Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 11.djvu/216

 What remains is, to desire that the dissenters may seriously think from whence they are fallen, and do their first works — and recover their reputation of sobriety, integrity, and love of their country, which is the sincere and hearty prayer of,

Reverend sir,

your most faithful and

most humble servant,

OXFORD.

DR. SWIETSWIFT [sic] TO DR. STERNE.

HE reason I have not troubled you this long time with my letters, was, because I would not disturb the quiet you live in, and which the greatest and wisest men here would envy, if they knew; and which it is one part of your happiness that they do not. I have often sent the archbishop political letters, of which I suppose you have had part. I have some weeks ago received a letter from his grace, which I design to acknowledge in a short time (as I desire you will please to tell him) when things here come to some issue; and so we expect they will do in a little time. You know what an unexpected thing fell out the first day of this session in the house of lords, by the caprice, discontent, or some worse motive of the earl of Nottingham.

In above twenty years, that I have known something of courts, I never observed so many odd, dark, unaccountable