Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 18.djvu/276

262 month in town, and have just got rid of it in a fortnight: and, when it is on me, I have neither spirits to write, or read, or think, or eat. But I drink as much as I like; which is a resource you cannot fly to when you are ill. And I like it as little as you: but I can bear a pint better than you can a spoonful. You were very kind in your care for Mr. Whaley Mr. Nathanael Whaley; who had a writ of errour depending in the house of lords, on a judgment which had been given in the court of king's bench in England, reversing a judgment of the court of king's bench in Ireland, in a cause wherein the archbishop of Armagh and Mr. Whaley were plaintiffs, and the king defendant. A doubt arising whether the writ was not abated, having been taken out in the lifetime of king George I, but not returnable till after that king's death; their lordships determined that it was abated, and therefore reversed the judgment, Feb. 26, 1728,9. — The following year, however, another writ of errour was in like manner brought, wherein his majesty king George II was made defendant; which was heard April 30, 1730, and determined likewise in favour of the archbishop and Mr. Whaley: very highly to dean Swift's satisfaction; who had applied to his friends on this occasion, as appears by the earl of Oxford's letter, March 4, 1729,30, printed in vol. XII, p. 336; who tells the dean, "I obeyed your commands, and did Mr. Whaley all the little service I was capable of: it was little enough that was in my power, God knows. He comes again before us soon after Easter: he seems to be in great hopes, I wish they may be well founded." In July following, his lordship writes, "I suppose master Whaley is by this time got safe to his living, and enjoying the fruit of his victory, peace and quietness. I believe he has enough of law, of lawyers, and of lords, both spiritual and temporal." See p. 267, of this vol. ; but, I hope, you remembered, that Daniel is a damnable poet, and consequently a publick enemy to