Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 11.djvu/28

, and shall take up ten more here. I saw Tom Leigh's brother in the court of requests, and, knowing him to be your friend, I talked with him; and we will take some occasion to drink your health together, and Tom Leigh's — I will not buy you any pamphlets, unless you will be more particular in telling me their names or their natures, because they are usually the vilest things in nature. Leslie has written several of late, violent against presbyterians and low churchmen. If I had credit enough with you, you should never write but upon some worthy subject, and with long thought. But I look upon you as under a terrible mistake, if you imagine you cannot be enough distinguished without writing for the publick. Preach, preach, preach, preach, preach, preach; that is certainly your talent; and you will some years hence have time enough to be a writer. I tell you what I am content you should do: choose any subject you please, and write for your private diversion, or by way of trial; but be not hasty to write for the world. Besides, who that has a spirit would write in such a scene as Ireland? — You and I will talk an hour on these matters. Pox on the dissenters and independents! I would as soon trouble my head to write against a louse and a flea. I tell you what; I wrote against the bill that was against occasional conformity; but it came too late by a day, so I would not print it. But you may answer it if you please; for you know you and I are whig and tory. And, to cool your insolence a little, know that the queen and court, and house of lords, and half the commons almost, are whigs; and the number daily increases.

I desire my humble service to the primate, whom I have