The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift/Volume 13/From John Carteret to Jonathan Swift - 6

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SIR,
ARLINGTON STREET, MARCH 24, 1736-7.


I THIS day attended the cause[1] you recommended to me in your letter of the 3d of January: the decree was affirmed most unanimously, the appeal adjudged frivolous, and 100l. costs given to the respondent. Lord Bathurst attended likewise. The other lords you mention, I am very little acquainted with; so I cannot deliver your messages, though I pity them in being out of your favour. Since you mention Greek, I must tell you, that my son, not sixteen, understands it better than I did at twenty, and I tell him, “Study Greek;” καὶ οὐδὲν οὐδέποτε ταπεινὸν ἐνθυμηθήσῃ οὔτε ἄγαν ἐπιθυμήσεις τινός. He knows how to construe this, and I have the satisfaction to believe he will fall into the sentiment; and then, if he makes no figure, he will yet be a happy man.

Your late lord lieutenant[2] told me, some time ago, he thought he was not in your favour. I told him I was of that opinion, and showed him the article of your letter relating to himself: I believe I did wrong: not that you care a farthing for princes or ministers; but because it was vanity in me, to produce your acknowledgments to me for providing for people of learning, some of which I had the honour to promote at your desire, for which I still think myself obliged to you. And I have not heard that since they have disturbed the peace of the kingdom, or been jacobites, in disgrace to you and me.

I desire you will make my sincere respects acceptable to Dr. Delany. He sent me potted woodcocks in perfection, which lady Granville, my wife, and children, have eat, though I have not yet answered his letter. My lady Granville reading your postscript, bids me tell you, that she will send you a present; and if she knew what you liked, she would do it forthwith. Let me know, and it shall be done, that the first of the family may no longer be postponed by you to the third place. My wife and lady Worseley desire their respects should be mentioned to you rhetorically; but as I am a plain peer, I shall say nothing, but that I am, for ever, sir, your most humble and obedient servant,


When people ask me, how I governed Ireland? I say, that I pleased Dr. Swift.


Quæsitam meritis sume superbiam.


  1. An appeal of Dennis Delane, gentleman, complaining of an order or decree of dismission of the court of chancery in Ireland, the 28th of February, 1731, made in a cause wherein the appellant was plaintiff, and another Dennis Delane, son of George Delane, and several others, were defendants.
  2. The duke of Dorset.