The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift/Volume 12/From John Gay to Jonathan Swift - 12

by John Gay

FROM THE SAME.

THE last news I have heard of you, was from Mr. Lancelot, who was at this place with lord Sussex, who gave me hopes of seeing you the latter end of this summer. I wish you may keep that resolution, and take the Bath in your way to town. You, in all probability, will find here some, or most of those you like to see. Dr. Arbuthnot wrote to me to day from Tunbridge, where he is now for the recovery of his health, having had several relapses of a fever: he tells me that he is much better, and that in August he intends to come hither. Mr. Congreve and I often talk of you, and wish you health and every good thing; but often, out of self-interest, we wish you with us. In five or six days, I set out upon an excursion to Herefordshire, to lady Scudamore's, but shall return here the beginning of August. I wish you could meet me at Gutheridge. The Bath did not agree with lady Bolingbroke, and she went from here much worse than she came. Since she went to Dawley, by her own inclination, without the advice of physicians, she has taken to a milk diet, and she hath writ me an account of prodigious good effects both in the recovery of her appetite and spirits. The weather is extremely hot, the place is very empty, I have an inclination to study, but the heat makes it impossible. The duke of Bolton^[1] I hear has run away with Polly Peachum, having settled 400l. a year upon her during pleasure; and upon disagreement, 200l. a year. Mr. Pope is in a state of persecution for the Dunciad: I wish to be witness of his fortitude, but he writes but seldom. It would be a consolation to me to hear from you. I have heard but once from Mrs. Howard these three months, and I think but once from Pope. My portrait mezzotinto is published from Mr. Howard's painting; I wish I could contrive to send you one, but I fancy I could get a better impression at London. I have ten thousand things to talk to you, but few to write; yet defer writing to you no longer, knowing you interest yourself in every thing that concerns me so much, that I make you happy, as you will me, if you can tell me you are in good health; which I wish to hear every morning as soon as I awake. I am, dear sir, yours most affectionately.

1. Who afterward married miss Fenton.