The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift/Volume 13/From Jonathan Swift to Alexander Pope - 3
TO THE SAME.
YOU are to suppose, for the little time I shall live, that my memory is entirely gone, and especially of any thing that was told me last night, or this morning. I have one favour to entreat from you. I know the high esteem and friendship you bear to your friend Mr. Lyttelton, whom you call "the rising genius of this age." His fame, his virtue, honour, and courage, have been early spread even among us. I find he is secretary to the prince of Wales; and his royal highness has been for several years chancellor of the university in Dublin. All this is a prelude to a request I am going to make to you. There is in this city one Alexander McAulay, a lawyer of great distinction for skill and honesty, zealous for the liberty of the subject, and loyal to the house of Hanover; and particularly to the prince of Wales, for his highness's love to both kingdoms.
Mr. McAulay is now soliciting for a seat in parliament here, vacant by the death of Dr. Coghill, a civilian, who was one of the persons chosen for this university: and, as his royal highness continues still chancellor of it, there is no person so proper to nominate the representative as himself. If this favour can be procured, by your good will and Mr. Lyttelton's interest, it will be a particular obligation to me, and grateful to the people of Ireland, in giving them one of their own nation to represent this university.
There is a man in my choir, one Mr. Lamb; he has at present but half a vicarship: the value of it is not quite fifty pounds per annum. You writ to me in his favour some months ago; and, if I outlive any one vicar choral, Mr. Lamb shall certainly have a full place, because he very well deserves it: and I am obliged to you very much for recommending him.