Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 11.djvu/168

156 have been approved, and there had been an end of the contest.

You must know this is made a party affair, as Constantine sets up for a high churchman, which I never heard he did before: but this is an inconveniency in parties, that whoever has a private quarrel, and finds himself too weak, he immediately becomes a zealous partizan, and makes his private a publick quarrel.

Perhaps it may not be ungrateful, nor perhaps altogether useless to you, to know the truth of this matter; for I imagine it will be talked of.

I believe the generality of the citizens and gentlemen of Ireland are looked on as friends to the whiggish interest. But, it is only so far as to keep out the pretender, whom they mortally fear with good reason; and so many villanous papers have been spread here, and so much pains taken to persuade them that the tories design to bring him in, that it is no wonder they are afraid of them; but God be thanked, this ministry and parliament has pretty well allayed that fear, by their steady and prudent management. And if his grace the duke of Ormond prosecutes the same measures the ministry does in Britain (as I believe he will) I persuade myself, that the generality here will be as zealous for this as any ministry we ever had.

The death of the earl of Rochester is a great blow to all good men, and even his enemies cannot but do justice to his character. What influence it will have on publick affairs, God only knows. I pray let me have your thoughts on it, for I have some fears, that I do not find affect other people: I was of opinion that he contributed much to keep things steady; and