back, that I have no time for any thing else; and if I do not produce one every now and then of about two hundred lines, I am chid for my idleness, and threatened with you. I desire you will step to the deanery, speak to Mrs. Brent[1], bid her open the middle great drawer of Ridgeway's scrutoire in my closet, and then do you take out from thence the history[2] in folio, marble cover; and two thin folios fairly writ. I forget the titles, but you have read them; one is an account of the proceedings of lord Oxford's ministry, and the other[3] to the same purpose. There are foul copies of both in the same drawer, but do you take out the fair ones, not in my hand. Let them be packed up, and brought hither by the bearer. My lady is perpetually quarrelling with sir Arthur and me, and shows every creature the libels I have writ against her[4].
Mr. Worrall sent me the particulars of the havock made in Naboth's vineyard[5]. — The d— burst, &c.
I think lady Dun's burning would be an admirable subject to show, how hateful an animal a human creature is, that is known to have never done any good. The rabble all rejoicing, &c, which they would not have done at any misfortune to a man known to be charitable.
I wish you could get in with the primate, on the
- ↑ The dean's housekeeper.
- ↑ History of the Peace of Utrecht.
- ↑ The State of Affairs in 1714.
- ↑ See Hamilton's Bawn, or the Grand Question Debated.
- ↑ A field not far from the deanery house, which doctor Swift enclosed at a great expense with a fine stone wall lined with brick, against which he planted vines and the best chosen fruit trees, for the benefit of the dean of St. Patrick's for the time being.
