The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift/Volume 11/From Jonathan Swift to Robert Cope - 1

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
←
The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 11
 (1717)
by Jonathan Swift, edited by Thomas Sheridan, John Nichols, John Boyle, Patrick Delany, John Hawkesworth, Deane Swift, William Bowyer, John Birch, and George Faulkner
To Robert Cope, esq
→
1550536The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 11
— To Robert Cope, esq1717Jonathan Swift
​

TO ROBERT COPE, ESQ[1].


SIR,
DUBLIN, JULY 9, 1717.


I RECEIVED the favour of your letter before I came to town; for I stayed three weeks at Trim after I left you, out of perfect hatred to this place, where at length business dragged me against my will. The archdeacon, who delivers you this, will let you know I am but an ill solicitor for him. The thing is indeed a little difficult and perplexed, yet a willing mind would make it easy; but that is wanted, and I cannot work it up. However, it shall not be my fault, if something be not made of it one time or other; but some people give their best friends reason to complain. I have at a venture put you down among poor Mr. Prior's[2] benefactors; and I wonder what exemption you pretend to as appears by your letter to Mr. Stewart. It seems you took the thousand pounds a year in a literal sense, and even at that rate I hope you would not be excused. I hope your ​sheep shearing in the county of Louth hath established your health; and that Dr. Tisdell, your brother of the spleen, comes sometimes and makes you laugh at a pun or a blunder. I made a good many advances to your friend Bolton[3] since I came to town, and talked of you; but all signified nothing; for he has taken every opportunity of opposing me, in the most unkind and unnecessary manner; and I have done with him. I could with great satisfaction pass a month or two among you, if things would permit. The archdeacon carries you all the news, and I need say nothing. We grow mighty sanguine, but my temper has not fire enough in it. They assure me that lord Bolingbroke will be included in the act of grace; which, if it be true, is a mystery to me.

You must learn to winter in town, or you will turn a monk, and Mrs. Cope a nun; I am extremely her humble servant.

I have ventured to subscribe a guinea for Mr. Brownlowe, because I would think it a shame not to have his name in the list. Pray tell him so.

I doubt whether Mrs. Cope will be pleased with the taste of snuff I sent her.

Present my humble service to your mother and brother; and believe me to be, with great truth and esteem, sir,

Your most obedient humble servant,

  1. ↑ A gentleman of learning, good family, and fortune, and a great admirer of Dr. Swift.
  2. ↑ Prior's poems were then printing by subscription.
  3. ↑ Dr. Theophilus Bolton.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikisource.org/w/index.php?title=The_Works_of_the_Rev._Jonathan_Swift/Volume_11/From_Jonathan_Swift_to_Robert_Cope_-_1&oldid=10240617"