The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift/Volume 13/From John Sterne to Jonathan Swift - 1

by John Sterne

FROM THE BISHOP OF CLOGHER^[1].

I HAVE a letter of yours of a very long date, and should, it may be, out of good manners have answered it long since; but I thought it would be better to delay the answer I was then able to make, to our first private meeting, which I thought might be soon; and for the same reason that delayed me then, I shall put off my defence till I have the pleasure of half an hour's private conversation with you, when I think I shall be able to clear myself from the heavy charges you bring against me; and therefore, not to take any farther notice of that letter, I shall, in answer to your last, which I received by last post, return you my thanks for your having taken the same care about the sixty pounds, which at your request I lent Joe Beaumont, whose circumstances at that time I was pretty much a stranger to, as you have taken about the money you lent him on the same occasion, and as this shall serve for a full discharge of all demands I have on Joe's execution^[2], so I shall take it as a favour, if you will take on you the trouble of disposing of that sum of fifty^[3] pounds, as an augmentation to your own charitable fund, or to any other charitable use you shall judge proper, and that I desire may be without any mention of my name.

If you desire an acquittance in any other form, be pleased to draw one, and I will sign it. I shall be proud of a visit in this mountainous country, being, notwithstanding any coolness or misunderstanding that has happened between us, as much as ever your affectionate friend and servant,

JOHN CLOGHER.

1. Dr. Sterne.
2. This execution was against the heirs or representatives of Mr. Beaumont, who had died several years before the date of this letter.
3. A few lines before it is sixty pounds.