Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 12.djvu/405

Rh

APRIL 9, 1731.

NEVER designed to have written to you any more, because you bantered and abused me so grossly in your last. To flatter a man from whom you can get nothing, nor expect any thing, is doing mischief for mischief sake, and consequently highly immoral. However I will not carry my resentments so far, as to stand by and see you undone, without giving you both notice and advice. Could any man but you think of trusting John Gay with his money? None of his friends would ever trust him with his own, whenever they could avoid it. He has called in the 200l. I had of yours: I paid him both principal and interest. I suppose by this time he has lost it. I give you notice, you must look upon it as annihilated.

Now, as I have considered, your deanery brings you in little or nothing, and that you keep servants and horses, and frequently give little neat dinners, which are more expensive than a few splendid entertainments; beside which, you may be said to water your flock with French wine, which altogether must consume your substance in a little while; I have thought of putting you in a method, that you may retrieve your affairs. In the first place, you must turn off all your servants, and sell your horses, I will find exercise for you. Your whole family must  sist