in that time? Nay, I do not despair of seeing you settled with your friends here, before we are many years older. Do not start! stranger things have happened very lately.
I was lately honoured at dinner with the lords Bolingbroke, Carteret, Winchelsea, Gower, and Mr. Pulteney; and among other things your name was mentioned, and lord Carteret instantly toasted your health; and you were the subject of conversation for an hour. I showed them your letter. I dare not mention what passed, because I know I shall offend your modesty; only one thing I will venture to repeat, "that they all swore, that if ever the wind should change, they would not long be deprived of the greatest genius of the age." The conversation turning on another subject, lord Carteret pulled me to the window, and bade me tell you, that he loved and honoured you, and so you should find on all occasions, and that he toasted your health. This is literally true, upon the honour of a
I dined yesterday with lord Bolingbroke only; he complains you do not write to him: he is well.
They say you are making interest for my brother of Dublin to be member of parliament; pray come over, and do the same for me, and have the credit of both. My brother behaves himself well[1], I hear; if it is proper, my service to him.
- ↑ This was alderman French, an ironmonger. Dr. Swift has expressed much regard for this worthy magistrate in a letter to Mr. Faulkner, dated Jan. 6, 1737-8; and still more in an elegant imitation of Horace printed in the Eighteenth volume of this edition.
