Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 13.djvu/332

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320
LETTERS TO AND FROM

state of your family. I know nothing of your lady or what children you have, or any other circumstances; neither do I find that Mr. Hatch can inform me in any one point. I very much approve of your keeping up your family house at Moor park. I have heard it is very much changed for the better, as well as the gardens. The tree on which I carved those words, factura nepotibus umbram, is one of those elms that stand in the hollow ground just before the house: but I suppose the letters are widened and grown shapeless by time.

I know nothing more of your brother, than that he has an Irish title (I should be sorry to see you with such a feather) and that some reason or other drew us into a correspondence, which was very rough. But I have forgot what was the quarrel.

This letter goes by my lord Castledurrow[1], who is a gentleman of very good sense and wit. I suspect, by taking his son[2] with him, that he designs to see us no more. I desire to present my most humble service to your lady[3] with hearty thanks of her remembrance of me.

I am, sir,

your most humble faithful servant,

  1. Nephew to Mr. Temple; his father having married Mary, the fourth daughter of sir John Temple.
  2. Henry, created viscount Ashbrook, Sept. 30, 1751.
  3. Mr. Temple was the nephew, and his lady the grandaughter, of sir William Temple, by his only son, who died young. Mr. Temple died at Moor park, in Feb. 1752.

TO