Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 12.djvu/467

Rh most positively assured that you were there in private, the duke of Dorset can tell you. Non credo is all the Latin I know, and the most useful word upon all occasions to me. However, like most other people, I can give it up for what I wish; so for once I believed, or at least went half way in what I hoped was true, and then, for the only time, your letter was unwelcome. You tell me you have a request, which is purely personal to me: non credo for that; for I am sure you would not be so disagreeable as not to have made it, when you know it is a pleasure and satisfaction to me to do any thing you desire, by which you may find you are not sans conséquence to me.

I met with your friend Mr. Pope the other day. He complains of not being well, and indeed looked ill. I fear that neither his wit or sense do arm him enough against being hurt by malice; and that he is too sensible of what fools say: the run is much against him on the duke of Chandos's account; but I believe their rage is not kindness to the duke, but glad to give it vent with some tolerable pretence. I wish your presence would have such a miraculous effect as your design on Biddy's speech: you know formerly her tongue was not apt to run much by inclination; but now every winter is kept still perforce, for she constantly gets a violent cold that lasts her all winter. But as to that quarrelsome friend of the duke of Dorset's, I will let her loose at you, and see which can get the better. Miss Kelly was a very Rh