FROM THE DUCHESS OF ORMOND.

SIR,

Sept. 1, 1721.

I Do not know how to account for your long silence, unless your time has been taken up in making an interest with those in power here, for one of the two archbishopricks, *that we heard were void, but I am very glad are not so. Set your heart at rest, for they are promised; and therefore you may as well write to a sister, when next you honour this kingdom with any dispatches, as to any greater people. It is a shame to think how you have ne glected those of your own house. I had once determined to write to you no more, since no answer was to be expected; but then revenge came into my head, and I was resolved to tease you, till at last, to be quiet, you will send me some plausible excuse at least, for never inquiring after brother or sister. I wonder when you will be good-natured enough to come and see how we do; but Ireland has such powerful charms, that I question whether you would leave it to be one of our archbishops. I was at your brother Arran'st a good while this summer, and have been much upon the ramble, or else you would have sooner had these just reproaches from me; whom you have no way of appeasing, but by a let ter of at least four sides of paper: though I am so

Probably those of Tuam and Dublin, both incumbents being very old.

+ A member of the club of sixteen.-H.

good a Christian, upon this occasion, as to be, notwithstanding all this ill-treatment,

I ANSWERED your letter long ago, and have little to say at present. I shall be in town by the beginning of next month, although a fit of good weather would tempt me a week longer; for I never saw or heard of so long a continuance of bad, which has hindered me from several little rambles I intended; but I row or ride every day in spite of the rain, in spite of a broken shin, or falling into the lakes, and several other trifling accidents. Pray what have you done with the Lichfield-man? Has he mended his voice, or is he content to sit down with his Christ-church preferment? I doubt Mrs Brent will be at a loss about her industry-book, † for want of a new leaf, with a list drawn of the debtors. I know you are such a bungler you cannot do it, and therefore I desire that you would, in a loose sheet of paper, make a survey-list, in your

* One of the cathedrals in Dublin.-F.

The book wherein Mrs Brent kept the account of the money lent by Dr Swift to poor industrious tradesmen, in small sums, without interest.-F.

bungling manner, as soon as she wants it, and let that serve till I come. Present my service to Mrs Worral. I wonder how you, and she, and your heir,* have spent the summer, and how often you have been at Dunleary, † and whether you have got her another horse, and whether she hates dying in the country as much as ever. Desire Mrs Brent, if a messenger goes from hence, to give him my fustian waistcoat, because the mornings grow cold. I have now and then some threatenings with my head; but have never been absolutely giddy above a minute, and cannot complain of my health, I thank God. Pray send them enclosed to the postoffice. I hear you have let your house to Mrs Dopping, who will be a good tenant, if she lives. I suppose your new house is finished, and if Mrs Worral does not air it well, it may get you a new wife, which I would not have you tell her, because it will do the business better than a boat at Dalky. † I hope you have ordered an account of absent vicars, and that their behaviour has not been so bad as usual during my sickness in town: if so, I have but an ill subdean.

P. S. Tell Mrs Brent, that if Lloyd agrees, I shall be glad one of his hogsheads was left unracked.

*Mr Fairbrother.-F.

+ A village at the sea-side, near Dublin.-F.

A most delightful island, within six or seven miles of Dublin.-F.

TO ARCHBISHOP KING.:

MY LORD,

Gallstown, near Kinnegad,
Sept. 28, 1721.

I HAD the honour of your grace's letter of the 1st instant; and although I thought it my duty to be the last writer in corresponding with your grace, yet I know you are so punctual, that if I should write sooner it would only be the occasion of giving you a new trouble, before it ought in conscience to be put upon you. Besides, I was in some pain that your letter of September 1st, was not the first you had writ, because, about ten days after, a friend sent me word, that your grace said you had writ to me six weeks before, and had no answer; whereas I can assure your grace that I received but one from you; nor had I reason to expect it, having not done myself the honour to write to you before. I will tell you the secret of dating my letter; I was in fear lest the post should be gone, and so left a blank, and wisely huddled it up without thinking of the date; but we country gentlemen are frequently guilty of greater blunders; and in that article I grow more perfect every day.

I believe you seriously that you will take care of your health, to prevent a successor; that is to say, I believe you tell truth in jest; for I know it is not the value of life that makes you desire to live, and am afraid the world is much of your mind; for it is out of regard to the public, or some of themselves, more than upon your own account, that they wish your continuance among us.

It seems you are a greater favourite of the lieu

tenant's* than you care to own; for we hear that he killed but two bucks, and sent you a present of

one.

I hear you are likely to be the sole opposer of the bank: † and you will certainly miscarry, because it would prove a most perfidious thing. Bankrupts are always for setting up banks: how then can you think a bank will fail of a majority in both houses?

You are very perverse, my lord, in misinterpreting the ladies' favour, as if you must die to obtain it; I assure you it is directly contrary, and if you die, you will lose their favour for ever: I am commanded to tell you so; and therefore at the peril of your life, and of their good graces, look to your health.

I hear the bishop of Bangor, ‡ despairing of doing any good with you, has taken up with Hereford. I am a plain man, and would be glad at any time to see fifty such bishops hanged, if I could thereby have saved the life of his predecessor, for whom I had a great esteem and friendship. I do not much approve the compliments made you by comparisons drawn from good and bad emperors, because the inference falls short on both sides. If Julian had immediately succeeded Constantine, it would have been more to the purpose. Sir James of the Peak said to Bouchier the gamester, "Sirrah, I shall look better than you, when I have been

* Charles Duke of Grafton.

+ At this time there was a proposal for a national bank in Ireland; which was rejected by parliament.-F.

Dr Benjamin Hoadley.-F.

Sir James of the Peak, called sometimes Sir James Baker, was a notorious gambler of that time.