death (as poor Wycherley said to me on his deathbed) by apothecaries apprentices, by the understrappers of under-secretaries to secretaries who were no secretaries—this would provoke as dull a dog as Ph-s✶ himself.

So much for enemies, now for friends. Mr L thinks all this indiscreet: the Doctor not so; he loves mischief the best of any good-natured man in England. Lord B. is above trifling: when he writes of any thing in this world, he is more than mortal; if ever he trifles, it must be when he turns a divine. Gay is writing tales for Prince William; I suppose Mr Philips will take this very ill, for two reasons, one that he thinks all childish things belong to him, and the other, because he will take it ill to be taught that one may write things to a child without being childish. What have I more to add? but that Lord Oxford desires earnestly to see you: and that many others whom you do not think the worst of, will be gratified by it: none more, be assured, than

Yours, &c.

P. S. Pope and you are very great wits, and I think very indifferent philosophers: if you despised the world as much as you pretend, and perhaps believe, you would not be so angry with it. The founder of your sect,* that noble original whom you

* Philips.

Very different is the opinion that Lord Shaftesbury has given of Seneca, the person here alluded to. 'Tis not," says be finely," the person, character, or genius, but the style and manner of this great man, which we presume to censure. We ac knowledge his noble sentiments and worthy actions: we own the patriot and good minister: but we reject the writer. Where

think it so great an honour to resemble,* was a slave to the worst part of the world, to the court; and all his big words were the language of a slighted lover, who desired nothing so much as a reconciliation, and feared nothing so much as a rupture. I believe the world has used me as scurvily as most people, and yet I could never find in my heart to be thoroughly angry with the simple, false, capricious thing. I should blush alike, to be discovered fond of the world, or piqued at it. Your definition of animal rationis capax, instead of the common one animale rationale, will not bear examination; define but reason, and you will see why your distinction is no better than that of the pontiff Cotta, betwen mala ratio, and bona ratio. But enough of this: make us a visit, and I will subscribe to any side of these important questions which you please. We differ less than you imagine, perhaps, when you wished me banished again: but I am not less true to you and to philosophy in England, than I was in France.

Yours, &c.

BOLINGBROKE.

an universal monarchy was actually established, and the interest of a whole world concerned; he surely must have been esteemed a guardian angel, who, as a prime minister, could, for several years, turn the very worst of courts, and worst-conditioned of all princes, to the fatherly care and just government of mankind. Such a minister was Seneca, under an Agrippina and a Nero." Characteristics, Vol. iii. p. 23.-Dr WARTON.

* Seneca.-WARTON.

7

FROM THE DUCHESS OF HAMILTON.*

Wednesday, [About 1725.]

DEAR DEAN, WHEN We were together last, I remember we spoke of a certain stanza, which you suspected me parent of, by reason there were some things in it you were sure I should have said twelve years ago. If this be a rule, I am certain you are not Dean Swift; for twelve years ago your promised letter had not been so long in coming to me. All I can say is, I wish you had been twelve years ago what I wish you now, and that you were now what you was twelve years ago to

Your real friend and humble servant,

E. HAMILTON.

TO LORD PALMERSTON,†

AT HIS HOUSE IN ST JAMES'S SQUARE, LONDON.

Dublin, Jan. 1, 1725-6.

MY LORD, I AM desired by one Mr Curtis, a clergyman of

* For this lady the Dean had at one time a great regard, which he evinced by the interest he took in her distress, at the untimely fate of her husband. See Vol. II. p. 117. She appears, how. ever, afterwards rather to have lost his good graces, for at p. 150, he makes mention of her "diabolical temper."

+ The following three letters illustrate the coldness which subsisted between Swift and the representative of his first patron,

this town, to write to your lordship upon an affair he has much at heart, and wherein he has been very unjustly and injuriously treated. I do now call to mind what I hear your lordship has written hither, that you were pleased many years ago, at my recommendation, to give Dr Ellwood a grant of a chamber in the college, which is at your disposal; for I had then some credit with your lordship, which I am told I have now lost, although I am ignorant of the reason. I shall therefore only inform your lordship in one point. When you gave that grant, it was understood to continue during Dr Ellwood's continuance in the college; but, he growing to be a senior fellow, and requiring more conveniencies, by changing one room, and purchasing another, got into a more convenient apartment, and therefore those who now derive under the doctor, have, during the doctor's life, the same property as if they derived under your lordship; just as if one of your tenants should let his holding to another during the term of his lease, and take a more convenient farin. This is directly the case, and must convince your lordship immediately; for Mr Curtis paid for the chamber, either to the doctor, or to those who derived under him, and till the doctor dies, or leaves the college, the grant is good.

I will say nothing of Mr Curtis's character, because the affair is a matter of short plain justice; and, besides, because I would not willingly do the young man an injury, as I happened to do to ano

Sir William Temple. They are very well written on both sides, although Lord Falmerston might have spared the ungenerous reproach of Swift's dependence upon Temple.

ther whom I recommended to your lordship merely for your own service, and whom you afterward rejected, expressing your reason for doing so, that I had recommended him, by which you lost the very person of the whole kingdom who by his honesty and abilities could have been most useful to you in your offices here. But these are some of the refinements among you great men, which are above my low understanding. And, whatever your lordship thinks of me, I shall still remain

Your Lordship's most obedient

and most humble servant,

JON. SWIFT.

FROM LORD PALMERSTON.

MR DEAN,

Jan. 15, 1725-6.

I SHOULD not give myself the trouble to answer your polite letter, were I as unconcerned about character and reputation as some are. The principles of justice I hope I have learned from those, who always treated you in another manner than you do me, even without reason.

You charge me with injury and injustice done Mr Curtis; he is still in his chamber; till he is turned out, none is done him, and he is satisfied with my proceedings, and the issue I have put it on. Your interest with me (which, if ever lost, such letters will not regain) procured Dr Ellwood

* Sir William Temple.