SIR, TO MR TICKELL. Deanery-House, July 11, 1724. I SHALL wait on you at the time and place you appoint, although it is hard that you last comers and lodgers should invite us old housekeepers, which I would have you to know I am, and can bring you half-a-dozen men in gowns to depose it. I shall therefore attend you only on this condition, that you will be ready to fix a day for dining at the deanery with Lord Forbes and Mr Sheridan, because the latter has been heard to boast that you will condescend to suffer him. I am, with great respect, Sir, Your most obedient humble servant, I SHOULD have waited on you before now, if I had not been tormented with an old vexatious disorder of a deafness and noise in my ears, which has returned, after having left me above two years, and makes me unsupportable to others and myself. I now make bold to trouble in an affair which goes very near my heart. Mr Proby, Surgeon-General, my old friend, and most generally beloved of * any man in this kingdom, lies under a great misfortune at present. His eldest son, a captain in Lord Tirawly's regiment, hath been accused at Galloway for discovering an inclination to popery, and several affidavits have been made against him. The young man desires nothing but a fair trial. The accusation is generally judged malicious and false: But that concerns you not. He is to be tried in a few days, but the matter must first go before the Lords Justices. Mr Proby being utterly unknown to you, desires the favour to wait upon you either this afternoon or evening, or early to-morrow morning. He does not intend this as a solicitor for his son, he has too much discretion; but because the business will first come before the Lords-Justices, he thinks it will be proper for him to wait on you, and say or ask what is convenient, and thought that my recommendation will facilitate his access. Therefore, pray Sir mistake me not. I am not at all making you an advocate, but only desiring that he may not see you wholly as a stranger. You will please to signify by one of your servants what hour you will permit Mr Proby to attend you. I am, with great respect, Sir, Your most obedient humble servant, JONATH. SWIFT. *Swift also interceded in behalf of this young gentleman with Lord Carteret, then lord-lieutenant. See Vol. XVI. p. 473. 6 SIR, TO THE SAME. Deanery-House, Sept. 4, 1724. I DESIRE you will please to send the inclosed. I beg your pardon for so often troubling you, but I owed his excellency a letter.* I am pretty well eased of my troublous disorder, and intend to wait on you soon, and hope you will make some appointment with those you like best, that we may meet at the Deanery. I am, Sir, Your most obedient humble servant, J. SWIFT. SIR, TO THE SAME. Deanery-House, Oct. 24, 1724. I DID not design to attend my lord-lieutenant, till his hurry of visits and ceremony were over; but I fear it will be long before I can have that honour, for I am so cruelly persecuted with the return of my deafness, that I am fit for nothing but to moap in my chamber. I therefore humbly entreat your favour, to present my most humble duty to his excellency, # * The inclosure appears to have been the letter to Lord Carteret, dated 3d September 1724, upon the subject chiefly of Dr Berkeley's expedition to Bermudas. See Vol. XVI. p. 467. and to let him know the unlucky cause that hinders me from waiting on him, which I apprehend will yet continue some weeks. I have already had but too much cause to complain of a disorder which hath so long deprived me of the happiness of your company. I conclude you are now a busy man; and therefore shall only add, that I am, with great esteem, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, J. SWIFT. TO MR STAFFORD LIGHTBURNE.* SIR, Quilca, April 22, 1725. YOUR letter was sent hither to me. I have been so ill with a giddiness and deafness, that I thought it best to retire far into the country, where I now am, in a wild place belonging to Mr Sheridan, seven miles from Kells. I am very glad of your good success in England, for I always believed you had justice on your side; at the same time, I am grieved at the difficulties your adversary's family must be under by their own wrong proceedings, and should be more so, if that puppy, who is heir, had not so behaved himself, as to forfeit all regard or pity. Mr Worrall has the remaining bonds of Laracor, &c. and a power from me to receive the money, which I much The original is in the possession of General Lightburne the transcript was obligingly furnished by Mr Theophilus Swift. want, having half ruined myself by building a wall, which is as bad as a law-suit. I desire Mr Proudfoot may, with his payments, give the names of every tenant, and the sums they paid, and take receipts from Mr Worrall. Present my service to my cousin. hope this journey has contributed to her health, as well as her fortune. I am your most humble servant, I The postman tells me that a letter directed to me at Mr Latimer's at Kells, and put into the bye-bag at Trim, will be sent to me; so that if you have any occasion to write, you may take that way. I have desired Mr Wallis to appear for me at the visitation. Feb. 23, 1727-8. I have received from Mr Stafford Lightburne, L. 32 Sterling, in full of all interest, and all dues and demands whatsoever, to the day of the date hereof. I say, received by me, L.32. JONATH. SWIFT. SIR, TO MR TICKELL. July 19, 1725. YOUR whole behaviour, with relation to myself, ever since I had the honour to be known to you, hath tended maliciously to hinder me from writing or speaking any thing that could deserve to be read or heard. I can no sooner hint my desire of a favour |