Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 12.djvu/159

Rh I must tell you, Dan Jackson ruined his living by huddling over the first year, and then hoping to mend it the next: therefore pray take all the care you can to inquire into the value, and set it at the best rate to substantial people.

I know not whether you are under the bishop of Cork, or not; if not, you may burn the letter.

I must desire that you will not think of enlarging your expenses, no not for some years to come, much less at present; but rather retrench them. You might have lain destitute till Antichrist came, for any thing you could have got from those you used to treat; neither let me hear of one rag of better clothes for your wife or brats, but rather plainer than ever. This is positively Stella's advice as well as mine. She says, now you need not be ashamed to be thought poor.

We compute, you cannot be less than 30 days absent; and pray do not employ your time in lolling abed till noon to read Homer, but mind your business effectually: and we think you ought to have no breaking up this August; but affect to adhere to your school closer than ever; because you will find that your ill wishers will give out, you are now geing to quit your school, since you have got preferment, &c.

Pray send me a large bundle of exercises, good as well as bad, for I want something to read.

I would have you carry down three or four sermons, and preach every Sunday at your own church, and be very devout.

I sent you in my last a bill of twenty pounds on Mr. Worral, I hope you have received it.

Pray remember to leave the pamphlet with Rh