LETTER 39.
LONDON, Jan. 12,1711-12.
When I sealed up my letter this morning, I looked upon myself to be not worth
a groat in the world. Last night, after Mr. Ford and I left Domville, Ford
desired me to go with him for a minute upon earnest business, and then told me
that both he and I were ruined; for he had trusted Stratford with five hundred
pounds for tickets for the lottery, and he had been with Stratford, who
confessed he had lost fifteen thousand pounds by Sir Stephen Evans,[1] who
broke last week; that he concluded Stratford must break too; that he could not
get his tickets, but Stratford made him several excuses, which seemed very
blind ones, etc. And Stratford had near four hundred pounds of mine, to buy
me five hundred pounds in the South Sea Company. I came home reflecting a
little; nothing concerned me but MD. I called all my philosophy and religion
up; and, I thank God, it did not keep me awake beyond my usual time above a
quarter of an hour. This morning I sent for Tooke, whom I had employed to buy
the stock of Stratford, and settle things with him. He told me I was secure;
for Stratford had transferred it to me in form in the South Sea House, and he
had accepted it for me, and all was done on stamped parchment. However, he
would be further informed; and at night sent me a note to confirm me.
However, I am not yet secure; and, besides, am in pain for Ford, whom I first
brought acquainted with Stratford. I dined in the City.
13. Domville and I dined with Ford to-day by appointment: the Lord Mansel
told me at Court to-day that I was engaged to him; but Stratford had promised
Ford to meet him and me to-night at Ford's lodgings. He did so; said he had
hopes to save himself in his affair with Evans. Ford asked him for his
tickets: he said he would send them tomorrow; but looking in his pocket-book,
said he believed he had some of them about him, and gave him as many as came
to two hundred pounds, which rejoiced us much; besides, he talked so frankly,
that we might think there is no danger. I asked him, Was there any more to be
settled between us in my affair? He said, No; and answered my questions just
as Tooke had got them from others; so I hope I am safe. This has been a
scurvy affair. I believe Stella would have half laughed at me, to see a
suspicious fellow like me overreached. I saw Prince Eugene to-day at Court:
I don't think him an ugly-faced fellow, but well enough, and a good shape.
14. The Parliament was to sit to-day, and met; but were adjourned by the
Queen's directions till Thursday. She designs to make some important speech
then. She pretended illness; but I believe they were not ready, and they
expect some opposition: and the Scotch lords are angry,[2] and must be
pacified. I was this morning to invite the Duke of Ormond to our Society on
Thursday, where he is then to be introduced. He has appointed me at twelve
to-morrow about some business: I would fain have his help to impeach a
certain lord; but I doubt we shall make nothing of it. I intended to have
dined with Lord Treasurer, but I was told he would be busy: so I dined with
Mrs. Van; and at night I sat with Lord Masham till one. Lord Treasurer was
there, and chid me for not dining with him: he was in very good humour. I
brought home two flasks of burgundy in my chair: I wish MD had them. You see
it is very late; so I'll go to bed, and bid MD good night.
15. This morning I presented my printer and bookseller to Lord Rivers, to be
stationers to the Ordnance; stationers, that's the word; I did not write it
plain at first. I believe it will be worth three hundred pounds a year between
them. This is the third employment I have got for them. Rivers told them the
Doctor commanded him, and he durst not refuse it. I would have dined with
Lord Treasurer to-day again, but Lord Mansel would not let me, and forced me
home with him. I was very deep with the Duke of Ormond to-day at the Cockpit,
where we met to be private; but I doubt I cannot do the mischief I intended.
My friend Penn came there, Will Penn the Quaker, at the head of his brethren,
to thank the Duke for his kindness to their people in Ireland. To see a dozen
scoundrels with their hats on, and the Duke complimenting with his off, was a
good sight enough. I sat this evening with Sir William Robinson,[3] who has
mighty often invited me to a bottle of wine: and it is past twelve.
16. This being fast-day, Dr. Freind and I went into the City to dine late,
like good fasters. My printer and bookseller want me to hook in another
employment for them in the Tower, because it was enjoyed before by a
stationer, although it be to serve the Ordnance with oil, tallow, etc., and is
worth four hundred pounds per annum more: I will try what I can do. They are
resolved to ask several other employments of the same nature to other offices;
and I will then grease fat sows, and see whether it be possible to satisfy
them. Why am not I a stationer? The Parliament sits to-morrow, and Walpole,
late Secretary at War, is to be swinged for bribery, and the Queen is to
communicate something of great importance to the two Houses, at least they say
so. But I must think of answering your letter in a day or two.
17. I went this morning to the Duke of Ormond about some business, and he
told me he could not dine with us today, being to dine with Prince Eugene.
Those of our Society of the House of Commons could not be with us, the House
sitting late on Walpole. I left them at nine, and they were not come. We
kept some dinner for them. I hope Walpole will be sent to the Tower, and
expelled the House; but this afternoon the members I spoke with in the Court
of Requests talked dubiously of it. It will be a leading card to maul the
Duke of Marlborough for the same crime, or at least to censure him. The
Queen's message was only to give them notice of the peace she is treating, and
to desire they will make some law to prevent libels against the Government; so
farewell to Grub Street.
18. I heard to-day that the commoners of our Society did not leave the
Parliament till eleven at night, then went to those I left, and stayed till
three in the morning. Walpole is expelled, and sent to the Tower. I was this
morning again with Lord Rivers, and have made him give the other employment to
my printer and bookseller; 'tis worth a great deal. I dined with my friend
Lewis privately, to talk over affairs. We want to have this Duke of Somerset
out, and he apprehends it will not be, but I hope better. They are going now
at last to change the Commissioners of the Customs; my friend Sir Matthew
Dudley will be out, and three more, and Prior will be in. I have made Ford
copy out a small pamphlet, and sent it to the press, that I might not be known
for author; 'tis A Letter to the October Club,[4] if ever you heard of such a
thing.--Methinks this letter goes on but slowly for almost a week: I want
some little conversation with MD, and to know what they are doing just now. I
am sick of politics. I have not dined with Lord Treasurer these three weeks:
he chides me, but I don't care: I don't.
19. I dined to-day with Lord Treasurer: this is his day of choice company,
where they sometimes admit me, but pretend to grumble. And to-day they met on
some extraordinary business; the Keeper, Steward, both Secretaries, Lord
Rivers, and Lord Anglesea: I left them at seven, and came away, and have been
writing to the Bishop of Clogher. I forgot to know where to direct to him
since Sir George St. George's death,[5] but I have directed to the same house:
you must tell me better, for the letter is sent by the bellman. Don't write
to me again till this is gone, I charge you, for I won't answer two letters
together. The Duke of Somerset is out, and was with his yellow liveries at
Parliament to-day. You know he had the same with the Queen, when he was
Master of the Horse: we hope the Duchess will follow, or that he will take
her away in spite. Lord Treasurer, I hope, has now saved his head. Has the
Dean received my letter? ask him at cards to-night.
20. There was a world of people to-day at Court to see Prince Eugene, but all
bit, for he did not come. I saw the Duchess of Somerset talking with the Duke
of Buckingham; she looked a little down, but was extremely courteous. The
Queen has the gout, but is not in much pain. Must I fill this line too?[6]
well then, so let it be. The Duke of Beaufort[7] has a mighty mind to come
into our Society; shall we let him? I spoke to the Duke of Ormond about it,
and he doubts a little whether to let him in or no. They say the Duke of
Somerset is advised by his friends to let his wife stay with the Queen; I am
sorry for it. I dined with the Secretary to-day, with mixed company; I don't
love it. Our Society does not meet till Friday, because Thursday will be a
busy day in the House of Commons, for then the Duke of Marlborough's bribery
is to be examined into about the pension paid him by those that furnished
bread to the army.
21. I have been five times with the Duke of Ormond about a perfect trifle,
and he forgets it: I used him like a dog this morning for it. I was asked
to-day by several in the Court of Requests whether it was true that the author
of the Examiner was taken up in an action of twenty thousand pounds by the
Duke of Marlborough?[8] I dined in the City, where my printer showed me a
pamphlet, called Advice to the October Club, which he said was sent him by an
unknown hand: I commended it mightily; he never suspected me; 'tis a twopenny
pamphlet. I came home and got timely to bed; but about eleven one of the
Secretary's servants came to me to let me know that Lord Treasurer would
immediately speak to me at Lord Masham's upon earnest business, and that, if I
was abed, I should rise and come. I did so: Lord Treasurer was above with
the Queen; and when he came down he laughed, and said it was not he that sent
for me: the business was of no great importance, only to give me a paper,
which might have been done to-morrow. I stayed with them till past one, and
then got to bed again. Pize[9] take their frolics. I thought to have
answered your letter.
22. Dr. Gastrell was to see me this morning: he is an eminent divine, one of
the canons of Christ Church, and one I love very well: he said he was glad to
find I was not with James Broad. I asked what he meant. "Why," says he,
"have you not seen the Grub Street paper, that says Dr. Swift was taken up as
author of the Examiner, on an action of twenty thousand pounds, and was now at
James Broad's?" who, I suppose, is some bailiff. I knew of this; but at the
Court of Requests twenty people told me they heard I had been taken up. Lord
Lansdowne observed to the Secretary and me that the Whigs spread three lies
yesterday; that about me; and another, that Maccartney, who was turned out
last summer,[10] is again restored to his places in the army; and the third,
that Jack Hill's commission for Lieutenant of the Tower is stopped, and that
Cadogan is to continue. Lansdowne thinks they have some design by these
reports; I cannot guess it. Did I tell you that Sacheverell has desired
mightily to come and see me? but I have put it off: he has heard that I have
spoken to the Secretary in behalf of a brother whom he maintains, and who
desires an employment.[11] T'other day at the Court of Requests Dr.
Yalden[12] saluted me by name: Sacheverell, who was just by, came up to me,
and made me many acknowledgment and compliments. Last night I desired Lord
Treasurer to do something for that brother of Sacheverell's: he said he never
knew he had a brother, but thanked me for telling him, and immediately put his
name in his table-book.[13] I will let Sacheverell know this, that he may
take his measures accordingly, but he shall be none of my acquaintance. I
dined to-day privately with the Secretary, left him at six, paid a visit or
two, and came home.
23. I dined again to-day with the Secretary, but could not despatch some
business I had with him, he has so much besides upon his hands at this
juncture, and preparing against the great business to-morrow, which we are top
full of. The Minister's design is that the Duke of Marlborough shall be
censured as gently as possible, provided his friends will not make head to
defend him, but if they do, it may end in some severer votes. A gentleman,
who was just now with him, tells me he is much cast down, and fallen away; but
he is positive, if he has but ten friends in the House, that they shall defend
him to the utmost, and endeavour to prevent the least censure upon him, which
I think cannot be, since the bribery is manifest. Sir Solomon Medina[14] paid
him six thousand pounds a year to have the employment of providing bread for
the army, and the Duke owns it in his letter to the Commissioners of Accounts.
I was to-night at Lord Masham's: Lord Dupplin took out my new little
pamphlet, and the Secretary read a great deal of it to Lord Treasurer: they
all commended it to the skies, and so did I, and they began a health to the
author. But I doubt Lord Treasurer suspected; for he said, "This is Mr.
Davenant's style," which is his cant when he suspects me.[15] But I carried
the matter very well. Lord Treasurer put the pamphlet in his pocket to read
at home. I'll answer your letter to-morrow.
24. The Secretary made me promise to dine with him today, after the
Parliament was up: I said I would come; but I dined at my usual time, knowing
the House would sit late on this great affair. I dined at a tavern with Mr.
Domville and another gentleman; I have not done so before these many months.
At ten this evening I went to the Secretary, but he was not come home: I sat
with his lady till twelve, then came away; and he just came as I was gone, and
he sent to my lodgings, but I would not go back; and so I know not how things
have passed, but hope all is well; and I will tell you to-morrow day. It is
late, etc.
25. The Secretary sent to me this morning to know whether we should dine
together. I went to him, and there I learned that the question went against
the Duke of Marlborough, by a majority of a hundred; so the Ministry is mighty
well satisfied, and the Duke will now be able to do no hurt. The Secretary
and I, and Lord Masham, etc., dined with Lieutenant-General Withers,[16] who
is just going to look after the army in Flanders: the Secretary and I left
them a little after seven, and I am come home, and will now answer your
letter, because this goes to-morrow: let me see--The box at Chester; oh, burn
that box, and hang that Sterne; I have desired one to inquire for it who went
toward Ireland last Monday, but I am in utter despair of it. No, I was not
splenetic; you see what plunges the Court has been at to set all right again.
And that Duchess is not out yet, and may one day cause more mischief.
Somerset shows all about a letter from the Queen, desiring him to let his wife
continue with her. Is not that rare! I find Dingley smelled a rat; because
the Whigs are UPISH; but if ever I hear that word again, I'll UPPISH you. I
am glad you got your rasp safe and sound; does Stella like her apron? Your
critics about guarantees of succession are puppies; that's an answer to the
objection. The answerers here made the same objection, but it is wholly
wrong. I am of your opinion that Lord Marlborough is used too hardly: I have
often scratched out passages from papers and pamphlets sent me, before they
were printed, because I thought them too severe. But he is certainly a vile
man, and has no sort of merit beside the military. The Examiners are good for
little: I would fain have hindered the severity of the two or three last, but
could not. I will either bring your papers over, or leave them with Tooke,
for whose honesty I will engage. And I think it is best not to venture them
with me at sea. Stella is a prophet, by foretelling so very positively that
all would be well. Duke of Ormond speak against peace? No, simpleton, he is
one of the staunchest we have for the Ministry. Neither trouble yourself
about the printer: he appeared the first day of the term, and is to appear
when summoned again; but nothing else will come of it. Lord Chief-Justice[17]
is cooled since this new settlement. No; I will not split my journals in
half; I will write but once a fortnight: but you may do as you will; which
is, read only half at once, and t'other half next week. So now your letter is
answered. (P--- on these blots.) What must I say more? I will set out in
March, if there be a fit of fine weather; unless the Ministry desire me to
stay till the end of the session, which may be a month longer; but I believe
they will not: for I suppose the peace will be made, and they will have no
further service for me. I must make my canal fine this summer, as fine as I
can. I am afraid I shall see great neglects among my quicksets. I hope the
cherry-trees on the river walk are fine things now. But no more of this.
26. I forgot to finish this letter this morning, and am come home so late I
must give it to the bellman; but I would have it go to-night, lest you should
think there is anything in the story of my being arrested in an action of
twenty thousand pounds by Lord Marlborough, which I hear is in Dyer's
Letter,[18] and, consequently, I suppose, gone to Ireland. Farewell, dearest
MD, etc. etc.
