Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 18.djvu/358

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CAVAN, DEAR MADAM,

OUR account of the dean gives me much grief. I hope in God he will disappoint all his friends fears, and his enemies hopes. Nothing can be a greater affliction to me than my distance from him; and, what is full as bad, my being so near to one who has been the occasion of it. Very rich folks in my debt have made such apologies for nonpayment, that I now feel for Ireland, but much more for myself, because I was in hopes of being able to make my appearance in Dublin with a good grace namely, to pay some debts, which I can not.

My poor lady Mountcashell has a right to a visit from me; and thither I will venture for a day and a night and I will venture to the deanery for another. I could wish the best friend I had in the world (you may guess who I mean) and am sure is so still, would take a little of my advice You may depend upon this, it should be all for my own advantage.

Now I have done raving I must turn my pen, which is my tongue's representative, against you for a while, because I am certain it might be in your power to paint my Siberia so agreeably to the dean, as to send him hither while our good weather lasted  My new kitchen is disappointed; so is my gravel walk; but what is worse, his only favourite, my rib who