Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 12.djvu/17

Rh, and says I shall see you very soon in England. I would tell you with what pleasure this would be, if I knew upon what certainty the hopes of it were founded. Write me word of this too; for upon it I would order my matters so, that I may be as much with you as I can; and this you will find no little favour; for, I assure you, we are all so changed, that there is very little choice of such company as you would like; and except about eighteen hundred that have subscribed to my book, I do not hear of as many more in this nation, that have common sense. My cousin Pennyfeather and Will. Phillips drink your health. I cough, but I am, otherwise well; and till I cease to cough, i. e., to live, I am, with entire friendship and affection, dear sir, your most obedient and humble servant,

M. PRIOR.

DEAR SIR,

HAVE received the honour of your letter at Bristol, where I have just finished a course of water drinking, which I hope has pretty well recovered me from the leavings of my last winter's sickness. As for the subject of your letter, though you know an affair of that nature cannot well nor safely be treated of in writing, I desired a friend of mine to acquaint sir Ralph Gore, that I was under a preengagement, and not at my own choice to act in it, and have since Rh