TO MRS. WHITEWAY.

DEAR MADAM,

February 25, 1735-6.

IN the midst of your grief and my own for the same misfortune, I cannot forbear complaining of your conduct through the whole course of your affliction, which made you not only neglect yourself, but the greater part of those who are left, and by the same law of nature, have an equal title to your care. I writ on Monday to Miss Harrison, that she would beg you, in my name, to remove some hours to a neighbour, that your ears might not be harassed with the preparations for what was then to be done. She told me you would not yield; and, at the same time, she much feared she must lose you too. Some degree of wisdom is required in the greatest calamity, because God requires it; because he knows what is best for us, because he never intended anything like perfect happiness in the present life; and, because it is our duty, as well as interest, to submit. I will make you another proposal, and shall take it very unkindly if you do not comply. It is, that you would come hither this day immediately, where you will have a convenient apartment, and leave the scene that will be always putting you in mind of your loss. Your daughter can manage the house, and sometimes step to see you. All care should be taken of you, and Dr. Robinson will visit you with more ease, you have occasion for him. Mrs. Ridgeway shall attend you, and I will be your companion. Let Miss Harrison return me an answer, and things

if

shall be ready for you. I am ever, with true esteem and affection, dear Madam,

Your most obedient servant and cousin,

JON. SWIFT.

FROM DR. SHERIDAN.

DEAR SIR,

February 29, 1735-6.

I SINCERELY Condole with you for the unspeakable loss of Mr. Harrison, which cannot be repaired in any other of his age in this world. It wounds my heart every moment I recollect him. I do verily believe no man living has met with such severe trials in losses of this kind as you have; and for this last, I must own, that I have great compassion for you, as he was every day growing more and more into a friend and companion; especially at a time of life which requires such a comfort. God Almighty support his poor mother; for none else can give her consolation under such a dreadful affliction.

Poor old Mr. Price cannot hold out a fortnight; and his son claims your promise of getting him something from the Concordatum; if it overtakes him alive, it may be a legacy for a worthy suffering person, who has fallen a sacrifice to his principles. I dear Sir, with all respect,

am,

Your most obedient and

very humble servant,

THOMAS SHERIDAN.

SIR,

FROM MR. CARTER.*

Henrietta Street, March 15, 1735-6.

I WOULD have waited on you, when I sent my servant with a message, but was informed you did not see company.

I have no doubt the printer will have occasion for a great many cargoes from our friend Mr. Jervas.t I am very glad I had an opportunity of doing anything agreeable to you. I have long wished for some instance of assuring you that I am, with great respect,

Your most obedient and

most humble servant,

THOMAS CARTER.

FROM MR. POPE.

March 25, 1736.

If ever I write more epistles in verse, one of them shall be addressed to you. I have long concerted it and begun it, but I would make what bears your name as finished as my last work ought to be,

* Mr. Carter was Master of the Rolls in Ireland.-D. S. † A fine print of the Dean, engraved by Fourdrinier, from an original picture painted by Jervas, which was afterwards purchased by the Earl of Chesterfield, and placed in his elegant library at May Fair, in the collection of English authors.-D. S.

that is to say, more finished than any of the rest. The subject is large, and will divide into four epistles, which naturally follow the Essay on Man, viz., 1. Of the Extent and Limits of Human Reason and Science: 2. A View of the useful and therefore attainable, and of the unuseful, and therefore, unattainable, Arts: 3. Of the Nature, Ends, Application, and Use of different Capacities: 4. Of the Use of Learning, of the Science of the World, and of Wit. It will conclude with a Satire against the misapplication of all these, exemplified by pictures, characters, and examples.

But, alas! the task is great, and non sum qualis eram! My understanding, indeed, such as it is, is extended rather than diminished: I see things more in the whole, more consistent, and more clearly deduced from, and related to each other. But what I gain on the side of philosophy, I lose on the side of poetry: the flowers are gone when the fruits begin to ripen, and the fruits perhaps will never ripen perfectly. The climate (under our heaven of a court) is but cold and uncertain; the winds rise, and the winter comes on. I find myself but little disposed to build a new house; I have nothing left but to gather up the relics of a wreck, and look about me to see how few friends I have left. Pray, whose esteem or admiration should I desire now to procure by my writings? whose friendship or conversation to obtain by them? I am a man of desperate fortunes, that is, a man whose friends are dead, for I never aimed at any other fortune than in friends. As soon as I had sent my last letter, I received a most kind one from you, expressing great pain for my late illness at Mr. Cheselden's. I conclude you was eased of that friendly apprehension in a few days after you had dispatched yours, for mine must have reached you then. I wondered a little at

your quere who Cheselden was? it shews that the truest merit does not travel so far any way as on the wings of poetry; he is the most noted and most deserving man in the whole profession of chirurgery; and has saved the lives of thousands by his manner of cutting for the stone. I am now well, or what I must call so.

I have lately seen some writings of Lord Bolingbroke's, since he went to France. Nothing can depress his genius: whatever befalls him, he will still be the greatest man in the world, either in his own time or with posterity.

I can

Every man you know or care for here, inquires of you, and pays you the only devoir he can, that of drinking your health. I wish you had any motive to see this kingdom. I could keep you, for I am rich; that is, I have more than I want. afford room for yourself and two servants; I have indeed room enough; nothing but myself at home; the kind and hearty housewife is dead; the agreeable and instructive neighbour is gone; yet my house is enlarged and the gardens extend and flourish, as knowing nothing of the guest they have lost. I have more fruit-trees and kitchen garden than you have any thought of; nay I have good melons and pine apples of my own growth. I am as much a better gardener, as I am a worse poet, than when you saw me; but gardening is near akin to philosophy, for Tully says, agricultura proxima sapientiæ. For God's sake, why should not you (that are a step higher than a philosopher, a divine, yet have more grace and wit than to be a bishop) even give all you have to the poor of Ireland, (for whom you have already done everything else,) so quit the place, and live and die with me? And let tales animæ concordes be our motto and our epitaph.