Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 11.djvu/103

Rh England, to settle it by parliament: but, however that will be time enough thought of this good while.

I must here tell you, that the dean of St. Patrick's lives better than any man of quality I know; yet this day I dined with the comptroller, who tells me, he drinks the queen's wine to day. I saw collector Sterne, who desired me to present his service to you, and to tell you he would be glad to hear from you, but not about business; by which, I told him, I guessed he was putting you off about something you desired.

I would much rather be now in Ireland drinking your good wine, and looking over, while you lost a crown at penny ombre. I am weary of the caresses of great men out of place. The comptroller expects every day the queen's commands to break his staff. He is the last great houshold officer they intend to turn out. My lord lieutenant is yet in, because they cannot agree about his sucessor. I am your most obedient humble servant,

J. SWIFT.

OCT. 7, 1710.

N Ireland, hardly one parish in ten has any glebe, and the rest very small and scattered, except a very few; and these have seldom any houses. There

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