Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 11.djvu/160

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
148
LETTERS TO AND FROM

But I renounce England and deaneries, without a promise from your lordship, under your own hand and seal, that I shall have liberty to attend you whenever I please. I foresee we shall have a peace next year, by the same sagacity that I have often foreseen when I was young. I must leave the town in a week, because my money is gone, and I can borrow no more. Peace will bring your lordship home; and we must have you to adorn your country, when you shall be no longer wanted to defend it. I am, my lord, &c.





MY LORD,
CHELSEA, MAY 10, 1711.


I HAVE had your grace's letter, of April 19, some time by me, but deferred my answer until I could give some account of what use I had made of it. I went immediately to Mr. secretary St. John, and read most of it to him; he was extremely satisfied, and very glad that scandalous account, designed to be printed in the Postboy, was suppressed. Mr. Harley was not then quite well enough; so I ventured (and hope your grace will not disapprove it) to show your letter to a gentleman who has a great respect for your grace, and who told me several others of Ireland were possessed of that report. I trusted the letter with him, and gave him leave to read it to them, which he told me he did, and that they were all entirely convinced: and indeed, as far as I can find,

the