When I hear from your governors, with what respect and deference you treat them! how cheerful you are in your obedience to their commands! that you are constant in all duties enjoined you by the statutes (too much hitherto neglected by those of your quality); that you are regular in your life; decent in your behaviour; good-natured and civil to your companions, whom you have prudently chosen from among the best; that you are diligent in your studies; with many other additions to your character, which very much redound to your honour; I then return my thanks to God, and think all my labour on your account rewarded in the noblest and the best manner.

You are now in a situation of taking two the most delightful prospects, that a generous mind can have. First, you can look back upon a good and honourable reputation, left behind you among your school-fellows. You can behold that ardent emulation in most of them, which you kindled in their breasts by your example; and thus you see yourself a blessed instrument of bringing others into the road of hononr and virtue, which you naturally followed upon the first direction. The next prospect is, that you are now placed on a more public stage, among the hopefullest young gentlemen of this kingdom, who are already so far influenced by your example, that they rather seem willing to contend with you in the race, than to follow; and this by your own encouragement. Consider, my Lord, the good you now do, is not confined to the present age: but those to come shall shew the effects of your virtue, and posterity shall bless you for giving an advantage to them, which they can only requite by the greatest esteem they will preserve for your memory.

I shall make you no compliments upon your birth or title, for which, you and your school-fellows will witness for me, that I never did once either distinguish or spare you, while you were under my care. Neither shall I ever allow you any merit from the mere advantages of fortune. Besides, I always observed 'you much more fond of the genealogies of the Greek and Roman heroes, than of your own. There you found so many wonderful examples of piety, wisdom, justice, fortitude, love to their country, faithfulness to their friends, every action great, noble, and truly humane, that it is not to be wondered your character exceeds your years, when you endeavoured to borrow most of it from them; for which every wise man will acquit you, since there are so few examples in the present world, that will deserve your imitation. But, the great characters of antiquity are such, as you may safely follow in every thing that is great and good. And although it hath been your misfortune to live in a country, not the most inviting scene to employ those talents which God hath given you, and which your own disposition, added to the care of your instructors, is so likely to improve; yet let not that be a discouragement from persevering to qualify yourself, for appearing one day, where you can shine to more advantage.

But my zeal for your happiness makes me forget that you are now under governors much fitter to direct you in your future conduct. I shall therefore only join with them in my good wishes for a blessing on their labours. "Si agricolam arbor ad fructum perducta delectat; si pastor ex fætu gregis sui capit voluptatem; si alumnum suum nemo aliter intuetur quam ut adolescentiam illius suam judicet, quid evenire credis his qui ingenia educaverunt, et

qui tenera formaverunt, adulta subito vident? Assero te mihi, Meum opus es." My case, my Lord is the very same. You are a plant of my own rearing; and although you be now removed to another soil, the same delight, which I conceived at your prosperous growth, makes me earnest in my expectations to see the fruit. May you never disappoint our hopes, but become a true son of the church, a loyal subject to your prince, a faithful friend to your country, and an honour to the age you live in! May all happiness and success attend you to the last period of your life! I am, my Lord,

With true respect, esteem, and affection,
Your most obedient, and most humble servant,
THOMAS SHERIDAN.

DEAR SIR,

FROM MR GAY.

London, Dec. 2, 1728.

I THINK this is my fourth letter, I am sure it is the third, without any answer. If I had any assurance of your health, I should have been more easy. I should have writ to you upon this subject above a month ago, had it not been for a report that you were upon the road in your way to England: which I fear now was without foundation. Your money, with part of my own, is still in the hands of Lord Bathurst, which I believe he will keep no longer, but repay upon his coming to town; when I will

Seneca, Ep. 34.

endeavour to dispose of it as I do of my own, unless I receive your orders to the contrary. Lord and Lady Bolingbroke are in town: she has been lately very ill, but is now somewhat better. I have had a very severe attack of a fever, which, by the care of our friend Dr Arbuthnot, has, I hope, almost left me. I have been confined about ten days, but never to my bed, so that I hope soon to get abroad about my business; that is, the care of the second part of the Beggar's Opera, which was almost ready for rehearsal; but Rich received the Duke of Grafton's commands (upon an information that he was rehearsing a play improper to be represented), not to rehearse any new play whatever, till his grace has seen it. What will become of it I know not; but I am sure I have written nothing that can be legally suppressed, unless the setting vices in general in an odious light, and virtue in an amiable one, may give offence. I passed five or six months this year at the Bath with the Duchess of Marlborough; and then, in the view of taking care of myself, writ this piece. If it goes on in case of success, I have taken care to make better bargains for myself: I tell you this, because I know you are so good as to interest yourself so warmly in my affairs, that it is what you would want to know. I saw Mr Pope on Friday, who, as to his health, is just as you left him. His mother, by his account, is much the same. Mr Lewis, who is very much your servant (as are all I have mentioned) tells me, farther time is still desired of him about the hundred pounds. Dr Arbuthnot particularly desires his compliments, and Mrs Howard often asks after you. Prince Frederick is expected over this week. I hope to go abroad in two or three days. I wish I could meet with you either abroad or at home.

TO MR WORRALL.

Market-Hill, Jan. 4, 1728-9.

I HAD your long letter, and thank you heartily for your concern about my health. I continue very deaf and giddy: but, however, I would certainly come to town, not only for my visitation, but because in these circumstances, and in winter, I would rather be at home. But it is now Saturday night, and that beast Sheridan is not yet come, although it has been thawing since Monday. If I do not come, you know what to do.

My humble service to our friends, as usual. JON. SWIFT.

TO THE SAME.

Market-Hill, Jan. 13, 1728-9.

I JUST received your letter, and should never have done, if I returned you thanks so often as I ought for your care and kindness; both my disorders still continue; however, I desire that Mrs Brent may make things ready, for my raggedness will soon force me away. I have been now ill about a month, but the family are so kind as to speak loud enough for me to hear them; and my deafness is not so extreme as you have known when I have fretted at your mannerly voice, and was only relieved by Mrs Worrall.

I send you enclosed the fruit of my illness, to