FROM ANTHONY HENLEY, * ESQ.

Grange, Sept. 16, 1708.

YESTERDAY the weatherglass was at 28 inches, which is lower than ever I saw it; the wind was at East, a very dull quarter; the garden so wet, there was no looking into it; and I myself, by consequence, in the spleen. Before night, the glass rose, the wind changed, the garden dried, I received your letter, and was as well as ever I was in my life, to my thinking, though perhaps you may think otherwise. The reason why your letter was so long a coming to my hands, was, its being directed to me near Winchester; and Alresford is the posttown nearest to me. If the officers should come to you, doctor, if you want a security, that your children shan't be troublesome to the parish, pray make use of me. I'll stand 'em all, though you were to have as many as the Holland countess. We have had a tedious expectation of the success of the siege of Lisle: the country people begin to think there is no such thing, and say the newspapers talk of it to make people bear paying taxes a year longer. I don't know how Steele will get

* Of the Grange, in the County of Southampton, member of parliament for Melcombe Regis. He was a person of great abilities and learning; who mixed humour in the most serious debates. He was father of the lord-chancellor, Robert, Earl of Northington.-B.

+ Then writer of the Gazette.-B.

off of it: his veracity is at stake in Hantshire. Pray desire him to take the town, though he should leave the citadel for a nest-egg. I ha'nt the honour to know Colonel Hunter: but I never saw him in so good company as you have put him in, Lord Halifax, Mr Addison, Mr Congreve, and the Gazetteer. * Since he is there, let him stay there. Pray, doctor, let me know whether writing letters be talking to one's self, or talking to other folks: for I think the world has settled it, that talking to one's self, which offends nobody, is madness; and talking to other people, which generally is not quite so harmless, is wit, or good breeding, or religion, or—I won't write a word more till you have satisfied me what I have been doing all this while. I am sure one need not have writ two pages to introduce my assuring you that I am

Your most affectionate humble servant,
A. HENLEY.

FROM THE SAME.

DEAR DOCTOR,

you

Nov. 2, 1708:

THOUGH YOU won't send me your broomstick, † I'll send you as good a reflection upon death as even Adrian's himself, though the fellow was but an old farmer of mine, that made it. He had been ill a good while; and when his friends saw him a-going, they all came croaking about him as usual; and one

* Steele.

+ Meditation on a Broomstick.

of them asking him how he did? he replied, in great pain, "If I could but get this same breath out of my body, I'd take care, by G-, how I let it come in again." This, if it were put in fine Latin, I fancy would make as good a sound as any I have met with. I am,

Your most affectionate humble servant,
A. HENLEY.

TO ARCHBISHOP KING.

MY LORD,

London, Nov. 9, 1708.

YOUR grace's letter of September 7, found me in Kent, where I took the opportunity to retire, during my Lord Pembroke's absence with his new lady, who are both expected to-morrow. I went afterward to Epsom, and returned but yesterday: this was the cause of my so long omitting to acknowledge your letter. I am ready to agree with your grace, that very wrong representations are made of things and persons here, by people who reside on this side but a short time, converse at second or third hand, and on their return make a vanity of knowing more than they do. This I have observed myself in Ireland, even among people of some rank and quality; and I believe your grace will proceed on much better grounds, by trusting to your own wisdom and experience of things, than such intelligence.

I spoke formerly all I knew of the twentieth parts; and whatever Mr D has said in his letters about staying until a peace, I do assure your

grace, is nothing but words. However, that matter is now at an end. There is a new world here; and yet I agree agree with you, that if there be an interregnum, it will be the properest time to address my lord-treasurer; and I shall second it with all the credit I have, and very openly; and I know not (if one difficulty lies in the way) but it may prove a lucky juncture.

On my return from Kent (the night of the prince's t death), I staid a few days in town before I went to Epsom: I then visited a certain great man, and we entered very freely into discourse upon the present juncture. He assured me, there was no doubt now of the scheme holding about the admiralty, ‡ the government of Ireland, § and presidency of the council; the disposition whereof your grace knows as well as I; and although I care not to mingle public affairs with the interest of so private a person as myself, yet, upon such a revolution, not knowing how far my friends may endeavour to engage me in the service of a new government, I would beg your grace to have favourable thoughts of me on such an

* About this time several promotions took place, all of them apparently calculated to strengthen the interest of the whig ministry, which had been endangered by the defection of Harley. Lord Pembroke was created lord high-admiral; the Earl of Wharton lord-lieutenant of Ireland; and Lord Somers president of the council. All these great men had professed regard for Swift; and he naturally connects his prosperity with their advancement. But it is singular enough to find him endeavour, ing to assure the archbishop that his whig sentiments in state matters should not affect his high-church principles. We shall soon see the correspondents exchange characters in this parti cular.

+ George, Prince of Denmark, husband of Queen Anne.
§ Wharton.
| Somers.

+ Orford.

occasion; and to assure you, that no prospect of making my fortune, shall ever prevail on me to go against what becomes a man of conscience and truth, and an entire friend to the established church. This I say, in case such a thing should happen; for my own thoughts are turned another way, if the Earl of Berkeley's journey to Vienna holds, and the ministry will keep their promise of making me the queen's secretary; by, which I shall be out of the way of parties, until it shall please God I have some place to retire to, a little above contempt: or, if all fai!, until your grace and the Dean of St Patrick's shall think fit to dispose of that poor town living in my favour.

Upon this event of the prince's death, the contention designed with the court about a speaker is dropped, and all agree in Sir Richard Onslow, which is looked on as another argument for the scheme succeeding. This I had from the same hand.

As to a comprehension which your grace seems to doubt an intention of, from what was told me, I can say nothing: doubtless, it must be intended to come to that at last if not worse; but I believe at present, it was meant, that there should be a consent to what was endeavoured at in your parliament last

session.

I thought to have writ more largely to your grace, imagining I had much matter in my head; but it fails, or is not convenient at present. If the scheme holds, I shall make bold to tell your grace my thoughts as formerly, under cover, because I believe there will be a great deal to be thought of and done. A little time may produce a great deal. Things are now in great suspense both at home and abroad. The parliament, we think, will have no prorogation.