Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 11.djvu/69

Rh brought me to extremity, and all despaired of my life, and the news letters reported me dead. It began at the same time of the year, and the same way it did then, and the winters were much alike; and I verily believe had I not had the assistance of my old physician, sir Patrick Dun, I should have run the same course, which I could not have supported. But with a little physick, and the Spa and Bath waters, I escaped without other hardships, than keeping at home; and so much for private affairs.

As to the publick, I had a letter from my lord Pembroke, wherein he told me the first-fruits and twentieth parts were granted, and that my lord lieutenant will bring over the queen's letter for them. I returned him my thanks, and as soon as the order comes, he will have a publick acknowledgment.

I have seen a letter, that passes as from a member of the house, &c. I think your judgment concerning it is very just. But pray by what artifice did you contrive to pass for a whig? As I am an honest man, I courted the greatest whigs I knew, and could not gain the reputation of being counted one.

But you need not be concerned; I will engage you will lose nothing by that paper. I wish some facts had been well considered before vouched: if any one matter in it prove false, what do you think will come of the paper? In short, it will not be in the power of man to hinder it from a warm entertainment.

As to the test, I believe that matter is over for this season, I was much for dissolving this present parliament, and calling a new one this spring. I had a pretty good account of the future elections, which, as far as my acquaintance reached, were settled;