Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 12.djvu/132

Rh than that, which I am naturally led to make, by the general aversion, which appears to it in the whole nation.

I hope the nation will not suffer by my being in this great station; and if I can contribute to its prosperity, I shall think it the honour and happiness of my life. I desire you to believe what I say, and particularly when I profess myself to be with great truth, sir, your most faithful and affectionate humble servant,

CARTERET.

MY LORD,

HUMBLY claim the privilege of an inferiour, to be the last writer; yet, with great acknowledgments for your condescension in answering my letters, I cannot but complain of you for putting me in the wrong. I am in the circumstances of a waiting woman, who told her lady, "That nothing vexed her more than to be caught in a lie." But, what is worse, I have discovered in myself somewhat of the bully; and that after all my rattling, you have brought me down to be as humble as the most distant attender at your levee. It is well your excellency's talents are in few hands; for, if it were otherwise, we, who pretend to be free speakers in quality of philosophers, should be utterly cured of our forwardness; at least I am afraid there will be an end