I held out bravely the three weeks' fogs, &c., and am very well.

TO THE REV. MR. JOHN BLASHFORD,

PREBENDARY OF WICKLOW, AT HIS HOUSE,

REVEREND SIR,

WICKLOW.*

Dublin, Dec. 12, 1734.

THERE is an inhabitant of this city, of whom I suppose you have often heard. I remember him from my very infancy, but confess I am not so well acquainted with him as in prudence I ought to be; yet I constantly pretend to converse with him, being seldom out of his company, but I do not find that our conversation is very pleasing to either of us. His health is not very good, which he endeavours to mend by frequent riding, and fancies himself to find some benefit by that exercise, although not very effectual. He intended, in the pursuit of health, to have gone a long northern journey, and to have stayed there a month; but his friends, (who are very few,) hearing that the place where he proposed to reside was not proper for riding, diverted him from it. Their reasons prevailed so far, that yesterday morning he wished to make his excuses to a gentleman who was to accompany him; but this person still insisting that he ought to put himself under a necessity of riding, was desired to petition you, who live within a day's journey of Dublin, and

* This and the following excellent and characteristic letter are now first printed. They were, with another letter to the same gentleman, obtained by the friendship of Mr. Weld Hartstonge.

have a fine riding near your town, called the Murrow, or some such name. By these incitements, he seems determined to quarter himself upon you for three weeks at least, if he can have your consent, or rather that of your lady, although I find he never had the honour to see her. He travels with two servants, and consequently three horses; but these latter are at hack, and the former at board-wages, so that neither of them will trouble you. As to the person himself, he every day drinks a pint of wine at noon, and another at night; and for the trouble he gives the house, he will allow one bottle more every day for the table; but not one drop for foreigners, who are to drink on your account; he will farther allow one shilling and sixpence English, for his commons, ale and small beer included.

But you are to direct how the wine can be found, and whether he must send it by a Wicklow carrier; but the bottles, when empty, he must be paid for. These are the conditions, only adding, that the family, during his residence, must be regulated by his own model, and you are to send an answer the very next post.

He travels with his own sheets, so that he makes no allowance upon that article. Whether you do or do not approve of these proposals, you are to give me an account, directed to the D of St. P's house; and the D--, after conferring with your future guest, will either return you an answer, or send the gentleman.

I am your most obedient

humble servant,

THE D-N.

The gentleman will return with you at the Dean's visitation, where he pretends to have some business.

TO THE REV. MR. BLASHFORD,

AT THE REV. MR. CORBETT'S AT DELGANY, NEAR KILLCOOLE.

SIR,

Dublin, Dec. 17, 1734.

THE weather yesterday being very fine, I rode to Howth house, and as I was getting on horseback to return, I was seized with so cruel a fit of that giddiness which at times hath pursued me from my youth, that I was forced to lie down on a bed in the empty house for two hours, before I was in a condition to ride. However, I got here safe, but am this morning very weak, as I always have been for many days after such fits, and in pain, for fear of another this day, which makes me write to you while I am able, although it be morning. I found your kind friendly letter last night upon my table at my coming home, and heartily thank you for your generous invitation, which, however, I dare not accept for fear of another attack; against which I must fence, by taking vomits and other medicines prescribed for me by some physicians, who happen to be my friends. If this accident had not fallen out, I intended to have begun my journey towards you this day, because I prophesied a fine parcel of weather from yesterday; but I was deceived, and must have waited to a better season. Pray God protect you and your family. I know not whether you have children, nor did I ever see your lady, or your house; so that I never did beg an invitation so much against the rules of common good manners, to one so much a stranger as you have been against my will to me; I am therefore bound in gratitude and by

inclination, to assure you, that I am, with much esteem and truth, sir,

SOME people here having flattered me that I have a genius for poetry, and my circumstances a little favouring it, I have resolved to turn my thoughts that way. I have already tried my talents on some little amusements, and have had the pleasure in secret to see them pretty well received; but few here being much conversant in that study, can be proper judges; and as I would not venture my character abroad in the world without the advice of those who have succeeded in it, I thought I could not more properly apply than to you, who have been pretty happy that way. What I mean is, that you would be pleased to furnish me with a theme to try my genius, with what rules you may think necessary. I expect your compliance with this, as it is the first, at least of this nature, you ever had from this place and as soon as it is finished, you may expect a copy of the performance from, sir,

Your most humble servant,

** **

+ As this letter seems to have been written by some very young adventurer in poetry, we choose to suppress the name; especially as we cannot tell what answer he received from Dr. Swift, or whether afterward he applied with success to Apollo and the Muses.-D. S.

FROM MR. POPE.

Twickenham, Dec. 19, 1734.

I AM truly sorry for any complaint you have, and it is in regard to the weakness of your eyes that I write (as well as print) in folio. You will think (I know you will, for you have all the candour of a good understanding) that the thing which men of our age feel the most, is the friendship of our equals ; and that therefore whatever affects those who are stept a few years before us, cannot but sensibly affect us who are to follow. It troubles me to hear you complain of your memory, and if I am in any part of my constitution younger than you, it will be in my remembering everything that has pleased me in you, longer than perhaps you will. The two summers we passed together dwell always on my mind, like a vision which gave me a glimpse of a better life, and better company, than this world otherwise afforded. I am now an individual, upon whom no other depends: and may go where I will if the wretched carcase I am annexed to did not hinder me. I rambled, by very easy journeys, this year to Lord Bathurst, and Lord Peterborow, who upon every occasion commemorate, love, and wish for you. I now pass my days between Dawley, London, and this place; not studious nor idle; rather polishing old works, than hewing out new. I redeem now and then a paper that has been abandoned several years; and of this sort you will see one, which I inscribe to our old friend Arbuthnot.

Thus far I had written, and thinking to finish my letter the same evening, was prevented by company, and the next morning found myself in a fever, highly