Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 12.djvu/396

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DEAR SIR,

HE fortune of the person you interest yourself in amounts to at present (all debts paid) about three thousand four hundred pounds; so that, whatever other people think, I look upon him, as to fortune, to be happy; that is to say, an independent creature. I have been in expectation, post after post, to have received your directions about the disposal of your money, which lord Bathurst paid into my hands some time ago. I left that sum, with 200l. of my own, in Mr. Hoare's hands, at my coming out of town. If I hear nothing from you, I shall do with it, as I do with my own. I made you a proposal about purchasing lottery tickets, in partnership with myself; that is to say, four tickets between us. This can be done with the overplus, with the interest money I have received; but in this I will do nothing till I hear from you.

I am now got to my residence at Amesbury, getting health, and saving money. Since I have got over the impediment to a writer, of water drinking, if I can persuade myself that I have any wit, and find I have inclination, I intend to write; though, as yet, I have another impediment: for I have not provided myself with a scheme. Ten to one but I shall have a propensity to write against vice, and who can tell how far that may offend? But, an author should consult his genius, rather than his interest, if Rh