*

I am always more frighted when my friends are sick there, because there is neither physick nor physician that is good for any thing. Indeed I cannot answer, whether your lord lieutenant will be the same or not. All that I can say is, that if he asks my consent for it, he shall not have it. I have no acquaintance with the duke of Chandos, nor I believe has the duke of Dorset much. And to be sure it would be to no purpose to ask him for those records again, because, if he would have parted with them, he would have done it on your asking. And whether it be useful or not, just to him, yet few people would care to part with what must enhance the value of their libraries; but if he succeeds the duke of Dorset, then for certain he will be easily persuaded to make a compliment of them to the kingdom. Your friend, Dr. Arbuthnot, I hear is out of order again. I have not seen him lately, and I fear he is in a very declining way. I fancy it would be prodigiously good for your health to come to England, which would be a great pleasure to

Your most sincere old friend,

and humble servant,

E. G.

* These records were manuscripts relating to the history of Ireland, which had been collected by sir James Ware (who was recorder of Dublin) before, after, and during the troubles of 1641. When lord Clarendon was lord lieutenant, 1686, he got these manuscripts from the heir of sir James, and brought them into England. After lord Clarendon's death, they were sold to the hon. Mr. Brydges, afterward duke of Chandos. The catalogue of them was printed in 1697, in the large folio catalogue of all the libraries both in England and Ireland, and the Dean having read that account of them, was very desirous to procure them for publick use. See a letter written by the Dean VOL. XIII. K

to

SIK,

FROM MRS. PENDARVES.

ST. MARY'S SQUARE, GLOUCESTER, NOV. 20, 1734.

I AM truly concerned at your having been so

much out of order: I most heartily wish you constant health and happiness, though that is of little. use to you, and only serves to do honour to myself, by showing I know how to prize what is

valuable.

I should have returned you thanks much sooner for the favour of your last letter; but when I received it I was preparing for my journey hither, and have ever since had so great a disorder in one of my eyes, that till this moment I have not been able to make my acknowledgments to you. I wonder you should be at a loss for a reason for my writing to you; we all love honour and pleasure; were your letters dull, do you imagine my vanity would not be fond of corresponding with the dean of St. Patrick's? But the last reason you give I like best, and will stick by, which is that I am a more constant nymph than all your goddesseș of much longer acquaintance; and farthermore I venture to promise you are in no danger of re ceiving a boutade, if that depends on my will. As for those fasting days you talk of*, they are, I

to the Duke of Chandos, dated Aug. 31, 1734, soliciting his grace to present them to the public library at Dublin, p. 107.

N.

* That is, dining upon two or three dishes at the Deanery; which, in comparison of magnificent tables, the Doctor used to call fasting. D. S.

confess,

confess, alluring baits, and I should certainly have been with you in three packets according to your commands, could I either fly or swim: but I am a heavy lump, destined for a few years to this earthly element, and cannot move about, without the concurrent assistance of several animals that are very expensive.

Now for business: As soon as I received your letter, I went to your brother Lansdown, and spoke to him about the duke of Chandos. He desired me to make his compliments to you, and to tell you he was very sorry he could be of no service to you in that affair; but he has had no manner of correspondence or even acquaintance with the duke these fifteen years. I have put it however into hands that will pursue it diligently, and I hope obtain for you what you desire; if they do not succeed, you must not call me negligent; for whatever lies in my power to serve you, is of too much consequence for me to neglect.

I have left my good friend, and your humble servant, Mrs. Donnellan, behind me in London, where she meets with little entertainment suitable to her understanding; and she is a much fitter companion for the Dublin Thursday Society, than for the trifling company she is now engaged in; and I wish you had her with you (since I cannot have her) because I know she would be happier than where she is, and my wish I think no bad one for you. Neither my eyes nor paper will hold out any longer. I am, sir,

Your most faithful humble servant,

M. PENDARVES.

I beg my compliments to all your friends.

K 2

FROM MR. JARVIS*.

DEAR MR. DEAN,

HAMPTON, NÓV. 24, 1734.

You OU can hardly imagine how rejoiced I am at finding my old friend the bishop of Worcester so hale at 83-4! No complaint; he does but begin to stoop, and I am forced myself, every now and then, to awaken myself to walk tolerably upright, famous as I was lately for a wight of uncommon vigour, and consequently spirits to spare. If ever I see Dublin again, and your Teague escapes hanging sơ long, I will myself truss him up for non-admittance when you were in a conversable condition. I am sure the lady will send you Mr. Conolly's picture with pleasure, when I tell her you expect it. Our friend Pope is off and on, here and there, every where and no where, a son ordinaire, and therefore as well as we can hope, for a carcass so crazy. He assures me, he has done his duty in writing frequently to the Dean, because he is sure it gives you some amusement, as he is rejoiced at all yours; therefore you must write away. Upon inquiry, I learn, that exercise is the best medicine for your giddiness. Penny made Mrs. Pendarves happy with a print of yours, and I do not fail to distribute them to all your well-wishers. I am, dear Dean,

Yours most affectionately,

CHA. JARVIS. I held out bravely the three weeks fogs, &c. and am very well.

* A celebrated painter, contemporary with sir Godfrey Kneller. H. + Dr. John Hough, bishop of Worcester. H.

Speaker of the House of Commons, one of the lords justices,

and a commissioner of the revenue in Ireland., N.

SIR,

FROM **** ***

MONTROSE, DEC. 17, 1734.

SOME people here having flattered me that I have a genius for poetry, and my circumstances a little favouring it, I have resolved to turn my thoughts that way: : I have already tried my talent on some little amusements, and have had the pleasure in secret to see them pretty well received; but few here being much conversant in that study, can be proper judges; and as I would not venture my character abroad in the world without the advice of those who have succeeded in it, I thought I could not more properly apply than to you, who have been pretty happy that way. What I mean is, that you would be pleased to furnish me with a theme to try my genius, with what rules you may think necessary. I expect your compliance with this, as it is the first, at least of this nature, you ever had from this place; and as soon as it is finished, you may expect a copy of the performance from, sir,

Your most humble servant,

+ As this letter seems to have been written by some very young adventurer in poetry, we choose to suppress the name; especially as we cannot tell what answer he received from Dr. Swift, or whether afterward he applied with success to Apollo and the Muses. D. S.

2