Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 11.djvu/379

Rh Do not think I make you a bare compliment in what I am going to say; for I can assure you I am in earnest. I am in hopes to have two hundred pounds before I go out of town, and you may command all or any part of it you please, as long as you have occasion for it. I know what you will say; "To see a scoundrel pretend to offer to lend me money." Our situation at present is in short thus: they have rompu en visière with the dragon, and yet do not know how to do without him. My lady Masham has in a manner bid him defiance, without any scheme, or likeness of it in any form or shape, as far as I can see. Notwithstanding he visits, cringes, flatters, &c. which is beyond my comprehension.

I have a very comical account of Letcombe, and the dean of St. Patrick's, from Pope, with an episode of the burning glass. I was going to make an epigram upon the imagination of your burning your own history with a burning glass. I wish Pope or Parnell would put it into rhyme. The thought is this: Apollo speaks; "That since he had inspired you to reveal those things which were hid, even from his own light, such as the feeble springs of some great events; and perceiving that a faction, who could not bear their deeds to be brought to light, had condemned it to an ignominious flame; that it might not perish so, he was resolved to consume it with his own; a celestial one." And then you must conclude with some simile. Thus, &c. There are two or three, that will fit it.

Whiston has at last published his project of the longitude; the most ridiculous thing that ever was thought on. But a pox on him! he has spoiled one of my papers of Scriblerus, which was a proposal for the