A "Vervecum in patriâ, crassoque sub aëre natus.”* very disordered head hindered me from writing early to your lordship, when I first heard of your preferment; and I have reproached myself of ingratitude, when I remembered your kindness in sending me a letter upon the deanery they thought fit to throw me into; to which I am yet a stranger, being forced into the country, in one of my old parishes, † to ride about for a little health. I hope to have the honour of asking your lordships blessing some time in October. In the mean while, I desire your lordship to believe me to be, with very great respect and truth, my lord, your lordship's most dutiful and most humble servant, JON. SWIFT. FROM MR PRIOR. Paris, Aug. 5.16, 1713. As I did not expect, my good friend Jonathan, to have received a letter from you at Dublin, so I am sure I did not intend to write one thither to you; but Mr Rosingrave thinks it may do him a land of bogs "With ditches fenc'd, a Heaven fat with fogs." + Laracor and Rathbeggin.-N. Thomas Rosingrave, a celebrated performer in music. When he arrived in Ireland, he played a voluntary at St Patrick's cathedral, Dr Pratt, then provost of Dublin college, and the Dean, being present. The doctor, who happened to dine at the service, in recommending him to you. If so, I am very glad of it; for it can be of no other use imaginable. I have writ letters now above twenty-two years. I have taken towns, destroyed fleets, made treaties, and settled commerce in letters. And what of all this? Why, nothing; but that I have had some subject to write upon. But to write a letter only because Mr Rosingrave has a mind to carry one in his pocket, to tell you, that you are sure of a friendship, which can never do you threepence of good, and wish you well in England very soon, when I do not know when I am likely to be there myself: all this, I say, is very absurd for a letter; especially when I have this day written a dozen much more to the purpose. If I had seen your manuscript; * if I had received Dr Parnell's poem; if I had any news of Landen being taken ; why well and good; but as I know no more than the Duke of Shrewsbury designs for England within three weeks; that I must stay here till somebody else comes, and then-brings me necessarily to say, good Mr Dean, that I am like the fellow in the Rehearsal, that did not know if he was to be merry deanery the same day, was so extravagant in his encomiums on Rosingrave's voluntary, that several of the company said they wished they had heard it. "Do you?" said Swift, then you shall hear it still :" and he immediately sung out so lively and yet so ridiculous an imitation of it, that all the company were kept in continual laughter; except one old gentleman, who sat with great composure, and though he listened, yet neither shewed curiosity nor approbation. After the entertainment, he was asked by some of the company, how it happened that he had been no more affected by the music! To which he answered, with gravity, "that he heard Mr Rosingrave play it himself before."-D. S. * Of the History of the Peace of Utrecht.-B. or serious, or in what way or mood to act his part. One thing only I am assured of, that I love you very well; and am, most sincerely and faithfully, dear Sir, your servant and brother, * M. PRIOR. Lord and Lady Shrewsbury give their service to you. Vanhomrigh has run terribly here in debt, and, being in durance, has sent to his mother upon pecuniary concerns. Adieu once more. What we are doing, or what is to become of us, I know not. "Prudens futuri temporis exitum HOR. lib. iii. od. 29. This is all the Latin and writing I can at present spare you. Pray give my service to your chancellor, † and be much acquainted with Judge Nutley, and love him very well for my sake. Adieu. Once more, find out my cousin Pennyfether and Nutley (if he is not too grave for you); and according to the laudable custom of your country, drink this Louis out, for a token of my generosity and your sobriety. And now, I think, I have furnished out a very pretty letter. * He was one of the sixteen.-H. VOL. XVI. + Sir Constantine Phipps. FROM MR LEWIS.* Whitehall, Aug. 6, 1713. I HAVE SO often, and in so pressing a manner, desired you to come over, that, if what I have already said has no effect, I shall despair of better success by any farther arguments. If I were to recapitulate the several reasons you offer to the contrary, and answer them separately, I should grow peevish; 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 must serve lord-treasurer, without receiving orders or particular instructions; and I do not yet see a reason for changing that rule. His mind has been communicated more freely to you than any other; † but you will not understand it. The desires of great men are commands; at least the only ones I hope they ever will be able to use. You have a mind to stay in Ireland till October, and desire me to give my opinion whether you should come sooner? I answer, yes. Then you bid me consider again; that is, you would have me say I am of opinion you should stay till October. till October. When judges would have a jury change their verdict, they bid them consider again: when a man is determined to marry a woman, and his friend advises him against it, he asks his opinion again; and if his friend is so silly as not to alter his advice, he * Indorsed," Mr Lewis, pressing me to come over."—N. By this it appears, that Lord Orrery was mistaken when he said that Swift was employed, not trusted.-H. marries without it. I am as much in the spleen now I am answering your letter, as you were when you writ it. Come over; you will cure yourself and me too. Adieu. LADY BOLINGBROKE TO LORD HARLEY. MY LORD, Bucklebury, Aug. 18, 1713. I was extremely glad to hear that my lord treasurer takes care of his health. I hope he will continue to do so; for, though I am a poor discarded mistress, yet my best wishes shall always attend his lordship. I beg my most humble service to him and my lady; and am, my Lord, Your most faithful servant, F. BOLINGBROKE.* LADY MASHAM TO LORD HARLEY. MY DEAR LORD, Windsor, Sept. 2, 1713. THIS day we received the most welcome news of your being married; † and though it may be im * Received at Wimple, Aug. 22, 1713. + See Swift's congratulatory poem on the marriage of Lord Harley with Lady Henrietta Cavendish Holles, daughter and heiress of the Duke of Newcastle. This, as well as the preceding letter, shews that the divisions in the cabinet had not got so high |