but I resolve to turn you out by Christmas: in which time I shall either do my business, or find it not to be done. Pray be at Trim by the time this letter comes to you, and ride little Johnson, who must needs be now in good case. I have begun this letter unusually on the postnight, and have already written to the archbishop; and cannot lengthen this. Henceforth I will write something every day to MD, and make it a sort of journal: and when it is full, I will send it whether MD writes or not: and so that will be pretty: and I shall always be in conversation with MD, and MD with Presto. Pray make Parvisol[1] pay you the ten pounds immediately; so I ordered him. They tell me I am grown fatter, and look better; and, on Monday, Jervas is to retouch my picture. I thought I saw Jack Temple[2] and his wife pass by me to day in their coach; but I took no notice of them. I am glad I have wholly shaken off that family[3]. Tell the provost[4] I have obeyed his commands to the duke of Ormond; or let it alone, if you please. I saw Jemmy Leigh[5] just now at the coffeehouse, who asked after you with great kindness: he talks of going in a fortnight to Ireland. My
- ↑ The doctor's agent at Laracor.
- ↑ Nephew to sir William.
- ↑ This coldness between the Temple family and Dr. Swift has been variously accounted for, but never satisfactorily cleared up.
- ↑ Dr. Pratt, afterward dean of Downe.
- ↑ A gentleman of fortune in the county of Westmeath, in Ireland, whose name often occurs in these letters. He was well acquainted with Stella, and seems to have had a great esteem for her merit and accomplishments.
reader, it was thought more advisable to use the word Presto for Swift, which is borrowed from the duchess of Shrewsbury, who, whimsically called him Dr. Presto, which is the Italian for Swift.
