SIB, FROM MR. CARTER*. HENRIETTA STREET, MARCH 11, 1735-6. I WOULD have waited on you, when I sent my servant with a message, but was informed you did not see company. I have no doubt the printer will have occasion for a great many cargoes from our friend Mr. Jervas I am very glad I had an opportunity of doing any thing agreeable to you. I have long wished for some instance of assuring you that I am, with great respect, your most obedient and most humble servant, THOMAS CARTER. FROM MR. SHERIDAN. DEAR SIR, MARCH 27, 1736. I HAD a pleasure and grief at once in your letter, to find you had not forgotten me, and to find you uneasy Mr. Carter was master of the rolls in Ireland, A fine print, engraved by Fourdrinier; from an original picture painted by Jervas, which was afterward purchased by the earl of Chesterfield, and placed in his elegant library at May Fair, in the collection of English authors. at at a thing which God only can mend. The dream, which I had before the receipt of yours, was so odd and out of the way, that if Artemidorus were living, he would confess it to be out of all methods of interpretation; yet I cannot avoid imparting it to you, because if you be not much changed, no man ever could sift a matter to the truth beyond you. Thus it was; Imprimis, I fell asleep (or I could not dream) and what was the first thing I saw, but honest Cato in a cockboat by himself, engaging not only a large fleet of foreigners, but now and then obliged to tack about against some dirty shattered floats, filled with his own countrymen. All were his enemies, except a very few, who were pressed and carried on against their will by the arbitrary power of the rowers. I would give a shilling, as low as money is reduced, to know the meaning of it. FROM DR. SHERIDAN. DEAR SIR, JUNE 3, 1736. MR. Lucas is now in Dublin, who will pay that small bill on demand. I hope Mr. will not disappoint us, and then poor Mrs. will be relieved. I must set out soon for Dublin. At my return I will wait upon you to bring you home with The weather must and shall be good; and you you must and shall be in good health; you must and shall come with me. at once. My walk it is finish'd, Pray think of things beforehand, and do not be giddy as usual. The walk is a hundred and twelve yards long: I hope that will please you. My rollingstone cost me dear. If I should ever grow rich, as God forbid I should, I would buy two hogsheads of wine You must know I have bought turf for you, which burns like so many tapers. My son writes me word that Mr. Vesey's family are angry with me for inserting some lines in the Legion Club touching him. Upon my soul, I never inserted one line in it; and upon the whole, I care not whether they believe me or not. All my garden things are in top order. Are not you sick of Dublin this hot weather? How can you stew in such an oven? My sheep begin now to fatten; I hope they will please you very well. You saw the king's speech, I suppose. I am glad to find by it, that he resolves to stand by us. Our breams here are exceedingly good and fat; we dress them with carp sauce. Doctor Walmsley writes me word by last post, that they are making way to bring me to Armagh. Martin is quite outrageous mad, and his relations are now taking out a writ of lunacy; so that if my lord Orrery would only mention me to the lord primate, it would do. do. I know my lord chancellor is so well inclined toward me, that he would willingly join in the request. Consider the lands are worth four hundred a year, and the situation much more advantageous. This must be a secret, upon several accounts. So much for business, and no more. My artichokes, I do not mean my hearty jokes, are in great plenty; so are my strawberries. I hear that the czarina, Kouli Kan, and the emperor will overrun Turkey. You will not know my house when you see it next, it will be so altercated. Pray what says goody Whiteway to the world? I hear she gives herself strange airs of late in calling me nothing but Sheridan. This comes of too much familiarity. When I come next to your house, I shall make her keep her distance, especially when company is present; for she wants to be pulled down. My young turnips, carrots, beans, and pease are in fine order; you must pay half a crown a quart, if you eat any. I shall be very reasonable as to the rest of your diet. You shall want nothing fit for mortal man And all that's expedient, FROM FROM DR. SHERIDAN. DEAR SIR, JUNE 5, 1736. I AM so tormented, and have been for eight days, that I lie stretched in my bed as I now write; however, I begin to be easier, and I have hopes that I shall be able to attend in my school on Monday. Surely no person can be so stupid as to imagine you wrote the Panegyrick on the Legion Club. I have seen and read it in various editions, which indeed makes me imagine every body to be its author; and what they have done to deserve such treatment, is to me a mystery. I never writ in this posture before; and therefore wonder not if lines and words be crooked. My pains are likewise great; and therefore whether I will or not, I must take pains with this letter. Now as to your coming down here, the weather will be good, the roads pleasant, and my company likewise, to set out with you from Dublin on Thursday fortnight, and to bring you here in three days. I have three deer parks at my command; Coote's, Fleming's, and Hamilton's. I have at present forty chickens, all fat; twenty sheep of my own, and sixteen lambs (for lamb will be in season a month longer) geese, turkeys, &c. My hens are hatching, my house is thatching, my geese a gagling, my wife a dragling, my corn a threshing, my sheep a washing, my turf a drawing, my timber sawing, my gravel walk raking, my rollingstone making, my ale a brew ing, |