to answer for my way of thinking; tho' had the thing been genuine, I fhould have been greatly difpleafed at the publisher's part, in doing it without your knowledge.

I am as earnest as you can be, in doing my best to prevent the publishing of any thing unworthy of Mr. Gay; but I fear his friends partiality. I wish you would come over. All the mysteries of my philofophical work shall then be cleared to you, and you will not think of me as you do of Dr. Young, that I am not merry enough nor angry enough: It will not want for Satire, but as for Anger I know it not; or at least only that sort of which the Apostle fpeaks, "be ye angry and fin not." My Neighbour's writings have been metaphyfical, and will next be hiftorical. It is certainly from him only that a valuable History of Europe in these latter times can be expected. Come, and quicken him; for age, indolence, and contempt of the world, grow upon men apace, and may often make the wifeft indifferent whether pofterity be any wifer than we. To a man in years, Health and Quiet become fuch rarities, and confequently fo valuable, that he is apt to think of nothing more than of enjoying them when ever he can, for the remainder of life; and this I doubt not has caus'd fo many great men to die without leaving a scrap to pofterity.

* Lord Bolingbroke. VOL. VII.

I

I am fincerely troubled for the bad account you give of your own health. I wish every day to hear a better, as much as I do to enjoy my own, I faithfully affure you.

T

LETTER LXIV.

Dr. SWIFT to Mr. POFE.

Dublin, July 8, 17336 Muft condole with you for the lofs of Mrs. Pope, of whofe death the papers have been full. But I would rather rejoice with you, because if any circumftances can make the death of a dear Parent and Friend a subject for joy, you have them all. She died in an extream old age, without pain, under the care of the moft dutiful Son that I have ever known or heard of, which is a felicity not happening to one in a million. The worst effect of her death falleth upon me, and fo much the worse, because I expected * aliquis_damno ufus in illo, that it would be followed by making me and this kingdom happy with your prefence. But I am told to my great misfortune, that a very convenient offer happening, you waved the invitation preffed on you, alledging the fear you had of being killed here with eating and drinking. By which I find that you have given fome credit to a notion, of our great plenty and hofpitality.

Some Advantage in that Lofs.

.

All

hofpitality. It is true, our meat and wine are cheaper here, as they are always in the pooreft countries, because there is no money to pay for them: I believe there are not in this whole city three Gentlemen out of Employment, who are able to give entertainments once a month. Those who are in employments of church or ftate, are three parts in four from England, and amount to little more than a dozen : Those indeed may once or twice invite their friends, or any perfon of distinction that maketh a voyage hither. my acquaintance tell me, they know not above three families where they can occafionally dine in a whole year: Dr. Delany is the only gentleman I know, who keepeth one certain day in the Week to entertain feven or eight friends at dinner, and to pafs the evening, where there is nothing of excefs, either in eating or drinking. Our old friend Southern (who hath just left us) was invited to dinner once or twice by a judge, a bishop, or a commiffioner of the revenues, but most frequented a few particular friends, and chiefly the Doctor, who is easy in his fortune, and very hofpitable. The conveniencies of taking the air, winter or fummer, do far exceed thofe in London. For the two large strands juft at two ends of the town are as firm and dry in winter as in fummer. There are at least fix or eight Gentlemen of understanding, learning, good humour and taste, able

Q 2

and

and defirous to please you; and orderly females, fome of the better fort, to take care of you. These were the motives that I have frequently madę use of to entice you hither: And there would be no failure among the best people here, of any honours that could be done you. As to myself, I declare my health is fo uncertain that I dare not venture amongst you at present. . I hate the thoughts of London, where I am not rich enough to live otherwise than by shifting, which is now too late, neither can I have conveniencies in the country for three horses and two fervants, and many others which I have here at hand. I am one of the governors of all the hackney-coaches, carts and carriages round this town, who dare not infult me like your rafcally Waggoners and Coachmen, but give me the Way, nor is there one Lord or 'Squire for a hundred of yours to turn me out of the road, or run over me with their coaches and fix. Thus, I make fome advantage of the publick poverty, and give you the reafons for what I once writ, why I chufe to be a Freeman among Slaves, rather than a Slave among Freemen. Then, I walk the Streets in peace, without being joftled, nor ever without a thoufand Bleffings from my friends the Vulgar. I am Lord-Mayor of one hundred and twenty houses, I am abfolute Lord of the greatest Cathedral in the kingdom, am at peace with the neighbouring princes, the Lord-Mayor of

the

the City, and the Arch-Bishop of Dublin, only the latter, like the King of France, fometimes attempteth encroachments on my Dominions, as old Lewis did upon Lorrain. In the midst of this raillery, I can tell you with seriousness, that these advantages contribute to my ease, and therefore I value them. And in one part of your letter relating to my Lord Bolingbroke and yourself, you agree with me entirely, about the indifference, the love of quiet, the care of health, &c. that grow upon men in years. And if you discover thofe inclinations in my Lord and yourself, what can you expect from me, whofe health is fo precarious? and yet at your or his time of life I could have leaped over the

moon,

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LETTER