Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 15.djvu/336

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328
DR. SWIFT’S

he has left from his only child, lady Barrymore[1], her mother's estate, and given the whole to his heir male, a popish priest, a second cousin, who is now earl Rivers[2], and whom he used in his life like a footman. After him it goes to his chief wench and bastard. Lord treasurer and lord chamberlain are executors of this hopeful will. I loved the man, but detest his memory. We hear nothing of peace yet: I believe verily the Dutch are so wilful, because they are told the queen cannot live. I had poor MD's letter, N. 32, at Windsor; but I could not answer it then; Pdfr was very sick then: and, besides, it was a very inconvenient place to write letters from. You "thought to come home the same day, and staid a month:" that was a sign the place was agreeable. I should love such a sort of jaunt. Is that lad Swanton a little more fixed than he used to be? I think you like the girl very well. She has left off her grave airs, I suppose. I am now told, lord Godolphin was buried last night. O poor Ppt! ****. I believe I escaped the new fever, for the same reason that Ppt did, because I am not well; but why should DD escape it, pray? she is melthigal, you know, and ought to have the fever; but I hope it is now too late, and she won't have it at all. Some physicians here talk very melancholy, and think it foreruns the plague, which is actually at Hamburgh. I hoped Ppt would have done with her illness; but I think we

  1. Lady Elizabeth, married to James the fourth earl of Barrymore. She had one daughter, lady Penelope, who was married to general Cholmondeley.
  2. William Savage, son of Richard, third son of the first earl of that name. He was a papist in holy orders; dying unmarried, the title became extinct.
both