deposed upon oath, that I caught the fly perched upon a rose tree in my own garden; and I would have you to know, that I have above four hundred thousand of the same species; for I counted them last Sunday. If you will not believe me, pray come down and see. Mr. Jones has your six hundred and sixty pounds ready, but can get no bills to remit it. I beseech you lose no time; for he is uneasy about If you put off the time of coming down longer, you will lose the best things our country can afford. The ladies are full of your coming; viz. My wife *, 2 ladies Lanesborough, Mrs. Maxwell, Mrs. Fitzmaurice, Mrs. Hort, Mrs. Hamilton, Mrs. Nuburgh, Mrs. Cromer, Mrs. White, Mrs. Nesbitt, Her 5 daughters, Mrs. Stephens, Mrs, and miss Clement, Mrs. Tighe, Mrs. Coote, Miss Pratt, Mrs. Fitzherbert, Miss Brook, 1, 2, 3, 4, &c. &c. &c. All your Cavan mis tresses. News. Doctor Thompson's servant almost cudgelled him to death going from a christening.. Colonel Nuburgh's fine arched market house, quite finished with a grand cupola on the top, fell flat to the earth. It is now begun upon again. Sic transit gloria mundi. Mrs. Jones, Beauty Copeland, Who, by the by, hated Dr. Swift above all the human race. Grouse pouts, Fine trouts, For my benison. Leave your stinking town in haste, Let me know what day I shall meet you. Price and I will stretch to Virginia. That all happiness may for ever attend you is the sincere wish of, dear sir, your most obedient and very humble servant, THOMAS SHERIDAN. SIK, FROM LADY HOWTH. AUGUST 6, 1736. I DO not know how this letter may be received, last. since I never had the favour of an answer to my I impute it to the neglect of the post, or any thing rather than to think I am forgot by my old friend. I am now in Connaught, where I assure you I spend the least of my time at cards. I am on horseback almost every day to view the beauties of Connaught, where I am told you have been. I live greatly under ground; for I view all the places under ground. I make nothing of going down sixty steps. I really think, could you lend me a little of your brains, I should be able to come nigh Addison in several of his descriptions of Italy; for upon my word I think there are several very remarkable things. things. As you took a journey last winter to Cavan, my lord and I hope you will take one to the county of Kilkenny this winter, where we assure you of a hearty welcome. I must now be troublesome to you; but lord Athunry begged I would write to you in favour of a young gentleman, one Mr. Ireland, who was usher to Mr. Garnett, schoolmaster of Tipperary. Mr. Garnett died lately: he has given Mr. Ireland a very good certificate, and most of the gentlemen in and about Tipperary have recommended Mr. Ireland to succeed Mr. Garnett: as you are one of the governors of that school, I hope you will do Mr. Ireland all the service you can, which will very much oblige me. Since I began this there came in a trout; it was so large that we had it weighed ; it was a yard and four inches long, twenty-three inches round; his jawbone eight inches long, and he weighed thirty-five pound and a half. My lord and I stood by to see it measured. I believe I have tired your patience; so beg leave to assure you I am your affectionate friend and humble servant, L. HOWTH. Direct to me at Turlaghvan, near Tuam. My lord begs you would accept of his compliments. DR. SHERIDAN TO MRS. WHITEWAY. DEAR MADAM, CAVAN, AUGUST 14, 1736. YOUR account of the dean gives me much grief. I hope in God he will disappoint all his friends fears, and his enemies hopes. Nothing can be a greater affliction to me than my distance from him; and, what is full as bad, my being so near to one who has been the occasion of it. Very rich folks in my debt have made such apologies for nonpayment, that I now feel for Ireland, but much more for myself, because I was in hopes of being able to make my appearance in Dublin with a good grace-namely, to pay some debts, which I can not. My poor lady Mountcashell has a right to a visit from me; and thither I will venture for a day and a night-and I will venture to the deanery for another. I could wish the best friend I had in the world (you may guess who I mean) and am sure is so still, would take a little of my adviceYou may depend upon this, it should be all for my own advantage. Now I have done raving-I must turn my pen, which is my tongue's representative, against you for a while, because I am certain it might be in your power to paint my Siberia so agreeably to the dean, as to send him hither while our good weather lasted -My new kitchen is disappointed; so is my gravel walk; but what is worse, his only favourite, my rib who who dreamed with great pleasure, that he would never come. I am sorry she is disappointed; for I am certain she would run away if he had come-God forgive him for not doing it-I will make all the haste I can out of this Hell; and I hope my friends, (I beg pardon, I mean my friend) will cast about a little for me-if he does not, I will try England, where the predominant phrase is, down with the Irish. I will say no more, but tell you that you are a false mistress; and if you do not behave yourself better, I will choose another. In the mean time God bless you and my dearest friend the dean. I am, notwithstanding all your upbraidings, dear madam, your most obedient humble servant, THOMAS SHERIDAN. FROM DR. SHERIDAN. DEAR SIR, SEPTEMBER 15, 1736. I RECEIVED a letter from Mr. Henry by the last post, wherein he tells me that the six hundred and sixty pound were short by eight pounds of your principal, and that you expected I should send you my promissory note for that, and the interest of your money, which I will do most willingly, when you let me know whether you will charge me five or six per cent, that I may draw my note accordingly. Indeed if you pleased, or would vouchsafe, or condescend, or think proper, I would rather that |