The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift/Volume 13/From Jonathan Swift to Laetitia Pilkington - 2
TO MRS. PILKINGTON.
MADAM,
1733.
YOU must shake off the leavings of your sex. If you cannot keep a secret, and take a chiding, you will quickly be out of my sphere. Corrigible people are to be chid; those who are otherwise, may be very safe from any lectures of mine: I should rather choose to indulge them in their follies, than attempt to set them right. I desire you may not inform your husband[1] of what has past, for a reason I shall give you when I see you, which may be this evening, if you will. I am very sincerely your friend,
- ↑ This letter was occasioned by some accounts from London, relative to Mr. Pilkington, which Mrs. Pilkington has given us at large, in her memoirs, Vol. I, p. 105.