Dublin Apr. 4th 1720.
I had your former Lettr with the inclosed from our Mississipi Friend,1 I can make no excuse for my not acknowledging it than my perpetuall ill Health. I should not scrupule going abroad to mend it, if it were not for a foolish importunate Ailment that quite disspirits me; I am hardly a Month free from a Deafness which continues anothr month on me, and dejects me so, that I can not bear the thoughts of stirring out, or suffering any one to see me, and this is the most mortal Impediment to all Thoughts of travelling, and I should dy with Spleen to be in such a Condition in strange Places; So that I must wait till I grow better, or sink under it if I am worse. You healthy People cannot judge of the sickly. Since I had yr last of Mar. 10th I have not been able to write; and three Days ago having invited severall Gentlemen to dinner, I was so attacked with a fitt of Giddyness for 5 Hours, that I was forced to constitute a Grattan to be my Deputy and do the Honors of the House while I lay miserable on my Bed. Your friendly Expostulations force me upon this old Woman’s Talk, but I can bring all my few Friends to witness that you have heard more of it, than ever I troubled them with. I cannot understand the South-Sea Mystery, perhaps the Frolick may go round, and every Nation (except this wch is no Nation) have it’s Missisippi. I believe my self not guilty of too much veneration for the Irish H— of Lds, but I differ from you in Politicks; the Question is whether People ought to be Slaves or no. It is like the Quarrell against Convocations; they meet but seldom, have no Power, and for want of those Advantages, cannot make any Figure when they are suffered to assemble.2 You fetter a Man seven years, then let him loose to shew his Skill in dancing, and because he does it awkwardly, you say he ought to be fetterd for Life. Scotland is poorer and more Northward than this Island, yet were satisfied with their own Legislature till they were united on their Conditions, wch though I think too good for them, yet they are proud enough to be ashamed of.3 I do assure you I never saw so universall a Discontent as there is among the highest most virulent and anti-church Whigs against that Bill and every Author or Abetter of it without Exception. They say publickly that having been the most loyall submissive complying Subjects that ever Prince had, no Subjects were ever so ill treated. They tell many aggravating Circumstances relating to the manner of rejecting their Addresses &c. I who am to the last degree ignorant, was some time at a Loss how the Commons at this Juncture when the H. of Lds are not very gracious with them, and at all times think not very well of their Jurisdiction, should agree to extend it. But it is easy to see why the Ministry presst it, and as easy to guess what methods a Ministry uses to succeed.4
I cannot help the usage which honest Mr Curl gives me. I watched for his Ears in the Queens time, and was I think once within an Inch of them.5 There is an honest humersom Gentleman here who amuses this Town sometimes with Trifles and some Knave or Fool transmitts them to Curl with a Hint that they are mine.6 There is one about Precedence of Doctors, we do not know who writt it; It is a very crude Piece, tho not quite so low as some others;7 This I hear is likewise a Present of Curl to me. I would go into any Scheam you please with Mr Congreve and Mr Pope and the rest, but cannot imagine a Remedy unless he be sent to Bridewell for Life.—You will present my humble service to My Ld Arran and Ld Harley and Ldy Harriette, and Friend L— and the rest.8—I can write no more for my Head, and so much the better for you.