The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift/Volume 12/From Jonathan Swift to Thomas Sheridan - 8

FROM THE SAME.


QUILCA, SEPT. 19, 1725.


WE have prevailed with Neal, in spite of his harvest, to carry up miss, with your directions; and it is high time, for she was run almost wild, though we have something civilised her since she came among us. You are too short in circumstances. I did not hear you was forbid preaching. Have you seen my lord? Who forbad you to preach? Are you no longer chaplain? Do you never go to the castle? Are you certain of the accuser, that it is Tighe[1]? Do you think my lord acts thus, because he fears it would breed ill humour, if he should openly favour one who is looked on as of a different party? I think, that is too mean for him. I do not much disapprove your letter, but I think it a wrong method; pray read over the enclosed twice, and if you do not dislike it, let it be sent (not by a servant of yours, nor from you) to Mr. Tickell. There the case is stated as well as I could do it in generals, for want of knowing particulars. When I come to town, I shall see the lord lieutenant, and be as free with him as possible. In the mean time I believe it may keep cold; however advise with Mr. Tickell, and Mr. Balaguer. I should fancy that the bishop of Limerick[2] could easily satisfy his excellency, and that my lord lieutenant believes no more of your guilt than I, and therefore it can be nothing but to satisfy the noise of party at this juncture, that he acts as he does; and if so (as I am confident it is) the effect will cease with the cause. But without doubt, Tighe and others have dinned the words tory and jacobite into his excellency's ears, and therefore your text, &c. was only made use of as an opportunity.

Upon the whole matter you are no loser, but at least have got something. Therefore be not like him who hanged himself, because going into a gaminghouse and winning ten thousand pounds, he lost five thousand of it, and came away with only half his winnings. When my lord is in London, we may clear a way to him to do you another job, and you are young enough to wait.

We set out to Dublin on Monday the 5th of October, and hope to sup at the deanery the next night, where you will come to us if you are not already engaged.

I am grown a bad bailiff toward the end of my service. Your hay is well brought in, and better stacked than usual. All here are well.

I know not what you mean by my having some sport soon; I hope it is no sport that will vex me.

Pray do not forget to seal the enclosed before you send it.

I send you back your letter to the lord lieutenant.


  1. Richard Tighe, esq., a privy counsellor, and member of the Irish parliament. This gentleman, of whom the dean seems to have had an unfavourable opinion, "hitches in a rhyme," in a poem addressed to Mr. Lindsay in 1728. See vol. VII.
  2. Dr. William Burscow.