health, and preserve you many years for the good of mankind, is the hearty prayer of, sir, Your most obedient humble servant,

I WROTE in such haste, that I forgot to make my lady Savile's acknowledgments, which before she left this, she engaged me to do in a particular manner from her, by assuring you that she is your obliged humble servant, and wishes you all happiness, as many more do among your friends here. Her number of children is three, two girls and a boy; who, thank God, seem promising.

My lord Shelburne, who is just come to town for two or three days, desires his sincere compliments to you, invites you next June to an empty town house, and wishes that accommodation of removing you from the inconveniences of a lodging, may tempt you to a change of air, and to come among your friends. I wish I could tempt you to come hither, as I long to have the pleasure of assuring you, in person, how sincerely I am, sir,

Your ever obliged and

most faithful humble servant,
H. PRATT,

N 2

FROM WILLIAM PULTENEY, ESQ.

ŞIR,

LONDON, APRIL 29, 1735.

I AM obliged to you for your letter by Dr. Stopford; to which I am sorry I can so soon, by him, return you an answer. I have scarce had any opportunity of seeing him. One day, believing we should have had no business in parliament, I desired him to dine with me; but unluckily a debate arose, which kept us till nine at night before we sat down to dinner. We have had a very fatiguing session, more from the severe attendance on elections, than any other publick business. The ministers have been defeated in their expectation of weeding the house; and upon the whole, we stand stronger in numbers than we did at first setting out.

I have sent you the copy of a bill, now depending in our house," for the encouragement of learning," as the title bears: but I think, it is rather of advantage to booksellers than authors. Whether it will pass or not this session, I cannot say; but if it should not, I should be glad of your thoughts upon it against another session. It seems to me to be extremely imperfect at present. I hope you have many more writings to oblige the world with, than those which have been so scandalously stolen from you. And when a bill of this nature passes in England (as I hope it will next year) you may then secure the property to any friend, or any charitable use you think fit.

I thank you for the many kind expressions of

friendship in your letter. If my publick conduct has recommended me to your esteem, I am extremely proud of the reward, and value it more than those do, who attain foolish ribands, or foolish titles, vilia servitutis præmia *. Pray therefore continue me your friendship, and believe me, with the greatest sincerity and regard, dear sir,

Your most humble and obedient servant,
W. PULTENEY.

Lord Bolingbroke is going to France with lord Berkeley; but, I believe, will return again in a few months,

I will take a proper opportunity of recommending Dr. Stopford to the duke of Dorset; but I think it is not yet quite certain, that he will continue lord lieutenant. I mean, that if he perceives that he is to be turned out soon after his return from Ireland, possibly he may desire not to go.

I

TO LADY BETTY GERMAIN,

MADAM,

MAY 5, 1735.

FIND your ladyship seems not very much pleased with your office of secretary; which, however, you must be obliged to hold during the duke's government, if I happen to outlive it, which for your comfort, considering my health, is not very likely. I have not been a troublesome

* This was before he attained the title of earl of Bath. D.S.

petitioner

petitioner to his grace, and intend to be less; and, as I have always done, will principally consider my lord duke's honour. I have very few friends in want. I have kindred enough, but not a grain of merit among them, except one female, who is the only cousin I suffer to see me. When I had credit for some years at court, I provided for above fifty people in both kingdoms, of which, not one was a relation. I have neither followers, nor fosterers, nor dependers; so that if I lived now among the great, they might be sure I would never be a solicitor, out of any regard but merit and virtue: and in that case, I would reckon I was doing them the best service in my power: and if they were good for any thing, I would expect their thanks: for they want nothing so much as an honest judicious recom→ mender, which, in perfect modesty, I take myself to be. Dr. Sheridan is gone to his school in the coun¬ try, and was only delayed so long on account of some very unnecessary forms, contrived by his grace's most cautious deputies.

My letter is but just begun; the larger half remains* and your ladyship is to make a fresh use of your secretary's employment. The countess of Kerry, my long friend and mistress, commanded me to attend her yesterday: she told me, that Mr. Deering, late deputy clerk of the council, being dead, she had thoughts of soliciting the same office for her younger son, Mr. John Fitzmaurice. Her eldest son, lord Fitzmaurice, has for some years been plagued with a wife and no wife, * This is huudicrously, said, as being a common blundering expression of the Irish. S.

+ When the woman who claimed a marriage with this young

nobleman

The case has been tried in both kingdoms, and he stands excommunicated and forced to live abroad, which is a very great misfortune to the earl of Kerry and his lady; and they have nothing left to comfort them but their younger son, who has lately married very honestly and indisputably. He is a young gentleman of great regularity, very well educated, but has no employment; therefore his parents would be very desirous he should have one, and this, of deputy clerk of the council here, would be a very proper introduction to business. It is understood here, that the purchase of the deputy clerk's office is the usual perquisite of the chief clerk, with the consent of the chief governor; with which, my lord and lady Kerry would very readily and thankfully fall in. And as the earl of Kerry's is one of the most antient and noble families of the kingdom, his younger, and only son of which he has any hopes, might well pretend to suc ceed in so small an office, upon an equal foot with any other person. I own this proposal of mine is more suitable to the corruption of the times, than to my own speculative notions of virtue; but I must give some allowance to the degeneracy of mankind, and the passion I have to my lady Kerry, &c.

nobleman died, he married lady Gertrude Lambert, eldest daughter to Richard earl of Cavan, June 29, 1738, by whom he had the present carl of Kerry. The honourable Jahn Fitzmaurice, here recommended to Dr. Swift for small employments, afterward succeeded his uncle, Henry, earl of Shelburne, in an immense estate, both real and personal, in England and Ireland; took the name of Petty; and was created earl of Shelburne, in Ireland, in 1753; and baron Wycombe in England, May 20, 1760. He died in May 1761. The present marquis of Lansdown is his grandson. See before, p. 166. N.

D. never