would not have her so much abused, but when she deserves it. I no use itis e veri de of her life, but I sea it is not rue; for itis only e veri our o fit. She swears if heu come tuck have Ann, she will give you a dous Inn the chops.

I beg pardon for troubling you so long with business, and therefore I will now be as merry The devil a farthing I can get

among my Will Will you

as I can. tenants but cows, bullocks, and sheep. let me know whether such coin can pass in Dublin? that I may pay you some money which I owe. My purse, God help me, is grown as slender as a famished weezle. I long much to see it have an alderman's belly; but Quando, Mr. Dean, Quando. We cannot say, that our weather is the Devil here: for it is all water. If it continues, I must have thoughts of building an ark; but I shall not, like Noah, let any unclean beast enter. Eat pone linck waiter conjux. My mutton is growing too fat, and I want you much to eat of it, while it is in its prime. I hear of no cadger going to Dublin, or I would send you a basket full of it. All I can do now is to send a fine roasted shoulder in my wishes, and pray invite Mrs. Whiteway to share of it. I wish you both a good stomach to it, with all my heart. Pray do not chide her for asking you to eat, as you used to do. I assure you (if I may be allowed to judge) she presses you to her victuals out of pure good nature and friendship.

I am sorry that the shortness of my last letter gave you cause to complain. This shall may cup for that deaf he she An she, for I have laid in a good stock of learning this last week; and therefore quoniam tu inter literatos primaria sedes in classe, quorundam

quorundam decanorum nomina (minime nostratium) qui scientiis omnigenis inclaruerunt tibi mittam. This part I mention in Latin, for fear the letter should fall into Dean Crosse's hands.

Having lately read a very entertaining book, whose title-page runs thus---Histoire generale Des pais-bas, I met with accounts of several great men, whose names I never read before, and every one of them were deans, some became bishops, others cardinals: All of them on account of their great learning and merit. Lord have mercy upon us. Christ have mercy upon us. How the world is altered since! But you must know, that Charles the Great lived in that age, alias Char Lay Main. Now for the great scholars I promised. Among those, who, became bishops of Antwerp, you will find Philip Nigri, Aubert Vanden Eade, Jean Ferdinand de Benghem, Pierre Joseph Franken-Sierstorff. Among those of Bois-le-Duc, Clement Crabeels, Gisbert Masins, Michel Ophove, Joseph de Bergaigne. In the same town you will find among the Vicaires Apostoliques, Henry Van Leempute, Josse Houbraecken, Martin Steyaert, Pierre Govaerts, &c. &c. &c. The next place you dine you may make a figure with these names, and silence even Robin Leslie *. But a pox upon learning, I say. It is enough to turn a man's head. I have a great mind to have done with it; for the devil a thing is to be got by it. Idcirco libris valedico.

I cannot, now my memory serves me, omit an account of some learned physicians, which I read

* Mr. Leslie was the most incessant talker, one of them, in the world. However, he had a great variety of learning, and talked well. D. S.

of

of in other authors, viz. Hermannus Conringius, Lucas Schrochius, Melchior Sebizius, Sebastian Schefferus, Guernerus Rolfinckius, Hoffinannus Al`torfi, Seb. Jovius Lugani, Petrus Dapples, Theodore Kerchringius, Regnerus de Graef, Swammerda, Antonius Scarellius, Hieronymus Copelazzi, Jacobus Gonzato, Bernardinus Malacreda, Johannes Petrus Lotichius, Christianus Keekins, Julius Richeltus, Joan. Christoph. Vaganseilius, Jacobus Kerscherus, Antonius Magliabechius, and many others. Pray ask Grattan how many of these he has read.

You say (I thank you for that) That you know nobody. No matter for that; so much the better for me, because I know every body knows you, and therefore more likely to succeed in subscriptions for mice cool. enough? If it be not,

Pray is this letter long send it back, and I will fill

the other side. In the mean time I remain your most obedient and very humble serve aunt,

THOMAS SHERIDAN.

Mice or vice two awl my if rends.

Send me word what a clock it is, that I may set my watch by yours.

SIR,

FROM DR. KING.

LONDON, SEPT. 20, 1735.

SOON after I came into England I was obliged to cross the seas again, and go into France, upon a business of consequence to my private affairs. I am but just returned to this place where I have met with your letter of 21st of last month. Since

you are
so kind as to repeat the promise you
made me when I was in Ireland, I shall expect
the paper with the greatest impatience. While I
was reading your letter, a person called on me,
who does business for you. I was in hopes he
had brought it with him: but he told me, it would
be sent by another hand. I will say nothing more
of it here, than that I am very sure it will please
the publick, and do honour to the author.

The gentleman, concerning whom you inquire, is a member of our hall; but I have never yet seen him. He had left Oxford about the time I came from Dublin, to spend the summer vacation in Herefordshire. My son, who is well acquainted with him, assures me that he is very sober, that he studies hard, and constantly attends the exercises of the house. But I shall be able to give you a more particular account of him the next term, when I shall probably meet him in the hall: and he shall find me ready to do him any kind of service that may be in my power.

I do not know whether my lawsuit will force me into Ireland again the next term: as yet I have not received any summons from. my managers. I should indeed be well pleased to defer my journey till the next spring, for Dublin is not a very good winter abode for a water drinker. However, I do not neglect my defence, especially that part of it which you mention *. It is now in such forwardness, that as I compute, it will be finished in six

* This alludes to The Toast, a satirical poem, to which Dr. King was instigated by some monstrous usage that he had received from his antagonists in the suit. D. S.

weeks

weeks at farthest. There are some alterations, which I hope you will approve.

If the load of vessel again, I

I rejoice to hear that the honest doctor has good success in his new school. his baggage should endanger his think he has no other remedy left, but to throw it into the sea. What is he doing with his bons mots? and when does he design to send them abroad?

My son, who is very proud to be in your thoughts, desires me to present his most humble service to you. I am, with great truth, sir,

Your most obedient and

most humble servant,

TO DR. SHERIDAN.

W. K.

SEPT. 30, 1735.

YESTERDAY was the going out of the last lord

mayor, and to-day the coming in of the new, who is alderman Grattan. The duke was at both dinners, but I thought it enough to go to day, and I came away before six, with very little meat or drink. The club meets in a week, and I determine to leave the town as soon as possible, for I am not able to live within the air of such rascals; but whither to go, or how far my health will permit me to travel, I cannot tell; for my mind

* Sheridan,

D. S.

+ The duke of Dorset, lord lieutenant. H.

The Irish parliament, H.

misgives