Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 12.djvu/387

Rh glad to show how sincerely I am your friend and faithful humble servant,

E. GERMAIN.

DEC. 28, 1730.

OU might give a better reason for restoring my book, that it was not worth keeping. I thought by the superscription that your letter was written by a man; for you have neither the scrawl nor the spelling of your sex. You live so far off, and I believe are so seldom at home, and I am so ill a visitor, that it is no wonder we meet so seldom: but if you knew what I say of you to others, you would believe it was not want of inclination; I mean what I say of you as I knew you formerly; for as to what you are now, I know but little. I give you the good wishes of the season; and am, with true esteem and affection, yours, &c.

J. SWIFT.

MADAM, Y reason for waiting on you, some time ago, was grounded on the esteem I always had for you; which Rh