Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 11.djvu/130

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118
LETTERS TO AND FROM




MY LORD,
LONDON, DEC. 30, 1710.


I HAVE just received your grace's letter of the 16th; and I was going however to write again to your grace, not upon business, but to amuse you with something from hence, which no man wants more than your grace, considering the variety of other people's affairs you have always on your hands, as well as the church's and your own, which are the same thing. The duke of Ormond told me the other day, that the primate[1] declined very fast, and was hardly able to sign a paper. I said, I wondered they would put him in the government, when every one knew he was a dying man this twelve-month past. I hope, for the church's good, that your grace's friends will do their duty, in representing you as the person the kingdom wishes to succeed him. I know not how your dispositions stand that way. I know my lord president has great credit at present, and I have understood him to be a friend to your grace. I can only say, I have no regard to your interest in this, but that of the

    lin, John, lord archbishop of Tuam, and others, of the first-fruits payable out of all ecclesiastical benefices, in trust to be for ever applied toward purchasing glebes, and building residentiary houses for poor endowed vicars. The success of which charitable fund hitherto, may be seen in the printed pamphlet containing an account of the first-fruits of Ireland.

  1. Dr. Marsh.

church;