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is more probable that there may be an equal quantity of virtues always in the world, but fometimes there may be a peck of it in Afia, and hardly a thimble-ful in Europe. But if there be no virtue, there is abundance of fincerity; for I will venture all I am worth, that there is not one human creature in power, who will not be modeft enough to confess that he proceeds wholly upon a principle of Corruption. I fay this because I have a scheme in spite of your notions, to govern England upon the principles of Virtue, and when the nation is ripe for it, I defire you will fend for me. I have learn'd this by living like a Hermit, by which I am got backwards about nineteen hundred years in the Æra of the world, and begin to wonder at the wickedness of men. I dine alone upon half a difh of meat, mix water with my wine, walking ten miles a day, and read Baronius. Hic explicit Epiftola ad Dom. Bolingbroke, et incipit ad amicum Pope.

Having finished my letter to Aristippus, I now begin to you. I was in great pain about Mrs. Pope, having heard from others that the was in a very dangerous way, which made me think it unfeasonable to trouble you. I am afhamed to tell you, that when I was very

young

young I had more defire to be famous than ever fince; and fame, like all things elfe in this life, grows with me every day more a trifle. But you who are so much younger, although you want that health you deferve, yet your fpirits are as vigorous as if your body were founder. I hate a crowd, where I have not an eafy place to fee and be seen. A great Library always makes me melancholy, where the belt Author is as much squeezed, and as obfcure, as a Porter at a Coronation. In my own little Library, I value the compilements of Grævius and Gronovius, which make thirty-one volumes in folio (and were given me by my Lord Bolingbroke) more than all my books besides; because whoever comes into my closet, casts his eyes immediately upon them, and will not vouchsafe to look upon Plato or Xenophon. I tell you it is almoft incredible how opinions change by the decline or decay of Spirits, and I will further tell you, that all my endeavours from a boy to distinguish myself, were only for want of a great Title and Fortune, that I might be used like a Lord by those who have an opinion of my parts; whether right or wrong, it is no great matter; and fo the reputation of wit or great learning does the office of a blue ribband, or of a coach and fix horfes. To be remembered for ever on the account of our

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friendship, is what would exceedingly please me; but yet I never lov'd to make a vifit, or be feen walking with my betters, because they get all the eyes and civilities from me. I no fooner writ this than I corrected myself, and remember'd Sir Fulk Grevil's Epitaph, "Here "lies, &c. who was friend to Sir Philip Sid"ney." And therefore I most heartily thank you for your defire that I would record our friendship in verfe, which if I can fucceed in, I will never defire to write one more line in poetry while I live. You must present my humble service to Mrs. Pope, and let her know pray for her continuance in the world, for her own reason, that the may live to take care of you.

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LETTER XXXVIII.

From Dr. SWIFT.

Aug. 11, 1729.

Am very fenfible that in a former letter I

talked very weakly of my own affairs, and of my imperfect wishes and defires, which however I find with fome comfort do now daily decline, very suitable to my state of health for

fome months past. For my head is never perfectly free from giddiness, and especially towards night. Yet my disorder is very moderate, and

I have been without a fit of deafness this half year; so I am like a horse, which, though off his mettle, can trot on tolerably; and this comparison puts me in mind to add, that I am returned to be a rider, wherein I wish you would imitate me. As to this country, there have been three terrible years dearth of corn, and every place ftrowed with beggars; but dearths are common in better climates, and our evils here lie much deeper. Imagine a nation the two thirds of whofe revenues are spent out of it, and who are not permitted to trade with the other third, and where the pride of women will not fuffer them to wear their own manufactures even where they excel what come from abroad This is the true ftate of Ireland in a very few words. These evils operate more every day, and the kingdom is abfolutely undone, as I have been telling often in print these ten years past.

What I have faid requires forgiveness, but I had a mind for once to let you know the ftate of our affairs, and my reason for being more moved than perhaps becomes a Clergyman, and a piece of a Philofopher: and perhaps the increase of years and diforders may hope for fome

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allowance to complaints, efpecially when I may call myfelf a ftranger in a ftrange land. As to poor Mrs. Pope, (if the be ftill alive) I heartily pity you and pity her: her great piety and virtue will infallibly make her happy in a better life, and her great age hath made her fully ripe for heaven and the grave, and her best friends will most wish her eafed of her labours, when she hath so many good works to follow them. The lofs you will feel by the want of her care and kindness, I know very well; but she has amply done her part, as you have yours. One reason why I would have you in Ireland when you shall be at your own difpofal, is that you may be master of two or three years revenues, provifa frugis in annos copia, fo as not to be pinch'd in the leaft when years increase, and perhaps your health impairs: And when this kingdom is utterly at an end, you may support me for the few years I fhall happen to live; and who knows but you may pay me exorbitant intereft for the spoonful of wine, and scraps of a chicken it will coft me to feed you? I am confident you have too much reafon to complain of ingratitude; for I never yet knew any perfon, one tenth part fo heartily difpos'd as you are, to do good offices to others, without the leaft private view.

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