Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 11.djvu/226

214 told he affirms it impossible for us to carry on the war there by our former methods. The duke of Ormond is expected to go in two or three days for Flanders. And what I writ to your grace some months ago of the duke of Shrewsbury succeeding to govern Ireland, will, I suppose, be soon declared, I was the other day to see the duchess, and reported your grace's compliments, which she took very well; and I told her I was resolved your grace and she should be very good acquaintance. I believe the spirit of your houghers is got into our mohawks, who are still very troublesome, and every night cut somebody or other over the face; and commit a hundred insolent barbarities.

There was never the least design of any impeachment against the duke of Marlborough; and it was his own great weakness, or the folly of his friends, that the thing went so far as it did.

I know not whether it is that people have talked themselves hoarse, but for some weeks past we have heard less of the pretender than formerly. I suppose it is, like a fashion, got into Ireland, when it is out here: but, in my conscience, I do not think any one person in the court or ministry here designs any more to bring in the pretender, than the Great Turk. I hope Mr. Harley, who is now on his journey to Hanover, will give that court a truer opinion of persons and things than they have hitherto conceived. And, if your grace knew the instrument, through which these false opinions have been infused, you woujd allow it another instance of the Ludibrium rerum mortalium. And your grace cannot but agree, that it is something singular for the prince