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you for your constant memory of whatever may be ferviceable or reputable to me. The Tranflation a you are much better judge of than I, not only because you understand my work better than I do myself, but as your continued fa miliarity with the learned languages, makes you infinitely more a master of them. I would only recommend that the Translator's attention to Tully's Latinity may not preclude his usage of fome Terms which may be more precife in modern philosophy than such as he could ferve himself of, especially in matters metaphysical. I think this specimen close enough, and clear alfo, as far as the classical phrases allow; from which yet I would rather he sometimes deviated, than fuffered the sense to be either dubious or clouded too much. You know my mind perfectly as to the intent of such a verfion, and I would have it accompanied with your own remarks translated, such only I mean as are general, or explanatory of those passages, which are concise to any degree of obscurity, or which demand perhaps too minute an attention in the reader.

I have been unable to make the Journey I designed to Oxford, and Lord Bathurst's, where I hoped to have made you of the party. I am going to Bath for near two months. Yet * Of his Effay on Man into latin profe:

pray

pray let nothing hinder me sometimes from hearing you are well. I have had that contentment from time to time from Mr. G.

Scriblerus will or will not be published, according to the event of fome other papers coming, or not coming out, which it will be my utmost endeavour to hinder. I will not give you the pain of acquainting you what they are. Your fimile of B. and his nephew, would make an excellent epigram. But all Satire is become so ineffectual (when the last step that Virtue can stand upon, shame, is taken away) that Epigram must expect to do nothing even in its own little province, and upon its own little subjects. Adieu. Believe I wish you nearer us; the only power I wish is that of attaching, and at the same time fupporting, fuch congenial bodies as you are to, dear Sir,

Your, &c.

IF

LETTER CV.

Bath, Feb. 4. 1740-1.

I had not been made by many accidents so fick of letter-writing, as to be almost

The Memoirs of Scrib'erus. • The letters publish'd by Dr. Swift.

VOL. IX.

Z

afraid

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afraid of the shadow of my own pen, you would be the perfon I should oftenest pour myself out to: indeed for a good reason, for you have given me the strongest proofs of understanding, and accepting, my meaning in the best manner; and of the candour of your heart, as well as the clearness of your head. My vexations I would not trouble you with, but I must just mention the two greatest I now have. They have printed in Ireland, my letters to Dr. Swift, and (which is the strangest circumstance) by his own confent and direction, without acquainting me till it was done. The other is one that will continue with me till fome profperous event to your service shall bring us nearer to each other. I am not content with those glympses of you, which a short fpring vifit affords; and from which you carry nothing away with you but my fighs and wishes, without any real berefit.

I am heartily glad of the advancement of your fecond Volume; and particularly of the Digreffions, for they are so much more of you; and I can trust your judgment enough to depend upon their being pertinent. You will, I quef

4

N. B. This was thestrong-no ill-will to him, tho' it eft resentment he ever ex- expofed him to the ill-will press'd of this indifcretion of of others. his old friend, as being perfuaded that it proceeded from

tion.

Of the Divine Lega

tion not, verify the good proverb, that the furtheft way about, is the nearest way home: and much better than plunging thro' thick and thin, more Theologorum; and perfifting in the fame old track, where so many have either broken their necks, or come off very lamely.

This leads me to thank you for that very entertaining, and, I think, instructive story of Dr. W***, who was, in this, the image of * * *, who never admit of any remedy from a hand they dislike. But I am forry he had so much of the modern Christian rancour, as, I believe, he may be convinced by this time, that the kingdom of Heaven is not for fuch.

I am just returning to London, and shall the more impatiently expect your book's appearance, as I hope you will follow it; and that I may have as happy a month thro' your means as I had the last spring.

I am, &c.

YOU

LETTER CVI.

April 14, 1741.

OU are every way kind to me; in your partiality to what is tolerable in me; and in your freedom where you find me in an error. Such, I own, is the instance given of --You owe me much friendship of this latter fort, having been too profufe of the former.

I think every day a week till you come to town, which, Mr. G. tells me, will be in the beginning of the next month: When, I expect, you will contrive to be as beneficial to me as you can, by paffing with me as much time as you can: every day of which it will be my fault if I do not make of fome use to me, as well as pleasure. This is all I have to tell you, and, be affured, my fincerest esteem and affection are yours.

LETTER CVII.

Twitenham, Aug. 12, 1741. THE HE general general indifpofition indisposition I have to writ

ing, unless upon a belief of the neceffity or use of it, must plead my excuse in not doing it to you. I know it is not (I feel it is not) needful to repeat afsurances of the true and constant friendship and esteem I bear you. Honest and ingenuous minds are fure of each other's; the tye is mutual and solid. The use of writing letters resolves wholly into the gratification given and received in the knowledge of each other's welfare: Unless I ever should be fo fortunate (and a rare fortune it would be)

to

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