FROM THE SAME. Dublin, 1714. YOU bid me be easy and you would see me as often as you could. You had better have said, as often as you could get the better of your inclinations so much; or, as often as you remembered there was such a one in the world. If you continue to treat me as you do, you will not be made uneasy by me long. It is impossible to describe what I have suffered since I saw you last. I am sure I could have born the rack much better than those killing words of yours. Sometimes I have resolved to die without seeing you more; but those resolves, to your misfortune, did not last long. For, there is something in human nature, that prompts one so to find relief in this world, I must give way to it: and beg you would see me and speak kindly to me, for I am sure, you would not condemn any one to suffer what I have done, could you but know it. The reason I write to you is, because I cannot tell it to you should I see you. For, when I begin to complain, then you are angry; and there is something in your looks so awful, that it strikes me dumb. Oh! that you may have but so much regard for me left, that this complaint may touch your soul with pity. I say as little as ever I can; did you but know what I thought, I am sure it would move you to forgive me, and believe, I cannot help telling you this and live*. A letter from Dr Swift, dated Philipstown, Nov. 5, 1714, says, that he was going to a friend upon a promise, being then a mile from Trim, when miss Vanhomrigh's servant overtook him with a letter. She was then at Kilrhohid, and would go to town on the Monday following, to her lodging in Turnstile alley. He concludes thus; I have rode a tedious journey to day, and can say no more. Nor shall you know where I am till I come, and then I will see you. A fig for your letters and messages. Adieu." H FROM DR. ARBUTHNOT TO MR. FORD*. DEAR FRIEND, I HOPE this will find you in good health; and I hope in greater tranquillity of mind than when we used to lament together at your office for the eternal faults of our friends. I have seen the Dragon thrice since I wrote to you. He is without shadow of change; the greatest example of an unshaken tranquillity of mind, that ever I yet saw, seemingly perfectly well satisfied with his own conduct in every particular. You know we have often said, that there is but one dragon in rerum naturâ. I do not know what he thinks, but I am perfectly well satisfied, that there will not be that one Dragon left, if some people have their will. Haly Bassa, they say, struggles for his son-in-law. It is generous and grateful. There is a prodigious quarrel between him and the president about itt. I have given you the trouble of the adjoined for the Dean, as also a scrap of a letter for him which we had begun at our club, but did not finish; Dr. Parnell not going, as he said. Adieu. 1 am not yet out, but expect to be soon. I had almost forgot to tell you of the pretender's declaration, in which there are words to this purpose: "That he had no reason to doubt of the good intention of his sister, which was the reason that he sat quiet in her time; but now was disappointed by the deplorable accident of her sudden death. *Endorsed," Received Dec. 2, 1714." H, FROM THE SAME *. DEAR BROTHER, Nov. 1714. I SEND you the scrap of a letter begun to you by the whole society, because I suppose you even value the fragments of your friends. The honest gentle mant, at whose lodgings we wrote, is gone for France. I really value your judgment extremely in chusing your friends. I think worthy Mr. Ford is an instance of it, being an honest, sensible, firm, friendly man, et qualis ab inceptu processerat, &c. Though, by the way, praising your judgment is a little compliment to myself, which I am apt to fall into of late, nobody now being at the trouble of doing it for me. The Parnellian, who was to have carried this letter, seems to have changed his mind by some sudden turn in his affairs; but I wish his hopes may not be the effect of some accidental thing working upon his spirits, rather than any well-grounded project, If it be any pleasure to you, I can assure you that you are remembered kindly by your friends, and I believe not altogether forgot by your enemies. I think both is for your reputation. I am told, that I am to lose my little preferment: however, I hope to be able to keep a little habitation warm in town. I cannot but say, I think there is one thing in your circumstance, that must make any man happy : which is, a liberty to preach. Such a prodigious privilege, that if it did not border upon simony, I could really purchase it for a sum of money. For my part, I never imagine any man can be uneasy, that has the opportunity of venting himself to a whole congregation once a week. And you may pretend what you will, I am sure you think so too, or you do * Written on the same paper with the last. N. N. The duke of Ormond. Hot judge right. As for news, I never enquire about Fuimus Troes, &c. Sed nunc ferox Jupiter any. My present politicks is to give no disturbance to the present folks in the due exercise of their power, for fear of forcing them to do very strange things, rather than part with what they love so well. Untoward reports in the country' will make elections dearer, which I am sorry for. The Dragon, I am afraid, will be struck at. Adieu, in haste. I must not forget to tell you a passage of the pretender's declaration, to, this purpose "That he had, Sc''* TO MONSIEUR GIRALDI †. De Dublin en Yrlande, JE MONSIEUR, prens la liberté de vous présenter le porteur de çelui-ci, monsieur Howard, gentilhomme savant et de condition de ce pays-ci; qui prétend de faire le tout d'Italie; et qui étant chanoine en mon doyenné et professeur de college ici, veut en voyageant parmi les catholiques s'opiniatrer plus dans son hérésie. Et après tout, monsieur, il n'est que juste, puisque vous avez dérobé notre franchise Angloise pour l'ajouter à votre politesse Italienne, que quelques-uns de nousautres tramontanes devoient en voyageant chez vous faire des représailles. Vous me souffrirez aussi de yous prier de présenter mes très humble devoires à son altesse royale le Grand Duc. Pour mon particulier, monsieur, je prens la liberté * Here the words in p. 117, are repeated. N. Secretary to the duke of Tuscany. H. de vous dire, que deux mois devant la mort de la reine, voyant, qu'il étoit tout-à-fait impossible de raccom moder mes amis du ministère, je me retirai à la campagne en Berkshire, d'où après ce triste événement je suis venu en Irlande, où je demuere en mon doyenné, et attens avec la résignation d'un bon chrétien la ruine de notre cause et de mes amis, menacés tous les jours par la faction dominante. Car ces messieurs sont tout-à-fait résolu de trancher une demi-douzaine de têtes des meilleures d'Angleterre, et que vous avez fort bien connues et estimées. Dieu sait quel en sera l'événement. Pour moi j'ai quitté pour jamais la politique, et avec la permission des bons gens qui sont maintenant en vogue, je demeurerai la reste de ma vie en mon hermitage pour songer à mon salut. Adieu, monsieur, et me faites la justice de croire, que je suis, avec beaucoup de respect, monsieur, votre, &c. TO THE EARL OF OXFORD. MY LORD, may Dublin, July 19, 1715. IT look like an idle or officious thing in me, to give your lordship any interruption under your present circumstances: yet I could never forgive myself, if, after being treated for several years with the greatest kindness and distinction, by a person of your lordship's virtue, 1 should omit making you at this time the humblest offers of my poor service and attendance. It is the first time I ever solicited you in my own behalf; and if I am refused, it will be the first request you ever refused me. I do not think myself obliged so regulate my opinions by the proceedings of a house of lords or commons; and therefore, however they may acquit themselves in your lordship's case, I shall take the liberty of thinking and calling |