The Works of the Rev Jonathan Swift Author:Jonathan Swift Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: farther with you at night. I suppose in my next I shall answer a letter from MD that will be sent me. On Tuesday it will be four weeks since I had your last, No.... more » 26. This day se'nnight I expect one, for that will be something more than a full mouth. Farewell, MD. LETTER XLIL London, Fel. 23, 1711-12. After having disposed my last letter in the post-office, I am now to begin this, with telling MD that I dined with the secretary to-day, who is much out of order with a cold, and feverish ; yet he went to the cabinet council to-night at six, against my will. The secretary is much the greatest commoner in England, and turns the whole parliament, who can do nothing without him ; and if he lives, and has his health, will, I believe, be one day at the head of affairs. I have told him sometimes, " that if I were a dozen years younger, I would cultivate his favour, and trust my fortune wilh his." But what care you for all this ? I am sorry when I came first acquainted with this ministry, that I did not send you their names and characters, and then you would have relished what I would have writ, especially if I had let you into the particulars of affairs: but enough of this. Night, dearest rogues. 24. I went early this morning to the secretary, who is not yet well. Sir Thomas Hanmer and the chancellor of the exchequer came while I was there, and he would not let me stir ; so I did not go to church, but was busy with them till noon, about the affair I ,told you in my last. The other two went away ; and I dined with the secretary, and found my head very muchout of order, but no absolute fit; and I have not been veil all this day. It has shook me a little. I sometimes sit up very late at Lord Masham's, and have writ much for several days past: but I will amend both ; for I have now ...« less