with them. It was very comical to see the tories, who voted with lord-treasurer against the dissolution of the union, under all the perplexities in the world, lest they should be victorious; and the Scotch, who voted for a bill of dissolution, under agonies lest they themselves should carry the point they pretended to desire.* In all the time I have been conversant in business, I never before observed both sides, at the same time, acting parts which they thought contrary to their interests. Let us hear from you sometimes, and believe there is nobody with more sincerity your's, than, &c.

FROM THE REVEREND MR SHARPE. †

London, June 4, 1713.

REVEREND SIR, I WAS commanded by his excellency Brigadier Hunter, governor of New-York, to deliver the enclosed with my own hand, had I been so happy, for his service and my own satisfaction, as to have seen you at London. I am persuaded your influence here might have contributed to create a better opinion of him, among some leading men in the society for propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts, who have been much imposed on by the clamorous memorials of some indiscreet missionaries

* See the introductory notice to "the Public Spirit of the Whigs."

+ Chaplain to Brigadier Hunter, governor of New-York, and mentioned as a very worthy, ingenious, and conscientious clergyman in his letter to Swift, 14th March 1712-13.

abroad. He has the just esteem of two-thirds of the clergy in his government, and the greatest part of the laity, who have either sense, probity, or honour; but his adversaries have made the church's cause a favourable handle for their repeated complaints, which, with the application of their friends here, makes them hopeful of success.

I have been twelve years abroad, in the service of the church in America: the last ten years were in the station of chaplain to her majesty's forces at New-York, where I had the opportunity of being very near to the several governors; and do assure you, that if I had ever observed in him any inclination to weaken the interest of the church there, I could not in conscience offer to excuse him; but he is better known to you, than that I, who am altogether unknown, should presume to give his character.

What I beg leave to entreat of you is, to recommend me in my endeavours for his service, to the advice and assistance of your friends. The perplexity of all his affairs at this time claims the good offices of all that wish him well. If, in favour to his excellency, you are pleased to honour me with the pardon of this, and what return the inclosed may require, direct for me to the care of Mr James Douglas, merchant, in Fen Court, Fenchurch Street, London. I beg leave to subscribe myself, with great respect, reverend Sir,

Your most obedient and most humble servant,

JOHN SHARPE.

TO MISS VANHOMRIGH.*

Laracor, July 8, 1713.

;

I STAYED but a fortnight in Dublin, very sick and returned not one visit of a hundred, that were made me; but all to the dean, and none to the doctor. I am riding here for life; and I think I am something better. I hate the thoughts of Dublin, and prefer a field-bed, and an earthen-floor, before the great house there, which they say is mine. I had your last splenetick letter. I told you, when I left England, I would endeavour to forget every thing there, and would write as seldom as I could. I did indeed design one general round of letters to my friends; but my health has not yet suffered me. I design to pass the greatest part of the time I stay in Ireland, here, in the cabin where I am now writing; neither will I leave the kingdom till I am sent for; and if they have no farther service for me, I will never see England again. At my first coming, I thought I should have died with discontent; and was horribly melancholy, while they were installing me, but it begins to wear off, and change to dulness. My river walk is extremely pretty, and my canal in

This is the lady whom the Dean has celebrated by the name of Vanessa. She was the eldest daughter of Bartholomew Van. homrigh, first a merchant of Amsterdam, and afterward of Dublin, who was appointed commissary of the stores by King William, upon his expedition into Ireland. Her mother was the daughter of Mr Stone, the commissioner, and niece to the ac comptant-general of Ireland.-H.

great beauty; and I see trouts playing in it. I know not any one thing now in Dublin. But Mr Ford is very kind, and writes to me constantly what passes among you. I find you are likewise a good politician; and I will say so much to you, that I verily think, if the thing you know of had been published just upon the peace, the ministry might have avoided what has since happened: but I am now fitter to look after willows, and to cut hedges, than meddle with affairs of state. I must order one of the workmen to drive those cows out of my island, and make up the ditch again; a work much more proper for a country vicar, than driving out factions, and fencing against them. I must go and take my bitter draught to cure my head, which is spoiled by the bitter draughts which the public has given me. So go to to your dukes and duchesses, and leave me to Goodman Bumford, and Patrick Dolan of Clanduggan. Adieu.

JON. SWIFT.

FROM MR LEWIS.*

Whitehall, July 9, 1713.

We are all running headlong into the greatest confusion imaginable. † Sir Thomas Hanmer‡ is

* Indorsed "Mr Lewis, about the divisions," &c.

+ This summons announced the irreconcilable division between Oxford and Bolingbroke; and having been pressingly repeated in the month following, at length brought Swift from Ireland, in the vain hope of acting as mediator between them.

Speaker of the house of commons.-B.

gone into the country this morning, I believe much discontented; and I am very apprehensive, neither Lord Anglesey* nor he will continue long with us. I heartily wish you were here; for you might certainly be of great use to us, by your endeavours to reconcile, and by representing to them the infallible. consequences of these divisions. We had letters this morning from Ireland, What is the reason I had none from you? Adieu. I hope your want of bealth is not the cause.

་

TO ARCHBISHOP KING.

MY LORD,

Trim, July 16, 1713.

I HAVE been about five weeks in this kingdom, but so extremely ill with the return of an old disorder in my head, that I was not able to write to your grace. I have been the greatest part of that time at my country parish, riding every day for my health. I can tell your grace nothing from Dublin, having spent the days I was there between business and physic, and paid no visits, nor received any but one day; and I reckon it no great loss, for I hear they are all party mad; and it is one felicity of being among willows, that one is not troubled with faction. I hope you have as little of it at the Bath; for I cannot fancy it does well with the waters. If your grace goes to London from the

* Arthur, Earl of Anglesey, who was joint vice-treasurer of Ireland with Edward, Earl of Clarendon.-B.