, merchant, in London.
LETTER CCCXXXI,
}
Lord BOLINGBROKE to Dr. SWIFT.
REVEREND AND DEAR SIR,
+
April 12, 1734.
I
HAVE received yours of the 16th of February
very lately; but have not yet feen the perfon who
brought it, nor am likely to fee him, unless he
finds me out in my retreat. Our friend Pope is in
town, and to him I fend this letter; for he tells me,
he can forward it to you by the hands of one of
our common friends. If I can do Mr. Faulkner any
fervice, I fhall certainly do it, becauſe I fhall catch
at any opportunity of pleafing you; but my help,
in a project of ſubſcription, will, I fear, avail him
little. I live much out of the world, and I do not
bluſh to own, that I am out of faſhion in it. My
wife, who is extremely obliged to you, for your
kind remembrance of her, and who defires me to
'
}
fay
1
[ 137 ]
fay all the fond things from her to you, which I
know the thinks, enjoys a precarious health, cafily
fhook, and, fometimes interrupted by fits of fevere
pain; but, upon the whole, much better than it has
been theſe five years. I walk down hill eafily and
leifurely enough, except when a ftrong difpofition
to the jaundice (that I have long carried about me)
gives me a ſhove. I guard againſt it as well as I
can; the cenfors fay, not as well as I might. Too
fedentary a life hurts me, and yet I do not care to lead
any other; for fauntering about my grounds is not
exercife. I fay, I will be very active this fummer,
and I will try to keep my word. Riding is your
panacea; and Bathurst is younger than his fons by
obferving the fame regimen. If I can keep where
I am a few years longer, I fhall be fatisfied; for I
have fomething, and not much, to do before I die.
I know by experience one cannot ferve the prefent
age. About pofterity, one may flatter one's felf,
and I have a mind to write to the next age. You
have feen, I doubt not, the ethic epiftles, and though
they go a little into metaphyfics, I perfuade myſelf
you both underſtand and approve them; the firſt
book being finiſhed, the others will foon follow;
for many of them are writ, or crayoned out. What
are you doing?-Good I am fure. But of what
kind? Pray, Mr. Dean, be a little more cautious in
your recommendations. I took care, a year ago,
to remove fome obftacles that might have hindered
the fuccefs of one of your recommendations, and
have heartily repented of it fince. The fellow
L
Y
wants
;་
[ 138 ]
+
1
f
wants morals, and, as I hear, decency, fometimes.
You have had accounts, I prefume, which will not
leave you at a loſs to guefs whom I mean. Is there
no hope left of ſeeing you once more in this iſland ?
I often with myſelf out of it; and I fhall wiſh
fo much more, if it is impoffible de voifiner (I know
no English word to fay the fame thing) with you.
Adieu, dear Sir; no man living preferves a higher
eſteem, or a more warm and fincere friendſhip for
you than I do.
..
1
لله
LETTER CCCXXXII.
Lord C
SIR,
to Dr. SwIFT
Jermyn-freet, April 13, 1734,
21
ne;
I HAD the honour of your letter, which gave me
a confiderable pleaſure to ſee that I am not fo much
out of your thoughts, but that you can take notice
of events that happen in my family. I need not
- fay, that thefe alliances are very agreeable to me
but that they are fo to my friends, adds much to
the fatisfaction I receive from them. They cer-
tainly enable me to contract my defires, which is
no inconfiderable ftep towards being, happy. As
to the other things, I go on as well as I can; and
now and then obferve, that I have more friends
than I had when I was in a fituation to do them
16t
*'His lordship's third daughter, Georgina-Carolina, was
married, 14 Feb, 1733-4, to the honourable John Spencer?”
fervice.
I 139 ]
1
fervice. This may be a delufion: however, it is a
pleafing one. And I have more reaſon to believe a
man, now I can do him no good, than I had when
I could do him favours, which the greateſt philo-
fophers are fometimes tempted to folicit their friends
about. I fhall continue to ferve Mrs. Barber, by
recommending her, as occafion fhall offer, where it
is neceffary; but you have done that fo effectually,
that nothing need be, faid to thofe, to whom you
have faid any thing in her behalf. I hope Dr.
Delaney is, as he always uſed to be, chearful in him-
ſelf, and agreeable to all that know him; and that
he, by this time, is convinced, that the world is not
worthy of ſo much ſpeculation as he has beftowed.
upon fome matters. Lady Worfley, my wife, and
daughters, to whom I have fhewn your letter, not
forgetting my mother, prefent their humble fervice
to you. And I defire to recommend the whole fa-
mily, as well as myfelf, to the continuance of your
favour. I am, Sir, with the greateſt reſpect, your
most humble and moft obedient fervant,
C.
t
LETTER CCCXXXIII.
Lord BOLINGBROKE to Dr. SWIFT.
From my Farm, June 27, 1734.
I THANK you, Mr. Dean; or to uſe a name to
me more facred, I thank you, my friend, for your
letter of the 23d of May, which came to me by poſt.
I anfwer
1
[140]
I anfwer it by the fame conveyance; and provided
the diligent inſpection of private men's correfpon-
dence do not stop our letters, they have my leave.
to do what they will do without it, to open and
read them. If they expect to find any thing which
may do us hurt, or them good; their diſappoint-
ment will give me pleaſure, and in the proportion,
I fhall imagine it gives them pain. I fhould have
another pleafure, of higher relifh, if our epiftles
were to be peruled by perfons of higher rank. And
who knows, confidering the mighty importance we
are of, whether that may not happen? How would
thefe perfons ftare, to fee fuch a thing as fincere
cordial friendship fubfift inviolate, and grow and
Arengthen from year to year, in ſpite of diſtance,
abfence, and mutual inutility!
•
But enough on this. Let us turn to other fub-
jects. I have read, in the golden verfes of Pytha-
goras, or in fome other collection of wife apothegms
of the ancients, that a man of bufinefs may talk
of philofophy, a man who has none may practiſe it.
What do you think of this maxim? Is it exact? I
have a ftrange diftruft of maxims. We make as
many obſervations as our time, our knowledge, and
the other means we have, give us the opportunity
of making on a phyfical matter. We find that
they all correfpond, and that one general propofition
This we
inay be affirmed, as the refult of them.
affirm; and, in confequence, this becomes a maxim
among our followers, if we have any. Thus the
Ling of Siam affirmed, that water was always in a
fluid
[ 41 ]
1
Fuid ftate; and I doubt not but the Talapoins, do
they not call them fo? held this maxim. Neither
he, or they, had ever climbed the neigbouring
mountains of Ava; their obfervations were confined
to the burning climate they inhabited. It is much
the fame in moral maxims, founded on obfervations
of the conduct of men; for there are other moral
maxims of univerfal truth, as there are moral duties
of eternal obligation. We fee what the conduct is, and
we guess what the motives are, of great numbers of
men; but then we fee often at too great a diſtance, of
through a faulty medium; we guefs with much un-
certainty from a thouſand reafons concerning a thing
as various, as changing, as inconfiftent as the heart
of man.
And even when we fee right, and gueſs
right, we build our maxims on a fmall number of
obfervations (for fuch they are comparatively, how
numerous foever they may be, taken by themfelves)
which our own age and our own country chiefly have
prefented to us.
You and I have known one man in particular,
who affected bufinefs he often hindered, and never
did; who had the honour among fome, and the
blame among others, of bringing about great revo-
Futions in his own country, and in the general affairs
of Europe; and who was, at the fame time, the idleft
creature living; who was never more copious than
in expreffing, when that was the theme of the day,
his indifference to power, and his contempt of what
we call honours, fuch as titles, ribbands, &c. who
should, to have been confiftent, have had this indif-
ference,
[142]
*
L
ference, and have felt this contempt, fince he knew.
neither how to ufe power, nor how to wear honours;
and yet who was jealous of one, and fond of the
other, even to ridicule. This character feems fin-.
gular enough, and yet I have known ſome reſembling
it very much in general, and many exactly like it,
in the ſtrongeſt marks it bore.
Now let us fuppofe, that fome Rochfaucault or
other, fome Anthroponomical fage, fhould difcover a
multitude of fimilar inftances, and not ſtumble upon
any one repugnant; you and I ſhould not, however,
receive for a maxim, that he who affects buſineſs,
never does it; nor this, that he who brings about
great revolutions, is always idle: nor this, that he
who expreffes indifference to power, and contempt
of honours, is jealous of one and fond of the others.
Proceed we now, dear Doctor, to the applica-
tion. A man in bufinefs, and a man who is out of
it, may équally talk of philofophy; that is certain.
The question is, whether the man in bufinefs may
not practiſe it, as well as the man out of buſineſs
I think he may, in this fenfe, as eafily;. but furet
I am, he may, in this fenfe, as ufefully. If we look
into the world, our part of it I mean, we firall find;
I believe few philofophers in buſineſs, or out of
bufinefs. The greatest part of the men I have ſeen
in bufinefs, perhaps all of them; have been fo- far
from acting on philofophical principles, that is, on
principles of reafon and virtue, that they have not
acted even on the higheſt principles of vice. I
have not known a man of real ambition; a man who'
facrificed
N
1
7
t
"
!
A
[ 143 ]
!
facrificed all his paffions, or made them all fubfer
vient to that one; but I have known many, whofe
vanity and whofe avarice mimicked ambition. The
greateſt part of men I have feen out of buſineſs have
been fo far from practifing philofophy, that they
have lived in the world errant triflers; or retiring
from it, have fallen into ſtupid indolence, and de-
ferved fuch an infcription as Seneca mentions, in
one of his letters to Lucilius, to have been put over
the door of one Vattia. Hic fitus eft Vattia. But,
for all this, I think that a man in bufinefs may
practife pholofophy as aufterely to himself, and
more beneficially to mankind, than a man out of
it. The Stoics were an affected, pedantical fect;
but I have always approved that rule of the Pofti-
que, that a philofopher was not to except himſelf
from the duties of fociety, neither in the commu-
nity to which he particularly belonged, nor in the
great community of mankind. Mencius, and his
mafter Confucius, were ftrange metaphyficians, but
they were good moralifts, and they divided their
doctrines into three parts; the duties of man; of
an individual, as a member of a family; and as a
member of a ftate. In fhort, a man may be, many
men have been, and fome are, I believe philofophers
in bufinefs; he that can be ſo out of it, can be fo
in it.
*
3
But it is impoffible to talk fo much of philofophy,
and forget to fpeak of Pope. He is actually ram-
bling from one friend's houfe to another. He is
now at Cirencester; he came thither from my lord Cob-
bam's;
{
[ 144 ]
ham's he came to my lord Cobham's from Mr. Dori
mer's; to Mr. Dormer's from London; to London from
Chifwick; to Chiswick from my farm; to my farm
from his own garden; and he goes foon from lord
Bathurst's to lord Peterborow's; after which, he re-
turns to my farm again. The damon of verfe ſticks
clofe to him. He has been imitating the fatire of
Horace, which begins Ambubaiarum Collegia pharmacopo-
læ, &c. and has choſe rather to weaken the images,
than to hurt chàfte ears over much. He has fent it
me; but I fhall keep his fecret as he defires, and
fhall not, I think, return him the copy; for the
rogue has fixed a ridicule upon me, which fome
events of my life would feem perhaps to juſtify him
in doing. I am glad you approve of his Moral Ef-
Jays. They will do more good than the fermons and
writings of fome, who had a mind to find great fault
with them. And if the doctrines taught, hinted
at, and implied in them; and the trains of 'confe-
quences deducible from thefe doctrines were to be
difputed in profe, I think he would have no reaſon
to apprehend either the free-thinkers on one hand, or
the narrow dogmatifts on the other. Some few things
may be expreffed a little hardly; but none are; I
believe, unintelligible. I will let him know your
complaints of his filence; which I wonder at the
more, becauſe he has often ſpoke in fuch a manner;
as made me conclude you heard from him pretty re-
gularly. Your compliments fhall be paid likewife
to the other friends
you mention.
You
}
[
45 ]
You complain of the vaft alteration which the laſt
feven years have made in you; and do you believe,
that they have not made proportionable alterations
in us Satisfy yourfelf they have. We all go the
fame road, and keep much the fame ftages. Let
this confideration, therefore, not hinder you from
coming amongst us. You fhall ride, walk, trifle,
meddle, chide, and be as ill-bred as you pleaſe ;
and the indulgence you receive on theſe heads you
ſhall return on theſe or others. Adieu.
I will ſpeak to you about books next time I write,
if I can recollect what I intended to fay upon a paf-
fage in your letter; or if any thing elfe worth fay
ing comes into my head. Adieu, my friend;
LETTER CCCXXXIV:
Dr. ARBUTHNOT to Dr. SWIFT.
Hampstead, O. 4, 1734
MY DEAR AND WORTHY FRIEND,
YOU have no reaſon to put me amongſt the reſt of
your forgetful friends; for I wrote two long letters
to you, to which I never received one word of anfwer:
The firft was about your health; the laft I ſent a
great while ago, by one De La Mar. I can affure you,
with great truth, that none of your friends or ac-
quaintance has a more warm heart towards you than
myſelf. I am going out of this troubleſome world,
VOL. III.
L...
and
[ 146 ]
1
•
and you, amongst the rest of my friends, fhall have
my last prayers, and good wishes.
The young man whom you recommended came
to this place, and I promiſed to do him what fervice
my ill ſtate of health would permit. I came out to
this place fo reduced by a dropfy, and an aſthma,
that I could neither fleep, breathe, eat, or move.
I moft earnestly defired and begged of God, that
he would take me. Contrary to my expectation,
upon venturing to ride (which I had forborn for
fome years, becauſe of bloody water) I recovered my
ftrength to a pretty confiderable degree, flept, and
had my ftomach again; butI expect the return of my
fymptoms upon my return to London, and the return
of the winter. I am not in circumftances to live an
idle country life; and no man, at my age, ever re-
covered of fuch a difeafe further than by an abate-
ment of the ſymptoms. What I did, I can affure
you, was not for life, but eaſe. For I am, at pre-
fent, in the cafe of a man that was almoft in har-
bour, and then blown back to fea; who has a rea-
fonable hope of going to a good place, and an ab-
folute certainty of leaving a very bad one. Not
that I have any particular difguft at the world; for
I have as great comfort in my own family, and from
the kindneſs of my friends, as any man; but the
world, in the main, difpleafeth me; and I have too
true a prefentiment of calamities that are like to be-
fall my country. However, if I fhould have the
happineſs to ſee you before I die, you will find that
Denjoy the comforts of life with my ufual chearful-
+
nefs.
>
[147]
hefs. I cannot imagine why you are frighted from
a journey to England! the reafons you affign, I am
fure, are not fufficient; the journey I am fure will
do you good. In general, I recommend riding, of
which I have always had a good opinion, and can
now confirm it from my own experience.
*
, pre-
My family give you their love and fervice. The
great lofs I fuftained in one of them, gave me my
firſt ſhock; and the trouble 1 have with the reft, to
bring them to a good temper, to bear the lofs of a
father, who loves them, and whom they love, is
really a
å moft fenfible affliction to me. I am afraid,
my dear friend, we ſhall never fee one another more
in this world. I fhall, to the laſt moment
ferve my love and esteem for you, being well affured
you will never leave the paths of virtue and honour
for all that is in the world. This world is not worth
the leaft deviation from that way. It will be great
pleaſure to me to hear from you fometimes; for none
can be with more fincerity than I am, my dear friend,
your most faithful friend, and humble fervant,
Jo. AR BUTH NOT.
*
Dr. Arbuthnot died in March, 1734-5.
LETTER
میشه
}
"
[ 148 ]
LETTER CCCXXXV.
Lady B
G
G-
to Dr. SWIFT.
London, Nov: 7, 1734
DON'T acccufe me of forfaking you: indeed it
is not the leaft in my thoughts;, but I heard you
were ill, and I had no letter from you, fo doubted
being troubleſome. I was, about two months
Í
ago,
at my own houfe, and had my duke and duchefs
with me. The rest of my time was divided between
lord prefident * and Knole. I have now left their
graces in the country, where I hope they will not
ftay long; for he has been very ill, though now re-
covered.
I am always more frightful when my friends are
fick there, becauſe there is neither phyfic nor phy-
fician that's good for any thing. Indeed I cannot an-
fwer, whether your lord lieutenant will be the fame
or not. All that I can fay is, that if he afks my
confent for it, he fhall not have it. I have no ac-
quaintance with the duke of Chandois, nor I believe
has the duke of Dorfet much. And to be fure it
would be to no purpofe to ask him for thofe recordst
* Spencer earl of Wilmington.
༔
Thefe records were manufcripts relating to the hiftory of
Ireland, which had been collected by Sir James Ware, before, af-
ter, and during the troubles of 1647 When lord Clarendon was
lord lieutenant, in 1686, he got thefe" manufcripts from the heir
of Sir James, and brought them into England. After lord Claren-
don's death, they were fold to the duke of Chandois. The cata-
"
A
.logue
[ 149 ]
again, becauſe, if he would have parted with them,
he would have done it on your asking. And whe-
ther it be uſeful or not juſt to him, yet few people
would care to part with what muft enhance the va-
lue of their libraries; but if he fucceeds the duke
of Dorſet, then for certain he will be eafily perfuaded
to make a compliment of them to the kingdom. Your
friend Dr. Arbuthnot, I hear, is out of order again.
I have not feen him lately, and I fear he is in a very
declining way. I fanfy it would be prodigiously
good for your health to come to England, which
would be a great pleaſure to your moſt fincere old
friend, and humble fervant.
#
LETTER CCCXXXVI.
Mr. JARVIS * to Dr. SWIFT.
DEAR MR. DEAN, Hampton, Nov. 24, 1734,
YOU can hardly imagine how rejoiced I am at
the finding my old friend the bishop of Worceſter +
fo hale at 83-4! No complaint; he does but begin to
logue of them was printed in 1697, in the large folio catalogue
of all the libraries both in England and Ireland ; and the Dean hav
ing read that account of them was very defirous to procure them
for public uſe. See a letter written by the Dean to the Duke of
Chandois, foliciting his grace to prefent them to the public library
at Dublin, in the volumes published by Mr. Deane Swift.
* A celebrated painter, and contemporary with Sir Godfrey
Kneller.
+ Dr. John Hough, bishop of Worcester:
+ 3
Hoops
*
[ 150 ]
+
floop, and I am forced myſelf every now and then
to awaken myſelf to walk tolerable upright, famous
as I was lately for a wight of uncommon vigour, and
confequently fpirits to fpare. If ever I fee Dublin
again, and your Teague efcapes hanging fo long, I will
myſelf trufs him for non-admittance, when you were
in a converſable condition. I am fure the lady will
fend you Mr. Connoly's picture with pleaſure, when
I tell her you expect it. Our friend Pope is off and
on, here and there, every where and no where, a fon
ordiniare, and therefore as well as we can hope, for
a carcals fo crazy. He affures me, he has done his
duty in writing frequently to the Dean, becauſe he
is fure it gives you fome amuſement, as he is rejoiced
at all yours; therefore you muft write away. Upon
enquiry, I learn, that exercife is the beft medicine
for your giddineffes. Penny made Mrs. Pandarvis
happy with a print of yours, and I do not fail to di-
ftribute them to all your well-wishers. I am, dear
Dean, your's most affectionately,
j
CHA. JARV Į S,
I held out bravely the three weeks fog, &c. and
am very well.
LETTER
7
[ 15 ]
LETTER CCCXXXVII.
Lady B
G
to Dr. SwIFT.
Feb. 13, 1734-5.
YOU are a fine gentleman indeed, to teach his
grace of Dorfet fuch faucy words; and we have
quarrelled fo much about it, that I don't know but I
fhall oblige him to meet me behind Montague-boufe *.
He fays, it is fome time ago that he commanded
me to write to you, to affure you, he thought him-
felf very much obliged to you for your letter, and
that he takes it as a proof of your friendſhip and
good-will to him. So far I own is true; he did
humbly beg the favour of me to write you this a
great while ago; but I understood he had fome-
thing elfe more to fay, fo I cannot but own I have
feen him pretty often fince; but yet (at the times I
could ſpeak to him) my addle head conftantly for-
got to ask him what he had to fay fo now he s
he will do his own bufinefs, and write to you foon
himfelf.
The countess has quitted the court, becauſe,
after a long illness at Bath, the did not meet with
a reception that fhe liked; though her miftrefs ap-
peared exceffively concerned, and expreffed great
uneafinefs at parting with her; and my opinion is,
that not only her mafter and miftrefs, but her very
* Where duels were frequently fought.
†The countess of Suffolk.
*
L 4
1
enemies
3
}
1¦
[ 152 ]
enemies will have reafon to repent the part they
have acted by her.
Now I have anſwered all I can tell you, that you
want to know, I bid my dear Dean adieu.
LETTER CCCXXXVIII.
The Earl of STRAFFORD to Dr. SwIFT.
SIR,
London, Feb, 18, 1734-54
To honour, and efteem, and admire you, is ge-
neral to all that know or have heard of you; but
to be pleafed with your commands, and glad and
diligent to obey them, is peculiar to your true
friends, of which number I am very defirous to be
reckoned. On receiving your letter by Mr. Skerret,
I immediately undertook to do him the beft fervice
I could, and thought myſelf happy in having ad-
vanced his affair fo far, as to get his petition to the
houfe of lords read and agreed to, and a peremptory
day agreed to for his being (as this day) heard ex
parte, if the other party did not put in their anſwer
before. I likewife got feveral lords to attend; but,
on printing his cafe, our new lord chancellor f (who
at prefent has a great party in the houfe) found out,
that the petition I had prefented for Mr. Skerret had
not fully explained matters to the houfe; becaufe,
* He had been ambaffador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to
the States General during the treaty for the peace of Utrecht.
Talbot.
upon
[ 153 -]
*
pon comparing dates, the petition of appeal laft
year was prefented late in the feffions; and that
though there was then an order for the refpondents to
put in their anfwer in five weeks (the ufual time for
'caufes in Ireland) yet the parliament did not fit above
a fortnight after; fo that it was impoffible for the
refpondent's-anfwer to be put in by that time. That
the parliament being diffolved, the refpondents in
Ireland might expect to have been ferved with a new
order this feffion, which it did not appear was done:
and that though in the courts below, if anfwers were
not put in, they proceeded to hear cauſes ex parte ;
yet there was this difference, that there they always
allowed a time for the defendant to have his caufe
reheard; but in the houfe of lords our decrees are
final, and it would be hard for any, by furprize, to
be abfolutely cut out from making his defence. The
whole houfe feeming to be of the fame mind, they
put off the cauſe to Thurſday five weeks; and ordered
the reſpondents, in the mean time, to be ferved with
an order to put in their anfwer; and if they did not
anfwer by that time, the houſe would proceed ab-
folutely to hear the cauſe ex parte. I muft own to
you, the chancellor propofed to put it off only for
a month; and it was I alone defired it might be for
five weeks, giving for a reaſon, that fince the ap-
pellant was disappointed once, after having been at
the expence of feeing his counfel, he might not be fo
a fecond time: and fince his adverfaries were ready
to make all the chicane poffible, they might not
have the pretence for another, by faying, as the
ufual
1
[154]
ť
ufual time was five weeks, and this order but for a
month, they expected they were to be allowed the
• ufual time; fo‹ I thought it was better giving them
a week more, than leaving them any room for fur-
ther chicane. As I have not feen your friend Mr.
Skerret fince this order, I do not know how he takes
it: but I was refolved to give you this account of
what happened but a few hours ago, that you might
be convinced of my diligence to gratify you in every
thing you defire of, Sir, your moft fincere faithful
humble fervant.
A
? 1
As the houfe of commons were but yeſterday on
the practice of opening letters, you will not wonder
if I expect this to be opened.
1
LETTER CCCXXXIX.
Lord C-
to Dr. SWIFT.
SIR,
Jermyn-Street, March 6, 1734-5
I HAD the honour of your letter, and attended
the cauſe yesterday, and the day before: it went
for your friend upon the jufteft principle, and that
unanimously. He did not only carry his caufe be-
fore the houſe, but his future caufe fpringing out
of this, is mended by the decree. The chancellor
faid, the reſpondent had more reaſon to appeal than
the appellant. Mr. Lindsay, who informed you
right in all the matters you mentioned to me, will
inform
Į
[ 155 ]
T
inform you on perufing our decree, of the reafon of
the chancellor's expreffion. I have a partiality for
captain Rowley in every thing but judicature; and
in that capacity, if judge Lindſay and I fat together,
I fanfy by what I know of him, that we ſhould fel-
dom difagree.
I thank you for taking notice of the profperous
events that have happened to my family. If alliance
and the thoughts of profperity can bind a man to
the intereft of his country, I am certainly bound to
ſtand by liberty; and when you fee me forgetful
of that, may you treat me like * Traulus and Pifto-
rides. I am impatient for four volumes faid to be
your works, for which my wife and I have ſub-
fcribed; and we expected a dozen of copies from
Mr. Tickell laft packet.
I intend theſe works fhall be the firſt foundation
of the libraries of my three grandfons. In the
mean time, they will be ftudied by my fons and
fons-in-law.
you
1 I-defire will condefcend to make my compli-
ments to Dr. Delaney, for whom I have a moft
hearty eſteem, though I know he thinks me not
ferious enough upon certain arduous points of
antiquity.
That you may enjoy the continuance of all hap-
pinefs, is my wifh: as for futurity, I know your
name will be remembered, when the naines of kings,
lords lieutenants, archbishops, and parliament po-
* Joſhua loră Allen, a privy counſellor, and Richard Tighe, Efq;
liticians
*
11
[156]
liticians, will be forgotten; at laft, you yourſelf
muft fall into oblivion, which may happen in lefs
than a thousand years, though the term may be un-
certain, and will depend on the progrefs that bar-
barity and ignorance may make, notwithstanding
the fedulous endeavours to the contrary, of the
great prelates in this and fucceeding ages. My
wife, my mother, my mother-in-law, my, &c. &c.
c. all join with me in good wishes to you; and I
hope, you will continue to believe, that I am with
the greateſt reſpect, Sir, your moſt humble and moſt
obedient fervant,
❤
LETTER CCCXL.
WILLIAM PULTENEY, Efq; to Dr. SWIFT.
DEAR SIR,
London, March 11, 1734-5.
I HAVE often defired our friend Pope, when he
wrote to you, to allow me a corner of his letter,
to affure you of my muft humble fervice; but the
little man never remembered it, and it was not
worth troubling you with a letter of my own on fơ
infignificant an occafion."
f
Your recommending Mr. Lorinan to me, gives me
great pleaſure and fatisfaction, as it is an inftance of
your kind remembrance and friendſhip. I promiſe
you, whoever at any time comes to me from you, ſhall
be fure of meeting with the utmost of my endeavours
to ferve them. I am glad I can acquaint you, Mr.
Lorinan has all the fuccefs he could expect or wiſh
for:
J
[157]
{
J
for his caufe was a good one, and he had the ho-
nour of having it greatly attended. When it was
over, he asked me, (but in a very modeft way)
whether it was poffible to get him made receiver of
the new bishop of Derry's rents? I told him, I would
try; I did fo, but found it would not fucceed, and
fo dropped it immediately.
*
What do you fay to the buftle made here to pre-
vent the man from being an English bishop, and
afterwards allowing him to be a good Chriſtian
enough for an Iriſh one? Sure, the oppofition, or
the acquiefcence, muft have been moft abominably
fcandalous. By what I can learn of Dr. Rundle's
character, (for I am not in the leaft acquained
with him myfelf) he is far from being the great
and learned man his friends would have the world
believe him; and much farther yet, from the bad
man his enemies reprefent him. Our right reverend
brethren continue to dwell together in the ftri&teft po-
litical unity; whether it be like the dew of Hermon
upon the hill of Sion, or like ointment that ran down
into Aaron's beard, and to the ſkirts of his cloathing,
I cannot fay; but I am fure, it is a good joyful
thing for the miniſters to behold. This has enabled
* Dr. Thomas Rundle was promoted to the rich fee of Derry in
Ireland, in February, 1734-5, after being prevented from getting
the fee of Gloucefter, in England, which had been intended for
him in November, 1734; but he was then, as is faid, charged with
Arianifm, and alfo, with denying the truth of Abraham's offering
up his fon. The difpute concerning his promotion to the fee of
Gloucester, was between the chancellor and the Bishop of Londows
the chancellor was his friend, and the bishop his enenry.
them
[ 158 ]
*
them to prevent any enquiry into the fcandalous
method of nominating inſtead of electing the fixteen
Scotch peers and thefe, and they together, make a
moſt dreadful body in that houſe. We are not quite
fo bad in our's; but I own to you, that I am hear-
tily tired of ftruggling to no purpoſe againſt the
corruption that does prevail, and, I ſee, always will
prevail there. Poor Arbuthnot, who grieved to fee
the wickedness of mankind, and was particularly
efteemed of his own countrymen is dead. He
lived the last fix months in a bad ftate of health, and
hoping every night would be his laft; not that he
endured any bodily pain, but as he was quite weary
of the world, and tired with fo much bad company †.
What I have faid of the doctor, may perhaps deter
you from coming among us; but if you had any
thoughts of viſiting England this fummer, I can af-
* He was a native of Scotland.
This, admitting the fact, is very remarkable of a nián of
Arbuthnot's turn; a man of humour, whofe mind feemed to be
always pregnant with comic ideas, and turned chiefly, if not only,
to that which is ridiculous even in vice itfelf, That to fuch a man,
to whoſe fancy almoſt every character, and every event furniſhed
a comedy, death fhould be welcome becaufe life was infipid,
is a melancholy and ſtriking proof, that even in laughter the heart is
forrowful; or, that thoſe who are best qualified to make others
merry, are not always merry themſelves; that their mirth is, not
an effufion of hillarity that overflows their own breafts, but offer
the mere effect of a painful effort, exerted chiefly for the gra-
tification of vanity, the fad concomitant of vexation of fpirit. See,
the doctor's own account of himſelf, which feems not perfe&tly
to agree with what is here faid of him in his letter, dated October
4th, 1734.
fure
3
[159].
fure
you of fome friends who wish to live with you,
and know how to value and eſteem you. Among
them, there is none that does fo, more fincerely than,
dear Sir, your most obedient humble fervant,
WILLIAM PULTENEY.
Mrs. Pulteney is very much your humble fervant,
and joins in inviting you next ſummer.
LETTER CCCXLI.
Lady B G
G-
to Dr. SWIFT.
April 5, 1735.
PART the first, you order me to give up my
fecretaryſhip; and part the ſecond, called poftfcript,
you employ me about Dr. Sheridan's exchange, when
the letters for it must have been at Dublin long be-
fore your's came away. I was juft thinking, that
you was a little upon the dear joy; but to be fure,
you were in the right, for what fignified my fecre-
taryfhip when I had no bufinefs?
The countess of Suffolk did not give up the firft
employment at court, for fhe had no other than
miftrefs of the robes, being 400 l. a year, which
the duchess of Dorfet quitted to her, there being no
lady of the bed-chamber's place vacant, and it not
being quite proper for a countefs to continue bed-
chamber-woman. As to her part about Gay, that I
cleared to you long ago: for, to my certain know-
ledge, no woman was ever a better friend than the
by
I
[ 160 ]
by many ways proved herfelf to him. As to what
you hint about yourfelf, as I am wholly ignorant
what it is you mean, I can fay nothing upon it:
And as to the question whether you should congra
tulate or condole? I believe, you may do either, or
both, and not be in the wrong: for I truly think
fhe was heartily forry to be obliged, by ill ufage, to
quit a mafter and miſtreſs that he had ferved fo
justly, and loved fo well. However, fhe has now
much more eaſe and liberty, and, accordingly her
health better.
Mrs. Floyd has a cough every winter, and gene-
rally fo bad, that the often frightens me for the con-
fequences. My faucy niece* prefents her fervice to
parfon Swift. The duchess of Dorfet is gone to
Bath with lady Lambert, for her health; fhe has not
been long enough there yet to find the good effects of
the waters: but as they always did agree with her,
I have great hopes they will now quite cure her
cholic.
In all likelihood, you are weary by this time of
reading, and I am of writing fuch a long letter ;
fo adieu, my dear Dean.
* Mary, eldest daughter, and one of the coleirs of Thomas
Chambers of Hanworth in Middlefex, Efq; by lady Mary Berkeley,
fifter to earl Berkeley, and to lady B----- G------. She married
in April, 1736, lord Vere Beauclere, now lord Vere.
量
​LET-
[الية
151]
LETTER CCCXLII.
The Archbishop of CASHELL * to Dr. SWIFT.
DEAR SIR,
Cafhell, April 7, 1735º
I SUPPOSE by this time you have been in-
formed, that Mr. † Dunkin was ordained here laft
Thurſday, and that your recommendations got the
better of my prejudices to his unhappy genius;
which I hope will in fome degree convince you,
that your power over me is not yet quite worn out.
It is one of the greateſt evils that attends thoſe
whom fortune has forfaken, that their friends for-
fake them too: and let me tell you, that your not
feeing me the whole winter I was laft in Dublin,
was not a leſs mortification to me, than all the hard
fayings of the great parliament orators. However,
I must own your taking any occafion to write to me
at all, has made fome amends; for though you
feem defignedly to cover it, I think, I perceive fome
little marks of that former kindneſs, which I once
pleafed myſelf to have had a fhare in with your
lawyer-friends. When I converfed with politi-
cians, I learned, that it was not prudent to ſeem
fond of what one moft defires: for which reafon, I
won't tell you, that if this accident of your poetical
friend fhould open a way to our frequent meeting
* Dr. Theophilus Bolton.
f
The reverend Mr. Dunkin, the author of feveral poetical
pieces that have been well received.
VOL. III.
M
together
L
[162]
together again, and being put upon the old foot,
as when I was your fubject at St. Patrick's, I fhould
think myſelf the happiest man in the world; but
this I will fay, that if it falls out fo, this laft heavy
period of my life will be much more tolerable than
it is at prefent.
갤
​{
I am now wholly employed in digging up rocks,
and making the way eafier to my church; which, if
I can' fucceed in, I defign to repair a very venerable
old fabric, that was built here in the time of our
ignorant (as we are pleafed to call them) ancestors.
I wifh this age had a little of their piety, though
we gave up, inſtead of it, fome of our immenfe eru-
dition. What if you fpent a fortnight here this
fummer? I have laid afide all my country politics,
fherriffs, elections, feafts, &c. And I fanfy, it
would not be difagreeable to you, to fee king Cor-
mack's chapel, his bed-chamber, &c. all built, be-
yond controverfy, above eight hundred years ago,
when he was king, as well as archbishop. I really
intend to lay out a thousand pounds to preferve this
old church; and I am fure, you would be of fer-
vice to pofterity, if you affifted me in the doing it;
at leaſt, if you approved the defign, you would give
the greateſt pleaſure, I affure you, to your moſt
affectionate and faithful humble fervant,
THEO. CASHELL,
LET
[163]
}
A
LETTER CCCXLIII.
WILLIAM PULTENEY Efq; to Dr. SwIFT.
London, April 29, 1735.
SIR,
I AM obliged to you for your letter by Dr. Stop-
ford; to which I am forry I can fo foon, by him,
return you an an fwer. I have fcarce had any op-
portunity of feeing him. One day, believing we
ſhould have had no buſineſs in parliament, I deſired
him to dine with me; but unluckily a debate aroſe,
which kept us till nine at night before we fat down
to dinner. We have had a very fatiguing feffion,
more from the fevere attendance on elections, than
any other public bufinefs. The minifters have been
defeated in their expectation of weeding the houſe;
and upon the whole, we ftand ftronger in numbers.
than we did at first fetting out. I have fent you the
copy of a bill, now depending in our houſe, for the
encouragement of learning* (as the title bears) but
I think, it is rather of advantage to bookfellers than
authors. Whether it will pafs or not this feffion, I
cannot fay; but if it ſhould not, I ſhould be glad
of your thoughts upon it againft another feffion. It
feems to me to be extremely imperfect at prefent.
I hope you have many more writings to oblige the
world with, than thoſe which have been fo fcanda-
The tide of it was, An Act for the better Encouragement of
Learning?
M 2
loufy
4
&
#
[164]
{
ए
louſly ſtolen from you. And when a bill of this na-
ture paffes in England (as I hope it will next year)
you may then fecure the property to any friend, or
to any charitable uſe you think fit.
I thank you for the many kind expreffions of
friendſhip in your letter. If my public conduct has
recommended me to your esteem, I am extremely
proud of the reward, and value it more than thofe
do, who attain foolish ribbons, or foolish titles,
vila fervitutis premia +. Pray therefore continue me
your friendship, and believe me, with the greateſt
fincerity and regard, dear Sir, your moft humble
and obedient fervant,
W. PULTENEY.
Lord Bolingbroke is going to France with lord Ber-
keley; but I believe, will return again in a few
months.
I will take a proper opportunity of recommending
Dr. Stopford to the duke of Dorſet; but I think it
is not yet quite certain, that he will continue lord
lieutenant. I mean, that if he perceives, that he
is to be turned out foon after his return from Ireland,
poffibly he may defire not to go,
+ This was before he attained the title of earl of Bath,
{
[
1
1
1
LETTER
"
I
† 165 ]
1
LETTER CCCXLIV.
Dr. SWIFT to Lady B-
MADAM,
G-
G-
May 5, 1735.
I FIND your ladyship feems not very much
pleaſed with your office of fecretary; which, how-
ever, you muſt be obliged to hold during the
duke's government, if I happen to outlive it, which
for your comfort, confidering my health, is not
very likely. I have not been a troubleſome pe-
titioner to his grace, and intend to be lefs; and,
as I have always done, will principally confider
my lord duke's honour. I have very few friends
in want. I have kindred enough, but not a grain
of merit among them, except one female, who is
the only coufin I fuffer to fee me. When I had
credit for fome years at court, Ì provided for
above fifty people in both kingdoms, of which,
not one was a relation. I have neither followers,
nor foſterers, nor dependers; fo that if I lived-
now among the great, they might be fure I would
never be a folicitor, out of any regard but merit
and virtue; and in that cafe, I would reckon I
was doing them the beft fervice in my power:
and if they were good for any thing, I would ex-
pect their thanks; for they want nothing fo much
as an honeft judicious recommender, which in per-
fect modefty, I take myſelf to be. Dr. Sheridan is.
gone to his fchool in the country, and was only
delayed
M 3
[ 166 ]
}
!.
delayed fo long on account of fome very unnecef
fary forms, contrived by his grace's moft cautious
deputies.
My letter is but just begun; the larger half re-
mains and your ladyship is to make a freſh uſe of
your fecretary employment. The countefs of Kerry,
my long friend and miftrefs, commanded me to at-
tend her yeſterday: he told me, that Mr. Deering,
late deputy clerk, of the council, being dead, ſhe
had thoughts of foliciting the fame office for her
younger fon, Mr. John Fitzmaurice. Her eldeſt
fon, lord Fitzmaurice, hath for fome years been
plagued with a wife and no wife*. The cafe hath
been tried in both kingdoms, and he ftands excom-
municated and forced to live abroad, which is a very
great misfortune to the earl of Kerry and his lady;
and they have nothing left to comfort them but
their younger fon, who hath lately married honeſtly
and indiſputably. He is a young gentleman of
great regularity, very well educated, but hath no
employment; therefore his parents would be very
defirous he ſhould have one, and this, of deputy
clerk of the council here, would be a very pro-
introduction to bufinefs. It is understood here,'
per
When the woman died, who claimed a marriage with this
young nobleman, he married lady Gertrude Lambert, eldest daugh-
ter to Richard earl of Gavan, June 29, 1738, by whom he had
the prefent earl of Kerry. The honourable John Fitzmaurice,
here recommended by Dr. Swift for finall employments, after-
wards fucceeded his uncle, Henry earl of Shelburn, in his honours
and an immenſe eftate, both real and perfonal. The prefent earl
of Shelburn is his fon.
C
:
that
1
[ 167 ]
that the purchaſe of the deputy clerk's office is
the perquifite of the chief clerk, with the confent
of the chief governor, with which, my lord and
lady Kerry would very readily and thankfully fall
in. And as the earl of Kerry's is one of the
moft ancient and noble families of the kingdom,
his younger fon might well pretend to fucceed in
fo fmall an office, upon an equal foot with any
other perfon. I own this propofal of mine is
more fuitable to the corruption of the times, than
to my own ſpeculative notions of virtue; but I
muft give fome allowance to the degeneracy of
mankind, and the paffión I have to my lady
Kerry; &c.
LETTER CCCXLV.
+
Lady BG to Dr. SWIFT.
May 27, 1735.
IT is true enough, my love to bufinefs is not great,
without my capacity was better; but, however, you
fhould have had a quicker anfwer to your letter,
but that I find Mr. Fitzmaurice has already made
application by feveral other hands, and fo have many
members of parliament. The anfwer, given to
them all, has been, that it will not yet be difpofed
of; and my opinion is, that, probably, when lord
George Sackville comes over, he will humbly defire
his father; or whoever is chief governor, that he
mays
M 4
[168]
1
may, without any political view, have the difpofal
of it himſelf, as it is his own private concern.
I did not know lady Kerry had the honour of
being your miſtreſs and favourite; however, I ap-
prove of your taſte. For many years, or rather an
age ago, the and I were very well acquainted, and
I thought her a mighty fenfible agreeable woman ;
fo, upon that account, as well as yours, I fhould
be very glad to be ferviceable to her in any thing
in my power.
Now I have given you what anſwer I can on this
fubject, I muſt recommend to you an affair, which
has given me ſome ſmall palpitations of the heart,
which is, that you ſhould not wrap up old fhoes, or
neglected fermons, in my letters; but that what
of them have been fpared from going towards making
gin for the ladies, may henceforth be committed
inftantly to the flames *: for you being ftigmatized
with the name of a wit, Mr. Curll will rake to the
dunghill for your correfpondence. And as to my
part, I am ſatisfied with having been honoured
in print, by our amorous, fatirical, and gallant
Ietters t.
*To this Swift anfwers, "When I was leaving England upon
the queen's death, I burnt all the letters I could find, that I had
received from minifters, for feveral years before. But, as to the
letters I receive from your ladyship, I neither ever did, or ever
will, burn any of them, take it as you pleaſe: for I never burn
a letter that is entertaining, and confequently will give me new
pleafure, when it is forgotten." See his anfwer to this letter,
dated June 8, 1735, in Mr. Deane Swift's Collection.
† See lady B. G's next letter, dated July 12, 1735.
The
£
لم
[ 169 ]
The fummer has done your old friend Mrs. Floyd
a great deal of fervice. As for my faucy niece, I
would adviſe you both to be better acquainted be-
fore you fall foul of one another. The duchefs of
Dorfet is ftill at Bath; and the waters have done
her good. The duke is now confined by a fit of
the gout, which I believe is very well for him,
becauſe I doubt he had a little of it in his ftomach.
Adieu,
c.
LETTER CCCXLVI.
The Archbishop of CASHELL to Dr. SWIFT.
DEAR SIR,
Cathell, May 5, 1735.
I HAVE been fo unfortunate in all my conteſts of
late, that I am refolved to have no more, eſpeci-
ally where I am like to be overmatched: and as
I have ſome reaſon to hope what is paft will be for-
gotten, I confefs, I did endeavour in my laft to
put the best colour I could think of upon a very
bad caufe. My friends judge right of my idleness,
but in reality, it has hitherto proceeded from a
hurry and confufion, arifing from a thoufand un-
lucky unforeſeen accidents, rather than mere floth.
I have but one troublefome affair now upon my
hands, which by the help of the prime ferjeant I
hope foon to get rid of; and then you fhall fee me
a true Iriſh biſhop. Sir James Ware has made a
very uſeful collection of the memorable actions of
all my predeceffors. He tells us, they were born
in
}
t
[170]
in fuch a town of England or Ireland; were confe-
crated fuch a year, and if not tranflated, were buried
in their cathedral church, either on the North or
South fide. From whence I conclude, that a good
biſhop has nothing more to do than to eat, drink,
grow fat, rich; and die; which laudable example,
I propofe for the remainder of my life to follow:
for to tell you the truth, I have for thefe four or
five years paft met with fo much treachery, bafenefs;
and ingratitude, among mankind, that I can hardly
think it incumbent upon any man to endeavour to
do good to preſerve a generation.
I am truly concerned at the account you give mẻ
of your health. Without doubt a Southern ramble
will prove the beſt remedy you can take to recover
your flesh; and I don't know, except in one ſtage;
where you can chooſe a road fo fuited to your cir-
cumftances, as from Dublin hither. You have to
Kilkenny, a turnpike and good inns, at every ten or
twelve miles end. From Kilkenny hither is twenty
long miles, bad road, and no inn at all: but, Í
have an expedient for you. At the foot of a very
high hill, juft mid-way there lives in a neat thatched
cabin, a parfon, who is not poor; his wife is al-
lowed to be the best little woman in the world:
His chickens are the fatteft, and his ale the beſt in
all the country. Befides, the parfon has a little
cellar of his own, of which he keeps the key, where
he has always a hogfhead of the beft wine that can
be got, in bottles well corked, upon their fide; and
he cleans, and pulls out the cork better, I think,
than
}
[171].
than Robin.
:
Here I defign to meet you with a
coach if you be tired, you fhall ftay all night;
if not, after dinner, we will fet out about four, and
be at Cashell by nine; and by going through fields
and by-ways, which the parfon will fhew us, we
fhall eſcape all the rocky and ftony roads that lie be-
tween this place and that. I hope you will be fo
kind as to let me know a poft or two before you ſet
out, the very day you will be at Kilkenny, that I
may have all things prepared for you. It may be,
if you aſk him, Cope will come: he will do nothing
for me. Therefore, depending upon your pofitive
promiſe, I ſhall add no more arguments to perfuade
you. And am, with the greateſt truth,
your moſt faithful and obedient humble fervant,
THEO. CASHELL
LETTER CCCXLVII.
Lady BG-
to Dr. SWIFT,
London, July, 12, 1735.
I
HAVE not anfwered yours of the 15th of June
fo foon as I fhould; but the duke of Dorſet had an-
fwered all yours e'er your letter came to my hands.
So I hope all caufes of complaint are at an end,
and that he has fhewed himſelf, as he is, much your
friend and humble fervant, though he wears a gar-
ter, and had his original from Normandy, if heralds
don't lie, or his granums did not play falfe; and
whilft
Ja
}
}
[172]
whilft he is lord lieutenant, (which I heartily wif
may not be much longer) I dare fay will be very glad
of any opportunity to do what you recommend to
him. Thus far will I anfwer for his grace, though
he is now in the country, and cannot fubfcribe to
it himſelf.
Now to quite another affair. The counteſs of
Suffolk (whom you know I have long had a great
efteem and value for) has been fo good and gracious
as to take my brother George Berkeley for better for
worfe; though I hope in God the laft will not
happen, becauſe I think he is an honeſt good-na-
tured man. The town is furprized; and the town
talks, as the town loves to do, upon thefe ordinary
extraordinary occafions. She is indeed four or five
years
older than he, and no more; but, for all that,
he hath appeared to all the world, as well as me, to
have long had (that is, ever fince fhe hath been a
a widow, fo pray don't miſtake me) a most violent
paffion for her, as well as eſteem and value for her
numberless good qualities. Thefe things well con-
fidered, I do not think they have above ten to one
against their being very happy: and if they fhould
not be fo, I fhall heartily with him hanged, becauſe
I am fure it will be wholly his fault. As to her
fortune, though ſhe has been twenty years a court
favourite, yet I doubt ſhe has been too diſintereſted
to enlarge it, as others would have done. And Sir
Robert*, her greatest enemy, does not tax her with
* Walpole, afterwards the earl of Orford.
getting
[ 173 ]
getting quite forty thousand pounds. I wiſh-but
fear it is not near that fum.
But what ſhe has, the
never told me, nor have I ever afked; but whatever
it is, they muft live accordingly; and he had of
his own wherewithal to live by himſelf eafily and
genteely.
In this hurry of matrimony, I had like to forget
to anſwer that part of your letter, where you fay,
you never heard of our being in print together. I
believe it was about twenty years ago, Mr. Curll ſet
forth Letters amorous, fatirical, and gallant, between
Dr. Swift, lady Mary Chambre, lady Betty Germain,
and Mrs. Anne Long, and feveral other perfons. I
am afraid fome of my people uſed them according
to their defert; for they have not appeared above-
ground this great while. And now to the addition
for of writing the brave large hand you make me
do you, I have bruifed my fingers prodigiouſly,
and can fay no more but adieu.
LETTER CCCXLVIII.
Lady B————G—
to Dr. SWIFT,
Sept. 4, 1735.
IF you are not angry with me for my long filence,
I take it ill, and need make no excufe: and if you
are angry, then I would not willingly make you
forry too, which I know you will be, when I tell
you, that I was laid up at Knowle with a fevere
fit of the gout. And fince that infallible cure for
all
}
7
[ 174 ]
all difeafes, which all great fools and talkers wiſh
joy of, I have never been quite well, but have had
continually fome diforder or other, which made my
head and fpirits unfit for writing, or indeed doing
any thing I fhould. I am ftill fo much out of order,
that I am under great apprehenfions I fhall not be
able to go, next year, part of the journey to Ire-
land with their graces; which is alſo part of the
road to Drayton, where I intend to ſtay till November,
in hopes that fummer deferred its coming till I was
there;
for I am fure, hitherto, we have had little
but winter weather.
T
I am glad matters are fettled between his grace
of Derfet and you; and I dare anfwer, as you are
both right thinkers, and of courfe upright actors,
there wants but little explanation between you;
fince I, that am the go-between, can eafily find
out, that he has as fincere a value for you, as you
have for him. I do affure you I am extremely de-
lighted, that fince lady Suffolk would take a mafter
(commonly called a husband) fhe chofe my brother
George: for if l'am not partial to him, which indeed
I don't know that I am, his fincere value, love,
and eſteem for her, muft make him a good man.
*
We are now full of expectation of his royal high-
nefs's wedding. Her highnefs's jewels are bought,
and her cloaths befpoke; and a gallery of com-
munication is making between his apartment and
St. James's; but as I do not love to pry into myf-
* Frederick, then prince of Wales.
teries
Y
1
[ 175 ]
teries of ftate, I don't at all know when the lady
will come over. Your friend Mrs. Floyd is grown
fat and well, under the duchefs of Dorfet's care and
direction at Knowle. Our friend Curll has again re-
printed what he called our letters, as a proper third
part of Mr. Pope's. He fhould have made thoſe filly
bitter verfes on me to have been his too, inftead of Sir
William Trumbull's, whom they just as much belonged
to. But you patriots are ſo much afraid of fuppref-
fing the prefs, that every body muft fuffer under
that, and the lyes of the news papers, without hopes
of redrefs. Adieu, my dear Dean.
LETTER CCCXLIX.
Lady B
G
to Dr SWIFT.
}
London, Nov. 13, 1735.
I HONESTLY confefs I was honoured with
yours above a month ago, which ought in all love
and reaſon to have been anſwered above a month
fince; but I know your faucinefs, as well as you
know my niece's; with this difference, that as age
is to mend hers, it makes yours grow worfe;
and the anſwer to me had been,-Oh! ſhe can give
a quick reply to mine.;. now the duke and duchefs
are here, fhe wants to know more frequently how
and what they do?
I can tell you no ftory of the ring (which you
want to know) but that it came to my hands through
proper windings and turnings from an earl of Peter-
borow;
[ 176 ]
.
}
borow; and the connoiffeurs fay it is an antique, and
a pretty good one. I am very well pleaſed and
happy, if that ever ferves to put you in mind that I
am your humble fervant.
I came last week from my houfe in Northampton-
hire. I cannot fay the weather permitted me much
exercife abroad; but as that houfe is large, the ne-
ceffary fteps the miftrefs muft take, is fome; and I
never loft any time I could get to walk out, and
fometimes drove abroad in a chair, with one horſe;
for being a bad rider, I approve much more of
that than mounting my palfrey. And whether it
was this, or the country air, or chance, I know-
not; but, thank God, I am as well at prefent as
ever I was in my life.
I am wholly ignorant who is or will be bishop of
Corke; for his grace is fuch a filly conceited man,
that he never vouchfafes to confult me in the affairs
of his kingdom. I only know that I wish heartily
for Dr. Whetcombe *, becauſe he ſeems to be a mo-
deft good fort of a man; and if I was his grace,
fince there can be no objection against him in this,
he fhould have it. But as thefe matters are above
my capacity, I do affure you I do not in the leaft
pretend to meddle with them.
I hope, whenever you afk me about the countefs
and George, I fhall be able to anſwer you, as I
*John Whetcombe, D. D. then fellow of Dublin college, made
bishop of Clonfert in Ireland, Dec. 24, 1735, and confecrated
4th January following. He was afterwards tranflated to the,
archbishopric of Chell, and died in 1754.
can
1
[ 177 ]
Can fafely do now, that as yet there is no fort of
appearance that they like one another the worſe for
wearing: Mrs. Compofition + is much your humble
fervant, and has not yet got her winter cough.
God bless you, and adieu.
LETTER Ccci.
Dr. Swift to the Duke of Dorset:
MY LORD,
Dec. 30, 1735.
YOUR grace fairly owes me one hundred and
ten pounds a year in the church, which I thus prove.
I defired you would beflow a preferment of one
hundred and fifty pounds a year to a certain clergy-
man. Your anfwer was, that I aſked modeftly;
that you would not promife, but you would grant
my requeſt. However, for want of good intelli-
gence in being (after a cant word uſed here) an ex-
pert king-fiſher, that clergyman took up with forty
pounds a year; and I fhall never trouble your grace
any more in his behalf. Now by plain arithmetic
it follows, that one hundred and ten pounds re-
mains: and this arrear I have affigned to one Mr.
John Jackſon, who is vicar of Sautry, and hath a ſmall
eftate, with two fons, and as many daughters, all
grown up. He hath lain fome years as a weight
upon me, which I voluntarily took up, on account
of his virtue, piety, and good ſenſe, and modeſty
almoft to a fault. Your grace is now difpofing
† Mrs, Biddy Floyd,
N
VOL. III.
}
[ 178 ]
肆
​*
of the debris of two bifhoprics, among which is
the deanry of Ferns, worth between eighty and one'
hundred pounds a year, which will make this gen
tleman eafler, who, befides his other good qualities,
is as loyal as you could wiſh.
I cannot but think, that your grace, to whom
God hath given, every amiable quality, is bound,
when you have fàtisfied all the expectations of thoſe
who have power in your club t, to do fomething at
the requeſt of others, who love you on your own
account, without expecting any thing for them-
felves. I have ventured once or twice to drop hints
in favour of fome very deferving gentlemen, who
I was affured had been recommended to you by
perfons of weight; but I eafily found by your general
anſwers, that although I have been an old courtier
you knew how to filence me, by diverting the dif-
courſe, which made me reflect that courtiers reſemble
gamefters, the latter finding no arts unknown to
the older; and one of them affured me, that he has
loft fourteen thousand pounds fince he left off play,
merely by dabbling with thoſe who had contrived
new refinements.
·
My lord, I will as a divine, quote ſcripture: al-
though the childrens meat fhould not be given to
dogs, yet the dogs eat the fcraps that fall from
the children's table. This is the fecond requeſt I
have ever made your grace directly. Mr. Jackson-
* The fhattered remains.
The parliament of Ireland,
[ 179 1
1
is condemned to live on his own fmall eftate, part
whereof is in his pariſh about four miles from hence,
where he hath built a family houfe, more expenſive
than he intended. He is a clergyman of long ftand-
ing, and of a most unblemished character; but the
misfortune is, he hath not one enemy to whom I
might appeal for the truth of what I ſay.
Pray, my lord, be not alarmed at the word deanry,
nor imagine it a dignity like thoſe we have in Eng-
land; for, except three or four, the reft have little
power, rather none asa dean and chapter, and fel-
dom any land at all. It is ufually a living confift-
ing of one or more pariſhes, fome very poor, and
others better endowed; but all in tythes.
Mr. Jackson cannot leave his preſent fituation,
and only defires fome very moderate addition. My
lord, I do not deceive your grace, when I fay, you
will oblige great numbers even of thoſe who are moſt
at your devotion, by conferring this favour, or any
other, that will anſwer the fame end. Multa-ve-
niet manus auxilio quæ-Sit mihi, (nam multo plures
ſumus) ac veluti te-Judæi cogemus in hanc concedere
turbam.
I would have waited on your grace, and taken the
privilege of my ufual thirteen minutes, if I had
not been prevented by my old diſorder in my head ;
for which I have been forced to confine myſelf to
the precepts of my phyficians.
N 2
LET.
1
[ 80 1
16
}
LETTER CCCLI.
Lady B G
G –
to Dr. SwiFT.
Feb. 10, 1735.6.
I AM forry to hear your complaints ſtill of giddi-
nefs. As I was in hopes you would have mended,
like my purblind eyes, with old age. According to
the cuftom of all old women, I must recommend to
you a medicine, which is certainly a very innocent
one, and they fay does great good to that diftemper,
which is only wearing oil-cloth the breadth of your
feet, and next to your ſkin. I have often found it
do me good for the head-ach.
I don't know what offences the duke of Dorſet's
club, as you call them, commit in your eyes; but,
to my apprehenfion, the parliament cannot but be-
have well, fince they let him have fuch a quiet
feffion. And as to all forts of politics, they are now
my utter averfion, and I will leave them to be
difcuffed by thofe who have a better ſkill in them.
L
If my niece has been humbled by being nine
years older, her late inherited great fortune will
beautify her in the eyes of a great many people;
fo fhe may grow proud again upon that. The
countess of Suffolk is your humble fervant. Mr.
Pope and the appear to have a true value for one
another, ſo I fuppofe there is no doubt of it; I will
anfwer for my friend's fincerity, and I do not quef-
tion Mr. Pope's. Why, pray, do you fanfy I don't
defire
7
181]
defire to cultivate Mr. "Pope's acquaintance? But
perhaps, if I feek it too much, I might meet with
a rebuff, as you fay her M. did. However we do
often dine together at third places; and, as tó my
own houſe, though he would be extremely welcome,
he has too numerous friends and acquaintance al-
ready to fpare me a day, unleſs you will come to
England, and then he might be induced to meet
you here. Mrs. Biddy Floyd has paffed thus far of
the winter in better health than ufual, though her
cough will not forfake her. She is much your
humble fervant, and fo is moft fincerely your old
friend,
ศ
EG-
SIR,
LETTE R. CCCLII.
Mrs. PENDARVES to Dr. SWIFT.
++
London, April 22, 1736.
I AM forry you make uſe of ſo many good argu-
ments for not coming to Bath. I was in hopes,
you might be prevailed with. And though one of
my ſtrongeſt reafons for wifhing you there was the
defire I had of feeing you, I affure you the confi-
deration of your health took place of it. I left
Bath laft Sunday fev'nnight, very full and gay. I
think Bath a more comfortable place to live in than
London; all the entertainments of the place lie in a
fmall compaſs, and you are at your liberty to par-
take of them, or let them alone, juſt as it ſuits your
humour.
N 3
[ 182 ]
humour. This town is grown to fuch an enormous
fize, that above half the day muſt be ſpent in the
ftreets, going from one place to another. I like it
every year lefs and lefs.
}
When I went out of town laft autumn, the reign-
ing madneſs was Farinelli*; I find it now turned
on Paſquin, a dramatic fatire on the times +. It has
had almoft as long a run as the Beggar's Opera; but,
in my opinion, not with equal merit, though it has
humour. Monstrous preparations are making for
the royal wedding ‡. Pearl, gold and filver, em-
broidered on gold and filver tiffues. I am too poor
and too dull to make one among the fine multitude.
The news-papers fay, my lord Carteret's youngest
daughter is to have the duke of Bedford. I hear
nothing of it from the family; but think it not un-
likely. The duke of Marlborough and his grand-
mother are upon bad terms. The duke of B—
B-
who has been ill treated by her, has offered the duke
of M— to ſupply him with ten thousand pounds
a year, if he will go to law and torment the old
* A celebrated Italian finger.
†This was written by the late Herry Fielding, and was a rehearſal
of a comedy and a tragedy; the comedy was called The Election,
and the tragedy, The Life and Death of Queen Common Senfe. This
and fo e other dramatic fatires, by the fame author, levelled
against the adminiſtration of the late lord Orford, produced an að
of parliament for licensing the ftage, and limiting the number of
play-houſes, which was pafted in 1737.
ގ
Of Frederick, prince of Wales.
His grace married Mils Gower, daughter of the lord Gower
by his first wife, on the 1ft of April, 1737.
!
dowager.
2
[ 183 ]
dowager. The duke of Chandois's marriage has
made a great noife; and the poor duchefs is often
reproached with her being bred up in Burr-ftreets
Wapping *.
Mrs. Donnellan, I am afraid, is fo well treated in Ire
land, that I muſt deſpair of ſeeing her here. She is fo
good to me in her letters, as always to mention you,
I hope I ſhall hear from you foon: you owe me
that pleaſure, for the concern I was under when I
heard you were ill. I am, Sir, your faithful, and
obliged humble fervant,
M. PENDARVES.
I beg my compliments to all friends that remember
me, but particularly to Dr. Delaney..
LETTER CCCLIII,
Lady B-
G-
to Dr. SWIFT.
June 23, 1736.
IOUGHT to begin with begging pardon for
not answering yours of the ift of May, before I thank
you for that of the 15th of June: but I don't quef-
tion the news-papers have informed you of the great
lofs I have had in my brother Henry Berkeley.
*
**
She that you call my faucy niece, has beftowed
her very great fortune, (much more than you men-
* She was lady Daval, widow of Sir Thomas Daval, and had, a
fortune of 40,000l.
N 4
tion)
[ 184 ]
tion) on lord Vere Beauclerk, and had my approba-
tion of her own choice, for I think him a very de-
ferving gentleman; and all that know him give him
a great character. I am now with them in the coun-
try; but ſhall go, in about a fortnight, to Knowle ;
and, when I am there, will certainly obey your
commands to the duke of Dorfet. My brother
George and lady Suffolk are gone to France, to make
a vifit to lord Berkeley; which I am glad of, as I
hope it will induce her to go to Spa and Aix-la-
Chapelle for her health, which I truly believe is all
fhe wants to make her eafy and happy; or elſe my
brother George is not the honeſt good-natured man I
really take him to be; and the diffembles well, if
ſhe is not ſo happy as the makes me believe, and
I heartily with her.
You order ine to write long letters; but you may
fee by the nothingneſs of this, I am yet more un-
fit than ever to obferve your orders, though in all
things, and at all times, your moft fincere and truly
humble fervant,
LETTER CCCLIV.
Mr. DONNELLAN to Dr. SWIFT.
DEAR SIR,
E. G,
Corke, July 2, 1735.
I HAD the favour of your commands in relation
to Mr. * Dünkin; and, in purſuance of them, have
* A female relation of Mr. Dunkin had bequeathed an eſtate in
land, for ever, to the college and fellows of Trinity college Dublin,
L
upop
[ 185 ]
}
'''
wrote to two of my friends, among the fenior fellows,
and recommended his petition, and your requeſt, in
the beſt and ſtrongeſt manner I was able. I am, upon
many accounts, obliged to execute whatever orders
you are pleaſed to give me, with the greateſt readi-
nefs and chearfulneſs poffible: which, I affure you,
I do on this occafion, and fhall think myſelf very
happy if I can any way promote the fuccefs of an
affair which you with well to. I hope all difficulties
will be be got over, by your appearance in his fa-
vour, and that your request will have all that weight
with the college that it ought. I reminded my friends
(though I hope they had not forgot it) of the confi-
derable fervices you have done their houfe at different
times, and let them know how much their com-
pliance in this point would oblige you. After this,
I think they muſt be very beafts, if they do not
fhew their gratitude, when they have fo fair an
opportunity; and idiots, if they neglect purchaſing
the Dean's favour at ſo cheap a rate.
Though I am come among a people that I think
you are not very fond of, yet, this I muft fay in their
favour, that they are not fuch brutes as to be in-
fenfible of the Dean's merit. Ever fince we came
upon condition that they ſhould take care of his education, and after-
wards affift to advance him in the world. The college, in confe-
quence of this requeſt, allowed him, at this time, an annuity, which
he was now foliciting to get increafed to rool. He fucceeded in
his application; and the earl of Cheſterfield, when he had the go-
vernment of Ireland, in the year 1746, gavé him the ſchool of
Inniskilling, which is very richly endowed, and was founded by
King Charles 1.
down,
1
1
}
**
[ 186 ]
down, this town and country rung of your praifes,
for oppofing the reduction of the coin; and they
look upon the ftop that is likely to be put to that
affair, as a fecond deliverance they owe you.
I hope the late fine weather has contributed to the
recovery of your health: I am fure it is what we all
have reafon to defire the continuance of; and, what
I beg you will believe, no one more truly and fin-
cerely wishes, with all other happineſs, than, Sir,
your most obedient and obliged humble fervant,
CHR. DONNELLAN.
LETTER CCCLV.
Lady B G
G
to Dr. SWIFT.
July 11, 1736.
1
SINCE, it feems, my letters are not for your own
perufal, but kept for a female coufin, to her this
ought to be addreffed; only that I am not yet in
fpirits to joke. I did not do fo ill by your request,
as you apprehended by my letter, for I fpoke to the
duke much fooner than I told you I ſhould, and did
fo as foon as it was poffible for me, or as foon as I
could have fent it. The anfwer was, that he had
that moment received a letter from lord Orrery,
with the moft preffing inftances for a deferving friend
of his that the duke could not refuſe him; eſpecially
as my lord Orrery had been moft extremely obliging,
and, for this whole feffion, neglected no oppor
tunity to endeavour to make his adminiftration eafy.
Though,
L
#
1
[ 187 ]
Though, at the fame time, he affured me, he would
otherwiſe have been very glad to oblige you; and does
agree, that the gentleman you recommended is very
deferving. All this you fhould have known be-
fore, had I been able to write; but I have been
laid up with the gout in my hand and foot, and
thought it not neceffary to make uſe of a ſcretary,
fince I had nothing more pleafing to tell you. I
fhall always be extreme willing to be employed by
you to him; nor do I make any queftion but you
will always recommend the worthy, as it is for your
own honour as well as his. I will not agree, that
you never did prevail, on any one occafion; becauſe,
the very firſt you did employ me about, was in-
ftantly complied with, though against a rule he
thought right, and, I knew before, he had fet himſelf.
Lady Suffolk is now at Spa, with my brother
George, for her health; and, as I fhall go, for my
own, to the Bath, in September, I fear we fhall not
meet this great while. And now I muft finiſh
this long letter, which has not been quite eaſy to
write, being fill your gouty, but faithful humble
Servant.
SIR,
LETTER CCCLVI.
Mrs. PENDARVES to Dr. SWIFT.
'
Sept. 2, 1736.
I NEVER will accept of the writ of eafe you
threaten me with; don't flatter yourſelf with any fuch
hopes I receive too many advantages from your
:
letters
{
•
i
[
[ 188 1
Jetters to drop a correfpondence of fuch confequence
to me: I am really grieved that you are fo much
perfecuted with a giddinefs in your head: the Bath
and travelling would certainly be of ufe to you.
Your want of fpirits is a new complaint, and what
will not only afflict your particular friends, but
every one that has the happiness of your acquain-
tance. I am uneafy to know how you do, and have
no other means for that fatisfaction, but from your
own hand, moft of my Dublin correfpondents be-
ing removed to Corke, tó Wicklow Mountains, and the
Lord knows where. I fhould have made this en-
quiry fooner, but that I have this fummer under-
taken a work that has given me full employment,
which is making a grotto in Sir John Stanley's gar-
den at North-End: it is chiefly compofed of fhells I
had from Ireland. My life for two months paft has
been very like a hermit's; I have had all the com-
forts of life but fociety, and have found living
quite alone a pleafanter thing than I imagined.
The hours I could fpend in reading have been en-
tertained by Rollin's Hiftory of the Ancients, in
French. I am very well pleafed with it; and think
your Annibal, Scipios, and Cyrus's prettier fellows
than are to be met with now-a-days. Painting and
mufic have had their hare in my amufements. I
rofe between five and fix, and went to bed at eleven.
I would not tell you fo much about myſelf, if Į
had any thing to tell you of other people. I came
to town the night before laft; and if it does not,
a few days hence, appear better to me then at pre-
fent,
74
[ 189 ]
fent, I fhall return to my folitary cell. Sir John
Stanley has been all the fummer at Tunbridge.
:
I fuppofe you may have heard of Mr. Pope's acci-
dent; which had like to have proved a very fatal
one he was leading a young lady into a boat,
from his own ftairs, her foot miffed the fide of the
boat, fhe fell into the water, and pulled Mr. Pópe
after her; the boat flipped away, and they were im-
mediately out of their depth, and it was with fome
difficulty they were faved. The young lady's name
is Talbot: fhe is as remarkable for being a handfome
woman, as Mr. Pope is for wit. I think I cannot
give you a higher notion of her beauty, unfefs I had
named you inſtead of him. I fhall be impatient till
I hear from you again; being, with great fincerity,
your moſt faithful humble fervant,
1
M. PENDARVES,
P. S. I forgot to anfwer, on the other fide, that
part of your letter that concerns my fifter. I
do not know whether you could like her perfon
as well as mine, becauſe ficknefs has faded her
complexion; but it is greatly my intereft not ·
to bring you acquainted with her mind, for
that would prove a potent rival; and nothing
but your partiality to me, as an older acquain-
tance, could make you give me the preference.
I beg my particular compliments to Dr. Delaney*.
Sir John Stanley fays, if you have not forgot
him, he defires to be remembered as your hum-
ble fervant.
+
* This lady was fome time afterwards married to Dr. Delaney.
LETTER
[ 190 1
j
SIR,
LETTER CCCLVÍÍ.
Mrs BARBER to Dr. SWIFT;
Bath, Nov. 3, 1738.
SHOULD long fince have acknowledged the
honour of your kind letter, but that I found my
head fo difordered by writing a little; that I was
fearful of having the gout in it; fo I humbly befeech
you to pardon me; nor think me ungrateful, nor in
the leaft infenfible of the infinite obligations* I lie
under to you, which, heaven knows; are never out
of my mind.
How ſhall I exprefs the fenfe I have of your good.
nefs, in inviting me to return to Ireland, and gene-
roufly offering to contribute to fupport me there.
But would it not be bafe in me, not to try to do
fomething for myſelf, rather than be burthenfome
where I am already ſo much indebted ?
As to the friend whom you fay, Sir, is in fo much
better circumstances, I fhould be very unjuft, if I
did not affure you that friend has never failed of be-
ing extremely kind to me.
I find I need not tell you that I am not able to
purſue the fcheme of letting lodgings. Your goodnefs
and compaffion for my unhappy ſtate of health, has
made you think of it for me; 'tis impracticable;
but I am defirous to try if I can do any good by fell-
ing Irish linen, which I find is coming much into
repute here in that way, my daughter, who is wil-
ling
Ľ 191 1
fing to do every thing in her power, can be of fer-
vice, but never in the other.
If I ſhould go from Bath, I have reaſon to think,
that the remainder of my life would be very mifera-
ble, and that I ſhould foon lofe the uſe of my limbs
for ever; fince I find nothing but the bleffing of
God on theſe waters does me any good; befides this,
the intereſt of my children is a great inducement to
me, for here I have the beft profpect of keeping up
an acquaintance for them. My fon, who is learning
to paint, goes on very well; and, if he be in the
leaft approved of, inall probability he may do very
well at Bath; for I never yet faw a painter that came
hither, fail of getting more bufinefs than he could
do, let him be never fo indifferent: and I am in
hopes that Con. may fettle here. Dr. Mead, whofe
goodness to me is great, may be of vaft ufe to him,
if he finds, as I hope he will, that he is worthy of
his favour. And, if God bleffes my fons with fuccefs,
they are fo well inclined, that I do not doubt but
they would take a pleafure in fupporting me,' if I
can make a fhift to maintain them and myſelf till
then and I find Mr. Barber is very willing to do
what he can for them, though his circumftances are
far from being what you are told they are; not, I
fear, half fo good.
:
But though I cannot hope to be fupported by let
ting lodgings, I would willingly take a houſe a little
larger than I want for myſelf, if I could meet with
it on reaſonable terms, that if any particular friend
came, they might lodge in it, which would make it
more
+
1
تے
T
[ 192 ]
{
more agreeable: and, if I live till my fon, the
painter, goes into bufinefs, he might be with me;
As for Con. if he does not chufe to fettle here, good.
Dr. Heljham, with his ufual friendlinefs, has pro-
mifed to honour him with his protection, if he re-
turns to Ireland.
1
I have now, Sir, told you my fchemes, and hope
they will be honoured with your approbation,
and encouraged by your inexpreffible goodneſs to
me. I have at length got refolution enough to beg
a favour, which, if you, Sir, condefcend to grant,
would make me rich, without impoverishing you.
When Dr. King, of Oxford; was laſt in Ireland, he
had the pleaſure of feeing your Treatife on Polite
Converfation, and gave fuch an account of it in Lon-
-don, as made numbers of people very defirous to ſeè
it. Lady Worfeley, who heard of it from Mrs. Cle-
land*; and many more of my patroneffes preffed
me to beg it of you, and affured me I might get
a great fubfcription if I had that, and a few of
your
original poems; if you would give me leave to publifh
an advertiſement, that you had made me a prefent of
them. This they commanded me to tell you, above a
year ago, and I have had many letters fince upon that
account; but, confcious of the many obligations I
already lay under, I have thought it a shame to pre-
fume further upon your goodneſs: but, when I was
* Lady Worsley, wife of Sir Robert Worley. Mrs. Cleland,
wife of major William Cleland, a friend of Mr. Pope, and author
of the Letter to the Publiſher of the Dunciad, prefixed to the firſt cor-
rect edition of that poem.'
laf
[ 193 1
]
J
all in London, they made me promife I would men-
tion it the next time I wrote to you; and, indeed;
I have attempted it many a time fince, but never
could till now.I humbly befeech you; Sir; if
you do not think it proper, not to be offended with
ine for aſking it; for it was others that, out of kind-
nefs to me, put me upon it They ſaid you made
no advantage for yourfelf, by your writings; and,
that, fince you honoured me with your protection,
I had all the reaſon in the world to think it would
be a pleaſure to you, to fee me in eafy circumftances;
that every body would gladly fubfcribe for any thing
Dr. Swift wrote; and, indeed, I believe in my con-
ſcience, it would be the making of me.
+
There are a great many people of quality here
this feafon; amongſt others, lady Carteret, and Mrs.
Spencer who commanded me to make their beſt-
compliments to you. They came on Mrs. Spencer's
account; who is better in her health fince the drank
thefe waters. I daily fee ſuch numbers of people
mended by them, that I cannot but wiſh you would
try them as you are fenfible your diſorders are
chiefly occafioned by a cold ftomach, I believe there
is not any thing in this world fo likely to cure that
diſorder as the Bath-waters; which are daily found
to be à fovereign remedy for diforders of that kind:
I know, Sir, you have no opinion of drugs, and
why will you not try fo agreeable a medicine, pre-
+ Daughter of lord Carteret, married, firſt to the honourable
John Spencer, brother to the duke of Marlborough, and afterwards
to the late earl Cowper?
VOL. III.
pared
*
[ 194 ]
pared by Providence alone? If you will not try for
your own fake, why will you not, in pity to your
country? O! may that Being that infpired you to
be its defence in the day of diſtreſs, influence you
to take the beſt method to preſerve a life of ſo much
importance to an oppreffed people !
Before I conclude, gratitude obliges me to tell
you, that Mr. Temple * was here l'ately, and was ex-
ceedingly kind to me and my daughters. He made
ine a prefent of a hamper of very fine Madeira, which
he faid was good for the gout, and diſtinguiſhed me
in the kindeft manner. He commanded me to make
his beft compliments to you, and fays, he flatters
himfelf, you will vift Moor-Park once again: Hea-
ven grant you may! and that I may be fo bleft as
to ſee you, who am, with infinite reſpect and grati-
tude, your moſt obliged, moſt dutiful, humble fer-
vant,
MARY BARBER.
LETTER CCCLVIII.
Lady B
G
- to Dr. SWIFT.
Nov. 2, 1736.
I A
AM forry to be fo unlucky in my late errands
between his grace and you; and he alfo is troubled
at it, as the perfon you recommend, is, indeed,
* .
John Temple, Efq; nephew of Sir William Temple, whofe
grand-daughter he married. He was brother to the late lord vif-
count Palmerstone?
1
1
what
[ 195 ]
what you fay, a very worthy perſon; but Mr. Molloy,
who was lord. George's fecond tutor, had the promiſe
of the next preferment, fo he cannot put him by for
this. I wish I was more fortunate in my undertak-
ings; but I verily believe it is a common calamity.
to moſt men in power that they are often, by necef-
fity, prevented from obliging their friends; and
many worthy people go unrewarded. Whether you
call this a court anſwer, or not, I am very pofitively
fure, he is beartily vexed when it is not in his power
to oblige you. I have been very much out of order,
or you ſhould have heard from me before: and I
am now literally fetting out for Bath. So adieu !
dear Dean.
LETTER CCCLIX.
Lord CASTLE DURROW* to Dr. SwIFT.
Caftledurrow, Dec. 4. 1736.
SIR,
IT is now a month fince you favoured me with
your letter; I fear the trouble of another from me
may perfuade you to excufe my acknowledgments
of it; but I am too fenfible of the honour you do me,
to ſuffer a correſpondence to drop, which I know
fome of the greateſt men in this age have gloried in.
How then muſt my heart be elated! The fly on the
chariot-wheel is too trite a quotation: I fhall rather
*This was William lord baron of Cafledurrow, whofe foň Henry
was created lord viſcount Afhbrook in the year 1751.
Q 3
compare
I 196 ]
1
?
compare myſelf, to a worm enlivened by the fun,
and. crawling before it. I imagine there is a tinge
of vanity in the meanest infect; and who knows but
even this reptile may pride: itfelf in its curls and
twiſts before its benefactor? This is more than the
greatest philofopher can determine. Gueffes are the
priviledge of the ignorant, our undoubted right,
and what you can never lay claim to.
น
I am quite angry with your fervant, for not aç-.
quainting you that I was at your door. I greatly
commend both your oeconomy and the company you
admit at your table. I am told your wine is excel-
lent. The additional groat is, I hope, for fuct to
your pudding. I fanfy I am as old an acquaintance
as moft you have in this kingdom; though it is not
my happineſs to be fo qualified as to merit that inti-
macy you profefs for a few. It is now to little
pur-
pofe to repine; though it grieves me to think I was
a favourite of dean Aldrich, the greateſt man who ever
prefided in that high poft; that over Virgil and Horace,
Gay and Phillips fmoaked many a pipe, and drank
many a quart with me, befides the expence of a bu-
fhel of nuts, and that now I am fearce able to reliſh
their beauties. I know it is death to you to fee either
of them mangled; but a fcrap of paper I defign to
inclofe, will convince you of the truth. It was in
joke to an old woman of feventy, who takes the laft
line fo heinously, that, thanks to my ftars, fhe hates
me in earneft. So I devote myfelf to ladies of a few-
er years, and more difcretion.
H.
I
This
[197].
}
This, and fuch other innocent amufements, I de-
vote myſelf to in my retirement. Once in two years
I appear in the anus of the world, our metropolis.
His grace, my old acquaintance, told me, I began
to contract ſtrange old-fashioned ruft, and adviſed me
to burst out of my folitude, and refit myfélf for the pub-
lic; but my own notion of the world, for fome time
paft, is fo confirmed by the fanction of your opinion of
it, that I refolve this fame ruft fhall be as dear to
me, as that which enhanced the value of poor Dr.
Woodward's fhield *; though it gave fuch offence to
his cleanly maid, that fhe poliſhed it to none at all.
I fhall appear very inconfiftent with myfelf in
now telling you, that I ftill deſign the latter end of
next fix months for England. You allow I have fome
pretence to go there. My progreſs with my fon will
be farther; for which, perhaps, you too will. con-
demn me, as well as other friends do. I fhall be
proud of the honour of your commands, and, with
your leave, will wait upon you for them. I defign
to ſend you a pot of woodcocks for a Chrifimas-box:
fmall as the preſent is, pray believe I am, with fin-
cere reſpect, Sir, your moſt obedient humble fervant,
CASTLE DURROW.
$
¿
* The character of Dr. Cornelius Striblerus in the Memoirs of
› his fon Martinus Scriblerus, was intended for Dr. Woodward, who
wrote a differtation on an antique fhield; and Dr. Cornelius is re-
prefented as having intended to place his fon in what he conceived
to be an antique fhield, to be chriſtened; but which being given
to the maid, with its venerable ruft upon it, the fcoured it bright,
and then it appeared to be nothing more than an old fconce with
out a nozzle,
** . -
03
Verfes
[ 198 ]
$
{
Verfes by lord Caftledurrow, inclofed in the former
letter.
4
Letitia's Character of her Lover rendered in metre.
Old women fometimes can raffe his defire;
The young, in their turn, fet his heart all on fire,
And fometimes again he abhors woman-kind.
Was ever poor wretch of fo fickle a mind!
The Lover's Anſwer,
Parcius jun&tas quàtiunt feneftras,
Iaibus crebris juvenes protervi ;
Nec tibi fomnos adimunt: amatque
Janua limen.
$
1
HOR. Lib. I. Ode 25,
No more fhall frolic youth advance
In ferenade, and am'rous dance;
Redoubling ftroke no more ſhall beat
Against thy window and thy gate;
In idle fleep, now lie fecure,
And never be unbarr'd the door.
1
"
t
f
LETTER CCCLX,
WILLIAM PULTENEY, Efq; to Dr. SWIFT,
SIR,
J
London, Dec. 21, 1736.
I WAS at the Bath when I had the favour of your
letter of the 6th of laſt month. I remember I once
Hok
wrote
1
1
[ 199 ]
wrote to you from thence, therefore I refolved not
to hazard another by the croſs poft, but ſtay till my
return to London, to thank you for your 'kind re-
membrance of me. I am now, God be thanked,
tolerably well in health again;,and have done with
all phyfic and water-drinking. My conftitution
-
must certainly be a pretty good one; for it has re-
fifted the attacks of five eminent phyficians for five
months together,. and I am not a jot the worfe for
any of them. For the future I will preferve my-
felf by your advice, and follow your, rules, of rif-
ing early, eating little, drinking lefs, and riding
daily; I hope this regimen will be long of uſe to
both of us, and that we may live to meet again. I
am exceedingly rejoiced at Mr. Stopford's good fuc-
cefs, and have acknowledged my obligation to the
duke of Dorfet, who I dare fay will in time do more
for him, becauſe he has promiſed it. My firft defire
to ſerve him was folely becauſe I knew you efteemed
him. I was confident he must be a deferving man,
fince John Gay affured me he was a very particular
friend of yours. I afterwards, upon farther acquain-
tance, grew to love him for his own fake, and the
merit I found in him. Men of his worth and cha-
racter do an honour to thoſe who recommend them.
There is a ſentence, I think it is in Tully's Offices,
which I admire extremely, and fhould be tempted
to take it for a motto, if ever I took one, Amicis
prodeffe, nemini nocerc. It is a noble fentiment, and
fhall be my rule, though perhaps never my motto.
I fanfy there is no other foundation for naming fo
04
many
[ 200 ]
}
many fucceffors to the duke of Dorſet, than becauſe he
has ferved, as they call it, his time out. I am inclined
to believe he will go once more amongst you, and the
rather, fince I am told he gave great fatisfaction the
laft time he was with you. Lord Effex will hardly
be the perfon to fucceed him, though I ſhould be
glad he was, fince I flatter myself he would be will-
ing, on many occafions, to fhew fome regard to my
recommendations. I have lately feen a gentleman
who is come from France, who affures me, the per-
fon you enquire after, and to whom you gave fo
many lectures of frugality, is in perfect health, and
lives in great plenty and affluence. I own I doubt
it; but, if it be true, I am fure it cannot last long,
unlefs an old gentleman would pleafe to die, who
feems at prefent not to have the leaſt inclination to-
wards it, though near ninety years old, I verily
think he is more likely to marry again than die.
+
Pope fhewed me a letter he had lately from you,
We grieved extremely to find you fo full of com-
plaints, and we wished heartily you might be well
enough to make a trip here this fpring. Shifting
the fcene was of great fervice to me; perhaps it may
be fo to you. I mended from the moment I had
croffed the feas, and fenfibly felt the benefit of chang-
ing air. His majefty is ftill on the other fide. He
has efcaped being at fea in the tempeftuous weather-
we have had; but when the wind will let him come,
God knows. Lord Chesterfield fays, if he does not
come by Twelfth-day, the people will chooſe king
and queen without him, I must tell you a ridicu-
=
long
[
i. a
[ 201 ]
lous incident, perhaps you have not read it; one
Mrs. Mapp, a famous fhe bone-fetter and mounte-
bank, coming to town with a coach and fix horſes,
on the Kentish road, was met by a rabble of people,
who feeing her very oddly and tawdrily dreffed, took
her for a foreigner, and concluded ſhe muſt be a cer-
tain great perfon's miſtreſs. Upon this they follow-
ed the coach, bawling out, No Hanover whore! no
Hanover whore! The lady within the coach was
much offended, let down the glafs, and fcreamed
louder than any of them, She was no Hanover whore!
fhe was an English one! Upon which they cried out,
God bless your ladyfhip! quitted the purfuit, and
wifhed her a good journey.
1
I hope to be able to attend the houſe next feffions;
but not with that affiduity as I have formerly done.
Why fhould I rifque the doing myſelf any harm,
when I know how vain it is to expect to do any
good. You that have been a long time out of this
country, can have no notion how wicked and corrupt
we are grown. Were I to tell you of half the rogue-
ries come to my knowledge, you would be afto-
nished; and yet I dare fay I don't know of half
that are practifed in one little ſpot of ground only
you may eafily guefs where I mean,
I will make your compliments to lord Carteret,
when he comes to town. I am fure he will be pleafed
with your kind mention of him; and if you will
now and then let me hear from you, I fhall look on
the continuance of your correfpondence as a very
particular honour; for I affure you, that I am, with
the
[ 202 ]
the greatest truth and efteem, Sir, your most obe,
dient humble fervant,
WILLIAM PULTENEY.
LETTER CCCLXI.
Lord CASTLE DURROW to Dr. SwIFT,
SIR,
Caftledurrow, Jan. 11, 1136,
I RECEIVED the honour of your letter with
that pleaſure which they have always given me. If
I have deferred acknowledging longer than ufual, I
fhould not be at a lofs to make an excufe, if I could
be fo vain as to imagine you required any. Virtue
forbids us to continue in debt, and gratitude obliges
us at leaſt to own favours too large for us to pay;
therefore I must write rather than reproach myself,
and blush at having neglected it when I wait upon
you; though you may retort, blushes fhould pro-
ceed rather from the pen than from filence; which
pleads a modeft diffidence, that often obtains par-
don. I am delighted with the ſketch of your Impe-
rium, and beg I may be prefented to your first mi-
nifter, Sir Robert *. Your puddings I have been
acquainted with thefe forty years; they are the best
fweet puddings I ever eat. The oeconomy of your
table is delicious; a little, and perfectly good, is
the greatest treat; and that elegance in forting com-
$
C
* Sir Robert Walpole, afterwards earl of Orford.
pany
[203]
f
(
pany puts me in mind of Correlli's orcaftro†, in form-
ing which he excelled mankind. In this refpect no
man ever judged worfe than lord chancellor Middle-
ton; his table the neateſt ſerved of any I have ſeen
in Dublin, which to be fure was intirely owing to
his lady. You really furprize me, when you fay
you know not where to get a dinner in the whole
town. Dublin is famous for vanity this way; and
I think the miſtaken luxury of fome of our grandees,
and feaſting thoſe who come to laugh at us from the
other fide of the water, has done us as much pre-
judice as most of our follies. Not any lord lieute-
nant has done us more honour in magnificence than
our prefent viceroy*. He is an old intimate of my
youth, and has always diftinguiſhed me with affec-
tion and friendſhip. I truft mine are no leſs fincere
for him. I have joy in hearing his virtues celebrated,
I wish that he had gratified you in your requeſt.
Thofe he has done moft for, I dare affirm, love him
leaft. It is pity there is any allay in fo beneficent a
temper; but if a friend can be viewed with an im-
partial eye, faults he has none; and if any failings,
they are grafted in a pufillanimity, which finks him
into complaifance for men who neither love nor ef-
teem him, and has prevented him buoying up againſt
their impotent threats, in raifing his friends. He
is a moſt amiable man, has many good qualities,
$
+ 'His lordship probably uſes this word for orcheſire. Correlli,
the famous Italian mufician and compofer, being eminent for his
Aill in forming and difpofing the feveral muſicians in a concert."
The duke of Dorfit.
2
and
[204]
1
*
and wants but one more to make him really a great
man.
If you can have any commands to England for fo
infignificant a fellow as I am, pray prepare them
againſt the beginning of next month. At my arrival
in town, I ſhall ſend a meffage in form for audience:
but I beg to fee you in your private capacity, not
in your princely authority; for as both your mi-
niftry and fenate are full, and that I cannot hope to
be employed in either, I fear your revenue is too
fmall to grant me a penfion. And as I am not fit
for bufinefs, perhaps you will not allow me a fit
object for one, which charity only prompts you to
below. Thus, without any view of your highness's
favour, I am independent, and with fincere efteem,
your moſt obedient humble fervant,
Σ
ร
CASTLEDURROW,
LETTER CCCLXII.
Dr. SWIFT to Lady B
MADAM,
G
Jan. 29, 17367
IOWE your ladyship the acknowledgment of a
letter I have long received, relating to a requeſt I
made to my lord duke. 1 now diſmiſs you, madam,
for ever from your office of being a go-between upon
any affair I might have with his grace. I will never
more trouble him, either with my vifits or applica-
tion. Flis bufinefs in this kingdom is to make him-
felf eafy; his leffons are all preſcribed him from
court; and he is fure, at a very cheap rate, to
$
{
have
}
[ 205 ]
¢
have a majority of moft corrupt flaves and idiots at
his devotion. The happiness of this kingdom is of
no more confequence to him, than it would be to
the great Mogul; while the very few honeft or mo-
derate men of the Whig party, lament the choice he
makes of perfons for civil employments, or church
preferments.
F
I will now repeat, for the last time, that I never
made him a requeft out of any views of my own;-
but intirely after confulting his own honour, and
the defires of all good men, who were as loyal
as his grace could with, and had no other fault
than that of modeftly ftanding up for preferving -
fome poor remainder in the conftitution of church
and ſtate.
I had long experience, while I was in the world,
of the difficulties that great men lay under, in the
point of promifes and employments; but a plain
honest English farmer, when he invites his neigh-
bours to a christening, if a friend happen to come
late, will take care to lock up a ſcrap for him in the
cupboard.
Henceforth I fhall only grieve in filence, when I
hear of employments difpofed of to the difcontent
of his grace's best friends in this kingdom; and the
rather, becauſe I do not know a more agreeable
perfon in converfation, one more eafy, or of a better ¦
tafte, with a greater variety of knowledge, than the
duke of Dorfet.
}
I am extremely afflicted to hear that your lady-
hip's want of health hath driven you to the Bath;
the
I 206 ]
1
the fame caufe hath hindered me from fooner ac-
knowledging your letter. But, I am at a time of -
life to expect a great deal worfe; for I have neither
flesh nor fpirits left; while you, madam, I hope
and believe, will enjoy many happy years, in em-
ploying thofe virtues which heaven beftowed on
you for the delight of your friends, and the com-
fort of the diftreffed, and the univerfal eftcem of all
who are wife and virtuous.
I defire to prefent my most humble fervice to my
lady Suffolk, and your happy brother.
1
I am, with the trueft refpect, madam, your, &c.
LETTER CCCLXIII.
Dr. SWIFT to Mr. PULTEN E Y.
SIR,!
March 7, 1736.
I MUST begin by affuring you,' that I did never
intend to engage you in a fettled correfpondence
with ſo uſeleſs a man as I here am; and ftill more
fo, by the daily increaſe of ill health, and old age;
and yet I confefs, that the high efteem I preferve
for your public and private virtues urgeth me on
to retain fome little place in your memory, for that
time I may expect to live.
That I no fooner acknowledged the honour of
your letters is owing to your civility, which might
have compelled you to write, while you were en-
gaged in defending the liberties of your country,
with more than an old Ronian fpirit, which hath
reached
[ 207 ]
feached this obfcure and enflaved kingdom, fo far
as to have been the conftant fubject of difcourfe and
of praiſe among the whole few of what unprostituted
people here remain among us.
I did not receive the letter you mentioned from
Bath; and yet I have imagined, for fome months
paft, that the meddlers in the poft-offices here and
in London have grown weary of their curiofity; by
finding the little fatisfaction it gave them. I agree
heartily in your opinion of phyficians; I have eſ-
teemed many of them as learned ingenious men ;
but I never received the leaft benefit from their ad-
vice and prefcriptions. And poor Dr. Arbuthnot
was the only man of the faculty who ſeemed to un-
derftand my cafe; yet could not remedy it. But to
conquer five phyficians, all eminent in their way,
was a virtue that Alexander and Cæfar could never
pretend to. I defire that my prefcription of living
may be published (which you defign to follow) for
the benefit of mankind; which, however, I do not
value a ruſh, nor the animal itſelf, as it now acts ;
and neither will I ever value myſelf as a Philanthro-
pus, becauſe it is now a creature (taking a vaſt ma-
jority) that I hate more than a toad, a viper, a
wafp, a ftork, a fox, or any other that you will
pleaſe to add.
1
Since the date of your letter, we underſtand there
is another duke to govern here. Mr. Stopford was
with me laft night; he is as well provided for, and
to his own fatisfaction, as any private clergyman.
He engaged me to prefent his best refpects and ac-
knowledgments
}
[208]
1
-I
knowledgments to you. Your modefty, in refufing
to take a motto, goes too far. The fentence is not
a boaſt, becauſe it is every man's duty in morality
and religion *
Indeed we differ here from what you have been
told of the duke of Dorfet's having given great.
fatisfaction the laft time he was with us. I wrote
to a lady in London, his grace's near relation †,
that fhe would no more continue the office of a go-
between (as the called herfelf) betwixt the duke and
me, becauſe I never defigned to attend him again;
and yet I allow him to be as agreeable a perfon in
converfation as I have almoft any where met. I
fent my letter to that lady under a cover addreſſed
to the duke; and in it I made many complaints
againſt fome proceedings, which I fuppofe he hath
feen. I never made him one request for myfelf;
and if I fpoke for another, he was always upon his
guard; which was but twice, and for trifies.
'
J
The father of our friend in France I may outlive
the fon; fo I would venture a wager, that if you
pick out twenty of the oldeft men in England, nine-
teen of them have been the moft worthlefs fellows
in the kingdom. You tell me with great kindness
as well as gravity, that I ought, this fpring to inake
* Amicis prodeffe, nemini nocere, Fee Mr. Pultency's letter, dated
Dec. 21, 1736...
+ Fee his laſt letter to lady B----- G------, dated Jan. 29, 1736.
The friend in France appears to be lord viſcount Bolingbrokej
whofe father, Sir Henry St. John bart. had been created baron St.
John of Batterfea, and viſcount St. John, Jul. 2, $71.5.
:
a trip
[209]
2
á trip to England, and your motive is admirable, that
fhifting the fcene was of great fervice to you, and
therefore it may be ſo to me. I anfwer as an Aca-
demic, Nego confequentiam. And befides, compari-
fons are odious. You are what the French call plein
du vie. As you are much younger, fo I am a
dozen of years older than my age makes me, by in-
firmities of mind and body; to which I add the
perpetual deteftation of all public perfons and affairs
in both kingdoms. I fpread the ftory of Mrs. Mapp
while it was new to us: there was, fomething hu-.
morous in it throughout, that pleafed every body
here. Will you engage your friend Carteret to op-
poſe any ſtep towards arbitrary power? He hath
promifed me, under a penalty, that he will con-
tinue firm; and yet fome reports go here of him, that
have a little difconcerted me. Learning and good
fenfe he hath, to a great degree, if the love of riches
and power do not overbalance.
་
Pray God long continue the gifts he hath beſtowed
you, to be the chief fupport of liberty to your
country, and let all the people fay, Amen.
I am, with the trueft refpect, and higheft efteem,
Sir, your, &c.
LETTER CCCLXIV.
The Earl of O to Dr. SwiFT.
DEAR SIR,
Corke, March 15, 1736-7.
RECEIVED your commands, by Faulkner,
to write to you. But what can I fay? The ſcene of
VOL. III.
P
Corke
[210]
1
Corke is ever the fame; dull, infipid, and void of
all amuſement. His facred majefty was not under
greater difficulty to find out diverfions at Helvoet-
fluys, than I am here. The butchers are as greaſy,
the quakers as formal, and the prefbyterians as holy,.,
and full of the Lord as ufual: all things are in ftatu
quo; even the hogs and pigs gruntle in the fame
cadence as of yore. Unfurnished with variety, and
drooping under the natural dulnefs of the place,
materials for, a letter are as hard to be found, as
money, fenfe, honefty, or truth. But I will write on;
Ogilby, Blackmore, and my lord Grimstone have
done the fame before me.
*
I have not yet been upon the Change; but am
told, that you are the idol of the court of aldermen.
They have fent you your freedom. The moft learned-
having read a moft dreadful account, in Littleton's
dictionary, of Pandora's gold box, it was unani-
moufly agreed, not to venture fo valuable a prefent
in fo dangerous a metal. Had thefe fage counfel-
lors confidered, that Pandora was a woman, (which,
perhaps, Mr. Littleton forgets to mention) they
would have feen, that the enfuing evils aroſe from
the fex, and not from the ore. But I fhall ſpeak-
with more certainty of thefe affairs, when I have
taken my feat among the grey-beards.
My letters from England fpeak of great combuf-
tions there. Abfalom continues a rebel to royal-
David: the Achitophels of the age are numerous
* The author of a play called, Love in a Hollow Tree.
and.
J
[ 21 ]
and high-ſpirited.
The influence of the comet
feems to have ſtrange effects already. In the mean
time, here live we, drones of Corke, wrapped up
in our own filth, procul a Jove et procul a fulmine.
Heaven, and all good ftars, protect you! For let the
thunder burſt where it will, fo that you are ſafe, and
unfinged, who cares whether Perfia fubmits its
government to the renowned Kouli Khan, or that
beardless, unexperienced youth, the Sophi. At leaſt,
the vicar of Bray and I fhall certainly be contented.
LETTER CCCLXV.
The Earl of O
to Dr. SWIFT.
DEAR SIR;
Corke, March 18, 1736,
THIS is occafioned by a letter I have received
from Mr. Pope, of which I fend you a copy in my
own hand, not caring to trust the original to the
accidents of the poft. I likewiſe ſend you part of a
fifth volume of Curll's Thefts, in which you will
find two letters to you, (one from Mr. Pope, the other
from lord Bolingbroke) juft publifhed, with an impu-
dent preface, by Curll. You fee, Curl like his
friend the Devil, glides through all key-holes, and
thrufts himſelf into the most private cabinets.
I am much concerned to find that Mr. Pope is ftill
uneafy about his letters; but, I hope, a letter I have
fent him from Dublin (which he has not yet received)
* See the next letter,
P 2
ha
1
}
[212]
has removed all anxiety of that kind. In the laſt
difcourfe I had with you on this topic, you remem-
ber you told me, he ſhould have his letters; and I
loft no time in letting him know your refolution,
I have faid fo much on this ſubject, in the late
happy hours you allowed me to paſs with you at
the deanery, that there is little occafion for adding
more upon it at prefent; efpecially as you will find,
in Mr. Pope's letter to me, a ftrength of argument
that feems irrefiftible. As I have thoughts of going
to England in June, you may depend upon a fafe
carriage of any papers you think fit to fend
him. I ſhould think myſelf particularly fortunate,
to deliver to him thoſe letters he feems fo juftly de-
firous of. I intreat you, give me that pleasure! It
will be a happy reflection to me in the latest hours
of my life; which whether long or ſhort, fhall be
conftantly ſpent in endeavouring to do what may
be acceptable to the virtuous and the wife. I am,
dear Sir, your very faithful and obliged humble
fervant.
*
LETTER
CCCLXVI.
Mr. POPE to the Earl of O
MY LORD,
AFTER having condoled feveral times with you
on your own illness, and that of our friends, I now
claim fome ſhare myfelf; for I have been down with
a fever, which yet confines me to my chamber. Juft
before,
[213]
་་
before, I wrote a letter to the Dean, full of my
heart; and, among other things, preffed him (which,
I must acquaint your lordship, I had done twice
before, for near a twelvemonth paft) to fecure me
against that rafcal printer, by returning me my
letters, which (if he had valued fo much) I pro-
miſed to fend him copies of, merely, that the ori-
ginals might not fall into fuch ill hands, and there-
by a hundred particulars be at his mercy; which
would expofe me to the mifconftruction of many,
the malice of fome, and the cenfure, perhaps, of
the whole world. A fresh incident made me prefs
this again, which I inclofe to you, that you may
fhew him. The man's declaration, That he had theſe
two letters of the Dean's from your fide the water, with
feveral others yet lying by, (which I cannot doubt
the truth of, becauſe I never had a copy of either)
is furely a juft caufe for my requeft. Yet, the
Dean, anfwering every other point of my letter,
with the utmost expreffions of kindneſs, is filent upon
this; and, the third time filent; I begin to fear he
has already lent them out of his hands: and, in
whatever hands, while they are Irish hands, allow
me, my lord, to fay, they are in dangerous hands.
Weak admirers are as bad as malicious enemies,
and operate in theſe cafes alike, to an author's dif
paragement or uneafinefs. I think this I made the
Dean, fo juft a requeft, that I beg your lordship to
fecond it, by fhewing him what I wrote. I told him,
as foon as I found myfelf obliged to publish an
edition of letters, to my great forrow; that I wiſhed
>
P 3
to
+
1
[214]
to make uſe of fome of thefe: nor did I think any
part of my correfpondencies would do me a greater
honour, and be really a greater pleaſure to me, than
what might preſerve the memory how well we loved
one another. I find the Dean was not quite of the
fame opinion, or he would not, I think, have de-
nied this. I wifh fome of thoſe fort of people al-
ways about a great man in wit, as well as a great
man in power, have not an eye to fome little intereſt
in getting the whole of theſe into their poffeffion :
I will venture, however, to ſay, they would not add
more credit to the Dean's memory, by their mana-
nagement of them, than I by mine: and if, as I
have a great deal of affection for him, I have with
it ſome judgment, at leaſt, I prefume, my conduct
herein might be better confided in.
Indeed, this filence is fo remarkable, it furprifes
me: I hope in God it is not to be attributed to
what he complains of, a want of memory. I would
rather fuffer from any other caufe, than what would
be unhappy to him. My fincere love for this valuable,
indeed, incomparable man, will accompany him
through life, and purfue his memory, were I to
live a hundred lives, as many as his works will live :
which are abfolutely original, unequalled, unex-
ampled. His humanity, his charity, his condefcen-
fion, his candour, are equal to his wit; and require
as good and true a tafte to be equally valued. When
all this muft die, (this laft I mean) I would gladly
have been the recorder of fo a great a part of it, as
fhines in his letters to me, and of which my own
f
are
+
I
+
[ 215 ]
are but as fo many acknowledgments. But, per-
haps, before this reaches your hands, my cares may
be over; and Curll, and every body elfe, may fay
and lye of me as they will: the Dean, old as he is,
may have the taſk to defend me.
LETTER CCCLXVII.
Lord C-
SIR,
to Dr. SwIFT.
Arlington-Street, March 24, 1736.
I THIS day attended the cauſe you recommended
to me in your letter of the 3d of January: the de-
cree was affirmed moft unamioufly, the appeal ad-
judged frivolous, and 100%. coſts given to the refpon-
dent. Lord Bathurst attended likewife. The other
lords you mention, I am very little acquainted with;
ſo I cannot deliver your meffages, tho' I pity them
in being out of your favour. Since you mention
Greek, I must tell you, that my fon, not fixteen,
underſtands it better than I did at twenty, and I tell
him, ftudy Greek και ουδεν ουδέποτε ταπεινον ενθυ
μηθεση ούτε αγαν επιθυμήσεις τινος.
unduon
He knows
how to conftrue this, and I have the fatisfaction to
believe he will fall into the fentiment; and then, if
he makes no figure, he will yet be a happy man.
Your late lord lieutenant† told me fome time ago,
he thought he was not in your favour. I told him
I was of that opinion, and fhewed him the article of
+ The duke of Dorſet.
P 4
บ
your
A
}
:
"
[216]
your letter, relating to himfelf: I believe I did
wrong. Not that you care a farthing for princes or
minifters; but becauſe it was vanity in me, to pro-
duce your acknowledments to me for providing for
people of learning, fome of which I had the honour
to promote at your defire, for which I ſtill think my-
felf obliged to you. And I have not heard, that,
fince, they have difturbed the peace of the kindom,
or been Jacobites, in difgrace to you and me.
I défire you will make my fincere refpects accept-]
able to Dr. Delaney. He fent me potted woodcocks
in perfection, which lady Granville, my wife, and
children have eat tho' I have not yet anſwered his
letter. My lady Granville, reading your poftfcript,
bids me tell you, that ſhe will fend you a prefent';
and, if the knew what you liked, fhe would do it
forthwith. Let me know, and it fhall be done, that
the firft of the family may no longer be poftponed
by you to the third place. My wife and lady Worſe-
ley defire their refpects fhould be mentioned to you
rhetorically; but as I am a plain peer, I fhall fay
nothing, but that I am, for ever, Sir, your moſt
humble and obedient fervant,
1
When people aſk me, how I governed Ireland? Į
fay, that I pleaſed Dr. Swift:
Quæfitam meritis fume fuperbiam.
1
LETTER
ร
[217]
}
LETTER CCCLXVIII.
to Dr. SWIFT.
Lord B-
DEAR MR. DEAN,
Cirenceſter, O&. 5, 1737.
THAT I often think of you is moſt certain, but
if I ſhould write to you as often, you would think
me extremely troubleſome. I was alarmed fome
time ago with hearing you were indifpofed; but if
later accounts are to be depended upon, you are now
in perfect health. I fhould be heartily glad to have
that news confirmed to me by two lines under your
own hand: however, I write to you now under that
fuppofition, for which reaſon I have cut out a little
bufinefs for you,
That very pretty epiftle which you writ many years
ago to lord Oxford, is printed very incorrectly. I have
a copy (of which I fend you a tranfcript) which has
fome very good lines in it, that are not in the printed
copy; and, befides, if you will compare it with the
original, you will find you left off without going
through with the epiftle. The fable of the country
and city mouſe is as prettily told as any thing of
that kind ever was: poffibly if you look over your
papers, you may find that you finiſhed the whole; if
not, I enjoin you, as a task, to go through with it:
and, I beg of you, do not fuffer an imperfect copy to
ſtand, whilſt it is in your power to rectify it*. Adieu!
* On the back of the original letter, Dr. Swift hath obſerved
that, upon receiving it, he added twenty lines to the poem. It
s in imatation of the fixth fatire of the fecond book of Horace,
- K
+
and
A
I 218 ]
and do me the juſtice to believe me, moft faithfully,
and unalterably, yours.
LETTER CCCLXIX.
The Chevalier RAMSAY to Dr. SWIFT,
At Paris, Nov. 29, 1737.
REVEREND SIR,
I RECEIVED only fome weeks ago the works
you were pleaſed to fend me, and have perufed them
with a new pleaſure. I ftill find in them all the
marks of that original genius and univerfal benefi-
cence which compofe your character. I cannot fend
you, in return, any fuch valuable compofitions of
mine; but you will receive, by the firft fhips that
go for Ireland, my hiftory of the marefchall de Turenne,
the greateſt French hero that ever was. I fhall be
glad to know your opinion of the performance.
L
I am, with the greatest refpect, veneration, and
friendship, your most humble, and moft obedient
fervant,
The Chevalier RAMSAY.
If you have any commands for me in this country,
or for any of your friends, pray direct for me,
under a cover. A fon Alteffe Monfeigneur le
Compte d'Evreux, General de la Cavalliere a
Paris.
and it is printed, with the additional lines, in Pope's works, vol.
ei. Dr. Warburton's edition.
LET
[ 219 ]
LETTER CCCLXX..
Lord B-
to Dr. SWIFT.
Dec 6, 1737.
DEAR SIR,
I RECEIVED a letter from you at Cirencester,
full of life and fpirit, which gave me fingular fatis-
faction; but thofe complaints you make of the de-
plorable ftate of Ireland, made me reflect upon the
condition of England, and I am inclined to think it
is not much better; poffibly the only difference is,
that we ſhall be the laft devoured*. I have attended
parliament many years, and never found that I could
do any good; I have therefore entered upon a new
ſcheme of life, and am determined to look after my
own affairs a little, I am now in a fmall farm-houſe
in Derbyshire, and my chief bufinefs is to take care
that my agents do not impoſe upon my tenants. I.
am for letting them all good bargains, that my rents
may be paid as long as any rents can be paid; and
when the time comes that there is no money, they
are honeft fellows, and will bring me in what corn
and cattle I ſhall want. I want no foreign commodi-
ties; my neighbour the duke of Kington has im-
ported onef; but I don't think it worth the carriage.
I paffed through London in my way here, and every
body wondered I could leave them, they were ſo
full of fpeculations upon the great event that lately
* The pron ife of Polypheme to Ulyſſes.
ተ
Madame la Touche, a French lady.”
L
hap-
[220]
happened ; but I am of opinion fome time will be
neceffary to produce any confequences. Some con-
fequences will certainly follow; but time muft ripen
matters for them. I could fend you many fpecula-
tions of my own and others upon this fubject; but
it is too nice a fubject for me to handle in a poſt-let-
ter. It is not every body who ought to have liberty
to abufe their fuperiors: if a man has fo much wit
as to get the majority of mankind on his fide, he
is often fafe; or if he is known to have talents that
can make an abuſe ſtick clofe, he is ftill fafer. You
may fay, where is the occafion of abufing any body?
I never did in my life; but you have often told truth
of perfons, who would rather you had abuſed them in
the groffeft manner.
may fay in parliament, that we are impoverished
at home, and rendered contemptible abroad, becauſe
nobody will care to call upon me to prove it; but I do
not know whether Imay venture to put them in a letter,
at leaft in a letter to a difaffected perfon; fuch you
will be reputed as long as you live; after your
death, perhaps, you may ftand rectus in curia.
I met our friend Pope in town; he is as fure to be
there in a buſtle, as a porpus in a form. He told
me, that he would retire to Twickenham for a fort-
night; but I doubt it much. Since I found, by
your laft, that your hand and your head are both in
fo good a condition, let me hear from you fometimes.
And do not be difcouraged that I fend you nothing
232
The death of queen Caroline, on Sun lay evening Nov. 20,
+
worth
La
1
[ 221 ]
#
<
worth reading now: I have talked with no body,
for fome time paft, but farmers and plowmen; when
I come into good company again, I may poffibly
be lefs infipid; but in whatever condition I am, I
ſhall always be moft ambitious of your friendſhip,
and moſt defirous of your esteem, being moft faith-
fully and fincerely, dear Sir, your obedient humble
fervant.
4
I
LETTER CCCLXXI.
The Chevalier RAMSAY to Dr. SWIFT.
At Paris, Feb. 20, 1738,
SEND you here incloſed the bill of loading for
the ſmall box of books I wrote to you of fome time ago.
I fhall be glad to hear you received them, much
more to know if the perufal pleafed you. No man
having a higher idea of your talents, genius, and
capacity, than he, who is, with great refpect, reve.
rend Sir, your moft humble and most obedient fer-
A RAMSAY,
vant.
LETTER CCCLXXII.
Mr. POPE to Dr. SWIFT.
DEAREST SIR,
May 17, 1739.
}
EVERY time I fee your hand, it is the greateft
fatisfaction that any writing can give me; and I am,
in
[ 222 1
E
=
in proportion, grieved to find, that feveral of my let-
ters to teftify it to you, mifcarry; and you aſk me
the fame questions again, which I prolixly have an-
fwered before. Your laft, which was delivered me
by Mr. Swift, enquires where and how is lord Bo-
linbroke? who, in a paragraph in my laft, under his
own hand, gave you an account of himſelf; and İ
employed almoſt a whole leṛter on his affairs after-
wards. He has fold Dawley for twenty-fix thouſand
pounds, much to his own fatisfaction. His plan of
life is now a very agreeable one, in the fineſt coun-
try of France, divided between ftudy and exerciſe ;
for he ftill reads or writes five or fix hours a day,
and hunts generally twice a week. He has the whole
foreft of Fontainbleau at his command, with the king's
ftables and dogs, c. his lady's fon-in-law being
governor of that place. She refides moft part of the
year with my lord, at a large houſe they have hired
and the reft with her daughter, who is abbefs of a
royal convent in the neighbourhood. I never faw
him in ftronger health, or in better humour with
his friends, or more indifferent and difpaffiorate
as to his enemies. He is feriously fet upon writing
fome parts of the hiftory of his times, which he has
begun by a noble introduction, prefenting a view of
the whole ftate of Europe, from the Pyrenean treaty.
He has hence deduced a fummary ſketch of the natural
and incidental interefts of each kingdom, and how they
have varied from, or approached to, the true politics
of each, in the feveral adminiftrations to this time.
The hiftory itſelf will be particular only on fuch
facts
[223]
{
facts and ancedotes as he perfonally knew, or pro-
duces vouchers for, both from home and abroad.
This puts into my mind to tell you a fear he ex-
preffed lately to me, that fome facts in your history
of the queen's laft years (which he read here with
me in 1727) are not exactly ſtated, and that he may
be obliged to vary from them, in relation, I'believe,
to the conduct of the earl of Oxford, of which great
care furely ſhould be taken, And he told me, that
when he ſaw you in 1727, he made you obferve them,
and that you promifed to take that care.
We very often commemorated you, during the
five months we lived together at Twickenham. At
which place could I fee you again, as I may hope
to fee him, I would envy no country in the world
and think not Dublin only, but France and Italy not
worth the viſiting once in my life.
The mention of travelling introduces your old ac-
quaintance Mr. Jervas, who went to Rome and Naples
purely in fearch of health. An afthma has reduced
his body, but his fpirit retains all its vigour;
and he is returned, declaring life itſelf not worth a
day's journey, at the expence of parting from one's
friends.
Mr. Lewis every day remembers you. I lie at his
houfe in town. Dr. Arbuthnot's daughter does not
degenerate from the humour and goodneſs of her fa-
ther. I love her much. She is like Gay, very idle,
very ingenious, and inflexibly honeft. Mrs. Patty
Blount is one of the moft confiderate and mindful
women in the world towards others, the leaft fo with
regard
+
اگے
[224]
regard to herself. She fpeaks of you conftantly. I
fçarce know two more women worth naming to you;
the reft are ladies, run after mufic, and play at
cards.
I
I always make your compliments to lord Oxford
and lord Meſham, when I fee them. I fee John Bar
ber ſeldom; but always find him proud of fome let-.
ter from vou. I did my best with him in behalf of
one of your friends, and fpoke to Mr. Lyttelton for
the other; who was more prompt to catch then I
to give fire, and flew to the prince that inftant, who
was as pleafed to pleaſe you.
You aſk me how I am at court? I keep my
old walk, and deviate from it to no court.
The *
prince fhews me a diſtinction beyond any merit or
pretence on my part; and I have received a prefent
from him of fome marble heads of poets for my li-
brary, and fome urns for my garden. The minifte-
rial writers rail at me; yet I have no quarrel with
their mafters, nor think it of weight enough to com-
plain of them, I am very well with all the cour-
tiers 1 ever was or would be acquainted with. At
leaft they are civil to me; which is all I aſk from
courtiers, and all`a wife man will expect from them.
The duchess of Marlborough makes great court to
but I am too old for her, mind and body; yet
I cultivate fome young peoples friendship, becauſe
they may be honeft men whereas the old ones ex-
perience too often proves not to be fo. I having
dropped ten where 1 have taken up one, and hope to
me;
* His late royal highneſs Frederick prince of Wales.
play
[ 225 I
*
play the better with fewer in my hand.
There is a
lord Cornbury, a lord Polwarth †, a Mr. Murray ‡,
and one or two more, with whom I would never
fear to hold out against all the corruption of the
world.
You compliment me in vain upon retaining my po-
etical fpirit; I am finking faft into profe; and if I
ever write more, it ought (at thefe years, and in
theſe times) to be fomething, the matter of which
will give value to the work, not merely the manner.
Since my proteft (for fo I call the Dialogue of 1738)
I have written but ten lines, which I will fend you.
They are an infertion for the next new edition of
the Dunciad, which generally is reprinted once in
two years. In the fecond Canto, among the au-
thors who dive in Fleet-ditch, immediately after Ar
wall, verfe 300, add theſe :
Next plung'd a feeble, but a defp'rate pack,
With each a fickly brother at his back *;
Sons of a day! juft buoyant on the flood,
Then number'd with the puppies in the mud.
Afk ye their names? I could as foon diſcloſe
The names of thefe blind puppies as of thoſe.
Faft by, like Niobe, her children gone,
Sits mother Oborne, ftupefied to ſtone;
+
← Now carl of Marchmont?
The prefent lord chief justice.
* They print one at the back of the other to fend into the
country. Mr. Pope's MS. Note,
• Thefe were daily papers, a
number of which, to leffen the expence were printed one on the
back of another. Dunciad, Dr. Warb, edit.*
VOL III.
And
{
}
$
ཝཱ
[226]
: And needful Paxton tells the world with tears,
Thefe are, ah! no; thefe were my Gazetteers.
Having nothing more to tell you of my poetry,
I come to what is now my chief care, my health and
amufement. The firft is better as to head achs.
worfe as to weakneſs and nerves. The changes of
weather affect me much, otherwiſe I want not fpirits,
except when indigeftions prevail. The mornings
are my life; in the evenings I am not dead indeed,
but fleep, and am ftupid enough. I love reading ftill,
better than converfation; but my eyes fail, and at the
hours when most people indulge in company, I am tired,
and find the labour of the past day fufficient to weigh
me down. So I hide myſelf in bed, as a bird in his
nêft, much about the fame time, and rife and chirp
the earlier the next morning. I often vary the ſcene
(indeed at every friends call) 'from London to Twick-
enbam; or the contrary, to receive them, or be re-
ceived by them. Lord Bathurst is ftill my conftant
friend and yours; but his country feat is now al-
ways in Gloucestershire, not in this neighbourhood.
Mr. Pulteney has no country feat, and in town I fee
him feldom, but he always afks of you. In the
fummer I generally ramble for a month to lord Cob-
ham's, the Bath, or elſewhere. In all thofe rambles
my mind, is full of the images of you and poor Gay,
༔
A folicitor, who procured and paid thefe writers. Mr.
Pope's MS. Note. The line is now changed;
ì
And monumental brafs this record bears;
Thefe arc, ..
*
f
ť
with
1
[ 227 ]
>
with whom I travelled fo delightfully two fummers.
Why cannot I cross the fea? The unhappiest malady
I have to complain of; the unhappieſt accident of
my whole life, is that weakneſs of the breaft, which,
makes the phyficians of opinion that a ftrong vomit
would kill me. I have never taken one, nor had a
natural motion that way in fifteen years. I went,
fome years ago, with lord Peterborow about ten
leagues at fea, purely to try if I could fail without
fea-ficknefs, and with no other view than to make
yourſelf and lord Bolingbroke a vifit before I died.
But the experiment, though almost all the way
hear the coaft, had almoſt ended all my views at
once: Well then, I muft fubmit to live at the di-
ftance which fortune has fet us at; but my memory,
my affection, my efteem are infeparable from you,
and will, my dear friend, be for ever yours.
i
.P. S. This Ì end at lörd Orrery's, in company with
Dr. King. Wherever I can find two or three
that are yours, I adhere to them naturally, and
by that title they become mine. I thank you
for fending Mr. Swift to me; he can tell you
more of me.
London, May 19,
(A Second Poftfcript. )
One of my new friends, Mr. Lyttelton, was to the
laft degree glad to have any requeſt from you to
make to his mafter. The moment 1 fhewed
him yours concerning Mr. M'Aulay, he went to
Q2
him,
[ 228 ]
1
him, and it was granted*. He is extremely obliged
for the promotion of Lamb +. I will make you no
particular fpeeches from him; but you and he have a
mutual right to each other, Sint tales animæ concordes.
He loves you, though he fees you not, as all poſterity
will love you, who will not fee you, but reverence
and admire you 1.
LETTER CCCLXXIII.
GEORGE LYTTLETON Efq; to Dr. SWIFT.
SIR,
Worceſterſhire, Aug. 4, 1739.
I HAVE juſt heard from town, that Mr. Faulkner,
your bookfeller at Dublin, has, by your order, fent
me over your works. When I defired Mr. Swift
to procure them for me, I did not expect the addi-
tional pleaſure of owing them to your own kind-
nefs in fo obliging a way. I will place them in
my ſtudy next to Mr. Pope's, which he too gave me
himſelf; and can truly affure you, that, excepting
* Mr Alexander M'Aulay was foliciting for a feat in parlia-
ment, as one of the reprefentatives of the univerfity of Dublin:
Mr. Lyttleton was then principal fecretary to his late royal high-
nefs Frederik prince of Wales, who, as chancellor of it, was
thought by Dr. Swift to be the moſt proper perſon to nominate.
† Dr. Swift had made Mr. William Lamb one of the vicars-
choral of his cathedral upon Mr. Lyttelton's recommendation.
The lever to which this poffeript and the next letter relate,.
is in the volumes published by Mr. Deane Swift. It is dated by
the editor "May 19, 1739, at a conjecture."
tha
[ 229 ]
1
that prefent, I never received one which value
fo much.
I am forry his royal highness's recommendation
has been of fo little ufe to your friend; and think,
indeed, that the univerfity owed more refpect to
their chancellor, though he had not been prince of
Wales, than they have thought proper to fhew. I
made his royal highneſs your compliments, which he
accepted with much fatisfaction. I hope and be-
lieve he will make good the expectations he has
raiſed among thofe, who are equally friends to him
and their country. He is pleafed to reckon you in
that number, and defires to preſerve and increaſe
your good opinion. I thank you for the promife
you give me, not to forget me, and beg you to re-
member me as one fincerely defirous to merit the
continuance of your friendship, by all the fervices
in the power of,
Sir, your moſt obliged and moft obedient fervant,
G. LYTTLETON.
LETTER CCCLXXIV.
Lord CASTLEDURROW to Dr. SWIFT.
SIR,
Dublin, Feb. 2, 1739.
SINCE I am forbidden your prefence, I think I
ſhould be more explicit in my reafon of thanks to
your for Dr. Delaney's obliging prefent, than 1 can-
be in a verbal, crude, ill-delivered meffage by a fer-
vant. As I am not acquainted with the Doctor, I
{..
Q3
at
1
a
1
སྐ
[ 230 ]
at firſt imagined boundleſs generofity diſtributed his
book amongſt the lords, and that it was fent me, as
a member, though an unworthy one, of that auguft
body. I foon found myſelf miftaken; and as all
preſents are enhanced in value proportionable to
their manner of diſtribution, I thought it incumbent
on me to thank him by letter, for having fo oblig-
ingly diftinguiſhed me. He has honoured me with
an anſwer to it, which highly elates me; for weak
minds are eaſily made vain; but whofe would not
be fo, on the compliment he makes me, on having
read fome of my letters to you? They were wrote.
(as most of mine are) in the wantonness of fancy,
without aiming at pomp of expreffion, or drefs of
words, lucky methods of gilding nonefenfe; yet,
that he should approve, I will not wonder when I
confider the benignity of your friendship. Oh! is
it not fometimes too ftrong a bias even for your
judgment, that prompted you to think them worth
his perufal? What am I now to do? I ought not to
be filent; yet muft I rifque depreciating a favou-
rable opinion he has conceived of me, by making
myfelf farther known to him? Why, in prudence,
no; in civility, yes. Under this dilemma give me
your advice, as you are the origin of this favour.
Or will you yield to what I fuggeft may not be im-
? Take me under your protection (as foon as
proper
the weather will permit) in a warm hackney coach,
which I fhall take care to provide, Let us jumble
together to his little paradife, which I long much to
fee, as well as to pay my debt due to his benevolence.
*
1
I am
[ 231 ]
1
I am already alarmed with your excufe of deaf-
nefs and dizzineſs. Yielding to fuch a complaint
always ftrengthens it; exerting againſt it generally
leffens it. Do not immerge in the fole enjoyment
of yourſelf. Is not a friend the medicine of life?
I am fure it is the comfort of it. And I hope you
ftill admit fuch companions as are capable of admi-
niftering it. In that number I know I am unworthy
of rank: however, my beſt wiſhes ſhall attend you.
I have incloſed ſome verſes. The Latin I believe
will pleaſe you; one of the tranflations may have
the fame fortune, the other cannot. The verfes
written in the lady's book is, A lamentable Hymn to
Death, from a lover, afcribed to his miftrefs. I have
made the author of it vain (who I am fure had never
read Pope's Heloife to Abelard) in telling him his fix
laft lines feem a parody on fix of Pepe's. They are
on the other fide, that you may not be at a lofs.
Then too, when fate fhall thy fair frame deftroy,
That caufe of all my guilt, and all my joy;
In trance extatic may thy pangs be drown'd,
Bright clouds defcend, and angels watch thee round;
From op'ning fkies may ftreaming glories fhine,
And faints embrace thee, with a love like mine.
I think the whole letter the moft paffionate I ever
read, except Heloife's own, on the ſubject of love.
I am equally ftruck with Cadenus to Vaneſſa. I have
often foothed my love with both, when I have been
in a fit.
Q4
+
I will
1
1
}
si
[232]
I will conclude with the above wiſh, and the affur-
ing you I am, with great fiacerity, as well as efteeem,
Sir, your most faithful, affectionate humble fervant,
CASTLEDURROW.
My boy fends you his refpects, and would fain
pay them in perſon to you.
1
LETTER CCCLXXV.
WILLIAM PULTENEY, Efq; to Dr. SWIFT.
SIR,
London, June 3, 1740.
I HAD, fome time ago, a letter from Mr. Stopford,
who told me, that you enjoyed a better ſtate of
health last year than you had done for fomé years
paft. No one wishes you more fincerely than I do
the continuance of it. And fince the gout has been
your phyfic, I heartily hope you may have one good
fit regularly every year, and all the reft of it perfect
health and fpirits.
it
I am perfuaded you will do me the juftice to be-
lieve, that if I have not wrote to you for fome time, it
has proceeded from an unwillingness alone of engaging
you in a very ufelefs correfpondence, and not from
'any want of real regard and true efteem. Mr. Pope can
be my witneſs how conftantly I enquire after you;
and how pleaſed and happy I am, when he tells me;
that you have the goodness frequently to mention
me in your letter to him.
J
I fear
I 233 ]
I fear you have but little defire to come among
us again. England has few things inviting in it at
prefent. Three camps, near forty thouſand troops,
and fixteen kings*, and moft of them fuch as are
really fit to be kings in any part of the world. Four
millions of money have been raiſed on the people
this year, and in all probability nothing will be
done. I have not the leaft notion, that even our
expedition under lord Cathcart † is intended to be
fent any where; and yet every minifter we have
(except Sir Robert) very gravely affirms it will go;
nay, I am afraid, believes it too. But our fitua-
tion is very extraordinary; Sir Robert will have an
army, will not have a war, and cannot have a peace;
that is, the people are fo averfe to it, that he dares
not make one. But in one year more, when by the
influence of this army and our money he has got
a new parliament to his liking; then he will make
peace, and get it approved too, be it as it will. After
which I am afraid we ſhall all grow tired of ſtrug-
gling any longer, and give up the game.
But I will trouble you with no more politics;
and if I can hear from you in two lines that you
are well, I promiſe you not to reply to it too foon.
You muſt give me leave to add to my letter, a copy
of verſes at the end of a declamation made by a boy
at Westminster-fchool on this theme,
* Sixteen lords of the regency, the king being abroad.
Against Carthagena. It went, and mifcarried.
Ridentem
1
}
[ 234 1.
Ridentem dicere verum
Quid vetat.
1
Dulce, Decane, decus, Flos optime Gentis Hiberna
Nomine quique audis, Ingenioque Celer;
Dum lepido indulges Rifu, et mutaris in Horas,
Quò nova vis Animi, Materiefque rapit;
Nunc gravis Aftrologus, Calo dominaris Aftris,
Filaque pro libitu Partrigiana fecas.
Nunc Populo fpeciofa Hofpes miracula promis,
Genteſque Æquoreas, aeriafq; creas.
Seu plaufum captat queruli Perfona Draperi,
Scu levis a vacuo Fabula fumpta cado.
Mores egregius mira exprimis Arte Magifter,
Et vitam atque Homines Pagina quæque ſapit,
Socratica minor eft vis, & Sapientia Charta,
Nec tantum potuit grande Platonis Opus.
{
Mrs. Pulteney knowing that I am writing to you,
charges me to prefent her ſervices, when I affure
you that I am moft faithfully and fincerely
Your obedient humble fervant,
W. PULTENEY
LETTER CCCLXXVI,
1
The Earl of O
to Dr. SWIFT,
DEAR SIR,
Caledon, Dec. 17, 1740.
GREAT men like you must expect numberless
petitions, which, like Jupiter, you put to various
ufes
+
[ 235 ]
1
}
ufes; but wonder not, when there is a place vacant
in your family, that every body is ftriving for the
poft. I mean your cathedral family; for we are told
there is a vacancy in the chair. I am defired to
recommend to you one* James Colgan, aged 25.
His voice excellent, his behaviour good, his perfon
indifferent, his recommendation to me irrefiftable.
I beseech you let Faulkner give me an anſwer; for
neither he nor I, nor the choir of lords, doctors,
commons, &c. are worth your while to give
yourſelf one moment's uneafinefs about, if you are
not well, and I am more than afraid you are not;
only I must be enabled to fay, I have mentioned him
to you. My frozen fingers will only ferve me to
preſent lady O's moſt humble fervice to you,
and the beſt wiſhes, prayers, and acknowledgments
of all this family. I am, dear Sir, your ever ob-
liged and obedient humble fervant.
* One of the vicars-choral of Chrift-Church and St. Patrick's ca
thedrals, remarkable for his fine manner of finging.
*
APPEN
1
I
}
APPENDI X.
$
EXTRACT from Lord BOLINGBROKE's
WILL, in which his Writings are bequeathed
to Mr. MALLET*.
AND whereas I am the Author of the ſeveral
Books or Tracts following.
Remarks on the Hiftory of England, from the Minutes
of Humphrey Oldcastle. In twenty-four letters.
A Differtation upon Parties. In nineteen letters to
Caleb D'Anvers, Efq;
The Occafional Writer. Number 1, 2, 3.
The Vifion of Camilik..
An Anfwer to the London Journal of December 21,
1728, by John Trot.
An Answer to the Defence of the Enquiry into the
Reafons of the Conduct of Great Britain.
A final Answer to the Remarks on the Craftsman's
Vindication.
All which Books or Tracts have been printed and
publiſhed; and I am alſo the author of
* The reafons for inferting this extract, and the two letters that
immediately follow, may be feen in the note annexed to lord
Bolingbroke's letter, dated Sept. 12, 1724, in this collection.
Four
&
[ 237 1
Four Letters on Hiftory, &c.
Which have been privately printed, and not pub-
liſhed; but I have not affigned to any perſon or per-
fons whatſoever the copy, or liberty of printing or
reprinting any of the faid books, or tracts, or letters.
Now I do hereby, as far as by law I can, give and
affign to David Mallet, of Putney, in the county of
Surrey, Efquire, the copy and copies of all and each
of the before-mentioned books or tracts, or letters,
and the liberty of reprinting the fame. I alſo give
to the faid David Mallet, the copy and copies of all
the manufcript books, papers, and writings, which
I have written or compofed, or fhall write or com-
pofe, and leave at the time of my deceaſe. And I
further give to the faid David Mallet all my books,
which, at the time of my deceaſe, fhall be in the
soom called my library.
ל
LETTER CCCLXXVII.
Lord HYDE to DAVID MALLET, Efq;
Paris, March 7, N. S. 1752.
I LEARN from England, Sir, that lord Bolingbroke
has left his manuſcripts to you *. His friends muſt
His lordship died Dec. 15, 1751. Lord Hyde having heard
at Paris of lord Bolingbroke's legacy of all his writings, printed
and manufcript, to Mr. Mallet, wrote from thence the above
letter, the original of which was fent by the widow Mallet, with
the manufcript of lord Bolingbroke's philofophical works to the
British Muſeum, in order to juftify her huſband's integrity in the
edition of them,"
fee
{
1
す
​¿
[ 238 1
fee with fatisfaction thofe title-deeds of his reputa
tion in the hands of the author of the life of the great
lord Bacon; and you will have had the diftinguiſhed
honour of having been guardian to the fame of
two of the greateſt geniufes which our country, and
perhaps humanity, has produced; but with greater
honour to you in this laſt inftance, becauſe you are
fuch by the defignation, and choice of the author
himfelf.
What works of his you may have for the public,
know not. That, for which I was folicitous, becauſe I
believe it would be most inftructive to the world, and
might be most for his honour, he told me himſelf
he had laid afide; I mean the hiftory of the great
tranfactions of Europe, from the time when he began
to confider and know them. There remains of that,
I believe, no more than a fummary review, which I
had the good fortune fome time ago to draw from
him, upon an application which I made to him tò
direct me in the ſtudy of hiftory. You will probably
have feen that fummary review, which is in a col-
lection of letters upon hiftory, which he did me
the honour to write me. It is but a ſketch of the
work he had propofed to himself; but it is the
fketch of lord Bolingbroke. He will probably have.
told you, that thofe letters were by his direction
delivered up by me to Mr. Pope, who burnt, as he
told me, the manufcripts, and printed off by a pri-
vate prefs fome very few copies, which were to be
conſidered ſtill as manufcripts, one of which Mr.
Pope kept, and fent another to lord Bolingbroke.
Sir
1
*
A
[239]
Sir William Wyndham, lord Bathurst, lord Marchmont j
Mr. Murray, and Mr. Lyttelton, I think, had each
one. I do not remember to have been told of any
copies given, except to myſelf, who have always
preferved mine, as I would a MS. which was not
my own, obferving not only the reftrictions which
lord Bolingbroke himſelf had recommended to me, but
fecuring likewife, as far as I could, even in caſe of
my death, that this work ſhould never become public
from that copy, which is in my poffeffion. I inlarge
upon this, becauſe I think myſelf particularly oblig-
ed, out of regard to lord Bolingbroke, to give this
account of that work to the perſon whom he has in-
trufted with all his writings, in cafe you might not
have known this particularity. And at the fame
time I think it my duty, to the memory of lord Bo-
lingbroke, to myſelf, and to the world too, to fay
fomething more to you in relation of this work.
It is a work, Sir, which will inftru&t mankind,
and do honour to its author; and yet I will take
upon me to ſay, that for the fake of both, you muſt
publish it with caution.
The greateſt men have their faults, and fometimes
the greateſt faults; but the faults of fuperior minds
are the leaft indifferent both to themſelves and to fo-
ciety. Humanity is intereſted in the fame of thoſe
who excelled in it; but it is interested before all in
the good of fociety, and in the peace of the minds
of the individuals that compofe it. Lord Bolingbroke's
mind embraced all objects, and looked far into all ;
but not without a ftrong mixture of paffions, which
will
1
[240 1
will always neceffarily beget fome prejudices, and
And on the fubject of Religion parti-
follow more.
cularly (whatever was the motive that inflamed his
paffions upon that fubject chiefly) his paffions were
the most strong; and I will venture to ſay (when
called upon, as I think, to fay what I have faid
more than once to himfelf, with the deference due
to his age and extraordinary talents), his paffions
upon that ſubject did prevent his otherwiſe ſuperior
reafon from feeing, that even in a political light only
he hurt himſelf, and wounded fociety, by ftriking
at eſtabliſhments, upon which the conduct at leaſt
of fociety depends, and by ftriving to overturn in
mens minds the fyftems which experience at leaſt has
juftified, and which authority at leaft has rendered
respectable, as neceffary to public order and to pri-
vate peace, without ſuggeſting to their minds a bet-
ter, or indeed any ſyſtem.
You will find, Sir, what I fay to be true in a part
of the work I mentioned, where he digreffes upon
the criticiſm of church hiftory.
While this work remained in the hands only of
thofe I have mentioned (except as I have been telling
you, to himſelf and to them in private converfation)
I have otherwife been filent upon that fubject; but
I muſt now fay to you, Sir, that for the world's fake,
and for his, that part of the work ought by no means
to be communicated further. And you fee that it is a
digreffion not neceffary to that work. If this digreffion
ſhould be made public, it will be cenfured, it muſt
be cenfured, it ought to be cenfured. It will be cri-
ticifed
}
!
[241]
}
ticifed too by able pens, whofe erudition, as well
as their reaſonings, will not be easily answered. In
fuch a cafe, I fhall owe to myfelf and to the world
to difclaim publicly that part of a work, which he
did me the honour to addrefs to me; but I owe to
the regard which he has ſometimes expreffed for me;
to diſclaim it rather privately to you; Sir, who are
intrufted with his writings, and to recommend to
you to ſuppreſs that part of the work, as a good ci-
tizen of the world, for the world's peace, as one in-
truſted and obliged by lord Bolingbroke, not to raiſe
new ſtorms to his memory.
1
I am, Sir, your very humble fervant,
LETTER CCCLXXVIII.
HYDE,
DAVID MALLET, Efq; to Lord HYDE.
MY LORD,
I RECEIVED a very real pleaſure, and at the
fame time a fenfible concern, from the letter your
fordſhip has honoured me with. Nothing could be
more agreeable to me than the favourable opinion of
one, whom I have long admired for every quality
that enters into an eſtimable and an amiable character;
but then nothing can occafion me more uneafinefs
than not to be able to fupprefs that part of a work
which you would have kept from public view.
The book was printed off before your lordship's
letter reached my hands; but this confideration alone
would have appeared trifling to me. I apprehend,
VOL. III.
R
that
1
Í 242 ]
that I cannot, without being unfaithful to the truft
repoſed in me, omit or alter any thing in thoſe works,
which my lord Bolingbroke had deliberately prepared
for the prefs, and I will publish no other. As to
this in particular, his repeated commands to me were,
that it ſhould be printed exactly according to the copy
he himſelf, in all the leiſure of retirement, had cor-
rected with that view.
Upon the whole, if your lordships fhould think
it neceſſary to diſclaim the reflections on Sacred Hi-
ftory, by which I prefume is meant fome public and
authentic declaration, that your notions on this
head differ intirely from thoſe of your noble friend
even in this cafe I am fure you will do it with all
the delicacy natural to your own difpofition, and with
all the tenderneſs to his memory, that the particular
regard he always bore you can deferve. I am, with
the greateſt refpect,
My Lord, &c.
LETTER CCCLXXIX.
Dr. SWIFT, to WILLIAM PULTENEY*, Efq;
SIR,
Dublin, March 8, 1734-
MR.
R. Stopford, going to England upon fome parti-
cular affair, I gladly complied with his defire, that
I should do myſelf the honour of writing to you,
becauſe, as ufelefs as I am, and although I fhall ne-
ver have the happineſs to fee you, yet my ambition
*This letter, and the next, were communicated to the editor
by general Pulteney. ·
Í 243 1
to have ſome ſmall place in your memory, will live
as long as myſelf.
*
I will do an unmannerly thing, which is, to be-
queath you an epitaph for forty years hence in two
words, Ultimus Britannorum. You never forfook
your party. You might often have been as great
as the court can make any man fo; but you prefer-
ved your ſpirit of liberty, when your former col-
legues had utterly facrificed theirs; and, if it fhall
ever begin to breathe in theſe days, it muſt intirely
be owing to yourſelf and one or two friends. But
it is altogether impoffible for any nation to preſerve
its liberty under a tenth part of the prefent luxury,
infidelity, and a million of corruptions. We fee
the Gothic fyftem of limited monarchy is extinguifhed
in all the nations of Europe. It is utterly extirpated in
this wretched kingdom, and yours must be the next.
Such hath ever been human nature, that a fingle
man, without any fuperior advantages either of body
or mind, but ufually the direct contrary, is able to
attack twenty millions, and drag them voluntary at
at his chariot wheels. But no more of this. I am
as fick of the world as I am of age and diſeaſe, the
laſt of which I am never wholly without. I live in
a nation of ſlaves, who fell themfelves for nothing.
My revenues, though half funk, are fufficient to
fupport me in fome decency. And I have a few
friends of great worth, who, when I vifit them, or they
me, agree together in diſcover [diſcovering] our utter.de-
teſtation of all proceeding both here and there. Hæc
eſt vita folutorum mifera ambitione gravique. I am under-
R 2
the
[ 244 ]
}
+
L
the difpleaſure of the court for fixing up a true whig
epitaph in my cathedral over the burying-place of old
Schomberg, and for fome other things of equal deme-
rit or difaffection, wherewith I am charged; perhaps
alſo for fome verfes laid to my charge, and publiſhed
without my knowledge or confent, wherein you and
another perfon are underſtood to be meant by initial
letters.
>
+
A
I defire your pardon for the trouble I gave in re-
commending a gentleman to your protection, who
hath an appeal before the houſe of lords, wherein I
was prevailed on by an eminent perfon in the law,
who by a miracle was raiſed to the bench in theſe
very time, although he be a man of virtue and learn-
ing in a great degree. Dear Sir, you have nothing
to defire in this world but good health, good times,
the profperity of your family (wherein you have my
conftant prayers) and deferving friends. I have of-
ten faid, that I never knew a more eafy man to live
with than yourfelf; and if you had only a poor forty
thousand pounds a year, I would command you to
fettle one thouſand of it on me to live in your next
neighbourhood; but as for our friends at Twicken-
ham and Dawley, I have told them plainly that they
are both too ſpeculative and temperate for me to ac-
cept their invitation, and infinitely too philofophical.
The bearer, Mr Stopford, hath fuch infinite obliga-
tions to you for your favours to him, and is in all
refpects fo very deferving a gentleman, that I am
fure you never repented the good office you have
done him it [at] my recommendation. But he only
attends
[245]
attends you on perfect gratitude: for he knows
very well you are what
you are what is now called a difaffected
perfon. You are in the modern fenfe a friend to po-
pery, arbitrary power, and the pretender; and
therefore he has juſt politics enough not to trouble
you with helping him by the hand to better prefer-
ment; and I pray God, while things continue as they
are, that it may never be in- your power to make a
curate or an exciſeman.
You will hear, perhaps, that one Faulkner hath
printed four volumes, which are called my works;
he hath only prefixed the first letters of my name;
it was done utterly againſt my will; for there is no
property in printers or bookfellers here, and I was
not able to hinder it. I did imagine, that, after my
death, the feveral London bookfellers would agree
among themſelves to print what each of them had
by common confent; but the man here hath
prevent-
ed it, much to my vexation, for I would as willingly
have it done even in Scotland. All this has vexed
me not a little, as done in ſo obſcure a place. I have
never yet looked into them, nor I believe ever ſhall.
You will find Mr. Stopford the fame modeft, virtuous,
learned man that you laſt ſaw him; but with a few
more years, and a great deal more fleſh, befide the
bleffing of a wife and children. I defire to prefent my
humble fervice to your. I pray God bleſs and affift you
in your glorious endeavours for the prefervation of
your country, and remain with the trueft reſpect,
Sir, your moſt obedient and obliged humble fervant,
JONATH, SWIFT.
R 3
You
{ 246 ]
T
1
You will fee, by the many blunders in words, fyl
lables, and letters, what a condition my giddy
head is in.
LETTER CCCLXXX.
Ꮒ
Dr. SWIFT to WILLIAM PULTENEY. Éfq;
Dublin May 12, 1735,
SIR,
MR. Stopford landed yeſterday, and ſent me the
letter which you were pleaſed to honour me with. I
have not yet feen him; for he called when I was not
at home. The reafon why I ventured to recommend
- him to your protection, was your being his old pa-
tron, to whom he is obliged for all the preferment
he got in the church. He is one of the most defer-
ving gentlemen in the country, and hath a tolerable.
proviſion, much more than perfons of ſo much me-
rit can in theſe times pretend to, in either kingdom.
I love the duke of Dorfet very well, having known
him from his youth, and he hath treated me, with
great civility fince he came into this government. It
is true, his original principles, as well as his inftruc-
tions from your fide the water, make him at the
ufual part in managing this nation, for which he
must be excufed: yet I wish he would a little more
confider, that people here might have fome fmall
share in employments civil and ecclefiaftic, wherein
my lord Carteret acted a more popular part. The
folks here, whom they call a parliament, will imi-
tatę
'
[ 247 I
2
tate yours in every thing, after the fame manner as
a monkey doth a human creature. If my health
were not fo bad, although my years be many, I fear
I might outlive liberty in England. It hath continued
longer than in any monarchy, and muft end as all
others have done which were eſtabliſhed by the Goths,
and is now falling in the fame manner that the rest
have done. It is very natural for every king to de-
fire unlimited power; it is as proper an object to
their appetites as a wench to an abandoned young
fellow, or wine to a drunkard. But what puzzles
me is, to know how a man of birth, title, and for-
tune can find his account in making himfelf and his
pofterity flaves. They are paid for it; the court will
reftore what their luxury bath deftroyed; I have no-
thing to object. But let me fuppofe a chief minifter
from a fcanty fortune, almoft eaten up with debts,
acquiring by all methods a monstrous overgrown
eftate, why he will ftill go on to endeavour making
his mafter abfolute, and thereby in the power of
feizing all his poffeffions at his pleaſure, and hanging
or baniſhing him into the bargain. Therefore, if I
were fuch a minifter, I would act like a prudent
gamefter, and cut, as the fharper calls it, before
luck began to change. What if'fuch a minifter,
when he had got two or three millions, would pre-
tend conviction, feem to dread attempts upon liberty,
and bring over all his forces to the contrary fide? As
to the luft of abfolute power, I deſpair it can never
be cooled, unleſs princes had capacity to read the
history of the Roman emperors, how many of them
R 4
were
r
[248]
1
}
་་
1
were murdered by their own army; and the fame
may be faid of the Ottomans by their janiffaries; and
many other examples are eafy to be found. If I were
fuch a minifter, I would go farther, and endeavour
to be king myſelf. Such feats have happened among
the petty tyrants of old Greece, and the worst that
happened was only their being murdered for their
pains.
I believe in my confcience that you have fome mer-
cenary end in all your endeavours to preſerve the li-
berty of your country at the expence of your quiet,
and of making all the villains in England your ene-
mies. For you almoſt ſtand alone, and therefore
are fure, if you fucceed, to engrofs the whole glory
of recovering a defperate conftitution, given over by
all its other phyficians. May God work a miracle,
by changing the hearts of an abandoned people,
whofe hearts are waxen grofs, whofe ears are dull of
hearing, and whofe eyes have been cloſed; and may
he continue, you as his chief inftrument, by whom
this miracle is to be wrought.
J
I fend this letter in a packet to Mr. Pope, and by
a private hand. I pray God protect you againſt all
your enemies; I mean thofe of your country; for
your can have no other; and as you will never be
weary of well doing, fo may God give you long
life and health the better to fupport you.
You are pleaſed to mention fome volumes of what
are called my works. I have looked on them very
little. It is a great mortification to me, although I
fhould
{
[249
1
3
fhould not have been diffatisfied if fuch a thing had
been done in England by bookſellers agreeing among
themſelves. I never got a farthing by any thing I
writ, except one about eight year ago, and that was
by Mr. Pope's prudent management from [for] me.
Here the printers and bookfellers have no property
in their copies. The printer applied to my friends
and got many things from England. The man was
civil and humble, but I had no dealings with him,
and therefore he confulted fome friends, who were
readier to direct him than I defired they fhould. İ
faw one poem on you and a great minifter, and was
not forry to find it there.
I fear you are tired; I cannot help it; nor could
avoid the convenience of writing, when I might be
in no danger of poft-officers,
I am, Sir, with the trueft refpect and eſteem,
Your moft obedient and obliged humble fervant,
J. SWIFT
I defire to prefent my most humble reſpects to Mrs,
Pulteney.
LET.
[ 250 ]
1
}
LETTERS
O F
UNCERTAIN DA T E,
LETTER CCCLXXXI.
Countess of ORKNEY to Dr. SWIFT.
Indorfed < 1712, I fuppofe.*
I HAVE had great fatisfaction in the favour of
your letter, though diſappointed, fince not occafioned
by yourſelf. When one is too quick, misjudging
commonly follows. At first I fear'd Mr. Collier was
taken with a fit of an apoplexy; the next line I read,
I wiſhed he had one. If I did not apprehend, by
your knowing me but a little, that I might grow
troubleſome where I diftinguiſhed, you fhould not
want any conveniency to bring you hither to Mrs.
Ramfay and I, who are both, without compliment,
truly mortified, intending ever to be,
Sir, your fincere humble fervants,
Clufden, Monday.
!
E. ORKNEY.
ELIZ. RAMSAY.
We deſign to be at Windfor on Wednesday, where I
hope you will meet me in the drawing-room,
to tell me when you can dine with us.
LETTER
[ 251 ]
LETTER CCCLXXXII,
Countess of ORKNEY to Dr. SwIFT.
Monday morning. Indorfed 1712, I believe.
I AM fure you are very ill-natured (I would not
have been fo croſs to you) to have known Mr. Lewis
and me fo long, and not have made us acquainted
fooner, when you know too that I have been in
fearch of a reaſonable converfation. I have no way
to excufe you but doubting his to be fo agreeable
at a ſecond meeting, which I defire you will make
when 'tis moſt convenient to both. It is not from
cuftom I fay I am extremely,
Sir, your humble fervant,
E. ORKNEY.
When you read this, I fanfy you will think, what
does the write to me? I hate a letter as much as my
lord treaſurer does a petition.
LETTER CCCLXXXIII.
Lord POULETT to Dr. SWIFT.
Sunday Afternoon. Indorfed lord ſteward, 1713.*
I WAS called away prefently after chapel, upon fome
bufinefs which hindered my going up ftairs at St.
James's, and occafions Dr.Swift the trouble of this,
to make my excufe for not returning the paper, which
I here fend you; and though it is not in my power
to ſerve you in any proportion to my unfeigned ref-
"
ſpects
J
<
2
{
[252]
pects for you, yet I would not be wanting, on my
part, in any opportunity where I can, to exprefs
myfelf, Sir, your moſt faithful humble fervant,
1
POULETT,
1
;
LETTER CCCLXXXIV.
Lady M
DEAR SIR,
to Dr. SWIFT.
Indorfed' Received, Feb. 1723-4.'
'TIS impoffible for you to imagine with what fa-
tisfaction I received your kind letter; and though
I had been fo long without hearing from you, I
could never impute it to want of friendſhip, in one
whofe goodneſs to me has always been abundantly
more than I could deferve. I had writ often to you;
tut having no fafe conveyance, chofe rather to en-
quire after your health and welfare of fome people
that could give me an account of it. And I do af
fure you from the bottom of my heart there is not
a perfon living I have a greater friendship for than
yourſelf, and fhall have to the end of my life. In-
deed now I can fhew it only in expreffions; but I
flatter myſelf you believe them fincere. I long to
fee you at my retired habitation, where you will
meet with a moft hearty welcome and faithful friends,
and none more fo, than her who is
} Your most affectionate humble fervant ·
H. M-
My lord, children, brother, and fifter are your
humble fervants,
LETTER
[ 253 ]
↓
LETTER CCCLXXXV.
Lord PETERBOROW. to Dr. SWIFT.
1
Saturday Evening, Indorfed 1726, in fummer."
ONE of your Irish heroes, that, from the extre-
mity of our English land, came to deftroy the wicked
brazen project, defires to meet you on Monday next
at Parfons-green. If you are not engaged, I will
fend my coach for you.
-}
Sir Robert Walpole, any morning, except Tueſday
and Thurſday, which are his public days, about nine
in the morning will be glad to fee you at his London
houfe. On Monday, if I fee you, I will give you a
farther account. Your affectionate fervant,
PETERBOROW.
LETTER CCCLXXXVI.
Dr. SWIFT to Lord ARRAN.
MY LORD,
1729.
I AM earnestly defired, by fome worthy friends of
mine, to write to your lordship in favour of the
bearer, Mr. Moore, minifter of Clonmel, who will
have the honour to prefent this letter to your lord-
ship. Thoſe rectorial tythes of Clonmel were granted
to the church by letters patents from king Charles the
fecond, with the perfect knowledge, and full appro-
bation of your great ancestor, the firft duke of Or-
mond,
A
¡
J
ĺ 254 ]
254]
mond, then lord lieutenant of Ireland. Notwiths
ftanding which, fome of the former agents to your
lordship's family have greatly diftreffed the incum-
bent minifters of Clonmel, which is generally believed
to be without the knowledge of his prefent grace
the duke your brother (whom God long preferve).
But your lordship's prefent agent being extremely
vigilant, of all your lordship's interefts, hath lately
renewed the claim of the Ormond family to thoſe
tythes, and was at the laft affizes, after a long hear-
ing of fix hours, nonfuited. The living of Clonmet
is one of the largeſt and yet poorest parishes in this
kingdom, being upon the whole (including the valu-
ation of the houſes) ſcarce worth one hundred pounds
a year, out of which, a curate affiftant being abſo- .
lutely neceffary on account of its extent, a falary of
forty pounds muſt be paid.
My lord, your lordship's family hath been always
diftinguiſhed, for their favour and protection to the
eſtabliſhed church, under her greatest perfecutions,
nor have you in the univerfal opinion ever degene-
rated from them. Thofe tythes in and about Clonmel
are very inconfiderable, having never been let for
above twenty-four pounds a year, made up of very fmall
pittances collected from a great number of the poor-
eft people; fo that the recovery of them by an ex-
penfive law-fuit, if it could be effected, would not
be worth attempting.
Mr. Moore is recommended to me by ſeveral per-
fons of great worth (as I have already obferved) and
I hope I have not hitherto forfeited the credit I had
My
with you.
[ 255 ]
A
My humble request therefore to your lordship is,
that the minifter of Clonmel may, without diftur-
bance, enjoy that ſmall addition to his fupport, which
the king and your grandfather intended for him.
I have always underſtood and believed that the
duke your brother's retiring hath not leffened your
fortune, but increaſed it; and as to his grace, unleſs
all our intelligence be falfe, he is as eafy as he de-
fires to be. I heard of feveral perſons who have ven-
tured to wait on him abroad, and it is agreed that
his grace is perfectly eafy in his mind and fortune.
Upon the whole, I do earnestly defire your lord-
fhip to refign thofe poor fcraps of tythes in and about
Clonmel to Mr. Moore and his fucceffors, in a legal
form for ever. Your lofs will be at most but twenty-
four pounds a year, and that, with a thouſand diffi-
culties, infinitely below your generofity and quality.
I am, &c.
LETTER CCCLXXXVII.
To Dr. SWIFT.
<
Indorfed Lady Bolingbroke.
MR. Pope m'a fait grand plaifir, monfieur, de m'af-
furer que votre fanté eft bonne; et de me montrer
dans une de vos lettres des marques de l'honneur de
votre fouvenir. Je trouve que vous prenez fort
mal votre tems d'habiter votre Dublin pendant que
nous habitons notre Dawley. Nous aurions eu grand
foin de vous cet hiver, et nous aurions haï enfemble
le
1
1
ចុះ
}
C
[ 256 ]
le genre humain, autant qu'il vous auroit plû, čar
je trouve qu'il n'embellit point au croître, On à
fait deux pieces de, theatre en France, tirée foit di-
fant des idées de Gulliver. Je ne vous les envoye
point, car elles font deteftables: mais cela prouve
au moins, que ce bon voyageur a fi bien reuffi chez
ǹous, qu'on a crû, qu'en mettant feulement fon nom
aux plus mauvaiſes pieces, on les rendroit recom-
mendables au publique. Notre fermier vous em-
braffe: il a plaint et boude de ce que vous etez parti
fans qu'il ait pu vous dire adieu; et de ce qu'il a vụ
une de vos lettres, ou vous ne dites pas un mot pour
luy mais je vous croye comme les coquettes, qui
fe fiant a leurs charmes ne s'embaraffent pas de leurs
torts. En effet ils vous feront pardonnés a la pre-
miere lettre et encore plus aifement a la premiere
efpérance de vous revoir. Adieu, monfieur, portez
vous bien et nous ferons content. Je ne m'aviferay
pas de vous mander des nouvelles de ce pays ci: Je
fuis êtrangere de plus en plus, et je ne ferois tentéé
de me faire naturalifer, que dans ceux où je pourrois
vivre avec vous.
༣
1
}
་
4
LETTER CCCLXXXVIII
Duchefs of HAMILTON to D. 'SWIFT.
→
DEAR DEAN,
I
Wedneſday.
WHEN we were together laft, I remember we
fpoke of a certain ftanza, which you fufpected me
parent of, by reafon there were fome things in it,
you
[ 257 ]
you were fure I would have faid twelve years ago.
If this be a rule, I am certain you are not dean
Swift; for twelve years ago your promiſed letter
had not been fo long in coming to me. All I can
fay is, I with you had been twelve years ago what
I wiſh you now, and that you were now what you
was twelve years ago to
Your real friend and humble fervant
E
HAMIL T O Ná
LETTER CCCLXXXIX.
Duke of WHARTON to Dr. SWIFT.
DEAR DEAN;
t
Monday Morning.
I SHALL embark for England to-morrow. It
would be neceffary for me to take leave of lord Molef-
sworth on many accounts; and as Young is engaged
in town, I muſt infallibly go alone, unleſs your cha-
rity extends itſelf to favour me with your company
there this morning.
I beg you would fend me your anſwer, and be-
lieve me,
Sincerely your faithful friend and fervant,
WHART 0 N:
P. S. If you condefcend ſo far, come to me about
eleven of the clock.
VOL. III.
j
LET
+
[
L
2:58 ]
LETTER CCcxc.
Monfieur VoLTAIRE to Dr. SWIFT.
SIR,
Friday 16.
I SEND you here inclofed two letters, one for
Mr. de Mor-ville, our fecretary of ftate, and the other
for Mr. de Maiſons, both defirous and worthy of your
acquaintance. Be fo kind as to let me know if you
intend to go by Calais, or by the way of Rouen. In
caſe you refolve to go by Rouen, I will give you fome
letters for a good lady, who lives in her country caf-
tle juſt by Rouen. She will receive you as well as
you deſerve. There you will find two or three of
my intimate friends, who are your admirers, and
who have learn'd English fince I am in England. All
will pay you all the refpects, and procure all the
pleaſures tei are capable off. Thei will give you
hundred directions for Paris, and provide you with
all the requifite convenienciés. Vouchfafe to ac-
quaint me with your refolution, I fhall certainly do
my beft endeavours to ferve you, and to let my
country know, that I have the inestimable honour
to be one of your friends. I am, with the higheſt
reſpect and efteem,
Your most humble obedient faithful fervant,
VOLTAIR É.
LETTER
[ 259 ]
+
LETTER
CCCXCI.
Monfieur VOLTAIRE au Comte de MORVILLE,
Miniftre et Secretaire d'Etat à Verfailles.
MONSEIGNEUR,
JE
E me fuis contenté juſqu'icy d'admirer en filence
votre conduite dans les affaires de l'Europe; mais il
n'eſt pas permis à un homme qui aime votre gloire,
et qui vous eft auffi tendrement attaché que je le fuis,
de demeurer plus long temps fans vous faire fes fin-
ceres compliments.
Je ne puis d'ailleurs me refufer l'honneur que me
fait le celebre monfieur Swift, de vouloir bien vous
preſenter une de mes letres. Je fai que fa reputation
eft parvenue jufqu'à vous, et que vous avez envie
de la connoitre. Il fait l'honneur d'une nation que
vous eftímez. Vous avez lu les traductions de plu-
fieurs ouvrages qui luy font attribuez. Eh qui eft
plus capable que vous, monfeigneur, de difcerner
les beautez d'un original à travers la foibleffe des
plus mauvaiſes copies. Je croi que vous ne ferez
pas faché de diner avec monfieur Swift, et monfieur
le prefident Henaut. Et je me flatte que vous re-
garderez comme une preuve de mon fincere attache-
ment a votre perfonne, la liberté que je prens de
vous prefenter un des hommes des plus extraordina-
ries que l'Angleterre ait produit, et le plus capable
de fentir toute l'étendue de vos grandes qualitez.
Je fuis pour toute ma vie avec un profond reſpect
et un attachement remply de la plus haute eftime,
Monfeigneur,
Votre tres humble et tres obeiffant ferviteur,
VOLTAIR E,
S 2
[260]
་
}
LETTER CCCXCII.
Dr. SWIFT to Mifs VANHOMRIGH
Laracor, July 8, 1713.
Í STAYED but a fortnight in Dublin, very fick ;
and returned not one viſit of a hundred, that were
made me; but all to the dean, and none to the doc-
tor. I am riding here for life; and I think I am
fomething better. I hate the thoughts of Dublin,
and prefer a field bed, and an earthen floor, before
the great houſe there, which they fay is mine. I
had your laſt ſplenetic letter. I told you, when I
left England, I would endeavour to forget every
thing there, and would write as feldom as I could.
I did, indeed, defign one general round of letters
to my friends; but my health has not yet fuffered
me. I defign to paſs the greatest part of the time
I ftay in Ireland, here, in the cabin where I am now
writing neither will I leave the kingdom till I am
fent for; and if they have no further fervice for me,
I will never ſee England again. At my first coming,
This is the lady, whom the Dean has celebrated by the
name of Vaneſſa. She was the eldest daughter of Bartholomew
Vanhomrigh, firft a merchant of Amfterdam, and afterwards of
Dublin, who was appointed commiffary of the ftores by king Wil-
liam, upon his expedition into Ireland. Her mother was the
daughter of Mr. Stone, the commiffioner, and niece to the ac-
comptant-general of Ireland. For an account of this lady, and
her epiftolary correſpondence with the Dean, fee his life prefixed
to his works.
I thought
t
[261]
vay
I thought I fhould have died with difcontent; and
was horribly melancholy, while they were inftalling
me, but it begins to wear off, and change to dull-
nefs. My river walk is extremely pretty, and my
canal in great beauty: and I fee trouts playing in it.
I know not any one thing now in Dublin. But Mr.
Ford is very kind, and writes to me conftantly what
paffes among you. I find you are likewiſe a good
politician; and I will fay fo much to you, that I
verily think, if the thing you know of had been
publiſhed just upon the peace, the miniſtry might
have avoided what hath fince happened: but I aṁ
now fitter to look after willows, and to cut hedges,
than meddle with affairs of ſtate. I muft order one
of the workmen to drive thofe cows out of my
ifland, and make up the ditch again; a work much
more proper for a country vicar, than driving out
factions, and fencing against them. I muft go and
take my bitter draught to cure my head, which is
ſpoiled by the bitter draughts the public hath given
me. So go to your
dukes and ducheffes, and leave
me to goodman Bumford, and Patrick Dolan, of Clan-
duggan. Adieu.
+
LETTER CCCXCIII.
Dr. SWIFT to Mifs VAN HOMRIGH,
Upper Letcomb, near Wantage, Berks, June 8, 1714.
I HAVE not much news to tell you from hence,
nor have I had one line from any body fince I left
Lonaon,
S
S ༣
[262]
London, of which I am very glad: but, to fay the
truth, I believe I ſhall not ſtay here ſo long as I in-
tended. I am at a clergyman's houfe, whom I love
very well; but he is fuch a melancholy thoughtful
man, partly from nature, and partly by a folitary
life, that I fhall foon catch the spleen from him.
Out of eafe and complaifance, I defire him not to
alter any of his methods for me; fo we dine exactly
between twelve and one. At eight we have fome
bread and butter, and a glaſs of ale; and at ten hé
goes to bed. Wine is a stranger, except a little I
fent him; of which, one evening in two, we have
a pint between us. His wife has been this months
twenty miles off, at her father's, and will not return
thefe ten days. I never faw her; and perhaps the
houſe will be worfe when fhe comes. I read all day,
or walk; and do not ſpeak as many words as I have
now wrote in three days: fo that, in fhort, I have
a mind to ftcal to Ireland, unleſs I find myſelf take
more to this way of living, fo different, in every
circumſtance, from what I left. This is the firft ſyl-
lable I have wrote to any body fince you faw me,
I fhall be glad to hear from you, not as you are
a Londoner, but as a friend; for I care not three-
pence for news,
for news, nor have heard one fyllable fince I
came here. The pretender, or duke of Cambridge,
may both be landed, and I never the wiſer: but if
this place were ten times worfe, nothing fhall make
me return to town, while things are in the fituation
I left them. I give a guinea a week for my board,
and can eat any thing.
LETTER
1
[ 263 ]
LETTER CCCXCIV.
Dr. SWIFT to Mifs VANHOMRIGH.
Aug. 1, 1714.
WHO told you I was going to Bath? no fuch
thing. I had fixed to fet out to-morrow for Ireland,
but poor lord Oxford defires I will go with him to
Herefordshire, and only expect his aufwer whether I
ſhall go there before, or meet him hereabouts; or
to Wimple, (his fon's houſe) and fo go with him
down; and I expect to leave this in two or three days
one way or other. I will ftay with him 'till the par-
liament meets again, if he defires it. I am not of
your opinion about lord Bolingbroke; perhaps he may
get the faff, but I cannot rely on his love to me:
he knew I had a mind to be his hiftoriographer,
though I valued it not, but for the public fervice,
yet it is gone to a worthless rogue that nobody
knows*. I am writ to earneftly by ſomebody to come
to town, aud join with thofe people nose in power, but
I will not do it. Say nothing of this, but guefs the
perfon. I told lord Oxford I would go with him,
*He prefented a memorial to the queen on the 15th of April,
1714, humbly defiring her majeſty to appoint him historiographer;
which does not feem to agree with his declaration in his letter to
Pope, dated Jan. 10, 1721; that "this place was defigned him,
but that, as it was at the difpofal of a perfon, who had not the
fmallest fhare of fteadiness or fincerity, he difdaired to accept
it." See the memorial, in the volumes published by Mr. Deane
Swift. Sce alfo Dr. Arbuthnot's letter of July 17, 1714.
S 4
when
!
[ 264 1.
when he was out; and now he begs it of me, and
I cannot refufe him. I meddle not with his faults,
as he was a minifter of ftate; but you know his per-
fonal kindneſs to me was exceffive: he diftinguiſhed
and chofe me above all other men, while he was
great; and his letter to me the other day was the
moft moving imaginable. When I am fixed any
where, perhaps I may be fo gracious to let you know,
but I will not promife. Adieu.
*
7
LETTER CCCXCV.
Dr. SWIFT to Mifs VANHOM RIGH
Aug. 12, 1714,
I HAD your letter laft poft, and before you can
fend me another, I fhall fet out for Ireland.
?
I muft
go
and take the oaths; and the fooner the better.
If you are in Ireland when I am there, I fhall fee
you very feldom. It is not a place for any freedom
but it is where every thing is known in a week, and
magnified an hundred degrees. Thefe are rigorous
*It appears by a letter of the Dean's to Mifs Efther Vanhom-
righ, that she was very uneafy on account of her mother's debts,
who died in 1714; fearing that when the year was out, fhe
would be obliged to fatisfy the creditors. But the Dean tells her,
you can pay only what you receive, you are anſwerable for no
"more." He tells her, that if the wants to borrow money, the
may fend to Mr. Barber or Ben Tooke, which he pleaſes, and let
them know, that whatever fum fhe wants he will ſtand bound
for.
'
1
laws
4
[ 265 ]
laws that must be paffed through: but it is probable
we may meet in London in winter; or if not, leave
all to fate, that feldom comes to humour our incli-
nations. I fay all this out of the perfect eſteem and
friendſhip I have for you. Thefe public misfortunes
have altered all my meaſures, and broke my ſpirits.
God Almighty bless you. I fhall, I hope, be on
horfeback in a day after this comes to your hand.
I would not answer your queſtions for a million:
nor can I think of them with any eaſe of mind.
Adieu.
LETTER CCCXCVI.
Part of a Letter of VANESSA's from Dublin, in 1714.
YOU once had a maxim, which was, to act what
was right, and not mind what the world would fay.
I wish you would keep to it now. Pray what can be
wrong in feeing and adviſing an unhappy young wo-
man? I cannot imagine. You cannot but know, that
your frowns make my life unfupportable. You have
taught me to diftinguish, and then you leave me mi-
ferable. Now, all I beg is, that you will for once
counterfeit (fince you cannot otherwife) that indul-
gent friend you once were, till I get the better of
theſe difficulties.
LETTER
}
[266]
LETTER CCCXCVII.
Mifs VANHOMRIGH to Dr. SWIFT.
Dublin, 1714,
YOU bid me he eafy and you would fee me as
often as you could. You had better have ſaid, as
often as you could get the better of your inclinations
fo much; or as often as you remembered there was
fuch a one in the world. If you continue to treat
me as you do, you will not be made upeafy by me
long. It it impoffible to defcribe what I have fuffered
fince I faw you laft. I am fure I could have bore
the rack much better, than thofe killing killing
words of yours. Sometimes I have refolv'd to die
without feeing you more; but thoſe refolves, to your
misfortune, did not last long. For there is fome-
thing in human nature, that prompts one fo to find
relief in this world. I must give way to it: and
beg you'd fee me and ſpeak kindly to me, for I am
fure, you'd not condemn any one to fuffer what I
Have done, could you but know it. The reaſon I
write to you is, becauſe I cannot tell it to you ſhould
I fee you. For when I begin to complain, than
you are angry; and there is fomething in your looks
fo awful, that it ftrikes me dumb. Oh! that you'
may have but fo much regard for me left, that this
complaint may touch your foul with pity. I fay as
little as ever I can; did you but knowwhat I thought,
I am fure it would move you to forgive me, and
Believe, I cannot help telling you this and live*.
* A letter from Dr. Swift dated Philipflown, Nov. 5, 1714,
Lays, that he was going to a friend upon a promiſe, being then a
mile
[ 267 ]
LETTER CCCXCVIII.
Dr. SWIFT. to VANESS A.
May 12, 1719.
JE vous fais des complimens fur votre perfection
dans la langue Françoife. Il faut vous connoitre
long temps avant de connoitre toutes vos perfections;
toujours en vous voyant et entendant, il en paroiț
des nouvelles, qui eftoient auparavant cachées; il
eſt honteux pour moy de ne ſcavoir que le gafcon et
le patois, au prix de vous. Il n'y a rien à redire
dans l'ortographie, la proprieté, l'élegance, le dou-
ceur et l'efprit. Et que je fuis fot moy de vous re-
pondre en mefme langage, vous qui eftes incapable
d'aucune fottife, fi ce n'eft l'eftime qu'il vous plaiſt
d'avoir pour moy; car il n'y a point de mérite, ni
aucun preuve de mon bon gout de trouver en vous
tout ce que la nature a donnée a un mortel, je veux
dire l'honneur, la vertue, le bons fens, l'efprit, le
douceur, l'agrément et la fermeté d'ame; mais en
vous cachant, commes vous faites, le monde ne vous
connoit pas, et vous perdez l'eloge des millions de
gens. Depuis que j'ay l'honneur de vous conoitre
mile from Trim, when Mifs Vanhomrigh's fervant overtook him
with a letter. She was then at Kildrohid, and would go to town
on the Monday following, to her lodging in Turnftill-Alley. He
concludes thus ; "I have rode a tedious journey to-day, and can
"fay no more. Nor fhall you know where I am till I come,
" and then I will fee you. A fig for your letters and meffages.
"Adieu."
j'ay
*
me not
•
[ 268 ]
J'ay toujours remarqué que ni en converfation parti-
culiere, ni generale, aucun mot a echappé de votre
bouche, qui pouvoit etre mieux exprimé. Et je
vous jure, qu'en faifant fouvent la plus fevere criti-
que, je ne pouvois jamais trouver aucun defaut en
vos actions, ni en vos parroles: la coquetrie, l'affec-
tation, la pruderie font des imperfections que vous
n'avez jamais connues. Et avec tout cela, croyez
vous, qu'il eft poffible de ne vous estimer au deffus
du refte du genre humain. Quelles beftes en jupes
font les plus excellentes de celles, que je vois femées
dans le monde, au prix de vous en les voyant, en
les entendant, je dis cent fois le jour; ne parlez,
ne regardez, ne penfez, ne faites rien comme ces
meferables. Quelle calamitè de fair meprifer autans
de gens, qui fans fonger de vous, feroient affez fup-
portables mais il eft temps de vous delaffer, et de
vous dire Adieu avec toute le reſpect, la finceritè,
et l'eftime du monde, je fuis et feray toujours,
LETTER CCCXCIX.
Mifs VAN HOMRIGH to Dr. SWIFT,
Selbridge, 1720.
BELIEVE me, it is with the utmoſt regret that
I now complain to you, becauſe I know your good
nature fuch, that you cannot fee any human creature
miferable without being fenfibly touched. Yet what
can I do? I muft either unload my heart, and tell
you all its griefs, or fink under the inexpreffible dif-
trefs
1
[ 269 ]
1
treſs I now fuffer by your prodigious neglect of me.
It is now ten long weeks fince I faw you; and in all
that time, I have never received but one letter from
you, and a little note with an excufe. Oh! have
you forgot me? You endeavour by feverities to force
me from you. Nor can I blame you; for with the
utmoſt diſtreſs and confufion, I beheld myfelf the
cauſe of uneafy reflections to you: yet I cannoť
comfort you, but here declare, that it is not in the
power of art, time, or accident, to leffen the inex-
preffible paffion which I have for.
Put my
paffion under the utmoſt reſtraint; fend me as diftant
from you as the earth will allow, yet you cannot ba-
niſh thoſe charming ideas which will ever ſtick by
me, whilft I have the ufe of memory: nor is the
love I bear you only feated in my foul; for there is
not a fingle atom of my frame, that is not blended
with it. Therefore, do not flatter yourſelf that fe-
paration will ever change my fentiments: for I find
myfelf unquiet in the midst of filence, and my heart
is at once pierced with forrow and love. For hea-
ven's fake, tell me, what has caufed this prodigious
change in you, which I have found of late. If you
have the leaft remains of pity for me left, tell it me
tenderly. No-do not tell it fo, that it may caufe
my preſent death. And do not fuffer me to live
a life like a languishing death, which is the only life
I can lead, if you have loft any
for me.
+
of you
tenderneſs
LETTER
#
と
​[270]
LETTER cccc.
Mifs VANHOMRIGH to Dr. SWIFT.
Part of a Letter written in the Year 1720.
Is it poffible, that again you will do the very famé
S
thing I warned you of fo lately? I believe you
thought I only rallied, when I told you the other
night, that I would peſter you with letters. Once
more I adviſe you, if you have any regard for your
quiet, to alter your behaviour quickly, for I do af-
fure you, I have too much ſpirit to fit down contented
with this treatment. Becauſe I love frankneſs ex-
tremely, I here tell you now, that I have determined
to try all manner of human arts to reclaim you; and
if all thofe fail, I am refolved to have recourfe to
the black one, which, it is faid, never does.
fee what inconveniency you will bring both yourſelf
and me into. Pray think calmly of it, is it not
much better to come off yourſelf, than to be brought
by force, and that perhaps at a time when you have
the moſt agreeable engagement in the world: for
when I undertake any thing, I don't love to do it by
halves.
Now
LETTER
7
[ 271 ]
LETTER CCCCI:
Dr. SWIFT to Mifs VAN HOM RIGH,
IF you write as you do I fhall come the feldomer,
on purpoſe to be pleaſed with your letters, which I
never look into without wondering how a brat that
cannot read can poffibly write fo well. You are
miſtaken: fend me a letter without your hand on
the outſide, and I hold you a crown I fhall not
read it. But raillery apart, I think it inconvenient,
for a hundred reaſons, that I ſhould make your houſe
a fort of conſtant dwelling place. I will certainly
come as often as I conveniently can ; but my health
and the perpetual run of ill weather, hinders me
from going out in the morning; and my afternoons
are taken up I know not how, that I am in rebellion
with a dozen of people befide yourſelf, for not fee-
ing them. For the reft, you need make uſe of no
other black art befides your ink. It is a pity your
eyes are not black, or I would have faid the fame :
but you are a white witch, and can do no miſchief.
If you have employed any of your art on the black
fcarf, I defy it, for one reaſon gueſs. Adieu.
LETTER
!
人
​{
₤ 292 1
}
}
LETTER CCCCIÍ.
Dr. SwiFT to Mifs VAN HOM RIGH
W
I RECEIVED your letter when fome company
was with me on Saturday night, and it put me in
fuch confufion that I could not tell what to do.
This morning a woman, who does bufinefs for me,
told me she heard I was in love with one-naming
you, and twenty particulars; that little Mafter
:
¿
and I vifited you; and that the archbiſhop
did fo; and that you had abundance of wit, &c.
I ever feared the tattle of this nafty town, and told
you fo and that was the reaſon why I faid to you
long ago, that I would fee you feldom when you
were in Ireland; and I muft beg you to be eafy, if,
for fome time, I vifit you feldomer, and not in fo
particular a manner. I will fee you at the latter
end of the week, if poffible. Thefe are accidents
in life that are neceffary, and must be fubmitted
to; and tattle, by the help of difcretion, will wear
off.
}
LETTER
C
[273 ]
4
LETTER CCCCII.
Mifs VANHOMRIGH to Dr. SWIFT.
Selbridge, 1720.
TELL me fincerely, if you have once wiſhed with
earneftneſs to ſee me, fince I wrote to you: no, fo
far from that you have not once pitied me, though
I told you how I was diftreffed. Solitude is infup-
portable to a mind which is not eaſy. I have worn
out my days in fighing, and my nights with watch-
ing, and thinking of who thinks not of me.
How many letters fhall I fend you before I receive
an anfwer? Can you deny me, in my mifery, the
only comfort which I can expect at prefent? Oh!
that I could hope to fee you here, or that I could gö.
to you. I was born with violent paffions, which
terminate all in one, that unexpreffible paffion I have
for you. Confider the killing emotions which I feel
from your neglect of me; and fhew fome tendernefs
for me, or I fhall lofe my fenfes. Surely you cannot
poffibly be fo much taken up; but you might com-
mand a moment to write to me and force your incli-
nations to fo great a charity. I firmly believe, if I
'could know your thoughts (which no human creature
is capable of gueffing at, becaufe never any one living
thought like you) I fhould find you had often in a rage,
wiſhed me religious, hoping then I fhould have paid
my devotions to heaven: but that would not ſpare
you; for were I an enthufiaft, ftill you'd be the
VOL. III.
T
deity
1
1
J
}
}
[ 274 ]
deity I ſhould worship. What marks are there of a
deity, but what you are to be known by? You are
at preſent every where: your dear image is always
before my eyes. Sometimes you ftrike me with that
prodigious awe I tremble with fear: at other times
a charming compaffion fhines through your counte-
nance, which revives my foul. Is it not more rea-
fonable to adore a radiant form one has ſeen, than
one only deſcribed?
1
LETTER CCCCIV.
Part of an anſwer from CADENUS to VANESSA*
IF
you
knew how many little difficulties there are
in fending letters to you, it would remove five parts
in fix of your quarrel.
But fince you lay hold of
my promiſes, and are fo exact to the day, I fhall
promiſe you no more, and rather chufe to be better
than my word than worſe. I am confident you came
chiding into the world, and will continue fo while
you are in it. I wonder what Mobkin + meant by
fhewing you my letter. I will write to her no more,
fince the can keep fecrets no better. It was the firft
love-letter I have writ thefe dozen years; and fince
I have fo ill. fuccefs, I will write no more. Never
was a belle paffion fo defeated. But the governour,
I hear, is jealous; and, upon your word, you have
•
>
*This letter has no date; but it muſt have been written in
the life-time of Mifs Mary Vanhomrigh, Vansffa's fifter, who died
in 1717, becauſe he is defired to mind her nurfe-keeping,
† Mifs Mary Vanhomrigh.
1.
a vaft
[ 275 ]
i
a vaft deal to fay to me about it. Mind your nurfe
keeping: do your duty, and leave off your huffing.
One would think you were in love, by dating your
letter August 29, by which means I received it juft
a month before it was written. You do not find I
anſwer your queſtions to your fatisfaction: Prove
to me firft that it was even poffible to answer any
thing to your fatisfaction, ſo as that you would not
grumble in half an hour. I am glad my writing
puzzles you, for then your time will be employed
in finding it out: and I am fure it cofts me a great
many thoughts to make my letters difficult. Yefter-
day I was half way towards you where I dined, and
returned weary enough. I asked where that road to
the left led, and they named the place. I wish your
letters were as difficult as mine, for then they would
be of no confequence, if they were dropped by-care-
lefs meffengers. A ftroke fignifies every thing
that may be faid to Cad―
at beginning or conclu-
fion. It is I who ought to be in a huff, that any
thing written by Cad
nage.
ſhould be difficult to Ski-
LETTER CCCCV.
Dr. SWIFT to VANESSA.
October 15, 17206
ISIT down with the first opportunity I have to
write to you, and the Lord knows when I can find
conveniency
T 2
}
"
}
[ 276 ]
conveniency to fend this letter; for all the morning
I am plagued with impertinent vifits, below any man
of fenfe or honour to endure, if it were any way
avoidable. Dinners and afternoons and evenings are
ſpent abroad in walking, to keep off and avoid ſpleen
as far as I can fo that when I am not fo good a
correfpondent as I could wish, you are not to quar- !
rel and be governor; but to impute it to my fitua-
tion, and to conclude infallibly, that I have the fame
reſpect and kindneſs for you I ever profeffed to have,
and fhall ever préferve, becauſe you will always me-
rit the utmoſt that can be given you, eſpecially if
you go on to read and ftill further improve your
mind, and the talents nature hath given you. I am
in much concern for poor Mobkin; and the more,
becauſe I am fure you are fo too. You ought to be
as cheerful as you can, for both our fakes, and read
pleaſant things that will make you laugh, and not
fit mopeing with your elbows on your knees on a
little ftool by the fire. It is moft infallible that rid-
ing would do Mobkin more good than any other thing,
provided fair days and warm cloaths be provided:
and fo it would to you; and if you lofe any ſkin,
you know Job ſays, ſkin for ſkin will a man give
for his life. It is either Job or Satan fays fo, for
ought you know. I am getting an ill head in this
curfed town, for want of exercife. I wish I were to
walk with you fifty times about your garden, and
then drink your coffee. I was fitting laſt night with
half a ſcore of both fexes for an hour, and grew as
weary as a dog. Every body grows filly and difa-
greeable
[ 277 ]
greeable, or I grow monkish and fplenetic; which
is the fame thing. Converfation is full of nothing
but South Sea, and the ruin of the kingdom and
fcarcity of money.
LETTE R CCCCVI.
Dr. SWIFT to VANESSA.
Gallftown, near Kinnegad, July 5, 1721.
IT was not convenient, hardly poffible, to write to
you before now, though I had a more than ordinary
defire to do it, confidering the difpofition I found
you in laft; though I hope I left you in a better.
I must have you take more care of your health
by company and exerciſe, or elſe the ſpleen will get
the better of you, than which there is not a more
fooliſh and troubleſome diſeaſe, and what you have
no pretences to in the world, if all the advantages
of life can be any defence against it. Cadenus
affures me, he continues to eſteem, and love, and
value you above all things, and fo will do to the
end of his life; but at the fame time intreats that
you would not make yourſelf or him unhappy by
imaginations. The wifeft men of all ages have
thought it the beſt courſe to ſeize the minutes as they
fly, and to make every innocent action an amufe-
ment. If you knew how I ftruggle for a little health,
vhat uneafinefs I am at in riding and walking, and
refraining from every thing agreeable to my tafte,
T 3
}
1
you
+
་
[278]
you would think it but a ſmall thing to take a coach
now and then, and to converſe with fools or imper-
tinents to avoid fpleen and ſickneſs. Without health
you will lofe all defire of drinking coffee, and be
fo low as to have no fpirits. Pray write to me cheer-
fully, without complaints or expoftulations, or
elfe Cadenus fhall know it, and punish you. What
is this world without being as eafy in it as prudence
and fortune can make it. I find it every day more
filly and infignificant, and I conform myfelf to it
for my own eafe. I am here as deeply employed in
other folks plantations and ditches as if they were
my own concern; and think of my abfent friends
with delight, and hopes of feeing them happy, and
of being happy with them. Shall you, who have
fo much honour and good fenfe, act otherwife, to
make Cad and yourſelf miferable. Settle your
affairs, and quit this fcoundrel ifland, and things
will be as you defire. I can fay no more, being
called away. Mais joyez offurée, que jamais perfonne
au monde n'a éte aimée, honorée, estimée, adorée par vo-)
tre ami que vous. I have drank no coffee fince I left
you, nor intend it till I fee you again: there is none
worth drinking but yours, if myfelf may be the
judge. Adieu.
}
!
LETTER
[ 279 ]
·
LETTER CCCCVII.
Dr. SWIFT to VANESSA.
Clogher, June 1, 1722.
THE weather has been fo conftantly bad that I
have wanted all the healthy advantages of the coun-
try, and it ſeems likely to continue fo. It would
have been infinitely better once a week to have met
at Kendal, and fo forth, where one might pafs three
or fours hours in drinking coffee in the morning, or
dining tête a tête, drinking coffee again till feven.
God fend you through your law fuit, and your re-
ference. And remember that riches are nine parts
in ten of all that is good in life, and health is the
tenth; drinking coffee comes long after, and yet
it is the eleventh; but without the two former you
cannot drink it right and remember the china in
the old houfe, and Rider-ftreet, and the colonel's
journey to France, and the London wedding, and the
fick lady at Kenfington, and the indifpofition at Wind-
for, and the ftrain by the box of books at London.
Laft year I writ you civilities, and you were angry.
This year I will write you none, and you will be an-
gry; yet my thoughts were ſtill the fame-Croyez
que je ferois toujours tout ce que vous defirez. Adieu.
T 4
LETTER
}
1
[ 280 ]
3
"
LETTER CCCCVIII.
Dr. SWIFT to VANESSA.
Loughgall, Country of Armagh, July 13, 1722.
One
I AM well pleafed with the account of your viſit,
and the behaviour of the ladies. 1 fee every day as
filly things among both fexes, and yet endure them
for the fake of amufement. The worst thing in you
and me is, that we are too hard to pleaſe; and whe-
ther we have not made ourſelves fo, is the queſtion;
at least I believe we have the fame reaſon.
thing that I differ from you in, is, that I do not quar-
rel with my best friends. I believe you have ten
angry paffages in your letter, and every'onc' of them
enough to fpoil two days apiece of riding and walk-
ing. We differ prodigiously in one point: I fly from
the spleen to the world's end; 'you'run out of your
way to meet it. I doubt the bad weather has hin-
dered you much from the diverfions of your coun-
try houfe, and put you upon thinking in your cham-
ber. The ufe I have made of it, was to read, I
know not how many, diverting books of hiftory
and travels. I wish you would get yourſelf a horſe,
and have always two fervants to attend you, and
vifit your neighbours; the worſe the better: there
is a pleaſure in being reverenced; and that is always
in your power, by your fuperiority of fenfe, and an
eafy fortune. The beft maxim I know in this life
is, to drink your coffee when you can; and when
you
[281]
you cannot, to be eafy without it: while you con-
tinue to be fplenetic, count upon it, I will always
preach. Thus much I fympathize with you, that
I am not chearful enough to write; for I believè
coffee, once a week, is neceffary to that. I can
fincerely answer all your queftions as I ufed to
do; but then I give all poffible way to amufements,
becauſe they preferve my temper, as exerciſe does
my health; and without health and good hu-
mour I had rather be a dog. I have fhifted fcenes
oftener than ever I did in my life, and I believe
have lain in thirty beds fince I left town, and al-
ways drew up my cloaths with my left hand; which
is a fuperftition I have learned thefe ten years. I
long to fee you in figure and equipage. Pray do
pot lofe that taste. Farewel..
LETTER CCCCIX.
Dr. SWIFT to Mifs VAN HOM RIGH.
August 7, 1722.
I AM this hour leaving my prefent refidence; and
if I fix any where ſhall let you know it.
A long vacation.-Law lies aſleep, and bad wea-
ther. How do you wear away the time? Is it a-
mong the groves and fields of your country feat, or
among your coufins in town, or thinking in a train
that will be fure to vex you, and then reaping, and
forming teafing conclufions from miftaken thoughts.
The
I
1
ļ
4.
J
[ 282 ]
*
The best companion for you is a philofopher; whom
you would regard as much as a fermon. I have read
more traſh fince I left you, than would fill all your
fhelves, and am abundantlythe better for it, though
I ſcarce remember a fyllable. What a fooliſh thing
is time; and how foolish is man, who would be as
angry if time ſtopt, as if it paffed. But I will not
proceed at this rate; for I am writing, and think-
ing myſelf faft into the spleen, which is the only
thing I would not compliment you by imitating. So
´adieu till the next place I fix in.
+
LETTER CCCCX.
By Dr. SWIFT; but when or to whom written is
uncertain.
EVERY fquire, almoſt to a man, is an oppreffor
of the clergy; a racker of his tenants; a jobber of
all public works; very proud; and generally illite-
rate. Two neighbouring fquires, although they be
intimate friends, relations, or allies, if one of them
want one hundred foot of the other's land contiguous
to his own, which would make any building fquare,
or his garden uniform (without, the leaft inconve
niency to the other) he fhall be abfolutely refufed;
or (as the utmoft mark of friendſhip) fhall be forced
to pay for it twenty times more than the value. This
they call, paying for your conveniency which is
directly contrary to the very letter of an ancient
:
heather
[ 283 ]
+
heathen maxim in morality-That whatever be-
nefit we can confer upon another, without injur-
ing ourſelves, we are bound to do it to a perfect
ftranger. The fquires take the titles of great men,
with as little ceremony, as Alexander or Cæfar. For
inftance the great Conolly-the great Wefely the great
Damer.
A fellow, whofe father was a butcher, defiring
lawyer to be a referee in fome little brangle between
him and his neighbour, complained that the lawyer
excuſed himſelf in the following manner :-Sir, I
am your moſt humble fervant; but dare not venter to
interfere in the quarrels of you great men.—Which I
take to be juft of a piece with Harlequin's fwearing
upon his honour. Jealoufies, quarrels, and other
ruptures, are as frequent between neighbouring
fquires, and from the fame motives: the former
brangling about their mears and bounds, as the others
do about their frontiers. The deteftable tyranny
and oppreffion of landlords are viſible in every part
of the kingdom.
LETTER CCCCXI.
Dr. SWIFT to JOHN TEMPLE, Efq;
SIR,
Dublin, 1736.
THE letter which I had the favour to receive from
you, I read to your coufin, Mrs. Dingley, who lodges
in my neighbourhood. She was very well pleafed
to
1
1
[ 284 ]
to hear of your welfare; but a little mortified that
you did not mention or enquire after her. She is
quite funk with years and unwieldinefs; as well as
a very fcanty fupport. I fometimes make her a ſmall
prefent, as my abilities can reach; for I do not
nd her neareſt relations confider her in the leaſt.
مر
Jervas told me that your * aunt's picture is in
Sir Peter Lilly's beſt manner, and the drapery all in
the fame hand. I fhall think myfelf very well paid
for it, if you will be fo good, as to order fome
marks of your favour to Mrs. Dingley. I do not
mean à penfion, but a ſmall fum to put her for once
out of debt and if I live any time, I fhall fee that
The keep herſelf clear of the world; for fhe is à
woman of as much picty and difcretion as I have
known.
1
:
I am forry to have been fo much a ftranger to the
fate of your family. I know nothing of your lady
or what children you have, or any other circum-
ftances; neither do I find that Mr. Hatch‍† can in-
form me in any one point. I very much approve of
your keeping up your family-houfe at Moor-part.
I have heard it is very much changed for the better,
as well as the gardens. The tree on which I carved
thofe words, factura nepotibus umbrami, is one of thofe
elms that ftand in the hollow ground just before the
* Picture of lady Giffard, fifter of Sir William Temple.
+ Mr. Hatch of Dublin, was agent for Mr. Temple's affairs įn
Ireland, as well as for the eftate of his brother Henry lord Palmer-
Bon, to whom the Dean wrote an angry letter in 1725.
houfc
[ 285 ]
→ 11
+
houfe: but I fuppofe the letters are widened and
grown ſhapeless by time.
I know nothing more of your brother, than that he
hath an Irish title (I fhould be forry to fee you with
fuch a feather) and that fome reafon or other drew
us into a correfpondence, which was very rough.
But I have forgot what was the quarrel.
This letter goes by my lord Caftledurrow, who is
a gentleman of very good fenfe and wit. I fufpect,
by taking his fon with him, that he defigns to fee
us no more. I defire to preſent my moft humble fer-
vice to your Lady* with hearty thanks of her re-
membrance of me..
+
I am, Sir, your moſt humble faithful fervant,
t
J. SWIFT.
Mr. Temple was the nephew, and his lady the grand-daugh-
ter, of Sir William Temple, by an only fon, who died young. She
was coheiress with Dorothy, wife of Nicholas Brown of Shrubland-
hall in Suffolk, efquire.
=
44
A TRANS-
286 1
Á
TRANSLATION
OF THE
FRENCH LETTERS in this WORK.
}
LET.TÉR CCCCXII.
Mr. Le CLERC to Mr. ADDISON.
SIR,
Amfterdam, Feb. 12, 1709.
1
DID myſelf the honour to write to you at the
beginning of the prefent year, to beg you would
be fo good as to inform me of a particular affair, of
which it behoved me to get the earlieft intelligence;
and yet I have had no anfwer from you. I have
only been informed that you have refigned the poft
you lately held, in order to go over to Ireland as fe-
cretary to lord Wharton. I wiſh you joy upon this
event, prefuming that the latter employ is preferable
to the former; though I am very fenfible that İ
fhall be a lofer by your removal. Still I wiſh you
all manner of fatisfaction in your new office; and
heartily pray that Ged may crown all your enter-
prizes with fuccefs. The favour I begged of you;
was to fend me the family name, and titles, of my
lord Halifax, and to afk himſelf, if you thought pro-
*
pers
1
[ 287 I
}
per, whether he would permit me to dedicate my Livg
to him. As you had fignified to me by Mr. Phillips, ·
that you had forgot the ſheet which I wanted in Mr.
Rymer's collection, I had fent you word that it is the
fheet IoT, orthe four pages immediately preceding the
index of names in the firft tome. If you have got it
fince, be fo good as to fend it to Meffrs. Toutton and
Stuiguer, carefully folded up, and directed to me.
I fuppofe this letter will find you ftill at London, be-
cauſe it is reported that lord Wharton will not fet out
till towards the month of April. There is nothing
new here, in the republic of letters, worth your no-
tice. The jefuits of Paris have paffed a fevere cen-
fure on father Harduin's opinions, and obliged him
to retract them in a very ignominious manner.
We ſhall ſee what will be the confequence. I ſhould
be glad could I be of any ſervice to you here; you
would then fee how fincerely I am, Sir, your moſt
humble and obedient fervant,
J. LE CLERC.
t
I
SIR,
LETTER CCCCXIII.
Dr. SWIFT to Mr. GIRALDI*.
Dublin, Feb. 25, 1714-15.
TAKE the liberty to recommend to you the bear-
er, Mr. Howard, a learned gentleman of good fa-
mily in this country, who intends to make the tour
* Mr. Giraldi was fecretary to the duke of Tuscany.
1
of
[ 288 ]
î
!
of Italy, and being a canon in my deanry, and pro
feffor of a college in this univerfity, would fain be
confirmed in his herefy by travelling among catho-
lics. And after all, Sir, it is but juft that fince you
have borrowed our English franknefs and fincerity to
ingraft on your Italian politenefs, fome of us tra-
montanes ſhould make repriſals on you by travelling.
You will alſo permit me to beg you will be ſo kind
as to prefent my moft humble duty to his royal high-
neſs the grand duke.
With regard to myfelf, I will be fo free as to tell
you, that two months before the queen's deceaſe,
finding that it was impoffible to reconcile my friends
of the ministry, I retired to a country houſe in Berk-
fhire; from whence, after that melancholy event, I
came over to Ireland, where I now refide upon mý
deánry, and with chriftian refignation wait for the
deftruction of our cauſe and of my friends, which
the reigning faction are daily contriving. For thefe
gentlemen are abfolutely determined to ftrike off half
a dozen heads of the beſt men in England, whom you
intimately knew and efteemed. God knows what
will be the confequence. For my part, I have bid
adieu to politics, and with the good leave of the ho-
neft men who are now in power, I fhall ſpend the
remainder of my days in my hermitage, and attend
intirely to my own private affairs. Adieu, Sir, .and
do me the juftice to believe, that I am, with great
refpect, Sir, yours, &c.
LETTER
[ 289 ]
LETTER CCCCXIV.
The Abbé des FONTAINES to Dr. SwiFT.
SIR,
Paris, July 4, 1725.
I HAVE the honour to fend you the fecond edi- -
tion of your work, which I have tranflated into French.
I ſhould have fent you the firft, had I not been oblig-
ed, for reaſons which I am not at liberty to tell you,
to infert a paffage in the preface, which you would
not have been pleafed with, and which I inferted
much against my inclinations. As the book has
made its way without oppofition, theſe reaſons no
longer fubfiſt, and I have expunged this paffage in
the fecond edition, as you will find. I have like-
wife altered the paffage relating to my lord Carteret,
concerning which I had received falfe intelligence.
In many parts you will eafily fee that my tranflation
is not exact; but what pleafes in England has not
always the fame effect in France; either becauſe our
manners are different, or becauſe the allufions and
allegories, that ftrike people in one country, do not
make the fame impreffion in another; or, in fine,
becauſe the two nations do not always agree in
tafte. My intention was to preſent my countrymen
with a book, which might be of uſe to them; and
this has made me take fome liberties in varying from
the original. I have even been fo free as to make
fome additions, according as I found my imagination
raifed by yours. To you only I am indebted for the
VOL III,
honour
U
1
[290]
honour this tranflation does me; a tranflation that
has been fold with amazing rapidity, for there have
been already three editions of it. I have conceived
fo high an eſteem for you, and fo greatly am I oblig-
ed to you, that if you are not intirely fatisfied with
the fuppreffion I have made in this edition, I am
ſtill ready to go any farther length, in order to can-
cel the memory of that part of the preface: as for
the reft, I beg you will pay due attention to the
juſtice I have done you in that very preface.
We flatter ourſelves that we ſhall foon have the ho-
nour of feeing you in this capital. All your friends
are impatient for your arrival. Nothing elfe is
talked of; and all Paris expects this agreeable event.
Do not defer giving us this pleaſure; you will fee
a nation that holds you in the higheft efteem. In
the mean while I claim the honour of you friendship,
and beg you will be perfuaded, that no one refpects
you more than myfelf; being, with the profoundeſt
regard and eſteem, Sir, your most humble and moſt
obedient fervant,
The Abbé des FONTAINE S.
Dr. Arbuthnot has been fo good as to undertake to
deliver this letter to you, together with the
copy of your work, which I have the honour
of fending you.
LETTER
[ 291 ]
SIR,
LETTER CCCCXV.
Dr. SWIFT's Anfwer.
IT is above a month fince I received your letter of
the 4th of Ju y; but the copy of the ſecond edition
of your tranſlation is not yet come to hand. I have
read the preface to the firft; and give me leave to
tell you, that I was very much furprized to find that,
at the fame time you mentioned the country in which
I was born, you alſo took notice of me by name, as
the author of that book, though I have had the mif-
fortune of incurring the diſpleaſure of fome of our
minifters by it, and never acknowledged it as mine.
Your behaviour however, in this refpect, though fome
what exceptionable, fhall not prevent me from doing
you justice. The generality of tranflators are very
laviſh of their praiſes on fuch works as they under-
take to render into their own language, imagining
perhaps that their reputation depends in fome mea-
fure on that of the authors, whom they have thought
proper to tranflate. But you were fenfible of your own
abilities, which render all fuch precautions needlefs.
Capable of mending a bad book, an enterprize more
difficult than to write a good one, you have ven-
tured to publish the tranflation of a work, which
you affirm to abound with nonfenfe and pueri-
lities, &c. We think with you, that nations do
not always agree in tafte; but are inclined to believe,
that good tafte is the fame, wherever there are men
+
U 2
4
of
7
[ 292 ]
of wit, judgment, and learning. Therefore, if the
Travels of Gulliver are calculated only for the Britiſh`
iſlands, that voyager muſt certainly be reckoned a
paltry writer. The fame vices and follies prevail in
all countries, at leaſt in all the civilized parts of
Europe and an author, who would fit down to write
only for a fingle town, a province, a kingdom, or
even a century, ſo far from deferving to be tranflated
does not deferve to be read.
This Gulliver's adherents, who are very numerous
here, maintain that his book will laſt as long as our
language, becauſe he does not derive his merit from
certain modes of expreffion or thought, but from a
ſeries of obfervations on the imperfections, follies
and vices of mankind.
You may very well judge, that the people I have
been ſpeaking of, do not approve of your criticisms;
and you will doubtless be furprized, when I inform
you, that they regard this fea-furgeon as a grave au-
thor, who never departs from his character, who
ufes no foreign embellishment, and never pretends
to fet up for a wit, but is fatisfied with giving the
public a plain and fimple narrative of the adventures
that befel him, and of the things he faw and heard
in the courſe of his voyages.
With regard to the article relating to lord Carteret,
without waiting for any information whence you
borrowed your intelligence, I fhall take the liberty
to tell you, that you have written only one half of
the truth; and that this real, or fuppofed Drapier,
has faved Ireland, by fpiriting up the whole nation
to
[ 293 ]
to oppofe a project, by which a certain number of
individuals would have been enriched at the public
expence.
A feries of accidents have intervened, which will
and I am now
prevent my going to France at prefer
too old to hope for any future o
fenfible that this is a great lof
confolation that remains, is to th
the better able to bear that ſpot of
fortune has condemned me. I am, &c.
nity. I am
The only
ball be
which
LETTER CCCCXVI.
Lady BOLINGBROKE to Dr. SWIFT.
Dawley, Feb. 1, 1726-7.
I HAVE been told, Sir, that you complain of
having received no letters from me.
You do me
wrong: I treat you as one of the deities, who keep
an account with mankind of their intentions. It is
about ten years fince I propofed writing to you;
before I had the honour of knowing you, the idea,
which I had formed of your gravity reftrained me:
fince I have had the honour of feeing you, I never
* Second wife of lord viscount Bolingbroke, born in France. She
had been fecond wife of the marquis de l'Ellette, chef d'efcadre,
nephew or coufin to madam De Maintenon. See Poltaire Siecle de
Louis XIV. tom II. p. 106. edit. Auf. 1764. She died March
18, 1749. Lord Eslingbroke furvived her, dying December 15,
$751, aged 78.
could
[294]
three mon
first r
re
could find fpirit enough to venture upon it. A cer-
tain gentleman, named Gulliver, had but this poor
imagination of mine, which is fo depreffed by the
air of London, and by converſations of which I know
only the found, a little in motion; I was defirous
of feizing the moment, in order to write to you,
but I fell ill have been fo perpetually for theſe
avail myſelf, therefore, Sir, of the
health, to thank you for your re-
proaches, which I am very proud of, and to fay a
word to you concerning my friend Gulliver. I learn,
with great fatisfaction, that he has just been tran-
alated into French; and as my refidence in England
has confiderably increafed my love for my own coun-
try and its inhabitants, I am delighted that they now
can participate in the pleaſure which that good gen-
tleman has given me, and that they can profit by
his diſcoveries, I am not without hopes, that the
twelve ſhips, which France has juft fitted out, may
be deſtined for an embafly to the nation of the Houy-
hnhnmbs. In that cafe I would propofe to you, that
we fhould make the voyage together. In the mean
time I am pleaſed with a workman of your country
who, in order to furnish the ladies with fans, which
you know, Sir, are much ufed here, has made ſome,
wherein all the adventures of your faithful traveller
are reprefented. You may eafily judge what a fhare
he will have in their converfation. This, indeed,
will be of great prejudice to the rain and fine wea-
ther, which filled up a part of it; and as to myſelf
in particular, I fhall be deprived of the words very
cola
[ 295 ]
cold and very warm, the few expreffions I underſtand.
I reckon to fend you fome of thoſe fans by one
of your friends. You may make a merit of them
with your Iriſh ladies, if you have any occafion for
them; which I imagine you have not, at leaſt if they
think like the French ladies. His lordſhip of Daw-
ley, Mr. Pope and myſelf, are taken up here in drink-
ing, eating, fleeping, or doing nothing, except pray-
ing to God for your welfare. Return this ſpring to
fee us; my lord expects your coming with impati-
ence, that he may kill the weightieft ox, and the
largeſt hog, on my farm: both fhall be ferved up
whole on your reverence's table, for fear that my
cook fhould in any manner difguiſe them. You will
ſhine among us at leaſt as much as among your own
prebends, and we fhall be no lefs folicitous to pleaſe
you. I will difpute that point with every body, be-
ing, of all perfons living, Sir, your moſt humble
and moſt obedient fervant.
LETTER CCCCXVII.
Lady BOLINGBROKE to Dr. SWIFT.
SIR,
Indorfed Lady Bolingbroke."
MR. Pope has given me great pleaſure, by affuring
me that you are in good health, and fhewing me a
mark of your kind rememembrance, in one of your
letters. I find you are very much diffatisfied with
being confined to Dublin, while we refide at Dawley.
We
E 296 ]
3
We ſhould have taken great care of you this winter
and joined together in our averfion to mankind, as
much as you pleaſed; for I do not find they much
improve upon a near acquaintance. The French have
lately formed in France two theatrical pieces, which
are faid to have been drawn from Gulliver. They
are fuch wretched ftuff, that I fhall not fend them to
you; but it is at leaſt an indication of your honeſt
traveller's having had fuch fuccefs amongst us, that
the name of Gulliver is fufficient to recommend the
moft paltry performance to the public. Our farmer
embraces you he complains of your going away
without giving him an opportunity to take leave of
you, and of your omitting to mention a word con-
cerning him, in one of your letters; but I fanfy
you are like the coquettes, who, prefuming on the
power of their charms, are indifferent how far they
may offend. 1 can affure you, that all trefpaffes
will be forgiven you upon the receipt of the very
firft letter, and ſtill more readily upon the firſt hope
that we ſhall ſee you again. Adieu; take care of
yourſelf, and we fhall be fatisfied. I have no notion
of fending you any news from this country: I am
here a ftranger more than ever; and I fhould never
think of being naturalized in any other ſpot, but
where I could fpend my days in your company.
J
LETTER
12
[ 297 ]
1
LETTER CCCCXVIII,
Dr. SWIFT to VANESSA.
May 12, 1719.
I COMPLIMENT you on your perfection in the
French language. It is neceffary to know you long,
in order to know all your accomplishments: by per-
petually ſeeing and hearing you, new ones appear,
which before were concealed. It is a reproach to
me, that I know only the gaſcon and patois in com-
pariſon of you. There is nothing to be objected,
either as to the orthography, propriety, elegance,
eaſe, or fpirit. And what a blocked am I to anſwer
you in the fame language, you who are incapable of
any folly, unleſs it be the esteem that you are pleaſed
to entertain for me; for it is no merit, nor any proof
of my good tafte, to find out in you all that nature
has beſtowed on a mortal, that is to fay, honour, vir-
tue, good fenfe, wit, fweetneſs, agreeableneſs, and
firmnefs of foul; but by concealing yourself, as you
do the world knows you not, and you loſe the eu-
logy of millions. Ever fince I have had the honour
of knowing you, I have always remarked, that`nei-
ther in private, nor in general converſation, has one
word ever eſcaped you, which could be better ex-
preffed. And I proteft, that after making frequently
the moft fevere criticifms, I never have been able to
find the leaft fault, either in your actions or your
words. Coquetry, affectation, prudery, are imper-
VOL. III
fections
X
[ 298 ]
fections which you never knew. And with all this,
do you think it poffible not to eſteem you above the
reſt of human kind? What beafts in petticoats are
the most excellent of thofe, whom I fee diſperſed
throughout the world, in compariſon of you! on
feeing, on hearing them, I fay a hundred times a
day, fpeak not, look not, think not, do nothing
like thoſe wretches. What a misfortune to be the
the occafion of bringing down contempt on fo
many women; who but for the thoughts of you,
would be a little tolerable! But it is time to put an
end to this trouble, and to bid you adieu. I am,
and ever ſhall remain, with all poffible refpect, fin-
cerity and efteem, yours.
LETTER CCCCXIX.
Mr. VOLTAIRE to the Count de MORVILLE, Mi-
nifter and Secretary of State, at Verfailles.
MY LORD,
June, 1727.
HITHERTO I have confined myſelf to a tacit
admiration of your management of the public affairs
of Europe; but it is impoffible for a perſon, who has
your glory fo much at heart, and for whom you have
a fincere affection, to keep filence any longer, and
not to prefent his fincere compliments to you upon
the wiſdom of your conduct.
Befides, I could not decline the honour, which the
celebrated dean Swift does me, in offering to deliver
this letter to your lordſhip. I am fenfible that he is
realy
[ 299 ]
เร
already known to you by fame, and that you are
defirous of his acquaintance. He does honour to a
nation, whom you highly efteem. You have per-
uſed the tranflations of feveral pieces attributed to
him; and who is more capable than you, my lord,
of difcovering the beauties of an original, even
through the veil of an inelegant verfion? I appre-
hend you will not be forry to dine in company with
dean Swift, and the prefident Henault: and I alfo
flatter myſelf, that the liberty I take in introducing
to your acquaintance one of the moſt extraordinary
men that England ever produced; one who is moſt
capable of forming a juft idea of your truly great
great qualities, will be confidered by you as a token
of my fincere attachment to your perfon.
I fhall ever remain, with the most profound ref-
pect and eſteem, my lord, your lordſhip's moſt obe-
dient humble ſervant,
VOLTAIR E
INDEX.
( 300 )
INDE X.
f
A.
ACADEMY, a political one eftablished by the king
of France, vol. ii, 96.
Ambition, not ſo ſtrong a paffion in young men as love,
ii. 6.
Anne (queen) recommends to the parliament to take a
method to prevent libels, &c. i. 132. Her birth-
day celebrated with great fplendor and luxury, 237.
Tells the Lords her reafons for parting with the
lord treaſurer Harley, ii. 68. Mr. Ford's account
of her laft illness, 75. Her death, 79. Some ob-
ſervations reſpecting her by Dr. Arbuthnot, 92.
Arbuthnot (Dr.) fome extempore verfes made by him,
ii. 39. Gives Dr. Swift a ſhort account of a trea-
fonable piece, called a hiſtory of the laſt invaſion of
Scotland, 51. His humorous cenfure of Whifton's
project of the longitude, 58. His obfervations re-
Ipecting the death of queen Anne, 92. Encomium
on Dr. Swift, 93. His humorous remark refpecting
Mifs Nelly Bennet, introduced by him to the French
court, 144. Mentions a droll incident or two on
the publication of Gulliver's Travels, 245, Makes
fome reflections refpecting the ill luck of Mr. Gay,
268. One motive of his particular care to fave Mr.
Gay's life, 288. His prefcription to Dr. Swift for
the cure of his fits of giddinefs, iii. 5. Writes a
very humorous treatiſe on the altercation of the an-
cients, 14. His remark upon Curll the bookſeller,
95. His freedom with the greatest perfons in defence
of liberty, virtue, and religion, 97. Affecting and
friendly letter wrote in his illnefs, and fome few
months before his death, to Dr. Swift, 145-147.
Account of his death by Mr. Pulteney, 158,
Y
Arres
(302)
+
Arran (earl of) folicited by Dr. Swift to refign the
claim made by the Ormond Family to the rectorial
tythes of Clonmel, iii. 253, 254•
Ashburnham, (lady) her death, with a fhort character of
her, i. 214, 215.
Atterbury (bishop) his conduct towards the earl of Ox-
ford, ii. 88. Gives Dr. Swift his advice and opi-
nion for his condu&t in the difpute between him and
his chapter, 115-118.
Attorney general, his opinion refpecting writs of error
in a criminal cafe, ii. 162.
D'Aumont (duke) his houſe burned to the ground, with
the various fpeculations thereupon, i. 230, 231, 232.
Thought to have been done through malice, 232.
Authors, fhould confult their genius rather than intereft,
if they cannot reconcile them, iii. 20. Compofing,
godly books no recommendation to them in En-
gland, 80.
B.
(lord) his letter to Dr. Swift, alluding to his
propofal for providing for the Irish poor, ii. 297.
His fpeech about the penfion-bill greatly applauded,.
303. Rallies Dr. Swift humorously upon his writ-
ings, as borrowed or ftolen, 309. And fatirically
the writers of the laft and prefent age, 310. More
in the fame ftrain upon the Doctor's way of living,
recommending temperance and frugality to him, iii.
22-25. His remark on corporations, phyficians,
and lawyers, 108, 109. Rallies Dr. Swift upon
the courfe of employment he was fallen into, 110.
His opinion of the ftate of England, 219. Conduct
towards his tenants, ib. Reflections on the death of
queen Caroline, z20. Comparison of Mr. Pope, ib.
Beggar's Opera, the great fuccefs of it, ii. 270. Lord
Cobham's reafon why it should have been printed in
Italian together with the Engliſh, 271. Other par-
ticulars refpecting it, 273. A fermon preached a-
paint it by Dr. Herring, 280. Rehearfal of the
fecond:
(303)
fecond part of it ftopped, by order from the ford
chamberlain, 284.
Berkely (earl of) Latin infcription upon his monument,
i. 72.
Bettlesworth, (Mr.) how affected by a fatrical piece of
Dr. Swift, iii. 129.
Bingly (lord) beaten by miſtake, coming out of his own
houfe, ii. 84.
Bishops, thofe of Offory and Killaloe impowered to
folicit the affair of the firft fruits, &c. in Ireland, i.
45. Wherefore worſe folicitors than other men for
any but themſelves, 56. Mr. Pulteney's remark on
their political unity, iii. 157.
Bite, a new-fashioned way of being witty, and the
conftant amufement at court, and among great peo-
ple, i. 3.
Bolingbroke (lady) her letter to Dr. Swift, in French,
on the fubject of Gulliver's travels, and other mat-
ters, ii. 251–253.
Bolingbroke (lord) gives Dr. Swift a fhort account of
himſelf after his fall, ii. 123. Has permiffion to ftay
in France, provided he retires from Paris, 127. His
reflections on friendship, 147, 148. See alfo, 167.
His paraphrafe of part of an epif. of Horace, 150.
His remark on the rabble, 167. On Plato, 188. On
riches, 169. His cenfure of Cato, 170. Defcribes
his improvements in his rural retreat, 172. Henry
Guy's advice to him 176. Moral and critical re-
marks on Seneca, and his writings, 177, 178. Re-
marks refpecting Mr. Prior, then lately deceaſed,
180. His fentiments of the free-thinkers, 200.
What kind of free-thinker he laboured to be, 201.
The manner in which he would wiſh to divide life,
256. His reflections on the too frequent confequen-
ces of a liberal education, 258. On chronological
enquiries, iii. 37. His defcription of the plan of
Mr. Pope's Ethic epiftles, with fome reflections on
the fubject of them, 40-42. Makes fome propo-
fals to Dr. Swift refpecting the exchange of his
Y 2
deanry
( 304 )
deanry of St. Patrick for the Rectory of Burfield, in
Berkshire, 67, His judgement of Berkeley's and
Delaney's treatifes, 70. Reflections on fome points
of moral philofophy, 140. Character of the earl of
Oxford, 141. His examination of a maxim among
the ancients, that "a man of buſineſs may talk of
philofophy, a man who has none may practiſe it.”
140-143. His judgment of Mr. Pope's Moral
Eflays, 144. His courfe of life and ftudies in France
defcribed by Mr. Pope, 222. Extract from his laſt
will, 236, 237.
Books, compofing godly Books no recommendation in
England, iii. So.
Boyfe (Mr.) his book of a fcriptural biſhop burnt at
Dublin, i. 108.
Brevet, what the term means, i. 261.
Bull, an Iriſh one, iii. 105.
Buſineſs, minding that of other people the greateſt mark
of idlenefs, iii. 110.
C.
Cefar (Julius) wrote his commentaries amidſt hurry
and fatigue, i. 106.
C-
(lord) a remark on him by Dr. Swift; iii. 209.
His answer to thoſe who aſked him how he governed
Ireland, 216. In what refpect he acted a more po-
pular part in the government of that kingdom, than
› 246.
the duke of D-
Gabell (archbishop of) a maxim he learnt by converfing
with politicians, iii. 161. His account of king
Cormack's chapel and bed-chamber, 162. Remark
on Sir James Ware's memoirs of the archbishops of
Cafhell. 169.
Caftledurrow (lord) fome verfes addreffed by him to an
old woman, iii. 198
Chandois (duke of) remark on his marriage, iii. 183.
Charity, why public charities are preferable to private,
iii. 8z.
Cheſterfislas
(305)
I
Chesterfield (earl of) a merry faying of his refpecting the
king, iii. 200.
Gholmondeley (lord) removed from his employment for
fpeaking against the peace at a council, i. 278.
Cicero (M. T.) an excellent fentence cited from his
Offices, iii, 199.
Clarendon (earl of) appointed envoy extraordinary te
Hanover, ii. 29.
Clergy of England, the whole body of them violent for
the bill againſt occafional conformity, i. 2.
Clergy of Ireland, application made in their behalf re-
fpecting the firft-fruits, &c. i. 45. Their livings in
Ireland very fmall, and of uncertain value, through
the number of their impropriations, 53. Twentieth
parts payable by them, wherein they confift, 54.
Several pay yearly to the crown a third part, fome-
times half, of the real value of their living, ib.
Archbishop Tillotſon's obfervation refpecting them,
ii. 10.
Clogher (biſhop of) an if pun of his making, i. 263.
Clonmel, tythes of that parifh, one of the largest and
poorest in Ireland, claimed by the Ormond family,
though granted by king Charles II. to the church,
with the confent of the firft duke of Ormond, iii.
253, 254.
Cobham (lord) for what reafon he would have had Mr.
Gay print the Beggar's Opera in Italian together
with the Engliſh, ii. 271.
Conformity (occafional) bill againſt it rejected by a great
majority of the lords, amongft whom were all the
biſhops, i. 2. Whole body of the clergy, with a
great majority of the commons, violent for it, ib.
The court and rabble trimmers in the cafe, ib. Sen-
timents of the lords Peterborough, Somers, and bi-
ſhop of Salisbury refpecting it, ib. The bill written
againft by Dr. Swift, 4.
Conning by (earl of) fent to the tower, ii. 164.
Convocation (in Ireland) prefs a reprefentation of the
Aate of religion, i. 110.
Y 3
Correlly
(306)
Corelli excelled in forming an orchestre, iii. 203.
Corke (city) lord O's obfervations on it, iii. 210.
Cormack (king and archbishop) his chapel and bed-
chamber, iii. 162.
Corporations are perpetually doing injuſtice to indivi-
duals, iii. 108.
Court, what a conftant amufement there, i. 3. One ad-
vantage of going thither, 124. A fault of it in queen
Anne's time, 130.
Of what ufe to Dr. Swift, 152.
The practice of one belonging to it in felling employ-
ments, 153. Not in the power of thoſe who live in
court to do all they defire for their friends, iii. 98.
Courtiers, in what refpect they refemble gamefters, iii.
178 Civility all a wife man would expect from
them, 224.
Curll (Edmund) Dr. Arbuthnot's remark on him, iii,
95. Lord O
-'s, 211. Mr. Pope's 215.
D.
Deaneries, what the ſtate in general of thofe of the old
foundation, ii. 115. The general condition of them
in Ireland, iii. 179.
Diaper (Mr.) writes fome fea-eclogues, or poems of
mer-men, i. 144.. Prefented by Dr. Swift to lord
Bolingbroke, with a new poem, 206. Receives
twenty guineas from that lord, by Dr. Swift, when
lying fick in a nafty garret, 240.
Diligence, to be double diligent to thoſe who neglect
us, why the cruelift revenge, iii. 123,
Difney (col.) his faying of Jenny Kingdom, the maiḍ
of honour, i. 261.
Diffenters (in Ireland) apply to the parliament of En-
gland for the repeal of the teft, i. 22. Addrefs againſt
diffenting minifters agreed to by the houfe of lords in
Ireland, 108. Diffenting minifters join with the
Whigs in agreeing to a bill againft occafional con-
formity, 114. Are fuffered to have their conventicles
by connivance only, ii. 103. Are too affuming upon
ate events that give them any encouragement, ib.
D
( 307 )
1
*
D (duke of) a character of the duke and duchefs
by lady BG-
G——————, iii. 46. Gave great fatisfac-
tion to the people of Ireland, when lord lieutenant,
200. Lord Caftledurrow's commendation of the duke
for his magnificence and other virtues, 203. With
a remark on his few and flight defects, ib. A re-
mark of Dr. Swift refpecting him in his public capa-
city, 204. By what means he was influenced to act
the ufual part in the government of Ireland, 246.
Dublin (archbiſhop of) his reflections on the character of
the earl of Wharton, lord lieutenant of Ireland, pub-
liſhed there, i. 69. On Guifcard's attempt to kill
Mr. Harley, 73. On the proceeding of the city in
the election of a mayor, 81-83. His advice to Dr.
Swift, 99. (See alfo letter LIII). Reflections on the
approaching peace, 103. Account of the proceedings
at a convocation preffing a reprefentation of the ſtate
of religion in Ireland, 110.
Dublin (city of) law and rules obferved there in the
election of their mayors and aldermen, i. 81. Remark
on the vanity and luxury of feafting there, iii. 203.
Dutch, a brief remark on them, i. 121, 130, 168. A
learned Dutchman writes a book to prove that England
wronged them by the peace, 185. Yield to the bar-
rier treaty, which chiefly retarded the peace, 233-
E.
Education, what too frequently the confequence of a
liberal one, ii. 258.
Employments, none more eager for them than fuch as are
leaſt fit for them, i. 98. In general very hard to gét,
250. By the act of fucceffion no foreigner can en-
joy any, civil or military, ii. 95.
England, general difcontent that it fhould be engaged
in a very expenfive war, whilſt all the other powers
of Europe were in peace, ii. 231. What the too
frequent practice there with refpect to mad-houſes,
iii. 34. So connected with Ireland, that the natives
of both iflands fhould study and advance each other's
intereft, 133.
Erafmus,
Y 4
( 308 }
Erafmus, his life almoft a continual journey, i. 107
Á maxim of his cited, ii. 306.
Error (writ of) not grantable in a criminal cafe with-
out direction from the king, ii. 162.
Eugene (prince) a humorous defcription of him by
Swift, i. 119.
Europe, Mr. Gay become one of the obſtructions to
the peace of it, ii. 289.
F.
Feafts, the vanity and luxury of the Irish refpecting
them, iii. 203.
Firft-fruits, exemption from payment of them granted
to the clergy of Ireland, i. 27. Application made in
their behalf reſpecting them, 45. Memorial of Dr.
Swift to Mr. Harley on this fubject, 52. What the
yearly amount of them, with the twentieth parts,
and crown-rents, in Ireland, 54.
Fishery, Mr. Grant's propofal for eſtabliſhing a white
herring and cod fishing in Ireland, iii. 133-136.
Folly, a term that never gave fools offence, ii. 296.
None but fools can be in earneſt about a trifle, 301.
(See alfo iii. 26.)
Ford (Mr.) appointed Gazetteer by Dr. Swift's procure-
ment, with a falary of two hundred pounds a year,
befides perquifites, i. 166. Gives Dr. Swift an ac-
count of feveral expected changes in the miniftry,
and other matters of ſtate, ii. 45. Of the proceed-
ings against Arthur Moore, 48.
Fownes (Sir William) his letter to Dr. Swift refpecting
the foundation of an hofpital for lunatics in Dublin,
iii. 82-99.
*
France (king of) eſtabliſhed an academy for the in-
ftruction of politicians, ii. 96.
French, their conduct and evafions in fettling the arti-
cles of commerce with England; i. 235.
Free-thinkers, lord Bolingbroke's fentiments of them,
ii. 200.
His definition of fuch an one as himſelf
laboured to be, 201,
Friend
( 309 )
Friend (Dr.) recommended by Dr. Swift to be phyfician
general, i. 141.
Friendship, acts of it create friends even among ftrangers,
ii. 5. Lord Bolingbroke's reflections on it, 147.
The folly of contracting too great and intimate a
friendſhip, 225. Reflection on it by the duchess of
Queenſberry, iii. 101. The lofs of friends a tax upon
long life, 103. The medicine and comfort of life, 231
G.
Gamefters, in what refpect courtiers may be faid to re-
femble them, iii. 178.
Gafcon, deſcription of a week's fuftenance of his family,
ii. 158. The artifice of one confined by the French
king to ſpeak only one word, 234.
Gautier (the Abbè) firft employed by France in the
overtures of peace, i. 197.
Gay (Mr.) his petition to the lord treaſurer, ii. 29. Spe-
cimen of his intended treatife on politics, 97. Reflec-
tions on the conduct of great men towards him, 183.
Appointed a commiffioner of the ſtate lottery, 187.
Gives Swift an account of the fuccefs of the Beggar's
Opera, 270. Acquaints him with more particulars
refpecting it, 273. The great friendſhip of the duke
and duchefs of Queenfberry towards him, 285. Re-
ceives great contributions towards the publication of
the fecond part of the Beggar's Opera, 286. His for-
tune increaſed by oppreffion, 287. Moft of the cour-
tiers refufe to contribute to his undertaking, ib. Chief
author of the Craftſman, by which he becomes very
popular, 289. Engaged in law-fuits with bookfel-
lers for pirating his book, 291, 292. Declines in the
favour of courtiers, iii, 55. Some account of his fables,
to Dr. Swift, 63, More on the fame, 74. Gam-
badoes commended by him as a fine invention, 79.
Finds in himfelf a natural propenfity to write againſt
vice, 92. His death, 95. Is univerfally lamented,
and buried with great pomp, ib. Curll affiduous in
procuring memoirs of his life, ib. Duchefs of's
character
( 310 )
,་
;}
character of him, 101. Dr. Swift's condolence with
the Ducheſs for his death, with a ſhort character of
him, 103.
Gazetteer, a falary of two hundred pounds a year fet-
tled on the employment, by Dr. Swift's procurement,
i. 166.
G (lady E) a ſmart remark made by her on
.Colley Cibber's being appointed lauret, iii. 16. Vin-
dicates to Dr. Swift the conduct of the countess of
Srefpecting him, 98. Particulars of an affair
between the bishop of Peterborough and her, 121, 122.
Recommends to Dr. Swift a medicine faid to be of
efficacy againſt giddinefs, 180. Highly commended
by the Doctor for her great and many virtues, 206.
Giddinefs, a good medicine to relieve from that diſorder,
and the head-ach, iii. 180.
Gifts, their value enhanced by the manner of their
diftribution, iii. 230.
Godolphin (earl of) why talked of by the minifters with
humanity and pity, i. 175.
Good-nature, not the moft fhining quality in the eyes of
the world, ii. 136,
Goths, their fyftem of limited monarchy extinguished
in all the nations of Europe, iii. 247.
Governours, what their main defign when ſent to their
governments, i. go.
90.
Grant (Mr.) his letter propofing the eſtabliſhment of
white herring and codfishery in Ireland, iii. 133--136.
Gratitude, what required at least from it, iii. 202.
Greece, what fometimes happened among the petty ty-
rants of it, îìì. 248.
Grub-street, in danger of being ruined, i. 171.
Guardian, the paper fo called begun by Mr. Steele, i. 273ẹ
Guifcard, remarks on his attempt to kill fecretary Har
ley, i. 73.
Gulliver, two dramatic pieces made in France from the
ſubject of his travels, iii. 256.
H. Hamilton
(311)
H.
Hamilton, (duke of) killed in a duel with lord Mohun,
i. 187.
Hamilton (duchefs) fhort deſcription and character of
her, i. 189.
Hammer (Sir Thomas) fpeaker, the moft confiderable man
in the houſe of commons, i. 245. Letter from him to
Dr. Swift, upon reading his Hiftory of the Peace, 203.
Happiness, on what it greatly depends, iii. 102. What
a confiderable ſtep towards it, 138.
Harley (Mr.) his reception of Dr. Swift upon his firſt in-
troduction to him, and application for remiffion of
the firft-fruits, &c. in Ireland, i. 56. Mentioned with
honour by the archbishop of Dublin for his abilities
and zeal for the common intereft, 79. Four lines
made on him extempore, by Swift, when ill of his
wound, 126. What a great fault in him, 138. Humo-
rous lines fent by him, earl of Oxford, to Dr. Swift,
ii. 22. More of the fame, 23. Conclufion of a copy
of verſes made by him, complaining of ill ufage, 33.
Reproached by lady Mafham, 53, 54. Some reflections
reſpecting his difmiffion, and carriage thereupon, 65.
His Letter to Dr. Swift on the day of his refignation,
67. For what reafons difmiffed by the queen, 58.
Cenfured by lady Mafham, 70. His carriage at the
king's proclamation, and behaviour of the mob to
him, 83. A ftricture upon his conduct and treatment,
87. A fhort character of him by lord Bolingbroke,
89. Makes advances of civility to the Whigs, 95.
Some obfervations refpecting his intended trial, 128.
That fubject farther difcuffed, 130. His impeach-
ment diſcharged by unanimous confent of the lords,
131. The king forbids him the court, ib. Lord
Bolingbroke's character of him, 148.
Harley (lady Betty) circumftances of her match with the
marquis of Caermarthen, i. 204.
Harrifon (Thomas, Efq;) fecretary of the embaffy at
Utrecht, his letter to Dr. Swift, i. 198. A remark-
able incident refpecting him, at the time of his
bringing
( 312 )
*
bringing the barrier treaty, 233. His fickness and
death, 239, 240. Accident to the mourners return-
ing from his funeral, 241.
Head-ach, a good remedy againſt it, iii. 180.
Health, what chiefly conducive to it, iii. 102. Dr.
Swift's eftimation of it, 279,
Herring (Dr.) preaches a fermon againſt the Beggar's
Opera, ii. 280.
Highwaymen, fome artfully taken by a gentleman, i. 209.
Holt (lord chief juſtice) from what motive Dr. Radcliffe
took particular care to recover his wife, ii. 289.
H (Mrs. afterwards countefs of S-) her face-
tious letter to Dr. Swift, alluding to paffages in
Gulliver, ii. 246. Her marriage with Mr. Berkeley,
the brother of lady B G-
G——, iii. 172.
Human nature, which it hath ever been, iii. 247.
Hunter (brigadier) governour of New York, mifrepre-
fented by his adverfaries as inclined to weaken the
intereft of the church there, i. 294.
I.
Idleness, what the greatest mark of it, iii. 110.
Informers, letter from one to the lord treaſurer, ii. 21.
Ingratitude, a vice moit men are aſhamed to be thought
guilty of, ii. 5.
Injuries, a part of wifdom to diffemble thofe we cannot
revenge, i. 91.
Ireland, obfervations on the conduct of the Diffenters
there, refpecting a repeal of the teft, i. zz.
22. Firft-
fruits and twentieth parts granted to the clergy there,
27. Houfe of commons addrefs the queen upon the
reverfion of lord Slane's attainder, 34. Few pariſh-
es there have any glebe, 52. The number of im-
propriations make the livings fmall and of uncertain
value, 53. Glebes more wanted-than impropriations,
91. The people greatly apprehenfive of the Pre-
tender, 96. A great jeft to fee people there furious
for or against any thing, 115. Diffentions in the
parliament reſpecting the chancellor, ii. 9. An
expreffion of Hobbes applied to the turbulent state
of
1
(
313 )
of affairs there, II. The commons take examina
tions about murder out of the judges hands, ib
The diffenters conventicles fuffered only by con-
nivance, 103. Obferved by travellers that they
never ſee fewer charitable foundations any where
than in this kingdom, iii. 82. Its fuperiour advan-
tages to thofe which England enjoys, 95. So con-
nected with England, that the natives of both
iſlands fhould mutually ftudy and advance each
other's intereft, 133. Propofal for eftabliſhing a
herring and cod fishery there, 133-136. What the
ftate of the deanries there in general, 179. Is a
nation of flaves, who fell themſelves for nothing,
243. What influenced the duke of D-
to act
the ufual part in governing that nation, 246. Not
a place for any freedom, 264. Dr. Swift's character,
and reflections on the conduct of the 'fquires in ge-
neral there, 282, 283.
Italian, for what reafon lord Cobham would have had
Mr. Gay print the Beggar's Opera in that language
together with the English, ii. 271.
Fudges, thofe of Ireland have the examinations about
murder taken out of their hands by the commons,
ii. II.
K.
Kerry (earl of) one of the most ancient and noble fa-
milies in Ireland, iii. 168.
Killala (biſhop of) impowered to folicit the affair of
the firft-fruits, &c. in Ireland, i. 45, What the
yearly income of that bishopric, ii. 12.
Kingdom (Jenny) a maid of honour, colonel Disney's
faying of her, i. 219.
Kings, all of them naturally defire unlimited power,
iii. 247. What alone would cool their luft of pow-
er, ib.
Kingston (duke of) imports a foreign commodity, iii.
219.
J. Lanf
A
4
A
$
(314)
L.
Lanfdown (lord) offended at a paffage in the examiner,
j. 144.
Lawyers, their fenfe of the ftat. of Henry VIII. relat-
ing to the leafes of hofpitals, &c. ii. 117–118.
Lent, why hated by Dr. Swift, i. 138.
+
}
Lewis (Mr. Erafmus) gives fome account of Mr. Prior,
and the propofal for printing his poems, ii. 125, 126.
Libels, the queen recommends to her parliament the
taking a method to prevent them, i. 132. One pub-
lished, called the Ambaffadrefs, the printer of which
was fet in the pillory, fined, and imprifoned, 266.
Life, not intended by God as a bleffing, in Swift's opi-
nion, i. 215. The manner in which lord Boling-
broke faid he wished to divide it, ii. 256. There
is a time wherein every one withes for fome fettle-
ment of his own, 308. Lofs of friends a tax upon
long life, 103.
1
London, the propereft place in the world to renounce
friendship in, ii. 213.
Love, a much stronger paffion in young men than am-
bition, ii. 6.
Lunatics, propofals for an hofpital for them in Dublin,
iii. 82-9u.
•
M.
Maccartney (Mr.) a letter printed in his name, vindi-
cating himself from the murder of duke Hamilton,
i. 278.
Madness, talking to one's felf esteemed a fign of it, i.
14. Mankind has an inexhauftible fource of inven-
tion in the way of it, ii. 221, 222. Many made
really mad by ill ufage, iii. 84.
1
Mapp (Mrs.) a merry incident refpecting her, iii. 201.
Marlborough (duke of) reafons affigned of his intention
to go out of England, i, 184. His public entry
through the city defcribed, ii, 85. Hiffed by more
than huzza'd, ib.
Marb
{
( 315 )
"
Marlborough (duchefs of) a fingular inftance of her
meannefs and ingratitude to the queen, i. 280.
Maxim, to do what is right, and difregard the world,
a good one, iii. 265. What the beft in life, in Dr.
Swift's opinion, 280. A good moral maxim of the
ancient heathens, 283.
Medicine, the ridicule of it a very copious fubject, ii.
38. The form of one preſcribed by Dr. Arbuthnot
for Dr. Swift, iii. 5. A good one againft giddinefs
and head-ach, 180.
Minifters, an obfervation refpecting new ones, i. 25.
What confequent to the lofs of their place, 51. Why
they ſhould avoid all inquiry, and every thing that
would embroil them, 70. Never talk politics in
converſation, 247. Acceſs to them ufually con-
verted by moft men to their own fingle intereft, ii.
5. Well-difpofed remembrancers the moft ufeful
fervants to them in their leiſure hours, 6.
Mifer, by living miferably, and dying hated and def-
pifed, to leave great riches, may be faid to have
outwitted himſelf, iii. 26.
Misjudging, whence it ufually proceeds, iii. 250,
Mohocks, their practices, i. 141. Were all Whigs, 142.
Swift thought to be in danger from them, ib. More
obfervations refpecting them, 155.
Money, that money creates power an erroneous and
corrupt notion, ii. 306.
N.
News, party news not to be readily credited, i. 74.
Nottingham (earl of) fome account of, and reflection
on his conduct, i. 113.
0.
#
Orchestre, Corelli excelled in forming it, iii. 203.
Ormond (duke of) addrefs of thanks to the queen pro-
pofed, for appointing him lord lieutenant of Ireland,
and why rejected, i. 94. Generally well efteemed
there,
( 315 )
there, 95. À brief commendation of him, foż. De-
clared General in Flanders, 133. Affifts at the
fire by which Sir William Windham's houfe was
burnt, 136. Gains much credit by his conduct in
Flanders, 171. Huzza'd through the whole city at
the king's proclamation, ii. 83.
· Orrery (earl of) his obfervation on the city of Corke,
iii. 210.
Oory (bishop of) impowered to folicit the affair of the
firft-fruits, &c. in Ireland, i. 45.
Qyflers, method of boiling them, i. 139.
P.
Parker (lord chief juſtice) would have filenced Dr.
Swift as a writer, i. 185.
Parliament, a bill paffed for limiting members to a
certain number of places, i. 135.
Parnell (Dr.) his poem intituled " On Queen Ann's
Peace," prefented by Dr. Swift to lord Bolingbroke,
i. 206. Greatly liked by that lord, 209. And by
the lord treaſurer, 233.
Parties, their news not to be credited readily, i. 74.
Pafquin, the fuccefs of it, iii, 182.
Patrick (St.) the beſt deanry in Ireland. i. 287.
Peace, many of the Tories difcontented at it, i. 245.
To be ratified in all courts before it could be pro-
claimed here, z62.
Peterborow (earl of) his fentiments refpecting the bill
againſt occafional conformity, i. 2. Queries fent by
him to Dr. Swift, ii. 17. Writes a facetious letter
to him on the publication of Gulliver's travels, 248.
Peterborow (bishop of) particulars of an affair between
lady B G and him, refpecting a piece of
ground, iii. 121, 122.
Phipps (Sir Conftantine) his letter to Dr. Swift refpect-
ing the cafe of Waters his printer, ii. 162.
Phyficians, the fenfitive foul made a fort of firft minifter
to the rational by fome of the German phyficians,
Polidore
ii. 39.
( 317 )
Polidere (Sir) what the wrong fide of his office, i. 259.
Politicians, allegorife all the animal oeconomy into ſtate
affairs, ii. 39. Secrecy one of their moſt diſtinguiſh-
ing qualities, 96. Other requifites to them, ib.
King of France eſtabliſhes an academy for their in-
ftruction, ib´ A maxim held by them, iii. 161.
Politics, an expreffion appropriated by the French to
beauty applicable to them, i. 75. To fhew ill-will,
without power of doing more, no good policy in á
dependant people, 90. Never made by minifters the
fubject of converfation, 247. Specimen of Mr.
Gay's intended treatife on them, ii. 97. Dr. Swift's
creed in them, iii. 98, 99.
Pope (Mr.) his poem called Windfor Foreft, publiſhed
and commended, i. 254. In danger of being drowned,
ii. 232. Lord Bolingbroke's judgment of his ethic
effays, iii. 144. In danger again of being drowned,
189. His character of Dr. Swift and his writings,
214. His account of lord Bolingbroke's plan of life
and ſtudies in France, 222. Why the friendſhip of
young, rather than of old people cultivated by him,
224. Gives Dr. Swift an account of his courfe of
life and amufements, 226.
Power, naturally attended with fear and precaution,
ii. 305. What would cool the luft of abfolute power
in princes, iii. 247.
Pretender, fubftance of his declaration, ii.
Projects, a humorous one for raifing money by a ftamp
upon blistering and melilot plaifters, il. 38.
Pulteney (Mr.) his cook's receipt for ftewing veal put
into verfe, ii. 241. Gives Dr. Swift an account of
a humorous treatife compofed by Dr. Arbuthnot up-
on the fcolding of the ancients, iii. 14. His remark
on the promotion of Dr. Rundle to the fee of Derry,
157. On the ftrength of his own conftitution, 199:
Purpoſes to follow Dr. Swift's rules for prefervation-
of his health, ib. A fentence of Tully propofed by
him for the rule of his conduct, ib. Obfervations
on the ftate of public affairs, 233 Sends Dr. Swift
VOL. III.
Z
$
1
(
318 )
a copy of Latin verfes made in compliment to him
by a Weftminſter ſcholar, 234.
Q.
Quadrille, the univerfal employment of life among the
polite, il 240. Comically defcribed by Mr. Con-
greve, 244.
Quakers oppoſe the bill for receiving tythes in Ireland,
i. 96.
Queensberry (duke and duchefs of) their kindneſs and
friendship to Mr. Gay, ii. 285. Character of him.
by the duchefs, iii. 101. Her reflections upon
friendſhip, ib. Gives a fine ſketch of true greatneſs
of mind, 113, 114. A defcription of occurrences in
their journey to the Spaw, 125.
R.
Ramfay (Chevalier) fends Dr. Swift his hiftory of the
Marfhal de Turenne, iii, 2 18.
Raphoe, what the yearly value of its bishopric, i. 12.
Ratcliffe (Dr.) how reprefented in Martin Scriblerus's
map of diſeaſes, ii. 38. From what motive he took
particular care to fave lord chief justice Holt's wife,
289.
1
Reaſon, wherein that faculty conſiſts, iä. 201.
Receipt how to boil oysters, i. 139. For ftewing veal,
ii. 241. For the cure of giddinefs, iri. g.
Religion, ladies out of zeal for it have hardly time to
fay their prayers, i. 2.
Revenge, wherein the moft generous kind of it confifts,
ii. 27 What the crueleft kind of it, iii. 123.
Riches, lond Bolingbroke's reflections on them, ii. 169.
Dr. Swift's eftimation of thein, iiic 279.
Rivers (earl of) remarks on his latt will, i. 180.
Rochester (earl of) his death a concern to all good men,
i. 84.
f
12
Ramans, a custom conftantly fed by them at their
triumphs, i. 18.
Rundle:
( 319 )
r
Rundle (Dr.) Mr. Pulteney's remark on his promotion
to the fee of Derry, ii. 157.
•S.
Sacheverell (Dr.) is paid tool. by a bookfeller for his
fermon (which was the firft after his fufpenfion)
preached at St. Saviour's church, i. 273.
Santry (lord) a cuſtom with him, and fome others, to
rail at people, and upon receiving challenges, come
and beg pardon, i. 119.
Savage (Mr.) the cruel treatment of his mother to him,
-i. 180.
Scriblerus (Martin) his map of difeafes defcribed, ii. 38.
His propofal for the longitude, 58.
Sharpe (Rev. Mr. John) a letter from him to Dr. Swift,
requesting his good offices in behalf of brigadier
Hunter, governour of New York, i. 294.
*
Shrewberry (duke of) appointed lord lieutenant of Ire-
land, i. 150. The Whigs apprehenfive of receiving
no great countenance from him, ii. 4. Made lord
treaſurer, 73.
Similies, It is with religion as with paternal affection;
fome profligate wretches may forget it, and fome,
through perverfe thinking, not fee any reafon for it,
but the bulk of mankind will love their children, i.
23. It is with men as with beauties, if they pafs
the flower they lie neglected for ever, 99. Cour-
tiers refemble gamefters, the latter finding new arts
unknown to the older, iii. 178. The parliament of
Ireland imitates that of England in every thing, as
a monkey doth a human creature, 246, 247.
Slane (lord) reverfion of his attainder how received in
Ireland, i. 34.
น
Slavery, univerfal corruption fits men for it, and renders
them unworthy of liberty, i. 76.
Sloan (Dr.) his opinion refpecting modern travels, . 17.
Smalridge (Dr.) a letter from him to Dr. Swift in behalf
of Mr. Fiddes, ii, 1.
4
Z z
2
Solitude
'
(320)
Solitude, infupportable to a difturbed mind, iii. 273.
Spaw (German) duchefs of Queensberry's defcription
of a journey to it, iii. 125.
Spleen, Dr. Swift's character of it, iii. 277. His care
to avoid it, 280
Squires, general character of thoſe in Ireland, iii. 282,
283.
Stern (Dr.) his great collection of books how difpofed
of at his death, i. 115, 116. Recommended by Dr,
Swift to the minifters for a bishopric, 236.
Stocks, reafon of the extraordinary fudden riſe of them
at the queen's death, ii. 83.
Stoughton (Mr.) reflections on a fermon preached by
him at Dublin, i. 29. His fermon burnt there, 108.
Strafford (earl of) a fhort remark on him, i. 124.
Succeffion (act of) foreign peers deprived of their right
of voting by it, ii. 95. And foreigners reftrained
from enjoying any employment, civil or military, ib.
(countefs of) her conduct towards Dr. Swift
vindicated by lady B- G- —, iii. 98. Lady
B's character of her, 99.
S
Superiours, every body ought not to have liberty to
abufe them, iii. 220.
!
Swift (Dr.) his character of Mrs. Johnſon, i. 5, 6.
Copy of his memorial to Mr. Harley about the firft-
fruits, 52. His account of the manner and event
of his firſt application to Mr, Harley refpecting the
remiffion of them, 56-58. The lord primate and
archbishop of Dublin commit the care of foliciting
that affair to his diligence and prudence, 60. Threa-
tened with a fufpenfion by the bishop of Meath for
abfence, 169. Recommends feveral of the Whig
wits to favour, 210. Makes a fhort reflection on
life, 215. A witty jeft on a bad poet, who fent him
a prefent of wild fowl, 223. His reafons for reject-
ing a parcel of oranges brought him as a prefent,
226. His project for coining halfpence, &c. with
devices, 227. Is very much grieved for the death
of Mr. Harriſon, fecretary to the embafly at Utrecht,
whom
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:
whom he called his own creature, having procured
his promotion to that office, 240. A faying of his
grandmother, 246. Applied to by the foreign mi-
nifters to ſpeak for them to the lord treaſurer and
lord Bolingbroke, 252. His defcription of the re-
hearfal of Cato, 276. Gives a particular narrative
of the proceedings refpecting his promotion to the
deanry of St. Patrick, 282-288. Congratulated
by Dr. Atterbury on his promotion to it, 294. Praiſed
by Dr. Davenant for employing his intereft with the
lord treaſurer in good offices to others, ii. 5. His
anfwer to fome lines of the lord treaſurer, 23.
Letter from the duchefs of Ormond to him, reſpect-
ing the diffention in the miniftry, 24. Encomium
on him by Dr. Arbuthnot, 93. Adviſed by biſhop
Atterbury how to proceed in his difpute with the
chapter of St Patrick, 115-118. Praiſed by Mr.
Addifon for his friendly difpofition, 136-142.
Complimented with being as well worth taking a
long journey to fee as Livy, 205. The Abbé des
Fontaines acquaints him with the very extraordinary
demand for his works in France, which he had tranf-
lated into French, 207. That all Paris wiſhed to fee
him, ib. His anfwer in French to the Abbé des
Fontaines letter, 208. For what qualities chiefly
valued by Dr. Arbuthnot, 235. Humoroufly rallied
by lord B-upon his writings, 308. Upon his expen-
five and intemperate way of living, iii., 22-25-
Conduct of the countefs of S- reſpecting him
vindicated by lady B- G- iii. 98. His
creed, or rather litany, in politics, ib, 99. Duchefs
of Q's advice to him, 102. His condolance
with her for the death of Mr. Gay, with a brief
character of him, 103, Rallied by lord B
the courſe of life he was got into, 110. Threatened
to be murdered by one Bettefworth, a Diffenter,
whom he had provoked by his writings, 19. A
remedy for his giddinefs prefcribed to him by lady
for
Ꮐ 180. His rules for preferving health,
199.
!
2
-
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→
r99. His remark on the duke of D, as lord ·
lieutenant; 204. : Commendation of him as to
his private character, 205. His high commendation
of lady BG, 206. Rallies Mr. Pulteney
humorously on his recommending to him a trip to
England for his health, 209. His reflections upon
the melancholy ftate of public affairs both in En-
gland and Ireland, 243. Laments the decline of
liberty in England, 247. Solicits the earl of Arran
to refign the claim made by him to the tythes of the
rectory of Clonmel, 253-255. Short defcription of
his manner of living on a vifit to a country clergy-
man, 262. Solicited to join the miniftry at the time
of the queen's death, 263. Reminded by Mifs
Vanhomrigh of a maxim once obferved by him,
265. From whom he receives a moving expoftula-
tory letter, 266. Compliments her highly in French
on her many extraordinary qualifications, 267. Gives
his reafon for feeing her feldom in Ireland, 272.
Receives another letter from her, declaring her
paffion, and expoftulating with him for his neglect
of her, 273. Rallies her facetioufly, 274. His hu-
morous application of a paſſage in Job, in a facetious
letter to her, 276. The pains taken by him to
preferve his health, 277. His eftimation of riches
and health, 279. His character of the 'fquires in
Ireland, 2S2, 283.
T.
Tillotson (archbishop) his obfervation refpecting the
Irish clergy, ii. 10.
Tories, many of them diſcontented at the peace, i. 245.
A&t parts contrary to their own imagined interefts,
294.
Townshend (lord) caufes of his difgrace in the beginning
of king George's reign, ii. 127.
Travels, the advantage of reading modern ones, i. 17.
The
Treat, wherein the greateft confifts, iii. 2oz.
treats made in Ireland as much prejudice to them as
moft of their follics, 203,
Triumphs,
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}
Triumphs, what conftantly practifed at thofe of the Ro
mans, i. 18.
Tully's Offices,
iii. 199.
an excellent fentence cited from them,
Tythes, a fecurity to them, to let the laity have a ſhare,
i. 92.
V.
Vanhomrigh (Miís) reminds Dr. Swift of a maxim once
obferved by him, iii. 265. Her pathetic expoftula-
tory letter to him, 266, Complimented by Dr.
Swift in a French letter on her extraordinary ac-
complishments, 267. Writes him another moving
letter, 268. Again declares her paffion for him,
and expoftulates with him for his neglect of her,
273. Is rallied facetiouſly by him on the fubject of
their epistolary correfpondence, 274.
Veal, receipt for ftewing it, in verſe, ii. 241.
Vertigo, method by which Dr. Arbuthnot relieved a
friend and patient in that complaint, ii. 145. Ge-
ronfter water at the Spa recommended by him for
the cure of it, 188. Dr. Arbuthnot's prefcription to
Dr. Swift for the cure of it, iii. 5...
Vexation, the advantage of a moderate ſhare of it, iii.
132.
Vice, to write againſt it fometimes may offend, iii. 19.
Mr. Gay found in himſelf a natural propenſity to
write against it, 92.
Virtue, writing in the cauſe of it fometimes renders a
man obnoxious, ii. 286. Forbids us to continue in
debt, iii. 2o2.
Voltaire (Monfieur) tells the Doctor that he owed the
love he bore to the English language to his writings,
ii. 269. Intreats his intereft in Ireland for fub-
fcriptions to the Henriade, ib. Compliments him
again on the excellency of his works, 270. His
polite letter to Dr. Swift, inclofing another in French,
in the fame ftrain, to the count de Morville, who
had defired to be acquainted with the Doctor, iii.
258.
W. Ware
{
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+
-
W.
Ware (Sir James) remark on his memoirs of the arch-
bishops of Cafhell, iii. 169.
á
Whigs,, are joined by the Diffenters in agreeing to
bill againſt occafional conformity, i. 114. Great divi-
fion among them, ii. 125. Make their court to
the Tories, 127.
Whiston (Mr.) Dr. Arbuthnot's opinion of his project
for the longitude, ii. 58.
Windham (Sir William) particulars refpecting the fire
by which his houfe was burned, j. 136. In the
oppofition against the vote for paying the Hanover
troops, ii. 95.
Wiſdom, wherein it confifts, ii. 296.
Wit, a new faſhioned way of becoming one, i. 3. Not
to be trufted to without wine, ii. 307.
Women, have in general an inconceivable pleaſure in
- finding out any faults but their own, iii. 10-
many of them are only beafts in petticoats, iii.
268.
Woodward (Dr.) remark on his differtation on an an-
tique fhield, iii. 197.
Worcester (bishop of) his prophecy made to the queen,
i. 167.
Y
York (New) the fineſt air there in the univerfe, i. 259%
}
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