Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 11.djvu/301

Rh the next spring produce bitter fruit. There are several reasons, impossible for me to tell at this distance, why I shall not be so good a correspondent as I have formerly been, but may probably serve to entertain you a year or two hence: for the fashion of this world passes away; and there is nothing of so little consequence as the greatest court secrets, when once the scene is changed. I said to somebody, when I was last in Ireland, who talked to me of the advantage and felicity I had in the familiarity of great ministers, that it was well enough while it continued a vanity; but as soon as it ceased to be a vanity, it began to be a vexation of spirit. I have some thought of passing this winter at the Bath, because my health requires it, and because I shall then be a pretty equal distance from the factions on both sides the water; for it is not impossible your grace may have a warm winter.

I have had some letters, particularly from Dr. Synge and Mr. Archdeacon Walls, about my being prolocutor. I have this post writ my thoughts upon that subject to Mr. Walls; and to save you the trouble, have desired him to communicate them to your grace. Our elections for the city still continue: I was this afternoon at Guildhall. I find three of the old members; and Withers, who is the lowest, tells me, he does not despair of carrying it for himself. There is abundance of artifice (to give it the softest word) used on both sides.

I came yesterday from Windsor, where I saw the queen in very good health, which she finds there more than any where else, and I believe will hardly remove until December. I believe my lord. XI.