The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift/Volume 11/From John Gay to Jonathan Swift - 1
SINCE you went out of the town, my lord Clarendon was appointed envoy extraordinary to Hanover, in the room of lord Paget; and by making use of those friends, which I entirely owe to you, he has accepted me for his secretary. This day, by appointment, I met his lordship at Mr. secretary Bromley's office[2]: he then ordered me to be ready by Saturday. I am quite off from the duchess of Monmouth[3]. Mr. Lewis was very ready to serve me upon this occasion, as were Dr. Arbuthnot and Mr. Ford. I am every day attending my lord treasurer for his bounty, in order to set me out; which he has promised me upon the following petition, which I sent him by Dr. Arbuthnot:
The epigrammatical petition of John Gay.
I'm no more to converse with the swains,
But go where fine people resort:
One can live without money on plains,
But never without it at court
If, when with the swains I did gambol,
I array'd me in silver and blue;
When abroad, and in courts I shall ramble,
Pray, my lord, how much money will do?
We had the honour of the treasurer's company last Saturday, when we sat upon Scriblerus[4]. Pope is in town, and has brought with him the first book of Homer.
I am this evening to be at Mr. Lewis's with the provost[5], Mr. Ford, Parnell, and Pope. It is thought my lord Clarendon will make but a short stay at Hanover. If it was possible, that any recommendation could be procured to make me more distinguished than ordinary, during my stay at that court, I should think myself very happy, if you could contrive any method to prosecute it; for I am told, that their civilities very rarely descend so low as to the secretary. I have all the reason in the world to acknowledge this as wholly owing to you. And the many favours I have received from you, purely out of your love for doing good, assures me you will not forget me in my absence. As for myself, whether I am at home or abroad, gratitude will always put me in mind of the man, to whom I owe so many benefits. I am your most obliged humble servant,
- ↑ Endorsed, "The dean sent Gay abroad."
- ↑ Bromley was joint secretary with Bolingbroke.
- ↑ Mr. Gay had been secretary, or domestick steward, to the duchess, widow of the duke of Monmouth, who was beheaded in the first year of king James II.
- ↑ Memoirs of Martinus Scriblerus; a joint work of Pope, Arbuthnot, and others. See Pope's works.
- ↑ Of Dublin college, Dr. Benjamin Pratt.