occafion for me, upon any of those accounts. Befides, I had fo ill an opinion of the Queen's health, that I was confident you had not a quarter of time left for the work you had to do; having let flip the opportunity of cultivating those difpofitions she had got after her sickness at Windfor. I never left preffing my Lord Oxford with the utmost earnestness, (and perhaps more than became me) that we might be put in fuch a condition, as not to lie at mercy on this great event. And I am your Lordship's witnefs, that you have nothing to answer for in that matter. I will, for once, talk in my trade, and tell you that I never faw any thing more resemble our proceedings, than a man of fourscore, or in a deep confumption, going on in his fins, although his physician affured him he could not live a week. Those wonderful refinements, of keeping men in expectation, and not letting your friends be too strong, might be proper in their season. Sed nunc non erat his locus. Befides, you kept your bread and butter till it was too ftale for any body to care for it. Thus your machine of four years modelling is dashed to pieces in a moment: And, as well by the choice of the regents, as by their proceedings,

2

ceedings, I do not find there is any intention of managing you in the least. The whole nineteen confift either of the highest party-men, or (which mightily mends the matter) of fuch who left us upon the fubject of the peace, and affected jealoufies about the fucceffion. It might reasonably be expected, that this quiet poffeffion might convince the Succeffor of the good difpofitions of the Church-party towards him; and I ever thought there was a mighty failure fomewhere or other, that this could not have been done in the

Queen's life. But this is too much for what is paft; and yet, whoever observed and disliked the causes, hath fome title to quarrel with the effects. As to what is to come, your Lordship is in the prime of your years, plein des efprits qui fourniffent les efperances; and you are now again to act that part (though in another affembly) which you formerly discharged fo much to your own honour, and the advantage of your caufe. You fet out with the wind and tide against you; yet, at last, arrived at your port, from whence you are now driven back in open fca again. But, not to involve myself in an allegory, I doubt whether, after this difappointment, you can F 2.

go

go on with the fame vigour you did in your more early youth. Experience, which has added to your wisdom, has leffened your refolution. You are now a general, who, after many victories, hath loft a battle, and have not the fame confidence in yourself or your troops. Your fellow labourers have either made their fortunes, or are past them, or will go over to feek them on the other fide. Yet, after all, and to resume a little courage: To be at the head of the church-intereft is no mean ftation; and that, as I take it, is now in your Lordship's power. In order to which, I could heartily wifh for that union you mention; because, I need not tell you, that fome are more dextrous at pulling down their enemies than, &c. We have certainly more heads and hands than our adverfaries; but, it must be confeffed, they have stronger fhoulders and better hearts. I only doubt my friends, the rabble, are at least grown trimmers; and that, fetting up the cry Trade and Wool, against Sacheverel and the Church, hath cooled their zeal. I take it for granted, there will be a new parliament against winter; and, if they will retain me on the other fide, as their counfellor, I will engage them a majority. But,

of

fince it is poffible I may not be fo far in their good graces, if your Lordship thinks my fervice may be of any ufe in this new world, I will be ready to attend you by the beginning of winter. For the misfortune is, that I must go to Ireland to take the oaths; which I never reflected on till I had notice from fome friends in London. And the fooner I go the better, to prevent accidents; for I would not willingly want a favour at prefent. I think to set out in a few days, but not before your Lordship's commands and inftructions may reach me.

I cannot conclude without offering my humbleft thanks and acknowledgments, for your Lordship's kind intentions towards me, (if this accident had not happened) of which I received fome general hints. I pray God direct your Lordship: And I defire you will believe me to be, what I am with the utmost truth and refpect,

Your Lordship's most obedient, &c.

LETTER XXVII.

To Lord BOLINGBROKE.

MY LORD,

Dublin, September 14th, 1714.

HOPE your Lordfhip, who were always

fo kind to me while you were a servant, will not forget me now in your greatnefs. I give you this caution, because I really believe you will be apt to be exalted in your new station of retirement, which was the only honourable post that those who gave it you were capable of conferring. And, as in other employments, the circumftances with which they are given are fometimes faid to be equally valuable with the gift itself, fo it was in your cafe. The fealing up your office, and especially without any directions from the King, difcovered fuch fentiments of you in fuch perfons, as would make any honest man proud to fhare them.

I must be fo free to tell you, that this new office of retirement will be harder for you to keep than that of Secretary: And you lie under one great disadvantage befides your being too young; that, whereas none but knaves and fools defire to de