premium; and the perfon who buys the greatest quantity of yarn, is to have a premium of two guineas.

The third day, the farmer who produces the best yearling calf of his own breed, is to have two guineas premium; and, he that produces the faireft colt or filly, of his own breed likewise, not over two years old, fhall receive a premium of two guineas alfo. Thus the whole will not exceed ten pounds; and all these ufeful branches of our growth and manufacture will be encouraged, in remembring the patron, who with fo much care and tenderness recommended them to others, and cherished them himself.

I am, Dear SIR,

Your humble Servant,

J. B.

LETTERS

Some people through ignorance, and others from envy, having been fo far impofed on, as to report, and even publish, that the editor of Dean Swift's Works had not any acquaintance with the author; and particularly Dr. Hawkfworth, a gentleman of genius and merit, having been led alfo into this mistake by fome London Bookfeller; Mr. Faulkner finds himself obliged, in vindication of his character, to publifh fome of the dean's letters to him, to convince the world of the favourable opinion he had of him, and the friendship and

*

*That this conviction might extend to England as well as Ireland, we have printed most of thofe letters, omitting only two or three which contained nothing material in them. The reft we have retained,

as they are characteristic of the dean and others, and display that life and humour, which give an agreeable colour to all his connexions. English editors.

confidence

confidence he was pleased to honour him with. The originals of which, and many other letters, may be feen with him.

LETTER I.

To the EARL of OXFORD*.

My LORD,

Dublin, Feb. 16,1733.

TH

HE bearer, Mr. Faulkner, the prince of Dublin printers, will have the honour to deliver you this. He tells me, your lordship was fo gracious as to admit him into your prefence, and receive him with great condefcenfion, which encouraged him to hope for the fame favour again, by my mediation, which I could not refufe. Although, for his own profit, he is engaged in a work that very much discontents me, yet I would rather have it fall into his hands, than any others on this fide.

I am just recovered, in fome degree, of two cruel indifpofitions of giddiness and

*This nobleman, Edward Harley, was only fon to Robert, lord high trea

2

furer of Great Britain, who died May 21, 1724.

deafnefs,

I hope your lordship, and lady Oxford and lady Margaret +, continue in perfect health. I pray God preferve your all, for the good of your friends, and your country.

I am, with entire respect and esteem,

Your lordship's moft obedient,

And moft obliged fervant,

J. SWIFT.

LETTER II.

WITHOUT the leaft regard to your wager, I do affure you upon my word and reputation, that I am not author of one fingle line or fyllable

*Lady Henrietta Cavendifh Holles, only daughter and heir of his grace John Holles, duke of Newcastle, was married to his lordship VOL. XIII.

the 31ft of Otober, 1713.

This lady was married to William Bentinck, duke of Portland, July 11, 1734. D d

of

of that pamphlet, called, An infallible Scheme to pay the Debts of the Nation; and, as it is a very unjuft, so it is equally an imprudent and fallible proceeding, to pronounce determinately, on our taste and knowledge of ftyle or manner of writing, where very good judges are often deceived, and in this cafe, few men have suffered so much as myself, who have borne the reproach of many hundred printed papers which I never faw. I do likewise protest in the fame manner, that I did not write the epigram upon * Taylor, nor heard of it until Mr. Pilkington shewed it me in manufcript. Therefore, pray defire your wagerer from me, to be more cautious in determining on fuch matters, and not to venture the lofs of his money and credit with fo much odds against him.