IT SIR, TO DR. SHERIDAN. Dec. 14, 1719, 9 at night. Tis impoffible to know by your letter whether the wine is to be bottled to-morrow, or no. If it be, or be not, why did not you, in plain English, tell us fo? For my part, it was by mere chance I came to fit with the ladies this night :. And if they had not told me there was a letter from you; and your man Alexander had not gone, and come back from the deanry; and the boy here had not been fent to let Alexander know I was here; I fhould have miffed the letter out-right. Truly I don't know who's bound to be fending for corks to stop your bottles, with a vengeance. Make a page of your own age, and fend your man Alexander to buy corks; for Saunders already has gone above ten jaunts. Mrs. Dingley and Mrs. Johnson fay, truly they don't care for your wife's company, though they like your wine; but they had rather have it at their own house to drink in quiet. However, they own it is very civil in Mr. Sheridan to make the offer; and they cannot deny it. This is probably dated too early. + Mrs. Dingley and Mrs. Johnfon. I wish Alexander safe at St. Catharine's to-night, with all my heart and foul, upon my word and honour: But I think it base in you to fend a poor fellow out fo late at this time of year, when one would not turn out a dog that one valued; I appeal to your friend Mr. Connor I would prefent my humble fervice to my lady Mountcafhel; but truly I thought she would have made advances to have been acquainted with me, as the pretended. But now I can write no more, for you fee plainly my paper is ended. 1 P. S. I wish, when you prated, your letter you'd dated: My foul is much grated; for your man I long waited. I think you are fated, like a bear to be baited : I remember my late head; and with you tranflated, For leazing me. 2 P. S. Mrs Dingley defires me fingly Her service to present you; hopes that will content you; But Johnson madam is grown a fad dame, For want of converse, and cannot fend one verse. 3 P. S. You keep fuch a twattling with you and your bottling; But I fee the fum total, we fhall ne'er have a bottle; The The long and the short, we shall not have a quart. I wish you would fign 't, that we have a pint. For all your colloguing, I'd be glad of a knoggin : But I doubt 'tis a fham; you won't give us a dram.. "Tis of fhine a month moon-full, you won't part with a spoonfull, And I must be nimble, if I can fill my thimble. You fee I won't stop, till I come to a drop; But I doubt the oraculum is a poor fupernaculum; Though perhaps you tell it for a grace, if we fmell it. TO QUIL CA, STELLA A COUNTRY-HOUSE of Dr. SHERIDAN, LE In no very good Repair, 1725. ET me thy properties explain Sloth, Dirt, and Theft, around her wait. The name of an Irish fervant. The The BLESSINGS of a COUNTRY-LIFE. 1725 FAR from our debtors; no Dublin letters; The PLAGUES of a COUNTRY-LIFE. A companion with news; a great want of shoes; DR. SHERIDAN TO DR. SWIFT. I' 'D have you to know, as fure as you 're Dean, I hope, as I ride to the town, it won't rain; Entirely extinguish my poetic vein; And then I should be as ftupid as Kain, [twain. Who preach'd on three heads, though he mention'd but Now Wardel's in hafte, and begins to complain; Your most humble fervant, Dear Sir, I remain, Get Helfham, Walmsley, Delany, Take care you do not bid too many. T. S-N. * i. e. in Dublin, for they were country-clergy. DR. DR. SWIFT'S ANSWER. THE verfes Were, in every one's judgement, exceedingly fine; And I must confefs, as a dean and divine, I think you infpir'd by the Mufes all nine. I nicely examin'd them every line, And the worft of them all like a barn-door did fhine. You would really on Thurfday leave St. Catharine*, I wish you would tell me which way you incline. Your beef will on Thursday be falter than brine: The feat of lady Mountcafhel, near Dublin. VOL. I. A a And |