Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 13.djvu/278

266 petition of all the merchants, shopkeepers, &c. to a man. May his own estate be lowered the other forty parts, for we now lose by all gold two and a half per cent. He will be a better (that is to say a worse) man by 60,000l. than he was when he came over; and the nation; better (that is to say worse) by above half a million; beside the worthy method he hath taken in disposal of employments in church and state. Here is a cursed long libel running about in manuscript on the legion club; it is in verse, and the foolish town imputes it to me. There were not above thirteen abused (as it is said) in the original; but others have added more, which I never saw; though I have once read the true one, What has Fowlbrother done to provoke you? I either never heard, or have forgot your provocations; but he was a fellow I have never been able to endure. If it can be done, I will have it printed; and the title shall be, "Upon a certain bookseller (or printer) in Utopia." — Mrs. Whiteway will be here to morrow, and she will answer your sincere, open hearted letter very particularly; for which I will now leave room. So adieu for one night.

SIR, "I am most sincerely obliged to you for all the civil things yoouyou [sic] have said to me, and of me to the dean. I found the good effects of them this day; when I waited on him, he received me with great good humour, said something had happened since he saw me last, that had convinced him of Rh