Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 18.djvu/365

Rh my power to do you any sort of favour or advantage. I have had a salmon from you of 26 lb. weight, another of 18 lb. and the last of 14 lb.; upon which my ill natured friends descant, that I am declining in your good will by the declining of weight in your salmon. They would have had your salmon double the weight: the second should have been of 52 lb. the third of 104, and the last of 208 lb. It seems this is the way of Dublin computors, who think you country gentlemen have nothing to do but to oblige us citizens, who are not bound to make you the least return, farther than, when you come hither, to meet you by chance in a coffeehouse; and ask you what tavern you dine in, and there pay your club. I intend to deal with you in the same manner; and if you come to town for three months, I will invite you once to dinner, for which I shall expect to stay a whole year with you; and you will be bound to thank me for honouring your house. You saw me ill enough when I had the honour to see you at the deanery. Mrs. Whiteway, my cousin, and the only cousin I own, remembers she was here in your company, and desires to present her humble service to you; and no wonder, for you sent me so much salmon, that I was forced to give her a part. Some ten days ago there came to see me one Mr. Lloyd a clergyman, who lives, as I remember, near Colrane. He had a commission from the people in and about that town which belongs to the London society. It seems that, three years ago, the society increased their rents from 300l. to 1200l. a year; since which time the town is declined, the tenants neglect their houses, and the country tenants are not able to live. I writ a letter by him to alderman Barber, because their