I have almost done everything I proposed in the way of fables; but have not set the last hand to them. Though they will not amount to half the number, I believe they will make much such another volume as the last. I find it the most difficult task I ever undertook; but have determined to go through with it; and, after this, I believe I shall never have courage enough to think any more in this way. Last post I had a letter from Mr. Pope, who informs me he has heard from you; and that he is preparing some scattered things of yours and his for the press. I believe I shall not see him till the winter; for, by riding and walking, I am endeavouring to lay in a stock of health, to squander in the town. You see, in this respect, my scheme is very like the country gentlemen in regard to their revenues. As to my eating and drinking, I live as when you knew me; so that in that point we shall agree very well in living together; and the duchess will answer for me, that I am cured of inattention ; for I never forget anything she says to me.*

For he never hears what I say, so cannot forget. If I served him the same way, I should not care a farthing ever to be better acquainted with my Tunbridge acquaintance, whom, by attention to him, I have learned to set my heart upon. I began to give over all hopes, and from thence began my neglect. I think this a very philosophical reason, though there might be another given. When fine ladies are in London, it is very genteel and allowable to forget their best friends; which, if I thought modestly of myself, must needs be you, because you know little of me. Till you do more, pray do not persuade Mr. Gay, that he is discreet enough to live alone; for I do assure you he is not, nor I either. We are

*The duchess here begins.

of

great use to one another; for we never flatter or contradict, but when it is absolutely necessary, and then we do it to some purpose: particularly the first agrees mightily with our constitutions, If ever we quarrel, it will be about a piece of bread and butter; for somebody is never sick, except he eats too much of it. He will not quarrel with you for a glass or so; for by that means he hopes to gulp down some of that forty millions of schemes that hindered him from being good company. I would fain see you here, there is so fair a chance that one of us must be pleased; perhaps both, you with an old acquaintance, I with a new one it is so well worth taking a journey for, that if the mountain will not come to Mahomet, Mahomet must go to the mountain. But before either of our journeys are settled, I desire you would resolve me one question —whether a man, who thinks himself well where he is, should look out for his house and servants before it is convenient, before he grows old, or before a person, with whom he lives, pulls him by the sleeve in private (according to oath,) and tells him that they have enough of his company? He will not let me write one word more, but that I have a very great regard for you, &c.

The duke is very much yours, and will never leave you to your wine.* Many thanks for your drum-I wish to receive your congratulations for the other boy, you may believe.

* It would appear that Swift, himself naturally hospitable until age and disease altered his temper, did not altogether admire the parsimony of Pope, who used to desert his guests soon after supper, with a habitual expression, "Gentlemen, I leave you to your wine," of which there was but a small modicum placed on the table.

FROM MRS. CÆSAR.*

August 6, 1732.

PERMIT me to congratulate you upon the return of Mrs. Barber, with thanks for pleasures enjoyed in her company; for had she not come recommended by the Dean of St. Patrick's, likely I had passed her by unheeded, being apt to follow a good author, in shunning those of my own coat. But hold; I must look if it runs not from corner to corner, which I more fear than length. For Pope says, though sometimes he finds too many letters in my words, never too many words in my letters. So with Mr. Cæsar's and my best wishes, thou worthy, witty, honest Dean, adieu.

M. ADELMAR CÆSAR.

SIR,

FROM LADY WORSLEY.†

August 6, 1732.

I FLATTER myself, that if you had received my last letter, you would have favoured me with an answer; therefore I take it for granted it is lost.

I was so proud of your commands, and so fearful

*Wife to the treasurer of the navy during Lord Oxford's administration, in the reign of Queen Anne.-H.

+ Indorsed, "Lady Worsley, with a present of a writing-box japanned by herself."-N.

of being supplanted by my daughter, that I went to work immediately, that her box might not keep her in your rememberance, while there was nothing to put you in mind of an old friend and humble servant. But Mrs. Barber's long stay here, (who promised me to convey it to you,) has made me appear very negligent. I doubt not but you think me unworthy of the share (you once told me) I had in your heart. I am yet vain enough to think I deserve it better than all those flirting girls you coquet with. I will not yield (even) to dirty Patty, whom I was the most jealous of when you was last here. What if I am a great-grandmother, I can still distinguish your merit from all the rest of the world; but it is not consistent with your goodbreeding to put one in mind of it; therefore I am determined not to use my interest with Sir Robert for a living in the Isle of Wight, though nothing else could reconcile me to the place. But if I could make you Archbishop of Canterbury, I should forget my resentments, for the sake of the flock, who very much want a careful shepherd. Are we to have the honour of seeing you, or not? I have fresh hopes given me; but I dare not please myself too much with them, lest I should be again disappointed. If I had it as much in my power, as my inclination, to serve Mrs. Barber, she should not be kept thus long attending but I hope her next voyage may prove more successful. She is just come in, and tells me you have sprained your foot, which will prevent your journey till next summer; but assure yourself the Bath is the only infallible cure for such an accident. If you have any regard remaining for

* Lady Carteret.

Where her husband, Sir Robert Worsley, possessed the estate of Appuldercombe.

me, you will shew it by taking my advice: if not, I will endeavour to forget you, if I can. But, till that doubt is cleared, I am as much as ever, the Dean's

Obedient humble servant,

F. WORSLEY.

TO ALDERMAN BARBER.

MR. ALDERMAN,

Dublin, August 10, 1732.

I AM very angry with my friend Doctor Delany, for not applying to you sooner, as I desired him, in favour of Mr. Matthew Pilkington, a young clergyman here, who has a great ambition to have the honour of being your chaplain in your mayoralty. I waited for the doctor's answer before I could write to you, and it came but last night.* He tells me you have been so very kind as to give him a promise upon my request; I will therefore tell my story. This gentleman was brought to me by the doctor about four years ago, and I found him so modest a young man, so good a scholar and preacher, and of so hopeful a genius, and grew still better upon my hands the more I knew him, that I have been seeking all opportunities to do him some real service; from no other motive in the world, but the esteem I had of his worth. And I hope you know me long enough to believe me capable of acting as I ought to do in

* Pilkington believed that Mrs. Barber and Dr. Delany returned the Dean's first letter of 22d July upon this subject, and rendered this second application necessary, which proved successful.