make use of to increase or preserve it. But he is in haste to be gone, and I am forced to conclude. I am, with the greatest respect,

My lord, your grace's

Most obedient humble servant,

J. SWIFT.

TO LORD HOWTH *.

MY LORD,

THE

DUBLIN, AUG. 14, 1735.

HE bearer, Mr. Faulkner, came to me just an hour before he was taking a journey to Kilkenny and Cashel, and desired I would write by him to your lordship and the archbishop, only to let your lordship know, that he is an honest man, and the chief printer; and that I know him, and treat him with indulgence, because I cannot help it.

For, although

he printed what I never would have done, yet he got the consent of my friends, and so I shall get nothing by being angry with him. He hopes, as a citizen, to be admitted to your lords and ladies in the country, and I am contented you shall make him welcome; but take care you put no manuscripts in his hands; otherwise, perhaps there will be the works of the right hon. &c., and of my lady and

* William St. Lawrence, baron of Howth, died April 4, 1748, aged 60. His son, Thomas, was created earl of Howth and viscount St. Lawrence, Aug. 15, 1767.

the

the giant, neatly bound next winter. My lady Acheson has not been well since she left the town; but her mother is almost perfectly cured, except the loss of her eye. I owe my lady Howth a letter, I believe. I desire my most humble service to her and the giant. I have time to say no more, but that I am,

Your lordship's most obedient servant,

J. SWIFT.

FROM LADY BETTY GERMAIN.

SEPT. 4, 1735.

IF you are not angry with me for my long silence,

I take it ill, and need make no excuse; and if you are angry, then I would not willingly make you sorry too, which I know you will be, when I tell you, that I was laid up at Knowle with a severe fit of the gout. And since that infallible cure for all diseases, which all great fools and talkers wish joy of, I have never been quite well, but have had continually some disorder or other upon me, which made my head and spirits unfit for writing, or indeed doing any thing I should; and am still so much out of order, that I am under great apprehensions I shall not be able to

* A very tall young lady, nearly related to lord Howth.

+ Lucy, youngest daughter of lieutenant general Richard Gorges, was married to lord Howth, Aug. 2, 1728; and after that nobleman's death became the lady of Nicholas Weldon of Gravelment, esq.

go, next year, part of the journey to Ireland with their graces; which is also part of the road to Drayton, where I intend to stay till November, in hopes that summer deferred its coming till I was there; for I am sure, hitherto, we have had little but winter weather.

I am glad matters are settled between his grace of Dorset and you; and I dare answer, as you are both right thinkers, and of course upright actors, there wants but little explanation between you; since I, that am the gobetween, can easily find out, that he has as sincere a value for you, as you have for him. I do assure you I am extremely delighted, that since lady Suffolk would take a master (commonly called a husband) she chose my brother George: for if I am not partial to him, which indeed I do not know that I am, his sincere value, love, and esteem for her, must make him a good one.

We are now full of expectation of his royal highness's wedding *. She has jewels bought for her, and clothes bespoke; and a gallery of communication is making between his apartment and St. James's; but as I do not love to pry into mysteries of state, I do not at all know when the lady will come over.

Your friend Mrs. Floyd is grown fat and well, under the duchess of Dorset's care and direction at Knowle; and my saucy niece is gone for a few days (and I verily believe as far as she can decently help) to her father's. Our friend Curll has again reprinted what he called our letters, as a proper third part of Mr. Pope's. He should have made those bitter silly verses on me to have been his too, instead of sir

* Frederick, then prince of Wales.

4

William

William Trumbull's, whom they just as much belonged to. But you patriots But you patriots are so afraid of suppressing the press, that every body must suffer under that, and the lies of the newspapers, without hopes of redress. Adieu, my dear dean.

SIR,

FROM DR. KING.

LONDON, SEPT. 20, 1735.

expect the

made me

paper with

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 when I was in Ireland, I shall 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 band. 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 weeks at farthest. There are some alterations, which I hope you will approve.

has

I rejoice to hear that the honest doctor good success in his new school. If the load of his baggage should endanger his vessel again, I 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,

W.K.

* 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.

+ Sheridan.

FROM