Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 11.djvu/324

312 doubt they never will give me; and wanting wisdom to judge better, I follow those who, I think, are most for preserving the church and state, without examining whether they do so from a principle of virtue or of interest.

SIR,

OURS I received the 2d instant, and immediately got Mr. Justice Nutley to write to the bishop of Killala, at Kells, to know of him, whether, if he could get him translated to the bishoprick of Raphoe, he would accept of it: and this day we received his answer, that it was not worth his while to carry his family so far northward, for so little advantage as that bishoprick would bring him; his own being upward of a thousand pounds a year, and Raphoe not much above eleven hundred. The reason why I got judge Nutley to write, was, because I apprehended it might seem irksome to him to be persuaded by myself to accept of what I left: though at the same time I can assure you, I have done little more than saved myself whole by that bishoprick; and be might, if he pleased, in a little time have received 1600l. or 1700l. for fines; so that if this comes time enough to your hands, you will prevent any farther motion that way. But if Meath drops, I believe it would be an acceptable post; and the truth is, he has always, in the worst of times, voted honestly,