Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 13.djvu/424

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412
LETTERS TO AND FROM

much care as I keep my eyes, while I have them to look upon it.

My sister, who had the honour of waiting upon you in town, and brought me the ring very safe, is full of acknowledgments for your civilities to her, and returns you her most sincere thanks, with her humble service. Pray give mine most affectionately to miss Harrison. I am, dear madam, your most obliged and most humble servant,





SIR,
LONDON, JANUARY 2, 1738-9.


I AM called upon, by many provocations, to prefer a bill of indictment against you, and a female accomplice of yours[1]; for that by the use of means very uncommon, which were in your power only, you have turned the head of a well meaning country girl of plain sense, who had been very useful to me, and esteemed by her acquaintance. I have seen of late many symptoms of her disorder: it is true, that the fascination of your works had before operated strongly upon her; for scarce any opportunity occurred but she poured forth her admiration of the author, and can repeat without book all your poems better than her catechism; however, she could attend to domestick affairs, and give proper

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