FROM DR SHERIDAN.

CERVE DECANE,

June 22, 1737.

EGO longus audire a te, nunc Francisci sunt ventr intus. Dominus M'Carty erat apud Sanctas Catherina, * qui olim minabatur me cum scripto, et sue ego ibam ad Dunboyn. Non reddebam ad Dublinum apis causa debebam nummum, et ego habebam id non ad cicerem.

Meus filius Thomas sedebat nuper pro scholasticâ nave, et perdidit id per malitiam unius domini Hughs, qui gignebat super apud asserem, † et dixit, quod puer erat nimium juvenis pro juramento. Diabolus cape ingratum Socium; nam olim dedi illum doctrinam pro nihil; et sic servit me nunc. Quomodo unquam ego non volo capere ad cor, sed ego faciam optimum de malo mercatu. O qualis mundus est hic! Sed ego dicam non plus. Scio quod scio; et tenebo mentem ad meipsum, et ego solvam id de cum cogitando.

Ego habeo tres libros sapientum dictorum ‡ transcriptos pro te in pulchrâ et magnâ manu, quos mittam ad te per primam opportunitatem, ante ut meus dominus Orrery vadit pro Angliâ; nam promisit capere illos cum se, et facere pactum pro me cum prælatorė.

Corrigo illos libros valde puteus, et jubebas me,

* St Catherine's, Lady Mountcashel's villa about six miles from Dublin.---D. S.

+ When the provost and fellows of the university of Dublin meet in council, they call it a Board.-D. S.

The Doctor's collection of Bons Mots-D. S.

sic id ego spero non habebis multum agere; nam est non rationabile dare tibi multam molestiam circum sarciendo stylum. Amica Donelson est cito ire ad Dublinum, mittam illos cum illâ.

Ego habeo non ullos nuncios, sed quod nostra tempestas est valde calida, in sic tantum, ut omne nostrum gramen est ustum super, et pecora habent nihil edere. Caremus pluvia valde multum, si Deus placeret mittere-Mitte me verbum quid genus tempestatis est in Dublino, et si placet te mitte ad me rationem tuæ sanitatis. Da meum humile servitium omnibus, qui rogant pro me, Ad Dominum Orrery, ad Doctorem Helsham et cæteris amicorum. Precare cape curam de teipso, et sic obligabis tuum humillimum famulum,

Junii die 22°, unum mille septem

centum et triginta septem.

THOMAS SHERIDAN.

Servitium et amor dominæ albæ viæ.

FROM MR ALDERMAN BARBER.

London, June 23, 1737.

MOST HONOURED FRIEND,

I was favoured with a letter some time since by the hands of the bearer, Mr Lloyd, and by him take the opportunity of answering it.

I do assure you, Sir, that as the society have always had the greatest regard. for your recommendation, so, in this affair, they have given a fresh instance of their respect; for they have resolved to

relieve their tenants in Colrain from their hard bargains; and, to that end, have put it in a way that is to the entire satisfation of the bearer.

I hope this will find you in good health, and that the hot weather will contribute thereto; which will be a great satisfaction to all honest men who wish well to their country.

Our friend Mr Pope is very hearty and well, and has obliged the town lately with several things in bis way; among the rest, a translation of Horace's Odes; in one of which you are mentioned "as saving your nation:" which gave great offence; and, I am assured, was under debate in the council, whether he should not be taken up for it: but it happening to be done in the late king's time, they passed it by.

I hope you see the paper called Common Sense, which has wit and humour.

I had thoughts of kissing your hand this summer; but we are all in confusion at Derry about power, which will prevent my coming at present; but I am in hopes of having that happiness before I die. thank God I hold out to a miracle almost; for I am better in my health now than I was many years

ago.

I

Lord Bolingbroke is in France, writing, I am told, the History of his own Time: he is well. You will please to make my compliments to Lord Orrery and Dr Delany.

I have many things to say, which in prudence I

must defer.

I shall conclude with my hearty prayers to Almighty God, to preserve your most valuable life for many years, as you are a public blessing to your country, and a friend to all mankind; and to assure

you that I am, with sincerity, dear Sir, your most affectionate and most faithful humble servant,

JOHN BARBER.

SIR,

FROM DR KING.

St Mary Hall, Oxford, June 24, 1737.

I Do not know for what reason the worthy gentlemen of the post-office intercepted a letter, which I did myself the honour to write to you about two months ago. I cannot remember I said any thing that could give them the least offence. I did not mention the new halfpence; I did not praise the royal family; I did not blame the prime-minister; I only returned you my thanks for a very kind letter I had just then received from you. It is true I enclosed in that letter a printed paper called Common Sense, in which the author proposes a new scheme of government to the people of Corsica, advising to make their king of the same stuff of which the Indians make their gods. * I thought to afford you some diversion: but, perhaps, it was this made the whole packet criminal.

I have this day received a letter from Mrs Whiteway, in which she tells me that I am to expect the manuscript by Lord Orrery. I will have the pleasure to wait on him as soon as I can do it without crossing the Irish channel: as soon as I receive the papers, you shall hear from me again. I shall have an op

* This paper was written by Dr King himself.-D. S.

portunity of writing fully to you by Mr Deane Swift, who proposes to set out for Ireland the next vacation. In making mention of this gentleman, I cannot help recommending him to your favour. I have very narrowly observed his conduct ever since I have been here; and I can, with great truth, give him the character of a modest, sober, ingenious young man. He is a hard student, and will do an honour to the society of which he is now a member.

Mrs Whiteway says, that notwithstanding all your complaints, you are in good health and in good spirits. What think you of making a trip to England this fine season, and visiting our Alma Mater? I can offer you an airy cool room during the summer, and a warm bedchamber in the winter; and I will take care that your mutton commons shall be kept long enough to be tender. If you will accept of this invitation, I promise to meet you at Chester, and to conduct you to King Edward's lodgings : and then St Mary Hall may boast of a triumvirate, that is not to be matched in any part of the learned world, Sir Thomas More, Erasmus, and the Drapier. Believe me to be with the greatest esteem, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

WILLIAM KING.

FROM DR KING TO MRS WHITEWAY.

MADAM,

St Mary Hall, Oxon, June 24, 1737.

I HAVE this day the favour of your letter of the 14th, which hath given me great pleasure: however,