The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift/Volume 12/From Elizabeth Germain to Jonathan Swift - 7
FROM LADY BETTY GERMAIN.
IT is well for Mr. Pope your letter came as it did, for else I had called for my coach, and was going to make a thorough search at his house; for that I was most positively assured that you were there in private, the duke of Dorset can tell you. Non credo is all the Latin I know, and the most useful word upon all occasions to me. However, like most other people, I can give it up for what I wish; so for once I believed, or at least went half way in what I hoped was true, and then, for the only time, your letter was unwelcome. You tell me you have a request, which is purely personal to me: non credo for that; for I am sure you would not be so disagreeable as not to have made it, when you know it is a pleasure and satisfaction to me to do any thing you desire, by which you may find you are not sans conséquence to me.
I met with your friend Mr. Pope the other day. He complains of not being well, and indeed looked ill. I fear that neither his wit or sense do arm him enough against being hurt by malice; and that he is too sensible of what fools say: the run is much against him on the duke of Chandos's[1] account; but I believe their rage is not kindness to the duke, but glad to give it vent with some tolerable pretence. I wish your presence would have such a miraculous effect as your design on Biddy's[2] speech: you know formerly her tongue was not apt to run much by inclination; but now every winter is kept still perforce, for she constantly gets a violent cold that lasts her all winter. But as to that quarrelsome friend of the duke of Dorset's, I will let her loose at you, and see which can get the better. Miss Kelly was a very pretty girl when she went from hence, and the beaux show their good taste by liking her. I hear her father is now kind to her; but if she is not mightily altered, she would give up some of her airs and equipage to live in England.
Since you are so good as to inquire after my health, I ought to inform you I never was better in my life than this winter. I have escaped both headachs and gout: and that yours may not be in danger by reading such a long letter, I will add no more, but bid adieu to my dear dean.
- ↑ It was said that Mr. Pope intended the character of Timon, in his epistle on the use of riches in works of taste, addressed to the earl of Burlington, for the duke of Chandos.
- ↑ Mrs. Biddy Floyd.