Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 11.djvu/253

Rh particular marks of his lordship's esteem. I might add to this, that I really loved Mr. Watkins; and I beg you, sir, to urge him to the proof, whether, my whole behaviour was not such, as might justify the warmest professions I can make of that kind. After all this, how comes it, that he, either in raillery or good earnest, accuses me of having any resentment against him? By word of mouth when he left us, by letters, so long as he allowed me to correspond with him, and by all the people that ever went from Utrecht to Flanders, have I importuned him for the continuance of his friendship; and, perhaps, even in his absence (if he pleases to reflect) given him a very essential proof of mine. If any body has thought it worth their while to sow division between us, I wish he thought it worth his to let me into the secret; and nothing, he may be sure, shall be wanting on my side to defeat a stratagem, which, for aught I know, may end in the starving of his humble servant. Which leads me naturally to the second thing proposed to be spoken to in my text; namely, my circumstances. For between you and me, sir, I apprehend the treasury will issue out no money on my account, till they know what is due on that of Mr. Watkins. And if he has any pretensions, I have none, that I know of, but what are as precarious to me, as a stiver I gave away but now to a beggar, was to him. Is it possible, that Mr. Watkins can demand the pay of a commission, which is by the queen herself actually superseded, during his absence from his post? Or is it not as plainly said in mine, that I am her majesty's secretary during such his absence, as in his that he was so, while he. XI.