my lease and purchase for my country parish. In some days after, I met my Lord Bishop of Clogher at Drogheda, by appointment: we went together to Clogher, where he was enthroned, and after three days came to this place, where his lordship is settling every thing against the coming of the new bishop, who is expected here next week. My great business at Clogher was to seduce his lordship to lay out L. 2000 in a new house, and for that end we rode about to find a situation. I know not whether I shall prevail: for he has a hankering after making additions to the old one, which I will never consent to, and would rather he should leave all to the generosity of a successor. My notion is, that when a bishop, with good dispositions, hap pens to arise, it should be every man's business to cultivate them. It is no ill age that produces two such; and therefore, if I had credit with your grace and his lordship, it should be all employed in pushing you both upon works of public good, without the least mercy to your pains or your purses. An expert tradesman makes a few of his best customers answer, not only for those whom he gets little or nothing by, but for all who die in his debt.

I will suppose your grace has heard of Mr Duncan's death. I am sure I have heard enough of it, by a great increase of disinterested correspondents ever since. It is well I am at free cost for board and lodging, else postage would have undone me. I have returned no answer to any; and shall be glad to proceed with your grace's approbation, which is a less compliment, because I believe my chapter are of opinion I can hardly proceed without it. I only desire two things: first, that those who call themselves my friends may have no reason to re

proach me; and the second, that in the course of this matter, I may have something to dispose of to some one I wish well to.

his death.

Some weeks before Mr Duncan's death, his brother-in-law, Mr Lawson, minister of Galtrim, went for England, by Mr Duncan's consent, to apply for an adjoining living, called Kilmore, in Mr Duncan's possession, and now in the crown by I know not his success; but heartily wish, if it be intended for him, that the matter might take another turn: that Mr Warren, who is landlord of Galtrim, might have that living, and Kilmore adjoining, both not L. 150, and Mr Lawson to go down to Mr Warren's living, in Clogher diocese, worth above L. 200. But this is all at random, because I know not whether Kilmore may not be already disposed of, for I hear it is in your grace's

turn.

I heard lately from the provost, who talked of being in the north in a month; but our Dublin account is, that they know not when the deanery is to be given him. I do not find any great joy in either party, on account of the person, who, it is supposed, will succeed him. * The wrong custom of making that post the next step to a bishoprick, has been, as your grace says, of ill consequence; and although, as you add, it gives them no rank, yet they think fit to take it, and make no scruple of preceding, on all occasions, the best private clergyman in the kingdom: which is a trifle of great consequence when a man's head is possessed with it.

pray God preserve your grace, for the good of

* Dr Richard Baldwin, who succeeded Dr Pratt as provost.

the church and the learned world; and for the happiness of those whom you are pleased to honour with your friendship, favour, or protection. I beg your grace's blessing; and remain, with the greatest truth and respect, my Lord,

Your grace's most dutiful

and most humble servant,

JON. SWIFT.

FROM ERASMUS LEWIS, ESQ.

London, June 15, 1717.

SIR, LAST night I received yours of the 5th instant ; and since you tell me I am your only correspondent, I think I ought to be the more punctual in my returns, and the more full in what relates to our friends here. You will see by the public prints that Monday next come se'ennight is appointed for the trial of my Lord Oxford, and that no less than sixand-twenty doughty members are appointed to manage it. The lords have likewise settled the whole forms of the proceedings. My lord has asked, that two lawyers more might be added to his counsel: yet is all this but a farce; for there is not a creature living who thinks he will ever be tried: for they publickly own, that they neither have, nor ever had, any evidence; and laugh at impeachments and attainders, and party gambols; and say, that all people deserve to be so punished, who presume to dispossess the whigs of their indefeasible right to the administration. But since he is not to be tried, the next question is, in what manner

he is to be brought off, so as to save the honour of his prosecutors? I think it will be by an act of grace. Others say, it will be by the commons asking more time, and the lords of their party agreeing to refuse it. But as we are wholly ignorant of their intentions, it is possible neither of these guesses may be right, and that they may keep him yet another year in prison; which my Lord Marlborough seems passionately to desire.

We labour here under all the disadvantages in the world in every respect; for the tide of party runs still very strong everywhere, but in no place more than in Westminster Hall. Those on this side, whose honour and interest both require that all people, who pay obedience, should be protected, seem to want a capacity to govern; and the similitude of circumstances between the king and the regent, render the latter a firm ally, contrary to the natural interest of France. Thus we are secure from any foreign enemy.

I agree with you, that Snape's letter* is really but a letter, and that it is much too short and too slight for such a subject. However, his merit was great, in being the first to give the alarm to his brethren, and setting himself in the front of the battle against his adversaries. In those respects, his letter has had its full effect.

I desire you will be as quick as you can in the assistance you intend Prior; for those who subscribed here are impatient to have their books; and

*To the Bishop of Bangor, Dr Hoadley, occasioned by his lordship's sermon preached before the king on March 31, 1717, "concerning the nature of the kingdom and church of Christ," in which that prelate had expressed his low-church sentiments very strongly.

we cannot keep it off much longer, without passing for common cheats. Dr Arbuthnot and Mr Charleton and I, remember you often. Lady Masham always asks for you very affectionately. By the way, I am perfectly restored to grace there, and am invited to their house in the country. As soon as Lord Oxford's affair is over, I intend to go amongst my friends in the country, not to return hither till about Michaelmas. But if you will direct to me at my house in town, your letters will be conveyed to me, wherever I am. Mr Rochfort † seems to have a great many good qualities, and I am hearti ly glad he has met with success. Adieu.

FROM THE SAME.

London, June 18, 1717.

HAVING acquainted you in my letter of last post, that it was the universal opinion the commons would not proceed to the trial of my Lord Oxford, I think myself obliged to tell you, that we begin now to be something doubtful; for the managers, who are twenty-seven in number, strenuously give out, that they shall be ready to proceed on Monday next. Therefore, if you have any thoughts of coming over,

*From the preceding letters it appears, that in the schism which broke up Queen Anne's administration, Lewis was steady in adherence to Oxford, and so incurred for a time the dislike of Masham and Bolingbroke.

+ Lord chief.baron of the exchequer in Queen Anne's reign. See Vol. XIV. p. 168, for an humorous account of a visit paid to his son's house at Gallstown, by Dean Swift and a party of his friends.