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i| |
LETTERS,
WRITTEN BY
JONATHAN SWIFT, D. D.
DEAN OF ST. PATRICK'S, DUBLIN,
AND
SEVERAL OF HIS FRIENDS,
IN THREE VOLUMES.
^«occl;5V|^
LETTERS,
WRITTEN BY
JONATHAN SWIFT, D.D.
DEAN OF ST. PATRICK'S, DUBLIN,
AND
SEVERAL OF HIS FRIENDS.
FROM THE YEAR I703 TO I74O, PUBLISHED FROM THE ORIGINALS;
WITH
NOTES EXPLANATORY AND HISTORICAL,
BY JOHN HAWKESWORTH, LL.D.
THE FIFTH EDITION. VOLUME I.
LONDON,
Printed for T. Da vies, in Ruflel-Street, Covent-Gardenj
R.DAVii, in Piccadilly; L.Davis and C. Re ymerS;
in Holborn } and J. D 0 d s l e v, in PaU-mall.
MDCCLXVH,
S«LF URL
TO V . 1
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
RICHARD EARL TEMPLE,
VISCOUNT AND BARON COBHAM,
ONE OF HIS majesty's MOST
HONOURABLE PRIVY COUNCIL,
AND KNIGHT OF THE MOST NOBLE
ORDER OF THE GARTER;
THESELETTERS,
OF PERSON S EMINENT FOR THEIR RANK AND GENIUS,
ARE INSCRIBED, AS A TRIBUTE OF ESTEEM AND VENERATION,
DUE TO A CHARACTER SO HIGHLY DISTINGUISHED
FOR PRIVATE AND PUBLIC VIRTUE;
FOR THE DISPLAY OF AMIABLE QJJ A LI T I E S
AS A MAN,
AND THE EXERTION OF GREAT ABILITIES AS A PATRIOT,
B y
HIS lordship's
MOST OBEDIENT HUMBLE SERVANT,
THOMAS WILKES.
PREFACE.
1 H E letters here ofFered to the public were a pre* fent from the late Dr. Sivift to Dr. Lyon, a clergyman of Ireland, for whom he had a great regard ; they were obtained of Dr. Lyon by Mr. Thomas fFilies, of Dublin, and of Mr. Wilkes by the bookfellers for whom they are publifhed.
As many of them mention perfons who have beeiT long dead, and allude to incidents not now generally known, t hey would have been too obfcure to afford general entertainment or information, if they had not been elucidated by notes.
This neceffary elucidation I have endeavoured to fupply, at the requefl of the proprietors, from fuch knowledge of the Dean's connexions and writings as I was able to acquire, when I revifed twelve vo- lumes of his works, which were publifhed about ten years ago, with notes of the fame kind, andfome account of his life.
Many paffages, however, occurred, which, though , they wanted explanation, I could not explain : thefe I made the fubjeft of queries, which being ihewa to the late reverend Dr. Birch, he furnifhed anfwers to moft of them, which are diftinguiihed from the other notes by inverted commas. This favour coft him fome trouble ; but he conferred it with that rea- dinefs and pleafure, which had made his charafter amia- ble, upon many occafions of much greater importance.
A 4 It
[ viii ]
It has been thought befl to print all the letters in order of time, without regarding by whom they were written j for iT all the letters of each perfon had been clalTed together, the pleafure of the reader would have been greatly lefTened, by pafTing again and again through the fame feries, as often as he came to a new colleftion ; whereas the feries is now preferved regular and unbroken through the whole correfpondence. Thofe which, being of un- certain dates, could not be brought into this feries, are printed together in an appendix.
Three letters from the Dean to the late earl of Bath., general Pulteney was pleafed to communicate to the editor, by the favour of the reverend Dr. Doiiglas'y two of thefe will be found in the appendix, the other had been already printed from a copy in the Dean's hand writing. In the appendix will alfo be found fome letters between the Dean and Mrs. Ejiher Vanhomrigh, with a few others, which did nbt come to the hands of the proprietors till the reft of the work was printed *.
Some letters of a private nature, and fome that relate to perfons who are IHU living, have been fup- prelTed ; but the number is very fmall. Some are inferted that perfons ftill living have written ; but they are fuch as would refledl no difhonour upon thehighefl charafter.
For the publication of letters, which certainly were not written for the public, 1 fnall however make no apology in my own name, becaufe the publication
* Several letters, which made part of the appendix in the firft edition, are now inferted in their proper places.
of
[ i^ j
of them is not my own a£l, nor at my own option, but the aft of thofe, to whom they had been fold for that purpofe, before I knew they were in being.
It may, however, be prefumed, that though the publication of letters has been cenfured by fome, yet that it is not condemned by the general voice, fince a numerous fubfcription, in which are many refpcflable names, has been lately obtained, for printing other parts of the Dean's epillolary cor- refpondence, by a relation who profciTes the utmofl veneration for his memory ; and a noble lord has permitted Mr. Wilkes to place this under his pro-
tedion.
A recommendation of thefe volumes is yet left necefTary than an apology ; the letters are indifputa- bly genuine ; the originals, in the hand-writing of the parties, or copies indorfed by the Dean, being depofited in the Brhijh Mufeiim ; except of thofe in the appendix mentioned to have come to the pro- prietors hands after the reft was printed, the originals of which are in the hands of a gentleman of great eminence in the law in Ireland.
They are all written by perfons eminent for their abilities, many of whom were alfo eminent for their rank ; the greater part are the genuine eifufions of the heart, in the full confidence of the moil inti- mate friendfliip, without referve, and without dif- guife. Such in particular are the letters between the Dean and Mrs. John/on, and Mrs. Difighy, lord Bclingbroke, and Dr. Jrbiithnot, Mr. Le^isy Mr.
Fordf and Mr.- Gay.
They
[ X ]
They relate many particulars, that would not ©therwife have been known, relative to fome of the moft interefting events that have happened in this century : tliey abound alfo with ftrains of humour, turns of wit, and refined fentiment : they are all ftrongly charafteriftic, and enable the reader " to catch the manners living as they rife." Thofe from the Dean to Mrs. John/on and Mrs. Dinghy are part of the journal mentioned in his life ; and from them alone a better notion may be formed of his manner and charadler than from all that has been written about him.
But this colledlion mufl: not be confidered as af- fording only entertainment to the idle, or fpeculative knowledge to the curious ; it moft forcibly imprefles a fen fe of the vanity and brevity of life, which the moralift and the divine have always thought an im- portant purpofe, but which mere declamation can feldom attain.
In a feries of familiar letters between the fame friends for thirty years, their whole life, as it were, pafTes in review before us j we live with them, we hear them talk, we mark the vigour of life, the ar- dour of expeftation, the hurry of bufinefs, the jollity of their focial meetings, and the fport of their fancy in the fweeet intervals of leifure and retirement ; we fee the fcene gradually change; hope and expeftation are at an end ; they regret pleafures that are part, and friends that are dead; they complain of difap- pointment and infirmity; they are confcious that the fands of life which remain a-e few; and while we
hear
[ xi 3
hear tTiem regret the approach of the laft, it falls, and we lofe them in the grave. Such as they were, we feel ourfelves to be ; we are confcious to fentlments, conneftions, and fitualtions like theirs ; we find our- felves in the fame path, urged forward by the fame neceflity, and the parallel in v-/hat has been, is car- ried on with fuch force to what fhall be, that the future almoft becomes prefent, and we wonder at the new power of thofe truths, of which we never doubted the reality and importance.
Thefe letters will, therefore, contribute to what- ever good may be hoped from a jufl: eftimate of life ; and for that reafon, if for no other, are by no means unworthy the attention of the public.
CONTENTS
[ xiii ]
CONTENTS
T O
VOLUME
Letter Page
I. D R. Swift to a Friend of Mrs. Johnfon - i
II. Dr. Swift to the fame - _ - 5 m. Dr. Swift to the fame - - 4 rV. Lord Berkley to Dr. Swift - 7 V. Mr. Addifon to Dr. Swift - 8 VL Dr. Swift to Dr. Sterne . . 9 Vn. Dr. Swift to Dr. Sterne - - 11 Vin. Anthony Henley, Efq; to Dr. Swift 13
IX. Mr. Henley to Dr. Swift - 15
X. Mr. Henley to Dr. Swift - i^
XI. Archbilhop King to Dr. Swift ^ 21
XII. Dr. Swift to Dr. Sterne - 24.
XIII. Archbifhop King to Dr. Swift - 26
XIV. M. Le Clerc to Mr. Addifon - 31
XV. Archbifhop King to Dr. Swift - 32
XVI. Dr. Swift to Lord Primate Marlh 34 XVU. Mr. Addifon to Dr. Swift - 3;
XVIII,
C xiv ]
Letter Page
XVm. Mr. Addifon to Dr. Swift - 36
XIX. Mr. Addifon to Dr. Swift - 37
XX. Lord Halifax to Dr. Swift - n XXL Mr. Steele to Dr. Swift - 39
XXII. Mr. Addifon to Dr. Swift - 40
XXIII. Dr. Swift to Dr. Sterne - 42
XXIV. Sir Andrew Fountain to Dr. Swift 43
XXV. Mr. Addifon to Dr. Swift - 4+ XXVL Irifli BIfhops to the Bifhops of Offory, &c. 45 XXVU. Dr. Swift to Mrs. Dingley - 46 XVm. Archbiihop King to Dr. Swift - 48
XXIX. Dr. Swift to Dr. Sterne - 50
XXX. Dr. Swift's Memorial about Firft-fruits 52
XXXI. Dr. Swift to Archbilhop King 55 XXXn. Archbilhop King to Dr. Swift 59 XXXIIL Power from Lord Primate Marfh and
Archbifhop King - - 60
XXXIV. Archbilhop King to Dr. Swift 61
XXXV. Archbilhop King to Dr. Swift 62 XXXVL Archbilhop King to Dr. Swift 65 XXXVn. Lord Bolingbroke to Dr. Swift - 67
XXXVIII. Dr. Swift to Lord Bolingbroke 67
XXXIX. Archbifhop King to Dr. Swift 68 XL. Archbilhop King to Dr. Swift - 70 XLl. Mr. Nelfon to Dr. Swift - - 71 XLII. Archbilhop King to Dr. Swift - 72 XLIII. Lord Peterborow to Dr. Swift - 75 XLIV. Archbilhop King to Dr. Swift - 77 XLV. Archbilhop King to Dr. Swift - 80 XLVI. Lord Peterborow to Dr. Swift - 85 XLVU. Archbilhop King to Dr. Swift - 87
XLVin.
Letter Page
XLVIII. Archbifhop King to Dr. Swifc - 90
XLIX. Archbiihop King to Dr. Swift - 9Z
L. Archbifhop King to Dr. Swift - 99
LI. Archbiihop King to Dr. Swift - - loi
LII. Archbifhop King to Dr. Swift - 105
LIIL Archbifhop King to Dr. Swift - 106
LIV. Archbifhop King to Dr. Swift - 107
LV. Lord Bolingbroke to Dr. Swift - 11 z
LVL Dr. Swift to Dr. Sterne - - 112
LVn. Dr. Sacheverell to Dr. Swift • - 117
LVIIL Dr. Swift to Mrs. Johnfon - - 118
LIX. Dr. Swift to Mrs. Johnfon - 129
LX. Dr. Swift to Mrs. Johnfon - - 141
LXI. Dr. Swift to Mrs. Dingley - 15 1
LXII. Dr. Swift to Mrs. Johnfon - 1^8
LXin. Dr. Swift to Mrs. Dingley - 1 m
LXiV. Dr. Swift to Mrs. Dingley - - 161
LXV. Dr. Swift to Mrs. Dingley - - 1 63
LXVL Dr. Swift to Mrs. Dingley - - 166
LXVn. Dr. Swift to Mrs. Dingley - 169
LXVIIL Dr. Swift to Mrs Dingley - iy;t
LXIX. Dr. Swift to Mrs. Dingley - 17^
LXX. Dr. Swift to Mrs. Dingley - - 178
LXXL Dr. Swift to Mrs. Johnfon - 183
LXXn. Dr. Swift to Mrs. Dingley - - 187
LXXIIL Lady Orkney to Dr. Swift - laz
LXXIV. Lady Orkney to Dr. Swift ■> 195
LXXV. Dr. Swift to Mrs. Dingley - 195
LXXVL Mr. Harrifon to Dr. Swift - 198
LXXVn. Dr. Swift to Mrs. Dingley - 203
LXXVIIL
Letter Pajje
t>^
LXXVIII. Dr. Swift to Mrs. Dlngley 215
LXXIX. Lord Bolingbroke to Dr. Swift 228
LXXX. Lord Bolingbroke to Dr. Swift 229
LXXXL Dr. Swift to Mrs. Dingley - 229
LXXXIL Dr. Swift to Mrs. Dingley - 241
LXXXin. Dr. Swift to Mrs. Dingley - 249
LXXXIV. Mr. Hunter to Dr. Swift - 257
LXXXV. Mr. Hunter to Dr. Swift - 259
LXXXVr. Dr. Swift to Mrs. Dingley - 260
LXXXVIL Dr. Swift to Mrs. Dingley - 264
LXXXVin. Dr. Swift to Mrs. Dingley - 277
LXXXIX. Mr. Prior to Dr. Swift - - 2S9
XC. Bifhop Atterbury to Dr. Swift - - 290
XCL Dr. Swift to Mrs. Dingley - - 291
XCII. Sir Thomas Hanmer to Dr. Swift - 293
XCin. Mr. Lewis to Dr. Swift - - 293
XCIV. Reverend Mr. Sharpe to Dr. Swift 294
XCV. Dr. Swift to Mrs. Dingley - 296
XCVL Mr. Lewis to Dr. Swift - - 297
XCVIL Mr. Lewis to Dr. Swift - - 297
XCVin. Mr. Prior to Dr. Swift - 298
XCIX. Mr. Lewis to Dr. Swift - - 301
A GENERAL
A GENE R AL TABLE
O F
THE LETTERS,
ClafTcd under the Names of the re- fpeftive Writers.
LETTERS written by Dr. SWIFT
To Lord Arran. Page
Letter CCCLXXXVL - Vol. 111. 253
To Lord Bolingbroke. XXXV in. - - - Vol. 67
To the Duke ©f Dorfet. CCCL. - - Vol. in. 177
To Mrs. Dingley.
xxviL - - Vol. r. 46
LXL - - - 152
Lxm. - - - ,159
Lxrv. - - 161
LXV. - - " 16^
LXVI. - - - 166
1,XV1L - - - 169
LXVIIL - - - 172
LXIX. - - - 174.
LXX. - - . . 17.8
Lxxir. - - - 1S7
LXXV. - . - 195
LXXVII. - - 203
LXXVIIL - - 215
LXXXL - - - 229
LXXXIL . - . 24.1
LXXXIII. - - - 249
LXXXVL - - 260
LXXXVJL - - - 264
LXXXVIII. - - - 277
Vol. I. b To
C ^'vHi ]
To Mrs. Dingley. Page
Letter XCT. - - Vol, I. 291
XCV. - - - 296
A L'Abbe des Fontaines.' CCXIV. - - Vol. II. 208
A. Monfieur Giraldi. CLXIV. - - Vol.n. 105
To the Duke of Grafton, CCV. - - Vol. II. 184
To Lady B -G .
CCCXLIV. - - Vol. III. 16^
CCCLXII. - - 204
To Mr. Harley (a Memorial about Firft-fruits). XXX - - Vol.L 52
To a Friend of Vts. Johnfon's.
L - - - Vol. L I
If. ' - - - 3
III. - . - 4
To Mrs. Johnfon.
LVIIL - - Vol. L 118
LIX. - - - 129
LX. - - - 141
Lxn. - - - 158
LXXL - - - 183
To Archbifhop King. XXXL - - 55
To Sir Arthur Langford. CLXIL - - Vol. II. 103
To Lord Primate Marfli. XVL - - Vol.L 34
To Mr. Pulteney. CCCLXIII. - - Vol. III. 206
CCCLXXIX. - - 242
CCCLXXX. - - - 246
To
To the Dutchefs of Q; . Fa^e
Letter CCCXVI. - - Vol III. 102
To Dr. Sterne.
VI. - - Vol. r. 9
vir. - - - u
XII. * - - 24
XXIII. - . - 42
XXIX. - - 50
LVI. - - *- 112 CV. - - Vol.11 7
To John Temple, Efq;
CCCCXI. - - Vol. m. 283
To Mifs Vanhomrigh.
cccxcir. - - Vol. III. 260
CCCXCIII. - - 261
CCCCXCIV. - - 263
CCCXCV. - - 264
CCCXCVILI. - - 267
CCCCI. - - - 271'
ccccir. - - - 272
CCCCIV. - - 274
CCCCV. - - 275
CCCCVI. - - - 277
CCCCVII. - - - 279
CCCCVIIf. - - 2S0
CCCCIX. - . 281
To Mr. Wcrral.
CCXVI. - - Vol.11. 213
ccxvir. - V - 215
CCXVIII. - - - 217
CCXIX. - - 219
CCXXI. - - - 222
ccxxin. - - 224
CCXXV. - -► - 227
ccxxvr. - - 229
CCXLIX. - - - 264
hz To
[ XX ]
To Mr. Worral. Letter CCLVI. - Vol II
CCLVII. - - - ■
Page
274
ccLViii. - - - . 7ye ecLxi. - - _ ~
283
To whom or when uncertain. CCCCX. - Vol. III. 282
Mr. Addifbn to Dr. Swift. V. - - Vol. I. 8
xvir. - . . „
xviir. . . , 'I
XIX. - . . ^
XXII.
XXV.
CLXXXVIII. - - Vol. II.
CLVII CLX
37 40
44 141
Elihop Atterbury to Dr. Swift.
XC. • - - Vol. I. 382
CLXXI. - - Vol.11. 115
Earl of Anglefey to Dr. Swift.
CIX. - - Vol.n. 16
Dr. Arbuthnot to Dr. Swift.
CXIX. - - Vol. II. 12
cxxii. - - L
CXXIX. . - - CO
CXXXIU. - - - r6
CXL. - - - 66
92
III 112
W.^AJ. . - - -102
CLXV. - - 106
CLXvm.
CLXIX.
CLXXXIX. . - - 143
CXC. - - ^ - - 14,.
CCVII. . . - iJ§
L^XX. . - - , 220
Dr.
[ x^» ]
Dr. Arbuthnot to Dr. Swift. Page
Letter CCXXII. - - - Vol. 11. 323
CCXXIX. - - 234
CCXXXII. - - - 2+z
CCLl. - . - 267
CCLX-IV. - - - - 288
CCLXVI. - - . 291
CCLXVIL -- - - 292
CCLXXIX. ■ - Vol. III. 4.
cccxur. - - - . 04
CCCXXXIV - - 145
Mr. Robert Arbuthnot to Dr. Swift.
CCCXII. - - Vol. III. 93
Alderman Barber to Dr. Swift.
CXVIII. - - Vcl. II. 31
CXXIII. - - - 40
CXXIV. - - - 41
CXLV. - - - 75
CLL - - - - 81
Mrs. Mary Barber to Dr. Swift. CCCLVII. - Vol. in. 190
Lord Berkley to Dr. Swift. IV. - - Vol. L 7
Mr. Birch to Dr. Swift. Pacre.
CXLVIJI. - - Vol. II. "79
Lord B to Dr. Swift.
CCLXXI. - - Vol. IL 207
CCLXXIV. - - 304
CCLXXVL - - 306
CCLXXXVII. - - Vol. III. 22
cccxvm. - - - 108
Lord Eolingbroke to Dr. Swift. XXXVIL - - Vol. I. 67
LV. - . - - 112
LXXIX - - . 228
LXXX. - - - 229
b 3 Lord
[ xxii ]
Lord Bolingbroke to Dr. Swift. Page
Letter CXXX. - - Vol. IL c z
CXLIX. - - . 80
Letter CLV. - •» 80
CLXXIV. - - 122
CXCL - - IA.J
CC. - - . i56
CCIX. - !• »■ iQz
ccxn. . r 108
CCXV. - - 210
CCXXIV. (To the Three Yahoos.) 226
C^OXXX. - - 2^6
ccxxxvir. - ^ 253
CCXXXIX. - - 256
CCXL.
257
CCXLL - - 258
CCXLII. * - • 259
CCXLIfL - - 260
CCXLIV. - . - 260
CCIjXIX. - - - 2Q4
ccxcL - Vol. m. 34
cccin. - u 67
CCCXXXL - - 136
cccxxxiir. - - 139
Sxtrafl from Lord Bolingbroke's Will. - 236
Lady Bolingbroke to Dr. Swift. CLXXn. - - Vol.IL
CCXXXVL CLCLXXXVU. - Vol. IIL 2
119
251
55
Lord C to Dr. Swift.
CCX. - - VoLIL 196
CCXI. - - 107
CCCXVIL - Vol. III. 106
cccxxxir. - - 138
CCCXXXIX. - - 154
CCCLXVIl. . ^ 215
J? »^ of C ' to Dr. Swift. Page
Letter CCLXXX. - - Vol. III. ^6
Arclibi{hop of Cafhell to Dr. Swift. CCCXLII. - Vol. III. i6i
CCCXLVI. - - 169
Lord Caflledurrow to Dr. Swift.
CCCLIX. - - Vol. IIL 195
CCCLXL - - - 202
CCCLXXIV. - - 229
Mrs. Casfar to Dr. Swift. CCCVL - . - 76
Mr. Charleton to Dr. Swift. CXVL •• - Vol. IT. 26
Dr. Davenant to Dr. Swift, cm. - - Vol. II. 5
Mr. Donnellan to Dr. Swift. CCCLIV. - Vol. IK. 184
Mr. Ford to Dr. Swift.
CXKVir. - - Vol. II. 44
CXXVIIL • - 4^
CXXXIV. - - 58
CXXXVfT. - - 62
CXXXVIII. - - 64
CXLVir. . - 74
CLII. . - - 83
CLVI. - - - 90
CLVIir. - - 94
CLXXV. - - - 124
Sir William Fownes to Dr. Swifc. CCCIX. - Vol. Iir. 82
Dr. Feind to Dr. Swift. CLXVl. - - \''ol. II. 106
L'Abbe des Fontaines a Monfieiir Swifr. CCXIII. - - Vol. II. 206
b 4 Sir
f xxlv ]
Sir Andrew Fountain to Dr. Swift. Page Letter XXIV. - " - Vol. I. 43
Lady Granville to Dr. Swift. CCCXXVIi. - Vol. IIL 128
|
Mr. Grant to Dr. Swift. |
|
|
CCCXXX. |
Vol. IIL 133 |
|
Mr. Gay |
to Dr. Swift. |
|
cxvn. - - |
Vol 11. 29 |
|
CLIX |
69 |
|
CCIV. • |
182 |
|
CCVT. |
185 |
|
ccxxviir. |
231 |
|
CCXXXL |
237 |
|
CCXXXVIIL |
254 |
|
CCLIV. |
270 |
|
CCLV. |
272 |
|
CCLIX. ' |
280 |
|
CCLX. |
281 |
|
ccLxir. |
283 |
|
ccLxiir. |
285 |
|
CCLXX. |
295 |
|
CCLXXIL |
300 |
|
CCLXXIIL |
■ - - 300 |
|
CCLXXV. |
305 |
|
CCLXXVIIL |
Vol.111. I |
|
CCLXXXT. |
8 |
|
CCLXXXV. - |
16 |
|
CCLXXXVI. |
19 |
|
ccLxxxvni. |
- 26 |
|
ccxc. |
30 |
|
ccxcv. |
51 |
|
CCXCVII. |
55 |
|
CCXCLX. |
59 |
|
CCCL |
62 |
|
cccv. |
72 |
|
cccviir. |
78 |
|
CCCXL |
91 |
|
L'"dy |
[ XXV 1
Lady B G to Dr. Svyift. Page
Letter CCLXXVII. - Vol. II. 307
CCLXXXIJ. - - Vol. lU. 10
CCLXXXIV, - - 15
CCLXXXiX. - - 29
CCXCTl. - - - 45
CCXCIV, " - - - 49
CCXCVI. - - - 53
ecxcvm. - - - 56
ccc. - - , - 61
CCCX. - - 90
CCCXIV. - - 97
CCCXXI. - - - 115
CCCXXIII. - - 119
CCCXXIV. - Vol. III. 121
CCCXXVill. - - 129
CCCXXXV. - - 14S
ccc XXXVII. - - 151
CCCXLl. - - 159
CCCXLV. - - 167
CCCXLVII. - - 171
CCCXLV HI. - - 173
CCCXLIX. - - 175
CCCLL - - 180
CCCLIII. - - 183
CCCLV. - - 186
CCCLVIII. - ^ - 194
Lord Halifax to Dr. Swift. XX. - - Vol. L 37
Datchefs of Hamilton to Dr. Swift.
CCCLXXXVIII. - Vol. IIL 256
Sir Thomas Hanmcr to Dr. Swift.
XOL - - Vol. L 293
CXCVI. - - Vol.n. 161 Thomas Harley Efq; to Dr. Swift. CXX. - - Vol. IL 34
Lord Harley to Dr. Swift. CXXXIl. - Vol.11. 55
CLXXXIV. - . , ' 137
Mr.
[ xxvi ]
Mr. Harrlfon to Dr. Swift. Pa^«
Ifitttu: LXXVL - - Vol. I. igg
Anthony Henley, Efq; to Dr. Swift.
VilL - ' - Vol. L It
iX, - . _ ,5
X. - - . _ ij^
Mr. Hunter to Dr. Swift. LXXXIV. - . Vol. I. '2C7
LXXXV. - - - 259
Lord Hyde to D. Mallet, Efq; CCCLXXVir. - Vol. III. 237
Irif^ Bilhops to the Bifhops of OiTory, &c, XXV'L - - Vol. I. 45
Mr. Jarvis to Dr. Swift.. CCCXXXVI. - - V^ol. III. 149
Lady Catherine Jones to Dr. Swift. CX.LXVI1I. - Vol. ir. 293
eCClI. - - Vol. III. 65
laformer, a Letter from one, to I^ord Oxford. CXH. - - Vol. IL 21
ArchbifhoD King to Dr. Swift.
XL - ' - - Vol. I. 21
XV, - - - 32
XXVIIT. - - 48
XXXIL - - - 59
XXXIV. - - 61
XXXV. - - 62 XXXVL ... 65 XXXIX. - - 68 XL. - - - 70 XLIL - - - 72
' XLIV. - - 77
XLV. - . - 80
XLVIL - . 87
XLVIIL - - * 90
XLIX. ... 92
L. - - - 99
Archblihop
1^ XXV ii 3
Archbiiliop King to Dr. Swift. Pagic
Letter LI. - - Vol. I. loi
LIT. - - 105
Llir. - - . 106
LIV. - - - 107
M. Le Clerc to Mr. Addifon. XIV. - . Vol. L 31
Mr. Lewis to Dr. Swift. XCIU. - - Vol. L
XC-Vr.
93 ^97
XCVIL - - - 297
XCIX. ,. _ - jox
cxxvr. - Vol. n. 42
CXXXf. - . 55
CXXXV. . . - ^o
CXKXJX, , - - 64
CXLll. ... ^8
CXLIV CXLVI.
72 74-
CL. - - - 81
CLUL - - - «6
CLIW - - - 87
CLXIII.
104
CLxxvr. .. - - 125
CLxxvir
CLXKVUL CLXXIX.
127 130 131
Lord Primate Lindfay to Dr. Sv/ift. CVI. - > Vol. II. g
CVIL - _ - ,2
Mr. Lyttelton to Dr. Swift, CCCLXXllL - Vol. IIL 228
D. Mallet, Efq; to Lord Hvde. CCCLXXVm. - Vol. IIL 241
Lady M to Dr. Swift.
CXI, III. - . Vo1.il
CCCLXX.XIV. - Vol. 111. 252
Lord
o
[ xxvrii ]
Lord M to Dr. Swift. Page
Letter CCCXIX. - - Vol. III. no
Mr. Nelfon to Dr. Swift.
XLI. - - Vol. T. 71
Lady Orkney to Dr. Swift.
LXXm. - - Vol. L 192
LXXIV. - - - 193
CCCLXXXL - - Vol. III. 2,-0
CCCLXXXII. - - 251
Dutchefs of Ormond to Dr. Swift. CW. - - Vol.11. 7
CXV. - - - 24
CLXVIL - • - 109
CL^OC. - - 113
CLxxiir. - - 120
CXCIV. - - - 156
CCI. - . . 174
CCIX. - - - 192
Duke of Ormond to Dr. Swift.
CXXXVL - - Vol. IL 61
Earl of O to Dr. Swift.
CCCLXIV. - - Vol. III. 209
CCCLXV. - - 211
CCCLXXVL - - 234
Earl of Oxford to Dr. Swift.
CXI. - - - Vol. IL 20
CXIIL - - - 22
CXIV. - .- - 23
CXLI. - - : 67
CLXXXi. - - - 133
Mrs. Pendarves to Dr, Swift.
CCCLIL - . Vol. IIL 181
CCCLVL - - - 187
Lord Petcrborow to Dr. Swift.
XLIir. - - Vol. I. 75
XLVI. . - - - 85
ex. - - Vol.IL 17
CCXXXIV. - - 248
4. Lord
[ xxk ]
Lord Peter borovv to Dr. Swift. P^gc^
Letter CCXXXV. - Vol JL 250
CCCLXXX\'. - - Vol.111. 2J3 Lord Chancellor Phipps to Dr. Swift.
CI. - - Vol. n. 2
cii. - - - 3
cvm. - . - 14
Sir Ccnfknline Phipps to Dr. Swift.
cxcvji. .- - Vol. n. 162
Mr. Pope to Lord Orrery. CCCLXVI. - - Vol. IIL 212
Mr. Pope to Dr. Swift.
cccLxxir. - Vol. in. 221
Lord Poulett to Dr. Swifc. CCCLXXXm.
Mr. Prior to Dr. Swift. LXXXIX. XCVIIL CLXXX
cLxxxn.
CLXXX V.
CLXXX VI.
CLXXXVII.
CXCii.
CXCIiL
CXCV.
cxcviir.
CXCIX.
Mr. Pulteney to Mr. Pope.
CCXLV. . - Vol. IL 261
Mr. Pulteney to Dr. Swift.
CCXXVII. - - Vol. JL 229
CCLXXXIIL - Vol. in. I-,
CCCXL. - - - 156
CCCXLIIL - - . 163
CCCLX. - - 198
CCCLXXV. - - 232
Duchefs
|
\&L J |
IL |
251 |
|
' Vol. |
I. |
289 298 |
|
Vol. |
IL |
132 |
|
•• |
134 138 |
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|
- |
139 |
|
|
- |
140 |
|
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^53 |
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^54 |
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158 |
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163 |
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164 |
I XXX J
Duchefs of C^ to Dr. Swli't. Page
Letter CCLXXXVI. - - Vol. UI. 19
C(JX\^. - - - 30
cccv. . - - 72
CCCVIII. . - - j^
clcxv. - - - 100
CCCXX. . - . Hi
CCCXXII. - - 116
CCCXXV. - - - ^ 123
CCCXX VI. - - 125
CCCXXIX. - - 130
Duke of Q3 to Dr. Swjfr.
ccxcv. - - Vol. irr. 51
The Chevalier Rrimfay to Dr. Swift.
CCXLVIII. - - Vol. If. 263
CCLXV. - 29a
CCCLXiX. - - Vol. III. 2fi
LCCLXXl. - - - 2 21
Dr. Sacheverel to Dr. Swift.
LVII. - - Vol. I. 117
Mr. Sharp to Dr. Swift. XCIV. - - Vol. I. 294
Dr. Smallridge to Dr, Swift, C. - - Vol. IL K
Dr. Snape to Dr. Swift. CCm. - - Vol. II. J Si
Lady S to Dr. Sv.ift.
ccxxxiii. - Vol. ir. 246
CCXLVI. - - - 261
ccxLvn. - - -262
ccxciii. - - Vol. in. 47
Mr. Steele to Dr. Swift. XXL - - Vol. L 39
Earl of StrafFord toDr. Swift.
cccxxxviii. - Vol. in, 1^2
Mr.
*
[ XXXI ]
Mr. Thomas to Dr. Swift. Page
Lett«r CXXI. - - Vol. II. -^
CXXV^ - - - ;j.i
Mi fs \''ar.homrigh to Dr. Swift.
CCCXCVT. - Voi. m. 265
CCCXCVII. - - 266
CCCXCiX. - - 268
CCCC. - - 270
M. Voltaire a M, le C. de Morvillc.
CCCXCI. - - Vol. IH. 359
Mr. Voltaire to Dr. Swift.
CCLII. - - Vol. II. 269
CCLIII. « - - -70
CCCXa - - Vol. III. 35S
Duke of Wharton to Dr. Swift.
CCCIXXIX. - Vcl. III. i-7
Lady VVorfiey to Dr. Swift.
CCCViL - Vol III. 7-
LETTERS
E R R AT A.
»
Letter, dated June 8, 1714- r. zt Letcomb near Wan- tage, &c. July 29, ^Jl^. for Buckinghamflnre
r. Berkfhire. Jan. 17, 1716-17. for Oxford, >-.
Orford. Mar. 20, 1717-18. yor Dr. Narciflus
Marfb, r. Dr. St. George Afhe. Feb. 3, 1723, in the Note, injiead of
Engraver, r. Improver. Apr. 19, 1 73 1, for Hamilton's Barn, r. Hamilton's Bawn. Letter CCCC. (Appendix) ybr come ofF, r. come of yourfelf. CCCCni. dele at ; r. you are prcfent every where.
E T T E R S
FROM AND TO
DOCTOR SWIFT.
LETTER I.
Dr. Swift to a Gentleman, an Intimate friend of Mrs. Esther Johnson, in Ireland.
London, December i6, 1703.
1 P U T great violence on myfelf in abflaining all this while from treating you with politics. I wifh you had been here for ten days, during the highell and warmefl reign of party and faftion that I ever know or read of, upon the bill againft occafional con- formity, which, two days ago, was, upon the firft reading, rejedted by the lords. It was fo univerfal, that I obferved the dogs in the ftreets much more contumelious and quarrelfome than ufual; and the very night before the bill went up, a committee of whig and tory cats had a very warm and loud debate Vol. I. B upoa
r ' ^
upon the roof of our houfe. Butwhyihould we won- der at that, when the very ladies are fplit afunder into high church and low, and, out of zeal for religion, have hardly time to fay their prayers? The mafks will have a crown more from any man of the other party, and count it a high point of merit to a member, who will not vote on their fide. For the reft, the whole body of the clergy, with a great majority of the houfe of commons, were violent for this bill. As great a majority of the lords, amongft whom all the bifhops, but four, were againft it : the court and the rabble (as extremes often agree) were trimmers. I would be glad to know mens thoughts of it in Ireland : for myfelf, I am much at a lofs, though I was mightily urged by fome great people to publifh my opinion. I cannot but think (if mens higheft a/Turances are to be believed) that feveral, who were againft this bill, do love the church, and do hate or defpife prefbytery. I put itclofe to my lord Peterboro=w juft as the bill was going up, who affured me in the moft folemn manner, that if he had the leaft fufpicion, the re- jefling this bill would hurt the church, or do kindnefs to the diffenters, he would lofe his right-hand rather than fpeak againft it. The like profelfion I had from the bilhop of Salijlury, my lord Sommers, and fome Others ; fo that I know not what to think, and there- fore fhall think no more ; and you will forgive my faying fo much on a matter, that all our heads have been fo full of to a degree, that, while it was on the anvil, nothing elfe was the fubje(!l of converflition. I fliall return in two months, in fpiteof my heart. I
have
[ 3 1
haVe here the bell friends in nature, only want that little circumftance of fav^our and power ; but nothing is fo civil as a caft courtier. Fray let the ladies know I had their letter, and will anfwcr it foon ; and that I obeyed Mrs. John/oti^s commands, and waited on her mother, and other friend. You may add, if you pleafe, that they advife her clearly to be governed by her friends there about the renewing her leafe, and fhe may have her mortgage taken up here whenever (hepleafcs, for the payment of her fine ; and that we have a projeft for putting out her money in a certain lady's hands for annuities, if the parliament goes on with them, and {he likes it.
I'll teach you a way to outwit Mrs. Joh7ifo7i : It is a new-fafliioned way of being witty, and they call it a bite. You muft afk a bantering queftion, or tell fome damned lye in a ferious manner, and then fhe will anlwer or fpeak as if you were in carneft : then cry you. Madam, there's a bite. I would not have you undervalue this, for it is the conftant amufe- ment in court, and every where elfe among the great people ; and I let you know it, in order to have it obtaiji among you, and teach you a new refinement.
LETTER II. Dr. S w X F T to the fame. (Part of a letter.)
London, Feb, 3, 17C3-4.
I H A V E been fo long and fo frequently purfued with a little paltry ailment of a noife in my ears, that
B 2 I could
[ 4 ]
I could never get humour and time to anfwer your letter. Pox on the difTenteis and independents, I would as foon trouble my head to write againft a loufe or a Ilea. I tell you what, I wrote againft the bill that was againft occafional conformity ; but it came too late by a day : fo I would not print it, but you may anfwer it, if you pleafe ; for you know you and I are whig and tory. And, to cool your infolence a little, know you, that the queen and court, and houfe of lords, and half the commons almoft, are whigs ; and the number daily encreafes.
LETTER III. Dr. Swift to the fame.
London, April 20, 1704. Yesterday coming from the country I found your letter, which had been four or five days arrived, and by negleft was not forwarded as it ought. You have got three epithets for my former letter, which I believe are all unjuft : you fay it was unfriendly, un- kind, and unaccountable. The two firft, I fuppofe, may pafs but for one, faving (as Capt. Fluellin fays) the phrafe is a little 'variations. I Ihall therefore an- fwer thofe two as I can ; and for the laft, I return it you again by thefe prefents, affuring you, that there is more unaccountability inyour letter's little finger, than in mine's whole body. And one ftrain I obferve in it, which is frequent enough ; you talk in a myfti- cal fort of way, as if you would ha\'e me believe I
had
[ 5 ]
had fome great defign, and that you had found it out: your phrafcs are, that my letter had the efFeft you judge I defigned; that you are amazed to refled on what you judge the caufe of it ; and wifh it may be in your power to love and value me while you live, &c. In anfwer to all this, I might wiih good pre- tence enough talk ilarchtly, and aftecl ignorance of what you would be at ; but my conjefture is, that you think 1 obllruded your infmuations to pleafe my own, and that my intentions were the fame with yours. In anfwer to all which, I will upon my cOn- fcience and honour tell you the naked truth. Firft, I think I have faid to you before, that if my-fortunes and humour ferved me to think of that Rate, I fliould certainly, among all perfons on earth, make your choice ; becaufe I never faw that perfon whole con- verfation I entirely valued but her's ; this was the ut- moft I ever gave way to. And, fecondly, I mull alTure you fincerely, that this regard of mine never once entered into my head to be an impediment to you; but I judged it would, perhaps, be a clog to your rifing in the world ; and I did not conceive you were then rich enough to make yourfelf and her happy and eafy. But that objedlion is now quite removed by what you have at prefent ; and by the allurances of Eaton's livings. I told you indeed, that your au- thority was not fufficient to make overtures to the mother, without the daughter's giving me leave un- der her own or her friend's hand, which, I think, was a right and a prudent flop. However, I told the mother immediately, and fpoke with all the advan-
B 3 tages
[ 6 J
tages you deferve. But the objeftion of your fortune being removed, I declare I have no other ; nor fhall any confideration of my own misfortune of lofing fo good a friend and companion as her prevail on me, againft her interell and fettlement in the world, fince it is held fo neceffary and convenient a thing for ladies to marry; and that time takes oiffrom the luftre of virgins in all other eyes but mine. I appeal to my letters to herfelf, whether I was your friend or no in the whole concern ; though the part Idefigned to aft in it was purely pafiive, which is the utmofl: I will ever do in things of this nature, to avoid all reproach of any ill confequence, that may enfue in the variety of worldly accidents. Nay, I went fo far both to her mother, herfelf, and, I think, to you, as to think it could not be decently broken ; fince I fuppofed the town had got it in their tongues, and therefore I thought it could not mifcarry without fome difad- vantage to the lady's credit. I have always defcribed her to you in a manner different from thofe, v/ho would be difcouraging ; and mufl add, that though it hath come in my way to converfe with perfons of the flr;l rank, and of that fex, more than is ufual to men of my level, and of our funftion ; yet 1 have no- where met with a humour, a wit, or converlation fo agreeable, a better portion of good fenfe, or a truer judgment of men and things, I mean here in England ; for as to the ladies of Inland, lam a per- fcd itranger. As to her fortune, I tlrink you know it already ; and, if you refume your defigns, and
would
t 7 ]
would have further ln,telligence, I fhall fend you a particular account.
I give you joy of your good fortunes, and envy very much your prudence and temper, and love of peace and fettlement, the reverfe of which hath been the great uneafmefs of my life, and is like to continue fo. And what is the refult ? En quels coii' fe~jimus agros ! I find nothing but the good words and wifhes of a decayed miniftry, whofe lives and mine will probably wear out before they can ferve either my little hopes, or their own ambition. Therefore I am refolved fuddenly to retire, like a difcontented courtier, and vent myfelf in ftudy and fpeculation, till my own humour, or the fcene here, {hall change.
LETTER IV. Earl of Berkeley * to Dr. Swift,
Cranford, Friday Night.
1 H O P E you continue in the mind of coming hi- ther to-morrow; for upon my fincerity, which is more than moft people's, I iliall be heartily glad to fee you as much as is poffible before you go for Ireland.
* * He had been envoy extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the States General in 1689 ; and in 1699 and 1700, one of the lords juftices of Ireland. He died Sept, 24, 1710. Dr. Siuift had been chaplain to him. This letter is without date, but cu* dorfed by Dr. Swift " al>out 1706, cr 1707."
D 4 Whether
[ 8 ]
Whether you are or are not for Cranford, I earneftly intreat you, if you have not done it already, that you would not fail of having your bookfeller enable the archbiflaop of I'ork to give a book * to the queen ; for with Mr. Nel/on f, 1 am entirely of opinion, that her majefly's reading of that book of the project, for the increafe of morality and piety, may be of very great ufe to that end.
I am entirely yours, B,
L E T T E R V.
Mr. Addison to Dr. Swift.
SIR, Feb. 29, J 707-8.
JVl R. Fro^vde X tells me, that you defign me the honour of a vifit to-morrow morning ; but my lord Sunderland § having direifled me to Vv'ait on him at nine o'clock, I (hall take it as a particular favour, if
■* ' Dr. Sii'ift^s ProjeB for the Advancement of Religion, and the
B.eforin2tion of Manners.^
-(• * Robert Neljcn, Efq; eminent for his pious writings.' J * Philip Froivde, Efq; fon of Ajhburnham Froivde, Efq; comptroller of the foreign office in the pofl--office. Mr. Philip Froivde was educated at Magdalen college in Oxford, and was pu- pil of Mr. Addifon. He was author of two tragedies, The fall of Saguniiwi, repreftnted at the theatre in Lincoln'' s-inn-Fields in J727J and Philotas, adted at the fame theatre, in i73i. He died at his lodgings in Cecil-Jireet In the Strand, Dec. 19, 1738, equally lamented, as he had been beloved, for his genius, learning, and the amiablenefs of his charader.'
§ ' To whom Mr. Addijon was fecretarj-,'
you
C 9 1
you will give me your company at the George iii PalU mall about two in the afternoon, when I may hope to enjoy your converfatlon more at leifure, which I fet a very great value upon. I am, Sir, your moft obedient humble fervant,
J. Addison.
Mr. Steele and TrT^di will dine with us.
LETTER VI.
Dr. Swift to Dr. Sterne, Dean of St. Pa- trick's, Diihlin.
S I R, London, April 15, 1708.
I W O N D E R whether, in the midft of your buildings, you ever confider that I have broke my Ihins, and have been a week confined, this charming- weather, to my chamber, and cannot go abroad to hear the nightingales, or pun with my lord Pefnbroke^ Pug is very well, and likes London wonderfully, but Greem>:ich better, where we could hardly keep him from hunting down the deer. I am told by fome at court, that the bifhop of Kildare * is utterly bent upon a removal on this fide, though it be to St. J/aph ; and then the queilion mull be, whether Dr. Pratt will be dean of St. Patricks, minifter of St. Cathe' vine's, or provoft .'' For I tell you a fecret, that the queen is refolved the next promotion ihail be to one of D^c^//// education : thisihe told the lord lieutenant.
* Dr. Wdlbore Ellis,
Your
[ 10 ]
Your new Waterford bilhop * fianks liis letters, which no bifliop does that writes to me ; I fuppofe it is fome peculiar privilege of that fee. The diffenters have made very good ufe here of your frights in Ire- landyx'^oii the intended invafion; and the archbifhop wiites me word, that the addrefs of Z>«/5//« city will be to the fame purpofe, which I think the clergy ought to have done their bell to prevent, and I hope they did fo. Here has the Irijh fpeaker f been fo- Hciting to get the Tejl Clatife repealed by an adl here ; for which I hope he will be impeached when your parliament meets again, as well as for fome other things I could mention. I hope you will be of my opinion in what I have told the archbifliop about thofe addreffes. And if his grace and clergy of the province fend an addrefs, I deilre I may prefent it, as one of the chapter, which is the regular way ; but I beg you will endeavour among you, that the church of Ireland gentlemen may fend an addrefs to fet the queen and court right about the teft ; which every one here is of opinion you fhould do ; or elfe I have jeafon to fear it will be repealed here next feffion ; which will be of terrible confequence, both as to the thing and the manner, by the parliament here inter- fering in things purely of Ireland, that have no re- lation to any intereft of theirs.
If you will not ufe me as your book-buyer, make ufe of Sir Andre-xv Fountain, who fends you his hum«
* Dr. Thomas Milks.
■\ Allen Broderick, Efq; afterwards lord chancellor of Ireland, and created lord Middkton of that kingdom.
ble
[ II ]
Lie fcrvlce, and will carry over a cargo as big as you pleafe towards the end of fummer, when he and I in- tend my lord lieutenant * Ihall come into our com- pany without fail, and in fpite of Irijh reports, that fay we fhall come no more,
I reckon by this time you have done with mafons and carpenters, and are now beginning with up- holfterers, with whom you may go on as flow and foberly as you pleafe.
But pray keep the garden till I come. I am. Sir, your moll faithful humble fervant,
J. Swift.
Direft the inclofcd, and deliver it to the grcatell perfon in your neighbourhood.
LETTER VIL Dr, Swift to Dr. Sterne.
SIR, June, ryoS.
IWRIT to you fome weeks ago, and incloied (as now) a letter to your neighbour. But I fear it was kidnapp'd by fome privateer, or elfe you wefe lazy or forgetful j or, which is full as good, per- haps it had no need of an anfwer ; and I would not for a good deal, that the former had mifcarricd, be- caufe the inclofed was wonderfully politic, and would ha\'c been read to you, as this, I fuppofe, will, though it be not half fo profound. Now are you
• fhvnai, carl of Pemhnkt,
gone
[ 12 3
gone fome fummer ramble, and will not receive this in a fortnight ; nor fend the inclofed in as much more. I have often begged you would let me buy you one fifty pounds worth of books ; but now I have been here fo long, I believe you will have reafon to ap- prehend I may fink the money. Sir ji. Fou?!tain * will never be fatisfied till he gets into the little room, with the three Jjhes, the bifliop of AT///^/^, and my- felf, to be happy at the expence of your wine and converfation. Here is a fight of two girls f joined together at the back, which, in the news-monger's phrafe, caufes a great many fpeculations ; and raifes abundance of queftions in divinity, law and phyfic. The boys of our town are mighty happy, for we are to have a beheading next week I, unlefs the queen will interpofe her mercy. Here is a long lampoon publicly printed abufing, by name at length, all the ycung people of quality, that walk in the park. Thefe are eiFefts of our liberty of the prefs.
I long to know what is become of your new houfe, ■whetlier there is yet a union between that and the little one, or whether the work flops for want of money ; and you pretend it is only, that the boards may have time to feafon. We are ftill in pain for Mr.
* Dr. Sicift, in 1 70S, iifed to lodge with Sir j4. Fountain, when he was in London,
\ ' There is a particular account of them in the Philojopbkal TranJaBions, vol. 50. part 2. p. 311. for the year 1758.'
J ' Of Ed-ward, lovd Girffin, who had been attainted by out- lawry for high t reafon, committed in the reign of king JVilliam, and was on the 15th of May, 1708, ordered for executionj but reprieved from K'Vne to time, till his death.'
Dopping's
[ ^3 3
Doppitig^s being in one of the pacquet-boats that were taken. He and many more have vowed never toreturn to England again ; which, if they forget, they may properly be called vows written in water.
Pray, Sir, let me hear from you fome time this hot weather, for it will be very refrefhing ; and I am confined by bufinefs in this ugly towfi, which, at this feafon of the year, is almoft infufferable. lam, Sir, your moft faithful humble fervaut,
J. S,
LETTER VIII.
Anthony Hen ley, Efq; * to Dr. Swift.
Grange, Sept. i6, 1708.
Yesterday the weather-glafs was at 28 inches, which is lower than ever I faw it ; the wind was at eaft, a very dull quarter ; the garden fo wet, there was no looking into it ; andlmyfelf, by con- fequence, in the fpleen. Before night,t he glafs rofe, the wind ciianged, the garden dried, I received your letter, and was as well as ever I was in my life, to my thinking, though perhaps you may think other- wife. The reafon why your letter was fo long a coming
* * Oixhc Grange, in the county of Southampton, member of parliament for MeLomb Righ. He was a pcrfon of great abilities and learning ; vho mixed humour in the moft ferious debates. He was father of the prefcnt lord high chancellor, Robert earl of NorttirgtoTT,^
to
[ H I
to my hands was, its being diredled to me near U'^ht- thejler, and Alresford is the poft-town neareft to me. If the officers Ihould come to you, Doftor, if you want a fecurity, that your children fhan't be trou- blefome to the parifli, pray make ufe of me. I'll ftand 'em all, though you were to have as many as the Holland countefs. We have had a tedious ex- pedation of the fuccefs of the fiege of Lijle : the country people begin to think there is no fuch thing, and fay the news papers talk of it to make people bear paying taxes a year lon"gcr. I don't know how Steele * will get oiF of it ; his veracity is at ftake in Hani/hire. Pray defire him to take the town, though he fhould leave the citadel for a neft-egg. I han't the honour to know colonel Hunter ; but I never faw him in fo good company as you have put him, lord Halifax, Mr. Addifofi, Mr. Congre-ve, and the Gazetteer. Since he is there, let him flay there. Pray, Dodtor, let me know whether writing letters be talking to one's felf, or talking to other folks ; for I think the world has fettled it, that talking to one's felf, which offends no body, is madnefs ; and talking to other people, which generally Is not quite fo harmlefs, is wit, or good breeding, or religion, or — I v/on't write a word more till you have fatisfied me what I have been doing all this while. I am fure one need not have writ tvs'O pages to introduce m.y ailuring you, that I am your mofl affedlionate humble fervant,
A. H E N L E Y.
* • Who wjs writer of tJic Gazctd.^
4 L E T-
I 15 3
! LETTER IX.
Anthony Henley, Efq; to Dr. Swift.
DEAR DOCTOR, Nov. a, 1708.
Though you won't fend me your broom- ftick f, I'll fend you as good a refledion upon deatli as even Adrian's himfelf, though the fellow was but an old farmer of mine, that made it. He had been ill a good while ; and when his friends faw him a going, they all came croaking about him as ufual ; and one of them afking him how he did ? he replied, *' In great pain. If I could but get this fame breath out of my body, I'd take care, by G — , how I let it come in again." This, if it were put in fine Latiut I fancy would make as good a found as any I have met with, I am your moll affedionate humble fervant,
A. Henley,
LETTER X. Mr. H E N L B Y to Dr. Swift.
REVERENDSI^,
1 T is reported of the famous Reghmontanus, that he Iramed an eagle fo artfully of a certain wood, that upon the approach of the emperor Maximilian to the
f Meditations on a broomf^ick, written by Dr. Svj'ift about this time,
opulent
[ i6 ]
opulent city oi Neuremberg, it took wing and flew out of the gates to meet him, and (as my author has it) appeared as though alive. Give me leave to attribute this excellent invention to the vehement de- fire he had to entertain his mailer with fomething extraordinary, and to fay with the poet,
Amor addidit alas. I am trying a like experiment, whether I cannot make this compofition of old rags, galls, and vitriol fly to Dublin ; and if (as the moving lion, which was compofed by an Italian ch)'miil, and opened his breall, and fkewed the imperial arms painted in its heart) this could difclofe itfelf, and difcover to you the highelteem and afFeftion I have for you, I fliould attain my end ; and not only facrifice an hecatomb, but cry out with extatic Archimedes, Eifr,y.ci.
I fhould not have prefumed to imagine, that you would deign to caft an eye on any thing proceeding from fo mean an hand as mine, had I not been en- couraged by that character of candour and fweetnefs of temper, for which you are fo ju illy celebrated and elleemed by all good men, as \:h.Q Delias humani ge- Keris ; ^nd I make no queftion, but like yourprede- ceffor, an emperor again, you reckon every day as loft, in which you have not an opportunity of doing Ibme aft of beneficence. I was moreover emboldened by the adage, which does not ftick to affirm, that one of the mofl defpicable of animals may look" upon the greateft of queens ; as it has been proved to a demonltration by a late moll judicious author, whom (as I take it) you have vouchfafed to immor- talize
c 17 i
tallze by your learned lucubrations *. And as pro-* verbs are the wifdom of a nation, fo I take the na- turalizing fuch a quantity of very expreffive ones, as we did by the a£t of union, to be one of the conii- derablell advantages we fliall reap from it : and I do not queftion but the nation will be the wifer for the future.
But I have digrelfed too far, and therefore refume my thread* I know my own unworthinefs to de- ferve your favour ; but let this attempt pafs on my account for fome merit,
In magnis •voluijje fat eft.
And tho' all cannot be fprightly like F /, wif«
like T rsy agreeable like B thy polite
like P r dcy or to fum up all, tho*
there be but one Phcenix, and one Lepidiffimui Homujt' do, T—p — m ; yet fince a cup of cold water was not an unacceptable prefent to a thirfty emperor, I may flatter myfelf, that this tender of my fervices (how mean foever) may not be contemned ; and, though I fall from my great attempt,
Spero trovar pieta non che perdono, as that mellifluous ornament of //«^, Francifcus Pe^ trarcha, fweetly has it.
Mr. Croavder I have often heard affirm, and the fine thinkers of all ages have conftantly held, that much good may be attained by reading of hiftory. And Dr. Shane is of opinion, that modern travels are very behoveful towards forming the mind and in-"
• The lucubrations of Ifaac Bickdjhf, in the Tatler. Vol. I* G • larging
[ i8 ]
Urging tKe thoughts of the curious part of man- kind.
Give me leave to fpeak a little from both thefe topics.
In the Roman triumphs, which were doubtlefs the moil auguft fpeftacles that were ever feen, it was the conflant cuftom, that the public executioner ihould be behind the conqueror, to remind him (fays my author) from time to time, that thefe ho- nours were tranfitory, and could not fecure him from the feverity of the laws.
Col. Morrifon of the guards [he lives next door to 7'art-HaIl] his father was in Virginia, and being like to be ftarved, the company had recourfe to a learned mafter of arts ; his name was Venter : he advlfed them to eat one another pour pajfer le terns, and to begin with a fat cook-maid. She had certainly gone to pot, had not a flilp arrived juft in the nick with a quantity of pork, which appeafed their hunger, and faved the wench's bacon.
To apply thefe ; Did you never (when rioting In the coitly dainties of my lord high admiral's * table, when the polytailed wine excited jovial thoughts, and baniihed ferious refleftions) forget your frail mortal condition ? Or when at another time, you have wiped the point of a knife, or perhaps with a little fpoon taken feme Attic fait out of Mrs. F -V cadenat ; and, as the poet fmgs,
Qui fedens adnjerfus i dent idem «
Spedat et audit, * T'bcmgs, earl of Pevibroke,
Did
t 19 ]
Did you not tlilnk yourfelf far Deo P Pray God you did not ; pray God you did not think yourfelf fuperare liizws,
Confefs the truth, Do6lor, you did; confefs it, and repent of it> if it be not too late : but, alas ! I fear it is.
And now, methinks, t look down into thit bog all flaming with bonnyclabber and ufquebaugh ; and hear you gnafhing youf- teeth and crying, Oh ! what would I give now for a glafs of that fmall beer, I ufed to fay was four ! or a pinch of that fnufF, which I ufed to fay was the curfed'ft ftuff in the world ! and borrow as much as would lie on a fliilling the mi- nute after. Oh ! what would I give to have had a monitor in thofe moments to have put me in mind of the fword hanging by a twine-thread over my head^ and to have cried in a voice as loud as S — th — Ws^ MementOy Doflor, quia Hibernus es, et in Hibernia^h reverteris.
Every man in the midft of his pleafures fiiould re- member the Roman executioner : and I have been aA fured, that had it not been for the unfortunate lofs of his royal highnefs the prince*. Sir Charles Dun- ccmb f would have revived that ufeful ceremony, which might be very properly introduced in the lord mayor's cavalcade.
I would not be miftaken, either in What has gone before, or in that which is to follow, as if I took yoa to be a belly-god, an Apicius, or him that wiibed his
• Of Denmark, who died OEliber 28, lycS. •f l.ard vmy 01 of LonJcn, in ijcS,
C 2. neck
[ 20 J
neck as long as a crane's, that he might have the greater pleafure in fwallowing. No, dear Dodlor, far be it from me to think you Epicuri de grege porcum. I know indeed you are Helltio, but it is Ubrorwn, as the learned Dr. Accepted Freiuen, fome time arch- bilhop of l^'ork, was ; and bigeHii, as the quaint Dr. Offspring Blackall, now bifhop of Exeter, is. There- fore let us return to the ufe which may be made of modern travels, and apply Mr. Morri/oti's to your condition.
You are now cafi: on an inhofpitable iflandj no mathematical figures on the fand, no 'vejiigia homi- ■num. to be feen j perhaps at this very time reduced to one iingle barrel of damaged bifcuit, and fliort- allowance even of falt-water. What's to be done ? Another in your condition would look about ; perhaps he might find fome potatoes ; or get an old piece of iron, and make an harpoon, and if he found Higgon fleeping near the fhore, ftrike him and eat him. The weftern illanders of Scotland fay, 'tis good meat ; and his train oil, bottled till it mantles, is a delicious beverage, if the inhabitants of Z«//<?W are to be credited.
But this I know is to grofs a pabulum for one, who (as the camelion lives on air) has always hitherto lived on wit ; and whofe friends (God be thanked) defign he fhould continue to do fo, and on nothing elfe. Therefore I would advife you to fall upon old Joan ', eat, do, I live to bid thee ! Eat Addifon * j
* Then fecretgry to the earl of Whartony lord lieutenant of frdcnd,
and
[ 21 ]
and when you have eat every body elfe, eat my lord lieutenant * [he is fomething lean,] God help the while ; and tho' 'twill, for aught I know, be treafon, there will be nobody left to hang you, unlefs you fhould think fit to do yourfelf that favour, which if you fhould, pray don't write me word of it, becaufe I fhould be very forry to hear of any ill that fhould happen to you, as being, with a profound venera- tion, one of the greatelt of your admirers.
T. B. or any other two letters you like better.
Pray direfl your anfwer to me, at the Serjeant's Head in Ccrti' •wall ; or at Mr. Sentiment's, a Potty Carrier, in Common Gar- den, in the Phi/i,
LETTER XI.
f William, lord achbifhop of Dublin^ to Dr. Swift.
REVEREND SIR, Dublin, Nov. 20, 1708.
1 H A V E yours of the 9th inllant, and if the fcheme of alteration holds, as reprefented, I defpairofour twentieth parts in the prefent method ; yet I can't think it proper to move in any new courfe till the de- claration of what is intended be more authentic. I
* Earl of Wlarton,
f Doftor William King, archbifliop of Dublin, author of the difcourfe on the Origin of E-vil ; oi tht State of the Protejiants in IreJand, and fcveral other valuable pieces, •
C 3 hava
f 3» }
have no good ground for my doubt ; and yet, in my ov/n mind, I make feme queflion, whether all things will be juft as furmifed. If I find this to be fo ia earneft, I will then endeavour to obtain an addrefs to my lord treafurer, which, I fuppofe, has been hitherto wanting : but if tlie matter llick on any con- fiderations not agreeable, there is an end of it. To deal freely, I have very littFe hope of fucceeding any way ; but it will not make things worfe to try the ex- periment.
I underftand fome dilTenters from hence will ap- ply to the parliament of Ejigland this feffion, to ob- tain a repeal of the teft, and for a toleration on a- larger foot than in England; and that a fund israifed, iand agents appointed to folicit their aifairs, by the prefbyters of the north. I have had fome intimation, that all diflenters are not of a mind in this point ; the other feels, if I am rightly informed, being as much afraid of them as of us; and that they would rather- be as they are, than run the hazard of coming under the jus di'vinum of prefbytery. Something pleafant enough is faid to have happened on this occafion : a certain perfon endeavoured to comfort them, and remove their jealoufy, by telling them they needed not to fear ; for that the greateft friends to diffenters, and who would be mofl zealous for toleration, never defigned to eftablifh any church, but only to deftroy that, which had the proteftion of the laws. Whe- ther this will give them fatisfaftion I can't tell ; but am certain, that if any have fo wicked a defign,
they will fail in it.
I am
[ 23 ]
I am often alarmed with the fears of feme good men, who would perfuade me, that religion is in danger of being rooted out of the hearts of men ; and they wonder to fee me fo fanguine in the caufe. But I tell them, that I believe it is with religion as with paternal aiFedllon ; fome profligate wretches may for- get it, and fome may dofe themfelves fo long with pervtrfe thinking, as not to fee any reafon for it : but in fpite of all the ill-natured and falfe philofophy of thefe two forts of people, the bulk of mankind will love their children. And fo it is, and will be, with the fear of God and religion : whatever is ge- neral hath a powerful caufe, though every one can- not Hnd it out.
But I have forgot my diffenters : the reafon of their applying in Great Britahi is, becaufe they fee little reafon to hope for fuccefs here j and if I can judge of the fenfe of gentlemen that compofe the parlia- ment, they never feemed to be farther from-' the hu- mour of gratifying them.
As to your own concern, you fee hardly any thing valuable is obtained any otherwife than by the go- vernment ; and therefore, if you can attend the next lord lieutenant, you, in my opinion, ought not to decline it. I afTure myfelf that you are too honell to come on ill terms ; nor do I believe any will ex- plicitly be propofed. 1 could give feveral reafons why you fhould embrace this, though I have no ex- ception againll your fecretaryfliip * ; except that
* To the embafly at yUnr.a.
C 4 you
[ H 1 ^
you may lofe too much time in it, which, confidering
all things, you cannot fo well fpare at this time of
the day.
As to my own part, I thank God, I was never
much frightened by any alterations : neither king yames nor the earl of Tyrcormel fhocked me. I always comforted myfelf with the 1 12th pfalm, 7th verfe *. I never was a favourite of any government, nor have I a profpeft of being fa, though I believe I have feen forty changes ; nor would I advife any friend to fell himfelf to any, fo as to be their flave. I could write fome other things, that you would de- fjre to know; but pen and ink are dangerous tools in fome mens hands, and I love a friend with an appetite. I am, l^c.
W. DUBLIN.
Dr. Swift to Dr. Sterne.
SIR, Nov. 30, 1 70S.
I RECEIVED a letter from you the Lord knows when, for it has no date ; but I conceive it to have been a month ago, for I met it when I came from Kent, where, and at Ep/om, I pafled about fix weeks, to divert myfelf the fag end of the fummer, which proved to be the beft weather we had. I am glad you made fo good a progrefs in your building; but you had the emblem of induftry in your mind, for the bees begin at the the top and work downwards, and at laft work themfelves outofhoufe and home, as many of you builders do.
* < He fliall not be afraid of evil tidings ^ liis heart is fixed, trufting in the Lord.'
You
C 2S 3
You know before this the great revolution we have had at court * ; and that Dr. Lambert is chaplain to the lord lieutenant: the ^rchhi^o^ oi Canterbury, feveral other bifhops, and my lord treafurer himfelf, would needs have itfo. [ made no manner of appli- cation for that poft, upon certain reafons, that I ftiall let you know, if ever I have the happinefs to fee you again.
My lord S under! atid tsXWqA me on thatoccafion, and was very well pleafed with my anfwer, that I obferved one thing in all new niinijhies : for the firft week or two, they are in a hurry, or not to be feen ; and when you come afterwards, they are engaged. What I have to fay of the public, Isc. will be inclofed, which, I fuppofe, will be ihewn you, and you will pleafe to deliver as formerly. Lord Pembroke takes all things mighty well, and we pun together as ufual ; and he either makes the befl ufe, or the beft appearance with his philofophy of any man I ever knew ; for it is not believed he is pleafed at heart upon many accounts.
Sir Andrei-u Fountain is well, and has either writ to you laft poft, or defigns it foon.
Dr. Pratt is buying good pennyworths of books for the college, and has made fome purchafes that would fet you a longing. You have heard our mighty news is f extreamly dwindled in our laft pacquets,
* On the 25th of No-jemlcr, 1708, the earl of Pembroke was made lord high admiral, the earl of Wharton lord lieutenant of IrfUr.d, and lord Somtr.cn lord prefident of the council, t On the nth of November, 1708, the duke of Marlborough and prince Eugene obliged the eledlor of Bavaria to raife the fieg^ cf Erujels.
However
However we expeft a very happy end of the cam- paign, which this fudden thaw and foul weather, begun here yefterday, will foon bring to an iflue. I am ^c.
LETTER XIII. Archbifhop K I N G to Dr. Swift.
REV, SIR, Dublin, Feb. lo, 170S.
IrECEIVED your's of laft January the 6th, and you will find but a forry corefpondent of me. I have been confined near two months this winter, and forbid pen and ink by my phyficlan ; though, I thank God, I was more frightened, as it happened, than hurt. I had a colic about the year 96, that brought me to extremity, and all defpair of my life, and the news-letters reported me dead. It began at the fame time of the year, and the fame way it did then, and the winters were much alike; and I verily believe had I not had the affiftance of my old phyfician. Sir Patrick Dun* , I fhould have run the fame courfe, which I could not have fupported. But with a little phyfic, and the Spa^M and Bath waters, I efcaped without other hardfhips, than keeping at home ; and fo much for private affairs.
As to the public, I had a letter from my lord Pem- hrcike, wherein he told me the firft fruits and twentieth
* This gentleman founded three profefforfliips in the univerfity of Dublin, viz. theory and praftice of phyfick, chirurgery and midwifery, pharniacy and the Materia Mcdica.
parts
C *7 ]
parts were granted *, and that my lordf lieutenant will bring over the queen's letter for them. I re- turned him my thanks, and as foon as the order comes, he will have a public acknowledgement.
I have feen a letter f , that pafles as from a mem- ber of the houfe, if^c. I think your judgment con- cerning it is very juft. But pray by what artifice did you contrive to pafs for a whig ? As I am an honeft man, I courted the greateft whigs I knew, and could not gain the reputation of being counted one.
But you need not be concerned ; I will engage you will lofe nothing by that paper. 1 wifh fome fafts had been well confidered before vouched : if any one matter in it prove falfe, what do you think will come of the paper ? In Ihort, it will not
* It appears from a letter of the archbifliops and bifhops of Ire- land, to Dr. Hartjlorge, bifhop of OJJbry, and Dr. Lindfey, bifliop of Killaloc, inferted in this colleil:iin, that Stv'ift was en- gaged to folicit the queen to exonerate the clergy of Ireland from paying the twentieth parts and firft fruits, upon which his acquaintance with Mr. Harley began. The procefs of his appli- cation may be traced by thefe letters, and he at length ob- tained a grant of the queen, which is dated February 7, 1710. The information, that the grant was obtained at the time this letter was written, 1708, though from lord Pembroke, was pre- mature.
•j- ' In the third volume cf the oiflavo edition of Dr. Swift's works, p\ih\i{h£d by Batkurji :.i London, in 1754, iS a letter from a member of the kouje of commons in Ireland, to a member of the houfe of commons in England, concerning the facramentat tcjl, written in the year J 708, and republjfted in Ire/and in 1715.'
be
C 28 ]
be in the power of man to hinder it from a warm
entertainment.
As to the teft, I believe that matter is over for this feafon. I was much for dilTolving this prefent parliament, and calling a new one this fpring. I had a pretty good account of the future eleftions, which, as far as my acquaintance reached, were fettled ; and I was fure, that, without great force and artifice, the new members would never have repealed the teft ; but I did not know what the influence of a lord lieutenant * (when well acquainted in the kingdom, and who knew how to take his meafures jullly) might have efFefted, and we know very well what force management and timing matters have; and there is hardly any thing but powerful perfuafions, terror, and oftentation of intereft may effeft, efpecially in popular eleftions. And to confefs the truth to you, I am not altogether eafy in that matter yet, efpe- cially if things take any new turn in England. It is whifpered, but I know not by what authority, that the queen herfelf was at the bottom of what pafTed in the houfe of commons with you ; and that the miniftry fcreened her in that affair, for reafons that may be gueffed at.
I am wonderfully pleafed at the good charafter you give Mr. Addifon f . If he be the man, that you
* ' Thomas, earl of Wharton, had been appointed to that pofl on the 2i;th of No-vonber, 1708.'
•f- Sivtfi's friendfliip for Addifon continued inviolable, during the adminiftration of Oxford and Bolingircke, and with as mvich kindnefs, as when the)' ufed to meet at lord Halifax's, or lord Sommens,
reprefent
[ 29 ]
reprefent him to be, (and I have confidence in your judgment,) he will be able to ferve his lord * efFedlu- ally, and procure himfelf love and refpeft here. I can't fay it will be in my power to do him any fer- vicc ; but my good wilhes and endeavours ihall not be wanting.
Mr. Stoughton preached afermon \ here on the 30th of January, king Charles's martyrdom, that gives great offence : the government heard it, but I was ill at home, which dean Sterne will needs have a providence. If the reprefentation I have of it be true, I am fure I fhould have fufpended him, if it had coll me both my reputation and intereft. I have repre- fented what I have heard of it, and have difcourfed my lord chancellor X about it, and told him of what confequence I think it to be, both to him and us, and that it fhould not pafs without cenfure. I have not as yet feen my lord primate. Wife men are doing all they can to extinguifh faftion ; and fools and elves are throwing fire-brands. Affure your-
* The earl of WhartLn, then Jord lieutenant of Ireland, •|- ' Dr. S-uiift, in anfwertotliis letter, AAttd March 6, 1708-9, prinred in his works, writes thus: " l,lv. Steughtonh ncQm- " mended for a chaplain to the lord lieutenant. His fermon Is " much recommended by feveral here. He is a prudent perfon, *' and knows how to time things : others of fomewhat better fi- " gure arc as wife as he. A bold opini on is a fliort, eafy way to " merit, and very neceffary for thofe, who have no other." It appears from Beyer i Political State, Vol. II. p. 639, that this fermon had been preached on the ^oih of 'Ja-wary, 1705-6, at Cbrijl Church, Dublin ; and that it was burnt by the hands of the common hangman November 9, 1711," % ' Sii Riihard Cox:
f 30 ]
felf tills had an ill efFefl on the minds of moft here» for though they efpoufe the revolution, they heartily abhor forty-one. And nothing can create the mi- niftry more enemies, and be a greater handle for ca- lumny, than to reprefent them, and thofe that efpoufed them, to be fuch, as murdered king Charlesh and fuch are all, that approve or excufe it.
As to our own affairs, I wifh you could have come over chaplain as I propofed ; but fince a more pow- erful intereft interpofed, I believe you had bell ufe your endeavours there j but if nothing happens before my lord lieutenant comes over, you had beft make us a vifit. Had you been here, I believe fomething might have been done for you before this. The deanery of Do^un is fallen, and application has been made for it to my lord lieutenant, but it yet hangs, and I know not what will become of it : but if you could either get into it, or get a good man with a comfortable benefice removed to it, it might make prefent provifion for you. I have many things more to fay ; but they are fo much of a piece with thefe I have writ already, that you may guefs at them all by this famplc. God be with you : Amen.
William Dublin,
LET-
LETTER XrV. Mr. Le CLERCto Mr. Addison.
A Amfterdam, k 12 de Fevrief, 1709.
T E m'etois donne I'honneur de vous ecrlre, Mon- fieur, des le commencement de cette annee, pour vous prier fur tout d'une chofe, qu'il me feroit im- portant de favoir au plutot. Cependant je n'ai re9U aucune de vos nouvelles. J'ai appris feulement, que vous quittiez le pofte, ou vous etiez, pour aller en Irlande en qualite de fecretaire de my lord Wharton. Je m'en rejoiiis avec vous, dans la fuppofition, que ce dernier emploi vaut mieux que le precedent, quolque je fente bien, que je perdrai par votre eloignement. Je ne lalle pas de vous fouhaiter toute forte de fatis- fadion dans votre nouvel emploi, & de prier Dieu, qu'il vous donne un heureux fucces en tout ce que vous entreprendres. Je vous avois prie, Monfieur, de m'envoyer le nom propre & les titres de my lord Halifax, Si de lui demander meme, fi vous le trou- viez apropos, la permifiion de lui dedier mon Tite' Live. Comme vous m'aviez marque par Mr. Phi- Zips, que vous aviez oublie la feuille, qui me man- quoit de recueil de Mr. Rymer, je vous avois mande, que c'eft la feuille 10 T. ou les 4 pages, qui prece- dent immediatemcnt I'iiidice dcs noms, dans le tome I. Si vous I'avez cue depuis, faites moi la grace de Tenvoyer a Meff. Tontton & Siuigusr, bien envelop- pee, & de mettre mou addreife au de/Tus. Je fup-
pofe.
[ 32 ]
pofe, Monfieur, que cette lettre vous trouvera encore a Londres, parce qu'on dit, que my lord Wharton ne partira que vers le mois d' Avril. II ne fe pafTe rien de nouveau ici dans la republique des lettres, qui merite de vous etre mande. Les Jefuites de Paris ont condamne en termes tres-fort, les fentimens du P. Hardouirti Sc Pont contraint de les retraftfer d'une maniere honteufe. On verra quelle en fera la fuite. Je voudrois pouvoir vous etre utile ici a quelque chofe : vous verriez par la, combien je fuis, Monfieur, votre tres humble & tres obeifTant fer- viteur,
J. Le CLBRCi
LETTER XV. Archbifhop King to Dr. Swift.
REV. SIR, Dublin, March 12, 1708.
The bufinefs of the twentieth parts and firll- fruits is ftill on the anvil. We are given to under- ftand, that her majefty defigns, out of her royal bounty, to make a grant of them for charitable ufes,- and that it is defigned this grant fliould come over with his excellency the lord lieutenant. The bi- ftiops in this town at prefent thought it reafonable to apprife his excellency of the affair, and to addrefs him for his favour in it, which accordingly is done by this poft. We have fent with this addrefs the re- prefentation made at lirlt to lier majefly about it j
the
[ 33 1
the reference to the commiflioners of the revenue here, and their report, together with the memorial to the lord Pembroke. In that there is mention of the ftate of the diocefe of Duhlin, as a fpecimen of the condition of the clergy of Ireland, by which it will appear how much wc rtand in needoffuch a gift. This wc could not well fend to his excellency, be- caufe it is very long, and we apprehend, that it might be improper to give him fo much trouble at firll, before he was any way apprifed of the matter ; but if you think, that his excellency may judge it agreeable, that it Ihould be laid before him, I entreat the favour of you to apply to my lord Pembroke's fccretary, with whom it is, for the original, or a copy of it, and prefent it to my lord lieutenant, or leave it with his fecretary. I have engaged for you to my brethren, that you will be at this trouble ; and there is a memorial to this purpofe, at the foot of the copy of the reprefentation made to the earl of Pembroke, tranfmitted with the other papers. What charges you are at upon this account, will be an- fwered by me.
The good imprefiion you have given me of Mr. Aiidifon, my lord lieutenant's fecretary, has encou- raged me to venture a letter to him on this fubjeft, which I have inclofcd, and make you the full and fole judge, whether it ought to be delivered. I can't be competently informed by any here, whether it may be pertinent or no ; but I may and do depend on your pindcnce in the cafe, who, I believe, will neither omit what may be ufeful, nor fufFer me to do Vol. I. D an
[ 34 ]
an officious or improper thing. I mix no other matter with this, befides what agrees with all oc- cafions, the tender of the hearty prayers and wifhes for you of, fir, your Uc.
Will. Dublin.
The reverfal of my lord Slane's * outlawry makes a mighty noife through this kingdom : for aught I can remember, the deftroying of our woollen manufactory did not caufe fo univerfal a confternation.
LETTER XVr. Dr. Swift to the lord primate of Ireland f .
MY LORD, London, March 24, 1708-9.
1am commanded by his excellency the lord lieu- tenant to fend the inclofed to your grace, in anfwer to a letter his excellency lately received from your orace, and feveral bifliops, relating to the firft-fruits ci Ireland, This will fpare your grace and their
* ' Chr'iflopher Fleming, baron of Slane, having taken up arms for king ^flw« in 1688 in Ireland, where he was colonel of a regiment of foot, afterwards loft his eftats, and was outlawed, till queen Anne reverfed his attainder j upon which the houfe of com- mons of 7«/<7«</, on the 3d oi June, 1709, unanimoufly refolved, that an addrefs be made to the queen, " fetting forth the fatal " confequences of reverfing the outlawries of perfons attainted of " treafon for the rebellions in 1641 and 16S8." Lord Slane was in Nowmier, 17 13, created by her majefty vifcount Z-cKf- ford.
f Dr. NarciJ/'us Ma-.p,
lordihips
[ 35 I
Iord(hips the trouble of any farther account from me. I fhall therefore only add, that his excellency com- mands me to afTure your grace of his hearty incli- nation in favour of the church of Ireland; and am, with great refpeft, my lord, your grace's moll duti- ful, and molt obedient fervant,
J. Swift.
LETTER XVII. Mr. Addison to Dr. Swift *.
DEAR SIR, Dublin, April 22, lycg.
1 A M in a very great hurry ofbulinefs, but cannot forbear thanking you for your letter at CheJIer, which was the only entertainment I met with in that place. I hope to fee you very fuddenly, and v/ill wait on our friend the bilhop of Clogher f as foon as I can polTibly. I have had juft time to tell him, en pajfant^ that you were well. I long to fee you, and am, dear fir, your moil faithful, and mod obedient fer- vant.
J. Addison.
We arrived yefterday at Dublin,
* Mr. Addtfon at this time was fecretary to the td^xloi JVkar- ton, lord lieutenant of Ireland, f Dr. St, George Ajhe,
D 2 L E T^
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LETTER" XVIir. Mr. Addison to Dr. Swift.
DEAR SIR, Dublin Caftle, June 25, 1709.
1am heartily glad to hear you are fo near us. If you will deliver the inclofed to the captain of the Wolf, I dare fay he will accommodate you with all in his power, li. he has left Chejler, I have fent you a bill according to the bifhop of Clogher^s defire, of whom I have a thoufand good things to fay. I do not aflc your excufe about the yacht, becaufe I don't want it, as you fhall hear at Dublht : if I did, I Ihould think myfelf iuexcufeable. I lone to talk over all affairs with you, and am, dear fir, your's molt entirely,
J. Addison.
P. S. The yacht will come over with the acts of parliament and a convoy about a week hence, which opportunity you may lay hold of, if, you do not like the Wolf, I will give orders accordingly.
L E T-
[ n ]
LETTER XIX. Mr. Addison to Dr. Swift.
DEAR SIR, Nine o'clock, Monday morning *.
1 T H I N K it is very hard I fhould be in the fame kingdom with Dr. S'vjift, and not have the happinefs of his company once in three days. The bifhop of Chgher intends to call on you this morning, as will your humble fervant in my return from Cbappel Iz- scard, wither I am juft now going. I am your hum- ble fervant,
J. Addison.
LETTER XX.
Earl of Halifax f to Dr. Swift.
SIR, Odober 6, 1709.
Our friend Mr. Addifon telling me that he was to write to you to-night, I could not let his packet go away without telling you how much I am concerned to find them returned without you. I am
* This letter has no date : but it muft have been written foon after Dr. Stviffs arrival in Dublin, which happened on the 30th of June, 1709. He fet fail from Liwrfool for Ireland on the 29th of June, and landed at Ringsctid the next day ; and on the Sth of September following, Mr. Addifon returned to England with the lord lieutenant. f Cbarlii, earl of Halifax : he wns auditor of the exchequer.
D 3 quite
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quite afhamed for myfelf and my friends, to fee you left in a place fo incapable of tailing you j and to fee fo much merit, and fo great qualities, unrewarded by thofe, who are fenfible of tliem. Mr. Addifon and I are entered into a new confederacy, never to give over the purfuit, nor to ceafe reminding thofe who can ferve you, till your worth is placed in that light it ought to fhine *. Dr. South holds out ftill f , but he cannot be immortal. The fituation of his pre- bend would make me doubly concerned in ferving you. And upon all occafions, that fliall offer, I will be your conftant folicitor, your fincere admirer, and your unalterable friend. I am your moft hum- ble and obedient fervant,
Halifax.
* Dr. Siu'ift wrote thus on tiie back of the letter, 7 kept tals letter as a true original of courtiers and court promifcs : and in the firfl leaf of a fmall printed book, intitled, Poejies Chreticnttes de Moaf, JolliTct, he wrote thefe words, " Given nit- by my " lord Halifax, May 3, 1709. I begged it of him, and delired " him to remember it was the only favour I ever received from " him or his party."
•|- ' He was prebendary of }VeJi}!!irfi^r -^ but did not die till July 8, 1716.'
1 E T-
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LETTER XXI. Mr. Steele to Dr. Swift.
Lord Sunderland's Office, Oaober 8, 1709. DEAR SIR,
JVlR. (acvctdLxy JdtJifon went this morning out of town, and left behind him an agreeable command for me, ^viz. to forward the inclofed, which lord Halifax fent him for you. I alfure you, no man could fay more in praife of another, than he did in your behalf at that noble lord's table on Wcdnejday lall. I doubt not but you will find by the inclofed the cifeft it had upon him. No opportunity is omitted among powerful men, to upbraid them for your ftay in Irelayid. The company that day at dinner were lord Edward Riijfcl, lord E-Jfex, Mr. Mayn-ivaringy Mr. Addifon, and myfelf. I have heard fuch things faid of that fame bilhop of Clogher with you, that I have often faid he mull be entered ad eundem in our houfe of lords. Mr. Phillips * dined with me yef- terday ; he is Hill a fhepherd, and walks very lonely through this unthinking crowd in London. I won- der you do not write fometimes to me.
* Ambrofe PhlHips, the author of the D\JlreJJed M^ithtr, a tragedy, and fomc paftorals, ^c,
D 4 The
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The town is in great expedlation from Bickcr- Jiaffi * ; what pafTed at the eledion for his firft ta- ble being to be publiflied this day fevennight. I have not ieen Ben Tooke -{■ a great while, but long to ufher you and yours into the world. Not that there can be any thing added by me to your fame, but to walk bare-headed before you. I am, fir, your moft obedient and moft humble fervant,
Richard Steele.
LETTER XXII. Mr. Addison to Dr. Swift.
SIR, St. James's Place, April 11, 17:0.
1 HAVE run fo much in debt with you, that I do not know how to excufe myfelf, and therefore fhall throw myfelf wholly upon your good nature ;
* Ijaac B'lckcrjlaffe was the name affumed by the author of
the Tatler, of which the Dean wrote No. 66, on eloquence
and action, and the numbers 67, 74 and 81, on the chamber
C>f fame, in which were to be three tables ; the firft to contain
twelve perfons, the fecond twentj', and the third one hundred.
The eleiftion here alluded to is of the twelve perfons for the
firlt table, public notice naving been given from the Grecian
cdffee-houfe, in the Tatler of the z^xh oi Septen:bcr 1709, that
on Saturday the i 5th of Oficher next, the author would fettle his
firft table of Fame, requefling all, that had competent knov/-
ledge, to fend in lifts of fuch twelve perfons as they imagined to
bt qualified for that pre-eminence. The twelve felcfted by the
author are, Alsxandcr, Homer, Julius Caj'ary Soaatds, Aiijiotk,
Virgil, Cicero, Hanv.ibal, Pornpey, Ca.'o cf Utica, Augujlus, and
Arckimedci,
■\ The bookfellcr,
and
[ 41 1
and promife, if you will pardon what is paffed, to be more pundlual with you for the future. I hope to have the happinefs of waiting on you very fuddenly at Dublin, and do not at all regret the leaving of England, whilil I am going to a place, where I Ihall have the fatisfa(rtion and honour of Dr. S-tvi/t's con- verfation. I fliall not trouble you with any occur- rences here, becaufe I hope to have the pleafure of talking over all affairs with you very fuddenly. We hope to be at Holyhead by the 30th inftant. Lady Wharton ftays in England. I fuppofe you know, that I obeyed your's, and the bifhop of Clogher''s com- mands, in relation to Mr. Smith ; for I dcfired Mr. Da-ivfon to acquaint you with it. I muft beg my moft humble duty to the bifhop of Clogher. I heartily long to eat a difli of bacon and beans in the beft com- pany in the world. Mr. Steele and I often drink your health. y
I am forced to give myfelf airs of a punctual cor- refpondence with you, in difcourfe with your friends at St. Jameses Coffee-Houfe, who are always afking me queftions about you, when they have a mind to pay their court to me, if I may ufe fo magnifi- cent a phrafe. Pray, dear Doftor, continue your fricndfhip towards me, who love and clleem you. If poffible, as much as you dcferve. I am ever, dear iir, your's entirely,
J. Addison*
L E T-
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LETTER XXIII.
Dr. Swift to Dr. Sterne, (with a proxy for his appearance as prebendary oi Dunlwvin, at the arch- bifhop's vifitation.)
SIR, Laracar, April 17, 17 10.
You have put me under a necelTity of writing you a very fcurvy letter, and in a very fcurvy manner. It is the want of horfes, and not of inclination, that hinders me from attending on you at the chapter. Sut I would do it on foot to fee you * vifit in your own right ; but if I muft be vifited by proxy, by proxy I will appear. The ladies of St. Marys delivered me your commands ; but Mrs. John/on had dropped half of them by the fhaking of her horfe. I have made a fnift, by the afTiftance of two civilians, and a book of precedents, to fend you the jargon annexed, with a blank for the name and title of any preben- dary, who will have the charity to anfwer for me. Thofe two words, gra'vi incommodo, are to be tranf- lated, the want of a horfe. In a few days I expedl: to hear the two ladies lamenting the flelh-pots of Ca- 'van-Jireet. I advife them, fince they have given up their title and lodgings of St. Mary^s, to buy each of them a palfry, and take a fquire, and feek adven- tures. I am here quarrelling with the froHy weather, for fpoiling my poor half dozen of blofibms. Spes anni collapfa ruit : Whether thefe words be mine, or
* Dr. Sterne was then vicar-general cf the diocefe of Dublin^ and was to vifit the clergy in the abfence of the archbi/hop.
Virgirs,
[ 43 ]
FirgiPs, I cannot determine. I am this minute very bufy, being to preach to-day before an audience of at lealt fifteen people, moft of them gentle, and all fimple.
I can fend you no news ; only the employment of my pariihioners may, for memory-fake, be reduced under thefe heads : Mr. Perci-val is ditching, Mrs. Pfrr/i;^/ in her kitchen; Mr. ^Ff/Zry fvvitching ; Mrs. Wejley Hitching ; Sir Arthur Lang ford riching, which is a new word for heaping up riches. Well, Sir, long may you live the hofpitable owner of good bits, good books, and good buildings. The bifhop of Clogher would envy me for thofe three B's*. I am your mofl obedient, humble fervant,
J. S w I K r.
LETTER XXIV. Sir A N D R E v/ Fountain to Dr. S w i ft.
June 27, 1 710.
1 NEITHER can nor will have patience any longer ;
and, S-T'jift, you are a confounded fon of a .
May your half acre turn to a bog, and may your willows perifti j may the worms eat your Plato, and may Par'vi/ole f break your fnufF-box. What ! be- caufe there is never a bifhop in England with half the wit of St. George AJhe, nor ever a fecrctary of flate with a quarter of Addifon'' s good fcnfe ; therefore
* * V\x. bits, books, and building:." \ The Dean's ftcward.
yoti
[ 44 ]
y<^u* can*t write to thofe, that love you, as well as any Clcgfxr or Addifon of them all. You have loft jroor reputation here^ and that of your baftard, the Tathr, is going too ; and there is no way left to re»> cover either, but your writing. Well ! 'tis no matter ; I'll e'en leave London. Kingsmill is dead, and you don't write to me. Adieu.
LETTER XXV. Mr. Addison to Dr. Swift.
DEAR SIR, Dublin Caftle, July 23, lyie.
About two days ago I received the inclofed, that is fealed up, and yefterday that of my friend $.ieeh, which requiring a fpeedy anfwer, I have lent you exprefs. In the mean time I have let him fenow, that you are out of town, and that he may €xpe6l your anfwer by the next polt. I fancy he Jiad my lord Halifax's authority for writing. I hope this will bring you to town. For your amufement fcy the way, I have fent you fome of this day's news j to which I mud: add, that Drs. By£'e * and Rohvi- fsn t are likely to be the bifliops of Brijiol and St. Da^vid's: that our politicians are ftartled at the breaking off the negociations, and fall of llocks ; in-
* • Phirip, firft made birtiop of St. David's, and then of H(>c~ /o>d:
■f * 'John: he was confecrated bifliop of 5r^<3/, November 19, 1710, and tran Hated to the fee of jLw(/o« in March 1713-14.'
fom\ich
I 45 1
fomuch that it is thought they will not venture at dillblving the parliament in fuch a crifis. I am ever, dear Sir, your's entirely.
J. Addison.
Mr. Steck defires me to feal your's before I deliver it ; bat dii« you will excufe in one, who wifhes you as well as he, or any body living can do.
LETTER XXVI. Irish Bishops to the bilhops of O s s o r y and
K I L L A L o E.
Dublin, Aug. 31, 1710,
OUR VERY GOOD LORDS,
W H E R E A S feveral applications have been made to her majefty about the iirll fruits and twentieth parts, payable to her majefly by the clergy of this kingdom, befeeching her majefty, that fhe would be gracioufly pleafed to extend her bounty to the clergy here, in fuch manner, as the convocation have hum- bly laid before her majefty, or as her majefty ftjall, in her gcodnefs and wifdom, think fit ; and the faid applications lie ftill before her majefty ; and we do hope, from her royal bounty, a favourable an Aver.
We do therefore intreat your lordfhips, to take upon you the folicitation of that aft"air, and to ule fuch proper methods and applications, as you in your prudence ftiall judge moft like to be elFedlual. We have likewife defired the bearer, Dr. Sxvift, to
concern
[ 46 ]
concern himfelf with you, being perfuaded of his diligence and good affedion : and we defire, if your lordihips occafions require your leaving London before you have brought the bufmefs to efFeft, that you would leave with him the papers relating to it, with your direftions for his management in it, if you think it advifeable fo to do. We are your lordfliips moft humble fervants and brethren.
Narcissus Armagh. Will. Dublin lENSis.
W. C A SS E L.
W. Me at h. w. k i l d a r e. William Killala.
To the Right Rev, fathers In God, John lord biihop of OJJ'oiy, and Thomas lord biftop of Killabe.
LETTER XXVn. Dr. Swift to Mrs. Ding ley*.
Chefter, Sept. i, 17 lo.
JOE will give an account of me till I got into the boat, after which the rogues made a new bargain, and forced me to give them two crowns, and talked as if we iliould not be able to overtake any fhip j but in half an hour we got to the yacht, for the fhips Iny by to wait for my lord lieutenant's fteward.
* Mrs. Dhigkf was a relation of Sir William Temple, who accompanied Mrs. Johnfon to Ireland, whenflie went thither by Shift's Invitation, about the year 1701,
We
[ 47 ]
We made our voyage in fifteen hours juft. Laft night I came to this town, and fhall leave it, I believe, on Monday : the firft man I met in Chejler was Dr. Ray- mond*. He and Mrs. Raymond were here about levying a fine, in order to have power to fell their eftate. I got a fall off my horfe, riding here from Parkcrate, but no hurt ; the horfe underllanding falls very well, and lying quietly till I got up. My duty to the birtiop of Cloghsr f. I faw him returning from Dunlary ; but he faw not me. I take it ill he was not at convocation, and that I have not his name to my powers. I beg you will hold your refolutioa of going to Trim, and riding there as much as you can. Let the bifliop of Clogher remind the bifliop of Killala to fend me a letter, with one inclofed to the bifhop of Litchfield X. Let all, who write to me, inclofe to Richard Steele, Efq; at his office at the Cockpit, near Whitehall. My lord Mounfjoy is now in the humour, tliat we Ihould begin our journey this afternoon, fo that I have ftole here again to finilh this letter, which mull be Ihort or long accordingly- I write this polT: to Mrs. Wejley, and will tell her, that f have taken care Ihe may have her bill of one hun- dred and fifteen pounds whenever Ihe pleafes to fend for it ; and in that cafe I defire you will fend it her inclofed and fealed. God almighty blefs you, and for God's fake be merry and get your health. I am perfeftly refolved to return as foon as I have done my commifiion, whether it fuccceds or no^ I never
* Vicar of Trim.
t ' Dr. St. Gccrgt Jljhe:
t <■ Dr. J'J:n Ihugh:
4 WJBt
[ 48 ]
went to England with fo little defire in my life. If Mrs. Curry makes any difficulty about the lodgings, I will quit them.
The poft is juft come horn London, and juft going out, fo I have only time to pray to God to blefs you, i^c.
LETTER XXVin. Archbifhop King to Dr. Swift.
REVEREND SIR, Dublin, Sept. 16, 1710.
IrECEIVED your's, by the laft pacquets, of September the 9th ; and becaufe you have mifled the two biihops, I fend you, with this, the papers relating to the lirft fruits, and twentieth parts. I fend them in two bundles, being too big for one letter. The bifhops, fo far as I can learn from the bifliop of Oforjj have not made any ftep fmce I left London. I will endeavour to get you a letter from the biihops to foiicit that affair. In the mean time, open the letter to the two biihops, and make ufeof it as occa- fion fhall (erxe. The fcheme I had laid for tliem is crcffed by my lord treafurer's * being out j though, perhaps, that would not ha\^e done ; but hermajefty's promife I depended on, and I had engaged the arch- bifhop of Tork in it. When he comes to London, I will give you a letter to him. I can likewife find means, I believe, to poffefs my lord Shre-iusbury and
* ' The tail cf Codolpkln flad refigacd his ftaff, Auguji S, 171C.'
Mr. .
[ 49 ]
Mr. Harlcy, with the reafonablenefs of the affair. I am not courtier enough to know the propernefs of the thing ; but I had once an imagination to attempt her majefty hcrfelf by a letter, modeftly putting her in mind of the matter ; and no time fo proper, as when there is no lord lieutenant of Ireland, which perhaps may be foon ; but this needs advice.
There are great men here as much out of humour, as you defcribe your great -vijitee * to hav^e been ; nor does the good news from Spain f clear them. I believe, however, they arc glad at it, though ano- ther would have ferved their occafions as well.
I do not apprehend any other fecret in all this af- fair, but to get whigs out of all thefe places of pro- fit and trull, and to get others in them. As for peace, it mull be on no other terms than the prelimi- naries ; and you'll find a tory parliament will give money as freely, and be as eager to profecute the war, as the whigs were, or they are not the wife men I take them to be. If they do fo, and take care to have the money well difpofcd of when given, they will break the king of Ft\ince^s heart, and the whigi. together, and pleafe the nation %. There's an ugly ■accident, that happens here in relation to our twen- tieth parts and iirft-fruits : at Midf.immir, 1709,
* ' Probably the earl of GodcIpLin, who wa^, perhaps, much vifited by his friends and party, after the rcfignalion of his ftaff of lord treafurer.'
-f ' Probably of the battle near Saragoxa, in which kihg Charjei of Spain gained a ccmpleat viflory over his competitor king Philify on the loth of Augujl, 1710.'
\ This opinion of fo great and good a man as Dr. King de- fcr\*es particular attention-
•Vol. I. V. there
I so ]
there was ready money In the treafury, and good fol- vent debts to the queen, to the value of 70000/. Now I am told, by the laft week's abftraft, there is only 223 /. in the treafury, and the army unpaid, at leaft uncleared for a year j and all others, except penfi.- oners, in the fame condition. Now the great mo- tive to prevail with her majefty to give the clergy the bounty petitioned for, was the clearnefs of the revcr nue here ; but if that be anticipated, perhaps it may make an objc'flion. I will add no more, but my
prayers for you. I am, t^c.
Will. Dublin.
LETTER XXIX. Dr. Swift to Dr. Sterne.
S I R, London, Sept. 26, 1710.
One would think this an admirable place from whence to fill a letter ; yet when I come to examine particulars, I find they either confift of news, which you hear as foon by the public papers, or of perfons and things, to which you are a ftranger, and are the wifer and happier for being fo. Here have been great men every day refigniag their places ; a re- fignation as fincere, as that of an ufurer on his death- bed. Here are fome, that fear being whipt, becaufe they have broken their rod ; and fome that may be called to an account, becaufe they could notcail one up. There are now not much above a dozen great employments to be difpofed of, which, according to our computation, may be done in as many days. Patrick * affures me, his acquaintance are all very
* Dr, Swi/t'i fervant.
weli
[ p 1
well fatisfied with thefe changes, which I take for no ill fyinptom ; and it is certain the queen has never appeared fo eafy or Co chcarful. I found my lord G:Jolph!nt\iC worrt dilfembler of any of them, that I have talked to ; and no wonder, fince his lofs and dang-er are greater, befides the addition of age and complexion. My lord lieutenant * is ^one to the country, to buftle about eledlions. He is not yet re- moved ; becaufe they fay it will be rcquifite to fu- perfede him by a fuccefTor, which the queen has not fixed on ; nor is it agreed whether the duke of Shn-'vjbury or Ormond f ftand faireft. I fpeak only for this morning, becaufe reports ufually change every twenty-four hours. Mean time the pamphlets and half fheets grow fo upon our hands, it will very- well employ a man every day from morning till night to read them ; and fo out of perfect defpair I never read any at all. The whigs, like an army beat three quarters out of the field, begin to fkirmiili but faintly ; and deferters daily come over. We are' amazed to find our miftakes, and how it was poffible to fee fo much merit where there was none, and to ov'erlook it where there was fo much. When a great minifter has loft his place, immediately virtue, ho- nour, and wit fly over to his fuccefTor, with the other enfigns of his office. Since I left off writing, I received a letter from my lord archbi(hop oC Dublin, or rather two letters, upon thefe memorials. I think immediately to begin m.y foliciting, though they are not very perfcft ; for I would be glad to know, vvhe-»
* 'Eail o^ IVharton,''
-)- The duke of Ormond was appointed lord licotenant, O^ther 26, J710.
E z ther
thcr my lord iircliblOiop would havj the fame method 'iaken here, iJut lias been done in EngLviJ, to fettle it by pailiameiit : but, however, that will be time enough thoaght of this good while.
I niuft h«re tell you, that the dean of St. Patrick's lives better tlian any man of quality I know ; yet this day I dined with the comptroller *, who tells sae, he drinks the queen's wine to-day, I faw col- leflor Sier>t!t who defired me to prefent his fervice to you, and to tell you he would be glad to hear from you, but not about bufinefs ; by which, l told him, I guelled he was putting you off about fomething you defired.
I would much rather be now in Ireland drinking your good wine, and looking over, while you loft a crown at penny ombre. I am weary of the careffes of great men out of place. The comptroller,* ex- pefts every day the queen's commands to break his fiaff. He is the laft great houfhold officer they in- tend to turn out. My lord lieutenant is yet in, be- caufe they cannot agree about his fucceffor. I am your moft obedient humble fervant,
J. Swift.
LETTER XXX.
A Memorial of Dr. Swift to Mr. H a R l e r, about the Firft- fruits.
Oct. 7, 1710.
1 N JrJa/jJ^ hardly one parlfh In ten hath any glebe, and the reft very fmall and fcattered, except a very fcw ; and thefe have feldom any houfes.
* Sir Jihn HsUarJ, B^.it,
- There
[ S3 ]
There are in proportion more impropriations in Ireland than in EagliJnd, which, achbd to the poverty of the coantiy, make the Hvings of very fmall and uncertain value, fo that five or lix .ue often Joined to make a revenue of 50 /. per anmtm : but thefe have feldom above one church in repair, the rell being deftroyeJ by frequent wars, ^V,
The clergy, for want of glebes, are forced^ in their own or neighbouring par^, to take farms to live on at rack rents.
The queen having fome years iincc remitted the firfl:-frui:s to the clergy of Engi-wd^ the bifhcp of Clcyncy being then in London, did petition her na- jefty for the fame favour in behalf of the cicrgf of Ireland, and received a gracious anfwer. But this affair, for want of foliciting, was not brought to an ifliie during the governments of the duke o£ Ormond and earl of Pcmhrcke.
Upon the earl of Wbarians fjcceeding, Dr. S^^-jiff (who had folicited this matter in the preceding go- vernment) was defiied by the biiliops of Ireland to apply to his excellency, who thought tit to receive the motion as wholly new, and what he could not confider till he were fixed in the government, and till the fame application were made to him as had been 10 his predeccffors. Accordingly an addrefs was delivered to his lordflup, with a petition to the cueen, and a memcrial annexed from both houfes &f convocation ; but a difptite happening in the lower houfe, wherein bis chaplain was concerned, and which was rcprcibnted by the faid chaplain as an af- front defigntd to his excellency, who was pleafsd to
E 5 underflan<i
[ 54 1
underlland and report it fo to the court, the convo- cation was fuddenly prorogued, and all farther thoughts about the firfl-fruits let fall as defperate. Thefubjea of the petition was to defire, that the twentieth parts might be remitted to the clergy, and the firft-fruits made a fund for purchafing glebes and impropriations, and rebuilding of churches.
The twentieth parts are twelve-pence in the pound, paid annually out of all ecclefiaftical benefices, as they were valued aWie Reformation. They amount to about 500 /. per annum ; but of little or no value to the queen, after the officers and other charges are paid, though of much trouble and vexation to the clergy.
The firlt-fruits paid by incumbents upon their pro- motion amount to 450/. per annum ; fo that her ma- jefty, in remitting about 1000/. per annum to the clergy, will really lofe not above 500/.
Upon Jugufi 31, 1 7 10, the two houfes of convo- cation being met to be farther prorogued, tine arch- bifliops and bifiiops, conceiving there was now a favourable jun<5lure to refume their applications, did, in their private capacities, fign a power to the faid Dr. S-Tviff, to foliclt the remitting the firll-fruits and twentieth parts.
But there is a greater burden than this, and al- moll intolerable, upon feveral of the clergy in Ire- land; the eafing of which, the clergy only looked on as a thing to be wifhed, without making part of their petition.
The queen is impropriator of feveral parifhes, and the in'cumbent pays her half-yearly a rent, generally
to
[ 55 ]
to the third part of the real value of the living, and fometimes half. Some of thefe parifhes, by the increafe of graziers, are feizedpn by the crown, and cannot pay the referved rent. The value of all thefe impropriations ai-e about 2000 /. per amium to her jnajefty.
If the queen would gracioufly pleafe to bellow likewife thefe impropriations to the church, part to be remitted to the incumbent, where the rent is large, and the living fmall, and the reft to be laid out in levying glebes and Impropriations, and building of churches, it would be a moil pious and feafonable
bounty.
The utmofl value of the twentieth parts, firft- fruits, and crown-rents, is 3000/. per aunum, of which about ^ool.fer annum is funk among officers ; fo that her majefty, by this great benefaftion, would lofe but 2^00 /. per annum.
LETTER XXXr. Dr. Swift to Archbifhop King. MY LORD, Oa. 10, 1710.
I H A D the honour of your grace's letter of Sep- tember 1 6, but I was in no pain to acknowledge it ; nor fhall be at any other time, till I have fomething that I think worth troubling you, becaufe I know how much an infignificant letter is worfe than none at all. I had likewife the memorial, ISc. in another pacquet ; and I beg your grace to inclofe whatever
E 4 pacquct
[ 5^ 3
pacquet you fend me in a paper direfled to Mr. Steekt and not for me at Mr. Steele's. I fhould have been glad the bifhops had been here ; though I take bifhops to be the vvorll folicitors in the v/orld, except for themfelves. They cannot give themfelves the little trouble of attendance that other men are content to fwallow, elfe I am fure tjieir two lordfhips might have fucceeded eafier than men o{ my level are likely to do
As foon as I received the pacquet from your grace, I went to wait upon Mr. Harley. I had prepared him by another hand, v/here he was very intimate, and got myfelf reprefented (which I might jullly do) as one extremely ill iifed by the lalt miniftry, after fome cbligatione, becaufe I xt{\ik^ to go certain lengths they would have had me. This happened to be, in fome fort, Mr. Harlejs own cafe. He had heard very often of me, and received me v/ith the greateft marks ofkindnefs and elteem, as I was whif- pered he would, and the more upon the ill ufage I had met vvith. J fat with him two hours among com- pany, and two hours we were alone, where I told him my bufmefs, and gave him the hiftory of it, which he heard as I could wifli, and declared he would do his utm.oll to effeft it. I told him the dif- ficulties we met v/ith by lord lieutenants and their fecretaries, who would not fuffer others to folicit, and ncgle(5led it themfelves. He fell in with me entirely, and faid, neither they nor himfelf fhould have they merit of it, but the queen, to whom he would fhew my memorial with the fiill; opportunity, in order, if poffible, to have it done in this y/v/rr-rf^waOT. I faid,
the
r 57 3
the honour and merit, rext to the queen, would he hk ; that it was a great encouragement to the bilhops, that he was in the treafury, whom they knew to be the chief adviier of the queen to grant the fiime favour in England; that confequcntly the honour and merit were nothing to him, who had done fo much greater things ; and that, for my part, I thought he was obliged to the clergy of Ireland^ for giving him an opportunity of gratifying the pleafure he took in doing good to the church. Pie took my compliments extremely well, and renewed his promifes. Your grace will pleafe to know, that, befides the firft- fruits, I told him of the crown-rents, and fliewed the nature and value of them ; but faid, my opinion was, that the convocation had not mentioned them in their pe- tition to the queen, delivered to lord IVbarton with the addrefs, becaufethey thought the times would not tiieu bear it ; but that I looked on myfelf to have a difcre- tionary power to folicit it in fo favourable a ju>Slure. I had two memorials ready of my own drawing up, as ftiort as poflible, fliewing the nature of the thin^, and how long it had been depending, l£c. One ofthefe memorials had a paragraph at the end re- lating to the crown-rents ; t'otjicr had none. la cafe he had received the motion of tiie crown-rents, I would have given him the lafl: ; but I gave him the other, which he immediately read, and promifed to fecond both with his bell offices to the queen. As I have placed that paragraph of the crcvv'n-rents in my memorial, it can do no harm, and may pofliWy do good. However, 1 beg your grace to fay nothing of il; but, if it dies, let it die in fdence, and v/e mull 3 take
t 58 3
take up with what can be got. I forgot to tell your grace, that when I faid I was empowered, is'c. he defired to fee my powers ; and then I heartily wifhed them more ample than they were ; and I have fince wondered what fcruple a number of bifhops could have, to empower a clergyman to do the church and them a fervice, without any imagination of intereft for himfelf. Mr. Harley has invited me to dine ' with him to-day ; but I Ihall not put him upon this difcourfe fo foon. If he begins it himfelf, I (hall add it at the bottom of this. He fays, Mr. fecretary St. "John defires to be acquainted with me, and that he will bring us together. That may be a further help, though I told him 1 had no thoughts of applying to any but himfelf, wherein he differed from me, and defired I would fpeak to others, if it were but for form J and feemed to mean, as if he would avoid the envy of being thought to do fuch a thing alone. But an old courtier, with whom I confulted (an intimate friend), advifed me ftill to let him know, I relied .wholly upon his good inclinations, and credit with the queen. I find I am forced to fay all this very confufedly, juft as it lies in my memory ; but per- haps it may give your grace a truer idea how matters are than if I had writ in more order.
LET-
[ ^9 ]
LETTER XXXn. Archblfhop King to Dr. Swift.
REVEREND SIR, Dublin, Oft. 1 6, 1710.
I H A V E before me yours of the 4th inftant, which I received two ports ago. It was very grate- ful to me, and I hope it will have a good effcft as to the church in general, and be of ufe to you in parti- cular, which I heartily wifh. My lord primate is out of town, and I have not feen him fmce I received your's, nor do I fee any hafte to communicate it to him ; but in due time there will be no need to make a fecret of it. I durfl not have faid any thing of it, if you had not given me the caution, left any accident fhould intervene, to which all matters of this nature are liable. It puts a man out of counte- nance to raife expeftations, if he fhould not be able to fatisfy them. I underfland that her majelly de- figned this fhould be her own aft ; but the good in- ftrument?, that have been fubfervient, ought not to be forgot ; and, with God's help, I v/ill do my en- deavour that they fliali not. I fhall be impatient to fee the accomplifhment of this charitable work.
We are here in as great a ferment about choofing parliament men, on a fuppofition that this parliament vill be difTolvcd as focn as yours in England. And it is remarkable, that fuch as defign to betray their country, are more diligent to make votes than thofe that have fome faint intentions to ferveit. It would
prevent
[ 6o j
prevent a great deal of needlefs charges and heats, if we certainly knew whether we fhould have a new par- liament or no.
All bufmefs. in cliancery, and in truth all public bufincfs. is at at a {land, by the indifpofition of mv lord chancellor. I would tell you, that I am en- gaged moft unhappily this night to execute this fhort letter ; but the plain truth, 1 think, will do as well; T^-hi-ch is, that I ha\'e no more to fay but my prayers for you, C5V.
Will. Dublin.
LETTER XXXni.
Power from the Lord Primate and the Archbishop ofDvBLiK.
SIR, oa. 24, 1710.
'W E direiSled a letter to the biihops of OJery and KiHulce lall Jugu/f, defiring and empowering them to folicit the atFair of our firft-fruits and twentieth parts with her majefty, which has depended fo long, notwilhUanding her majefty's good inclinations, and feveral promifes o{ the chief governors here, to lay our addrefles before her majefty in the beft manner. We were then apprehenfive, that thofe bifhops might return from England before the bufmefs could be eft'efted ; and therefore we defired them to con- cern you in it, having fo good affurance of your abi- litv, prudence, and fitnefs to profecute fuch a matter. We find, the biiliops returned before you came to Lon-
{ 6i 3
ioBt for which we are very much concerned ; ar.d judging this the moft proper time to prolecute it witk iuccefs, we intreat you to take the full management of it into your hands, and do commit the care of lo- liciting it to your diligence and prudence ; deliring you to let us know from time to time what pro- grefs is made in it: and, if any thing farther be n«- ceflary on our part, on your intimation we fliaU be ready to do what fhall be judged reafonable. This, with our prayers for you, and the good fuccefs of your endeavours, is all from, fir, your aiFedionatc hum- ble fervants and brothers,
Narcissus Armagh* Will. Dublin*
LETTER XXXIF,
Archbifhop King to Dr. S w i f t.
REVEREND SIR, Dublin, No%-. 2, I?!'?,
The declaration of his grace the duke of Ormond to be our lord lieutenant, has flopped our further let- ters of recommendation defigned to be fent to you, becaufe the bifhops were unwilling to folicit the af- fair of the firft-fruits and twentieth parts by any other hand. I gave them Tome account how far yoa had been concerned in it ; and they ordered a letter to Mr. St>uth^j:ell, to give him an account, that the papers were in your hands, and to defire you to wait on him with them, and take your own meafares ia foliciting the affair. I am not to conceal from you, riiat fome exprefled a little jealoufy tiiat you would
xidt
[ 62 ]
not be acceptable to the prefent courtiers, intimating that you were under the reputation of being a favour- ite of the late party in power*. You may remem- ber I afked you the queftion before you were engaged in this affair, knowing of what moment it was ; and by the coldnefs I found in fome, I foon perceived what was at the bottom. I am of opinion, that this conjunflure of circumflance will oblige you to exert yourfelf v/ith more vigour ; and if it fhould fucceed, you have gained your point ; whereas, if you fhould fail, it would caufe no refleftions, that having been the fate of fo many before you.
I can be very little ufeful to you at this diftance i but if you forefee any thing, wherein I may be fer- viceable to the bufinefs or yourfelf, you may com- mand, fir, yours, i^c.
Will. Dublin,
LETTER XXXV.
Archbifhop K I N G to Dr. Swift. . REVEREND SIR, Dublin, Nov. 30, 1710.
IrECEIVED your's of the 23d, by the lall pacquet. I was aware of what you obferved, when the letter to his grace was figned ; but it was before
* Dr. Swift recommended himfelf to Mr. HaiJry, to whom
he applied on that occafion, by getting himfelf rep refented as a
pcrfon who had been extremely ill ufed by the laft miniftrj', be-
caufe he would not go certain lengths which they would have had
him ; this being in fome fort Mr. Harlefs own cafe. See his
letter of OJ?, ic, 171c.
I received
[ 63 ]
I received your's of the 4th inftant, wherein you tell me, that the bufinefs was in effcft done ; nor could I have any certain profped that it would be done from any intimation that I had before from you. You muft know, that this was not the only thing difpleafed me in the letter ; it was drawn and figned by fome before I faw it. I looked on it as a fnare laid in my way ; nor mull you wonder that fome are better at making their court than ferving the church, and can flatter much better than vote on the right fide. Thofe, that had rendered themfelves juftly obnoxious by deferting his grace's * friends and intereft in notorious inilances, think they have falved all by this early application, and perhaps it may prove fo.
But if the matter be done, affure yourfelf it will be known, by whom and what means it was efFefted.
In the mean time, God forbid you fhould think of flacking your endeavours to bring it to perfedion. I am yet under an obligation not to fay any thing of the matter from your letter; and whilll fo, it v/ould be hard for me to refufe to iign fuch a letter as that you mention, or find a pretence for fo doing: but when the bufmefs is done, the means and methods will likevvife be known, and every body have their due that contributed to it.
I fhall reckon nothing done till the queen's letter come here. You may remember how we were borne in hand in my lord Pembroke's time f , that the queen, had pafled the grant, which, after a whole year's
* ' The duke of Or»;s«i, who was declared lord lieutenant of Ireland, OB. 19, 17 10.'
■f- See tetter of Feb, 1 0, 1 708, and the note.
.A
expectation
. t 6| J
expeflation and felicitation, proved only a mouth* ful of moonfhiiie. But, if it fucceeds better now, we niuft owe it, next to the queen's goodnefs and bounty, to the great care of the great man to whom j>3u have applied, and to your management. It is feven or eight years fmcc we firft attempted this af- fair, and it paiTed through feveral hands ; yet no progrefs was made in it, which was certainly due to the ill methods taken to put it forward ; which, in truth, inftead of promoting, obftrudled it. At the very firft motion, it was promifed, and in a fair way; but the bilhops here, out of their abundant deference to the government, made the fame wrong Hep they would have done now ; and we could never make the leaft progrefs fince till now, and I pray God we have not put it back again.
You muft not imagine, that it is out of any difaf- fedion to you, or any diftruft of your ability or dili- gence, that the bifliops here were fo cold in their employing you : but they reckoned on party ; and though feveral knew what you were, yet they ima- gined, and fome vouched, that you were looked on at court as engaged on the other fide ; and you can- not do yourfelf a greater fervice than to bring this to a good IfTue, to their (hame and convlftion. I heartily recommend you and your bufinefs to God'a care. lam, ^Sc,
Will. Dublin,
LET*
I 6s 1
LETTER XXXIV. Archbilhop King to Dr. S w i FT.
S I R, Dublin, Dec. i6, 1716,
i. H I S is to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 20th inllant, which came not to my hands till Thurfday laft, by reafon of winds, that kept the pac- quets on the other fide.
I find the matter of our firft-fruits, l^c. Is taljced of now, I reckon on nothing certain till her majefty's letter comes in form : and quxre, why fhould you not come and bring it with you ? It would make you a very welcome clergyman to Ireland, and be the befl means to fatlsfy mankind how it was obtained, al- though I tliink it will be out of difpute. I am very well apprifed of the difpatch you gave this affair, and well pleafed, that I judged better of the perfon fit to be employed, than fome of my brethren. But now it is done, as I hope it is effeftually, they will af- fume as much as their neighbours, which I iliall ne- ver contradift.
Things are taking a new turn here as well as with you; and I am of opinion, by the time you come here, fevv will profefs themfelves whigs. The greated danger I apprehend, and which terrifies me more than perhaps you will be able to imagine, is the fury and indlfcretion of fome of our own people, who ne- ver had any merit, but by embroiling things ; they did, and lam afraid will yet do mifchlef. You will foon hear of a great confpiracy difcovered in the Vol. I. F county
r 66 1
county of Wejimeath. I was ufed to fo many difco- veries of plots in the latter end of king Charles's time, and the beginning of king James's., that I am not fur- prifed at this difcovery. I muft not fay any thing of it, till all the witnefTes be examined : fo many as have depofed are not decifive. The defign of it is to fhevv all the gentlemen of Irelafid to be a pack of def- perate whigs, ready to rife up in arms againft her majtfty for the old miniflry, affociating to that pur- pofe. Whether it be for the intereft of Ireland to have this believed you may judge; and fure there muft be good evidence to make any reafonable man believe it. Mr. Higgins * has drawn up the narra- tive, and fent it to England, and will pawn all he is worth to make it good. I heartily recommend you to God's favour, and am, l£c.
Will. Dueli n f.,
* < Francis Higgh'.s, M. A. an Injh clergyman, extremely vehement againft the whig party.'
•\ The archbifhop, in another letter, gives this fhort account of the plot : That four or five gentlemen of fmall fortunes are faid to have figned an afTociation to fight up to the knees in blood againft the new miniilry. The difcoverer is one Langtcn, who fwore to it : he v/as a converted prieft. Several of the gentlemen were his parishioners, Mr. Mcares, Mr. Jones, Mr. Shoarn, and Capt. Neivjiead, are in the number. This informer was a fervant of Mr. Meares''s, who told him, that Capt. Neivjiead's fon brought the paper or parchment containing this aflbciation, as he believes ; for he neither faw it nor heard it read. The fer- vant being examined denies he ever fav/ any fuch paper, or knows any thing of it, or ever told Mr. Lar.gton any fuch thing. This, with fome feditious words fpoken by fome of thofe gentlemen at
LET-
[ 67 •]
LETTER XXXVn. Mr. Secretary St. John* to Dr. Swift,
Sunday, pad twelvcj Jan. 7, 171c.
J. H E R E are few things I would be more in- duflrious to bring about than opportunities of feeing you. Since you was here in the morning, I hav^e found means of putting off the engagement I was under for to-morrow; fo that I expedl you to dine with me at three o'clock. I fend you this early notice, to prevent you from any other appointment. I am ever, Rev. Sir, your obedient humble fer- vant,
H. St. John.
LETTER XXXVIIL
Dr. Swift to Mr. Secretary St. John.
^ ^ ^> Jan. 7, 1710.
Though I lliould not value fuch ufage from a fecretary of ftate, and a great miniver; yet when I confider the perfon it comes from, I can endure it no longer. I would have you know, fir, that if the queen gave you a dukedom and the garter to-morow vith the treafuryjuft at the end of them, I would re-
dinncr in their cups, or converfation, fofar as lean remember, Is the fum of tlie evidence for the plot. A commiflion of oyerand terminer went down to the country to find bills againft the gentle- men j but the grand jury would not find the bills upon that evi- dence.
* Then principal fecretary of ftate for the fouthern provinces.
F 2 gard
[ 68 ]
gard j'ou no more than if you were not worth a groat. I could almoil refolve, in fpight, not to find fault with my viftuals, or be quarrelfome to-morrow at your table : But if I do not take the firft opportunity to let all the world know fome qualities in you, that you take moll care to hide, may my right hand for- get its cunning. After which threatening, believe me, if you pleafe, to be with thegreateft refpeft, fir, your moft obedient, i^c.
LETTER XXXIX.
Archbilhop King to Dr. Swift.
REVEREND SIR, Dublin, Jan. 9, 1710.
I RECEIVED yours of December the 30th by the laft pacquets : it found m.e in the extremity of the gout, which is the more cruel, becaufe I have not had a fit of it for two years and a half. I ftrain myfelftogive you an anfwer to-night, apprehending that as both my feet and knees are already affedled, my hands may perhaps be fo by the next poft ; and then, perhaps, I might not be able to anfwer you in a month, which might lofe me fome part of the praife you give me as a good correfpondent.
As to my lord primate, he is much better fmce he was put into the government j and I reckon his life may be longer than mine ; but, with God's help, hereafter I will fay more on this fubjeft.
As to what is reported of Mr. Stanhope's obftinacy, I demur, till fatisfied how far the kindnefs to him, as a manager, influences the report.
We have received an anfwer from his grace the duke of Onnond to our letter. It is in a very authen- 4 tic
[ 69 ]
tic and folemn form, that his grace ■ivill take a proper time to lay our requejr before her fnajcji}', and knoiv her plea/lire 07i it. By which I conclude two things ; firrt, that his grace is not informed of any grant her ma- jefly has made ; for if he had, he would have ap- plied immediately and fen t itj and then it would have palled for his, and he would have had the me- rit of it. Secondly, that his grace is in no halle about it. And therefore let me befeech you to folicic and prefs it, and get the letter dated, as when firlt it was promifed ; but I confefs I have Hill fome fcru- ple in my mind about it.
I acknowledge you have not been treated with due regard in Ireland, for which there is a plain rea- son, pr.tgrai'O.t artes infra fe pojttas, &c. lam glad you meet with more due returns where you are ; and as this is the time to make fome ufe of your interell for yourfelf, do not forget it.
We have publilhed here a character of the earl of Wharton*, late lord lieutenant of Ireland. I have fo much charity and julHce as to condemn all fuch pro- ceedings. If a governor behave himfelf ill, let him be complained of and punifhed ; but to wound any man thus in the dark ♦ * * * to them before the funds are found and agreed on. Wliifio this is over, they may do what they pleafe ; and fuxe it will pleafe them to fee the crow ftripped of her rappareed fea- thers. We begin to be in pain for the duke of Marl- borough.
* ' One by Dr. Sivi/r, dated at London, Augufl 30, 171 o, i? printcd.in his works, vol. XIII, firft published in i76z.'
F 3 I jiear
[ 70 ]
I hear an anfwer is printing to the earl of What-' ton's charader. Pray was there ever fuch licentiouf- nefs t)f the prefs as at this time ? Will the parliament not think of curbing it ? I heartily recommend you.
Will. Dublin.
LETTER XL. Archbilhop King to Dr. Swift.
Jan. 11, 1710.
JVl Y gout gives me leave yet to anfwer yours of the 4th inftant, which was very acceptable to me ; be- caufe 1 find by it fome farther fleps are made in our bufinefs. I believe it will take up fome time and thoughts to frame a warrant, and much more a pa- tent for fuch an affair. Except your lawyers there be of another humour than ours here, they will not write a line without their fees ; and therefore I fhould think it neceffary fome fund fhould be thought of to fee them. If you think this motion pertinent, I can think of no other way at prefent to anfwer it, than, if you think it neceffary, to allow you to draw upon me; and my bill to this purpofe, lefs than an 100/. Ihall be pundlually anfwered. I write thus, becaufe I have no notion how fuch a thing fhould pafs the offices without fome money ; and I have an entire confidence in you, that you will lay out no more than what is neceffary.
I think your minifters perfeflly right to avoid all enquiry, and every thing that would embroil them.
TO
[ 7r ]
To appeal to the mob, that can neither enquire nor judge, is a proceeding, that, I thujk, the common fenfe of mankind fhould condemn. Perhaps he may dclerve this ufage ; but a good man may fall under the fame.
We expeft a new parliament, and many changes; but I believe fome we hear of will not be.
Your obfervation of the two fentences is juft. You will pardon this disjointed letter. I believe my refpefts are better than the expreflions here. I am, l^c.
W. Dublin.
LETTER XLL Mr. Nelson to Dr. S w i f t.
Afli-Wednefday, REVEREND SIR, Feb. 22, 1710-11.
1 B E G leave to put you in mind of the infcription, which you are to prepare for the earl of Berkley's mo- nument. My lady dowager has determined to have it in Lati?i ; (o that I hope you want no farther direc- tions towards the finifhing of it. The workman calls upon me for it, which is the reafon of this trouble given you, by Rev. fir. your moft humble fervant,
Robert Nelson. F4 On
On the back of this letter is the following infcrip- tion in the hand-writing of Dr. Szvift :
H. S. E. Carolus comes de Berkeley, vicecomes de Z)ar^, ' baro Berkeley de caftro de Berkeley, dominus Moubray, Segru've, et Bruce ; dominus locum tenens comitatus Glocejiria ; civitatis Glocejlria fenefchallus ; guardia- nus de forefta de Dean ; cuftos rotulorum comitatus de Surrey ; et regina; j^^tncs a fccretioribus confiliis. Ob fidem fpeftatam, linguarum peritiam et pruden- tiam, a rege Gulielmo III. legatus et plenipotentiarius ad ordines Foederati Belgii per quinque annos arduis reipublicx negotiis feliciter invigilavit. Ob qure merita ab eodem rege (vivente adhuc patre) in magnatum numerum adfcriptus et confillarius a fe- cretis faftusj et ad Hiberniam fecundus inter tres fum- mos jufliciarios mifTus ; denique legatus extraordina- rius defignatus ad Turcarum imperium : et poflea, regnante Jn-na, ad Cafarem ablegatus : qua; muniaj ingravefcente valetudine et fenedute, obirc nequiit. Natus Londlni, 1649. Obiit, 17 10. uCtatis 62.
LETTER XLII. Archbiiliop King to Dr. Swift,
REV, SIR, Dublin, Marc It 17, 1710-11.
1 R E TURN you thanks for yours of the 8th in- ftant. I do not wonder, tha,t you were in fome con- fufion when you wrote it ; for I alTure you I read it
with
[ 73 ]
w'ltli great horror, wliich fuel: a facl is apt to create in every body, that is not hardened in wickednefs. I received feveral other letters with narratives of the fame, and feen fome, that came to other hands ; but none fo particular, or that could be fo well depended upon. I obferve, that, among them all, there is no account of the matters laid to Guiji-ard's charge, of his defign, or how he came to be difcovered. I fup- pofe thofe are yet fecrets, as it is fit they (hould be. I do remember fomethingof this Gtufcard, and that he was to head an invafion ; and that he publifhed a very foolifli narrative * ; but neither remember exaclly the time, or under what miniller it was, or who were his patrons. It feems convenient, that thefe fhould be known, becaufe it is reported, that Mr. Harley and Mr. St. John were thofe, who chiefly countenanced him, and he their peculiar favourite f. One would think this fliould convince the world, tha'. Mr. Harley is not in the French intereft, but it has not yet had that efFed with all : nay, fome whifper the cafe of Fe- fiiuj Rufus, and Sccvntus in the ij'th book of Tacitus^ accenfis indicihus ad prodendum Fcuitan Riifum, quem eundem cofi/cium et itiquiJ:tore7?i v.on tolerabant. Mr.
* ' The Marquis de Guijcard's Memoirs were publiflied v.'Ith a dedication to queen Anns, dated at the Hague, May lo, 1 705.*
-)■ Sec an account of GaifiUrd in the ExcurAmr, No. xxxii. May 15, 1711, and a note, Vol. VIII. 0I Bathurfl's edition of Siv'tft in 1755. ^"^ ^''^^ ^ Frenchman, and employed by the whig miniftry, in the beginning of the queen's reign, and com- manded an uniuccefsful expedition againft France. He afterwards endeavoured to make his peace at home, by ading hire as a fpv, •nd v^as dctc^cd,
St,
[ 74 ]
Sk yohn is condemned for wounding Guifcard \ and had he killed him, there would not have wanted feme to fuggeft, that it v/as done on purpofc, left he fhould tell tales.
We had a ftrange piece of news by laft pacquet, that the addrefs to her majefty met with but a cold reception from one party in the houfe of commons j and that all the lords, fpiritual and temporal, of that party, went out when it pafied in the lords houfe. But I make it a rule, never to believe party news, except I have it immediately from a fure hand.
I was in hopes to have heard fomething of our firft-fruits and twentieth parts ; but I doubt that matter fleeps, and that it will be hard to awaken it.
You will expeft no news from home. We eat and drink as we ufed to do. The parties are tolerably filent, but thofe for the late miniftry feem to be united, keep much together, and are fo wife as not to make much noife ; nor have I heard any thing of their fentiments of late, only what has happened on this accident. I heartily recomm.end you to God's care. lam, ISc
Will. Dublin.
LET-
t 75 ]
LETTER XLIII. Lord Peterborow to Dr. Swift.
For tJie Rev. Dr. Swift, Bifhop of, or Dean
of, iJc.
SIR, Vienna, April iS, 1711.
i HAVE often with pleafure refiefied upon the glorious pOtTibilities of the Englijh conltitution ; hut I muil apply to politics a French expreffion, appro- priated by them to beauty: there is zjc ne fcai quo: amongft us, which makes us troublefomc with our learning, difagreeable with our wit, poor with our wealth, and infignificant with our power.
I could never defpife any body for what they have not, and am only provoked, when they make not the right ufe of what they have. This is the greatell mortification to know the advantages we have by art and nature, and fee them difappointed by felf-con- ceit andfaftiou. What patience could bear the dif- appointment of a good fcheme by the Oiiober club ?
I have with great uneafmefs received imperfecl ac- counts of difagreemcnt amongll ourfelves. The party we have to itruggle with has llrength enough to re- quire our united endeavours. We Ihould not attack their firm body like HuJJars. Let the viftory be fe- cure before v/e quarrel for the fpoils ; let it be con- fidered whether their yoke were eafy, or their burden light. What ! mull there ever be in St. Stephen s chapel, a majority either of knaves or fools ?
But
[ 7(5 ]
But ferloufly I have long apprehended the efFe6ls of that univei-fal corruption, which has been im- proved with fo much care, and has fo fitted us for the tyranny defigned, that we are grown, I fear, in- fenlible ofilavery, and almoft unworthy of liberty. The gentlemen, who give you no other fatisfiitlion in politics than the appearances of eafe and mirth, I wifh I could partake vs'ith them in their good hu- mour; but Tokay itfelf has no efFecl upon me while 1 fee aifairs fo unfettled ; faflion fo llrong, and cre- dit fo weak ; and all fervices abroad under the. trued difficulties by pail: mifcarriagcs, and prcfent want of money ; but we are told here, that in the midft of victory, oidcrs are given to found a parly, I will not fay a retreat. Give me leave to tell the churchmen, there is not in * * * *.
I have rid the refly horfe you fay they gave me, in ploughed lands, till I have made him tame. I wilh they manage the dull jades as well at home, and get them forwards either v/itli whip or fpur, I de- pend much upon the three you mention ; if they re- member me with kindnefs,' I am theirs, by the two ilrongeil: ties, I love them, and hate their enemies.
Yet you feem to wilTi me other work. It is time the ftatefmen employ me in my own trade, not theirs. If they have nothing el fe for me to fubdue, let me command againft that rank whiggifh puppet-lhew. Thofe junto pigmies, if not dellroyed, will grow up to giants. Tell St. John he rnuft find me work in the old world or the new.
I find Mr. Harlcy forgets to make mention of the moil; important part of my letter to him; which W9S
to
[ 77 ]
to let him know, that I expefted immediately for one Dr. Sivi/t, a lean bifhoprick, or a fat deanry. If you happen to meet that' gentleman at dinner, tell him, that he has a friend out of the way of doing him good, but that he would if he could, whofc name is
Pet e r b 0 r o \v.
LETTER XLIV.
ArchbiHiop King to Dr. Swift,
REV, SIR, Dublin, April 19, T711.
I HAD the favour of yours of the 10th inllant, by which I undcrfland how much I am obliged to you for the juftice you did me as to the report, yoii let me know, was about to be printed in the Poft-boy relating to Mr. Hurley.
1 think there is no man in tliis kingdom, on which fuch a report could be fixed with lefs colour of truth, having been noted for the particular regard I have always had for him. I have fullered in fome cafes too, for my 7.eal to defend him in the worft of times ; for I confefs I never could, with patience, bear the treatment he met with in Gregg's affair *. The
*' William Gregg was an undcr-cleik to Mr. fecretar)- Harley in 1708, and was delefttd in a trcafonable corrcfpondence. When he was indifted, he pleaded guilty ; which gave occafioa to Mr, Harky's enemies to inlinuate, that he w as privy to Gregg's pra£liccs, and had, by afTurances of pardon, prevailed upon him to plead guilty, in crder to prevent the examination of witiicflc?. When Gregg was at length executed, he left a paper behind him, in-which Mr. Hariy \\j.% ftilly and particularly juftified.
truth
[ 78 ]
truth js, when I received the news of this lail bar- barous attempt made on him; I with indignation in- fulted fome, with whom I ufed to difpute about the former cafe, and afked them, whether they would now fufpecl that he was in the confpiracy to ftab himfelf"? The turn they gave it was what I wrote to you, that they imagined he might be in it not- withlbinding that ; and that his difcovering Guifcardy and prefling fo hard on the examination, was the thing that provoked tlie man to fuch a degree of rage, as appeared in that villainous aft. And they inftanced the ftory of PiJ'o in Tacitus, and the paflage of Ru- fus. I know very well, that they did not believe thenifelves, and amongfl other things I applied that paffage of Hudlbras, he, that beat out his brains, ^c. * I believe I have told this paffage to feveral as an example, to ihew into what abfurdities the power of prejudice, malice, and fadlion will lead fome men, I hope with good effed: ; and added, as •feveral gentlem.en that heard me can witnefs, that it was a ftrange thing, that Mr. Harley /hould difco- ver Gregg, and have him hanged, and yet be fufpected to be partaker of his crime; but altogether unac- countable, that in a caufe, wherein his life was fo barbaroufly ftruck at, it was a thoufand to one if he cfcaped, he fhould ftill be under the fufpicion of being a party with his murthcrer ; fo that I could never imagine, that any one fhould report, that I fpoke my own fenfe in a matter wherein I exprcfled
* But he that darties out his brains. The deviri in him if he feigns.
fo
X 79 ]
fo great an abhorence, both of the faft, and the vile comment made upon it.
As to any fpeech at the meeting of the clergy, or any reprimand given me by any perfon on this ac- count, it isall, afiure yourfelf, pure invention.
I am fenfible of the favour you did me, in prevent- ing the pubb'fhing of fuch a falfe report, and am moft thankful to Mr. fecertary Sf. John for flopping it. I have not the honour to be known to him, other- wife I would give him the trouble of a particular ac- knowledgement. As to Mr. Harley, I have had the happinefs to have fome knowledge of him, and re- ceived fome obligations from him, particularly on the account of my aft of parliament, that I obtained for the rclHtution of Seatozun to the fee of Dublin. I always had a great honour for him, and expeded great good from his known abiliiies, and zeal for the common intereft ; and, as I believe he was the principal Inftrument of fettling things on the prefent foot ; fo I believe every one, that wifheth well to thefe kingdoms, is fatisfied, that there is not any man, whofe death would be a greater lofs to the public than is. The management of this parliament has, if not reconciled his worft enemies to him, at leaft filenced them ; and it Is generally believed, that his misfortune has much retarded public affairs.
I partly can guefs who writ the letter you men- tion : it muft be one of two or three, whofe bufinefs it Is to Invent a lye, and throw dirt, ever fmce I was obliged by my duty to call them to account for their negligence and ill pradlices: they have pub- lilhed and difperfed feveral libelous prints againft
me.
I 80 7
me, In one of which I marked forty-three downright falfehoods in matters of fad:. In another, it is true, there was only one fuch ; the whole and every part ©fit, from beginning to end, being' pure invention and falfhood. But, to my comfort, they are defpifed by all good men ; and I like myfelf nothing lefs for being the objefl of their hate. You will excufe this long letter, and I hope I may, by next, apprife you with fomething of confequencc. In the mean fime, I heartily recommend you, Is'c.
Will. Dublin,
I held my vifitation on the 9th inftant, where you were ex-
cufed^ as abfent on the public bufincfs of the church *.
LETTER XLV. Archbilhop King to Dr. Swift. REV. SIR, Dublin, May 15, 1711.
1 H A D the favour of yours of the loth Inftant, by the lail pacquets, and cannot return you fufticient acknowledgement for your kind and prudent ma- nagement of that affair fo much to my advantage. I confefs that I did not much fear that fuch a vile report would do me any great injury with Mr. Harky ; for I was perfuaded he was too wife to believe fuch an incredible flory. But the publifhing it to the world might have influenced fome to my difadvan-
* Dr. Stvift had then two livings in L-ehtndj Laracor and Bathbcggiti, both in the dioccle of Mcath.
tage ;
[ 8i ]
tage ; and no man can be well pleafed to be the fubjeft of a libel, though It often happens to be the fate of honelt men.
I doubt not but you will hear of an unlucky con- teft In the city of Dublin about their mayor. You may remember (I think, whillt you were here, that is, in 1709) alderman Conjiantine, by a cabal, for fo nuiil I call it, loft his eleclion ; and a junior alderman, one Fcrrefl, was eleded mayor for the en- fuing year. Co>iJia7itine petitioned the council-board not to approve the eledlion ; for you muft know, by the new rules, fettled in purfuance of an a(5l of par- liament, for the better regulation of corporations, their chief officers mull: be approved of by the gover- nor and council after they are defied, before they can enter into any of their refpective offices ; gjid, if not approved of in ten days, the corporation that chofe them mufl go to a new election. Now alder- man Conjlantbie, upon the corporation's return of Forreji, complained of it as wrong, and defired to be heard by counfel ; but my lord Wharton, then lord lieutenant, would not admit it. This paft on to the year 17 10, and then the prefent mayor was chofen, alderman Eccles, another junior alderman; and this year one alderman Barlczi', a taylor, another junior. Co^ijlantine, finding the government altered, fuppofed he Ihould have more favour, and petitions again of the wrong done him. The city replied, and we had two long hearings. The matter depended on an old bye-law, made about the 12th of queen Elizabeth ; by which the aldermen, according to their ancientry, are required to keep their mayoralty, not- Vol. I. G wlthftanding
[ 32 ]
withflanding any licences or orders to the contrary. Several difpenfations and inftances of contrary praftices were produced ; but with a falvo, that the law of fucceffion fliould ftand good ; and forae alder- men, as appeared, had been disfranchifed for not fubmifting to it, and holding their mayoralty. On the contrary, it was urged, that this rule was made in a time when the mayoralty was looked upon as a great burthen, and the fenior aldermen got licences from ferving it, and by faftion and intereft got it put on the junior and poorer; and moft of the al- dermen were then papiUs, and being obliged, on accepting the office, to take the oath of fupremacy, and com.e to church, they declined it ; but the cafe was now altered, and moft were ambitious of it ; and a rule or bye-law, that impofed it as a duty and bur- then, muft be underftood to oblige them to take it, but could not oblige the eleftors to put it on them ; that it was often difpenfed with, and, as alledged, altogether abrogated by the new rules, that took the eleftion out of the city, where the charter places it, and gave it to the aldermen only j that fince thofe rules, which were made in 1672, the eleftions have been in another manner, and in about 36 mayors, eight or nine v/ere junior aldermen. On the whole, the matter feemed to me to hang on a moft flender point ; and being archbifhop of Dublin, I thought I was obliged to be for the city, but the majority was for the bye-law, and difapproved alderman Barlo-iv, who was returned for mayor. I did forefee that this would beget ill blood, and did not think it -for my lord duke of Ormondes intereft to clafli with the
city;
[ 83 ]
city ; and I went to feveral of his grace's friends, whom I muft truft before the debate in council, and defired them to confider the matter, and laid the in- conveniency I apprehended before them, and defired them to take notice, that I had warned them ; but they told me, that they did not forefee any hurt it would be to his grace. And I pray God it may not ; though I am afraid it may give him fome trouble.
The citizens have taken it heinou/ly ; and, as I hear, met to-day, and in common council repealed the bye-law, and have chofen alderman Barlovj again. I think them wrong in both, and a declara- tion of enmity againli: the council and government, which feud is eafier begun than laid. It is certain the council muil difapprove their choice, it being againll the new rules, as well as good manners : and. what other fleps will be made to corred them, I cannot fay ; vv'hereas if they had appointed a com- mittee to view and report what old obfolete bye-laws were become inconvenient, and repealed this among the reft, it would not have given offence; and if they had chofen another inftead of Barlonv, I believe he would have been approved, and there had been an end of the conteft.
You muft know this is made a party affair, as Conjiantine fets up for a high-churchman, which I never heard he did before : but this is an inconve- niency in parties, that whoever has a private quarrel, and finds himfelf too weak, he immediately be- comes a zealous partizan, and makes his private a •public quarrel.
G z Perhap-,
[ 84 ]
Perhaps it may not be ungrateful, nor perhaps altogether ufelefs to you, to know the truth of this matter ; for I imagine it will be talked of.
I believe, the generality of the citizens and gentle- men of Ireland are looked on as friends to the whig- gifh intereft. But it is only fo far as to keep out the pretender, whom they mortally fear with good reafon ; and fo many villainous papers have been fpread here, and fo much pains taken to perfuade them that the tories defign to bring him in, that it is no wonder they are afraid of them ; but, God be thanked, this miniflry and parliament has pretty well allayed that fear by their Heady and prudent manage- ment. And if his grace the duke of Ormond pro- fecutes the fame meafures the minillry doth in Britain (as I believe he will), I perfuade myfelf, that the ge- nerality here will be as zealous for this as any mi- nillry we ever had.
The death of the earl of Rochejler is a great blow to all good men, and even his enemies cannot but do juftice to his charafter. What influence it will have on public affairs, God only knows. I pray let me have your thoughts on it, for I have fome fears, that I do not find affedl other people: I was of opinion that he contributed much to keep things fteady ; and I wilh his friends may not want his in- fluence. I conclude with my prayers for you.
Will. Du b l i n.
LET-
[ 8,^ ]
LETTER XL VI. Lord Petereorow to Dr. Swift.
SIR, Hanover, June 21, 1711.
A O U were returning me to ages pad for fome ex- preflions in my letter. I find matter in yours to fend you as far back as the golden age. How came you to frame a fyftem (in the times we live in) to govern the world by love ?
I was much more furprized at fuch a notion in your firft, than to find your opinion altered in your laft letter. My hopes were founded more reafonably upon the contrary principle. I wifh we could keep ourfelves Iteady by any ; but I confefs it was the hatred and contempt fo juftly conceived againft our late governors, that gave me fome little expectations we might unite at leaft, in order to prevent a re- lapfe.
The confequences of places not given were appa- rent; the who'e party were then dilfatisfied; and when given, thofe are only pleafed who have them. This is what the honeft management of paft admi- nirtrations has brought us to: but I fhould not yet defpair, if your loving principle could but have its force amongft three or four of your acquaintance. Never perfons had more reafon to agree ; nor was it ever in the power of a few men to bring greater events to bear, or prevent greater inconveniencies ; for fuch are inevitable, without the niccft management; and
G 3 I believe
[ 86 ]
I believe no perfon was ever better prepared to make this out than myfelf.
I wifh, before I left England, that I had met, either in your letters or difcourfe, any thing like what you hint in your laft ; I fliould have found great eafe, and you fome fatisfaftion ; for had you pafTed thefe fix months with me abroad, I could have made you fenfible, that it were eafy to have brought the charadter and influence of an Eitglip peer equal to that of a fenator in old Rot7ie. Me- thinks I could have brought it to that pafs, to have feen a levee of fuppliant kings and princes expefling their deflinies from us, and fubmitting to cur de- crees; but if we come in politics to your neceffity of leaving the town for want of money to live in it. Lord, how the cafe will alter !
You threaten me with law, and tell me I might be compelled to make my words good. Remember your own infmuations : what if I ihould leave Eng- land in a week's time, and fummon you in quality of chaplain and fecretary, to be a witnefs to tranf- aclions perhaps of the greatelt importance, fo grea.*^* that I fliould think you might deferve the bifhopric of Winchcjier at your return. Let me know, in a letter direfted to Par/on' s-Green, the moment you receive this, v/hether you are ready and willing ; but you mull learn to live a month, now and then, without ileep. As to all other things, we fliould meet with no mortifications abroad, if we could efcape them from home.
13 ut.
[ 8? 1
But, without raillery, if ever I can propofe to my- felf to be of any great ufe, I forefee this will be the cafe. This is fo much my opinion, that I conclude, if it falls out otherwife, I fliall never concern my- felf in any public bufinefs in England; that I fhall either leave it for a better climate, or marry in a rage, and become the hero of the Ocloher club. Yours,
Peterborow,
LETTER XLM. Archbifhop K I N G to Dr. Swift.
REV. SIR, Dublin, July 25, 1711.
1 O U mull: not wonder, that I have been fo ill a correfpondent of late, being, as I find, in debt to you for yours of "June the 8th, and July the 12th. This did not proceed from any negligence, but from the circumflances of things here, that were fiich, that I could not return you any fatisfaclory an- fwer.
We have now got over the preliminaries 0^ our parliaments and convocation ; that is to fay, our ad- drelfes, l£c. and as to the parliament, fo far as ap- pears to me, there will be an intirc compliance with her majesty's occafions, and my lord duke of Ormondes defires ; and that funds will be given for two years from Chrijlmas next ; by which we fhall have the following fummer free from parliamentary attendance, which proves a great obUrudion both
G 4 to
[• 83 ]
to church and country bufinefs. As to the convoca- tion, we have no licence as yet to aft. I have heard fome whifpers, as if a letter of licence had come over, and was fent back again to be mended, efpe- cially as to direftion about a prefident. I may in- form you, that that matter is in her majefty's choice : we have on record four licences ; the firft diredled to the archbifhop of Dublin in \G\\; the other three, that are in 1634, 1662, and 1665, direded to the then lords primate?. I have not at prefeut the exaft dates ; but I have feen the writs, and find the con- vocations fat in thefe years.
His grace the duke of Ormond, in his fpeech to the parliament (which I doubt not but you have feen), mentioned the remittal of the twentieth parts, and the grant of the firfi-fruits, for baying impropria- tions; but did not affume to himfelf any merit in the procuring of them ; nf r, that I can find by any in- timation, fo much as infmuated, that the grant was on his motion ; notwithftanding, both in the houfe of lords and convocation, fome laboured to afcribe ^.he whole to his grace ; and had it not been for the -jccount I had from you, his grace mult, next to her majefly, have had the entire thanks. You'll obferve, from the lords addrefs and convocation, that his grace is brought in for a lliare in both. But if the cafe ihould be otherwifc, yet his grace is no way to be blamed. The current runs that way ; and per- liaps neither you nor I have bettered our interefl here at prefent, by endeavouring to flop it.
The conclufion was, that all the archbifhops and bilhops agreed to return thanks to my lord
treafurer
[ 89 1
treafurer of Great Britain, by a letter, which all in town have figned, being convinced, that, next to her majefty's native bounty, and zeal for the church, this favour is due to his lordfliip's medi- ation.
But they have employed no agent to folicit the paffino- the aft through the offices, believing hislord- ihip will take care of that of his own mere motion, as he did of the grant. This is meant as an inltance of the great confidence of his lordfhip's concern for them, which makes it needlefs that any Ihould intermeddle in what he has undertaken.
If his lordfhip thinks fit to return any anfwer to the biihops, I wifh he would take fome occafion to mention you in it; for that would jultify you, and convince the bifhops, fome of whom, perhaps, fufpe>5l the truth of what you faid of the firft-fruits and twentieth parts being granted before his grace the duke of Oz-^wow*/ was declared lord lieutenant of Ireland.
I can't at prefent write of feveral matters, that perhaps I may have opportunity to communicate to you. I have fent with this the lords and the con- vocation's addrefs to my lord duke.
If it may be proper, I would have my mod humble refpecls to be laid before my lord treafurer. You may be fure I am his moll humble fcrvant, and ihall never forget the advantages he has been the au- thor of to the church and Hate ; and yet I believe, if it pleafc God to prolong his life, greater things may be expedlcd from him ; my prayers Ihall not
be wanting.
As
I 90 J
As for yourfelf, I will fay more fome other rime: and for the prefent fhall only aflure you, that I am, fir, your afFedionate humble fervant, and brother,
Will. Dublin.
L li T T E R XL VIII. Archbilhop King to Dr. S w i ft.
LifTenhall, July zS, 1711,
0 I N C E my lord duke of OrfnoniPs arrival, I have been fo continually hurried with company, that I re- tired here for two or three days. The preliminaries of our parliament are now over ; that is to fxy, ad- drelfes, y<:. and I find the ufual funds will be granted^
1 think unanimoully for two years from Chrijlmas next, wluch is all the duke of Ortnond defires. I do not fee much more will be done. You will obferve feveral reflexions are in the addreffes on the late management here, in which the earl of Anglefey and I differed. If we could impeach, as you can in Great Britain, and bring the malefaftors to account, I Ihould be for it with all my endeavour ; but to (hew our ill-will, when we can do no more, feems to be no good policy in a dependant people, and that can have no other effeft, than to provoke revenge, without the profpcft of redrefs ; of which we have two fatal inllances. I reckon, that every chief gover- nor, who is fent here, comes with a defign to ferve firft thofe who fent him ; and that our good only mull be fo far confidered, as it is fubfervient to the main
4 deugHo
[ 9^ ]
defign. The only difference between governors, as to us, is to have a good-natured man, that has fome intereftin our profperity, and will not opprefs us unnccciTarily ; and fuch is his grace. Bui I doubt, whether even that will not be an objeflion againil him on your fide of the water: fori have found, that thofe governors, that gained moft on the liberties of the kingdom, are reckoned the bell ; and therefore it concerns us to be on our guard againil all governors, and to provoke as little as we can. For he, that cannot revenge himfelf, adls the wife part, when he diffembles, and paffes over injuries.
In my opinion, the bell that has happened to us, 16, that the parliament grants the funds for two years ; for by thefe means we fhall have one fummer to our- fclves, to do our church and country bufinefs. I have not been able to vifit my diocefe eccleftathn, as I ufed to do, the lall three years, for want offuch a recefs. I hope the parliament of Great Britamw'iW not refumc the yarn bill whilft they continue the fame. The lords have not fat above four or five days, and are adjourned till Monday next ; fo we have no heads of bills brought into our houfe as yet: but if any be relating to the church, I will do ray endeavour to give you fatisfaflion.
Our letter is come over for the remittal of the twentieth parts, and granting the lirfl-fruits for buy- ing impropriations, and purchafing glebes, which will be a great eafe to the clergy, and a benefit to the church. We want glebes more than the impro- priations; and I am for buying them firft, where wanting f for v/ithout them, reiidence is impolRble :
and.
[ 92 ]
and, befides, I look upon It, as a fecurity to tithes, that the laity have a fhare in them ; and therefore I am not for purchafing them, but where they are ab- folutely neceflary.
We fhall, I believe, have fome confiderations of methods to convert the natives ; but I do not find, that it is defired by all, that they fhould be converted. There is a party amongft us, that have little fenfe of religion, and heartily hate the church : thefe would have the natives made Proteftants; but fuch as them- felves are deadly afraid they flioukl come into the church, becaufe, fay they, this would ftrengthen the church too much. Others would have them come in, but can't approve of the methods propofed ; which are, to preach to them in their own language, and have the fervice in /r//^, as our own canons require. So that between them, I am afraid that little v/ili be done. I am, fir, yours, l^c.
LETTER XLIX.
Archbifhop King to Dr. Swift.
REV. SIR, Swords, Sept. r, 1711.
I HAVE before me yours of the ij'th and 2ifi, for which I return you my hearty thanks. I per- ceive you have the votes of our commons here, and I fuppofe theaddrefs of the lords, that gave occa- fion to them, I muft let you know, that I was very pofitlve againfl the claufe that provoked them, and kept the houfe in debate about it at leaii an hour,
and
[ 93 1
and fpoke fo often, that I was afiiamed of myfclf ; yet there were but three negatives to it. I ufed feve- ral arj^uments againft the lords concurring with their committee, and foretold all that has happened upon it. Upon which I was much out of favour with the houfe for fome time ; and induftry has been ufed, as I was informed, to perfuade my lord duke, that what I did was in oppofition to his interell ; but when I had the opportunity to difcourfe his grace laft, he was of another opinion. And, in truth, my re- gard to his grace's interell was the principal reafon of oppofing a claufe, that I forefaw might embarrafs his bufinefs here.
There happened another affair relating to one Langton, of whom I formerly gave you fome account. The commons found him on the eftablifliment for a fmall penfion ; and having an ill notion of him and his informations, they took this occafion to examine his merits. In order to which, they fent up a mef- fage to the lords, to defire leave for judge Cojicy who had taken his examinations, and thofe of his witnefles, to come down, and inform the committee : and this feemed the more neceflary, becaufe the ex- aminations taken by the council were burned : but the lords refufed to let the judge go down, as defired, and paifed a vote to take the examination of the matter into their hands. This, I forefaw, might prove another bone of contention, and did oppofe it, but with the fame fuccefs as the former. Langton pleaded privilege, as chaplain to the bifhop of Of- fory, and refufed to appeared before the commons ; on which they palTed the angry refolves you will
find
[94-1
find in their votes. The examination of this matter has employed much of the lords time to verj^ little purpofe. My oppofing this was made an cbjeclion againfl: me by fome, that wifh now my advice had been taken.
The bufmefs of the city of Dublin, of which I gave you an account formerly, embroils us very much. We have at the council rejefled four mayors and eight (herifls, all regularly eledled by the city, fome of them the befl: citizens in the town, and much in the interell of the government. We bes'in to be iick of it, and I am afraid, that it may beget ill blood, and com.c into parliament here. We have rejefted the elefted magiftrates in four other corpora- tions, which adds to the noife. I own there were good reafons for rejedting fome of them ; but I can't fay the fame for Dublin. I wifli this may not prove uneafy to us.
There was a motion made at the fefiions for the cou "tv of Dublin at Kilmainham, for an addrefs of thanKs to her majefty for fending his grace the duke of Ormo}id to be our chief governor. Nine of the jufiices, that is, all that were then prefent, agreed to it, and an addrefs was ordered to be drawn, which was brought next morning into court, and then there were above a fcore, that fecmed to have come on purpofe, and promifed, that it iLoald be rejeded by a majority; for this reafon only, that it would entail a neceffity on them to addrefs in favour of every new lord lieutenant, or difoblige him. For which reafon it was rejedled alfo in my lord IVharton's time. This no ways concerns his
grace
{ 95 1
grace hlmfelf; but in my opinion, ought to lefTen the efteem of fome perfons management, that attempt things, which would be better let alone, where they cannot be carried without oppofition.
The houfe of commons feem to have received ill impreffions of fome. They reckon my lord duke's advifers, as if they were fecretly his enemies, and de- figned to betray him. They generally feemed per- fuaded, that his grace is a fmcere honeft man, and mofl in the interefl of the kingdom of any chief governor they can ever exped ; and that, therefore, they ought to fupport him to tlie utmofl of their power, and declare, that the quarrels his enemies raife, fliall not hinder them from doing whatever he lliall reafonably dcfire from them, or her majefty's fervice require ; and as an inllance of their fincerity in this, they have granted funds for two years from Chrijlmas laft ; whereas at firll: they intended only two years from the z^-th of 'June laft.
I have been preaching a dodrine that feems ftrange to fome : 'tis, that her majeily, and the miniftry, will be inclined to employ fuch as may be a help and fupport to their interell, and not a clog. I mean, that thefe fubakerns flioukl, by their pru- dence and dexterity, be able to remove any mifun- derftandings, that may be between the government and the people, and help to beget in them a good notion of the miniftry ; and, by all means, avoid fuch things, as may embarrafs or beget jealoufies ; {b that the burthen or odium may not fall on the miniilry, where any harfli things happen to he done : that it feems tame to be the duty of thofe in
polls.
r 9^0 1
ports, to avoid unnecefTary difputes, and not to expeft, that the miniftry will interpofe to extricate them, when they, without necefTity, have involved theiTifelves. But fome are of a different opinion, and feem to think, that they have no more to do, v.'hen they meet with difficulties, perhaps of their own creating, than to call in the miniflry, and defire them to decide the matter by power : a me- thod that I do not approve, nor has it fucceeded well with former governers here : witnefs lord Sydnejy and Icid Whartcn, in the cafe of the convocation.
There really needs but cne thine to quiet the people of Ireland, and it is to convince them, that there Is no eye to the pretender. Great induftry has been, and ftill is, ufed to bugbear them with that fear. I believe It is over with you ; but it will require time and prudent methods to quiet the peo- ple here, that have been poffeffed for twenty-two years with a continual apprehenfion, that he is at the door, and that a certain kind of people defigned to bring him in. The circumftances of this kingdom, from what they faw and felt under king Ja77ies, make the dread of him much greater than it can be with you.
As to our convocation, a letter came from her majefty to give us licence to aft; but it no ways pleafed fom»e people, and fo it was fent back to be modelled to their mind, but returned again without alteration. It came net to us till the day the parli- ament adjourned. I was at that time obliged to attend the council, there being a hearing ' of the quakers againft a bill for recovering tithes. In my
abfence
[ 97 ]
abfence, they adjourned till the meeting of the parliament, without Co much as voting thanks, or appointing a committee. The things that difpleafeJ fome in the licence were, firfl, that my lord primate was not the fole prefident, fo as to appoint whom he pleafed to aft in his abfence. The fecond was* the confideration of proper methods to convert the na- tives, agaiuft which fome have fet themfelves with all their might. The third is, what concerns pluralities, and refidence, which fome have not patience to hear of. The lower houfe feem to have the matter more at heart ; for they have appointed committees during ' the recefsj and are doing fomething,
I can't but admire, that you Ihould be at a lofs to find what is the matter v/ith thofe, that would neither allow you, nor any one elfe, to get any thing for the fervice of the church, or the public. It is, with fubmiffion, the fillieft query I ever found made by Dr. Szvi/}. You know there are fome, that would afTume to themfelves to be the only churchmen and managers, and can't endure that any thing fhould be done but by themfelves, and in their own way; and had rather that all good things propofed fhould mifcarry, than be thought to come from other hands than their own, whofe bufmefs it is to leflen every body elfe, and obftruft whatever is attempted, tho* of the greateft advantage to church and ftate, if it be not from their own party. And yet, fo far as I have hitherto obferved, I do not remember any in- llance of their propofing, much lefs profecuting with fuccefs, any thing for the public good. They feem to have a much better hand at obftrudling
Vol. I. H others,
[ 98 1
otKers, and tmbamfrmg affairs, tKan at propolmg or profccuting any good defign.
Thefe fcem as uneafy that more alterations are not made here, as thofe you mention are with them. The reafon is very plain, they would fain get into employments, which can't be without ren^.oves ; but I have often obferved, that none are more eager for pofts, than fiich as are ieafl fit for them. I do not fee how a new parliament would much mend things here ; for there is little choice of men ; perhaps it might be for the worlt, rebus ftc flaniibus ; though I always thought the honeft part, is to allow the peo- ple to fpeak their fenfe on the change of affairs by new reprefentatives, I do not find, that thofe that have embarrafled tlie preient, defigned a new one ; but they thought the commons fo paflivc, that they might carry what they pleafed, whatever their de- figji might be. If they profecutc the prefent mea- furcs, I believe they will make new ones necefTary, %vhen there (liall be occafion to have a new felTion.
I pray moft heartily for her majefty, and her mi- nifters ; and am inclined to believe, that it is one of the moll: difficult parts of their prefent circumftances, to find proper inllruments to execute their good in- tentions, notwithilanding the great crowds that of- fer themfeives ; particularly, my lord treafurcr's welfare is at heart with all good men : I am fure. with none more than, reverend fir, ifc.
Witt. Dr B L I N',
I. E T-
[ 99 )
LET T E R L.
Arclibifhop King to Dr. Sw i ft.
REV, SIR, Swords, Sept. i, 17; i,
J G O T a little rctlrerneat here, and made ufe oFit, to write you by tlie prefent pacquet. 1 pro- mifed to fay fomethiiig as to your own affairs ; and the firft thing is not to negle£t yourfelfon this occa- iioii, but to make ufe of the f;aour and intereft you have ut prefent, to procure }ou fome preferment that may be called a fettlement. Years come qn ; and. after a certain age, if a man be not in a ftation that may be a flep to a better, he feldoni goes higher. It is with men as with beauties, if they pafs the flower, the grow fuile, and lie for everneglcLted. I know you are not ambitious ; but it is prudence, not ambi- tion, to get into a ftation, that may make a man. eafy, and pre\ent contempt when he grows in yean^. You certainly may now have an opportunity to pro- vide for yourfelf, and I intreat you not to ncgleil it.
The fccond thing that I would defire you to con- fider, is, that God has given you parts and learning, and a happy tarn of mind; and that you are anfwer- able for thofe talents to God : and therefore I advife you, and believe it to be your duty, to fet yourfelf to fome ferious and ufefwl fubjed in your profeffion, and to manage it fo, that it may be of ufe to the world. I am perfuadcd, that if you will apply your- felf this way, you are well able to do it ; and that
II z your
t loo 1
your knowledge of the world, and reading, will ena*- ble you to furnllh fuch a piece, with fuch uncom- mon remarks, as will render it both profitable and agreeable, above moft things that pafs the prefs. Say not, that moll fubjedls in divinity are exhaufted ; for if you will look into Dr. JFilkins's Heads of Matters, which you will find in his Gift of Preaching, you will be furprized to find fo many neceflary and. ufeful heads, that no authors have meddled with. There arefome common themes, that have employed multitudes of authors ; but the moft curious and diffi- cult are in a manner untouched j and a good genius will not fail to produce fomething new and furprizing on the moft trite, much more on thofe that others have avoided, merely becaufe they were above their parts.
Affure yourfelf, that your intereft, as well as duty, requires this from you ; and you will find, that it will anfwer fome objeftions againft you, if you thus fhew the world, that you have patience and com- prehenfion of thought, to go through with fuch $ fubjefl of weight and learning.
You'll pardon me this freedom, which I aflure you proceeds from a fincere kindnefs, and true va- lue that I have for you. I will add no more, but my hearty prayers for you. I am. Dr. Swift, yours,
WiL L, Du n L I N.
LET-
LETTER LI. Archbifhop King to Dr. Swift.
REV. SIR, Dublin, Oa. 27, 1711,
1 HAVE before me yours of the ift inftant, but have been Co employed with attending parliament, convocation and privy council, that I could neither compofe my thoughts to write, nor find time. Be- fides, our bufinefs is all in a hurry; and I may fay in fine, that things admit of no perfeft account. On Wed7iefday the corn bill, which the commons feemed to value mofl, was thrown out; becaufeit referved a power to the lord lieutenant and council here, to pro- hibit or permit the tranfportation of grain at any time. There v/as a defign to fall on the privy-coun- cil upon this occafion ; but gentlemen would not come into it; which fhewed they had fome wit in their anger. And I am flill of opinion, that, with tolerable good management, this would have been as quiet a feffion as has been in Ireland : but the Dublin bufmefs, the addrefs of the lords, * Langton" s
* * Doininlc Langton, clerk, formerly a fryar, had accuf-d Lewis Mears, Eitj; and other Proteftant gentlemen of the county _, cf JVcJl-Mcath, oi" entering into an aflbciation againft the queen . and her miniftry : upon which the houfe of commons in Ireland, on the 6ih of yluguj}, 1711, voted feveral ftrong rcfolutions againft the faid Lar.gion, declaring his charge againft Mr. Mean, Sec, to be falfc, groundlcfs, nnd ^lalicicus 5 and refoived, that an addrefs rtiould be prefcnted Xo thp. lor^ .lieutenant, the duki of Ormond, to dcfnc, that her majcfty weujd order the faid Lang'.on to V<: fiiiifjc off the cftablifhmt-iu of L-UjJ.'
H 3 affair
[ lOZ J
affair and now Higgins's *, have exafpcrated the commons to fuch a height, that wjll, as you obfcrve, make this parliament to be impraflicable any longer. It is true, the lords ad.lrefs might have been inter- preted to aim at lord Whartcn, and was partly fo intended ; but it was ill expreiled to bear that fenfe; and, befides, what did it fignify for us to (hew our refentment, when it could only provoke a great man to revenge, and could not reach him ?
As 10 the firft-fruits, and twentieth parts, no body here dare fay, that any body, befide the duke of Ormcnd, procured them, but his grace himfelf; who, for aught I can learn, never afifumed, either pub- licly or privately, any fuch merit to himfelf: and yet, I confefs, it is not amifs, that it (hould be thought he did thofe things. For he could not think of governing the kingdom, if it be not believed, that he has great intereft at court ; and if that did not appear by fome favours of moment obtained for the kingdom, none would fuppofe it. He is truly a modeft, generous, and honefl man ; and
* 'Frartch I'iggin'. M. A. ^rcheniivy of Chriji-cburcl^, in Dub- lin, and reftor of Bairuddery^ in that county, mentioned in a former note, p. S4. He had been prefented by the grand jury of the county of Dublin, on the 5th of Oihbrr, 171 1, as a fovver of fedition, and groundlcfs jcaloufics, amongft her majefty's Proteftant fubjcfts. And on the loth of the fame month, Henry lord Santry prefented a petition to the lord lieutenant and privy-council of Ireland, dcfiring, that Mr. Hlggins might be turned out of the commiffion of peace. But, after fcveral hearings of the cafe, before the lord lieutenant and council, he was, on the 19th of J^o-vemher following, cleared j though the archbifhop of Dublin voted in the negative ngainft him.'
afl*ure
[ I03 ]
aflure yourfclf, that whatever dillurbance he ha? met with, proceeds from his ilicking too clofe to his friends. It is a pity, fuch a fault Hiould hurt a man. I fend you, enclofed, the papers that relate to Mr. Higgins. Lord Santry was heard ag^aiuft him, be- fore the lord lieutenant and counciJ, Otloher zj : he was allov/ed only to prove the articles in his petition, that are marked with P, and he feemcd to prove them pretty fully ; but Mr. Higgws not having yet made his defence, I can give no jiTdgment. By the telHmony of the lower houfe of convocation, in his favour, you will fee how heartily thev efpoufe him. And furely both pains and art have been u{ed to fcreen him : with what efiecl you fliall hear when the matter is concluded. I wifh every good man may meet with as good and as faft friends as he hath done. I fend you likewife the votes, that kept the commons in debate, from eleven in the morning till feven at night. The quellion was carried in the ne- gative, by two accidents ; the going out of one mem- ber, by chance, to fpeak to fomebody at putting the queftion ; and the coming in of another, in his boot?, at the very minute. If either had not happened, it had gone the other way. The perfonal al+eflion to the duke of Onnond divided the houfe. If they could have feparated him from fome others the ma- jority had been great. You may eafily, from this fee what way the bent of the kingdom goes; and that garbling corporations no way pleafes them.
We have fevcral printed accounts of preliminaries of the peace ; but 1 believe them all amufement?; for, 1 imagine, none of the common fcribblers know
H 4 any
[ I04 J
any thing of them at all. I pray God they may be fuch as may fecure us from a new war ; though, I believe, the death of the emperor makes a laRing peace much more difficult than before. That depends on a balance, and to that three things feem fo necefTary, than any two may flop the third; but now all is reduced to two. I reckon, as foon as the peace is fettled, the dauphia will be taken out of the way, and then France and Spain will fall into one hand : a furmife I have had in mind ever fince Philip got Spain; and I was of opinion, that if we could have been fecured againll: this accident, there had been no need of a war at all.
As to the convocation, I told you formerly how we loft all the time of the recefs, by a precipitate adjournment made by five bifhops, v/hen the arch- bifhop of Tuam, and as many of us as were of the privy-council, were abfent, attending at the board, upon a hearing of the Quakers againll the bill for recovery of tithes. Since the meeting of the par- liament, after the recefs, we have attended pretty clofely, have drawn up and agreed to fix or {t\'Ci\ canons, and have drawn up a reprefentation of the ftate of religion, as to infidelity, herefy, impiety, and popery. We have gone through likewife, and agreed to, a great part of this ; but I doubt we fliall not be able to finifh it. We have alfo before us the confideration of refidence, and the means of converting Papifts. This laft fent up from the lower houfe. But I reckon it not pofTible to finifh thefe things this fefTion. I need not tell you, that my lord primate's indifpofition is a great clog to difpatch j
but
[ I05 ]
but he is refolved none elfe fliall have the chair. So we difpenfe with many things, that otherwife I be- lieve we fiiould not. We had only two church-bills this time; one for unions, which was thrown out in our houfe ; and another for recovery of tithes, which I underftand will be thrown out by the commons. Our feffion draws near an end, and every body is tired of it.
Will. Dublin.
LETTER LH.
Archbilhop King to Dr. S w i ft.
0£l. 31, 1711,
TO-DAY we had another hearing at council, concerning Mr. Higgins''s bufmefs. Seme of his vvitnefles were examined. So far as we have yet heard, it doth not appear to me, that they have cleared him. of tampering with witneffcs, fliifting recognizances, or compounding felonies j but, it is faid, thefe things are common in the country ; and, perhaps, that will fave him. And I know not how far his other witnefTes, that are yet to be examined, may clear him. The hearing lafted above three hours. I was unwilling to make this pacquet too large, fo I have inclofed the other prints in another. I v/ant fome affidavits of gentlemen, in which they depofe Mr. Higgins's cafe to contain many falflioods. I am, i^c.
Will, Dublin. LET.
LETTER LIII.
Archbifhop King to Dr. Swift.
REV. SIR, Dublin, Nov. I, 1711-;
1 HAVE confidered that part of your letter tliat relates to your own concerns. I find you, in earnefl, very indiiFercnt as to making your fortune j but you ought not to be fo, for a weighty reafon you infi- nuate yourfelf, that you cannot, without a fettle- ment, be mafler of your time in fuch manner, as to apply yourfelf to do fomething that may be ufeful to the church. I know it is not in your power to do it when ycu pleafe ; but yet fomething may be done towards it. Get but a letter to the government, from my lord treafurer, for the firll: good preferment ; and you will, at the fame time, fill it with a good man, and perhaps prevent a bad one from getting into it. Sure there is no immodelly in getting fuch a recom- mendation. Confider that years grow upon you ; and, after fifty, both body and mind decay. I have fe. veral things on the anvil, and nearfinilhed, that per- haps might be ufeful, if publifhed : but the continual avocation by bufmefs, the impofitions on me by im- pertinent vifits, and the uneafmefs of writing, which grows more intolerable to me every day, I doubt, will prevent my going any farther. Therefore lofe no time : ^z jion ejl hodie, eras jjiinus aj'tus erif, I am fure, you are able to do good fervice ; and give me leave to be importunate vvith you to go about it. C^e- /ar wrote his Commentaries under the hurry and
fatigues
r 107 1
fatigues of a general ; and perliaps a man's fphlt Is nevermore awakened, nor his thoughts better, than ia the intervals of a hurry of buiinefs. Read Erajmus's life, and you'll find it was almoll a continual journey. Yoy fee h ow malicious fome are towards you, In printing a parcel of trifle?, falfely as your works. This makes it neceifary that you fliouM Ihame thofe varlets, by fomething that may en- lio-hten the world, which, I am fare, your genius will reach, if you fet yourfelf to it. If I had the honour to have any correfpondence wltlF my lord treafurer, I would certainly complain of you to him, and o-et his lorddiip to join in this'requeff, which, I perfuade myfelf, he would readily do, if put ia mind. I do not in the leaft fear that you will be anory with me for this, fmce you cannot fufpc^ my. fincerity and kindnefs in it : and though I fliould be angry with you, if you negleft yourfelf and intereft, yet it fl\all go no farther, than to be a trouble to my- felf, but no abatement of the real friendiliip of your'=, Ifc.
Will. Dublin.
LETTER UV.
Archbllhop King to Dr. Swift. REV. SIR, Dublin, Nov. 10, lyti.
1 ERHAPS it will not be ungrateful to you, ,to knov/ our fefliou of parliament ended on Friday l;Jt. We threw out, in the houfc of lords, two bills;
that
I io8 ]
that againft fines in the city of Dublin, and about quit-rents ; and voted an addrefs, in oppofition to the commons addrefs about revolution principles. We likewile burned Mr. S t ought on'' s fermon, preached at Chrijl-church on the 30th of January, feme years ago. The houfe were pleafed to vote me thanks for profecuting him, which, you may remember, I did in a difficult time, notwithftanding the oppofition I had from the government, and his proteftioo by lord Ikerin, which he pleaded in court : and yet I followed him fo clofe, that I forced him out of his living. After this, we burned Mr. Boy/i;'s book of A Scriptural Bifhop * -, and fome Obferi'ators f .; Our addrefs was brought in yeflerday ; in which fure we are even with the commons. I forgot to tell jou, we agreed to another addrefs againft diifenting
* ' It was printed in 4to. at Dublin, under the title of. The CJicecf a Chrijitati Bijhop defcribed, and reccmmended from i Tim, ch. ili. 'ver. I. An ordina:ioK-fermon, JVith an appendix to it, and a pojijcript, containing an apohgy for t^e publication of it. The ap- pendix and pofjcript were added to the fecond edition of the fermon. The author was an eminent diffenting minirter, at Dublin:
f ' Papers publilhed under that title, by John Tutchin, Efq; vho had been fevcrely fentenced by lord chief juftice Jeffreys, in king fames the fecond's reign. He was, at laft, attacked in the night, for fome offence, which he had given by his writings, and died in confequence of the violence ufed towards him. Dr. Swift, in his Examiner, No. 15. for Ncvember 16, 1710, fpeaks of this writer, and of Daniel de Foe, author of The Re-view of the State of the Briti/h Nation, as tivo Jiupid illiterate fcribblers, hot}: of them fanatics by frofeffion, p. 300,'
inini{lcrs>
minifters, r.nd their twelve hundred pounds * per an- ntmt. The commons made an addrefs to my lord lieutenant, in which they bring him in for revolu- tion principles. The memorial of the church of England \ was reprinted here, and dedicated to my lord lieutenant. This was brought into the houfe of commons ; and, I doubt, would not have efcaped, if the ulher of the black rod had not called them up to the prorogation. Langton^ s bufmefs came likewife into the houfe of lords, and when the houfe was full of ladies, an offer was made to receive the report of the committee, which contained many ftieets of paper. A great debate happened upon it ; but at laft it was waved, and ordered to be laid before the lord-lieutenant.
In fliort, vs'e parted in very ill humour; and, I apprehend, that the minds of the generality are not eafy. My lord duke of Ormond, fo far as I could take it, made a very modeft and healing fpeech j and his grace feemed, in it, to be altogether difmterefted in parties. All thefe you have in public ; and, if you think it worth while, I will take care to fend them as they are printed.
* * This addrefs was agreed upon November 9, 1711. The twelve hundred ^onnAi per annum was originally a bounty to thofe xninifters from king Charles the fecond, confirmed by king William, and continued by queen Annc^
■}• ' Publiflied at firft in 1705, 4to, under this title, The Mt' mor'ial of the Church of England, humbly offered to the corfideration of all true Lovers of our Church and Conjiitution . This libel, upon its firll publication, having been prefcnted as fuch by the grandjury of Lcwi/tn and Middle/ex, on the 31ft of Augujl, ^7'^S' was burnt by the common hangman,'
As
As to our convocation, thoff, who liad loitered and done nothing before laft week, preffed on the reprefcntation of the flate of religion, as to infi- delity, hercfy, impiety, and popery : it will, in fome time, be printed. I had many reafons, but infilled only on two ; firft, its imputing all vices to us, as if we were the worft of people in the world; not allowing any good amongll us. Secondly not afligning it a caufe of the natives continuing Papifts, that no care was ever taken to preach to them in their own language, or tranHating the fervice into Irijh. You will find the matter in Heylitis Reforma- tion, z6. Eliz. 1^60, p. 128. I was forced to ufe art to procure this proteft to be admitted, without which they would not have allowed me to offer reafons, as I had caufe to believe.
Both the parliament and convocation have been fo ordered, as to make us appear the worll people in the world, difloyal to her majelly, and enemies to the church ; and I fufpc^^, with a defign to make U-. appear unworthy to have any countenance or preferment in our native country. When the repre- ientation is printed, I will, if you think it worth your while, fend you my proteft. We agreed like- wife in fome canons of no great moment, and fome forms of prayer, and forms of receiving Pa- pifts and feftaries; which, I think, are too ftrait. I brought In a paper about refideuce; but here was no time to confider it, nor that which related to the means of converting Papifts. I did not perceive any real that way. A great part of our reprefcnta- tion relate- to fe-rtaries ; and many things in the
whole^
w/liole, feem to me not defenfible. I told you br- fore, how we loft fix weeks, during the adjourn- ment of the parliament 5 and fince it fs-t, we could only meet in the afternoon, and I was frequently in council .; fo that [ was neither prefenl when it was brought into the houfc, when it paifed for the moil part, or was fent down in parcels, in foul rafed papers, that I could not well read, if I had an op- portunity ; and never heard it read -through before it
I believe moft are agreed, that if my advice had been taken, this would have been the peaceableft feffion ever vvTia in Ireland; whereas it has been one of the moil bolllcrous. I believe it was his grn.ce the duke of Ormcnd's interefl to have it quiet ; but then the managers condud has fiiewed themfelves to be necelTary. I have wearied myfelf with this fcroll, aud perhaps you will be fo liktwife. I aiii, 'Sc.
LET-
[ 112 ]
LETTER LV. Mr. Secretary St. John to Dr. Swift.
Hampton-Courtj Nov. 16, 1711,
I RETURN you the ftieet*, which is, I think, very correct. Sunday morning I hope to fee you. I am fmcerely your hearty friend, and obedient fervant,
H. St. John*
I have a vile ftorj- to tell you of the moral philofopher Stetle^
LETTER LVL Dr. Swift to Dr. Sterne. SIR, London, Dec. 29, lyJi..
J. H E reafon I have not troubled you this loii^ time with my letters, was, becaufe I would not dillurh the quiet you live in, and which the greateft and wifeft men here would envy, if they knew ; and which it is one part of your happinefs that they do not. I have often fent the archbifhop f political letters, of which I fuppofe you have had part. I
• * Probably of The conduft of the allies, which was publifhed an the twenty-feventh oi November, 17H,' t * Archbiihop of DubUn, Dr, Kir.g.'
3 hjve
[ 113 ]
have fome weeks ago received a letter from his grace, which I defign to acknowledge in a fliort time (as I defire you will pleafe to tell him) when things here come to fome iflue ; and fo we expei^ they will do in a little time. You know what an unexpeded thing fell out the firft day of this feiTion in the houfe of lords *, by the caprice, difconteut, or fome worfe motive of the earl of Koitin^ham.
In above twenty years, that I have known fome- ihing of courts, I never obferved fo many odd, dark, unaccountable circumftances in any public affair. A majority againll the court, carried by five or fix de- pending lords, who owed the beft part of their bread to penfions from the court, and who were told by the public enemy, that what they did would be pleafmg to the queen, though.it was openly levelled againfl the firll minifter's head ; again, thofe, whofe purfe-ltrings and heart-firings were the fame, all on a fudden fcattering their money to bribe votes: a lord f who had been fo far always a tory, as often to be thought in the pretender's intereft, giving his vote for the ruin of all his old friends, carefTed by thofe whigs, who hated and abhorred him : the whigs
* '-The earl of Nottingham propofcd, in the houfe of lords, \ claufe to be inferted in the addrefs of thanks to the queen for her fpeech, to reprefent to her majefty, as the humble opinion and advice of the houfe, that no peace could be made diz or honour- able to Great Britain or Europe, if Spain or the Wtjl-Indlet were to be allowed to any branch of the houfe of Bourbon, Which motion was carried by a majority of fixry-onc votes to fifty-five.*
•J- < Earl of Nottln^hajK.''
Vol. I. I all
[ 114 ]
all chiming in* with a bill againft occafional con- formity ; and the very difTenting minlllers agreeing to it, for reafons that nobody alive can tell f ; a re- fohition of breaking the treaty of peace, without any pofnble fchcme of continuing the war : and all this owing to a doubtfulnefs, or inconftancy, in one cer- tain quarter, which, at this diftancc, I dare not de- fcribe. Neither do I find any one perfon, though deepelt in affairs, who can tell what fteps to take. On January the fecond, the houfe of lords is to meet,
* * One of the condition? upon which the earl of Nottingham was faid to have entered into ftn<fl engage ments with the lords of the moderate party, was their concurrence with him in a bill to prevent occafional covfarmhy, which he had formerly urged, and now defigned to bring into the houfe of lords, though under ano- ther title, and with fuch claufes, as would, in fome meafure, inlarge the toleration of difTenters, and be a fartlier fecurity to the Pro- teftant fucceffion, in the houfe of commons. Accordingly, on Saturday, December 15, 1711, his lordfhip brought into the houfe of lords a hUl for prejer-v'ing the Frotejlant religion, by better fecuring the ckurcb of England, as by latu ejiablifoed ; a>:d for coftfrmirg the toleration granted to the Frotejlant diffenters, by an cB, intituled, An Aft for exempting their Majefties Proteftant Subjefts, difieiiting from the church of England, from the penal^ ties of certain Laws; and for the fupplying the defefts thereof; and for the fai-ther fecuring the Prcttftar.t fuccejfion, by requiring the fraSliferi of the latv, in North Britain, to take the oaths, and fubjcribe the declaraticn therein mentioned. His lordfhip was fup- ported by the earls of Scarborough and TVharton, and feveral other lords ; io that the bill was received, and read the firil time without any oppofition ; and, on the 18th of December, it pafled the houfe of lords, as it did that of the commons on the 20th of that month.' -
■}■ It is faid the diffenters confented to be kept out, that the Pagifts might not be let in.
and,
[ 11^ ]
and', it is expe6ted, they will go on in their votej and addreffes againft a peace.
On the other fide, we are endeavouring to get a majority, and have called up two earls fons to the houfe of peers ; and I thought fix more would have been called, and, perhaps, they may before Wednef- day. We expeft the duke of So>nerfet and lord Cbolmondley will lofe their places ; but it is not yet done, and we wilh for one more change at court, which you mufl guefs. To know upon what fmall circumftances, and by what degrees, this change has been brought about, would, require a great deal m.ore than I can or dare write.
There is not one, which I did not give warning of to thofe chiefly concerned, many months ago ; and fo did fome others, for they were vifible enough. This mufl infallibly end. either.in an entire change of meafurcs and miniilry, or in a firm eftablifhment of our fide. Delav, and tendernefs to an inveterate party, have been very inftrumental to this ill ftate of affairs. They tell me, you in Ireland are furious ngalnft a peace ; and it is a great jeft to fee people in Ireland furious for or againft any thing.
I hope to fee you in fpring, when travelling wea- ther comes on. But I have a mind to fee the iiTue of this feiTion. I reckon your hands are now out of mortar, and that your garden is finifhed : and I fup- pofe you have now one or two fifty pounds * ready for
* Dr. Sterne made a large ..oUeftion of books, and placed them- In the upper part of the deanry-houfe (then built by- him) which
1 2 books.
I ii6 3
books, which I will lay out for you, if you will give me diredtions.
I have increafed my own little library very con- fiderably ; I mean as far as one fifty pounds, which is very confiderable for me. I have juft had a letter from the Sf. Mary ladies, l^c f . I thought they were both dead ; but I find they fometimes drink your claret fliil, and win your money. I am. Sir, your moft obedient humble fervant.
You know iv&o.
P. S. I had fealed my letter, but have broke it open, to tell you, and all that love the church and crow n, that all things are now well. The queen has turned out the duke of Somer- fet, and has created twelve new lords, of which three are peers eldeft fons, the reft new created ; io that a maioritv is paft difpute. We are all in the greateft joy imaginable to find her majefty declare herfelf fo feafonably.
he fitted up for this purpofe, in one great room, with a fire-place at each end. He enlarged this colleftion very much inthefub- fequent part of his life, and when he died bifhop of Clcgher, in June 1745, he bequeathed fuch books out of it, to the truftces of the public library in Dubl'ir., founded by primate Marjh, as they wanted. The remainder he direfted to be fold, and the money to be divided amongft the curates of his diocefe : but as thofe gentlemen chofe rather to have the books divided amongft them, their requeft was complied with by the bifliop's executors ; and all the books, being a great number, were divided into lots, as nearly equal as poffible in value, and nailed up in boxes, that were numbered. Duplicates of thefe numbers were v.'ritten on pieces of paper, and the curates drew for them. . "j-'Mrs. ^e/?>n/"e« and Mrs. Dingley.''
LET-
[ 117 ]
LETTER LVir. Dr. Sacheverell * to Dr. Swift. REV. SIR, Southwark, Jan. 31, 1711-13. ,
0 I N C E you have been pleafed to undertake the generous office of foliciting my good lord treafurer's favour in my behalf, I Ihould be very ungrateful, if I did not return you my moft hearty thanks for it, and my humbleft acknowledgements to his lordfliip for the fuccefs it has met with.
r received laft Monday a mefiage by my pupil Mr. Lloyd, reprefentative of Shropjhire, from Mr. Harley, by his lordfliip's order, to enquire what my brother was qualified for. I told him, having failed in his trade, he had been out of bufinefs for feme years, during which time I had entirely maintained him and his family : that his education had not qua- lified him for any confiderable or nice poll^; but that, if his lordfhip thought him an objeft of his fiivour,
1 entirely fubmitted him to his difpofal, and fhould be very thankful to his goodnefs to eafe me of part of that heavy burthen of my family, that required more than my poor circumflances could allow of.
* This gentleman's trial, upon an impeachment, is well known. Swift fays, it arofe from a foolilh paflionate pique oif the earl of Godolphin, whom he was fuppofcd in a fermon to have rcflcfted on, under the name of Volponc. See Memoirs re- lating to the Change in the S^ceni Miniliryj in the volumes juft publifhed by Mr. Deanc Swift,
I 3 I am
r. 118 ]
1 am informed alfo, that I am very much indebted to my great countryman^ Mr. fecretary St. John, for his generous recommendation of this matter to his lordfhip. I (hould be proud of an op- portunity of exprefiing my gratitude to that eminent patriot, for whom, no one, that willies the weltare or honour of his church or country, can have fo great a veneration.
But for yourfeif, good Doftor, who was' the firll fpring to move it, I can never fufriciently acknow- ledge the obligation. I Ihould be glad, if you will command me, in any time or place to do it, which will be a farther favour conferred on, reverend fir, your moll faithful fervant,
H. Sacheverell.
P. iS. lam told there is a place in the cuftom-houfe void, called X\it jearchtri-, which, if proper to ask, I would not pre-, fume j but rather leave it to his lorddiip's difpofal.
LETTER LVIII. t)r. Swift to Mrs. Johnson*.
Feb. 9, 1711.
I D I N E D to-day with Sir Michael Dudley ^ who 'is newly turned out of the commifhon of the cuftoms. He afFefts a good heart, and talks in the extremity
* Mrs. Johnjon was a lady, with whom Siuift became acquainted, while he lived with Sir IVilliam Tempk. She was the daughter fff his fteward ; and when he diedj he left h.-r a thoufand pounds,
of
[ 1^9 ]
of whiggery, which was always his principle, thoagh he was gentle a little, while he kept in employment. We can get no pacquets from Holland. I have not been with any of the minillry thefe two or three days. I keep out of their way on purpofe, for a certain reafon, for fome time, tho' I muft dine with the fe- cretary * to-morrow. The chooiing of the company being left to me, I have engaged lord Anglefey and lord Carteret, and have promifcd to get three more ; but I have a mind, that none clfe fhould be admitted. However, if I like any body at court to- morrow, I may perhaps invite tliera. I have got another cold, but not very bad.
loth, I faw prince Eugene at court to-day very plain. He is plaguy yellow, and literally ugly be- fides. The court was very full, and people had their birth-day cloaths. No pacquets from Hollcmci yet. Here are a parcel of drunken whiggilh lords, like your lord Saniry, who come into chocolate-houfes,
in confideration of her father's faithful fcrvices. She w-as about iS when flie went to Irelavd ^ and after a moft intimate friend- fliip of more than i6 years, fhc was, in 171 6, marneJ to the dean, by Dr. ^^, then bifhop of Cloghir, to whom he had beea a pupil in Trinity College, DuLtiuy though it ii not known that they ever cohabited. This, and the following letters, are part of the journal, which, in the life of Swift, pii^xei to BatBurJFs edition, he is faid to have written, and lent to this lady every fortnight. Thq letters are addreflcd, fometimcs to Mrs. Jobnfcn, and fometimcs to Mrs. Ding/ey ; and fecm to be confi-. dered as written not to one, but both j for they arc frequently addrufTcd jointly; " are )ou houfewives ? are you readers?" Seehis lettcrto Mrs. Dir.gUy, dated March iz, 17U-IZ. * St. John.
1 4 and
[ 12® ]
and rail aloud at the tones, and have challenges /cnt theiti, and the next morning come and beg par- don. General Rofs was like to Twinge the marquis
of for this trick, the other day ; and we
have nothing elfe now to talk of till the parliament has had another bout with the Jlate of the ^var, as they intend in a few days. They have ordered the barrier treaty to be laid before them ; and it was talked fome time ago, as if there was a defign to impeach lord Tovj>2fend who made it.
I ith, I dined with lord Anglejey to-day, who had feven Irijhmen to be my companions, ot which two only were coxcombs. One I did not know, and the other was young BUgh, who is a puppy of figure here, with a fine chariot. He afked me, one day at court, when I had been juft talking with fome lords, who flood near me, Dodlor, when fhall we fee you in the county of Mcath ? I whifpered him to take care what he faid, for the people v/ould think he ^uat fime Barbarian. He never would fpeak to me fince, till we met to-day. I went to \viAy Majha?ns to-night, and fat with Iqrd trealarer and the fecretary there till pall two o'clock ; and when I came home, found fome letters from Ireland, which I read, but can fay nothinjj of them till to-morrow : it is too late.
1 2th, One letter was from the bifhop of Clogher laft nighc, and tlie other from IJ^alh, about Mrs. South'' s falary, and his own peiiuon of eighteen pounds for his tithes of the Park. I will do nothing in either. The firft I cannot krvc in, and the other is a trifle ; only you may tell him I had his letter, and will fpeak to Ned South v:eU about what he de-
figus
[ :3i J
fjgns mc. Ycu fay nothing of your dean's receiving my letter.
I find, Clements, whom I recommended to lord Anghfey laft year, at WalWs defire, or rather the bifhop of Cloghers, is mightily in lord 4itglefey''s favour. You m.iy tell the bifhop and Walls fo. I faid to lord Anglefey, that I was glad I had the good luck to recommend him, l^c.
I dined in the city with my printer, to confult with him about fome papers lord treafurer gave me laft night, as he always docs, too late. Howex'er, I will do fomething with them. My third cold is a little better, I never had any thing like it before, three colds fucceffively. Three meffengers come frojn Holland to-A-^y, and tliey brought over the fix pac- quets that were due. I know not the particulars yet; for when I was v.ith the fecretary at noon, they were juft opening. But one thing I find, the Dutch are playing us tricks, and tampering with the French ', they are dogs ; I fhall know more.
13th, I dined to-day privately with my friend Le-ivis *, at his lodging, to confult about fome oh- fervations on the barrier treaty. Our news irom HgI~ (and is not good. The French raife difficulties, and make fuch oilers to the allies, as cannot be accepted; and the Dutch are uncafy, that we are like to get any thing for ourfelves ; and the whigs are glad at all this. I came home early, and have been very bufy three or four hours. I had a letter from Dr. Pratt to-day by a private hand, recommending the
* Erajir.ui Lczvh, fecrctarj' to Joid Oxford,
bearer
[ J2C ]
bearer to mc, for fomethingi fli all not trouble mj- felf about. If^rJIeji writ to recommend the fame fel- low to me. His cxpreflion is, that hearing I am acquainted with my lord treafurcr, he defires I would do fo and fo. A matter of nothing. What puppies are mankind I I hope I {hall be wifcr when I have once done with courts. I think you have not troubled me much with your recommendations. I would do you all the fervice I could.
14th, Our fociety dined to-day at Mr. fecretary's houfe. I went there at four : but hearing; the houfe of ccmanons would fit late upon the barrier treaty, I went for an hour to Kcnfitigton, to fee lord Ma- Jhains children. My young nephew*, his fon of fix ir.onths old, has got a fwelling in his neck. I fear it is the evil. We did net go to dinner till eight at night, and I left them at ten. The commons have been very fevcre on the barrier treaty, as you will iind by their votes. A whig member took out ihc CoJtc/uil of the Allies -^y and read that palVage a,bout the fucceffion with great refentmentj but Eone feconded him. The church party carried every vote by a great majority. The archbifhop of Z)i^M» is fo railed at by all who come from Ireland^ that I can defend him no longer. Lord Anglcfey aiTured me, that the ftory of applying Pifo out of Tacitu. to
* Lord Mijjham was probably one of the fixteen brothers ; •whkb accounts for Swift's calling his fon nephew. See the note on a Ltter from lord f/iin'ty, dated Ju^y i"], 1714.
-|- A pamjlilet \\ rlttcn by the dean. iJee liis works.
lord
[ 123 T
lord treafurer being wounded is true *. I believe the duke oi. Beaufort will be admitted to our fociety f next meeting. To-day I publilhed the Fable of Midas, a. poem, printed in a loofe half Ihcet. I know not how it will take ; but it palFcd wonder- fully at our fociety to-night. Mr. fecretary read it before me the other night, to lord treafurer, at lord Mfianis, where they equally approved of it. lell me how it pafTes with you \ I think this paper is larger than ordinary ; for here is a lix days journal, and no nearer the bottom. 1 fear thefe journals are very dull.
15th, Air. Ze-xu/V and I dined by invitation with a Scotch acquaintance, after I had been very bufy in my chamber, till two in the afternoon. My third cold is now very troublefome on my brcaft, cfpecially in the morning. This is a great revolution in my health ; colds never ufed to return fo fojn with me, or laft fo long. It is very furprifmg the news this day : the dauphin and dauphinels, both dying within fix days. They fay the old king is almoft heart-broke : he has had prodigious mortifications in his family. The dauphin has left two little fons, of four and two years old ; the eldeit is fick. There is a foolilh flory got about town, that lord Strafford, one of our plenipotentiaries, is in the intcrells of FAince : And it has been a good while faid, that lord
* For an account of the treafurer's being wounded, fee a letter from the archbi/hop of Dubl'tr., d^tcd Manh i-j, ijio, and note.
f The focii;ty of Hxtecn, calL-d Brothers.
privy
[ 1^4 ]
privy fcal * and he do not agree very well ; they arft both long prafcifed in bufinefs, but neitlier of them of much parts. Strafford hath fome life and fpirit ; but is infinitely proud, and wholly illiterate.
1 6th, I dined to-day in the city with my printer, to finiih fomething I am doing about the barrier treaty ; but is not quite donef. I weat this evening to lord Mafl^avis, where lord treafurer fat with us till pafl twelve. The lords have voted an addrefs to the queen, to tell her, they are not fatisfied with the king of France's oifers. The whigs brought it in of a fudden ; and the court could not prevent it, and therefore did not oppofe it. The houfe of lords is too ftrong in whigs, notwithftanding the new creations : for they are very diligent, and the toj'ies as lazy : The fide that is down hath always mofl induftry. The whigs intended to have made a vote, that would refleft on lord treafurer ; but their projeft was not ripe.
17th, The court was mighty full to-day, and has been fo thefe many Sundays ; but the queen was rot at chapel. She has got a little fit of the gout in her foot. The good of going to court is, that one fees all one's acquaintance, whom otherwife I (hould hardly meet twice a year. Prince Eugene dines with the fecretary to-day, vvith about fcven or eight general officers, or foreign minillers. They will
* Dr. John Robinfon bilhop of Brijlol. He was Avorn lord privyfeal, Sept. 3, 1711.
-j- It was f ubliilied under tlie title of " Remarks on the Bar- rier Treaty."' See P-athwJi's edition, odlavo, vol. i,\.
be
[ ^^5 ]
be all drunk I am fure. I never was In company with this prince. I have propofed to fome lords, that we fhould have a fober meal with him ; but I cannot compafs it. It is come over in the Dutch news prints, that I was arrefted on an aftion of 20,000 /. by the duke of Marlborough. I did not like my court invitations to-day ; fo Sir ,4/iJreiu Fountain and I went and dined with Mrs. VaJihomrig}} * . I came home at fix, and have been very bufy till this minute, and it is pail twelve. We reckon the dauphin's death will fet forward the peace a good deal.
i8ih, Lczvis had Gid/cariVs pidure ; he bought it, and offered, it to lord trealurer, who promifed to fend for it, but never did ; fo I made Levjis give it me, and I have it in my room ; and now lord trea- furer fays, he will take it from me. Is that fair ? He defigns to have it at length in the cloaths he wore when he did the aftion, and a penknife in his hand. Knelkr is to copy it from this that I have. I intended to dine with lord treafurer to-day, but he has put me off till to-morrow ; fo I dined with lord DuppUn. You know lord DuppUn very well ; he is a brother of the fociety f . Well, but I have received a letter from the bifhop oiClogher, to foliclt an affair for him with lord treafurer, and with the parliament, which I will do as foon as fly. 1 am not near fo keeii
* The mother of Vanejfa. See an account of her in ^-zr//?'* life, and the verfes called Cadcr.ui and Vamjj'a, See alfo the note to the Dean's letter to Mifs Vanlimngh, dated 'Ju'^ S, 1 713.
-}■ Tlic fociciy of fixtecn.
about
[ ^26 ]
about Oilier people's afuiirs asyouufedto reproach me. It was a judgment on me. I doubt you have been in pain about the report of my being arrefted. The pamphleteers have let me alone this month, which is a great wonder ; only the third part of the anfwer to the conciud, which is lately come out. Did I tell you of it before ? The houfe of commons goes on in mauling the late minillry and their pro- ceedings.
iqth, I dined ,wlth lord trcafurer to-day, and fat with him till ten in fpight of my teeth, though ji-iv printer waited for me to correft a fheet. I told him of four lines I writ e.xtempore with my pencil, en a bit of paper in his houfe, while he lay wounded. Some of the fervant?, I fuppofe, made wafte paper of them, and he never heard of them. They were infcribed to Mr. Harley^s phyfician thus :
On Britabi Eurofe's fafety lies ; Britain is loft, if Harley dies : Harley depends upon your fkill ; Think what you, fave, or what you kill.
I propofed that fome company fhould dine with him on the eighth of March, which was the day he was wounded; but he fays he defigns, that the lords of the cabinet, who then fat with him, {hould dine that day with him : however, he has invited me to dinner. I am not yet rid of my cold ; it plagues me in the morning chiefly.
20th, 'After waiting to catch the fecretary coming out from Sir Thomas Hamnsr, for two hours in vain,
about
[ 127 ]
about fome bufinefs, I went into the city to my printer to corred ibme flieets of the barrier treaty, and remark?, which muft be hnifhed to-morrow. I have been hourly bufy for fome days pal!, with this and fome other things ; and I wanted fome very jieceflary papers, which the fccretary was to give me, and tlic pamphlet mull not be publiHied without them ; bat they are all bufy too. Sir Thomas Hanmer'i^ chairmaa of the committee, for drawing up a reprelentation of the Ilate of the nation to the queen, where all the wrong ileps of the allies, and the late miniury about tlie war, will be mentioned The fecretary i lup- pofe, was helping him about it to-day ; I believe it will be a pepperer.
2 1 It, I have been fix hours to-day morning vmting nineteen pages of a letter to lord treafurer, about forming a iociety or academy, to corretS: and iix the EngliJJj language. Is Englijh a Ipeech, or a language ? It will not be above five or iix more. I will fend it him to-morrow, and will print it, if he defires me *■- I dined, you know, with our fociety to-day ; Thurfday is our day. We had a new member admitted ; it v/as the duke of Beaufort. We were thirteen met; brother Ormond was not there, but fent his excufe, that prince Eugene dine<l with him. I left them at feven, being engaged to go to Sir ThcTKas Hanmer., who delired I would fee him at . that hour. His bufinefs was, that I would f hoen Ibp ihainm itaoi dsroanws ubpl tohnc sroc qporaenfie p not las toi qobn, which I con- feiited to do ; but do not know whether I fhall fuc-
• It is printed in his works.
. •^ Thu<; decj'phered, " help iim to draw iip the xcprcfentatjoji.*' 4 cccd.
[ 128 ]
ceed, becaufe it is a little out of my way : however, I have taken my fhare.
22d, I finifhed the reft of my letter to lord trea- furer to-day, and fent it to him about one o'clock; and then dined privately with my friend Mr. Leivis, to talk over feme afi'airs of moment. I have gotten the 13th volume of Rjmer's coUedlion of the re- cords of the Toiver, for the univerfity of Dublin *. I v/ill write to the provoft to know how 1 fhall fend them to him ; no, I won't, for I will bring them myfelf among my own books. I was with Hanmer this morning, and there was the fecretary and chan- cellor of the exchequer f very bufy w ith him, laying their heads together about the reprefentation. I went to lord Majbam^s to-night |, and lady Mapam made me read her a pretty two-penny pamphlet called the St. Albati's ghoft ||. I thought 1 had writ it my- felf; fo did they; but I did not. Lord treafurer came down to us from the queen, and we ftayed till two o'clock. This is the bell night place I have. The ufual company are lord and lady Majham, lord treafurer, Dr. Arbuthnot, and I; fometimes the fe- cretary §, and fometimes Mrs. Hill, of the bed- chamber, lady Majkarn's filter.
'^ See a letter from lady B. G. to Dr. Swift, dated Niv. 7, 1734, and note.
\ ■ Robert Benfcn, Efq; afterwards created lord Bing/cy.'
X it fhould be Lll night, for this appears to have been written after two o'clock ia the morning.
II * The title is, the flory of St. Allan s ghoft, or the apparition of mother Ilnggy, colleifled from the beft manufcripts.'
§ Mr. .^.'. Join.
i 129 3
23d, I have no news to tell you this lall day, nor do I know where I fhall dine. I hear the fecretary is a little out of order. Perhaps I may dine there, perhaps not. I fent Ha/tmer what he wanted from me. I know not how he will approve of it. I was to do more of the fame fort. On Tue/day it will be four weeks fince I had your lafl:, N" 26. This day fe'night I expedl one, for that will be fomething more than a full month. Farewel.
LETTER XLVl.
Dr. Swift to Mrs. J o h n s o n,
London, Feb. jj, i-jii-ii,
After having difpofed my laft letter in the poll-office, I am now to begin this, with telling yoti that I dined with the fecretary to day, who is much out of order with a cold, and feverifh; yet he went to the cabinet council to-night at fix, againft my will. The fecretary is much the greateft commoner in England, and turns the whole parliament, who can do nothing without him; and if he lives, and has his health, will, I believe, be one day at the head of affairs. I have told him fometimes, that if I were a dozen years younger, I would cultivate his favour, and truft my fortune with his. But what care you for all this ? i am forry when I came firft acquainted with this mlniftry, that I did not iend you their names and charadlers, and then you would Vol. I. K have
( ISO ]
have reliflied what I would have writ, efpeclally If I had let you into the particulars of affairs : but enough of this.
24th, I went early this morning to th€ feeretary, who is not yet well. Sir Thomas Hanmer ajnd the chancellor of the exchequer came while I was there, and he would notlet me ftir ; fo I did not go to church, but was bufy with them till noon, about the affair I told you of in my laft. The other two went away, and I dined with the feeretary, and found my head very much out of order, but no abfolute fit; and I liave not been well all this day. It has fhook me a little. I fometimes fit up very late at lord MaJhanCs, and have writ much for feveral days paft ; but I will amend both ; for I have now very little bufinefs, ani hope I fhall have no more. I am refolved to be a great rider this fummer in Ireland. I was to fee Mr. IVeJJey this evening, who has been fomewhat better for this month paft, and talks of returning to the Bath in a few weeks. Our peace goes on but flowly ; the Dutch are playing tricks, and we do not pufh it as rtrongly as we ought. The fault of our court is delay, of which the queen has a great deal ; and lord treafurer is not without his fhare. But pray let us know a little of your life and converfa- tion. Do you play at ombre, or vifit the dean, and goody Wall's and Stoyte's, and Manly s as ufual ? I muft have a letter from you. Let me know what yoH do ; Is my aunt alive yet ? Oh, pray, now I think of it, be fo kind to ftep to my aunt, and take notice of my great-grandfather's pitflure ; you know he ha« a ring on his finger, with a feal of an anchor
and
[ 131 1
and dolphin about It ; but I think there is befides, at the bottom of the pifture, the fame coat of arms quartered with another, which I fuppofe was my great- grandmother's. If this be fo, it is a flronger argu- ment then the feal. And pray fee whether you think that coat of arms was drawn at the fame time with the pifture, or whether it be of a later hand ; and aflc my aunt what Ihe knows about it. But perhaps there is no fuch coat of arms oii the plfture, and I only dreamed it. My reafon is, becaufe Iwouldafk fome herald here, whether I fhoiild chufe that coat, or one in Guiilitn's large folio of heraldry, where my uncle God-win is named with another coat of arms of three (lags. This is fad ftutfto write.
25th, I was this morning again with the feiretary, and we were two hours bufy ; and then went to- gether to the Park, Hyds-Park, I mean; and he walked to cure his cold, and we were looking at two Arabian horfes, feht fome time ago to lord treafurer. The duke of Marlborough' s coach overtook us, with his grace and lord Godolphiti in it ; but they did not fee us, to our great fatisfadion j for neither of us defired that either of thofe two lords fhould fee us together. There was half a dozen ladies rklihg like cavaliers to take the air. My head is better to-day. I dined with the fecretary ; bat we did no bufinefs after dinner, and at fix I walked into the fields ; then I went to vifit Percimal and his family, whom I had feen but once fmce they came to town. They are going to Bath next month. Countefs DoUo^
K 2 Meath
[ 132 ]
Meath * is Aich an owl, that wherever I vifit, people are afking me, whether I know fuch an Irijh lady, and her figure and her foppery ? I came home early, and have been amufing myfelf with looking into one of the volumes of Rymer's records of the Toiver, and am mighty eafy to think I have no urgent bufinefs upon my hands. My third cold is not yet off; I tbmetimes cough, and am not right with it in the morning. Did I tell you, that I believe it is lady MaJhaiiCs hot rooms that give it me ? I never knew fuch a ftove ; and in my confcience, I believe both my lord and Ihe, my lord treafurer, Mr. fecretary, and myfelf, have all fuffered by it. We have all had colds together, but I walk home on foot.
26Lh, I was again bufy with the fecretary. We read over fome papers, and did a good deal of bufi- nefs. I dined with him, and we were to do more bufinefs after dinner; but after dinner is after din- ner; an old faying and a true, much drinking, little thinking. We had company with us, and nothing could be done. I am to go there to-morrow. I have now nothing to do ; and the parliament, by the queen's recommendation, is to take fome method for pre- venting libels, l£c. which will include pamphlets, J fuppofe. I do not know what method they will take, but it comes on in a day or two. To-day in the morning I vifited upwards ; firft I faw the duke
* « Dorothy, daughter to "^amei Stopford, Efq; and fecond wife of Edward Brabazon, earl of M(ath, who died 12 Feb. ijoS, without iffaie.'
of
[ ^33 ]
of Ormond below flairs, and gave him joy of his being declared general in Flanders ; then I went up one pair of flairs, and fat with the duchefs ; then I went up another pair of flairs, and paid a vifit to lady Betty ; and defired her woman to go up to the garret, that I might pafs half an hour with her ; but (he was young and handfome, and would not. The duke is our prefident this week, and I have be- fpoke a fmall dinner on purpofe for good example. 27th, I was again with the fecretary this morning; but we only read over fome papers with fir Thomas Hanmer : then I called at lord treafurer's ; it was his levee-day, but I went up to his bed-chamber, and faid what I had to fay. I came down and peeped in at the chamber, where a hundred fools were waiting, and two flreets were full of coaches. I dined in the city with my printer *, and came back at fix to lord treafurer, who had invited me to dinner, but I refufed him. I fat there an hour or two, and then went to lord Majhatns. They were all abroad ; ^o truly I came home, and read whatever fluff was next me. I can fit and be idle now, which I have not been above a year pall. However, I will flay out the feffion, to fee if they have any further commands for me, and that I fuppofe will end in April. But I may go fomewhat before, for I hope all will be ended by then, and we fhall have either a certain peace, or a certain war. The miniflry is continuing new funds for money by lotteries j and we go on as if
* This printer was Jekn Barbery afterA-atds alderman and lord mayor of London,
K 3 • the
E 134 ]
the war were to continue ; but I believe it will not.
28:11, I have been packing up Tome books in a great box I have bought, and muft buy another for cloaths and luggage. This is a beginning towards a removal. I have fent to Holland iot a dozen fliirts, and defign to buy another new gown and hat. I have writ this night to the provoft. Our fociety met to-day as ufual, and we were fourteen, beiides the earl of Arran, whom his brother the duke of Or.mond brought among us againll all order. We were mightily fhocked ; but after fome whifpers, it ended in chuling lord Arran one o[ our fociety, which I oppofed to his face ; but it was carried by all the the reft againft me.
29th, This is leap-year, and this is leap-day ; prince George was born on this day. People are miftaken ; and fome here think it is St. Dwvid's day ; but they do not underftand the virtue of leap-year. I ha\'e nothing to do now, boys, and have been reading all this day like gum-dragon ; and yet { was didating fome trifles this morning to a printer. I dined with a friend hard by, and the weather was fp difcouraging i could not walk. I came home early, and have read two hundred pages oi Jricn*. Alexander the Great isjuft 4ead. I do not think he was poifoned : betwixt you and me, all thofe are but idle ftories. It is certain, that neither Ptolemy nor Arijlobulus thought {Of and they were both with him when he
* ' Jhe Qresk hiftorian, who writ the life of Akxamkr the
die'l-.
r 135 }
died. It is a pity we have not their hlftories. The bill for limiting members of parliament to have but fo many places part the houfe of commons, and will pafs the houfe of lords, in fpight of the miniftry ; which you know is a great leffening of the queen's power. Four of the new lords voted againft the court in this point. It is certainly a good bill in the reign of an ill prince ; but I think things are not fet- tled enough for it at prefent, and the court may want a majority at a pinch.
March I, I went into the city, to enquire after poor Stratford, who has put himfelf a prifoner into the Recti's Benchy for which his friends blame him very much, becaufe his creditors defigned to be very eafy with him. He grafped at too many things together, and that was his ruin. There is one circumftance relative to lieutenant-general Meredith, that is very melancholy: M^r^^/V^^ was turned out of all his em- ployments lafl: year, and had about 10,000/. left to live on. Stratford, upon friendfhip, defired he might have the management of it for MeUdith, to put it into the funds and ftocks for the beil advanta'^e ; and now he has loft it all. You have heard me •ften talk of Stratford', we were clafs-fellows at ■fchool and univcrfity. I dined with fome merchants, his friends, to-day, and they faid they expected his breaking this good while. I gave him notice of a treaty of peace, while it was a fecret, of which he might have made good ufe, but that helped to ruin him; for he gave money, reckoning there would be aftually a peace for this time, and confequently
K 4 ftocks
C 136 3
flocks to rife high. Ford narrowly efcaped lofing 500 /. by him, and fo did I too.
2d, Morning. I was awakened at three this morn- ing, my man and the people of the houfe telling me of a great fij-e in the Hay-Market. I flept again, and two hoyrs after my man came in again, and told me it was my poor brother Sir William Wyndham's * houfe that is burned f ; and that two maids leaping out of an upper room to avoid the fire, fell both on their heads, one of them upon the iron fpikes before the door, and both lay dead in the ftreets. It is fuppofed to have been fome careleffnefs of one or both thofe maids. The duke of Qrviond was there helping to put out the fire. Brother Wyndham gave 6000/. but a few months ago for that houfe, as he told me, and it was very richly furnifhed. I fhall know more particulars at night. He married lady Catherine Sey- mour, the duke of Somerfet^s daughter ; you know her, I believe.
At night. Sir William Wyndham's young child efcaped very narrowly ; lady Catherine efcaped bare- foot ; they all went to Northumberland houfe. Mr. Bridges's houfe at next door is damaged much, and was like to be burned. Wyndham has loft above 10,000/. by this accident. His lady above 1000/. worth of cloaths. He was not at court to-day. I
* Wyndkam was a brother of the focif ty.
■\ It is not much to Swift's credit that he went quietly to fleep, after he had been told there was a great firo in the Hay-Marhety where he knew a friend had a houfe and family ; yet he had a quick and ftrong fenfe of the calamities of others. See his letter to Mrs. Dirgky of Not'. 1 5, and Dec, : 8, 1 7 1 2.
z dined
* t «37 3
4Ined with lord Majhant. The queen was not at church.
3d, Pray tell Walhy that I fpoke to the duke of Ormond and Mr. Southwell about his friend's affair, who, I find, needed not me for afolicitor ; for they both told me the thing would be done. I likewife mentioned his own affair to Mr. Southxvell, and I hope that will be done too ; for Southnjuell feems to think it reafonahle, and I will mind him of it again. Tell him this nakedly. You need not know the particulars. They are fecrets, one of them is about Mrs. South having a penfion ; the other about his falary from the government for the tithes of the park, that lies in his parlih, to be put upon the eftablilhment. I dined in the city with my printer, with whom I had fome fmall affair. I have no large work on my hands now. I was with lord trea- furer this morning ; and dined with the dean. Monday is parfon's holiday.
4th, I fat to-day with poor Mrs. IVeJley, who made me dine with her. She is much better than {he was. I heartily pray for her health out of the intire love I bear to her worthy hufband. This day hath pafTed very infignificantly. But it is a great comfort to me now, that I can come home and read, and have nothing upon my hands to write. I was at lord Ma/ham'' s to-night, and flayed there till one. Lord treafurer was there ; but I thought he looked melancholy, jufl as he did at the beginning of the fef- fion, and he was not fo merry as ufual. In fliort, the majority in the houfe of lords is a very weak one. Hfi has much to do to keep it up ; and he is not able
to
[ ^38 ]
to make thofe removes he would, and oblige his friends ; and I doubt too he does not take care enough about it, or rather cannot do all himfelf, and will not employ others ; which is his great fault, as I have often told you.
5th, I wifh you a merry Lent. I hate Lent ; I hate different diets, and furmity and butter, and herb porridge ; and the four devout faces of people, who only put on religion for feven weeks. I was at the iecretary's office this morning ; and there a gentle- man brought me two letters, dated laft Oclober ; one from the bifhop of Clogher, and the other from Walls. The gentleman is called colonel Neijoburgh. I think you mentioned him to me fome time ago. He has bufinefs in the houfe of lords. I will do him what fervice I can. The reprefentation of the houfe of commons is printed ; I have not feen it yet ; it is plaguy fevere, they fay. I dined with Dr. Jrhuthmf, and had a true lenten dinner, not in point of victuals, but fpleen ; for his wife and a child or two were fick in the houfe, and that was full as mortifying as iifh. We have had mighty fine cold frofty weather for fome days paft. I hope you take the advantage of it, and walk now and then. You never anfwer that part of my letters, where I defire you to walk. I iBuft keep my breath to cool my lenten porridge.
6th, I hear Mr. Prior has fufFered by Stratford's breaking. I was yefterday to fee Prior, who is not well, and I thought he looked melancholy. He can ill afford to lofe money. I walked before dinner in the Mall a good while with lord Arran and lord Dupplin, two of my brothers, and then we went to
dinner.
[ »59 ]
dinner, where the duke o{ Beaufort was our prefident. We were but eleven to-day.
We are now in all nine lords and ten commoners. The duke of Beaufort had the confidence to propofe his brother-in-law, the earl of Dariy, to be a mem- ber ; but I oppofed it fo warmly, that it was waved. Dariy is not above twenty, and we will have no more boys, and we want but two to make up our number. I flayed till eight, and then we all went away foberly. The duke of Ormond's treat lafl: week coll 20/. though it was only four dirties, and four without a defert ; and I befpoke it in order to be cheap, yetl could not prevail to change the houfe. Lord Majham made me go home with him to eat boiled oyilers. Take oyfters, walh them clean ; that is, wa(h their (hells clean ; then put your oyfters into an earthen pot, with their hollow fides down, then put this pot covered into a great kettle with water, and fo let them boil. Your oyfters are boiled thus in their own liquor, and not mixed with water. Lord treafurer was not with us ; he was very ill to-day with a fwimming in the head, and is gone to be cupped, and fent to defire lady Majham to excufe him to the queen.
7th, I was to-day at the houfe of lords about a friend's bill. Then I crofs'd the water at Wefmin- Jler flairs to Southtvark, went through St. George's Field: to the Mint, which is the dominion of the King's Bench prlfon, where S!raford\oAgfi^ in a blind alley, and writ to me to come to him; but he was gone to the Change. I thought he had fomcihing to fay to n<e about his own aiTairs. I found him at his ulual
coffee-houfe'
t HO ]
coffee-houfc, and went to his old lodgings, and dined with him and his wife, and other company. His bufinefs was only to defire I would intercede with the miniftry about his brother-in-law, Benjamin Burton of Dublin, the banker, who is like to come into trouble, as we hear, about fpreading falfe whiggifti news. Mrs. Stratford tells me her hufband's creditors have confented to give him liberty to get up his debts abroad ; and flie hopes he will pay them all. He was chearfuUer than I have feen him this great while. I have walked much to-day.
8th, This day twelve months Mr. Harley was ftabbed *. He is ill, and takes phyfic to-day, I hear, ('tis now morning) and cannot have the cabi- net-council with him, as he intended, nor me to fay grace. I am going to fee him. Pray read the re- prefentation ; it is the finefl; that ever was writ. Sojne of it is my ftile j but not very much. This is the day of the queen's acceffion to the crown, fo that it is a great day. I am going to court, and will dine with lord Majham ; but I muil go this moment to the fecretary, about fome bufmels ; fo I will feal Vpthis, and put it in the poll. Farewel.
* Sec the next letter, and note on paragraph dated 13.
E E T-
i H^ 3
LETTER LX.
Dr. Swift to Mrs. Johnson.
London, March 8, 171 1- is.
I Carried my forty-fecond letter in my pocket till evening, and then put it in the g^eral poll. I went in the morning to fee lord treafurer, who had taken phyfic, and was drinking his broth. I had been with the fecretary before, to recommend z friend, one Dr. Friend, to be phyfician-general ; and the fecretary promifed to mention it to the queen. I can ferv'e every body but myfelf. Then I went to court, and carried lord keeper and the fecretary to dine with lord Majham, when we drank the queen and lord treafurer with every health, becaufe this was the day of his {tabbing. Then I went and played at picquet with lady Majhatn and Mrs. Hill ; won ten (hillings, gave a crown to the box, and eame home. Did I tell you of a race of rakes, called the Mohocks, that play the devil about this town every night, flit people's nofes, and beat them ?
• 9th, I was at court to-day, and nobody invited me to dinner, except one or two, whom I did not care to dine with; fo I dined with Mrs. Vanhomrigh . Young Da-venant was telling us, how he was fet upon by the Mohocks, and how they ran his chair through with a fword. It is not fafe being in the
ftreet?
[ 142 J
Hreets at night. The blfliop of Salisbury t fon * is faid to be of the gang. They are all whigs. A great lady fent to me, to fpeak to her father, and to lord treafurer, to have a care of them, and to be careful likewife of myfelf ; for fiie heard they had malicious intentions againft the minillry, and their friends. I know not whether there be any thing in this, tho' others are of the fame opinion. The wea- ther ftill continues very fair and frofty. I walked in the Park this evening, and came home early, to avoid the Mohocks. Lord treafurer is better.
loth, I went this morning again to lord treafurer, \vho is quite recovered , and I llayed till he went out. I dined with a friend in the city, about a little bu- finefs of printing ; but not my own. You mull buy a fmall two-penny pamphlet, called, Laiv is a hot' tomle/s Pit f. It is very prettily written, and there will be a fecond part. The commons are very flow in bringing in their bill to limit the prefs, and the pamphleteers make good ufe of their time j for there come out three or four every day.
1 ith, Lord treafurer has lent the long letter I writ him to Prior % and I can't get Prior to return it. I want to have it printed, and to make up this aca- demy for the improvement of our language. I dined privately with my friend Le-ivis, and then went to fee Nea Southavell, and talked with hira
* 'Thomas, then at the Temple, afterwards conful at Li/loe^ and at laft one of thejuftices of the Conmin-Fkas.'
t Or, The Hiflory of John Bull, written by Dr. Arhvtthnor, but printed with Sivift's works.
J Concerning the Englljh Langn age,
about
L H3 J
about Walls's bufinefs, and Mrs. Souih*s. The latter will be done j but his own not. Souih^vdl tells me, that it muft be laid before me lord treafurer, and the nature of it explained, and a great deal of clutter, which is not worth the while; and may be, lord, treafurer won't do it at laft ; and it is, as Wall's fays himfelf, not above forty {hillings a year difference.
12th, There is the devil and all to do with thefe Mohocks. Gruhjireet papers about them fly like lightning, and a lill printed of near eighty put into feveral prifons, and all a lye ; and I begin almoil to think there is no truth, or very little, in the whole ftory. He that abufed Davenant, was a drunken gentleman ; none of that gang. My man tells me, that one of the lodgers heard in a coiFee-houfe, pub- lickly, that one defign of the Mohocks was upon me, if they could catch me ; and, though I believe no- thing of it, I forbear walking late, and they have put me to the charge of feme fhillings already. I dined to-day with lord treafurer, and two gentlemen of the Highlands of Scotland; yet very polite men, I fat there till nine, and then went to lord Ma- Jhani's, where lord treafurer followed me, and we fat till twelve ; and I came home in a chair, for fear of the Mohocks ; and I have given him warning of it too. Little Harrifon, whom I fent to HoUatid, is now actually made queen's fecretary at the Hague. It will be in the Gazette to-morrow. It is worth one thoufand two hundred pounds a year *.
* See a letter from this gentleman to the Dean, dated Dec. 1 6, 1712,
Here
C H4 ]
Here is a young fellow, who has writ feme fea-' eclogues, poems of mermen, refembling paftorals of fhepherds, and they are very pretty. The thought is new; mermen are he~mermaids, tritons, natives of the fea. Do you underftand me? I think to re- commend him to our fociety to-morrow. His name is Diaper *, p — on him ; I mull do fomething for him, and get him out of the way. I hate to have any new wits rife ; but when they do rife, I would encourage them : they tread on our heels, and thrull us olf the ftage.
13th, You would laugh to fee our printer con- ftantly attending our fociety after dinner, and bringing us whatever new thing he has printed, which he feldom fails to do. Lord Lanfdo^n, one of our fociety, was oiFended at a paffage In this day's Exa^ miner, which, he thinks, reflefts on him, as I be- lieves it does, though in a mighty civil way. It is' only that f his underlings cheat; but that he is a
* ' "John Diaper, educated at Bal'iol College, Oxford^
•\ ' In the Exam'iner,'Vo\. 11. No. 15. from Tuejday, March 6,
to Tuefday, March 13, 171 1, was publiflied the following letter,
addrefled to the Examiner.''
SIR,
1 O U have been fo talcen up with cenfur'ng the corruptions of the ad'vaje party, that you feem to have wanted either time or difpofition, to take notice of thofe among your civn j which' tho' not fo fagrant, or univerfal, do daily produce very pernici- ous confequences. I know a certain perfon in employment, who befides the firmnefs of his principles, in refpeft to the pre- fent proceedings of the court, is a man of undoubted honour and virtue, of admirable fenfe and learning, and every way qualified'
[ H5 }
very fine gentleman every way, ^c Lord Qrrerj Was prefident to-day ; but both our dukes were ab- fent. Brother Wjndham recommended Diaper to the foclety. I believe we ihall make a contribution
for the execution of arr/ office. lam convinced as much as it Is poflible to be of any truth, that no hnbe whatfoever can corrupt his integrity, or fway him in the Icaft to a£t againft his opinion ; being juft and liberal in his nature, and eafy in his fortune : yet fo it happens, that there are no where greater, or grofl«r abufes ; no where more ir/if-ry and opprejfion, than what arepraftifed by thofc, vrho are ennploved under hifn. The worft of it is, that thefe mifchiefs are the accidental effefts of this ^£'?yo«'j good qualities, wbofe fpirit being above any fordid aims of his own, can never be brought to fufpe£l them in thofe, whom he hath thought fit to truft. This candid difpofition not only unqualifies him froni fufpedling any abufes in his officers ; but likewife from admitting or believing whatever complaints are made againft them« By this means, the public is wholl y difappointed of all tlie good eft'efts, it might hope from a worthy man being in eoipioyment. The chief underlings, by opprefling not only thofe, who apply to' them for bufmefs,- hvst their own inferiors in office, grow to much greater riches than their mafter ; and it is an aggravation, that fince the public muft be defrauded, the profit fliould accrue to' thofe, who leaft defcrve it. I hope all thofe, who are in high flation, if they chance to read this paper, will from hence take the hint to examine amongft their dependants, by what means fomc of them have come, in fo ihort a time, to fuch prodigious wealth ; and thereupon proceed to punifh thofe crimes, from which themfelves are fo exempt. I therefore defire you will be plcafcd to print this letter in your next paper, if you think it de- fcrves that honour, and give the public and me your opinion of the matter.
J am with much refpeft, fir,
Your rroft humble fcrvant-
V(3i.. I. T-* among
[ 146 j
among ouifelves, which I don't like. Lord trea- furer has yet done nothing for us ; but we fhall try him foon. The company parted early ; hnt Freind, and Prior., and I, fat a while longer, and reformed the flate, and found fault with the miniftry. Prior hates his commiflion of tiie cuftoms, becaufe it fpoils his wit. He fays he dreams of nothing but cockets, and dockets, and drawbacks, and other jargon, words of the cuftom-houfe. Our good weather went away yellerday, and the nights are now dark, and I came home before ten.
14th, I have been plagued this morning with fo- licitors, and with nobody more than my brother, Dr. Freind, who rauft needs have me get old Dr. Lav:- rence, the phyfician-general, turned out, and himfelf in. He has argued me fo long upon the reafonable- nefs of it, that I am fully convinced it is very un- reafonable; and fo I would tell the fecretary, if I had not already made hjm fpeak to the queen. Be- fides, I know not but my friend, Dr. Arbuthnot, would be content to have it himfelf, and I love him ten times better than Freind. What's all this to you ? but I mull talk of things as they happen in the day, whether you know any thing of them or not. I dined in the city, and, coming back, one parfon Richard- fon*, of Ireland, overtook me. He was here lall
* 'John RicharJfon, a clergyman o( Ireland, who in 1711, publi/hed at Dublhi, in quarto, A Fropojalfor the Con-verjion of the ttp'ip l\ati'vts 6/' Ireland, to the cjjablijhed religion. With the Rea- Jois, upon iL'hich it is grounded, and an Anftver to the OhjcSlians made tc it. And in 17 13 he publi/hed, at London, in oGavo, AJhort Uiftory cj the Attempts, that have been made to cont-ert tit
fummer.
[ H7 ]
furYimer, upon a projed of converting the h-ijh, and printing bibles, ISjc. in that language, and is now returned to purfue it. He tells me. Dr. Coghill came laft night to town. I will fend to fee how he does to-morrow.
15th, I had intended to be early with the fccretary this morning, when my man admitted up-llairs one Mr. Nezucomb, an oilicer, who brought me a letter from the bilhop of Clogher, with four lines added by Mrs. JJfje, all about that Ne--jocomh. I think, indeed, his cafe is hard ; but God knows whether I Ihall be able to do him any fervice. People will not under- ftand : I am a very good fecond, but I care not to begin a recommendation, unlefs it be for an intimate friend. However, I will do what I can. I miffed the fecretary, and then walked to Cheljea, to dine with the dean of Chrijl-church* , who was engaged to lord Orrery, with fome other ChriJ} -church men. He made me go with him, whether I would or no ; for they have, this long time, admitted me a Chrijl- church man. Lord Orrery, generally every v/inter, gives his old acquaintance of that college a dinner. There were nine clergymen at table, and four lay-
Popjp Njthies of Ireland to the eftahUJhed Religion. TPlth a Profc fal for their Con-verfon, and a Vindication of Archbipcp Ufhcr's Opinion concerning the Performance of diwm Offices to them in their own Language. The fecond Edition with ./Additions. In the title- page the author ftiles himfelf rector of Annalt, alias Belturbtt, in the diocefe of Kilmoreio. Ireland, and chaplain to his grace thi duke of Ormond, and the lord bifliop of Clogher.''
* ' Dr. Francis Atterbury, who was promoted to that deanry in Sfptcmbir 171 1, on the diath of Dr. Henry Aldrich.''
L 2 men
[ t4S J
men. The dean and I loon left them ; and after a vifit or two, I went to lord Majhattis ; and lord tjcafurer, Aihuthnot, ?i.\\^\ fat till twelve. I came home a-foot, but had my man with me. Lord trea- furer advifed me not to go in a chair, becaufe the Mohocks, infult chairs more than they do thofe on foot. They think there is fome mifchievous defign in thofe villains. Several of them, lord treafurer told me, are aClually taken up. I heard, at dinner, that one them was killed lall night. We ihall know more in a little time.
1 6th, This morning, at the fecretary's, I met general Rofs, and recommended Ne-xvcomb^s cafe to him, who promifes to join me in working up the duke of Ormoiid to do fomething for him. Lord Wincheljea told me to <^xy at court, that two of the Mohocks caught a maid of old lady Wirtchelfeas, at the door of their houfe in the Park, with a candle, as flie had jull lighted out fomebody. Thejr cut her face, and beat her without any provocation. I hear my friend Lei.vis lias got a Mohock in one of the meffenger's hands. The queen was at church to- day, but was carried in an opea chair. She has got an ugly cough, as Arbuthnot, her phyfician, fays. I dined with Croix:, late gorernor of Barbadoesy an acquaintance of Sterne's. After dinner, I afked him, whether he had heard of Steriie ? Here he is, faid he, at the door 'n a coach ; and in came Sterne. He has been here this week. He is buying a captain- fhip, in his coufm Sterne's regiment. He told me, he left Jemmy Leigh playing at cards with you. He is to give eight hundred gunieas for his commifiion.
17 th,
[ H9 ]
-17th, Dr. Sachcverel came this morning, to give me thanks for getting his brother an employment. It was but fix or feven weeks fince I fpoke to lord treafurer for him. Sacheverel brought Trap* along with him. We dined together at my printer's, and I. fat with them till feven. I little thought, and I believe fo did he, that ever I ihould be his folicitor to the prefent miniflry, when I left Ireland. This is the feventh I have now provided for fince I came, and can do nothing for myfelf. I don't care ; I fhall have mimjiries and ot/jer people ohVi^ed tome. Trap is a coxcomb, and the other is not very deep ; and their judgment in things of wit and fenfe, is mira- culous The fecond part of Lazv is a bottomlefs Pit is juft now printed, and better, I think, than the firft.
1 8th, There is a proclamation out againll the Mo- hocks. One ofthofe that are taken, is a baronet. I dined with poor Mrs. Wejley, who is returning to the Bath. I walked this evening in the Park, and met Prior, v.ho made me go home with him, where I ftayed till pad: twelve, and could not get a coach, and was alone, and was nfraid enough of the Mo- hocks. I will do fo no more, though I got home fafe. Prior and I were talking difcon tented ly of fome managements, that no more people are turned out, which gets lord treafurer many enemies; but whether the fault be in him, or the queen, I know
* 'jfofcpbTrap, M. A. lh';n proftflbr of poetry in th^" iiniver- fify of Oxford, He had publiftieJ there, in 171 1, the firrt. volume of his Prakniones poetka, with 3 dcditation to Mr. fecretary St.
L 3 not;
C i^o ]
not; I doubt, In both. I wiili you good luck at ombre with the dean.
19th, Nenvccmb came to me this morninq;, and I went to the duke of Qrmoiid to fpeak for him ; but the dake was jull going out to take the oaths for general. The duke of Shreivshury is to be lord lieutenant of Irelatid. I walked with Do7nn}ille and Ford to KenJiKgtor., where we dined, and it coft me above a crown. I don't like it, as my man faid. It was very windy walking. The gardens there are mighty fine. I palled the evening at lord Mafoams, with lord treafurer, anA Arbuthnot, z,s ufual, and we ftayed till paft one ; but I had my man to come with me, and at home I found three letters; one from one Fetherjion, a parfon, with a pollfcrlpt of Tiiidairs to recommend him. And Feihcrjlon, whom I never faw, has been fo kind as to give me a letter of attorney, to recover a debt for him; another from lord Abercorn, to get him the duke- dom of Chatellaraiit from the king of France; in which 1 will do what I can, for his pretcnfions are very juft : the third from you. It is a great air this, of getting a dukedom from the king of France ; but it is only to fpeak to the fecretary, and get the duke of Qrmond to engage in it, and mention the cafe to lord treafurer, l^c. and this I fhall do.
20th, I was with the duke of Qrmond this morn- ing, about lord Abercorn, Dr. Freind, and Ne'vj- com,b. Some will do, and fome will not do. The duke of Shrc'ivsbury is certainly to be your governor. I will go in a day or two, and give the duchefs joy, and recommend the archbi-liop of Dublin to her.
I writ
i writ to the archbifhop, fome months ago, that it would be fo ; and told liim I would fpeak a good word for him to the duchefs ; and he fays he has a 8;reat refpecl for her, i3c. I made our fociety change their houfe, and we met to-day at the ftar and garter in the Fa/I mall. Lord J rran was prefident. The other dog was fo extravagant in his bills, that, for four difhes, and four, firll: and fecond courfe, with- out wine or dcfert, he charged twenty-one pounds, fix fhiliings, and eight-pence, to the duke of Or- 7nond. We defign, when all have been prefidents this turn, to turn it into a reckoning of fo much a head ; but we (hall break up when the feffion ends. 2ift, I am not dean of Wells, nor know any thing of being fo ; nor is there any thing in the ftory ; and that's enough^ It w&s not Roper fent that news : Proper is my humble flave. I will bring over all the little papers I can think on. I thought I fent you, by heigh, all that were good at that time. The author of the Sea Eclogues fent books to the fociety yefterday, and we gave him guineas a-piece ; and, maybe, will do further for him. So the bifhop of Clogher, and lady, were your guefls for a night or two. The feffion, I doubt, will not be over till the end o{ Jpril ; however, I fhall not wait for it, if the miniftry will let me go fooner. I wifh I were jufi: now in my little garden at Laraccr. I would fet out for Dublin, and bring you an account of my young trees. 1 will do what you defire me for Tif- dall, when I next fee lord Angle/en.
L4 LET-
f 152 1
LETTER LXr. Dr. Swift to Mrs. D i n g l e y.
London, March 22, 1711-12,
»->' G L Y, nally weather. I dined with a friend, and. went to fee lord treafurer; but he had people with him I did not know : fo I went to lady Majham, and lofl a crown with her at picquet, and then fat with lord Majham and lord treafurer, ^c. till pad one ; but I had my maa with me, to come home. Our Mohocks are all vaniihed ; however, I fhall take care of my perfon.
23d, I was this morning, before church, with the fecretary, about lord Abercorn^s bufinefs, and fome others. My foliciting feafon is come, and will laft as long as the fefiion. I went late to court, and the company was almoil gone. The court ferves me for a cofFee-houfe ; once a week I meet an ac- quaintance there, that I Ihould not otherwife fee in a quarter. There is a flying report, that the French have offered a ceffation of arms, and to give us Dunr kirk, and the Dutch Namure, for, fecurity, till the peace is made. The duke of Ormond, they fay, goes in a week. Abundance of his equipage is already gone. His friends are afraid the expence of this employment will ruin him, fince he mufl lofe the government of Ireland. I dined privately with a friend, and refufed all dinners offered me at court ; which, however, were but two, and I did not like either. Did I tell you of a fcoundrel about the court,
that
[ '53 1
that fells employments to ignorant people, and cheats them of their money ? He lately made a bargain for the vice-chamberlain's place, for feven thoufand pounds, and had received fome guineas earnefl ; but the whole thing was difcovered the other day, and examinations taken of it by lord Dartmouth, and I hope he will be fwinged. The vice-chambcr- lain told me feveral particulars of it laft night at Jord Majham^s,
24th, This morning I recommended Ke^Mcomh again to the duke of OrmonJ, and left Dick Ste^wnrt to do it farther. Then I went to vifit the duchefs of Hamilton, who was not awake. So I went to the duchefs of Shre^vsbury, and fat an hour at her toilet. I talked to her about the duke's being lord lieutenant. She faid fhe knew nothing of it ; but I rallied her out of that, and fhe refolve.s not to ftay behind the duke. I intend to recommend the bilhop of Clogher to her for an acquaintance. He will like her very well : fhe is, indeed, a moil agreeable woman, and a great favourite of mine. I know not whether the ladies in Ireland will like her. I was at the Court of Rcquefts, to get fome lords to be at a committee to-morrow, about a friend's bill: and then the duke of Beaufort gave me a poem, finely bound in folio, printed at Stamfora', and writ by a country 'fquire. Lord Exeter defircd the duke to give it the queen, becaufc the author is liis friend; but the duke dofired I would let hirn know whe- ther it was good for any thing. I brought it home, aiid will return it to-morrow, as the dullefl thing I ever read ; anu advife tijc duke not to prefent it.
I dined
[ 154 1
I dined with DomnjiUe at his lodgings, by invitation. He goes in a few days for Ireland.
25th, There is a mighty fealt at a tory fherifF's to-day in the city ; twelve hundred diflies of meat. About five lords, and feveral hundred gentlemen, will be there, and give four or five guineas a-piece, according to cuilom. Dr. Coghill and I dined, by invitation, at Mrs Fan^s *. It has rained or mizzled all day, as my pockets feel. There are two new an- swers come out to The ConduSl of the Allies. The laft year's Examiners, printed together in a fmall volume, go ofF but llowly. The printer over-pi inted himfelf by atleaft a thoufand ; fo foon out of fafliiou are party-papers, however fo well writ. The Medleys are coming out in the fame volume, and perhaps may fell better. Our news about a ccffation of arms be- o-ins to fly, and 1 have not thefe three days feen any body in bufinefs to aik them about it. We had a terrible fire laft night in Drury-Laue, or thereabouts, and three or four people deftroyed. One of the maids of honour has the fmall-pox ; but the bell is, fhe can lofe no beauty ; and we have one new handr fome maid of honour,
26th, I forgot to tell you, that on Sunday laft^ about feven at night, it lightned about fifty times as I walked the Mall, which I think is extraordinary at this time of the year, and the v/eather was very hot. Had you any thing of this in Dublin? I in- tended to dine with lord treafurer to-day ; but lord Manfel and Mr. Le--vjis made me dine with them at
* Vanhomr'igh,
Kit
I ^i5 1
Kit Miifgra'vc's. Now you don't know who Kit Mnjgra-ve * is. The news of the French dcfiring a cefTation of arms, ^c. was but town-talk. We fhall know in a few days, as I am told, whether there will be a peace cr no. The duke of O;7«o;7i/ will go in a week for Flanders, they fay. Our Mohocks go on ftill, and cut people's faces every night; but they fhan't cut mine. I like it better as it is. The doos will coft me at lealt a crown a week in chairs. I believe the fculs of your houghers of cattle have got into them, and now they don't diltinguifli be- tween a fow and a Chriftian. I ought to wifli you yelkrday a happy new year. You know the twenty-fifth cf March is the firli day of the year, and now you muft leave off cards, and put out your fire. I'll put out mine the firii of April, cold or not cold. I believe I fhall lofe credit with you, by not coming over at the beginning of April; but I hoped this feffion would be ended, and I muft ftay till then ; yet I would fain be at the beginning of my willows growing. Percival tells me, that the quickfets upon the flat in the garden do not grow fo well as thofe famous ones on the ditch. Theyv/ant digging about them. The cherry-trees, by the river- fide, my heart is fet upon.
27th, Scciety-day, you know: I fuppofe Dr. Arbiithnot was prefident. His dinner was dreffed in. the queen's kitchen, and was mighty fine. We eat it at 0-z.indus colfee-houfe, juil by St, James's. We were never merrier, nor better company, and did
* ' Ckrljiopler Mufgrave, Efq; clerk of the ordnance'
4 not
I 156 )
not part till after eleven. I did not fummons lord Lait/donm: he and I are fallen out. There was fomething in an Examiner * a fortnight ago, that, he thought, reflefted on the abufes in his office, (he is fecretary at war) and he writ to the fecretary, that he heard I had inferted that paragraph. This I re- fented highly, that he Ihould complain of me before he fpoke to me. I fent him a peppering letter, and would not fummon him by a note, as I did the reft ; nor ever will have any thing to fay to him, till he begs my pardon. I met lord treafurer to-day at lady Majham^s. He would fain have carried me home to dinner. No, no ; what ! upon a fociety-
day!
28th, I was with my friend Leivis to-day, getting materials for a little mifchief; and I dined with lord treafurer, and three or four fellows I never faw before. I left them at feven, and came home, and have been writing to the archbifhop of Dublin, and coufm Deane, in anfwer to one of his four months ftanding, that I fpied by chance among my papers. Domicile is going to Ireland; he came here this morning to take leave of me, but I fhall dine with him to-mor- row. Does the bifliop of Clogher talk of coming for England this fummer ? I think lord Mohjhuortb told me fo about two months ago. The weatlier is bad again ! rainy and very cold this evening. Do you know what the longitude is ? A proicdor has been applying himfelf to me, to recommend him to the
* * That of March 13, 171 1. See letter dated March Z,
miniHry,
C ^S7 J
niiniftiy, becaufe he pretends to have found out the longitude. However, I will gravely hear what he fays, and difcover him a knave or a fool.
29th, I am plagued with a pain in my fhoulder ; I b&liev'c it is rheumatic ; I will do fomething for it to-night, Mr. Le-v.-n and I dined with Mr. Dom' I'lIIe, to take our leave of him. I drank three or four glalles of champaign by perfeft teazing, tko' it is bad for my pain ; but if it continues, I will not drink any wine without water till I am well. The weather is abominably cold and wet. I have put flannel to my flioulder, and ruhhsdh with. Hungary water. It is hard. I never would drink any wine, if it were not for my head, and drinking has given me this pain. I will try abftemioufnefs for a while. You mull know I hate pain, as the old woman faid. My flefh fucks up Hungary water rarely. My man is an aukward rafcal, and makes me peevifh. Do you know, that the other day he v/as forced to beg my pardon, that he could not fliave my head, his hand fhook Co ? He is drunk every day, and I defigii to turn him off as foon as ever i get to Ireland.
3Qth, I was not able to go to church or court to- day. The pain has left my fhoulder, and crept to my neck and collar-bone. Dogs gnav^ing. I went in a chair at two, and dined with Mrs. Fan, where 1 could be eafy, and came back at feven. It has rained terribly hard all day long, and is extremely (;old. I am very uneafy, and have cruel twinges every moment.
• 31ft, Jpril I, z, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. All thefe days I have been extremely ill ; tho' I twice crawled
out
out a week ago, tho' very weak. The pain eii- creafes, with mighty violence in my left llioulder and collar-bone, and that fide my neck. On Thtirf- day morning appeared great red fpots in all thofe places where my pain was, which was fo violent, that I had not a minute's eafe, or hardly a. minute's fleep in three days and nights. The fpots encrcafed every day, and red little pimples, which are now grown white, and full of corruption, tho' fmall. The red Hill continues too, and moll prodigious hot and inflamed. The difeafe is the fhineles. I eat nothing but water-gruel ; am very weak ; but out of all violent pain. The dodtors fay it would have ended in fome violent difeafe, if it had not come out thus. I fhall now recovTr fail. I have been in no danger of life, but miferahle torture. So adieu. The next letter will not be in the old order of journal, till I have done with phyfic.
LETTER LXir. Dr. Swift to Mrs. Johnson.
London, April 24, 171:.
1 H A D yours two or three days ago. I can hardly anfwer it now. Since my lafl: I have been extremely ill. 'TIs this day jull a month fince I felt the pain on the tip of my left fhoulder. Where my pain was, a cruel itching feized me, beyond whatever I could imagine, and kept me awake feveral nights. I rubbed it vehemently, bat did" not fcratch it ; then
it
[ ^59 ]
it grew into three or four great fores like blifters, and run ; at lail I advifed the dodlor to ufe it like a blifter, fo I did with melilot plaifters, which ftiil run ; and I am now in pain enough, but am daily- mending. I kept my chamber a fortnight, then went out a day or two but confined myfelf two days ago. I went to a neighbour to dine, but yefterday again, kept at home. To-day I will venture -abroad, and hope to be well in a week or ten days. I never furthered fo much in my lile. I will go and try to walk a little. Farewel.
LETTER LXIII. Dr. Swift to Mrs. D i n g l e r.
London, May, lo, 1 7 12.
1 HAVE not yet eafe or humour enough to go on in my journal method, though I have left my chamber thefe ten days. A journal, while I was fick, would have been a noble thing, made up of paiu snd phyfic, vifits and meffages ; the two laft, were almoft as troubleibme as the two firiL One good circumfcance is, that I am grov/n much leaner. In anfv.er to your good opinion of my difeafe, the doilors faid they never favv any thing fo odd of the kind; they v^ere not properly Ihingles, but lerpes miliarist and twenty other hard names. I can never be fick like other people, but always fomething out of the common way ; and as for your notion of its. coming v/ithojit pain, it neither came nor flayed, nor went, without pain, and the moft pain I ever
bore
I i6o }
bore in my life. It Is not a fign of health, but a ilgn, that if it had not come out, fome terrible fit of ficknefs would have followed. I was at our foci- ety lalt Thurjday^ to receive a new member, the chancellor of the exchequer ; but I drink nothing above wine and water. We Ihall have a peace foon, I hope, or at leaft entirely broke ; but I believe the firft. My letter to lord treafurer, about the Eng- lijh tongue, is now printing ; and 1 fuffer my name to be put at the end of it, which I never did before in my life. The appendix to the third part of John Bull was publiihed yeiterday ; it is equal to the reft. I hope ybu read John Bull. It was a Scotch gentleman, a friend of mine, that writ it ; but they put it upon me. The parliament will hardly be up till June. We were like to be undone fome days' ago with a tack*; but we carried it bravely, and the whigs came in to help us. Poor lady Mapamf I am afraid, will lofe her only fon, about a twelve- month old, with the king's evil. Bernage has been twice to fee mc of late. His regiment will be broke, and he only upon half pay ; fo perhaps he thinks he will want me again. I have been returning the vlfits of thofe, that fent " How do you" in my ficknefs? particularly the duchcfs of Hamilton, who came and fat with me two hours. I make bargains with all people that I dine with, to let me fcrub my back. againll a chair; and the duchefs of Ormond was
* A tack is a bill tacked to a money bill, that, asbothmuft be palled or rejefted together, the tacked bill may pafs, becauTe ihe money bill muft*
i forced
[ i6i ]
forced to bear it the other day. Many of my friends a)-e gone to Kenfmgton, where the queen has been re- moved for fome time. This is a long letter for a fick body. I will begin the next in the journal way, though my journals will be forry ones. My left- hand is very weak, and trembles j but my right fide has not been touched. This is a pitiful letter for want of a better ; but plagued with a tetter my fancy does fetter. Ah ! my poor willows and quickfets ! Well, but you mufl read John Bull : do you underltand it ^t all ? Farcwel.
LETTER LXIV.
Dr. SwitT to Mrs. D INGL E Y.
London^ May ^i, X-Jii,
1 C A N N d T yet arrive to my journal letters, my pains continuing llill, though withlefs violence j but I don't love to write journals while lam in pain. But however, I am fo much mended, that I intend my next fliall be in the old way j and yet I fhaJl, perhaps> break my refclutiofi when I feel pain. I believe I have loll credit wi^hyou, in relation to my coming over ; but I protell; it is impoffible for one, who has any thing to do with this miniilry, to be certain when he fixes any time. There is a bufinefs,. which, till it take fome turn or other, I cannot leave this place in prudence or honour. And I never incline J fo much as now, that I had flayed in IreJajid ; but the dye is caft, and is now a fpinning, and till it . Vor. I. M fettles.
C 162 J
Tettlcs, I cannot tell whether it be an ace or a fife. The moment I am ufed ill, I will leave them ; but know not how to do it while things arc in fufpence. 'ITie feflions will foon be over (I believe in a fort- night) ; and the peace, we hope, will be made in a ftiort time ; and there will be no further occafion for mci nor have I any thing to truft to but court gra- titude; fo that I exped to fee my willows a month after the parliament is up. Have you feen my letter to lord treafurer ? There are two anfwers come out to it already ; though ic is no politics, but a harm- Icfs propofal about the improvement of the En<y!ijh tongue. I believe, if I writ an effay upon a itraw, fome fool would anfwer it. lam jull now thinking to go lodge at Kenjington, for the air. Lady Ma- jham has teazed me to do it, but bufmefs has hin- dered me ; but now lord treafurer has removed tlii- ther. Fifteen of our fociety ' dined together under a canopy in an arbour at Par/on' s-Green laft Thurfday j I never faw any thing fo fine and romantic. We got a great victory laft Wednefday lu the houfe of lords by a majority, I think, of twenty-eight; and the whigs had defired their friends to befpeak places to fee lord treafurer carried to the Tovner. I met vour ^^iS'"^ ^^'■^ yefterday ; he roars at the infolcnce of the whigs in Ireland, talks much of his own fufferings and expences in afferting the caufe of the church ; and I find he would fain plead merit enough to de- fire, that his fortune ihould be mended. I believe he defigns to m^ke as much noife as he can, in order to preferment. I am printing a three-penny pam- phlet, and fhall print another in a fortnight, and
2 then
[ ^63 3
then I have done^ unlefs fome new occafion Harts. t believe the news of the duke of Ormond producing letters in the council of war, with orders not to fight, will furprize you in Ireland. Lord treafurer faid in the houfe of lords, that in a few days the treaty of peace Ihould be laid before them ; and our court thought ic wrong to hazard a battle, and facrifice many lives in fuch a jnndure. If the peace holds, all will do well, otherwife I know not how we Ihall weather it. And it was reckoned as a wrong ftcpin politics, for lord treafurer to open himfelf fo much. The fecretary would not go fo far to fatisfy the whigs in the houfe of commons; but there all went fwim- mingly. I dined the other day with lord Ri-versi who is lick at his country- houfe, and he fhewed me all his cherries blafted. Farewel.
LETTER LXV.
Dr. Swift to Mrs. D i n c l e v.
Kenfington, June 17, ifiZi
1 H A V E lodged here near a fortnight, partly for the air and exercife, partly to be near the court, where dinners are to be found. I generally get a lift in a coach to town, and in the evening I walk back. On Saturday I dined with the duchefc of Onnond, at her lodge near Sheen, and thought to get a boat as ufual. I walked by the^bank to Kevj, but no boat; then to Mordake, but no boat ; and it was nine
M 2 o'clock.
[ r64 1
dook. At laft a little fcuUer called, full of nafty people. I made him fet me down at Hammerfmitbf {o walked two miles to this place, and got here by eleven. Laft night I had another fuch difficulty. I was in the city till pail ten at night; it rained hard, but no coacli to be had. It was over a little, and I walked all the v/ay here, and got home by twelve. I love thefe fliabby difficulties when they are over; but I hate them, becaufe they arife from not having a Ijlioufand pounds a year. I had yours about three days ago, which I will now anfwer. And firfl, I did not relapfe, but I came out before I ought. The firil going abroad made people think I was quite recovered, and I had no more maffages afterwards. Well, but John Bull-, is not wrote by the perfon you imagine. It is too good for another to own. Had it been Grubjireet, I would have let people think as they pleafe; audi think that's right: is it not ? I am againft Dr. Smith. I drink little water with my wine, yet I believe he is right. Dr. Cockhurn told me a little wine would aot hurt me ; but it is hot and dry, and water is dangerous. The worft thing here is my evenings at lord Majham^s^ where lord treafurer comes, and we fit till after twelve. But it is convenient I ihould be- among them for a while as much as poffible. I need not tell you why. But I hope that will beat an end in a month or two, one way or other, and I am refolved it fhall ; but I can't go to Tunhridge^ or any where elfe out of the way, in this junfture. Higgins is here, roaring that all is wroiig in Ireland, and would have me get him an audience of lord treafurer to teli 4 hiin,
[ 1^5 ]
hlni fo ; but I will have nothing to do in It, no not I. We have had no thunder till laft night, and till then we were dead for want of rain ; but there fell a great deal : no field looked green. I reckon the queen will go to IFin.-'jlr in three or four weeks; and if the fecr-etary takes a houfe there, I iliall be fometimes with him. I heard fomebody coming up ftairs, and forgot I was in the country. I was afraid of a vifiter ; that is one advantage of being here, that I am not teazed with folicitors. Moult the chymift is my acquaintance. I fent the quef- tion to him about fir Walter Raleigh'' s cordial, and the anfwer he returned is in thefe words ; " my, fetvice to Dr. Zmith ; it is direftly after Mr. BoyJe's receipt." That commifTion is performed ; if he wants any of if, Mcult fhall ufe him fairly. I fuppofe Smith is one of your phyficians. Well, but now for the peace : why we cxpedl it daily ; but the French have the HafF in their own hands, and we truft to their honefty. I wifh it were otherwife. Things are now in the way of being foon in the extreams of well or ill. I hope and believe the firll:. Lord ff barton is gone out of town in a rage, and curfes himfelf and friends, for ruining themfelves in defend- ing lord Muilhorciigh and Gadolphin, and taking Isot- lingham into their favour. He fwears he will med- dle no more during this reign ; a pretty fpeech at fixty-fix, and the queen is near twenty years younger, and now in ver}' good health ; for you mull know her health is fixed by a certain reafon, that fhe has done with braces (I muft ufe the exprefiion) and nothing
M 3 ill
[ i66 3
ill has happened to her fince ; fo (he has a new leafe of her life. Read The Letter to a Whig Lord*, Farewel.
LETTER LXVI. Pr. Swift to Mrs. D i n g l e y,
Kcnfington, July i, 1712.
1 N E V E R was in a worfe ftation for writing let- ters, than this ; for I go to town early ; and when I come home at night, I generally go to lord Ma- Jhanis, where lord treafurer comes, and we ilay till paft twelve; but I am now xefolved to write journals again, tho' my ihouldcr is not well. It is now high cherry-time with us j take notice. Is it fo foon with you ? And we have early apricots ; and goofeberrie6 are ripe. On Sunday archdeacon Paniel came here to fee me. It feems he has been ill for grief of his wife's death, and has been two months ^t the Bath. He has a mind to go to Dunkirk with Jack Hill, and I perfuade him to it, and have fpoke to Hill to receive him ; but I doubt he won't have fpirit to go, I have made Fordf Gazetteer, and got two hundred
* ' It was publifhed under the title of yi Letter from the Pre- tinder to a Whig Lord, dated at Gcrtnains, July 8, 1712. The defign of this fi£litious letter was to throw off ihe odium of mi intention to bring in the pretender, from the high church partj'^ on their antagonifls the whigs.'
-f- Charles Fard, ILfy, feveral of whofe letter'', are in thi j co^ lection.
poupds
[16;]
pounds a year fettled on the employment, by the fecretaries of ftate, befide the perquifites. It is the prettieft employment in England of its bignefs ; yet the puppy does not feem fatisfied with it. I think people keep fome follies to themfelves, till they have occafion to produce them. He thinks it not genteel enough, and makes twenty difficulties. It is im- poffible to make any man eafy. His falary is paid him every week, if he pleafes, without taxes or abatements. He has little to do for it. He has a pretty office, with coals, candles, papers, ^c. can frank what letters he will ; and his perquifites, if he takes care, may be worth one hundred pounds more. I hear the bifhop of Clogher is landing, or landed, in England; and I hope to fee him in a few days. I was to fee Mrs. Bradley on Sunday night. Her youngeft fon is to marry fomebody worth no- thing, and her daughter was forced to leave lady Ciffard*, becaufe Hit was flriking up an intrigufe with a footman, who played well on the flute. This is the mother's account of it. Yefterday the old bi- fhop of Wcrcejier f, who pretend: to be a prophet, went to the queen, by appointment, to prove to her majefty, out oi Daniel and the Renjelations^ that four years hence there would be a war of religion ; that the king of France would be a Protcilant, and fight on their fide ; that the popedom would be deftroycd, IJt. And declared, that he would be content to give
• * fdartbj, fifter tO fir JFi/ihtm Tc^pb, 5h< die J L** 1711, ilid 34.'
M 4 up
[ i68 ]
up his bilTioprlc, if it were not true. Lord trea furer, who told it me, was by, and fonie others ; and I am told lord treafurer confounded him fadly in his own learning, which made the old fool very quarrelfome. He is near ninety years old. Have you feen Tcla>:d's invitation to Dijtnal* ? How do you like it ? But it is an imitation o^ Horace, and perhaps you do not imderiland Horace. Here has been a great fweep of employments, and we expefi: flill more removals. The court feems refolved to make thorough v/ork. Mr. Hill intended to fet out to-morrow for Dtmkirk, of which he is appointed go- vernor; but he tells me to-day, he cannot go till Thurfday or Friday. \ wifii it were over. Mr. fecre- tary tells me, he is in no fear at all, that France will play tricks with us. If we have Dunkirk once, all is fafe. "VVe rail now all againU the Dutch, who indeed have acted like knaves, fools, and madmen. Mr. fecretary is foon to be made a vifcount. H^ defired I would draw the preamble of his patent; but I excufed myfelffrom a work, ^that might lofe me a great deal of reputation, and get me very little. We would fain have the court make him an earl, but it will not be; and " thei^efore he will noj take the title of BoUngbroke, which is .lately ,^.xtincl ja the elder, branch of his family. } have advifcd him to be called lord- Pom/ret ; but he thiqjks^iat title is already , in forne other family ; and^ beild^ssj he objects, that it is in Torkpnre, where he has no
•• '^ 'The^art oV*l^oti\ii^ham. ' See 'the* pbem's'fnorfg'^Iir'f ofth^i- mous pieces publiflied by Mr, Deane Sivi/tf
eftatc :
[ i69 ]
efiate ; but there Is nothing in that, and I love Pomfrct. Why ? 'Tis in all our hiftories ; tliey are full of Pomfret-cajllc. Steele was arrefted the other day for making a lottery, direftly againfl an aft of parliament. He is now under profecution ; but they think it will be .dropped out of pity. I believe he will very foon lofe his employment, for he has been mighty impertinent of late in his Speflators ; and I will never offer a word in his behalf. Raymond writes me word, that the bifhop of Meath * was going to funimon me, in order to fulpeiillon for ab- fence, if the provoft had not prevented him. I ana prettily rewarded for getting them their- firll-fruits. We have had very little hot weather during the whole month of June', and for a week paft, we have had a great deal of rain, tho' not every day. I am juft now told, that the governor oi Dunkirk has not orders yet to deliver up the town to Jack Hill and his forces, but expeds them daily. This muft put off IltlVs journey a while, and I don't like thefe floppings in fuch an affair. Farewel.
LETTER LXVir. Dr. Swift to Mrs. D i n c l e y.
KcnCngton, July 17, 171a,
1 A M weary of living in this place, and glad to leave it foon. The queen goes on Tue/day to H'ind/or,
♦ ' Dr. WiHiafn Morcton, tranflatcd to that fee from Kildare in J705. He died the twcnty-firfl of iVocfwifr 1715.'
and
{ Ko ]
and I ftiall follow in three or four days after. I can do nothing here, going early to London, and com- ing late from it, and fupping at lady Majham's. I dined to-day with the duke of Jrgyle at Ken.v, and wotild not go to the court to-night, becaufe of writing to you. Since Dunkirk has been in our hands, Crubjlreet has been very fruitful. I have wrote five or fix Gruhjireet papers this lafl: week.
Have you feen Toland^s invitation to Di/mal, or a hue and cry after Di/mal, or a ballad on Dunkirky or an agreement that Dunkirk is not in our hands ? Poh 1 You have feen nothing. I am dead here with the hot weather ; yet I walk every night home, and believe it does me good ; but my fhoulder is not yet right; itchings and fcratchings, and fmall akings. I have heard of the bifhop's * making mc uneafy, but I did not think it was becaufe I never wrote to him. A little would make me write to him. I find I am obliged to the provoft, for keeping the bifhop from being impertinent. I never talked to Higgins but once in the ftreet, and I believe, he and 1 fhall hardly meet, but by chance. What care I, whether my letter to lord treafurer be commended there or no ? Why does not fomebody among ycm anfwer it, as three or four have done here ? You hear fecretary St. John is made vifcount Bolingbroke» I could hardly perfuade him to take that title, be- caufe the eldeil branch of his family had it in an earldom, and it was laft year extindl. Jack Hill fenthis fifter a pattern of a head- drefs (xom Dunkirk',
# < Of Mcatb:
it
[ i7« ]
It was like a falhion twenty years ago, only not quite fo high, and looks very ugly. I have made Trap chaplain to lord Bolingbroke, and he is mighty happy and thankful for it. Mr. Addifon returned me my vifuthis morning. He lives in our town. I fhall be mighty retired, and mighty bufy for a while at Wind/or. Pray, why don't you go to 'Triniy and fee Laracor, and give me an account of the garden, and the river, and the hollies, and the cherry-trees on the river-walk ?
19th, I could not fend this letter laft poft, being called away before I could finifli it. I dined yeiler- day with lord treafurer ; fat with him till ten at night ; yet could not find a minute for fame buii- nefs I had with him. He brought me to Kenjingtont and lord Bolingbroke would not let me go away till two. To-day there will be another Grub, A letter from the Pretender to a ivhig lord. Grubjireet has but ten days to live ; then an afl of parliament takes place, that ruins it, by taxing every half flieet at a half-penny. We have news juft come, but not the particulars, that the earl of Albemarle, at the head of eight thoufand Dutch, is beaten, loft the greateft part of his men, and himfelf made a prifoner. This perhaps may cool their courage, and make them think of a peace. The duke of Ormond has got abundance of credit by his good conduil of aftair^^ in Flanders. Farewel.
L E T
[ »72 ]
LETTER LXVIII. Dr. Swift to Mrs. D i n g l e y .
London, Aug. 7, 17 12.
1 L E F T Wind/or on Monday laft, upon lord Bo- lingbroke's being gone to France ; and fomebody's being here, that I ought often to confult with in an affair I am upon : but that perfon talks of returning to Windfor again, and I believe I fhall follow him. I am now in a hedge-lodging very bufy, as I am every day till noon ; fo that this letter is like to be fhort, and you are not to blame me thefe two months; for I proteft, if I ftudy ever fo hard, I believe I cannot in that time compafs what I am upon. We have a fever both here and at Windfor^ which hardly anybody mifles; but it lafls not above three or four days, and kills nobody. The queen had forty fervants down in it at once. I dined yefterday with lord treafurer, but could do no bu- finefs, though he fent for me, I thought, on pur- pofe ; but he defires I will dine with him again to- day. Windfor is a moft delightful place, and at this time abounds in dinners. My lodgings look upon Eaton and the I'hames. I wifh I was owner of them ; they belong to a prebend. Do you know, that Grubfireet is dead and gone laft week ? No more ghofts or murders nov/ for love or money. I plied it mretty clofe the laft fortnight, and publifhed at leaft fevcn penny-papers of my own, befides fome of other
people's;
C 175 ]
people's ; but now every fingle half flieet pays a halfpenny to the queen. The Ohfervator is fallen ; the Medleys are jumbled together with the Flying Toft ; the Examhw is deadly fick ; the Spectator keeps up, and doubles its price j I know not how long it will hold. Have you feen the red ftamp the papers are marked with ? Methinks the ftamping is worth a halfpenny. Lord Bolingbroke and Prior fet out for France laft Saturday. My lord's bufinefs is to harten the peace before the Dutch are too much mauled ; and to hinder France from carrying the jell of beating them too far. Have you feen the fourth part of John Bull ? It is equal to the reft, and extremely good. The bifhop of Clogher's fon has been ill of St. Anthony'' s fire, but is now quite well. I was afraid his face would have been fpoiled, but it is not. DllJy is juft as he ufedto be, and puns as plentifully and as bad; Raymo7id wrote to me, that he intended to invite you to Trim. Are you, have you, will you be there ? If you have not your letters in due time for two months hence, impute it to my being toftlcated between this and Wind/or. Poor lord Wincheljea* is dead, to my great grief He was a worthy honeft gentleman, and a particular friend of mine : and, what is yet worfe, my old acquaintance Mrs. Finch t is now countefs of Winchel/sa, the title
* ' Claries, earl of JVinchelfea, firft lord commiiLoncr of trade and plantations. He died Augujl 14, 1712.'
f * Anr,, daughter of S''r IVillmm KlrgfmiU, of S':dmonto}),m lUrr.pfti-re, wife of Heneage Fhicl, earl of JVinchelfea She was author of The -*7'''i'^, and tther pocmf. She ' died Angvji 5, I720.V ... - -
being
[ '74 1
being fallen to her hufband, but without much eflate. I have been poring my eyes all this morning, and it is now pall two afternoon, fo I fhall take a little walk in the park. Do you play at ombre ftill ? Or is that off by Mr. Stojie's ahknce, and Mrs. Mankfs grief? Farewel.
LETTER LXIX. Dr. Swift to Mrs. D i n g l e y.
Windfor, Sept. 15, 1713.
I HAVE been much out of order of late, with the old giddinefs in my head. I took a vomit for it two days ago, and will take another about a day or two hence. I have eat mighty little fruit ; yet I impute my diforder to that little, and fhall for hence- forth wholly forbear it. I am engaged in a long work, and have done all I can of it, and wait far feme papers from the miniftry for materials for the reft ; and they delay me, as if it were a favour I afked them ; fo that I have been, idle here this good while, and it happened in a right time, when I was too much out of order to ftudy. One is kept conilantly out of humour by a thoufand unaccountable things in public proceedings ; and when I reafon with ibme friends, we cannot conceive how affairs can laft as they are. God only knows ; but it is a very melancholy fubjefl for thofe, who have any near concern in it. I am again endeavouring, as I was laft year, to keep people from breaking to pieces
upon
[ ^7; ]
upon a ]iundred mlfunderflancllngs. One cnnnct with-hold ihem from drawing different ways, while the enemy is watching to deftroy both. See how my ftile is altered, by living and thinking, and talking among thefe people. Inltead of my canal and river, walk find \vill0vv5, I lofe all my money. here among the ladies ; fo that I never play when I can help it, being furc to lofe. 1 have loll five pounds the five weeks I have been here. I hope you are luckier at picquet with the dean and Mrs. WaU. I wait here but to fee what they will do for me ; and whenever preferments are givTn from me, I will go over.
18th, I have taken a vomit to-day, and hope I fliall be better. I have been very giddy fince I wrote what is before, yet not as I ufed to be ; more fre- quent, but not fo violent* Yellerday we were alarmed with the queen's being ill j fhe had an aguifh and feverifh fit ; and you never faw fuch coun- tenances as we all had, fuch difmal melancholy. Her phyficians from town were fent for ; but towards night fhc grew better ; to-day (he is on her (tct, and was up : we are not now in any fear ; it will be at worft but an ague, and we hope even that will not return. Lord treafurer would not come here from London, bccaufe it would make a noife, if he came before his ufual time, which is Saturday, and he goe? away on Mondays. The whigs have lofl a gjeat fupport in the earl of Godolphin* . It is a good jefl to hear the minifters talk of him now with humanity
* ' He Xic^Sejflemler l^, I7JZ.*
aad
and pity, becaufe he is dead, and can do 'them no more hurt. Lady Orkney, the late king's millrefs, who lives at a fine place five milts from hence (called Cliffden) and I, are grown mighty acquaintance. She is the wifeft woman \ ever faw ; ahd lord treafurer made great ufe of her advice in the late change of af- fairs. I hear lord Marlborough is growing ill of his diabetes ; which, if it be true, may foon carry him off; and then the miniftry will be foniething more at cafe. The doftor tells me I muft go into a courfe of Heel, though I have not the fpleen ; for that they can never give me, though I have as much provocation to it as any man alive. Bernage's regiment is broke ; but he is upon half- pay. I have not feen him this long time ; but I fuppofe he is over-run with melan- choly. My lord Shrevjshury is certainly defigned to be governor of Ireland;' and, I believe, the duchefs will pleafe the people there mightily. I hear there are five or fix people putting (Iron gly in for my liv- ings, God help them. But if ever the court fliould give me any thing, I would recommend Raymond to the duke of Or,?26;/^; not for any particular friend- Jhip to him, but becaufe it would be proper for the miniller of Tri7n to have Laracor. You may keep the gold fiudded fnufF-box nov/ ; for my brother* mil, governor oi Dunkirk, has fent me the fineft that ever you faw. It is allowed at court, that none in l^nglaiid comes near it, though it did not coft above twenty pounds f. And the duchefs oY Hc'miilton has
* One of the fociety.
-j- Tjiis is the Ijox, on the bottom of v.-hich the goofe and fnall were naint-cdj thatgavV occifion to the jell and repartee between ''"'•'• made
[ 1-7 }
made me a pocket for it, like a woman's, with a belt and buckle, (fori wear no waiftcoat in fummer) and there are feveral divifions, and one on purpofe for my box. We have had molt delightful weather this whole week ; but illnefs and vomiting have hin- dered me from Iharing in a great part of it. Lady Mafiam made the queen fend to Kciijington for fome of her preferved ginger for me, which I take in the morning, and hope it will do me good. The queen will Hay here about a month longer, I fuppofe ; but lady Majham will go in ten days to lie-in at Kenjlng- ton. Poor creature, ihe fell down in the court here the other day. She would needs walk acrofs it upon fome difpleafure with her chairmen, and was like to be fpoiled, fo- near her time; but we hope all is over for a black eye and a fore fide; though I fhall not be at eafe till flie is brought to-bed. I find I can fill up a letter, fome way or other, without a journal. If I had not a fpirit naturally chearful *, I fhould be very much difcontented at a thoufand things. Pray God preferve your health, and that I may live free from the envy and difcontent, that at- tends thofe, who are thought to have more favour at court than they really pofiefs. Farewel,
Sioift and lord Oxford, See Sioifs life, and a particular defcrlp- tion of the box, in a letter to general Hi/l, dated Augujl \z, 171 2, printed in the volumes publilhed by Mr. Deane Stvift,
* His life is a mournful and ftriking inftance of the power of difappointment, totally to fubvert natural chearfulnefs, to take away the value of every good, and aggravate real by imaginary evil.
Vol.! N let.
[ >7B j
LETTER LXX.
Dr. Swift to Mrs. D i n g l e t*
London, Od. 9, 17 12.
1 H A V E left JVhuifoi' thefe ten days, and am deep in pills, with nj/afasticla, and a Heel bitter drink; and I find my head much better than it was. 1 was very much dil'couraged ; fori ufed to be ill for three or four days together, ready to totter as I walked. I take eight pills a day, and have taken, I believe, one hundred and fifty already. The queen, lord tvea- furer, lady Majham, and 1, were all ill together, but are now all better; only lady Mapani expeds every day to lie-in at Kenjington. There was never fuch a lump of lies fpread about the town togethei' as now. I doubt not but you will have them in Dublin before this comes to you, and all without the leaft ground of truth. I have been mightily put back in fomething I am writing by my illnefs, but hope to fetch it up, fo as to be ready when the parlia- ment meets. Lord treafurer has had an ugly fit of the rheumatifm, but is now near quite well. I was playing at one and thirty with him, and his family, the other night. He gave us all twelve pence a-piece to begin with. It put me in mind of Sir William Temple *.
* Sir H-^iliiam treated Siv'tft with fo little literallty, after ea- couraging him to hope he would provide for him, that it was like giving him^afhiUihg to beyn the world w ith,
lalked
[ m 1
1 Vfked' both him and hdy Mujhc^.m feiioufly^ whether the queen were at all inclined to ^ dropfy ? And they pcfitively afTured me fhe was not : fb did her phyfician Arbuthnot, who always attends her. Yet thefe devils have fpread that fhe has holes in her legs, and runs at her navel, and I know not what. ^;//-^«//^Kc/.hasfent me from Wind/or a pretty difcourfe upon lying, and I have ordered the printer to come for it. It is a propofal for publifhing a cu- rious piece, called. The Art of Political tying, in two volumes, i£c. And then there is an abllradl of the iirll volume, jaft like thofe pamphlets called The U\rks of the Learned. Pray get it when it comes out*. The queen has a little of the gout in one of her hands. I believe fhe will flay a month ftill at V/indJor. Lord treafurer fhewed me the kindefl letter ♦ from her in the world, by which I pieked out one fecret, that there will be foon made fome knights of the o^rter. You know anotheri* fdlen by IcTrd Godolphins death: he will be buried in a day or two at Wejlminjier- Abbey. I faw Tan Leigh in town once". The bifhop of Clogher has tAken his lodgmg for the winter ; they are all well. I hear there are in town abundance of people from Ireland; half a dozen bi- fliops at leafl. The poor old bifhop of London \i at paft fourfcore, fell down backwards going up ttairs, and I hear broke or cfack6d his fkuU ; yet is
* This is publiflicd among the Dean's works, and is part of tlie Mifccllany, which he print. d in conjumflion with Mr. Po^s:.
■\ ' Dr. Henry Campion, tranflated to that fee from the bifhoprick of Oxford, in 1 67 5.'
N 2 now
[ i8o ]
now recovering. The town. Is as empty as at Mici- fummer ; and if I had not occaiion for phyfic, I would be at Wind/or ftill. Did I tell you of lord Ri'vers's * will ? he has left a legacy to about twenty paultry old whores by name, and not a farthing to any friend, dependent or relation : he has left from his only child, lady Barrymore, her mother's ellate, and given the whole to his heir male, a popifli prieft, a fecond coiifin, who is now earl Ki-vers, and whom he ufed in his life like a footman. After him it goes to his chief wench and baflard f . Lord treafurer and lord chamberlain are executors of this hopeful will. I loved the man, and detell his memory. We hear nothing of peace yet : I believe verily the Dutch are fo wilful, becaufe they are told the queen cannot live. I believe I efcaped the fever, becaufe I am not well ; fome phyficians here talk very melancholy, and think it foreruns the plague, which is adlually
* ' Richard Sa<vage, earl of Rivers, who died iSth ^ug. IJIZ* •\- Among other natural children of this nobleman was Richard Satage, a man celebrated for his genius and misfortunes. His mother was y^nre countefs of Macclesfield, to whom Sa-vage ad- dreiTed a poem called, ^e Baflard, and who afterwards married colonel Bret. Lord Rivers having committed the child to her care, flie placed him with a poor woman in an obfcure village ; and when he enquired after him on his death-bed, that he might provide for him among other natural children, fhe told him he was dead ; and, by this diabolical and unprovoked cruelty, fhe deprived her fon of a legacy of fix thoufand pounds, which his fa- ther had bequeathed to him in his will, and which, not fufpeft- ing that there could exift in a human form a mother, that would ruin her fon without enriching herfelf, he beftowed upon fome ether perfon. See the Life of Savage, by Jnhnjon.
[ i8r 1
at Hamburgh. I think we both have the faculty ne- ver to part with a diforder for ever ; v/e are very conftant. I have had my giddinefs twenty three years by fits.
Odober 1 1 th. Lord treafurer Tent for me yefterday and the day before to fit with him, becaufe he is not yet quite well enough to go abroad ; and I could not finifh my letter. How the deuce came I to be fo ex- aft in your money? Juft feventeen fhillings and eight- pence mere than due ; I believe you cheat me. Ppt. * makes a petition with many apologies, yo/r/s Dafi'vers, you know, is lady Giffard's friend. 1 tell you what, as things are at prefent, I cannot poffi- bly fpeak to lord treafurer for any body. I need tell you no more. Something or nothing v/ill be done in my own affairs ; if the former, I v/ill be a folici- tor for your fifter ; if the latter, I have done with courts for ever. Opportunities will often fall in my way, if I am ufed well, and I will then make it my bufmefs. It is my delight to do good offices for people who want and deferve it, and a tenfold de- light to do it to a relation of Ppt. whofe affairs Ppf, has fo at heart. I have taken down his name and his cafe (not her cafe,) and whenever a proper time comes, I will do all I can : that is enough to fay, when I can do no more ; and I beg your pardon a thoufand times, that I cannot do better. I hope the
* Pft. is Mrs. Jobnfon. Mrs. Dingley, the lady to whom this letter is addrcfTed, though a relation of Sir JVilliam Temple's, had no more than an annuity of z-] I. for a fubfiflcnce ; this the Dean ufed to receive for her; and it was known by an accident, after his memory failed, that he allowed her an annuity of fifty.
N 3 dean
,cean of St. Patrick's * is well of his fever ; he has nevey wrote to me: I am glad of it; pray don't defire him to write. I have dated your bill late, becaufe it muft not commence till the firll of No'vember next. Are you good houfewifes and readers ? Are you walkers ? J know you are gamefters. Are yoij drinkers ? Are
you ■ — hold, I muft go no farther, for fear of
abufing fine ladies, farm/ol has aot.fent me one word how he fet this year's tithes. Pray, aflc whe- ther tithes fet well or ill this year. Bifhop of Kil- laloc \ tells me wool j^ears a good rate in Ireland 'y but how is corn ? I dined yellerday with lady Ork- ney, and we fat ^lone from two till eleven at night. You have heard of her, I fuppofe. I have twenty letters upon my hands, and am fo lazy and fo bufy, I cannot anfwer them, and they grow upon me for feveral months. Have I any apples at Laracor? It is ftrange every year fnould blaft thern, \yhen I took fo much care for fhelter. Lord Bolingbroke has been idle at his country houfe this fortnight, which puts me backwards in bufmefs I have. I am got into an ordinary room two pair of flairs, and fee nobody, if I can help it ; yet fome puppies have found me out, and my man is not fuch an artift as Patrick at denying me. Patrick has been foliciting to come to me again, but in vain. The printer Jias been here with fome of the new whims printed, and has taken up my time, I am juft going out, and can only bid you farewel.
* ' Dr. Stcmc.''
■f Dr. WHaam Lloyd, who died in December^ 1716.
LET-
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LETTER LXXI. Dr. Swift to Mrs. J o h n s 0 x.
London, Ocl:. 2S, 1712.
1 H A V E been in phyfic this month, and have been better thefe three weeks. I flop my phyfic, by the doftor's orders, till he fends me farther direftions. D. D. * grows politician, and longs to hear the peace is proclaimed. I hope we fhall have it foon, for the Dutch are fully humbled ; and Prior is jufl come over from France for a few days ; I fuppofe upon fome important affair. I faw him laft night, but had no private talk with him. Stocks rife upon his coming. As for my ftay in England, it cannot be long now, and fo tell my friends. The parliament will not meet till after Chrijfmas, and by that time the work 1 am doing will be over, and then nothing fhall keep me. I am very much difcontented at Par-vi/ol, about ne- glefting to fell my horfes, l^c.
Lady Mnjham is not yet brought to-bed ; but we expeft it daily. I dined with her to-day. Lord Bo- ////g-^rc-f^ returned about two months ago, and Pr/or about a week; and goes back [Prior I mean) in a few days. Who told you of my fnufF-box and poc- kets ? did I ? I had a letter to-day from Dr. Coghill, defiring me to get Rapho for dean Sterne, and the deanry for myfelf. 1 fliall indeed, I have fuch obli- gations to Sterne. But, however, if I am allced
* Perhaps Mrs. Dlitglcy,
N 4 who
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who will make a good bifhop, I fliall name him be- fore any body. Then comes another letter, defiring I would recommend a provoft, fuppofmg that PrnU * (who has been here about a week) will certainly be promoted ; but I believe he will not. I prefented Fran to lord treafurer, and truly young Molyneux f would have had me prefent him too ; but I direftly anfwered him I would not, unlefs he had bufmefs with him. He is the fon of one Mr. Molyneux, of Ireland. His father wrote a book % ; I fuppofe you know it. Here is the duke of Marlborough going ont of E/ig land (Lord knows why), which caufes many fpeculations. Some fay he is confcious ofguilt, and dare not ftand it. Others think he has a mind to fling an odium on the government, as who fhould fay, that one, who has done fuch great fervices to his country, cannot live quietly in it, by reafon of the malice of his enemies. I have helped to patch up thefe peo- ple together once more. God knows Jiow long it may laft. I was to-day at a trial between lord Lanf- donvn and lord Carteret, two friends of mine. It was in the ^een''j- Bench, for about fix thoufand pounds a year (or nine, I think). I fat under lord chief
* ' Dr. Benjamin Pratt, provoft of Trinity -College at Dublin.'' ■f ' Samuel, fon of ff^i/Iiam Molyneux, Efq; the friend a»id correfpondcnt of Mr. Locke. Mr. Samuel Molyneux was after- wards fecretary to the late king George II. when ^nrxtoi JVales. He married lady EUxabeth Capell, daughter of Algernon earl of Ejfcx. He died in ^/W/, 172S.*
J The cafe of Ireland's being bound hy aSfs of parliament in ■"Zn^hnd fiated, publifhed in 1698, in omvo.'
4 . j uftice
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jn^'ict Pa rier, and his pen falling down, I reached it up. He made me a low bow ; and I was going to whifper him that I had done good for e--jil', for he ivould have taken mine from me. I told it lord treafurer and Bolingbrcke. Parker would not have known me, if feveral lords on the bench, and in the court, bowing, had not turned every body's eyes, and fet them a- whifpering. I owe the dog a fpite, and will pay him in two months at fartheft, if I can. So much for tliat. But you muft have chat, and I mull: fay ever)' forry thing that comes into my head. They fay the queen will ftay a month longer at Windfor. Thele devils of Grubjlreet rogues, that write the Flying- Poji and Medley in one paper, will not be quiet. They are always mauling lord treafurer, lord Bo- litigbroke, and me. We have the dog under profecu- tion, but Bolingbroke is not aiflive enough; but I hope to fwinge him. He is a Scotch rogue, one Pidpath. They get out upon bail, and write on. We take them again, and get frefh bail ; and fo it goes round. They fay, fome learned Dutchman)\2i% wrote a book, proving, by civil lav/, that we do them wrong- by this peace ; but I fhall fhew, by plain reafon, that we have fufFered the wrong, and not they. I toil like a horfc, and have hundreds of letters llill to read ; and fqueeze a line perhaps out of each, or at leaft the feeds of a line. Strafford goes back to Holland in a day or two, and I hope our peace is ve- ry near. I have about thirty pages more to write (this is to be -cxtrafiied) which will be fixty in print. It is the mofl troublefome part of all, and I cannot keep nayfelf private, tho' I Hole into a room up two
pair
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pair of flairs, when I came from Wind/or ; but my prefent xava. has not yet learned his IcfTon of denying iTje difcrcetly.
30th, The duchefs of OrwcW found me out to-day, and made me dine with her. Lady Majham is ftill ex- pedling. She has had a cruel cold. I could not finifli my letter lafl: pod for the foul of me. Lord Bolhighroke has had my papers thefe fix weeks, and done nothing to them. Is Tifdall yet in tlie world ? I propofe vvrit^ ing controverfies, to get a name with poflerity. The duke of Ormoiid will not be over thefe three or four days. I defign to make him join with me in fettling all right among our people. I have ordered the duchefs to let me have an hour with the duke at his firft com- ing, to give him a true ftateof perfons and things. I btdieve the duke of Shrenxjsbury will hardly be declared your governor yet ; at leaft I think fo now ; but refo- lutions alter very often. Duke Hamilton gave me a pound of fnufF to-day, admirable good. I wi(h D, D. had it, and Ppt. too, if ftie likes it. It cofl me a quar- ter of an hour of his politics, which I was forced to hear. Lady Orkney is making me a writing table of her own contrivance, and a bed night-gown. She is
perfedlly kind like a mother. I think the d
was in it the other day, that I Ihould talk to her of an ugly fquinting coufin of hers, and the poor ladyherfelf, you know, fquints like a dragon. The other day we had a long difcourfe with her about love ; and {he told us a faying of her fifter Fitxhardtng, which I thought excellent, that in men, dejire begets lo've, and in --women, love begets defire. We have abundance of our old criers ftill hereabouts. I hear every morning your women with the old fattin and tafFata, i5c. the
fellow
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feilow With old coats, fuits, or cloaks. Our weather is abominable of late. We have not two tolerable days in twenty. I have loll money again at ombre, with lord 0;-^v;fv 3nd others ; yet, after all, this year I have loft but three and twenty fhillings ; fo that, confidering card-money, I am no lofer.
Our fociety hath not yet renewed their meetings. I hope we fiiall continue to do fome good this winter ; and lord treafurer promifes the academy for reform.- ing our language fliall foon go forward. I muil: now go hunt thofe dry letters for materials. You will fee fomething very notable, I hope. So much for that. God Almighty blefs you.
LETTER LXXII. Dr. Swift to Mrs. D i n g l e y.
London, Nov. 15, 17 12.
Jj R F O R E this comes to your hands, you will have heard of the molt terrible accident that hath almoftever happened. This morning, at eight, my man brought me word, that duke Ha?nihon had fought with lord Mohun, and killed him, and was brought home wounded. I immediately fen t him to the duke's houfe, in St. yamcs's-fquare; but the porter could hard- ly anfwcr him for tears, and a great rabble was about the houfe. In fhort, they fought at feven this morn- ing. The dog JI/o>6i/'« was killed on the Ipot; bur, while the duke was over him, Mobiu: Hiortencd his fword, ftabbed him in at the flioulder to the heart.
The
[ i3S ]
The duke was helped towards the cake-houiV, by the ring, in Hyde-park (where they fought) and died on the grafs, before he could reach the houfe ; and was brought home in his coach by eight, while the poor duchefs was afleep. Maccartney and one Hamilton were the feconds, who fought likewife, and are both fled. I am told, that a footman of lord Mohun^s {tab- bed duke Hamilton ; and fome fay Maccartmy did fo too. Mohun gave the affront, and yet fent the chal- lenge. I am infinitely concerned for the poor duke, who was a frank, honeft, good-natured man. I loved him very well, and I think he loved me better. He had the greateft mind in the world to have me go with \iimK.o France, but durll not tell it me ; and thcfe he did tell faid I could not be fpared, which was true. They have removed the poor duchefs to a lodging in the neighbourhood, where I have been with her two hours, and am juft come away. I never faw fo me-' lancholy a fcene ; for indeed all reafons for real grief belong to her; nor is it poflible for any one to be a greater lofer in all regards. She has moved my very foul. The lodging was inconvenient, and they would have removed her to another ; but I would not fuffer it, becaufe it had no room backwards, and ihe muft have been tortured with the noife of the Grubjireet fcreamers, ringing herhufband's murder in her ears.
I believe you have heard the ftory of my efcape, in opening the band-box fent to the lord treafurer. The prints have told a thoufand lies of it; but at lafl we gave them a true account of it at length, printed in the Eveviiig-poji ; only Iwould not fuffer them to name me, having been fo often named before, and teazed to
death
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death with queftions. I wonder how I came to have lb much prelence of mind, which is not ufually my talent ; but fo it pleafed God, and! faved myfelf and him ; for ^here was a bullet-piece. A gentleman told me, that if I had been killed, the whigs would have called it a judgment, becaufe the barrels were of ink- horns, with which I had done them fo much mifchief. There was a pure Gruhjireet of it, full of lies and in- confillencicj. I do not like thefe things at all, and I wifn myfelf more and more among my willows. There is a devilifh fpirit among people, and the miniiby mufi: exert themfelves, or fink.
1 6th, I thought to hav^e fin Ilhed this yeflerday; hut was too much diilurbed. f fent a letter early this morning to lady Majharn, to beg her to write fome comforting words to the poor duchefs. I dined to- day with lady Alajfmm at Koijingtcn, where fhe is ex- pefting thefe two months to lie-in. Slie has promifed me to get the queen to write to the duchefs kindly on this occafion ; and to-morrow I will beg lord trea- furer to vifit and comfort her. I have been with her two hours again, and find her worfe. Her violences (H.at fo frequent, but her melancholy more formal and fettled. She has abundance of wit andfpiiit ; about thirty-three years old ; handibnie and airy, and feldom fpared any body that gave her/the leaft provo- cation ; by which fhe had many enemies, and few friends. Lady Orkney, her filler-in-law, is come to town on this occafion ; and has been to fee her, and behaved herfelf witli great humanity. They have been always very ill together, and the poor duchefs could not -have patience, when people told her I went
often
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Aften to lady Orkney's. But I am refolved to malcfi them friends ; for the duchefs is now no more the objeft of envy, and muft learn humility from the fe- terefl: maflcr, affiidion, I defign to maki the mini- Ilry put out a proclamation (if it can be found proper) againft that villain Maccartmy. What Ihall we do with thefe murderers ? I cannot end this letter to- night, and there is no occafion ; for I cannot fend it till Tuefday, and" the coroner's inqueft on the duke's body is to be to-morrow. Then 1 fhall know morS. This is a very furprifing event, 'Tis late, and I'll go to bed. This looks like journals.
r7th, I was to-day at noon with the duchefs 0^ Ha- miltofi again, after I had been with lady Or^/zi?)', and charp-ed her to be kind to her filter in her affiidion. The duchefs told me lady Orkney had been with her, and that flie did not treat her as gently as fhe ought. They hate one another, but I will try to patch it up. I have been drawing up a paragraph for the Pojlboy, to be out to-morrow, and as malicious as poffible, and very proper for Abel Roper, the printer of it. I dined at lord treafurer's at fix in the evening, which is his ufual hour of returning from Wind/or : he promifes to vifit the duchefs to-morrow, and fays he has a meffage to her from the queen. 'Tis late ; I have Hayed till paft one with him.
1 8th, The committee of council is to fit this after- noon upon the affair of the duke of Hamilton'' s myir- der, and I hope a proclamation will be out againlt Maccartney. I was juft now ('tis now noon) with the duchefs, to let her know lord treafurer will fee her". She is mightily out of order. The jury have not yet
3 brought
[ i9i ] brought in tlieir verdlft upon the coroner's inqueft. We fulpeft Maccartney rtabbed the duke while he was fighting. The queen and lord treafurer are in great concern at this event. 1 dine to-day again with lord treafurer ; but mult fend this to the poft-ofRce before, bccaufe elfe I Ihall not have time ; he ufually keeps me too late. Ben Tcoke bid me write to D, D. * to fend her certificate, for it is high time it Ihould be fent, he fays. Pray make Par-vi/ol write to me, and fend me a general account of my affairs ; and let hirii know I fhall be over in fpring, and that by all means he fells the horfcs. Prior has kilfed the queen's hand, and will return to France in a few days, and lord Strafford to Holland. Now the king of Spain has renounced his pretenfions to France, the peace muft follow very foon unaToidably. You muft no more call Philip duke of Anjou, for we now acknowledge him king of Spain, Dr. Pratt tells me, you are all mad in /r^/rtw^' with your playhoufe frolics and prologues, and I know not what. Mr. Vtrdocn was with me yellerday, and enquired after you^ He was a lieutenant, and is now broke, and upon half- pay. He afked me nothing for himfelf ; but wanted an employment for a friend, njjho ivou'd gi've a handfome pair of glonjes. One Hales fent me up a letter the other day, which faid you lodged in his houfe, and therefore defired I would get him a civil employment. I would not be within, and have di- refled my man to give hrm an anfwer, that I never open letters brought me by the writers, ^c. I was complaining to a lady, that I v/anted to mend an
* ' Mrs, Dirghy.'
employment
[ ^9^ ]
employment from forty to fixty pounds a year In the falt-ofRce, and thought it hard I could not do it. She told me Mr. Griffin fhould do it. And after- wards I met Griffin at her lodgings ; and he was, as I found, one I had been acquainted with. I named Filly to him, and his abode fome-where near Kant- fwich. He faid frankly, he had formerly examined the man, and found he underllood very little of his bufmefs; but if he heard he mended, he would do what I defired. I will let it reft awhile, and then refume it; and if Ppi. writes to Fillyy fhe may ad- vife him to diligence, isc. I told Griffn pofitively I would have it done, if the man mended. This is an account of Ppt''s commiffion to her moft liumble fervarit. I have a world of writing to finifh, and little time; thefe toads ofminifters are (o Jloiv in their helps.
LETTER LXXIII. Countefs of O R K N E y to Dr. S w i f t.
London, Nov. 21, 171 2.
1 H I S key will open treafures ; but vain in me to know them *. Your conveniency is my fatisfaftioh. If I can or may read what will be in this table, it ought and fliall be myhappinefs. You muft difcern this comes from the moil interclled joiner that ever
* This letter was accompanied with a prefent of a writing- table, feal, paper, wax, &c.
made
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made ci thing of this nature. Perafe narrowly, and what faults you find, they f>«all be mended, in every particular, to the utmoft capacity of, fir, your obliged humble fervant,
E. Orkney,
LETTER LXXIV. Countefs of O r k n e y to Dr. Swift.
Nov. 22, lyiJii
JL O U are extremely obliging to write how well you take my whim, in telling my true thoughts of your mind : for I was alhamed, when I reflefted, and hoped I fhould fee you foon, after exprefTing the value I have of you in an uncommon way. But this I write with afTurance, that I am very fincerely, fir, your obliged humble fervant,
E. Orkney,
LETTER LXXV.
Dr. Swift to Mrs. D i n g l e Y.
London, Dec. I2, 17 12.
X Protefl; folemnly I am not able to v/rite to you for other bufinefs, but I will renew my journal me- thod to you next time. I find it is eafier, tho* it contains nothing but where I dine, and the occur- rences of the day, I will write now but once in three Vol. L O weeks,
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weeks, till this bufinefs is off my hands, which mull be in fix, I think, at fartheft. Oh I I remember your reprimanding me for meddling in other people's atiairs : I have enough of it now with a worrier. Two women have been here fix times a-piece ; I never faw them yet. The firll I have difpatched with a letter; the other I muft fee, and tell her I can do nothing for her : Ihe is wife of one Mr. Connor, an old college acquaintance, and comes on a foolilh errand, for fome old pretenfions, that will fucceed, when I am lord treafurer. I am got up two pair of flairs in a private lodging, and have ordered all my friends not to difcover where I am ; yet every morn- ing two or three fets are plaguing me, and my pre- fcnt fervant has not yet his leiTon perfedl ofdenying me. I have written one hundred and thirty pages in folio t-o be printed, and mull write thirty more, which will make a large book of four fliillings*. I wi(h I had an opportunity of fending you fome fnuft". I will watch who goes to Ireland, and do it if poffible. I had a letter from Par-vifol, and find he has fet my livings very low. Colonel Hamilton, who was fecond to duke Hamilton, is tried to day. I fup- pofe he is come off, but have not heard. I dined with lord treafurer, but left him by nine, and vifited fome people. Lady Betty, his daughter, will be married on Monday next (as I fuppofe) to the mar- quis of Caermarthen. I did not know your country place had been Portrain, till you told me fo in your bft. Has ^zvanton Vdken k of fl^allis P Thz-i IFal-
* ' This feenas ta be his Hifiory tf the I'eac: «/" Utretht, uot publiihed liil after his death.'
lis
[ i95 1
lis was a grave, wife coxcomb. God he thanked that Pft. is better of her diforders. God !cecp her fo. The pamphlet of political lying is written by Dr. Jrbuthnot, the author of John Bull; 'tis very pretty, but not fo obvious to be underftood. Hig- gins, firil chaplain to duke Hanultcn ? Why, duke Hamilt en never dreamed of a chaplain, norIb:lieve ever heard of Hig^ins. You are glorious newfmon- gers in Ireland; dean Francis, Sir Richard Levinge, ftafF, ftufF, and Pratt, more ftuiF. We have loft oui fine froft here ; and Abel Roper tells me you have had floods in Dublin. So, you read one of the Grub- jirects about the band-box. The whig papers have abufed me about the band-box. God help mc, what could I do ? I fairly ventured my life. There is a particular account of it in the Pofi Boy, and E-vening Pojt of that day. Lord treafurer has had the feal fent him, that fealed the box, and directions where to find the other piftol in a tree in St. James's Park, which lord Bolingbroke' s meflengers found accord- ingly ; but who fent the prefcnt is not yet known- Duke Hamilton avoided the quarrel as much as pof- fible, according to the foppifh rules of honour in praclicc. What fignilied your writing angry to Filly ? I hope you faid nothing of having any thino- from mc. The q-ueen is iiV town, and lady Ma- Pram's month of lying-in is within two days of being out. I was at the chriftening on Monday, I could not get the child named Robin, after lord trea- furer ; it is Sarnuel, after the father. My brotheif Onncnd fent me ibmc chocolate to-day. I wiih yoti had fliare of it : they fay it is good for me, and I
[ !96 3
defign to drink fome in the morning. Our focicty meets next Thur/day, now the queen is in town ; and lord treafurer afTures me, that the fociety for reform- ing the language fhall foon be eftabliflied. I have given away ten fliillings this day to fervants. What a ftir about company ? I kept no company at all, nor have I any defire to keep any. I never go to a coiFee-houfe nor a tavern, nor have touched a card fince I left Wind/or. I make few vifits, nor go to levees I my only debauching is fitting late where I dine, if Hike the company. I have almoil: dropped the duchefTes of Shrewsbury and Hamilton, and feve- ral others. Lord treafurer, the duke of Ormond, and lady Orkney y are all that I fee very often. O yes, lady Mnjharn and lord BoUnghroke, and one or two private friends. I make no figure but at court, where I affeft to turn from a lord to the meaneil of my acquaintance, and I love to go there on Sundays to fee the world ; but, to fay the truth, I am growing weary of it. I diflike a million of things in the courfe of public affairs j and if I were to flay here much longer, I am fure I fhould ruin myfelf with endeavouring to mend them. I am every day invited into fchemes of doing this, but I cannot find any, that will probably fucceed. It is impolTible to fave people againlt their own will ; and I have been too much engaged in patch-work already. Do you underiland all this fluff? No. Well, then, you are now returned to Ombre and the dean, and Chrijlmas; I wlfh you a very good merry «ne. It is late, I'll go to flcep; I don't fleepwell,
and
[ ^91 3
and therefore never dare to drink cofFee or tea after dinner.
13th, Morning. I am fo very fleepy in the mornings, that my man wakens me above ten times ; and now I can tell you no news of this day. Here is a relllefs dog, crying cabbages and favoys, plagues me every morning about this time ; he is now at it. I wi(h his hrgelt cabbage were flicking in his throat. I lodj^e over apainft the houfe in Little Rider-fireet, where 2>. D. lodged. To-night Imuft fee the Abbe Gjultier, to get feme particulars for my hiftory *. It was he, who was firll employ::ed by France in the overtures of peace, and I have not had time this month to fee him ; he is but a puppy too. Lady Orkney has jull fent to invite me to din- ner; Ihe has not yet given me the bed night-gown; befides, I am come very much off from writing in bed, though I am doing it this minute; but I flay till my fire is burned up. Lord Abercora is come to London, and will plague me, and I can do him no fervice. The duke of Shrei.vsbury goes in a day or two for France, pernaps to-'day. We fliall have a peace very foon ; the Dutch are almofl entirely agreed, and if they flop, welhall make it without them. That has been refolved. This is a fine day. I am ruined with coaches and chairs this twelve- penny weather. I mull fee my brother Ormnnd at eleven, and then the duchefs of Hamilton, with whom I doubt I am in difgrace, not having feen her thcfe ten days. Abbe Gauliier fends mc word I can-
* ' Probably that of the peace of Utn:ht,^
O 3 not
i ^98 ]
«ct fee him to-night. I don't value any thing but one letter he has of P's fhewing the roguery of the Dutch. Did not the Condu£l of the allies make you great politicians ? Here is fomebody coming, that J mull: fee, that wants a little place ; the fon of cou- iin Rooke's eldelt daughter, that died many years ago. FareweL
LETTER LXXVI.
Thomas Harrison, Efq; * to Dr. Swift.
Utrecht, Dec. 16, 1712.
JL O U R thanks of the 25th oi No^vembert fir, came before their time j the condition of the obligation
* ' This gentleman, who owed his port of fecretary to the Br'uijh embafly at Utrecit to the recommendation of Dr. Swiff, and was eminent fcr his genius and learning, was educated at fern's College, in Oxford, where he took the degree of mafter of arts, December 1 1^, 1705. Mr. TicidI, who was of the fame college, in his fum to bis excellency the lord privy Jeal, on tie froffeSi of peace, pays a compliment to his fri.en4 Mr. flarrifon, inthefe lines:
" That much lov'd youth, whom Utrecht's walls confine, " To Bri/lol's praifes fhall his Str;:fford's join."
The reader will find fome circumftances relating to him and his lart ficknefs in Dr. Sivft's letter, or journal, written to Mrs, Pingky, beginning January z^, 1712-13, by which it appeals, that Mr. Harrijon coming over to England from Utrecht with the barrier treaty, died on February 14, 1 712-13. Mr. Jacob, in his livei a'Mchar^iicrsof (i/ltbe EngWdi poets, Vpl, I. p. 70, has
being.
[ ^99 1
being, that you fhould receive twelve fhirt?, which number fh^U be compleated by the firil prQper occa- fion. Your kind letter, however, k extremely fea- fonable: and (next to a note from the treafurv) has proved the mofl vivifying cordial in the world. If you pleafe to fend me now and then as much of the fame, as will lie upon the top of your pen, I fhould be contented to take ftieets for Ihirts to the end of the chapter.
Since you are fo good as to enter into my affairs, I fhall troiible you with a detail of them, as well as of my condudt fmce I left England; which, in my opinion, you have a right to infpeft, and approve or condemn as you think fit. During my Itate of probation with the earl of Ztrafford, it was my en- deavour to recommend myfelf to his excellency by fidelity, filence, and an entire fubmiffion, more than by an alFedlation to fhine in his fervice : And what- ever difficulties, whatever difcouragements fell in my way, I think it appears, that thijy jvere fur- mounted in the end ; and my advancement followed upon it fooner than I expedted ; another would fay, much fooner than I defiirved, which I fhould eafily agree to, were it not, that I flatter myfelf there i$ feme merit in the behaviour I kept, when the hopes and temptation of being preferred glittered in my eyes. AH the world knows upon what footing Mf.
tommittcd t'.vomrlakej, in calling him jn/.'.'^minft^ad o^TI'trMt, and in faying, that he died in i/«//j«a in 171^. Hp mentions, among Mr. Uarrifoni works, WioJjh()l Tiirk, infcribcd to the lord chancellor Ccwfcr,^
O 4 Wathim
[ 200 ]
Watkins * thought himfelf with my lord Strafford \ \ and though all the world does not know what I am going to tell you, yet Mr. Watkins does on one
hand, and my S on the other, that all the
credit I had with either, was heartily, and without referve, employed to make matters eafy ; and to cul- tivate in my humble ilation that good underftanding, which our court defired fhould be between them. I had my reafons for this, and fuch perhaps as flowed from an inclination to promote my own intereft. \ knew as well as any man living almofl, how much Mr. Watkins was valued by my lord Bolingbroke and others. I forefaw the danger of Handing in compe- tion with him, if that cafe fhould happen : and, tQ tell you the truth, I did not think myfelf ripe ii> regard to intereft at home, or of any fervice I could pretend to have done abroad, to fucceed Mr. Wat~ kins in fo good an employment. Above all, I pro- teftto yon, fir, that, if I know my own heart, lam capable of fuffering the utmoft extremities rather than violate the infinite duty and gratitude I owe my lord Bolingbroke, by doing an ill office to a perfon honoured with fuch particular marks of his lordlhip's efteem. I might add to this, that I really loved Mr. Watkins ; and I beg you, fir, to urge him to the proof, whether my whole behaviour was not fuch, as might juftify the warmeft profeffions I can make of that kind. After all this, how coi^ies it, that he^ either in raillery or good earneft, accufes me of having
* Htnry Watkins, efqj late fecretary.
'\ Thomas ear] of Strafford, ambaflador extraordinary and pleni- potentiary to the ftates general,
[ 201 J
any rcfentment againft him ? By word of moudi when he left us, by letters Co long as he allowed me to correfpond with him, and by all the people that ever went from Utrecht to Flanders, have I importuned him for the continuance of his friend- fliip ; and, perhaps, even in hii abfence (if he pleafes to reflcfl) given him a very eflential proof of mine. If :iny body has thought it worth their while to fow a divifion between us, I wiih he thought it worth his to let me into the fecret ; and nothing, he may be fure, fhall be wanting on my fide to defeat a ftratagem, which, for aught I know, may end in the llarving of his humble fervant.
Which leads me naturally to the fecond thing pro- pofed to be fpoken to in my text ; namely my cir- cumflanccs. For between you and me, fir, I ap- prehend the treafury will ifTue out no money on my account, till they know what is due on that of Mr. Watkinu And if he has any pretenlions, I have none, that I know of, but what are as precarious to me, as a ftiver, I gave away but now to a beggar, was to him. Is it pofiible, that Mr. Watkiiis can demand the pay of a commiffion, which is by the queen her- felf adlually fupcrfeded, during his abfence from his port ? Or is it not as plainly faid in mine, that I am her majefly's fecretary during fuch his abfence, as in his that he was fo, whilft lie refided here ? If I muft be crufhed, fir, for God's fake let fome reafon be alledged for it ; or elfe an ingenuous confefHon made, that flat pro raiione 'voluntas. If you can fix Mr. VFatkins to any final determination on this fubjeft, you will do me a fingular fervice, and I
ihall
/liLill take my meafures accordingly. Though I know your power, I cannot help diftrufting it on this occafion. Before I conclude, give me leave to put you mind of beating my thanks into lord Baling' brake's ears, for his late generofity, to the end that his lordfhip may be wearied out of the evil habit he has got of heaping more obligations and goodnefs on thofe he is pleafed to favour, than their ihoulders are able to bear. For my own part, I have fo often thanked his lordlhip, that I have now no more ways left to turn my thoughts ; and beg, if you have any right good compliments neat and fine by you, that you will advance the nece/Tary, and place them, with the other helps you have given me, to my ac- count ; which I quellion not, but I fhall be able to acknowledge at one and the fame time, viz, ad Gra-r eas calendas.
In the mean time, I (hall do my bell to give you juH fuch hi.it3 as you defired by the next poft„ Though I cannot but think tliere are fozne letters in the office, which would ferve your turn a good deal better than any thing I can tell you about the people at the Hague. Your accefs there abundantly prevents my attempting to write you any news from hence. And I aflure you, fir, you can write me none from England (however uneafy my circumftances are) which will be fo agreeable, as that of you;- long-ex- pected advancement. It grieves me to the foul, that a perfon, who has been fo inflrumental to the raifmg of me from obfcurity and diftrefs, fhould. not be yet fet above the power of fortune, and the malice of thofe enemies your real merit has 2 created.
I 203 ]
created. I beg, dear fir, the continuance of your kind care and infpedion over nie ; and that you would in all refpeds command, reprove, or inflruift me, as a father. For I protefl to you, fir, I do, and ever fhall honour and regard you with the af- fe(ftion of a fon. I am, &c.
LETTER ^XXVn.
Dr. Swift to Mrs. D i k g l E v.
London, Dec. 18, 1711.
Our fociety was to meet to-day, but lord IlarLy. who was prefidcnt this week, could not attend, being gone to JVimbleton with his new brother-in-law. the young marquis of Cflfr^^/Z-^;/, who married lady Betty Harley on Monday hA ; and lord treafurer h at Wimbkto}t too. However, half a dozen of us met, and I propofed our meetings fliould be only once a fortnight ; for, betwixt you and me, we do no good. Jt coft mc nineteen fhillings to-day for my club dinner; I don't like it. We have terrible flobbery weather. Lord Abercom is come to town, and will fee me, whether 1 will or not. You knov/ he has a pretence to a dukedom* in France, which duke Hamilton was foliciting for ; but Abercom rcfolves to» fpoil their title, if they will not allow him a fourtli part ; and I have advifed the duchefs to compound with him, and have made the miniHry of my opi- picn.
* * Qi Chaplchcrauld .' "
[ 204 ]
igth. Lord treafurer is returned from Wimhkton.
*Tis not above eight miles off, and he fent for me
to dine with him at five; but I had the grace to be
abroad, and dined with another, with honeft Ben
Tooke» by invitation. The duchefs of Ormond -pro-
mifed me her pid^ure, and coming home to right,
I found her's and the duke's, both in my chamber.
Was not that a pretty civil furprize? Thev are in
fine gilded frames too. I am writing a letter to
thank her*. I will tell her, (he is fuch a prude,
that flie will not let fo much as her pidture be alone
in a room with a man, unlefs the duke's be with it j
and fo forth. We are full- of fnow and dabbling.
Lady Majham has come abroad thei' rhree days, and
feen the queen. I dined with her the other day at
her filler Hill's. I hope Ihe will remove in a few days
to her new lodgings at St. James's from Kenfington.
20th, I deny myfelf to every body almoft, yet
I cannot be quiet; and all my mornings are loft
with people, who will not take anfwers below ftaus ;
fuch as Billy^ and the bifhop, and the provoll, l^c.
Lady Orkney invited me to dinner to-day, which
hindered me from dining with lord treafurer. This
13 his day, that his chief friends in the miniftry
dine with him. However, I went there about fix,
and fat with him till pafl nine, when they all went
off; but he kept me back, and told me the circum-
flances of lady Bettfs match. The young fellow
has 6o,ooo/. ready money, three great hoiifes fur-
nifhed, 7,000/. a year at prefent, and about five
* See this letter among the coUedion publifhed by Mr, Dean Snu'tjt,
more
[ 205 ]
more after his father and mother die. I think lady Betty's portion is not above 8,000/. Pray tell Mr. Wall, that lord Angkfea thanked me for recoitl'- mending Clements to him ; that he fays he is 2o,®oo/. the better for knowing him. But pray don't let Clements go and write a letter of thanks, and tell my lord, that he hears fo and fo, i^c. Sad weather ! two fhillings in coaches to day, and yet I am dirty. I am now going to read over fomething, and cor- real it.
21ft, Puppies have got a new way of plaguing me. 1 find letters direfted for me at lord treafurer's, fometimes with inclofed ones to him, and fometimes with projefts, and fometimes with libels. I ufually keep them three or four days without opening. I was at court to-day, as I always am on Sundays^ in- Head of a coffee-houfe, to fee my acquaintance. This day fe'nnight, after I had been talking at court with Sir William Wyndhanty the Spamjh am- bafTador came to him, and faid, he heard that was Dr. Sivifty and defired him to tell me, that his marter, and the king of France, and the queen, were obliged to me more than to any man in Europe ; fo we bowed and fhook hands, if^c. I took it very well of him *. I dined with lord treafurer, and mull again to-morrow, though I had rather not; but now the queen is in town, he does not keep mc fo late. Our peace now will foon be determined; for lord Bolinghroke tells me this morning, that four
* It may, perhaps, be thought ftrange, that Swift fljould be gratified, by being told he was tlic beft friend of the enemies of his country.
provinces
[ zoS 3
provinces of Holland have complied with the qireeny and we expedl the rell will do fo immediately;
2 2d, Lord keeper promifed me yefterday the firll convenient living to poor Gery *, who is mar- ried, and wants fome addition to what he has. He is a very worthy creature. I had a letter fome weeks ago from Elnicky who married Betty Gery. It feems the pool- woman died fome time lafl fummer. Bl~ nick grows rich; and purchafes lands. I dined with lord treafurer to-day, who has engaged me to come again to-morrow. I gave lord Bolingbroke a poem of ParnelVs f. I made Par mil infert fome compliments in it to his lordfliip. He is extremely pleafed with it, and read fome parts of it to-day to lord treafurer, who liked it as much. And indeed he out-does all our poets here a bar's-length. Lord Bolingbroke has ordered me to bring him to dinner on Chrijlmas-day, and I made lord treafurer promife to fee him. It may one day do Parnell a kindnefs. You know Parnell. I believe I have told you of that.
23d, This morning I prefented one Diaper \y a poet, to lord Bolingbroke, with a new poem §, which
* ' Mr, Gery, reftor of Lkcombe, in Berks, to whofe houfc Dr. Swift retired about ten weeks before queen yinn's death, uponoccafion of the incurable breach between the earl of Ox- Jhr(} and lord vifcount Bo.'ingbr^'kr.'
•|- ' It is not in the coileiftion pnblifhed by Mr. Pope in 1726 ; liut it is printed in Dr, Parnell' s Pojihumoui JVorks, p. 248, pub'* li/bcd at Dublin ia. 1758, and intitled. On S^uecn Anns Peace 1713."
J Author of the Sea Eclogues mentioned before.
^ ' InXixlz^ Drjudes, er the Njp}2^ht Prcj>becy, punted in 1713, in folic'
is
[ ^7 ]
15 a' very good one ; and I am to give hint a fcim of money from my lord. I have contrived to make a parfon of him, for he is half one already, being in deacon's orders, and ferves a fmall cure in the country ; but has a fvvord at his tail here in town. *Tis a poor, little, Ihort wretch, but will do bed in a gown, and we will make lord keeper give him a living. Lord Bolingbroke writ to lord treafurer to-day, to excufe me ; fo I dined with the former and Mon~ tdeon, the Spanijh ambaffador, who made me many compliments. I ftaid till nine, and now it is paft ten, and my man has locked aie up, and I have jull called to mind, that I fliall be in difgrace with Tofn Leigh. That coxcomb had got into acquaintance with one Eckerfall, clerk of the kitchen to the queen, who was civil to Jjim at Wind/or on my account ; for I had done fome fervice to Eckerfall. Leigh teazes me to pafs an evening at liis lodgings with EekerfaU. I put it off feveral times, but was forced at lall to promife I would come to-night; and it never was ia my head till I was locked up, and I have called and called, but my man is gone to-bed ; io I will write an excufe to-morrow. I deteft that Tcm Leigh, and am as formal to him as I can, when I happen to meet him in the park. The rogue frets me, if he knew it. He alked me, why I did not wait on the biftiop of Dromore* ? I anfwered, I had not the
* ' Dr. Tohuxi Pulkn, tranfl»ted to thit fje from C'cyne, Mjj 7, 1695. He died in 17:3, and was fuccecdcJ in May that year, by Dr. John Sttrne, dean of St, PasrUh's, to which dcanr)' Dr, Sn'tft was then f roznxcd."
honour
T 2oS ]
honour to be acquainted with him, and would not prefume, i^c. He takes me ferioufly, and fays, the bilhop is no proud man, i^c. He tells me of a judge in Ireland, that has done ill things. I afk. Why is he not out? Says he, I think the bifliops, and you, and I, and the reft of the clergy, fhould meet and confult about it. I beg his pardon, and fay, I cannot be ferviceable that way. He anfwers. Yes, every body may help fomething. Don't you fee how curioufly he continues to vex me ? for the dog knows, that with half a word I could do more than all of them together. But he only does it from the pride and envy of his own heart, and not out of a hu- mourous defign of teazing. He is one of tRofe, that would rather a fervice fhould not be done, than done by a private man, and of his own country. You take all this ; don't you ?
24th, I dined to-day with the chancellor of the exchequer *, in order to look over fome of my pa- pers ; but nothing was done.
I have been alfo mediating between the Hamilton family and lord Abercorn, to have them compoond with him; and I believe they will do it. Lord Selkirk, the late duke's brother, is to be in town, in order to go to France, to make the demands ; and the mini- Hry are of opinion, they will get fome fatisfaftlon, and they empowered me to advife tli? Hamilton fida to agree with Abercom, who aflcs a fourth part, and will go to France and fpoil all, if they don't yield it.
* ' Roheyt Benfon, efqj'
r 209 ^
2jth, I carried Parnell to dine at lord Bolingbrokt^Sy and he behaved himfelf very well ; and lord Bohng- broke is mightily pleafed with him. I was at St. Jajnes's chapel by eight this morning; and church and facrament were done by ten. The queen has the gout in her hand, and did not come to church to-dav ; and I Hayed {o long in my chamber, that I miired going to court. Did I tell you that the queen defigns to have a drawing-room and company every
day ?
26th, I was to wlfh the duke of Ormond a happy Chrijftnas, and give half a crown to his porter. It will coft me a dozen half crowns among fuch fellows* I dined with lord treafurer, who chid me for being abfent three days. We hear Maccartney is gone over to Ireland. Was it not Comical for a gentleman to be fet upon by highwaymen, and to tell them he was Maccartney * ? Upon v/hich they brought him to a julHce of peace, in hopes of a reward, aud the roo-ues were fent to gaol. Was it not great prefence of mind? But may be you hear of this already; for there was a Gruhjlreet of it. Lord Bolhigbnke told me I mull; walk away to-day after dinner, becaufe lord treafurer and he and another were to enter upon bufmefs ; but I faid it was as fit I fliould know their bufinefs as any body, for I was to juflify. So the reil went, and I ftayed, and it was fo important, I was like to ilcep over it. I left them at nine, and it is now twelve.
• Maccartney was lord Mohuri'i fccond, in the duel between him and duke Hami/r.vi, and fled on that cccafion, See Letter LXXIII.
Vol. r. P 2-tb,
[ 210 ]
27th, I dined to-day with general Hill, governor of Dunkirk. Lady Majham and Mrs. Hill, his two fifters, were of the company, and there have I been fitting this evening till eleven, looking over others at play ; for I have left off loving play myfelf. I have a great cold on me, not quite at its height. I have them feldom, and therefore ought to be pa- tient. I met Mr. Addifon and palloral Philips on the Mall to-day, and took a turn with them ; bat they both looked terrible dry and cold. A curfe of party! And do you know, I have taken more pains to recommend the whig wits to the favour and mercy of the minifters, than any other people ? Steele I have kept in his place. Congre-ve I have got to be ufed kindly, and fecured. Roxve I have recom- mended, and got a promife of a place. Philips I ihould certainly have provided for, if he had not run party-mad, and made me withdraw my recom- mendations. I fet Addifon fo right at firfl, that he might have been employed, and have partly fecured him the place he has * ; yet I am worfe ufed by that fadion than any man. Well, go to cards, and drefs the wine and oranee.
28th, My cold is fo bad, that I could not go to church to-day, nor to court ; but I was engaged to lord Orkney^ s, with the duke of On?iond, at dinner; and ventured, becaufe I could cough and fpit there as I pleafed. The duke and lord Arran left us, and I have been fitting; ever fince with lord and
a
* It was a ufual fubjedt of raillsry towards him among the mi- nlfters, that he never crame to them .without a whig in his fleeve. See his life prefixed to Bathurjl'i edition.
4 lady
[ 2It ]
iady Orkney till pall eleven ; and my cold is worfe, and makes me giddy. I hope it is only my cold, and no more ; but I'll go to bed, for the fellow has bawled paft twelve.
29th, I got out early to-day, and efcaped all my duns. I went to fee lord BoUngbroke about fome bufmefs, and truly he was gone out too. I dined in the city, upon the broiled leg of a goofe and a bit of bacon, with my printer. Did I tell you, that I forbear printing what I have in hand, till the court decides fomething about me ? I will con- traft no more enemies, at leaft I will not imbittej worfe thofe I have already, till I have got under ftielter; and the minifters know my refolution, fo that yoa may be difappointed in feeing this thing as foon as you expefted. I hear lord treafurer is out of order. My cold is very bad. Every body has one.
30th, I fup£ofe this will be full by Saturday, Duke oi OrtHotid, lord Arran, and I, dined privately to-day at an old fervant's houfeofhis. The coun- cil made us part at fix. One Mrs. Rcunfay dined with us 5 an old lady of about fifty-five, that we are all very fond of. 1 called this evening at lord trea- furer's, and fat with him two hours. K; has been cupped for a cold, and has been very ill. He can- not dine with Parmll and me at lord BoUngbroke' s to- morrow ; but fays he will fee Parmll fome other time. I hoift up Parnell partly to fpite the envious Irijk folks here, particularly Tom Leigh. I faw the bilhop of Qloghers family to-day; Mifs is mighty ill of a cold, and coughs incelfantly.
[ 21. ]
3if^> To-day Pamell and I dined with lord Bcling- hroke, to corred: Parneils poem. I made him fhew all the places he difliked ; and when Pamell has corefted it fully, hefhall print it. I went this evening to fit with lord treafurer. He is better, and will be out in a day or two. I fat with him while the young folks went to fupper, and then went down, where they were all merry together, having turned lady Oxford up to my lord, and I Itayed with them till twelve. There v/as the young couple, lord and lady Caennarthen, lord and lady DuppL'n, and lord HarLy and I; and the old folks were together above. It looked like what 1 have formerly done fo often j Healing together from the eld folks, tho' indeed it was not from poor lord treafurer, v/ho is as young a fellow as any of us : but lady Oxford is a mere old woman. My cold is iHll fo bad, that I have not the leaft fmelling. I am juft got home, and 'tis paft twelve ; and I will go to bed, and fettle my head, heavy as lead.
fan. I ft, I forgot to tell you, that yefterday lord Abercorn was here, teazing me about his French duchy, and fufpeding my partiality to the Hamilton family, in fuch a whimfical manner, that Dr. Pratt, who was by, thought he was mad. He was no fooner gone, but lord Orkney fent to know, whether he might come and fit with me half an hour upon fome bufuiefs. I returned anfwer, that I would wait on bim ; which I did. We difcourfed a while, and he left me with lady Orkney ; and in came lord Selkirk, whom I had never feen before. He is another brother of duke HarniltQiis, and is going to prance,
by
[ 2i3 ]
by a power from his mother the old duchefs, to ne- gociate their pretenfions to this dudiy of Chajile- herauld. He teazed me for two hours in fpite of my teeth, and held my hand when I oiFered to itir ; v/ould have ' had me engage t!ie miniflry to favour him againft lord Ahsrcorn, and to convince them, that lord Jtercorn had no pretenfions ; and defiredl would alfo convince lord Al^erccr?: hlmfclf fo; and concluded, he was forry I was a greater friend to Ahcrcorn than Hamilton. I had no patience, and ufed him with fome plainnefs. Am not I purely handled between a couple of puppies ? Ah, fiiys Ppt, you muil be meddling in other people's affairs, I appeal to the bifhop Qi{ Clogher, svhether Abercorn did not complain, that I would not let them fee me laft year, and that he fwore he would take no denial from my fervant when he came again. The minilters gave me leave to tell the Hamilton family, it was their opinion, ' that they ought to agree with Abercorn. Lord Angle- fea wzs then by, and told Abercorn; upon which he gravely tells me, I was commifTioned by the mini- flers, and ought to perform my commiffion, l^c. But I'll have done with them. I have warned lord treafurer and lord Bolinzbroke. to beware of Selkirk's teazing; yet Abercorn vexes me more. He owes me all the kind receptions he has had from the mi- nillr)'. I dined to-day at lord treafurer's, with the young folks, and fat with lord treafurer till nine, fc^ld then was forced to go to lady Ma/ham's, and fat there till twelve, talking of affairs, till I am out of Jtumour, as every one muft, that Ijnows them in- wardly. A thoufand things wrong, and mi)ll of
P 3 them
t 2*4 ]
them eafy to mend ; yet our fchemes availing at beft but little, and fometimes nothing at all. One evil, which I patched up twice, with the hazard of all the credit I had, is now fpread more than ever. But burn politics and fend me from courts and mi- tt iflers !
2d, I fauntered about this morning, and went with Dr. Pratt to a pidlure auction, where I had like to be drawn in to buy a pifture, that I was fond of; but, it feems, was good for nothing. Pratt was there to buy fome pidures for the bifliop of Clogher, who refolves to lay out ten pounds to furnifli his houfe with curious piflures. We dined with the bilhop, I being by chance difengaged. And this evening I fat with the bilhop oiOJfory *, who is laid up with the gout. The French ambaffador, duke d'Aimont, came to town to-night; and the rabble condufted him home with Ihouts. I cnnnot fmell yet, though my cold begins to break. It continues cruel hard frofly weather.
3d, Lord Dupplin and I went with lord and lady Orkney this morning at ten to Whnhhton, fix miles off, to fee lord and lady Caermarthen. It is much the £neft place about this town. Did you never fee it ? I was once there before, about five years ago. I came back juft by night- fall, and felt cruel cold weather. I am juft now told, that poor lady AJIy- lurnkam, the duke of OrmDnd''s daughter, died yt{- terday at her country-houfe. The poor creature was
* ' Dr. John HartJIrong, trandated from that fee to Dsrry, March
with
[ 2Ii ]
with child. Sh€ was my greateft favourite, and I am in exceflive concern for her death. [ hardly knew a more valuable perfon on all accounts. You muft have heard me talk of her. I am afraid to fee the duke and duchefs. She was naturally very healthy, and I fear has been thrown away for want of care. Pray, condole with me. ' Tis extremely moving *. I hate life, when I think it expofed to fuch accidents ; and to fee fo many thoufand wretches burthening the earth, while fuch as fhe dies, makes me think God did never intend life for a bleffmg. Farev.'el.
LETTER LXXVIII. Dr. Swift to Mrs. D i n g l e y.
London, Jan. 4, 1712-I3.
1 ENDED my laft with the melancholy news of poor lady AJhburnhanr s death. The bifhop of Clogher and Dr. Pratt made me dine with them to-day at lord Mounijoy^s, purfiiant to an engagement, which I had forgot. Lady Mountjoy told me, that Maccart- tiey was got fafe out of our clutches, for Ihe had fpoke with one, who had a letter from him from Holland.
* From thcfe expreflions, and thofe he ufes in the account of the duchefs of Hamilton s afSiflion on the death of her husband. Swift appears to have had a ftrong fympathy in the diflrcfs of others; which he has generally, even by his advocates, been fuppofed to want. See his letter to Mrs, Dinghy, dated Nev, »5> '712'
P 4 Others
[ 2l6 ]
Others fay the fame thing. As I left lord hhmtjoy'iy I faw the duke d'Jumonf, the French ambaffador, going from lord Bolmgbroke^s, where he dined, to hav^e a private audience of the queen. I followed, and went up to court, where there was a great crowd-. I was talking with the duke of Argyh, by the fire- fide in the bed-chamber, when the ambaifador came out from the queen. Argyh prefented me to him, and lord BcUngbrcke and we walked together a while. He is a fine gentleman, fomething like the duke of Ormond, and juft fuch an expenfive man. After church to-day, I fhewed the bilhop of Clogier, at court, who was who.
5th, Ourfrollis broke, but it is very cold. Lord treafurer is recovered, and went out this evening to the queen. I dined with lady Oxford. Lord treafurer gave me a letter from an unknown hand, relating to Dr. Browun, bifhop Oi Cork, reccmmending him to a better bifiiopric, as a perfon who oppofed lord Whartan, and was made a bifhop on that ac- count, celebrating him for a great politician, l:Sc. In fhort, all diredlily contrary to his character, which I made bold to explain. What dogs there are in the world ? I was to fee the poor duke and duchefs of Ormond this morning. The duke was in his public room, with Mr. Southn.vell, and two more gentlemen. When Scuthmsell and I were alone with him, he talked fomething of lord Jjhhurnham, that he was afraid the whigs would get him again. He bore up as well as he could, but fomething falling accidentally in difcourfe, the tears were juil faKirg out of his eyes, and I looked off to give him
an
I ^17 1
an opportunity (which he took) of wiping them with his handkerchief. I never faw any thing fo moving, nor fuch a mixture of greatnefs of mind, and tendernefs, and difcretion.
6th, Lord BcUngbrcke and Parnelly and f dined, by invitation, with my friend DarUneuf*, whom you have heard me talk of. Lord Bolingbroke likes Par- tiell mightily ; and it is pleafant to fee, that one, who hardly paffed for any thing in Ireland, makes his way here with a little friendly forwarding. It is fcurvy rainy weather, and I have hardly been abroad to-day, nor know any thing that pafTes. Lord trea- furer is quite recovered, and I hope will take care to keep himfelf well. The duchefs of Marlborough is leaving England, to go to her duke, and makes pre- fents of rings to fe\eral friends, they fay worth two hundred pounds a-piece. I am fare flie ought to p-ive me one, tho' the duke pretended to think me his greateH enemy, and got people to tell me fo, and very mildly to let me know how gladly he would have me foftened towards him. I bid a lady of his acquaintance and minekt him know, that I had hin- dered many a bitter thing againft him; not for his own fake, but becaufe I thought it looked bafe; and I defired every thing fnould be left him, ex- cept power,
* * This gentleman, whofe nnme was fpclt Dartlquertafc, 13 mentioned on account of his tafte for good eating, b\ Mr. Tope, in his Imitaticn of the fecond Epiftlcofthc fecond book of Ho- race, ver. 87.'
« When OA.^Jt/ loves what Dartitieuf dciz^t."
7th,
[ ii8 J
7th, I dined with lord and lady Majham to-day, and this evening played at ombre with Mrs. Van- bomrigh, merely for amufement. The miniflers have got my papers, and will neither read them, nor give them to me ; and I can hardly do any thing. Very warm flabby weather, but I made a fhift to get a walk; yet I loil half of it, by fhaking oft lord Ro' chejier*, who is a good, civil, fimple man. The bilhop of Ojjory will not be bifliop oi Hereford, to the great grief of himfelf and his wife. I think it is not certain yet that Maccartney is efcaped. I am plagued with bad authors in verfe and profe, who fend me their books and poems, the vilell trafh I ever faw ; but I have given their names to vs\y man, never to let them fee me.
8th, You muil underftand that I am in my geers, and have got a chocolate-pot, a prefent from Mrs. JJh of Clogher, and fome chocolate from my bro- ther Ormond, and I treat folks fometimes. I dined with lord treafurer at five o'clock to-day, and was by, while he and lord Bolingbroke were at bufinefs; for it is fit 1 fliould know all that pafTes now, be- caufe, KSc. The duke of Ormond employed me to fpeak to lord treafurer to-day about an affair, and I did fo ; and the duke had fpoke himfelf two hours before, which vexed me, and I will chide the duke about it. I'll tell you a good thing ; there is not
* ' Henry Hyde, fon of Laurence earl of Rochefier, younger fon of the lord chancellor Clarendon. This Henry fucceeded to the title of ear\ oC C/arendon, March 31, J7Z3, on the death 0/ Edward, the third earl of Clarendon,''
one
[ 2^9 J
One of the mlnillry but what will emplpy me, as gravely to fpeak for them to lord treafurer, as if I were their brother, or his ; and I do it as gravely, though I know they do it only becaufe they will not make themfelves uneaA', or had rather I fhould be denied than they. I believe our peace will not be finiihed theie two months; for, I think, we mull have a return from Spain by a meflenger, who will not go till Sunday next. Lord treafurer has invited me to dine with him again to-morow. Your com- miJioner, Knightky, is to be there.
9th, Dr. Pratt drank chocolate with me this morn- ing, and then we walked. I was yefterday with him to fee lady Betty Butler, grieving for her filler JJh- hurnham. The jade was in bed in form, and fhe did fo cant, Ihe made me fick. I meet Tom Leiob every day in the Park, to preferve his health. He h as ruddy as a rofe, and tells me hii bifhop of Dromore recovers very much. That biihop has been very near dying. This day's Examiner talks of the play of What is it like? and you will think it to be mine, and be bit; for I have no hand in thefe papers at all. I dined with lord treafurer, and fhall a^ain to-morrovv, which is his day when all the minifters dine with him. He calls it whipping- day. It is always on Saturday, and we do indeed equally railly him about his faults on that day. I was of the original club, when only poor lord Rl- njers, lord keeper, 2in6. lordi Bolingbroke came; but now Ormoyid, Anglefea, lord Reward, Daritnouth, and others intrude, and I fcold at it ; but now they pre- tend as good a title as I; and indeed many Saturdays
I am
[ 220 ]
I am not there. The company being too many, I don't love it.
loth. At feven this evening, as we fat after din- ner at lord treafurer's, a fervant faid, lord Peterbo- rough was at the door. Lord treafurer and lord Bolinglroke went out to meet him, and brought him in. He was juft returned from abroad, where he has been above a year. As foon as he fa>v me, he left the duke of Ormond and other lords, and ran and kiffed me before he fpoke to them * ; but chid me terribly for not writing to him, which I never did this lall time he was abroad, not knowing where he was ; and he changed places fo often, it was jmpoffible a letter fliould overtake him. He left England vji\\\ a pleurify, by his coach overturning, that made him fpit blood, and was fo ill, we expelled, every poll to hear of his death ; but he out-rode it, or out-drank it, or fomething, and he is come home luHier than ever. He is at lead fixty, and has more fpirits than any young fellow I know in England^ He has got the old lord Oxford's regiment of horfe, and, I believe, v/iil have a garter. I love the hang- dog dearly.
. nth. The court was crammed to-day, to fee.the French ambaffador ; but he did not come. Did I never tell you, that I go to court on Sundays as to a colfee-houfe, to fee acquaintance, whom I fhould not otherwife fee twice a year? The provofi: and I dine with Ned Southnxjsll, by appointment, in order
* The Dean had addrefltd ibmc verfes to him in tbeytar 1706. See Vol, VU. Svo,
to
[ iil ]
to fettle your kingucm, if my fclieme can be followed; but I doubt our minlflry will be too te- dious. You mull certainly have a new parliament; but they would have that a fecret yet. Our parlia- ment here will be prorogued for three weeks. Thofe puppies will not yet come in, tho' they pretend to fubmit to the queen in every thing ; but they would fain try firft how our feflion begins, in hopes to embroil us in the houfe of lords; and if my advice had been taken, the feflion Ihould have begun, and we would have trulted the parliament to approve the fteps already made towards the peace, and had an ad-*' drefs perhaps from them to conclude without the Dutch, if they would not agree.
Others are of my mind, but it is not reckoned fo ■fafe, it feems ; yet I doubt whether the peace will be ready fo foon as three weeks, but that is a fecret,
1 2th, Pratt and I vv'alked into the city to one Batemaii's, a famous bookfeller for old books. There I laid out four pounds like a fool, and we dined at a hedge ale-hcufe, for two (hillings and tsvo-pence* like emperors. Let me fee, I bought Plutarch, two volumes, for thirty (hillings, l:Sc. We have no news, and I have nothing more to fay to-day, and I can't (i- nifli my work. Thefe miniilers will not find time to do what I would have them.
1 3th, I was to have dined to-day with lord keeper ; but would not, becaufe that brute Sir jfobn Walter was to be one of the company. You may remember he railed at me laft fummer was twelve months at IVitiJfcr, and has never begged my pardon, tho' he promifed to do it ; and lord Man/el, who was one of
the.
[ 222 ]
the company, would certainly have fet us together by the ear?, out of pure roguifli mifchief. So I dined with lord treafurer, where there was none but lord Bolingbroke. I flayed till eight, and then went to lady Orkney s, who has been fick, and fat with her till twelve. The parliament was prorogued to-day, as I told you, for three weeks. Our weather is very bad,' and ilobbeiy, and I fhall fpoil my new hat, or empty my pockets. Lord Abercom plagues me to death. I have now not above fix people to pro- vide for, and about as many to do good offices to; and thrice as many that I will do nothing for.
I4.th, To-day I took the circle of morning vifits. I went to the duchefs of Ormond, and there was Ihe, and lady Betty, and lord Afijhumham together. That was the firll time the mother and daughter faw each other fince lady JJIjhurnham's death. They were both in tears, and I chid them for being together, and made lady Betty go tocher own chamber; then fat a while with the duchefs, and went after lady Betty, and all was well. There is fomething of farce in all thefe mournings, let them be ever fo fe- rious. People will pretend to grieve more than they really do, and that takes oif from their true grief. I then went to the duchefs of Hamilton, who never grieved*, but raged, and ftormed, and railed. She is pretty quiet now, but has a diabolical temper. Lord keeper and his fon, and their two ladies, and I,
* The Dean cxprefTcs different fenliments of ihis lady, in In's letter to Mrs. £);Wt^, dated iVu-y. 15, 17123 but it is probable he bad then very little acrjuaintance witii her.
dined
[ 223 ]
dined to-day with Mr. C-r/ar, treafurer of the na\y, at his houfe in the city, where he keeps his office. We happened to talk o^ Brutus, and I faid fomething in his praife, when it llruck me immediately, that I had made a blunder in doing fo; and therefore I re- colleded myfelf, and faid, Mr. Ctrfar, I beg your pardon. So we laughed, l£ c.
15 th, I forgot to tell you, that lafl: night I had a prefent fent me (I found it when I came home in my chamber) of the fineft wild fowl I ever faw, with the vileft letter, and from the vileft poet in the world, w ho fent it me as a bribe to get him an em- ployment. I know not where the fcoundrel lived, fo I could not fend them back; and therefore gave them as freely as I got them, and have ordered my man never to let up the poet when he comes. The rogue fhould have kept the wings at leaft for his mufe. One of his fowls was a large capon pheafant, as fat as a pullet. I ate fhare of it to-day with a friend. We have now a drawing room every Wednefdayy Thurfday, and Saturday, at one o'clock. The queea does not come out; but all her minifters, foreigners, and perfons of quality, are at it. I was there to- day; and as lord treafurer came towards me, I avoided him, and he hunted me thrice about the room. I afFeft never to take notice of him at church or court. He knov/s it, for I have told him fo j and to-night, at lord MaJhaTtCs, he gave an account of it to the company ; but my reafons are, that peo- ple feeing me fpeak to him, caufes a great deal of teazing. I tell you what comes into my head, that 1 never knew whether you were whig? or tories, and
I value
[ 224 I
I value our converfation the more, that it never turned on that fubjefl. I have a fancy that Ppt. is a tory, and a rigid one. I don't knrvv why; but methinks flie looks like one, and D. D. a fort of a trimmer. Am I right ? I gave tlie Exa7Jiiner a hint about this prorogation, and to praife the queen for her tendernefs to the Dutchy in giving them ftill inore time to fubmit. It fitted the occafions at pre- fent.
i6th, I was bufy to-day at the fecretary's office, and llayed till palt three. The duke of Oimond and I were to dine at lord Orkney's. The duke was at the ccmmittee, fo I thought all was fafe. When I went thcj-e, they had almofl dined ; for the duke had fent to excufe himfelf, which I never knew. I came home at feven, and began a little whim, which juft came into my head, and will make a three-penny pamphlet. It fliall be finifhed and out in a week; and if it fucceeds, you fhall know what it is ; other\^ ife, not. I cannot fend this to*, morrow, and will put it cir till next Saturday y be- caufe I have much bufinefs. So my journals faall be fhort, and Ppt. mull have patience.
17th, This rogue Prt:;W/ has not yet corredled his poem, and I would fain have it out. I dined to- day with lord treafurer, and his Saturday'' 5 company, tiine of us in all. They went away at feven, and lord treafurer and I fat talking an hour after. After dinner, he was talking to the lords about the fpeech the queen muH: make when the parliament meets. He afked me how I would make it ? I was goino; to be ferious, becaufe it was ferioufly put ; but I turned
it
C 22^ ]
It to a ieil. And becaufe they Ind been fpeaklng of the duchefs of Marlbcrcugh going to Flanden af- ter the duke, I fald, the fpecch Ihould begin thus : " Mv lords and gentlemen, In order to my own quiet, and that of my fubjeftj, I have thought fit to fend the duchefs ol Marlborough abroad after the duke." This took well, and turned off the difcourfe, I mull tcll you, I do not at all like the prefent fituation of af- fairs, and remember I tell you fo. Things muil be on another foot, or we are all undone. I hate this driving always lo an inch.
iSth, We had a mighty full court to-day. D'tUy was with me at the French church, and edified mightily. Duke of Ortncnd and I dined at lord Orhney^s ; but I left them at feven, and came home to my whim. I have made a great progrefs. My laro-e treatife * ftands ftock-llill. Some think it too dangerous to publifn, and would have mc print only what relates to the peace. I cannot tell what I fnall do. The bifhop of Dromcre is dying. They thought yeflerday he could not live two hours : yet he is iHH alive, but is utterly pad all hopes.
19th, I was this morning to fee the duke and du- chefs of Ormond. The duke ^/'^w^^mw/ came in while I was with the duke of Ortnond^ and v/e complimented each other like dragons. A poor fellov/ called at the door where I lodge, v/iih a parcel of oranges for a prefent for me. I bid my man learn vvhat his nanje was, and whence it came, He fent word his name was Bun, and that I knew him very well. I bid my man tell him I was bufy, and he could not fpeak
* « His mjlor^ of the Peaci of Utrecht.*
Vol. I. Q^ to
[ 226 ]
to me ; and not to let him leave his oranges. I know no more of it, but I am fare I never heard the name, and 1 (hall take no fuch prefents from ftrangers. Perhaps he might be only feme beggar, who wanted a little money. Perhaps it might be fomething worfe. Let them keep their poifon for their rats. I don't love it.
20th, A committee of our fociety dined to-day with the chancellor of the exchequer. Our fociety does not meet now as ufual, for v/hich I am blamed ; but till lord treafurer will agree to give us money and employments to bellow, I am againft it ; and he gives us nothing but promifes. Bilhop oi Dromore is ftill alive, and that is all. We expeft everyday he will die, and then Tom Leigh mull go back, which is one good thing to the town. I believe Pratt will drive at one of thefe biflioprics. Our Englijh bifhopric * is not yet difpofed of. I believe the peace will not be ready by the feflion.
2 1 ft, I was to-day with my printer, to give him a little pamphlet I have written, but not politics. It will be out by Monday. If it fucceeds, I will tell j'ou of it ; otherwife not. We had a prodigious thaw to-day, as bad as rain ; yet I walked like a good boy all the way. The biihop of Dromore ftill draws breath, but cannot live two days longer. M/ large book lies flat. Some people think a great
* * Probably that of Hereford, vacant by the death of Dr. IhitKphry Humphreys, on the 20th of Novemher 1712, who was fucceeded by Dr. Fhilip Bijj'e, tranilated from the fee of St, David's:
part
[ 227 ]
part of it ought not to be now printed. I believe I told you fo before. This letter fhall not go till Saturday^ which makes up the thi^ weeks exaiSlly, and I al- low fix weeks.
22d, This is one of our court days, and I was there. I told you there is a drawing-room WeMefday, Thiirf- day, and Saturday. The Hamlltons and Ahercorm having done teazing me. The latter, I hear, is aftually going to France. Lord treafurer quarrelled with me at court, for being four days vvithout dining with him ; fo I dined there to-day, and he has at lalt fallen in with my projed (as he calls it) of coining halfpence and farthings with devices, like medals, in honour of the queen, every year changing the device. I vvifh it may be done.
2jd, Duke of O r mo nd and I appointed to dine with Ned Soiiih-Tvell to-day, to talk of fettling your affairs of parliament in Ireland; but there was a mixture of company, and the duke of Ornmid was in halle, and nothing was done. If your parliament meets this fummcr, it muft be a new one ; but I find fome are of opinion there fhould be none at all thefe two years. I will trouble myfelf no more about it. My defign was to ferve the duke of Ormond. Dr. Pratt and I fat this evening with the bifhop of Clogher^ and played at ombre for three-pence. That I fup- pofe is but low with you. I found at coming home, a letter from M, No. 37. I Ihall not anfv/er it this bout, but will the next. I have got a terrible new cold, before my old was quite gone, and don'^ know how. I ftiall have D, D's money fcon frcrti
Qji the
[ 228 ]
the excl:equer. The biiliop cf Dromore is dead now at lall.
24.th, I was at court to-day, and it wns comical to fee lord Jbercoynhovi'ing to me, but not fpeaking, and lord Selkirk the fame. I dined with lord treafurcr, and his Saturday club, and fat witJi him two hours after th$ reft were gone, and fpoke freer to him of affairs than I am afraid others do, who might do more good. All his friends repine, and flirug their fhoulders ; but will not deal with him fo freely as they ought. It is an odd bufmefs ; the parliament juft going to fit, and no employments given. They fay they will give them in a few days. There is a new bilhopmace oi Hereford ; fo OJforj is difappointed. I hinted fo to his friends two months ago, to make him leave off deluding himfelf and being indifcreet, as he was.
LETTER LXXIX.
Mr. Secretary St. John to Dr. Swift *. DEAR DOCTOR,
1 A S K pardon for my miftake, and I fend you the right paper. I am, in ficknefs and in health, ever yow faithful friend, and obedient fervant,
H. St. John.
* In J 7 12/ when- he was wri'ting the H'iftory of the four lajl Ttars of ^*f« Anns.
LET*
[ 229 ]
•4
LETTER LXXX, Lord BoLiNGBROKE to Dr. Swift.
Tliurfdiiy morning, t-.vo o''clack, Jjn. 5, 17 12,
1 H O* I have not feen you, I did not fail to write to lord treafarcr. Non tua res agitur, dear Jonathan, It is the treafurer'.s caufe *, it is my caufc, 'tis every ir.nn's caufe, who is embarked on cur bottom. De- pend upon it, that I never will neglefl any oppor- tunity of fhe\ying that true elleem^ that fincere af- fcftion, and honefl friendfhip for you, which fills the br?all of your faithful fervant,
BpLINGCROiCE.
LETTER LXXXL Dr. Swift to Mrs. D i n c l n v.
London, January 25, 1712-15.
W E had fuch a terrible llorm to-day, that going to lord Bolinsbr ale's I faw a hundred tiles fallen down; and one fwinger fell about forty yards be- fore me, that would have killed a horfe : fo after church and court, I vv^alkcd through the Park, and
* This Teems to relate to the promotion of Dr. Sivift, in whick lord B:!mghrokc, in one of his letters, cliarges the lord trcafurer with being extrcmtly backward. Dr. SiviJ't v.as made dean of St. Patrick's ylpiil 23, following. See Swift's letter to Mrs. Dinlky ^fril 7, 1713.
Q^ took
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took a chair to lord treafurer's. Next door to hi* houfe a tin chimney-top had fallen down, with a hundred bricks. It is grown calm this evening. I wonder had you fuch a wind to-day ? I hate it as much as any hog does. Lord treafurcr has engaged me to dine again with iim to-morrow. He has ihofe tricks fometimes of inviting me from day to day, which I am forced to break through. My little pam- phlet is out; 'tis not politics.
26th, This morning I felt a little touch of gid- dinefs, which has difordered and weakened me with its u»ly remains all this day. After dinner at lord treafurer's, the French ambalTador, duke d\4u7)ionty fent lord treafurer word, that his houfe was burned down to the ground. It took fire in the upper rooms, while he was at dinner with Mo7iteleon, the Spanijh ambalTador, and other perfons ; and foon after lord BoUnghrohe came to us with the fame ilory. We are full of fpeculatlons upon it, but I believe it was the careleflnefs of his French rafcally fervants. 'Tis odd, that this very day lord Somraers, Wharton, Sun- derland, Halifax, and the whole club of whig lords, dined at Pcc/^f'j in the city, as I received private notice they have fome damned defign. I tell you, another odd thing; I wasobferving it to lord trea- furer, that he was dabbed on the day king William died, and the day I faved his life, by opening the . band-box, was king William's birth-day. ''My friend Mr. Le<vjis * has had a lye fpread on him by the
* ' Erafmui Lcxvh, fecretary to the cail of Dartmouth, one. tf'the fecretarics of flate, and aftenvarda to" the tirloS Oxford^
miftake
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miltakeofa man, who went to another of his name, to give him thanks for pading his privy feal to come from France. That other Zf -11;// fpread about, that the man brought him thanks from lord Perth and lord Mdfort (now lords with the Pretender) for his great fervices, i£c. The lords will examine that other Le-ivis to-mon-ow in council ; and I belive you will hear of it in the prints, for I will make Jbel Roper give a relation of it.
2 7th J I dined to-day with lord treafurerj this makes four days together; and he has invited me again to-morrow, but I abfolutely refufed him. I was this evening at a chriilening with him of lord £)«//>//« 'i daughter. He went away at ten ; but they kept me and fome others till part twelve ; fo you may be fure it is late, as they fay. We have now ftronger fufpicions, that the duke d"" Aumont'' 5 houfe was fet on fire by malice. I was to-day to fee lord keeper, who has quite loll his voice with a cold. There Dr. Ratcliffe told me, that it was the ambaf- fador's confe^lioner fet the houfe on fire by boiling fugar, and going down and letting it boil over. Yet others flill think differently ; fo I know not what to judge.
28th, I was to-day at court, where the Spanijh ambaffador talked to me, as if he did not fufpedl any
lord high trcafurer. He was member for Lcftiohhiel, in Corntvall^ in the parliament which began April 9, 1713. A particular account of this affair may be fcen in the Examiner, Vol. III. N' 21, for Feb. 2, 1712-13, and in i^yi/'j PuHtical State^ Vol. V. p. 25, & feq. .
Q^ ij. defign
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defign in burning d'' Aiimont' s houfe, but the abbe Go.iihicr, fecretary for /"r^/zr^ here, faid quite other- wife ; and that d Aii?nont had a letter the very fame day, to let him know his houfe fhould be burned, and tells feveral other circumflances, too tedious to write. One is, that a fellow mending the tiles juft when the fire broke out, faw a pot with wild-fire in the room. I dined with lord Ork):ey. Neither lord Aher:or7i nor Selkirk will now fpeak with me. I have difobliged both fides.
29th, Our fociety met to-day, fourteen of us, and at the tavern. We now refolve to meet but once a fortnight, and have a committee every other week of fix or feven to confult about doing fome good. I propofed another meffage to lord treafurer by three principal members, to give one hundred guineas to a certain perfon, and they are to urge it as well as they can. We alfo raifed fixty guineas upon our own fociety; but I made them do it by allelTors, and I was one of them, and we fitted our tax to the fe- veral eilates. The duke of Ormond pzys ten gui- neas, and I the third part of a guinea ; at that rate, they may tax as often as they pleafe.
30th, I have drank Sj>a waters thefe two or three days ; but they do not pafs, and make me very giddy. I am not well ; T will take them no more.
I fauntered after church to-day with theprovofl; to fee a library to be Ibid, and dined at five with lord Orkney. We Hill think there was malice in burning d'Jumont's houfe. I hear little //^/r/^o^ is come over ; it was he I fen t to Utrecht. He is now queen's fecretary to the embaffy, and has brought c with
[ '^33 ]
with hlrji the barrier treaty, as it is now corref^cd by us, and yielded to by the Dutch, which was the greatell difficulty to retard the peace. I hope he will bring over the peace a month hence, for we will fend him back as foon as pofiible. I long to fee the little brat, my own creature. His pay is in all a thoufand pounds a year, and they have never paid him a groat, thougli I have teazed their hearts cut. He mull: be three or four hundred pounds in debt at leall.
3111^, Harrifcn was Vvith me this morning; \vc talked three hours, and then I carried him to court. When we went down to the door of my lodging, I found a coach waited for Iiim. I chid him for it ; but he whifpered me, it was impofiible to do ether- wife; and in the coach he told me, he had not one farthing in his pocket to pay it; and therefore took the coach for the whole day, and intended to bor- row money forne where or other. So there was the queen's miniller intruiled in affairs of the greateil importance, without a flailing in his pocket to pay a coach. I paid him v.iiile he was with me (zvcn guineas, in part of a dozen of rtiirts he bought me in Holland. I prefer.ted him to the duke oi Ormond, and feveral lords at court; and I contrived it {o^ that lord treafurer came to me, and afked (I had Par' mil by me) whether that was Dr. P<roW/, and came up and fpoke to him with great kindnefs, and in- vited him to his houfe. I value myfelf upon making theminillry defire to be acquainted with Parnell, and not Parnell with the minillry. His poem is almoft fully corrected, and fhall be foon out. Here is
enough
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cnoagh for to-day ; only to tell you, that I was in she city with my printer to alter an * Examiner, about my friend U-wis's ftory, which will be told with remarks.
February ift, I could do nothing till to-day about the Exnr.ivier ; but the printer came this morning, and I diftated to him what was fit to be faid, and then Mr. LevAs came and correfted it as he would have it J fo I was neither at church nor court. The duke of Ormcnd and I dined at lord Orkney's. I left them at feven, and fat with Sir Andrew Fcuntain, who lias a very bad fore leg, for which he defigns to go to France, The parliament is to fit on the third, but will adjourn for three or four days ; for the queen is laid up with the gout, and both fpeakers out of order, though one of them., lord keeper, is almolt well, I fpoke to the duke of Ormond a good deal about Ireland. We do not altogether agree, nor am I judge enough of Irijh affairs; but I will fpeak to loi-d treafurer to-morrow, that we three may fet- tle them fome way or other.
zd. It rained all this day, and Dilly came to me,
and was coaching it into the city ; fo I went with him for a fhaking, becaufe it would not coft me a farthing. There I met my friend Stratford, the merchant, who is going abroad to gather up his debts, and be clear in the world. He begged me I would dine with fome merchant friends of oui-s there, be- caufe it was the laft time I fhould fee him: fo I did, and thought to have feen lord treafurer in the even-
'tj
» See £A-«»;.v;?r, Vol. III. No. zi-
"•g>
[ ^35 1 ing, blithe happened to go out at five ; folvlfitcd feme friends, and came home. The parliament meets to-morrow, but will Jbe prorogued for a fort- night ; which difappointment will, I believe, vex abundance of them, though they are not whigs ; for they are forced to be in town at expence for nothing: but we want an anfwer from Spain, before we are fure of every thing being right for the peace ; and God knows whether we can have that anfwer this month. It is a moll ticklifli jun£lure of affairs ; we are always driving to an inch : I am weary of it.
5d, The parliament met, and was prorogued, as I faid ; and 1 found fome cloudy faces, and heard fome grumbling. We have have got over all our difficulties with France, I think. They have now fettled all the articles of commerce between us and them, wherein they were very much difpofed to play the rogue, if we had not held them to; and this bu- finefs we wait for from Spain, is to prevent fome other rogueries of the French, who are finding an evafion to trade to the Spanijh Wejl Indies ; but I hope we fhall prevent it. I dined with lord treafurer, and he was in good humour enough. I gave him that part of my book in manufcript to read," where his charatlcr was, and drawn pretty freely. He was reading and correding it with his pencil, when the bifhop of St. David's * (now removing to Here' ford) came and interrupted us. I left him at eight, and fat till twelve with the provoil and biihop of Clogher.
* ' Dr. PLlllp Bije.'
4th,
4.th, I was to-day at court, but keptoutof lord trear" ■ furer's way, becaufe I was engaged to the duke of Ormos'J, where I dined, and, I think, eat and drank too much. I fat this cveningwith Xn-Ay Majham2in^ then with lord MaJJjam and lord treafurer at lord llajha/ji's. It was lad year, you may remember, my conilant evening place. I faw lady Jerfey with lady Mcf'jai:i, who has been laying out for my ac- cjuaintance, and has forced a promife from me to drink chocolate with her in a day or two, which I know not whether I Hiall perform, fori do not much like her character ; but fiie is very malicious, and therefore I think I mufl keep fair with her. I did not write to Dr. Coghill that I would have nothing in Ireland; but that I was foliciting nothing anywhere, and that is true. I have named Dr. 5/^r7?f * to lord treafurer, \ot6. Bolitrghrcke, and the duke of Or»:c»(/, for a bilhopric, and I did it heartily. I know not what v/ill com.e of it ; but I tell you as a great fe- cret, that I have made the duke of Onnond promife me to recommend no-body till he tells me, and this for feme reafons too long to mention. My head is flill in no good order.
5th, I dined to-day with Sir Andrevj Fountain and the provoft, and played at ombre with him all the afternoon. I v/on, yet Sir Andrew is an admirable player. Lord Pe?nhroke came in, and I gave him three or four fcurvv Dilly-pttxis, that begin with an if. I believe I fhall write no more this good while, nor publilh what I have done. Pray God mend Pp't
* < Pean of St, PatrkkS:
health ;
t ^ii ]
health : mine is but very indifferent. I have left off Spa water ; it makes my legs fsvell.
6th, This is the queen's birth-day, and I never faw it celebrated with (o much luxury and fine cloaths. I went to court to fee them, and I dined with lord keeper, where the ladies were fine to admiration. I paffed the evening at Mrs. Fatihcmn'gh^s, and came home pretty early. Pray God keep tiie queen ; fhe was very ill about ten days ago, and had the gout in her ftomach. When I came from lord, keeper's, I called at lord treafurer's, becaufe I heard he was very fine, and that was a new thing, and it was true J for his coat and walftcoat were em- broidered. All things grow dear in Ireland, but corn to the parfons ; for my livings are fallen much this year by Par'vi/oPs account.
7th, I was at court to-day, but faw no birth-day cloaths ; the great folks never wear them above once or twice. I dined with lord Orkney, and fat the evening with Sir Andrew Fcuntain, whofe leg is in a very dubious condition. This, I believe, will hardly go till Saturday j for being not very well, I dare not ftudy much : fo I let company come in a morning, and pafs the afternoon in dining and fit- ting fomcv/here. Lord treafurer is angry, if I don't dine with him every fecond day, and I cannot part with him till late. He kept me laft night till near twelve. Our weather is conftant. rain above thefe two months, which hinders walking, fo that our fpring is not like yours. I have not feen Fanny, Manly yet; I cannot find time. lam in rebellion with all my acquaintance, but I will mend with my
health
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health and the weather. Colds! why we are all dying with colds ; but now they are a little over, and my fecond is almoll over.
8th, It was terrible rainy to-day from morning till night. I intended to have dined with lord trea- furer, but went to fee Sir Jndre'njo Fountain, and he kept me to dinner, which faved coach hire, and I ilaid with him all the afternoon, and loft thirteen fhillings and fixpence at ombre. There was ma- nagement! and lord treafurer will chide; but I'll dine with him to-morrow. Tlie biihop of Clogher^s daughter has been ill fome days, and it proves the fmall pox. She is very full ; but it comes out well, and they apprehend no danger. Lady Orkney has given me her pi<Surc ; a very fine original of Sir Godfrey Knelkr'' s ; it is nov/ a mending. He has fa* voured her fquint admirably ; and you know I love a caft In the eye. I was to fee lady IVorJley to-day, whoisjuft come to town; flic is full of rheumatic pains. AH my acquaintance grow old and fickly.
yth, I thought to have dined with lord treafurer to-day, but he dined abroad at Tom Harley^s; fo I dined at lord Mnfria?n s, and fo was winning all I had lofl: playing with lady Majham at crown picquet, when I v.'ent to PocPs, and I loft it again. Lord treafurer came to u?, and chid me for not following him to Tan Harley''s. I was this morning to fee lady Jerfey, and we have made twenty parties about dining together, and I (hall hardly keep one of them. She. is reduced after all her greatnefs to feven fer- vants, and a fmall houfe, and no coach. I like her tolerably. as jet.
4 . loth,
[ 239 1
loth, I made vlfits this morning to the duke ani duchcfs of Ormondt and lady Betty, and the duchefs of Hamilton, When I was writing this near twelve o'clock, J:he duchefs of HamiltoK fent to ha\'e me dine with her to-morrow. I am forced to give my anfwer through the door, for my man has got tlis key, and is gone to bed ; but I cannot obey her, for our fociety meets to-morrow. I Hole away from my iord treafurer by eight, and I intended to have paC- it^ the evening with Sir Thomas Clarges and his la- dy ; but met them in another place, and have there fat till now. My head has not been ill to-day. i was at court, and made lord Man/el walk with me in the park before v/e went to dinner. Yelterday and to-day have been fair, but yet it rained all laft night. I faw Sterne ftaring at court to-day. He has been often to fee me, he fays; but my man has not yet let him up- He is in deep mourning; I hops it is not for his wife. I did not afk him.
1 2th, I have reckoned days v/rong all this while ; for this is the twelfth. I do not know when I loft it. I dined to-day with our fociety, the greateft dinner I have ever feen. It was at- jfack Hh7's,. the go- vernor of Dunkirk. I gave an account of fixty guineas I had colledled, and am to give them away to two authors to-morrow. And lord treafurer- ha* promifed me one hundred pounds to reward fon'.e others. I found a letter on my table laft night, to tell me, that poor little Harrifon, the queen's fe- cretar}', that came lately from Utre-cht with t]ie barrier treaty, was ill, and defired to fee ri^e at eight J but il was late, and I could,npt £0:tiJI tp-day.
ha;c
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I have often mentioned him in my letters, you may remember. I went in the morning, and found him mighty ill, and got thirty guineas for him from lord Bolingbroke, and an order for one hundred pounds from the treafury, to be paid him to-morrow ; and I have got him removed to Knlghtjhridge for air. He has a fever and inflammation on his lungs j but I hope will do well.
13 th, I was to fee a poor poet, one Mr. Diaper, in a nafty garret, very fick. I gave him twenty guineas from lord Bolingbroke, and difpofed the other fixty to two other authors, and defired a friend to receive the one hundred pounds for poor HarrifoUy and will carry it to him to-morrow morning. I font to fee how he did, and he is extremely ill ; and I am very much afflifted for him, as he is my own creature in a very honourable poll, and very worthy of it. His mother and filler attend him, and he wants nothing. I dined in the city.
14th, I took Parnell this morning, and we walked to fee poor Harri/on, I had the one hundred pounds in my pocket, I told Parnell I w&s afraid to knock at the door; my mind mifgave me. I did knock, and his man in tears told me his malter was dead an hour before. Think what grief this is to me ! I went to his mother, and have been or- dering things for his funeral with as little coft as poflible, to-morrow at ten at night. Lord treafurer was much concerned when I told him. I could not dine with lord treafurer, nor any where elfe ; but got a bit of meat towards evening. No lofs ever grieved me To much: poor creature! Pray God al- mighty
[ HI ]
mighty blefs you. Adieu. I fend this away to- night, and I am forry it muft go while I am in fo much grief.
LETTER LXXXU. Dr. Swift to Mrs. D i n g l e y.
London, Feb. 15, 1712-13.
I DINED to-day with Mr. Roive, and a pro» jedor, who has been teazing me with twenty fchemes to get grants; and I don't like one of them ; and, befides, I was out of humour for the lofs of poor Har- rifcn. At ten this night I was at his funeral, which I ordered to be as private as poflible. We had but one coach with four of us ; and when it was carrying us home after the funeral, the braces broke ; and we were forced to fit in it, and have it held up, till my man went for chairs, at eleven at night, in ter- rible rain. I am come home very melancholy, and will go to bed.
16th, I dined to-day with lord Dupplln, and fome company, to divert me j but left them early, and have been reading a fcolifli book for amufement. I fhall never have courage again to care for making any body's fortune. The parliament meets to- morrow, and will be prorogued another fortnight, at which feveral of both parties were angry j but it can- not be helped, though every thing about the peace is pad all danger. I. never faw fuch a continuance of rainy weather. We have not had two fair days
Vol. I. R together
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together thefe ten weeks. I have not dined with lord treafurer thefe four days, nor can till Saturday; for I have feveral engagements till then, and he will chide me to fome purpofc. I am perplexed with this one hundred pounds of poor //arr/^«'J• v/hat to do with it. I cannot pay his relations till they ad- miniftcr, for he is much in debt; but I will have the llafFin my own hands, and venture nothing.
17th, Lady Jerfey and I dined, by appointment, to-day with lord Bol'nighroke. He is fending his brother to fucceed Mr. Harrifon. It is the prettiefl poll in Europe for a young gentleman. I loll: my money fadly at ombre j I make a thoufand blunders at it, and play but three-penny ombre ; but it is what you call running ombre. Lady Clarges, and a drab I hate, won a dozen flaillings of me laft night. The parliament was prorogued to-day. People grumble ; and the good of it is, the peace cannot be finifhed by the time they meet, there are fo many fiddling things to do. I reckon you have all your cards from France, for ours pay fix-pence a pack taxes, which goes deep to the box. I have given away all my Spa water, and take fome nafly fteel drops, and my head has been better this week paft. I fend every day to fee how Mifs j4jhe dots,. She is very full, they fay, but in no danger. I fear flie will lofe fome of her beauty. The fon lies out of the houfe. I wifh he had them too, while . he is io young.
18th, T\\t e^x\ oi Jlingdoti had been teazing me thefe three months to dine with him ; and this day was appoijjted about a week ago, and I named my
company ;
[ H3 ]
company; lord Siazvell, colonel Difnej, and Dr. ^r- buthnof, bu; the two J ait flipped out their necks, and left StavjcU and me to dine there. We did not dine till feven, becaufe it is AJh-Wednefiay. We had nothing but fifli, which lord Stavjcll could not eat, and got a broiled leg of a turkey. C^ur wine was poifon ; yet the puppy has twelve thoufand pounds a year. His carps were raw, and his can- dles tallow. He fliall not catch me in halle again, and every body has laughed at me for dining with him. I was to-day to let Harriforis mother know 1 could not pay her till flie adminifters ; which flie will do. There were more whigs to-day at court than tories. I believe they think the peace mud be made, and fo come to pleafe the queen. She is liill lame with the gout.
19th, I was at court to-day, to fpeak to lord Bolingbvoke, to look over PanielPs poem fince it is correttcd; and Purnell and I dined with him, and he has ftiewn him three or four more places to alter a little. Lady Bolinghroke came down to us v/hile we were at dinner, and Parnell flared at her, as if flae were a goddefs. I thought flie was like ParneWs wife, and he riiought fo too. Parnell is much pleafed with lord Bolin^broke''^ favour to him, and I hope it may one day turn to his advantage. His poem will be printed in a few days. Our weather continues raining as frefli as if it had not rained at all. I fat to night at lady Majhafn's, where lord treafurer came, and fcolded me for not dining with him. I told him I would not till Saturday. I have Itayed there till pait twelve j fo good night.
R 2 20th,
[ 24+ 1
20th, Lady Jerfey, lady Catherine Hyde*y the Spanip ambafTador, the duke d^Jtree, another Spa- niard, and I, dined to-day, by appointment, with lord Bolingbroke-y but they fell a drinking (o many Spanijh healths in champagne, that I ftole away to the ladies, and drank leit till eight; and then went on and loll my money at ombre with Sir Andre-ju Fountain, who has a very bad leg. Mifs AJhe is pad all danger; and her eye, which was lately bad (I fuppofe one effefl of her diflemper) is now better. I do not let the bifiiop fee me, nor fhall this good while. I will fpeak to Mr. Griffin to-morrow, about Fpt's brother Filly, and defire, that his employ- ment may be mended.
2 1 ft, I faw Griffin at court. He fays he knows nothing of a fait- work at Re8on; but that he will give Filly a better employment, and defires Filly will write to him. If I knew where to write to Filly, I would ; but pray do you. Bid him let Mr. Griffin know, that he has had the Honour to be recom- mended by Dr. Snuift, Sec. that he will endeavour to deferve, (l^c. I think Mr. Griffin lives in Bury- jlreet, near St. James' s-Jireet, hard by me; but I fuppofe your brother may diredl to him to the falt- office, and, as I remember, he knows his chriftian name, becaufe you fent it to me in the lift of the com- miffioners. *
I dined with lord treafurer and feven lords to-day. You know Saturday is his great day. ^ fat with them till eight, and then came honie, and have been
* The prefetit duchefs of S^eensherrj,
writing
[ M5 J
writing a letter to Mrs. Davis, at fork. She took care to have a letter diredted for me at lord trea- furer's ; for I would not own one fhe fent by poft. She reproaches me for not writing to her thcfe four years ; and I have honeflly told her, it was my way never to write to thofe whom I am never likely to fee, unlefs I can ferve them, which I cannot her, i^c. Davis, the fchoolmafter's widow.
2 2d, I dined to-day at lord Orknefs, with the duke of Ormond and Sir Tho7nas Hanrner. Have you ever heard of the latter ? He married the duchefs of Grafton in his youth ((he dined with us too). He is the molt confiderable man in the houfe of common'-. He went laft fpring to Flanders, with the duke of Ormond; from thence to France, and was go'.ng to Italy ; but the minillry fent for him, and he has been come over about ten days. He is much out of humour with things. He thinks the peace is kept off too long, and is full of fears and doubts. It is thought he is defigned for fecretary of ftate, inilead of lord Dartmouth. We have been acquainted thefe two years; and I intend, in a day or two, to have an hour's talk with him on affairs. I fawthebifhop of Clogher at court. Mifs is recovering. I know not how much fhe will be marked. The queen is flowly mending of her gout, and intends to be brought in a chair to parliament, when it meets, which will be the third of March ; for I fuppofe they will prorogue no more; yet the peace will not be figned then, and we apprehend thetories themfclves will many of them be difcontented.
R 3 23d.
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23d, It was ill weather to-day, and I dined jS'ith Sir Jn^rew FoiuUaiu, and in the evening played at ombre with him and theprovoll, and won twenty- five fliillings; fo I recovered myfelf pretty well. Dilly has been dunning me to fee Fanny Manly ; but I have not yet been able to do it.
24th, I walked this morning to Chelfea, to fee Dr. Atterbury, dean of Chriji- church. I had bufinefs with him about enteiing Mr. Fitz-Maurice, lord Ker- rfs fon, into his college ; and lady Kerry is a great favourite of mine. Lord Hurley, lord Dupplin, young Bromley, the fpeaker's fon, and T, dined with Dr. Stratford and fome other clergymen ; but I left them at feven, to go to lady Jerfey, to fee Monteleon, the Spanip ambaffador, play at ombre. Lady Jcrfey was abroad, and I chid the fervants, and made a rattle ; but fince I came home, fhe fent me a meflage, that I was miftaken, and that the meeting is to be to- morrow. 1 have a worfe memory than when I left you, and everyday forget appointments; but here my memory was by chance too good. But I'll go to-morrow j for lady Catherine Hyde and lady Bo' linghroke arc to be there by my appointment.
2i;:th, Lord treafurer met me lait night at lord MaJloatiCs, and thanked me for my company in a jeer, becaufe I had not dined with him in three days. He chides me if I fray but two days away together. What v/ill this come to ? Nothing. My grand-mother ufedto fay. More of your lining, and lefs of your dining. However, I dined vv'ith him, and could hardly leave him at tight, to go to lady Jerfey^s
where
[ HI ]
where five or fix foreign miniftcrs were, and as many ladies. Monteleen played like the EngliJ]?, and cried gacco, and knocked his knuckles for trump, and played at fmall games like Ppt. Lady Jerfey whif- pered me to flay, and fup with the ladies when the fellows were gone ; but they played till eleven, and I would not flay. Lady Catherine Hyde had a mighty mind I fliould be acquainted with lady Dalkeith, her fifter, the duke of Monmoitth^s eldeft fon's widow, who was of the company to night j but I did not like her ; flie paints too much.
26th, This day our fociety met at the duke of OrmoticVs ; but I had bufinefs that called me another way; fol fent my excufe, and dined privately with a friend. Befides, Sir Thomas Hanmer whifpered me lall night, at lady Jerfey* s, that I mufl: attend lord treafurer and duke of O rmond zt fupper, at his houfe to night ; which I did at eleven, and flayed till one. There was the duchefs of Grafton, and the duke her fon; nine of us in all. Duke of O;*- /H<?«y chid me for not being at the fociety to-day, and faid fixteen were there. I faid, I never knew fix- teen people good company in my life ; no, nor eight neither. We have no news in this town at all. I wonder why I don't write you news. I know Icfs of V hat palfes than any body, becaufe I go to no cof- fee-houfe, nor fee any but minifters, and fuch peo- ple J and minifters never talk politics in converfa- tion. The whigs are forming great fchemes againft the meeting of parliament, which will be next Tiief day, I Hill think, without fail ; and we hope to
R 4 hear.
[ i4B 1
hear, by then, that the peace is ready to fign. The queen's gout mends daily.
27th, I paiTed a very infipid day, and dined pri- vately with a friend in the neighbourhood. Did I tell you that I have a very fine pidure of lady Ork- ney., an original, by Sir Godfrey Kneller, three quarters length? I have it now at home, with a fine frame. Lord Bolinghroke and lady Majham have promifed to fit for me ; but I defpair of lord trea- furer only. I hope he will give me a copy, and then I fhall have all the pitlures of thofe I really love here ; juft half a dozen ; only I will make lord keeper give me his print in a frame. I have little to do now with my pen j for my grand bufineft * flops till they are more prefiing, and till fomething or other happens ; and I believe I fliall, with difguft, return to finilh it, it is fo very laborious. Sir Tho- tnas Haruner has my papers now. You are now at ombre with the dean, always on Friday night. I flood by, the other night, while the duke d'Atree loft fix times with Manille, Bajio, and three fmall trumps; and lady Jerfey won above twenty pounds.
28th, I was at court to-day, when the abbe Gaul' tier whifpered me, that a courier was juft come with an account, that the French king had confented to all the queen's demands, and his confent was car- ried to Utrecht, and the peace will be figned in a few days. I fuppofe the general peace cannot be fo foon ready j but that is no matter. The news prefently ran about the court. I faw the queen car-
* * His Vijlory nf the Peace of Uti-echt,'
ried
C 249 1
tied out in her chair, to take the air in the garden. I met Grifin at court, and he toUl me that orders- were fent to examine FH/y ; and, if he be fit, to make him, I don't know what, fupervifor. It is fome employment, a good deal better than his own. The parliament will have aBOther Ihort prorogation ; though it is not known yet. I dined with lord trea- furer, and his Saturday company, and left him ut eight. Farewel.
LETTER LXXXnr. Dr. Swift to Mrs. D i n g l e y.
London, March i, 1712*13,
1 S E E I anfwered a good deal of your laft letter about your brother, i^c. I dined with lady Orkney, and we talked politics till eleven at night; and, as ufual, found every thing wrong, and put ourfelves out of humour. Yes, I have lady GiJ'ard's pidure fent me by your mother. It is bound up at a place where my other things are.. I have goods in two or three places; and when I leave a lodging, I box up the books I get (for I always get fome) and come raked into a new lodging ; and fo on. Talk not to me of deanries j I know lefs of that than ever by much.
zd, I went into the city, to fee P. at Roh, wlio
lodges with a city coufin, a daughter of coufin C/f;'4
(you are much the wifer). I had never beeii at her
houfe before. My he-coufin 'Thomfon is dead, or dy-
z ing.
[ 2^0 1
iT,gi I dined with my printer, and v/alked home) and went to fit with lady C/ayges. I found four of them, of which lady Godolphin was one. I fat by iier, and talked of her cards, l^c. But fhe would not give one look, nor fay a word to me. She re- fitfed fome time ago to be acquainted with me. You tnow flie is lord Marlborough's eldeft daughter. Slieisafool for her pains, and I will pull her down. What can I do for Dr. ^w/z/^'j daughter's hufband ? f have no perfonal credit with any of the commifii- oners. I will fpeak to Keighiley, but I believe it will £gnify nothing. In the cuftoms, people muft rife by eegrees, and he mufl: at firft take what is very low, if he be qualified for that. Ppf. miftakes me ; I 3jn not angry at your recommending any one to me, ITOvi'ded you will take my anfwer. Some things are in my way, and then I ferve thofe I can. But peo- ple will not difdnguifh, but take things ill, whetv I have no power ; but Ppt. is wifer, and employ- ments in general are very hard to get.
3d, I dined to-day with lord treafurer, who chid me for my abfence, which v/as only from Saturday laft. The parliament was again prorogued for a week, and I fuppofe the peace will be ready by then, and the queen will be able to be brought to the houfe, and make her fpeech. I faw Dr. Griffith two or three montlis ago, at a Latin play at Wej}- minjier \ but did not fpcak to him. I hope he wiil not die ; I iliould be forry for P/r'j fake ; he is very tender of her. I have long lolt all my colds, and the weather mends a little. I take fome fteel drops, ^nd my head is pretty well. I v/alk when I 3 can.,
[ 25^ 1
can, but am grown very idle; and, not fnilfliing my thing, I ramble abroad, and play at ombre. I fhall be more careful in my phyfic than Mrs, Price : 'tis not a farthing matter her death, I think ; and fo I fay no more to-night, but will read a dull book, and go fleep.
4th, Mr. Ford has been this half year inviting me to dine at his lodgings ; fo I did to-day, and brought the provoll and Dr. Parncll with me, and my friend Leiuis was there. Parnell went away, and the other three played at ombre, and I looked on, which I love, and would not play. Tifdallh a pretty fellow, as you fay ; and when I come back to Ireland ■with nothing, he will condole m.e with abundance of fecrct pleafure. I believe I told you what he wrote to me, That I ha-ue fa^ved England, and he Ireland : but I can bear that. I have learned to hear and fee, and fay nothing. I was to fee the duchefs oi Ha- milicn to-day, and met BUgh oi' Ireland juH. going out of her houfe into his coach. I alked her how fhe came to receive young fellows. It feems he had a ball in the duke oi Hamilton's houfe when the duke died ; and the duchefs got an advertifcment put in the Pcji Boy, refletfling on the ball, bccaufe the Marlborough daughters were there ; and BUgh came to beg the duchefs's pardon, and clear himfelf.
5th, Lady Mafiam has mifcarried ; but is almoU well again. I have paid many vifits to-day. I met BUgh at the duke of Ortacnd's; and he begged me to carry him to the duchefs oi Hamilton, to beg licr pardon again. I did, on purpofe to fee how the blundcrbufs behaved himfelf; but I begged the du-
chofa
[ =5^ ]
chefs to ufe him mercifully, for fne is the devil of a teazer. The good of it is, fhe ought to beg his pardon, fbr he meant no harm ; yet flie would not allow him to put in an advertifement to clear him- felf from hers, though hers was all a lye. He ap- pealed to me, and I gravely gave it againft him, I was at court to-day, and the foreign minifters have got a trick of employing me to fpeak for them to lord treafurer and lord Bolingbroke; which I do when the cafe is reafonable. The college need not fear ; I will not be their governor. I dined with Sir Thomas Hanmer and his duchefs. The duke of Or- mond was there, but we parted foon, and I went to vifit lord Pembroke for the firll time ; but it was to fee feme curious books. Lord Cholmondeley zzrat in; but I would not talk to him, though he made many advances.
6th, I was to-day at an auftion of pidures with Pratt, and laid out two pounds four {hillings for a picture of Titian ; and if it were a Titian, it would be worth twice as many pounds. If I am cheated, I'll part with it to lord MaJJmm: if it be a bargain, I'll keep it to myfelf. But I made Pratt buy feveral pidlures for lord Mapmm. Pratt is a great vir- tuofo that way. I dined with lord treafurer, but made him go to court at eight. I always teaze him to be gone. I thought to have made Parnell dine with him, but he was ill; his head is out of order like mine, but more conflant. Poor boy ! I was at lord treafurcr's levee with the provoft, to afk a book of the college. I never go to his levee, unlefs it be to prefent fomebody.
7th,
[ 2^3 ]
7th, Yes, I hope Lfl^h will foon be gone. A p — > on him ! I met him once, and he talked gravely to rae of not feeing the Irlj7j bifliops here, and the Irijh gentlemen ; but I believe my anfwers fretted him enough. I would not dine with lord treafurer to- day, though it was Saturday, for he has engaged me for to-morrow ; but went and dined with lord Majham, and played at fix-penny running ombre for three hours. There were three voles againft me, and I was once a great lofer, but came off for three (hillings and fix-pence. One may eafily lofe five guineas at it. Lady Or/f^iry is gone out of town to-day, and I could not fee her for lazinefs, but wrote to her. She has left me fome phyfic. I never faw D. Z)'/ politics before, and I think it pretty extra- ordinary, and a great compliment to you, and I be- lieve never three people converfed fo much with fo little politics. Parvi/ol has fent me a bill of fifty pounds, as I ordered him, which, I hope^ will ferve me, and bring me over. I was not at court to-day; a wonder !
8th, You mull know, I give chocolate almoft every day to two or three people, that I fuiier to come to fee me in a morniftg. My man begins to lye pretty well. 'Tis nothing for people jto be de- nied ten times. My man knows all I will fee, and denies me to every body elfe. This is the day of the queen's coming to the crown, and the day lord treafurer was llabbed by Gu'.fcard. I was at court, where every body had their birth-day cloaths on, and I dined with lojd treafurer, who was vtrj fine. He fhewed rac fomc of tlie queen's fpeech, whirh I cor-
reaed
[ 254 ]
reded in feveral places, and penned the vote of ad- drefs of thanks for the fpeech * ; but I was of opinion the houfe fhould not fit on Tuefday next, unlefs they hear the peace is figned; that is, provided they are efur it will be figned the week after, and fo have one fcoIJing for all.
9th, Lord treafurer would have had me dine with him to-day ; he defired me laft night, but I refufed, be- caufei'he would not keep the day of his {tabbing with all the cabinet, as he intended: fo I dined with my friend Lewis ; and the provoft, and Parnell, and Ford were with us. I loft fixteen {hillings at ombre ; I don't like it. At night Lewis brought us word, that the parliament does not fit to-morrow. I hope they are fure of the peace by next week, and then, they are right, in my opinion : otherwife I think they have done wrong, and might have fat three weeks ago. People will grumble ; but lord treafurer cares not a rufli. Lord keeper is fuddenly taken ill of a quinfey, and fome lords are in commi{rion. I think lord treafurer is to prorogue the parliament in his {lead. You never faw a town fo full of fer- ment and expedlation. Mr. Pope has publi{hed a fine poem, called Wind/or Forejl. Read it.
loth, I was early this morning to fee lord Bollng- broke. I {indhe was of opinion the parliament {liould fit; and fays, they are not fure the peace will be figned next week. The prorogation is to this day fe'nnight. I went to look on a library I am going
* Sec this addrefs in the volumes ji^ft publiflied by Mr. Dsatic Sivifu
to buy, if we can agree. I have oiFered one Kundrcd and twenty pounds, and will give ten pounds more- Lord Boiingbrcke will lend me the money. I was two hours poring over the books. I will fell fome t£ them, and keep the reil ; but I doubt they won't take the money. I dined in the city, and fat aa hour in the evening with lord treafurer, who was ia a very good humour ; but reproached me for not dining with him yellerday and to-day. What wi'H all this come to ? Lord keeper had a pretty gocwfi night, and is better. I was in pain for him.
nth, I was this morning to vifit the duke am£ duchefs of Onnc?id, and the duchcfs of HaTmhat^ and went with the provoft to an audllon of pifture?, and laid out fourteen fliillings. I am in for it, if I had money; but I doubt I {?iall be undone; for Sir AndrC'iv Fountain invited tlie provoft and me to dine with him, and play at ombre, when I fairly loft fourteen (hillings. I am come home ; 'tis late, and my puppy let out my fire, and I am gone r® bed, and writing there, and it is paft twelve .a good while. Went out four mattadores and z. trump in black, and yet was bafted.
12th, I was at another auclion of pidures to-day, and a great audlion it was. I made lord Majhars lay out forty pounds. There were pictures fold of twice as much value a piece. Our fociety met to- day at the duke of Beaufort's ; a prodigious finie dinner, which I hate ; but we did fome bufinefi. Our printer was to attend us, as ufual ; and the-chasi-
cclk>r
t 2.^ ]
cellor of the exchequer * fent the author of the Ex- aminer t twenty guineas. He is an ingenious fellovV, but the moft confounded coxcomb in the world, fo that I dare not let him fee me, nor am acquainted with him, I had much difcourfe with the duke of Or- motid this morning, and am driving fome points, to fecure, l^c. I left the fociety at feven. I can't drink now at all with any pleafure. I love white Portugal wine better than claret. Champagne, or Bur- gundy, I have a fad vulgar appetite; 1 cannot en- dure above one difh, nor ever could fince I was a boy, and loved fluffing. It was a fair day, which is a rarity with us, I afTure you. Never fair two days together.
13th, I had a rabble ollrifi parfons this morning drinking my chocolate. I cannot remember appoint- ments. I was to have fupped lall; night with the Snjuedijh envoy at his houfe, and fome other company ; but forgot it, and he raillied me to-day at lord Bo- hngbroke's, who excufed me, faying, the envoy ought not to be angry, becaufe I ferve lord trea- furer and him the fame way. For that reafon, I very feldom promife to go any where. I dined with lord treafurer, who chid me for being abfent fo long, as he always does, if I mifs a day. I fat three hours this evening with lady Jerfey ; but the firil two hours Ihe was at ombre with fome company. I left lord treafurer at eight ; I fancied he was a lit- tle thoughtful, for he was playing with an orange
* ' Kobtrt Bcnfon Efq;* f * Mr, Oldijiuorth,"
[25/1
by fits, which I told him, among common men, looked like the fpleen. I wilh the peace may be rea- dy ; I mean, that we have notice it is figned, before Tuejday; othcrwife the grumbling will encreafi.
LETTER LXXXIV. Robert Hunter*, Efq; to Dr. Swift.
New-York, March i, 1712-J3.
I THINK Tarn indebted to you for two letters, and fhould have continued fo, had it not been for the apprehenfion of your putting a wrong conflruftion upon my negle£l. My friends being few in number, I would not willingly, or by any fault, negleft nor lofe thole I have. The true caufe is this. My unhappy circumflances have fo foured me, that whatever I write mufl be vinegar and gall to a man of your mirth. For the better underftanding of which, be plcafed to read them In the words of oneof my m.oll renowned predecefTors : ^ando penfe 'venir a efle gO' nj'ierno a comer caliente y a bever frio, y a recrear il cuerpo entre fabanas de Olanda, fohre colchoms de plumat he •uenido a hazar penitencia, como fe fuera ErmetanvOt y como no la hago de me 'volontad, penj'o que al cabo al cabo, me ha de nevar el diablo. This worthy indeed was but a type of me, of which I could fully convince
■ * Brigadier Hunter, governor of Nczu-Tcrk and Ne^v-Jctfey, who was afterwnrds appoiriced governor and captain-general of Jamaica, in the room of the duke of FoitlarJ, v»ho died there, y«/y4th, 1726.
Vol. I. S you,
[ 258 ]
j'Cu, by an exaft parallel between our adminiftrations and circumllances, which I fhall refcrve to another opportunity.
The truth of the matter is this : I am ufed like a dog, after having done all that is in the power of man to deferve a better treatment, fo that I am now quite jaded. Male ijehi malo alio gubernante, quam tarn malts reSloribus bene gubcrnare.
The approaching peace will give leifure to the miniflry to think of proper remedies for the diftrafted ftate of all the provinces ; but of this more particu- larly, the importance of it by its fituation being greater, and the danger by their condudl more im- minent, than that of the reft. I have done my duty in reprefenting their proceedings, and warning them of the confequences ; and there I leave it. Neque tarn me l^5^'7nrla confolatur lit antea quam xr}nt.ipofKt, qua nulla in re tarn utor quam in hac ci-uili et publica.
I have purchafed a feat for a bifhop, and by orders from the fociety have given directions to prepare it for his reception. You once upon a day gave me hopes of feeing you there. It would be to me no imall relief to have fo good a friend to complain to. What it would be to you to hear me, when you could not help me, I know not. Catera defunt, for the poll cannot ISay. Adieu. I am, very fincerely, yours,
R. Hunter.
LET-
' [ 259 J
L E T T e' R LXXXV. Robert Hunter, Efqj to Dr. Swift.
New-York, March 14, 1712-13.
c-/ U O N O R O G H quaniou diadega generoghqua
aqiugon tckitchenagaree ; or, left you fhould not have your Ircquoije dictionary at hand. Brother, I honour you an4 s.11 your tribe ; tho' that is to be taken cum gramfalis. For one of them has done me much harm. God reward him, l^c. For that, and what you want to know befides relating to me, I refer you to the bearer, Mr. Sharp, our chaplain ; a very worthy, ingenious, and confcientious clergyman. I wrote to you fome time ago by a merchant-fhip, and therein gave you fome hints of my fufferings, which are not diminilhed fince that time. In hopes of a better fettlement, I wifhed for your company. Until that comes, I can contribute to nothing but your fpleen. Here is the finefl air to live upon in the univerfe. And if our trees and birds could fpeak, and our aflemblymen be filent, the fineft converfation too. Fert omnia tellus, but not for me. For you muft underftand, according to the cuftom of our country, the fachims are of the poorelt of the people. I have got the wrong fide of Sir Polidore's office ; a great deal to do and nothing to receive. In a word, and to be ferious at laft, I have fpcnt three years of life in fuch torment and vexation, that nothing in
S 2 life
[ 26o ]
life can make me amends for it. Tu interim Jis Icetua et mem or nojirufn, 'vale,
R. Hunter.
LETTER LXXXVI. Dr. Swift to Mrs. D i n g l e y.
Londoh, March 14, 1712-13,
1 T was a lovely day this, and I took the advantage of walking a good deal in the Park, before I went to court. Colonel Difney^ one of our fociety, is ill of a fever, and, we fear, in great danger. We all love him mightily, and he would be a great lofs. I doubt I fhall not buy the library: for a roguilh bookfeller has ofi'ered fixty pounds more than I de- figned to give. So you fee I meant to have a good bargain. I dined with lord treafurer, and his Sa- turday company ; but there were but feven at table. Lord Peterhoro^v is ill, and fpits blood, with a bruife he got before he left E?igland; but, I believe, an Italian lady he has brought over is the caufe, that his illnefs returns. You know old lady Bellajis is dead at laft ? She has left lord Berkeley of Stratton one of her executors, and it will be of great advantage to hini ; they fay above ten thoufand pounds. I ftaid with lord treafurer, upon bufinefs, after the com- pany was gone ; but I dare not tell you upon what. My letters would be good memoirs, if I durft ven- ture to fay a thoufand things that pafs ; but I hear fo 4 much
[ ^6i 3
much of letters opening at your pofl-ofEce, that I am fearful, ^c.
15th, Lord treafurer engaged me to dine with him again to-dny, and I had ready what he wanted; but he would not fee it, but put me off till tc-morrow. The queen goes to chapel now. She is carried in an open chair, and will be well enough to go to par- liament on Tuefday, if the houfes meet, which is not yet certain ; neither, indeed, can the minillers themfelves tell ; for it depends on winds and weather, and circumllances of negociation. However, we go on as if it was certainly to meet ; and I am to be at lord treafurer's to-morrow, upon that fuppofition, to fettle fome things relating that way. Ppi. may underlland nre. The dolors tell me, that if poor colonel Difriey does not get fome fleep to-night, he muft die. What care you ? Ah ! but I do care. He is one of our fociety ; a fellow of abundance of huniour; an old battered rate; but very honeft. Not an old man, but an old rake. It was he that faid of Jenny Kingdom, the maid of honour, who is a litt'e old, that, fince fhe could not get a hufband, the queen Hiould give her a brevet, to. ail as a married woman. You don't underftand this. They give brevets to majors and captains, to aft as colo- nels in the army. Brevets are commifhons. Afk foldiers.
1 6th, I was at lord treafurer's before he came; and, as he entered, he told me, the parliament was prorogued till Thurfday fe'nnight. They have had fo:ne expreffes, by which they count, that the oeace will be figned by that time ; at leaJl that France,
S 3 , Holland,
[ 262 ]
Holland y and we will fign fome articles, by which we fhall engage to fign jthe peace, when it is ready. But Spain has no minifter there; for Mon- ieleofi, who is to be their ambaflador at Utrecht, is not yet gone from hence; and till he is there, the Spaniards can fign no peace. And one thing take notice of, that a general peace can hardly be finilhed thefe two months, fo as to be proclaimed here ; for, after figning, it mufl be ratified; that is, confirmed by the feveral princes at their courts, which to Spain will coft a month; for we muft have notice, that it is ratified in all courts, before we can proclaim it ; fo be not in too much hafte.
17th, The Irijh folks were difappointed, that the parliament did not meet to-day, becaufe it was St. Patrick' s-day ; and the Mall was fo full of croiTes, that I thought all the world was Irifn. Mifs AJhe is almoft quite well, and I fee the biiliop, but Ihall not yet go to his houfe *. I dined again with lord treafurer; but, the parliament being prorogued, I jnull keep what I have till next week ; for I believe he will not fee it till juft the evening before the {ti-' lion. He has engaged me to dine with him again to-morrow, though I did all I could to put it off; but I don't care to difoblige hirn.
18th, I have now dined fix days fuccefiively with lord treafurer ; but at night I Hole away, while he was talking with fomebody eifc, and fo am at liberty to-morrow. There was a flying report of a general ccffation of arms : every body had it at court; but,
* Tals feems to indicate, that Siv'ifi never had the fmall- pox,
:: I believe.
[ ^^3 ]
I bellei'e, there is nothing in it. I aflced a certain French minifter how things went? And he whifpered me in French, Your plenipotentiaries and ours play the fool. None of us indeed approve of the condufl of either at this time; but lord treafurer was in full good humour for all that. He had invited a good many of his relations ; and, of a dozen at table, they were all of the Harley family but myfclf. Dlf- ney is recovering, tho' you don't care a llraw. Dilly murders us with his if-puns. You know tliem.
19th, The blfhop of Clogher has made an if-pun, that he is mighty proud of, and defign^ to fend it over to his brother Tom ; but Sir Andrevj Fountain has wrote to Tom Ajhe laft poft, and told him the pun, and defiredhim to fend it over to the bifhop as his own; and, if it fucceeds, it will be a pure bite. The bi/hop will tell it us as a wonder, that he and his brother fhould jump fo exactly. I'll tell you the pun. If there was a hackney coach at Mr. Poo- ley'' s door, what town in Egypt would it be ? Whv, it \MOu\dhz Hecatontpolis; Hack at Totn PooLy^s. Silly, fays Ppf. I dined with a private friend to-day ; for our fociety, I told you, meet but once a fortnight. I have not fcen Fanny Manley yet; I can't help it. Lady Orkney is come to town : why fhe was at her country-houfe ; but wliat care you ?
30th, DiUy read me a letter to-day, from P//. She feems to have fcratched her head when (he wrote it. 'Tis a fad thing to write to people without talte. There you fay, you hear I was going to Bath. No fach thing ; I am pretty well, I thiuik God. The
S 4 town
[ 264 ]
town Is now fending me to Sai'oy ; forty people have given me joy of it, yet there is not the leaft truth that I know in it. I was at an auflion of piiElures, but bought none. I was fo glad of my liberty, that I would dine no where; but, the weather being fine, I fauntered into the city, and ate a bit about five, and then fupped at Mr. Burie's, the accomptant-ge- neral, who had been engaging me this month. The bifliop of Clogher was to have been there, but was hindered by lord Paget's funeral. The provofl: and I fat till one o'clock ; and, if that be not late, I don't know what is late. Paniell's poem v/ill be publiflied on Monday, and to-morrow I defign he ihall prefent it to lord treafurer and lord Bolingbroke nt court. The poor lad is almofl: always out of order with his head. Burke s wife is his filler.
2 1 ft. Morning. I will now finiflr my letter; for
company will come, and a ftir, and adulter; and
I'll keep the letter in my pocket, and give it into
the poll. I muft go to court, and you know on Sa-
lurday I dine with lord treafurer of courfe. Farewel,
LETTER LXXXVII. Dr, Swift to Mrs. Dingle y.
London, March 21, 17 12-13.
1 DINED with lord treafurer to-day, and find he has been at a meeting at lord Halifax' i houfe with four principal whigs; but he is refolved to begin a fpeech againll them when the parliament fits; and
I have
I have begged that the minifters may have a meeting on purpofe to fettle that matter, and let us be the" attackers; and I believe it will come to fomething, for the whigs intend to attack the minifters: and if, inliead of that, the minillers attack tlie whig?, it will be better. And further, I believe we Ihall attack them on thofe very points they intend to at- tack us. The parliament will be again prorogued for a fortnight, becaufe of Paflion-week. I forgot to tell you, that Mr. Grifin has given Ppi's brother a new employnient, better than his former ; but more remote, and" confcquently cheaper. I wifh I could have done better, and hope you will take what can be done in good part, and that Ppt^s brother will not difJikc it.
22d, 1 dined to-day with lord fteward. There Frank Annejlcy (a parliament-man) told me he had heard, that I had wrote to my friends in Ireland to keep firm to the whig interell; for that lord trea- furer would certainly declare for it after the peace. Anncjley faid twenty people had told him this. You mull know this is what they endeavour to report of lord treafurer, that he defigns to declare for the whigs ; and a Scotch fellow has wrote the fame to Scotland ; and his meeting with thofe lords gives oc- cauon to fuch reports. Let me henceforth call lord treafurer Eltee, becaufe poiTibly my letters may be opened. Pray remember L. T. and Eltce are pro- nounced the fame way. You fee why I cannot come over the beginning of Jpril. Whoever has to do with this miniilry can hx no time.
3. id.
[ 266 ]
z^dy I dined to-day at Sir Thomas Hanmer'sy by* an old appointment : there was the duke of Ormond, ^nd lord and lady Orkney. I left them at fix ; every body is as four as vinegar. I endeavour to keep a firm friendfhip between the duke of Qrmond and Eltee. I have great dcfigns, if I can compafs them ; but delay is rooted in Eltee' s heart; yet the fault is not altogether there, that things are no better. Here is the curfedeft libel in verfe come out, called The JmhaJJhdrefs* 'y it is very dull too; it has been printed in three or four diiFerent ways, and is handed about, but not fold. It abufes the queen horribly. The Examiner f has cleared me to-day of being au-
* ' It was intitled, The Britirti amhaJfaAyefi s fpeech to the French lir.gy for publifiiing of which Mr. WiHlam Hart, the printer of the Flying Pop, was tried in the court oi Kings Bench, June 27, 1715^ and fentenced to ftand twice in the pillory, to pay a fine «f ^o/. to her majefty, to be imprifoned two years, and till he fl!(jtild pay the faid fine ; and to find fufEcient fureties for hii good behaviour during life.'
-j- ' The paper is No. 35. Vol. III. and thepaffage as follows; " They have been a long time laying a load upon a gentleman '' of the firfl charadler for learning, good fenfe, wit, and more *' virtues, than even they can fet ofF and illuflrate by all the '^ oppofition and extremes of vice, which are the compounds of " (heir party. He is indeed fully accompllfhed to be mortally " hated by them, and they needed not to charge him with writing ** the Examiner, as if that were a fufficient revenge ; in which ** theyfliew as little judgment as truth. I here pronounce hiffi " clear of that imputation; and, out of pure regard to juflice, " ftrip myfelf of all the honour that lucky untruth did this " paper, refcrving to myfolf the entertaining reflexion, that I ♦* was once tukcn for a man, who has a thouiand .other recom-
thor
t ^67 J
thor of his paper, and done it with great civilities to me. I hope it will ftop people's mouths; if not, they muft go on and be hanged, I care not. 'Tis terrible rainy weather, I'll go flccp.
24th, It rained all this day, and ruined me in coach-hire. I went to fee colonel Difneyy who is pail danger. Then I vifited lord keeper, who was at dinner. I would not dine with him, but drove to lord treafurer (Eltee I mean) paid the coachman, and went in ; but he dined abroad : fo I was forced to call the coachman again, and went to lord Boling- broke's. He dined abroad too ; and at lord DuppUn's I alighted, and by good luck got a dinner there, and then went to the Latin play at Wejlminjler fchool, aded by the boys; and lord treafurer, Eltee I mean again, honoured them with his prefence. Lady Ma- Pam^s eldefl fon, about two years old, is ill, and I am afraid will not live. She is full of grief, and I pity and am angry with her. Four fhillings to-day in coach-hire ; it won't do. Our peace will certainly be ready by 'Thurfday fortnight ; but our plenipo-
** mendations, befides the malice of the worft men, to m.ike
" him loved and efteemed by the beft. This is the fecond time
" I have humoured that party, by publicly declaring who is not
" the author of the Examiner. I will lend them no more light,
" becaufe they do not love it. I could only wi/h, that their
" inveftives againft that gentleman had been confidcrnble enough
" to call forth his public refcntments; and I ftaii.) amazed at
" their folly, in provoking fo much ruin to their party. Thilr
" iDtcl]c<f\uals muft be as ftupid as their conlciences, not to drc.\d
" the teirors of his pen, though they met him with all that
** fpite to his pcrfon, which they ever cxprefled againft hi*
«* order,"
tentlaries
[ 2(58 ]
tentiaiics were to blame, that it was not done al- ready. Ti.ey thought their powers were not fall enough to fign the peace, uiilels every prince was ready, which cannoi yet be ; for Spain has no mini- fler yet st Ulrechi : but now ours have new orders.
25th, Weather worfe than ever; tenible rain all day, but I was refolved I would fpend no more money. I went to an auifaon of piftures with Dr. Pratt, and there met the duke of Beaufort, who pro- mifed to come with me to court, but did not. So a cor.chI got, and went to court, and did iomG. little bufinefs there, but was forced to go home ; for you muft nnderfiand I take a little phyfic over-night, which works me next day. Lady Orkney is my phy- £cian. It is hierapicra two fpoonfiils, devililh ftuiF! 1 thf-ught to have dined with Ehee ; but would not, merely to iiive a fliilling: but I dined privately with a friend, and played at ombre, and won fix ihillings. Here are feveral people of quality lately dead of the fmail-pox. I have not yet feen Mifs Afiey but hsair ihe is well. The bifhop of Clogher has bought abundance of piftures, and Dr. Pratt has got him very good pennyworths. I can get no walks, the weather is fo bad.
26th, Though it was fhaving-day, head and beard, yet I was out early to fee lord Bolingbroke, "aud talk over affairs with him ; and then I went to the duke of Ormc-na, and fo to court, where the niinifters did not come, becaufe the parliament was prorogued till this day fortni^: 'at. We had terrible rain and hail to-day. Our fociety met this day, but I left them before fevcn, and went to Sir Jtidrenu
Fountain^
C 269 3
Fountain, and played at ombre with him and Sir Thomas Clarge: till ten, and then went to Sir Tbv^ mas Hammer. His wife, the duchel's of Grafton, left us after a little while, and I ftayed witli him about an hour upon fome affairs, ISc. Lord Baling'- broke left us at tlie focicty before [ went ; for there is an exprefs from Utrecht, but I know not yet what it contains; only I know the minillers exped the peace will be figned in a week, which is a week before the feffion.
27th, ParnelVs poem is mightily edeemcd ; but poetry fells ill. I am plagued with poor H.vriJon^s mother : you would laugh to fee how cautious \ am of paying her the 100/. I received for her fon from the treafury. I have aiked every crea- ture I know, whether I may do it fafely ; yet durft not venture, till my lord keeper aiTured me there was no danger. Yet I have not paid her, but will in a day or two ; though I have a great mind to flay till Ppt. fends me her opinion, bccaufe Ppt-, is i great lawyer. I dined to-day with a mixture of pecv- pie at a Scotchman's, who made the invitation to Mr, Lenuis and me, and has fome defign upon us, which we know very well. I went afterwards to fee a fa- mous moving pi(fture, and I never faw any thing fo pretty. You {o.^ a fea ten inches wide, a town at the other end, and lliips failing in the fes, and difcharging their cannon. You fee a great fiiV, with moon and liars, l£c. lama fool.
28th, I had a mighty levee to-day. I deny my- felf to every body, except about half a do:':€n,and they were all here, .ii.d Mr. Addifon was one. I had chocolate twice, which I don't like. Our rainy
v/eatUer
I 270 ]
weather continues. Coach hire goes deep. I dined with Eltee and his Saturday company, as ufual, and could not get away till nine. Lord Peterhoronu was making long harangues, and Eltee kept me in fpite. Then I went to fee the blfhop of OJfory, who had engaged me in the morning ; he is going to Ireland. The bifhop of Killaloe and Tom Leigh were with us. The latter had wholly changed his iHle by feeing how the bifhops behaved themfelves ; and he feemed to think me one, of more importance than I really am. I put the ill conduft of the biihops about the firft- fiuits, with relation to Eltee and me, ftrongly upon Killaloe, and fhewed how it had hindered me from get- ting a better thing for them, called The Croivn Rents^ which the queen had promifed. He had nothing to fay ; but was humble, and defired my intereft in that and fome other things.
29th, I have been employed in endeavouring to fave one of your * junior fellows, who came over liere for a difpenfation from taking orders, and, in foliciting it, has run out his time, and now his fel- lowfhip is void, if the college pleafes, unlefs the queen fufpends the execution, and gives him time to take orders. I fpoke to all the minifters yefterday about it : but they fay the queen is angry, and thought it was a trick to deceive her; and fhe is pofitive, and fo the man mull be ruined, for I cannot help him. I never faw him in my life ; but the cafe was fo hard, I could iiot forbear interpofing. Your government recommended him to the duke of
♦ Mr. Cbarhs Grattan,
Ormond,
[ 271 ]
Ormciuly and he thought they would grant It ; and by the time it was rcfufed, the fellowfhip, by ri- gour, is forfeited. I dined with Dr. Arbiubnot (one of my brothers) at his lodgings in Cheljea., and was there at chapel ; and the altar put me in mind of 97/rf'«/'^outhindi(h mould at your hofpital for foldiers. I was not at court to-day, and I hear the queen was not at church. Perhaps the gout has feized her again. Terrible rain all day.
30th, A'lorning. I was naming fome time ago, to a certain perfon, another certain perfon, that was very deferving, and poor and fickly; and the other, that firlt certain perfon, gave me 100/. to give the other, which I have not yet done. The pei-fon who is to have it, never faw the giver, nor cxpeiU one farthing, nor has the leaft knowledge or imagi- nation of it ; fo I believe it will be very agreeable furprize ; for I think it a handfome prefent enough.
At night I dined in the city, at Pcntac's^ with lord Dupplm *, and fome others. We were treated by o;;e colonel Clelarzd, who has a mind to be gover- nor of Barbadoesj and is laying tht-fe long traps for me and others to engage our intereft for him. He is a xsMt Scoichinan. I payed the 100/. this evening, and it was a great furprize to the receiver. We rec- kon the peace is now figned, and that we (hall have it in three days. I believe it is pretty fure.
31ft, I thought to-day on Ppt. when flie told me, fhe fuppofed I v/as acqvainted with the fteward, when I was giving myfelf airs of being at fome lord's houfe.
* Then one of the tellers of the exchequer.
Sir
[ 272 ]
Sir Andre-M Fountain invited the bidiop of Clo^rhtr and mej and fome others, to dine where he did j and he carried us to the duke of Rentes, who was gone out of town; but the fteward treated us nobly, and lliewed us the fine piftures, ISc. This evening, lady MaJJjam, Dr. Arhuthnot., and I, were contriving a lye for to-morrow, that Mr. Noble *, who was hanged laft Saturday, was recovered by his friends, and then fcized again by the fheriif, and is now in a meflen- gcr's hands at the Black Swan in ILlborn. We are all to fend to our friends, to know whether they have heard any thing of it, and fo we hope it will fpread. However v/e fliall do our endeavours ; nothing fhall he wanting on our parts, and leave the rell to for- tune.
Ap-il ift. We had no fuccefs in oar ftory, tho' I fent my man to fcveralhoufes, to inquire among the footmen, without letting him into the fecret ; but I doubt my collegues did net contribute as they ought. Parnell and I dined with Daitineuf to-day. You have heard of Dartbieuf : I have told you of him. After dinner we all went to lord Bdingbrokes, who had defired me to dine with him; but I would not, becaufe I heard it was to look over a dull poem of one parfon Trap, upon the peace. The S^edijh envoy told me to-day at court, tliat he was in great sppi ehenfions about his matter ; and indeed we are afraid that prince f is dead among thofe Turkijh
* ' Richard Nobli, an attorney S.X.' Neiv Inn, executed at K'wgjion, for the murder of John Sayer, efq; whofe wife, the tlaugliter of admiral AW:/!, he had fcduced from her hufband.'
I CtarUs the Xllth,
dogs.
dogs. I prevailed on lord Bolingbro'ce to invite Mr. A^difon to dine with him on Good Friday. I fuppofe we fiiall be miglity mannerly. Jddifon is to have a play on Friday in Er.ficr week: 'tis a tragedy, called Cato\ I faw it unfinidied fome years. Did I tell you, that Steele has begun a new daily paper, called the Guardian * l they fay good tor nothing. I have not fcen it.
2d, I was this morning with lord Bolinghroke, and he tells me a Spanijh' courier is juft come with the news that the king of Spain has agreed to every thing that the queen dcfires ; and the duke OJfuna has left Paris, in order to his journey to Utrecht. I. wns prevailed on to come home with Trap, and read his poem, and corredl it; but it was good for no- tjiino-. While I was tliere employed, Sir Thcinas Ilamner came up to my chamber, and baulked me of a journey he and I intended this week to lord Orkney s, at Cliffden ; but he is not v.cll, and his phy- fician will not let him undertake fuch a journe/. I intended to have dined with lord treafurcr ; but going to fee colonel Difney, who lives with general Withers, I liked the general's little dinner fo well, that I fiayed and took (hare of it, and did not go to lord treafurer till fix, where I found Dr. Sachevcrellj who told us, that the bookfeller had given him joo/. for his f fermon, preached laft Sun.'Iay, and
* * That paper begin to be publiflieJ on Thnrfday, I',Ijr:h 12, 1712-13.'
f ' His {SaehevcreWz) fermon, jjiraclicd at St. Saviour's church, in Scuthivark, of which he was one of the chapluins, en /-"^(^ xxili. 34,^11 cccafion of the expiration of l.he three
Vol. I. 'V intended
[ 274 J
intended to print 30,000 ; but I believe he will be confoundedly bit, and will hardly fell above half. I have fire Hill, though Jpril is begun, againll my old maxim ; but the weather is wet and cold. I never faw fuch a long run of ill weather in my life. 3d, I was at the queen's chapel to-day, but fhe was not there. Mr. St. John, lord Bolingbroke's brother, came this day at noon with an exprefs from Utrecht, that the peace is figned by all the miniflers there, but thofe of the emperor^ who will likewlf& fign in a few days ; fo that now the great work is in effeft done, and I believe will appear a moft ex- cellent peace for Europe, particularly for Eng- land. Addifon and I, and fome others, dined with lord Bollngbroke, and fat with him till twelve. We were very civil ; but yet,, when we grew warm, we talked in a friendly manner of party. Addifon raifed his objeftions, and lord Bdingbroke anfwered them- with great complaifance. Addifon began lord Sommers^s health, which went about; but I bid him not name lord Wharton's, for I would not pledge it; and I told lord Boliagbroke frankly, that Ad- difon loved lord Wharton as little as I did : fo we laughed, l^c. Well, but you are glad of the peace^
years filence impofed upon kim by the houfe of lords, in confe- qiience of his impeachment in 1709. The fermon was published under the title of The Chr'ijiian triumphant, or the duty of prayin'g for our enemies. In April, 171 3, he was prefented by the queen to the reftory of St. Andreio's, Holborn, which had been held in. commendam by Dr. Thomai Manningham, with the biihopric of Chlchefir, '
you
yoa Ppt. the trimmer, are not you ? As for D. D. I don't doubt her.
4th, This Paffion-week people arefo demure, efpe- eially this laft day, that I told Dilly, who called here, that I would dine with him, and fo I did; and had a fmall Ihoulder of mutton of my own befpe..king. It rained all this day. I came home at feven, and have never itirred out, but have been reading Sache-jerelVs long dull fermon, which he fent me. It is the firft fermon lince his fufpenfion is expired ; but not a word in it upon the occafion, ex- cept two or three remote hints. The bifhop of CJogher has been fadly bit by Tom JJhe, who fent him a pun, which the bifhop had made, and defigned to fend to him, but delayed it j and lord Pembroke and I made Sir Jndre--j] Fountain write it to Tom. I believe I told you of it in my laft ; it fucceeded right, and the bifnop was wondering to lord Pembroke how he and his brother could hit on the fame thing. I'll go to bed foon, for I muft be at church by eight to-morrow, Eajler-day.
5th, Warbitrton wrote to me two letters about a living of one Foulkes, who is lately dead in the county of Meafh. My anfwer is, that before I re- ceived the firft letter, general George had recom- mended a friend of his to the duke oi Ormond, which was the firfl time I heard of its vacancy, and it was the provoll told me of it. f believe verily that Foulkes was not dead when George recommended the other. For Warburton' s laft letter faid, that Foulkes was dead the day before the date, This has pre-
T 2 vented
[ 276 ]
vefited me from ferving Warhurton, as I would havff done, if I had received notice early enough. Fray fay or write this to Warhurton, to juftify me to him. I was at church at eight this morning, and fliaved and drefled after. 1 came back, but was too late at court ; and lord Abington had like to have fnapped me for dinner, and I believe will fall out with me for refufing him : but I hate dining with him, and I dined with a private friend, and took two or three good walks j for it was a very fine day, the firft we have had a great while. Remember, was Eafier-day a fine day with you ? I have fat with lady Worpy till late.
6th, I was this morning at ten, at the rehearfal of Mr. Addifons play, called Cato, which is to be afted on Friday. There were not above half a fcore of us to fee it. We Hood on the ftage, and it v.as foolifli enough to fee the adlors prompted every moment, and the poet direding them; and the drab, that afts Cato's daughter*, out in the midll of a paffionate part, and then calling out. What's next ? The bifliop of Clogher was there too, but he flood privately in a gallery. I went to dine with lord treafurcr, but he was gone to Wtmhkdon, his daughter Caermathen's country feat, feven miles ofF; fo I v/ent back, and dined privately with Mr. Ad- di/on, whom I had left to go to lord treafurer. I keep iire yet ; I am very extravagant. I fat this evening with Sir Andre-iv Fountain, and we amufed ourfelves with making z/-/«;zj for />///)'. It is rainy weather ;
* ' Mis. OlaficU:
never
[ 277 ]
never faw the like. Pray tell S^.-janton I had his letter, but cannot contrive how to ferve him. If a governor were to go over, I would recommend him as far as lay in my power, but I can do no more ; and you know all employments in Ireland, at lead almoil: all, are engaged in rcverfions. If I were on the fpot, and had credit with a lord lieutenant, I would very heartily recommended him; but employ- ments here are no more in my power than the mo- narchy itfelf.
7th, Morning. I have had a vifiter here, that has taken up my time. I write by this poll to the dein, but it is not above two lines , and one inclofed to you, but that inclofed to you is not above three lines; and then one inclofed to the dean, which he muft not have, but upon condition of burning it imme- diately after reading, and that before your eyes; for there are fome things in it I would not have liable to accident. You (hall only know in general, that it is an account of what I have done to ferve him in his pretenfions on thefe vacancies, Uc. But he muft not know that you know fo much.
LETTER LXXXVIII. Dr. Swift to Mrs. Ding ley.
London^ Apnl 7, 1 71 3.
I DINED with lord treafurerj and though the tiifinefs I had with him is fomething againft Thurf-
T 3 day.
day, when the parliament is to meet, and this la Tuefday, yet he put it off till to-morrow. I dare not tell you what it is, left this letter (hould miicarry, or be opened ; but I never faw his fellow for delays*. The parliament will now certainly fit, and every bo- dy's expedations are ready to burll. At a council to-night, the lord chief juftice Parker f, a whig, fpoke againft the peace ; fo did lord Chohnondhy, another whig, who is treafurer of the houfliold. My lord keeper was this night made lord chancellor, We hope there will foon be fome removes.
8th, Lord Cholmondley is this day removed from his employment, for his laft night's fpeech ; and Sir Richard Temple^ lieutenant-general, the greatell whig in the army, is turned out; and lieutenant-general Palmer will be obliged to fell his regiment. This is the firft fruits of a friendlhip I have ellablilhed be- tween two great men. . I dined with lord treafurer, and did the bufinefs J had for him to his fatisfaftion. I won't tell you what it was. The parliament fits to-morrow for certain. Here is a letter printed in Maccartney's name, vindicating himfelf from the mur- der of duke Hamilton. I muft give fome hints to have it anfwered ; 'tis full of lies, and will give an opportunity of expofing that party. To-morrow will be a very important day. All the world will be at Wefiminjier. Lord treafurer is as eafy as a
* This bufinefs, moil probably, was the addrefs of the houfe of lords to the queen, drawn up at the command of the treafurer, by Dr. S-zcift. See his Works, vol. xvi. p. 73.
f Afterwards earl of Macclesfield,
lamb.
[ 279 ]
Iamb. They are multering up the proxies of the jibfent lords; but they are not in any fear of wanting a majority, which death and accidents have increafcd this year,
9th, I was this morning with lord treafurer, to prefent to him a young fon of the late earl of Jerfeyt at the defire of the widow. There I faw the mace and great coach ready for lord treafurer, who was going to parliament. Our fociety met to-day; but I expecled the houfes would fit longer than I cared to faft ; fo 1 dined with a friend, and never enquired how matters went till eight this evening, when I ■went to lord Orkney s, where I found Sir Thomas Hanmer. The quetn delivered her fpeech very well, but a little weaker in her voice. The crowd was vail:. The order for an addrefs was moved, and oppofed by lords Nottingham, Halifax and Coivper, Lord treafurer fpoke with great fpirit and refolu- tion ; lord Peterborcw fluted againft the duke of Marlbcrcugh (who is in Germany, you know) but it was in an anlwer to one of loid Halifax's imperti- nences. The order for an addrefs pafTed by a major- rity of thirty-three, and the houfes rofe before fix. This is the account I heard at lord Orkney s. The bifliop of Chejler *, a high tory, was againft the court. The duchefs of Marlborough fent for him fome months ago, to juftify herfelf to him in re- lation to the queen, and flievved him letters, and told him ftories, which the weak man believed, and was perverted.
* * Dr. Francis Cajlrell, confccrated to tl.at fee ^br'il j^, i/'S-'
T 4 loth,
[ 28o ]
roth, I dined with a coufin in the city, and poor Patty Rolt was there. I have got her rogue of a hufband leave to come to England ixom Portnttn- hon. The v/higs are much down ; but I reckon they have fome fcheme in agitation. This parliament time hinders our court-meetings on Wedne/days, Thurf- daySi and Saturdays. I had a great deal of bufmefs to-night, which gave me a temptation to be idle ; and "1 lolt a dozen fnillings at ombre with Dr. Pratt and another. It rains every day, and yet v^'e are all over dull. Lady MaJ}?am^s eldefl boy is very ill : I doubt he will not live, and {he ftays at Kenftng- ion to nurfe him, which vexes us all. She is fo exceffively fond, it makes me mad. She Ihould ne- ver leave the queen ; but leave every thing, to ftick to what is fo much the intereft of the public, as well as her own. This I tell her j but talk to the winds.
nth, I dined at lord treafurer's with his 5«/ar/<:y? company. We had fen at table, all lords but my- felf and the chancellor of the exchequer. Argyle went off at fix, and was in very indifferent humour, i;s ufuul. Duke of Ormond and lord Bolinihroko were
o
abfcnt. I llaid till near ten. Lord treafurer fhewed us a fmall picture, enamelled work, and fet in gold, worth about twenty pounds; a piiTture, I mean of the queen, which fhe gave to the duchefs o\ M — gh., fet in diamonds. When the duchefs v/as leaving England, fhe took off all the diamonds, and gave the pifture to one Mrs. Higgins, (an old intriguing woman, whom every body knows) bidding her make the beil of it fhe could. Lord treafurer fent to Mrs.
Uigghu
[ 23i ]
Higgins for this piflurc, and gave --ier one luinclre(J pounds for it. Was ever fuch an ungrateful beaft as that duchefs ? or did you ever hear fuch a ftory ? I fuppofe the vv'higs will not believe it. Pray try them. She takes off the diamonds, and gives away the pidure to an infignihcant woman, as a thing of no confequtnce; and gives it to her to fell, like a piece of old-fafhioned plate.
1 2th, 1 went to court to-day, on purpofe to pre-
fent Mr. Berhky*, one of your fellows oi Duhlht
college, to lord Berkeley of Strattou. That Mr.
Berkeley is a very ingenious man, and a great philofo-
pher, and I have mentioned him to all the minillcrs,
and have given them fome of his writings; and I
will favour him as much as I can. This I think I am
bound to, in honour and confcience, to ufe all my
little credit towards helping forward men of worth
in the world f . Tlie queen was at chapel to-day,
and looks well. I dined at lord Orkney'* s with the
duke of Ormond, lord Arran, and Sir Thomas Han-
mer. Mr. St. John, fecretary at Utrecht^ expefls
every moment to return there with the ratification
pf the peace.
ijth. This morning my friend, Mr. Lexvis, came to me, and fliev/ed me an order for a warrant for the three vacant deanries; but none of them to
* This Mr, Berkeley v?.s afterwards the celebrated bifliop of Cloyne. Sec loid SoJingLrckcs letter, dated Jm/jf 24, 17255 and the note.
-|- S-wifi procurid him to be fcnt fccrctar} and chaplain to Si- cily, with the carl of Pcttrbmvr,
TdC.
f 2S2 ]
me. This was what 1 always forefaw, and received the notice of it better, I believe, than he expeded. I bid Mr. Leivis tell my lord treafurer, that I take nothing ill of him, but his not giving me timely no- tice, as he'promifed to do, if he found the queen would do nothing for me. At noon, lord treafurer hearing I was in Mr Lezvis's office, came to me, and faid many things, too long to repeat. I told him, I had nothing to do but go to /rf/a/W immediately ; for I could net, with any reputation, ftay longer here, unlefs I h;d fomething honourable immediately given to me. We dined together at the duke of Ormond's. He there tcld me, he had Hopped the warrants for the deans, that what was done for me, might be at the fame time, and he hoped to compafs it to-night; but I believe him not. I told the duke of Onnond my intentions. He is content Sierne fhou.d be a biihop, and I have St. Patrick's; but, I believe, nothing will come of it, for ilay I will not ; and fo i bciieve you will fee me in Dublin be- fore April cnAs. I am lefs out of humour than you would imagine ; and if it were not, that impertinent people will condole with me, as they ufed to give me joy, I would value it lefs. But I ilill avoid com- pany, and muller up my baggage, and fend them next Monday by the carrier to Chejier, and go fee my willows, againft the expectation of all the world.
14th, I dined in the city to-day, and ordered a lodging to be got ready for me againfl I came to pack up my things; for I will leave this end of the town as foon as ever the warrants for the deanrics are out, Vthich are yet Hopped. Lord treafurer told Mr.
LevjiSf
[ ^83 ]
Le-Mis, that it fliould be determined to-night ; and fo he will fay an hundred nights ; fo he faid yefter- day, but I value it not. My daily journals fliall be but iliort till I get into tiie city, and then I will fend away this, and follow it myfelf ; and dcfign to walk it all the way to Cbcfter, my man and I, by ten miles a day. It will do my health a great deal of good. I (hall do it in fourteen days.
15th, Lord Bolinghrcke made me dine with him to-day, (I was as good company as ever) and tolJ me the queen would determine fomething for me to- night. The difpute is Windfory or St. Patrick's. I told him I would not flay for their difputes, and he thought I was in the right. Lord MaJImm told me, that lady Majham is angry I have not been to fee her fince this bufincfs, and defires I will come to- morrow.
i6th, I was this noon at lady Majhajn^s^ who was jufl come from Kenfmgton, where her eldefl: fon is fick. She faid much tome of what flie had talked to the queen, and lord treafurer. The poor lady fell a faedding tears openly. She could not bear to think of my having St. Patrklis, S:c. I was ne- ver more moved than to fee fo much friendship. I would not flay with her, but went and dined with Dr. Arbuthiiot, with Mr. Berkeley, one of your fellows, whom I have recommended to the doctor, l^c, Mr. Lev.'is tells me, that the duke of Ormand has beea to-day with the queen : and fhe v/as content, that Dr. Stcnic fhould be bi(hop of Dromore, and I dean of St. Patrick's ; but then out came lord treafurer, and faid, he would not befatisficd, but that I mull 6 be
[ 2S4 ]
he a prebendary of Wind/or, Thus he perplejces things. I expeft neither; but I confefs, as much as I love^ England, I am fo angry at this treatment, that, if I had my choice, I would rather have St. Pa- trick's. Lady MaJIs^am fays, Ihe v/ill fpeak to the purpofe to the queen to-morrow.
17th, I went to dine at lady Majham's to-day, and fhe was taken ill of a fore throat, and is aguilh. She fpoke to the queen lail night, but had not much time. The queen fays, Ihe will determine to-mor- row with lord treafurer. The warrants for the dean- ries are ftill flopped, for fear I fhould be gone. Do you think any thing will be done ? I don't care whether it is or no. In the mean time I prepare for my journey, and fee no great people, nor will fee lord treafurer any more, if I go. Lord treafurer told Mr. Le^wis it fhould be done to-night ; fo he faid five nights ago.
18th, This morning Mr. Lenxiis fent me word, that lord treafurer told him the queen would deter- mine at noon. At three lord treafurer fent to me to come to his lodgiiigs at St. James's, and told me the queen was at laft refolved, that Dr. Sterne fhould be bilhop o^ Dromore, and I dean Ox St. Patrick's; and that Sterne's v^arrant fiiould be drawn immediately. You know the deanry is in the duke of Or-wc?;JV gift; but this is concerted between the queen, lord trea- furer and the duke of Ormond, to make room for me. I do not know whether it will yet be done; fome unlucky accident may yet com.e. Neither can I feel joy at paffing my days in Irdand ; and I con- fefs
[ 2S^ 1
TeCs I thought the minilby would not let me go ; but fierhaps they can't help it.
i9th, I forgot to tell you, that lord trcafure^ forced me to dine with him ycflcrday as ufual, with his Saturday company ; which I did, after frequent rcfufals. To-day I dined with a private friend, and was not at court. After dinner, Mr. Lezuis fent me word, that the queen flayed till llie knew whe- ther the duke of Or;/w«.-/ approved of Ster/^e for a bifhop. I went this evening, and found tiie duke of Onnond at the Ccckpif, and told him, and defircd he would go to the queen, and approve of Sicrm. Ke made objections, and defired I would name any other deanry, for he did not like Sterne ; that Sterne ne- ver went to fee him; that he was inlluenced by the archbifliop of Duhlin, Sic. fo all is now broken again. I fent out for lord treafurer, and told him this. He fays all will do well ; but I value not what he fays. This fufpence vexes me vvorfc thaa any thing elfe.
20th, I went to-day, by appointment, to the Cockpit, to talk to the duke of Ormond. He repeated the fame propofals of any other deanry, &c. i de- fired he would put me out of the cafe, and do as he pleafed. Then, with great kindnefs, he faid he would confent; but would do it for no man cUc but me, &:c. And he will fpeak to the queen to-day or to-morrow : fo, perhaps, fomething will come of it. I can't tell.
2 1 ft. The duke of Oj-morid has told the queen, he is fatisfied, that Sterne iTiould be bifhiop, and (he confents I fliall be dean ; and I fuppofe the war- rants
[ 2S6 ]
i-ants will be drawn in a day or two. I dined at an alehoufe with Parttell and Berkeley ; for I am not irt humour to go among the minillers, though lord Dart- mouth invited me to dine with him to-day, and lord treafurer was to be there. I faid I would, if I were out of fufpenfe.
22d, The queen fays warrants (hall be drawn, but llie will difpofe of all in Etighyid and Ireland at once, to be teazed no more. This will delay it feme time ; and, while it is delayed, I am not fure of the queen, my enemies being bufy. I hate this fufpenfe.
23d, I dined yellerday with general Hamilton. I forgot to tell you. I write fhort journals now. I have eggs on the fpit. This night the queen hath figned all the warrants, among which Sterne is bifhop of Drcmore, and the duke of Orniond is to fend over an order for making me dean of St. Patrick^st I have no doubt of him at all. I think 'tis now paft. But you fee what a condition I am in. I thought I was to pay but fix hundred pounds for the houfe; but the bifhop of Clogher fays eight hundred pounds j iirft-fruits about one hundred and nfiy pounds Irijhy' and fo with a patent, &c. a thoufand pounds in all j fo that I fhall not be the better for the deanry thefe three years. I hope, in fome time, they will be perfuaded here to give me fome money to pay oiF thefe debts. I muil finiih the book * I am writing, before I can go over ; and they expedl I fhall pafs next winter here, and then I will drive them to give
* « The U^or^ of the Peace of Utrecht.'
me
[ 287 I
me afum of money. However, I hope to pa fs four or five months with you. I received yours to-night ; juft ten weeks fmce I had your laft. I fhall write next poll to bifhop Sterne. Never man had fo many enemies in Ireland as he. I carried it with the ftrongeft hand poflible. If he does not ufe me well, and gently, in what dealings I iTiall have with him, he will be the moft ungrateful of mankind. The archbifliop of York *, my mortal enemy, has fent, by the third hand, that he would be glad to fee me. Shall I fee him or not ? I hope to be over in a month. I fhall anfwer your rattle foon ; but no' more journals. I (hall be very bafy. Short letters from henceforward. I fliall not part with Laracor. That is all I have to live on, except the deanry be worth more than four hundred pounds a year. Is it ? Pray write to me a good-humoured letter immedi- ately, let it be ever fo fhort. This affair was car- ried with great difTiculty, which vexes m^e. But they fay here, it is much to my reputation, that I have made a bifhop, in fpite of all the world, and to get the bell deanry in Ireland.
24th, I forgot to tell you I had Sterne's letter yefterday, in anAver to mine. I dined in the city to-day with my printer, and came home early, and am going to be bufy with my work. I will fend this to-morrow, and I fuppofe the warrants will ga then. I wrote to Dr. Coghill, to take care ofpaf- fing my patent; and to Par-vifoly to attend him with
* Dr. Sharp, Mfho, with the duchefs of Somerfet, the (juecn from giving him a bilhopric.
prevented
money.
[ 2^8 ]
money. If he has any, or to borrow feme where he can.
25th, Morning. I know not whether my warrant be got ready from the duke of Ormoiid. I fiippofe it will by to-night. I am going abroad, and will keep this unfealed, till I know whether all be fi- nifhed.
I had this letter all day in my pocket, waiting till I heard the warrants were gone over. Mr. Len.v!s fent to Sc!'.thn.veIPs clerk at ten ; and he faid the bifhop of Killaloe had defired tliey flioiild be flopped till next poll. He fent again, that the bi- ihop of Killaloe's * bufinefs had nothing to do with ours. Then I went myfelf, but it was paft eleven, and afkeJ the reafon. Killaloe is removed to Raphoe, and he has a mind to have an order for the rents of Kaphoe, that have fallen due fmce the vacancy, and he would have all ftop till he has gotten tliat. A pretty requeft! But the clerk, at Mr. Le-xvis's mef- fagc, fent the warrants for Sterne and me j but then it was too late to fend this, which frets me heartily.
26th, I was at court to-day, and a thoufand people gave me joy ; fo I ran out. I dined with lady Orkney. Yefterday I dined with lord treafurer, and his Saturday people, as uftial ; and was fo be- deaned, &c. The archbifhop of loj-i fays, he will never more fpesk againil me. Pray fee that Parcel- fd flirs about getting my patent, I have given I'ook D. D's note, to prove fhe is alive.
27 th,
[ 2S9 J
27th, Nothing new to-day. I dined with Tent Harley, Sec. I will Teal up this to-night. Pray write fcon.
LETTER LXXXIX. Matthew Prior*, Efq^; to Dr. S w i f t.
Paris, April S, 1713.
1 R A y take this word, writ after our pacquets clofed, and the meflenger's flaying for it, as an equi- valent for your difpatches at midnight, when the writer was half alleep. Hang mc if I knew how to go on, tho' I am in a country where every body does not only write letters, but print them. Our great affair goes on very fucccfs fully. We tranl- mit the Spanip treaty, concluded at Madrid, for your approbation in England, and tranfmifTion tj Utrecht', after which, I think, pax fit will become authentic Latin: after which, 1 fuppofc, our fociety will flourifh, and I fhall have nothing to do but to partake of that univerfal proteftion, which it will receive. In the mean time, pray give my great re- fpeds to our brethren f; and tc-U ihem, that, while in hopes of being favoured they are fpending their own money, lam advancing my intereft in the French language, and forgeting my own mother tongue.
* He was plenipotentiary to France.
■\ The fixtecn. See note to a letter from lord H.ir!ey to Sivlft, izxnijiilj 17, 1714.
Vol I, . U But
C 290 ]
But we /hall have time enough to perfe6l our Englijhy when we have done with other matters. I want mightily to hear from lord treafurer. Tell him fo. 1 owe brother Arbuihmt a letter. Excufe my not writing to him, till I know what to fay. I can- not find Vanhomr'igh * fince he brought me your letter. I have a rarity of a book to fend ycu by the firll fair occafion. It makes but little of the EngUJh wit, The Guardian; but, pcfiibly, I do not yet enter into his defign. Let lord Bolingbroke know I love him mightily ; and pray do you as much for Dick Skelton. Adieu, my good friend. I am,'very truly, your obedient and faithful fervant,
M. Prior.
L E T T E R XC.
Dr. Atterbury, afterwards Bifhop of Rochef- ter, to Dr. Swift.
Chelfea, Tuefday Morning, Mr. DEAN, April 21, 1713.
vj I V E me leave to tell you, that there is no man in England more pleafed with your being preferred than I am. I would have told you fo myfelfat your lodgings, but that my waiting confines me. I had heard a Hying report of it before ; but my lord Baling' broke yellcrday confirmed the welcome news to me.
* Cne of the brothers of Vanejj'a. See the note prefixed t« the Dean's letccr to mils EJiber V«nhmrigh,iia,\ii& July 8, 171 3.
1 could
[ 291 ]
I could not excufe myfelf without faying thus much ; and I have not time to fay more, but that I am your moll affedlionate and faithful fcrvant,
Fr. Atterbury.
LETTER XCi. Dr. Swift to Mrs. D i n c L e y.
London, May i6, J 71 31
Your new blfhop a£ls very ungratefully. I cannot fay fo bad of him as he deferves. I begged, by the fame poft his warrant and mine went over, that he would leave thofe livings to my difpofal. I fliall write this poft to him, to let him know how ill I take it. I have letters to tell me, that I ought to think of employing fomebody to fet the tythes of the deanry. I know not what to do at this dillance. I cannot be in Ireland under a month. I will write two or- ders ; one to Parvifol, and the other to Parvi/ol and — ; a blank for the fellow whom the laft dean employed ; and I would defire you to advife with friends, which to make ufe of. If the latter, let the fellow's name be inferted, and both may ad by commifTion. If the for- mer, then fpeakto Par-vifol, and icnow whether he can undertake it. I doubt it is hardly to be done by a ftranger alone, as Par-uifol is. He may perhaps venture at all, to keep up his intcrefl: with me; but that is needlefs, for I am willing, to do him any good, that will do me no harm. Pray advife with IJ^alls and Raymond^ and a little with bilhop Sterne for form.
U 2 Tell
[ 292 1
Tell Raymond I cannot fucceed to get him tJie Imng
oiMoymed. Itis reprefented here as a great fine-cur&.
Several chaplains have folicited for it; and it has
vexed me fo, that, if 1 live, I will make it my
bufmefs to ferve him better in fomethinw elfe. I am
heartily forry for his illnefs. I thank Mr. Wall for
his letter. Tell him^ that maft ferve for an anfwer,
with my fervice to him and her. I fhall buybifliop
Sterne's hair, as foon as his houfhold goods. I fhall be
ruined, or at lea(t fadly cramped, unlefs the queen
will give me one thoufand pounds. I am fure flie
owes me a great deal more. Lord treafurer rallies
me upon it, and I believe intends it; but quando ?
I am advifed to haften over as foon as poffible, and
fo I will, and hope to fet out the beginning of June.
Take no lodging for me ; lean lie fomewhere after I
land, and I care not where, nor how. Pray think
immediately, and give me fome commiffions, and
I will perform them. You did not write to the Dean,
&c. and I think you might have had a Dean under
your girdle for the fubfcription. 1 have jufl finifhed
my treatife *, and mult be ten days in correding
k.
# <
His H'lpry of the Peace of Utrecht.'
LET-
[ ^93 J
LETTER XCII. Sir T H o M A s H A N M E R to Dr. Swift.
S I R, Tuefday.
I KEEP only the laft book *, which I fliall have gone through before night. The reft I fend you» with a very few obfervations I made upon them, which yet were as many as I could fee occafion for ; though, I do allure you, I read with the fa;ne ftridnefs and ill-nature as in the former part. I . m your moft, is'c.
Tiio. Hanmer.
Jndoyfcd, Received about May, 1713.
LETTER XCIIL
Erasmus Lewis, Efq; f to Dr. Swift,
June 2, 1713.
1 H O P E this will meet you at Chefiery and that your paflage at fea will be favoured with as mild weather as your journey by land has been thefe two firft days. The divifion yelterday, in the houfe of lords, was fifty-four againft fifty-four. Proxies were
• ' Of the MS. hiftory of the Peace of Utrecht."
f ' Secretary to the lord treafurejr, the carl of Oxford^ and
member for Lcjlw'uhid in Corniuall la the parliiunent, which
met J^ril 9, 1713.'
U 3 called
[ 294 ]
called for, and we had feventeen to thirteen. This is the greateil vidory we ever had. The duke of Argyle and the Scotch were againlt us to a man. The lords Weymouth ?ca.di Car/^/-^^ were with them. It was very comical to fee the tories, who voted with lord treafurer againft the diifolution of the Union, under ^11 the perplexities in the world, left they Ihould be viftorious ; and the Scotch, who voted for a bill of dif- folution, under agonies, left they themfelves ftiould carry they point they pretended to defire. In all the time I have been converfant in bufinefs, I nevey before obferved both fides, at the fame time, afling parts which they thought contrary to their interefts. Let us hear from you fometimes, and believe there is nobody with more fincerity yours, than, $jfa
L JL T T E R XCIV. The Rev. Mr. S ri a r p e to Dr. Swift, '
REV. SIR, London, June 4, 1713.
1 W A S commanded by his excellency brigadier Hunter, governor of Ne\u-]^ork *, to deliver the in- clofed with my own hand. Had I been fo happy, for his fervice and my own fatisf^ictlon, as to have ieen you at Loncion, I am perfuaded your influence here might have contributed to create a better opinion cf him-, amongft fome leading men in the fociety for propagation of the gofpel in foreign parts, who
* ' Kc was thapjajn to brigaoitr Hunter, governor of Nav-YorK''
have
I 295 ]
have been much impofed on by the cLimorous me- morials of fome indifcreet miffionaries abroad. He has the jull efteem of two-thirds of the clergy in his government, and the greateft part of the laity, who have either fenfe, probity, or honour ; but his adver- faries have made the church's caufe a favourable handle for their repeated complaints, which, with the- application of their friends here, makes them hope- ful of fuccefs.
I have been twelve years abroad, in the fervice of the church in America : the Lift ten were in th^ ftaticn of chaplain to her majelty's forces at Ke-xv- Tork, where I had the opportunity of being very near to the feveral governors; and do affure you, that, if I had ever obferved in him any inclination to weaken the interell of the church there, 1 could not in confcience ofFer to excufe him; but he is better known to you, than that I, who am altogether un- known, Ihould prefume to give his charadter.
What I beg leave to intreat of you is, torecomend me, in my endeavours for his fervice, to the advice and affiftance of your friends.
The perplexity of all his afFairs at this time claims the good offices of all that wilh him well, l^ in favour to his excellency, you are pleafcd to honour me with the pardon of this, and what return the in- clofed may require, dircfl for me to the care of Mr. 'James Douglas, in Fen-court, Fenchurch-Street, London. I beg leave to fuhfcribe myfelf, with great refpcd, reverend Sir, your moft obedient and moll humble (ervant,
John Sharpe.
U 4 LET-
[ 296 J
LETTER XCV. Dr. Swift to Mrs. D i n g l e y.
Chefter, June 6, 171 3.
JAM come here after fix days. I fet cut on Monday lafl-, and got here to-day about eleven in the morn- ing. A noble rider ! and all the (hips and people \vent ofF yellerday, with a rare wind. This was told me, to my comfort, upon my arrival. Having not been ufed to riding thefe three years, made me terrible weary ; yet I refolve on Monday to fet out for Holyhead, as weary as I am : ^tis good for my health. I will come when God pleafes ; perhaps I may be with you in a week. I fhall be three days going to Holyhead ', I cannot ride fafter. You will fay, I am upon Stay-behind's mare. I have the whole inn to myfelf. I would fain efcape this Holyhead ]omney ; but I have no profpeft offhips, and it will be almofl: neceffary I fhould be in Dublin before the twenty-fifth inftant, to take the oaths; otherwlfe I mull wait to a quarter feffion. I will lodge as I can ; therefore take no lodgings for me, to pay in my abfence. The poor Dean can't af- ford it. I fpoke again to the duke of Orttiotid for Rayfno7id, and hope he may have it ; for I laid it flrongly to the duke, and gave him the bifhop of Meath's memorial. I will fpeak to lord treafurer
about Mrs. South to-morrow. Odfo ! 1 forgot;
I thought I had h^QXi'm Lo?idon. The letters to Ire- land
[ 297 1
land go at fo uncertain an hour, that I am forced to conclude. Farcwel.
LETTER XCVL Erasmus Lewis, Efq; to Dr. Swift.
Whitehall, July 9, 1713.
W E are all running headlong into the greateft confufion imaginable. Sir Thomas Hanm-r* is gone into the country this morning, I believe much dif- contented ; and I am very apprehcnfive neither lord Angkfea f , nor he, will continue long with us. I heartily wifh you were here ; for you might certainly be of great ufe to us, by your endeavours to reconcile, and by reprefenting to them the • infallible confequences of thefe divifions. We had letters this morning from Ireland, What is the reafon I had none from you ? Adieu. I hope your want of health is not the caufe.
LETTER XCML Erasmus Lewis, Efq; to Dr. S v^ i f t.
Whitehall, July 30, 1713.
1 H I S day fe'nnight the queen goes to Hampton- Court, and the Monday following to Wind/or. I fancy
* Speaker of the houfe of commons.
■j- ' Arthur, who was joint vice-treafurcr of Inland with ^divard carl of Clarcndan,^
H by
[ 298 ]
by that time Mr. Brcmley * will be fecretary of flate, in the room of my lord f . Lord treafurer was abroad this evening, for the firll time after a fort- night's illnefs. I hear there came a dozen of letters from you by the fame poll to your friends here. My lord treafurer defires you'll make all poflible hade over; for we want you extremely.
LETTER XCVIIL
Mr. Prior to Dr. Swift.
Paris, Augufl 15-16, 1713.
A. S I did not expe6l, my good friend Jonatha?2, to have received a letter from you at Dublin, fo I am fare I did not intend to write one thither to you ; but Mr. Rofuigra'ue % thinks it may do him fervice,
* ' William Bromley, Efq; appointed fecretary of ftate, Attg. 17, 171 3, in the roona of M^illiam earl of Dartmouth, made lord privy-fcal.'
-J- * Dartmouth, to whom Mr, Lcivis had been fecretarj'.' J Thomas Uojingra-ve, a celebrated performer in mufic. When he arrived in Inland, he played a voluntary at St. Piitrkk's cathe- dral, Dr. Pratt, then provolt of Dtihlin-ccUcge, and the Dean being prefent. The Doftor, who happened to dine at the deanry the fame day, was fo extravagant in his encomiums on Rojingraves voluntary, that fsveral of the company faid they wiflied they had heard it. Do you? faid Siv'ift ; then you ihall hear it ftill: and he immediately fung out fo lively, and yt't fo ridiculous an imitation of it, that all the company were kept in continual lai;£h:.cr, exct-jn one old gentlemuo, v. he fat with jreat lomp*,-
2 in
[ 299 1
in recommending him to you. If fo, I am very glad of it; for it can be of no other ufe imaginable. I have writ letters now above twenty-two years. I have taken towns, dellroyed fleets, made treaties, and fettled commerce, in letters. And what of all this ? Why nothing ; but that I have had fome fub- je£t to write upon. But to write a letter only, be- caufe Mr. Rojingrai'e has a mind to carry one in his pocket, to tell you, that you are fure of a friendfliip, which can never do you three pence worth of good, and to wifh you well in England very foon, when I do not know when I am likely to be there myfelf. All this, I fay, is very abfurd for a letter, efpecially when I have this day written a dozen much more to the purpofe. If I had feen your manufcriipt * ; if I had received Dr. PameU's poem ; if I had any news of Landen being taken, why well and good; but as I know no more than that the duke of Shreivjluiy de- figns for England within three weeks ; that I mull ilay here till fomebody elfe comes, and then brings me neceflarily to fay, good Mr. Dean, that I am like the fellow in the Rehearfal; who did not know if he was to be merry or ferious, or in what way or mood to aft his part. One thing only lam allured of, that
fure, and though he liflened, yet neither flicweJ curiofity nor approbation. After the entertainment, he was a/ked by fome ef the company, how it happened, that he had been no more aftc£led by the mufic? To which he anfwered, with great gra- vity, that he licard Mr. Rofingra-ve play it himfelf before. * * Of the HJlIory of tlie Peace of Utrech:,''
I love
r 300 ]
I love you very well; and am, mofl fincerely and faithfully, dear Sir, your Tervant and brother *.
M. Prior.
Lord and lady ^hrcvjjhury give their fervice to you. Vanhomrigh has run terribly here in debt, and, being in durance, has fent to his mother upon pecuniary concerns. Adieu once more.
What we are doing, or what is to become of us, I know not.
Pruden: futuri temp oris exitum CaligiHosd no£le pretnit Deusy Ridetq^ue •
This is all the Lath and writing I can at prefent fpare you.
Pray give my fervice to your Chancellor f , and be much acquainted with judge Nutley, and love him very well for my fake. Adieu. Once more, find out my coufin Pennyfather and Nutky (if he is not too grave for you) ; and according to the laudable cuftom of your country, drink this Louis out, for a token of my generofity and your fobriety. And now, I think, I have furnifhed out a very pretty letter.
* He was one of the fixtecn, •\ <■ Sir Ccfjfaiuinc Pbij>^s.'
L E T-
[ $ot ]
LETTER XCIX. Mr. Lewis to Dr. Swift.
WhitehaU, Auguft 6, 17 13.
1 Have To often, and in (o preiTaig a manner, de- fired you to come over, that, if what 1 have alreadj' faidhas no eiFeft, I fhall defpair of better fuccefs by any farther arguments. If I were to recapitulate the feveral reafons you ofFer to the contrary, and anfwer them feparately, I fhould grow peevifli ; which I have no way to avoid, but by telling you in general, it Is all wrong. You and I have already laid it down for
a maxim, that we muft ferve lord t *, without
receiving orders or particular inlliruftions ; and I do not yet fee a reafon for changing that rule. His mind has been communicated more freely to you than any other f : but you will not undcrftand it. The defires of great men are commands at leaft ; the only ones, I hope, they ever will be able to ufe. You have a mind to flay in Ireland till Odoher, and delire me to give my opinion whether you fhould come fooner. 1 anfwer yes. Then you bid me con- fider again; that is, you would have me fay lam of opinion you fhould ftay till Odober. When judges would have a jury change their verdidl, they bid them confidcr again ; when a man is determined to marry a
• Treafurer.
-j- By this it appears, that the late lord Orrery was miilaken, ■wlicn be faid that iiw'tfs was tm^h^td^ not trujiej,
woman.
t 502 ]
[woman, and his friend advifes him againfl It, he afks his opinion again ; and if his friend is fo filly as not to alter his advice, he marries without it. I am as much in the fpleen now I am anfwering your letter, as you were when you writ it. Come over; you will cure yourfelf and me too. Adieu. *
The End of the Firfl Volume.
^'his Day are PubUJhecf,
I. T ETTERS written by Dr. Si.vift and feve- i-/ ral of his Friends ; an elegant Edition, in 2 Volames, ^arto,
II. Another Edition is printed in 3 Volumes, hvgs OSlavo.
in. Another in 3 "Volumes, fmall OSavo.
IV. Another in 3 Volumes, on a large Cronvn Paper.
'S^ The above four Editions are fo printed, as to bind with, and complete, the other Works of the Dean, which have been publifhed in 8 Volumes, ^larto ; in 17 Volumes, large Oiiavo; and in 18 Volumes, /mall Odavo.
K. B. The Fi-ve Pojlhumcus Volumes of Dr. Sivift's Works may be had feparately, in all the different Editions in which the former Tivelnje have been printed with Dr. Haa^:ke/nx:ort}/s Notes.
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