TO ARCHDEACON WALLS. Windsor Castle, Oct. 1, 1718. I HAD just now a letter from you, wherein you mention the design of making me prolocutor. will confess to you, there are two reasons why I should comply with it; one is, that I am heartily weary of courts and ministers, and politics, for several reasons impossible to tell you; and I have a mind to be at home, since the queen has been pleased that Ireland should be my home: the other reason is, that I think somebody educated in Dublin college should be prolocutor; and I hear there are designs of turning it another way. But, if you find it will not do, I hope you will quit the design in proper season. I condole with you for the loss of your companions this winter; and I was always of opinion they should be in town, unless they find their health better at Trim. I am a little disappointed at Parvisol's † return. I hoped it would have amounted to near five hundred pounds in the tithes; I doubt not the cause, and beg you will have no sort of tenderness for him, farther than it regards my interest; as to the landrents, they are one hundred and seventy-four pounds a-year in the country, besides some small things in town; and I am in no pain about them, because they are sure, nor do I desire him to concern himself about them. * Mrs Johnson and Mrs Dingley.-F. + The Dean's agent.-F. * I hoped, and was told, my license would be under six pounds, though all was paid, and I heard, if lord chancellor had taken his fees, it would have been eight pounds. Tell Mr Fetherston, I have spoken to Baron Scroup about his affair, who promises to dispatch it with the first opportunity. I am now with some ministers and lords, and other company, and withdrawn to a table, and hardly know what I write, they are so loud. My humble service to your Dorothy, and Alderman Stoyte, † his wife, and Cellarius; and duty to the Bishop of Dromore. Your's, J. S. FROM LORD CHANCELLOR PHIPPS. SIR, Dublin, Oct. 10, 1713. I HAD the favour of your kind letter of the twenty-second of September, and had sooner acknowledged it, if I had not been prevented by the constant hurry we have been in, with relation to the city and parliament affairs. I heartily congratulate your safe arrival in London, and return you, with all the gratitude imaginable, my thanks for the great trouble you have given yourself, as well on behalf of my son in particular, as of this kingdom in general: and I am sorry you should venture so far as to burn your fingers; but you know such misfortunes often happen to gentle * Sir Constantine Phipps, a strenuous tory, and, as such, much the object of attack by the opposite party. + Au alderman of Dublin, afterwards lord-mayor...-E. men who have a hearty zeal for the interest of their friends. But this comfort attends them, that the burning goes off soon; whereas the credit and honour of serving one's friend last always. The account you sent me of Mr Worseley's being an envoy was new, and had not reached us before your letter came. I know not how sufficiently to acknowledge the obligations you have laid on me; but assure you, if you have any commands on this side the water, there is no one will be more proud of being honoured with them, than he, who is, with very great respect, Your most obedient humble servant, CON. PHIPPS. TO ARCHDEACON WALLS. London, Oct. 13, 1713. I HAVE two letters of your's to acknowledgeNo, I mistake, it is but one, for I answered the former of September twenty-second, some time ago; your other is of the first instant, with an account of your mayor squabble, which we regard as much here as if you sent us an account of your little son playing at cherry stones. I told your lord-chancellor, that the best thing the government there could do, would be never to trouble us with your affairs, but do the best you can, for we will neither support nor regard you. I have received the lords justices' representation, just now sent to *Concerning Sir Samuel Cooke...-F. the queen. I have said more upon it than any body else would; and I hope my lord-lieutenant * will put a good end to the dispute. I am heartily sorry for poor Hawley and doubt such a shake at his age will not be well recovered. Of your four candidates to succeed him, I dislike all but the first, which is Bolton. As to the chair of prolocutor, I said to you in my former all I thought necessary. I dislike the thing for myself; but I would keep a wrong man out, and would be glad of an honest excuse to leave courts and public thoughts; but it would vex me to be proposed and not succeed. As for Williams, I am an old courtier, and will think of it; but, if we want a singer, and I can get a better, that better one shall be preferred, although my father were competitor. I have spoken to Baron Scroup about Mr Fetherston's affair, and I hope to get him a good account of it. You very artificially bring in your friend, Mrs South I have spoke to her, and heard from her; and spoke to the Duke of Ormond: I will do her what service I can. My service to gossip Doll, and God bless my god-daughter. I think you need not inquire about the land-rents of the deanery, they are secure enough; and I believe I shall not trouble Mr Parvisol about them. There is one farm set for one hundred and twenty pounds a-year, another for fifty-four pounds. Rents adjoining to the deanery, about two pounds ten shillings, and duties about eight pounds, or something under; and a small lease of tithes, about four * Duke of Shrewsbury.-.-F. or five pounds: which last I would be glad you would ask Parvisol whether it be included among the tithes he has set. You see all the rents together are under two hundred pounds. I forgot five pounds a-year for the verger's house. Service to Stoyte and Manley, and duty to Bishop of Dromore. † TO THE SAME. London, Oct. 20, 1713. SIR, I WRITE to you immediately upon receiving your former, as I do now upon your last of the tenth instant. As to the business of being prolocutor, I will tell you the short of my story. Although I have done more service to Ireland, and particularly to the church, than any man of my level, I have never been able to get a good word; and I incurred the displeasure of the bishops, by being the instrument, sine qua non, of procuring the first-fruits: neither had I credit to be a convocation-man in the meanest diocese of the kingdom, till poor Dean Synge, who happened to think well of me, got me to be chosen for St Patrick's; so that I think there will be a great change if I am chosen prolocutor. And yet, at the same time, I am so very nice, that I will not think of moving toward Ireland till I am actually chosen: you will say, "What * Isaac Manley, Esq. deputy postmaster-general of Ireland. -F. + Dr John Sterne. The convocation did not meet in Ireland after the year 1710. -F. |