Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 11.djvu/269

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DR. SWIFT.
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in hopes of being favoured, they are spending their own money, I am advancing my interest in the French language, and forgetting my own mother tongue. But we shall have time enough to perfect our English, when we have done with other matters. I want mightily to hear from lord treasurer. Tell him so. I owe brother Arbuthnot a letter. Excuse my not writing to him, till I know what to say. I cannot find Vanhomrigh[1] since he brought me your letter. I have a rarity of a book to send you by the first fair occasion. It makes but little of the English wit, The Guardian; but, possibly, I do not enter into his design. Let lord Bolingbroke know, I love him mightily; and pray do you as much for Dick Skelton. Adieu, my good friend. I am very truly,

Your obedient and faithful servant,




FROM LORD POULET.


April, Sunday afternoon.
Indorsed 'Lord Steward, 1713.'


I WAS called away presently after chapel, upon some business which hindered my going up stairs at St. James's, and occasions Dr. Swift the trouble of this, to make my excuse for not returning the paper, which I here send you; and though it is not

  1. One of the brothers of Vanessa. See the note prefixed to the dean's letter to miss Esther Vanhomrigh, dated July 8, 1713.
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