FROM LORD BATHURST.
THAT I often think of you is most certain, but if I should write to you as often, you would think me extremely troublesome. I was alarmed some time ago with hearing that you were much indisposed; but if later accounts are to be depended upon, you are now in perfect health. I should be heartily glad to have that news confirmed to me by two lines under your hand: however, I write to you under that supposition, for which reason I have cut out a little business for you.
That very pretty epistle which you writ many years ago to lord Oxford, is printed very incorrectly. I have a copy (of which I send you a transcript) which has some very good lines in it, that are not in the printed copy; and besides, if you will compare it with the original, you will find that you left off without going through with the epistle. The fable of the country and city mouse is as prettily told as any thing of that kind ever was: possibly, if you look over your papers, you may find that you finished the whole; if not, I enjoin you, as a task, to go through with it: and I beg of you, do not suffer an imperfect copy to stand, while it is in your power to rectify it[1]. Adieu! do me the justice
- ↑ On the back of the original letter, Dr. Swift has observed, that upon receiving it, he added twenty lines to the poem. It is in imitation of the sixth satire of the second book of Horace, and it is printed with the additional lines, in Pope's works, vol. vi, Dr. Warburton's edition.
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