Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 13.djvu/266

254

DEAR SIR,

WOULD have written last post, but I had such a violent headach, that I could no more think than a cabbage. And now all the business I have is to make you a paper visit, only to ask you, how you do? You may think me impertinent for the question; but when I tell you, that I have not above three friends, you will not wonder that I should be afraid of losing one of them; and therefore I must give you some rules of regimen.

1. Walk little and moderately. 2. Ride slow and often. 3. Keep your temper even with my friend Mrs. Whiteway. 4. Do not strain your voice. 5. Fret not at your servants blunders. 6. Take a cheerful glass. 7. Study as little as possible. 8. Find out a merry fellow, and be much with him.

Get these precepts by heart, and observe them strictly, and my life for yours we shall see better times in the next century. FROM