FROM LORD HOWTH. KILLFANE, JULY 6, 1735. your 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 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 Cashel told me he would wait on you the day after he went to Dublin; and does mightily admire be 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 * The bishop of Ossory so called. Could you see his grin, for a pound to a penny, will use See Swift's Poem on the Bishops. + Miss Rice, an exceeding tall young lady, and niece to my lord Howth. her her endeavours to make lord Bacon a liar, and instead of adding two inches to her height, would be very well satisfied to part with four. I am very sorry Mrs. Acheson is so much out of order: she is one I have a great regard for; and shall desire the favour of you to give my wife's service and mine to her, and lady Acheson, when you see them. I thank God my family and I are very well. Some time this summer I design drinking Ballispellin waters for a month. As for news we have no such thing here only the baboon has done his visitation; that is, he goes into the churches and looks about, then asks the tumbler Sikes how long they have been coming? So long, says Sikes. Ay, replies the baboon, and we shall be as long going back; so mounts his horse and away. Who durst say the church is in danger when we have so good bishops? My wife and all here join in their kind service to the drapier. I am, good Mr. dean, your most assured and affectionate humble servant, FROM DR. SHERIDAN. DEAR SIR, HOWTH. JULY 16, 1735. I RECEIVED your twenty pounds from lord Lanesburough's agent yesterday, and it travels to you from this on Saturday next, by one John Donaldson, one of our nobility. You will get it, I believe, on Monday. Monday. I have nothing to say to the 2801. you mention. That is, as I told you, the fine and rent of Drumlane, which I owe the bishop, and which will be paid him August 26th. I cleared off the rent which I owed him for your purchase, the other day, or I should have sent your poor money, poor as I am, before this. Now are you satisfied that I am not negligent or giddy? But what, in the name of God, is the matter with you to delay so long? Can I oversee my workmen and a school too? If you will not come and take your charge in hand, I must employ somebody else. There is a long walk begun : stones a drawing home for an addition to my house: the schoolhouse repaired at the charge of the county: a gravel walk from the market cross to my house, at the town's expense: item, a gravel walk by the river, which will all require your attendance. As you were a good and faithful overseer of my improvements at Quilca, I am willing to employ you rather than another; therefore I expect your answer immediately, for the sutnmer is flying off apace. My lord Orrery writ to me, that he would come from Munster to see me soon; if you will but have the prudence to be here, you may have a fair opportunity of recommending yourself to him; and I shall, perhaps, give you the character of a vigilant overseer, if I find you be not altered since you were last in my service. Now to be serious. I shall send you some venison You shall know next Monday when it sets out; and you are to dispose of it thus: To Dr. Helsham, four cuts. Dr. Delany, four. Mrs. Helsham,one and a half. VOL. XVIII. U Mrs. 1 Mrs. Whiteway, ditto. Lady Acheson, because of her good stomach, three scruples. Mr. Worrall, a pound and a quarter. Pray let them be all wrapped up in clean paper, and sent to the several abovementioned persons. Dine the rest with your own company. upon I have got you a mare, a very easy trotter: she shall go up with the venison. Whether she will be shy at your city objects, I know not: here she is Your best way will be to let your not in the least. servant ride her. She is one of my own rearing, sprung of a good natured family. If you like, she costs you nothing but a low bow when you come to Cavan. I have a chaise just finished to the lining, in Dublin, made by a man so much in my debt: it will be your best way to come down in it. I tell you a project I have, which I believe will do: my scholars are to club and build me a little library in my garden. The lime and stones (freestone) are in my own fields, and building is dogcheap here. I beseech you let me know how soon you will be here, that all things may be to your heart's desire : such venison! such mutton! such small beer! such chickens! such butter! such trouts! such pouts! such ducks! such beef! such fish! such eels! such turkies! such fields! such groves! such lakes! such ladies! such fruit! such potatoes! such raspberries! such bilberries! and such a boat as Mr. Hamilton's, were never yet seen in any one county yet! God Almighty bless you, and send you safe to our Elysium. My service to Mrs. Whiteway, and to every body in Dublin, man, woman, and child. I am, I am, with all respect, your most obedient and very humble servant, THOMAS SHERIDAN. TO THE ARCHBISHOP OF CASHEL *. MY LORD, DUBLIN, AUG. 14, 1735. But THE bearer, Mr. Faulkner, our famous printer, goes in an hour to see Kilkenny and Cashel, to gather up his country debts. Ten to one your grace may owe him a dozen shillings, and your town coffeehouse (if you have one) a dozen more. his pretences to me for writing, are the honour of being admitted to your grace by a line in my hand. I am not in fear of his shaming me as others have done; however, I would not have you leave your manuscripts scattered about your room, for he would be terribly tempted to beg them, and return them back next winter in four volumes, as he served me; although I never let him touch or see one. He has the name of an honest man, and has good sense and behaviour. I have ordered him to mark narrowly whatever you are doing, as a prelate, an architect, a country gentleman, a politician, and an improver; and to bring me a faithful account when he returns ; but chiefly about your health, and what exercise you * Dr. Theophilus Bolton. U 2 make |