I thank you for the purchase you have made of Bristol beer; it will soon pay for itself, by saving me many a bottle of wine; but I am afraid it is not good for your gout. My deafness has left me above three weeks, and therefore I expect a visit from it soon; and it is somewhat less vexatious here in the country, because none are about me but those who are used to it. Mrs Worall's observation is like herself; she is an absolute corrupted city lady, and does not know the pleasures of the country, even of this place, with all its millions of inconveniencies. But Mrs Dingley is of her opinion, and would rather live in a Dublin cellar, than a country palace. I would fain have a shed thrown up in the furthest corner of Naboth's vineyard, toward the lower end of Shebb's garden, till I can find leisure and courage to build a better in the centre of the field. Can it be done? The weather continues as foul as if there had not been a day of rain in the summer, and it will have some very ill effect on the kingdom. I gave Jack Grattan* the papers corrected, and I think half spoiled, by the cowardly caution of him and others. He promised to transcribe them time enough, and my desire is they may be ready to be published upon the first day the parliament meets. I hope you will contrive it among you, that it may be sent unknown (as usual) to some printer, with proper directions. I had lately a letter without a name, telling me that I have got a sop to hold my A very worthy clergyman.-F. The papers referred to the controversy about Wood's halfpence. See the next letter but one. tongue, and that it is determined we must have that grievance, &c. forced on us. My intention is to return about the beginning of October, if my occasions do not hinder me. Before that time it will be seen how the parliament will act. They who talk with me think they will be slaves as usual, and led where the government pleases. My humble service to Mrs Worrall. The ladies present theirs to you both. JON. SWIFT. FROM THE EARL OF OXFORD. REVEREND SIR, Dover Street, Aug. 30, 1725. I RECEIVED the favour of your letter; I am vexed that the trifle of the ring should not have reached you; I found where the fault lay; I hope you will soon receive both the picture and the ring safe: I have ordered them to the care of Erasmus Lewis, Esq. our old friend, and he is a punctual man, and is well acquainted with Mrs Ford, and my Lord Arran's chaplain, Mr Charleton; so I hope this method will not fail that I have now taken. I would not be wanting in the least trifle, by which I might show the value and esteem I have, and always must and will have for you. The picture I have of you is the same which Mr Jarvis drew of you in Ireland, and it is very like you, and is a very good picture; and though Mr Jarvis is honoured with the place of his majesty's painter, he cannot paint a picture I shall so much value as I do that of the Dean of St Patrick's. My old fellow collegiate * has done so right a thing as to prefer one of your recommendation. I am, Sir, Your most obedient humble servant, OXFORD. My wife sends her compliments to you; she is as well as can be expected TO MR WORRALL. Quilca, Aug. 31, 1725. I HAVE yours of the 28th. I am still to acknowledge and thank you for the care of my little affairs. I hope I shall not want the silver; for I hope to be in town by the beginning of October, unless extreme good weather shall invite me to continue. Since Wood's patent is cancelled, it will by no means be convenient to have the paper printed, as I suppose you, and Jack Grattan, and Sheridan will agree; therefore, if it be with the printer, † I would have it taken back, and the press broke, and let her be satisfied. The work is done, and there is no more need of the Drapier. Mrs Johnson does not understand what you mean * Lord Carteret. The passage probably alludes to Sheridan's preferment. + Mrs Harding.-F. by her stamped linen, and remembers nothing of it; but supposes it is some jest. The ladies are well; all our services to Mrs Worrall. Mrs Dingley at last discovered the meaning of the stamped linen, which makes that part of my letter needless. Pray pay Jo. Beaumont four pounds for a horse I bought from him, and place it to my account. JON. SWIFT. When Jo. brings you a piece of linen of twentyfour yards, pray put my name upon it, and pay him six pounds eight shillings. FROM MR ROCHFORT. DEAR SIR, Wednesday morning, Sept. 9, 1725. I FIND myself stand in need of the advice I bestowed on you the other night, and therefore if you have not got rid of your cold, I would prescribe a small jaunt to Belcamp * this morning. If you find yourself thus disposed, I will wait for you here in my boots the weather may perhaps look gloomy at the deanery; but I can assure you it is a fine day in the parish, † where we set up for as good tastes as our neighbours: to convince you of mine, I send you this invitation. I am, dear Sir, Your much obliged and obedient servant, * Dr Grattan's, about five miles from Dublin.-F. + St Mary's parish, about a mile from the deanery.-F. TO DR SHERIDAN. * Quilca, Sept. 11, 1725. your IF you are indeed a discarded courtier, you have reason to complain, but none at all to wonder; you are too young for many experiences to fall in way, yet you have read enough to make you know the nature of man. It is safer for a man's interest to blaspheme God, than to be of a party out of power, or even to be thought so. And since the last * Sheridan lost his appointment as chaplain to Lord Carteret (then lord-lieutenant), by his unwary choice of a text for the first of August, anniversary of Queen Anne's death, and of the accession of the House of Hanover. "Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof," was the theme upon which, although a violent tory, and suspected of being a jacobite, he chose to preach upon that day. The tale was reported to the lieutenant, as was supposed, by Richard Tighe, who appears to have been foremost when any ill offices were to be rendered to persons of Sheridan's party, and who was unfortunately an auditor when the unfortunate text was given forth. The time also was marked; for it was exactly when Dr Sheridan had gone down to be inducted into his living, the first mark of the lord-lieutenant's favour. It was in vain that he protested the text was chosen by mere inadvertence, that he had forgotten his engagement to preach for Archdeacon Russell of Cork, whose pulpit he occupied upon that unlucky day, and that, being suddenly called upon to fulfil his engagement, he seized the first old sermon that he had by him, without even looking into it. All this profited nothing: Doctor Sheridan was disgraced at the viceroy's court, and his name struck out of the list of chaplains. This misfortune led to an exemplary act of generosity on the part of Archdeacon Russell, who, though no farther accessory to the blunder than by the loan of his pulpit, conveyed to Sheridan, by irrevocable gift, the valuable manor of Drumlane, in the county of Cavan, a bishop's lease, worth L.250 yearly. |