The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift/Volume 11/From Constantine Phipps to Jonathan Swift - 2


DEAR SIR,
DUBLIN, OCT 24, 1713.


I AM indebted to you for your kind letters of the eighth and tenth instant, and I very heartily acknowledge the obligation. That of the eighth gave me a great many melancholy thoughts, when I reflected upon the danger our constitution is in, by the neglect and supineness of our friends, and the vigilance and unanimity of our enemies: but I hope your parliament proving so good will awaken our friends, and unite them more firmly, and make them more active.

That part of your letter of the tenth, which related to my son, gave me great satisfaction; for though the comimissioners here have heard nothing of it, yet I believed Mr. Keightley might bring over full instructions in it: but he is arrived, and knows nothing of it; so that whatever good intentions my lord treasurer had in relation to my son, his lordship has forgotten to give any directions concerning him; for, with him, things are just as they were when you left Dublin. If you will be so kind to put his lordship in mind of it, you will be very obliging.

I cannot discharge the part of a friend, if I omit to let you know that your great neighbour[1] at St. Pulcher's is very angry with you. He accuses you for going away without taking your leave of him, and intends in a little time to compel you to reside at your deanery. He lays some other things to your charge, which you shall know in a little time.

We hourly expect my lord lieutenant[2]. The whigs begin to be sensible they must expect no great countenance from him, and begin to be a little down in the mouth, since they find Broderick is not to be their speaker[3]. I am, with very great truth, your most obedient humble servant.

  1. The archbishop of Dublin.
  2. Duke of Shrewsbury.
  3. He was, however, chosen speaker, by a majority of four voices.