cup, part of the lands which I sold you. I writ to counsellor Callaghan about him, and he tells me that I must eject him legally before I can set to another, although I have no distress on the land, but two acres of growing wheat. The villain keeps within six miles of this place, and will not give up his articles. One Smyth, a rich grasier, would pay most of his arrear to get into the lands now. I sent to Mr. Hale for an ejectment and a writ, but hear nothing of it. I beseech you to let him have Sheridan's article and Carter's bond, which you have among the papers I gave you, that he may shew them to counsellor Robert Callaghan; for it was to him I writ. Be pleased to send me a letter of attorney to receive your rents of Marahills, Drumcor, and Bleny-cup; and to set the two latter at fortytwo pounds a year, which was the rent payable by that run-away villain. You cannot lose, but I must be content to lose forty-six pounds. Now a pox of all losses.To business more material.

Eye rage hoise XC Dingley tuff Hind mile Order or Eyes top Ass awe interr inn Dubb Line ann damn well play said two fine dimn inn ass teat off Mare he meant: All ass Ice he knot ass mile inn knack wart her These Quires he rare sow stow eye call. Ann they par Suns sow dam nab lye inn sup port able Eye cann knot bay rum. O'er ay Rum (Sea dye two wan) ay rue awe vye car, O raw pray bend Harry, O rack Yew rat. Know sea see, butt adge, use't is sack woe rum. Ho! Rum! Hah! Rum! Ho! Rum! say dye.

I have no news from our parts, but that my man Pat (upon desiring him to silence our dog) said, By soul, sir, he would bark if his head were cut off,

my

He

He presents his humble service to your Jo. For God's sake come as soon as you can possibly, while our weather and every thing is good. I am, dear sir,

Your most obedient humble servant,

THOMAS SHERIDAN.

TO SIR CHARLES WOGAN *, IN SPAIN.

HONOURED SIR,

1735.

I THINK you are the only person alive who can justly charge me with ingratitude; becouse, although I was utterly unknown to you, and become an obscure exile in a most obscure and enslaved country, you were at the pains to find me out, and send me your very agreeable writings, with which I have often entertained some very ingenious friends, as well as myself: I mean not only your poetry, in Latin and English, but your poetical history in prose of your own life and actions, inscribed to me: which I often wished it were safe to print here, or in England, under the madness of universal party now reigning: I mean particularly in this kingdom, to which I would prefer living among the Hottentots, if it were in my power.

I have been often told, that you have a brother, and some near relations in this country; and have oftener employed my friends in vain to learn when

* See a former letter, to sir Charles Wogan, in the year 1732, vol. XII. N,

any

any of them came to this town. But, I suppose, on account of their religion, they are so prudent as to live in privacy: although the court has thought it better in point of politicks (and, to keep the good will of cardinal Fleury, has thought it proper) to make the catholicks here much more easy than their ill-willers, of no religion, approve of in their hearts. And I san assure you, that those wretches here, who call themselves a parliament, abhor the clergy of our church, more than those of yours, and have made a universal association to defraud us of our undoubted dues.

I have farther thanks to give you for your generous present of excellent Spanish wine, whereof I have been so choice, that my butler tells me there are still some bottles left. I did very often ask some merchants here, who trade with Spain, whether this country could not afford something that might be acceptable in Spain; but could not get any satisfaction. The price, I am sure, would be but a trifle. And I am told by one of them, that he heard you were informed of my desire: to which you answered in a disinterested manner, “That you only desired my works." It is true indeed that a printer here, about a year ago, did collect all that was printed in London which passed for mine, as well as several single papers in verse and prose, that he could get from my friends; and desired my leave to publish them in four volumes, He reasoned, «That printers here had no property in their copies: that mine would fall into worse hands: that he would submit to me and my friends what to publish omit." On the whole, I would not concern myself; and so they have appeared abroad, as you will

or

see

see them in those I make bold to send you. I must now return to mention wine. The last season for it was very bad in France. Upon which our merchants have raised the price twenty per cent, already, and the present weather is not likely to mend it. Upon this, I have told some merchants my opinion, or perhaps my fancy; that when the warmth of summer happens to fail in the several wine countries, Spain and Portugal wines, and those of the South of Italy, will be at least as ripe as those of France in a good year. If there be any truth in this conceit, I would desire our merchants to deal this year in those warmer climates: because I hear that in Spain French vines are often planted, and the wine is more mellow; although, perhaps, the natural Spanish grape may fail, for want of its usual share of sun. In this point, I would have your opinion; wherein if you agree, I will direct Mr. Hall, an honest catholick merchant here, who deals in Spanish wine, to bring me over as large a cargo as I can afford, of wines as like French claret as he can get; for my disorders, with the help of years, make wine absolutely necessary to support me. And if you were not a person of too considerable a rank (and now become half a Spaniard) I would to make you descend so low as to order some merchants there to consign to some of ours, directed to me, some good quantity of wine that you approve of; such as our claret drinkers here will be content with: for, when I give them a pale wine (called by Mr. Hall cassalia) they say, it will do for one glass, and then (to speak in their language) call for honest claret,

try

JON. SWIFT.

FROM LORD HOWTH.

KILLFANE, JULY 6, 1735.

I AM very much obliged to my good Dean of St. Patrick's for the honour he did me in sitting for his picture; and have wrote to Dr. Grattan to give Mr. Bindon strict charge in the finishing of it: and when that is done to bring it to his house, for fear I should get a copy instead of the original. I am very much concerned at the account you give me of your health, but do not in the least doubt but the change of air would be of service to you, and a most hearty welcome you may be sure of. The archbishop of Cashell told me he would wait on you the day after he went to Dublin; and does mightily admire he has not seen you oftener. I have taken your advice, and kept very good hours since I came last here. Every second day I am out six or seven hours an otter hunting. As to reading and working, my wife observes your directions: and could wish she would do the same as to exercise. She desires me to tell you that the liking she has to the baboon is out of the true regard she has for you, he being one of your greatest favourites. Your giant will use her endeavours to make lord Bacon a liar, and instead of adding two inches to her

* The bishop of Ossory so called.

Could you see his grin, for a pound to a penny,
You'd swear it must be the baboon of Killkenny.

See Swift's Poem on the Bishops. H.

Miss Rice, an exceeding tall young lady, and niece to my

lord Howth.

D. S.

height,