The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift/Volume 12/From Voltaire to Jonathan Swift - 3
FROM MONSIEUR VOLTAIRE.
In London, Maiden Lane, at the White Peruke,
Covent Garden, Dec. 14, 1727.
SIR,
YOU will be surprised in receiving an English essay[1] from a French traveller. Pray, forgive an admirer of you, who owes to your writings the love he bears to your language, which has betrayed him into the rash attempt of writing in English.
You will see by the advertisement, that I have some designs upon you, and that I must mention you, for the honour of your country, and for the improvement of mine. Do not forbid me to grace my relation with your name. Let me indulge the satifaction of talking of you, as posterity will do.
In the mean time, can I make bold to entreat you to make some use of your interest in Ireland, about some subscriptions for the Henriade; which is almost ready, and does not come out yet for want of a little help? The subscriptions will be but one guinea in hand. I am, with the highest esteem, and the utmost gratitude, sir, your most humble and most obedient servant,