The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift/Volume 18/Letter from Thomas Sheridan to Jonathan Swift - 3

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Letter from Unknown Person to Jonathan Swift - 3

The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 18
(1734)
by Thomas Sheridan, edited by Thomas Sheridan, John Nichols, John Boyle, Patrick Delany, John Hawkesworth, Deane Swift, William Bowyer, John Birch, and George Faulkner

Letter from Thomas Sheridan to Jonathan Swift - 3

Letter from Unknown Person to Jonathan Swift - 4

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1691376The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 18
— Letter from Thomas Sheridan to Jonathan Swift - 31734Thomas Sheridan (1687-1738)

FROM DR. SHERIDAN.

DEAR SIR,

DEC. 25, 1734.

R. HAMILTON is glad the venison got safe to you; it was carried by a county Cavan man in the 75th year of his age, who went off on Wednesday morning, was back with us on Saturday night, in all 104 miles. — He was much affronted that a young fellow was proposed for the expedition —— There's a county Cavan man for you.

As for myself, I am grown thirty years younger, by no other method than eating, drinking, and breathing freely in this Elysium of the universe. Happy will it be for you (if I misjudge not, and very seldom I do, as you yourself can witness, who have known me above sixteen years, and I believe a little more, if my memory fails me not, as I have no reason to think it does; for I do not find it in the least impaired) to convey yourself into the finest apartment of our Elysium, I mean to Castle Hamilton, where you will find a most hearty welcome, and all the delights this world can give —— But you must take me along with you. ——

Nothing could give me greater pleasure than to hear that your innocent subjects of the Kevin Bayl^[1] escaped the gallows, in spite of Bettisworth^[2] and all his add hay rents —— If he were to make them a holiday, it should make one for me and my boys likewise.

Sunday we had a very hard frost — Yesterday morning fair — The afternoon, all night, and this morning to ten, was rain —— Now fair again, but lowering.

We are just now going to dinner at captain Perott's, where your health is never omitted, both as dean and drapier —— I forgot to tell you that there is a drapier's club fixed in Cavan of about thirty good fighting fellows; from whence I remark you have the heart of Ireland. Vid. Grierson's new map. —— There is another Cavan Bayl for you.

I have no more to trouble you with, but my good wishes for your long health and happiness. I am, dear sir, your most obedient humble servant,

THOMAS SHERIDAN.

If you go out of town before I return, leave the key of your strong box with Jane^[3], that I may put my money among yours.

↑ Dr. Swift used to call the people who lived in the liberty of St. Patrick's his subjects: and without dispute they would have fought up to their knees in blood for him.
↑ The right spelling of this name is Bettesworth, constantly pronounced as a word of two syllables, until some poems had come out against him, and then Mr. Bettesworth affected to pronounce it as three syllables, to which this spelling by Dr. Sheridan alludes.
↑ Dr. Swift's cookmaid.

[1] Dr. Swift used to call the people who lived in the liberty of St. Patrick's his subjects: and without dispute they would have fought up to their knees in blood for him.

[2] The right spelling of this name is Bettesworth, constantly pronounced as a word of two syllables, until some poems had come out against him, and then Mr. Bettesworth affected to pronounce it as three syllables, to which this spelling by Dr. Sheridan alludes.

[3] Dr. Swift's cookmaid.

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