Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 12.djvu/454

442 scattered in country towns; and even these are half worn out. So that, whatever little genius God has given me, I may justly pretend to have been the worst manager of it to my own advantage of any man upon earth.

Aug. 2.] What I have above written has long lain by me, that I might consider farther: but I have been partly out of order, and partly plagued with a lawsuit of ten years standing, and I doubt very ill closed up, although it concerns two thirds of my little fortune. Think whether such periods of life are proper to encourage poetical or philosophical speculations.

I shall not therefore tire you any longer; but, with great acknowledgment for the distinction you please to show me, desire to be always thought, with great truth and a most particular esteem, sir,

J. SWIFT.

Dr. Young's Satires. Mr. Gay's works. Mr. Pope's works. Pope's Dunciad. Gay's Fables. Art of Politicks, and some other trifles in verse,&c. TO