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though I have always given it with the ut most freedom and impartiality. I have troubled you too much; and, as a long letter from you is the most agreeable thing one can receive, fo the most agreeable return would be a fhort one. I am ever, with the greatest respect and truth, MY LORD,

Your Excellency's

Most obedient, and

Moft humble fervant.

LETTER XXII.

To Lord Treasurer O X FORD.

MY LORD,

WHE

July 1st, 1714.

HEN I was with you, I have faid more than once that I would never allow quality or ftation made any real difference between men. Being now absent and forgotten, I have changed my mind: You have a thousand people who can pretend they love you, with as much appearance of fincerity as I; fo that, according to common justice, I can have but a thousandth part in return of what I give. And this difference is

wholly

wholly owing to your station. And the misfortune is ftill the greater, because I always loved you just fo much the worfe for ftation. For, in your public capayour

city, you have often angered me to the heart; but, as a private man, never once. So that, if I only look towards myself, I could wish you a private man to-morrow. For, I have nothing to ask, at least nothing that you will give, which is the fame thing: And then you would fee whether I should not, with much more willingness, attend you in a retirement, whenever you please to give me leave, than ever I did at London or Windfor. From these sentiments, I will never write to you, if I can help it, otherwife than as to a private perfon, or allow myself to have been obliged by you in any other capacity.

The memory of one great inftance of your candour and juftice, I will carry to my grave: That, having been in a manner domeftic with you for almost four years, it was never in the power of any public or concealed enemy to make you think ill of me, though malice and envy were often employed to that end. If I live, pofterity fhall know that, and more; which, though you and fome body that

fhall

shall be nameless feem to value less than I could wish, is all the return I can make you. you. Will you give me leave to say how I would defire to ftand in your memory? As one who was truly fenfible of the honour you did him, though he was too proud to be vain upon it: As one who was neither affuming, officious, nor teazing; who never wilfully mifreprefented perfons or facts to you, nor confulted his paffions when he gave a character. And, laftly, as one whose indifcretions proceeded altogether from a weak head, and not an ill heart. I will add one thing more, which is the highest compliment I can make, that I never was afraid of offending you, nor am now in any pain for the manner I write to you in. I have faid enough; and, like one at your levee, having made my bow, I fhrink back into the crowd. I am, &c.

LETTER XXIII.

To the Duke of O R MON D.

MY LORD,

July 17th, 1714.

NEVER expected that a great man should remember me in abfence, becaufe I

knew

knew it was unreasonable, and that your Grace is too much troubled with perfons about you, to think of those who are out of the way. But, if Dr. Pratt has done me right, I am mistaken; and your Grace has almoft declared that you expected a letter from me; which you should never have had, if the miniftry had been like you: For then I fhould have been always near enough to have carried my own meffages. But I was heartily weary of them; and your Grace will be my witness, that I defpaired of any good fuccefs, from their manner of proceeding, fome months before I left town; where I thought it became me to continue no longer, when I could do no fervice either to myself, my friends, or the public. By the accounts I have from particular friends, I find the animofity between the two Great Men does not at all diminish: Though I hear it is given out that your Grace's fucceffor* has undertaken a general reconcilement. If it be true, this will fucceed like the reft of his late undertakings.

I must beg your Grace's pardon, if I intreat you, for several reasons, to fee Lady

* The Duke of Shrewsbury.

Masham

Masham as often as you conveniently can: And I must likewise defire you, to exert yourself in the disposal of the bishopricks in Ireland. It is a fcandal to the Crown, and an injury to the church, that they fhould be fo long delayed. There are fome hot headed people, on the other fide the water, who understand nothing of our Court, and would confound every thing; always employed to raise themselves upon the ruins of those characters they have blafted. I wish their intermeddling may not occafion a worse choice than your Grace approved of last winter. However, I beg you will take care that no injury be done to Dr. Pratt, or Dr. Elwood, who have more merit and candour than a hundred of their detractors. I am, with the greatest refpect,

MY LORD,

Your Grace's most obedient, and

Moft obliged humble fervant,

J. S.

LETTER

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