his letter. My lady Granville reading your postscript, bids me tell you, that she will send you a present; and if she knew what you liked, she would do it forthwith. Let me know, and it shall be done, that the first of the family may no longer be postponed by you to the third place. My wife and lady Worseley desire their respects should be mentioned to you rhetorically; but as I am a plain peer, I shall say nothing, but that I am, for ever, sir, your most humble and obedient servant, CARTERET. When people ask me, how I governed Ireland? I say, that I pleased Dr. Swift. Quæsitam meritis sume superbiam. TO MR. ALDERMAN BARBER. DEAR MR. ALDERMAN, MARCH 30, 1737. You will read the character of the bearer, Mr. Lloyd, which he will deliver to you, signed by the magistrates and chief inhabitants of Coleraine. It seems, your society has raised the rents in that town, and of your lands about it, within three years past, to four times the value of what the tenants formerly paid; which is beyond what I have ever heard, even among the most screwing landlords of this kingdom: and the consequence has already been, that many of your tenants in that town, and the lands about it, are preparing for the plantations of America, for the same same reasons that are driving some thousands of families in the north to the same plantations: I mean, the oppression of landlords. My dear friend, you are to consider, that no society can, or ought, in prudence or justice, let their lands at so high a rate as a squire, who lives upon his estate, and is able to distrain at an hour's warning. All bodies corporate must give easy bargains, so as to be ready to pay all the incident charges to which they are subject. Thus bishops, deans, and chapters, as well as other corporations, seldom or never let their lands even so high as half the value: and when they raise those rents which are unreasonably low, it is by degrees. I have instances of this conduct in my own practice, as well as that of my chapter; although my own lands, as dean, are let four-fifths under their value. On the other side, there is no reason why an honourable society should rent their estate for a trifle. And therefore I told Mr. Lloyd my opinion, "That, if 66 you could be prevailed on just to double the rent, ❝and no more, I hoped the tenants might be able "to live in a tolerable manner." For, I am as much convinced as I can be of any thing human, that this wretched oppressed country must necessarily decline for ever. If, by a miracle, things should mend, you may, in a future renewal, make a moderate increase of rent; but not by such leaps as you are now taking for, you ought to remember the fable of the hen, who laid every second day a golden egg; upon which, her mistress killed her, to get the whole lump together. I am told, that one condition in your charter is, to plant a colony of English in those parts. If that be so, you are too wise to let it be a colony of Irish beggars. I would not have said thus much in an affair, and about persons to whom I am a stranger, if I had not been long assured of the poor condition those people in and about Coleraine have lain under, since that enormous raising of their rents. The bearer, whom I never saw until yesterday, seems to be a gentleman of truth and good sense: yet, if he has misrepresented this matter to me, I shall never be his advocate again. My health is very indifferent: spirits I have none left. I decline every day. I hope and hear it is better with you. May you live as long as you desire! for I have lost so many friends without getting any new, that I must keep you as a sample of the former. I am, my dear friend, Yours, &c. FROM THE EARL OF ORRERY. DEAR SIR, CORK, APRIL 3, 1737. I AM very glad there are twelve thousand pounds worth of halfpence arrived; they are twelve thousand arguments for your quitting Ireland. I look upon you in the same state of the unfortunate Achæmenides amidst tyrants and monsters-Do you not remember the description of Polypheme and his den? Domus sanie dapibusque cruentis Intus opaca, ingens, ipse arduus, altaque pulsat 4 Remember Remember also, that you Centum alii curva hæc habitant ad littora vulgo Infandi cyclopes, et altis montibus errant. Translate these lines and come away with me to Marston; there you shall enjoy otium cum dignitate; there you shall see the famous Sacsockishkash, and his two pupils, who shall attend your altars with daily incense; there no archbishops can intrude; there shall be the sole lord and master; whilst we your subjects shall learn obedience from our happiness. If you ever can think seriously, think so now; and let me say with the curate of my parish, Consider what has been said unto you, ponder it well, lay it up in your heart, and God of his infinite mercy direct you!-Mrs. Whiteway shall be truly welcome to Marston's homely shade. Hector shall fawn upon the doctor; and I myself will be under the direction and government of sir R. W. You tell me, I am to carry a load for you to England; the most acceptable load will be yourself, and that I would carry with as true piety as Æneas bore the ancient Anchises on his shoulders, when he fled from fire, from blood, from Greeks, and from ruined Troy ! Can you expect that lords move regularly? Is it not below our station to think where or when we are to go? But if my coach and six is in order, perhaps I may have the honour to start a hare in Steven's Green about the first of next month. In the middle of June I will hope to set sail with you to England. Mr. Pope will come out beyond the shore to meet you: you will exchange cyclops for men; and if one must fall, surely the choice is right: Si pereo, manibus hominum periisse juvabit. My My next shall be longer. I am now forced to bid you farewell; but hereafter expect my whole life and conversation ; you shall certainly have the cheeses. If you will come to Somersetshire, I will eat one for joy *. The best in England are made in my manor. I am so well, that I had almost forgot to answer that kind part of your letter. It is only you that can add health and happiness to your very affectionate obliged and faithful servant, ORRERY. I FROM THE EARL OF OXFORD. GOOD MR. DEAN, DOVER STREET, APRIL 7, 1737. : AM extremely obliged to you for several letters, which I, with great shame and concern, acknowledge that I have not answered, as also several remembrances of me and my family in your letters to Mr. Pope I stand very strongly obliged to you upon these accounts; I dare say you will do me that justice, that you will not attribute my not writing to proceed from any neglect of you, or from any forgetfulness I am certain of this, that I do retain the warmest esteem and sincerest regard for you of any one, be he who he will; and therefore I hope you will pardon what has passed, and I promise to amend, if my letters would in the least be agreeable to you. One reason of my writing to you now is (next to * The earl of Orrery hated cheese to such a degree, that he could scarcely bear the sight of it. my |