much wit as to get the majority of mankind on his side, he is often safe; or if he is known to have talents that can make an abuse stick close, he is still safer. You may say, where is the occasion of abusing any body? I never did in my life; but you' have often told truth of persons, who would rather you had abused them in the grossest manner. I may say in parliament, that we are impoverished at home, and rendered contemptible abroad, because nobody will care to call upon me to prove it; but I do not know whether I may venture to put that in a letter, at least in a letter to a disaffected person; such you will be reputed as long as you live; after your death, perhaps, you may stand rectus in curia. I met our friend Pope in town; he is as sure to be there in a bustle, as a porpus in a storm. He told me that he would retire to Twickenham for a fortnight; but I doubt it much. Since I found by your last, that your hand and your head are both in so good a condition, let me hear from you sometimes. And do not be discouraged that I send you nothing worth reading now: I have talked with nobody for some time past, but farmers and ploughmen; when I come into good company again, I may possibly be less insipid; but in whatever condition I am, I shall always be most ambitious of your friendship, and most desirous of your esteem, being most faithfully and sincerely, dear sir, Your obedient humble servant, ΤΟ TO MR. FAULKNER. MR. FAULKNER, DEANERY HOUSE, DECEMBER 15, 1737. THE short treatise that I here send you enclosed was put into my hands by a very worthy person†, of much ancient learning, as well as knowledge in the laws of both kingdoms. He is likewise a most loyal subject to king George, and wholly attached to the Hanover family, and is a gentleman of as many virtues as I have any where met. However, it seems, he cannot be blind or unconcerned at the mistaken conduct of his country in a point of the highest importance to its welfare. He has learnedly shown, from the practice of all wise nations in past and late ages, that tillage was the great principle and foundation of their wealth; and recommends the practice of it to this kingdom with the most weighty reasons. He mentions the prodigious sums sent out yearly for importing all sorts of corn, in the miserable moneyless condition we are now in. To which I cannot but add, that in reading the resolutions of the last sessions, I have observed in several papers that the honourable house of commons seem to be of the same sentiment, although the increase of tillage may be of advantage to the clergy, whom I conceive to be as loyal a body of men to the present king and family as any in the * Published by Mr. Faulkner, under the title of "A Treatise on Tillage." N. † Alexander Macaulay, esq. See p. 85. N. 1 nation: nation and, by the great providence of God, it is so ordered, that if the clergy be fairly dealt with, whatever increases their maintenance will more largely increase the estates of the landed men, and the profits of their farmers. I desire you, Mr. Faulkner, to print the treatise in a fair letter and a good paper. I am, your faithful friend and servant, JON. SWIFT. TO DR. CLANCY. SIR, DEANERY HOUSE, CHRISTMAS DAY, 1737. SOME friend of mine lent me a comedy *, which I am told was written by you: I read it carefully, with much pleasure, on account both of the characters and the moral. I have no interest with the people of the playhouse, else I should gladly recommend it to them. I send you a small present †. in such gold as will not give you trouble to change; for I much pity your loss of sight, which if it pleased * "The Sharper," the principal character of which performance was designed to represent colonel Chartres. D.S. This packet contained five pounds in small pieces of gold of different kinds; of which the largest did not exceed the value of five shillings. A little time after (says Dr. Clancy) I sent him a parcel of tickets: he kept but one, which he said he had paid for, and afterwards sent me two four pound pieces for more, See Clancy's Memoirs, vol. II, page 56. D. S. Dr. Clancy had pursued the study of physick, and was patronised by Dr. Helsham; but having lost his sight by a cold in pleased God to let you enjoy, your other talents might have been your honest support, and have eased you of your present confinement. I am, sir, Your well wishing friend and humble servant, I know not who lent me the play; if it came from you, I will send it back to-morrow. This letter and the packet were sealed with the head of Socrates. FROM LADY HOWTH. DEAR SIR, DEC. 26, 1737. KNOWING you to be very poor, I have sent you a couple of wild ducks, a couple of partridges, a side of venison, and some plover, which will help to keep your house this Christmas. You may make -a miser's feast, and drink your blue-eyed nymph * in a bumper, as we do the drapier: and when these are out, let me know, and you shall have a fresh supply. I have sent them by a blackguard, knowing you to be of a very generous temper, though very poor. My lord and husband joins with me in wishing you a merry Christmas, and many of 1737, before he could regularly engage in the business of his profession, he kept a Latin school for his support. D. S. Lady Howth having very sparkling blue-grey eyes, Dr. Swift used to distinguish her by the name of "the blue-eyed Nymph." N. them them; and am sincerely your affectionate friend and sea nymph. If I signed my name, and the letter should be found, you and I might be suspected. DISCARDED. FROM DR. CLANCY. REVEREND SIR, DEC. 27, 1737. WHEN I strive to express the thorough sense I have of your humanity and goodness, my attempt ceases in admiration of them. You have favoured my performance with some degree of approbation, and you have considered my unfortunate condition by a mark of your known benevolence: from my very soul I sincerely thank you. That approbation, which in some more happy periods of my life would have made me proud even to vanity, has now in my distress comforted and soothed my misery. At any time I If I did not fear being troublesome, I should do myself the honour of waiting upon you, if you will be pleased to permit me to do so. am ready to obey your command; and am, with the utmost respect and gratitude, sir, your most obliged humble servant, MIC. CLANCY. VOL. XIV. F ΤΟ |