England again, if you dare; and choose your residence, summer or winter, St. James's square, or Drayton. I defy you in all shapes; be it dean of St. Patrick's governing England or Ireland, or politician drapier. But my choice should be the parson in lady Betty's chamber. Make haste then, if you have a mind to oblige your ever sincere and hearty old friend,
FROM MR. GAY AND THE DUKE OF QUEENSBERRY[1].
FOR about this month or six weeks past, I have been rambling from home, or have been at what I may not improperly call other homes, at Dawley, and at Twickenham; and I really think, at every one of my homes you have as good a pretension as myself; for I find them all exceedingly disappointed by the lawsuit that has kept you this summer from us. Mr. Pope told me that affair was now over, that you have the estate which was your security; I wish you had your own money; for I wish you free from every engagement that keeps us from one another. I think you deciphered the last letter we sent you very judiciously. You may make your own conditions at Amesbury, where I am at present; you may do the same at Dawley; and Twickenham, you know, is your own. But, if you rather choose to live with me (that is to say, if you will give up your
- ↑ Endorsed, "No date, received Nov. 8, 1731."
