Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 11.djvu/32

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LETTERS TO AND FROM

and would have farther intelligence, I shall send you a particular account.

I give you joy of your good fortunes, and envy very much your prudence and temper, and love of peace and settlement; the reverse of which has been the great uneasiness of my life, and is likely to continue so. And what is the result? En queis consevimus agros! I find nothing but the good words and wishes of a decayed ministry, whose lives and mine will probably wear out before they can serve either my little hopes, or their own ambition. Therefore I am resolved suddenly to retire, like a discontented courtier, and vent myself in study and speculation, till my own humour, or the scene here, shall change.






MY LORD,
LONDON, FEB. 5, 1707-8.


I HAVE been above a month expecting the representation your grace was pleased to promise to send me, which makes me apprehend your grace has been hindered by, what you complained of, the clergy's backwardness in a point so very necessary to their service; and it is time ill lost at this juncture, while my lord lieutenant[1] is here, and in great credit at court, and would perhaps be more than ordinarily ready to serve the church in Ireland. If I

have