FROM MR PRIOR. * Paris, April 8, 1713. PRAY take this word writ after our packet is closed, and the messenger staying for it, as an equivalent for your dispatches at midnight when the writer was half asleep. Hang me if I know how to go on, though I am in a country where every body does not only write letters but print them. Our great affair goes on very successfully. We transmit the Spanish treaty, concluded at Madrid, for your approbation in England, and transmission to Utrecht; after which I think, pax sit will become authentic Latin: after which, I suppose, our society will flourish, and I shall have nothing to do but to partake of that universal protection, which it will receive. In the mean time, pray give my great respects to our brethren: † and tell them that, while in hopes of being favoured, they are spending their own money, I ain advancing my interest in the French language, and forgetting my own mother tongue. But we shall have time enough to perfect our English when we have done with other matters. I want mightily to hear from lord-treasurer. Tell him so. I owe brother Arbuthnot a letter. Excuse my not writing to him, till I know what to say. I cannot find Vanhomright since he * At that time plenipotentiary to France.-H. + The sixteen. See note to a letter from Lord Harley to Swift, dated July 17, 1714.-H. One of the brothers of Vanessa. See the letter to Miss Esther Vanhomrigh, dated July 8, 1713.-H. Brought me your letter. I have a rarity of a book to send you by the first fair occasion It makes but little of the English wit, "The Guardian;" but, possibly, I do not enter into his design. 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 servant, FROM EARL POULETT. * April, Sunday Afternoon. I WAS called away presently after chapel upon some business which hindered my going up stairs at St James's, and occasions Dr Swift the trouble of this, to make my excuse for not returning the paper, which I here send you; and though it is not in my power to serve you in any proportion to my unfeigned respects for you, yet I would not be wanting, on my part, in any opportunity where I can, to express myself, Sir, your most faithful humble servant, * Indorsed "Lord-steward, 1713." This nobleman is described by Davies as very learned, virtuous, and honourable, generous to the gentry, and charitable to the poor; and the Dean, contrary to the usual purport of his annotations, seems to admit the justice of the applause such a character conveys. See Vol. p. 306. X. TO THE REV. MR WILLIAM DRAPER, DEAN, NEAR BASINGSTOKE, HAMPSHIRE. SIR, London, April 13, 1713. I AM ashamed to tell you how ill a philosopher I am, and that a very ill situation of my affairs for three weeks past, made me utterly incapable of answering your obliging letter, and thanking you for your most agreeable copy of verses. The prints will tell you that I am condemned again to live in Ireland; and all that the court and ministry did for me was to let me choose my situation in the country where I am banished. † I could not forbear showing both your letter and verses to our great men, as well as to the men of wit of my acquaintance; and they were highly approved by all. I am altogether a stranger to your friend Oppian; and am a little angry when those who have a genius lay it out in translations. I question whether "Res angusta domi" be not one of your motives. Perhaps you want such a bridle as a translation, for your genius is too fruitful, as appears by the frequency of your similies; and this employment may teach you to *First printed in Mr Seward's Biographiana 1799, from the original in the possession of the Rev. Dr Valpy of Reading. + From this Mr Draper might infer, that Swift had his choice to be bishop of Dromore, or dean of St Patrick's; and perhaps our author, who felt considerably mortified at the manner of his appointment, had no objection that a more favourable opinion of the way in which he had been treated should be entertained by the public. See the Journal, pages 207, 209. write like a modest man, as Shakespeare expresses it. I have been minding my Lord Bolingbroke, Mr Harcourt, and Sir William Windham, to solicit my lord chancellor to give you a living, as a business which belongs to our society, who assume the title of rewarders of merit. They are all very well disposed, and I shall not fail to negociate for you while I stay in England, which will not be above six weeks; but I hope to return in October, and if you are not then provided for, I will move heaven and earth that something may be done for you. Our society has not met of late, else I would have moved to have two of us sent in form to request a living for you from my lord chancellor: and, if you have any way to employ my services, I desire you will let me know it, and believe me to be, very sin cerely, Sir, Your most faithful humble servant, JON. SWIFT. FROM DEAN ATTERBURY. MR DEAN, Chelsea, Tuesday Morning, GIVE me leave to tell you, that there is no man in England more pleased with your being preferred than I am. I would have told you so myself at your lodgings, but that my waiting confines me. I had heard a flying report of it before; but my Lord Bolingbroke yesterday confirmed the welcome news to me. I could not excuse myself without saying thus much; and I have not time to say more, but that I am Your most affectionate and faithful servant, TO ARCHBISHOP KING. MY LORD, London, April 30, 1713. I HAD the honour of your grace's letter of the 14th, which at present I cannot answer particularly: I send this to welcome your grace to the_Bath, where we conclude you are now arrived; and I hope the design of your journey is more for prevention than cure. I suppose your grace has heard that the queen has made Dr Sterne bishop of Dromore, and that I am to succeed him in his deanery. Dr Parnell, who is now in town, writ last post to your grace, to desire the favour of you that he may have my small prebend: † he thinks it will be some advantage to come into the chapter, where it possibly be in my power to serve him in a way agreeable to him, although in no degree equal to his merits; by which he has distinguished himself so much, that he is in great esteem with the ministry, and others of the most valuable persons in may * Indorsed by Dr Swift, "Dr Atterbury, April 21, 1713, about eleven in the morning. I believe all to no purpose.' At the moment of receiving this congratulatory letter, Swift was uncertain of his appointment. The warrants were not signed until the 23d April. See Journal, III. p. 209. + Of Dunlaven. |
