FROM THE BISHOP OF CLOGHER *. MR. DEAN, CLOGHER, JUNE 25, 1734. I HAVE a letter of yours of a very long date, and should, it may be, out of good manners have answered it long since; but I thought it would be better to delay the answer I was then able to make, to our first private meeting, which I thought might be soon; and for the same reason that delayed me then, I shall put off my defence till I have the pleasure of half an hour's private conversation with you, when I think I shall be able to clear myself from the heavy charges you bring against me; and therefore, not to take any farther notice of that letter, I shall, in answer to your last, which I received by last post, return you my thanks for your having taken the same care about the sixty pounds, which at your request I lent Joe Beaumont, whose circumstances at that time I was pretty much a stranger to, as you have taken about the money you lent him on the same occasion, and as this shall serve for a full discharge of all demands I have on Joe's execution, so I shall take it as a favour, if you will take on you the trouble of disposing of that sum of fifty pounds, as an augmentation to your own charitable fund, or to any other charitable use you shall judge proper, and that I desire be without any mention of my name. may * Dr. Sterne. + This execution was against the heirs or representatives of Mr. Beaumont, who had died several years before the date of this letter. A few lines before it is sixty pounds. If you desire an acquittance in any other form, be pleased to draw one, and I will sign it. I shall be proud of a visit in this mountainous country, being, notwithstanding any coolness or misunderstanding that has happened between us, as much as ever your affectionate friend and servant, JOHN CLOGHER. MADAM, TO MRS. CÆSAR *. AMONG a few little vexations, such as beggary, slavery, corruption, ignorance, want of friends, faction, oppression, and some other trifles of the like nature, that we philosophers ought to despise; two or three ladies of long acquaintance, and at a great distance, are still so kind as to remember me; and I was always proud, and pleased to a great degree, that you happened to be one, since constancy is, I think, at least as seldom found in friendship as in love, * Miss Long, a lady of very great fortune, was married in Oct. 1729, to Charles Cæsar, esq., descended from the Ademars, a very ancient and honourable family, allied to Charlemagne, and member of parliament for the borough of Hertford, who was committed to the tower of London, Dec. 19, 1705, for some reflections in the house of commons, on the earl of Godolphin, then lord high treasurer of England; and in 1711 was appointed treasurer of the navy. This lady was remarkable for her good sense, friendship and politeness, and much esteemed by the nobility and gentry, and all people of taste, genius, and learning. She was mother of Julius Cæsar, a brave soldier, and in 1762 a general in the service of his Britannick Majesty. Mrs. Mrs. Barber, when I see her, is always telling me wonders of the continual favours you have conferred on her, and that, without your interposition, the success of her errand would have hardly been worth the journey; and I must bear the load of this obligation, without the least possibility of ever returning it, otherwise than by my best wishes for the prosperity and health of you and your family: for, in spite of all your good words, I am the most insignificant man of this most insignificant country. I have been tied by the leg (without being married) for ten months past, by an unlucky strain, which prevented the honour and happiness I proposed to myself of waiting on you often during this last summer: and another year at my period of life is like an inch in a man's nose; yet I flatter myself, that next spring I may take one voyage more, when you will see me altered in every disposition of body and mind, except in my respects for and all that belong to you. There is one part of Mr. Pope's compliment which I cannot make you; for I could not with the strictest search find one letter too many in any of your words, although I found a thousand words too few in your letter; therefore, I accepted and understood it only as a billet just writ while Mrs. Barber stood by in her hood and scarf, just ready to take her leave and begin her journey and what is worse, I suspect that she was forced to solicit you long, because she wanted a certificate under your hand to convince me that she was not an impostor. you I will not say one word in Mrs. Barber's behalf, for she will always continue to deserve your protection, and therefore she may be sure you will always continue to give it her. I hope Mr. Cæsar is in good health, and desire he will accept the offer of my most humble service, with my hearty wishes for your whole family. I am, with true respect, madam, Your most obedient, and most humble servant, MADAM, TO THE SAME. J. SWIFT. DUBLIN, JULY 30, 1733.. I COULD not let Mrs. Barber leave us for good and all, without honouring her with the carriage of a letter from your old humble and constant lover: she hath been afflicted with so many repetitions of the gout, that her limbs are much weakened, and her spirits sunk; neither can I well blame her, considering her grand affair of subscriptions must needs have slackened in her absence. Neither could she be in much disposition to increase her volumes, for health and good humour are two ingredients absolutely necessary in the poetical trade; but, I hope, your countenance and protection will recover her spirits, and her hopes, and her genius. I imagine she looks on you as her chief patroness; because, although she be abundantly grateful to all her protectors, yet I observe your name most often in her mouth. I wish it were in my power to take the same journey; but neither my health, nor the bad state of my private affairs, will give me power or leave; I cannot make 6 shift, shift, nor bear fatigue as I used to do. To live in England half as tolerably as I do here, would ruin me. I must have two servants, and three horses, and dare drink nothing but wine; and my ragged church rents would never be paid in my absence. My lord Bolingbroke and Mr. Pope press me with many kind invitations, but the former is too much a philosopher; he dines at six in the evening, after studying all the morning until the afternoon; and, when he hath dined, to his studies again. Mr. Pope can neither eat nor drink, loves to be alone, and hath always some poetical scheme in his head. Thus the two best companions and friends I ever had, have utterly disqualified themselves for my conversation, and my way of living. Mr. Pope, who had often promised to pass a summer season with me here, if he outlived his mother, soon after her death waved the fairest opportunity of performing his promise two months ago, of coming over with ease, and in company of dean Cotterel* and his sister; he said, we should kill him with eating and drinking. I had a very convenient apartment for him in the deaneryhouse he would have all the civilities of this town; and Mrs. Barber will tell you that we never want a dozen or more of very valuable persons, and of both sexes, with whom to converse; I chid him soundly in my last letter, for his want of friendship or resolution. You see, madam, I am full of talk; but you are to blame, for I imagine myself in your company, which is indeed no great compliment; and, upon second thoughts, it is not true, for I should be much Dr. William Cotterel was advanced to the bishoprick of Leighlin and Ferns, March 24, 1742; and died in 1752. better |