1

her, like a filly thing I could name, who is the Venus of these days. I fee you had forgot my letter, or would not let her know how much I thought of her in this reasonable way: but I have been kinder to you, and have shown your letter to one who will take it candidly.

But, for God's fake what have you said about Politicians? you made me a great compliment in the trust you reposed in my prudence, or what mischief might, not I have done you with fome that affect that denomination? Your Lordfhip might as fafely have fpoken of Heroes. What a blufter would the God of the winds have made, had one that we know puff'd againft Eolus, or (like Xerxes) whipp'd the feas? They had dialogued it in the language of the Rehearsal. I'll give him flash for flash

I'll give him dash for dash

But all now is fafe; the poets are preparing fongs of joy, and Halcyon - days are the word.

I hope, my Lord, it will not be long before your dutiful affection brings you ro town. I fear it will a little raise yor envy to find all the Mufes employed in celebrating a Royal work 23, your own partiality will think inferior to Bevis-Mount. But if you have any inclination to be even with them, you need but pur three or four Wits into any hole in your Garden, and they will out-rhyme all Eaton and Westminster. I think, Swift, Gay, and I could undertake it, if you don't think our Heads too expenfive: but the fame hand that did the others, will do them as cheap. If

The Hermitage,

all elfe fhould fail, you are fure at least of the head, hand, and heart of your servant.

Why should you fear any disagreeable news to reach us at Mount Bevis? Do as I do even within ten miles of London, let no news whatever come near you. As to public affairs we never knew deader season: 'tis all filent, deep tranquillity. Indeed they fay, 'tis fometimes fo just before an Earthquake. But whatever happens, cannot we obferve the wife neutrality of the Dutch, and let all about us fall by the ears? Or if you, my Lord, fhould be prick'd on by any oldfashion'd notions of Honour and Romance, and think it neceffary for the General of the Marines to be in action, when our Fleets are in motion; meet them at Spithead, and take me along with you. I decline no danger where the glory of Great Britain is concern'd; and will contribute to empty the largest bowl of punch that shall be rigg'd out on such an occasion. Adieu, my Lord, and may as many Years attend you, as may be happy and honourable!

LETTER

XXXVI.

From the Earl of PETERBOROW.

OU must receive my letters with a just impartia

YOU

lity, and give grains of allowance for a gloomy or rainy day; I fink grievoufly with the weather. glass, and am quite fpiritlefs when oppref'd with the thoughts of a Birthday or a Return.

1

Dutiful affection was bringing me to town, but andutiful laziness, and being much out of order, keep me in the country; however, if alive, I must make my appearance at the Birthday. Where you showed one letter you may fhew the other; fhe that never was wanting in any good office in her power, will make a proper excuse, where a fin of Omiffion, I fear, is not reckoned as a venial fin.

I confent you shall call me polemic, or affociate me to any fect or Corporation, provided you do not join me to the charitable Rogues or to the Pacific Politicians of the present age. I have read over 24 Barkley in vain; and find, after a stroke given on the left, I cannot offer the right cheek for another blow: all I can bring myself to, is to bear mortification from the Fair fex with patience.

You feem to think it vexatious that I fhall allow you but one woman at a time, either to praise, or love. If I dispute with you upon this point, I'doubt every jury will give a verdict against me. So, Sir, with a Mahometan indulgence, I allow you pluralities, the favourite privilege of our church.

I find you do not mend upon correction; again I tell you, you must not think of women in a reafonable way: you know we always make Goddeffes of those we adore upon earth; and do not all the good men tell us, we muft lay afide Reafon in what relates to the Deity?

'Tis well the Poets are preparing fongs of'joy: 'tis well to lay in antidotes of soft rhyme, against the

K

24 Barkley's apology for the Quakers.

P.

rough prose they may chance to meet with at Westminfter. I should have been glad of any thing of Swift's: pray, when you write to him next, tell him I expect him with impatience, in a place as odd and as much out of the way as himself. Yours.

LETTER XXXVII.

Whene

From the fame.

Henever you apply as a good Papift to your fe male Mediatrix, you are fure of fuccefs; but there is not a full affurance of your entire fubmiffion to Mother-church, and that abates a little of your au thority. However, if you will accept of country letters, fhe will correfpond from the hay-cock, and I will write to you upon the fide of my wheelbarrow: furely fuch letters might espace examination.

Your Idea of the Golden Age is, that every fhepherd might pipe where ha pleased. As I have lived longer, I am more moderate in my wishes, and would be content with the liberty of not piping where I am not pleased.

Oh how I wish, to myfelf and my friends a freedom which Fate feldom allows, and which we often refuse ourselves! why is our Shepherdefs 25 in voluntary flavery? why muft our Dean fubmit to the Colour of his coat and live abfent from us? and why are you confined to what you cannot relieve?

25 Mrs. H.

I feldom venture to give accounts of my journeys before-hand, because I take resolutions of going to London, and keep them no better than quarrelling lovers do theirs. But the devil will drive me thither about the middle of next month, and I will call upon you, to be fprinkled with holy water, before I enter the place of Corruption.

by another hand, it not being permitted me to hold correfpondence with the faid Dean, for no letter of mine can come to his hands.

And whereas it is apparent, in this proteftant land, molt especially under the care of divine' providence, that nothing can fucceed or come to a happy iffue but by Bribery; therefore let me know what he expects to comply with my defires, and it fhall be remitted unto him.

For tho' I would not corrupt any man for the whole world, yet a benevolence may be given without any offence to confcience, every one mult confess, that gratification and corruption are two diftinét terms; nay at worst many good men hold, that for a good