Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 12.djvu/287

Rh uses, and suffer nobody for the future to put their knives in their mouths. Lord Cobham says, that I should have printed it in Italian over against the English, that the ladies might have understood what they read. The outlandish (as they now call it) opera has been so thin of late, that some have called that the Beggar's Opera; and if the run continues, I fear I shall have remonstrances drawn up against me by the royal academy of musick. As none of us have heard from you of late, every one of us are in concern about your health: I beg we may hear from you soon. By my constant attendance on this affair, I have almost worried myself into an ill state of health; but I intend in five or six days to go to our country seat, at Twickenham, for a little air. Mr. Pope is very seldom in town. Mrs. Howard frequently asks after you, and desires her compliments to you. Mr. George Arbuthnot, the doctor's brother, is married to Mrs. Peggy Robinson.

I would write more, but as to night is for my benefit I am in a hurry to go out about business. I am, dear sir, your most affectionate and obedient servant,

J. GAY.

DEAR SIR,

AM extremely sorry that your disorder is returned: but as you have a medicine which has twice removed it, I hope by this time you have again found Rh