I AM indeed much ashamed that I have so many favours from you to acknowledge at one time. You may believe me when I assure you that my silence has not proceeded from want of respect and esteem for you. I would not put on the affectation of much business as an excuse to any body, much less to you; although the truth is, that I am hurried almost out of my life with the attendance and writing about things I have undertaken for some friends.

The dean's recommendation and yours, without any other consideration whatever, would induce me to do my utmost to serve Mr. M'Aulay, as I have cold him by this post, when I thought I should not trouble you with a few lines. He will acquaint you with what I have done, by which you will see that I lost no time; and I have hopes to obtain the lord lieutenant's countenance for him.

I will endeavour to introduce Mr. Swift* to the acquaintance of some persons before I leave this; whose countenance and friendship will at least give a young gentleman a good air-his own merit entitles him to the esteem and regard of such as shall have the happiness to be acquainted with him: I am

* William Swift, esq., then a student at the Middle Temple:

much obliged to you for introducing me to him. I have only time to add my most hearty thanks for the same, and to assure you that any opportunity of expressing the esteem I have for the dean, which is the highest, and for you, will ever give me the greatest pleasure. I am, madam, your most obliged and most truly faithful servant,

WILLIAM RICHARDSON.

DEAN SWIFT AND MRS. WHITEWAY TO

THE SAME.

MY VERY GOOD FRIEND,

APRIL 17, 1739.

I FIND that Mrs. Whiteway pretends to have been long acquainted with you; but upon a strict examination I discovered that all the acquaintance was only at the deanery house, where she had the good fortune to see you once or twice at most. I am extremely obliged to you for your favours to Mr. M'Aulay, whose good sense and virtues of every kind I have highly esteemed ever since I had the happiness of knowing him. If he succeeds in his election, it will be chiefly by your good offices; and you have my hearty thanks for what you have already done. I know you often see my honest hearty friend alderman Barber; and pray let him know that I command him to continue his friendship to you, although he be your absolute governor. I am very much obliged to the alderman and you for your civi

lities

lities to young Swift. Mrs. Whiteway says he is my cousin ; which will not be to his advantage, for I hate all relations; and I sir, I have snatched the pen out of the dean's hand, who seems, by his countenance, to incline to finish his letter with my faults as he began it. Where there is so large a scope, and such a writer, you may believe I should not like to have my character drawn by him. However, I think for once he is mistaken; I mean in the article of what he calls vanity, and which I term a laudable ambition, the honour of being known to you, and bragging of it as some merit in myself, to be distinguished by you. Have I not reason to boast, when you tell me my recommendation will have weight with you? and how great must be the obligation that words cannot express? Gratitude, like grief, dwells only in the mind, and can best be guessed at when it is too great to be told, and most certainly lessens when we are capable of declaring it. I never doubted Mr. M'Aulay's success if you undertook his cause, nor your indefatigable friendship for those who have the good fortune to gain your esteem. Mr. Swift I wish may be in the number. This I am sure of, that his virtue and honour will never give me reason to repent that I introduced him. to you, which is the only favour I hoped for him; but you, sir, never do things by halves.

I know you are hurried on many occasions; therefore I do not expect a letter unless you are perfectly disengaged. Sometimes we are in such a state of indolence, that half an hour is trifled away in doing nothing. When you find yourself in this situation, tell me in two or three lines you are well, and command miss Richardson to come to me. My daughter

most

most earnestly joins with me in this request, and entreats you to believe that she is, with as great respect as I am, sir, your most humble and most obedient servant,

M. WHITEWAY.

WILLIAM RICHARDSON, ESQ., TO DR.

DEAR SIR,

SWIFT.

LONDON, APRIL 17, 1739.

I WROTE this morning to Mrs. Whiteway a few lines in much hurry, and I write this to you in Guildhall, by alderman Barber's direction. Beside a letter from you to the society, whose address is in Mrs. Whiteway's letter, he thinks a memorial or petition from Mr. Dunkin to the society will be of use; and if you write to Mr. Pope, the alderman thinks he will get one vote, which he can fix no way of obtaining but through Pope. I am ever, dear sir, your most obliged and most affectionate humble servant,

WILLIAM RICHARDSON,

I should think it would be right in Mr. Dunkin to come over the moment he hears of Squire's death. I wrote by this post to a nephew, to let you know the moment he dies, if the life should be in him when my letter goes to him.

To

To the Honourable the SOCIETY of the GOVERNOR and ASSISTANTS, London, for the NEW PLANTATION in Ulster, within the Realm of Ireland, at the Chamber in Guildhall, London.

APRIL 19, 1739.

WORTHY GENTLEMEN,

I HEARTILY recommend to your very worshipful society, the reverend Mr. William Dunkin*, for the living of Colrane, vacant by the death of Dr. Squire. Mr. Dunkin is a gentleman of great learning and wit, true religion, and excellent morals. It is only for these qualifications that I recommend him to your patronage; and I am confident that you will never repent the choice of such a man, who will be ready at any time to obey your commands. You have my best wishes, and all my endeavours for your prosperity and I shall, during my life, continue to be, with the truest respect and highest esteem,

* See alderman Barber's letter, March 13, 1738, vol. XIII,

page 386.

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