The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift/Volume 13/From John Boyle to Jonathan Swift - 7

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The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 13
(1741)
by John Boyle, edited by Thomas Sheridan, John Nichols, John Boyle, Patrick Delany, John Hawkesworth, Deane Swift, William Bowyer, John Birch, and George Faulkner

From the earl of Orrery

From the earl of Orrery to D. Swift, esq.

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1557588The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 13
— From the earl of Orrery1741John Boyle

FROM THE EARL OF ORRERY.

DUKE STREET, WESTMINSTER,

JULY 7, 1741.

THANKS to you, dear sir, for your frequent remembrance of me by my great friend and patron master George Faulkner: thanks to you for the honours you have showed my wife: but above all, thanks to you for using exercise and taking care of your health. It is the strongest instance of affection your friends either desire or deserve. In mentioning your friends, I must particularize Mr. Pope: he obeys your commands, and flings away much time upon me: Nec deficit alter aureus; doctor King does the same. Thus deities condescended to visit and converse with mortals.

Poor lord Oxford is gone to those regions from whence travellers never return, unless in an airy visit to faithless lovers, as Margaret to William; or to cities devoted to destruction, as Hector amidst the flames of Troy. The deceased earl has left behind him many books, many manuscripts, and no money: his lady brought him five hundred thousand pounds, four of which have been sacrificed to indolence, good nature, and want of worldly wisdom: and there will still remain, after proper sales, and right management, five thousand pounds a year for his widow.

Mr. Cæsar died about two months ago. Mrs. Cæsar is still all tears and lamentations, although she certainly may be numbered inter felices, sua si bona norint.

Lord Bathurst is at Cirencester, erecting pillars and statues to queen Anne. Lord Bolingbroke lives in France: posterity, it is to be hoped, may be the better for his retirement. The duke of Argyll reigns or ought to reign in Scotland. — Such is the state of Europe; but our disappointment in America has cast a gloomy face over London and Westminster. The citizens have recourse to mum and tobacco, by which means they puff away care, and keep dismay at a proper distance; in the mean time, my friends the ducks and geese in the park cackle on, and join in chorus to the sounds of victory that are daily drummed forth on the parade, but reach no farther than the atmosphere of Whitehall. —— What news next? The weather — but you certainly know it is hot; for in truth, notwithstanding this letter comes from my heart, and is written in the pleasure of thinking of you, yet I sweat to assure you how much I am, dear sir, your ever obliged and obedient humble servant,

ORRERY.