choose to indulge them in their follies, than attempt to set them right. I desire you may not inform your husband of what has past, for a reason I shall give you when I see you, which may be this evening, if you will. will. I am very sincerely your friend, J. SWIFT.

TO THE DUKE OF DORSET.

MY LORD,

JAN. 1733-4.

IT has been my great misfortune, that, since your

grace's return to this kingdom, I have not been able to attend you as my duty and gratitude for your favours, as well as the honour of having been so many years known to you, obliged me to do. I have been pursued by two old disorders, a giddiness and deafness, which used to leave me in three or four weeks, but now have continued four months, Thus I am put under a necessity to write what I would rather have chosen to say in your grace's pre

sence.

On Monday last week, toward evening, there came to the deanery one Mr. Bettesworth; who, being told by the servants that I was gone to a friend's house, went thither to inquire for me, and was admitted into the street parlour. I left my

This letter was occasioned by some accounts from London, relative to Mr. Pilkington, which Mrs. Pilkington has given us at large, in her memoirs, Vol. I, p. 105.

company

company in the back room, and went to him. He began with asking me, "Whether I were the au"thor of certain verses, wherein he was reflected 66 on The singularity of the man, in his countenance, manner, action, style, and tone of voice, made me call to mind that I had once seen him, about two or three years ago, at Mr. Ludlow's countryhouse. But I could not recollect his name; and of what calling he might be I had never heard. I therefore desired to know who and what he was? said, "I heard of some such verses, but knew no

more. He then signified to me, "That he was a serjeant at law, and a member of parliament." After which, he repeated the lines that concerned him with great emphasis; said, "I was mistaken in

one thing; for he assured me he was no booby; "but owned himself to be a coxcomb." However, that being a point of controversy wherein I had no concern, I let it drop. As to the verses, he insisted, and skill in poetry, he was as

66

That, by his taste,

66 sure I writ them as if he had seen them fall from

my pen." But I found the chief weight of his argument lay upon two words that rhymed to his name, which he knew could come from none but He then told me, 66 That, since I would not "own the verses, and that since he could not get "satisfaction by any course of law, he would get it

me.

by his pen, and show the world what a man I was.” When he began to grow over warm and eloquent, I called in the gentleman of the house,

* These verses are printed in Vol. VIII of this collection, They occasioned a very good poem, called "Bettesworth's Exultations, in Dunken's Poems," Vol. II, p. 265.

from

from the room adjoining; and the serjeant, going on with less turbulence, went away. man in the hall during all his talk,

He had a footwho was to have

opened the door for one or more fellows, as he has since reported and likewise, that he had a sharp knife in his pocket, ready to stab or maim me. But the master and mistress of the house, who knew his character, and could hear every word from the room they were in, had prepared a sufficient defence in such a case, as they afterward told me. He has since related, to five hundred persons of all ranks, above five hundred falsehoods of this conversation, of my fears and his own brutalities, against all probability as well as fact; and some of them, as I have been assured, even in the presence of your grace. His meanings and his movements were indeed peevish enough, but his words were not. He threatened me with nothing but his pen, yet owned he had no pretence to wit. And indeed I am heartily glad, for his own sake, that he proceeded no farther; for, the least uproar would have called his nearest neighbours, first to my assistance, and next, to the manifest danger of his life and I would not willingly have even a dog killed upon my account. Ever since, he has amused himself with declaring, in all companies, especially before bishops, and lords, and members of parliament, his resolutions for vengeance, and the several manners by which he will put it in

execution.

It is only to the advice of some judicious friends that your grace owes the trouble of this letter: for,

Dr. Swift was then at the Rev. Mr. Worrall's house, which happened to be within three or four doors of Mr. Bettesworth's.

though

though I may be dispirited enough by sickness and years, yet I have little reason to apprehend any danger from that man; and those who seem to have most regard for my safety, are no more apprehensive than myself, especially such as best know his character: for, his very enemies, and even his ridiculers, who are, of the two, by far the greater number, allow him to be a peaceable man in all things, except his words, his rhetorical actions, his looks, and his hatred to the clergy; which however are all known, by abundance of experience, to be perfectly harmless; and particularly as to the clergy. I do not doubt but, if he will be so good as to continue stedfast in his principles and practices, he may at proper junctures contribute very much to the honour and interests of that reverend body, as well as employ and improve the wit of many young gentlemen in the city, the university, and the rest of the kingdom.

What I have said to your grace is only meant as a poor endeavour to preserve myself in your good opinion, and in the continuance of your favour. I am, with the highest respect, &c.

TO THE EARL OF OXFORD.

MY LORD,

DUBLIN, FEB. 16, 1733.

THE bearer, Mr. Faulkner, the prince of Dublin printers, will have the honour to deliver you this.

He

He tells me, your lordship was so gracious as to admit him into your presence, and receive him with great condescension, which encouraged him to hope for the same favour again, by my mediation, which I could not refuse. Although, for his own profit, he is engaged in a work that very much discontents me, yet I would rather have it fall into his hands, than any other's on this side.

I am just recovered, in some degree, of two cruel indispositions, of giddiness and deafness, after seven months. I have got my hearing; but the other evil hangs still about me, and I doubt will never quite leave me, until I leave it.

I hope your lordship, and lady Oxford * and lady Margaret, continue in perfect health. I pray God preserve you all, for the good of your friends, and your country.

I am, with entire respect and esteem,

Your lordship's most obedient,

and most obliged servant,

J. SWIFT.

Lady Henrietta Cavendish Holles, only daughter and heir of

his grace John Holles, duke of Newcastle, was married to his lordship the 31st of October, 1713.

This lady was married to William Bentinck, duke of Portland, July 11, 1734.

VOL. XIII.

I

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