Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 13.djvu/189

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APRIL 5, 1735.

ART the first, you order me to give up my secretaryship; and part the second, called postscript, you employ me about Dr. Sheridan's exchange, when the letters for it must have been at Dublin long before yours came away. I was just thinking, that you was a little upon the dear joy ; but to be sure, you were in the right, for what signified my secretaryship when I had no business?

The countess of Suffolk did not give up the first employment at court, for she had no other than mistress of the robes, being 400l. a year, which the duchess of Dorset had quitted to her, there being no lady of the bedchamber's place vacant, and it not being quite proper for a countess to continue bedchamber woman. As to her part about Gay, that I cleared to you long ago: for, to my certain knowledge, no woman was ever a better friend than she by many ways proved herself to him. As to what you hint about yourself, as I am wholly ignorant what it is you mean, I can say nothing upon it. And as to the question, Whether you should congratulate or condole? I believe, you may do either, or both, and not be in the wrong: for I truly think she was heartily sorry, to be obliged, by ill usage, to quit a master and mistress that she had served so justly, and loved so well. However, she has now . XIII.