Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 11.djvu/135

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MY LORD,

AVING writ to your grace so lately, I only now make bold to let you know, that on Tuesday I was to wait on Mr. secretary St. John, who told me from Mr. Harley, that I need not to be in pain about the first-fruits, for the warrant was drawn in order toward a patent; but must pass two several forms, and take up some time, for the queen designs to make a grant by her letters patent. I shall take all due methods to hasten it as far as I am able; but in these cases they are generally pretty tedious. Mr. Harley likewise sent me the same day, by another person, the same message. I dined with him about four days ago; but, there being much company, and he going away in haste pretty soon after dinner, he had not time to tell me so himself. Indeed he has been so ready to do every thing in this matter as I would have him, that he never needed pressing; which, considering both the weight and difficulty of affairs at present on his shoulders, is very extraordinary, and what I never met from a great minister before, I had thought, and so Mr. Harley told me, that the queen would have sent a letter to the bishops; but this is a shorter way, and I hope your grace will like it. I am, with the greatest respect, my lord,

J. SWIFT. I am