that I was providing against a change; and I observe those very men are now the most careful of all others, to creep as far as they can out of harm's way.

The system of new zealots, which your grace extracted, must be very suitable to my principles, who was always a whig in politics. I have been told, that upon the death of the last nonjuring bishop, Dodwell* and his followers thought the schism at an end. My notion was, that these people began to set up again, upon despair of their

Henry Dodwell, a very learned nonconforming divine. He endeavoured as much as he could to heal the schism in the church of England, upon the following occasions :

In the beginning of the eighteenth century, "observing, that the deprived bishops were reduced to a small number, he wrote A Case in View considered,' proving, that [in case our present invalidly deprived fathers shall leave all their sees vacant, either by death or resignation], we shall not then be obliged to keep up our separation from those bishops who are as yet involved in the guilt of the present unhappy schism. Lond. 1705. 8vo. Some time after, he published A farther prospect of the Case in View, in answer to some new objections not then considered.' Lond. 1707. 8vo. - Upon the death of Dr William Lloyd, the deprived bishop of Norwich, on the first of January 1710-11, Mr Dodwell, with some other friends, wrote to Dr Thomas Kenn, of Bath and Wells, the only surviving deprived bishop, to know whether he challenged their subjection? He returned for answer that he did not: and signified his desire that the breach might be closed by their joining with the bishops possessed of their sees; giving his reasons for it. Accordingly, Mr Dodwell and several of his friends joined in communion with them. But others. refusing to do so, Mr Dodwell was exceedingly concerned at it and wrote, 'The Case in View now in Fact, proving that the continuance of a separate communion without substitutes in any of the late invalidly-deprived sees, since the death of William, late Lord Bishop of Norwich, is schismatical. With an Appendix, proving, That our late invalidly-deprived fathers had no right to substitute successors, who might legitimate the separation, after

cause by the rebellion* being brought to an end; else their politics are, if possible, worse than their divinity. Upon the whole, it is clear, that the game is entirely in the hands of the king and his ministers; and I am extremely glad of your grace's opinion, that it will be played as it ought: or, if we must suffer for a name, however, I had rather be devoured by a lion than a rat.

That maxim of the injuring persón never forgiving the person injured, is, I believe, true in particulars, but not of communities. I cannot but suppose that the clergy thought there were some hardships and grounds for fears, otherwise they must be very wicked, or very mad; to say more would be to enter into a dispute upon a party subject; a dog or a horse knows when he is kindly treated: and besides, a wise administration will endeavour to remove the vain, as well as the real fears of those they govern.

I saw the provost yesterday in this neighbourhood, and had some little talk with him upon the occasion of the Bishop of Killaloe's death: I believe be would accept of the deanery of Derry, if Dr Bolton the dean should be promoted; but I said nothing of it to him. I believe he has written to Mr Molyneux.† I find, since he cannot be trusted with a bishoprick, that he desires to leave his station with as good a grace as he can; and that it may not be thought

the schism had been concluded by the decease of the last survivor of those same fathers. Lond. 1711. 8vo."---Biogr. Brit. Lond.

1793. Vol. V. p. 325.

* In Scotland, in the year 1715.-F.

+ Samuel Molyneux, Esq. a gentleman of great abilities and large property in Ireland, secretary to the Prince of Wales chan cellor of the university of Dublip.--.F.

that what he shall get is only to get rid of him. I said in general, that such a circumstance, as things stood, was hardly worth the quiet of a man's whole life; and so we parted, only with telling him I intended to write to your grace, in answer to a letter I had from you. JON. SWIFT.

FROM ERASMUS LEWIS, ESQ.

SIR,

London, Jan. 12, 1716-17.

ABOUT two months ago I sent you a very long epistle, and was in hopes you would either have made us a visit, or have let us hear from you. Since you have done neither, we must flatter our selves that you will be better the new year than the former.

Our friend Prior, not having had the vicissitude of human things before his eyes, is likely to end his days in as forlorn a state as any other poet has done before him, if his friends do not take more care of him than he did of himself. Therefore, to prevent the evil, which we see is coming on very fast, we have a project of printing his Solomon, and other Poetical Works, by subscription; one guinea to be paid in hand, and the other at the delivery of the book. He, Arbuthnot, Pope, and Gay, are now with me, and remember you. It is our joint request, that you will endeavour to procure some subscriptions: you will give your receipts for the money you receive, and when you return it hither you shall

have others in lieu. There are no papers printed here, nor any advertisement to be published; for the whole matter is to be managed by friends in such a manner as shall be least shocking to the dignity of a plenipotentiary.*

I am told the Archbishop of Dublin shows a letter of yours, reflecting on the high-flying clergy. I fancy you have writ to him in an ironical style, and that he would have it otherwise understood. This will bring to your mind what I have formerly said to you on that figure. Pray condescend to explain this matter to me. The removal of my Lord Townshend has given a little spirit; but that will soon flag, if the king, at his return, does not make farther changes. What measures his majesty will take is uncertain; but this we are very sure of, that the division of the whigs is so great, that, morally speaking, nothing but another rebellion can ever unite them. Sunderland, Stanhope, and Cadogan are of one side; Townshend, Walpole, Orford, Devonshire, and the chancellor †, on the other. The latter seem at present to be strongest; but when the former appear with a German reinforcement, they will undoubtedly turn the balance. They are both making their court to the tories, who, I hope, will be a body by themselves, and not serve as recruits to either of the other two. Lord Townshend's friends give out, that his disgrace is

* The work is a splendid folio, dedicated, like a former edition of Prior's poems, to the Earl of Dorset and Middlesex, and published in 1718. Notwithstanding the original high price, and the predilection of the age for fine printing and large paper, this splendid edition of an English classic of the first order, is usually sold at a very trifling price..

+ William, Earl Cowper.---B.

owing to refusing four things, viz. to keep up the army; repeal the limitations of the succession-act; to send money to Germany for carrying on a war against Sweden; and to attaint Lord Oxford. When Lord Sunderland* comes over, he will probably cry 'whore again,' and endeavour to saddle Lord Townshend in his turn. For these reproaches now are like that of jacobitism in former reigns. We are told, that Lord Bolingbroke has permission to stay in France, notwithstanding the late treaty, provided he retires from Paris.

TO ARCHBISHOP KING.

MY LORD,

London, March 9, 1716-17,

I HAD yesterday the honour of a letter from your grace, wherein you first mention Mr Duncan's accident, who, as it falls out, is quite recovered, and they say is since better of his asthma: I believe, whenever he dies, I shall be in some difficulties, although I am wholly indifferent who may succeed him, provided he may be a deserving person; unless I might say, that my inclinations are a little turned to oblige Mr Dopping, † on account of his brother, for whom I have always had a very great esteem.

By whose intrigues Lord Viscount Townshend had been removed from the post of secretary of state, which was given to General Stanhope, afterward Earl of Stanhope.-.-B.

+ Mr Dopping was made Bishop of Ossory in 1741, and died the year following. He was uncle to Miss Hamilton, afterward Countess of Ossory.-N.

VOL. XVI.