TO THE PROVOST AND SENIOR FELLOWS OF TRINITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN.* Deanery House, July 5, 1736. REV. AND WORTHY SIRS, As I had the honour of receiving some part of my education in your university, and the good fortune to be of some service to it while I had a share of credit at court, as well as since, when I had very little or none, I may hope to be excused for laying a case before you, and offering my opinion upon it. Mr. Dunkin, whom you all know, sent me some time ago a memorial intended to be laid before you, which perhaps he hath already done. His request is, that you would be pleased to enlarge his annuity at present, and that he may have the same right, in his turn, to the first church preferment, vacant in your gift, as if he had been made a fellow, according to the scheme of his aunt's will; because the absurdity of the condition in it ought to be imputed to the old woman's ignorance, although her intention be very manifest; and the intention of the testator in all wills is chiefly regarded by the law. What I would therefore humbly propose is this, that you would increase his pension to one hundred pounds a-year, and make him a firm promise of the first * This letter plainly shews the author's friendship to gentlemen of genius and learning, although unacquainted with them; but, soon after this, Mr. Dunkin was introduced to the Dean, who did him farther services, by recommending him to Dr. Bolton, Archbishop of Cashell, who ordained him.-F. church living in your disposal, to the value of two hundred pounds a-year, or somewhat more. This I take to be a reasonable medium between what he hath proposed in his memorial, and what you allow him at present. I am almost a perfect stranger to Mr. Dunkin, having never seen him above twice, and then in mixed company, nor should I know his person if I met him in the streets. But I know he is a man of wit and parts; which, if applied properly to the business of his function, instead of poetry, (wherein it must be owned he sometimes excels,*) might be of great use and service to him. I hope you will please to remember, that, since your body hath received no inconsiderable benefaction from the aunt, it will much increase your reputation, rather to err on the generous side toward the nephew. These are my thoughts, after frequently reflecting on the case under all its circumstances; and so I leave it to your wiser judgments. I am, with true respect and esteem, reverend and worthy Sirs, Your most obedient and most humble servant, JON. SWIFT. FROM DR. SHERIDAN. DEAR SIR, July 6, 1736. I SUSPECT that some secret villain has prevented the lord chancellor to sign my commission; and * See the translation of "Carberia Rupes," Vol. XIV. p. 174-N. therefore I entreat the favour of you to know the meaning of it from his excellency; for I had his consent by a recommendation from my Lord Chief Baron Marley, and Mr. Justice Ward. The summer is going off fast, so are my best fowl; and you are not yet come. Will you not come for your six hundred and sixty pounds? We have no way to carry it, except you come for it yourself; and do not forget to bring the deed of sale with you for the Marahills and Drumcor. I wish you could sail with them hither, to save you the trouble of riding, which I would rather see than fifty pounds, which I would set my hand and seal to. Mr. Jones, as I told you before, will not pay anybody but yourself; so that you must inevitably come, nolens volens, right or wrong, whether you can or not. Our venison is plenty; our weather too hot for its carriage. We have not had two hundred drops of rain these six weeks past. Our river is dry, I soak like a pie; And I sweat, oh, I sweat, like a hog in a stye. I know you love Alexandrines; for which reason I closed the above madrigal with one. I think it is of a very good proportion, which I hope you will set to music; and pray let me have a bass and second treble, with what other decorations and graces you can better design than I can direct. To let you see you can want for nothing, if you come to Cavan, I write you the following catalogue: I must trouble your reverence with a small sample of some things, to let you see that all I have said is truth. I would send you some of my canal, but the could not hold it. paper I have nothing more to send but my best wishes, which you can only see in my face, when you come down. Present my love 9678946846734056789897324 times to my dear Mrs. Whiteway, and all her chickens. I am, dear Sir, as I ever must be, your most obedient and very humble servant to command, Dumb Spur it us hose rage it art us. * FROM MR. FORD. London, July 8, 1736. You cannot imagine how much I was transported to see a superscription in your hand, after two years and a half intermission. The pleasure I had in not being quite forgot, was soon abated by what you say of your ill health. ill health. I doubt you live too much by yourself; and retirement makes the strongest impression upon those who are formed for mirth and society. I have not been these thirty years without a set of cheerful companions, by herding with new ones as the old marry and go off. Why have not you a succession of Grattans and Jacksons? Whatever resentment the men in power may have, everybody else would seek your company, upon your own terms; and for those in great stations, I am sure, at this time, you would be ashamed to be well with them. If they hate you, it is because they fear you, and know your abilities better than you seem to do yourself; even in your melancholy you write with too much fire for broken spirits. Your giddiness and deafness give me the utmost concern; though I believe you would be less subject to them, and as well taken care of, here: nor need you spunge for a dinner, since you would be invited to two or * "Dum spiritus hos regit artus." |