volume. You will please to look over the catalogue. You see that our calculation comes even, the gentleman's name that desired it being omitted. I am sensible that this has given you too much trouble; but it is too late now to make an apology. Let Mr Lewis, who is now with me, do it for me, at what time, and in what manner, he pleases. I take it for granted, that whatever I write, as whatever is writ to me, will be broke open; so you will expect nothing from me, but what you may have as particularly from the postboy. We are all pretty well in health. I have my old whoreson cough, and I think I may call it mine for life. The earl * is semper idem. Lord Harley is in the country. Our brotherhood is extremely dispersed; but so as that we have been three or four times able to get as many of the society together, and drink to our absent friends. I have been made to believe, that we may see your reverend person this summer in England: if so, I shall be glad to meet you at any place; but when you come to London, do not go to the Cocoa-tree (as you sent your letter), but come immediately to Duke Street, where you shall find a bed, a book, and a candle: so pray think of sojourning nowhere else. Pray give my service to all friends in general. I think, as you have ordered the matter, you have made the greater part of Ireland list themselves of that number. I do not know how you can recompense them, but by coming over to help me to correct the book which I promise them.

You will pardon my having used another hand,

* Of Oxford.-H.,

since it is so much better than my own; and believe me ever, with the greatest truth, dear Sir,

Yours,

M. PRIOR.

FROM THE EARL OF OXFORD.

Aug. 6, 1717.

Two years retreat has made me taste the conversation of my dearest friend with a greater relish, than even at the time of my being charmed with it in our frequent journies to Windsor.* Three of your letters have come safe to my hands. The first about two years since: that my son keeps as a family monument. The other two arrived since the first of July. My heart is often with you, but I delayed writing in expectation of giving a perfect answer about my going to Brampton, but the truth is, the warmth of rejoicing in those parts is so far from abating, † that I am persuaded by my friends to go into Cambridgeshire, where you are too just not to believe you will be welcome before any one in the world. The longing your friends have to see you must be submitted to the judgment yourself makes of all circumstances. At present this seems to be a cooler climate than your

* See Swift's Journal for an account of these expeditions. + The rejoicings at his acquittal, which it was probably deemed imprudent for the disgraced statesman to countenance by his presence.

island is likely to be, when they assemble, &c. Our impatience to see you should not draw you into uneasiness. We long to embrace you, if you find it may be of no inconvenience to yourself.

FROM MR PRIOR.

Heathrop, Aug. 24, 1717.

YOURS, my good friend, of the sixth finds me in Oxfordshire with the Duke of Shrewsbury, which would sooner have been acknowledged, had I stayed in London, Before I left that pious city, I made due inquiry into the methods and regularity of your correspondence with the earl.* He has received your letters; he will answer them-but not to-day, sicut olim. Nothing can change him. I can get no positive answer from him, nor can any man else; so trouble yourself no more on that head than he does. He is still in London, and possibly has answered you, while I am a little arraigning his neglect; but in all cases liberavi animam meam.

I wish you were in England, that you might a little look over the strange stuff, that I am to give our friends for their money. I shall be angry if you are near and not with me; but when I see you, that weighty question may easily be decided. In the mean time, I am taking your good counsel, and will be in the country as much as I can.

You have found two mistakes in the list, but have

*Of Oxford.-H.

+ Alluding to Lord Oxford's dilatory habits.

not corrected them. I presume we shall have it of the best edition, when you send the list back again; of which, I say, no haste is required.

Give my service and thanks to all friends; reserve only to yourself the assurance of my being, beyond expression, my friend,

Yours, &c.

FROM MR ADDISON.*

DEAR SIR,

March 20, 1717-18.

MULTIPLICITY of business and a long dangerous fit of sickness have prevented me from answering the obliging letter you honoured me with some time since but, God be thanked, I cannot make use of either of these excuses at present, being entirely free both of my office † and my asthma. I dare not, however, venture myself abroad yet, but have sent the contents of your last to a friend of mine, (for he is very much so, though he is my succes

* It is to be regretted that we have not the letter from Swift, which appears to have renewed, after a long interval, the corre spondence between these distinguished men. It would seem, from the readiness with which Addison embraces the proffered amity of the Dean, that he had entertained no prejudice against him from his quarrel with Steele : So that it may be fairly argued he had more reason in that unfortunate affair, than has been conceded in his favour by some of his biographers,

+ Of secretary of state, which post Mr Addison resigned on the fourteenth of March 1717-18, and had a pension granted him of one thousand five hundred pounds a-year...-H.

sor *) who I hope will turn it to the advantage of the gentlemen whom you mention. I know you have so much zeal and pleasure in doing kind offices for those you wish well to, that I hope you represent the hardship of the case in the strongest colours that it can possibly bear. However, as I always honoured you for your good nature, which is a very odd quality to celebrate in a man who has talents so much more shining in the eyes of the world, I should be glad if I could any way concur with you, in putting a stop to what you say is now in agitation.

I must here condole with you upon the loss of that excellent man the bishop of Derry,† who has scarce left behind him his equal in humanity, agreeable conversation, and all kinds of learning. We have often talked of you with great pleasure: and, upon this occasion, I cannot but reflect upon myself, who, at the same time that I admit no opportunity of expressing my esteem for you to others, have been so negligent in doing it to yourself. I have several times taken up my pen to write to you, but have been always interrupted by some impertinence or other; and to tell you unreservedly, I have been unwilling to answer so agreeable a letter as that I received from you, with one written in form only; but I must still have continued silent, had I deferred writing, till I could have made a suitable return. Shall we never again talk together in laconic? Whenever you see England, your company will be the most acceptable in the world at

* James Craggs, Esq.-B.

Dr St George Ashe, often mentioned as a friend of the Dean.