Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 11.djvu/119

Rh and heats, if we certainly knew whether we should have a new parliament or not.

All business in chancery, and in truth all publick business, is at a stand, by the indisposition of my lord chancellor. I would tell you, that I am engaged most unhappily this night, to excuse this short letter; but the plain truth, I think, will do as well; which is, that I have no more to say but my prayers for you, &c.

WILL. DUBLIN.

MY LORD,

HAD your grace's letter not until this day: whether it lay in the secretary's office, or was kept by the wind, I cannot tell; but I would have exposed it immediately whenever it had come. Mr. Southwell told me two days ago of the letter your grace mentions, which surprised me a good deal, when I remembered I had writ to your grace three weeks ago, that the queen had absolutely granted the first-fruits and twentieths, and that Mr. Harley had permitted me to signify the same to the primate and your grace. Perhaps that letter might not have reached your grace before that resolution of sending to the duke of Ormond; but however, I gave you such an account of my reception from Mr. Harley, and his readiness to undertake this affair, and what steps