Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 11.djvu/302

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LETTERS TO AND FROM

lieutenant[1] will be landed before this letter comes to your hands: he is the finest gentleman we have, and of an excellent understanding and capacity for business: if I were with your grace, I would say more; but leave it to your own sagacity.

I will only venture to say one thing relating to Ireland, because I believe it will be of use that your grace should know it. If your house of commons should run into any violences disagreeable to us here, it will be of the worst consequences imaginable to that kingdom: for, I know no maxim more strongly maintained at present in our court, than that her majesty ought to exert her power to the utmost, upon any uneasinesses given on your side to herself or her servants: neither can I answer, that even the legislative power here may not take cognizance of any thing that may pass among you, in opposition to the persons and principles that are now favoured by the queen. Perhaps I am gone too far; and therefore shall end, without any ceremony.

Your grace's, &c.


Direct to me under cover to Erasmus Lewis, esq., at Mr. secretary Bromley's office at Whitehall.

  1. Charles Talbot, duke of Shrewsbury. It was remarked as extraordinary, that the duke's principal domesticks were whigs; particularly his secretary, sir John Stanley; his chaplain, Dr. Timothy Goodwyn (advanced to the bishoprick of Kilmore in 1714, and to Cashel in 1727); and some others.
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