ally, contrary to the natural intereft of France. Thus we are fecure from any foreign enemy.

I agree with you, that Snape's letter is really but a letter, and that it is much too fhort and too slight for such a subject. However, his merit wis great, in being the first to give the alarm to his brethren, and fetting himfelf in the front of the battle against his adverfaries. In thofe refpects, his letter had its full effect.

I defire you will be as quick as you can in the affiftance you intend Prior; for those who fubfcribed here, are impatient to have their books; and we cannot keep it off much longer, without paffing for common cheats. Dr Arbuthnott, and Mr Charleton, and I, remember you often. Lady Masham always asks for you very affectionately. By the way I am perfectly reftored to grace there, and am invited to their house in the country. As foon as Lord Oxford's affair is over, I intend to go amongst my friends in the country, not to return hither till about Michaelmas. But if you'll direct to me at my house in town, your letters will be conveyed to me, wherever I am. Mr Rochfort feems to have a great many good qualities, and I am heartily glad he has met with fuccefs. Adieu.

LET

To the Bishop of Bangor, Dr Hoadly, occafioned by his Lordship's Sermon preached before the King, on March 31, 1717, concerning the Nature of the Kingdom and Church of Christ.

The Dean was intimate with a family of this name in Ireland; and among his works, is a Poem, called, The Country Life, written while he was fpending part of a Summer at the house of Geo. Rochfort, Efq; fon of the Lord Chief Baron of that name.

LETTER

CCLXIX.

ERASMUS LEWIS, ESQ; TO DR SWIFT.

SIR,

HA

London, June 18, 1717.

AVING acquainted you, in my letter of laft poft, that it was the univerfal opinion the Commons would not proceed to the trial of my Lord Oxford, I think myfelf obliged to tell you, that we begin now to be fomething doubtful; for the managers, who are twenty-feven in number, ftrenuously give out, that they fhall be ready to proceed on Monday next. Therefore, if you have any thoughts of coming over, let not any thing which I have faid in my laft, have any weight with you to alter that refolution. I am wholly taken up with the men of the law, and therefore have nothing to fay to you at prefent upon any public matters. I fhall only juft trouble you with one word, relating to a private affair. My brother is chaplain to Sir Charles Hotham's regiment, which is now ordered to Ireland. If you could find any young fellow, who would buy that commiffion, my brother thinks his patron, my Lord Carlisle, will eafily prevail with my Lord Duke of Bolton, for leave to difpofe of it. I fhould be very glad you could find him a chap

man.

S 2

LET

I

LETTER

CCLXX.

ERASMUS LEWIS, ESQ; TO DR SWIFT.

SIR,

London, July 2, 1717.

HAVE the pleafure to inform you, that Lord Oxford's impeachment was discharged laft night, by the unanimous confent of all the Lords prefent; and, as nearly as I could count, their number was one hundred and fix, the Duke of Marlborough, my Lord Cadogan, Lord Conningfby, and a few others of the most violent, having withdrawn themfelves before the Lords came into Westminster-hall. The acclamations were as great as upon any occafion; and our friend, who feems more formed for adverfity than profperity, has at prefent many more friends, than ever he had before, in any part of his life. I believe he will not have the fewer, from a meffage he received this morning from the Kby my Lord Chamberlain, to forbid him the Court. You know the profecution was at first the refentment of a party; but it became at last a ridiculous business, weakly carried on by the impotent rage of a woman; I mean of my Lady Marlborough, who is almost distracted that she could not obtain her revenge.

I am now going out of town, with an intention to roll about from place to place, till about Michaelmas next. Direct to me hither as ufual, and

your

your letter will be conveyed to me wherever I

am.

Dr Arbuthnott, Mr Charleton, and Mr Currey, have dined with me to-day, and you have not been forgot. I was in hopes we should have feen you ere this. The Doctor fays, you wait for the act of grace. If fo, I hope to fee you by next Winter. I am, &c.

I

LETTER

CCLXXI.

MR PRIOR TO DR SWIFT.

DEAR SIR,

Westminfler, July 30, 1717. HAVE the favour of four letters from you,. of the ninth, thirteenth, fixteenth, and twentieth inftant. They all came fafe to me, however varioufly directed. I find myfelf equally comforted by your philofophy, and aflifted by your friendship. You will eafily imagine, that I have an hundred things to fay to you, which for as many reafons I omit, and only touch upon that. bufinefs, to which, in the pride of your heart, you give the epithet forry. I return you the names of thofe who were kind enough to subfcribe*, that you may fee if they are rightly fpelt, as likewise the right titles put to them, &c. I am fenfible this has given you too much trouble, but

S 3

it

Subfcriptions for Mr Prior's Poems procured by the Dean..

The fubfcription' was two guineas.

*

it is too late now to make an apology. Let Mr Lewis, who is now with me, do it for me, at what time, and in what manner he pleafes. I take it for granted, that whatever I write, as whatever is writ to me, will be broke open; fo you'll expect nothing from me, but what you may have as particularly from the Poft-boy. We are all pretty well in health. I have my old whorefon cough, and I think I may call it mine for life. The Earl is femper idem. Lord Harley is in the country. Our brotherhood extremely difperfed; but fo as that we have been three or four times able to get as many of the fociety together, and drink to our abfent friends. I have been made to believe, that we may fee your reverend perfon this Summer in England: If fo, I shall be glad to meet you at any place; but, when you come to London, do not go to the Cocoa-Tree, (as you fent your letter) but come immediately to DukeStreet, where you fhall find a bed, a book, and a candle: So pray think of fojourning no where elfe. Pray give my service to all friends in general. I think, as you have ordered the matter, you have made the greater part of Ireland lift them felves under that number. I do not know how you can recompenfe them, but by coming over to help me to correct the book, which I promise them.

You will pardon my having ufed another hand, fince it is fo much better than my own; and, believe me ever, with greateft truth, dear Sir, your's, M. PRIOR.

*Of Oxford.

LET