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 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924087979047 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
lilCIIARB BOYIE/FIRST EATRIL of COUK 
 LOMJD HIGH TRU^lSUItMM of IMELAXD Jirc. A'c. 
 
 oV 164,) ast 77 
 From the Original Picture at Cliatsworlh. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 EDITED BY THE COUNTESS 
 OF CORK AND ORRERY 
 
 IN TWO VOLUMES 
 
 VOL. I 
 
 ' Cetait jadis ' 
 
 LONDON 
 
 T>UCKfF01{rH ^NT> COMTANY 
 
 3 HENRIETTA STREET, W.C. 
 1903 
 
Edinburgh : Printed by T. and A. Constable 
 
CONTENTS TO VOL. I. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS, . . . ix 
 
 INTRODUCTORY REMARKS, 
 MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE, 
 
'\i-^aJAj^fi^ls.>^k£rAU.^/iSc 
 
 •v// ,./ '/,',■./.„;,/ /-"i;,;/ o/'(:,.;l- 
 
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS 
 
 The collection of Papers from which the contents of these 
 volumes have been selected was chiefly made by John, fifth 
 Earl of Orrery, ultimately fifth Earl also of Cork (the earlier 
 creation), although some of the documents in the first pages 
 must obviously have been compiled by his father, Charles, 
 fourth Earl of Orrery. 
 
 The public career and deeds of their common ancestor, 
 Richard Boyle, first Earl of Cork, are too well known to 
 history and fame to need either record or comment ; and even 
 in the course of his private life, perhaps the only notable fact 
 which remains to be mentioned is the incident of his meeting 
 with a delightful two-year-old baby (when himself quite a 
 young man), and being so attracted by her engaging little 
 ways and appearance, as to declare jestingly his intention of 
 marrying her when a woman grown. This haphazard predic- 
 tion was curiously fulfilled when, after the premature death 
 (in child-birth) of his first wife, he took to himself as number 
 two Miss Catherine Fenton, daughter of Sir Geofirey Fenton, 
 a knight of much influence and great consideration. It is 
 also somewhat noteworthy that, in both the marriages of this 
 eminent and admirable man. Wisdom was greatly justified of 
 her distinguished child, inasmuch as Miss Joan Apsley brought 
 him a by no means unneeded income of £ 500 per annum, and 
 his Countess Catherine a father-in-law who largely helped to 
 advance his fortunes. Notwithstanding the difference in their 
 respective ages, his second wife also predeceased him after, 
 
xii THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 and possibly by reason of, having borne him fifteen children ; 
 and the family monument, erected by himself in St. Patrick's 
 Cathedral, is well known to Dublin sight-seers, but is greatly 
 inferior to the one in his honour at Youghal. 
 
 Lord Broghill, the fifth (though third surviving) son of 
 Earl Richard, and eventually first Earl of Orrery (Roger), mar- 
 ried Lady Margaret Howard, daughter of Theophilus, Earl of 
 Suffolk, whose grace and beauty were celebrated by Suckling 
 in his once well-known poem of ' The Bride,' which is written 
 as the description by a rustic to his friend of a grand wedding 
 he had witnessed, and begins — 
 
 ' I '11 tell thee, Dick, where I have been.' 
 His admiration of the heroine, which runs through the whole, 
 is best expressed in two charming passages as follows : — 
 
 ' Her feet beneath her petticoat, 
 Like little mice, stole in and out. 
 
 And of her lips, the one was thin, 
 But as for that one next her chin. 
 Some bee had stung it newly.' 
 
 This fine and spirited composition is marred, like so many 
 productions of that age, by one touch of coarseness at the 
 end, which has excluded it from most of the modern popular 
 anthologies. As regards his heroine, it is only just to her 
 memory to add, that a contemporary writer strongly eulogises 
 her ' unaffected piety, love of her Lord, and sweetness of 
 * temper.' The public career of that Lord is again an integral 
 part of Irish history, and when civil wars had suspended their 
 devastation of his country, being created by Charles ii. both 
 Earl of Orrery and President of Munster, he strove in all 
 ways to promote the welfare of his Province. The villages of 
 Rathgogran and a smaller adjacent one, were by him concen- 
 trated together and formed into a borough, which he named 
 
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS xiii 
 
 the town of Charleville, after Charles ii., and close to which 
 he built an imposing stone mansion, known as Charleville 
 House. In this house he dispensed justice, held courts, and 
 gave general entertainments ; but some twenty years later, after 
 his death, the building, which is described by contemporary 
 chronicles as 'one of the finest in Ireland,' was ruthlessly 
 burnt to the ground by the Duke of Berwick (in command 
 of James ir.'s troops), who, after dining and sleeping there, 
 bestowed its furniture (probably in lieu of pay arrears) upon his 
 soldiers, and commanded its destruction. This Vandal-like act 
 was perhaps not altogether without provocation at a time when 
 the fierce struggle for Monarchy was based upon opposite re- 
 ligious creeds ; Earl Roger having proved throughout his career 
 a Protestant of somewhat aggressive staunchness, whereby he is 
 credited with the incident of having inscribed the gates of the 
 town of Bandon Bridge ^ with the following distich : — 
 
 ' Jew, Infidel, or Atheist 
 May enter here, but not a Papist.' 
 
 A spirited and quick-witted R. C. capped these lines, during 
 a dark night, by putting underneath them — 
 
 ' Who wrote these words composed them well, 
 The same are written on the Gates of Hell.' 
 
 Roger, the second Earl of Orrery, who succeeded his 
 bellicose father in 1679, is described as having been *of a 
 ' most refined temper, which early perceived the vanity' [possibly 
 also the insecurity] ' of too great application to State affairs.' 
 He led a retired life, and having married Lady Mary Sackville, 
 daughter of the Earl, and sister of the first Duke, of Dorset, 
 passed quietly out of the world three years after succeeding to 
 the title, leaving two sons. 
 
 1 Bestowed on him by his father. 
 
xiv THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 The elder of these two, Lionel, third Earl of Orrei 
 succeeded his father as a minor, and followed him to t 
 churchyard in nine years, leaving no issue to intervene betwe 
 him and his brother 
 
 Charles, fourth Earl of Orrery, who by both private ai 
 public report must have been a man of considerable mem 
 attainment as well as personal distinction. His career 
 Christ Church was exceptionally brilliant, although it involv 
 him in severe controversial differences with Dr. Bentley, t 
 King's ' library-keeper ' at St. James's. The origin of the 
 differences may be summed up by stating that Mr. Boy 
 (that being his existing status) was commanded by the Dean 
 his College, as the best Grecian therein, to put out a ne 
 edition of the Epistles of Phalaris. This order he obeyed 1 
 ' putting out a fine edition of Phalaris, which he dedicated 
 ' the Dean, and translated into Latin.' A slight personal frictic 
 that already existed between him and the Librarian, was great 
 accentuated by sundry reflections in the work, which rous( 
 fierce ire in Dr. Bentley. Mutually hostile passages ensue 
 and long and furiously waged ' the Battle of the Books.' 
 we may judge by the papers that remain to us — all natural 
 on one side — Mr. Boyle triumphed completely. Sir Willia 
 Temple ranked among his supporters, and even at the rival Un 
 versity of Cambridge caricatures were circulated of the Doct( 
 being inserted into the Bull of Phalaris, with a label in h 
 mouth to the effect that he ' had rather be roasted than Boykc 
 On leaving Oxford, Charles Boyle entered Parliament ; 
 Member for Huntingdon, when it is chronicled that ' r 
 ' young Gentleman ever came into the House of Commons wil 
 ' a greater reputation for wit and learning.' The Senate ha 
 not, however, much scope for profiting by his talents, ina 
 much as his clever, but somewhat flippant, maiden speec 
 
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS xv 
 
 there (being perhaps the climax of some previous irritating 
 hustings episodes), at once involved him in a duel with his 
 late opponent, Mr. Wortley, and resulted in his being laid up 
 for some months, soon after which the death of his elder 
 brother brought to him the Irish Earldom. From that epoch 
 his existence became, to say the least, a varied and highly 
 occupied one : whether serving in military fields, under the 
 Duke of Marlborough, or shining in diplomatic functions as 
 Envoy to the States of Brabant and Flanders for Queen Anne, 
 or further, on being appointed Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset 
 and Lord of the Bedchamber to George i., his time can 
 scarcely have weighed in stagnation on his hands. But his star 
 of prosperity did not continue for ever in the ascendant. His 
 tongue, which appears to have been as sharp as his sword, had 
 the reverse effect of the latter appendage, in creating instead 
 of destroying enemies ; while his determined hostility to 
 Sir Robert Walpole and that minister's supporters gave 
 opportunity to the ill-wishers. Their malignity at last found 
 vent in procuring his imprisonment on an absolutely baseless 
 charge of conspiracy, carrying with it an imaginary suspicion 
 of high treason, and he was, with circumstances and treat- 
 ment of much indignity, committed for several months to the 
 Tower. Throughout these vicissitudes his spirit never quailed, 
 his name suffered no tarnish, and it is expressly stated that 
 'in both public and private life his Lordship behaved with 
 ' strict honour and exemplary integrity.' He received from 
 Queen Anne both an English Barony and the— for an Irishman 
 almost unique — honour of the Order of the Thistle, and 
 retained to the last his reputation for literary and scientific 
 learning, a compliment to which acquirements was emphasised, 
 by the dedication to him (at Richard Steele's suggestion), of 
 that ingenious astronomical Instrument, invented by Graham, 
 
xvi THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 and thenceforward known as the Orrery.^ Earl Charles's wife, 
 Lady Elizabeth Cecil (of the House of Exeter), appears in 
 Lely's portrait to have been of singular beauty, but almost 
 equal delicacy ; and died early in their married life, after 
 presenting him with an only son. Her husband never sought 
 remarriage, and his attentions to the other sex are said from 
 that time to have been promiscuous rather than correct. 
 His health was not a little shaken by the hardships of his 
 imprisoned life, and even when the indignation of many 
 friends had brought about the release, his constitution remained 
 impaired, till a brief illness ended his earthly days in 1737. 
 In the public interests of Scholarship it is perhaps hardly to be 
 regretted, that in the latter years of his life, during a period of 
 brief, but undoubtedly acute, estrangement from his son, Charles 
 committed an act of private injustice in alienating from that son 
 by will, for the benefit of his former College at Oxford, where 
 it is still preserved, his carefully selected and valuable library. 
 It is fair to add that at the last he keenly regretted this act, 
 having become reconciled in strong affection to its victim ; but 
 the contemplated rectification of the deed was hindered by the 
 rapid phases of his final illness, though one is glad to learn, 
 from the evidence on both sides, that the original cause of the 
 breach, such as it was, proceeded from the conduct, not of 
 John, Lord Boyle, but of the Earl of Orkney, his father-in-law. 
 The character of the fifth Earl of Orrery seems, so far as 
 one may judge from the written evidence now remaining of 
 himself and others, to have been of a more complex, and in 
 many respects less firmly woven, texture. The early loss of a 
 mother, and the inevitable separation, during his years of 
 childhood, from an incessantly occupied father, are doubtless 
 
 1 The original Instrument is to be found in a College at Oxford. No. 2 is in 
 the possession of the present Earl of Cork and Orrery ; and a magnificent replica was 
 carried by Lord Macartney in mission to the Emperor of China. 
 
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS xvii 
 
 accountable for some of its inequalities, although he inherited 
 paternally the strong literary tastes to which he had a right. 
 Both father and son, too, despite the youthful classical suc- 
 cesses of the former, belonged rather to the class of Litterateurs 
 than that of Authors, being diligent and studious, and what 
 in those days were termed ' elegant scholars.' These tastes 
 were fostered in John by his first tutor, Mr, Fenton — 
 the collaborator of Pope in the Odyssey (declared by sundry 
 backbiters to be responsible for all the best parts of that epic) 
 — ^for whom he preserved great friendship and esteem until a 
 course of over-indulgence in food, liquor, and bodily inactivity 
 rather prematurely ended poor Fenton 's life. From his hands 
 John passed creditably into Oxford to spend, as he later 
 averred, two of the happiest years he had ever known, and to 
 achieve probably some distinction, but for the fact of his 
 being suddenly taken away, while under nineteen, to accompany 
 his father abroad. The exact reason of this change is not 
 given, but one may surmise the absence from England to have 
 been, at that juncture, politically expedient (if not necessary) 
 for Earl Charles. The details of John's two marriages and 
 domestic history are sufficiently revealed by his correspondence, 
 which also throws side-lights on some of his mental traits — 
 his devotion to Homer, Virgil, Horace, and other Ancients, 
 was deep, and conspicuous for the times wherein he lived. The 
 copious translations which it induced him to attempt, were 
 probably more esteemed, and more deserving of esteem, at 
 that period than they would be in ours, but are careful and 
 conscientious in details. Some slight articles or essays in 
 occasional journalistic productions (two or three of which are 
 placed in the Appendix to these Papers) show a facile and often 
 humorous pen, and though in most of his poetic attempts 
 there is scant originality, he occasionally turned off a graceful 
 
 b 
 
xviii THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 little piece, foremost among which the epitaph to his first wife, 
 Lady Harriet Hamilton,^ must count. His large and varied 
 correspondence shows him as the intimate, and often affec- 
 tionate, friend of most of the literary celebrities of the day — 
 Pope, Swift, the aged (but always delightful) Tom Southerne ; 
 Dr. King, of Oxford celebrity ; Dr. Barry, of Dublin fame ; 
 Dr. Mead, a physician of repute ; Faulkner, the noted Dublin 
 bookseller ; Lord Roscommon, a minor but popular versifier, 
 and several more, occupied most of his time and thoughts. 
 His political guiding star was Lord Bolingbroke, and if less 
 traces remain of written intercourse with both him and Lord 
 Chesterfield, the reason is probably that the retention of such 
 circumstantial evidence of their opinions was considered more or 
 less dangerous. A characteristic likeness of Lord Chesterfield 
 holding in one hand a book lettered ' Orrery's Pliny,' and 
 obviously painted for presentation to him, is in good preserva- 
 tion at Marston, and its shrewd eyes, sharpened features, and 
 sarcastic mouth, all give the expression one would expect of its 
 original. Lord Orrery's three most important prose works, 
 the translation of Pliny's Letters, the Life of Swift, and the 
 Letters from Italy (dedicated to his three sons in succession), 
 had their season of success (the two former especially), but 
 that season is not of our day. Of his numerous and highly 
 varied correspondence, two impartial criticisms are inevitable, 
 viz., the unconscious exhibition therein of abnormal vanity and 
 self-esteem, and the less unconscious tendency to exaggerate 
 the vitiated style of the period, not only in a profuseness 
 of compliment that largely discounts sincerity, but, far less 
 excusably, in a constantly recurring vein of coarse indelicacy, 
 which seriously complicates the difficulties of editing his 
 
 1 Daughter of the Earl of Orkney and his wife, known as the mistress of 
 William in. Lord Orkney held the lucrative appointment of Governor of Virginia, 
 which he never visited, ruling it by deputy, but retaining most of the pay. 
 
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS xix 
 
 writings, many of the salient passages being tainted to a degree 
 that makes reproduction impossible. With infinitely better 
 judgment, however, as to the works of others, John, while 
 deeply grieved by the alienation of his father's library, 
 replaced this loss, in due course of years, by the formation of 
 an excellent one of his own, which is still in existence, and in 
 which the theological or classical scholar, the poet, the meta- 
 physical student, — in short, all of thought and culture (within 
 limits of date), may in various languages find interest and 
 charm, for ily en a ■pour tous les goUts. 
 
 Like his father, John did not attain old age, and his days fell 
 even short of the paternal mark, thereby more or less justifying 
 his frequent complaints of unsatisfactory health. In a brief 
 interval after his death, his titles and property finally accrued 
 to a not very worthy successor in Edmund, seventh Earl, third 
 son of his father, but sole one by the second wife, Margaret 
 Hamilton. In the dissipation and extravagance of this family 
 representative, all the maternal inheritance in the North of 
 Ireland was gradually absorbed, and the Caledon estates, having 
 passed irretrievably away, now give its title to the house of 
 Alexander. Further details of his domestic conduct do not con- 
 cern this brief account, beyond a passing notice of his second wife, 
 the Hon. Mary Monckton, who long survived him as Dowager- 
 Countess, and in whose small but well-known house most of 
 the distinguished literary and other stars of London society 
 were for years accustomed to meet. To the entailed property 
 alone, which defied his unrighteous grasp, Edmund left an heir, 
 on quitting, towards the close of the eighteenth century, a life 
 wherein he had shed no additional lustre on a name, until then 
 so fairly borne by his predecessors, to the fulfilment of their 
 second motto. Honor Virtutis Pramium, that unto this might 
 almost have been appended a third — Clarus si nan Praclarus. 
 
 E. C. CORK AND ORRERY. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 COPY OF THE INSTRUMENT SIGNED BY OLIVER 
 CROMWELL WHEN HE WAS MADE LORD PRO- 
 TECTOR. 
 
 Whereas the Major Part of the last Parliament, judging 
 that their sitting any longer, as then constituted, would not 
 be for the Good of this Common- Wealth, did dissolve the 
 same ; And by a Writing under their Hands, dated the 
 twelfth Day of December, resigned unto Me their Powers and 
 Authorities : And whereas it was necessary thereupon that 
 some speedy Course should be taken, for the settlement of 
 these Nations upon such a Basis and Foundation, as, by the 
 Blessing of God, might be lasting, secure Property, and answer 
 those great Ends of Religion and Liberty so long contended 
 for. And upon full and mature Consideration had of the 
 Form of Government hereunto annexed, being satisfied that 
 the Same through Divine Assistance may answer the Ends 
 aforementioned : And having also been desired and advised, 
 as well by several Persons of Interest and Fidelity in this 
 Common- Wealth, as the Officers of the Army, to take upon 
 me the Protection and Government of these Nations, I have 
 accepted thereof, and do hereby declare my Acceptance 
 accordingly ; And do promise in the Presence of God, that I 
 will not violate, or infringe, the Matters and Things contained 
 therein ; but to my Power observe the Same, and cause them 
 
 VOL. I. A 
 
2 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 to be observed : And shall in all other Things to the best of 
 my Understanding, govern these Nations according to the 
 Laws, Statutes, and Customs, seeking their Peace, and causing 
 Justice and Law to be equally administered. 
 
 OLIVER CROMWELL. 
 
 Oliver Cromwell Captain General of all the Forces of this 
 
 Nation, did this sixteenth Day of December 1653 Sign this 
 
 writing and solemnly promise, as is therein contained, in 
 
 Presence of the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal of 
 
 England, who administered the same Oath, and of the Lord 
 
 Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London, diverse of the 
 
 Judges of the Land the Officers of State and Army and many 
 
 other Persons of Quality. 
 
 NIC: KEBLE, C.S. 
 
 JOHN LISLE, C.S. 
 
 A COPY OF A LETTER FROM JAMES, DUKE OF 
 MONMOUTH, TO THE DUKE OF ALBEMARLE. 
 
 To our trusty and wellbeloved Cousin and Counsellor Christopher Duke of 
 Albemarle. 
 
 My Lord, — Whereas we are credibly informed, that there 
 are some Horse and Foot, in Arms under Your command 
 for James Duke of York, which are purposely raised in 
 opposition to Us and Our Royal Authority, We have thought 
 fit to signifie to you Our Resentments thereof; and do 
 promise our self that what you have transacted therein is 
 through Inadvertency and Mistake ; and that your Grace will 
 take other Measures, when you have received Information of 
 our being proclaimed King, to succeed our Royal Father lately 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 3 
 
 deceased : We therefore have sent this Messenger on purpose 
 to intimate the same to you. And it is our Royal "Will and 
 Pleasure, and we do hereby strictly charge and command you 
 upon Notice and Receipt hereof to cease all Hostility and Force 
 of Arms against Us, and all our loving Subjects ; and that your 
 Grace would immediately repair to our Camp, where you shall 
 not fail of a very kind and hearty Reception by Us. And in 
 default of the Premises, We shall be obliged to proclaim You, 
 and all those under your Command, Rebels and Traytors, and 
 shall proceed against both them and You accordingly : yet We 
 assure Our Self your Grace will pay a ready Obedience to our 
 Commands, therefore We bid You heartily farewell. 
 
 JAMES REX. 
 
 THE DUKE OF ALBEMARLE'S ANSWER BY THE 
 SAME TRUMPET. 
 
 For fames Scott lately Duke of Monmouth. 
 
 I RECEIVED your Letter, and do not doubt but you would 
 receive me very kindly if you had me. And since that you 
 have given Yourself the Trouble of an Invitation; This is to 
 let you know that I never was, nor will be, a Rebel to my 
 lawful King, who is James 11. Brother to my late dear Master 
 King Charles the Second. If you think I am in the Wrong, 
 and Yourself in the Right, whenever we meet, I do not doubt 
 but the Justness of my Cause shall sufficiently convince you 
 that you had better have let this Rebellion alone, and not to 
 have put the Nation to so much trouble. 
 
 ALBEMARLE. 
 
4 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 COPY OF AN ORIGINAL LETTER OF KING JAMES IL 
 
 FROM FeVERSHAM IK KeNT, ON HIS BEING SEIZED BY THE 
 
 Rabble there ; delivered to the Lords in Council. 
 The Earl of Mulgrave, President of the Council. 
 
 Dec. \zth, 1688. 
 
 I had the Misfortune to be stopt at Shellness, and brought 
 in here this Day by a Rabble of Seamen, Fishermen and 
 Others, who still detain me here, tho' they know me. Lord 
 Winchilsea came to me here, but too late, that if those who 
 detain would have let me go to Canterbury I could not have 
 stirr'd. I must see if that Lord can persuade them to 
 permit it To-morrow. However speak to some of my most 
 necessary Servants to come to me, and bring with them some 
 Linnen and Cloaths. And if Frasier be in the Way, let him 
 be one ; direct them to come by Sittinburn, and so to this 
 Place or to Canterbury, if I be not here. I know not if this 
 Letter will get to you safe, and so say no more. Let James 
 Graham know I shall want some Money. If he could come 
 and bring some himself or send some, it would be but 
 necessary those who seized me having taken all the Little I 
 had about me when they layed Hands upon me. 
 
 J. R. 
 
 Dec. 13. 
 
 This letter should have gone last Night, but the Person 
 who was to carry it was frighted, so that he durst not stir out 
 of this Town, being stopped and frighted by the Rabble. I 
 hope he that conveys now will get through to You, though 
 the whole country are up and have plundered most of the 
 Catholick's Houses. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 5 
 
 COPY OF AN ORIGINAL LETTER FROM THE 
 DUTCHESS! OF POWIS TO THE DUTCHESS OF 
 BEAUFORT. 
 
 Concerning the Prince of Wales, Son of King James ii. 
 
 St. James', June 25, i6g8. 
 Dear Sister, — I am extreamly glad, that at the same Time 
 that I return Thanks for Yours of the 1 8 th Instant, and the 
 Account you therein give of the Manner you use in the 
 breeding your dear Children, I can assure you that the Prince 
 is very well, for any Thing I can discern, a very likely thriving 
 ChUd. I told the King of your Letter and I read it to the 
 Queen ; both command me to give you Thanks, and seemed 
 very sensible of your Care and Concern in it, but still We 
 dare not give it a Drop of Food, but by the Doctor's Orders, 
 and what it has had hitherto, has been only plain Water-Gruel, 
 without any Bread or Spice ; and his Drink, Water boyled 
 and poured upon a plain Wheaten Toast, and so let stand 
 tUl it be cold ; and twice a Day we give him the same kind 
 of Water poured upon a very small Proportion of Anniseds. 
 One Day I had Leave to give him a Water Pap, with a Spoon 
 of Sack in a whole Porringer of Pap, but the Day following 
 that was forbid. We shaU see what Liberty they will allow 
 me this Day, when they meet. But he is so strong a healthy 
 
 ! Daughter of the Marquis of Worcester, and at the time of writing the above 
 letter Marchioness of Powis, her husband's Dukedom having been one of James ii.'s 
 creations when in exile at St. Germains, and never recognised in England. The 
 Marquisate was eventually forfeited by attainder, but later restored to their son. 
 The infant Prince in question was the sixth son of King James (the second only 
 by Queen Mary), and the only one who survived to Manhood, which if his baby 
 Predecessors were all dieted in like curious fashion is perhaps not surprising. He 
 was ultimately known as the Chevalier St. George, father of Charles Edward the 
 Young Pretender. 
 
6 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 Child, that I durst forfeit my own Life, if I did not deliver 
 him a lusty Boy to the King and Queen this Time Twelve- 
 month, with God's Assistance, if either you or I had the 
 ordering his Food ; and I hope however he will go thro' all 
 Things, for I cannot discern any Thing to ail him but Wind, 
 which at the first beginning always struggles with his Meat, 
 but he Over comes it, and after two or three Spoonful takes 
 the rest very heartily. We are to carry it to Richmond the 
 26th of July if their Majesties Minds do not alter. The 
 Surveyor went yesterday to secure the House from falling 
 upon our Heads. I do not hear that the Queen has any 
 Thought of going to the Bath this next Season, but I fancy 
 Queen Dowager will. This is the first Time I have been 
 able to write a Letter since the Prince was born, for I live 
 in his Chamber ; to supply by Care what I want in skill. But 
 wherever I am, you may freely command me, and be assured 
 of all the Service which is in the Power of. Dear Sister, your 
 most humble Servant and affectionate Sister, 
 
 ELIZA. POWIS. 
 
 AN ACCOUNT OF A LETTER WROTE BY THE 
 BISHOP OF BATH AND WELLS (Dr. Thos. Ken) 
 TO HIS ROYAL MISTRESS. 
 
 The Bishop of Bath and Wells having AflFairs of his own, 
 which drew him to London for a few Days, and coming 
 thither on the 22nd of April 1692, he soon perceived that 
 the whole Town and People of all Persuasions were full of 
 Belief that King James would make a very sudden, and a 
 very powerful Descent into England, and he found' that the 
 Dutch Prints which are not wont to publish any Lye tend- 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 7 
 
 ing to their Disadvantage, spake the same Thing. This made 
 him apprehensive that if King James should land with any 
 Appearance of Success, there might then happen as great a 
 Desertion to him, as there was from him, which seemed very 
 probable to more than himself, from those Symptoms of 
 Repentance which were observable in all considering Persons 
 and the ready disposition they were in of returning to their 
 Allegiance : — that if such a Desertion should happen, he was 
 thoro'ly persuaded that his Royal Mistress would find herself 
 on a sudden surprised into a Confluence of Distresses, as great 
 as ever her afflicted Father felt, or rather greater in regard 
 her Fall would probably be the more unpitied and unretriev- 
 able of the two, and the World would conclude that God, 
 who permitted the first Desertion for a medicinal Chastise- 
 ment of the Royal Father, decreed the second for a Judicial 
 Chastisement of the Royal Daughter. 
 
 The Bishop being truly sensible of all this, having a 
 sincere zeal for the Safety and Piety of his Mistress, fearing 
 she might want a free and a faithful Remembrancer, and 
 having had no Encouragement to wait on her himself, wrote 
 a Letter to One, who had been his Fellow-Servant in Holland, 
 who is now in the same Station at White-Hall and who was 
 the only Person he thought he coxold prevail on to communi- 
 cate what he wrote to his Mistress. And he entreated that 
 Person to lay his humble Duty at her Royal Feet, and to let 
 her know : — that the Bishop did verily believe she would find 
 at long Run, that those very Persons who pretended the most 
 real Concern for her Service, would at the first Appearance of 
 Danger wholly forsake her. That he dreaded to think there 
 should be any Probability of his living to see his Mistress 
 calamitous ; — That he earnestly besought God to be propitious 
 to her, to direct her the right way and to guard her from 
 
8 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 evil Counsellours, from unchristian Casuists, from all unnatural 
 Opposition to her most tender and Royal Father, whenever he 
 returned to assert his Right, and from the Guilt of all that 
 Bloodshed which would be the unavoidable Consequence of 
 such an Opposition, and which would loudly cry to Heaven 
 for Vengeance. That he did with a bleeding Heart deplore 
 the Condition in which he apprehended his Mistress to be, 
 and humbly begged of God to open her Eyes, that she might 
 see in this her Day (a Day which he feared was' short and 
 would soon be irrevocable) the Things that belong to her 
 Peace lest they shovdd be hid from her Eyes — That if he had 
 a regular Call to preach at Court, this Passage of the Prophet 
 Jeremy should be the Subject he should very passionately 
 recommend to Consideration, * Say unto the King and to the 
 Queen humble yourselves, sit down, for your Principalities 
 shall come down, even the Crown of your Glory.' The 
 Bishop having received no Answer, and leaving the Town 
 the next Day, and fearing that his Correspondent might 
 think it the safest Way to conceal what he wrote, and being 
 resolved whatever Danger he ran himself, to suggest those 
 plain Truths to his Royal Mistress, which seemed to him 
 highly necessary and very seasonable also, especially consider- 
 ing that Her Highness had at present the sole Administration 
 of the Government in her Hands, and was preparing to make 
 War against her Father, he wrote a letter out of the Country 
 to his Royal Mistress herself, enclos'd in a Cover to the 
 Person before mention 'd, which he is satisfied was delivered, 
 and in the Cover which he imagined his Mistress would see, 
 the Bishop did affirm that he had done Nothing in all this, 
 but what he thought most agreeable to his Character as a 
 Bishop, and in his former Relation to his Mistress as a Ser- 
 vant, and which on that account seem'd to be a Duty, more 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 9 
 
 particularly incumbent on Him than on any other, and which 
 might be more justly expected from him. He professed that 
 if he was persecuted for doing his Duty, it was also his Duty 
 to rejoice and glory in such Persecution. He besought God 
 to bless what he wrote, and to glorify himself in the weakness 
 of the Instrument. 
 
 THE BISHOP'S LETTER TO HIS ROYAL MISTRESS. 
 All Glory be to God. 
 
 Madam, — I wrote a letter very lately to Mrs. Jessell 
 which I desired her to lay before Your Royal Highness, but 
 fearing that her Heart might have fail'd her, and having had 
 no Opportunity ofFer'd me of waiting on you, and being in- 
 expressibly zealous and solicitous for your Good I presume to 
 write to You myself. 
 
 I do not give You the Title of Majesty, not daring to do 
 it, because I think it justly belongs to none but to Your Royal 
 Father and to his Queen. And my Encouragement to make 
 this Address to you, is the Persuasion which possesses me, 
 that You have of late acted from an Intention which is rather 
 misguided than willfully evil, and the entire Confidence I have 
 in your Wisdom, and the Goodness of your Nature, which 
 will be better pleased with Sincerity than with Flattery. 
 
 I am willing to believe that Your Royal Highness thinks 
 me at least an honest Man. And you cannot but be sensible, 
 that I having never had any personal Obligation to King 
 James, and having had the Honour to have been your Ser- 
 vant, and to have received particular Marks of your Favour 
 (of which I shall always retain a most grateful Remembrance) 
 my worldly Interest, and my own natural Inclinations for the 
 
lo THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 Service of so gracious a Mistress, whose Happiness temporal 
 as well as eternal I always most passionately desired, would 
 from the Beginning have very readily determined me to have 
 followed all your Measures. But my Conscience would not 
 permit me to comply then, and it will as little permit me to 
 be silent now. 
 
 I thank God I had rather suffer your utmost Severity than 
 be disregardful of your Wellfare at such a Time as this, when 
 the probable Apprehensions of Danger may, by God's Grace, 
 soften you into that relenting, and awaken those serious Reflec- 
 tions, which Success and Prosperity, even in devout Persons, 
 are too apt to stifle and to lay asleep, and I may reasonably 
 hope that you will hearken to a Word spoken in due Season. 
 
 Madam, I most humbly, most importunately, beg of You 
 to consider, that the Duty You owe to an Husband, to a Father 
 and to a Brother, are not at all inconsistent ; that the Duty 
 You owe to God is superiour to them all ; that no one 
 Command of God is to be violated to gratify either ; that such 
 a Violation is a publick Scandal to our Christianity ; that no 
 Evil is to be done to promote our most holy Religion, that 
 there can be no Repentance without Restitution ; that if King 
 James sets up his Standard in his Kingdom, the Arguments, 
 now urg'd against him, will then turn for him, and be generally 
 urg'd on his Side ; that You yourself will tremble at the 
 Thoughts of drawing the Sword against Your own Royal 
 Father and against God's anointed — and if You should not 
 tremble, the Nation will tremble to follow You. 
 
 For my own Part, I wish my Head Waters, and my Eyes 
 Fountains of Tears, to bewail the Sins of the late Revolution, 
 and I will gladly sacrifice my Life to heal those Wounds, 
 which You yourself have given to your own Conscience, and 
 which at one Time or other will fall a bleeding. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS ii 
 
 God out of the multitude of his most tender mercies give 
 You Grace to weep much, to love much, and to be much 
 belov'd by God. — Madam, Your Royal Highness's Most 
 Humble, faithful and affectionate Servant and Intercessour at 
 the Throne of Grace, 
 
 THOMAS BATH and WELLS. 
 
 April zq, 1692. 
 
 The Bishop besides his Episcopal Subscription, seal'd the 
 Letter with his Episcopal Seal, notwithstanding his pretended 
 Deprivation, and thus superscrib'd it : 
 To my Royal Mistress 
 
 Most humbly 
 
 Presents. 
 
 The Bishop when he wrote this Letter, foresaw that he 
 might be caU'd in Question for the Freedom he had taken, 
 and that the Revolutional Judges, according to the late Con- 
 ventional Edicts, would pronounce it at least an High Mis- 
 demeanour, or would presume it to be Treason ; and that such 
 a Presumption might be judg'd sufficient to condemn him. 
 This made him presently lodge a Copy of what he had written 
 in a Friend's Hand, that if he himself should be seiz'd on, his 
 Friend, if it was advisable, might publish it for his Justification 
 before the World, which the Bishop doubted not but that he 
 had before God. To whom be all Honour and Glory, for 
 Ever and Ever, — Amen. 
 
 COPY OF A LETTER FROM THE EARL OF MIDDLE- 
 TON WITH HIS Reasons for turning Roman Catholic 
 
 AND retiring FROM CoURT. 
 
 You know that my Desire of retiring from any sort of 
 Busyness has been of old Date, but the Execution of it was 
 
12 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 still deferred by Difficulties, which I could not then weH get 
 over, but now are ceased. For had I humour'd myself it 
 might have given Occasion to People in England to have said 
 [altho' unjustly] that no Protestant could live at St. Germains, 
 which would have been the greatest Disservice imaginable to 
 my Master, and have given a fair Occasion to my Enemies, to 
 have fix'd a Reproach upon me which I never deserved. 
 When I came to St. Germains I declined taking any particular 
 Employment ; but when the late King told me that it was his 
 Pleasure that I should act in the Place I had, which He had 
 never disposed of, I accepted of the Seal, on Condition that I 
 might resign it as soon as I had the Happiness of seeing him 
 at Home ; for which I gave these three Reasons : I. That it 
 ought to be given to a Man of great Parts, well known and 
 well esteemed in the Nation ; II. That it ought to be given to 
 a natural-born English-Man, for Such were presumed to be 
 best acquainted with their Constitution, and to have the 
 greatest affection for it ; III. That it ought to have a great 
 Stake in the Nation, which is considered the greatest Security 
 that can be given for his Behaviour. All which were full 
 against myself. And as to the Truth of this I appeal to the 
 Queen. Those who hate the Catholick Religion, do not for 
 that Reason hate those who were bred in it. And the Resent- 
 ment may be much abated by Time, and Accidents, against 
 those embraced it some years ago. But the first Ardour of 
 Conversion is so abominable to the English, that One must 
 expect to be loaded with all the Reproach which Malice, Wit, 
 Indiscretion, and Zeal can devise : But as the Fore-sight of 
 this could not divert me from my Purpose, so it cannot in the 
 least disturb me, but proves plainly that it would be a mighty 
 Prejudice to the King to have about him One so universally 
 obnoxious. I have heard the Queen say that the King her 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 13 
 
 Son would do everything he could in Conscience to please his 
 Protestant Subjects, that He was born to govern Protestant 
 Countries, and by them only could be restored and supported, 
 and here is now an Opportunity of giving a clear Proof by 
 dismissing an useless Servant. — I am told of an Objection 
 against my Retreat which I should not otherwise have guest, 
 that my continuing at Court would be an Edification to others, 
 but I am of a contrary Opinion, which in this Case must have 
 the greatest Weight, because no Body else can so well know 
 my Weakness. I dare not presume so far on my own Strength, 
 as to venture among inevitable Temptations and necessary 
 Distractions. I thank God I have now heartily forgiven my 
 Enemies, but I apprehend that if I should expose myself to 
 injurious Calumnies, and Affronts, Nature might revolt to the 
 Destruction of Charity, so absolutely requisite. It may be 
 thought too that I have done this in Worldly View, not that I 
 mind this Censure, but 'tis plain that those who entertain this 
 Suspicion cannot be edified in seeing me at Court, but abandon- 
 ing All for the Thing necessary is the safest and surest way of 
 working out my own Salvation in contributing to that of 
 others. My Case is very different from theirs, who have 
 always led innocent Lives, since they, renouncing their Errors, 
 come into a good State, but an old habitual grievous Offender 
 ought to dedicate the short uncertain Part of his life to do 
 Penance. For my Part I cannot think myself otherwise. 
 Those who have been bred at Court ought to be more sensible 
 of the Danger of being there. Those who resolve not to sin 
 ought to shun the occasions, by a true Sense of their own 
 corruption. Those who trust to their own Resolutions, may 
 tempt God to humble their Pride by withdrawing his Grace. 
 St. Peters Fall is a terrible Instance which ought to be reflected 
 on as the best preservation against Presumption. Those who 
 
14 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 oppose my Design contradict the Opinion and Practice of 
 some of the greatest Saints, and may throw away the best 
 Books which have been written from Direction, Having shown 
 that my Attendance on the King would be not only contrary, 
 but hurtful to his Service, and that Retreat for the Rest of my 
 Life is absolutely necessary for myself. I hope the Queen 
 will have the Charity to consent to it, whereby her Majesty 
 will reward me more than by all the glittering trifles Men 
 contend for. And having fixt this Resolution, I thought it 
 should be intimated immediately, lest the Service should suffer 
 by delay to put one in my Place. Many may be fitter for it, 
 tho' none more faithful than 
 
 M. 
 
 [Charles, 2nd Earl of Middleton, Secretary of State with 
 other Offices, under Charles ii., followed James ii. into France, 
 whereby his Earldom (bestowed on his Father in 1660) was 
 forfeited in 1695, which gives inferentially the probable time 
 of this undated letter. His wife was Lady Catherine Brudenell, 
 daughter of the and Earl of Cardigan, by whom he had one 
 son. Lord Claremont, and several daughters.] 
 
 A CURIOUS ANECDOTE CONCERNING KING CHARLES 
 II. (related to Lord Orrery by the Rev. Mr. Watkins 
 OF St. Mary's Hall, Oxford). 
 
 It is very strange that amongst so many Dangers to 
 which King Charles 11. was exposed, and from which he was 
 surprisingly and miraculously delivered, neither this (Lord 
 Clarendon) nor any other. Author that I have met with, takes 
 the least notice of one of a very extraordinary Nature, which 
 happened to Him in Holland, and which was as follows. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 15 
 
 The King when at Brussels being desirous and resolved to see 
 his Sister^ the Princess of Orange, butwithall under a Necessity 
 to make the Journey with the utmost Secrecy, did com- 
 municate his Design to no Person whatsoever. He ordered 
 Fleming (a Servant of the Earl of Wington) who was in his 
 Service, and of whose Fidelity he neither then nor ever after 
 did doubt, secretly to provide a couple of good Horses, and 
 have them ready at a certain Place and Time of the next 
 ensuing Night by His Majesty appointed ; — that Fleeming 
 with these Horses should remain alone, till he heard from the 
 King. At the Time appointed the King (having gone to bed 
 and afterwards dressed himself and privately gone out of a 
 back Door, and leaving only a Letter to some one of his 
 Servants in whom he confided, with an account of his having 
 gone from Thence for a few Days, and with Directions to 
 keep his Absence as secret as possible under Pretence of being 
 indisposed) came to the Place, where he found Fleeming with 
 the Horses as he had directed. He then acquainted Fleming 
 with his Design to speak with his Sister at the Hague, and 
 not regarding the Hazards he might be exposed to, away he 
 went with this slender Iquipage and Attendance, travelling 
 thro' the most secret By- Ways, and contriving it so that he 
 came to the Hague at six in the morning, and lighted at a scrub 
 Inn in a remote Part of the Town, where he was confident 
 none would know him under the Disguise he was then in. He 
 immediately sent Fleeming to acquaint his Sister where he was, 
 and to leave it to her to contrive the Way and Manner of 
 having access to her, so as not to be known. Fleeming having 
 dispatched his Commission in a very short Time (less than an 
 Hour), was no sooner returned to the King (finding him in 
 
 1 Princess Mary, eldest daughter of Charles I., married to the Prince of Orange and 
 mother of William in. 
 
i6 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 the Room where he had left him, and where he had been still 
 alone), than an unknown Person came and asked of the 
 Landlord, if two French men had not alighted at his House 
 that morning. The Landlord replyed that indeed two Men 
 had come, but of what Country he knew not. The Stranger 
 desired him to tell them he wanted to speak to them, which 
 he having done, the King was much surprised, but withall 
 inclined to see the Person. Fleeming opposed it, but the 
 King being positive, the Person was introduced, being an old 
 Reverend-like Man, with a long gray Beard, and ordinary 
 gray Cloathes, who looking and speaking to the King told 
 him he was the Person he wanted to speak to, and that all 
 alone on Matters of Importance. The King believing it 
 might perhaps be a Return from his Sister, or being curious 
 to know the Result of such an Adventure, desired Fleeming 
 to withdraw, which he refused till the King, taking him aside, 
 told him there could be no Hazard from such an old Man for 
 whom he was too much, and commanded him to retire. They 
 were no sooner alone than the Stranger bolted the Door 
 (which brought the King to think what might or would 
 happen), and at the same Time falling down upon his knees, 
 pulled off his very nice and artificial Mask, and discovered 
 himself to be Mr. Downing (afterwards well known by the 
 Name of St. George, and Ambassadour from the King to the 
 States after his Restoration), then Envoy or Ambassadour 
 from Cromwell to the States, being the Son of one Downing 
 an Independent Minister, who attended some of the Parlia- 
 ment Men who were once sent to Scotland to treat with the 
 Scots to join against the King, and who was a very active 
 virulent Enemy to the Royal Family, as appears from this 
 History. The King you may easily imagine, was not a little 
 surprised at this Discovery. But Downing gave him no Time 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 17 
 
 for reflection, having immediately spoke to him in the follow- 
 ing Manner : ' that he humbly begged His Majesty's Pardon 
 ' for any Share, or Part, he had acted during the Rebellion 
 
 * against his Royal Interest ; and assured him that tho' he 
 ' was just now in the Service of the Usurper, he wished His 
 ' Majesty as well as Any of his Subjects, and would, when an 
 
 * occasion offered, venture all for his Service ; and was hopeful 
 ' what he was about to say would convince His Majesty of his 
 ' Sincerity. But before he mentioned the Cause of his coming 
 ' to him, he must insist that His Majesty would solemnly 
 ' promise to him not to mention what had happened ; and he 
 ' was to say nothing to Fleeming or any other Person whatso- 
 ' ever until it pleased God that His Majesty was restored to 
 ' his Crowns, when he should not have Reason to desire it 
 ' concealed; tho' even then he must have His Majesty's 
 ' Promise, never to aske, or expect, he should discover how, 
 ' or when, he came to know of his being there.' The King 
 hsmng solemnly engaged in the Terms required. Downing 
 proceeded, and told ' that his Master the Usurper being now 
 ' at Peace with the Dutch, and the States so dependent and 
 ' obsequious to him that they refused nothing that he required, 
 ' had with the greatest Secrecy, in order to make it the more 
 ' effectual, entered into a Treaty by which, among other trifling 
 ' matters agreed to him, inde ^ the chief, and indeed main end 
 « of the Negotiation was, that the States stood engaged to 
 ' seize and deliver up to the Usurper the Person of His 
 ' Majesty, if so be at any Time he should happen by Chance or 
 ' Design, to come within their Territories, when required there- 
 ' to by Any in his Name : — and that this Treaty having been 
 ' Signed by the States, was sent to London, from whence it had 
 
 1 An awkward piece of writing, the Latin word being apparently superfluous, and 
 meant perhaps to be taken as ' thereupon.' 
 
 VOL. I. ^ 
 
i8 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 ' returned but Yesterday Morning and totally finished Yester 
 ' Night betwixt him and a secret Committee of the States. He 
 ' represented his Master's Intelligence to be so good, that 
 ' Discovery would be made even to himself (Downing) of His 
 
 * Majesty's being there, and if he neglected to apply to have 
 ' him seized, his Master would resent it to the highest, which 
 ' would infallibly cost him his Head, and deprive His Majesty 
 ' of a faithful Servant ; and being desirous to prevent the 
 ' miserable consequences of what would follow if his being here 
 ' were discovered, he resolved to communicate the Danger he 
 ' was in, and for Fear of a future Discovery, he had disguised 
 
 * himself, being resolved to trust no Person, with the Secrets. 
 ' He then proposed that His Majesty would immediately mount 
 ' his Horses and make all Despatch imaginable out of the 
 ' States' Territories, that he himself would return Home, and 
 
 * under Pretence of Sickness, lye longer a Bed than usual ; and 
 ' that when he thought His Majesty was so far off, as to be out 
 
 * of Danger to be overtaken, he would go to the States and 
 ' acquaint them that he understood His Majesty was in Town, 
 ' and require his being seized in the Terms of the late Treaty ; 
 
 * that he knew they would comply and send to the Place 
 
 * directed, but on finding that His Majesty was gone oflFso far 
 ' as to be safe, he would propose to make no further Noise 
 ' about it, lest it should discover the Treaty and prevent His 
 ' Majesty's falling afterwards into their Hands.' The King 
 immediately following his Advice, and he returning Home, 
 every Thing was acted, and happened, as he proposed and 
 foretold. The King having escaped this imminent Danger, 
 most religiously performed what he had promised, never 
 mentioning any Part of this Story till after his Restoration, 
 and not then desiring to know, how Downing's Intelligence 
 came (which he never discovered) tho' He (the King) often 
 said it was a Mystery, for no Person knew of his Design till 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 19 
 
 he was on Horseback, and that he could not think Fleeming 
 went and discovered him to Downing. Beside he so soon 
 returned from his Sister he could not have Time. Downing 
 having come much about the Time Fleeming returned. I 
 have heard this Story told by several who frequented King 
 Charles' Court after the Restoration, particularly by the Earl 
 of Cromartie, who said, that next Year after the Restoration, 
 he with the Duke of Rothes, and several other Scots' Quality, 
 being one Night with the King over a Bottle, they all com- 
 plained of an impertinent Speech Downing had made in 
 Parliament, reflecting on the Scots' Nation, which they 
 thought His Majesty should resent, so as to discard him from 
 Court, and withdraw his Favour from him. The King replyed 
 he did not approve what he had said, and would reprove him 
 for it ; but to goe further he could not well do because of this 
 Story which he repeated in the Terms here narrated, which 
 made such an Impression on all present, that they freely 
 forgave what had passed, and Rothes asked Liberty to begin 
 his Health in a Bumper.^ 
 
 DR. CHARLETT'S^ LETTER TO THE HONOURABLE 
 MR. CHARLES BOYLE concerning the Answer to 
 Dr. Bentley. 
 
 12^.4 April 1698. 
 
 Honoured Sir, — Give me Leave, among many Others, to 
 present You with my Thanks in particular for your noble 
 Present which our new Proctor-Elect gave me in your Name. 
 Without that Honour I should have look't on myself obliged 
 to have my Acknowledgments to Mr. Boyle, as a Member of 
 
 1 This Anecdote was only imparted to John Earl of Orrery in November 1745, 
 Tjut having occurred during the Protectorate, naturally finds its place among the 
 earlier papers collected by him. 
 
 2 Head of Charles Lord Orrery's College at Oxford— see Introductory Remarks. 
 
20 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 the University, for so admirable and seasonable a Defence of a 
 Book published here, or rather of the Learning of this Uni- 
 versity, which by our Enemies as well as Friends, was thought 
 to be attacked with so much Rudeness in their Dissertations. 
 . . . You must hear from all Hands and Places, tho' never so 
 uneasy, how much the Defence delights and satisfies all 
 London, the Old and the Young of both Sexes reading it. 
 
 Dr. Wallis complain'd to me that the Women of his family 
 allowed him but one Half Hour in the first 48, and that by 
 Stealth ; since that he has read it with equal Delight and Satis- 
 faction as he used to do a Discourse of Mathematicks ; that 
 admirable old gentleman of 93 bids me tell you, tho' he has 
 not the Honour to be related to Phalaris yet Archimedes is very 
 dear and tender to him. ... I hope, Sir, Mr. Isted has pre- 
 sented you with my more early Thanks so long since due, 
 and never too often to be performed by. Honoured Sir, Your 
 most obliged Hum. Servant, AR. CHARLETT. 
 
 I beg You to present my humble Service to Mr. Compton ^ 
 and Col. Codrington. The Czar" came hither late and privately 
 to the Cross Inn. The next morning he took the Master of 
 the House with his Interpreter and Prince Alexander to see 
 the Library, Gallery, Theatre. I happened by Accident to be 
 sitting in a Delegacy in the Apoditerium whilst he passed into 
 the Convocation House, so that having half a minute's notice, 
 we had a very full, distinct. View of him twice, moving his Hat 
 and looking us in the Face both Times. Thence he went to 
 the Museum, where he spent near an Hour ; then perceiving 
 himself discovered, he fled away, and dismissed his Innkeeper, 
 who rode with him (as other Introductors) in the Coach, and 
 
 • Afterwards Earl of Wilmington. 2 pj^er the Great. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 21 
 
 bid him, by his Interpreter tell the Company the Play was 
 over. So Admiral Michel and the rest overtook him at 
 Wheatley at Dinner. 
 
 COPY OF AN ORIGINAL LETTER FROM ^SIR WILLIAM 
 TEMPLE TO THE HONOURABLE MR. CHARLES 
 BOYLE. 
 
 Sir, — Though I doubt it will not be my Advantage that 
 you should know me better, for fear you should like me less 
 than I have Reason to think you do, yet I shall be very glad 
 to run that Venture, rather than lose the Honour of your 
 Acquaintance and Company here, which I find by your letter 
 you intend me. I am sorry you should think there is any 
 Need of any Body to introduce you, but hope my Lord 
 Berkley will at least make you the Offer of conveying you 
 hither, where he intends to come the Beginning of this week, 
 and which is a Time I should like the better because there will 
 be no other Company that I know of here. But whether in 
 his, or any other, or alone, you will be always well come to, Sir, 
 Yr most humble Servant, WM. TEMPLE. 
 
 Moor Park, July 17, 1698. 
 
 A COPY OF AN ORIGINAL LETTER FROM MR. 
 WYCHERLEY TO THE EARL OF MULGRAVE. 
 
 London, April zotA, 1677. 
 
 My Lord, — At this distance, and among Fanfarons, you 
 may brag as you please, but I must believe you lazy still ; 
 
 1 Sir W. Temple was emphatically on the Boyle side in the Bentley controversy, 
 which (probably through the medium of Dean Swift) led to their mutual acquaintance. 
 His letter is a pretty example, from an elderly and highly distinguished to a very young 
 man, of the polished courtesy of style in his day. 
 
22 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 only by your long letter to me it appears (as lazy as yoii are) 
 you are never weary of obliging your Friends, I received it 
 yesterday with as much satisfaction as My Lord Middleton 
 would a Billet-doux, from Mrs. Yard, and think your Lord- 
 ship has done as much for me as for the King of France. For 
 the fatigue of a long letter at any time is to be compared with 
 that of a luxurious Campaigne ; and Louvoy cannot be more 
 
 thankful to you in the name of his King than I am. But 
 
 him for his unwonted civility ; for I was in Hopes that the 
 civility of the Enemy's Army (as you call it) and the lU-Usage 
 from your owji, would have made your Return more suddain 
 than I find it will be. But what ? I forget myself, and for 
 your sake call the Confederates Enemies, like a false CofFec- 
 House-Brother ; therefore for God's sake My Lord, do not 
 stay longer with the French. For whilst you are amongst 'em 
 I shall, contrary to my CoiFee-House Allegiance, wish 'em well. 
 But since Your Lordship sais My Lord Middleton and you 
 are but one, I must despair of your Removal, for though you 
 would jog on, the Middleton side of you would hang. . . . For 
 his is the most invincible laziness in the World ; and he only 
 could make it a military virtue to serve him in the place of 
 Ambition, and make him suffer anything but motion. I suppose 
 he rides properly like a Foot Officer to avoid the fatigue of 
 pulling on his boots, and lies rough rather than take pains to 
 unbutton himself, and upon a march has always the Place of 
 Honour in bringing up the Rear ; and if the whole Army were 
 routed would be killed not to be at the trouble of running 
 away. In fine, if I may quibble, he is of a young one a very 
 stay'd Officer, but I shall never think him capable of active 
 fatigue 'till he writes me as long a letter as your Lordship has 
 done, which, if it were but for the pleasure of sitting still with- 
 out disturbance he should do methinks. Well, to say no worse 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 23 
 
 of him, he is properly in the French Army as Voluntier ; and 
 you have pressed him into that Service, whilst his inclination 
 wd have carried him to his brother lazers the Spaniards. 
 Pray tell him My Lord that if the Haste of this Bearer 
 had afforded me Time, I should have had too much Respect for 
 him to write to him tiU I knew certainly he would pardon a 
 Letter that would give him an occasion of writing an Answer ; 
 but the next opportunity I have (to speak in a Camp phrase) 
 let him look to 't my pen shiall give him no quarter. In 
 the mean Time My Lord, pray let him know I am his 
 humble servant. We have no news to send you here but of 
 yourself, which seemed as false as if it came by your Enemy's 
 Letters, the Dutch. As terrible however as it was, I dare 
 say your last mistress was no more afraid than I, of your being 
 killed in a Quarrell by my Lord Lumley, as it was here in- 
 credibly reported. The King is not yet returned from 
 Plimouth, but expected To-morrow Night. This Town is 
 now as empty as if your Army were marching over the Bridge, 
 and as — as if the French had possessed the Town 3 days. I 
 have no scandalous news to send you, for Mr. Russel is out of 
 Town, nor any poetical news, for Dryden is in Northampton- 
 shire. When I write to him I will not fail to make him 
 proud with your Lordship's compliment. Though I am for- 
 bidden drinking wine so soon after my Waters, I cannot 
 refrain it to your Health, which I drank lately with the Duke 
 of Buckingham, who is now gone to Cliveden, to survey and 
 confound his Builders like those of Babel ; and I hope for his 
 good the work may stand still. I had almost forgot to tell 
 you that in your Absence your favourite Plays, The King and 
 no King, the Maid's Tragedy and RoUo are all torn to pieces 
 by a New Critique lately published by Rymer, which we intend 
 Jack Markham shall answer. The book is duller than his Play 
 
24 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 of Edgar which he promises to publish as a Pattern for exact 
 Tragedies. This last piece is written after the Epistolary way 
 of Politick Fops, directed to Mr. Shepheard, I suppose from 
 one Room to another at the George and Vulture Tavern, when 
 the Wine was dead and the spirit of the Brandy much wasted 
 by burning, so that it will be no hard matter for Jack Mark- 
 ham's Water to inspire him with a wittier answer in defence of 
 his old Friends Beaumont and Fletcher. You may see My 
 Lord I want news since I am forced to entertain you with 
 such ; but since you confess the conversation in a Camp is none 
 of the wittiest or most entertaining, I am the less impudent in 
 keeping you so long from it. However, lest the Monsieurs 
 grow impatient for Tatle, and my Ld Lumley for Play, I 'U 
 make an end here. I will not fail to write to you by all the 
 Opportunities I can have, and in the mean Time if your 
 Lordship has any commands for any of your Friends here, be 
 assur'd they will not be wellcomer to any man than to your 
 Lordship's most humble Servant, 
 
 W. WYCHERLEY. 
 
 [John Sheffield Earl of Mulgrave, afterwards Marquis and 
 Duke of Normanby, and finally Duke of Buckingham and 
 Normanby, was a Personage of distinction and importance in 
 his Day, who served first in the battlefield, then in the Courts of 
 both Charles ii. and James ii. His Marquisate was conferred 
 by William iir. and the two Dukedoms by Queen Anne. By 
 his 3rd wife — Lady Catherine Sedley, daughter of the 
 Countess of Dorchester and James 11. — he had an only Son, 
 Edmund Duke of Buckingham and Normanby, at whose 
 early death unmarried those titles became extinct, and whose 
 epitaph was written by Pope. John Lord Orrery also com- 
 posed a poem in his honour which is scarcely of sufficient 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 25 
 
 interest for reproduction at this distance of time. The D. 
 and Dss. of Buckingham were connected with Charles Lord 
 Orrery thro' the families of Cranfield and Sackville 
 (Middlesex and Dorset), and on terms of great intimacy and 
 friendship, as is apparent in many of these papers. The D. of 
 B. made John Ld. O. his executor, whereby he obtained the 
 early letters, etc., directed to the Earl of Mulgrave, besides 
 later ones. This ducal Creation is totally distinct from the 
 previous Villiers, and the later Chandos ones.] 
 
 FROM F. MANNING. 
 
 Cmiie, 11/22 December 1711. 
 
 My Lord, — You'l give me leave to return You my 
 most humble thanks for the honour of your Letters of the 
 vi*^ post from Brussels, and your obliging promise to employ 
 your good offices for Me with our Ministers upon your arrival 
 at London, where I hope this will find your Lordship in 
 perfect health and satisfaction. 
 
 Your Lordship will have heard that these people desire 
 a reconciliation with Me. I have made instances to her 
 Majesty by their Minister in Holland for my continuing 
 here, but as I am not - yet informed what resolution the 
 Queen has taken thereupon, and there is besides great 
 
 appearance of a sudden Peace, which in all probability would 
 remove me from hence if there were no other motive for it 
 I humbly beg your Lordsp to give me leave to put you in 
 mind of me once again, if to let our Ministers know how 
 uneasy I am like to be in my circumstances in case L should 
 have the misfortune to be wholly left without employment. 
 
 I know not whether there be any change in the Nomina- 
 tions formerly made of Mr. Stanyan and Mr. Davenant for 
 
26 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 Berne, but in case there should be any, and the Station of 
 Switzerland become vacant, I make bold to renew my instances 
 to your Lordp to employ your Credit for me with the Ministry 
 and let them know the reasons that make me so desirous to 
 obtain that Station. 
 
 I beg leave to ask your Lordp whether it would not be 
 proper at this juncture to demand of the French Court a 
 speedy and entire Satisfaction for the affront and violence 
 oifer'd me last Summer in the Swiss Territorys by the 
 Ministry of the Count du Luc, since it is very probable 
 the Cantons will never grant any without the consent of 
 France. The occasion seems fair and is perhaps the only 
 Expedient that can be found to repair Her Majesty's honour 
 oiFended in the Person of her Minister. — I have the honour 
 to be with the utmost Zeal and Respect, My Lord, Your 
 Lordship's most faithful and most obedient Servant, 
 
 F. MANNING. 
 
 MR. POPE TO DR. SWIFT, in Answer to a Letter from 
 THE Dr., persuading Mr. Pope to change his Religion. 
 
 Binfield, Dec. %, 1713. 
 
 Dear Sir, — Not to trouble you at present with the 
 Recital of all my Obligations to You, I shall only mention two 
 Things, which I take particularly well of you; your Desire 
 that I should write to you ; and your Proposal of giving me 
 twenty Guineas to change my Religion, which last you must 
 give me Leave to make the Subject of this Letter. Sure 
 no Clergyman ever offered so much, out of his own Purse, 
 for the sake of any Religion. 'Tis almost as many Pieces of 
 Gold, as an Apostle could get of Silver from the Priests 
 of old, on a much more Valuable Consideration. I believe 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 27 
 
 it will be better worth my while to propose a Change of my 
 Faith by Subscription, than a Translation of Homer. And 
 to convince you how well disposed I am to the Reforma- 
 tion, I shall be content if you can prevail with my Ld 
 Treasurer and the Ministry, to rise to the same Sum, each 
 of them, on this pious Account, as my Lord Halifax has 
 done on the prophane one. I am afraid there is no being 
 at once a Poet and a good Christian ; and I am very 
 much straitened between Two, while the Whigs seem 
 willing to contribute as much to continue me the one, as 
 you would to make me the other. But if you can move 
 every man in the Government, that has above ten 
 Thousand Pounds a Year to subscribe as much as Yourself, 
 I shall become a Convert as most Men do, when the Lords 
 turn it to my Interest. I know they have the Truth of 
 Religion so much at Heart, that they would certainly give 
 more to have one good Subject translated to the Church of 
 England, than twenty heathenish Authors out of any un- 
 known Tongue into ours. I therefore commission you 
 Mr. Dean, with full authority to transact this Affair in my 
 Name, and to propose as follows. 
 
 First, that as to the Head of our Church, the Pope, I may 
 engage to renounce his Power, whensoever I shall receive any 
 particular Indizlgences from the Head of your Church the 
 Queen. As to Communion in one Kind I shall also promise 
 to change it for Communion in both, as soon as the Ministry 
 will allow me wherewithal to eat and to drink. For In- 
 vocations to Saints, mine shall be turned Into Dedications 
 to Sinners, when I shall find the Great Ones of this World 
 as willing to do me any Good, as I believe those of the 
 Other are. You see, I shall not be obstinate on the main 
 Points. But there is one Article I must reserve, and wh 
 
28 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 you seemed not unwilling to allow me, Prayer for the 
 Dead. There are People to whose Souls I wish as well as to 
 my own, and I must crave Leave humbly to lay before them, 
 that tho' the Subscriptions above mentioned wiU suffice for 
 myself, there are necessary Perquisits and Additions wh I 
 must demand on the Score of this charitable Article. It is 
 also to be considered that the greater Part of those whose 
 Souls I am most concerned for, were unfortunately Heretics, 
 Schismatics, Poets, Painters, or Persons of such Lives and 
 Manners, as few or no Churches are willing to save. The 
 Expence wiU be therefore the greater to make an effectual 
 Provision for the said Souls. Old Dryden tho' a Roman 
 Catholic was a Poet ; and 'tis revealed in the Visions of some 
 ancient Saints that no Poet was ever saved under some hundreds 
 of Masses. I cannot set his Delivery from Purgatory at less 
 than fifty Pounds sterling. Walsh was not only a Socinian but 
 (what you 11 own is harder to be saved) a Whig. He cannot 
 modestly be rated at less than a Hundred. L'Estrange being 
 a Tory we compute him at but Twenty Pounds, which I hope 
 no Friend of the Party can deny to keep him from d — g, in 
 the next Life, considering they never gave him Sixpence to 
 keep him from starving in this. All this together amounts 
 to 170 Pounds. In the next Place I must desire you to 
 represent that there are several of my Friends yet living, 
 whom I design, God willing, to outlive, in consideration 
 of Legacies, out of which it is a Doctrine in the Reformed 
 Church that not a Farthing shall be allowed to save their 
 Souls who gave them. There is One who will dye within 
 
 these few months with [disease not mentioned] one 
 
 Mr. Jervas, who hath grievously offended in making the 
 Likeness of all Things in Heaven above and Earth below.^ 
 
 1 Mr. Jervas had painted Swift's portrait, and was much the fashion at that time. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 29 
 
 And one Mr. Gay, an unhappy Youth that writes Pastorals 
 during Divine Service, whose case is the more deplorable, as 
 he has miserably lavished away all that Silver he should have 
 reserved for his Soul's Health, on Buttons and Loops for 
 his Coat. I cannot pretend to have these People honestly 
 saved under some Hundred Pounds, whether you consider 
 the diiBculty of such a Work, or the extreme Love and 
 Tenderness I bear them, which will infallibly make me push 
 this Charity as far as I am able. There is but One more whose 
 Salvation I insist upon, and then I have done. But indeed 
 it may prove of so much greater Charge than all the rest 
 that I will only lay the Case before You and the Ministry, 
 and leave to their Prudence and Generosity what Summ they 
 shall think fit to bestow upon it. The Person I mean is 
 Dr. Swift, a dignified Clergyman, but One who by his own 
 Confession has composed more Libels than Sermons. If it 
 be true, what I have heard often affirmed by innocent 
 People that too much wit is dangerous to Salvation,^ this 
 unfortunate Gentleman must certainly be d — d to all Eternity. 
 But I hope his long Experience in the World, and frequent 
 Conversation with Great Men, will cause him (as it has some 
 others) to have less and less Wit every Day. Be it as it 
 will, I should not think my own Soul deserved to be saved, if 
 I did not endeavour to save his, for I have all the obligations 
 in Nature to him. He has brought me into better Company 
 than I cared for, made me merrier when I was sick than I 
 had a Mind to be, put me upon making Poems on Purpose 
 that he might alter them etc. I once thought I could never 
 have discharged my Debt to his Kindness, but have lately 
 
 ' An allusion to his own Lines — 
 
 ' For souls may have more wit than does them good, 
 As bodies perish through excess of blood.' 
 
30 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 been informed, to my unspeakable Comfort, that I have more 
 than paid it all. For Monsieur de Montayne has assured me 
 that the Person who receives a Benefit obliges the Giver ; for 
 since the chief Endeavour of one Friend is to do Good to the 
 other, He who administers both the Matter and the Occasion 
 is the Man that is Liberal. At this Rate it is impossible Dr. 
 Swift should be ever out of my Debt as Matters stand already, 
 and for the Future, he may expect daily more Obligations from 
 His most Faithful and Affectionate Humble Servant, 
 
 A. POPE. 
 
 I have finished the Rape of the Lock but believe I may 
 stay here till Christmas without Hindrance of Busyness. 
 
 [This letter was first published by Lord Orrery in his life of 
 Swift, on the twofold score of his possessing the original, and of 
 his ' Opinion that this letter has more wit in it than any one 
 letter of Mr. Pope's that has been hitherto published.' Being 
 comparatively little known or remembered by the general 
 Public of the present day, it has seemed worth giving them 
 a fresh opportunity of perusal. It is scarcely needful to add 
 that Swift's offer upon which this letter was founded was 
 not made seriously.] 
 
 MR. BYRD TO CHARLES EARL OF ORRERY.^ 
 
 Virginia, March i6, 1719. 
 
 My Lord, — ^The many Favours I was so happy as to 
 receive from Your Lordship in England, stick fast in my 
 Memory in all Clymates and I belive I could go thro' the 
 Ceremony of Husquenawing without forgetting them. This 
 
 1 Deputy Governor, for the Earl of Orkney, of Virginia. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 31 
 
 Operation is performed upon the Indians of this part of the 
 World at the Age of Puberty when they commence Men 
 and is in order to make them forget all the FoUys of their 
 Childhood. For this end they are lockt up in a place of 
 Security, and the Physicians of the place ply them Night and 
 Morning with a Potion that transports them out of their 
 Senses, and makes them perfectly mad for Six Weeks together. 
 When this time is expired they are kept upon meagre Dyet 
 for three days, and in that Space they return to their Under- 
 standing, but pretend to have forgot everything that befell 
 them in the early part of their Lives. I had no reason to 
 have been terrified at a winter's passage, for it was the most 
 agreable that ever I had in my life. In about a week we 
 got into a pleasant Latitude betwixt 30 and 40, where we 
 found the Air as mUd as it is with you in AprU : in that 
 fine Clymate we saild about a thousand Leagues till we got 
 to the west of Bermudas, having all the whUe the finest 
 weather in the World. Two days before we saild by that 
 Island, we understood there had been a Pyrate of good force, 
 that had plundered several Ships, and among the rest a 
 Portuguese Admiral who was returning home from Brasill 
 richly laden, out of which the Pyrate took a prodigious Booty 
 in Gold. However we had the good fortune to miss him. 
 These Rogues swarm in this part of the World, and we are 
 told of 70 Sail at least that haunt the several parts of America ; 
 and our Captains of Men of War are so intent on Trade 
 that they neglect their Stations, and contrive to be blown 
 away to the Country whither their Traffick calls them. This 
 is so great an Abuse that the Nation is at the Expence of 
 building and maintaining Ships of War, for the enabling the 
 Commanders of them to ruin the fair Traders in every 
 Country where they come. For these Gentlemen pay neither 
 
32 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 Freight nor Custome, nor run any Risque, by which Iniquity 
 they are in condition to undersell all those that do. We have 
 some Men here who have been on some of the Branches of 
 Massasipi River. The nearest to us are 500 miles from this 
 Country ; lying about the Latitude of 30, and these Travellers 
 say they never saw either a finer Soil or a finer Clymate. But 
 these Branches are at least 300 miles from the mouth of the 
 River where the French are seated, and great Waterfalls inter- 
 cept all passage from one to the other by Water. The 
 Indians are very numerous on the Branches of the River ; 
 and if the French find Means to gain them it will render the 
 English Plantations very unsafe. And when it comes to that, 
 what with the ill treatment of the English Governors, and 
 the great encouragement given by the French to their Colonies 
 the English Plantations will make no difficulty of changing 
 their Masters, unless some measures be taken to restrain the 
 arbitrary behaviour of these little Rulers whose heads grow 
 giddy with their power upon which they immediately set up 
 for Princes and Sovereigns. — I am. My Lord, yr most faithful 
 humble Servant, 
 
 W. BYRD. 
 
 The following Letters are from a Series of Eleven from 
 DR. ATTERBURY, BP. OF ROCHESTER, TO 
 CATHERINE, DUCHESS OF BUCKINGHAM:— 
 
 Madam, — It grieves me to hear that Dr. Ch.^ still con- 
 tinues so ill, and that I can do nothing for him, but pray 
 God to restore him ! I carried this Day to the House the 
 Newspaper with Curl's Advertisement about the Duke's Will, 
 Life, etc., and having spoke to Lords Gresiden, Harcourt 
 
 ' Dr. Chamberleyn, a great physician of the day. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS ^3 
 
 and Cooper upon it, they agreed upon the Complaint, but 
 said it should be made by One of the Lord's Trustees. My 
 Ld Trevor was not in the House to Day : but my Ld 
 Bathurst soon came, and readily undertook it, having, it 
 seems, been writ to by your Grace ^ on that Head. To him, 
 therefore, I delivered the Paper and did my best to support 
 his Motion. But there was no room for Argument ; all the 
 House came readily into it. Curl ^ is to attend to Morrow, 
 when it will, I believe, be voted a Breach of Privilege to print 
 the Will of any Peer, without Leave from his Executors, 
 etc. And your Grace may depend on it, that Curl will be 
 stopped in that Respect. The Poems and Life are matters 
 of more Difficulty. — I am, your Grace's ever faithful and 
 Obedient Servant, 
 
 FRA. ROFFEN. 
 
 Madam, — ^Waiting on your Grace has often given me a 
 good deal of Pleasure, but never yet did me any Harm. It 
 gave me Courage to venture again into the Cold to Day. 
 At my return I found your Grace's obliging Letter. I call 
 it so, because even that Part of it was wellcome to me wherein 
 you chide me, and endeavour to argue me into good Sense, 
 good Nature, and good Manners. For all these I must want 
 whenever I pretend to blame any Action of your Grace in 
 good Earnest. But what I said to your Grace upon the 
 subject of your Message was not meant in that View. I 
 flatter myself that I understood the Purport of it and was 
 really pleased to find that your Grace thought it worth the 
 while to reprove me in that decent Manner, for not waiting 
 on you so often as I ought to do, and as I would certainly 
 
 ^ The widowed Duchess of Buckingham, who lodged a Complaint re publication 
 of the Duke's will, etc. 2 Edmund Curll, a well-known publisher of the day. 
 
 VOL. I. C 
 
34 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 do if I had more Health and less Busyness. I am resolv'd 
 for my own sake thus to interpret your Message ; tho' 
 your Grace take never so much Pains to clear yourself from 
 intending me such a Favour. Depend upon it, Madam, that 
 I take no Impressions about any One that I am acquainted 
 with, but from my own Eyes and Observations. And they 
 never yet furnished me with a Thought that was to your 
 Grace's Disadvantage, nor, I daresay, ever will. 
 
 I return your Grace the Letters^ you trusted me with. 
 They are a mixture of Gallantry, Friendship and Busyness ; 
 and will give me an Occasion of discoursing your Grace some 
 Time or other concerning the Subject of them, which is, for 
 the greatest Part, new and surprizing to me. 
 
 I humbly thank your Grace for the Stilton Cheese you 
 proffer me. But I can in Conscience take nothing more from 
 your Grace till I have deserved some Part of what you have 
 bestowed on me already. I hated always being in Debt and 
 never was so till I knew your Grace ; and now, I fear, I shall 
 never be out of it. It will pay no Part of it to say (tho' I 
 say it never so sincerely) that I am, with the greatest Respect, 
 your Grace's, etc. etc. 
 
 FRA. ROFFEN. 
 
 Mund Night. 
 
 To Morrow is a Day of Busyness, when I am to attend 
 Ld Bathurst in the House of Lords, and shall be employ'd 
 before I go thither, and that I might be sure therefore of 
 answering your Grace's Letter, I was resolv'd to write before 
 I slept. 
 
 Madam, — I am the worst Man in the World to be 
 advis'd with in the Point of Stocks, having always had an 
 
 ' From Lord Orrery, the Duke's executor. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 35 
 
 Aversion to them, even when there was a certainty of gaining 
 by them: And I cannot therefore, but like them less when 
 there is a strong Probability of losing by them. For that is 
 the case, Madam ; the Proprietors of Stock will sooner or 
 later suffer yet more than they have done. How soon or late, 
 God only knows certainly ; though the Politicians, and those 
 that are in the Secret have Opportunitys of making better 
 Guesses of this kind than I am, who am here in perfect Solitude, 
 and at a Distance from the great Scene of Intelligence. I am 
 very conscious of my own Inability to judge in this Case for 
 want of proper Lights : And yet I have something within me 
 that forces me to judge even without such Lights, and deter- 
 mines one to think the Funds insecure even without being 
 able to explain to myself the Reasons why I think so. But 
 this sort of Enthusiasm, tho' it would be a Guide to me in my 
 own Case, where I only am to answer to myself for the Event, 
 yet ought not to be employ 'd towards influencing Others ; nor 
 dare I offer any Thing to your Grace on this Head for Fear 
 of a Mistake in a Point of such Consequence. 
 
 Should your Grace be of an Opinion to turn the greatest 
 Part at least of the Duke's ^ Fund Estate into ready Money ; 
 and should no Purchase be ready, can no good Mortgage be 
 procured ? That would answer Ld Trevor's Objection. 
 
 I hope the question of the Duke's Maintenance is got over, 
 because your Grace says Nothing of it. I return Ld O's 
 Letter. I have burnt the other two of Ld and Lady M. as 
 your Grace directed. 
 
 I am in some Hopes that the present Illness here may blow 
 over, if I can attend to it as diligently as I, have done for a 
 Week past, and intend to do stiU on ; but even after that I 
 have too much Reason to be of Dr. Chamberleyn's Opinion, 
 
 ' The Duchees's young Son, she being at this date a widow of recent standing. 
 
^6 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 I will not keep your Grace's Servant longer than to assure 
 your Grace that I am with my usual, that is, with the highest 
 Respect, — Your Grace's etc. etc. 
 
 FRA. ROFFEN. 
 
 Bromley, Wedn. Noon. 
 
 Madam, — I am, for more than one Reason, glad to see 
 what your Grace has imparted to me. It is not proper for me 
 to explain myself to your Grace ; but when I wait on you 
 next I will let your Grace farther into my Meaning. 
 
 I have spoke of Ld Walgrave's Affair to two or three 
 Persons, according to the Truth, without deviating in the least 
 Circumstance from what really hapned, and have own'd my 
 great Surprize at seeing him in the House of Lords so soon 
 after we had parted in that Manner your Grace knows we did. 
 If I have done wrong in this Case, I beg your Grace's (not his) 
 Pardon. But the Indignity, as I thought, put upon me, gave 
 me a Title to speak ; especially when I found Myself smil'd 
 at, as I did, for being his Dupe. 
 
 I am again call'd to Bromley on the same melancholy 
 Occasion as formerly ; and question whether it will not be the 
 last time I shall see my Wife alive. Your Grace will therefore 
 excuse my subscribing myself abruptly, — Your most obedient 
 etc. etc. 
 
 FRA. ROFFEN. 
 
 Tuesd. Noon. 
 
 Bromley, Wedn. Night. 
 
 Madam, — I find such a melancholy Scene here that I am 
 not sure I shall' be long in a Condition of writing to your 
 Grace, and am very sure I shall not soon be able to wait on 
 you. I take this Opportunity, therefore, of excusing myself 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 37 
 
 to your Grace for not waiting on You before I left West- 
 minster, which I had a great Mind to do, but was hurried 
 away hither by ill News before I could compass it. And here 
 now I am fix'd, till the Accident I apprehend, will happen, 
 does happen, and for some time longer. Your Grace has my 
 warmest Wishes and Prayers that every thing which is good 
 may befall you ! For I am, with the greatest Respect, — Your 
 Grace's etc. etc. 
 
 FRA. ROFFEN. 
 
 Tmver, June z, 1723. 
 
 Madam, — At last I think it is determin'd that I must 
 leave England without seeing your Grace. I submit to it as 
 to the last of my Misfortunes ; and wUl now trouble myself 
 about Nothing further. They have done their worst in all 
 Respects, and the sooner I am out of their Hands the better. 
 Tho' I fear I must stay here still for about 14 or 15 Days 
 before I can possibly put my small Affairs in any tolerable 
 Order. But I shall not stay a Minute beyond what is 
 necessary. Adieu to your Grace ! and may Heaven add to 
 your Prosperity and Ease as much as it has pleased to take 
 from mine ! And may you find all People that know you 
 equally .striving to express their Care and Zeal to serve you, 
 as I woul4 have done if I had not been thus forc'd from my 
 Country. 
 
 I am concerned to find your Grace has any thoughts of 
 parting with B . . , m ^ House. Doubtless You can best judge 
 whether the Circumstances of the Family absolutely require it. 
 If they do not, I could wish your Grace would not think of an 
 Act of Parliament on that Head ! Wrong Constructions will 
 be made of it, and I am persuaded it will be of worse Influence 
 
 ' Buckingham. 
 
38 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 towards marrying the Duke well than may at first be imagin'd. 
 But your Grace must be best able to judge in such a Case 
 as this ; and if you do it I shall be satisfi'd You have good 
 Reasons for it, tho' I cannot forbear wishing that you would 
 rather let it than sell it ! 
 
 Whether You do the one or the other, it will not be fit 
 for me to think of putting some Chests and Boxes of Books 
 (which I shall reserve to myself out of the Furniture of my 
 two Houses) into any Room of it, and therefore I have given 
 my Daughter Directions to find out some other convenient 
 Place for them. I agree with your Grace entirely as to your 
 declining to live at your own House in St. James's Square, 
 and for the very Reason you give among some others, which 
 I have not Time, and which it is needless to explain to your 
 Grace. The present Position your Grace is now in, and 
 wishes to continue in, cannot then possibly be maintained. 
 Twenty little Things will or may happen to break in upon it, 
 and lose you some of the Advantages you now have. I need 
 not explain myself. Your Grace sees everything at once, and 
 wants not any Help from such an Adviser. When Ld 
 Bathurst waits on you (as he will, it seems, on Tuesday), pray 
 take an occasion to tell him that you find my Hope of being 
 tolerably easy abroad depends chiefly on his Friendship, which, 
 I am sure, he is now employing to the utmost to serve me, 
 tho' the groundless Lyes they print every Day as to the 
 Presents made me, would make a Friend, less zealous than he 
 is, cooler in his Desires to serve me. And be pleas'd withall 
 to tell him that I intend to imbark the 17 th or i8th at 
 farthest. This need not come from me, Your Grace may have 
 it from One of my Family. I have seen Mr. D. Coste, and by 
 half an Hour's Conversation that I had with him find him to 
 be a sensible Man, and, as far as I could sound him in that 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 39 
 
 time, a man of polite Learning, and, so far from being a Fop, 
 that his Turn of Behaviour seems rather to lean a little the 
 other Way. I do not see but your Grace has chosen well, but 
 I should be better able to judge upon a second Sight of him, 
 if that happens. What I do know of him I like. He spoke 
 to me about the Specimen of Montagne and lay'd it upon his 
 Bookseller and seem'd very sensible of the Indecency of it. 
 
 I saw no Room for writing as your Grace advised when 
 little Things of no Consequence were so peremptorily deny'd 
 me. I had soften'd Ld T — d^ and several others of the 
 Cabinet who were really willing to have let me go down to 
 Westminster if W — le* would have agreed to it. But my 
 Examination of him at the Bar of the House of Lords can 
 never be forgotten, and will scarce ever be forgiven by him, 
 and much less he forgive me the Injuries he has done me. 
 For he it is that is the Author of all I suffer, and has pushed 
 the Point to the utmost in every Article, assisted chiefly by 
 my good old Friend whom your Grace has several times 
 mention'd. God pardon them both ! L do, and hope to be 
 easyer in my obscure Retreat than they are in all their 
 infamous Plenty. But I will not trouble your Grace with 
 such melancholy Reflections. God preserve your Grace, and, 
 if I see you not agen, believe me when I say that no Body 
 else who does, or shall see you, can value and honour you 
 more or do more than I would have done to shew it. 
 
 Totver, Tuetd. 
 
 Madam, — I would not interrupt you till your Busyness 
 with the Trustees was over, else I should not have deferr'd 
 for a Minute acknowledging the favour of your Grace's Letter, 
 as I now do with the utmost Pleasure and Thankfulness. 
 
 1 Lord Townshend. ^ Walpole. 
 
40 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 I can apply my Mind to speak to no Point of it, but that 
 wherein your Grace relieves me in a Point which gave me 
 more Concern than any other, the- Despair I was in of seeing 
 you before I embark'd. I speak Truth to your Grace when I 
 say that tho' I had born other Hardships tolerably well, yet 
 this shock'd me, and I was apprehensive the Discomposure I 
 was under would have been perceived by a Spy or two, sent to 
 observe me. 
 
 I am now at Ease, and depend upon your Grace's Good- 
 ness in performing your Promise. The sooner you are 
 pleas'd to do it the better. Any Day at two o'Clock your 
 Grace shall appoint after your Return I will be free : But I 
 fear that Hour wUl be inconvenient for your Grace's Health 
 and intrench upon your Time of Eating. I mention it as 
 least likely I should have any Visitants. And if your Grace 
 brings two Women Servants with you, they may be above 
 just by, and yet not with your Grace, and those below will 
 not know that I have any Opportunity of saying a Word to 
 your Grace in private There can be no possible Incon- 
 venience to me in your Grace's seeing me. All my Concern 
 is, lest the Court should take it in the least ill of You : which 
 yet, I hope, they will not, since every Body almost has been 
 with me, and particularly some Ladys of Quality, and One of 
 them twice. 
 
 I own that I have somewhat of Consequence to say to 
 your Grace which I dare not trust to a Letter, I would not 
 willingly leave England till I have said. I have had a Message 
 from the Admiralty to Day, the purport of which, I apprehend, 
 was to quicken me ; but I have sent them Word I cannot embark 
 possibly before Munday sevennight, the 17th, tho' I shall 
 every minute from my Heart wish myself out of England after 
 I have once seen your Grace. I can write or think of Nothing 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 41 
 
 else, if I were to continue this Letter to the End of the Paper. 
 And therefore I will stop here, that I may not say the same 
 things over and over, and beg your Grace to believe that I 
 am in Earnest when I say that tho' I have receiv'd a thousand 
 Favours from you (which I am no more capable of forgetting 
 than returning), yet I value this last beyond all the rest, and 
 live upon the Hopes of it. 
 
 Ld B.^ was with me to Day, and went from me to 
 R — ns, but did not say Who was to be his Guest there.^ 
 
 Bp. Atterbury enjoyed the esteem and friendship of 
 Charles Lord Orrery. He was lookt upon very differently by 
 John, as will be apparent in a letter on learning his death. 
 
 • Lord Bathurst. 
 
 2 The imprisonment and exile of Dr. Atterbury has been variously looked upon 
 and treated of by different writers of that Period. It was undoubtedly an arbitrary 
 exercise of Walpole's power and, so far as can be accurately learnt up to this distance of 
 time, not softened by any amenities in the manner of execution and continuance. 
 His age and failing health claimed at least a more lenient degree of treatment while 
 in the Tower, where, as has been stated by a writer on the subject, his usage was 
 disgraceful to the Minister who prompted it, and his own Defence, despite long years 
 and infirmity, a masterpiece of spirited eloquence. On the other part, it is just to 
 bear in mind that the Country was at that epoch teeming with Jacobite plots, actual 
 or imaginary (and many of the minor ones far more real sources of danger than, 
 owing to their prompt suppression, has often been apparent to posterity), and the Bishop, 
 notwithstanding his benefice in and unshaken attachment to the Church of England, 
 was undoubtedly the secret but most important Jacobite agent personally devoted to 
 James II. and his family, and in constant communion with them through the Duchess 
 of Buckingham, whom notwithstanding her irregular birth that King always 
 acknowledged and cherished as his daughter. The seizure of Bishop Atterbury's 
 papers doubtless brought him under the heavy hand of the law for at least constructive 
 treason, and the Age was not a merciful one to that offence. Still it is impossible to 
 withhold a meed of sympathy from the poor old Prelate in his complication of 
 adversity ; his wife was — perhaps happily for her — taken from him while in expecta- 
 tion of the impending imprisonment and life-long exile ; the sequestration of his 
 benefices reduced him to poverty, and his only daughter, when able after some 
 years of separation to rejoin him, lived just 20 hours before expiring in his arms. 
 Pope's double epitaph on this tragic climax is a touching evidence of sincere and long- 
 standing friendship, equally honourable to the Author and its Subject. 
 
42 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 LETTER FROM JOHN LORD BOYLE (aged barely 
 nineteen) to counsellor KEMPE. 
 
 Paris, Dec. zs, 1725- 
 
 Dear Sir, — It is January with these anti- Christian 
 Papists, but with all true Protestants Christmas Day. 
 What fitter time can I chuse to describe to you the Vivacity 
 of Paris, and the Gaiety of France? No matter how we 
 came hither, but here we are, and however melancholy I 
 might be at parting with you, my looks and thoughts 
 are now quite changed. Tempora mutantur et nos mutamur 
 in Hits. The French Court is at Versailles ; the King like 
 Nimrod a mighty Hunter before the Lord ; the Queen as 
 barren as the Arabian Sands, but when he keeps his mouth shut 
 she may perhaps be a joyfull Mother of Children. The Duke 
 of Bourbon governs all with one Eye. He probably sees but 
 one side of most Things ; however, Madame de Prie supplies 
 the Defect. She is exquisitely handsome ; her Face is neither 
 plaistered nor puttyed, her shape a t Angloise, her Teeth 
 smooth and even. But I shall run on for ever : let us quit 
 the Charmer. Dr. Lister has been at Paris before me, and to 
 
 that learned sage I refer you for a Description of the 
 
 and other Minutias of the City. The Women are never old, 
 for the Wrinkles are well filled up by Paint, and Maiter 
 Thomas sur le Pont Neuf supplies Venus with a set of 
 Teeth at any Time. The Husbands are polite and know their 
 Duty, so keep at a Distance. The Wives good natured. . . . 
 'Tis Honour enough to be le Mart de Madame, and the Children 
 are generally provided for, in the Army, the Church or at 
 Court. Far difi^erent is the Life of the Beaux. Half their 
 time is taken up in dressing, and the rest in talking Nonsense 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 43 
 
 to les Filles de Comedie. These Animals called Beaux are more 
 nauseous than the Slovens I left at Christchurch. They 
 reek of Perfume more than our Junior Fellows of Tobaco, 
 and are Insects more troublesome than Moths and less Beautifull 
 than Butterflies. As the Women trowel themselves with red, 
 these Gewgaws paint themselves white, and are paler than poor 
 Banquo. The thought of a Ghost leads me to the Opera, 
 where there is a Noise, at the first hearing of which, you 
 would imagine the House on Fire, but it is only the Chorus of 
 the Parterre, which joins constantly with the Stage in roaring 
 as loud as possible for three hours together, and puts one 
 in mind of the Corybantes who outbellowed the mighty Jove. 
 Their Machinery is fine and a Man is sure to be kept awake 
 while the Opera lasts, which is not always the case in the 
 Haymarket. But I must own to you, notwithstanding their 
 Divertions, and the many drol Figures I see from Morning 
 till Night, I am heartily tired of the Place. A Father and 
 a Son travelling together are Obstacles to each other's 
 Amusements ; perhaps if I were more my own Master, Paris 
 might be more palatable to my Taste. I began a Frenchman, 
 but will end a downright Englishman that is, faithfully yours, 
 
 BOYLE. 
 
 JOHN LORD BOYLE TO MR. TREV ANION. 
 
 Paris, Jany. 2nd, 1726. 
 
 Dear Sir, — I am sorry I left Christ Church just at a Time 
 when You were coming there. My Departure thence was 
 malgre mot, and with infinite Regrett. That CoUedge caused 
 two years of my Life to glide away in a very agreeable 
 Manner, and as much to my Proffit and Improvement as my 
 idle Temper would permit; but some odd Circumstances 
 
44 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 obliged me to leave England and to transport myself to this 
 gay City ; where while you are engaged with Horace and 
 Virgil, our Time is taken up with powdering for the Play, 
 or painting for the Ball ; while you are forming Syllogisms 
 from Wallis, or solving Problems in Euclid, we are singing 
 Chansons a boire, and bidding Defiance to all Seriousness and 
 Thought ; and while you are gravely at your Prayers, we are 
 merrily mounting the great Horse and flying about from one 
 end of the Manege to the other, with a mercurial Alacrity 
 that nothing but this Clymate can produce. One of my fellow 
 Cavaliers at our Academy, asked me if we could go to England 
 by Land, to which I with a grave Face answered, Yes, but it 
 was a great way about. Another would fain know Why the 
 English passed so much of their Time at a CoiFee-House : I 
 told him we were obliged to do it by the Laws of our Land ; 
 to which he very judiciously replied, That the Laws of England, 
 next to the Laws of France, were the best in the World. 
 Innumerable Demands are daily made upon me about our 
 poor Country, and when I can't pay in Sterling, I am forced 
 to issue Counterfeit Coin, for all' sorts of Money go here. 
 Speaking of Money, it leads me to tell you that at this juncture 
 of Time Messieurs les Francois are miserably poor and 
 inimitably merry. The Common People have scarce bread to 
 eat, for which reason like Grasshoppers as they are, they sing 
 all Day, and the little Time that is not passed in Singing, is 
 spent in cursing the first Minister who is governed by his 
 Mistress Madame de Prie a Woman of great Intrigue and 
 exquisitely handsome. The French Ladies most of them, for 
 what I can perceive, may be very beautiful ; but they dress 
 themselves in a new painted Face every day, and like the 
 antient Britons vye who shall put on the most tawdry colours. 
 Their shapes also may possibly be fine, but of this no Certainty, 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 45 
 
 for they wear Sacs or Robes de Chambre that will hide the 
 roundest Shoulders. . . . The Hotels of the Nobility here are 
 extremely magnificent ; their Tables are finely served, and 
 there is a good humour that runs throughout the Nation, to 
 which we English are Strangers. They either have no Care, 
 or which is equal they seem to have none ; even married Men 
 are gay and under such Circumstances as would made a bold 
 Briton hang himself. . . . The Young NobiUty can neither read 
 nor write, and the King scorning to set his Mark, has a Stamp 
 made for his Name, by which means LOUIS always comes 
 forth in fair Letters. The Queen has had no Children, and 
 the learned say will have none. Her days therefore will 
 probably be short ; or else she 'U be created a Dowager, like 
 our Queen Catherine. The Duke of Orleans is next Heir to 
 the Crown. He is eaten up with Devotion and is as great a 
 Slave to Superstition, as his father was to Atheism. A glorious 
 Prospect for the Priests, in Case the fifteeneth Lodovick is 
 gathered to his Ancestors ! which Misfortune tho' it shou'd 
 happen shall not hinder me from being most faithfully yours, 
 
 BOYLE. 
 
 P.S. — This Day Nineteen Years, I made my first Appear- 
 ance in this miserable World. 
 
 LORD BOYLE TO COUNSELLOR KEMPE. 
 
 Brussels, Febr. i8, 1725-6. 
 
 Dear Sir,t— I write to you from a Place where an old 
 Hag presides with as much Arrogance and Pride as if she h^d 
 one tolerable Feature in her Face. My Father has heretofore 
 been a great Man in this Town ; and having many of his 
 Friends and Acquaintance still living here. His Lordship 
 
46 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 constantly takes me with him to visit them. In such a Situa- 
 tion methinks I look like Numps Gubbins, and make as 
 awkward an English Figure. The Brussellians regard me 
 comme le Fils de Milord ; they seat me generally over against 
 the Chimney and addressing themselves entirely to my noble 
 Father, leave me to gaze at the Figures in the Fire. My 
 natural Taciturnity, joined to the demureness of my Visage, 
 makes me appear quite tame and inattentive, nor do I smile 
 even at Nonsense, nor at Flattery. We are now hastening to 
 England, which I shall relish much better since my Absence 
 from It, for I belive take it for All in All you shall not see its 
 Like again. The Flanderkins are less noisy, and therefore 
 more tolerable than the French. The Women paint with 
 moderation not above an Inch deep. The Men wear tied 
 Perriwigs, and as we express it, look something like Christians. 
 Lord Aylesbury's constant Residence is here ; his Lordship's 
 Stories, like Penelope's Webb, never draw to an End. How 
 happy are those People who love to hear themselves talk, and 
 sit attentively listening to their own words for Hours together ! 
 But that I may not fall into a like Error, and take Delight in 
 seeing myself write, I will here bid you Farewell, till our 
 happy Meeting in the Metropolis of George Lewis King of 
 Great Britain. 
 
 BOYLE. 
 
 LORD BOYLE TO COUNSELLOR KEMPE. 
 
 London, z-jth June 1T2.T. 
 
 Dear Sir, — It is a Maxim among you Lawyers that the 
 King can never dye : notwithstanding which George i. of 
 glorious Memory has made a Shift to slip thro' our Fingers. 
 The fatal Sisters were going to cut his Throat on the loth 
 Instant : but Hermes was sent from Jove to defer the Closure 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 47 
 
 of their Scissors till the Parish Clocks had struck Twelve at 
 Night : the Jacobites therefore rejoice on the loth and the 
 Georgites on the nth of June. The happy Omens of the 
 present Reign are too many to be inserted in a Letter. They 
 are more in Number than the Divisions in Tate's Sermones. 
 Two Advantages are very visible already, both in the Death of 
 the late King and the Name of the present. The first is to 
 the Players, the Second to the Ale-house Keepers. The 
 Playhouses are always shutt up for Six Weeks after the 
 Demise of a Sovereign : but his late Majesty having gathered 
 himself to his Ancestors in the midst of Summer, neither Rick, 
 nor Booth, Wilks, nor Gibber, will be Losers by his Departure. 
 The loyal Alehouse Keepers need only add No. 2 to the Letter 
 G., and George the ist makes as good a George the Second 
 as any Man can desire : a very different case from that of 
 Charles the Martyr, and Charles his Successor, the Father 
 wearing his own Hair (not to mention the picked Beard) the 
 Son a Perriwig ; the Father being a brown, the Son a black 
 Man. But enough of Kings, now for Bishops. — The Prelate 
 of Winchester is thought to be dying ; John Sandford ^ will 
 certainly be his Successor. Merit however depressed hereto- 
 fore, will now raise its head in triumph. Tate will be a Dean ; 
 Jonathan Colly a cannon and Tom Terry an Archbishop in 
 Ireland. The Ladies also are to add a double Luster to the 
 Court : Ruth and Rebecca Tate are to be Maids of Honour, 
 Lady Anne Governess of Bedlam and Bridewell; Dame 
 Stevens will quit the Groves of Marston for the Shades of St. 
 James' Park ; and by the Curate's Interest is to have the royal 
 Ducks and Geese under her Care and Custody ; Moll Priddle 
 
 1 The curate of Marston and Ld Orrery's constant Butt for many years. ' Lady 
 Anne' was Mrs. Sandford (his cracked mother). Moll Priddle a woman of the 
 Town and Mrs. Bodens kept a house of ill-fame. 
 
48 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 is to marry a Beef-Eater, and old Mrs. Bodens is to be made 
 a Lady in her own Right. These are all the Alterations that 
 are at present talked of and they are all certainly true. When 
 I hear of more they shall be transmitted to you by Yrs etc. 
 
 BOYLE. 
 
 LORD BOYLE TO MR. SALKELD.^ 
 
 Britttvell,^ Dec. 13, 1726. 
 
 Sir, — ^The Year 26 must not perish without my Enquiries 
 after all my Friends at Paris. I began the Year in Picardy, I 
 end it in Buck''- and except the Loss of your Company, I do 
 not in the least regrett my Absence from the gayest City in the 
 World. A true Englishman who loves Roast Beef and 
 Pudding cannot breath freely out of his own Island. The 
 solidity of our Diet and the Prejudice of our Education makes 
 us look upon All Mirth except our own as Folly and Nonsense. 
 But if I may speak as a Citizen of the Universe, the English 
 Laughter is another Term for extravagant Noise and the 
 English Gravity borders a little upon Dullness. I confess I 
 admire the French Gaiety, at the same time that I cannot join 
 in it. We may like to see a play well acted but yet not wish 
 Ourselves Commedians. Paris is a delightful Place to look at, 
 but London is a much better Place to live in. I am pleased 
 with the Grandure of Palaces, yet I chuse humble Marston 
 for my Dwelling. Love and Admiration are very different. 
 We always admire What We love, but We seldom love 
 everything that We admire. I would allow France all its 
 Beauties and I would add to England more than it has ; but 
 
 1 The author of several very learned works, and at one time tutor to Lord 
 Orrery's sons. 
 
 2 A small place near Burnham Beeches belonging to Charles Ld Orrery, and 
 later sold. 
 
'j.i/c£f- &iiorJiSt^Ol'.~'ir'-^ <:■ 
 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 49 
 
 the Medium betwixt the English and the French is no where 
 so well hitt as at Brussells. The Brussellians are neither 
 impertinently Vivacious, nor absurdly shy. This I take to be 
 owing to the late Wars, which gave them an advantage of 
 conversing with the most polite People of both Countries, and 
 laying hold of the Opportunity they had Judgment enough to 
 leave out the Bad, and pick out the Good from each Nation. — 
 As to England it stands just where it did — its Foundation is on 
 a Rock. We cannot be hurt Without, but We are often 
 wounded Within. Our own Cannon is planted against us, and 
 that which should be our Bulwark proves our destruction. 
 The Luxury of the Times appears great even to me, who am 
 not a little fond of Pleasure and Extravagance. What all this 
 will end in I am too young to be a Prophet, and am content 
 to go along with the Herd and partake of my Country's Fate 
 be it what it will. But I must thus far boast myself learned 
 in Futurity, that I am certain you will always find me Yrs etc. 
 
 BOYLE. 
 
 MR. BYRD TO JOHN LORD BOYLE. 
 
 (In answer to one of which there is no Copy) 
 
 Virginia, Feby. zd, 1726/7. 
 
 IVIy dear Lord, — The Historical Epistle which You did 
 me the Honour to send me, of the 30th of June last, gave us 
 great Entertainment. Every thing is described with so much 
 life and propriety that I fancyed the Objects themselves present 
 before my eyes. I could imagine I saw Miss Die Chapman 
 bridle up and look happy when the Queen of France seemed 
 gracious, and put on her disappointed Face when Her Majesty 
 withdrew her Smiles. I could also figure your Lordship 
 performing the friendly Office of picking up some of Lord 
 Windsor's Effects, and others of them droping while he was 
 
 VOL. I. D 
 
50 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 bowing low for the trouble he had the misfortune of giving 
 you. I could also paint the sprightly Colonel nodding over 
 his Draughts, and cracking a stale Joke for the hundred 
 and fiftieth time, while some of the Company take the liberty 
 to laugh, not so much at the Story as the Historian. As 
 some People are very awkward when they are Gay, I believe 
 the French are so when they are melancholy. It is a most 
 unnatural part for that merry Nation to Act, which used to 
 Sing when they had short Commons, and dance in wooden 
 shoes, either of which would make a true Briton very low 
 Spirited. I was in hopes Your Lordship had quitted your 
 Passion for Old Women when you quitted England, and 
 resigned your Claims to Withered Beauties to your God 
 Father. His Grace has an aversion to green Charms, they 
 set his Teeth on Edge, and therefore he loves the Fruit 
 better when it is mellow. However if that taste followed 
 by you beyond the Seas, I wonder you could want an agree- 
 able Old Woman in France so long as Lady Sandwich * was 
 there ; tho' I must confess it was exceeding odd in Your 
 Lordship to expect to meet with Ancient Ladys in a Country 
 where every Creature is young, at least every Age puts on the 
 same youthful Ornaments, and is amused with the same youth- 
 
 ' The Countess of Sandwich (by birth Elizabeth, daughter of George, zd Earl of 
 Halifax) is thus mentioned by the Cardinal de Bemis, ' M^^ de Sandwich qui avait la 
 figure et I'esprit le plus males que j'aie connus a aucune femme, disait de M"* du 
 Maine, avec qui elle passait sa vie, " Si M"" la Duchesse avait le Sceptre du monde, 
 elle trouverait le secret d'en faire un hochet." Cette definition etait exacte.' Lady 
 Sandwich died in Paris aged 92, after 20 years of Widowhood. Her husband, Edward, 
 zd Earl, whose mother was Lady Anne Boyle, daughter of the Earl of Cork and 
 Burlington, was the great Grandfather of the Peer who held for a time the ofiice of 
 first Lord of the Admiralty, but is chiefly known to posterity by the name of Jemmy 
 Twitcher (from a character in a Play) and by the following quatrain : 
 
 ' Two noble Lords were I to quote. 
 The World would call me Sinner, 
 The one invented half a coat. 
 The other half a dinner ! ' — (Spencer Sandwich.) 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 51 
 
 ful Trifles. And if you should ask an Old Fellow how old 
 he was, instead of answering that he was turned of four 
 score, He will tell you that blessed be his Stars, he found 
 himself in perfect good Health. It is a pity that Lord 
 North ^ should so far forget his Character and Quality as to 
 treat Ladys of Honour with Indecency. I fear he has accus- 
 tomed himself so much to the Conversation of Females 
 
 that he is apt to forget himself when he happens into better 
 Company. I am the more concerned for his Lordship, be- 
 cause if Fine Things come out of his Mouth with none of 
 the best Grace, how shocking must Rude Ones appear ! I 
 will trust old Ned for good Claret and an easy Chair, to 
 mend his Shape and brighten up his Genius, which in the 
 cloudiest English weather lies extreamly towards getting to 
 as full an Understanding as one would be fond of in a Father, 
 how little soever one might covet it in Oneself. I will answer 
 for young Ned, He esteems the Old Gentleman a Man of 
 excellent parts, and had much rather be his Son and Heir, 
 than that of the brightest Wit in the Land. I had the 
 honour of a Letter from Him, since he returned from his 
 Travels, and belive he has profited more by going Abroad 
 than his Countrymen usualy have done. Most young Fellows 
 improve in little beside Confidence ; this helps them to 
 discover their whole stock of Vice and Folly, which Bash- 
 fulness concealed in them before. I fancy Your Lordship 
 is not a little diverted to see the honest Colonel at his own 
 Table supported by his two Maiden Aunts. They talk the 
 Northern Dialect without Doubt in all its Purity, and 
 dress to the Primitive Simplicity. I hope our Friend is 
 not quite so peevish to them as he used to be to poor Little 
 
 1 William, 6th Baron North and zd Baron Grey, served under the D. of Marl- 
 borough in all his campaigns and lost one hand at Blenheim. 
 
52 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 foot. One of my Female Correspondents tells a wofull 
 Story of my good Friend the Major (Gooche). She says he 
 was taken at a Disadvantage by one of his own modish 
 Countrymen, and Brother Gamesters, who handled him pretty 
 roughly and almost demolished his Person. But the most 
 incredible part of the Story was, that the Major endured 
 it all with the Patience of a Martyr, and the Forgiveness of 
 a Christian. This surely cannot be true, because all the 
 Major's acquaintance both Gentlemen and Ladys, have heard 
 him swear as manfully as any Hero in His Majesty's Guards. 
 We have had the most delightfull Winter here that I ever 
 saw in any Country, just Frost enough to fertilize over 
 our Ground, and purify the Air. The Sun has befriended 
 us constandy with the chearfullest of its Smiles, and Foggs 
 and Clouds have been as absolute Prodigys with us the 
 whole Season as a Constant Man or an humble Woman is 
 in England. My Young Gentlewomen like everything in the 
 Country except the Retirement, they can't get the Plays, 
 the Operas and the Masquerades out of their Heads, much 
 less can they forget their Friends. However the light- 
 ness of our Atmosphere helps them to bear all their losses 
 with more Spirit, and that they may amuse themselves the 
 better, they are every Day up to their Elbows in House- 
 wifery, which will qualify them effectually for usefuU Wives 
 and if they live long enough, for Notable Women. Now 
 Your Lordship has finished your Studys, learnt all your 
 Exercises, and ended your Travels, I shall expect to hear 
 very soon that you are Married and become a Grave Member 
 of the Common- Wealth. May that Circumstance of Life, 
 and everything else be happy to you ; and may you not for- 
 get, though at this unmerciful Distance, Your Lordship's 
 most obedient Servant, 
 
 W. BYRD. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 S3 
 
 LORD BOYLE TO MR. BYRD IN VIRGINIA. 
 
 Brittnvell, Sept. 1727. 
 
 Sir, — I have defFerred answering your obliging Letter 
 for some Time, till I could send You an exact Account of 
 the State of Affairs, after so great an Event, as the Death 
 of the King. You may imagine for the first Fortnight so 
 far were We from having Time to write, that we scarce 
 had Time to think either Who or where We were : or if We 
 ever deigned to cast the least Thought upon our present 
 Condition : Our future Prospect was so delightful! that 
 we even despised Ourselves. Each Man had fixed upon a 
 Place of Profet and Honour, and was to be awarded accord- 
 ing to his great Deserts ! Bribery and Corruption were to 
 be destroyed ; Piety was to fill the Bishop's Sees, Justice 
 the Judge's Bench. Foreigners were to be banished, and 
 even Scotch-men confined to their own Country. These 
 were the Schemes, these the Chimaeras of our noble true- 
 born Britons. But to begin methodically — His Majesty 
 departed this Life the nth of June (the Jacobites will have 
 it the loth) and Lord Townshend sent a Messenger to 
 his Brother-in-Law Sir Robert Walpole with the News. Sir 
 Robert immediately flew to Richmond, where he found our 
 New Monarch reposed after Dinner upon a Bed — his 
 Thoughts serene ! little imagining He must quit that blessed 
 Retirement to receive the Acclamations of a most noisy 
 People, and to bear the Load of such weighty Affairs as 
 might make an Atlas sink under them. The King burst 
 into Tears upon the News of his Father's Death, and Sir 
 Robert who had staid about a Quarter of an Hour with 
 Him, returned to London, to inform the People of their 
 
54 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 approaching Happiness. It was that Quarter of an Hour, 
 that happy Quarter of an Hour, wherein the Knight was to 
 display the Statesman and Politician and to fix his own 
 Fate for ever. But surely that was an easy Part to act, 
 when he brought with him Crown, Scepters, Power and 
 Dominion! To return to our King, His Majesty went to 
 his Royal Consort's Apartment to inform Her of her new 
 Dignity ; She received the News either with great Joy or 
 great Sorrow for She fell into an hysterick Fitt, which Excess 
 of either Passion will occasion. However Heaven preserve 
 Her for better Days ; and She came about Five in the After- 
 noon, with her princely Spouse to Leicester House. Now 
 the joyfuU Scene appears ; and it would need an abler Painter 
 than I am to describe It, who besides my Inability was not in 
 Town till the third Day. What I was told I wiU repeate. 
 Leicester Fields, and all the Streets near it, were crowded 
 with Coaches ; So many were the Bone-fires and Illuminations 
 that the Town seemed all on Fire. Bells, Trumpets and 
 Drums deafened the Inhabitants ; Nothing but Joy was 
 seen ; Nothing but Huzzas heard, and if you will allow a 
 Classical Simile, it was like the Rejoicing of the Trojans 
 described in Virgil, when they thought the Grecians were run 
 away. Ruine and Destruction followed the Trojan Merri- 
 ment ; the Gods avert the Omen from the English ! The 
 Noise was too great not to reach us, who were but twenty 
 Miles distant from London. Duval arrived at four o'clock 
 in the morning, awakened Us out of our Sleep, and frightened 
 us out of our Senses. The Day after his Arrival, the i6th 
 of June, we went to Town. On the 17th Lord Binglcy,^ 
 
 ' Robert Benson, M.P. for York, was successively Commissioner, Chancellor and 
 Under-Secretary to the Exchequer. He was created Baron Bingley in 171 3. Sent as 
 Ambassador to Madrid, married Lady Elizabeth Finch, daughter of the first Earl of 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 55 
 
 my Father and your humble Servant, repaired to the lesser 
 Leicester House. It was the first Time I had ever been 
 there, and was surprized to see in the outward room miserable 
 Copies of Titian's Heathen Gods, butt upon Enquiry found 
 the Maids of Honour were strictly forbid to come into 
 that Chamber ; however some of those Nymphs had been 
 caught peeping now and then out of curiosity thro' the 
 Keyhole. The Croud was so great, and the Clergy so 
 numerous and so bulky, that it was with great difficulty we 
 could come near the King. His Majesty received Us royally, 
 graciously, and civilly, and in about a quarter of an Hour, 
 retired to his Closet. We then went to the Great House, 
 and after waiting above two Hours, were admitted into the 
 Queen's Apartment. Her Majesty sent me away happy, 
 by telling me with a Smile, that I was much grown since 
 She had seen me. Yet after some Consideration I began 
 to look upon this rather as a Reproof than a Mark of 
 Kindness, since it carries with it a Sort of Reprimand for 
 not having been at Court before in many years. — Great 
 Changes were now talked of : Sir Robert Walpole was to be 
 demolished ; the Duke of Newcastle's Head taken off; the 
 Duke of Ormond recalled ; and what was the greatest News 
 of all, the Whigs and Tories to be mixed in the Administra- 
 tion. But as yet Things stand as they did : I had almost 
 forgot to tell you that in the Midst of the Plebeian Satis- 
 faction the Dutchess of Kendal was burnt in Effigie. How- 
 ever Her Grace is now coming over in Propria Persona, 
 so fearless is She of the People of England's Resentment at 
 this Juncture, how great soever it was then. — The Coronation 
 
 AyJesford and died in 1730, when his title became extinct. His only daughter 
 married Geo. Lane Fox, Esq., for whom the title was re-created, but at whose death 
 in 1773 it again, and finally, became extinct. 
 
56 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 which draws near will make our Family go up to London 
 soon. After that Ceremony all eyes will be turned towards 
 the Actions of the Parliaments. If I have omitted Any Thing 
 in this my poor Account of our New Sovereignity, I hope 
 your other Correspondents will supply my Deficiencies ; but 
 the most publick News, such as Deaths and Marriages, the 
 Papers will convey to Virginia. Let me now therefore 
 proceed to some History of our common Friends, and descend 
 from the Annals of Kings to Anecdotes of their Subjects. The 
 Colonel (tho' discarded from his Place) nods on with un- 
 paralled Victory at Draughts ; which made an unlucky Wag 
 compare him to the General who took Towns in his Sleep, 
 and ask what would He do if awake. His Passion for the 
 Ladies still remains. He does not think the Fruit sour 
 because he cannot reach it. On the Contrary like Nestor 
 he boasts of his former Deeds. . . . He despises the young 
 Fellows of the Age and thinks they degenerate from the 
 
 Hectors of the Last. . . . Captain H retired in the 
 
 midst of all the Joy to the Melancholy of the Forest without 
 any visible Companion. . . . The World is still simple 
 enough to be always of a contrary Opinion from Him : his 
 Schemes and other People's never agree. He sees with 
 different Eyes from them the most plain Objects, and Captain 
 Fitzgerald who is happy in an easy and concise Way of 
 explaining Himself cannot convince the Sea-Captain that the 
 Emperor and the King of Spain are entered into a firm 
 Alliance with each other. I come next to our Friend the 
 Major (Smith) who teaches more by the motion of his Eyes in 
 one Minute than other Husbands can in seven Years. He and 
 his Lady are both very well and She to her great Comfort is 
 in Mourning. As to myself I begin to disdain the old 
 Ladies and to look upon the Young. The withered Beauties 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 57 
 
 cease to charm. Sophronia and Laloessar are no more. The 
 names of Howard and Halifax are forgotten ; and His Grace 
 of Argyle is unenvied in the decaying Blooms of Miss Vincent 
 and MoU of Kent — Cloe and Semanthe are the reigning 
 Favourites and Conquerors of all Hearts. — I am happy in the 
 Intimacy of Mr. Southwell. We both hope your Return 
 will be sooner than You design ; and as we agree in most 
 Things, so in Nothing more than our Good Wishes for You 
 and your Family to Whom Every Body desire their Com- 
 pliments. — I am, Sir, Yrs. etc. 
 
 BOYLE. 
 
 MR. BYRD TO CHARLES, EARL OF ORRERY. 
 
 Virginia, Feb. id, 1727/8. 
 
 My Lord, — I am much obliged to Your Lordship for 
 being so very good as to sweeten my Retirement by writing 
 often. Whenever my Spirits sink at any Time below their 
 natural pitch Your Letters are Cordial enough to raise them 
 again, and make me as gay as the Spring. They call back 
 to my Memory all the delightfuU scenes of Brittwell and 
 Downing Street, and for Variety make me look back some- 
 times on the graver amusements at Wills. Mrs. Byrd too 
 gives you a thousand thanks for your Favours to her 
 Daughter. There is now a little Virginian that I fancy is 
 much more a Romp than her Sister. She is so lively that 
 unless her Nurse were very carefuU, She would spring out 
 of her Arms. Like the Children of Languedoc and Gascony, 
 She dances before she can walk and sings before she can 
 speak. If she lives we must get her a Husband as soon as 
 the Law will allow, which makes Females forbiden Fruit 
 before ten years old. . . . Not content with two Spinsters 
 
58 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 Mrs. Byrd is now breeding again, with hopes of having a 
 Son ; the' after All I wish She mayn't run upon the DistafF 
 as much as Her Grace of Argyle. I belive even Madam 
 Smith would healp the Major to an Heir if an ill-turn of 
 luck at Play, should send them to this Country. . . . These 
 Disadvantages to Gallantry make well for Matrimony, which 
 thrives so excellently, that an Old Maid or an Old Batchelour 
 are as rare among us and reckoned as ominous as a Blazing 
 Star. One of the most antick Virgins I am acquainted with 
 is my Daughter, either our young Fellows are not smart 
 eno' for her, or she seems too smart for them, but in a 
 little Time I hope they will split the Difference. We are 
 quite in the Dark what they are doing in Europe, having 
 had hardly any Intelligence of a latter date than Your Lord- 
 ship's letter. However we look out very sharp for Ships 
 at this Time to satisfie our Curiosity. I find there are two 
 extraordinary Persons appointed Governors of Barbados and 
 New York since the King's Accession. What a Misfortune 
 it would be for those Countrys if their Creditors should stop 
 them with a Ne Exeattt Regno. By great Accident we have 
 a very Worthy Man to represent Lord Orkney. It is Major 
 Goochj brother to an eminent Clergyman of that Name. He 
 seems hitherto to maintain the Character of a very just Man, 
 and has a reasonable share of good Sense, good Nature, and 
 good Breeding. How long He may hold his Integrity I 
 cannot warrant because Power and Flattery corrupt many 
 a HopefuU Ruler. However we are not so apt to spoile 
 our Governors as they are in the other Plantations, because 
 we never compliment with one Penny more than their estab- 
 lished Income. We dare not be generous to those who are 
 Good, for fear of setting a Precedent for those who are Bad. 
 Most of the Colonies have been imprudent that way. They 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 59 
 
 have done extravagant things for Governors they have been 
 fond of, which has afterwards been made a Rule for their 
 Successors tho' never so disagreeable. Our Winter has been 
 very severe this Year with Cold, much keener than ever I 
 felt in England; but by the benefit of our Climate it has 
 been very short and we begin now to expect our Spring 
 which is always very beautiful! and Fragrant. I am much 
 in Lord Boyle's Debt for the entertaining Peice of History 
 He was so good as to send me, and shall thank Him for 
 it by this Opportunity. Whenever His Lordship engages 
 in the hazardous State of Matrimony I hope it will be to 
 his Satisfaction in every Circumstance. I am never so happy 
 as when I understand that Your Lordship and all for whom 
 you have any concern are well, for I shall always remain 
 yr Ldship's most humble Servt, 
 
 BYRD. 
 
 MR. BYRD TO CHARLES EARL OF ORRERY. 
 
 Virginia, July 5, 1726. 
 
 My Lord, — Soon after my arrival I had the honour to 
 write to Your Ldsp to acquaint you that we had happily 
 escaped all the Dangers of the Sea, and were safely landed 
 at my own House. There was nothing frightfuU in the 
 whole Voyage but a suddain Puff that carried away our Top- 
 mast, which in the falling gave a very bad crack, but we 
 received no other Damage, neither were our Women terrified 
 at It. The beautifuUest Bloom of our Spring when we came 
 Ashore, gave Mrs. Byrd a good impression of the Country. 
 But since that the Weather is grown Warm, and some days 
 have been troublesome eno' to make Her wish herself back 
 in England. She now begins to be seasoned to the Heat, 
 
6o THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 and to think more favourably of our Clymate. She comforts 
 herself with the thought that a warm Sun is necessary to 
 ripen our fine Fruit, and so pays herself with the Pleasure 
 of one Sense, for the Inconvenience that attends the others. 
 I must own to Yr Ldship that we have about three months 
 that impatient People call warm, but the Colonel would think 
 them cool enough for a pair of Blankets, and perhaps a 
 comfortable Counterpain into the Bargain. Yet there are 
 not lo days in the whole summer that Yr Ldsp would com- 
 plain of, and they happen when the Breazes fail us and it 
 is a dead Calme. But then the other nine Months are most 
 charmingly delightfuU, with a fine Air and a Serene Sky 
 that keeps us in Good Health and Good Humour. Spleen 
 and Vapours are as absolute Rarities here as a Winter's Sun, 
 or a Publick Spirit in England. A Man may eat Beef, be 
 as lazy as Captain Hardy, or even marry in this Clymate, 
 without having the least Inclination to hang himself. It 
 would cure all Mr. Hutchinson's distempers if the Ministry 
 
 would transport him hither unless they sent Lady G (?) 
 
 along with him. Your Ldsp will allow it to be a fair Com- 
 mendation of a Country that it reconciles a Man to himself, 
 and makes him suffer the weight of his misfortunes with the 
 same tranquility that he bears with his own Frailtys. After 
 your September is over, I shall wish your Ldsp a little of 
 our Sunshine to disperse that Fogg and Smoake with which 
 your Atmosphere is loaded. 'Tis miraculous that any Lungs 
 can breath in an Air compounded of so many different 
 Vapours and Exhalations like that of dirty London. For 
 my part mine were never of a texture to bear it in winter 
 without great convulsions, so that nothing could make me 
 amends for that uneasiness but the pleasure of being near 
 your Lordship. Besides the advantage of a pure Air, we 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 6i 
 
 abound in all kinds of Provisions without expence (I mean 
 we who have Plantations). I have a large Family of my 
 own, and my Doors are open to Every Body, yet I have 
 no Bills to pay, and half-a-Crown will rest undisturbed in 
 my Pocket for many Moons together. Like one of the 
 Patriarchs, I have my Flocks and my Herds, my Bond-men 
 and Bond-women, and every Soart of Trade amongst my 
 own Servants, so that 1 live in a kind of Independence on 
 every one but Providence. However tho' this Soart of Life 
 is without expence, yet it is attended with a great deal of 
 trouble. I must take care to keep all my People to their 
 Duty, to set all the Springs in motion and to make every 
 one draw his equal Share to carry the Machine forward. But 
 then 'tis an amusement in this silent Country and a continual 
 exercise of our Patience and Economy. 
 
 Another thing My Lord that recomends this Country 
 very much — we sit securely under our Vines and our Fig 
 Trees without any Danger to our Property. We have neither 
 publick Robbers nor private, which Your Ldsp will think very 
 strange, when we have often needy Governors, and pilfering 
 Convicts sent amongst us. The first of these it is suspected 
 have some-times an inclination to plunder, but want the pow'r, 
 and tho' they may be Tyrants in their Nature, yet they are 
 Tyrants without Guards, which makes them as harmless as 
 a Scold would be without a Tongue. Neither can they do 
 much Injustice by being partial in Judgment, because in the 
 Supreme Court the Council have each an equal Vote with 
 them. Thus both the Teeth and the Claws of the Lion 
 are secured, and He can neither bite nor tear us, except 
 we turn him loose upon Ourselves. I wish this was the 
 Case with all His Majesty's good Subjects, and I dare say 
 Your Ldsp has the goodness to wish so too. Then we have 
 
62 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 no such Trades carried on amongst us, as that of Horse- 
 breakers, Highway-men, or Beggers. We can rest securely 
 in our Beds with all our Doors and Windows open, and 
 yet find every thing exactly in place the next Morning. 
 We can travel all over the Country by Night and by Day, 
 unguarded and unarmed, and never meet with any Person 
 so rude as to bid us Stand. We have no Vagrant Mendicants 
 to seize and deaften us wherever we go, as in your Island 
 of Beggers, Thus My Lord we are very happy in our 
 Canaans if we could but forget the Onions and Fleshpots 
 of Egypt. There are so many Temptations in England to 
 inflame the Appetite and charm the Senses, that we are 
 content to run all Risques to enjoy them. They always 
 had I must own too strong an Influence upon me, as Your 
 Ldsp will belive when they could keep me so long from 
 the more solid pleasures of Innocence and Retirement. I 
 doubt not but My Lord Boyle has learn't at Paris to perform 
 all his Exercises in perfection and is become an absolute 
 Master of the French Language. I wish every Secretary 
 of State could write it as perfectly as his Ldsp does, that 
 their Performances might not be subjected to the Correction 
 of Mr. De La Fay. I am sure that Lord Boyle will in 
 every respect Answer the afi^ectionate care your Lordship 
 has taken of him, and I suppose It will not be long before 
 I shall have the pleasure to hear that he is happily married, 
 for it now seems wholy to depend upon Him, to furnish 
 Heirs to the Noble Family of his Name. I most heartily 
 long to hear from Your Lordship, and shall rejoice at every 
 happy Accident that befalls you, for I am as much as any 
 Man alive. My Lord, yr etc. 
 
 W. BYRD. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 63 
 
 LORD BOYLE TO MR. BYRD. 
 
 Britt'vjell, 2 Jan. 1727/8. 
 
 Dear Sir, — This is the day on which I quitt my infant, 
 and enter into my Virile State. My worthy friends the 
 Burnhamites have ushered in the morning with the harmony 
 of their Bells, and the myrmidons of Brittwell carry a Joy 
 in their countenances that demands strong Beer at noon and 
 a Fiddle at night. The whole world around seems gay, and 
 even old Mrs. Lowe has hobbled down through this nipping 
 frost in order to begin the Ball with which our Evening is 
 to conclude. The coquetry of her daughter (a Virgin just 
 entering her forty-seventh year) does, I confess, give me a 
 pleasing pain about my heart, Agnosco Veteris Vestigia 
 Flamma, but not to surfeit you with our neighbours, I will 
 only add that I must I fear sail into the nuptial Port soon. 
 An only Son is indispensably obliged to propagate his name. 
 All the glory of my life will probably be the addition I make 
 to my Species; so soon as my Father will find a Woman 
 whose person shall pleas me, and whose fortune will pleas 
 Him, She shall be heartily wellcome to the arms of, dear 
 Sir, etc. 
 
 BOYLE. 
 
 MR. BYRD TO JOHN LORD BOYLE. 
 In Answer to the foregoing One. 
 
 Virginia the izth ofFeby. 1727/8. 
 
 My Lord, — Nothing can be more obliging than the 
 Memoirs your Lordship was pleased to send me. They were 
 so entertaining that I have almost worn out the Paper with 
 
64 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 often reading It. No grave Santercross^ at Wilks' can be better 
 informed of your Affairs both public and privat, than I am by 
 the Favour of so kind a Correspondent. Pray continue that 
 indulgence to a poor Hermit, because the next pleasure to 
 being in the fine World is from time to time to receive an 
 elegant account of it. A lively description paints every Thing 
 so strongly on the Fancy, that it almost cheats us into a belief 
 that the Original is present, tho' we are a little out of Temper 
 when the Delusion vanishes, as our Ladies are when they are 
 awakened out of a delightful Dream. When Your Lordship 
 did me the Honour of Your Letter it was a little too soon to 
 foresee what turn things would take. The King was just 
 seated on the Throne, and doubtless under great Concern for 
 the Death of his Royal Father. He had not then Leasure to 
 look about Him, nor consider maturely the Situation of his 
 Affairs. It might be necessary just at first to keep every 
 Thing in the Old Channel, as the most likely means to prevent 
 disorder and confusion. Hasty alterations, like hasty Physick 
 might occasion Convulsions, just as when a Man jumps into a 
 great Estate, it may be prudent to continue the same Steward 
 (who He knows cheated his Father) till he has got into full 
 possession, and has got himself Master of his Business.^ After 
 all this is done, it may be a very proper Time to change 
 hands, and make choice of more able and faithfull Servants. 
 Thus when the King has tried the Temper of his Parliament 
 at Home, and has concluded a lasting Peace abroad, it may be 
 a right Season to make Substancial Removes, and chuse such 
 
 1 No explanation of this colloquial expression is forthcoming — query, a possible 
 corruption of ' saunteracross ' ? The Dictionaries give ' santer ' as an alternative 
 spelling, and quote ' a saunter of the Town.' Grosse gives ' saunterer ' as Buckish. 
 
 2 The unflattering comparison and its following diatribe are of course aimed at 
 Sir R. Walpole, to whom Lord Orrery and his son were steadily opposed, and whose 
 star was not for some time in ascendency under Queen Caroline's protection. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 65 
 
 Persons to serve Him, as by their wise Administration may 
 gain Him the Affections of His People. Such as may have the 
 Industry of Hercules to cleanse the State of Impurities much 
 harder to remove than those of the Augean Stables. Such 
 as may influence our Parliament by Arguments taken from 
 Reason and Regard for the Publick Good, not from the Bank 
 and the Exchequer. Such as will in earnest pay off^ the Nation's 
 Debt and not increase it in Time of Peace. Such as will take 
 off the Load that lies so heavy upon Trade and Industry and 
 lay it upon Vice and Luxury. Such as will put the Laws into 
 Vigorous Execution, without Regard to Party or Respect of 
 Persons. This would be a glorious Reign indeed if we could 
 see such Men advanced, but Princes who see with other Men's 
 Eyes, will have great luck if they find out such absolute 
 Rarities. — I am sorry our dear Friend the Colonel was toss't 
 out of his Place so early and forc'd to move his Lodgings. 
 It is a great Character you give of the Major, that he is able 
 to govern the most rebellious part of his Family with a Nod. 
 It was more than Homer ever pretended to say of Jupiter, 
 who was forced to add Menaces to the Terrour of his Looks, 
 and both together could hardly keep his Consort in Order. 
 I have no skill in the Sex, if his Lady did not need a pretty 
 deal of subduing before she was brought under the Dominion 
 of Brow, the most absolute of all Governments. — I am heartily 
 glad that Your Lordship and Mr. Southwell are so happy in 
 one another. I do not know where either of you would mend 
 yourselves or share a better Task. May your Intimacy 
 improve into perfect Friendship of which very few of this 
 selfish Generation are capable. I beg you will continue me the 
 Honour of a Letter now and then, to enliven my Solitude 
 and give a great deal of Pleasure to Your Lordship's most 
 obedient Servant W. BYRD. 
 
 VOL. I. E 
 
66 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 LORD BOYLE TO WILLIAM CECIL, ESQ^. 
 
 Marston, izth June 1726. 
 
 Dear Sir, — Many thanks for your Letter. All here are 
 well, nor can I be otherwise whilst at Marston, the Place I love 
 best in the World. From the first Time I saw it, I fell as 
 much a Victim to its charms, as I have since done to Celia's 
 Eyes, and yet the House was then rather in a State of Ruin 
 than otherwise. My Amour may probably one Day cost me 
 a great deal of Money, for I have heard from Men of Experi- 
 ence that we seldom care how much we bestow upon our 
 Mistresses, and how little upon our Wives. . . . Had this 
 House been a new Purchase of my Father's, my Veneration 
 for it in all Probability had been less, but it has remained in 
 our Family about a hundred Years. The first Earl of Corke 
 bought the Estate of Sir John Hippisley and by his last Will 
 left it to Lord Broghill ^ who lived here whenever Leisure and 
 Absence from Ireland would permitt him. My Father has 
 added a Wing to compleat the Fabrick and by that means 
 has enlarged the House within and rendered the Building 
 uniform and regular without. Offices we have none. That 's 
 a Work for me to do. . . . We are to remove from hence to 
 BrittweU To-morrow, but our Return hither is uncertain ; it 
 will be a happy day for me whenever it happens. Next to 
 Marston, London is my Favourite Place of Residence ; one 
 good Reason is because You are there : but there are many 
 Others which You may more easily guess at, than I can give 
 under the Hand of, Yours, 
 
 BOYLE. 
 
 1 Roger, Lord Broghill, ist Earl of Orrery. 
 
'U-,.i,:,,j^,,.il.i-ko' 
 
 ~J ria 1/ ■ I in rnri /■/•/ , // I'lrti /■// 
 
 //■/// „/','/(',.,/, ,■)■'.'( 'Ill-/ !■/( ''I'll il/ 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 67 
 
 LORD BOYLE TO COUNSELLOR KEMPE. 
 
 Brittiuell, Dec. 24., 1726. 
 
 Dear Sir, — If You expect News from hence, You will be 
 much mistaken. We go on in the same Family Road that 
 we did three Years ago. Breakfast and Billiards in the 
 Morning, Dinner and Tea in the Afternoon, Cards and Supper 
 at Night. How I envy You, placed as You are within the 
 Sound of Covent-Garden Bells. But let my Person be at 
 ever so great a Distance I am sure my Thoughts will be at 
 London. I often lose the Odd Trick at Whist because I see 
 Mrs. Oldfield ^ hugg Nykin and kiss Wilks ; and frequently 
 renounce a Suit because Beau Clincher is going to the Jubilee. 
 . . . But ' come what may Patience and 'Time run through the 
 ' roughest Day.' — Yours always, 
 
 BOYLE. 
 
 LORD BOYLE TO COUNSELLOR KEMPE. 
 
 London, Feb. 25, 1727/8. 
 
 I HAVE always observed, in the little space of time hitherto 
 aUoted me to study Mankind, that covetousness shows itself 
 plainest in the lowest Instances. You may remember at 
 Christ Church I told you how very avaritious our Friend 
 Terry (when Sub Dean) appeared to me, in a thousand Trifles, 
 that made a Youth of my Disposition not only laugh at, but 
 heartily despise him. I recollect particularly his unwillingness 
 to pay post-letters. Some wag who has made the same 
 observation, has it seems, in an unknown hand, sent him a 
 feigned letter of which I have procured the enclosed copy, and 
 
 1 A celebrated Actress of the Day. 
 
68 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 at the same time did so enclose and fold up his letter that 
 
 Mrs. Terry was obliged to pay seventeen pence in her 
 
 husband's absence, who when he returned home and opened 
 
 it found the following contents : — 
 
 (The enclosure is not worth reproducing, nor would the letter 
 itself be, but for the connection with the succeeding one, and the 
 evidence afforded of the absurd importance attached in those still 
 unquiet times to puerile annoyances by even learned Professors such as 
 the Dean [and Canon] in question). 
 
 LORD BOYLE TO MR. SALKELD. 
 
 London, May ist, 1728. 
 
 Dear Sir, — I am obliged to you for your last letter, and 
 the kind wishes it contains. I am apt to think all things will 
 be agreed upon, and possibly the next Epistle you receive from 
 me will be from a married man, I have been assured, and I 
 have read that the Nuptial State allows no medium in its 
 happiness : I own I look for perfect felicity from the manners 
 and disposition of Lady Harriot Hamilton ; ^ however there 
 are certain Circumstances in my particular situation that may 
 possibly embitter our sweet cup,^ and — but I am growing 
 serious, which befits not my time of life, let us call therefore 
 some other subject and avoid Egotisms. Luckily after having 
 writ thus far, and while turning my thoughts towards chear- 
 fuUness and merriment, my Servant told me Dr. Terry of 
 Christchurch was below, and desired in my Father's Absence 
 to pay me his respects. I flew down with the utmost haste to 
 attend him, and I found him talking aloud to himself as his 
 manner is, and repeating the same word a hundred times over. 
 I soon grew weary of hearing the same thing over and over, 
 
 1 Youngest daughter of the Earl and Countess of Orkney. 
 
 2 These anticipations were unhappily fulfilled, tho' from no fault of the Bride. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 69 
 
 and to awaken him from his Reverie I pinched this profound 
 Scholar till he cried out Enough, enough I say, my Lord. 
 The cause of his leaving Oxford at this particular Time, was 
 a complaint which he intended to lay before the House of 
 Lords of certain letters written to Him under feigned names, 
 which were generally filled with Jokes, or such idle Trifles as 
 by no means recompensed the money paid for their postage. 
 He gave me a Copy of the last Epistle of this kind that he 
 had received, and I perceived its greatest merit seems to be 
 the expence of it, which I assure you wounds Terry deeply. I 
 applauded with great Zeal, his scheme of applying to Parlia- 
 ment, and he left me not an hour agoe in a fuU resolution of 
 trying to bring in A Great Act of Parliament against sham 
 letters and unknown Correspondents. — I am, etc. 
 
 BOYLE. 
 
 [The chief point in the perpetration of this very trivial practical 
 pleasantry seems to have been — after putting its Victim to needless 
 expense — an indirect rebuke of his constant and wearisome abuse of 
 the colloquialism ' I say,' which suggests the possibility that Dr. T. 
 may have been the identical learned Professor who on being informed 
 that an irreverent Undergraduate was given to ridiculing him on the 
 same score, strode hastily across Quad to meet the approaching Culprit 
 and thundered in his ear ' You Sir ! I say they say that you say I say 
 ' I say ! ' turning away with a wrathful gesture quite unconscious of 
 the merriment he excited. — Modern progress and customs have 
 gradually extinguished the genus once by no means uncommon in this 
 country of Solitary Book Worms of more than ordinary learning but 
 less than ordinarily developed intelligence, witness the metaphysical 
 lecturer who deduced the inferiority of the feminine mind from the 
 inability of Women to keep fixed on one subject for any length of 
 time, and gave as an instance his conversation with a young Lady 
 whom he assured he had in the course of his whole life never seen a 
 fool, whereupon she with absolute irrelevance congratulated him on 
 having always grown a beard !] 
 
70 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 LORD BOYLE TO COUNSELLOR KEMPE. 
 
 Brittivell, Jany. /J7/z8. 
 
 I RECEIVED yours, which as usual is scarce to be decyphered 
 by any Person less accustomed to your manner of writing than 
 myself. As to John Sandford methinks I look upon Him 
 since he is no longer Curate at Marston as a fallen Minister, 
 and have neither writ to him nor seen him since his degrada- 
 tion. . . . When he gets another Curacy he will be worth our 
 notice, and you and I will pay him our Devoirs, when he 
 obtains a Deanery we will worship him. . . . For if We have 
 a mind to thrive in this honest World, We must regard the 
 station of the man, not his merit, and therefore you must bow 
 equally to a White Staff, whether it be in the hands of 
 Charters^ or the Archbishop of Canterbury. This calls to 
 my mind a story, which if not true, is at least not unnatural. 
 The morning after Lord Oxford was turned out, the Bishop 
 
 of L ^ came to wait upon him. John Reed the porter 
 
 appeared at the door and assured his Lordship that the Earl 
 was not at Home. ' Here John ' (quoth the Prelate) ' take 
 ' these five shillings and let me upstairs.' ' My Lord ' replied 
 Reed 'You may go up, but my Lord Oxford's Staff as 
 ' Treasurer was given by the Queen last night to the Duke of 
 ' Shrewsbury.' ' Say you so ' answered the Bishop ' Why then 
 ' here 's five shillings more not to say I have been here ; John, 
 ' drive away with all Haste to the Duke of Shrewsbury's.' 
 
 BOYLE. 
 
 ' The greatest and most despised black sheep of his day, freely lampooned by 
 Pope. 
 
 2 London. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 71 
 
 COPY OF A LETTER TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM 
 Concerning the Duke of Queensberry. 
 
 It is not to be doubted that some Persons, who are 
 Enemies to the Protestant Succession, and to the Peace of 
 these Nations, have been of late endeavouring to set on Foot 
 some Practices for promoting the Interests of St, Germains. 
 To find out the Bottom of these Plots in Scodand, there must 
 serious and impartial Search be made into these Things, which 
 have been done there, and which have contributed to open a 
 Correspondence with France, and look as if they had been 
 designed for that End. As to which a Well-Wisher to the 
 Government humbly suggests a few Matters of Fact ; Viz. : — 
 It is plain, that, by the Act of Indemnity lately emitted in 
 Scotland, a Flood of Officers were let in there who would be 
 ready for Mischief on all Occasions, and to be Commanders, 
 in case of an Insurrection. It is also certain that this 
 Indemniture gave new Life and Birth, to the Hopes, and 
 Designs of France upon Scotland. This Act was contrived 
 in London by D. Q^y, by the Advice of the Lord Stairs 
 and others, and sent down by him to his Confidints of the 
 Privy Council of Scotiand, that he might be fortified to push 
 it with the Queen upon the Credit and Authority of their 
 Advice. It was accordingly returned by them, and laid before 
 the Queen. It was no Wonder if the Lord Treasurer or any 
 other English Minister concurred in it, being told it was the 
 Advice of the Privy Council of Scotland. And it had been 
 very odd and unfit for them to have dissuaded a Gracious 
 Queen from granting her Subjects an Act of Grace which had 
 been advised by the Privy Council. 
 
72 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 Next it will be fit to examine who were the Promoters of 
 an Act, past last Session of Parliament in Scotland, for opening 
 a Trade with France, and the bad Consequences of it, and 
 how, and what, Influences it hath for affording an Opportunity 
 of a Correspondence with, and Means of an Invasion from 
 France. — The first dangerous Consequences of that Act is, 
 that by it may be provided a Fund of french Money in 
 Scotland without Remittance, and thereby put it beyond the 
 Danger of being discovered. For a French Emissary needs 
 do no more but settle himself in Scotland, under a Colour of 
 being a Factor for that Trade. This Factor loads the Wine 
 at Burdeaux upon the Credit of the French Government, and 
 when he sells it out to Merchants in Scotland, he keeps the 
 money, and disposes of it as he is advised from France by 
 the same Ships that brought the Wine. This he may do 
 without the Privity of any Person, and cannot possibly be 
 discovered. 
 
 Besides it was objected in Parliament against that Act, that 
 it was dishonourable to the Queen, prejudicial to and incon- 
 sistent with the Conditions and State of Her Majesty's 
 Alliances, and for these Reasons was protested against by 
 many eminent Members both Noblemen and Others. Not- 
 withstanding of which it was violently pressed by the Ministry, 
 who did alledge that the want of that Trade did impair Her 
 Majesty's Revenue, to^ that Degree, that without it it was 
 impossible to support the Civil List of the Government. For 
 Answer to this it was Objected, that whatever was needful for 
 supporting the Civil List, should be secured upon a more 
 certain Fund. But all this was rejected, and the Act pushed 
 on, and carried by the Influence of the D. of Queensberry in 
 Parliament where, (besides Merchants) there were some of the 
 Officers of the Customs, of his making, would reap Advantage 
 of it. If the present Plot be duly considered, it will appear that 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 73 
 
 D. Qij-y had frequent Meetings with Frasier^ both in Scotland 
 and England : that he gave Frasler Money, when the Money 
 he had got from the French King fell short ; that he gave 
 Frasier Passes and Protection, by which many People were in 
 Danger of being enticed to joyn with him, seeing these 
 naturally imported that D. Q;;7-y favoured the Undertaking. 
 That D. Q^y did under Counterfeit Names, procure from 
 the English Secretaries Passes for Frasier, and other Three 
 with him, who he knew were going to France. And after 
 Frasier was gone, D. Q^^y did by Campbell, now in Custody, 
 correspond with him, and Answers came to these Letters that 
 were written by Campbell at D. Q;— y's Order. These Things 
 look ill, but in Answer to them All, D. Q;— y sais that he 
 used Frasier as a Spie. Here it ought to be narrowly adverted 
 to, whether D. Q;— y hath used him as a Spie, as he sais, or if 
 he hath not rather used him of Purpose to promote the 
 Interest of St. Germains. He carries his Project of using a 
 Man as a Spie too far, who affords him Means (as he did 
 Frasier) and Assistance to carry out his Design, for Discovery 
 of which he pretends to use him as a Spie. These Passes, 
 Protections and Supplies of Money given to Frasier, can in no 
 Sense be constructed as Enticements to procure a Discovery, 
 but were naturally proper Means to enable Frasier to carry on 
 these bad Practices he was about. 
 
 But further it can no Ways be supposed that D. Q^^y 
 intended to use Frasier as a Spie, if it be considered, that 
 Frasier, when he was last in Scotland, and had finished all his 
 Negotiations there, and was able to discover what was to be 
 done, and by what Persons and Means carried on, yet did he 
 never discover any Thing. So that D. Q:^y having (without any 
 Discovery made by Frasier) procured him a Pass to go beyond 
 
 1 Frasier was the confidential attendant of James II. and is mentioned by the King 
 in his letter, page, 4 of this Volume. 
 
74 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 Sea, where, he knew, he would give an Account of what he 
 had done in Scotland, makes it evident to a Demonstration, 
 that he had some other Aim before him than using Frasier as 
 a Spie. That Frasier never made any Discovery (except of 
 himself) will appear from this, that all the Discoveries made 
 are by Means of Letters intercepted, and other Things 
 emerged since he went to France. 
 
 From these Things it doth undeniably follow, that Duke 
 Q;;-y can never be excused for not seizing him, and prevent- 
 ing his going, and that he did really favour the Undertaking, 
 or that he intended by Frasier's Means and Assistance, to 
 draw into Snares by Contrivances and counterfeit Appearances 
 of Guilt, some Persons of Quality against whom both he and 
 Frasier had inveterate and rooted Malice. It deserves also to 
 be taken Notice of that Frasier, the pretended Spie, is now 
 openly at St. Germalns, and is not considered there as a Spie. 
 But after all, there are some to whom D. Q^-j upon Occasions 
 that make the Heart free, and open the Mouth, hath bragg'd 
 of his Influences and Interest at St. Germalns. But truly 
 they did at the same Time, look upon it only as a Bragg, and 
 so founded Nothing upon it. If these Things be seriously 
 considered, and honest and just Men, who love both their 
 Country and Peace, and are well affected to the present 
 Government be employed, these by past Plots may be dis- 
 covered and new Ones prevented.^ 
 
 LORD BOYLE TO MR. SALKELD. 
 
 Neiv Bond St., No'V. 1719. 
 
 Dear Sir, — I write to You with great Pleasure always, 
 but It is lessened when You have the Trouble of paying for 
 
 ' This Letter is unsigned and undated. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 75 
 
 my Letters, and the Postmaster the Trouble of opening and 
 reading them. This I hope will go by a private Hand ; if 
 not I must commit it to the Post, and that is committing it 
 to the Winds. . . . Here are great numbers of Papers con- 
 tinually coming out, leveled almost all at one particular 
 Person.^ The Pen of the Craftsman is said to be guided by 
 different but very able Hands. Parallels are drawn, not only 
 from Roman, and Grecian Stories, but from every History 
 that is extant. Mortimer sleeps not in his Grave, Buckingham 
 and Strafford revisit us over and over, and were our Monarch, 
 like Saul, reduced to consult a Woman who had a familiar 
 Spirit, she would probably produce to Him neither a Prophet 
 nor a God, but as many first Ministers as he would please to 
 command. Lady Boyle, Charles, and my approaching Son or 
 Daughter, are, or will be. Yours, 
 
 BOYLE. 
 
 LORD BOYLE TO MR. SALKELD. 
 
 BrittiueU, Dec. 25, 1729. 
 
 You will be glad to see a Letter dated from this Place. 
 It will convince You that I am at present with my Father : 
 and this Christmas has likewise brought down hither the 
 Chevalier Ramsay, who was born in Scodand and educated in 
 France. Methinks un Ecossois Franfois appears like a Tulip 
 engrafted upon a Thistle. One is afraid to venture near 
 the Scotch Root, but one is allured towards it by the gaudy 
 Colours of the prominent Flower. I look upon this doughty 
 Knight as the true Representative of the Book He is going to 
 
 1 Sir R. Walpole to whom (as to the Duke of Newcastle) Lord Boyle like his 
 Father was in determined opposition — which fact probably occasioned the apprehension 
 frequently expressed that his letters did not pass unopened to their destinations — how 
 far this apprehension was well founded we have no means of judging : both this and 
 the next letter were conveyed by hand. 
 
76 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 publish, a pious Romance at once fictitious and improving. 
 If we are to judge of the Scotch Nation by their own History, 
 it is impossible to have very advantageous sentiments of them. 
 Their Annals are a series of Wickedness in Kings, Rebellion 
 in Subjects, Machinations and Contrivances to destroy and 
 supplant each other, great cunning and no less barbarity, but 
 not the least mention of prudent Schemes, or well digested 
 Plans for the Wealth, Peace and Prosperity of the Kingdom. 
 Many Men there are amongst them to my Knowledge of 
 Probity, nor do I aim these general Reflexions against any 
 Persons, because after all I have advanced, I think there are 
 few Fools of the Nation. The Highlanders indeed are a 
 dreadfull People, and upon the whole may not the Scotch 
 Nation be aptly compared to a Yew Tree? It naturally 
 grows rough from the Bottom to the Top, but may easily be 
 cut into what shape you please. It is a Screen to other Trees, 
 and it sets at Defiance, the bleakness of the Wind, and the 
 severity of the Winter, nor can a more excellent Defence be 
 divised either for an Old Wall or a New Castle. In a Letter 
 which I writ to you awhile agoe, I observed how teaming a 
 Mother the Political Press was become, and I have this 
 moment lying before me the characters of those two Brothers 
 in Iniquity, Empson^ and Dudley. I own in the little I have 
 read of the English History, I cannot find out what was 
 properly the business of those two Horse-Leaches as Lord 
 Verulam sirnames them. It is impossible to devise from . 
 Lord Herbert's Account (who is one of our most accurate 
 Historians) what Laws they had transgressed, or whether they 
 were executed by virtue of a Condemnation by a Jury, or of 
 their Attainder by Parliament, for it is expressly said they 
 were both found guilty of Treason by a Jury, one at London, 
 
 1 See note at end of this letter. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 77 
 
 the other at Northampton, and afterwards, it is as expressly 
 
 said, they were attainted in Parliament. But what Reason can 
 
 be given or framed for this Attainder, since they were both 
 
 condemned before ? Some Heads of their Accusation are 
 
 printed, but they do not appear to be in the least treasonable, 
 
 and Empson in his Speech before the Council says, ' He was 
 
 ' not guilty of any Crime, because he only put the penal Laws 
 
 ' in Execution, and all that he had done was warranted by the 
 
 ' King's Commission.' Lord Herbert calls Sir Richard Empson 
 
 Master or Surveyor of the King's Forfeits in divers kinds, 
 
 and adds that Polydore Virgil calls him and Dudley Judices 
 
 Fiscales, but neither by their English, nor by their Latin 
 
 Titles can I divine what was properly their Office. — I hear the 
 
 Chevalier Ramsay at this moment singing in the Hall Oh ! la 
 
 'Dertue, qu^ elk est aimablel and must go and joine in the Chorus. 
 
 Adieu. 
 
 BOYLE.i 
 
 TO COUNSELLOR KEMPE. 
 
 Jany. 1729/30. 
 
 This Year begins unhappily. Sir Josslebury Pitcher^ is 
 dead ! He had the Honour to be choaked yesterday by a 
 
 1 Empson and Dudley : Lord Orrery's criticism is absolutely just and true. These 
 two iniquitous extortioners being qualified lawyers, supported by the authority of the 
 King, a notorious miser (Henry vii.), were so skilful mainly in avoiding the ap- 
 pearance of illegality in their nefarious proceedings, that when public indignation was 
 at length allowed to be let loose against them in the early days of Henry viii., it was 
 well-nigh impossible to frame an adequate indictment founded upon law and exact 
 truth. The arbitrary temper of the times was therefore curiously enough exhibited as 
 much in the chastisement of their flagrant offences, as it had been in the perpetration 
 of those very offences. They were charged with the fabulous crime of conspiracy in 
 lieu of the actual one of rapine, found guilty, as Lord O. observes, twice over, and 
 executed by Warrant from the King. Thus, in the words of Hume, ' justice was 
 ' equally violated whether the King sought power and riches or courted popularity.' 
 
 2 Sir J. P. and all the other Individuals mentioned in this Letter were neighbours 
 at Brittwell. 
 
78 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 fish-bone at the Duke of Ne — 's Table ; His Grace's Dinner 
 it seems was in a Masquerade ; no dish appeared in its proper 
 form or nakedness, and poor Sir Josslebury died by mistaking 
 Prawns fryed in butter (one of whose heads Armour the care- 
 less Cook had neglected to take off) for plain English Skirits.^ 
 Sir William Turbot was enumerating to us the Lords, Dukes 
 and Marquises who had dined there at the same time, and he 
 concluded by saying, ' It was a glorious thing to dye amidst 
 ' Persons of Quality.' ' Yes,' said Jackson, ' so it is, and there- 
 ' fore how glorious a death had Gallypot Mitchell the Candle- 
 ' snuffer at Drury Lane Play House, for he dyed upon the 
 ' stage of an Apoplexy as he was snuffing the Candles before 
 ' a crowded Theatre, while five of the Royal Family were 
 ' present.' Sir William appeared a little angry and unhinged 
 at this Answer, but upon Jackson filling a Bumper to the 
 glorious memory of Sir Josslebury, and the long life of all 
 surviving Baronets, our Scene changed to immediate Tran- 
 quillity. The deceased Knight has left his Estate, which was 
 all personal, to one Mrs. Mary MuUins his House-keeper. . . . 
 Sir William's Legacy is a Tankard, a Suit of Superfine black 
 Cloath and an Ivory Tobacco Stopper curiously wrought into 
 the shape of a Lady's Leg. Pitcher Simmons, Nephew to Sir 
 J., is disinherited. He is suspected to have a hand in the 
 ' Craftsman,' and to have writ some blasphemous Articles 
 against Standing Armies and exorbitant Taxes, but these sins 
 excepted bears the Character of a polite and ingenious Man. 
 Amidst these Funerals, Legacies, and Disinherisons, and 
 amidst some very corroding circumstances relating to Myself, 
 I am, my dear Friend, ever Yours, 
 
 BOYLE. 
 
 1 A plant resembling the parsnip originally imported from the East. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 79 
 
 MR. BYRD TO CHARLES E. OF ORRERY. 
 
 Firginia, May 27, 1728. 
 
 It is some weeks since I returned Your Ldship my 
 humble thanks for the letter you were so good as to write to 
 me of the 20th of July 1727 ; at the same time I acknowledge 
 my obligations to Ld Boyle for his historical epistle in 
 Sept. following. The next Memoir he sends me will I hope 
 contain an account that he has been successful in his Addresses 
 to Lady Harriot. ... By our Squadrons being ordered from 
 the West Indies, I hope the Preliminarys have at last been 
 ratifyed by the K. of Spain. If afterwards the Congress at 
 Cambray should spin out into as great a length as the Pre- 
 liminaryes these pacifick Measurs will cost the Nation as 
 much as a vigourous War. We might have had several hand- 
 some Engagements with as moderat Expence of Blood as our 
 inactive Cruize in the Spanish West Indies has cost. They 
 shd have sent a more phlegmatick Admiral than Hozier 
 to command that santering Expedition. He dyed for very 
 regret that his hands were tyed up from Action, not only 
 when he had the greatest probability of Success, but when the 
 mortality was so fatal to his Sailors, that he had barely enough 
 alive to sail his ships. This struck that brave^ man to his 
 heart, who wd much rather have gone out of the world by a 
 20 Pounder. But it is not for mortal man to choose his own 
 way of going out of the world, no more than his own way of 
 living in it. ... I am but lately returned from a Progress 
 where I breathed in worse air, if possible, than in Zeeland, 
 having been employed as a Commissioner for settling the 
 Bounds between this Colony and North Carolina, in obedience 
 to an Order from His late Majesty, to run a due West line 
 
8o THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 from the North shoar of Corotreck Inlet, quit up the Apa^ 
 luchian Mountains, in distance may be of about 300 miles. 
 However we cd perform but half this work in the Spring, 
 by reason of the impracticable ways we were obliged to go 
 thro' for near 50 miles from the Sea Side. We passed over 
 several Bays and Rivers in our way, and marcht on foot 
 over many Marshes, Boggs, and Pocosins (this being quite 
 impassible for horses) in which we had frequently the pleasure 
 of plunging up to our knees. In these delightful Stations we 
 pitcht our Tents every Night for near 3 weeks, meeting with 
 no house but what was worse than the open Feild. But the 
 most intolerable place of all was a vast Swamp, which by 
 reason of the Dirt and difficulty of passing it, is called The 
 Dismal. This extends 30 miles in length and 15 in brea[d]th, 
 and is one continued Quagmire, or Magazine of Water, 
 covered over with a thin crust of Earth that trembles fright- 
 fully when one walks upon it. No humane creature ever 
 passed this Avernus before, nor can any kind of Animal, not 
 so much as an Insect or a Riptele live in it by reason of the 
 great Briars, and the prickly Junipers, which grow so thickly 
 all over it, that the genial rays of the Sun never warm It. 
 When the men made a fire, after burning half an Hour, it was 
 sure to be extinguished by sinking into a hole of Water. No 
 Bird will attempt to fly over It, such oiFensive Vapours arise 
 continually out of this foul Place. The difficulty of our 
 journey cannot be better proved than by telling Your Lord- 
 ship, that sixteen men were twelve days in going fifteen miles, 
 and worked like horses all the way. A large Portion of The 
 Dismal is covered only with Reeds, which being green and 
 waving with every breeze have given it the name of the Green 
 Sea. A hundred thousand Acres are contained in this mighty 
 Bogg and seven Rivers take their rise from it. Thus 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 8i 
 
 entangled in bad Ways, we cd not with all our industry, 
 carry our line further than 73 miles in a month. The rest 
 we reserve for the Fall, when we hope to proceed as far as 
 the Mountains. Thus have I troubled Your Ldsp with an 
 account of my travels, and am with great gt respect, etc. etc. 
 
 W. BYRD. 
 
 LORD BOYLE TO MR. SALKELD. 
 
 Tunbridge ffells, 29 July 1728. 
 
 Dear Sir, — New-married men have no more leisure to 
 write Letters than new Courtiers to remember old Freinds. 
 I received yours at this Place but am ashamed to say how 
 long ago. We are honoured here with the Presence of 
 Princess Emilia, to whome the Tunbrigdians leave no method 
 untried to pay their Court. If she laughs (and sometimes 
 Princesses laugh at nothing) we all grinn, remembering the 
 good old Saying, ' the frightfull'st Grinner, be the Winner.' 
 If she looks grave, we put on countenances more sorrowful! 
 than the Mutes at a Funeral. When She walks, the Lame 
 and the Blind hobble after Her. If she complains of the 
 Toothache, the ugly Faces of the Women of Quality are 
 wrop'd up in Flannel. In all reasonable Pleasures, nay in 
 Pains as far as the Tooth-ache and the Vapours, we humbly 
 imitate Her. . . . Under the Rose, I believe these renowned 
 WeUs are not of any great use. We are ordered down here 
 commonly pour la Maladie Imaginaire, for the Spirits and the 
 melancholy to which our whole Nation are too subject. The 
 Diversions and Amusements of the Place send us home again 
 chearfull, and the foggy Air of London with the common 
 Disappointments of Life urge our Return the^following Year. 
 The Water has a brackish taste never palatable. The situa- 
 
 VOL. I. F 
 
82 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 tion of the Wells is pretty, the houses are not bad, and 
 the Environs, amongst which is Penshurst, are delightful!. 
 Among the infinite variety of People now here there is a 
 Madman surnamed Drapier, who strikes us all with pannick 
 Fear, and affords us Diversion at the same time. He has 
 raised a Regiment and enlists his Soldiers in a manner not a 
 little extraordinary. He fixes upon any Gentleman whom his 
 wild Imagination represents as fit for martial Exploits, and 
 holding a PistoU to the pore Captive's Breast obliges him to 
 open a Vein and write his Name in Blood upon the Regi- 
 mental Flag. Some have leap't out of Window to escape the 
 Ceremony of bleeding, but many others have tamely sub- 
 mitted and they march every morning in Military Order at 
 his Heels. He has in his Suite an Irish Viscount, an English 
 Baronet, three Jews, five Merchants and a Supercargo. These 
 are the Cheife, but the whole Regiment consists of Twenty- 
 Seven. All agree he should go to Bedlam, but none dare 
 send Him there. The unbelieving Jews tremble at the Sight 
 of Him, and the sober Citizens of London turn pale when he 
 enters the Room. To his natural heat he adds the strength of 
 Liquor, and is a most terrible Hector. I wish he was chained 
 up, for the Women are all frightened out of their Wits 
 about Him ; thank Heaven I have not the Honour of his 
 Acquaintance. There is much Poetry stirring here but it is 
 very bad, and I can now only in plain prose tell you that Lady 
 Boyle joins with me in being Yrs Ever, 
 
 BOYLE. 
 
 LORD BOYLE TO COUNSELLOR KEMPE. 
 
 Leicester's Inn Fields, Jany. z-jth, 1728/9. 
 
 Dear Sir, — However improper I may be to execute the 
 Office it has pleased Heaven to make me a Parent. Lady 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 83 
 
 Boyle was brought to Bed this morning of a Son. What this 
 future Hero may prove is hard to say. I hope he will be in 
 one Instance what his Father is, Your faithful, etc. 
 
 BOYLE. 
 
 LORD BOYLE TO THE REV. MR. TREVANION. 
 
 Leicester's I. F., Feby. ist, 1728/9. 
 
 Nothing can be more kind my dear Mr. Trevanion than 
 your Letter ^ upon the Birth of my Son. He and his Mother 
 are both very well, and if I can guess by the Faces he makes 
 he is very much your Humble Servant. If I have been 
 delatory in writing to you, I have deserted for some time a 
 Correspondence in which I have had, and must always have, 
 great Pleasure and Satisfaction ; impute my Silence to the 
 right Cause, a Desire of writing to you in a happier State of 
 Mind and Body than has lately fallen to my Lot. I am so 
 very happy in some Respects, that by that Happiness I am 
 made more miserable in Others, for it is impossible to enjoy 
 either Health or Tranquillity whilst our mutual Parents are in 
 a state of War and Dissention. Whatever I have done to 
 disoblige my Father, Lady B. has done Nothing to disoblige 
 either her Father or her Mother, yet she is equally punished 
 with me. Delirant Patres Nati plectuntur, I pray it may not 
 be Nati Natorum. My Fate from my Cradle has been a 
 strange one ; I lost my Mother before I knew I had one ; I 
 have a Father but He seems not to know he has a Son ; yet I 
 must do him Justice, most certain it is he loves me, nor is it 
 less certain that I love Him. But our wayward Fate keeps 
 us at a Distance from Each Other, when perhaps were we 
 
 ^ This epistle being merely one of congratulations and good wishes seems un- 
 necessary in the present Collection of MSS. 
 
84 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 truly and familiarly acquainted together, and thoro'ly cemented 
 by the Union of that Freindship which I am sure both our 
 Hearts are capable of, we might be — what might we not be ! 
 But oh ! what an airy Vision ! — ^let it avant — the enchanting 
 Prospect only makes me more wretched in this Labyrinth of 
 briars and brambles wherein I wander. Yet even here Roses 
 grow and Evergreens flourish ; my Boy is a little blooming 
 Rose and my Wife an Evergreen that looks with the same 
 pleasing aspect in all Seasons. I congratulate you on being a 
 Pillar of the Church. You are of the Corinthian Order, use- 
 full, solid and ornamental. Long may You abide, in defiance 
 of all Storms, a firm support to our Religion. I am Your 
 Old Schoolfellow and faithful Servant, 
 
 BOYLE. 
 
 LORD BOYLE TO MR. BYRD. 
 
 Netu Bond St., Sept. 1729. 
 
 Sir, — I recieved Yesterday a most obliging Letter from 
 You wherein I had the Pleasure of seeing Your Friendship still 
 continues to me. Lady Boyle and I are much obliged to you 
 for your kind Wishes, which I may say are all accomplished, 
 and to crown my joys I have a Son, whose Health and Vigour 
 promise long Life, even at this Age, and in whom I am wrop't 
 up so much that (if he lives) by endeavouring not to be too 
 rigourous, I shall probably fall into the other Extream of being 
 too indulgent. I wish you joy also of a Son, and I shall ever 
 be glad of congratulating You in any good Fortune which 
 cannot come in too great Plenty to one who deserves so much. 
 Have You no thoughts of viewing this Island where Milk and 
 Honey flow ; where Peace and Plenty abound ; where Merit 
 is rewarded. Partiality laid aside, and where the People know 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 85 
 
 no distinction of Party, but unanimously concurr in punish- 
 ing their Enemies with the sight of a Warlike Fleet and 
 tremendous Armies at a Distance. These Blessings, Sir, are 
 the Temptations I lay before you to quit the Horrors and 
 Perils of the Dismal, to fly from the bellowing of the 
 Buffaloes and the cackling of wild Turkies, and return a 
 joyfull Listener to the Harmony of Statesmen in our Senate 
 and Ballad Singers in our Theatres. Mr. Southwell is just 
 married to a Lady of great Beauty and excellent Qualifications 
 (Mrs. Watson,^ Lord Rockingham's Sister). I am glad he is a 
 Brother of the Holy State, because I belive He will be a great 
 Ornament to the Society of married Men. This Letter, Sir, is 
 writ in great Haste ; but I was resolved not to lose an 
 Oppurtinity of acknowledging thus cursorily Your last, and 
 of conveying Lady Boyle's Compliments to Mrs. Byrd, the 
 Compliments of my Son to your Son, and my own Assurances 
 
 of being with great Truth, etc. etc. 
 
 BOYLE. 
 
 LORD BOYLE TO MR. SALKELD. 
 
 August 2znd, 1730. 
 
 Having an Opportunity of conveying this to you, by a 
 Gentleman who is to be in Paris in a Fortnight, I am glad to 
 tell you that Idleness, not want of Health, forc'd me down to 
 this Place, where my Eyes are daily feasted with beautifuU 
 Visions of Young Damsels, frisking round the Wells like 
 
 1 The Hon. Catherine Watson daughter of Viscount Sondes who predeceased his 
 Father, and sister to Lewis who eventually succeeded his Grandfather as Second Earl 
 of Rockingham. — Lord Sondes married Lady Catherine Tufton, daughter of the Earl 
 of Thanet. Their 3 sons, two of whom became successively Earls of Rockingham, 
 died without male issue, whereupon the £arldom became extinct and the Barony 
 reverted to a cousin, afterwards created Marquis of Rockingham. — The son of Mr. 
 and Mrs. Southwell ultimately succeeded to the Barony of De Clifford. 
 
86 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 playful Lambkins, while the sage Matrons appear like old 
 Cows full of gravity, grazing and chewing the Cud in the same 
 Field. 1 am charmed with the giggling Beauties that surround 
 me. They seem so gay and happy that I question whether 
 they would think themselves happier in Paradise, unless they 
 were allowed to tast forbidden Fruit. Illustrious Tunbridge ! 
 Healthy in thy Waters, rich in thy Toy-shops, and dis- 
 tinguished in thy Inhabitants. No Person comes down here 
 but those who abound in Spirits, or those who if they want 
 them immediately find them upon their arrival. The Citizens 
 of London add much to the Dignity of the Place : it must be 
 confess'd their Looks are grave but their Actions are as 
 light and airy as possible, especially those of the Female Kind. 
 A fat Lady from Lombard St. shall dance as nimbly, sit up as 
 late, and drink Eau de Barbade as chearfully as if She had 
 been bred all her Life-time in the Courtly Air of St. James'. 
 I observe these Londoners are particularly fond of the Trinkets 
 in Mr. Chenevi's Shop, and, if they are a little extravagant in 
 buying Baubles and Gewgaws, they endeavour to repair such 
 outgoings by trying their Fortunes at Hazard or the Ace of 
 Hearts ; where if Ill-Luck prevails, they generally part with 
 some particular Toy, Which they bring down on purpose in 
 case of Necessity to dispose of to the best — that is the 
 youngest Bidder. — I still continue my Love of dancing and 
 indeed it is so much the Fashion of the Place, that I fancy if 
 some of the Patriarchs were here they would be forc'd to step 
 up and lead out gaily. One of them — Terry — has lately 
 presented another — Tate — with a curious Greek manuscript 
 written a hundred Years ago by a Student of Christchurch 
 against that Rogue the Devil. Tate being now furnished with 
 fresh weapons, will attack his old Enemy The Devil with fresh 
 vigour, and probably lengthen out his Sermons to the 2nd 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 87 
 
 Hour. I fear I may be present at these Combats soon, 
 because on my Father's return out of Somersetsh I intend to 
 meet him at Britwell. — Here, there, and in all Places I am 
 Faithfully Yours, 
 
 BOYLE. 
 
 TO MR. SALKELD. 
 
 Neiu Bond St., May 8, 173 1. 
 
 As I omitted in my Last, one very material Circumstance 
 in relation to my Illness, or rather to my Recovery, I send 
 this by post, hoping the joyfuU News it contains may make 
 amends for the expence of an English Letter. I was seized at 
 Brittwell on Christmas Day, and growing worse and worse, 
 my Father sent me to London in his Coach about three Days 
 after. As I still lost ground his uneasiness increased, and He 
 came up in real agonies to see me. I think verily his Sorrow 
 gave me Pleasure, I am sure it gave me Spirits. He attended 
 my Bedside with the Constancy of a Nurse, and the tenderness 
 of an afflicted Parent. Ah ! sic Omnia fecisset ! The re- 
 membrance affects me still so much that I can only in general 
 terms assure you that we are now in perfect amity ; as seldom 
 as possible asunder, and as happy as possible when together ; 
 all his shyness is gone off, and all my fears are banished. I 
 imagined with my Recovery his Coolness might have returned, 
 but I judged wrong. He is still the same. You who remember 
 how my Heart has ever yearned towards Him, may guess that 
 my present State could receive no additional felicity, but by 
 the safety of Lady Boyle, who was Yesterday brought to bed 
 of a Daughter, and She and our three Children are as well as 
 my fondest wishes can desire. ... I am, etc. 
 
 BOYLE. 
 
88 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 TO COUNSELLOR KEMPE. 
 
 'June \Tii. 
 
 . , . My Father is determined to go to Ireland in the 
 beginning of July ; He will stay only a Month. I fear his 
 Journey will be to as little purpose as Lewis the fourteenth's 
 with twenty thousand Myrmidons up a hill and down again. 
 He declines visibly in his health, and he told me Yesterday he 
 belived he should not live long. Then must I sing with true 
 sorrow, 
 
 ' O Thou too little and too lately known — Whom I begin to think 
 and call my Own.' 
 
 My daughter is christened by the name of Elizabeth, Her 
 Grandmother Orkney and Mrs. Horner, and Lord Tyrconnel 
 were the Sponsers. Lady Boyle is recovered, I continue in 
 health and spirits, and rejoice highly in the Prosperity and 
 Happiness of my Family. About Midsummer-Day I propose 
 to quit New Bond St. and to be settled at the Strawberries. 
 I am charmed with the retirement of this Country Seat where 
 I may live like a private Gentleman, without paying like a 
 titular Lord. Adieu. 
 
 BOYLE. 
 
 MR. BYRD TO LORD BOYLE.i 
 
 Virginia, June 1731. 
 
 I HAVE been honoured with two of Your Lordship's 
 interesting Letters for which I return You a thousand thanks. 
 
 1 This letter is only interesting for the side light it throws upon the manner 
 in which distant Governorships were coveted, jobbed for, and administered when 
 obtained. 
 

THE ORRERY PAPERS 89 
 
 . . . Among all our polite acquaintance you make no mention 
 of that great Patriot Archibald Hutchison Esqre. The last 
 Tydings I heard of Him were that he was a fourth time 
 married. The poor Man is so lost in Wedlock that I have 
 never heard one Sylable from him since. ... I am now to 
 make Your Lordship double Compliments, first on the Birth 
 of your Second Son that I know of, and secondly on the Birth 
 of a third who I can only hope is by this time come safe into 
 the World. If your Fireside should increase upon you too 
 fast, it will be a reasonable Argument to persuade the Earl of 
 Orkney to make over his Government of Virginia to you in 
 his Life-time : His Lordship is very old and cannot long 
 enjoy it himself. It would therefore be for the advantage of 
 his Family to get it transferred to one of his Sons-in-Law, 
 least if he should dye in possession of it, it might drop into 
 other hands and be lost. If this covdd be brought about. 
 Your Lordship might have your choice, whether you would 
 come over and be Monarch of a very fine Country, and make 
 a very good Soart of People happy, or whether you would stay 
 in England, and receive a clear Remittance of 1200 pounds a 
 year free from all Taxes and Deductions. I should think 
 myself extreamly happy if Your Ldsp would honour us with 
 your Presence in that Station, but if this would be inconvenient 
 you could by no means comfort me for my great Disappoint- 
 ment but by sending me a Deputation to represent Your 
 Person, tho' at the same time it would be impossible for me to 
 represent your Perfections ; however I do my best, and belive 
 so well of myself that in such a Case you would not have the 
 trouble of any Complaints. Thus you see My Lord I have 
 contrived very decently for myself either to have the Pleasure 
 of Your Company, or else a good Place to recompence me for 
 your Absence. . . . We live here in the innocence of the 
 
90 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 Patriarch under our Vines and our Fig-trees surrounded by 
 
 our Flocks and Herds. . . . We are all of one Religion and 
 
 of one Party in Politics. . . . The Merchants of England 
 
 take care that none of us grow very rich, and the felicity of 
 
 the Clymate hinders us from being very poor. . . . We have 
 
 no Beggars but for Places, which for want of Favorites, Court 
 
 Mistresses and First Ministers are never sold. ... I am, My 
 
 Lord, etc. etc. 
 
 W. BYRD. 
 
 TO THE REV. MR. TREVANNION. 
 
 Neiuberries, July 1731. 
 
 Behold me fixed in my Cell in Hertfdsh equally 
 distant from St. Albans and from Epplng. I went with my 
 Father as far as Wooburne, in his road to Ireland. Life 
 seems sliding from Him again, and I shall be sensibly affected 
 whenever I lose Him. It is true that in the Course of Nature 
 I am doomed to outlive Him, for when the Son falls before 
 the Father, the Tide of Order seems to be turned back. . . . 
 But if the Father cannot be comforted for the loss of a Child 
 (like Jacob), how small are the comforts to make a Child 
 amends for the loss of a Father ! What are they .'' Additions 
 of Estate, some new Honours perhaps or such other Trifles 
 as are rather an increasing than a diminution of trouble. For 
 my own part, an easy Income and a private Station are what I 
 desire ; and at my Father's demise I shall only acquire an 
 uneasy Fortune and a publick Station ; an embransyted Estate 
 in Ireland, and a Seat among the Anti-Courtiers in England. 
 . . . Expect not from this place a list of notable atchievements 
 over the Foxes of the Field, or mighty Victories o'er the Fowls 
 of the Air. I shall scarce rise in Reputation to Nimrod as 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 91 
 
 a Hunter or to Robin Hood as a Marksman. Nature has 
 
 formed me for more retired, and less destructive Amusements, 
 
 I pity the flying Hare, I mingle tears with the expiring Stag, 
 
 and I would renounce all meat rather than kill a Pheasant 
 
 or a Partridge. My Books, my Horse and my Family are 
 
 sufficient Entertainment to Your old School-fellow and leal 
 
 humble Servant, 
 
 BOYLE. 
 
 LORD BOYLE TO CHARLES EARL OF ORRERY. 
 
 Nenuberries, July 1731. 
 
 My Lord, — I am extremely glad to hear you are safely 
 arrived at Dublin, and my pleasure is stUl encreased by being 
 told that you are resolved to return soon. I shall not fail to 
 attend Your Lordship as far as Calais, to see you safe on the 
 GaUick shore : my Prayers and Wishes will attend you much 
 farther. A better Clymate and a happier Country may restore 
 you to that degree of Health which I beseech God to grant 
 you wherever you are. In truth My Lord, I am entirely 
 satisfied with my Retreat. I have no complaint but in my 
 distance from Your Ldsp and my fears for you. Lady Boyle 
 and my three Children are in good Health. She begs to pay 
 her Duty to you in London, before you set out to France, and 
 to offer You her best Wishes for your Journey. Your 
 Lordship's Horse King Nobby lives in Clover ; he seems 
 little affected by your Absence ; whether he looks upon him- 
 self as restored to his primitive Master, or whether he is as 
 ungrateful as if he went upon two legs, I cannot determine. 
 I dare not venture to set any of my Children upon his back, 
 least his Submission should not descend to the third genera- 
 tion. As soon as I hear Your Ldsp is arrived upon the 
 
92 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 English Coast, I shall hasten to ask your Blessing on, My 
 
 Lord, Your Lordship's most dutiful son and obedient humble 
 
 servant, 
 
 BOYLE. 
 
 TO COUNSELLOR KEMPE. 
 
 D(Hvning St., Augt. '}rii, 1731. 
 
 Lady Boyle delivered me your letter ; she is come to 
 Town with her little Daughter, who is very ill ; they both 
 lodge at Lord Orkney's. I attended my Father hither from 
 Wooburne, where I met him on Sunday on his return from 
 Ireland. He intends to set out early in the next month for 
 France, and to sojourn at Paris all the Winter. In the mean- 
 time there will be an excursion or two to Brittwell, and I 
 believe I shall scarcely leave his Lordship till I see him safe on 
 the Gallick Shore. As I am in London I shall endeavour to 
 speak to the D. of Dorset in your behalf ; but Alass ! what 
 can my Interest be ! Consider who he is, and consider who I 
 am. I look upon him to be a Man of Honour, an Ornament 
 to the Court, and a Lustre to the Nobility, but he must 
 act consistent with his high Station : he must prefer the 
 Friends of the Ministry to those who are not ; and he must 
 suspect that as I have been bred at the Feet of Gamaliel, my 
 intimacies run in an anti-ministerial Channel. I belive they 
 will ever flow in the same Course, for I look upon a Cheif 
 Minister to be another denomination for a Cheif Tyrant. But 
 as my present Situation renders me of no consequence either 
 as a Freind or as an Enemy to the Lords of Power, I am in 
 hopes the Relation may prevail where the Anti-Courtier could 
 not. On the whole be assured of my Zeal and trust the rest 
 to Fortune. Adieu. 
 
 BOYLE. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 93 
 
 JOHN LD BOYLE TO THE COUNTESS OF 
 SANDWICH. 
 
 Britt'weU, Augt. 13, 1731. 
 
 Madam, — I write this by my Father's commands. He is 
 not very well, but is much obliged to your Ladyship for your 
 kind offers of your House and accomodations at Paris, that 
 he will lose no time in making his acknowledgments of to 
 your Ladyship, Mr. Salkeld, Madam, has provided a House 
 and aU other necessaries against my Lord's Arrival. He is to 
 be torne from my Embraces, and to be divided from me by 
 Waves and Mountains ; yet I cannot help wishing him at 
 Paris ; since, in the state of Health he now is, I must hope 
 greater benefits from other Climates than I have seen him 
 receive for some months past in this. 
 
 But your Ladyship not having the sanction of ill-health 
 
 (and may you never have it) to detain You from Us, ought 
 
 not to be so cruel as totally to forsake your native Country, 
 
 and give to Foreigners those Blessings to which we imagine 
 
 we have a Right. If you think us unworthy. Madam, of such 
 
 uncommon Benefits, at least imitate the Sun by Shining upon 
 
 the Godly and Ungodly alike ; give us your Presence half the 
 
 year; and when your English Mother has enjoyed your 
 
 company full six months, she will return you back to Hell till 
 
 the circle of the Zodiac be compleated : or, to speak plainer ; 
 
 pass your Spring and Summer in England, and your Autumn 
 
 and Winter in France. Our verdure is not to be equalled by 
 
 them, nor their Vintage by us. We have Ceres ; they have 
 
 Bacchus. You are the Venus, Madam, who may bless both 
 
 Deities by dividing your Friendship alternately between them : 
 
 my Father is, as I am, Madam, Your Ladyship's most 
 
 obedient Humble Servant, 
 
 BOYLE. 
 
94 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 TO THE RIGHT HONBLE THE LADY BOYLE. 
 
 Do=wning Street, Friday Night, 9 o'clock. 
 
 Be not alarmed for me, my dearest Harriot, altho' this 
 comes to you by a Special Messenger. In the note I writ to 
 you on Tuesday, I said, On my return from Newberries I had 
 found my Father ill. He grew worse and worse from day to 
 day, but he is now dying, senseless, speechless and rattling in 
 his Throat, The Art of Man cannot save his Life. He was 
 wounded by the Arrow of Death about 4 o'Clock this after- 
 noon, and the Physicians say he may hold out till about the 
 same hour to-morrow, but they think he cannot last much 
 longer. 
 
 Farewell Tranquility ! Farewell Retirement ! but Oh 
 Farewell, my poor dear Father ! be assured I see him as little 
 as possible, he can never speak to me again ; and yet this 
 morning he talked with a rapidity of Spirits that amazed all 
 about him. I had dined alone, but after finding his Senses 
 lost, the Chariot was sent for me, and I hastened, alass too 
 soon, for it was only to behold that Spring exhausted from 
 whence my living waters flow, I am all confusion, distraction, 
 surprize and Sorrow, If I have a glimpse of Consolation, 
 it is from imagining that I may possibly have it more in 
 my Power than I have hitherto had of shewing You how 
 sincerely and affectionately I am yours, 
 
 BOYLE. 
 
 Aug.yezy, 173 1. 
 
 PS. — Pray stay where you are when my dear Father's 
 eyes are closed forever. I will hasten to You, and fix all 
 future Comfort in You and my Children. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 TO THE SAME. 
 
 95 
 
 In the wild disorder of my unhappy mind, O my dearest 
 Harriot ! what shall I say to You ? My Father is now no 
 more, he expired about half an hour ago : and it is scarce 
 an hour since I took my last farewell of him.^ He seemed 
 to struggle to pronounce my name : O God, how terrible 
 are the Agonies of Death ! I will be with you early to- 
 morrow morning, and vent in your dear bosom all my Grief 
 and Cares. They are now many ; They will, I fear, be more. 
 The Scenes I have already gone through are such as would 
 melt a more obdurate heart than mine. The Prospect before 
 me is a Labyrinth through which I must necessarily pass, 
 although it be filled with various obstacles, and although the 
 roads prove deep and stony, and Tygers with all the other 
 vile Beasts of Prey lurk in holes and Caverns on every side 
 of the Park thro' which my destiny is resolved to lead me. 
 O Harriot ; Harriot ; Harriot ! what shall I say ? Agoniz- 
 ing Sorrow stops my Pen, and therefore, till we meet. Fare- 
 well. God Almighty preserve the little Scyons now the 
 venerable old Oak lyes prostrate on the Ground ! 
 
 Dotv/nng Street, Westm., Augt. 28, 1731. 
 
 Satturdigf Afternoon \ hour after 4. 
 
 JOHN EARL OF ORRERY TO COUNSELLOR KEMPE. 
 
 September ye 15, 1731. 
 
 As I am informed from all Hands and without Information 
 might easily guess that the whole Town in this idle Season 
 
 ' Lord Orreiy wrote his father's epitaph, of which the best line is the concluding 
 one: — 
 
 ' I weep a Father, but I mourn a Friend.' 
 
96 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 is employed in discanting upon the Death, or rather the 
 actions of my late Father, give me leave to hold a paper 
 conversation with you on that subject, or rather let me open 
 to you my own heart without requiring your Sentiments in 
 return. 
 
 Genitor, tanto me crimine dignutn 
 Duxisti, et tales voluisti expendere poenas ? 
 
 When I have said this I fly from all Poets and Heathen 
 Authors whatever, to those Christian Doctrines which teach 
 us to forgive Injuries and to render good for evil. Doctrines 
 which I am resolved to put in practice in resistance of all 
 the Dictates which Rage and Disappointment can inspire. 
 
 The Dead and the Living shall equaly share my Forgive- 
 ness, it is a Godlike virtue that the supreme Being exercises 
 hourly towards us, how seldom it is we have an opportunity 
 to exercise it to each other. In the name of God and the 
 Host of Heaven I will not lose so glorious an occasion. 
 
 My Grief is sincere, consequently heavy : My Father's 
 Behaviour of late justified my Sorrow. We lived like Friends ; 
 We were acquainted with each Other ; and exchanged Senti- 
 ments with a Freedom that would have pleased and surprised 
 You ; whatever disagreements had been between Us were 
 buried in Oblivion. I shall ever bear the truest Affection 
 to his memory ; I shall ever consider him in the brightest 
 Point of Light, reflecting to his Family more Lustre than 
 He received from It. His Failings and his Frailties vanish 
 like a Vapour ; and I am persuaded he intended to alter his 
 last Will in my favour, if He did not, again I repeat to you, 
 I forgive Him. 
 
 What fatal Consequences arise from postponing the altera- 
 tion of a Will ! How prejudicial are such delays to our 
 nearest Friends and Relations. Loose no time therefore in 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 97 
 
 finishing One for me according to the enclosed Draught. It 
 will, at least, be some consolation to secure the future Educa- 
 tion of my Children. 
 
 They tell me I must go to Bath, my Health seems to 
 require it. My Mother has left me all the softness of her 
 Temper : My Father all the delicacy of his Constitution. 
 I bend to every blast of Wind. Judge then, how I am 
 shattered in this Storm. 
 
 Allow me a little Time, and I will be again myself: 
 You know my resolutions of Old, to molest my Friends as 
 seldom as possible with my Afflictions. Bath, as it is in 
 the neighbourhood of Marston, will certainly restore me to 
 some degree of chearfullness, an Historical account of the 
 Company may perhaps amuse You. They generally consist 
 of two illustrious Tribes, Knaves ahd Fools. As I shall 
 endeavour to avoide the Former, it is from the Latter only 
 I shall look for relief. — I am eternaly Yours, 
 
 ORRERY, 
 
 HENRY LD VISCT BOLINGBROKE TO 
 JOHN EARL OF ORRERY. 
 
 Daivley Farm, Sept. 16, 1731. 
 
 My Lord, — Tho' I would not break in upon your grief 
 sooner, I cannot defer any longer paying my compliments 
 to your Lordship. Be persuaded that no man living takes 
 a more sincere part in everything which relates to your 
 Lordship ; I do so upon this occasion, and shall do so upon 
 all others, for I am with great truth, my Lord, Your Lord- 
 ship's most humble and most Obedient Servant, 
 
 H. ST. J. L. BOLINGBROKE. 
 
 VOL. I. f- 
 
98 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 THE COUNTESS OF SANDWICH TO JOHN 
 EARL OF ORRERY. 
 
 Paris, Oct. 8, 1 73 1. 
 
 My Lord, — I beseech you to do me the justice to believe 
 nothing but impossibility of doing otherwise could have made 
 me delay assuring you of my most tender Respects, but I was 
 in the Country, and am but very lately returned to Paris, 
 where I met with the unexpected and most afflicting account 
 of the death of my Dear Lord your Father ; he was to me 
 a noble Friend, he was to me like a Father ; give me leave, 
 then, to joyn my sorrow with your own, none knows better 
 than myself the Love and Duty you always had for him, 
 and the tender Love that was rooted in his heart for You. 
 So that the only consolation I receive in so great a loss is, 
 that you are the Successor of that great and good Man, 
 those qualitys which so seldom meet together, and which he 
 possesst equally in such a degree as reunited in him the 
 confidence of the most opposite and jarring parts of Man- 
 kind : I am persuaded are transmitted to You, and that 
 You will exercise them so worthily that in your Person his 
 Friends will find the only comfort they are capable of now 
 they are deprived of him. Let me ask leave to transfer to 
 You the Faithful and Tender Friendship I gave to your 
 Father, to ask a share in yours, and to beg you to be assured 
 that I am with the greatest esteem and affection, my Lord, 
 Your Lordship's most Obedient humble Servant, 
 
 E. SANDWICH. 
 
 PS. — Thro' your hands I take the liberty to assure Lady 
 Orrery of my compliments. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 99 
 
 JOHN EARL OF ORRERY TO COUNSELLOR KEMPE. 
 
 Bath, Oct. 1 6, 1731. 
 
 We arrived here last night from Marston. I set forth 
 early this morning and darted myself immediately into the 
 Pump-Room : as soon as the circling Whisper had taken 
 air that the Earl of Orrery was present, all Eyes were fixed 
 upon me. Observe of how great Importance the Death of 
 one Man is to the life of another ! Some months ago I 
 should have been as litde regarded as my own natural shy- 
 ness could desire. But now I had Seats, Salutes and innumer- 
 able Civilities offered to me from every Quarter. All these 
 I repaid with a solemnity of Face that at once shades and 
 adorns an English Senator, and then, flying from the Centre 
 of all polite Conversation to the Asylum of all polite Litera- 
 ture, I entered the Palatinate of Mr. Leake the Bookseller. 
 
 This Leake is a most extraordinary Person. He is the 
 Prince of all the coxcomical Fraternity of Booksellers : and, 
 not having any Learning himself, He seems resolved to sell 
 it as dear as possible to Others. He looks upon every 
 Man, distinguished by any Title, not only as his Friend, 
 but his companion, and he treats him accordingly : but he 
 disposes of his Favours and Regards as methodically as Nash 
 takes out the Ladies to dance, and therefore speaks not to 
 a Marquiss whilst a Duke is in the Room. As yet he is 
 ignorant that my Earldom lies in Ireland, and to keep him 
 so, I have borrowed the only Book of Heraldry He had 
 in his Shop : by this method I shall be served many degrees 
 above my Place, and may have a Squeeze of his Hand in 
 presence of an Earl of Great Britain. 
 
 His Shop is a spatious Room, filled from the Cornice to 
 
loo THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 the Skirting. But I could not help observing to him that, 
 ' The Binding of his Books did not make so glittering a Figure 
 ' as might be expected from the Library of a Person as 
 * illustrious as himself.' He owned my observation was right, 
 and added that, ' Some Fellows whose Ancestors, he belived, 
 ' were Snails, had been daily expected from London, to 
 ' illuminate and glorify his Musaeum.' I rejoiced at the good 
 News, and told him, * I doubted not but he would shew 
 ' the Elasticity of his Genius, and the Nicknackatory of 
 ' his Understanding by binding Lord Bacon in Hog's Skin, 
 ' Bishop Sprat in Fish Skin and Cardinal du Bois in Wood.' 
 He seemed highly delighted with my Proposal, and was 
 going to enter it in his Pocket Book, when the Dutchess 
 of Norfolk, snatching him from my Arms, allowed me an 
 opportunity to assure You that I am, etc. 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 FROM THE SAME TO MAJOR CLEELAND. 
 
 Bath, No'vbr. 2, 1731. 
 
 I NEVER regret the want of diminutives in our Language 
 more than when I have the happiness of bestowing some 
 small Favours upon my Friends ; their expressions are always 
 too great and their Sentiments too high of any benefits within 
 my limited power to confer. Thus, the little Assistance I 
 gave your unhappy Son has made a deeper impression upon 
 the generosity of your mind than such a trifle deserves, but 
 give me leave to say you ought never to have known it. 
 The Person who gave you the information acted upon wrong 
 principles — 'He that is robb'd not wanting what is stol'n, 
 'let him not know it and he's not robb'd at all.' Children 
 must and will commit childish actions, or to use a more 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS loi 
 
 severe expression^ they will some times commit wrong actions, 
 but can we wonder at the Errors of Youth when we see 
 much greater Errors in the Age of Maturity ? a Friend 
 discarded, a Country betrayed, a Wife sold, Religion changed, 
 Principles forsaken, these are Things we see every day; 
 they are not the effect of youth, they flow from thought, 
 design and experience, and these villanies are most elegantly 
 encouraged and supported by the polite, the lively and the 
 Great. Your Son's Crime was no more than a juvenile 
 frolick, that at his time of day is highly excusable : and his 
 application to Me shewed he judged right in his oppinion 
 of my Friendship towards you and yours, but how or by 
 what means any third Person came to know of our negotia- 
 tion is past my power of discovering. I imagine I guess 
 at the Informer. He is a Friend to us all, and I belive 
 young C. had not computed right when he sumed up his 
 Circumstances and perhaps ashamed to come a second time 
 (altho' he should have been heartily welcome) was obliged 
 to have recourse to another quarter, and upon examination 
 owned where he had been before. Be that as it will, pray 
 think of this matter no more, receive your Son with open 
 Arms, and to prevent all uneasiness for the future let your 
 Motto be : Alii'^ clanculum Patres quae faciunt, quaefert adoles- 
 centia, ea ne me celet consuefeci filium : do, praetermitto. 
 
 My health, after which you make such kind enquiries, 
 is amended daily by these waters. I cannot say that either 
 the amusements or the company add much to the encrease 
 
 » Terence, Adelfhi, Act i. — This passage, adapted by Lord Orrery, runs rather 
 differently in the original, viz. : 
 
 ' Do, praetermitto : non necesse habeo omnia 
 Pro meo jure agere. Postremo, alii clanculum 
 Patres quae faciunt, quae fert adolescentia, 
 £a ne me celet, consuefeci lilium.' 
 
I02 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 of it. Yet I joyn in all the divertions as often as I can 
 prevail upon myself, and according to Prescription ; for Dr. 
 Mead and Horace (altho' they differ in the Liquour) both 
 agree that : 
 
 ' Nunc est bibendum, nunc pede libera 
 Pulsanda tellus.' 
 
 but the present moment cannot be better employed than in 
 puting an end to this encreasing Letter, Adieu. Adieu. 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 FROM THE SAME TO COUNSELLOR KEMPE. 
 
 Bath, Saturday, Niyv. 20, 1731. 
 
 Since my coming to Bath I am perfectly convinced that 
 the antient Patriarchs were a thoughtless Race of People 
 who loved Country Dances and breakfast on hot Rolls and 
 butter. They lived to an immense Length of Days merely 
 by leading the same kind of Life that is prevalent at this 
 Place, where the Methusalems and the Abrahams dance with 
 as much vigour at the Balls as if they had not flourished 
 in a Courant at Charles the Second's Restoration. To be 
 more particular, Here is a Brocas (now in his 97th year 
 currente anno) who avers He never was sick in his Life, 
 nor ever paid a Groat for a pennyworth of Physick, which 
 athletic Constitution he attributes to an utter inattention 
 either to the Cares of the publick or the various Fortunes 
 of his private Friends. He thanks Heaven He always had 
 a clean pair of Gloves and a neat pair of Pumps at com- 
 mand, and therefore it was of little Consequence to him 
 who was King of England, or which of his own Relations 
 were married or hanged. But the less He regards publick 
 Affairs, the more he attends publick Places. He is at Bath 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 103 
 
 in May, at Tunbridge in July, at Bath again in September, 
 and every day diaring Parliament Time to be seen amongst 
 the Rarities of the Court of Requests. The pale faced Girls 
 are all fond of him, and they are sure to be well touzled 
 when he leads up the Kissing Dance. Do not imagine from 
 hence that He is a dangerous or a poisonous Animal : No, 
 He is perfectly harmless : Mothers trust him with their 
 Daughters alone and in the dark. The Virgins play with 
 him, and the married Women take his Advice in Laces and 
 Tippets. Some envious Persons call him a Dangler, and 
 malitiously whisper in his Ear that 
 
 A Dangler is of neither Sex, 
 
 A Creature born to tease and vex, etc. etc. 
 
 But his Patience surmounts and baffles all Brutalities by a 
 grave Grinn that at once denotes inward Satisfaction and out- 
 ward Philosophy. ' Nee deficit Alter ^ We have an Ingram 
 ' who whistles as He goes for want of Thought.' He is an old 
 Brobdingnaggian, or rather a Stralbrug of the first magnitude. 
 Yet the Ladies, notwithstanding his dreadful Aspect, are grown 
 familiar by often seeing him, and will venture to romp with 
 him as if He were no bigger than a Monkey. 
 
 Here are other Antediluvians of lesser Note and fewer Years. 
 A Brigadier Warren who is forced to make Use of a Cane in his 
 79th year. Here is also one Dockry a Money Lender, and one 
 Laydeman of the same Traid : but these are looked upon as 
 realy immortal, being true sons of Mamon in human Shapes. 
 Here is a Mr. Pitt with a swinging Nose and two Eyes look- 
 ing each a different Way : here are also many Lords, Pick- 
 pockets, broken Merchants and desolate Widows. There 
 wants only a Sandford to compleat our Groupe. — I am, Dr 
 Sir, ever yours. 
 
I04 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 FROM THE SAME TO MAJOR CLEELAND. 
 
 Batk, Nov. 27, 173 1. 
 
 Cease, Cease your Compliments upon my Letters, or I will 
 Compliment You upon your handwriting, which, next to a 
 certain Manuscript at Oxford, is the most difficult to be 
 decyphered of any I have yet seen. Seriously, Friends are 
 above the appearance of Panegyrick. We cannot dislike com- 
 plesance or civility, but personal praises to a Man's face bear 
 so much the appearance of flattery that I entreat my well wishers 
 never to say any good of me within the reach of my own ears. 
 
 There is nothing in my opinion has contributed so much to 
 the Character of want of Sincerity in the French as the 
 perpetual flow of compliment both in their writings and com- 
 mon conversation. If a French Man writes to his Valet de 
 Chamber, he tells him he has the honour to give him such and 
 such orders. If a Mother writes to her Daughter, or a Hus- 
 band to his Wife, the style is more ceremoniously polite than 
 an Englishman would use to his Mistress. Yet it must be 
 owned that French Letters are generaly entertaining : We 
 may say they are often trifling, but still they carry in them a 
 vivacity and an elegance which rough Britons can more easily 
 admire than imitate. 
 
 I believe an epistolary genius must be innate. Epistolarius 
 nascitur nonfit. Will you allow that Latin ? if not, look into 
 Pliny for better Latin and better Epistles. The objections to 
 Pliny's Letters are, a studied Phraseology, and too aflfected turns 
 of Wit : for the first, I leave him to the mercy of the Criticks, 
 against the second I think I could defend him, but my defence 
 would take from me more paper than I have in the house, and 
 from you more time than your better employments will admit. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 105 
 
 I am confident you must love the younger Pliny ; his good 
 nature, his benevolence, his accomplishments, his patriotism, 
 all demand your esteem: his Letters are undoubtedly filled 
 with numberless instances of humanity, which, according to our 
 natural way of thinking, ought ever to take place of Wit. 
 You who know all books, pray tell me, is there any French 
 translation of him ? I fancy his manner of writing must be 
 well adapted to a translator of that Nation : I remember he 
 concludes one of his Epistles (the description of his Villa) by 
 telling his Friend, whose Name I have forgot, ' that he hoped 
 ' Larentinum, amidst a thousand Beauties and Recommendations 
 ' already mentioned, might still have one Glory superior to them 
 ' all, the honour of his Company.' The Latin may be more 
 concise, but is to this purpose, and I could make you the same 
 compliment when I am settled at Marston, were it not a less 
 studied Phrase and more amicably sincere to aver plainly that 
 I shall be rejoiced to see you there, or in any other part of the 
 world, being ever yours 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 FROM THE SAME TO THE SAME. 
 
 Bath, Decbr. 30, 1731. 
 
 I HAVE read Bussy Rabutin, Monsieur Pelison, Voiture, 
 Les Lettres galantes, etc. etc., etc. but his QEuvres de Sacy 
 and his Translations of Pliny's Epistles have not fallen within 
 the district of my Learning. 
 
 The Character of Lewis the 14th, notwithstanding the 
 great allowances to be made for historical partiality, appears 
 to me extremely amiable, and the several accounts of him are 
 all consistent with each other. He was certainly a fine 
 Gentleman ; and altho' he was entirely defective in the 
 
io6 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 learned, yet he had all the ornamental parts of Education. 
 He was a respectfull Son, and, except in the Cause of Love, 
 never swerved from his duty to his Mother : He was an 
 affectionate Father, an obliging Husband, and a just and 
 humane Master. The Care he took in Supplying to the 
 Dauphin that Knowledg of which he continually regretted 
 the want in Himself, shewed at once an excellent Judgement 
 and a beneficent Mind. It is scarce possible for a Scholar to 
 be a Tyrant. 
 
 ' ingenuas didicisse fideliter artes, 
 
 Etnollit mores nee sinit esse feros.' 
 
 His bigotry in Religion proceeded from his ignorance in 
 Letters : and if he was too susceptible of advdation, it was 
 because he aimed at deserving praise. Our Age would have 
 placed him next to Augustus Caesar, had he been a Roman 
 Emperor instead of a French King, but Persons and 
 Characters of our own Times, as objects too often or too near 
 our eyes, strike us with less admiration and pleasure than 
 those at a greater distance. Besides, it is the duty of every 
 Englishman to hate the King of France : we look upon it 
 as an eleventh Commandment, to which we pay more strict 
 obedience than to all the other Ten : and yet, as if we were 
 doomed to obey those we are bound to hate, we are at 
 present like wooden Puppets, squeaking, strutting and act- 
 ing solely for the machination and dexterity of the nimble 
 fingered Cardinal. Our Eyes rowl and we see not, our lips 
 move, but the voice is sent forth by the Puppets Prompter. 
 All our Motions spring from the Man behind the Scenes. 
 Whence can this Servility proceed .'' What is it we have 
 to fear if from pasteboard Puppets, we at once shew our- 
 selves Men and Britons. Pray explain to me these 
 Mysteries : you are a deep politician : I am raw and in- 
 
~7,JJo'\ ^ b ocJft'^fU.itA.Sc 
 
 '^h/iar/,'.) Z/:^' C)a^yl rrf' (%rf.ri/..'^{ .-T 
 
THE ORRERY PjAPERS 107 
 
 experienced in every Science but idleness : however, as I 
 am now become a Senator of Great Britain, it is time to 
 enter into a more serious Train of Thinking, and to exert 
 all the force and abilities of an individual towards the support 
 and welfare of my Country, which seems, unhappy Island ! 
 to require the assistance of every Honest Heart to defend 
 Her. — I am, etc. 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 FROM THE SAME TO COUNSELLOR KEMPE.i 
 
 Dcwtdng Street, Westmr., March i8, 1731/2. 
 
 I AM afraid this Scarf will effectually turn my Curate's 
 Brain. He affirms it necessary for a Lord's Chaplain to be 
 versed in politicks and history, and I found him last night 
 deeply plunged into a book entituled Hereditary Rights. He 
 says He is of Fridays Night Club at Hornsey, where He 
 heard this book much commended. He tells me it was 
 written by Dr. Harbin, a non-juring Clergyman, but was 
 owned by Mr. Bedford, another Non-juror, who was pilloried 
 for it. You may be sure Sic vos non vobis did not escape him, 
 and he was going on in a wild, or, as he calls it, his easy 
 manner, when I said to him, with a serious countenance, 
 Mr. Scarf, I am of opinion that, strictly speaking, there 
 cannot be an Hereditary Gouvernment. You know, I dare 
 say, that Mr. Lock, Mr. Sidney, and several other Authors 
 have shewn all Government to be originally founded upon 
 the Consent of the People, and therefore in Kingdoms 
 called hereditary, when the son succeeds to the Father, it is 
 by the tacit permission of the People, not by any natural 
 
 1 This is a skit in mockery of Sandford, the Curate whom Lord Orrery nominated 
 his Chaplain but persistently ridiculed. 
 
io8 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 Right or Interest that he possesses as Son to the preceeding 
 King : and certainly the People have a just right to dethrone 
 him after he is King if he violates their Laws : and likewise a 
 right to exclude him before he comes to the Throne if they dis- 
 cover in him an incapacity to perform the duty of a good King. 
 
 Your Kings, I find, my Patron, (replied the Curate) are 
 like the Deities of old ; pieces of Wood either to be carved into 
 Gods and Goddesses, or thrown into the Fire, but pray what 
 think you of a Theocracy, such as the Jewish Institution ? 
 
 When God himself, answered I, is pleased to interpose and 
 give rules of government, there, my Curate, Man has nothing 
 to do but obey aU ordinances whatever without any reserve. I 
 remember Josephus calls the Jewish Government a Theocracy, 
 but where Government is left to the Wisdom of Men, as 
 it always was since the Jewish aeconomy, my doctrine, I think, 
 must take place, or arbitrary power will get the better and 
 overthrow all our rights and liberties. 
 
 Wherefore then. Earl Patron, has hereditary right been so 
 constantly pursued in our Islands .'' 
 
 You mistake, my Curate, the lineal Succession has been 
 so often disjointed in England that the People certainly 
 imagine they may justly interrupt it whenever the good of 
 the whole requires a link of the Chain to be broken. 
 William Rufus and Henry the first were Kings while 
 their brother Robert was alive. Stephen and John had 
 neither of them hereditary Tides. Edward the third was 
 crowned upon the deposition of his Father. The Henrys 
 fourth, fifth and sixth were of the Lancastrian House, which 
 was the youngest branch, and Henry the Seventh was of the 
 same Family, nor could his marriage with the Heiress of the 
 House of York mend his hereditary Title. Need I after 
 this quote the Revolution ? 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 109 
 
 Yet you see, Earl Patron, that ever since the Revolution we 
 have followed Hereditary right as far as Religion would suffer 
 us, for the present glorious and illustrious House are the most 
 Protestant Relations to those whom we turned out : so that we 
 have fished for they'aj hereditarium even in a pool in Germany. 
 
 Away to thy Friday Nights Club, good Scarf, said I, and 
 vent thy strange notions there. I shall be hanged because thou 
 art my Chaplain, for heavens sake, quit politicks, and return to 
 Love and Poetry. 
 
 A Pye for Poetry, and a Pudding for Love (replied He), 
 I can talk out of the Pulpit, and I can talk in it ; the first 
 Sermon I preach before the Prince of Wales shall be in defence 
 of hereditary right. 
 
 Do so, answered I, most political Curate, but trouble not 
 his Royal Highness with any quotations out of Mr. Harbin's 
 Book. — I am ever yours, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 FROM THE SAME TO MAJOR CLEELAND. 
 
 Brittivell, Saturd. April i, 1732. 
 
 I ENCLOSE to you Sir, the Paper you so earnestly required 
 from me ; and must remind you of your promise not to take 
 a copy of It. Do I live to say that I have spoken in publick ? 
 Yes, the great Work is over, but Cannons and Thunder are 
 less terrible to my Ears than my own Voice. I am much mis- 
 taken if the highest views of Ambition could make me speak 
 often in any Assembly, but at first it may be necessary to declare 
 our Sentiments as openly as possible, that Declaration once 
 over, an upright Vote will carry a Man through Life if not 
 with as great Reputation, at least with as great inward 
 Satisfaction as He can desire. 
 
no THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 I met with an Indulgence for which I ought to be ever 
 thankfull, and yet I cannot help observing that the Veteran 
 Lords, like the old Players, are unwilling to see young Actors 
 rising up who may bear a share in the Comedy and gain some 
 degree of Applause. They will allow us to carry a Message, 
 but no farther ; and, methinks we may rest satisfied with that 
 permission since there are no female Actresses admitted upon 
 our Stage. 
 
 I shall be in London soon, and then must expect the 
 Paper returned to Yours, etc. 
 
 A SPEECH IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS, FRIDAY, 
 MARCH 7TH, 1731-32. 
 
 My Lords, — There are so many Reasons why I should not 
 trouble your Lordships on this or any other Occasion, that If 
 I thought my Silence consistent with my Duty I would neither 
 ask of your Lordships time nor undergo the great Pain and 
 Anxiety which I suffer in speaking before such an Assembly. 
 
 It is so lately since I first have had the honour to sit in 
 this House, that I am entirely unacquainted with the Forms, 
 and at best not master enough of Words enough to express 
 myself in the Manner I wish and ought to do ; but I relye so 
 much upon your Lordships Indulgence to me, that under all the 
 Disadvantages A Man can labour, I will venture to express 
 my Sentiments on the Bill now lying on your Table : 
 
 His Majesty from the Throne tells Us, that the Publick 
 Peace of Europe is established and restored : that all Difii- 
 culties how insurmountable soever they may have been thought, 
 are now overcome, and that Don Carlos is in actual possession 
 of Parma and Placentia. From this glorious Prospect of 
 Happiness abroad, his Majesty concludes that Peace and 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS in 
 
 Good Harmony will preside at home, and as He expects the 
 Duty and Affection of his Subjects in return for his great Care 
 and Wisdom in these late Negotiations, I know nothing can 
 hinder them from making such a Return, but a standing 
 Army, which, instead of permitting the People to shew their 
 Zeal and Loyalty to the King seems to be placed as an Emblem 
 of Distrust between his Majesty and his Subjects, and to let 
 all the World see that tho' the rest of Europe is in a State 
 of Peace and Tranquility, Great Britain is to labour under 
 the Oppressions and Inconveniences of an impending War. 
 
 If at a Time of such universal Harmony amongst the 
 European Princes we could admitt of a Suspicion of Danger, 
 or if we could imagine that the Alliances, which with so much 
 Expence and Pains are at length procured, should not be 
 built on such solid Foundations as to remain long immove- 
 able, surely the Zeal of the People (who have with Impatience 
 expected this peaceful Conjuncture) will defend us within 
 Doors, whilst our Fleet will be a sufficient Security for us 
 without. But if the Troops are not to be diminished at this 
 Time, When is it that they are ? If never, I have troubled 
 your Lordships to no purpose, yet with this Satisfaction to 
 myself, that no Friendship, not even the near Alliance I bear 
 to a Noble Lord in this House, whose Conduct and Character 
 in military Affairs, would, if any Thing could byass me 
 towards a standing Army, but not That, not any private 
 Reason, shall ever hinder me from acting and speaking what I 
 think conducive to the Honour of the King and the Good of 
 the People : I therefore conclude with making to your Lord- 
 ships this Motion that It be an Instruction to the Committee 
 that the Number of Men specified by the Bill do not exceed 
 twelve Thousand. 
 
112 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 FROM THE SAME TO MR. SALKELD. 
 
 Marston,June i^tA, 1732. 
 
 I AM to acknowledge, Sir, your very exact and speedy 
 Account of the Bishop of Rochester's^ Death. We were told 
 that all his Papers had been seized by the Court of France, 
 and were sent to England to be perused and carefully looked 
 over by our Government. Whatever is found in his own 
 handwriting, or supposed to be dictated by him, I hope will be 
 printed. In that case the Publick may be benefitted by his 
 death. 
 
 I presume we may say without Offence that He is now at 
 Rest. We may also conclude, according to Xtianity and 
 Whiggism, that he is gone to a Place where not only Thieves 
 cannot break in, but where Parliaments have no Power. Yet 
 in one point still an Exile by the immense Gulph betwixt 
 him and his Brethren and Contemporaries who look up at 
 him. 
 
 Men of Wisdom and Penetration fear him even after 
 Death. They cry out one and all NoMs Gravis est percussus 
 Achilles. He may do more Mischief dead, say They, than 
 when alive : His utmost Strength then, could only knock 
 down a Colonel, but now he is stronger than the strongest 
 General in the Army. His Body therefore, should not be 
 buried in England : The Jacobites, like the Devotees of Abbot 
 Paris, will assemble in expectation of miracles at his Grave. 
 Young Plotters may spring out of his Ashes, as armed Men 
 arose out of Dragon's Teeth : especially if we trust Him in the 
 same cellar with Mr. Oldfield, and in the Dark. Let a Dung- 
 hill be his burial Place, say all good Men, and let his funeral 
 
 ' Atterbury. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 113 
 
 Rights be such as were bestowed upon his late Brother Plotter, 
 the Harlequin Dog. 
 
 I am going to Ireland to encounter the Giants of that 
 Kingdom who have laid Waste my Patrimony. My Armour 
 is made of Parchment, my Head-Piece and Breast-Plate are, 
 my Mother's Marriage Settlement. 
 
 Res dura et Regni novitas me talia cogunt 
 Moliri. 
 
 Thus you see this is a Journey for Profit, not for Pleasure. 
 The Truth is, my private Affairs are left in the utmost Con- 
 fusion : and to open my Heart freely to you, I own I quitt my 
 native Country with Regret, for I am sufficiently enamoured of 
 Marston and the Muses to prefer that Place and their Com- 
 pany to the most considerable Advantages that can accrue to 
 me by Law. 
 
 In the sweet Silence of the sacred Grove, 
 
 Wrap't up in Ease, in Poetry and Love, 
 No Slave to Courts, but fixt in Honour's Rules 
 
 I chuse to leave the World to Knaves and Fools. 
 
 Speaking of Love, I must tell you with sorrow that Lady 
 Orrery, who miscarried some time ago, has been extremely 111, 
 and tho' now better, is not so well as my fond Heart wishes 
 her. But She is resolved to accompany me to Ireland, and by 
 sharing, try to lessen my troubles. I could not indeed leave 
 her behind me without suffering all the uneasiness that humane 
 Nature is capable of, and yet I fear She is scarce well enough 
 to undertake such a Journey. O the Torments of an Estate ! 
 Vita me redde priori. 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 VOL. I. 
 
114 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 FROM THE SAME TO MAJOR CLEELAND. 
 
 Bristol, "June zoth, 1732. 
 
 I ARRIVED in this merchantile City yesterday in the after- 
 noon and am thus far in my way towards Ireland ; but the 
 wind is truly English, and seems resolved to keep us as long 
 as possible in our own Island. I have left my Children at 
 Brittwell : God Almighty's Providence I hope will protect their 
 Innocence, but the thoughts of their tender age and the 
 mountains and Seas that are to rise between us, admit of many 
 heart wounds. 
 
 I have at length recollected the Epigrams and Epitaph of 
 which you desired a Copy; that upon Dr. Bentley's setting 
 fire to the Cotton Library runs thus : 
 
 When Dick had set his House on Fire 
 
 He thought it proper to retire, 
 And off he stalkt amidst the Rout 
 
 Nor lent a Hand to put it out, 
 Let Underlins go toil and try 
 
 To save the valu'd Library 
 A Flame to Kindle He 's your Man 
 
 And others quench it if they can. 
 
 I must not omit one circumstance relating to Dr. Bentley on 
 
 this occasion. He retired during the conflagration to the 
 
 house of his opposite neighbour Dr. Robert Friend, and there 
 
 expressing great anxiety lest certain old Wastecoats and 
 
 Cassocks might be lost in the Flames. He was at length 
 
 assured they were safe, Hah ! said He, are they so ? then all 
 
 my fears are over, for, as to my Works 
 
 Sunt quae nee yovis ira nee ignes. 
 
 So Nero once with harp in hand surveyed 
 His flaming Rome, and as it burned He plaid. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 115 
 
 The Epitaph is upon a Husband, a Wife, and their two 
 Children, who were all buried together in the same grave : 
 
 Here lie interr'd beneath this single Stone 
 Four, but as much as Love could make 'em One, 
 Not Souls to Bodys are so strictly tied, 
 For Death can those, but could not these divide. 
 
 The Rev. Author of these (two) little pieces, has, as you may 
 know by many of his writings (such as the D. of Marlborough's 
 Funeral, the Plot, etc.) a great fund of wit and a true spirit of 
 poetry, but in conversation he spoils every Thing he says by an 
 unhappy Laugh. This Convulsion seizes him the moment he 
 has told a merry Story, or makes a witty repartee, and it 
 continues loud and boisterous many minutes after the whole 
 company have finished their utmost efforts to joyn in his 
 merriment : so that he is heard to roar, and seen to shake his 
 shoulders after every smUe is vanished from every Friend of 
 the most laughing disposition he can find. This is false mirth, 
 and only the effects of habit. True humour is ever gravest 
 when she makes all around her laugh. Tom Southerne has 
 boldly told him of his error, and has amicably advised him to 
 correct it, but Sam is incorrigible. . . . Adieu. Adieu. 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 FROM THE SAME TO COUNSELLOR KEMPE. 
 
 Rostellan: near Cork, Tuesday, July 4, 1732. 
 
 We landed here last Saturday, and according to your 
 Desire, I take the earliest opportunity of leting you know that 
 Lady Orrery bore the Voyage (six days at Sea) with good 
 Health, and you may be sure with good Temper. I hope She 
 has left all her complaints on the other Side of the Water, and 
 that Ireland will be at least so propitious to Us as to preserve 
 
ii6 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 Her Well and free from Pain. Her compliments attend 
 you. 
 
 We have been here too short a Time for me to form an 
 exact Judgement of the People : Yet if I may already venture 
 to give my Opinion They are exceeding Honest and very Poor. 
 As an Instance of their Honesty, we lye with our Doors and 
 Windows open, and Strangers are going in and out of the House 
 ad libitum all Night long. As an Instance of their Poverty, 
 the Women and Children have neither Shoes nor Stockings. 
 
 This is the old Castle belonging to the Family of O'Brions : 
 they are descended from a King ^ with a hard Name : and 
 Lord Inchiquin is the undoubted lawfull Sovereign of this 
 Barony. Great Adoration is paid to him : with his usual good 
 humour he smiles on the Men and kisses the Women : It 
 would be happy if every Monarch were equally beloved in his 
 Dominions, with the merry-hearted Earl.^ 
 
 Rostellan Castle is situated close to the Sea, which is at this 
 moment frothing and throwing up its billows against the Steps 
 of the Garden, where we landed. The Prospect, to all those 
 who love that Element must be inexpressibly delightfuU. I 
 am not of that Number. 
 
 I have seen W . . . T . . . : A Thousand Reasons made me 
 open my Eyes and Faculties to look through this Great Man : 
 Happy had Caesar been with such thriving Agents about Him. 
 
 Fat, sleek-headed Men and such as sleep a Nights. 
 
 We shall set out for Corke in a few days. I am impatient 
 to be in Action : when I arrive at that City you shall hear 
 again from me. Adieu. 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 ' Brian Boroime, commonly known as Brian Boroo. 
 
 2 This Earldom was in 1800 promoted to a Marquisate of Thoumond, which, 
 like the Earldom, is now extinct, and the Barony of Inchiquin alone remains. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 117 
 
 MR. BYRD TO JOHN EARL OF ORRERY. 
 
 l^irginia, the 20 of July 1732. 
 
 My Lord, — I daresay I shall find credit with your Lord- 
 ship, when I assure You I am most sensibly concerned for the 
 death of my very good Lord your Father. It will not become 
 me to say how much I have lost in a Friend, when your loss 
 has been so much greater in a Parent. For that reason, while 
 I remember your Greif I must endeavour to forget, or only 
 drop a silent Tear for my own. It were impossible not to pay 
 that Tribute at least to the memory of a noble Lord whom I 
 have loved and Admired for more than thirty years, especially 
 when during that time He was pleased to honour me with 
 a much greater share of distinction than I deserved. No 
 wonder then that I had so true a Respect for his Lordship 
 while he lived and feel so unaflTected a concern for Him now 
 he is dead. The account He gave me last year of his ill State 
 of Health made me apprehend very much for Him ; it ante- 
 dated my Sorrow, and tho' I was prepared beforehand for the 
 Stroke, yet it goes as deep as if it had all the aggravation of a 
 Surprise. 
 
 The chief comfort I could hope for in this mournful! 
 situation, is, that your Lordship, your Lady and your little 
 Cherubs are perfectly in Health : but alas ! instead of that I 
 am told by some of my Correspondents, that your Lordship 
 affliction for your Father has rendered you extremely ill, and 
 obliged you for that reason to make a long Campaign at Bath. 
 There my intelligence ends and leaves me quite in the dark as 
 to your Recovery. However, there is room to hope that you 
 have found benefit by those healing Springs. Nevertheless I 
 must take the boldness to expostulate a little with your Lord- 
 
ii8 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 ship for making so unkind a secret of your Recovery, and 
 envying an old Friend the pleasure of rejoicing at it. It is 
 true, I believe, I am too partial to my own inclinations to hope 
 for the honour of hearing from you under all these melancholy 
 circumstances : but you will be so good as to pardon my 
 longings and belive it would be some consolation to be con- 
 vinced that I have lost no more than one Friend. 
 
 The time I proposed for my Pilgrimage into this new 
 World is now almost expired : but the exceeding low Price 
 Tobacco has yeilded ever since I have left England has not 
 suffered me to discharge some Engagements I had the mis- 
 fortune to lie under. It is that which with-holds me from the 
 pleasure of returning to that enchanted Island, which I shall 
 always long to do, so long as your Lordship is there, but I must 
 wait with patience for that till better Times or better Fortune 
 shall have re-established my Finances. In the meanwhile I 
 must make the most of my Retirement, and content myself 
 with Rural and Domestick joys, which have this advantage at 
 least, that they are innocent and need but little repentance : It 
 will be very charitable in your Lordship to animate these 
 harmless delights, which are apt to be a little lethargick by 
 honouring me sometimes with your commands, and leting me 
 into your story. I should be glad to rejoice at any good that 
 befalls you, and even to share in your greatest sorrows, if any 
 such are reserved for the trial of your Fortitude. As your 
 Father's Friend, my Lord, I look upon myself to be part of 
 your Inheritance, and to be by hereditary Right, Your Lord- 
 ship's most obedient humble Servant, 
 
 W. BYRD. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 119 
 
 JOHN EARL OF ORRERY TO COUNSELLOR KEMPE. 
 
 Corie, Tuesday, August 15, 173Z. 
 
 Wonder not at my long Silence, I am going to be the 
 most wretched of aU Beings — Lady Orrery (who came hither 
 ill from Rostellan) is now in the utmost danger : the certainty 
 of which was gently declared to me this morning by Dean 
 Ward ; all former Misfortunes are Trifles in comparison of 
 This. What can I say ! What can I do ! She is nearer to 
 Me than my own Life : dearer than the Lives of my Children ; 
 O miserable Infants, who are now upon the point of being 
 undone ! what have I suffered heretofore by a Mother's 
 Death ! hence arose the Source of my tedious Calamities. I 
 am distracted and know not what to write. Let me beg of You 
 in case I lose Her to come over to Me. Your conversation 
 may help to calm the Tempest in my Breast : Your ChearfuU- 
 ness may alleviate my Sorrow : If after such a Blow they shall 
 be capable of any Releif. Prepare yourself for the dismal Day. 
 Prepare yourself for the Journey. Pity and Friendship 
 demands it from You. 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 FROM THE SAME TO COUNSELLOR KEMPE. 
 
 Corie, U^ednesday, August 23, 1732. 
 
 It has pleased God to punish me in the Bitterness of his 
 Wrath. My dear Harriot died last night at ten o'clock — 
 Hasten to me without delay. My Fate has been miserable 
 even from my Cradle, but all Misery is comprehended in this 
 last. Four Times we took of each Other a dismal Farewell : 
 
I20 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 thinking each Time to be the last, yet still hoping for a 
 
 Reprieve : I must stop, or my Heart will break. An Express 
 
 goes of this moment to London. Let me know as soon as 
 
 you can when I may hope to see you at Dublin. I will fly 
 
 thither with all speed, being ardently desirous to quit the 
 
 Scene of Death and Sorrow. 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 FROM THE EARL OF ORRERY TO TOM SOUTHERNE. 
 
 Corke, March loth, 1732-3. 
 
 My GOOD AND DEAR OLD Friend, — At this melancholy 
 Place your Letter of ye 20th of Feb : reached me : I thank 
 you for such a Cordial, for indeed I stand in need of very 
 strong Restoratives to preserve the Gloom and Horror of this 
 City from enveloping my Heart. I am at the House of a 
 most eminent Physician, a most agreable Freind. I could not 
 forbear shewing him your Letter ; I am proud of your Freind- 
 ship, and happy in that parental Tenderness which in every 
 Word of your Epistle chears my very Soul. 
 
 Doctor Barry (for so my Freind is called) at the same time 
 that he is the Esculapius of the Age, seems to hide the Artist 
 under the more acceptable Character of the fine Gentleman. 
 The sweetness of his Temper, The genteel Turn of his 
 Conversation, join'd to his universal knowledge of Men and 
 Things, make him at once the Admiration and Delight of All 
 who are happy enough to be his Companions. Oh ! my 
 excellent old Man ! Two or three such Friends as You and 
 Dr. Barry in the oak Parlour at Marston would almost make 
 me forgett my Sorrows and wish to Live. 
 
 To say Truth, I cannot hope to see England till about this 
 Time twelvemonth. I would not have thee, my dear Brother 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 121 
 
 Poet, venture thy Self on this Side the water : Leave Travel- 
 ling and Fatigue to us young Striplings, and go and regale 
 thyself amongst my Ancestours at Marston. Pillard shall open 
 my Cellars, and Marston shall be your own House as long as 
 you will think it worth making so. The year following we 
 will both revell there, till then to You and to your Companions 
 I resign It. 
 
 Kenny shall be taken care of, Mr. FitzGerald shall have his 
 Pension. I hope the CoUedge has by this Time the Books for 
 which I 've no further Taste than free and voluntarily to give 
 them. Lord Boyle would be glad to see You, or he is a most 
 unworthy Son. Prithee make the Boy a Visit, or tell me 
 truly your Thoughts of Him ; be impartial ; I hope the best, 
 let me Know yr Worst. 
 
 I love Wesley too well not to be visibly touched at his 
 Danger : One thing he is sure of, more Justice and better 
 Preferment in t'other World than he has mett with in this. 
 God preserve my good old Man ! 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 LORD ORRERY TO TOM SOUTHERNE. 
 
 Marston, Nov. 7, 1733. 
 
 My DEAR OLD Man, — At my arrival at this dear and delight- 
 ful Place, I was welcom'd with a letter from you which had 
 lain some Days upon my Table. . . . We are hard at work 
 both within and without doors, but in the Gardens are out- 
 doing Hannibal, and working thro' rocks more obdurate than 
 the Alps. . . . Near an Upper Fountain is to stand a Seat, 
 and at each end two little Closets where you and Phillis may 
 whisper your Loves, and where I may count my beads and say 
 my Mattins. I am scratching out upon Paper ten thousand 
 
122 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 Designs for other parts, and my Plans commonly come all to 
 the same Fate — they are flung into the Fire and forgott. 
 From the Garden if you '11 come into the House, you '11 see 
 a representation of the Golden Age. The Cats, the Dogs, 
 the Birds, the Children, the Master and the Servants, omnes 
 sine Vindice tuH. Lyons ^ at Marston would lose their fierceness, 
 the Panther would grow tame. . . . The Days are now grown 
 short, I have therefore prepared all the amusements within 
 Doors that will make a solitary Life agreable ; when my 
 Children are putt to Bed I betake myself to the study of my 
 Books, and with these I make a shift to sit on till towards 
 eleven ; then like Othello putt out the light, and without his 
 guilt, wish for Desdemona but alas ! in vain. Sometimes 
 indeed, unluckily enough for my friends, I am in the humour 
 to write long letters, and that you see is the present turn of 
 my temper. , . . Lord Boyle is much your servant ; he is 
 employed all Day long on my Errands, which he executes 
 without the least mistake. He puzzles me at times with his 
 Questions and makes me blush with his Observations, nay if 
 I don't take care, the Boy will soon grow too wise for me, and 
 discover that there are but few years Difference in our Age, 
 and fewer stiU in our Understandings. Hammy, who is less 
 sedate than his Brother contents himself with his Toys without 
 enquiring too soon into the natural Causes of Things. Betty 
 is the arrantest Romp in Christendom ; she talks as fast as any 
 of her Sex, and like most other fine Ladies in a Dialect not easily 
 
 1 No experiments in that branch of Natural History have been hitherto tried at 
 Marston, but it is to be feared that the mollifying influences relied on by Ld O. 
 have passed aviray with his presence, seeing that within the memory of man a Cow of 
 lively and ill-regulated temperament is known to have tossed an unoffending urchin 
 into a quickset hedge, while a patriarchal Goat in the full courage of his convictions on 
 freedom of action, was once so lost to every better feeling as to overturn the baby- 
 carriage it was his privilege to draw, and put to hasty flight an entire squadron of 
 Nursery Light Infantry. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 123 
 
 to be understood. Sickness and Indolence tremble at sight of 
 her for she is the picture of Health, and a veritable Miss 
 Hoyden. The great King Nobby brought me home safe in 
 the Dark last Night, and the invincible Hector is faithful and 
 couragious still. Our Aviary has received a great Loss by 
 the Death of a favourite Paroqueet, who died, as he liv'd with 
 Silence and Tranquility. He has left a disconsolate Widow, 
 who we fear'd would not survive him, but to my great joy has 
 since admitted the Addresses of an Indian Nightingale, who 
 courts her every evening with a Song. This is the State of 
 Men and Beasts at Marston, whilst our Neighbours have their 
 misfortunes. Ld Weymouth has had a fall from his horse by 
 which his Life was endanger'd. Lady W. has miscarried 
 occasioned by the Fright she receiv'd at seeing her Ld brought 
 home lifeless. There are great preparations for ensuing 
 Nuptials, but let them marry, or let them bury, I am Content 
 while the Fates let me remain at Marston and Your humble 
 servant, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 LORD ORRERY TO TOM SOUTHERNE. 
 
 Marston, N(ni. z6, 1733. 
 
 My dear Brother Poet,^ — I am rejoiced whenever I read 
 Letter from you, not only from the many kind and sincere 
 Things it contains, but really as it confirms me in the Com- 
 pletion of my good wishes for your Health. Marston looks 
 but half agreable without you. In my Great Grandfather's 
 Time the Penates have been so much used to the company of 
 excellent writers, that they will not accept of such a scribbler 
 as I am. All I can say is you must make as much haste back 
 
 ^ Tom Southeme was the author of several Plays and other Pieces, the best known 
 of which seems to have been ' The Siege of Capua.' 
 
124 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 as possible. Lord Boyle was with me yesterday at Church, 
 and very severe in his Remarks on the Clerk who was drunk. 
 The greatest Punishment he could invent for him was whipping, 
 but I told him I knew of a greater, to which he answer'd let 's 
 do it what is it, and 1 replied. He is a Widower we will make 
 him marry again. I am extreamly busy improving my Farm 
 against Lady Day, and must entreat You therefore to make 
 my Excuses to Mr. Westly for not writing. I hope he will 
 enter my Name as a Subscriber for ten Books, and send me 
 Receipts for twenty more which I will endeavour to dispose of 
 hereabouts. I am glad of any Opportunity of showing my 
 Gratitude to a Man who has done such justice to Harriot. 
 I write this in great Haste, but in all Situations am faithfully 
 Yours, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 LORD ORRERY TO TOM SOUTHERNE. 
 
 Mar It on. Deer, ■^rd, 1733. 
 
 My most valuable old Man, — Your commands carry 
 such a Weight with 'em that they must be obey'd without 
 the least Delay. We are going on with great Vigour at 
 Marston. The Weather favours us extreamley, and hitherto 
 the Sun has shone as many hours in the Day as Sagittarius 
 would permitt him. What his visit to old Capricorn will 
 produce I know not, but my Trees are all planted, and my 
 Walls built, so I need not much dread either Wind or 
 Weather. The Newspapers are a great Relief to a Man who 
 leads my solitary Life. I generally reserve 'em as a Feast 
 for Night, and pass some of the long Evenings in speculating 
 upon the Advertisements over a Dish of Coffee. By this 
 means I know who sells the infallible electuary, and can inform 
 
'ii/i2lkiL^&SM>lLe*elC. 541. Sc 
 
 ,_%././ A/iy,/;//, /vvv/ 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 125 
 
 you into what Alley you must steer your course. . . . But 
 my Knowledge reaches further than my own Country, I am 
 well acquainted with the motions of poor Stanislaus, and 
 begin to pronounce the Polish hard Names without hesitation. 
 But I own to you, I long since read with Sorrow, the Account 
 of the magnificent Entertainment which His Grace of Dorsett 
 gave at Dublin on His Majesty's Birthday. Serpents with an 
 Orange in their Mouth, seem'd to me to be an Emblem of 
 what has since happen'd. The Fruit is poison'd and who will 
 dare to taste it ? We well know what effect the Serpent's 
 having an Apple in his Mouth had on our great Grandmother, 
 and why they should putt an Orange between the Jaws of that 
 same pernicious Animal, just at this Time, seems too irre- 
 concilable both to Reason and good Manners. The green 
 Tails of the Sea-Horses (who I presume have always green 
 tails) afforded me great Delight ; yet methinks if they had 
 putt a green TaU or Stalk to the Orange, and plac'd it in the 
 hand of the Goddess of Beauty, the Allegory had been more 
 natural and better adapted to the ensuing^ Nuptials. Upon 
 the whole the Roast Beef and the Claret, would have given 
 most joy to the Eyes of the Country Gentlemen, who prefer a 
 Mug of October out of a clean Hogshead, to the best 
 wines that flow out of either Snakes or Ducal Coronets. 
 A neighbour of mine, during his Absence in London, has 
 been so good to leave me the Command of his Hounds, 
 and I generally give 'em exercise twice in a week : there 
 is something in the Diversion of hunting very manly; the 
 musick of the Dogs especially near Water and Wood fills 
 the Breast with sentiments of exhilaration that are more easily 
 felt than describ'd : and yet I am always on the side of the 
 Hare, and wish She may escape notwithstanding I am pursuing 
 
 ' Of George ii. and Queen Caroline's daughter to the Prince of Orange. 
 
126 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 her to Death. This putts me in mind of some People who 
 have tormented me till I was reafiy to expire, but all for 
 my Good. However no Body should attempt to describe 
 a hunting Match, after the fine Picture that Virgil has given us 
 of one in his fourth ^Eneid. I beg of you to read it 
 immediately, for 'tis with me a most favorite part of that 
 Book, and never permitts me to follow the Hounds without 
 wishing for a Storm, a Cave and a Dido. If I was not 
 sure to see you and some more Freinds in Town, I should 
 begin to be sorry that the Time of my Departure herjce 
 approaches. I must leave these Bowers the beginning of 
 next month, and like Sir Francis Wronghead take a journey 
 to London for the Good of my Country. Possibly I may 
 come Time eno* for the Wedding, and then I shall have an 
 Opportunity of seeing the Queen's Daughter with her Virgins 
 and her Timbrills singing a Song of Joy unto the Lord. I 
 shall also view the poetical Works of our fellow Labourers in 
 the Pen, whose Verses now must be all extempore, according 
 to Sheridan's Notion of Things. But the Splendour will be so 
 great, and the Beauties so numerous, that perhaps they will 
 turn the Brains of a Rustick, and I may come back hither in a 
 lac'd Coat and a Solitaire. From such Evils Heaven and its 
 best Stars defend Us. Master Westley has my best wishes, 
 and shall command my most zealous Service on all Occasions : 
 tell him that Somersetsh: air in the Summer Time is as 
 infallible a Cure for an inveterate Cough, as the Jesuit's Bark 
 is for an obstinate Ague. Ld Boyle asks me often when Mr, 
 Southerne will come home. I tell him next Summer. The Boy 
 pays his Court excellently to me by making this House the 
 Home for my Freinds. I hope and foresee that he will do so 
 when I am gather'd to my Ancestors, and with such a 
 Prospect must go with great Peace to my Grave. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 127 
 
 Mr. Dylon Carter shall be honour'd with the company of 
 Rex and Pugg, if I lodge within any tolerable distance of 
 Clarges St. : four for my Coach, and three for the Saddle, are 
 as many Horses as 1 shall bring up. And now I 'II bid you 
 Farewell, having had an opportunity by writing this long 
 Epistle according to your Desire to show myself, what in good 
 Truth I am. Your obedient humble servant, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 THE SAME TO THE SAME. 
 
 Oct. 1734. 
 
 My most beloved Nestor, — Will you not think it strange 
 that the Marston Bowers are left for the London CofFee- 
 Houses ? Won't you imagine mc fickle to depart with 
 tolerable ease from the shady Groves of my own Gardens to 
 bruise my bones in a hackney Coach thro' the kennels of this 
 dirty City ? Are you not capable of beleiving that I who can 
 so suddenly quitt my frock and bob wig to put on a tye and 
 laced Coat, may as suddenly quitt the valued friendship of Tom 
 Southerne and enter into alliance with Colly Cibber ? To 
 say Truth, my Friend, I own Appearances are against me, but 
 when I tell you I am to return Home in three or four Days 
 and that nothing but the Devil Badham ^ or money could have 
 brought me out of my own Territories where I still prefer the 
 gentle smiles of my rustic Damsels to the enticing Arts of 
 yr nymphs in Drury Lane perhaps you will not quite give 
 me up for lost, and to show me that you will not rank me 
 with some other youths of the present Age, let me kiss your 
 hands at my Lodgings here in Piccadilly To-morrow morning 
 as early as you please. I lam'd my fine Irish Horse in returning 
 
 1 The unworthy Steward who robbed both Lord Orrery and his Father shamelessly 
 till detected, and plunged John into severe financial depths. 
 
128 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 from Bath so that I am obliged to my little favourite King 
 Nobby for carrying me most excellently without start, trip or 
 stumble one hundred and one long miles. Yesterday I rode 
 him in three hours and twenty minutes from Brittwell, and 
 To-day I 've just received an answer to my How do ye from 
 him. He is in perfect Health and desires me to enquire how 
 your Bucephalus does. As I see none but Men of Business 
 or Relatives you must quitt the Poet and come as Banker or 
 Lawyer ; otherwise I break my Rule. Yet come how and 
 when you will you shall be admitted. Great Men never know 
 Days of the Month ; 'tis enough knowledge for me to be sure 
 that it is October and Wednesday morning 9 of ye clock. And 
 that I am in Town or Country dear Tom Southerne's faithful! 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO MR. SOUTHERNE. 
 
 At Martin KiUigrevS's, Esqre., in Charles St., nr. St. James' Sqr., Bath, 
 
 Novr. 30, 1734. 
 
 My dear old Man, — I had not been thus long in answering 
 y' Letter, had not my Packetts from Ireland come as thick 
 upon me as if they had been misfortunes, w*" the Spanish 
 proverb says cannot be called so if they come single. In my 
 late Journey to London I just appeared and vanish'd as tho' a 
 Ghost : was most sorry I did not see you, but hope to find 
 you in high Health and great Gaiete de Ccsur, the latter end of 
 next month. Yr two little Friends are now with me, and how 
 we shall do to part three weeks hence I know not. The Task 
 will be hard on all sides but I leave 'em in good hands, a very 
 faithfuU Freind, and an old Acquaintance, one whose Sincerity 
 I have tried in the worst Times, and whose Judgment I have 
 had great reason to depend upon, notwithstanding his notorious 
 Error in ever having had a Partiality for me. But my children 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 129 
 
 are dearer to me than all the Freinds in the World, some of 
 whom, in a numerous Acquaintance, I have found wavering and 
 unsincere ; few like you, who can look over the Follies of a 
 Young Man, because he acts right in one Instance of having 
 that Regard, Esteem, and Affection for you w^ he thinks 
 your Merits and your Virtues claim. In this none of your 
 humble Servants can out do. I defye 'em and Malice w"" often 
 paints us in wrong Colours, cannot make me appear black to 
 you there. Betty is well, so is my kind Freind Mrs. Pearson. 
 She is an excellent woman. I am sorry methinks she 's of the 
 sex that betray 'd poor Sampson to the Philistines, and the 
 Capitol to the Sabines. Much pleas'd am I that you are 
 with Mr. Killigrew. His kind Favours to me when a dirty 
 School-boy, remain fix'd in my mind, and my humble Service 
 delivered by you I hope will be acceptable. Lett me hear from 
 you Sometimes : it will be unkind in you if you do not, for I 
 once was favoured thoroughly with your Affection. It is an 
 honour to a young Man to boast of the Freindship of one 
 of your Years and Figure in Life. Pope is proud of his 
 Wycherley, lett me be so of my Southerne. Marston Gardens 
 are in Statu quo ; the Library is finish'd and will be a great 
 Retreat next Summer. Your Resolution of being near London 
 at your Time of Life, is certainly right : notwithstanding my 
 Self-Love I cannot trespass so far upon as to ask you to 
 taste the diminutive sweets of Praeneste next Year. Besides 
 Mrs. Pearson will be gone from thence, and what is Marston 
 without her ? Wherever you are, there are my best wishes : 
 and though I am far from wishing for a long Life myself, 
 fancying few things in this World worth living for, yet I hope 
 to see you equal old Parr, and to your last moments love, 
 Your real affectionate humble Servant, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 VOL. I. I 
 
I30 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 LETTER FROM LORD ORRERY TO EDWARD 
 BARRY, ESQ., DOCTOR OF PHYSICK, AT HIS HOUSE 
 ON ORRERY QUAY, CORK. 
 
 Dublin, June 28, 1735. 
 
 Curse on my Fate that keeps me here chain'd down like 
 one of the Titans, to eternal Pains. I thought by this time 
 to have been in Munster, and the nearer I draw to You the 
 more full of Glee will be my heart. Watt Goold promises to 
 release me on Tuesday, and about the Time that You expect 
 the Judges and their Trumpets, You may also expect your 
 humble Servant. Mrs. Barry is infinitely good to remember 
 me in so obliging, tho' so usual a manner. I own I 
 shall approach her with Fear and Trembling, and have no 
 Armour but the Integrity and Zeal of my Heart to defend me 
 against her just maternal indignation ; yett She will consider 
 that the Merchant who ventures all his Jewels in the same 
 VesseU in which he tempts his Friend to send a Cargo must be 
 sincere. The Will of Providence is equal everywhere : and 
 in all other Matters depend upon it we shall be Gainers. 
 
 Improve my Thoughts by putting me into your own 
 Language to the dear Dean,^ whom, you know, I both love 
 and admire. Adieu, till my eyes are blest once more with the 
 sight of You. 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO THE REV. MR. FERREBY AT HIS HOUSE IN 
 WESTMINSTER. 
 
 Dublin, July \, 1735. 
 
 Dear Sir, — If the Business that call'd me so suddenly 
 out of England would send me as expeditiously back, neither 
 
 1 Mr. James Ward, Dean of Cloyne. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 131 
 
 you nor any of my Friends should have the Trouble of hearing 
 what was become of Me ; but my Counsel, learned in the Law 
 (which is a genteel Phrase for a parcel of Pick-Pockets) 
 declare it absolutely necessary for their Profit and my Plague 
 that I should travel Quixot-like all over Ireland in search of 
 certain Lands and Tenements now in possession of some 
 Hibernian Giants. Good Gods ! is it not hard that a Man 
 must foUow a Tribe of Attorneys as devoutly as if they 
 were so many Godesses of Love. Must the Errors in the 
 fifty last years Reigns of the Kings of Orrery all fall on this 
 devoted head. Yea, quoth Lady Ann,^ It is decreed in my 
 Almanac and your L^ has nothing to do but to avoid a 
 Journey on a Childemas Day. Thus Sir, you have my Case. 
 Putt a great Emphasis therefore on that part of the Litany 
 that recommends Travellers to the Care of Heaven. 
 
 You '1 rejoice with me tfiat the Dean of St. Patrick's ^ is in 
 high Health ; the same inimitable Man I left Him. A 
 Murrain on Counsellor Kalaan ^ that will not suflfer me to 
 indvdge myself half enough in his Company. Lawyers are as 
 great Enemies to Freedom and Pleasure as Monks and 
 Hermits are : Prose, and the dullest Prose, is their profit ; 
 They abhor Poetry and all its Professors, nor can we hope to 
 see, even under Cibber's * Monarchy, Bills in Chancery drawn 
 up in Rhyme. 
 
 Ejectments and such shift had like to have made me un- 
 
 gratefull : I had almost forgot to thank You for a beautiful 
 
 Copy of Verses which Bowen put into my hands. You that 
 
 write so well should write oftener, but pray chuse a better 
 
 Subject than 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 1 Mrs. Anne Sandford. 2 d^. Swift. 
 
 3 One of the most noted lawyers in Ireland. 
 
 * Fide Dunciad, ' Cibber shall sit Lord Chancellor of Plays.'' 
 
132 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 FROM THE SAME TO DR. SWIFT. 
 
 Egmonte, near Charlesville, July iiih, 1735. 
 
 Dear Sir, — Falkner will ever make his Letters acceptable 
 when He sends me the good News of your being well. Our 
 journey hither and our Residence here have been, attended 
 with so little vanity that Nothing but your Comments and the 
 dull hours of a rainy Day could force from me a Letter. In 
 these Parts we live under a perpetual Terror that Lord Clan- 
 earthy 's Thunderbolt will destroy half of our most wealthy 
 Neighbours. Like Chickens in a Farm Yard we tremble at 
 the Kite above Us, and are running for protection under the 
 broad spread wings of the Law. I am not like to suffer 
 should his Lordship's Victory be as compleat as the Marl- 
 borough ^ Arms and make it Sed Homo Sum et Nihil humani a 
 me alienum puto. Of what infinite Service might Thomas 
 Hearne ^ have been in this Cause : possibly He could have 
 found some dusty Settlement among Lord Noah's Papers that 
 would have put all to Rights, unless Duke Adam had made 
 over these very Lands to the Dutchess of Eve. I hear so 
 much of this AiFair all day long that I rejoice when Bed-time 
 comes, chearfuUy submitting only to dream of the Clancarthy 
 Family for six hours together. — I am, dear Sir, Your ever 
 obliged and faithful Servant, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 ^ At this time Lord Clancarthy had brought ejectments to recover his estate in 
 the County of Cork, and the Dutchess of Marlborough was said to be at the whole 
 expense of the lawsuit. 
 
 2 A famous Antiquarian. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 133 
 
 FROM THE SAME TO ALEXANDER POPE. 
 
 Egmont, August 10, 1735. 
 
 Sir, — ^Amidst a thousand vexations and troubles to receive 
 so kind a Letter from You gave me a most sensible Pleasure. 
 Be assured I shall always endeavour to deserve your Freind- 
 ship : You shall have my Hand and Heart : Sure my Fortune 
 is beginning to change, and my most ardent Wishes are at 
 length to be accomplish'd, for at the same time that you 
 allow me the Liberty to enlist myself among your humble 
 Servants, I am crown'd with Victory in all my Lawsuits. My 
 affairs here are taking such a Turn that I hope not only to be 
 with You at the Expiration of a Twelve-Month, but to stay 
 many Years in my native Country without taking a Journey 
 to the impoverish'd and desolate Island. I have lately pass'd 
 a week at Corke with our mutual Freind Dean Ward. His 
 Acquaintance with me begun in Sorrow : He attended One of 
 the best Women ^ that ever liv'd, in her latest Moments, and 
 bless'd One of the purest Souls that Heaven has or will 
 receive into its Mansions. She was much fitter for the Place 
 She is gone to than for my Arms ; and the Almighty Justice 
 was doubly manifest in her Death, by punishing Me and 
 rewarding Her. But why do I mention this ? I would have 
 You partake of my Joys and not of my Afflictions. To make 
 you some amends (for I know your Humanity will plunge 
 you into the Torrent of my Woe) Lett me tell you that the 
 Dean of St. Patricks is well. I have this day seen a Gentleman 
 from Dublin who brought me a Letter from him. 
 
 In the Place where I am we live in a State of Ignorance 
 many weeks together, and hear nothing but how Beef and 
 
 ' Henrietta, Countess of Orrery, the first wife of Lord Orrery. 
 
134 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 Butter sell by the Pound. It will be a most charitable Act in 
 you, dear Sir, to enliven me a little by your Correspondence. 
 I will be mighty reasonable in my Expectations, well knowing 
 how much better You can employ yr Time : but assure your- 
 self of this Truth, that not even the Muses are more devoted 
 to You than your very faithfull and Obedient Servant, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 FROM THE SAME TO DR. BARRY. 
 
 Dingle in Kerry, Augt. i^tk, 1735. 
 
 I ALWAYS had a very great Opinion of Hector's^ Judgement 
 and Taste, but tis now rais'd to a higher Pitch than ever. He 
 wisely lets me keep Company with the Yahoes of Kerry while 
 he stays to indulge himself under the roof of Dr. Barry. 
 Sagacious Dog ! My love of Him, however great before, is 
 certainly increas'd by this last Action, for how can he better 
 ingratiate himself with me, than by admiring and obeying You. 
 He had waded with his Master thro' eighteen Lawsuits, and 
 after that why should he quitt your delightfuU Company and 
 engaging Smiles to hear Nonsense and view the untamed Irish 
 of this Part of the World. He knew my Heart was with you, 
 and where can Hector be better plac'd than near my Heart ? 
 Tell the dear Quadrupede a whole Sheep shall be sacrificed to 
 his Appetite the first time we meet, for He has shew'd his 
 Approbation of my strongest Passion, my Affection to You : 
 which he justly observes extends even to your Turnspitts. 
 But why do I admire you .'' You make me hate half the rest of 
 Mankind : Civilities are loathsome to me. I fly from Con- 
 versation : who can please me .? Even Will Taylor moralizes 
 in vain : To all He says, I answer with this question, ' When 
 
 ^ His dog. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 135 
 
 shall we return to Corke ? ' For God's sake if you are a 
 Physician, cure this distemper that I contracted on Orrery 
 Quay. It is not only troublesome but dangerous, and if it 
 Increases will make me hate Marston. At least, if it is out of 
 your Power to cure me entirely, which I much suspect, ease 
 me a little by assuring Mrs. Barry, the Dean, and aU my 
 Freinds that I am even amongst the Mountains of Kerry their 
 humble Servant. 
 
 FROM THE SAME TO DEAN SWIFT. 
 
 Ballynorte, September 8, 1735. 
 
 Dear Sir, — The happy Israelites had not more Joy when 
 They escap'd from Pharoah and his Hosts, than I have on my 
 Arrival from Kerry. To come from thence with whole Limbs 
 is an Escape little less miraculous than that of the Man's who 
 rode over Rochester Bridge in the dark, when only a single 
 Plank was laid over a broken Part of it. But they tell me I 
 may congratulate You also, upon sitting your Horse while the 
 humane School Master ^ was shooting at Larks and aiming at 
 your Life. My Dog Hector bids me ask You if it is not hard 
 that Bad Men should be call'd Beasts and Dogs when there 
 are no instances to equal their Inhumanity among the whole 
 brute Generation. 
 
 I hope Sheridan ^ has been with You ; his Letter says he 
 intends to be at Dublin this month : His Reverence seems 
 much pleas'd with my new Method of teaching Dunces. I 
 sent you a Sample of it, but was not honour 'd with your 
 Approbation, which mortified Me extreamly : because under 
 
 1 There was an account of this in Falkner's Newspaper. The Schoolmaster 
 waited afterwards on the Dean and asked his pardon. 
 
 2 Dr. Sheridan. Schoolmaster of Cavan. 
 
136 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 your sanction I would have ventur'd to compose a Grammar 
 ifto . . . 
 
 I have stolen a moment's Time from Rent-RoUs and 
 Parchments to write to you, only to assure you that I rejoice 
 at aU Instances where Providence protects You. — May You 
 live till good Men wish You dead or I ofFend You.^ 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 FROM THE SAME TO DR BARRY. 
 
 Ballynorte, Sepbr. 10th, 1735. 
 
 Not to dwell on your Sorrow or my Illness, I will go 
 directly to the Point, and boldly sett up to be your Physician. 
 You want a little Rest ; You are hurried into a Fever, and 
 you are in a Situation where You cannot get sufficient Repose. 
 Quitte Corke for a few Days and come and live quietly at 
 Egmonte. To make an idle Journey there to see me, is more 
 than I would expect howmuch soever I might desire it ; but 
 when your Health requires such an excursion all your 
 Patients must and will approve of It. Don't imagine that Self- 
 Love extorts this prescription from Me, if I was in England, 
 a little Country Air would be necessary for You. All the 
 immediate Interest I have in it is to fix You in a Place where 
 I shall be myself. I expect no Denial, no more than I should 
 attempt to contradict You if You order'd me a Blister. The 
 Thing speaks itself. I leave Will Taylor, who looks upon 
 me as an Esculapius, to write to You in another Style and to 
 play the beneficient Part of your friendly Land-Lord. He is 
 immensely pleas'd with the Thoughts of seeing You at his 
 Palace. We shall go on from hence next Monday and gallop 
 
 1 In imitation of Castalio's Speech in ' The Orphan.' 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 137 
 
 to Egmonte on Tuesday, for the Charlevillians will detain me 
 one Night with Them. Adieu. 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 FROM THE SAME TO DEAN SWIFT. 
 
 Corie, October 1735. 
 
 Dear Sir, — There is a Custom in Corke, of which I must 
 beg leave to inform you ; with all its hideous Consequences ; 
 and to know from You whether my Behaviour has been wrong 
 or right, that I may amend or continue it for the future 
 according to your Decree. 
 
 On the day that a new Mayor is to be chosen for this 
 City, the black Guards assemble themselves in the High 
 Street, and come there charg'd with their Pocketts full of 
 Meal and Flower, which they throw into harmless Peoples 
 Eyes as plentifully as Beggars at Paris bestow holy water in 
 Churches. My ill Fate forc'd me from home on this impor- 
 tant Day, and I had not gone many Paces beyond the North- 
 Gate, before a ragged Groupe of Shoe Boys blinded me in a 
 most furious Manner with this Emblem of Snow. I open'd 
 my Eyes assoon as Oat-meal and Consternation would give 
 me leave, and seeing a most despicable Sett of Wretches 
 attacking a Person for whom Mr. Hawkins the Herald has 
 a particular Regard, I gave loose to the Passions of an Irish 
 Earl, and was going to try the Sinews of my Arm and drive 
 the ragged Regiment into the Scamander of Corke. Butt as I 
 degenerate from my Ancestors in nothing more than in their 
 military Atcheivments, Native Peace returned to my Breast 
 and conquer'd : so I putt on a Countenance between an 
 illnatur'd Grinn, and a good-humoured Smile and pass'd on 
 with the utmost haste, shaking my Ears and bowing at the 
 same time ; not perhaps unlike my Dog Hector, who, when 
 
ijS THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 he is corrected, growls, fawns and wags his Tail. The black 
 Guards pursued me with their flowry honours, but I slipt 
 down the first Alley on my right hand, having first had the 
 consolation to see a primitive Quaker (who had a cleaner 
 and a finer Coat on than myself) in the same Miller-like 
 Condition. 
 
 These Mayoralite Honours have been paid to all Christian 
 Souls from Time immemorial. The higher your Rank, the 
 greater your Quantity of Meal : so that if his sacred Majesty 
 was to walk on this day from North-Gate to South-Gate in 
 his black velvet coat, his black Cravat and his black Feather, 
 He would only fulfill the Merlinian Prophecy of the white 
 King. Now, Sir, Pray tell me if I acted right or wrong? 
 Should I have fought, or should I have retreated ? Surely if 
 my Courage is dubious, my Prudence is establish'd, but your 
 Answer will determine this Matter. — I am, dear Sir, most 
 affectionately yours, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 FROM THE SAME TO JOHN KEMPE, ESQ. 
 
 Corke, October z^th, 1735. 
 
 Dear Sir Harry, — I shall leave all business to Watt. 
 Goolde, who will write to You at his first Leisure, and my 
 Part shall be to send You the freshest News that is stirring 
 at Corke. Know then, that Mr. Piggott has carried the 
 Election of this City against Counsellor Purdon; for which 
 all true Lovers of their Country rejoice. By rejoicing, I 
 mean getting drunk, for how can a man shew greater zeal 
 for his Freind than by giving up Reason and Health for his 
 sake. A Piggott for ever is the word of the Day, and there 
 is not a Lord nor a black Guard that does not join in the 
 Song. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 139 
 
 The Mayor, whose Gravity and long Cravatt can't be 
 sufficiently applauded, is in high Health and Vigour, to the 
 joy of all zealous Protestants and the Dismay of all Papists 
 and their wicked Adherents. Can You believe it ? He rises 
 every Morning without the Help of an Ejaculation, and goes 
 to Bed every Night without the Assistance of a Valet de 
 Chambre. 
 
 The Freinds and Companions of the late Bishop of 
 Corke begin now to peep abroad, and to dare to see the 
 Light. They are come forth with long, lank Trophonean 
 Faces, that outdo Tate's Gravity or Philipp's Leaness. Arch- 
 deacon Russell is some inches taller than when you saw him 
 last. He looks like the Skeleton of a Colossus, and he strides 
 along like the Ghost in Hamlet. Peter Waterhouse seems 
 frighted at the sight of a human Creature, and Tom Barry 
 trembles at a Smile, and faints away at the glorious Memory 
 of King William. The Rest, like Mutes at a Funeral, are 
 solemn and sad, nor can the Bishop himself be more silent 
 in his Coffin. I think I told You, He made an unaccount- 
 able Will, such as became the Learning and Peevishness of a 
 Great Man. Clayton is to succeed him in the See, and We 
 are trying if our Freind Dean Ward can gett into Clayton's 
 Stirrup, and mount the Bishoprick of Killala. 
 
 Our Ladies are all either with Child or Lying in. Mrs. 
 Ward is brought to bed of a dead son. Mrs. Barry has an 
 Embrio in her Matrix : so has Mrs. Goolde, as also Mrs. 
 Herbert and some hundreds more. Poor Mrs. Carleton 
 labours under the Physick and the Tooth Ach, not to mention 
 the Yellow Jaundice and the Haemorrhoides. She has cover'd 
 her Chin with a red Rag, and wears a double Clout on her 
 Head, made exactly in the Fashion of Lady Ann's. She 
 cannot sleep at night for fear of a Rat that crawls about a 
 
I40 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 House ten doors off. So that the Family is in the Situation 
 of the d — d, and live now upon weeping, wailing and 
 knashing of Teeth. But Doctor Barry and I may say with 
 Augustus that We are happy even when Placed between 
 Sighs and Tears, an eternal Chearfulness reigns over us both. 
 We quaff our Nectar and remember Sir Harry * in our spark- 
 ling Bowls. We talk of Pleasure, Liberty and Love, We 
 praise our own Freinds and forgett our Enemies : nor are we 
 anxious whether Madam the Princess of Saxe-Gotha be hand- 
 some, or Prince William of Hesse-Castle genteel. Thus 
 lead We a Paradisian Life, nor know any Alloy to our 
 Happiness but our Separation from You. We both vie who 
 shall be most your humble Servant, but I think You must 
 give the Crown to 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 FROM THE SAME TO ALEXANDER POPE. 
 
 Corke, October zStk, 1735. 
 
 Dear Sir, — I sitt down to answer your Kind Letter 
 • the moment I have read It. The Freindship of a valuable 
 Man makes amends for all the slander that the whole Tribe 
 of Knaves and Fools can invent. Lord Cornbury's^ Lines are 
 very fine, and shine the brighter in my Eye for being founded 
 on an exact Truth. He is a young Nobleman with whose 
 Character I am well acquainted ; but to whom I am not so 
 personally Known as my Ambition desires. I know I make 
 my Court to You by entreating You to indulge me in my 
 Wishes and lead me to his Freindship. The Verses shall 
 certainly not be copied, but I will not promise they shall not 
 
 1 The name given by Ld 0. to Mr. Kempe. 
 
 2 The eldest son of the Earl of Clarendon : the country home of the Chancellor 
 Clarendon was Combury. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 141 
 
 be imitated. As to the Trifle You was so good to accept 
 from me, those Lines are not worthy so high a Place. Had 
 I a little Leisure, that is, would my Lawyers allow me a short 
 breathing Time, I would follow the example of my honoured 
 Preceptor dear Mr. Fenton, in flinging in the Mite of my 
 Freindship before your Works. I rejoice to hear we are to 
 have a new Edition of them. 
 
 The Dean is my duke Decus : All the moments I steal 
 from Attorneys, Agents and SoUicitors are pass'd, when I am at 
 Dublin, with him. I propose to be there next month and to 
 stay till the Spring. 
 
 And now let me make you acquainted with the Gentle- 
 man in whose House I live, and who honours me with 
 his Freindship. He is a Man in whose breast all the Virtues 
 center : of great Learning, and a sweetness of Temper scarce 
 to be parallel'd. His Study has been Physick : and tho' a 
 young Man He is at the Head of his Profession : Buried at 
 Corke, his uncommon fine Qualities move in too narrow a 
 Sphere : nor will so valuable a Jewel shine in its full Lustre 
 till he goes to Dublin : To summ up all. He is worthy of 
 your Countenance : We often read You together with that sort 
 of Pleasure which arises not only from admiring the Works, 
 but the Author. Take him to your Bosom, dear Sir, and be 
 assur'd he will outstrip any character I can give him. Doctor 
 Barry is the Person I mean. 
 
 Lett me ask You the plain English Question, How do you 
 do ? The more I know You, the more I tremble for You. 
 Dean Ward's best Wishes attend You. May Health and 
 Happiness be your closest and most constant Companions. 
 Adieu, dear Sir, I am, most affectionately Yours, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
142 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 FROM THE SAME TO THE COUNTESS OF 
 SANDWICH 1 AT PARIS. 
 
 Dublin, Novbr. %th, 1735. 
 
 Madam, — In a Country where neither Pleasure nor 
 
 Improvement can be found, I think I cannot shew my 
 
 Devotion to your Ladyship more than by my Arrogance of 
 
 writing to You. Sure of not entertaining You, I can only give 
 
 your LadP this fresh Instance of my ever remembring the 
 
 agreable Hours You suffer'd me to pass under your Roof at 
 
 Paris. But alass, Madam, Those Hours make me more 
 
 miserable now ! I can less bear this loathsome banishment, 
 
 than if I had never seen You. Your Lad^'' Friendship and 
 
 Conversation have made so deep an Impression on my Mind, 
 
 that the Mac-Mahones and the Mac-Slaines appear to me 
 
 Creatures not of human Race. They talk to me of Leases 
 
 in Kerry, and I languish after the Champs Elises de Paris. 
 
 They shew me Plans of Potatoe Gardens and I am roving in 
 
 Thought midst the Groves of Versailles : I offer my Farms at 
 
 so many Livres a Year : and I bid my Footman go to the 
 
 Poison d'Or for Livery Cloth. Thus am I look'd upon as a 
 
 Madman and consequently a very improper Landlord to 
 
 Irish Tenants. Could I bury Lady Sandwich in Oblivion, I 
 
 might hope to reconcile myself to Ireland, but whilst I breath, 
 
 I find I must be her Lad^'" most obedient and humble 
 
 Servant, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 ' Lady Elizabeth Boyle, 3rd daughter of Richard 2nd Earl of Cork and ist Earl 
 of Burlington and widow of Edward 2nd Earl of Sandwich, an aged Relation of Lord 
 Orrery's mentioned in a previous letter. 
 
/,,.,/-.„,>,■;,■< 
 
 ■it, ■/'/'/,,■ r/rn/,'l ff /'/ir,y/,:UI. /li'rf/ tr //ir r/<r i/,l CJ //rf'/r/f Jl 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 143 
 
 FROM THE SAME TO THOMAS SOUTHERNE, ESQ^i 
 
 Dublin, January 17, 1735-36. 
 
 The Year should not have been so far advanc'd, my good old 
 Freind, without my due congratulations to You, had Buesness 
 and a short Excursion from Dublin permitted. May You 
 live to see as many Years as You have seen already, and then 
 leave the world to look after itself. 
 
 I have lately had Compliments upon my Birth-Day from 
 my two Sons. Lord Boyle wished me to see as many as I 
 desir'd : His Lordship being Heir apparent would not fix me 
 down to a Number : but Hammy wish'd I might live to be 
 as old as the Poet Southerne. I am glad to find You are 
 not forgott at Marston. They know they cannot pay their 
 Court to me better than by remembring you. 
 
 All your Freinds here desire you to accept of their humble 
 Services : You say you love Dublin : but methinks You ought 
 to be tax'd as an Absentee, since We have only the Pleasure 
 
 ^ Tom Southerne, ' the last remaining of the wits of the reign of Charles 11.,' and 
 the intimate and much beloved friend of Pope, Gay, Swift, Orrery, etc. On his 8ist 
 birthday Lord Orrery gave a diimer in his honour, on which occasion Pope wrote the 
 charming lines which begin : • 
 
 Resigned to live, prepared to die 
 
 With not one sin but poetry. 
 
 This day Tom's fair account has run 
 
 (Without a blot) to eighty-one. 
 
 Kind Boyle before the Poet lays 
 
 A table with a cloth of baize. 
 
 and end : 
 
 May Tom, whom Heaven sent down to raise 
 The price of prologues and of plays. 
 Be every birthday more a winner. 
 Digest his thirty- thousandth dinner, 
 Walk to his grave without reproach, 
 And scorn a rascal and a coach. 
 
 Southerne died that same year. 
 
144 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 of wishing your Health without seeing our Wishes confirmed. 
 The immortal Dean is come to Town in high Spirits. He 
 scorn'd to attend the weighty Affairs of Parliament, and 
 retir'd to Cavan assoon as we assembled in College Green. 
 Dr. Delany has quitted the amusements of this gay City, and 
 lives a Recluse at Delvil. Uscorem duxit ; an ilk liber cui mulier 
 imperat. Helsham is totus teres at rotundus, the same jovial 
 Man you left him. Dean Ward is pouring forth his Tears at 
 Mr. Tighe's ; but I am much mistaken if some future Lavinia 
 does not succeed the now mourned Creusa : People that have 
 been long in Jayl, often like the Life so well that tho' they are 
 sett at Liberty in the morning they will return to Prison at 
 night. Lord Kildare's side-board glitters as usual. I am ^lad 
 to tell you that his Son has grown very hail and lusty ; but 
 even this Joy is damp'd by bringing into my Mind the Loss I 
 have lately sustain'd in the Duke of Buckingham ; snatched 
 away, like Marcellus, in the Flower of his Youth, whilst the 
 poor Dutchess remains a miserable Octavia who can never 
 know Happiness again. Sheridan is the Ludimagister of 
 Cavan : but at his Leisure hours is giving us a Translation 
 of Montagne. 
 
 Thus much, begging my Lord Kildare's Pardon, for the 
 minor Poets : now for greater Men. 
 
 Our Vice-Roy ^ is much belov'd : We pay our Duty at the 
 Castle with loyal Hearts : We have no mental Reservation 
 when we assure him of our Attachment to his Person and 
 Government : He lives magnificently, and pleases all Sorts and 
 Sizes of his subjects, from diminutive Dick Tighe up to 
 gigantic Baron of Kingston. The Bishop of Derry's ^ health 
 mends apace ; at which Wine-Bibbers are offended and Water- 
 Bibbers rejoice. The Primate ^ still wears his own Hair : 
 
 » The Duke of Dorset. 2 Dr. Rundle. « Dr. Bolter. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 145 
 
 The Chancellor ^ hides his broad Front within his bushy Perri- 
 wig. Little Lord Mountjoy has a little Son, but yovir Freind 
 the Bishop of Limerick ^ seems hastning towards the Regions 
 of Heaven : whilst the old Arch-Bishop of Tuam * lives hearty 
 and well under the Protection of a good Conscience and 
 seventy-six Years. Thus have You the Epitome of our State, 
 Suffer us then to enquire a little after the Commonwealth 
 of Westminster. 
 
 How fares the Playford Family? Does Doctor Nichols 
 breath free and easy ? if so, long may it continue ! Is 
 Doctor Freind in as high Health as I wish him ? What is 
 become of Westley ? In what corner does that rough 
 Diamond shine ? Surely his distance from London must be 
 great if you cannot hear him laugh. Make my compliments, 
 I beg of you, a tous mes amis: and further say that my 
 Return is uncertain : my Motions are as yet irregular and 
 cannot be fix'd : however, be assured I shall rust to a Point at 
 last. — Yours, Yours, most cordially yours, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 DR. BARRY TO LORD ORRERY. 
 
 Jany. zzd, 1735-6. 
 
 I HAVE enclosed a Letter to Mr. Speaker for y' L"" to 
 deliver if you think it a proper one. You are my Palinurus : 
 I commit my tender Bark to your Care, and let Castor and 
 Pollux arise single or double I shall think myself secure. 
 Badham's fair Consort told me he had finished his AflFair and 
 was preparing to enter the Lists with L"'. Kingston. If you 
 must engage in a Lawsuit with him, engage y' Landlord 
 Healy as y' Attorney, for this Goliath is perhaps only to be 
 
 » Wyndhara. ^ Dr. Burscough. ' £>,. Synge. 
 
 VOL. I. K 
 
146 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 destroy'd by the jawbone of an Ass. I must give y' L^ the 
 trouble of sealing another Letter, which I have enclos'd in 
 another Pacquett for Will Taylor. While his heart was warm 
 for Miss Southwell, he gave a Commission to his Merch' to 
 send him a Hampier of Burgundy, and another of Champagne. 
 It was charged at the first Price ; he told me afterwards I must 
 take half, and gave directions to Mr. Harper to send it to me. 
 He designs, I doubt not, to make me pay for it, which would 
 quite destroy its flavour. This I would willingly prevent, for 
 'tis the best I have tasted. I have now sent him a Letter of 
 Thanks, not in the least suspecting but that he intends it for a 
 Fee. Observe his countenance when he reads it ! I am dear 
 Ld Orrery's faithful! and afFec'^ 
 
 ED. BARRY. 
 
 FROM LORD ORRERY TO THE LADY VISCOUNTESS 
 
 ALLEN. 
 
 Dublin, Febty. itk, 1735-36. 
 
 Madam, — No words can express the Sense I have of your 
 LadP^ Goodness to me : nor the happiness I feel at seeing 
 You interest yourself in my Wellfare. Your Freindship, 
 Madam, is One of those few Things in the World that I would 
 wish to live for : and to which I flatter myself Nothing but 
 Death can putt a Stop. Your Lad^ will forgive me, there- 
 fore, if I speak my Thoughts on the Point you mention in 
 your Letter. 
 
 Many of my Freinds have press'd me in the same kind 
 Manner that Mrs. Tichbourne has, to turn my Thoughts 
 towards Matrimony : but I have always told 'em that till I 
 had settled my Affairs in this Kingdom, and could see my 
 small Fortune putt in an easy and right Method, It was 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 147 
 
 impossible for me to think of that State. This last Journey- 
 hither, will, before I return, effect what I propos'd, and I hope 
 to go back without that Load of Anxiety and Care which I 
 have hitherto carri'd about Me. I shall then be putt in mind 
 of my Answer, and receive fresh SoUicitations to follow an 
 Advice on which my Happiness or Unhappiness depends. I 
 own, Madam, I tremble at the thoughts of It, and yet no Man 
 was ever more form'd by disposition for a matrimonial Life : 
 but I have been once so blest, so beyond measure happy in one 
 of the sweetest best Women that ever liv'd, that to be so a 
 second Time is more than I deserve or can expect from Fate. 
 Under this disadvantage does a second Marriage appear to Me. 
 I cannot be happier than I have been : and who would chear- 
 fully run the hazard of being miserable ? My little Daughter 
 is the tender Object of my Heart ; and whilst I remain single, 
 cannot be plac'd so directly under my Eye, or in every Point 
 in the exact Situation I wish Her. That indeed is an Argu- 
 ment for a second Marriage, but then the Name of a Step- 
 Mother is dreadfuU, and methinks bringing my poor Child 
 under the Conduct of a Mother in Law will be like inoculating 
 Her, I shall mean it for her preservation, but perhaps destroy 
 Her. Another Difficulty is, that whoever marries me must 
 bring a large Fortune to support Herself and Family, and I 
 have no Equivalent to offer her but my Heart, in which she will 
 find a Rival, tho' that Rival is in the Grave. Upon the whole, 
 Madam, it is a step perhaps that I may one day take, but 
 never without consulting my wisest and best Freinds, and 
 supplicating Heaven very heartily to direct me. My Thoughts 
 of your Sex, I dare own it to your Lad^, agree entirely with 
 Yours. Nor have I that profound veneration for a Woman 
 of Quality that a certain Freind of ours has : I am afraid I 
 am atheistical enough to think most of 'em will keep Ben 
 
148 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 Parry Company : But when a Woman is adorn'd with 
 numerous Perfections, She adds greater Honour to her 
 Family than she can receive from It. 
 
 How deeply am I in your debt, Madam, for your immense 
 partiality to me. I beleive I had best act the Part of a true 
 Irish Earl, and take no notice of the Score, for I am sure I can 
 never pay It unless you will take Gratitude, Sincerity and 
 FaithfuUness in return for the many Obligations heap'd 
 upon me. 
 
 You make me very happy in telling me that your pain is 
 gone off : May it ever keep at a distance from You, and only 
 molest Those who seem born to give Others pain. — I am, with 
 infinite Respect, Your Lad""'^ obliged and obedient Servant, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 FROM THE SAME TO THOMAS SOUTHERNE, ESQ, 
 
 Dublin, Febry. z^th, 1735-36. 
 
 It was Matter of great Joy to Me, my dear old Man, to 
 see half a Sheet of Paper fiU'd by your Nestorian Hand. Every 
 Line you write must always be acceptable to Me, and made 
 more so by the Good News you send of Those whom I love 
 and honour. My Letters are not worth shewing : I make no 
 Copies^ beforehand, nor even take the least Pains about 
 Them : My Heart, as Mr. Pope says, flows thro' my Quill, 
 and when I have the Image of a Freind before Me, In the 
 
 1 Note by Lord Orrery : This Letter was wrote in answer to One from Mr. 
 Southeme wherein he said the D. of Argyle imagined my Letters could not be wrote 
 off-hand. His Grace did me great honour, to have such a suspicion, but the Copies 
 in this Book are all taken from the Originals, wh are j-ust as they came from my 
 Heart ; and neither studied by me beforehand, nor regarded by me afterwards, but 
 only as they serve to putt me in mind of some particular Freindships and agreable 
 Trifles that I love to remember : and shew the Situation I was in in Ireland and the 
 Manner of my passing my Time there. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 149 
 
 warmth of my Soul I am never at a Loss what to say to Him. 
 Had not I been the idlest and the laziest animal upon Earth, I 
 had reap'd much greater Benefit at Westminster than I have 
 done : and I know Nothing that could have rouzed me to exert 
 myself, as I sometimes do, but a severe, and I hope, unjust 
 attack upon my Reputation, which perhaps was meant out 
 of Kindness to Me ; as Eaglets are exposed by their noble 
 Parents to the Sun. But as to Letters, they cost me no Pains 
 and give me infinite Pleasure in conversing with my Freinds. 
 
 Poor Body^ who has dress'd You many a good Peice of 
 Marston Mutton, died here some time since, and is now silently 
 mouldring in Glass-Neven Church Yard. Duval and Hutry ^ 
 are return'd long ago to their primitive Dust at Marston ; and 
 even Lyon, the great House Dog, fell a Prey to that Rogue 
 Death (as the learned Tate calls him) soon after my arrival in 
 Ireland : but Hector is invincible, and at this moment sends 
 you a thousand gentle Wags of his Tail. Bowen ^ lives upon 
 Love and Gay Company, and it thrives with him accordingly : 
 his humblest Respects wait for your kind Reception ; whilst 
 Tom Salsbury is coughing out his Lungs and outbarking 
 Cerberus. 
 
 The charming King Nobby * revels in delight at large at 
 Marston. It is his golden Age. He feels neither Bridle nor 
 Saddle: methinks I see him erecting his bold Front and 
 proudly trampling upon the Earth : blest Prince ! whose Pride 
 becomes him, and whose Haughtiness is his Chiefest Beauty. 
 
 But from Dogs and Horses let me ascend to the diviner 
 part of the Creation — the Female Sex: Venus appears here 
 in innumerable Shapes : She Kills her Thousands with the 
 Eyes of Nelly Grove : Her ten thousands with the taper Waste 
 
 1 His Cook. 2 Two servants at Marston. 
 
 ' His Valet. * A favourite Horse. 
 
I50 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 of Miss Crosby : She moves a Goddess on Stevens Green in 
 the disguise of Grace Carleton. She smiles when Miss Parnell 
 But I shall never have done. A Folio is too small for the 
 
 Catalogue of our Toasts. They start up like the Flowers in 
 the Spring : every hour affords a new Charmer. And why all 
 this to Me ? say You ; non sum qualis eram bonae sub regno 
 Annae. True, my most valuable Freind, but recollect that the 
 old Counsellors of Troy lov'd to look at Helen and to talk 
 of Beauty when they had scarce a Tooth left in their Heads, 
 and, being men of Honour, frankly confess'd that None 
 
 could blame the Boy 
 who in so bright a Flame consumed his Troy. 
 
 In an Army a Man runs less hazard of being wounded than in 
 
 a Duel : wonder not therefore, if I escape unhurt : nor shall I 
 
 fall but in single Combat. All your Freinds greet you most 
 
 cordially, and, that you may not be tir'd to Death verbum non 
 
 amplius addam. 
 
 O. 
 
 FROM DR. BARRY. 
 
 Teh. 29, 1735. 
 
 It was ten to one that Badham's Scheme for the ^yoo 
 did not succeed. I shall be uneasie till I see yr Ldp safe 
 out of his Hands, if he getts Askeaton he will have a Bargain, 
 for he has no idle money, and yet perhaps will give a good 
 price when he knows that such a fine Estate will otherwise 
 fall into other Hands. Crotty told me he knew every Foot 
 of it, and that it was worth a 1 000 Guineas a year. Would 
 it not be the best way to advertise it to be Lett or Sold.? 
 Would not the present Tenants in the offer of a long lease 
 increase their Rents ? If it was possible by good Tenants 
 could you not raise any sum of money in England which you 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 151 
 
 wanted at 4 per cent? The preserving it may be attended 
 with many future advantages, if it could be made easily con- 
 sistent with yr present demands. I can't bear the Thoughts 
 of disposing of a Family Estate, till all other Expedients fail ; 
 I would even try my Fortune first in a Dutch Lottery in hopes 
 of the First prize. 
 
 The day of Election at Dungarvan is over. Roberts, 1 
 suppose, is Conqueror, but like Cyrus, such another Victory 
 would undoe him. He was warmly opposed by one Cary, 
 whose Father had been representative of that place. He 
 sent down a drunken Bro'-in-Law, who greatly inflam'd his 
 reckoning. He afterwards dismissed one of his Clerks there, 
 and ordered him to call at Lismore for 200 lb. to pay oft his 
 Bills, but there was only 35 lb. in the House. Lord Burlington^ 
 has not rec* 5000 lb. since last March out of his Estate. 
 When Roberts went to England he wrote to Harper to send 
 him Bills to London for what money had been paid in his 
 House. He expected to deliver a large sum as a Specimen of 
 his Capacity, but Mrs. Harper could only send him a bill for 
 600 lb, a small morsel for a hungry Lion, and will only make 
 him roar. Is not this an Agent proper to make yr Noble 
 Kinsman a Deconomist. He was never kept to such a strict 
 
 Allowance. But perhaps being a Senator in some 
 
 unaccountable Miracle may qualify him better for the post. 
 
 I read last night the Answer to the Address. I admired 
 the Style. It banished my fears, and I drank the King's 
 Health and Sir Robert Walpole, ye D. and Dchss of Dorset, 
 etc. immediately after supper. Charles Smyth has been very 
 dangerously ill, he is now better, but still in a bad habit of 
 body. Mr. Matthew's only Son has this day sail'd for France 
 with his Lady, and will never return. He sent for me to give 
 
 I 3rd Earl of Cork and 2nd of Burlington. 
 
152 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 him some directions. The Tipperary Election finished him ; 
 his Lungs are ulcerated and he will not live two months. 
 
 I have been much disordered by a cold of late, was some- 
 what feverish, and my hypochondriac fears made me apprehend 
 it would rise higher, but by Assistance and care am now 
 perfectly well, and in full gayety and Strength of Spirits. 
 
 Have you seen the Life of Homer ? Who is the Author ? 
 'tis wrote with elegance and politeness, I think to a degree 
 of Affectation. He has copied from Ld Shaftsbury in his 
 Stile. There is no little Art and Vanity in the Title. He 
 must appear to have a fine Genius that would raise such a 
 Building with so few materials. But 'tis rather an Essay on 
 Poetry in general, and what he says of Homer is not much 
 more than a Digression from that Design. 
 
 The month of March was always tedious to me. I am 
 now more impatient than ever till 'tis past. I shall then wish 
 the finest Season of the Year over if it keeps my beloved 
 Orrery longer at a distance from his Faithful! and Afectionate 
 
 E. BARRY. 
 
 Corte, lebry. zgth, 1735. 
 
 FROM LORD ORRERY TO JOHN KEMPE, ESQ. 
 
 Dublin, April zgth. 
 
 BowEN has given You such exact accounts of my Illness, 
 that till I had gathered a little strength I thought it unnecessary 
 to waste my Spirits in writing to You. My Relapse has been 
 worse than my first Blow ; but I have this day ventured on 
 Horseback, and find myself so much better by It that I hope 
 we shall yett live to sing Agreahle Rencontre ^ together. 
 
 * A French song beginning : • Agreable Rencontre, Bergere, mon souci.' 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 153 
 
 Just before I fell ill I had finished my Lines to the Dutchess 
 of Buckingham : ^ but my Blisters and my Bleedings hindered 
 me from sending 'em till the 17 of March, and on the i8th I 
 was again flung upon my Back, so I had no opportunity of 
 transmitting Them to You till last Saturday. I hope They 
 will meet with your impartial Approbation. They have been 
 examined by the Dean, and come out of that Furnace in 
 almost the same Form they went in. 
 
 You cannot expect me to be in high Spirits at present, yet 
 I don't know but the sight df You may make Me a Dutch 
 Painter at Wapping, or a blear-eyed Counsellor in Lincoln's 
 Inn. I have few opportunities of exerting my Pantomime 
 Qualities here. You know I have always been tender of 
 discovering those obnoxious Talents : I never mimick'd even 
 Lorenzo Poli, or Captain Fitzgerald in a mix'd Company : 
 and tho' in this Country an odd Character comes often in my 
 way and strikes me very strongly, yet I am not impatient 
 to shew the Impression, or to expose the Mask to view till the 
 Fates permit us to meet. The more I see of the World, the 
 fonder I grow of Silence and Reserve. Other People talk 
 enough for themselves and me too : nor would I debar any 
 Man the Pleasure of hearing his own Voice in order to punish 
 him with hearing mine. I can laugh in my mind, when I look 
 very grave in My Face : and when I seem most absent, am 
 least so : You and I shall be the merrier for many a serious 
 hour I have had among strangers. The less I speak, the more 
 I think : thus at once I preserve my Lungs to improve my 
 Understanding. — I am, my dear Sir Harry, entirely yours. 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 1 On the death of her son, the young Duke. 
 
154 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 FROM DR. BARRY. 
 
 "Jan. i^tA, 1736. 
 
 By quitting all thoughts of physick for a few days I have 
 recovered entirely from my disorder. I went with Arch- 
 deacon Russell for a week to Mallow, rose early, drunk the 
 waters, used Exercise and Temperance, and find myself now 
 in my usual post and capable of receiving Fees. Since y* L**"" 
 is well too, Deos non amplius oro nisi ut propria haec mihi muneri 
 faxint. 
 
 I am very glad to find y*^ Lordship has resolved to con- 
 tinue y' Banishment here till y' affairs are fully settled, which 
 can never be well done in a hurry. When I have the pleasure 
 of fixing my eyes on you at Orrery Quay, I hope to see you 
 every way disengaged. We will drink Milk and Honey and 
 be at least as happy as the Children of Israel in the Land of 
 promise. 
 
 When a man has once gott Matrimony in his Head, like 
 other Juventus, he is never at rest till 'tis put in Execution, 
 if a generous pistol is wanting, a halter will supply its place. 
 Biddy Southwell first gave the wound w*" must be heald by 
 another. What can be the meaning of so many repulses? 
 that silent Jade that would not declare her Objections had 
 certainly that passage of Juvenal in her mind, Jacet sine ramice 
 Nervus et quamvis tola palpetur node jacebit. This Lancashire 
 Silph has, I doubt not, powerful charms in her Circle, they 
 say some women in that Country can raise the Devil, her task 
 is much easier. You may depend on it, my Lord, that Will 
 is every way properly prepard, and I heartily wish him 
 happyness. 
 
 We had a flying report that y' L"*"" would be down very 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 155 
 
 suddenly. Mrs. Barry prepared the Orrery Chamber, which 
 required no more ceremony but putting up the Curtains, which 
 are to be confined again till the latter End of next Month. 
 But I find they are to remain in order till she entertains Mrs. 
 Clayton here next Wednesday, 
 
 If Trifles are the proper amusements for Invalids, you see 
 I am likely to be a most usefuU Correspondent ; the Mallow 
 waters have washed away all my Salts, and left my Blood and 
 Spirits quite insipid, and I really think my Self no manner of 
 Consequence but in being Y' U^ FaithfuU and affectionate, 
 
 ED. BARRY. 
 
 Corie, J any. 13, 1736. 
 
 DR. BARRY TO LORD ORRERY. 
 
 April II, 1736. 
 
 I FELT the stunning Blow you received most sensibly ; 
 but whatever pain I suffered is sufficiently recompensed by the 
 joy I have at y* recovery, as I place an implicit confidence in 
 the Account you give. Our Town is crowded with Lawyers 
 and Country Gentlemen ; agistment is the word which divides 
 their Hopes and Fears. It was changed a few hours for 
 another Topic. A mad Officer was tryd for ravishing an old 
 ugly Woman ; she made no noise for he kissed her so hard 
 she was not able to speak, but was seen coming out of his 
 room crossing herself. However the Evidence was so strong 
 that the Jury must have found him guilty, had not the Officers 
 given several instances of his being found a Lunatic. He 
 refuses to pay his Fees, and has lived on two pennyworth of 
 milk a day, and swears they shall not get a Farthing from him 
 unless they extract chymically from his Blood. I saw here 
 
156 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 Serj Bettesworth, he went since to Tunis to defend the cause 
 of some person who is to be tryd for Murder. Some 
 Reflection cast on the Serjeant was the Cause of the Quarrel, 
 and he thinks himself obliged in Honour to rescue the Hero 
 from Danger. I 'm concerned to hear that Swift is confin'd 
 by some Disorder ; I hope nothing but a bilious cholic, which 
 a few Satyrical evacuations will remove. Horace was in 
 every respect in his case, and with as little reason blam'd when 
 he markd out some particular Persons, however he was 
 determined to write on. The World has been always the 
 same, but many Centurys will scarce produce another Horace 
 or Swift. The fine weather now come will, I hope, banish 
 sickness. Altho' a Physician, I heartily wish there was a 
 truce to be given to mankind for some time, and no Diseases 
 in the World. I should then be secure of those who only 
 can make Life happy to me. Don't be in too much haste to 
 be well. Follow the Rules of iEsculapius most punctually, 
 and preserve my important and dearest friend for His faithful 
 and affec" 
 
 ED. BARRY. 
 
 FROM LORD ORRERY TO MR. SALKELD. 
 
 Dublin, May i^h, 1736. 
 
 Yours of the 21st of last Month is arriv'd. Your Letters 
 must be ever welcome to my Heart when They bring me the 
 good News I most desire. If the Thunder roll, and the 
 Lightning flash, so that the Boys are well, I stand unmov'd. 
 
 Tho' I look upon the intrinsic Value of the Inhabitants 
 of your two Islands to be of much the same Weight in the 
 just Scale of Heaven, and tho' I beleive the Worth of five 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 157 
 
 righteous Persons outweighs the Virtue of both Kingdoms, yet 
 you are certainly in a much more eligible Situation than we 
 are : You are slaves amidst civiliz'd People ; We are Slaves 
 amidst Bears and Tygers: Arts and Sciences flourish with 
 You ; Ignorance and Barbarism reign with Us. Your Island 
 is fiU'd with Woods, fine Seats, and Ornaments collected from 
 all Parts of the World, but here we see nothing but Bogs, 
 desart Plains, or an aukward imitation of what is now 
 distinguish'd by the word Taste. Yet This, bad as It is, may 
 be borne more patiently than the Manners and Customs of the 
 People. Drunkenness is the Touch Stone by which they try 
 every Man, and he that cannot or will not drink, has a Mark 
 set upon Him. He is abus'd behind his Back, He is hurt in 
 his Property, and He is persecuted as far as the Power of 
 Malice and Intemperance can go. A right jolly glorious- 
 memory Hibernian never rolls into Bed without having 
 taken a sober Gallon of Claret to his own Share. You 
 wonder perhaps what this animal is ? It is a Yahoo that 
 toasts the glorious and immortal Memory of King William in 
 a Bumper without any other Joy in the Revolution, than that 
 it has given him a Pretence to drink so many more daily 
 Quarts of Wine. The Person who refuses a Goblet to this 
 prevailing Toast is deemed a Jacobite, a Papist and a Knave. 
 It is well if He escapes with Life, for the Rabble are against 
 him, and They are of a most murdering Disposition. By the 
 Rabble, I do not mean Those merry Gentlemen who meet in 
 the Streets on certain Days in the Year to testifye their Mirth 
 by the Harmony of Marrowbones and Cleavers, but by the 
 Irish Rabble I mean an outragious Generation of Wolves, who 
 wear Swords and Hangers to cut the Throats of all Christians 
 who had rather act than drink for their Country. But 
 Common Sense is as dangerous here as Temperance, and both 
 
158 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 are utter Obstacles to Preferment or Interest in this Kingdom. 
 Tax me not with Ingratitude, for I attribute the present 
 Situation of Ireland to the unhappy Influence of the prevailing 
 stress. Nature has done wonders, and has been more profuse 
 of her Gifts to Ireland than to England, but This is a Gothic 
 Age, and I have an Aversion to all Goths and Vandals. Pity 
 me, if you love me : I am miserable till I return to Marston : 
 My Heart is always there : However, my Stay here, tedious 
 and disagreable as it is, will be of Benefit to your two beloved 
 Pupils, No other Consideration should keep me half an hour 
 longer in a Place where I can neither peaceably enjoy my own 
 Thoughts nor reap the least Acquisition from the Thoughts of 
 Others. — Yours most affectionately, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 DR. BARRY TO LORD ORRERY. 
 
 Cork, May gth, 1736. 
 
 While y' L^ was ill how could I write to you ? . . . Since 
 you are safe I dread no other Danger. A North East Wind 
 that gives the least uneasiness to y' lungs is a more terrible 
 Clancarthy to me than all the real Designs or Vain Pretences 
 of that Mad Lord. Orrery quay is particularly sheltered from 
 these winds, we are almost two degrees nearer the Sun than 
 Dublin, its Rays are here aperient and balsamic, 'tis the Mont- 
 pelier of Ireland. How long will Business detain y"^ L^ from 
 hence ? Is it not an Instance of Prudence in Will Taylor to 
 marry an old Maid ? If he impregnates her, all the Women 
 above Forty will raise Altars to him, if he fails still the 
 Attempt is glorious to perform all that man could do. 
 Badham has made great enquiries for money to pay for 
 Asketon ; the Security he offers he says is unquestionable but 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 159 
 
 no Body that I yet hear of will trust him ; his fate is the same 
 with Cassandra's, tho' he speaks Truth no one will ever believe 
 him. I saw a long Letter from L** Burlington to poor Snow 
 who died lately, for whom he express'd the greatest Regard. 
 It was admirably well wrote, and shows him very capable of 
 business if he thought it worth his while to preserve his Estate. 
 I can scarce avoid asking impertinent questions about y' cough 
 and advising you to avoid the Night-air and goe to Bed early. 
 But you have an excellent Breast, and y' present Rules cannot 
 fail of a compleat Recovery. This is the fervent Prayer of 
 y^ W faithfull and afFec'« 
 
 ED. BARRY. 
 
 FROM LORD ORRERY TO THE HON. E. B., ESQ. 
 
 Dublin, May isth, 1736. 
 
 You demand an exact account of my Illness. Why will 
 You putt me in mind of Death and all its Terrors ? You ask 
 me, what occasion'd it ? The same Animal that betrayed the 
 Capitol, burnt Troy, and damn'd Mankind. In short, I danced 
 from eight o'clock till four, and putt my Blood into such a 
 Flame that I was forc'd to lett a good deal of It out, or my 
 Lungs would have been scorched to Powder. From the 4th 
 of March tiU the loth, the Fates did not declare their Will, 
 and I waited for Orders either to stay in this World or go 
 into the next. On the nth They commanded me to stay here, 
 but on the i8th seem'd to revoke their Orders, and I was 
 preparing a second Time to sett out for the unknown King- 
 dom of the Dead : however, by Milk, Care and Exercise 
 I still subsist, and am likely to Remain among the living. 
 Am not I very loyal who have ventur'd my Life in honour of 
 the first of March .-' I began the Castle-Ball with the Princess 
 
i6o THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 Royal, our Lord Lieutenant's fair Daughter : ^ and yet when I 
 come to England you '1 find me protesting again. But why do 
 I talk of England ? Why do I dream of Blyss when I am 
 sure to wake in Torments? Sisyphus and Tantalus have 
 rejected all Thoughts of Pleasure, and it is a weakness there- 
 fore in me to be still hoping to return from Pontus. What 
 Goddess have I offended that my Labours are never to have 
 an End ? Or what balefull Planet reign'd on ye 2nd of 
 January, 1706. Is there never a dumb Conjurer in London 
 of whom you can enquire when a miserable Captive is doom'd 
 to be releas'd. Old Ulysses came home at last, so perhaps 
 may 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 FROM DR. BARRY. 
 
 May ittA, 1736. 
 
 I WAS mad enough to go to Kinsale last Wednesday and 
 return the same Day. I inflamd my Blood by this unusual 
 Exercise and took Cold. By being twice blooded, Watergruel 
 and Confinement, I am now free from any Complaint of 
 Consequence. Y" Letter this Morning has been a real Cordial 
 to my Spirits, and will hasten my recovery. 
 
 The Moffat Waters wiU probably be of great Service to 
 Mrs. Tickle's Son. I am satisfied that no one In Europe is 
 more capable of making them so than Mr. Munro. I have 
 enclosd a letter to him and shall write more particularly to 
 him by post. An Ace' is published of these Waters in the 
 first Volume of the Edinburgh Essays, which are collected 
 and carried on by Munro. 
 
 I don't doubt but I shall gett a good number of sub- 
 scriptions for his coming Volume. What can hinder this 
 
 I Lady Caroline Sackville, Daughter of the Duke of Dorset. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS i6i 
 
 task from being on all accounts most agreeable to me? 
 Ric^ Russell and Mr. Waterhouse have desired I would 
 subscribe the same for them as for myself, w*" is ye Guinea 
 Edition. I have in another pacquet enclosed a letter which 
 I rec"^ yesterday from Salkeld directed to me at Bath, it will 
 make you smile. My Brb' went over for a violent Disorder in 
 his Stomach, and has returned before I thought he had been 
 well settled there. I suppose he greeted with some of his 
 acquaintance and was called Doctor, which occasioned the 
 mistake. I beg yr Ldp wUl make my compliments to him, I 
 shall answer his letter when I am better able to hold my 
 pen. Had I been obliged to goe there for my Health, I 
 should scarce have tasted the Waters till I had seen the lovely 
 Abstracts of my dearest Friend. — I am ever yr Ldps faithfuU 
 and most afFec' 
 
 ED. BARRY. 
 
 Orrery S}uay, May \%th, 1736. 
 
 FROM DR. BARRY. 
 
 By three times bleeding and applying Cantharides I am 
 entirely free from a Fever, and have but weak remains of my 
 Cough ; but still confine my Self to milk morning and even- 
 ing, and a total abstinence from Wine. I visited my patients 
 these two days. Dean Ward will tell yr Lordship that all this 
 was unnecessary, and perhaps he is in the right of it, he would 
 not believe that I had anything of a Colic when I was in most 
 exquisite pain. Yr Conduct, my Ld, has been too much the 
 reverse of mine, you have been too careless, and I am too 
 anxious and busy in the use of medicines. I own I have an 
 aversion to pain, and I know the dangerous Fire in my Consti- 
 
 VOL. I. L 
 
i62 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 tution can only be appeas'd by a large Sacrifice of Blood. 
 These visits of Sickness are the most usefull Lectures of 
 philosophy, tho' for my part I would rather continue ignorant ; 
 however, I hope they will make us more prudent in our 
 Conduct for the future. 
 
 I have spoke to some who visited me to subscribe to Mr. 
 Pope and no one as yet has refusd me. I shall gett at least 
 30 or 40 Subscribers. 
 
 I am very glad to hear that Hammy is well, and I make 
 no doubt he will continue so. The wind is changed, I find its 
 Influence more agreeable to me from an Expectation that it 
 will remove y' Cough. Nothing will sooner give me a return 
 to health and a relish to enjoy it than to hear that yr Ldp is 
 free from any Complaint. — I am ever yr Ldp's faithfull and 
 most affectionate, 
 
 ED. BARRY. 
 
 Half the town goes out to meet ye Bp, and his freedom is 
 to be given him with a particular solemnity. 
 
 TO THE EARL OF BERKSHIRE. 
 
 Glassneven, June yth, 1736. 
 
 My Lord, — I am very sorry your Lord^ has had so much 
 Trouble about so great a Trifle as my Subscription Money, but 
 I am too well acquainted with your Goodness to doubt of your 
 Pardon. 
 
 The Session of Parliament in England seems to have been 
 free from much Buesness till the End of It drew near, at 
 that Time your Lordships were overloaded and oblig'd to 
 transact Things in a Hurry that demanded Deliberation and 
 Care. May I ask, at this distance, my Lord, if it is becoming 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 163 
 
 an English Senate to imitate School Boys, who finish those 
 Exercises in a few Minutes which ought to have employ'd 
 their Thoughts several Hours ? The Liberty of the Subject is 
 in great danger when it is not watch'd very closely, and did 
 we not live in a blessed Time when no Advantages of any Kind 
 are taken to the Prejudice of the People, we might repent of 
 these hasty and inconsiderate Proceedings. The Situation of 
 Europe is at present a very strange One ; his Majesty's 
 Journey to Hanover (for which he seems as impatient as the 
 steed for the Course) may bring about a lasting Peace : Nothing 
 else can, for notwithstanding our pacific Inclinations, some of 
 our best Freinds seem as inclinable to War as either Alexander 
 or Achilles. It is impertinent in me to give a loose to These 
 Thoughts in a Coimtry which is of no Consequence to any 
 Part of Europe. Our Laws and Liberties are in the Hands 
 of England, and though Kouli-Can was demolished, King 
 Theodore dethron'd and the Turk and all his Seraglio sent to 
 Mahomet's Paradise, yett is wretched Ireland in no better a 
 Situation than it was. Poverty reigns here, and is so well 
 fix'd in her Throne, that she will never give up her Dominion 
 to any other Power, which makes us. Birds of Passage, 
 impatient to fly back again to our own Country : my Affairs 
 make it impossible for me to ascertain the time of my Return ; 
 whilst I am here I should be happy if I can be of the least 
 (tho' my Ambition makes me wish it the greatest) Service to 
 your L"", for my Lady Berkshire and you have not in the 
 World a more obedient faithfuU humble Servant than 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
i64 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 FROM DR. BARRY. 
 
 June 20, 1736. 
 
 Your Lordship can more easily conceive than I express, 
 with what a shock I rec*^ the ace' of the dear Dean's ^ death, 
 I had wrote to him by the former post and never heard that 
 he was ill. We have lost a most amiable and valuable 
 Friend, he possessd many excellent Qualities but no one 
 exceeded him in Sincerity and Integrity of Heart. I always 
 thought of him with great pleasure and affection, but never 
 was so sensible as now with what a tenderness I lovd him. 
 Tho' I was most unfit for Company that day, I was obliged 
 to entertain the Bp and his family. I had taken cold by 
 rising out of my Bed to visit a patient the night before, 
 this with the uncommon Heat of the Weather, and the 
 weakness of my Spirits had affected me to such a degree 
 that I was seizd in ye evening with a violent and painfull 
 swelling in the glands of my throat. I was obliged to Bleed, 
 and have since been confined to my chambre, but I am now 
 quite easie and this evening have visited some patients. 
 This is certainly our Climacteric Year. I prophecy we shall 
 be more happy for the future. I should like thus collecting 
 the destined misfortunes of Life into one Sum and paying 
 off the Score at once if we could enjoy undisturbed the re- 
 maining part of life. Whatever happens we must endeavour 
 to submit with patience to the Decrees of providence, yr 
 Ldp's recovery has given me a grateful! and obedient 
 Disposition of mind to bear other Calamities. I shall never 
 repine while you are safe. 
 
 The Verses on the D. of Buckingham would have strongly 
 
 1 Dean Ward. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 165 
 
 affected me had they fallen into my hands in the greatest 
 gayety of Heart. I have read them several times over. 
 The whole is equal to any thing I have mett with, and the 
 last 40 Lines the Finest I ever read in my Life. 
 
 I am my dearest Ld Orrery's Faithfull and affectionate 
 
 ED. BARRY. 
 TO DR. BARRY. 
 
 Glassne'ven, June z6th, 1736. 
 
 I KNEW too well that you would be shoclc'd at the Death 
 of our dear and valuable Friend.^ Quanta Virtus, ^anta 
 Humanitas, ilia tnorte extincta est. I shall love and honour his 
 Memory as long as I Uve. What a Tyrant is that Monster, 
 the King of Terrors. Nothing stops his scythe. He is not 
 to be mov'd by Tears, by Beauty, or by any Perfection what- 
 soever. Take care of yourself I beseech You, my dear, dear 
 Doctor ! Live for your Family, your Friends, your Patients, 
 but above All, for Me ; Your Health depends chiefly on your 
 own Management, Do not lett me then be punish'd with a 
 Misfortione so much in your own Power to prevent. 
 
 Your Commendation of the Verses to the Dutchess of 
 Buckingham is greater than They deserve. The best that can 
 be said of them is that they come from the Heart, and are 
 acceptable to the Person for whom they were design'd. My 
 Retirement ^ here allows me sufficient Leisure for Reading and 
 Reflexion : The Solitude of the Place leads me often into 
 a Dream of Marston. I never go into Dublin but upon 
 Buesness : which putts me in mind of my Situation in Somer- 
 setshire near Bath : I can be in the great world when I please, 
 God knows that is as seldorn as possible, however. Noise 
 
 1 Dean Ward, who died at Dublin after a short illness, 15th June 1736. 
 ^ A mile and a half from Dublin. 
 
i66 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 and Hurry are necessary sometimes ; the Soul otherwise would 
 sink into an Inactivity that ill becomes Humankind. The 
 Neighbourhood about Glassneven is very agreable, and adds to 
 my Happiness, which how great soever, cannot be compleat 
 without You. I am in love with Sr Harry Wooton,^ we must 
 have a new Edition of Him if possible. The Dean of St. 
 Patrick's retains a good deal of Sr Harry's Poetry by Heart : 
 next to Howell,^ I honour him of all dead Men in that Class 
 of Writers. Monsieur Rochforte affords me much Diversion.* 
 His stories are extraordinary, and whether true or false is no 
 great Matter ; but many of his Adventures recall to my 
 Memory the Mishaps of Signor Gilblas : Some of the political 
 Intrigues of these Times may be drawn out of Him, but they 
 are mix'd with a thousand agreable humours and amusing 
 Trifles. Are you acquainted with Pallingenius .? * a Preist who 
 wrote in Q^ Elizabeth's Days. He calls his Work Zodiacus 
 Vitae : He has divided it into as many Books as there are 
 signs in the Zodiac. He writes in Hexameters : His Latin is 
 very plain and easy, and his Satyr in many Places pleases me 
 much. 
 
 I am dressing up Horace's Pyrrha* for You in as gay 
 Colours as I can : but I beg you '11 put off any superfluous 
 Ornaments She may have, and put on any graceful Additions 
 She may want. Thus passes my Time when Watt Goolde does 
 not require my Thoughts and Company : At his Appearance 
 Wooton, Howel, Zodiac, Horace, all all vanish : as you may 
 have seen People of Low Rank skulk away at a Levee assoon 
 as Stars and Garters appear : and Nothing but Ejectments, 
 
 ' Wootoniana, or the Remains of Sir Harry Wooton. 
 
 2 Howel's Letters. 
 
 3 The Memoires du Cardinal de Richelieu et du Cardinal Mazarin. 
 * Marcelli Palingenii Stellat. Poetae Zodiacus Vitae. 
 
 5 One of Lord Orrery's numerous Translations. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 167 
 
 Leases, Accounts and Setdements are talk'd of: however, this 
 Jargon is music to my Ears, as it certainly tends towards 
 bringing Us together about the latter End of next Month 
 at Dublin. I 'm sorry to tell you that Col. Taylor of Bally- 
 norte is dead : The Lord Mayor died some days ago, Lord 
 Mountcashel is in the utmost Danger ; and Dick Tighe is 
 soaring apace towards immortality. Great Numbers besides 
 are dead and dying, whilst Health and Gaiety reign at Glass- 
 neven, and in no Body more perfectly than in your own 
 
 ORRERY. 
 FROM DR. BARRY. 
 
 July sth, 1736. 
 
 Is not Death a happyness when lamented in such a 
 manner. This King of Terrors by yr Assistance appears no 
 longer dreadful, but directs a way to immortal Fame. I 
 am almost in love with his Dart, the last passion which a 
 physician ought to indulge, but while you live I see your 
 Favourites cannot die. I long to see Pyrrha in her gay 
 colours. This change of the scene will be most agreeable. 
 I don't doubt she will appear a finished Beauty. I shall 
 regard it as a Sacrilege to defile her with any touch of mine, 
 any alteration would either disorder her symmetry or rob 
 her of some charm. 
 
 I am very glad to find yr Ldp placed at a safe Distance 
 from the malignant Air of Dublin, but tho' Glasseneven is 
 the Seat of Health and of the Muses, yet I flatter my Self 
 you will be more secure on Orrery Quay. I am so perfectly 
 recovered that I have been twice in the Sea and swim like 
 Julius Caesar, and have now, I think, a Roman Constitution. 
 
 Yesterday there was a great trial of skill between the 
 
i68 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 plebeians of this City and Dickson's party in the Election 
 of magistrates, he was distancd by a great Majority ; he soon 
 drown'd his Cares in Wine, and unless he is of the race of 
 Struldbuggs, I think he cannot last long. This day Mr. 
 Eugain, who was on the Election for Mayor, had a Quarrel 
 with Mr. Bousfield, an eminent Merch' in the publick 
 Exchange. I saw them from the Coffee House window 
 cane each other heartily, they were soon bound over to a 
 more peaceful! behaviour. 
 
 Mr. Goldsmith tells me that Palingenius is among the 
 poor Dean's Books, and has promised to lay it aside for yr 
 Lordp. I never heard of him before, but shall be impatient 
 till I am well acquainted with him. I was certain that yr 
 Ldp would think Howel and Sr Harry Wotton^ excellent, 
 in their way. They had a fine Genius improved by great 
 Application, they were both Batchelors, their Studies and 
 pursuits were never interrupted by Domestick Cares. That 
 Age was productive of great Men, Learning and public 
 virtue were the fashion of those times. They are now 
 reckond almost useless ; Politics, Intemperance, with a 
 whole Groupe of Vicious passions with a Love of Money to 
 indulge them reign triumphant. 
 
 The Bishop of Corke never sees me but he asks when I 
 heard from Lord Orrery, and expresses the warmest regard 
 for yr Ldsp. He is resolved, I find, to make himself usefull 
 and popular. He has twice preachd and twice been at the 
 Water Club, he has din'd with half the town, and half the 
 town has din'd with him. He is a good, natural agreeable 
 man, and will make an excellent Bishop in this place. 
 
 1 Dr. Barry's remarks on Sir Harry Wotton are perfectly just. He was a 
 charming writer of a much earlier date, and his definition of an Ambassador, ' One 
 who was sent to lie abroad for his country,' has become a classic. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 169 
 
 I have not yet heard Miss Donellan sing, nor do I expect 
 that pleasure till yr Ldsp comes down. 
 
 Will Taylor, I hear, is expected every day in the 
 Country, this gives me hopes that your parliament Hurry 
 is pretty well over, and that you 'U soon quit your peacefuU 
 Asylum for a more obscure retirement here, 
 
 I am my dearest Ld Orrerys Faithfull and Affectionate 
 
 ED. BARRY. 
 
 Corke, July ^th, 1736. 
 
 TO THE SAME. 
 
 Glassncven, July 6, 1736. 
 
 I SEND you, my dear Doctor, the amiable Vyrrha in the 
 best Dress I could putt her on ; but I expect she will come 
 back to me with more proper Decorations and more engaging 
 Smiles than those with which She meets You. I send Her to 
 You as a Patient ; exert your utmost Skill and return Her to 
 Me without the least Blemish. Trust Her to no Eyes but 
 your own, for she is wavering as Fortune, and taken with 
 every Toupee that appears. 1 shall lock Her up as soon as 
 She comes back, and keep Her like old Gold, to be produc'd 
 when my Heir opens my Coffers. 
 
 Every Dabbler in Poetry must make an Attempt upon 
 Horace : He falls a sacrifice to us whenever a rhymning Fitt 
 is to be indulged. To imitate him Is difficult, to come near 
 him more so, but to come up to Him utterly impossible. We 
 must aim wide of the Mark and yet hit it ; but to say Truth I 
 beleive I mist it at the latter End. The fourteen last Lines 
 please me least of any, and I fear form an Ode sweetly concise. 
 I have spun out a very tedious imitation. Tell Me, is the 
 Metaphor well kept up ? Horace manages it curiosa felicitate ; 
 nor could anything but the very wretched imitations I saw. 
 
l^o THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 provoke me to such an Undertaking : I was sure of not being 
 worse than my Predecessors, and I had a Chance of not being 
 so bad. Simplex Munditiis was a great Obstacle in my Day. 
 It certainly is inexpressible in English. Dacier^ translates it 
 very short of the Original and Sanadon has not made any 
 Notes upon the Ode, at least, not in the Edition I have of 
 him here. Terence seems to have exprest the meaning nearest 
 in his Phormio — Virgo, Pulchra, et quo magis dices, nihil aderat 
 adjumenti ad pulchritudinem. So I have followed him as near 
 as I could. But what have I to do with Poetry ? Parch- 
 ments and Rent Rolls are, or ought to be my Employment : 
 yett Deprez, in his short Life of Horace says, what is not 
 inapplicable to me : Bonis Exutus paternis, paupertate conflictatus 
 ad Poesin animum appulit? My Affairs once settled in this 
 Kingdom, I will hang up my Lyre, bid adieu to the Muses and 
 try to fitt myself for the Senate by poring over Journals and 
 Acts of Parliament. I am in perfect Health, and have a 
 Breast free and open to every Thing but Wind and Weather. 
 In the meanwhile Thousands are falling at Dublin. You 
 would not have time to eat a Meal if You was there. When 
 shall I see that happy Day ! 
 
 I must gallop to the North the week after next ; There is no 
 resisting the Importunity of a most valuable Man who will 
 have me under his Roof. I will be back by the beginning of 
 August, and then sett forward for Orrery Quay, only stopping 
 a day or two with the Bp of Ossory at Kilkenny. — Yours 
 dum spiritus hos regit artus. 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 ' Madame Dacier, whose French translations of Horace created so great a sensa- 
 tion in the literary circles of her day. 
 2 Herat. Lib. i. Od. v. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 171 
 
 TO THOMAS TICKELL, ESQ, 
 
 Glassne'ven, July 12, 1736. 
 
 Sir, — Notwithstanding the many Charms in your Letter, 
 no Part of it gives me such real Pleasure as the good Account 
 of your Son. Your Verses delight the Poet, but Moffat 
 Waters regale the Freind. They shall be more sacred to me 
 than Those of Helicon if they perfect Master Tickell's recovery. 
 I have listen'd lately with great Attention to the many Cures 
 I hear They have perform'd, and I hope they will not fail in 
 an Instance where I would have their Power greater, if 
 possible, than ever. Delany, who is too busy in making Hay 
 to write Letters bids me tell you that in every Thing relating 
 to your Son Annuimus pariter, but as to the fine Ladies he will 
 only send them his Smiles, whilst I send Them my Heart. 
 The Doctor's Needle is fix'd and cannot veer, whilst mine may 
 move about and try every Point in the Compass. 
 
 This House ^ will tempt You to bestow some Moidores 
 
 upon It. The Situation cannot be adorn'd, but I am mistaken 
 
 if you find sufficient Space here for your Books and your 
 
 Children. You '1 be undone if you attempt to make Room 
 
 enough for your Freinds and humble Servants, among whom 
 
 be so just as to reckon 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO DOCTOR BARRY. 
 
 Marlfeild, July 25, 1736. 
 
 Am I to be in continual Anxiety ? Must I be ever 
 trembling for Freinds living, or sighing for Freinds dead ? 
 
 1 Mr. Tickell's house, lent to Lord Orrery. Tickell was a Poet and Dramatist of 
 some repute ; whether the ' Trip to Scarborough ' was written by Sheridan or by him 
 has been a disputed point. 
 
172 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 Will You pay no Regard to my Admonitions, but be as care- 
 less of yourself as if my Heart had no Share in you ? Consider 
 and Pity Me ! What a Wretch should I be without You. 
 Surely 'tis enough that we are likely to pass our Lives at a 
 great Distance from each Other ; but let Oceans, Mountains, 
 any Thing but Death rise betwixt Us ! Record my Recovery, 
 if You please, in Verse, but I will thank Heaven in plain Prose 
 for Yours, and that with as ardent a Zeal as I pray for the dear 
 Baron ^ and his Colleague. 
 
 Pyrrha has, as I suspected, too many Knotts and Kissing 
 Strings : We will undress the Jade soon together at Corke : at 
 present, Cato like, I have lent her to the Dean, who was smitten 
 at the first sight of Her, but I fear, when He examines the 
 Lady more closely. Her Beauties will vanish. They cannot 
 stand the Criticism of so nice an Eye. He is in perfect 
 Health, and pass'd many Hours with Me the day before I 
 came here. Floreat in Mternum ! 
 
 I shall be at Dublin on the second of August, and shall sett 
 out for Corke on the sixth ; Watt Goolde will be my running 
 Footman, and advertize You of my Motions from the Bishop 
 of Ossorys. 
 
 We never fail to toast you here with great Devotion, tho' 
 not One besides myself has seen You : The Gentlemen are 
 impatient for your Company and Conversation, and the 
 Ladies are in Love with You. When I talk of You I am 
 inspir'd, and am listen'd to more than I could hope or expect; 
 Heaven is on your Side, and has mighty Things in Store for 
 You: Strength is ordain'd even out of my Mouth, when I 
 endeavour to draw you in the Colours you deserve : Do not 
 let me have it to say. That you take Care of all the World, 
 within your Sphere, but yourself. Write to me a Line or two 
 
 1 Barry's younger son. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 173 
 
 to perfect the Ease of my Heart before I leave Dublin, for on 
 Earth you have not a more zealous Freind than 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 FROM DR. BARRY. 
 
 Aug. 1st, 1736. 
 
 If I was expiring, to hear that my dear Ld Orrery is well 
 and to receive these Instances of his regard and Friendship 
 must give my Heart such a motion as would soon make the 
 Circulation free, and likely to last till the next Century. 
 But when this meets me in a gay freedom of Spirits, like 
 the Spring after a dead Winter, with what a Bloom must I 
 appear ! I went to Church this morning and have not the 
 least Complaint in any part of my Body. This near prospect 
 of Death is the greatest Instance of Providence I have mett 
 with, and will keep me at a long Distance from it. I shall 
 gett prudence from Indiscretion, and Health from Sickness. 
 If yr Illness makes the same Impression on yr Ldp, I shall 
 be happy. I need not say with Horace non ego perfidum dixi 
 sacramentum, for without any vow I should certainly, tho I 
 strove against it, soon follow you. But we will give these 
 Reflexions to the winds and not reassume them these 50 
 years. 
 
 I think 'tis a pitty to undress Pyrrha, or to touch one of 
 her Kicking strings, tho' one can scarce avoid wishing to see 
 such an amiable Coquette quite naked. Is not this the 
 Attitude of Simplex Mundity in wh. a lady ought to be 
 placed ? You have given her one happy advantage, that 
 her Beauties will never Fade, but she will become more 
 dangerous as she grows more old. 
 
 I had a visit yesterday morning from Ld Percival and 
 
174 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 his friend who consulted me in whispers, expecting that I 
 would restore his Voice. His case in many respects is a 
 very melancholy one. I have done the best in my power 
 to try to releive him. This day they went off to Cloyne 
 and propose sailing for England next Tuesday. The 
 Attorney and Sollicitor Gen' embarqu'd three Days agoe with 
 a fair wind for Bourdeaux. I wonder how 1 can mention 
 these trifling Voyages when my mind is wholly taken up 
 with my dearest Lord Orrery coming to his Faithfull and 
 affectionate 
 
 ED. BARRY. 
 
 Orrery S(uay, Aug. $th, 1736. 
 
 TO THE REV. MR. PEARSON. 
 
 Bandon, September i^k, 1736. 
 
 How comes it, my dear Pearson, that a Freindship so 
 strongly woven at the University should be broken thro' by 
 Time and Distance. I Remember when I Imagined an Hour 
 long if absent from each Other, but Weeks, Months and 
 Years roll on without any Thing but a transient Thought now 
 and then to putt me in mind of You. I cannot forget our 
 happy Days at Oxford: but Alass! The Times are much 
 changed with Me. The gay Lord Boyle is become the grave 
 Earl of Orrery. My Songs and Catches are turn'd into 
 Leases and Lawsuits. Three little Infants engross all my 
 Heart, and I still bewail the Loss of the best Woman, the 
 best Freind and the best Wife that ever liv'd. Should I 
 return to England I must certainly come to see You. I must 
 peep into your Cell, the Image of which is now strong before 
 Me, and you and your Cat are purring by the Fireside. Ay 
 Jockey! could we live over again the Days we have seen. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 175 
 
 How much wiser, better and happier We should be : How 
 many Errors should we correct. One of which should be this 
 idle Turn of Thought, for bating some trifling Alterations in 
 Conduct, Caesar would be Caesar and CromweU Cromwell, 
 could those Individuals be re-born in George the Second's 
 Reign. Yet I flatter myself, Were my Father to rise again, 
 He wovdd scarce leave a Library to Christ Church from his 
 only Son. The Behaviour of that Colledge makes me sick of 
 Gifts to the University and indeed of all Gifts to the Public. 
 I would sooner chuse to make one virtuous Man happy in a 
 silent unostentatious Manner, than to have my Name pasted 
 up in gold Letters in every Colledge in the University. You 
 see what a serious Fellow I am grown. This Irish Air makes 
 One intolerably solemn. But as I fancy your two worthy 
 Companions the Cat and the Dog do not add much to the 
 Vivacity of Your Thoughts, You may possibly go through 
 this Epistle over a mugg of Canterbury Ale. — I am, dear 
 Harry Pearson, immutably yours, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO JOHN KEMPE, ESQ. 
 
 Corke, November litk, 1736. 
 
 I AM going to transplant myself to Dublin. Farewell 
 Corke ! and all its Beauties. From Beef-Carts I go to 
 Privy Counsellors, from Pllkington^ to Faulkner,^ and from 
 Brocclesby^ to Badham.* Adieu ye Kennels flowing with 
 Bullock's Blood ! Adieu ye roaring Captives in the North- 
 Gate! Quakers, Fools and Madmen, all Adieu. My 
 
 1 Bookseller at Cork. 
 
 2 Faulkner, a Dublin Bookseller, who published some of Lord Orrery's Works. 
 
 3 A mad Alderman, to whom Lord Orrery paid an annuity of £100. 
 * ' The greatest knave in the known world.' 
 
176 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 sorrowful Heart is bursting; My Horse stands pawing at 
 the Door; The last Piece of Bread and Butter is in my 
 Mouth ; a Thousand Beggars await Me ; I come, ye limping 
 Miscreants, I come. — Urbem lacrymans Portusque relinquo. 
 
 O. 
 
 FROM DR. BARRY. 
 
 Dec. znd, 1736. 
 
 Nat was in high Spirits this morning to find that his Star 
 was acceptable to Ld Boyle, this letter has banished my 
 Fears of any returning Disorder. I know by the motion 
 of his Fingers that his Heart is Firm and that his pulse beats 
 regularly. I fear that this wiU not be long Ld Orkney's 
 Case, his oil is almost spent, but Bath Waters have some- 
 times workd miracles. 
 
 I shall lose no time in collecting the subscriptions for 
 Mr. Pope's Volume. He is the only person I dare say who 
 will complain of its being too large, 'twill be as gratefull to 
 me as an overflowing Bumper to Dickson, even Will Taylor's 
 Burgundy would be flat to him if the glass wanted the ten 
 thous"^ part of an Inch of a Brimmer. 
 
 I saw Crotty in the Coffee House with Ld Burlington's 
 Superintendent de point de Finance. Sir Richd Cox was 
 near making his last Speech here, but is now in a fair way 
 of being heard next Sessions. 
 
 I rise every morning at Seven, read an hour in yr Room 
 by Candlelight, you are the Subject of my early thoughts, 
 and give me a Strength and Serenity of Mind all the days, 
 my patients thrive the better for it, I am a Stranger to pain 
 or Sickness, and by Temperance and regular Hours I do 
 not despair of shaving a grey Beard. I know this ace' will 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 177 
 
 please yr Lordsp, but I have another View in it, to keep 
 you firm in the way you have begun. I have no reason to 
 lay down a Better Rule of Life than you have followed, but 
 avoid Sir John Barley(corn) and read a Chapter in Epictetus 
 before you read Badham. I own to you I am not anxious 
 whether Askeaton sells for 17 or 20 Thousand pounds, or 
 whether W. Taylor collects the Arrears. Keep yr Spirits 
 gay and yr pulse regular, and Time will produce many 
 Blessings which are in store for you. 
 
 I am my dearest Ld Orrery's Faith' and Affect. 
 
 ED. BARRY. 
 
 Corke, Dbr. z, 1736. 
 
 TO THE BISHOP OF CORK. 
 
 Dublin, December lUh, 1736. 
 
 My Lord, — This comes to congratulate your Lord? 
 upon your new House in Stevens-Green. Felices quorum iam 
 maria surgunt! Mr. Percival was so Kind as to go with me 
 there yesterday: and Signer Cassells honoured us with his 
 Company ; but as your LordP* Commands did not extend so 
 far as to order me to break my Neck or my Limbs, I ventur'd 
 no further than the Hall Door, from whence my Prospect was 
 much confin'd, except when I look'd upwards to the Sky. 
 Your Palace, my Lord, appears finely upon Paper, and to 
 shew You that the whole pleases me, I even admire your 
 Coal Cellars. Your great Room will probably bring the Earl 
 of Burlington over to this Kingdom, and do not wonder, my 
 Lord, if Marcellus quits his Nitch and flings himself at Miss 
 Donallan's Feet as soon as ever ' Verdi prati ' reach his ears, 
 but however your Hearing or Sight may be delighted, I am 
 in some Fear that your Smell will not be regal'd from your 
 
 VOL. I. M 
 
178 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 Stables unless you shoft your Garden as soon as possible with 
 Roses, Lilies, and All the Flowers that are celebrated in Song. 
 This inconvenience might be prevented if your Lord? can 
 purchase a little more Ground behind your House : but so 
 that the Stable has a beautiful Cornish, Signor Cassells does 
 not seem to care where it stands. 
 
 Our Town, which is now quite tir'd of curing and killing 
 and killing and curing Doctor Vanleuen, has the dreadful! 
 Topic of a Fire to employ its Discourse. Nero had not more 
 Pleasure in the Flame of Rome than we have in talking of a 
 Sugar House that was burnt some Nights ago. I was last 
 Night in Company with ten Ladies who each of Them had a 
 different Story on the Occasion. As I was oblig'd to put in 
 my Mite I sent the Sugar Baker into the Flames for a Box, 
 and brought him safe out again. This Tale may probably 
 last two Days, but unless the six Packetts due from England 
 come in to-morrow, I fear we must go back again to the 
 Devil and the Game of Pickett, for the particulars of which I 
 referr your LordP to Mr. Percival. 
 
 Mrs. Rochfort has gathered new Beauties by her Marriage. 
 She charms more as a Wife than she did as a Maid : This, my 
 Lord, is a fine incitement to unmarried Ladies to quit an 
 unprofitable Life for the happy Hours of the Nuptial State. 
 Lady Betty Brownlow's Family need not be clad in Black to 
 look sadly after the Loss of so fair a Daughter : Nelly Grove's 
 Eyes shine like Diamonds sett in Jett, and the Chetwoods are 
 as charming, tho' not as brisk as in a Parliament Winter, 
 Lady Ross defies the circling Years, and as Antaeus gather'd 
 Strength from the Ground, She gathers Charms from Age, so 
 does likewise her Grandmother the gay Lady Dunn. This, 
 my Lord, is the State of Beauty in this Metropolis, and yet in 
 this fortunate Situation do I languish for Corke, which your 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 179 
 
 Lordship's Family made me so happy in, that I can relish no 
 other Place: and You see, my Lord, the Pleasure arising 
 from thinking of You has drawn me into this intolerable 
 Length of Letter, which I cannot conclude without desiring 
 my Compliments to the Ladies, nor without letting them 
 know that Mr. and Mrs, Percival are perfectly well. I am, 
 my Lord, Your LP" most obedient humble Servant, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 TO ARCHDEACON RUSSELL. 
 
 Dublin, Dec. zist, 1736. 
 
 Since L cannot hold Correspondence with You in Person 
 You must allow Me to make You many Visits in Writing. 
 I expect the same Indulgence from You at this distance that I 
 foimd at Corke. Don't blame Me for being so intolerably 
 troublesome; it is your own Fault. You must cease to be 
 what You are ere I can cease my voluminous Letters. Pour 
 mot, je conserverai toujours man Affection envers vous, et I'Estime 
 quefai toujours fait de votre grand Vertu. I chuse to say This 
 in French, that You may be obliged to make it public for an 
 Explanation. 
 
 Lord Orkney is not dead. He is at present much better, 
 but by the Account I have from Doctor Broxholme, I fear I 
 shall never see him again : The Love I bear him is of a 
 particular Kind : I love him for having lov'd One who lov'd 
 me. This Affection, tho' very extraordinary, is very strong : 
 and in willing Obedience to the last Commands of a dear 
 Saint in Heaven. Whatever He is oblig'd to leave me, I 
 have settled out of my own Power upon my Children, lest in 
 my soft Hours, when Bruce and Badham shall be no more, 
 and when I have drank a Cup of Lethe to all my Cares in 
 
i8o THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 Ireland, I may be again tempted to court the Pleasures of the 
 Nuptial State. His Lordships Death will not call me to 
 England : I am become too good an Irishman to throw away 
 a Thought on that base Country yet a while. Towards the 
 latter End of next Summer I shall be glad of introducing You 
 to a second Pilkington at Bath. 
 
 Marston Library will be highly honour'd and improv'd by 
 the Books You mention : and the Author's ^ Memory will be 
 glorious and immortal, tho' we dare not pour out our Liba- 
 tions to his Manes. 
 
 I have received a most agreable Letter from the Bp of Corke, 
 with a Description by Horace (not Walpole) of the Corke Ladies. 
 Be so good to tell his Lord? whenever I can meet with any 
 Thing entertaining here, He shall have it under my Hand. 
 
 What will Doctor Barry say to Me if I find out for Him 
 a sweet compliment in Virgil upon his Freind Horace ; I am 
 not yet sure of my Treasure, but must try my Gold first in the 
 Fire, and if it proves Right, You shall have it amongst You. 
 
 Dublin, like the Weather, is extreamly gloomy and dull ; 
 an insignificant Cold gives me a Pretence of living among my 
 Books at home, and I am now deeply engaged in Carte's 
 Life of the first Duke of Ormonde : It is just come out : a 
 Voluminous Work : Three Volumes Folio, my Relations are 
 too often mention'd in It not to make me very studious on the 
 Occasion : and if I could afford flinging away three Guineas, I 
 would certainly make a present of It to the Bishop of Downe. 
 
 The Corke Court may possibly prove an Ignis fatuus : 
 which to our knowledge will do as much mischeif as the worst 
 blazing Star that ever Whiston dreamt of. Keep at a- distance 
 from your Parishioner whilst He carries the deadly Box about 
 him : timeo Danaos et Dona ferentes} I hear Dick Bettesworth 
 
 I Dr. Browne, Bishop of Cork. 2 Virgil. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS i8i 
 
 perambulates your City with a Trumpter before him : Needs 
 He any other Trumpet than that of Fame. How I envy You 
 who are honour'd with the Presence of the Judges for a whole 
 Month together : not a Rogue will be left in the Country, nor 
 any Buesness to be done at the next Assizes except a Trifle 
 belonging to Me, the event of which I am very careless about, 
 as the Cause of it will bring me down to Kiss your Hands. 
 What greater Instance of Regard can I shew my Freinds than 
 to plunge myself into a Lawsuit for their Sakes? Prepare 
 yourself for long Walks before I come : get into good Breath : 
 brush up your double sol'd Pumps, in short be assur'd that I 
 will be as much with You as I can. So to end in a Language 
 that you perfectly understand Sum tibi tuisque, Devinctissimus. 
 
 ORRERY. 
 TO THE BISHOP OF OSSORY. 
 
 Dublin, December zznd, 1736. 
 
 My Lord, — The' I troubled your Lord^ so lately, I can- 
 not help enclosing to You Dick Purcel's Letter ; Your Lord? 
 will see He is ready to obey your Commands. We are told 
 here terrible News : The Torch of Hymen, they say, is blown 
 out : Juno, who was gott half Way down the Skies, is gone 
 back, and has unharness'd her Peacocks and sett up her 
 Chariot. Lucina, who was to have foUow'd Her, keeps at 
 home in a Pett, and swears no Child shall be born alive till 
 your Kinswoman ^ is married : of which rash Oath the Princess 
 of Orange is the first unhappy Example^: In the name of 
 Cupid, my Lord, is all this true ? Must I love my Love with 
 an S. stiU because her Name is Smith, when I thought to have 
 
 1 Miss Molly Smith of Brogheda, between whom and Mr. Sandford of Kilkenny 
 a Treaty of Marriage was on foot. 
 
 ^ Brought to bed of a dead daughter. 
 
i82 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 lov'd her with that Letter because her Name was Sandford. 
 
 What Alecto has been playing Tricks at Kilkenny ? or which 
 
 of the Deities has my Cousin Charles offended? I wish I 
 
 could have half an hour's Conversation with Mrs. Este: 
 
 surely She might find out some expedient to reconcile Matters 
 
 again. You know, my Lord, of what use that Lady was to 
 
 You in your Election, and I wish her Success in every Thing 
 
 She undertakes, being perfectly to Her and to your LordP a 
 
 most obedient Servant 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO THOMAS SOUTHERNE. 
 
 Dublin, December i%rd, iTid. 
 
 I am just come, my dear old Man, from passing the Even- 
 ing with our valuable Freind Mr. Tighe. He has lately had 
 an Addition to the Loss of Dean Ward by the Loss of the 
 Dean's Sister, his Wife. He seems to bear it with the Affec- 
 tion of a Husband and the Reason of a Philosopher. On this 
 Occasion his Freinds ought to shew Him their Regard in a 
 particular Manner: I am therefore with him as often as I can, 
 but the cold Weather (of which I am only too sensible since 
 my last Illness) and busy perplexities of many kinds, keep us 
 more asunder than I could wish. I never go from him with- 
 out feeling myself the better by the Example of his Virtue and 
 the improvement of his Conversation. His Learning, which 
 is very extensive, is mix'd with Judgement and adorn' d with 
 Taste ; and at a Time, when less melancholy Circumstances 
 will allow him, He can sett off his Remarks with so much true 
 Humour, and such a Facetiousness of Speech and Gesture as 
 render his Company infinitely agreeable, and make the Hours 
 pass just in the Manner we desire. But he needs none of 
 these engaging Qualities to attach my Heart to him : His love 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 183 
 
 of You, his Esteem of your Freindship, and the sincere 
 Affection for Every Thing belonging to You are more than 
 Enough to make me entirely his own. On Friday I am to 
 sup with him, and then You will certainly be remembered. 
 
 The Noon was pass'd with the Dean of St. Patrick's,' who 
 grows younger as his Years increase : a Paradox which I hope 
 You will prove in its full Extent. The Dean enjoys more 
 Health and Vivacity this Winter than he has felt for some 
 Years past. Thus you see the prayers of poor Ireland in one 
 Instance are heard. Can I finish so satisfactory a Day better 
 than in conversing with You, and in trying to draw from You 
 an Account of yourself and of my Freinds in London ? I 
 think not — and therefore desire that you will talk upon Paper 
 with Me as soon as You can. When We shall come to a 
 personal Dialogue, let the Oracle at Delphos inform You : I 
 cannot. 
 
 Carte's History of the D. of Ormonde is lately arriv'd 
 amongst Us. It meets with great approbation : I have only 
 had time to peruse the two first Books. The Style is good, 
 and I beleive He has spar'd no Pains to digest the Materials, 
 of which He had a very large Collection. It is a Companion I 
 propose great Delight in these tedious Evenings, leaving Cards 
 and Balls to younger and to finer Gentlemen. 
 
 You are at the Fountain Head for News. We have none. 
 Lord Kildare leads the same still-Life He did, and makes a 
 much greater Shew of his Plate than of his Virtue, tho' the 
 Latter outshines the Former in every eye that views him 
 closely and with Attention. Lord Thomond is laid up with 
 the Gout : The Irish Hospitality has broke out in his Feet, 
 and pins him down to a great Chair and a slender Meal. 
 Pain is the constant Shadow of Pleasure, and follows Her 
 
 ' Dean Swift. 
 
i84 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 wherever She goes. It is well there is another world, or This 
 would not be worth living in. Tickell and Dr. Delany perform 
 Quarantine at Glassneven. We must not hope to see Them 
 till longer Days and milder Weather. The World, I suppose, 
 will reap the Benefit of their Retirement. The Press will 
 groan for it, and future Ages will revere DelviP as much 
 as the present Age honours Praeneste. To be serious ; they 
 both sent their Service to You last week. 
 
 Thus You see, my dear Freind, I have endeavoured to 
 make You amends for my long Silence during my Travels in 
 Munster. If tiring your Eyes and Head can do you Good, my 
 Task, you find, is performed : but you may perceive my willing- 
 ness of obeying your Commands, in writing, when really I had 
 Nothing to say, but the old Story of my being entirely yours, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 FROM DR. BARRY. 
 
 Dec. 24, 1736. 
 
 May all the days of my dear Ld Orrery be one happy 
 Festival, and circling years prolong yr Life to the next 
 Century. This is my Christmas prose Carol: what poetic 
 wings can expand in this cold season without meeting with as 
 bad a Fate, (the' the reverse of) Sirius in being congeald to 
 Death. I know not where this will find you, whether in the 
 Fog of Dublin, or in the more serene air of Stillorgan, or in 
 the centre of Ireland and I hope of joy, at Killkenny. 
 
 The two Serjeants still appear in their long robes, and are 
 attended in their parades with a fatal sound of Trumpets, 
 several have been already hangd, and a band of Street Robbers 
 are to be try'd and of course executed next week. They seem 
 resolved not to give over while one rogue is left in the 
 
 ' Dr. Delany's house. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 185 
 
 Liberties of the City or in the County, and till they make 
 this place a representative of the golden age. This I hope, 
 wiU hasten yr Ldp's return to this part of our planet which 
 can only boast of this privilege. 
 
 I was last night with Harper, who is an Enthusiast in 
 Burlington purchases. He gave me a long detail of Schemes 
 and proposals. Ld Burlington writes that if it is necessary he 
 will come over next Summer, wh. Burwood thinks absolutely 
 requisite. He tells me Mr. Boyle has purchased the mannor 
 of Clonikilty^ (part of Carleton's Estate) for 10,000"'. For my 
 part I have not money enough to purchase one Acre ; I believe 
 yr Ldp does not design to buy, and 'tis a mark that my 
 imagination is very bad, since I endeavour to entertain you 
 with such duU news. 
 
 I saw your Ldp's letter to our Bishop and his answer. You 
 have a particular art of raising Lilies and Roses and all the 
 Flowers celebrated in song in the midst of winter. You have 
 put his Ldp out of conceit with his Stable ; but his Palace will 
 flourish, while I and the rest of his Diocese can only amuse 
 ourselves with building castles in the air. 
 
 When shall I see yr Ldp again .'' Must I wait for the 
 slow advances of February ? This at least I will depend on, 
 for I have always found you Faithfiill to your Promise. At 
 another time I should perhaps depend on the returning Sun 
 to give me Vigour and Joy, but I care not when I see his face ; 
 you will supply his Absence and of everything else which is 
 desired by your Ldp's Faithfull and Affectionate 
 
 ED. BARRY. 
 
 1 See Moore's lines in his witty poem of ' The Fudge Family in Paris,' now little 
 known or read — 
 
 ' And but for the Postboy, his boots and his queue, 
 I had just as soon be at Clonkilty with you.' 
 
i86 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 DR. BARRY TO LORD ORRERY. 
 
 Dec. 26, 1736. 
 
 To wish a merry Christmas and a happy New Year is the 
 common Compliment at this time, but there s*"* be no bounds 
 to my ardent and sincere wishes for my dear Ld Orrery, if 
 they could contribute to his happiness. I received yesterday a 
 Letter from your Cousin Brocklesby, in which he desir'd me 
 to visit him as a Physician, he has been confined to his 
 Chamber for some Days, and lives on a Quart of Brandy, a 
 Gallon of Milk and three new-laid Eggs every Day. He said 
 this He would Conceal from the World, but not from his 
 Physician ; but I believe he drinks more Brandy whenever he 
 can gett it. I advis'd him not to exceed the Quart ; he says he 
 dares not trust himself with any Stock in the House, but sends 
 for 4 half pints every day ; he has no other way of banishing 
 MelanchoUy Thoughts, and says it has been the case of Addison 
 and some men of the finest Genius. He shew'd me a Letter 
 from Mr. Peggot to whom he had wrote, and to the Speaker ; 
 to quicken Mr. Dickson in his Affair with y"^ L^, and imputes 
 Dickson's Silence to his unspeakable modesty. I told him y' 
 Lp thought y^ self disengaged from any dispute with him, but 
 that you had all the generous Disposition he covdd reasonably 
 expect to relieve him. ' Prithee, Ned,' says He, ' Write to him 
 ' to send me down a hundred Guineas to discharge some trifling 
 ' debts and I '11 pass my Note to you till we come to an Agree- 
 * ment.' I told him y' L"" had no Money, nor could he expect 
 that any Sum s*"* be advanced at least till an Agreement was 
 concluded, and asked him what he thought of an hundred 
 Guineas a year ; he said he could not live on it ; that he must 
 keep a girl, a footman, a brace of Geldings, and drink a quart 
 of Brandy every Day ; that he had always lived like a Gentie- 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 187 
 
 man, and could make a better Bargain with another. I assured 
 him he was his own Enemy in thinking so, but with a serious 
 and confident Air he said I was mistaken. I promised to 
 mention this Affair to y' Lj*, I wish it was finish'd for he can- 
 not last long : he said he would leave it to me, but I told him 
 I was a very improper Person ; but I think no time is to be 
 lost if it is of any consequence to you. Will Taylor's Bur- 
 gundy and Champagne are arrived. This Liquour would per- 
 plex the Accounts of any Agent. We will certainly see an 
 end to it, tho' we shall not want this false fire to raise our 
 spirits when we meet on Orrery quay. I cannot avoid wishing 
 one agreeable Circumstance may be wanting there ; since 
 Bishops are not immortal, I hope our Friend the Dean will be 
 in possession of a Mitre. I shall always regret his Absence, 
 but shall submit to it with pleasure when 'tis for his Advan- 
 tage. I am y' Lordship's faithfull and affectionate 
 
 ED. BARRY, 
 TO LADY VESEY. 
 
 Dublin, December 27th, 1736. 
 
 Madam,— Under all the Misfortunes I have hitherto 
 labour 'd, however various and severe. None could have 
 touched me more Sensibly than the Reflexion of having 
 omitted any kind of Respect, especially so desirable a One as 
 a Salute to your Ladyship. But what You have misconstrued 
 an Omission was in reality an Act of Force and Violence upon 
 my Heart. You had made so deep an Impression there, 
 Madam, that I was afraid to come near your Lips. By 
 Icarus's Example, I knew the Consequences of approaching 
 the Sun, and my Eyes must not have done Justice to my 
 Thoughts if They did not tell your Lad"" the Reason why I 
 
i88 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 kept at so great a distance. However, Madam (Tho' I am 
 
 sure to perish for It) At my Return You must allow me to 
 
 salute You twice, and Then your Lad^ will see me expire at 
 
 your Feet with this happy Reflexion That none of my Rivals 
 
 will dare to Salute You afterwards, and that my Kisses will 
 
 remain imprinted on your Lips for ever, for, tho' many wish 
 
 to live for You, I am the only Heroe who wish to die, if my 
 
 Death will shew your Lad^ how much I am Your Admirer 
 
 and faithfuU Servant, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 FROM DR. BARRY. 
 
 Dec. iotA.. 
 
 I AM grown a great Favourite with your mad Cousin ! I 
 would not willingly have him die now, and a few medicines 
 assisted by Brandy have banished the King of Terrors. . . . 
 I think it will be necessary to have first a Letter of Attorney, 
 or some Instrument from him to confirm whatever Agreement 
 is made. ... I am my dear Ld Orrery's faithfull and affec" 
 
 ED. BARRY. 
 
 TO THE REV. MARMADUKE PHILIPS. 
 
 Dublin, January 6th, 1736-37. 
 
 Notwithstanding the dreadful Length of the name of 
 your Habitation ^ I will attempt to write it on the Outside of this 
 Letter, by which You will see that no difficulties are too great 
 for Me when They are your Commands. Your long Silence 
 putt me under some Pain : I know You to be a tender 
 Lambkin, and trembled at the Effects that a Northern blast 
 might have upon that Shadow of a Body when it first 
 
 1 Newtonlimnavaddy. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 189 
 
 approach'd the Arctic Pole. But You are now season'd, and 
 I dare say no Laplander half so hardy ; at least, for the Repose 
 of my Mind I must imagine so. I will paint You Knee deep 
 in Snow, skipping at the Mountains like a wild Goat, or 
 mounted on your Rain-Deer galloping towards your Love, 
 Whom, I hope you visit only with gorgeous Feathers forming 
 an ^Equator round your Body. May She be auspicious to 
 your Wishes and faithfull to her Vows. As for my Part, I 
 shall be glad of a Screen whilst I stay here : Out of the Con- 
 fines of which I stir not without Regret ; Send me a Bear 
 Skin, I beseech You, for a Night Gown, and a brace of Wild 
 Cats to line my Stockings. In short, I grow very old, very 
 lazy and very infirm. My Pains in my Back are Proof of my 
 Age, my great Chair, and Carte's History, of my Laziness, 
 and my Cough and Astma, of my Infirmities. But all these 
 dreadfull Distempers are, in truth, des Maladies imaginaires. 
 They would vanish at the Sight of Marston. Orrery-Farm 
 would drive them into your Continent of Scandanavia, and, 
 since I may venture to use You as my Confessor, Know that I 
 am very well, but languish for my native Home, and chuse to 
 languish by the Fireside, rather than expose my melancholy 
 Countenance in Coflfee-Houses, Taverns and Card Chambers. 
 Where is King Nobby to allure me out of my Foteuille.'' 
 Where is Soc,^ with his Gambadoes to lead me forth into the 
 western Plains ? Ah ! where are my two Spanish Merchants.^ 
 Let me once fix my eyes upon Them, and, like Pope Sextus 
 Quintus, I '1 fling off my Catarrhs, and strut about Marston Hall. 
 You are probably convinced that This is the Iron Age : 
 Wonder not, therefore, that it is stain'd with Brother's Blood. 
 Mr. Gorges has kiU'd Mr. St. Laurence in a Duel ; ask me 
 no particulars : All I can say is That They fought about some 
 
 ^ Mr. Salkeld. ^ His two sons. 
 
190 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 fair Lardella, who was drown'd lately iu the County of 
 
 Kilkenny. This is a noble Theme for the Tea-Tables, who 
 
 have been employ'd lately in anatomizing Dr. Vanleuen, in 
 
 giving L"* Charlemonte the small Pox, and turning It into the 
 
 Meazles, in Killing Dr. Coghill and bringing him to Life 
 
 again, in attending little Sir Gerald Elmer to his Coffin, and 
 
 in healing the Viscount of Stillorgan.^ You will easily guess 
 
 that We have not heard from England lately, when our 
 
 Thoughts are so closely confin'd at home. There are now 
 
 eight Packetts due, and we know not whether the mighty 
 
 Caesar has blest Albion with his Presence or waits confin'd, 
 
 like Agamemmon with his Fleet at Aulis. Your very faithful! 
 
 humble Servant, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO DOCTOR BARRY. 
 
 Dublin, January %th, 1736/7. 
 
 I FANCY, my dear Doctor, the Knight of the long Sword, 
 your evil airy Agent, was at your Elbow when You wrote to 
 me last : Your Letter is so fiU'd with Scales and Purchases 
 that I shall expect to hear soon of an Agreement sign'd 
 between You and my Cousin Clencarthy^ to which Crotty and 
 Company are Witnesses : if so Solamen Meum shall be my 
 Song. Mr. Tighe is daily improving Me by his Correspond- 
 ence : Quotidian Letters pass between Suffolk Street and the 
 Haymarket. They Keep my Hand from the Cramp and the 
 Gout ; of both which I might be in danger, as there are nine 
 Packetts due from England : We are now writing, thro' a 
 Criticism upon Flaminius, Addison and King Logg. 
 
 1 Lord Allen. 
 
 2 Many of the Irish names varied considerably in the spelling, e.g. the Lord of 
 Hoathe on the following page, which is entirely wrong, but it seems better to preserve 
 the text as more characteristic of both the epoch and the individual. 
 

THE ORRERY' PAPERS 191 
 
 Mr. St. Laurence,^ Brother to the Lord of Hoathe, is kill'd 
 by Mr. Gorges, Brother to the Lady of Hoathe : The Story is 
 told five hundred Ways : I leave You to hear It four hundred 
 and ninety-nine, and then I '1 tell You the Truth. Bob Oliver, 
 they say, is kill'd in a Duel by Mr. Cotter : at this rate. Mars 
 must resign to Bacchus in Blood and Slaughter. 
 
 I hope next Sessions will produce an Act of Parliament to 
 banish Smith and Bruce ^ out of his Majesty's Dominions : 
 Notwithstanding my Resolution, they have undone Me. This 
 is the greater imprudence, as your Presents of Books to me 
 have been numerous enough to make a large modern Library. 
 I have procur'd from them a noble Edition of Suetonius. It 
 is just published by Burman in two Volumes Quarto : and as 
 soon as ever the Wind will change I expect a Virgil, in whom 
 I have been looking, but in vain, for some token of Freind- 
 ship towards your Freind and intimate Acquaintance, Horace. 
 Certainly the Mantuan was incapable of so black a Crime as 
 Ingratitude. The Compliments to Flaccus are lost. The 
 iEneid itself owes its preservation to Augustus. No wonder 
 then if Some of his lesser Works are buried in Oblivion and 
 sacrific'd to Time. I doubt not that these were in honour of 
 Maeonides : But We must be thankfull for the great Treasure 
 we have, and not regrett the Greater which We have lost. 
 
 You tax me with a Promise of returning to You in 
 February : I seek not to delay my most desir'd Pleasures, but 
 if Badham says nay, Ixion is not closer fix'd to his Wheel than 
 I am to Dublin. I see our Negotiations will run into the 
 beginning of the Spring. I may hope to dance with the Cork 
 
 1 The family name of the Lord of Howth was anciently Tristram until the owner 
 in one of the fierce local feuds habitual at that period, invoked the aid of St. Lawrence 
 for victory, with a vow of changing his patronymic in the event of that success which 
 he finally gained. 
 
 2 Two booksellers. 
 
192 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 Milk-Maids in May, but sooner don't expect Me, Time may 
 come when my Promise may depend on my Will : then, my 
 dear Doctor, I am all your own. Tecum vivere amem, tecum 
 obeam libens. In the meanwhile I pass my Hours here very 
 agreably in Temperance, Soberness and Chastity : nor could 
 I ... A Parcel is just arriv'd from Mr. Tighe : I must 
 away to my Lexicon, so Adieu. 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 P.S. — As to the New Year, Accept the Compliment made 
 to Augustus, Multos et Felices ! 
 
 TO THE REV. MARMADUKE PHILIPS. 
 
 Dublin, January \%tk, 1736-37. 
 
 Limnavaddy's Postmaster convey'd to me Yesterday 
 yours of the 1 5th, and You see I lose no Time in returning 
 my Thanks for It. The Truth is, I have at present some 
 leisure hours upon my Hands. Badham is out of Town : 
 And to his Absence You owe my Punctuality. When the 
 Cat 's away The Mice play : At his Return my Letters must 
 be shorter and less frequent. 
 
 Barry is perfectly well : If He were not I should be the 
 last Man to Know it : but when I have a testimony under his 
 Hand I am pretty sure my Information is right. He sings 
 Catches with the Bishop and Miss Donellan from morning till 
 Night unless call'd away to attend the Gout : A Change not 
 less dreadfull than mine, who must go from reading your 
 Letters to examine my Attorney's Accounts. 
 
 The Dean feasted his Clergy last week with Ladies, Music, 
 Meat and Wine ; as a Musician I gain'd Admittance to join 
 Chorus with Away with Cuzzoni, Away with Faustina. You 
 may imagine I panted not after Home that Day : but if Soc 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 193 
 
 had been there to suit his words to the music well, we had 
 been the more and consequently the merrier. 
 
 We are in daily hopes to hear of his Majesty's safe Arrival 
 after a tedious Stay at Helvoetsluys then Unico Gaudens Mulier 
 Marito prodeat, justis operata Divis} So much for the State of 
 Loyalty in this Kingdom, now for That of Learning, Carte, 
 as I told You, sett all Eyes at Work upon the Life of 
 James the first D. of Ormonde : by which means I am become 
 as well acquainted with S' Phelim O'Rrile and Niac-TuUough- 
 Odonnooughe as if we had been Brother Rebels together : in 
 serious Truth, it is the first and best History of those Times 
 that has yet appear' d : and I hope will produce many Memoirs 
 and curious Papers that at present lye hid in Dust and Dark- 
 ness. They talk of some new Poems to come out soon, 
 among which is Cum tot sustineas by Mr. Pope. 
 
 The next News I must tell You is that Beauty flourishes as 
 usual ; New Venus's arise from the Seas that wash our Shores, 
 and every Venus may meet with a Mars if She pleases. I stare 
 at 'em as bold as your Pig star'd at the D. of Somerset. — I am, 
 dear Sir, Yours most cordially, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO AMBROSE PHILIPS, ESQ. 
 
 Dublin, Suffolk Street, January zznd, 1736/37. 
 
 Sir, — Next to seeing You, hearing from You will be the 
 greatest Pleasure I can have, except when your Letters tell me 
 You are confined by a Cold. The Accusation is a very heavy 
 One, and I bear it with Reluctance, tho' the Lady is turn'd 
 out of Threescore, No Man is a fitter Judge in the Affair 
 than yourself. Lady Vesey order'd me to write verses. I 
 
 ' Horace. 
 VOL, I. N 
 
194 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 was silent. She is angry. But if her Ladyship will please to 
 recollect what Vida says, I am sure she will forgive me. Not 
 your own Nightingale, Sir, wiU sing at all Times and Seasons. 
 It is no wonder therefore, If I am often out of Tune. Lett 
 the Bp first preach to her Lad^ for four hours together, and 
 then my Rhimes shall be forthcoming. 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 FROM DR. BARRY. 
 
 Febry. ist, 1736/37. 
 
 While I thought myself invulnerable and had bid Adieu 
 to all pain, I was seizd with a confounded toothach, I had the 
 suspected one extracted, but since it has ragd more violently in 
 the rest. I must wait with patience for ease, and since all 
 other applications have faild, I have taken up my pen to try 
 the eifect of writing to my dear Lord Orrery, while my 
 thoughts are fixd there, I think I must forgett all pain. 
 
 I have spent these three or four nights past in chewing 
 Tobacco and reading Rollins History : he is a most virtuous 
 Writer, and never omits dwelling on any Circumstance which 
 might improve the mind of his Reader. The translation seems 
 to be just and clear, which makes a very ample amends for any 
 trifling irregularity in some Expressions. I was particularly 
 pleasd with the following passage, and having lately read the 
 trial of the Bp of Rochester and George Kelly it probably 
 made a greater Impression on me. Artaxerxes, he says, gave 
 a fine example of the just rigor which ought to be exercisd 
 against false Informers. One of the King's favourites, envious 
 of the merits of one of his best Officers, accused him privately, 
 and endeavoured to make his Fidelity suspected ; on a fair and 
 impartial Examination he was cleard, and all the King's in- 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 195 
 
 dignation fell on the perfidious Informer, The Reflexions 
 RoUin makes on this occasion are very just. The wise Prince 
 knew that one of the true Signs of a prudent Government was 
 to have his Subjects stand more in fear of the Laws than of 
 Informers, and thought that to have acted otherwise would 
 have been a direct Violation of the most common Rules of 
 natural Equity and humanity. It would have been opening a 
 Door to Envy, Hatred, Calumny, and Revenge: it would 
 have been exposing the honest simplicity of his subjects to the 
 cruel Malice of dei^^stable Informers, and arming those with 
 the sword of public authority : In a word, it would have been 
 divesting the Throne of the most noble privilege belonging to 
 it, namely, of being a Sanctuary for Innocence and Justice 
 against Violence and Calumny. 
 
 Who would have expected such a long winded Assyrian 
 tale from one who pretends to have been in so much pain. I 
 did not think it would have taken up half so much space in my 
 letter. I could wish S' John Bowles Case was to be judgd by 
 one of Artaxerxes' prudence. I have not yet seen the Bp's 
 Ladies to communicate it to them, 
 
 I know not what to make of one part of y"^ letter about 
 advising you to drink Bath Waters. I fear I shall not see you 
 in Corke, even in May, and that you turn your face to Eng- 
 land I do not repine if it is necessary or agreeable to yr 
 Inclinations, for my prevailing passion is your happyness, but 
 yet I cannot forbear wishing that your Pindaric gay Stile has 
 lead me into an Error. I think I have found out a new Charm 
 for the toothach, am now almost free from pain. To-morrow 
 I 'U pay a visit to Sappho and will compleat the cure. 
 
 I am my dearest Lord Orrery's faithfuU and Affectionate, 
 
 ED. BARRY. 
 
 Orrery Suay, Feb. ist, 1736/7. 
 
196 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 TO THE BISHOP OF CORK. 
 
 Dublin, Feb. lotk, ^Ti^-^y. 
 
 My Lord, — Killarney is all our own. I have a Patent for 
 it from Lady Fingall. She is lately come forth from offering 
 her Vows of Gratitude to Lucina, and looks like Venus after 
 She had given .ffineas to the World. Her Lad^^ fair 
 daughter sends her sprawling compliments to the Bishop of 
 Corke. Blanda atque infracta loquela. 
 
 The Happiness I propose to myself in waiting upon your 
 L^ and Mrs. Clayton to Killarney is not to be express'd. If 
 you have a mind to be troubled with me in Ireland longer 
 than I intend to stay, deferr this Kerry Journey from Time 
 to Time, and I shall wait fourteen Years with Jacob's Patience 
 in expectation of It. 
 
 Let me know, my Lord, when I am to issue out my 
 Orders to Will. Taylor to fatten his Sheep, cram his Turkeys 
 and air his Sheets. We must call at his Castle, and the Giant 
 will feast us nobly I warrant You. But I beseech You, my 
 good Lord, prevail upon the Bp of Cloyne to fling aside all 
 Thoughts of the Mathematics during our Voyage, and apply 
 himself wholly to a short Notice of Killarny. There is a 
 Llough worth a thousand burning Rivers. There are Hills 
 that will employ our visive Faculties during the Time Wc 
 stay. They vie in Beauty with Libanus, in Height with the 
 Apenines : The ever verdant Woods nourish innumerable 
 Choiristers : The feathered Tribe shall testifye their Joy at 
 your Arrival by their Songs. Earth will look gay : Phoebus 
 will smile : The lordly Stag shall be rouz'd from his Covert. 
 The nimble footed Hound shall pursue Him. The prowling 
 Fox shall be laid prostrate on the Earth, and Shoals of Salmon 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 197 
 
 shall court your Lordship's Bait, and be proud to fall victims 
 to your ivory Rod. These, these are the Pleasures of Kil- 
 larney, or if you will have more regal Honours, King Sullivan 
 shall attend You in his Boat, and Lord Fitz Maurice salute You 
 with Canon from his Castle. But, Ah ! my Lord, Consider 
 whence these Honours spring : From the Indulgence of a 
 Young Lady whose Nights are pass'd in lonely Weariness and 
 contemplative Widowhood. Is It not a Pity that She who can 
 give so much Delight should receive None herself. — I am, my 
 Lord, Your Lp= most obedient humble Servant, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 P.S. — Deo favente, I will kiss yr L^^ Hand at Bishop's 
 Town before Lady Day. 
 
 TO LORD BATHURST. 
 
 Dublin, Feb. iitk, 1736-37. 
 
 My Lord, — This comes to your LordP in the Cause of 
 Beauty. Mrs. Southwell Is call'd to England to defend the 
 Right of her infant Daughter. Matre pulchrd Filia pulchrior. 
 I need make no Apology to your Lord^ when so blooming a 
 Widow commands me to entreat your Attendance : And as I 
 belelve She will deliver you my Letter, the sooner I take off 
 your Eyes from the Paper to fix them on a fairer Object, the 
 more you '1 be convlnc'd that I am, my Lord, Your L^^ most 
 obedient and most humble Servant, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
198 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 TO DOCTOR BARRY. 
 
 Dublin, Febry. ijth, 1736-37. 
 
 Your Compliments of Condolance, my dear Doctor, on 
 the Death of the Good Centurion ^ are very Kind ; as are 
 your Wishes for the young Heroes, his Grandsons. The old 
 Man has left his Riches where They ire most wanted — to his 
 eldest Daughter, his proper Heir : but I fear when our 
 Divisions are made. Her Acquisition will not be so great as I 
 wish It. 
 
 Ah! Doctor, our Interest at Court is at an End. The D. 
 of Dorset is Lord Steward, the D. of Devonshire is our Vice- 
 Roy. Farewell all Honours at the Castle ! Family Dinners, 
 Royal Card Playing, Circle Whispers all Farewell! Harris 
 and I shall now bow undistinguish'd in the Croud, and only 
 haunt the Places where our Power died. It seems strange 
 that the Deposition of one King and the Accession of another 
 should afford so little variety in the State of Europe. The 
 Emperour, the D. of Lorain, and Don Carlos are as unmov'd 
 at the regal Revolutions in Ireland as if We were of no 
 Weight in the Balance of Power. Nor is the Queen of 
 Spain's Ambition, nor the King of France's Thirst of 
 Hunting aUay'd by the Change. No Blood is spilt, no 
 Treatys are sign'd. No Canons verberate the Sky ; not even 
 the Music of the Spheres is heard on so important an 
 Occasion. The Ministers at Foreign Courts remain in Statu 
 quo. Robinson stirrs not from Vienna. Mr. Trevor con- 
 tinues to deliver in Memorials at the Hague ; and Lord 
 Walgrave goes constantly once a week to Versailles. So the 
 Rest. Walter Cary ^ only is remov'd, and the Politicians tell 
 
 1 Lord Orkney. 2 Secretary to the Duke of Dorset. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 199 
 
 us, Mr. Edward Walpole ^ is appointed his Successor. Thus 
 will this young Gentleman become a Minister at once. These 
 are the Trammels that his wise Father putts him into, in order 
 to form him to go hereafter thro' rougher Roads and deeper 
 Ways. 
 
 I am coming towards You apace. I leave Dublin on the 
 4th of March, and hope to reach Orrery Quay on the eighth. 
 The next News I have to tell You shall be communicated by 
 word of Mouth. At my Leisure hours I intend to divert 
 myself at Corke by flinging Stones at Frogs, and by mixing in 
 all humility in the reasonable Pleasures of the Black Guards 
 upon the Quay. They meet with no disappointments, They 
 know no Sorrows, and they fear no Kings. My Hand is 
 wearied with writing on melancholy Occasions to my Freinds: 
 You cannot say too much for me to the Archdeacon : ^ I love 
 him, and I feel his Afflictions. Adieu. 
 
 TO MRS. CAESAR. 
 
 Dublin, February z^h, 1736-37. 
 
 You see, Madam, what are the Promises of an Irish Lord. 
 We learn from our Tenants never to be punctual. Delays 
 give Us an Air of Importance, and The State might be in 
 Danger and we attend to such Trifles as Usquebaugh and a 
 Copy of Verses. But now You are in Possession of Both. 
 Remember I have a Promise under your Hand (not a Word of 
 It wrong spelt) ^ to send Me a Cargo of News as a Cordial to 
 keep out Vapours in the black Mountains of Tiperary. I 
 shall leave Dublin next Week. The City of Corke will 
 
 1 Second son to Sir R. Walpole. 
 
 2 Archdeacon Russell, whose sister-in-law died at this time. 
 
 ' Lord Orrery's own eccentricities in spelling scarcely constitute him an absolute 
 Authority on this point. 
 
200 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 receive Me within her Gates for some Time : and after a few 
 Excursions to Places with whose harsh Irish Names I shall not 
 trouble You, I intend to return to this dirty Metropolis. 
 Letters directed hither will find me, tho' chin-deep in a Bog. 
 
 The Dean,^ Madam, toasted You Yesterday. You reign 
 absolute Sovereign of his Heart. By the by, He owes his 
 Peace and Safety to his Gown ; My Sword, otherwise, should 
 teach him to pledge, not give your Health. 
 
 I mention You not to Falkner.' You have made him too 
 mad already. He has a deaf Prentice who makes up Packetts 
 of Books and Newspapers. This Urchin, when He cannot 
 understand what his Master means, directs aU the Parcels to 
 Mrs. Caesar. The Name immediately inspires Falkner with 
 good humour ; He smiles, addresses the Books to the right 
 Places, and chucks the Boy under the Chin. Incidents of this 
 kind happen every Day. He has enhanced the Price of 
 Caesar's Commentaries ever since. I told him, Your Family 
 was descended from Julius ; and being unable any longer 
 to live out of the Sunshine of your Countenance, He 
 designs to visit You this Summer in Person. In the mean 
 Time, You will have all the new Nonsense that his Shop 
 affords. 
 
 I wish'd the Dutchess of Portland a Son instead of a 
 Daughter. Be so good. Madam, to make my Compliments 
 to my Lord and Lady Oxford : Do not let my Lord Strafford 
 forgett Me. If my humble Service does not interrupt the 
 Buesness of the Session, Lord Shaftesbury, I hope, will accept 
 of It. 
 
 I am, to Mr. and Mrs. Caesar, a most obedient humble 
 Servant, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 1 Dean Swift. ^ ^ bookseller. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 201 
 
 FROM DR. BARRY. 
 
 Feb. 26, 1736/7. 
 
 I FIND my mind as much unmoved as Kouls Cows at the 
 revolution in Ireland, let Fortune freely play her Game, every- 
 thing I think, happens for the best, at least, I shaU never repine 
 while I have so near a prospect of seeing my dear Lord Orrery 
 again. I wish now for the Ides of March more than Caesar 
 ever dreaded them. The chief design of this Letter is to desire 
 yr Lordship to avoid the night air, and to gett into your Inn 
 early, the you are obliged to rise two hours earlier than usual. 
 You see this dangerous season has had the assurance to invade 
 even his Sacred Majesty, and has laid the Chancellor in the 
 dust. I design to putt Miss Donellan in a course of Sperma- 
 Ceti to strengthen her Voice and Lungs for Veni Caro when 
 you arrive. Mr. Loyd, a great favourite of the Bishop's, has 
 been very ill, but is now recovered. The Archdeacon looks 
 better than ever. Sitting up to attend the Sick and getting two 
 hundred a year agree admirably well with him. I believe 
 it is a more powerful Alterative than Ward's pill, nil mihi 
 rescribas attamen ipse Veni to yr Faithfull and AiFectionate, 
 
 ED. BARRY. 
 
 TO ROBERT DEAN, ESQ. 
 
 Dublin, March ^rd, 1736-37. 
 
 Dear Sir, — The Account You have given me of the 
 Debate on the Army is so full and perfect that I question 
 whether the Lord Justices themselves have had so good 
 Intelligence of that Affair. Is Sir Rob. Walpole dying, that 
 He distributes his Legacies already to his Successors.? Or 
 does He imagine His Words will remain safe and secret 
 
202 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 because spoken under the Rose ? But what have we 
 Hibernians to do with English great Ministers ? If the 
 Primate continues to wear his own grizly Locks, and the 
 Chancellor does not lessen a Curl in his Padagonian Perri- 
 wig. We are happy enough ; and can amuse ourselves in 
 pulling down Bridges that were never built, or in building 
 Hospitals for the Healthy, Observatorys for the Blind, and 
 Senate Houses for the Dumb. 
 
 All Expectations are rais'd. All Eyes are open to know 
 how this Division between the King and the Prince will end. 
 Certainly, Sir, old Saturn was a wise Monarch, and had not 
 Mother Rhea deceiv'd him, His Majesty would have reign'd 
 King of the Skies still : See the dismal effects of not eating 
 our Children assoon as born ! I remember Virgil, tho' he 
 paints iEneas as a very fine Fellow, yett he makes puer Ascanius 
 not content with common Game, but wishing for Lions and 
 Boars to hunt down and conquer. Fuer Ascanius was a little 
 imprudent, Sir, if once his Head had been in the Lion's Mouth, 
 his hunting Days had been over. 
 
 What shall I say, Sir, to that part of your Letter wherein 
 Ypu ask for some of those Trifles that serve to Kill my idle 
 Hours. It is impossible to deny You any Thing. Sed nescis 
 insane quod optas. Are You not troubled with Jargon enough 
 at the Temple } Are you not sick of Rhymes ? If you are 
 not I find You desire to be so, but I must in every instance 
 shew myself Your very obedient, faithfull humble Servant, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 203 
 
 TO THE HON. BARON WAYNRIGHT. 
 
 Corke, March i^tA, 1736-37. 
 
 You must allow Me, my dear Baron, to converse with 
 You upon Paper, since my malitious Stars have divided Us so 
 far asunder. I must interrupt your Retirement at Meryan, 
 if It be only to tell You the Price of Beef at Corke : nay, I 
 must hear from You sometimes, and am unreasonable enough 
 to hope for a Correspondence in which I am sure to be a 
 Gainer, and You are sure not to be so. 
 
 As it is Sunday night, I cannot help fancying You are in 
 the blue Room at the Deanery, and if I could transport my 
 Body as easily as I can my Thoughts, I should be of the 
 Party : but alass ! my Doom is to be but seldom where my 
 Wishes are. Instead of Baron Waynright and the Dean of 
 St. Patricks, I have Gaggen the Butcher on one side of me, 
 and Jonas Devonshire the Quaker, on the Other. Instead of 
 hearing Poems on the Spleen,^ I am listning to Lectures on 
 Salt Butter, or, what is worse, learning how to preserve rotten 
 Cheese. Yet even this is preferable to the dreadfull Scene of 
 the approaching Assizes. Methinks I hear the Noise already, 
 methinks I am jost'ling thro' the Croud, forcing my way 
 towards Sir John^ and practising my Bows that have been so 
 often repeated to no Purpose at St. James's. Dick B — h is 
 goggling his Eyes at Me, or whispering loud as Thunder in 
 my Ear. The Esquires are loading Me with Embraces, and 
 caressing Me as if I was their Pet Dog, or favorite Horse. 
 O my dear Baron, support Me under all this Fatigue. Tell 
 me that You are well and that the two Ladies (whom I admire 
 so constantly but unwittingly up Stairs) defy Colds and keep 
 
 • An excellent poem on the Spleen had lately come out. 
 2 St. Leger. 
 
204 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 Complaints at as great a Distance as the Arctic is from the 
 Antarctic Pole. Such News will be a Cordial in all Circum- 
 stances and will give me Spirits to fight my Battles at Law with 
 Courage, and to repay my Tenants in Noise and ChearfuUness 
 equally loud with their own. Thus will your Letters prove a 
 Charm to protect and preserve Me in the Day of Evil. 
 
 We remembered Your summa Amicitia at the B^ of 
 Ossory's : He is tied by the Toe, and speaks, thinks and 
 dreams of Nothing but Elections. I own It sounds odd to 
 hear so mild and sweet natur'd a Prelate talking in the style 
 of Ajax, and denouncing War in the softest Voice and most 
 smiling Countenance imaginable. It calls to my Mind the 
 Figure of Camilla, dealing about Death and Destruction and 
 looking like the Picture of Gentleness and Peace. 
 
 Not a word have I heard from England, my Freinds there 
 imagine I am buried in a Bog, and in these dangerous Times 
 It Is most prudent not to undeceive Them. But if my Motto 
 as to That Island be Oblitusque meorum, obliviscendus et Illis 
 You see, here I act another Part, and have taken the earliest 
 Opportunity to assure You that I am, dear Sir, Your most 
 affectionate falthfuU humble Servant, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO DEAN SWIFT. 
 
 Corke, March 15, 1736-37. 
 
 Dear Sir, — I receiv'd your Commands, by Falkner, to 
 write to You ; but What can I say ? The Scene of Corke is 
 ever the same, dull, insipid and void of all Amusement. His 
 sacred Majesty was not under greater Difficulty to find out 
 Diversions at Helvoetsleys than I am here. The Butchers 
 are as greasy, the Quakers as formal, and the Presby- 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 205 
 
 terians as holy and as full of the Lord as usual. AU Things 
 are in Statu quo. Even the Hogs and Pigs gruntle in the 
 same Cadence as of yore. Unfurnished with Variety, droop- 
 ing from the natural Dullness of the Place, Materials for a 
 Letter are as hard to find as Money, Love, Honesty or 
 Truth. But I 'U write on ; Ogilby, Blackmore and Lord 
 Grim have done the same before me. 
 
 I have not yet been upon the Change, but am told that 
 You are the Idol of the Court of Aldermen. They either 
 have, or intend to send You Your Freedom, but the most 
 learned of Them, having read a dreadfull Account in Little- 
 ton's Dictionary of Pandora's Gold Box, It was unanimously 
 agreed not to venture so valuable a Present in so dangerous a 
 Metal. Had these sage Counsellors consider'd that Pandora 
 was a Woman (which perhaps Mr. Litdeton forgets to 
 mention) They would have seen that the ensuing Evils arose 
 from the Sex and not from the Ore. But I shall speak with 
 more Certainty of these Affairs when I have taken my Seat 
 amongst Greybeards and Wise Noddles. 
 
 My Letters from England, which are just come-in, speak of 
 great Combustions there. Absolom continues still a Rebel to 
 the royal David : The Achitophels ^ of the Age are numerous 
 and high-spirited. The Influence of the new Star seems to 
 have strange Effects already : In the mean Time here live We 
 Drones of Cork, wrapt up in our own Filth. Procul a Jove, 
 et procul a Fulmine. Heaven and all good Stars protect You ! 
 for let the Thunder burst where it will, so that You are safe 
 and unsing'd, who cares whether Persia submits its Govern- 
 ment to the recovered Kouli-Can, or to that beardless Youth 
 the Sophi, at least the Vicar of Bray and I shall be content. 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 1 See Dryden's Panther. 
 
2o6 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 TO THOMAS SOUTHERNE, ESQ. 
 
 Corke, March zotk, 1736-37. 
 
 My dear old Man, — I have quitted Dublin and its 
 alluring Pleasures for the Ox-slaying City of Corke. I have 
 exchanged the Dainties of my Lord Kildare's Table for Ben: 
 Pykes Tongue, and Jack Harper's Trype and Dumplings. 
 My Sonnets are turn'd into Bills of Exchange, my Coach and 
 Six into a Beef Cart, and my clouded Cane into an oaken 
 Cudgell. Instead of leading up Minuets with the Gaiety of a 
 Frenchman, I wear a busy Face, double sol'd Shoes and 
 dairn'd Stockings. But notwithstanding This, We are not 
 entirely void of Elegance at Corke. We have a Bishop, who, 
 as He has travel'd beyond the Alps, has brought home with 
 him, to the amazement of our merchantile Fraternity, the Arts 
 and Sciences that are the Ornament of Italy and the Admira- 
 tion of the European World. He eats, drinks and sleeps in 
 Taste. He has Pictures by Carlo, Morat, Music by Corelli, 
 Castles in the Air by Vitruvius ; and on High-Days and 
 Holidays We have the Honour of catching Cold at a Venetian 
 door. To crown All, he is nearly allied to Lady Sundon,^ and 
 can by that Channel recommend us to our royal Lord the 
 King, or our Sovereign Lady the Queen. Are not We a 
 happy People who can receive Blessings from Heaven and 
 from Earth, by the Breath of One and the same Plan ? How 
 different are our Times to what they were? Under the 
 Reign of Doctor Brown, our late Pastor, We trembled at a 
 Bumper, and loath'd the glorious Memory. We were as 
 silent and melancholy as Captives, and We were Strangers to 
 Mirth even by Analogy. Under the Reign of Dr. Clayton 
 
 1 One of Queen Caroline's favourite Ladies of the Bedchamber, originally Mrs. 
 Clayton. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 207 
 
 We sing Catches, read Pastor Fido, and talk of Love. Thus 
 if One Road does not lead to Paradise, we try another, and 
 shall either get there by Analogy or by Taste at last. Adieu, 
 my dear old Man ; Live on : Vye with Methusalem. Let Me 
 find You in perfect Health this Summer. I long to embrace 
 You, and tell You how much I am Your, etc., 
 
 O. 
 
 TO BARON WAYNRIGHT. 
 
 Corke, March zznd, 1736-37. 
 
 I ACCEPT the Omen, and shall sacrifice this Night to the 
 
 D. of N . His Speeches hereafter will sound like Tullys : 
 
 They will be Eloquence itself, which, if not persuasive, at 
 least must be admir'd. I wonder not that your Letters should 
 be slow in their Voyage to Corke. The Originals are safe, 
 but the Copies may perhaps serve the Leisure of the Post 
 Master. There are Curls in every Island ; however, yours of 
 the 1 7th stopt not even to be open'd. 
 
 Poor Lady Antrim ! I am sorry to loose the Sight of that 
 fair Face, but cannot be sorry that She is releived from Misery. 
 Disconsolate Widowers without Children must take Comfort 
 in another Wife. No News from England ! The Winds are 
 very unwilling to turn their Backs upon Affluence and Happi- 
 ness, and their Faces towards Misery and Want. Adieu, my 
 dear Baron ! I am sure, tho' the Mountains of Kilworth 
 and Kilcash are between Us, You will not forget 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
2o8 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 TO THE HON. MRS. TICHBOURNE.i 
 
 Corke, March 2$tk, 1737. 
 
 Madam, — I have often told You that, like Shadrac, 
 Meshac and Abednego, You and your two Fair Daughters 
 liv'd free and unhurt in the Midst of Fire. But Have I not 
 Reason to think You are sing'd when, after so many Letters 
 to Somerset House, Not one Word returns in Answer. You 
 leave me to the melancholy Consolation of singing Collin for- 
 saken and gone, and You force me if possible, to hate Courts 
 more than ever. I sigh to myself when I recal to my 
 Memory the happy Hours I have pass'd in old Times under 
 the royal Roof. I cannot erase from my Heart your former 
 Grace and Favour, but I had been happier had I never Known 
 it : for one month longer I am resolv'd to beleive myi pro- 
 ceeding Letters lost; but if in that Time I do not receive 
 Assurances that You and the young Ladies have not entirely 
 buried Me in Oblivion, farewell to this vain World. 1 1 seek 
 some Kinder Shore, or hang myself in the first Potato Garden 
 I come at. A discarded Minister is the Object of universal 
 Contempt. How then can I appear when Mrs. Tichbourne 
 will not honour Me with her Commands .'' Yet I may say 
 with Wolsey, that. Had I serv'd Heaven with half the Zeal I 
 serv'd my Mistress, / had not been forsaken. Lady A. often 
 enquires after You, but I know not where You are, or how 
 You are employ'd. Sometimes, methinks I see you combing 
 the royal Locks, or pouring Water from a golden Vase upon 
 those Hands which all good Subjects salute with a holy Kiss. 
 Then again, I paint You return'd like Penelope to your Web : 
 Miss Tichbourne on one Side, Miss Baba on the Other. The 
 
 1 One of the Queen's Dressers. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 209 
 
 One reading, the Other making lively Comments on the Book : 
 Sometimes I flatter myself with imagining that my Name is 
 mention'd, and that You are inventing some future Questions 
 to distract my Brain, but perhaps All this is an airy Dream : 
 The cruel Head-Ach may have got Possession of You, and 
 You are languishing in Bed. Miss Baba's Illness may be 
 return'd, or some unhappy Reason may have caus'd your long 
 Silence. Break thro' it if possible, and ease the Doubts and 
 Fears of. Madam, Your most obedient faithful! humble 
 Servant, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO DEAN SWIFT. 
 
 Corke, April ■^rd, 1737. 
 
 Dear Sir, — I am very glad there are twelve thousand 
 Pounds worth of Halfpence ^ arrived. They are twelve thou- 
 sand Arguments for your quitting Ireland. I look upon you in 
 the same State of the unfortunate Achaemenides ; amidst 
 Gyants and Monsters : Do you not remember the Description 
 of Polypheme and his Den ? . . . Translate those Lines, 
 and come away with Me to Marston : there You shall enjoy 
 
 Otium cum dignitate. There You shall see the famous S 
 
 and his two Pupils, who shall attend your Altars with daily 
 Incense. There no Archbishop can intrude. There You shall 
 be the sole Lord and Master, while We your Subjects shall 
 learn Obedience from our happiness. If You ever can think 
 seriously, think so now, and let me end with the Curate of my 
 Parish : ' Consider what has been said unto You, Ponder it 
 well, Lay it up in your Heart, and God of his infinite Mercy 
 direct You.' 
 
 You tell me I am to carry a Load for You to England, 
 
 I Sent from England for the use of Ireland at this time. 
 VOL. I. O 
 
2IO THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 The most acceptable load will be yourself : and that I would 
 carry with as true Piety as ^neas bore the antient Anchises on 
 his Shoulders when he fled from Fire, from Blood, from 
 Greeks and from ruin'd Troy. Can You expect that Lords 
 move regularly ? Is it not below our Station to think Where 
 or When we are to go ? But if my Coach and Six is in order, 
 perhaps I may have the honour to strutt and stare in Stevens 
 Green about the first of next Month. In the middle of June 
 I will hope to set Sail with You to England. Mr. Pope will 
 come out beyond the shore to meet You : You will exchange 
 Cyclops for Men, and if One must fall, the Choice is not 
 difficult : Si pereo, manibus hominum periisse juvabit. 
 
 My next shall be longer. I am now forc'd to bid You 
 farewell. But hereafter expect my whole Life and Conversa- 
 tion. You shall certainly have the Cheeses. If You will come 
 to Somersetshire I will eat one for Joy. The best in England 
 are made on my Mannor. I am so well, that I had almost 
 forgot to answer that kind part of your Letter. You, and 
 only You, can add Health and Happiness to Your very 
 affectionate, oblig'd and faithfuU Servant, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO THE REV. MR. MAURICE. 
 
 Corke, April ^rd, 1737. 
 
 Tho' a Welchman, I am sure You will not be angry with- 
 out a Cause. Did my Motions depend upon my one Will 
 and Pleasure, Grennan's ^ Roof should be seldom without me. 
 The long Canal should be my Looking Glass. I would court 
 your Naids and cultivate a Freindship with your Tritons. I 
 would become an amphibious Animal, and live less upon Earth 
 
 * Mr. Maurice's house. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 211 
 
 than in the Water. But alass ! I am under the Command of 
 Others, and must obey my Superior Officer. To whatever 
 Post my Attorney orders me, thither must I repair in all 
 Speed ; and even pass by Grennan when sent to defend a 
 Forte at Corke. Here I am, my dear Freind, fighting daily 
 like Hector of Troy or Don Belliarius of Greece, hitherto 
 victorious, but I can say with Pyrrhus, Many more such 
 Victories would undo me. 
 
 Was I not born under an unlucky Star, to be here when 
 You are in Dublin ? For the space of a Month before I left 
 It, I imagin'd every Wrap I heard at my Door was Ned 
 Maurice, but that piece of good Fortune was reserved for my 
 Lord of Fernes.^ Did I think I should live to envy him for 
 being happier than I am ? Till now I never wish'd him so. 
 But if You '1 come from Him to Me, He shall have my Vote 
 to be Primate of Ireland ; so little do I envy a Rival, when not 
 in possession of the object of my affection. 
 
 Shall I trust You with a Secret ? I am impatient to be in 
 England. I could go there even in Company of your Witch of 
 Endor.^ But on no other Terms am I fond of seeing her 
 again. To be serious, I am highly delighted with your Play. 
 There are a thousand fine Things in It. My Aversion to old 
 Women is insuperable, and perhaps I give too great a Loose to 
 It when I would absolutely banish that antient Lady. She is 
 drawn too like Nature to please. David's Character is finely 
 painted. I see in Jonathan that your Soul is capable of the 
 highest Freindship. How happy then am I to have so many 
 Marks of it. This is a random Shott at You. I hope it will 
 hit not hurt the mark. Charles Echlin has quite forgott Us. 
 He is repos'd at Ease in the damask Room. Archdeacon 
 
 1 Dr. Edward Syng, Bishop of Femes. 
 
 2 Mr. Maurice had written a play wherein he had introduced the Witch of Endor. 
 
212 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 Russell desires to be remembered to, You. He is coming into 
 our mournful Class and will very shortly be an unfortunate 
 Widower as well as Your very obedient faithfuU Servant 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO ARCHDEACON RUSSELL. 
 
 Orrery Siuay, April ^k, 1737. 
 
 My dear Arch Deacon, — If I could paint to myself any 
 Method upon Earth that my Company might be either ser- 
 viceable or amusing to You, I would run the hazard of being 
 thought impertinent in order to do You Good : but my 
 Mother has left me so much of her own Temper that I fear I 
 should rather increase than alleviate your just Sorrow. You 
 are form'd by Heaven for your own Physician and I can only 
 offer You a very sincere Heart that loves you entirely, and 
 assure You whenever You permitt Me to see You, I '1 forgett 
 my own Affliction in hopes to lessen Yours. Our dear, our 
 best, our incomparable Freind ^ is gone to Castle-Lyons. He 
 is in excellent Health. He increases in it every Day. We 
 shall preserve him almost as long as We can wish ; longer we 
 cannot. Take care of yourself, therefore, for his sake ; and in 
 doing so you will beyond expression oblige Your affectionate 
 and faithfuU 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO BARON WAYNRIGHT. 
 
 Corke, April ^th, 1737. 
 
 I SEE You, my dear Baron, plac'd like Neptune, amidst 
 Cataracts and Billows. The graceful Amphi trite * on one hand 
 and the antient Oceana^ on the Other, whilst I, an humble 
 
 1 Dt. Barry. 2 His wife. 3 His mother. 
 
'.y/tfy r/l(fny..yVla/r'U/^'7fj'/if/,/^i/-i'. 
 
 '" CiJa^s^ &'So<.^cr^^ ,,AJi-. <Sc . 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 213 
 
 Triton, blow your Praises from Shore to Shore. The Dean 
 ought to have followed the example of Veianus, and should 
 long ago have hung up his Harp in the Temple of Apollo. I 
 greive to see him in the wrong, and am desirous to snatch him 
 if possible from his little Senate. He shall have a Tripos at 
 Marston, and our Western Farmers shall gain Wisdom as 
 they gaze : but if He remains here I dread 
 
 ^tnaes Fratres, cceIo capita alta ferentes, 
 Concilium horrendum ! 
 
 I have some Scenes which, if I can paint in their true Colours 
 to You will make you smile. I beleive even Gaggen and 
 Devonshire are Politicians. The One cuts not up an Heifer, 
 nor does the Other broil a Stake, without a Scheme. I see 
 much, I hear more, but I am dumb as Mrs. Palliser tiU I visit 
 Mary of Medicis,^ and fall prostrate at the feet of your royal 
 Porus,^ The Bishop of Cloyne^ lives amidst Knights, 
 Colonels, Squires (I had almost said Lords) and great Men; 
 like the King of France, he is surrounded by his Swiss, and I 
 presume not to shew my Face in his Antichamber. Could We 
 draw him towards the peaceful Regions of Orrery-Quay, I 
 might learn to sail in burning Rivers and flaming Lakes. 
 
 Mars and BeUona have lately presided at our Assembly. 
 Slaughter and Confusion have drove away the Ladies to distant 
 Plains. Venus and Mrs. Clayton are fled into the Country. 
 Miss DonaUan is gone to join Chorus with the Nightingales 
 and feather'd Tribe. Miss Firth to mix in the Chace with 
 Diana and her Nymphs : but, thank Heaven, Lady Devonshire 
 stays behind. Quitt your Drums and Trumpets when next 
 You visit this sanguinary City, and fly to the hospitable Roof I 
 live under. There feast your Soul with Dr. Barry, Rava Avis 
 
 1 Two prints in the Baron's parlour. ^ Dr. Berkeley. 
 
214 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 in 'Terra ! But when You are both happy as the Similitude 
 
 of your Hearts and Heads can make You, do not forget in 
 
 your Mirth Your faithful! and affectionate 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO CHARLES ECKLIN, ESQ. 
 
 Corke, April 8/^, 1737. 
 
 Dear Sir, — To imagine that amid the Glories of Grosvenor 
 Square, You should remember an Exile in Munster, is, I con- 
 fess, a Folly which I dare not indulge. Stretch'd at your Ease 
 in your damask Sopha, You fling not a Thought away upon 
 poor Ireland, unless some merry Story of our blundering 
 Countrymen extorts from You a smile. You despise Us, and 
 hold the Inhabitants and the Potatoes at an equal Value. Tis 
 true We are a miserable People, and the only Thing we have to 
 boast of is your Birth : but I conjure you by all the Pleasures 
 you now enjoy, by the Raptures You feel at Farinelli's Voice, 
 by the Honours You receive in the Circle at St. James's, by 
 Farces, by Operas, by Masquerades, do not entirely abandon 
 Us. Cherish Us at least with the hopes of seeing You agaiH~ 
 in the Kingdom. Revive us by a Line under your Hand, and 
 fling away, for once, your Judgement to indulge your good 
 Nature. 
 
 Dr. Barry pours out Libations to You twice a day. Ned 
 Maurice, tho' He rails at Absentees, always excepts You out of 
 the Number. The Dean of St. Patrick's says He has courted 
 You like a Mistress, but You are as Coy and as Shy as Daphne. 
 The Rest of your Freinds are as well as They can be in your 
 Absence, and as for Me, if the Mountain will not come to 
 Mahomet, Mahomet must go to the Mountain, so in June or 
 July expect to see Your very faithfvill, etc., 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 215 
 
 TO BARON WAYNRIGHT. 
 
 Corke, April iztk, 1737. 
 
 O SACRED Silence, How I adore Thee ! I have pass'd this 
 day amidst the Confusion of Babel. I have been at a Feast. 
 Paper Mills, Thunder, and the King's Kitchen are soft Music 
 to the Noises I have heard. Nonsense and Wine have flowed 
 in plenty, gigantic Saddles of Mutton and Brobdingnaggian 
 Rumps of Beef weigh down the Table. Bumpers of Claret 
 and Bowls of White-Wine were perpetually under my Nose, 
 till at last, unable to bear the Torture, I took Advantage of 
 a Health ^ at which We were all oblig'd to rise : and slipt 
 away leaving a Hat and Sword to be my Representatives. I 
 would have left a Leg or an Arm behind Me rather than not 
 have made my Escape. This short Sketch may give You some 
 faint Idea of our Entertainments in this part of the World. 
 They are esteemed according to the Quantity, not to the 
 Quality of the Victuals, be the Meat good or be it bad, so that 
 there is as much as would feed an Army. The Esq. thinks 
 he comes off with Honour. A fiery Dullness shines upon his 
 Countenance ; He is stupidly gay. The commencement of his 
 Gaiety bubbles up in hoarse Laughs, which gradually encrease 
 after every Brimmer, till they join Chorus with Oaths, Curses, 
 and Blasphemies, Filth, Obscenity and Rudeness of every sort 
 is the Witt of the Day, and He that can be most beastly, most 
 impudent, and most absurd, carries ofi^ the Laurel of the 
 Triumph. But tho' it is my Misfortune to be often at the 
 beginning of these Festivals, where I see every Thing I loath, 
 and hear every Thing I abhor, yet I never stay long at the 
 Hibernian Games, but hastning home as fast as possible cannot 
 
 1 The memory of King William the Third. 
 
2i6 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 help wondering what Mansions in the Elysian Feilds are 
 allotted to those Heroes whose Delight consists in variety of 
 Folly, Distraction, and Drunkenness. On the other Side of 
 Styx there are Groves perhaps for Noise, as well as Silence ; 
 through which Rivers of Wine roll in purple Meanders, and 
 Cascades of Punch fall into Octogons lin'd with old China 
 instead of Lead. The Statue of Neptune Spouts out Cham- 
 paigne. The Air is fiU'd with Rocketts ; perpetual Cannons 
 roar. The Cyclops hammer and huzza ! One universal Din 
 reigns forever. Such must be the blessed Territories allotted 
 to the Companions I am just now come from : who are in all 
 outward appearance and form (nay, in the Shape of their 
 Brains) made in the same Mold with Sir Isaac Newton, Sir 
 William Temple, and Mr. Lock. Is it not a mortifying Sight 
 to behold Mr. Pope mishap'd and Heliogabolus strait and 
 lusty ? Who would not repine at Eugenio's Constitution, 
 when BlumblufFer is as great a Stranger to ill Health as to 
 common Sense ; yet these Things are strong Arguments for 
 another World and fortifye our Patience to bear the Evils of a 
 Life that cannot last long. But what am I doing ? talking 
 grave and moralizing to You. I find Absurdity is catching. 
 A Man cannot go into a Pest House without bringing away 
 some of the Infection. 
 
 I have just now receiv'd yours, and will join with the 
 Pelham Mob as soon as I get to London. All my Victuals 
 shall come from Clare Market, but where is your Ode to 
 Lord M. Where is my Tobacco ? I long to take a Plugg 
 with Horace. Adieu my dear Baron. I am to You and 
 Yours a faithfull Servant, 
 
 pRRERY. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 217 
 
 TO THE EARL OF STRAFFORD. 
 
 Corke, April i^th, 1737. 
 
 Your Goodness, my Lord, is vastly extensive, to remember 
 an humble Servant buried in Ireland. Parchments and 
 Potatoes have for some time put all Thoughts of England out 
 of my Head, but your Lordship's Letter has now rouz'd Me 
 to think again of Liberty and my native Country. The idea 
 of those Battles in which I have had the honour to fight on 
 the same Side with your L^ give me fresh Spirits, and I am 
 impatient once more for the Combat ; but however warlike 
 my present Dispositions may be, I am chained down here till 
 June or July : so must reserve my Courage till next winter. 
 
 I am extreamly sorry to hear by Mrs. C, that your L^ was 
 ill, and therefore your Letter gave me a double Pleasure, 
 except that Part of It wherein I find you went to the House 
 of Lords at my Request when your Health requir'd your Stay 
 at Home. For God's Sake, my Lord, lay me not under such 
 kind of Obligations, since no conquest can give me Joy 
 wherein You receive a Wound. 
 
 One would imagine Virtue was Food and Sustenance. 
 Col. Cecil has liv'd upon nothing else for some Years. If it 
 is a Subsistance I am in no fear about him. He has a perpetual 
 Feast within that can never waste nor have an End. 
 
 The new Comet seems to have spent her fiery Tail over 
 England. I have heard of nothing but Feuds and Divisions 
 there of late. What most alarms me is what I have read in a 
 certain Book of Prophecies (little known or lookt into) that a 
 House divided against Itself cannot stand. I am, my Lord, 
 Your LordP' most faithfuU and obliged humble Servant, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
2i8 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 TO DOCTOR BARRY. 
 
 %Aprilz-ird, 1737, 
 
 My DEAR DEAR DocTOR, — When King's Messengers 
 
 appear at the Coffee House and upon the Exchange, wonder 
 
 not that Chinery flies to Kerry and I to Charleville. I chuse 
 
 this method to tear myself from You, rather than undergo the 
 
 melancholy Pleasure of last Evening, or the Heart-breaking 
 
 Pangs of a Farewell. Wherever I am, I shall live loving, 
 
 esteeming, admiring and (I hope Heaven will put it in my 
 
 Power to say), serving You. We shall meet again in Ireland 
 
 with fresh Delight after this Absence, which then will appear 
 
 short, however displeasing it is to Us both at present. Make 
 
 my gratefull Compliments to the Ladies and thank Them from 
 
 Me for all their Favours. I need not desire You to cherish 
 
 the Arch Deacon, but I must hope you will hasten him to 
 
 Marston, which I shall reckon compleatly and elegantly 
 
 furnish'd when He is there. Lett me hear from You often, 
 
 and be assur'd that whatever Shape my Face takes, my Heart 
 
 is wholly and entirely Yours, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO JOHN KEMPE, ESQ^ 
 
 Egmonte, April 26th, 1737. 
 
 I WRITE this under all the Doubts and Fears that can fill a 
 Parent's Breast. On Sunday morning, just as I was stepping 
 on Horseback, and stealing myself away from Dr. Barry and 
 my other Friends at Corke, a Letter from Lady Frances 
 Saunderson brought me word of Betty's having the small Pox. 
 You can more easily imagine than I describe, the Nights and 
 Days I have at Present. However, the Sort is good, Lady 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 219 
 
 Frances is maternally tender of Her, and God Almighty 
 infinitely merciful ! I go this Afternoon to Charleville, and 
 shall expect more comfort in Noise and Nonsense than I can 
 now find in my beloved Solitude and Retirement : Din and 
 Confusion may tend to banish Anxiety for some Moments. 
 Sed Naturam expellas fund licet usque recurret. — Yours in all 
 situations, O. 
 
 TO THE BISHOP OF CORK. 
 
 Dublin, May e^th, 1737. 
 
 My Lord, — There is Nothing more dreadfull than a 
 Farewell. The Solemnity of that Moment melts my Soul to 
 a degree that is scarce supportable. This is the only Excuse 
 I have to plead for the rude manner in which I ran away from 
 your Lordship, but I have another Plea to ofFer to Mrs. 
 Clayton. The Morning I ought to have gone to Ballynaspig, 
 I receiv'd News of my Daughter's having the Small Pox : and 
 the Discomposure I was in on the Occasion render'd me very 
 unfitt to appear before Mrs. Clayton, whose tender Nature 
 sympathizes in all the Sorrows of her humble Servants. Betty 
 is now perfectly recover 'd, and I am again fitt to vye with 
 Arch Deacon Crofton in Quibbles, Conundrums and Dexterity 
 of Hands, but the only amusement I can afFord your L^ at 
 this unhappy [time] is the following Account from London : 
 
 Your LP may remember that the D" of Marlborough, on 
 the Death of the Dutchess of Bedford,* her Grandaughter, 
 redemanded all the Jewels, which were all return'd to her in a 
 very handsome manner by the Duke. Her Grace kept them 
 till the Evening before the D. of Bedford's Wedding with 
 Miss Levison.^ She then came at near twelve o'clock at 
 
 ' Lady Diana Spencer. 
 
 ^ ' Lord Govrefs Daughter by his first Lady, Daughter of the Duke of Kingston.' 
 
220 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 Night to my Lord Gower's House, and said she must speak 
 with Lord G. with his Lady and his Daughter. L"* G. was 
 up but in his Night Gown, the two Ladies were in Bed. His 
 LP came down as he was, and the D^ of M. then came out of 
 her Coach and entering into a Parlour discours'd upon 
 indifferent Things till Lady Gower and Miss Levison came 
 down, whom She insisted on seeing in their Undress. As 
 soon as the Ladies enter'd She open'd the design of her 
 extraordinary Visit. She had formerly some Complaints 
 against the Duke of Bedford, but She would now freely 
 forgive him every Thing that was past on account of the 
 Marriage which was to be solemniz'd the next day. She then 
 told L"^ G. that her respect for him was very great, and upon 
 account of his merit, her Regards extended to all his Family, 
 and as a Testimony of It, she had brought all the Jewels of 
 the late D^ of Bedford, and gave them as a present to his 
 Daughter. Then rising up immediately, she flung the Jewels 
 into Miss Levison's Lap, and ran away into her Coach, leaving 
 this noble Family in the utmost consternation and amazement 
 at so unexpected and surprizing a Peice of Curiosity. 
 
 An unlucky Accident happen'd a few days after the 
 Marriage. The D. of Bedford had bought a fine Horse for 
 his Lady's Pad, and it was brought into the Court at Bedford 
 House. His Grace being desirous to mount It himself, got 
 upon the Horse and curb'd him so streight that he rear'd up 
 and flung the Duke down. The Duke was not hurt, but the 
 Dutchess swoon'd, and Lady Gower fell in a Fitt and was 
 carried home, where she was deliver'd of a Daughter : Both 
 the Lady and the Child are now very well. Thus all Things 
 have ended happily, and the Duke is resolv'd to ride more 
 docile Creatures for the Future, who will bear his Weight, nor 
 resist a gentle Curb from so illustrious a Rider. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 221 
 
 The Journey is yet uncertain. Different Passions interfere 
 and occasion contrary Orders. Your L^ will read Prince Pretty- 
 man in Love, and You '1 find a lively description of the Situation 
 We are in, with this Difference, that the Prince's Love kept 
 his highness at home, our Heroe's urges his M — y abroad. 
 
 No Body can tell how the affair of Porteus will end, but 
 most People imagine that it will take a different Turn from 
 what Lord Carteret, who first made the Motion, intended it 
 shovdd. When the wisest Heads and warmest Hearts fail in 
 their best concerted Schemes, who would be at the Trouble of 
 turning Politician ? To make an Egg pass thro' the Table 
 seems to Me the highest Pitch of Art or Policy a Man can 
 arrive at. Dublin stands just where it did. My five Senses 
 are as much mortified here as They were improv'd at Corke : 
 for I must ever remember and gratefully acknowledge that 
 your Lordship took the Pains to bring my Feeling to so nice 
 a degree of Perfection as to enable Me to know the exact 
 Weight of the Cards : whilst my Taste was regal'd at your 
 Table, and my Smelling in your Garden : my Eyesight by the 
 Drawings of Miss Bush, and my Ears by the Voice of Miss 
 Donaldson.^ But now, my Lord, I hear Nothing but the 
 creeking Wheels of unoil'd Cars. I see nothing but the 
 works of Henry Overton, I smell nothing but the Mudd of 
 the Liffy, I taste nothing but tough Meat, and I can feel 
 nothing less Heavy than the Weight of Sir John St. Leger's 
 Hand and Seal.^ I must hasten therefore to England to think 
 of Mrs. Clayton and your Lord^, and to enjoy the happiness 
 of a past Prospect amidst my Honeysuckles and sweet Briars 
 at Marston. 
 
 1 Donallan, probably. 
 
 2 ' We were at this time agreed in a Sale of an Estate belonging to Me in the 
 County of Limerick.' 
 
222 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 There are great Riots at present in the CoUedge. 
 Rebellion has lifted up her Head and brandished her Fire- 
 brand against the Provost and the senior Fellows. But I am 
 so great a Lover of Peace that I cannot tell your Lord^ any 
 Particulars : besides, it is high Time now to release You. I 
 beg your L"" will make my Compliments acceptable to the 
 Ladies at Ballynaspig and Ineskarry, and I hope You '1 forgive 
 Me if I desire to be remember'd by your Lord^* Means, to 
 Mr. Donallan and Mr. Crofton. — I am, my Kind Lord, your 
 
 L^' most obliged, etc., 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO MRS. ANN DONALLAN. 
 
 Dublin, May -jth, 1737. 
 
 Madam, — Your Commands to me will not only be always 
 obey'd, but shall never meet with the least Delay. I enclose 
 to You, Madam, a new Poem of Mr. Pope's,^ and shall next 
 Week, I hope, be enabled to send You Leonidas,^ which is 
 printing here. Judges like the Earl of Shaftesbury and the 
 Baron of Hawnes^ ought to give loose to Oratory in their 
 Praises, but I will speak the plain sentiments of my Heart : 
 It is a Poem that has given me infinite Pleasure, and is by 
 much the first Performance of any that have come out in this 
 way since Milton's. I am now going a second time over 
 it, and find new Beauties every Step I take : Mrs. Glover, 
 methinks, is like a blooming Nymph, who has been bred in the 
 Country and is just come elegantly polish'd to Court : People 
 
 1 An imitation of the z Epis. of the 2 Book of Horace. 
 ' By Richard Glover. 
 
 2 Hawnes, now spelt Haynes, was the Seat of E. Granville, Viscount and Baron 
 Carteret, who died without male issue, and his estates reverted to his daughter Lady 
 Louisa Carteret married to Lord Weymouth, and are now in possession of the 
 Thynne family. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 223 
 
 are not only deeply smitten with her Charms, but wonder why 
 they have never seen nor heard of her before. 
 
 I have lately had a Letter from Mrs. Barber.^ She is in a 
 melancholy state of Body and Mind. Who would not pity a 
 drooping Muse ? If Bath cannot releive her, I am afraid her 
 Illness is even beyond the Power of Apollo. She seems to be 
 taking her Flight to the real, not poetical, Mansions of Bliss. 
 
 Dr. Delany has presented to me his new Book on Polygamy. 
 Surely the Dr. has given himself an unnecessary Trouble, for 
 this is an Age when we are so far from taking two Wives 
 that Wc can scarse be prevailed upon to keep one : which 
 leads me to tell you that Mr. and Mrs. Horner are part'd. — I 
 am. Madam, with the truest Respect, Your most, etc., 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO MRS. BARBER. 
 
 Dublin, May lotk, 1737. 
 
 I AM sorry, Madam, that the Gout and Rheumatism have 
 got possession of your hands and feet, and melancholy and 
 languor of your heart and head. The two last I receiv'd from 
 You are evidences of your Distress, and the Ul Health of your 
 Body seems to have affected your Mind. But I find your 
 Freinds here imagine that your native Air and the Joy and 
 Chearfulness with which they will receive You may possibly 
 restore your Health, or at least contribute to diminish your 
 Pain. I am but an ill judge in this Matter, being so partial 
 to England that I think if that Air cannot relieve You, No Air 
 in the World can. But in the Name of Quixotism, what is 
 your Scheme of going to Georgia ? Have you read Gulliver's 
 travels till you think it necessary to vye with him in 
 
 1 A Poetess of some note whom Lord Orrery befriended when in difficulties. 
 
224 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 Adventures. Do it upon paper only, I beseech You, Madam : 
 or if you must travel, stay till the Bishop of Cloyne sets out 
 a second time for Bermudas and go with him.. The Wildness 
 of this Scheme destroys itself. All I can say further upon the 
 Subject is, that if you have an Oglethorpian Disposition, You 
 must fancy Dublin to be Georgia, and come away as fast as 
 you can. 
 
 Your Sister Muse, Mrs. Rose, is dead. I had a most 
 moving Letter from her to take her last and eternal Farewell of 
 Me. She has left ne History of Joseph incompleat, nor have 
 I yet seen the first Part that was publish'd some time ago 
 in England. We see few Things here, tho' by an extra- 
 ordinary Fate Leonidas is at length come among Us. That is a 
 Poem thus must live as long as our Language survives, and 
 tho' I cannot run into those extravagant Praises which are 
 bestow'd upon it on your side of the Water, yet I own I never 
 receiv'd greater and scarce ever so great Pleasure from any 
 Poem I have yet read in that Style and Manner. The 
 Author, they tell me, is but five and twenty. What may not 
 be expected from such a Genius } Where has he dwelt ? 
 certainly either on the Hill of Parnassus with the tuneful 
 Apollo, or in the Shades of Stowe ^ with my Lord Cobham.^ 
 
 In my late Excursions to Corke I pass'd much Time with 
 the Clayton Family, a most amiable Sett of Freinds, happy in 
 themselves, and who have the art to make every Body else so. 
 I am now come thus far in my Way towards England. The 
 Breezes of next Month, I hope, will waft my Bark thither. 
 Two whole Years in Ireland amidst Lawsuits and Difficulties 
 of all Kinds are little better than two Years in the Bastile in 
 Chains and Darkness. Next time I come. It will be to enjoy 
 
 * Stowe Park passed into the hands of the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos. 
 2 Cobham has passed to the Lyttleton family. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 225 
 
 the Pleasures of the Island, since no man has had a larger 
 Share of the Plagues. — I am, Madam, Your most faithful 
 humble Servant, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO THE DUCHESS OF BUCKINGHAM.1 
 
 Dublin, May z^th, 1737. 
 
 Madam, — I have this moment received by my Lord 
 Shelbourne, a Packett from your Grace, and in it a ring,^ 
 highly valuable in itself, but made much more so by the Giver. 
 I am truly happy in being remember'd by my ever dear and 
 ever honour 'd Relation, and am pleased that any Mite I offer'd 
 at his Tomb, should be acceptable to your Grace. The Papers 
 you mention, (of wh Mr. Pope in a Letter to me speaks with 
 great Justice), are what I am very desirous of seeing. But I 
 must curb all Thoughts on this melancholy Subject, both on 
 your Grace's Ace' and on my own, and go to one of little 
 Consequence and less merit, my present Situation and disposi- 
 tion of mind in this Kingdom. After a thousand dangerous 
 Storms and indeed narrow Escapes from Tempests in all sorts 
 of Shapes, I am at length in sight of Shore and sailing into 
 Harbour. My Affairs in this Kingdom are almost settled, 
 and I hope for my Life, or I have taken infinite Pains to 
 no purpose. My Health is almost, I cannot say entirely 
 restor'd, but I have little Time to attend to It, and having 
 born vast fatigues both of Body and Mind, find that Rest, 
 Quiet, and the sight of my Family and Freinds are the most 
 salutiferous Medicines I can depend upon. 
 
 1 Lady Catherine Damley (or Sedley), 3rd wife of the Duke, and daughter of 
 Catherine Sedley, the mistress of James 11., created by him Countess of Dorchester. 
 James 11. always treated her as a daughter. 
 
 2 For particulars of this Ring see Appendix. 
 
 VOL. I. P 
 
226 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 I thought myself too insignificant to be talk'd of by any 
 Body who had the least Buesness of their own, but I find such 
 is the activity of Speech and Invention in some People, that 
 they can even bring me over to England without my own 
 Knowledge, and keep me there so much incognito, that 
 no Mortal can see me. Indeed, Madam, I shall never be in 
 London an hour without enquiring after your Grace's Health, 
 and in as public a Manner as possible, for it is my pride and 
 my desire to be known as your Grace's faithfull Servant. I 
 wish for no higher Character, and I am sure if Zeal, Respect 
 and Sincerity can gain it, I shall reach the utmost Bounds of 
 my Ambition. 
 
 What an unhappy End is a certain Person ^ come to. My 
 opinion of him was too right. Such principles must produce 
 such Effects ; The Thing probably makes a good Noise, and 
 my Name may be often mention'd, but Your Grace knows that 
 I have long abhor 'd, tho' I would not oppress or ruin the 
 Man. 
 
 I have been for some Months past in great uneasiness for 
 Col. Cecil, but your Grace's Account of him has releiv'd me. 
 He has the utmost Gratitude of my heart, and I sympathize 
 in every Thing that gives him either Pain or Pleasure. 
 
 My daughter has lately had the small Pox, and they tell 
 Me It will leave no Mark behind It. She is now in a Lodging 
 near London for the Air. I was under great Anxiety till She 
 was recover'd, but Lady Frances Saunderson's Kindness and 
 Care made Me as easy as I could possibly be at this 
 distance. 
 
 I will make no excuse for detaining your Grace so long 
 about myself, but shew that I am too sensible of your 
 
 ' Mr. Budgets, author of the History of the Boyle Family. ' Mr. Budgett, who 
 drown'd himself arid had my Protection in his Pockett.' 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 227 
 
 Goodness to beleive You want any such Apology. — I am, 
 Madam, Your Grace's most obliged and obedient Servant, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 TO TOM SOUTHERNE, ESQ. 
 
 Dublin, May z%th, 1737. 
 
 Well, my dear old Man, what News of You ? Are you 
 in blooming Health .? May I sing with the Poet : 
 
 ' Time, like Alcides, flings You to the Ground. 
 You like Antaeus from each Fall rebound.' 
 
 Mr. Tighe says You have wrote to Me ; but your Letters and 
 my Works are sometimes given to the Winds. I have not 
 heard from You this Age, nor do I expect it often, for at your 
 hour of Life, Writing is but Labour and Sorrow. Tighe stiU 
 sighs after his Consort. I have given him employment for 
 some time by lending him L'Histoire Medallique des Pais has, 
 as he seems inquisitive after Medals. If he does not find 
 enough there, I question whether Lord Pembroke's Collection 
 would satisfye him. The Book is a very curious one, and 
 consists of five volumes in Folio. 
 
 I am now turning my Thoughts towards England : a 
 Country that I have Known upwards of thirty Years, and 
 that I cannot help loving tho' She seems to disdain this 
 unhappy Kingdom. There is indeed a great Difference in 
 the Complexion of the two Islands. Nature has been pro- 
 fusely beneficient to Ireland, and Art has been as much 
 so to England. Here, we are beholden to nothing but 
 the Creation ; There, you are indebted to extensive Gardiners 
 and costly Architects, Our Nobility, like the old Patriarchs, 
 live in Cottages with Hogs, Sheep and Oxen. Your Patricians 
 sleep not but in Palaces and under splendid Rafters. We 
 
228 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 speak our Mind, and utter it so fast and undisguis'd that 
 
 Sentences come tumbling forth without waiting for Form 
 
 or Order. You, fawning Courtiers and sycophantic Slaves, 
 
 think before You speak, a Fashion, I suppose, brought from 
 
 Italy by your Opera Singers. How much more charming 
 
 it is to behold with Us, whole County s just as they were 
 
 left by the Flood, than to see with You, the Sun eclips'd from 
 
 the Inhabitants by Trees and Hedges. We piously trust 
 
 to Heaven and scorn Improvements. You already make 
 
 Plantations which cannot arrive to Perfection till You are 
 
 dead, and yet, as an Instance how soon the vilest Customs 
 
 spread plagues like their horrid Influence, We are imitating 
 
 You as fast as Poverty and native Simplicity of Manners will 
 
 permit Us. We begin to plough and to plant, but if the 
 
 Plough gets into the Mire, Hercules, not We, must get it 
 
 out again : or if a Tree fails We look upon it as so ill an 
 
 Omen, that we will never try another in the same Place : 
 
 Notwithstanding this. We are in some danger of growing 
 
 errant South-Britons at last, for we are already arriv'd at 
 
 Ridottos, Horse-Races and a whimsical sort of Vehicle called a 
 
 Quadrille. The fair Sex who always prefer an Irish to an 
 
 English Man, can only preserve us from so fatal a Catastrophe. 
 
 — I am, my dear old Man, ever yours, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO DR. BARRY 
 (' Upon Mr. Pope's Translation of an Epistle in Horace '). 
 
 Dublin, June ^nd, 1737. 
 
 Whatever You say to Me, my dear Doctor, is lock'd up in 
 a very safe Repository, nor shall rise against You till I rise at 
 the Day of Judgement. But as to the Epistle, You have 
 pickt out some of the least fine Lines in my Freinds Trans- 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 229 
 
 lation, and have fixt upon his Moles, his Scars and his Squint, 
 when there are so many exquisite Beauties in his Countenance 
 to make Amends for those little deformities. If He has not 
 equal'd Horace's Soldier (wh I do not allow) I am sure He 
 has given us a finer Lord, and You will certainly agree 
 with Me that a Lord is worth ten Soldiers in these peaceful 
 Days. I must - differ with You and Dacier as to multa fero. 
 It has been my Motto these two Years, and If I do not 
 understand It, I will arrogantly ask, who does .'' Perhaps 
 when I come to Marston the Commentators there may change 
 my Opinion, but at present Multa fero ut placeam is, I suffer 
 much to get rid of Genus irritabile. I say this, not only to 
 defend Mr. P. under whose Banner I have enlisted myself, 
 but to prepare You for the Enclos'd,^ which can plead Nothing 
 for its Appearance but the hopes of making you smile. Shew 
 it to the Archdeacon, and then commit it to the Temple of 
 Vulcan, who is the tutelar God of such trifling Performances, 
 and who, I hope, will take all the Works of that Author under 
 his fiery Protection. Astroea,^ I find, is flying to Heaven. 
 The Angels are impatient for Her. We Mortals shall be 
 sorry to lose her, tho' we are sure She is going to a better 
 Place. That Family, methinks, is doom'd to be compleatly 
 unhappy in Daughters. If good. They die too soon ; if bad. 
 They live too long. 
 
 By this Time You are fighting against Xerxes in all his 
 Pride : I see you at Thermopylae, but I see You at a Distance, 
 for I confess I am forc'd to stay with the widow'd Queen ^ 
 and her weeping Children. ' And from their Father, Let 
 Them learn to die.' 
 
 1 ' An Imitation of an Ode of Horace.' 
 
 '^ Lady Kitty Barry, daughter of the Earl of Barrimore. 
 
 3 Vide the Poem of Leonidas, Lib. i. 
 
230 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 Talking of Death, I am led to tell You of a most noble 
 Legacy left to me by the D. of Buckingham. A Saphir 
 Ring of great Value, sett in Diamonds, whose Lustre borrow 
 Brightness from the Stone they surround. 
 
 Remember Caesar: Transport him to Marston if You 
 can : He shall be made Dictator there, and hold the highest 
 Place in our Republic of Letters. Dr. Delany has sent You a 
 present of his Book against Polygamy : I told him ' I thought 
 ' You was not in danger of that Sin, but I would certainly 
 ' take care to convey to You tKis Pignus Amoris.^ 
 
 W. T. lodges in the same House with me. The same 
 
 Staircase leads to each of our Apartments, by which means I 
 
 receive visits from Lords and Ladies who would never honour 
 
 Me with their Presence but by Mistake. Happy Mr. T. 
 
 Loving and Beloved : O ! could You see him dealing about 
 
 his Charms in Steven's Green, You would not wonder that 
 
 our Urban Goddesses gave their Hearts into his Possession. 
 
 Adieu, dear Dr., n'oubliez jamais. 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO DEAN SWIFT. 
 
 ' June i2thy 1737. 
 
 You mistook me, dear Sir, as to Mr. Pope's Letters : 
 The incomparable Author has sent Each of Us a Present of 
 Them and of his last Imitation of Horace, by a private Hand 
 from London, but They are not yet arriv'd ; when your Book 
 comes (which I fancy is entrusted to the Bishop of Derry, 
 and he will be here this week) You may send me back That 
 which You now have. 
 
 I will certainly see You very often before I go, I will 
 constantly write to You when I am gone, and will require no 
 Answer but at your utmost Leisure and in your best Health. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 231 
 
 As my Journey depends upon Law Buesness, I mean 
 References, Accounts, etc., I am put ofF de Die in Diem, and 
 cannot positively say when It will be. But as my Children, 
 my Freinds and my Health call loudly for my Presence in 
 England, I hope to obey their Summons either the last week 
 in this month, or the first in the next. I cannot bear the 
 Thoughts of parting with You. Let us settle It by a Letter 
 the last day wrote from each other. Do not say. Do not 
 think, we are to part forever. Had I no Buesness in Ireland 
 the sight of You would more than make Amends for a Sea 
 Sickness. As I draw nearer losing You, my Affection, which 
 lay close in my Heart, rises in Letters, in Sighs, in Tears, 
 therefore You will excuse this Trouble from Your most 
 affectionate, obliged and faithful humble Servant, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO ALEXANDER POPE, ESQ^ 
 
 Dublin, June i^th, 1737. 
 
 Dear Sir, — A great part of my Time has been employ'd 
 since I wrote to You last, in searching after those Letters ' wh. 
 are missing. . . . 
 
 I am impatient to be in my native Country, to embrace 
 my Children and my Freinds, to improve and delight myself 
 by your Conversation, and to gain a little Health and Quiet, 
 wh. I cannot hope for whilst I stay in this Town. Lawyers, 
 like Surgeons, will not part with Us out of their Claws till 
 their BQl is raised to a great height, and even then They 
 leave many a Scar behind Them. To this villainous Tyranny, 
 
 ' These letters were part of the Correspondence between Pope and Swift, and 
 were missing for a time, to the great perturbation of the former. This matter has 
 been so amply dealt with in other publications that only a reference to their nature is 
 called for here. 
 
232 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 and to an unhappy Agreement I made with the greatest 
 Knave ^ in Xtendom, I owe the uncertainty of my Return, but 
 I still flatter myself with the hopes of Liberty the latter End 
 of this Month. My Joy will be incompleat since I must leave 
 the Dean behind me. He has not yet put the Letters into 
 my Hands, They are reserved for the dona extrema. Three 
 from Brindley are come safe, but your kind present by a 
 private Hand is not arriv'd. Your Heart can better tell You 
 than my Words express what I feel now I am approaching so 
 near an eternal Farewell to the Dean. I have but one Allevia- 
 tion to my Sorrow, which is the hopes of meeting with the 
 same indulgence from You that I have ever found from Him ; 
 because I am niost truly Your Faithfull, obedient and humble 
 
 Servant, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO ARCHDEACON RUSSELL. 
 
 Dublin, June zdth, 1737. 
 
 Ay, my dear Archdeacon. I have been dying since I 
 wrote to You. The wicked Air of this vile Town. The 
 cursed Schemes of that Diabolical Proteus Badham, and a 
 tottering Constitution worn out and mouldring away with 
 Irish Tempests, all conspir'd to drive me to other Climates 
 and distant Plains from whence no Traveller returns. By 
 Helsham's SkiU and the Power of Milk and Snails, upon 
 which now, under God, is my cheif dependence, I am enabled 
 to hold a Pen in my Hand, and even to walk up and down 
 Stairs. I think I am safe, and shall lay my Bones at a great 
 distance from St. Patricks. But I dread this Theatre of 
 Pestilence, and therefore shall make my Exit as soon as 
 
 1 ' Brettridge Badham, Esq.' An Agent who proved unworthy of his post, and 
 caused Lord Orrery much trouble and financial loss. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 233 
 
 possible from the Hibernian Stage. ... I am to ride from 
 Holyhead to London, calling the whole way at every Farm 
 House for Milk, and picking up every Snail I see crawling 
 upon the Earth. Be secrett, O my dear Freind, be secrett, 
 Lett not Barry know a word of my Illness, nor indeed, should 
 You, only to excuse the large Chasm of late in my Corre- 
 spondence. My native Land, the Embraces of my Children 
 and the Sight of my Freinds will give a new Turn to my 
 Blood and a fresh Vigour to my Vitals. I shall change my 
 Snails for roast Beef, and my Milk for potent October. I feel 
 I am to live. 
 
 The Poets of this Island are most abominably pert : there 
 are new Epigrams handing about the four Courts upon a 
 certain harmonious Counsellor, whose prosaical Numbers, like 
 the Wand of Mercury, putt all the Judges to sleep. An 
 impertinent Lawyer ofFer'd me one of these rhyming Papers, 
 but I replied frowningly ' That I dealt in Parchments, and not 
 ' in Poetry.' 
 
 Hymen has his Hands full (and I daresay Hymen loves 
 to have his Hands fuU). His Torch may supply the Want of 
 Fire in the Light House. Sir J. Royden is to be made happy 
 by Miss Brownlow, and Lord Barry equips Miss Davis with 
 a titular Barony at present, and hereafter will do all in his 
 Power to make her a Countess. I beleive there is not a 
 stubborn Batchelour in the Town except Bowen and Will. 
 Taylor. 
 
 You see, my worthy Freind, I do not write like a dying 
 Man : like One who at the Age of Thirty was going to bid 
 Adieu to the exquisite Pleasures of this happy World. Yet if 
 I should fall, whenever Lord Boyle or Hammy come in your 
 Way, force yourself into an Intimacy with 'em and warm them 
 into Virtue and an equal Love of your two fair Mistresses, 
 
234 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 Truth and Religion. Whilst there is Breath in Me, I shall 
 
 certainly be your faithfuU 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 I protest I am better every hour : I am built for ^ sixty 
 at least. 
 
 TO DEAN SWIFT. 
 
 Dublin, July ird, 1737. 
 
 I SEE, dear Sir, that I must never look at Lady O's Picture 
 but with Sorrow. May it long keep out of my Sight, unless 
 you fill up the vacancy with some other Peice of painting. I 
 shall travel with the important Packett that is to leave Dublin 
 next Tuesday night. My Horses are already neighing on the 
 "Welch Mountains. My Heart, since I have taken Leave of 
 You, is in England. My Prayers are aU address'd to the 
 Winds. Spirate, Spirate secundi. Once more Farewell, and 
 in that Word take All that the sincerest Freindship and firmest 
 Affection can wish You ! 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO WILLIAM CECIL, ESQ. 
 
 Dublin, July ^tk, 1737. 
 
 Dear Sir, — As my Time draws nearer to quit this 
 Kingdom, my Impatience grows greater to be in the Other. 
 The Hours themselves go on just as they did, but the Wretch 
 on the Wreck ever thinks them longer than He who is out of 
 Pain and at full Liberty. Ireland, like the Sun, cherishes at a 
 proper distance, but on too close an Approach, scorches Us to 
 Death. A bold Briton who rashly ventures on this Shore 
 
 1 (Lord 0. was not a true prophet as to his own destiny, which ended four years 
 short of the predicted term.) 
 
■^li/a.U€^&^'e^iL^^Ul.?'^So. 
 
 y^Cce/Jcu /Lcu^^• cJ. 
 
 'X'pJ'^. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 235 
 
 without the Constitution of a Giant, the Insensibility of a 
 Post and the Knavery of a Badham, comes naked to fight a 
 Nation of Arm'd Men. Rumours supply the Want of Sense, 
 Goodnature and Honesty. They bring down the highest 
 Understanding upon a Level with the Lowest, and they drive 
 away those two hideous Companions Thought and Reflection. 
 Who says therefore that Drunkenness is not Wisdom, or Who 
 at least will care to say so in this Kingdom. It is the Strait 
 Path to Prefer m*, and when join'd to that amiable Rage and 
 Fury of Party that is so prevalent here, cannot fail of meeting 
 with the highest Honours which this Nation is able to bestow. 
 Judge then, how unfitt I am to live in such a Place, who 
 have not a Constitution to be always drunk, nor Folly sufficient 
 to be mad with Party, nor Sense enough to be a Knave. Yett 
 I must own, I have met with valuable Freindships here. Men 
 of Virtue, and of those amiable qualities which can only sett 
 Mankind in a high degree above Brutes may be found in 
 Ireland. Heaven increase the Number ! The Island itself is 
 a glorious Scene of the richness of Nature unassisted by Art. 
 But till the Inhabitants hate Drinking and love Industry, a 
 Day pass'd in England is worth a Thousand pass'd here. — I 
 am, dear Sir, Ever yours, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 LORD ORRERY TO MR. SOUTHERNE. 
 
 I AM just come, my dear old Man, from passing the 
 Evening with our valuable Freind Mr. Tighe.^ He has lately 
 
 1 One of the Tighes of Woodstock, who have ever been one of the most highly 
 esteemed county Families in Ireland ; long after Lord O.'s Day, the talented Wife of 
 the then Head of the Family, wrote a charming Poem published as ' Psyche by Mrs. 
 Tighe.' An illiterate countryman coming across the book in some friend's house, 
 after considering the Title with a puzzled look, broke out with the exclamation, ' An' 
 would ye tell me now who " Sikky and Tiggy " might be, for I never met or heard of 
 the Ladies before.' 
 
236 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 had an addition to the loss of Dean Ward, by the loss of his 
 Wife; which he seems to bear with the afFection of a 
 Husband, and the Reason of a Philosopher. On this Occasion 
 his Freinds ought to show him their Regard in a particular 
 Manner. I am therefore with Him as often as I can : but the 
 cold Weather (of which I am but too sensible since my last 
 Illness) and busy perplexities of many kinds keep us more 
 asunder than I could wish. I never go from him without 
 feeling myself the better by the Example of his Virtue, and 
 the improvement of his Conversation. His learning which is 
 very extensive, is mix'd with Judgment and adorned with 
 Taste ; and when less melancholy Circumstances will allow 
 him, he can sett ofF his Remarks with so much true Humour 
 and such facetiousness of Speech and Gesture as render his 
 Company highly agreeable, and make the hours pass just as we 
 desire. But he needs none of these engaging qualities, to 
 attach my Heart to Him ; his Love of you, his Esteem of 
 your Freindship and the sincere afFection He has for every- 
 thing belonging to you, are more than eno' to make me 
 entirely his own. On Friday I Supp with Him, when you will 
 certainly not be forgotten. The Noon I pass'd with the Dean 
 of St. Patrick's who seems to grow younger as his Years 
 increase : a Paradox which I hope you will prove to its full 
 extent. The Dean enjoys more health and vivacity this 
 winter, than he himself has felt for some Years past. Thus 
 you see the Pray'rs of poor Ireland are in one instance heard. 
 Can I finish so satisfactory a Day better than in trying to draw 
 from you an Account of yourself and of my Freinds in 
 London ? I think not, and desire therefore that you will talk 
 upon Paper to me as soon as you can. When we shall come 
 to a personal Dialogue let the Oracle at Delphos inform You. 
 I cannot. Carte's History of the D. of Ormonde is just come 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 237 
 
 over ; it meets with great Approbation. I have only had time 
 to peruse the two first Books. The Style is good, and I 
 believe he has spar'd no pains to digest the Materials of which 
 he had a very large Collection. It is a Companion I propose 
 great Delight in these tedious Evenings, leaving Cards and 
 Balls to younger and finer Gentlemen. You are at the 
 Fountain Head for News. We have none. Lord Kildare 
 leads the same still Life he used to do, and makes a much 
 greater show of his Plate than of his Virtue, tho' the latter 
 outshines the former in every Eye that views him closely and 
 with Attention. L"^ Thomond^ is laid up with the gout. 
 The Irish hospitality has broke out in his feet, and pinns him 
 down to a great Chair and a small Meal. Tickell and Dr. 
 Delany perform Quarantine at Glassneven. The World I 
 suppose will reap the benefitt of their Retirement. The Press 
 will groan for it, and future Ages will revere Delvil. To be 
 serious, they both sent their Service to you. Thus, my dear 
 Freind, if tiring your Eyes and Head can do you good, my 
 Task is perform'd in writing when I had in reality Nothing to 
 say, but the old Story of my being entirely Yours, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 FROM DR. BARRY. 
 
 Orrery Siiiay, May 19, 1738. 
 
 I ALWAYS told my dear Ld Orrery that providence had 
 some particular Blessing in store for him. Yr Virtue is now 
 amply rewarded. I know the Lady, tho yr Lordp mentions 
 no name ; the picture is too finely drawn to require it, and 
 can only resemble one person. I am not surpriz'd at this 
 
 1 The Marquisate of Thomonde became extinct in the early fifties of the last 
 century, and Lord Inchiquin is now the head of the O'Briens. 
 
238 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 meeting. From her amiable Character you seem to have been 
 form'd for each other. The Archdeacon and I feel all the joys 
 of Friendship on this Occasion. I find myself a much more 
 happy man than I ever was before. I have now only to wish 
 that you may grow old together : for, with a small portion of 
 the prophetic spirit of Lapis ^ I can pronounce that all other 
 Blessings of this Life will attend you. — I am ever yr Ldp's 
 FaithfuU and Affect. 
 
 EDW. BARRY. 
 
 The Arch" has been ill, but is now pretty well, and will 
 soon write to your Ldp. Poor Boerhaave is dying in an 
 asthma, and, as he says himself, from a collection of purulent 
 matter in his Thorax. 
 
 FROM LORD ORRERY TO MR. SOUTHERNE. 
 
 Dublin, June 6th, 1738. 
 
 My dear old Man, — You have made me wait so long 
 before you shewed me the Example of a second Marriage, that 
 I am quite tir'd, and shall therefore next week try again the 
 Pleasures of the Marriage State. Wonder no longer at my 
 sudden Departure from London. I flew on the wings of Love : 
 Secrecy and Expedition were my Guides : Desire and certain 
 Hope my Companions : and my Wishes will be crown'd even 
 perhaps before This reaches your hands. I have all the 
 prospect of Happiness that mortal Man can desire : a sweet- 
 ness of Temper, a soundness of Understanding, and all the 
 agreeable accomplishments that make this Life chearfuU, happy 
 and amusing. In August I hope to see you at our Tea Table 
 
 1 ? Tobias. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 239 
 
 in Duke Street, but till then shall be at my new Estate in the 
 County of Tyrone, which tho upwards of two thousand 
 Pounds a year, the generous Lady has bestowed upon Me. 
 Great are her Gifts as to Fortune, but much greater in the 
 Gift of Herself. You will say so, I am sure, when You see 
 her, which that You may do without Spectacles many Years 
 hence most heartily wisheth 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 P.S. — Worthy Tighe is brave and well, after a long and an 
 ugly Illness. He and all y' Hibernian Friends salute You. 
 
 THE SAME TO THE SAME. 
 
 LmvtoRun, June zgtA, 1738. 
 
 My dear Old Man, I write to you now with the approach- 
 ing joy of a Bridegroom. To-morrow Mrs. Hamilton gives 
 me Her hand and heart for Ever. I shew'd Her your Letter, 
 and She who never tasts any Wine but on very extraordinary 
 Occasions, toasted You with a Smile that would have warm'd 
 your frozen Age, and renew'd Youth in your antiquated 
 Frame. We are now at Her Uncle's House in the Co. of 
 Westmeath. From Hence, taking Dublin for a few Days on 
 our Way, we go to Caledon, her Seat and Estate in the North ; 
 and then to fair England, where we hope to see you blooming 
 in the Winter of Your Days ; and shewing us a lively Example 
 how excellent a Preservative Humanity is of the Body, and 
 how great an Ornament of the Soul. To-morrow and To- 
 morrow ! I think of Nothing Else, but am, my dear Old Man, 
 Y" affectionately and faithfully, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
240 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 TO JOHN KEMPE, ESQ, 
 
 Lonuto'wn, July ist, 1738. 
 
 I AM the happiest Man in the World ! Yesterday Miss 
 Hamilton gave me, with the usual Ceremony, Her Hand and 
 Heart. A Heart fiU'd with Love and a Hand with Money. 
 What a Turn of Fortune is here ! I am now too deeply 
 engag'd in Nuptial Ceremonies to write, to speak, to think 
 any Thing but what Love and Joy inspire. If I could 
 entertain a gloomy Moment, It must be on account of your 
 declining Health. But You are well, and the whole World is 
 gay, at least it is so to Me : for if to jaundic'd Eyes All 
 Things seem yellow, by the same Rule to my Eyes all Things 
 must seem happy. Adieu. 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO THE SAME. 
 
 Caledon, August znd, 1738. 
 
 We came hither upon Lady Orrery's Birthday, the 24th of 
 last Month. A Day that shall be sacred with Me till the 
 End of my Life. We were mett by a mighty Concourse of 
 Men and Boys, whose noisy Acclamations drown'd the 
 Thunder, violent and loud as it sounded from amidst the 
 sable Clouds. I defye ill omens, and look upon the bad 
 Weather that ushr'd Us into Caledon as the last Effort of 
 my angry Fate, which expired, as Witches go to Hell, as 
 Lightning, Rain and Thunder. 
 
 I cannot pretend to describe this Place, having been 
 confined by a Cold even to my Bedchamber from the second 
 Day of my Arrival : but I have peep'd out far enough to see 
 infinite Beauties and much Land. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 241 
 
 . . . Hinc mihi copia 
 Manabit ad Plenum benigno 
 Ruris honorum opulenta Cornu, 
 
 The House is old, low, and tho' full of Rooms, not very 
 large. So much the better. I like it for the same Reason I 
 like the old Roads about Marston. It will be a good Excuse 
 to keep out Foreigners and Straglers, and we will always 
 contrive to find a Closett or Two for Freinds. Next Year we 
 hope to see You here, a strange wish, considering with how 
 much joy I left the Hibernian Shore about this time twelve 
 month, and how fuUy I thought myself resolv'd never to 
 settle in an Island where the Air seem'd noxious to my 
 Health, and the Inhabitants to my Peace of Mind. But alas ! 
 how blind are we to Futurity, and how little able to judge of 
 what is to come from what is past. This Island, which I had 
 the most reason to hate, I have now most reason to love, and 
 the Kingdom in which I was most curst, I am now most 
 blest in. 
 
 One Year must be spent in England, most of it, si rite 
 auguror, at Marston, and then we will fix here at Caledon, 
 where I hope to find that Repose which my soul so much 
 longs after. 
 
 I feel myself at present as a new Governor, just come to 
 take possession of my Government, unknowing of, and 
 unknown to, the People, very desirous to please, but very 
 ignorant how : afraid to speak, and more afraid to be silent : 
 all Eyes watch my Motions, all Ears are open to my Sayings : 
 and if I can read their Thoughts aright, the Caledonians wonder 
 what hidden Charms I carry about Me to induce so rich, so 
 good and so wise a Lady to fix her Choice on a Man who 
 seems to have so little to say for himself But if I am 
 penurious of my Words, I am profuse of my Smiles, and fling 
 
 VOL. I. Q 
 
242 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 them about promiscuously, to be gather'd up by Men, 
 Women and Children ; some say I shovdd be tolerably hand- 
 some were it not for the Scarr in my upper Lip, to which 
 Those who are well inclin'd to me reply, that It is an 
 honorable Scarr, and better. . . . 
 
 Arouse, my dear Sir Harry, chear up your falling Spirits ; 
 surely all will go well now : here is a glorious Foundation for 
 It. A fine Estate, a sweet Temper, good Sense, many 
 engaging Accomplishments, such as singing, playing, working, 
 reading, in perfection ; and all this without a grain of Affecta- 
 tion ; so that if we have not a Helen, we are sure of a 
 Penelope : and that 's a much more preferable choice. 
 
 By Mrs. Kempe's last Letter to Me, You are losing 
 Ground. Heaven preserve my Freind to share and partake 
 of my Happiness, which cannot be so compleat, as not to want 
 the Addition of your Health, impatiently and ever wish'd for 
 by your own 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO THE BISHOP OF OSSORY. 
 
 Duke Street, Westmr., Sepbr. 1738. 
 
 My dear Lord, — I dictate my Epistle to a fair Hand 
 that must inform You my Arm is not broke, but most 
 violently strain'd, a strain that I shall feel during several 
 future months, especially as Winter is coming on, or, rather, 
 continued, for Summer has not appear'd since the Year 37, 
 either in England or Ireland. One comfort arises from my 
 Wound, It was received in the Cause of Love. Dulce et 
 decorum est fro uxore mori, nor do I feel Pain when I consider 
 in whose Defense my Right Hand lost its Cunning. We 
 were overturned between Coventry and Creeke : but no Body 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 243 
 
 except myself receiv'd immediate hurt : The Consequences 
 since indeed have been unlucky. I will give your L^ as early 
 an Instance as I can of my Recovery upon Paper : in the 
 meantime we are setting out for Marston, with this unhappy 
 Circumstance, that I fear I have taken leave of poor Kempe 
 for ever : He is in the Jaws of Death, and yet talks of 
 Journies to Bath and Marston : long and lasting will be the 
 next Journey he takes, and He will leave behind him a 
 Widow, a Mother, a Son and a Daughter : without much 
 more support than what the Providence of God will pour 
 down, by my means, I hope, upon Them. Wine and Free- 
 Masonry have brought poor dear Sir Harry to his grave : 
 however, all Losses are supplied and over paid to Me in this 
 last Gift of Heaven, of which, my dear Lord, you shall hear 
 more when I can be my own Secretary. All belonging to Me 
 are to your L^ and Mrs. Este most true and faithfull Servants. 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 THE SAME TO MR. SOUTHERNE. 
 
 Marston, Oct. 12, 1738. 
 
 Happy Old Man ! How I envy you ! Who would not 
 wish to live to be fourscore, when Ladies fresh as the Spring 
 and gay as the Summer think of Nothing but Old Age — 
 dream of you by Night, sing of You in the Morning, and 
 toast You in the middle of the Day. Sure like our Glaston- 
 bury Thorn in the Christmas of Life, or like an Evergreen 
 delights the Eye in Winter, more than Summer flies can in 
 June. Not a Peice of Beef graces my Table, without Lady 
 Orrery's warmest Invitation to your Return to partake of it. 
 Miss Peggy ^ carves for You, whilst Miss Ally^ pours out 
 
 1 Lady Orreiy's maiden aunts. 
 
244 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 Bumper Libations of strong Ale. Thus You see we pay our 
 Incense at Your Altar, hoping that when you cross the Cark 
 You fling away sometimes a kind thought on your Freinds, 
 buried in this obscure corner of Somerset. Poor Mr. Kempe 
 is dead ! ' I knew him, Horatio ! A Man of infinite Jest. . . . 
 ' Where be his Flashes of Merriment that were wont to set the 
 ' Table in a Roar ? ' Call sometimes on my poor Boy in Smith 
 St. planted among the wild Shrubs of Westminster, it is a 
 noble Soil, and whatever defects may be in the old Standard, I 
 am sure the Sapling went into the ground fair and goodly. By 
 God's Blessing it will flourish there. Remember me most 
 afFectionately to Mr. Pope, and the Dutchess of Queensberry I 
 worship like the Sun at a vast distance. You who can go near 
 that bright Planet will find how happy it is to be in a warm 
 Climate. L"^ and Lady Carpenter ^ are ever thought of by me 
 with that Melancholy that attends Freinds in Absence. In 
 short wherever I am, my Freinds are present in my mind, 
 especially the Geraldinians, under which Title I include Mrs. 
 Taylor, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Lloyd, and all my Neighbours near 
 the Park. Let us hear from you, my Good Old Man. 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO DR. BARRY. 
 
 Duke Street, IVestmr., No'ubr. 2nd, 1738. 
 
 I AM called hither, my dear Doctor, at this dismal Time of 
 the Year on a most dismal Occasion. Poor Sir Harry is dead. 
 Tou knew him, Horatio ! A fellow of infinite jest : of most excellent 
 Fancy : Where are his Gibes now ? His Songs ? His Flashes of 
 Merriment, that were wont to set the 'Table in a Roar ? Not one 
 now to mock his own grinning. He died about the middle of 
 
 1 Carpenter was the family name of the now extinct Title of the Earls of 
 Tyrconnel. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 245 
 
 last Month, a Martyr to the Bottle and bad Company, fulfilling 
 the Proverb that : 
 
 He who lives not chaste and sober 
 Falls with the leaf in October, 
 
 He has left a Family behind him, in the sad Situation of hav- 
 ing lost their chief support, and Me, in the sorrowful Reflexion 
 of having lost a true and faithfull Freind. Methinks it is my 
 Duty now to be his Representative ; to cherish his Widow, to 
 help his Mother, and to educate his Children. What else is 
 Freindship ? WiU it not outlive the Man we love ? That 
 would be rather Enmity than Affection. I thank God I have 
 not that Thought to answer for. I lov'd him in his Life Time, 
 I wiU love his Relicks now He is dead. His Boy is the very 
 Picture of Him, a laughing, sprightly gay Urchin : not over 
 bashfidl, nor too submissive to his Mother, in short, an only 
 Son, and hopeful enough to deserve any Education that may be 
 bestow'd upon him ; however. Indulgence has had a bad Effect 
 upon his Manners, and unless his Spirit is reduc'd, and his 
 Attention increased, AU the Praeception in the World will 
 never be able to make him a Scholar. The Girl, I know little 
 of, the Boy falls more immediately under my Care. I am 
 come up to settle their little Fortune, and to offer my Mite 
 towards encreasing it. Lord Boyle and Nat Barry go on 
 bravely at Westminster ; Nat wants some of Kempe's 
 Assurance, and Kempe some of Nat's Bashfullness, but I make 
 no doubt all will be right in time. My Stay will be as short 
 as possible, nor will I peep out of Doors but upon Business. 
 Adieu, my dear Doctor, Heaven prolong your Days, for the 
 sake of your Family, your Freinds and your Patients. 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
246 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 TO THE REV. MR. FERREBEE.i 
 
 Marston, No'v. i-jth, 1738. 
 
 If fractured Limbs and a thousand unlucky Accidents can 
 plead an Excuse for a large Chasm in my Correspondence, my 
 dear Mr. Ferrebee, You will forgive me a Silence that can only 
 be occasioned by my most malitious Stars. Bowen tells me 
 You never received a Letter of Thanks, which I sent in return 
 for those excellent Verses on my Marriage. I would willingly 
 surprize You with some other Tokens of Thanks than merely 
 a Letter, sed Dis aliter visum est. This is a subject I had 
 rather think of than write of, so I '11 pass on to sing of that 
 Nestor of Westminster, Tom Southerne. He still possesses 
 his good humour to roast Beef and Mutton Pye. Whilst we 
 staid at London We had him every Day at our Table. He 
 was in Love with Lady Orrery, or at least, with her Dinners. 
 He even admir'd her Music, tho' he is deaf, and repeated so 
 much of his Plays to her that she became deaf also. Two 
 young Ladies, her Cousins, protest they never heard so many 
 Magic Strains under so comic an appearance since the Hour of 
 their Birth ; and for my Part, He has so far infected Me that 
 I speak to my Servants in blank verse, and call for my Buskins 
 instead of my Boots, Thus much of Southerne. Now for 
 Dr. Nichols, Fitz Gerald and Vinny Bourne. They are, Sir, 
 just the same we remember 'em twenty years ago: Time 
 makes no Impression on a true Westminster, as Nan, the Pye 
 Woman, and old Barker can testifye : By the by, old Barker 
 is succeeded by a young Barker, as old as himself, fatt, tooth- 
 less and jolly ; alter et idem : not that old Barker is not still as 
 great a Man as he was. He has only withdrawn Himself from 
 
 1 Chaplain to the Earl of Orrery. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 247 
 
 the fatigue of attending the lower School, and is become the 
 upper Master of the Bowling Alley. Lord Boyle is plac'd in 
 the midst of all these peices of Antiquity like a young Bac- 
 chanal amidst the Fauni and Sileni of the Age. He seems to 
 flourish so well, that when I go to Ireland, if I can bring my 
 Heart to part with my two dear Boys, I will fix down Hammy 
 in the same rich Soil. — I am, Sir, Your most faithfuU, etc., 
 
 ORRERY. 
 TO MR. SOUTHERNE. 
 
 Marston, December \6th, 1738. 
 
 Weep, weep, my dear Old Man. Fling all Westminster 
 into tears. The Times require it, and you have tragic Strains 
 at command. Hector, the matchless Hector, is no more ! 
 pereunt sic celeres atque fideles I He lived to see his Master 
 happy, and then flew to Elyzium with the News. No Dog 
 ever surpass'd him either in Sense, Courage or Fidelity ; but 
 Death pays no more Regard to Dogs than to Emperors. I 
 might quote Greek Verses to you upon Hector, whose char- 
 acter in Homer shines brighter in my Eye than even that of 
 Achilles : However, in plain Truth, I am sorry for my poor 
 Dane, and have buried him in Marston Gardens ; a melancholy 
 ever-Green is planted over him, as an humble Monument of 
 his never fading Excellence, and my perpetual Memory of It. 
 
 When I quitted my apartment lately in Duke Street which 
 was lonesome, because without my Companion (for what was 
 Paradise to Adam without Eve.?) T ought to have sent for 
 Bale with his Juleps, Westbrooke with his Launcets, and 
 Monsieur Angebau with his Lozenges, but I chose to try 
 Somersetshire Air and a Bedfellow rather than Town Smoke 
 and a Blister. I was spurr'd on by Love. Love will 
 
248 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 make a Hero of a Coward, a Giant of a Dwarf, and I 
 am told (but you know best) will sometimes raise the Dead. 
 Thanks to a kind administring Hand, I am now quite re- 
 cover'd, and daily listening to Geminiani's matchless Strains. 
 This musical Mortal has made Apollo so much asham'd by his 
 superior Skill, that the Deity never appears, but hides himself 
 behind Clouds and noxious Vapours. If you see the Sun in 
 Town give my Service to him. — I am, my dear old Man, ever 
 yours, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO DEAN SWIFT. 
 
 Marston, January znd, 1738/39. 
 
 Dear Sir, — The New Year begins as the old year ended, 
 in Storms, in Rain, and all the various Inclemencies of the 
 Sky. The new year finds me in the same Situation the old 
 year left me, a domestic Animal fond of my own House, and 
 loth to quitt my Chimney Corner. Year may turn round 
 after year, still I must be your faithfull Servant. The Rage 
 of Storms, the Whistling of Winds, the Roar of Thunder, 
 can make no Impression upon my Breast, whatever Effect They 
 may have upon the politics and proceedings of the mighty and 
 the great. 
 
 In an Excursion I lately made to London, I heard of 
 matchless preparations for a Convention ^ (which poor Sheridan 
 would have called a Contention) that is to be received with 
 open Arms by the Parliament. I cannot guess what sort of 
 an Animal it is : various are the Speculations upon it : Some 
 say it is a Monster upon which we are to feed during five 
 months to come, and that it is of Bulk sufficient to satisfye 
 the Appetites of the whole English Nation : Others affirm that 
 
 1 With Spain. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 249 
 
 it is not to be eaten but to be worshipp'd, and Others again 
 are of Opinion that it is only a Thing of Straw dress'd up in 
 a Spanish habit. Every man forms a different Idea of it, and 
 for my own Part, I am apt to think it is eatable, and that it 
 will be cramm'd down our Throats be it never so hard of 
 Digestion. 
 
 I had a glimpse of Mr. Pope whilst I was in London, and 
 I had a Letter from him two Posts ago. He is lost in the 
 Convention : the very Dunces forgett him, and think of 
 Nothing but Politicks. 
 
 Ld B — ke ^ is still in England : but lives as privately as 
 his Enemies could wish, and is as silent to the public as if he 
 was in his Grave. 
 
 Lord B ^ has lately entertained the Prince at C — r.* 
 
 We may perhaps see him the first Minister in the next Reign, 
 
 but in this He Protests he will not be one. L is, as 
 
 usual, a Spaniard in outward Appearance, but very far from 
 One in his Heart. 
 
 Dr. F is to resign his Living to his Son, and to live 
 
 and die Prebend of Westminster and Canon of Xt Church. 
 Who would have thought this some years ago ? 
 
 In short, all the old Trojans are divided and dispers'd. 
 Some one way. Some another. Some are fled into the Country, 
 Some have taken Refuge at St James's : Some bow at Norfolk 
 House, but others scorn to bend the Knee to any Idol what- 
 ever, and of this last Tribe is 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 1 Bolingbroke. 2 Bathurst. = Cirencester. 
 
250 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 TO MRS. STRANGWAYS HORNER.* 
 
 Marston, January i%th, 173S/39. 
 
 Madam, — I have received yours, and, as 1 am used to 
 egotize very freely to you, You will allow me to do so now. 
 There are many People who at a distance one can think of 
 with Patience, but whose nearer approach makes them intoler- 
 able. Conversation — I mean agreeable Conversation — is not 
 a Gift always to the Wise, no more than the Battle to the 
 Strong : and many a man will write civilly whose Behaviour 
 in Company is immodest, overbearing and presumptuous. 
 Besides, an Impertinence in a Letter may be burnt, or flung 
 aside or forgotten ; but when once a bold Briton has gott 
 possession of your ear. You fall a Sacrifice to all the various 
 turns that Folly or Impudence can devise. For this reason 
 among a thousand others, I prefer the Country to the Town, 
 and though I have your opinion of Somersetshire, yet I believe 
 that you will agree with me that however inauspicious it has 
 been to you. It may not be so to all your faithful Servants. 
 
 ' This lady resided at Mells Park, within easy reach of both Marston Biggott 
 and the town of Frome. The majority of readers are probably unacquainted with 
 the fact that the familiar nursery stanza, 
 
 ' f/ittle Jack Homer 
 Sat in a comer 
 Eating a Christmas Fie ; 
 He put in his thumb 
 And pulled out a plum. 
 And said. What a good boy am I,' 
 
 was originally a political squib. The ' Jack Homer ' of the day, being sent by the King 
 with a grant of land to the Abbots of Glastonbury, on the way thither abstracted the 
 ' plum ' in question, viz. the deed gift of Mells Park. The slowness of inquiries, of 
 distant communication in those times, delayed discovery of the fraud, so that ' posses- 
 sion proved nine points of the law ' to some purpose for the felonious ' Jack.' Mrs. 
 Strangways Homer was the heiress of Thomas Strangways of Melbury Park, an 
 estate which the marriage of her only daughter merged into the Ilchester family, and 
 caused the name of ' Strangways ' to be added to its original patronymic of Fox. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 251 
 
 At this Place I am quite retlr'd : I see few, I read much, I 
 think more, & I am Master of myself, my Family and my 
 time. I begin to hate London, and 1 know of no inducement 
 half so strong as your Residence there to make me fling away 
 a Thought on It. There was an ^ra, I confess, when I look'd 
 upon all Time as mispent that was not pass'd in that City : 
 I lov'd Noise, I follow'd hurry, I sought Crouds, I frequented 
 Playhouses. I had various Pleasures which are now no more. 
 I was then too young to judge even where to look for true 
 Satisfaction. I thought it dwelt at Bartholomew Fair, or was 
 pinn'd to Mrs. Oldfield's ^ Petticoat, but even in the midst of 
 my Madness I was never outragious. I was gay, not wicked, 
 thoughtless, not abandon'd : in short, I knew I was wrong, 
 but I did not allo\^ myself Leisure to be right. Time, and 
 certain uneasy Circumstances cur'd me : I married, I turn'd 
 
 over a new Leaf, and but you remember my Life in New 
 
 Bond Street, and I have reason to remember that the most 
 fortunate Circumstance in It was the Commencement of a 
 strict, and I hope, lasting Freindship with you. I know by 
 Nature I am too easy to be broke in upon : and therefore I 
 must keep my Distance. The first Approaches to me must 
 be difficult, or I shall not be easy to withstand a Seige. I 
 yield from my Heart not from my Head, from a kind of 
 Tenderness my Mother left me, that is more becoming the 
 Lenity of one of your Sex than the Constancy of one of ours. 
 It is from this cause that I have fallen a Prey even in my 
 more experienc'd Years to the Townsends, the Daniells, the 
 S . . . . and the F ... . ds, and it is from this Cause that 
 I am every day giving up my Judgement, an humble Prisoner 
 to my Pity. You and I, Madam, should fly from a sorrowful 
 Story, as other People fly from the Plague. It will certainly 
 
 1 See p. 67, and footnote there. 
 
252 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 infect Us : however, there is this difference, Your Fortune is to 
 be flung away upon such Occasions ; mine has been so already. 
 My Paper draws near an End. I will say nothing of Lady 
 Orrery until you are acquainted with her and give me your 
 Opinion. Yes, I must say I am now really and compleatly 
 happy. I have married a Lady with many excellencies and a 
 sweetness of Temper which charms me, which indeed was my 
 Case once before, but I have not married a whole Family. — 
 I am, Madam, Your most faithful!, humble and obedient 
 Servant, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 P.S. — Lord Boyle is this day gone to Westminster, after 
 passing the holidays with Me. That Boy will make a Figure, 
 or I am blindly partial. 
 
 TO WILLIAM CECIL, ESQ^ 
 
 Marston, February znd, 1738/9. 
 
 Dear Sir, — I find by yours that my Freinds are extremely 
 importunate I should come to Town. They tell me of strange 
 Things that must inevitably happen in a short Time. Knights 
 to be conquer'd in Battle — mighty Champions to be slain — 
 new Lords — new Commons — I had almost said new K . . . . 
 in short. All to be right and Nothing to be wrong : I am 
 accustomed to hear these Songs warbled forth at this time of 
 the Year : they constantly succeed each other, velut Unda super- 
 venit Undam : But I have long since given over my Enquiries 
 into Dreams and Omens. Oracles are eras'd with Me : Peace 
 and solid Happiness take place of airy Visions and imaginary 
 Prospects. Lady Anne and I converse no more. The Curate^ 
 is dead, and Lady Anne ^ is, as all Prophetesses ought to be, 
 
 • 'John Sandford, of Shoreditch.' 2 The Curate's mother. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 253 
 
 stark mad. All I can now depend upon is my Reason : and 
 if that guides me right, I shall act contrary to my Belief and 
 agreeable to my Integrity : for, to speak openly my Sentiments, 
 I am as firmly persuaded that the Affairs of State will glide 
 on as usual, as I am sure I shall continue to give them my 
 usual but ineffectual Opposition. 
 
 What is a single Voice ? I dare not exert it further than 
 a negative mony syllable. Terror hath murdered speech. 
 Cheese is more palatable to my Taste than my own Words to 
 my Ears, and I even dread to hear myself pronounce Yes, 
 or No, in public, the' I do it with an Uprightness that will 
 justifye Me towards God and Man. Nature form'd me for 
 domestic Pleasures and moral Joys, why should I be torn from 
 Happiness ? 
 
 Yet after all I have said tho' I have the most important 
 uxorious Reasons to keep me at home, I will quit Marston 
 for Westminster whenever my presence is absolutely requir'd. 
 You will take care to let me stay to the last minute. — I am, 
 dear Sir, Your very obedient Servant, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO THE REV. MR. WESLEY. 
 
 Duke Street, Westr., March dth, 1738-39. 
 
 Here am I in close attendance upon the Convention. I 
 mean, I was call'd up hither to shew my aversion to so 
 ministerial a Jobb. But since my Arrival Lady Orrery has 
 miscarried at Marston and Lord Boyle is ill of the Meazles 
 above Stairs. You may be sure my present Situation 
 exercises my Philosophy to the highest degree, but I thank 
 God I can go higher. I am a Christian and relye upon 
 my Saviour. 
 
254 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 The complaints of your Health give me much uneasiness. 
 I dread that ugly cough. I tremble when they tell me you 
 look thin, and my spirits sink for You, like the Quicksilver, 
 upon the approach of moist and tempestuous Weather. Surely 
 you would do right to come back to Westminster. You 
 wither at Tiverton. You will revive under the Shade of the 
 Abbey. I have neither Age nor Wisdom enough for a 
 Physician, yet my Vanity leads me to think that ^sculapius, 
 were he alive, would be of my Opinion. To speak freely, I 
 am told the People in yr Neighbourhood disagree with your 
 Constitution as much as the Climate. 
 
 ^tnjeos Fratres, coelo capita alta ferentes, 
 Concilium horrendum ! 
 
 What have You to do with Brutes and Bears? because 
 Orpheus once tam'd the Feirceness of their Nature, do You 
 think You can ? Indeed, you are mistaken, Apollo and all 
 his Muses would sing in vain to Toads and Monsters. I pity 
 you extreamly. Good God ! do I live to pity my honour'd 
 Master? I must return to my poor Boy, who is just 
 awaken'd, and is in as fine a Way (to use the Expression of his 
 Nurse) as can be expected. To resume, and end with a 
 word of Advice, 
 
 Heu fuge crudeles terras ! heu littus avarum. 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO MRS. STRANGWAYS HORNER. 
 
 Mars ton, March z%th, 1739. 
 
 I ARRIVED here last Friday with Lord Boyle, whom I 
 brought down by way of airing him after his Meazles. 
 On Monday I receiv'd your Commands. You may be sure 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 255 
 
 I will subscribe to any Work ^ you recommend. I doubt not 
 but Dr. Middleton will make the Performance well worth 
 the Subscription. I have read, but I have never seen the 
 Doctor. You will sett Lady Orrery and Me down for his 
 humble Servants. 
 
 We shall be so soon in Town that it is scarce worth while 
 to write to You, but I have lately enjoyed such a happy 
 Share of your Conversation that I should be very ungratefull 
 to lose any opportunity of returning my Thanks for the 
 Continuance of your Freindship. 
 
 It is odd to send you news from the Country : yet I must 
 
 tell You that the best Advices from Froome say Lord 
 
 Weymouth is soon to be declared Constable of the Tower. I 
 
 am not surprised that the noble Viscount should be appointed 
 
 head-keeper of the Lyons and of the Tygers,^ and what makes 
 
 it still more probable is, that his Lordship has lately parted 
 
 with a most curious collection of wild Quadrupeds, and keeps 
 
 no Beasts of Prey at Long-Leate but such as walk upon two 
 
 Legs, It is certain this illustrious Peer cannot live without 
 
 Bears and Wolves, and He may like them as well for what I 
 
 know, in the Tower as in his own House, but when he views 
 
 the Arsenal and beholds the dreadful Figures of Kings in 
 
 Armour besett around with numberless Swords and Spikes, 
 
 and aU the terrifying Ensigns of Blood and Battle, I am apt 
 
 to beleive his Lordship will encline to chuse a Place of more 
 
 Profitt and less Danger. I am. Madam, Your most obedient 
 
 Servant, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 1 ' Dr. Middleton's tully." 
 
 2 Wild beasts were still kept at the Tower at this period. 
 
256 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 TO THE EARL OF BARRYMORE.i 
 
 Westminster, Duke Street, Ap. ii^th, 1739. 
 
 My dear Lord, — When I am in this Town I am in a 
 perpetual Hurry : always employ'd and never doing any 
 Thing. It is a Point of Conscience with Me to attend Courts. 
 My Dinners therefore are generally late, and my Suppers 
 accordingly : so the next Point of Conscience is to lye abed 
 very long in a morning. These idle Reasons, my dear Lord, 
 have occasion'd my Silence. But to answer your Enquiries. 
 
 The Convention was carried, like every other righteous 
 act of State, by a considerable Majority. The People were 
 against It. The Dictator ^ was for it ; and Jupiter * is so 
 amourously taken up with his Mistress, that he leaves his 
 Thunder and his Mortals to the Government of his Eagle. 
 The God never appears but to give the assenting Nod to 
 whatever his ravenous Bird proposes. 
 
 The Speakers in our House, on the side of the Minority 
 were, Argyle, Chesterfield, Carteret, Gower, Talbot, Lonsdale, 
 and the Duke of Bedford. On the other side, the Chancellor, 
 The B. of Salisbury (I had almost said of Toledo), Lord Islay, 
 Harvey, and the D. of Norfolk. 
 
 The Duke of Argyle and the Earl of Chesterfield shew'd 
 to what an amazing height the Strength of Eloquence and the 
 Spirit of Witt can rise. When these two Lords had finished 
 their Speeches, I no longer regretted the hundred Miles I 
 had travell'd thro' bad weather and worse Roads. Lord 
 Carteret spoke with great Warmth, but without Passion. 
 Lord Gower, as usual, very genteely, and very strong. Lord 
 
 ' Fourth Earl, whose first wife was Lady Elizabeth Boyle, sister of Charles, third 
 Eail of Cork. The title became extinct in 1 824. 
 
 2 Sir Robert Vi^alpole. 3 The King. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 257 
 
 Talbot's Patriotism carried him a little too far ; if I mistake 
 not, he swore once or twice ; but Lord Lonsdale spoke with 
 most remarkable Judgement, and in so close a strain of 
 Argument, that what he said was unanswerable. The 
 Chancellor was long and tedious, and the Bishop's words 
 seemed to come from his Pockett, not from his Heart. He 
 was answered by the Duke of Bedford, short and extremely 
 well. Islay was full of Latin, he brought in Horace, but he 
 left out Tully, and Lord Hervey, who has been ill ever since 
 (occasioned by too violent a Fitt of Eloquence) spoke nicely 
 and was full of Peace, Plenty and Sugar-Plumbs. The Duke 
 of Newcastle's arguments were lost in the noise of the Gallery 
 and in the Murmurs of the Bishops, who grew very hungry 
 towards the latter End, as well they might, for the Clock 
 struck ten before we divided. 
 
 But I had almost forgott who ^ acted a most considerable 
 Part in our Shew. He did us the honour to head our Troops, 
 and seem'd not at all dismay'd at being trod under Foot 
 of the majority of the Clergy. By the By we had three 
 or four Bishops with Us, upon each of whom He bestow'd 
 most gracious Smiles and Nods of Approbation. The hope- 
 full Youth was very busy all day ; "When an Enemy spoke, 
 he turn'd his Back to him, and fell to placing his Cravat, or 
 pleating his Ruffles, but when an AUy stept forth. He was all 
 attention, and turn'd up his Ear like a little Bird that listens to 
 a FlageUet. The Speech over, he chirrup'd Applauses to the 
 Person who was next him. My Paper draws to an End ; 
 Adieu, my dear Lord. All your commands shall certainly be 
 
 obey'd. 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 ' Earl of Stair. 
 VOL. I. R 
 
258 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 TO THE REV. MR. WESLEY. 
 
 Duke Street, fTestr., May ^th. 
 
 However well Westminster might agree with You, it 
 certainly agrees very ill with Me. I live to be a Slave 
 to the Importunities and Visitts of half the Town. Some come 
 to me out of Idleness, some visitt me because I am a 
 Lord, some because I have a House, and some because I 
 am in Debt ; the latter are least welcome but most sincere. 
 You know how little I like this kind of life. I am out 
 of my Element when I am out of the Country, and tho' 
 St. James's Park puts one in mind of the Somersetshire 
 verdure, yet the Music on the Parade is no more equal to 
 the songs of our Nightingales than the Music of the Opera 
 House is to an old English Ballad. By the by, the Com- 
 parison does not hold exactly at present, for the State of 
 that Theatre has long been overturn'd, and the Princes 
 and Heroines who used to strut so furiously upon the Stage 
 have been long ago sent, like the Jews and the Gypsies, 
 to wander over the Face of the Globe, whilst the two 
 Brothers Hendel and Heydegger live in daily expectation 
 of the Gallows. 
 
 The Curate of Shoreditch, the illustrious Sandford, is 
 no more ! He died last April was a twelvemonth, and 
 with him perish'd Puns, Quirks and Quibbles innumerable. 
 I heard not of his Death till some Months after it happen'd, 
 and, to speak in his own Style, I never could think gravely of 
 him till He was in his Grave. Peace ! Peace ! Peace ! to his 
 Manes ! Vale ! Vale ! Vale ! Nos ilium, ordine quo natura 
 permiserit, cuncti sequemur. He was certainly a Man of whom 
 His Freinds could scarce speak seriously without laughing. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 259 
 
 and tho' he was by no means apt to laugh at himself, He 
 was always the only Person in Company not guilty of that 
 Indecorum, Laughter puts me in mind of Tom Southerne, 
 who is heartily your Servant, and so very deaf that you might 
 now venture to laugh as loud as you pleas'd without incurring 
 his displeasure. 
 
 Lord Boyle is improving at Westminster School under the 
 Instructions of Dr. Nichols. The soil there is still excellent, 
 and the Ground not the least worn out. However your 
 Tillage would do wonders, and I might hope to see my 
 Boy shoot up daily under such a Husbandman, for whatever 
 Knots and Blemishes are in the old Oak, the Saplin is fair 
 and spotless, I assure You, and so good Night. 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO DR. BARRY. 
 
 Duke Street, Westminster, May z^th, 1739. 
 
 When I write from London, my dear Doctor, I write 
 from a Place of so much hurry and confusion that my Letters 
 will probably appear a kind of Chaos, Matter without Light. 
 The political Situation of the State is aU Confusion, at least it 
 appears so to us, who can only judge of what comes before our 
 Eyes. The Sessions is drawing towards an End ; crowned with 
 the glories of a Convention and the honours of a parchment 
 Peace. It is most certain we are far from Papists in Religion, 
 but surely we are so in Politicks, we beleive Things so directly 
 contrary to our Senses, so absolutely unlike what they are called, 
 that for my Part I imagine it far from improbable to beleive 
 in time Atheism to be true Religion, and Whiggism the true 
 Philosophy. As yet I have not brought myself to this 
 extensive freedom of Thought, so I remain amidst the 
 
26o THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 Minority, who begin now to grow weary of protesting, or at 
 least languid in that noble Prerogative, as you wiU find by the 
 only Protest we have had this Year. 
 
 You enquire much after my State of Health : I am as well 
 as your wishes or your Art could make Me. Matrimony even 
 agrees with Me a second time. You Physicians say a second 
 Dose of Physick does most good. I hold You all in the 
 highest Reverence, and look upon You as Prophets. You are 
 the favorites of Apollo, and your Oracles undoubtedly are 
 true. Beleive me, I am perfectly happy and perfectly healthy. 
 We propose to be in Dublin in August, if not sooner. May 
 we hope to meet you there ? Indeed, my dear Doctor, until 
 You are planted in the Soil of that Metropolis, You are an 
 Exotick, and liable to the pinching Blasts and uncertain 
 Seasons of Corke. It is a horrid Climate. Quitt it, and 
 draw nearer to the English Shore. — I am, ever yours, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO THOMAS TICKELL, ESQ^ 
 
 Duke Street, Westr., June nth, 1739. 
 
 Sir, — I leave London tomorrow, and after some stay in 
 Somersetshire, shall proceed towards the Hibernian Shore. 
 Amidst various Clamours and a thousand Calls, I snatch up a 
 Pen to teU You that the noble Peer is not to be seen. He 
 lives in a Labyrinth. Sir R. W.^ has the Clue, but I have no 
 Interest there, so I must tell You, that it is impossible for me 
 to serve F.^ I wish him a more able, he cannot have a more 
 zealous Freind. As to Letters, they wiU be no purpose. 
 His Lordship cannot read, so advise F. to sit down contented 
 
 1 Sir Robert Walpole. 2 Mr. Fenton, probably. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 261 
 
 and learn from Horace to make his Desires square with his 
 
 Fate. He must either do this or improve his Patron's Head 
 
 and Heart, which You will say is by no means impossible, since 
 
 He has quitted his old Freinds in the Country for new 
 
 Freinds at Court. When we meet in Ireland I shall be more 
 
 explicit on the Subject, in the meanwhile You will believe Me 
 
 as faithfull*as unsuccessful in your Service. 
 
 To date a Letter from London and to send no News is 
 
 perhaps a little impolitick. A Man should pretend to be of 
 
 some Importance, tho' he really is not. However, to confess 
 
 a great Truth, I have no secrets but what are in the News 
 
 Papers, in which I could wish I own to insert one Paragraph, 
 
 because 1 would have it as public as possible that I am, Sir, 
 
 Your very obedient humble Servant, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO THE REV. MR. WESLEY. 
 
 Marston, June i%th, 1739. Monday. 
 
 Dear Mr. Wesley, — We arrived here last Friday : All 
 well, and much happier if we thought You so. The character 
 You give of our mutual Freind, Mr. F — g — d ^ is indeed not 
 only very amiable, but very just. I know every Syllable of it 
 to be true. And I also agree with You entirely as to what 
 You say about Words. I have often thought it greatly to 
 the honour of our Language that there is no word in any 
 other Tongue so expressive of that Godlike Attribute Good 
 Nature, as in English. It seems to be a radical Phrase, 
 perfectly of our own growth, and answers the Idea of 
 Benevolence, Humanity, Sweetness, and a whole Groupe of 
 Virtues all under One. So far in praise of the Language, but 
 
 1 Mr. FitzGerald. 
 
262 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 surely it is little in Praise of the People, that a Word so 
 excellent in itself, should in the present fashionable Acceptation 
 of It be perverted to a very different Sense from the original 
 Meaning and totally corrupted from the antient Idiom that it 
 bore. A goodnatured Man at this time of Day signifies little 
 better than a Fool, and is generally looked upon, where there 
 are not some remarkable Tokens to the contrary, as a tame, 
 complying inoffensive Animal, so very low in understanding 
 that his good qualities arise from Ignorance and his Virtues 
 from want of Spirit. This is widely different from the true 
 meaning of the Phrase, and can be only attributed to the 
 uncertain Situation of a living Language which, like the Sea- 
 Shore, loses in one place what it gains in another. But Good 
 Nature is in itself of so dignified, so distinguished and so 
 adorable an Essence, that it ought never to be lessened or 
 misapplied. It should receive the utmost marks of respect 
 due to a Title of so great Honour. It should be esteemed as 
 the Characterlstick of our Nation, and let other words perish 
 or lose their significance, this ought ever to be preserved, and 
 to be deemed sacred to Men of Sense and true born Britons : 
 and if Simpletons and Fools must be indulged with some 
 tender Epithet, let us coin some new word that may entitle 
 them to our Pity, since they never can deserve our Esteem. 
 My paper allows just room to say I am, faithfully yours, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO BARON WAYNRIGHT. 
 
 Mar Stan, July zotA, 1739. 
 
 My dear Baron, — Altho' I am certain my destined 
 journey to Ireland is right, and may be attended not only 
 with advantages but possibly with pleasure, yet I am not with- 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 263 
 
 out my Fears and Uneasiness on the Occasion. I have long 
 known the People, the Manners and the State, and from 
 Knowledge must arise either hatred or aiFection. You will 
 easily guess which of those two Passions has taken root in 
 my Breast. There are certain individuals in every Place, 
 perhaps in HeU, who must be belov'd, esteem'd, admir'd, but 
 when the Body in general is corrupted, what signifies it tho' a 
 single joint or two escape the Contagion? if I were super- 
 stitious a thousand ill omens would attend me on this occasion, 
 but at the thoughts of meeting You they must all vanish. 
 
 I shall bring all my little Family with me. I was once 
 determin'd to leave Lord Boyle at Westminster, but my Heart 
 cannot bear the Separation. I am resolved to dedicate my 
 Time in Ireland to his Service, and to publish something in 
 usum met Delphini: for to You I dare own he is a Boy of 
 infinite hopes: One who will prove, if his maturity answers 
 his Blossoms, the most worthy of his Name. 
 
 You see, as usual I pour out to You the inward Thoughts 
 of my Soul. But not to be too serious, I must tell You an 
 Adventure that happened to Me yesterday in this room. A 
 Neighbour of mine at Froome (who has lately been an Author, 
 and has done me the honour to mention me in his Perform- 
 ance) came yesterday to make me a visit some hours before 
 dinner. It is the custom here if our Freinds intend to dine 
 with Us they break in upon our breakfast. I had never seen 
 him?before, but at first view perceived he was a most sober 
 Personage, of gravity sufficient to make a mute at a Funeral, 
 and of Formality enough to be a Gentleman- Usher to the 
 Arch Dutchess at Brussels. To while away the time before 
 Dinner, after I had paced the Garden over with him in all 
 demureness, I brought the Sage into my Library as the most 
 acceptable Place in which so profound an Adept could repose 
 
264 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 his limbs. He soon advanced towards the Books, and taking 
 
 down one in which I had scribbled some observations, he 
 
 turned it over with as sad a countenance as I have ever beheld 
 
 and then asked me, ' Is it your method Sir Mylord, to write 
 
 ' in your Books ? ' upon my answering in the affirmative, he 
 
 replied, ' I am sorry for it, they will not sell so well hereafter ! ' 
 
 The Beauty of the observation, especially from one who had 
 
 complimented me in print, the seriousness of the Observation, 
 
 and the Truth of the remark made me venture to smile in 
 
 spite of all efforts to melancholy, and I daresay the upright 
 
 Presbyterian, for such he was, wiU now look upon me not only 
 
 as a Scribbler and Defiler of Paper, but as a Mocker and vain 
 
 Ridiculer of holy Men ; it is time to fly therefore out of a 
 
 Country where my reputation is sinking and dwindling away, 
 
 to an Island where your Countenance and Freindship may 
 
 protect and defend me. Adieu. 
 
 ORRERY, 
 
 TO DR. KING.i 
 
 Dublin, August z-jth, 1739. 
 
 When you was gone, my dear Doctor, Marston Bowers 
 lost all their Charms. The Leaves wither'd, the Flowers 
 droop'd, the House-dog grew sullen, the glow Worms died, 
 and Melancholy diffused itself throughout the whole Parish. 
 Our Curate had thoughts of turning Methodist, and the 
 Esquire relaps'd into the Ague by drinking Water. Mr. 
 Scott broke his Ruler, and Twitzer talk'd of planting Thistles 
 and Crab trees. The Harpsicord prov'd out of Tune, Lady 
 Orrery grew hoarse, and little Kate would squeal no more. 
 You will easily judge I quitted such a Place with Pleasure, 
 especially to hasten to the Dean^ : After your Conversation, His 
 
 ' Principal of St. Mary Hall, Oxford. 2 Dean Swift. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 265 
 
 Company only could be relishable. I found him in excellent 
 Health and Spirits. God send Us aU a fitt of the Gout at 
 
 Seventy! He is much yours, as is Mr. L , to whom I 
 
 delivered your Packett. 
 
 I am now going to Rust in the County of Tyrone : "The 
 World forgetting by the World forgott : and as You know I 
 neither hunt, drink, shoot, nor play at Nine-pins, I must find 
 out some amusement, some diversion to fill those Winter 
 Evenings that approach so fast and last so long. I have 
 therefore undertaken a great Work, such a Work as will 
 require all my own Attention and all the Assistance of my 
 learned Freinds. It is a Translation of Pliny's Epistles, and 
 to each Epistle I propose Notes, such as shall take in all Kinds 
 of Learning, History, Humour, or agreeable Observations, so 
 that the whole may be worth the Acceptance of the Publick. 
 I have ever despised literal Translations: at best They are 
 only fitt for School Boys, and they are what no Man of Taste 
 can bring himself down to. I would make Pliny an English- 
 man : I would keep up his Sense and Spirit, but I would 
 endeavour to use such Expressions as He himself would have 
 chose had He written in English. Now I have laid my 
 general Plan before You : Will You allow me to send You 
 from Time to Time some of my Performances .'' I need not 
 add, will you use Me like a Freind .'' I know You too well to 
 doubt It. 
 
 Pliny is an Author I have long studied, long admir'd and 
 long lov'd : His Sentiments charm Me. He had a Soul that 
 was an Honour to human Nature. He was learned and an 
 Encourager of Learning. He was a fluent and a persuasive 
 Orator: He was noble, generous and goodnatur'd. He had 
 an Emprour for his Master and his Freind, from whom he 
 receiv'd and upon whom he reflected great Honour. His 
 
266 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 Uncle but what am I doing? You know him and all his 
 
 Relations, and I am drawing their Pictures. Forgive Me, my 
 dear Doctor : To my Freinds I love to talk of my Freinds, 
 and shall certainly hear with great Satisfaction and much 
 Improvement whatever you say of my Cacilius, whom I begin 
 to think and call my own. Our Correspondence, for I flatter 
 myself You will make it mutual, will turn upon Learning, and 
 unless Musick comes in, I don't see how Lady Orrery will 
 have a Right to interrupt It. Take her best Wishes then 
 once for all. They will ever attend You, I assure You, tho' I 
 should not happen to mention Them so punctually as She 
 desires Me. The Boys are silly Punsters, and bid me say 
 Vivat Rex. In short all mine are yours, and at the Head of 
 them 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO DEAN SWIFT. 
 
 Catedon, Septr. 2gtk, 1739. 
 
 Dear Sir, — Behold an Englishman growing fatt and 
 flourishing in the County of Tyrone. Fortune has been 
 extreamly kind in her Favours, and I have no other Way of 
 shewing my Gratitude, but by living on the Spott from whence 
 those Favours flow. Where our Treasure is, there will our 
 Heart be also. 
 
 The Time is now drawing near when the Eyes of Europe 
 will be fix'd on the Councils and Determinations of College 
 Green. I cannot ask you to be absent from a Scene of such 
 Importance ; but if Peace be the Result of those Councils, as 
 I doubt not from their Wisdom it will, I must hope to see You 
 here next Summer. The Inducements to make You quitt 
 Patrick's Street, (a Place I confess very alluring) for the less 
 well bred Butchers of the North, are Quiet, Ease and a Pyrrha 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 267 
 
 and Deucalion who know how to value You : but if War 
 ensues, if his Grace of Devonshire opens the Temple of Janus, 
 and the shrill Trumpet sounds to Arms, even then your 
 Retreat here will be secure. Encompass'd with Hills and 
 Presbyterians, we bid Defiance to Don Geraldino and the Conjux 
 violenta Philippi. Our Plough Shares will be Plough Shares 
 still : nay, so great is our aversion to Swords, that we do not 
 suffer Prize-Fighters to come amongst Us, and, what is more 
 wonderfuU, One of our Lords, the Baron of Blaney, has quitted 
 the broad Belt and Hanger for the Toga Xtiana of the Church : 
 so that All the Tumults we apprehend are in Nubibus. The 
 Clouds are the chief Ministers to Boreas, and they execute his 
 Orders without the least Colour of Justice or Shew of Pity. 
 The Winds blow down our Trees and the Rains rot them, nor 
 can their Wrath against Groves and Plantations be exceeded by 
 any Sett of People beneath Them, except by the Natives of the 
 Place. 
 
 You see I scorn to disguise the Situation of our State, and 
 since You have long known my Imperfections, why should you 
 not know the Imperfections of my Land .'' A Land whose 
 worst produce is Cheese and whose greatest want is the honour 
 of your Company. I leave Lady Orrery to speak for herself : 
 She is at present in the Dairy tasting buttermilk and trying a 
 new Churn. By and By we must go together to the Pidgeon 
 House, and when Night comes on, we shall shutt our Windows 
 and retire to the Muses and the Loves. I am, dear Sir, Your 
 ever oblig'd, affectionate and obedient humble Servant, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
268 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 TO BARON WAYN RIGHT. 
 
 Caledon, October iitk, 1739. 
 
 No, my dear Baron, I will not be tempted to quitt Study 
 and Repose for Noise and Idleness. Not your Eloquence, 
 equal as it is to all I ever heard or read of, shall tempt Me 
 from my Cabbin, or draw me beyond the limits of my Garden. 
 Shall I leave my peacefull Home, my much lov'd Indolence, 
 and all the joyous Moments of my Fire-Side, to plunge into 
 Noise and Battles ? to beat the Spaniards in Bumpers and the 
 French in loud Laughters? No, softer Amusements and 
 gentler Victories employ my Hours. But Oh my Baron 
 releive Me from the only uneasiness I labour under, the Want 
 of your Conversation. Come then next year the Northern 
 Circuit, or we shall hang ourselves in one of our Groves. 
 When shall I see you if I do not meet You with the Sheriff of 
 Armagh.? Chear us, therefore, with the hopes of attending 
 You, and Lady Orrery shall appear an Amazon on Horseback 
 to conduct You hither, while I, like the stout Achilles, will 
 shine at the Head of my Myrmidons to honour and almost 
 adore Justice, when she assumes so beloved a Form. I speak 
 thus early that You may take your Measures accordingly. 
 
 Now for Pliny : What You have heard is true : I am 
 translating him : He is an Author who I think has not had 
 that Regard shewn him which he most deserves. His senti- 
 ments are fine, his way of thinking, open, humane and noble. 
 His Freindships sincere and well-chosen : his Fortune easy 
 and well managed ; and his whole Life a Scene of Virtue and 
 honourable Acts. Should such a Man be buried under a Heap 
 of Dutch Commentators ? No more than You should be buried 
 in Ireland. He is in some Places a little obscure by affecting 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 269 
 
 to be too concise, and from that Reason, as well as from the 
 difference of the two Languages, I am oblig'd often to take a 
 long Scope to keep up an Epistolatory Style and at the same 
 time make him intelligible. My greatest disadvantage is, that 
 if I err or mistake his Meaning, I have no Body to set me 
 right. I have no Assistance but my own Brains and Lady 
 Orrery's Ears, to whom I read each Epistle (like Molifere 
 to his old "Woman in the Chimney Corner), and from her 
 Criticisms form my Sentences at least more tuneable, if not 
 more exact. Upon each Epistle I write an Essay, which I 
 make as lively and as little tedious as I can. I will not send 
 you any of my Labours till I have finish'd the First Book, 
 which may be about Xmas, but scarce sooner. 
 
 W. G. who is now here, shall deliver You an Epistle of 
 my own, containing some Account of your English Freinds 
 and likewise of your English Enemies, for even You are not 
 free from the inexorabilis hostis. Lett what Name soever be 
 given You, my dear Baron, I know what Name You deserve. 
 You are the Pliny of our Age : An ornament to your Country 
 and a loyal Subject to your Prince, and, lett me add, the Decus 
 et Tutamen of Me your faithful! and affectionate 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO WILLIAM PHILIPS, ESQ. 
 
 Caledon, October %otk, 1739. 
 
 Sollicitae duco jucunda Oblivia Vitae. This is the real 
 Reason why You have not heard from Me since my Arrival in 
 Ireland. A perpetual Hurry employ'd my Hours at London 
 and at Marston, but at Caledon they slide away in uxorious 
 happiness, and rustic Joys. I have now tasted the two extreams 
 of Fate : the Rage of Tempests and the Serenity of Calms. 
 
270 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 Wonder not, my Freind, if I am cautious how I thrust forth 
 my Vessel again from Shore, or commit my Pinnace to the 
 uncertainties of Wind and Weather. She must be first new 
 rigg'd, well stor'd and richly freighted, and then perhaps She 
 may be stout enough for a Voyage to England, but at present 
 we must lye by in Port to refitt. If I talk thus of Vessels and 
 Voyages, the officious Rascal who opens this Letter will think 
 I am carrying on a treasonable correspondence, and may look 
 upon Me as a Privateer fighting under Spanish Colours. The 
 Times are dangerous, and therefore no more of Seas and 
 Storms. 
 
 I am charmed with Caledon, and when I should be writing 
 to my Freinds, I am moving an old Gate or cutting down an 
 antient Apple Tree for a Prospect : in short, I am lost amidst 
 the various Pleasures of inglorious Ease. The morning dawns, 
 and my little Pad ambles with Me through all my various 
 Groves and verdant Fields. At Noon, I lean upon my Pitch- 
 fork and eat my oaten Cake. The Afternoon is pass'd at the 
 Pick-Ax and the Spade, at Night Lady Orrery's Voice and 
 Harpsicord in sweet Delights transport my Soid to Rest. My 
 Days are innocent, my Nights are happy. ChearfuUness sits 
 smiling round Me, and Plenty keeps close to my Side. My 
 Gate stands open to the Widow and the Stranger. You now 
 know where I am. 
 
 TO ARCHDEACON RUSSELL. 
 
 Caledon, No'v. izth, 1739. 
 
 My dear Arch Deacon, — We Lords are a most unhappy 
 Sett of People. It is true we have some Advantages that draw 
 on envy from the untitled and uncoronnetted Vulgar, but 
 our disadvantages are such, that no Pity is too great for Us. I 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 271 
 
 am led into this way of thinking by a Visit I have lately 
 receiv'd from the most impertinent, the most inquisitive, the 
 most disagreable, the most dismal and the most scycophantic 
 Lord-following Fool that Earth ever produc'd. He came 
 hither unask'd, unthought of and unwish'd for, and travell'd 
 
 all the way from D y ^ at this bleak Season with the most 
 
 dismal Face and most rotten Constitution that has been (since 
 time immemorial) discover'd in these Parts. But his Face 
 and Person, tho' death-like and forbidding even to a degree 
 of Terror, are still preferable to his Head and Heart. He 
 is by Nature one of those Question-asking Animals who pry 
 into the secrets of the higher Powers in order to make a 
 Figure of Importance, and to appear deep in the Knowledge of 
 Family Occurrences and Lordly AfFairs : from this accursed 
 Disposition I have suffered immense Persecution. He was 
 resolv'd to lose no Time, and before He was well warm in my 
 House he began to ask Me, ' When I went to Town ? Why 
 I staid in the Country ? Whether I had lately heard from my 
 Freinds in England.? What their Opinion of Things was.'' 
 What they Thought of my Absence in Ireland .'' How long I 
 intended to sojourn in the Kingdom ? What were my inten- 
 tions about my Children? How I liked T. B.? Whether 
 I examin'd my Sons myself.'' Whether my Daughter was 
 out of her Sampler .'' How She relished a Step-Mother ? and 
 whether the old Woman he remember'd in England was still 
 about her ? ' Here I grew a little sour, and answered the 
 latter Questions snappishly enough : upon which He turn'd 
 over a new Leaf, and putt on the Air of Freindship under 
 the Mask of Flattery. He let me understand that I was of 
 all Men his darling Favourite: He called me Procerum 
 dulcissime, and he told Me he had often heard of Caledon, 
 
 1 Derry? 
 
272 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 but was resolved never to see it, fine and famous as it 
 was, tUl I, Magnum hujus Medis Omamentum^ was seated, 
 as he now had the honour and pleasure to view me, in my 
 golden Throne in the midst of my terrestrial Paradise. This 
 Ear-tickling Discourse was wound up by one plain, modest, 
 humble Question in these Words : ' Pray, my dearest Lord, 
 what is your exact Income here in the North? Because, 
 if it were a Million, it cannot be more than I wish It.' — 
 Gods ! was I reserv'd for This ? But not to tire you with 
 any more of his Adulation, let us view him in another 
 very different and very hideous Light. He is naturally very 
 hypocondriacal and melancholy, and therefore his Brains 
 are fiU'd with bad Omens, dire Misfortunes and all sorts 
 of evil News. His Prophecies are more terrible than Cylenos', 
 and he delivers them in a hoarse deep hollow Tone that 
 would frighten Hercules. When Lady Orrery went the 
 other day to visit a Neighbour about six miles off, during 
 her Absence he was giving me infallible Assurances that She 
 must be overturn'd, and break an Arm or a Leg, if not 
 her Neck. He was perpetually regretting that my Sons 
 had not had the small-Pox. He observed that my Daughter 
 look'd pale and consumptive, but hop'd with a Sigh, that she 
 might rub thro' it, tho' Master Peachick look'd so just 
 before he died. By the dint of second Sight, he knew 
 I could not withstand the extreme severity of the Weather, 
 and he lamented with Sobs and Groans that Caledon was not 
 in the South of France : then he sung of Rheumatisms, 
 Coughs, and Agues, of Catarrhs, Imposthumes, Diarrheas, 
 Gravel, Ruptures, Gout and Stone, and concluded all with 
 a Prayer against the bleakness of easterly Winds and the 
 Power of the Irish House of Commons. 
 
 I need not name him to You, He is now with You, 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 273 
 
 or will be so, soon after You receive This : He quitted us this 
 morning, and had rivetted me strongly in an opinion I 
 had long entertained, that A Man had better keep Company 
 with a dozen Knaves, than with one Fool, for, cautious as 
 I have been in all my Answers to Him, He will nevertheless 
 entertain Dublin with an Account of Me and my Family 
 during all the Winter Months. 
 
 Hasten hither. Archdeacon, that your Sense may make 
 amends for his FoUy, your Sincerity for his Flattery, and your 
 Chearfulness for his Prophecies. — I am, most sincerely yours, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO DOCTOR BARRY. 
 
 Caledon, Nov. ■^oth, 1739. 
 
 My dear Doctor, — I welcome you most heartily to 
 Dublin.^ You are now, in your proper Sphere, where you 
 cannot fail to shine with a Lustre far beyond all the lesser 
 Lights of the Firmament : but you must yet awhile look upon 
 yourself as only rising into Glory : and at the first dawning of 
 your Appearance you must expect to meet with some Clouds 
 and noxious Particles that may obstruct the force of your heat 
 and the brightness of your Rays. The finest Noons begin 
 with the dullest Mornings. Fogs and Vapours precede 
 Sunshine : on the other hand, if the Mornings be too early 
 bright, the Noon is overcast, and the Sun sets amidst all 
 the Terrors of Erebus and Nox. Your Morning, my dear 
 Doctor, may possibly be cloudy, but I shaU see you in your 
 Meridian darting forth your Beams and at once giving 
 Warmth and Light to the whole Globe of Ireland. 
 
 It is very certain the Genus irritabile Fratrum are awakened 
 at your Approach. Be arm'd then against the various 
 
 1 Dr. B. had transferred his practice from Cork to Dublin. 
 VOL. I. ^ 
 
274 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 Monsters that for want of other poisonous Animals, are 
 particularly plentiful in the City of Dublin. 
 
 Gorgones, Harpyiaeque et Forma tricorporis Umbra consider 
 now as Shadows. Lett them hiss. Let them crawl ; and lett 
 them try to hurt You. Your Power is from Phoebus, and 
 You are invulnerable. They will soon find You so, and 
 they will return disappointed to the Ooze and Filth of the 
 Liffy. 
 
 I hear You do not intend at your first Appearance to rowl 
 over Essex Bridge in your own Chariot : I am sorry for It, for 
 a Chariot seems not only necessary if you have great Business, 
 but more so if You have less than your Skill entitles you 
 to. CEconomy may exert itself in a thousand Instances more 
 properly than in this. The Brotherhood will rejoice at it, and 
 the proud, the rich and the vain (a numerous and mighty 
 Generation) wiU scorn to send for a Physician who has not 
 a Chariot to grace the outside of their Portal. Consider too, 
 whilst You are box'd up in your Chair, You may be crushed 
 and destroy'd and run over by some hasty Member of 
 the Fraternity, as he flies with the Wings of the Wind 
 and the Horses of the Sun to dispel the Gout, the Jaundice 
 and the Devil : and it is too true that Ward, or Mrs. Stevens 
 could be sooner with a Patient if they went in a Coach 
 than Apollo himself could be if carried in a Sedan. No, 
 my dear Doctor, if you turn your chariot into a Chair, 1 1 turn 
 my Coach & six into a Kings-End Carr. Adieu. 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO MR. SOUTHERNE. 
 
 Caledon, Janry ist, 1739-40. 
 
 Let it not be said, my dear old Man, that I have 
 seen two days in the New Year without wishing as many 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 275 
 
 Years to You as you have good Qualities, which I 
 verily think is making you immortal. We are wrapt up 
 in Snow. The spotless Ermin is not whiter than Caledon 
 Gardens. Our Potatoes, like Relicks, and the Skulls of 
 Saints, are dugg up from amidst the Bowels of the Earth. 
 We are obliged to guess whereabouts they are, and there 
 we drive in our Pick- Axes, our Spades and our Crow-Irons : 
 but if we guess wrong or are mistaken in our Situation, 
 Vae Miseris ! the Caledonians are obliged to support them- 
 selves without a Dinner. Mark how we are punished for 
 want of faith in Travellers. The Stories of Men outliving 
 a winter in Iceland, as also of the Breath freezing so as to 
 render the Voice unheard, and the Words lockt up till a 
 Thaw came, were formerly looked upon as wily Fancies and 
 Offsprings of a lying Brain, but now we own them true, 
 true as a Midnight dream or one of Dr. Baxter's Apparitions. 
 We experience all the cold of Iceland in the County of 
 Tyrone, and not only our breath is frozen, but our Lips 
 seal'd up in Frost, tiU Tea or a Lady's Kiss setts our Mouths 
 at Liberty. The Ink cannot freeze in my Pen, because the 
 ardour which comes from my Heart when I write to You, 
 inspires my Fingers ends with warmth and makes every Muscle 
 in me glow with the heat of Freindship, but if I was writing 
 upon Business or without Affection, Ink, Pen, Paper and 
 Scribe would be all Statues of Ice in a minute. 
 
 Tomorrow compleats me thirty-three : I have now no 
 Remnant of Youth left but want of Knowledge and Experi- 
 ence. I am jogging on towards forty, and find, as I go 
 forward, I begin to think People middle-aged, whom I have 
 heretofore looked upon as grave old Gentlemen, so what is 
 added to my Years I take from theirs, without either of us 
 finding Benefitt by the Exchange. 
 
276 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 Lady Orrery, Betty, Charles, Hamilton, even King Nobby 
 (old and good as you are) send their best Wishes to you 
 and to all our valuable Freinds at Westminster. I thank God 
 we bufFett the Cold as stoutly as if we had been born in 
 Muscovy. May no Weather hurt You ! No Age conquer 
 You ! No War molest You ! (for here we are dreadfully 
 afraid of the Spaniards) and may neither Snow cover your 
 Potatoes, nor want of Memory make you forgett 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO ALEXANDER POPE, ESQ. 
 
 Caledon, February z^^rd, 1739-40. 
 
 Sir, — You may look upon this as an Epistle from the 
 Dead : We are buried to the World and pass our time in as 
 much tranquility and in as much ignorance of what is doing 
 in the great neighbouring Island as if we were stretched at 
 full length in our Coffins. Some Life indeed we have still 
 remaining, just enough to remember the happy hours we 
 enjoyed in England, particularly at Twicknam. You must 
 allow our Gratitude to break out now and then in a Letter, 
 and must forgive an Interruption occasioned by the warmest 
 Wishes, tho' in the coldest Climate, for y^ Health and Wel- 
 fare. During the late severe season our Fears and Anxieties 
 for you have been great. The strongest Constitutions and the 
 most robust Frames have been shattered and unable to with- 
 stand the Keeness of the Frost : in pity tell us then how you 
 have escaped ? A Letter directed to Caledon near Tynan in 
 the County of Tyrone, Ireland will reach two of the faithfullest 
 Servants you have in the World. 
 
 The Dean has lately had another Fitt of the Gout, but is 
 now in perfect Health. We hear often of him, but seldom 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 277 
 
 from him. The Lady's^ Power, (one may say it without 
 danger of hurting one part of his Reputation) encreases daily : 
 at night her Influence ends : that is, She retires to her Lodging, 
 and the Dean to his Bed: but returning Light brings her 
 back to her Station, which she quits not, till, as She poetically 
 expresses it (for now she scarce deigns to call for Small Beer 
 in Prose) the goddess Luna, whom She once worshipped as 
 Lucina, borrows Light from her Brother Phoebus to guide 
 her Votaries to their peaceful Home. Of other People we 
 know little and enquire less. The fatal Catastrophe of the 
 
 E. of Sc has reached these Greenland Territories, but 
 
 the name of the Heiress who was run away with, and the 
 running Translator at Charing Cross, will in all likelyhood, 
 like other mysteries of State, remain unknown to the Cale- 
 donians forever. Let Mr. Pope live and enjoy his Health, 
 Let him sometimes think of Us, just to say he is well, and we 
 will sow our Potatoes and spin our Flax with all imaginable 
 Content and without the least grain of Envy or Complaint of 
 the Age we live in, for be assured, Sir, we are with the utmost 
 Truth and Respect Your most obliged and most obedient 
 humble Servants, 
 
 ORRERY. MARGARET ORRERY. 
 
 TO MR. SOUTHERN E. 
 
 Caledon, May i^h, 174.0. 
 
 The News Papers are just arrived. I congratulate You, 
 my dear old Man, upon the late Honours of his Grace of 
 Argyle. Honours which I have wished him often, and the 
 only Honours he wanted. None of his faithful! Servants see 
 
 1 Mrs. Esther Johnson, privately married to Dean Swift, whom she eventually 
 predeceased, and illegitimate daughter of Sir Wm. Temple. 
 
278 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 his Character rise to the highest Pitch with more Pleasure 
 than You and I. My Pleasure, perhaps you '1 say arises from 
 Pride. I am proud to see so great a Man as independent as 
 Myself. I am independent and I always will be so ; but it is 
 of no consequence what I am : it is of consequence to the 
 three Kingdoms what he is. May his life be as long as it is 
 glorious, and may you live to see it so. 
 
 I have a thousand good Things to tell You of my Family. 
 We are the happiest People in the World, easy, retired, 
 chearful, full of Gaiety, and full of Love. Lady Orrery, the 
 Source from whence these happinesses flow, is your faithfuU 
 Servant. Lord Boyle is deep in Ovid, and tomorrow com- 
 mences a faithful! Follower of ^neas and a Rival to Achates. 
 Hammy has enlisted himself under Erasmus, with whom he 
 generally passes the morning in a dialogue upon miscellaneous 
 Subjects. Betty is thrumming upon the harpsichord and 
 growing towards a May -pole. Of the Unborn, some Months 
 may allow me to send You a Paragraph. Now lett us go into 
 the Garden. 
 
 My Trees flourish, my Lawn looks green, and my Walks 
 nice. My Gardens are encompassed by a River, whose 
 Borders are covered with goodly Trees, the boast and glory of 
 the County of Tyrone : thus you see I am fixed among 
 bounties of Nature, profuse to me in every Blessing that this 
 Earth affords amidst this Scene of uninterrupted Joy, I am 
 glad to feel now and then a pain in my Toe, least I should 
 fancy myself already in Heaven, because I have certainly 
 passed thro' Purgatory. I am, my dear old Man, ever yours, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 279 
 
 TO WILLIAM PHILIPS, ESQ^ 
 
 Caledon, July \ith, 1740 
 
 Dear Sir, — Do I live to tell You that the Sunbeams no 
 longer cherish, the Power of Phoebus is no longer a blessing to 
 Mankind. Surely Phaeton is in the Chariot, and the Earth 
 is again to languish under the influence of a rash hot-brained 
 Boy. 
 
 Scarce had I writ these words when a Shower has 
 descended with as much Violence as if it had been Gold into 
 Danae's Lap : the bounteous Gods continue it ! or we dye of 
 thirst, a death that no Irishman can think of with Patience. 
 
 The heat of the Weather has often made me compare this 
 Island to the glorious luminary which I just now mentioned. 
 We are refreshed and enlivened by the rays of Hibernia at a 
 proper distance, but whoever attempts to live within the 
 planet must be scorched to Death. The native Salamanders 
 indeed make a shift to subsist in this midst of this Ball of 
 Fire, but to free born Englishmen who love to breathe in 
 wholesome air, the torrid Zone, or Vulcan's forging Shop, can 
 scarce be more intolerable, yet all this is owing to the inhabi- 
 tants : nature has done wonders for the Kingdom, but the 
 very breath of an Irishman, nurtured and educated within his 
 own country is poisonous and destructive. Many of the 
 wiser sort, after your example, fly their mother Earth 
 and live in England. Thither also will I return, as 
 soon as Lady Orrery's Condition, and the Situation of my 
 own Aff^airs wUl permit. I came here firmly resolved to stay 
 some years, but my resolutions now are all shattered to peices. 
 The Rage of Party, the natural malice against an Englishman 
 (enriched as I am with the only Jewel of their Kingdom), the 
 
28o THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 wretched conversation, the intolerable pride, the invincible 
 stupidity of these Sons of Thunder, iU agree with my turn of 
 thinking. I have a delicacy, perhaps too great a one, in my 
 nature, that abhors roughness and rudeness of every kind. 
 Politeness and Civility may command me at any time and in 
 any manner, but haughtiness and brutal ignorance make me 
 act like the Traveller in the Fable, who wrapt himself up the 
 closer the more he was blowed and blustered upon. 
 
 It has been said of the Germans that they are a hundred 
 years behind the rest of the world in knowledge and the 
 elegancies of Life. I wish it is not an observation applicable 
 to the Irish. However, I must confess their long intestine 
 Wars, their constant and slavish dependence upon another 
 Kingdom, and their just dread of popery, are some sort of 
 excuses for the fire of their brains and the fury of their hearts. 
 But till their Situation or their Manners are altered, I hope it 
 will not be my ill Fortune to live amongst them. At the 
 same time I speak and think this, I solemnly declare that in 
 every material point wherein I can serve this unhappy 
 Kingdom, I will to the utmost of my power. I know the 
 bread I eat must come from hence: I know my Ancestors 
 have been very great and happy here, nor am I ungratefull to 
 Heaven and to Ireland, for the blessing I enjoy in my Wife. 
 All I entreat of fate is not to fix my dwelling here. If I 
 sojourn within the Island, my Abhorrence to Persons and to 
 Things may possibly encrease, but if I depart right early, my 
 hatred will be turned into affection, and I shall forget the 
 awkward but malitious subtilties, the low, but ill-designed 
 schemes, and the poisonous Arrows that have been aimed in 
 the dark against Your true and faithfuU humble Servant, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 281 
 
 TO THE REV. MR. WESLEY. 
 
 Marston, July \(tth, 1740. 
 
 My dear Mr. Wesley, — I find it absolutely impossible 
 to resist paternal Love. I must snatch Lord Boyle from 
 Westminster. The Thoughts of parting from him for three 
 or four Years are not to be endured. A thousand dreadfuU 
 Dangers occurr to my Imagination : A thousand horrid visions 
 arise before my Eyes. The Boy himself, tho' willing to 
 submitt to my Commands, dreads so long and so distant a 
 Separation. He is in Tears day and Night as the Time 
 approaches destined for our Departure : a universal melancholy 
 reigns in my Family : we are become the Sons and Daughters 
 of Sorrow and Anxiety. Is this Situation to be borne .? No, 
 no, I must not, I cannot bear it. What then is to be done? 
 I will boldly follow the dictates of my Heart, and borrow him 
 from Fitz Gerald and Doctor Nichols, to return him back again 
 with Interest, and to restore him again to that Temple of 
 Learning Westminster-School with an Encrease of Virtue, 
 Knowledge and Politeness. You will smile at the word 
 politeness. Do not imagine I mean dress and foppery. You 
 know I detest them, but to own the sentiments of my mind, I 
 am not without Fears that my friends will think I act wrong 
 in snatching away a very hopefull Child from an English to 
 an Irish Education. Believe me, I have strong reasons for so 
 doing which I cannot reveal, and I write to You as to a 
 Parent, not as a Philosopher, when I tell you the resolution I 
 have taken. 
 
 I am in dreadfuU anxiety about your health. All accounts 
 tell me the contrary of what I wish to hear. Your Life is of 
 great consequence to all your Freinds, to me in particular who 
 
282 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 have long known, loved and admired You and at the most 
 distant part of the world will always be Your faithfuU humble 
 Servant, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 FROM THE EARL OF ORRERY TO TOM SOUTHERNE. 
 
 Marston, Nov. 21st, 1742. 
 
 My dear old Man, — You partake so much in all my 
 felicities, and rejoice so much at all the Joys of your Freind, 
 that I must Inform you (notwithstanding the large Parcel of 
 Letters I am to write on y'' Occasion) that this day has given 
 me a third Son, Lady Orrery an heir to Caledon, and my 
 Freind, I hope, a future humble Servant, what compleats 
 my happiness is Lady Orrery's safe delivery and promising 
 State of Recovery. We are both mutually and firmly your 
 own, and wish our Boy may prove like you, not only in the 
 Length but in the Manners of his Life. Adieu. 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 EXTRACT AND COPY OF A LETTER FROM 
 DR. BARRY TO THE EARL OF ORRERY 
 
 Concerning Mr. Annesley. 
 
 Dublin, J any. 14, 1743. 
 
 My dear Lord, — You blame yourself for not writing to 
 me, but I condemn my silence more. I really begin to think, 
 that this Neglect of Ceremony attends often the greatest Ties 
 of Friendship and affection. I never wrote fewer Letters than 
 of late to my Mother, yet I never lov'd her more. I have, I 
 think, a thousand Things to say to you and have not one 
 happy vacant Hour to relieve my Mind. ... I have been 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 283 
 
 more out of Order than usual of late . . . which frequently 
 has depriv'd me of Rest after being spent with the Fatigues of 
 the Day. Ye Speaker having heard I had ye Gout, sent me a 
 fine Cane, fit to support me, and to shew in a Side Box at ye 
 Play House. How can I fail when thus sustain'd ? You 
 desire me to send you what Particulars I have of Lord 
 Anglesey's Case. No unprejudiced Person doubts of the Justice 
 of this Cause ; but such a complicated scene of Wickedness, 
 and such Hair-breadth escapes from imminent Danger could 
 only be unravell'd by Providence : 'tis beyond the Reach of 
 Human Pow'r. The Lord is universally unpity'd, abject in 
 his Misfortunes ; the Young Man modest and humble in 
 his success. He has been lately ill but must be reserv'd 
 to greater Happiness, and is now pretty well but troubled 
 with a Cough. An Apothecary in College Green, Mr. Shaw, 
 told me that he had once ask'd him when he was a common 
 Black Guard, where he lay in ye Night. He said he was 
 happy when he could be admitted to a Stable with Horses ; 
 but that he more frequently lay at some Street Door. He sent 
 immediately for a Carpenter, made a Stall for him under his 
 Window, supply'd him with a good quantity of Straw, and 
 bestow'd this little House upon him, where he lay, till he was 
 kidnapp'd ; and with Reason expects, that he will soon give 
 him a better House than he lives in. It seems unaccountable 
 that One that had been acknowledg'd in his Infancy for U 
 Altham's Son, should during his Father's Life be thus shame- 
 fully expos'd ; but this can only be accounted for from ye 
 variable Temper and Jealousy of the Father, influenc'd by his 
 Uncle and the desperate State of his Affairs, which oblig'd him 
 to support his Extravagance, to give Leases in Reversion, 
 which could not be granted, had he own'd that he had a 
 legitimate Son. He is now in the County of Wicklow, and 
 
284 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 most of the Tenants there acknowledge him for their Land 
 Lord. We all expect the Trial with Impatience.^ . . . 
 
 COPY OF AN ORIGINAL LETTER FROM COUN- 
 SELLOR TIGHE TO THE EARL OF ORRERY 
 Concerning the Tryal between Mr. Annesley and 
 THE Lord Anglesey. 
 
 My dr Lord, — Your kind Letter has put new Life into 
 an old Man ; and I shall execute your Commands in this, and 
 all other Things sincerely and honestly, as I had a Share in it, 
 and if (according to learned Example) I grow tedious, remember 
 that you are in the Country where you have some Leisure to 
 listen to your Friends. And the rather as it was the most 
 solemn Tryal that I ever knew for it lasted a Fortnight, the 
 Jury (by Consent of both Sides) adjourning every Night, and 
 the whole business of the Court stopping all the Time. The 
 Jury was certainly a very excellent one : ten of them were 
 Members, and their Estates worth above Seventy thousand 
 Pounds a year. Our Witnesses were good, as L^ Ross, L^ 
 Mount-Alexander, Mr. Coakley, Mrs. Annesley, Mrs. Cole, etc., 
 and above all his dry Nurse, who tho' thrice examined was 
 still the same, as the Chief Baron acknowledg'd. Their Wit- 
 nesses were not as consistent, but they were sifted to the Bran 
 by Harwood. And the Nurse appealing to my Lord himself, 
 whether he hadn't ordered her to take great care of the Child, 
 this transported my Lord so, that he bounced up, and swore 
 she ly'd, for he didn't care if the Child and she were both at 
 the Devil : true, says Harwood, we believe you my Lord, but 
 by this you confess that there was a Child. Mr. Makercher 
 
 1 See Note at end of these Papers. The signature and rest of letter have been cut 
 off and are missing, but the writer was Dr. Barry. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 285 
 
 rank'd the Evidence very well, for I was appointed to fight 
 under General Purcell, a brave bold Butcher in my Neighbour- 
 hood, who was two hours and a quarter on the Table, and 
 mov'd the Court so, on the sufferings of Jemmy Annesley, 
 that most in it wept. Purcell told me he had drop'd him at 
 my Door the Night before, and I must carry him on, which I 
 did, and shew'd that he was spirited away — I did not call it 
 kidnapp'd — from my service in April 1728. This my Man 
 assured me who saw him in the Ship roaring and crying that 
 his Uncle had run away with him, and there we shall leave 
 him in Slavery for 1 3 years. But I must take him up again 
 in his Return Home, for I had a Letter from him at Jamaica. 
 The Court called for the Letter but I told 'em that I had lent 
 it to one of my Lord's Agents, to shew it to my Lord, and 
 that he had never return'd it ; the Man I named was Reiley a 
 tall Irishman : As soon as I nam'd him he struck out of 
 Court, as my Lord had done, when I mounted the Table, and 
 they hunt Reily gloriously, asking him when he goes to the 
 Counsellor for another Letter. I told the Court further that 
 I had an impudent Attempt on me, for an Affidavit was 
 brought to me ready drawn to swear Jemmy a Bastard, but I 
 refus'd it, and if they inquired into it, they would find the 
 Adviser, it was a Clerk of Mr. Coltis that brought it to me : 
 Coltis was then Attorney to my Lord, but has since quitted 
 him, so he wou'd have told all. The Court call'd for him, but 
 he was not there, tho' I presume that the Jury smelt the Rat, 
 for they laid more Stress, and so did the Town on my Evidence, 
 which lasted but an hour, than I did : for they concluded that 
 my Lord would not take all this pains about a Bastard. This 
 is the Part I acted and impartially relate it to your Lordship ; 
 for my Friend said I was a rigid Man and wou'd as soon goe 
 
286 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 to the Devil as sign such an Affidavit so that they mistook 
 
 their Man much. Besides take this for granted, 
 
 ' While I live no Knave, 
 Shall walk the World in Quiet to his Grave.' 
 
 And Lord Mount Alexander calls him freely the greatest 
 Rogue in Europe. Your English Attorney TifFard, proved 
 him a Pick-Pocket High Wayman and guilty of Bigamy, and 
 had brought him off in all Scrapes : they wou'd have had a 
 Townsman of his blacken him, but he told 'em the worst he 
 knew of him was that he was an Attorney, and wou'd goe to 
 the Devil for his Client : this wou'd not do, so they dropp'd 
 his Evidence. I question whether any Man in the Kingdom, 
 at the Distance of thirty years, cou'd prove his Birth so clearly 
 as he did. When the English Attorney came on the Table, 
 my Lord went out once more. And indeed I think my Lord 
 wounded himself very deeply in taking the Defence on him- 
 self, for then we all fir'd point blank at him ; had the Tenants 
 been the Defence we cou'd not have done so. In a Word, they 
 have laid him so low, that the Devil and Oliver won't raise 
 him. They tell a Passage of him that I imagine is too good to 
 be his. When the Lords all turn'd their Backs on him in the 
 House, he said if it was for his Vices they were too late, if 
 for his Misfortunes they were too early. We had ten old 
 Lawyers against us, and ten young ones for us. There was a 
 fat Curate in this Town who was very zealous for my Lord, 
 who has fallen away to Nothing since our Victory. Right Jack 
 FalstafF. . . . But I choose to close with L^ Clarendon's 
 Remark which I apply to Mr. Annesley, Viz: that he has 
 met with that Recompense which the Divine Justice usually 
 assigns to those who patiently attend his Vindication. Thus I 
 have obey'd your Lordship's Commands tho' I have tired your 
 Patience I fear. But I have done. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 287 
 
 My best Respects to your excellent Lady, and all your 
 FamUy. I am glad to find 'em all well. — I am, Your Lord- 
 ship's Obedient Hum: Servt. 
 
 R. TIGHE. 
 
 May all the Blessings of this chearful Season attend your 
 Lordship and Family. 
 
 To The Rt. Honble. the Earl of Orrery, at Marston near 
 Froome, Somersetsh. 
 
 Dec. zzd, 174.3. 
 
 COPY OF A LETTER FROM COUNSELLOR TIGHE 
 TO EARL OF ORRERY with a further Account of 
 Mr. Annesley. 
 
 Jan. 26, 1743. 
 
 My good Lord, — I read your Letter from Duke Street 
 with great Pleasure and Delight as I do every Thing that comes 
 from your Lordship ; but I shou'd have had more Joy, if you 
 had mention'd the Health of your excellent Lady, and the 
 Progress of your Sons ; I presume they don't throw ye Books 
 out of ye window now. I shou'd be glad likewise to hear of 
 Dr. Delany's Health, and Mr. Pope's, to whom I owe many of 
 ye most pleasing Hours of my Life. . . . But I come to your 
 Lordship's Questions, and find you as desirous of seeing our 
 marvellous young Man, as ye People at ye Musical Society, 
 where Six Hundred were assembled on ye Night that he was 
 to be Chairman. He was very civilly received at the Castle, 
 but hasn't taken his Seat among his Peers as yet, so that he 
 has no Title but waits for the King's orders, the LaAvyers that 
 ye Duke ^ referr'd it to, having delay'd him as too hard a Point 
 for them. I wish he was ye only Slave in ye House ; but while 
 
 1 Duke of Buckingham. Lady Altham was his (illegitimate) daughter. 
 
288 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 there are Pensioners and Bishops there will be slaves there, or, 
 to give it a softer Term, Creatures of the Court. He is a very 
 modest, humble Young Man, nee Phoebus secundus instruit ; I 
 have found him so on much acquaintance with him. And your 
 Friend the Chief Baron, who made him sit an hour or so with 
 him (with a Design to see into him), sais that notwithstanding 
 his low Education he is a very sensible young Man. But ye 
 Story now going is that Frank Annesley has found some 
 Letters of Lady Altham's, complaining of ye want of a Son. 
 But where were these Letters during the Tryal ? Frank is 
 not us'd to be wanting, and to his own Cause. And my Lady 
 lost her Senses long before she dy'd with a dead Palsy. Yet 
 they give out that these Letters are laid before ye King. Your 
 Lordship will easily discover the Truth of this Report as you 
 are upon ye Spot. But your Lordship will see by this Grub- 
 St. Elegy scribbl'd on ye Back by ye Person who gave it to 
 me what ye Sense of ye World was about his Son at that 
 Time ; very different from these Letter- Writers. The Passage 
 in my Last relating to Lord Anglesey, I hear was ye Bishop 
 of Cashell's, as it is most like, for he has a Head. . . . 
 
 On the Prince's Birth Night, the Ladies had like to have 
 been disconserted by two drunken Lords and a Commoner 
 that got amongst them when they ought to have been in Bed ; 
 but they had been drinking loyal Health's to be sure, that 
 sanctifies all. 
 
 When you see Mr. Garrick be so good as to let him know, 
 that we have a Young Fellow now rehearsing, that for Voice 
 and Person will outdo all the men he ever saw on the Stage : 
 he is above Six Foot high, twenty five years old, and the Son 
 of a Goldsmith; his Name is Spanger Barry. He has an 
 excellent Ear, and as he is very strong, pushes wondrous 
 well. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 289 
 
 They give out that Lady Altham's Letters are writ to 
 Mr. Sheffield, as you are well acquainted with that Family, 
 you will soon learn that. 
 
 I find Mr. Brooks, Author of Gustavus Vasa, is a great 
 Friend to our young Actor. I am sorry to find our Friend 
 Garrick so roughly treated by Mr. Machlin, who I fear is a 
 better Writer than Garrick ; as to the merits of the cause I 
 know Nothing of 'em but as they are set forth by each Party, 
 who seem to have drawn Blood in Controversy. I have 
 obey'd Your Lordship's Commands as well as I cou'd . . . 
 and have nothing more to add but my best Respects to my 
 Lady and Your Sons. — I am, etc. etc. 
 
 RI. TIGHE. 
 
 COPY OF PAPERS RELATING TO LORD AND LADY 
 ALTHAM INCLUDING Receipts of Money from and 
 Letters to John Duke of Buckingham and Normanby, 
 Father of Lady Altham. 
 
 [An Indenture dated 1707 on the marriage of Lord and 
 Lady Altham is very complicated in detail, and the subsequent 
 financial disagreements between the two families bear out the 
 suggestions of Dr. Barry and the Councillor concerning the 
 pecuniary straits and very indifferent characters of both Lord 
 Altham and Lord Anglesey. Two or three of the letters, and 
 numerous receipts from both Lord and Lady Altham, seem 
 worth publication as being (among other reasons) good types 
 of the filial style of those days in parental correspondence.] 
 
 VOL. I. 
 
290 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 LETTER FROM LORD ALTHAM, Endorsed by the Duke 
 'Since the Quarrel.' 
 
 Feby. 1 71 3/4. Dunmain. 
 
 My Lord, — I was honoured with Your Grace's kind 
 Letter, and I hope I shall never be guilty (in any Means) of 
 incurring Your Grace's Displeasure; and I now propose to 
 devote myself entirely to Your Grace's Commands. And tho' 
 some should insinuate that I would not make good my Wife's 
 Jointure, yet I beg Leave to assure Your Grace that all that is 
 in my Power to do I will. I must own that my Estate in this 
 Kingdom by me is lessened, and were it to do again, I would 
 never be guilty of the like Faults. And since Your Grace 
 has been so kind to express your Favour towards me I humbly 
 beg Your Grace's Interest, that I may have a Troop of Horse 
 in this Kingdom, it being what I think myself most capable of 
 undertaking, and Civil Employments being more difficult to 
 get, Your Grace being now at the Helm may command any 
 Thing of that Nature. ... It would be an addition of near 
 ;^400 a year to my small Fortune, and would make us ever 
 easy, and I will endeavour to make all suitable Returns for so 
 great a Favour, and I beg Leave to subscribe myself Your 
 Grace's most obedient humble Servant and Son-in-Law, 
 
 ALTHAM. 
 
 My Wife joins with me in Duty to Your Grace and my 
 Lady Duchess, and has expected the good News of my Lady 
 Duchess being brought to Bed. 
 
 Dublin, July 1715. 
 
 My Lord, — I was honoured with Your Grace's, and had 
 answered it sooner but waited for Mr. Eyres. ... I have been 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 291 
 
 in this Town with my Wife ever since I received a Copy of 
 Your Grace's Letter to Captain Briscoe and at no small 
 Expence. I did not think this affair would take up so much 
 Time.^ . . . My extraordinary Expence attending in this Town, 
 does oblige me this Night to draw on Your Grace for ^^ 50 
 payable at 5 Day's Sight, which I would not have done till 
 the whole Matter was over, but I am really under Some 
 Necessities, therefore hope Your Grace will honour my Bill, 
 which I will allow either in Interest or Principal as you please, 
 and that you'll forward the Conclusion of the Settlement in 
 such manner as I may not be obliged to await here to my 
 Prejudice. My Wife joins with me in Duty to Your Grace 
 and Lady Duchess, and I am Your Grace's most obedient, 
 humble Servant, 
 
 ALTHAM. 
 
 July 2«, 1715. 
 
 My Lord, — I received Your Grace's Letter, and I am 
 sorry that I have not Credit with you for such a sum. I have 
 offered every Thing in my Power to prove myself a dutiful 
 Son-in-Law as well as a kind Husband. ... I have drawn 
 myself under Difficulties to attend Your Grace's Letter to 
 Capt. Briscoe which I did depend was to sign Deeds and 
 receive the Remains of my Portion. I have according to 
 Your Grace's Desire given Putland a Rec* for ^^30 and I hope 
 Your Grace will pay it. Yr Grace's most humble Servt., 
 
 ALTHAM. 
 
 ' This affair was the settlement of the jointure wh Ld A. still delayed making, 
 and on wh the D. ot B. made the final payment of a marriage portion on his side 
 depend. 
 
292 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 COPY IN PART OF A RECEIPT FROM LADY ALTHAM. 
 
 iind Jany. I'ji']. — Reed from Captn Richard Butler of 
 Ross the Sum of ;^40 Sterling in several Payments, of which 
 ;^io was pay'd to Proctor and Advocates on account of the 
 Suit commenced unjustly against me by my Lord Altham, and 
 the other ^30 was pay'd for my Lodging and Board ; the said 
 Sum of ^40 was pay'd by His Grace the Duke of Buckingham 
 for my account ... as Witness my Hand, 
 
 M. ALTHAM. 
 
 COPY OF LETTER FROM LADY ALTHAM TO THE 
 DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. 
 
 My Lord, — I thank God I am able once more to pay my 
 Duty to Your Grace for my Eyes are much better, and to let 
 Your Grace know that the Captn received a Letter from his 
 Correspondent from London last Thursday, which has been a 
 Month in coming, and I have been in mighty Want, I having 
 not one Farthing to help myself. The Captn seems surprised 
 that he had no Letter from Your Grace, and much more so, 
 as well as myself that Your Grace's Servant that carried the 
 j^20 to the Man, should tell him that it was for a Quartredge 
 for the Lady Altham. Your Grace will, I hope forgive me if 
 I say, I am somewhat ashamed that the Smallness of my 
 Circumstances should be known, and ere till now kept my 
 Credit, so that as yet no One but the Captn and his Wife 
 knew them. You will I hope not blame me for this Pre- 
 caution, when you consider how much it would please that 
 barbarous Lord of mine who can never be brought to be sorry 
 for what he has done, but by finding Your Grace will not let 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 293 
 
 me Want. I am afraid the Captn begins to grow weary of 
 troubling himself in the Behalf of One that seems forsaken by 
 all. . . . You have forbid me writing to her Grace, but, I 
 hope, I may give my humble Duty to her, and wish her all 
 Health and Happiness, as well as to Your Grace for this next 
 New Year, and I am My Lord, Your Grace's most dutiful, 
 humble and most obedient Daughter and Servant, 
 
 M. ALTHAM. 
 
 If I might be so bold, I would desire to hear from Your 
 Grace. 
 
 [The Trial of which the foregoing Papers treat created as 
 much excitement in Dublin in the eighteenth century, as did 
 the notorious Tichborne case in London in the nineteenth. 
 The Lady Altham whose letters to the Duke of Buckingham 
 are quoted above was his avowed natural daughter (of whose 
 mother there is no mention) and married Arthur Lord Altham, 
 who appears to have been at all times in great financial straits, 
 which occasioned great Complications with his Father-in-Law 
 the Duke. Whether he were rightly or wrongly accused of less 
 lawful expedients cannot now be determined, but in the course 
 of his Cruises in the West Indies Admiral Vernon fell in with 
 a young man in great distress and bondage, who claimed to 
 be the legitimate Son of Arthur Lord Altham, early kidnapped 
 and sold into slavery by his Father in order to set free the 
 entailed Estates for the purpose of raising money upon them. 
 Admiral V., convinced of the truth of these Statements, brought 
 home young Annesley, whose Suit was triumphantly carried in 
 Dublin, but without any apparent result beyond his living 
 quietly upon the Property unmolested, but not assuming the 
 title, and dying unmarried. The Earl of Anglesey against 
 
294 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 whom the Trial was brought was Richard, his Uncle, who was 
 in extremely bad odour in Ireland by reason of atrocious 
 misconduct towards a Miss Simpson whom he prevailed on at 
 the age of barely fifteen to marry him privately, and after 
 obtaining a large fortune from her Father (who made them 
 remarry publicly) and having three daughters by her, finally 
 deserted them heartlessly to live with a Miss Donovan, whom 
 he actually proceeded to marry in his first Wife's Lifetime. 
 The Duchess of Buckingham's first Husband was an earlier 
 Lord Anglesey whom she divorced for faithlessness and 
 cruelty.] 
 
 COPY OF AN ORIGINAL LETTER FROM ED- 
 WARD STILMAN TO HIS Brother Thomas Stil- 
 
 MAN AT FrOOME, GIVING AN AcCOUNT OF THE BaTTLE 
 
 AT Dettingen. Copied and spelt exactly from 
 THE Original. 
 
 To Mr. Thos. Stilman. In Froom in Somersetshir in England. Thus : 
 
 Dear Brother, — I send you thes Lins to Let you know 
 that i am in good helth and now i can with plether send you 
 the happy nus of ouer Suckses in the Batel that hapened the 
 1 5 of this Month and now i shal proceed with the pertecklers 
 which was as folos thusday in the morning at 5 a Clock the 
 french begun playing thar Cannon upon ouer Baggeg from a 
 batery thay had raisd at the other sid the Main and so con- 
 tinued tel 20 Minuets after 8 and then thay turned thar Cannon 
 upon us and all our rogmonts of hors and Draggouns tel 1 2 
 which you may think it Strang but i shal tel you the Cos of 
 it thay had got 40 Thousand in a wood Just a gainst ouer 
 right whing in order as soun as we was marcht up to fall in 
 upon ouer rear and so we should ben confined in frunt and 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 295 
 
 rear with the water at one side of us and a wood at the other 
 but it was happyly discouerd and ouer Cannon set brisk to 
 Work and by 12 lat the wood about thar ears and Drof them 
 to the rest of the Army and then we marcht up all the foot in 
 the frunt of ouer right Whing and the Draggouns in the 
 Center and all the hors upon the left and his Magisty in the 
 front of the old Bufs as bold as a liont with his can in one 
 hand and his Sord in the other. So when thay cam up to them 
 we all gav three housays and all the futt gave 3 the mortels 
 chers that euer was known and the french turned tail and run 
 to the water side in hops of gitting ouer thar brige but while 
 we cape them in play the queins men puld doun the brige and 
 a bout 2 thousand of them was fos into the water so that the 
 Main is be com a Seckent Denuap so then ouer Lift whing 
 cam in to play and ouer regmont pusht in upon the gandarins 
 which is the french Life gards and a regmont of Dragguns and 
 the ferst push as we mad M' Vizard was at my rite hand so 
 we had ouer Sords upon ouer rist and ouer pistols in ouer 
 hand and be fore M' Vizard could droy his triger his hors 
 was shot and ded upon the Spot and Vizard's legg laid under 
 one horses belly i dropt my pistol and i hold out my Sord 
 with a stif arm and cot the bios and neuer waged tel i so M"^ 
 Viz Leg clear of his hors so he got of clear with only the 
 Lost of his bags and Shurts and all the things that he had 
 it was a mortel hot batel as euer was seain in this aeige as i 
 haf heard ofescers say sence god knos i thote euery minuet to 
 be my Last, for i thote that all of them presented at me and 
 the whirling of the bols mad me all most dif butt god allmity 
 heard my prars and brot me of clear without anny woond 
 when i was in botes of the battell i was so past fear M' Figors 
 hors was shot and M' Gorgs hors and M' Meeis had his belt 
 cut of in to but did him no harm dockter Hatthon is shot 
 
296 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 through the body and stil alife and like to do well the most 
 shocking thing was to hear the cris of the wooned French as 
 we rid over when we prsud them but we could not help It so 
 when the batel was ouer which was about 7 a clock we marcht 
 to a plas to in camp on and then 4 Men of a trop was orderd 
 to goe back to tack up ouer tents and citels and all the rest 
 of ouer camp Mitterlls and i was one of them and then my 
 hart was shoked mos of all for mos a mile to gether my hors 
 could not step for ded men and horses we lost 15 hundred 
 Men and some ods beside woonded and the french Lost 9 
 thousand beside woonded the 26 all the whole army fired 3 
 times after prars for Joy of Vicktory i was upon the vangard 
 for a fortnight be for the battel and i thought it hard work 
 but no thing is so hard as kiling of Men pray my Dear Brother 
 giue my Deuty to my Dear wife and Children and my love to 
 my Brothers and Sisters and all my relations and all that do 
 ax for me it is my dayly prars to god that i may life to com 
 home and lif in happness with my Dear Wife and Children 
 which is all at present from your most loveing Brother 
 
 EDWARD STILMAN. 
 
 i mad what in queery i can and sent Jams numan to all the 
 regmonts that he could go to find out if thar was anny of my 
 tounsmen ded and he could find but one which was Thomas 
 Wilkons his head was shot of by a cannon bal the regmont 
 that Samul pew belong to is 5 Mils from ouers so i got Liberti 
 and rid to him and i found him in good helth i could not stay 
 with him not abofe 5 minuts he givs his Deauty to his wife 
 and his love to all pray send to in gineral Hunywood's regmont 
 near Ashaffingburg or els whar. 
 
 [The Battle of Dettingen was fought in June 1743, by the 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 297 
 
 Allied Powers against the French. The English under the 
 command of George 11. and the Duke of Cumberland. And 
 the French Horse, under the Duke de Gramont, charged with 
 great impetuosity, but were obliged to give way and repass 
 the Maine with great precipitation, having lost about five thou- 
 sand men wounded or taken. The loss of the Allies amounted 
 to two thousand men. — Smollett.J 
 
 FROM DR. BARRY. 
 
 May 22, 1744. 
 
 My DEAR Lord, — Shall I admire or blame your philo- 
 sophic Life? is real Happyness and otium cum dignitate 
 preferable to the joys and splendour of Courts } is it more 
 innocent and agreeable to catch fish than ensnare men. I can 
 venture to assert that this is not the way to be a prime Minister, 
 and to say with Terence Abi, nunquam rem fades nescis inscrire 
 Homines. 
 
 I can scarce forbear asking what news from Home and 
 when Pliny will appear? but that I prefer yr Health and 
 freedom from irregular Gout to Fame. I had a letter lately 
 from ye Archdeacon, who is much recovered, but almost as 
 much a philosopher as yr Ldp. I wish I could prevail with 
 him to take lodgings in the Castle and attend Levees 
 regularly one Session, but I despair of ever prevailing on 
 him to regard any worldly interest. I think he preaches as 
 well as Dr. Delany, and has as good a title to preferment. He 
 only wants another Mrs. Pendarvis, if such another can be 
 found. An Episcopal friend of mine would willingly lay his 
 mitre at her feet, or give her his naked Venus for one embrace. 
 
 Do not tempt me with an invitation to Marston. I should 
 easily be prevailed on to quit Family and Business and fly 
 
298 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 there, but 'tis yet a little to soon to take such liberties, but if 
 I live I shall certainly goe to Somersetshire. — I am ever my d' 
 Ld Orrery's faithful! and afFec' 
 
 EDW. BARRY, 
 
 Fellowships and Schollarships were yesterday disposed of. 
 Pringle was throughly recommended, but faild for want of 
 answering. I find he was cautioned for not answering at public 
 Examinations some time agoe. I hope he will prepare himself 
 better next Time, for he wants no necessary interest if he has 
 a moderate degree of merit. 
 
 FROM THE EARL OF ORRERY TO COUNSELLOR 
 FORRESTER. 
 
 Caledon, October i, 174.6. 
 
 Do you wait for the ceremony of my bowing first or 
 have you forgot your friend Orrery ? I would chuse the 
 former rather than the latter, for your excuse in not telling 
 me how you do, especially as I heard some time ago that your 
 health was by no means in the state I wish it. 
 
 It will be long, I fear, before you see me again in Lincoln's 
 Inn, I am detained by a lawsuit, which is only a polite phrase of 
 being head and ears in an Irish bog. If I can wade through 
 it in two or three years time, with limbs and health sufficient 
 to crawl to England, I may perhaps trouble you to scrape off 
 some of my mud and mire, and to mend my tattered 
 garments at the Bar of the House of Lords at Westminster. 
 
 From this Island, no news is to be expected. Ireland is 
 the small boat tied to your greater vessel, and therefore it is 
 of little consequence in what manner we paddle our oars when 
 our voyage depends on the sails and tackling of your man of 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 299 
 
 war, yet you would laugh to see us imitating you in all our 
 rigging, and, what is more extraordinary, imagining that we 
 steer a large course with great art and dexterity ; when, alas, 
 the utmost longitude of our sailing is only the length of a 
 cable rope affixed to your sheet anchor. 
 
 I am embellishing this place, to which Nature has given 
 great beauties, and where the soil is so extremely propitious 
 that trees grow as fast here as they did in the Golden Age. 
 Thus am I at once amused and rewarded by my labours ; and 
 my present state were indeed much to be envied, if the Sea 
 did not flow between Me and many valuable friends. To 
 hear from them is all I can expect at present, and therefore 
 you must not think me unreasonable in desiring to know the 
 common occurrences that relate to those of our mutual 
 acquaintance, whose chance or station does not entitle them to 
 a place in the Evening Post. 
 
 Lady Orrery, whose compliments attend you, received a 
 most polite letter from your mother. Lord Boyle has been 
 ill, and although he is now recovering I dare not trust him to 
 the mercy of the Waves. My other scions are fat and 
 flourishing ; if you now and then take notice of my West- 
 minster Scholar, it will be like yourself, and add to the 
 friendsP you have always shewn. Dear Sir, to Your true and 
 
 faithfuU humble Servant, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO LADY ELIZABETH SPELMAN. 
 
 Caledan, No'vember ist, 1746. 
 
 Madam, — My Life has been of late so entirely employed 
 among my lawyers, my tenants and my agents that I find it 
 scarce possible to write to your Lady^ on any other subject 
 but arrears, ejectments and insolvences. The arrears. Madam, 
 
300 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 due from me to your Ladysp are great, and I confess, so 
 great, that I farther own, nay, I boast, that I shall never pay 
 them ; being insolvent ; and therefore entirely at your mercy, 
 But let my noble Landlady eject me : Keep me still in your 
 books. Madam, carry on the debt as usual, from page to page, 
 and say that you are willing to indulge with perpetual bounty 
 an old tenant who has the honour to belong to your Family. 
 
 Your Ladysp, I know, will have goodness enough to en- 
 quire what has become of me for many months ? O, Madam, 
 my whole time, till within this last month, has been passed 
 with the O'Neils, the O'Briens, the O'Cormucks, the 
 O'Hughes, the O'Donnells, and numberless Giants of 
 Munster, I am, now. Madam, settled amidst the Titans of 
 Ulster, the Macknomarroughs, the Mackduffias, the Mack- 
 laughlins, and, let me add, the Mackheaths. Thus, your 
 Ladysp may observe, I fly from the O's to the Macks, and 
 next Summer intend to return from the Macks to the O's. 
 But my winter is dedicated to the Macks only. But where is 
 Lady Orrery ? Madam, she is my rib, close at my side : I 
 assure you full of gratitude, affection, and respect to your 
 Ladysp : so is my daughter Betty. We are so happily settled 
 at this place, and are so numerous in ourselves and our train, 
 that I have no thought of returning to England till Edmund 
 can talk bad Latin and till Lucy has worked out a sampler. 
 It will be time enough then to remove our camels and our 
 herds of every kind, and journey towards the land of Canaan. 
 In the meantime we hope to hear from our friends, and if 
 your Ladysp will give me leave, my next shall be a description 
 of this place, which is indeed highly beautifuU, and in which I 
 feel no distemper, no pinching severity from weather, except 
 the sad misfortune of being so widely separated from those 
 
 whom I love and honour. I am, Madam, etc., 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 301 
 
 TO DR. KING. 
 
 Caledon, Nwemher iot/i, 1746. 
 
 Your letter, my dear Doctor, should not have remained so 
 long unanswered, if business and anxiety had not delayed my 
 acknowledgements. As I need not trouble you with the first 
 excuse, it is to the last only that I entreat your attention. 
 
 Lord Boyle has been very much out of order. The joy 
 which my tenants in Munster shewed at the appearance of 
 their young Landlord engaged him in so many necessary 
 parties of pleasure (wherein Bacchus, I assure you, had little 
 or no part) that he caught a violent cold, which kept him 
 confined, not without some ill symptoms, above a month in 
 Dublin. He is now with me under the care and management 
 of his Mother (such she appears to be, to my children, upon 
 this and all other occasions) and I think is in an hopefuU way 
 of recovery, but I can by no means venture him yet across the 
 Sea. Depend upon my strongest assurances of his being 
 restored to you as soon as his health and the time of the year 
 will permit. 1 shall communicate to Mr. Watkins many other 
 particulars concerning him, but I am impatient to converse 
 with you, as you are desirous, I dare say, to hear certain 
 anecdotes relating to myself. 
 
 I am so totally alienated from my native country, and so 
 enamoured of the place I live in, that unless some few friends 
 held fast the ligatures of my heart, I think the remaining 
 pulses of it might beat at liberty within the WaUs of Caledon. 
 The Romans, my dear Doctor, seem to have carried the amor 
 patriae too far. A man's country may prove ungratefull, may 
 degenerate from itself, may become an asylum of slaves, may 
 here you interrupt me, and, allowing my possibilities, ask 
 
302 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 if Ireland be preferable in arts, in sciences, in virtues or free- 
 dom, to England. No, my best of friends, I advance no such 
 assertion, but my lot is fallen here ; here is my treasure, and 
 where my treasure is there must my heart be also. In truth, 
 Caledon itself is a most delightful place, and I am attempting 
 to make daily additions to its beautys. Gardens, Groves, and, 
 above all, an hermitage ! where I hope to have your bust, that 
 the image of learning may appear within the confines of Orrery 
 till I again have the happiness of embracing the original. 
 Heaven in its mercy may have decreed, but has not yet 
 revealed to me. Your design of publishing your works 
 together must give pleasure to your friends in general and to 
 me in particular. I dwelt so long on that part of your letter 
 that I dreamed last night I was crowned with laurel by Apollo. 
 AU, aU, here are yours, not only Pyrrha, and Deucalion, but 
 every branch of the tree, especially the old weather beaten 
 
 trunk. 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 FROM THE REV. MR. BIRCH. 
 
 London, Dec. i^h, 1746. 
 
 My Lord, — I am really ashamed to look back to the date of 
 your Lordsp's most obliging letter to me from Caledon, which I 
 have left so long unanswered. But I was willing to wait till I 
 could give your Lordsp some account of the progress of the 
 impression of your Pliny, which is now advanced to the 17 th 
 Letter of the 3rd Book. Mr. Melmoth seems to be appre- 
 hensive of being anticipated, for his Tra:nslation is advertised 
 without a name, by Mr. Dodsley, as just ready for publication, 
 in two volumes 8vo, at the price of eight shillings. . . . Mr. 
 West, a nephew of Lord Cobhams, who published some years 
 ago, an excellent canto in the style of Spencer, upon travelling. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 303 
 
 and who has lying by him a translation of Pindar, has now in 
 the press a treatise in defence of Xtianity. . . . 
 
 The phenomenon of Electricity still engages us here, and 
 new discoveries in it open themselves every day. Mr. 
 Watson, in particular, has given a sequel to his former experi- 
 ments and observations, many of which your Lordsp was 
 witness to at his house. He seems now to have demonstrated 
 the source of the Electrical power, which he represents to be 
 an Elementary Fire, connected intimately with all bodies at all 
 times. 
 
 Mr. Barry, from Dublin, reigns upon the stage in Drury 
 Lane, and is opposed by a confederacy at the other house, 
 consisting of Garrick, Quin and Mrs. Cibber, who are all to 
 appear in January in a new Tragedy of Mr. Thomson's called 
 Coriolanus, and in 'The Married Coquet a new Comedy of 
 Doctor Hoadley, Physician to his Majesty's household, and 
 son to the Bishop of Winchester. 
 
 I had last night the pleasure of seeing the part of Chasrea in 
 the Eunuch of Terence, perform'd by Mr. Boyle. 
 
 My compliments attend my Lady, and I am, My Lord, 
 
 your Lordsps, etc., 
 
 THOMAS BIRCH. 
 
 TO THE HON. HAMILTON BOYLE. 
 
 Caledon, lot/i itk, 1746. 
 
 I AM to blame (not you), my dear Hamilton, in any chasm 
 that has appeared in our correspondence. But, as I desire to 
 be ever with you upon the freest terms imaginable, I hereby 
 give you a general release from writing to me, except when or 
 how you please. To confine you in any point that cannot 
 essentially prejudice either you or me, is what I shall never 
 
304 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 attempt in the utmost severity of my nature. But at the same 
 time, let me tell you that the oftener I hear from you the 
 happier you make me, and the longer and more particular 
 your letters, the more real comfort I enjoy. Your brother 
 must stay with me yet awhile, he is, I hope I may say, 
 recovered : but my fears for you both are always great, and 
 perhaps greater when you are nearest to me, then I watch 
 every look and dread every cough or even the slightest 
 complaint that can be. When at a distance, I trust in the 
 providence of God. And although in general I am full 
 of fears, yet am less so in particular than when you are 
 present. 
 
 L** Chesterfield demands all respect that either I, or any 
 of my Family, can pay him. My other friends you know, 
 and I have not the least doubt of your acting judiciously, even 
 in the part of sending a ticket. 
 
 We are not without our objects in this retired place : for 
 we have our Whitings, our Pilky, our Rowling-pin (all these 
 L** Boyle ^ will explain to you), and if we have a mind to go 
 farther from home for game, our Georgy, our Wat. G. and 
 innumerable old Ladies. But you are happy in the midst of 
 sport, starting fresh game every day and every hour, while we 
 are obliged to hunt our poor animals over and over, till not 
 only they are tired, but till we are glad to quit the chace for a 
 little breath. 
 
 I hope Dr. L. will be present at the Eunuchus in his em- 
 broidered ... In short, my dearest Ham, may all health, 
 happiness and merriment attend you ! So wishes your affec- 
 tionate Father, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 1 The formality of this designation by a parent of one son to another is conspicuous 
 in contrast to our latter-day habits and customs. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 305 
 
 FROM COUNSELLOR FORRESTER. 
 
 London, litA Decembr 1746. 
 
 My dear Lord, — A tedious and most painful illness that 
 I have been afflicted with ever since the 24th Augst must be 
 my excuse for not writing long before this day, especially as 
 I had frequent accounts of your Lordsp and my Lady's wel- 
 fare from our friend the Dr. I lay ill above six weeks at Sr 
 J. Cottons, during which I underwent the several operations 
 of bleeding, vomiting, blistering, two cuppings and medicines 
 without end. 
 
 The pleasantness of your Lordsps present habitation I had 
 heard much of from the Dr. before your description of it. I 
 fancy that were the inhabitants of those parts of a temper and 
 nature equal to the soil, the place would be a perfect Elysium, 
 but perfection is to be expected nowhere, save Heaven. How- 
 ever, the flow of the sea between you and us, ought not to 
 diminish the pleasure arising from a good air and a propitious 
 soil, since nothing passes here but what a wise and good man 
 could wish rather to be a stranger to, than a witness of. 
 Ambition and love of gain absolutely weigh down friendship 
 and every sort of connection. We see daily instances of it 
 which neither your Lordsp nor I would perhaps have expected. 
 This and many other things notwithstanding, let me tell you 
 we have as noble and extensive projects as the best times afford. 
 An army of 140,000 men in the field next campaign, which 
 will regain all Flanders and Brabant, and so weaken France 
 by the help of an erruption into Provence : so that (provided 
 only there be no more difficulty in the execution than the 
 imagination), we may by the Autumn have Louis quinze as 
 fast in the Tower as the noble King Edward had his rival 
 
 VOL. I. " 
 
3o6 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 King John. If your Lordsp doubts all this will happen, I 
 can't help your Incredulity, besides, you may safely forbear 
 believing, being already settled in the place where unbelievers 
 of this matter are banished to, and whom you will perhaps 
 have an opportunity of seeing in Sep' or Oct' next. . . . 
 
 The noble Earl of Aylesbury is drawing near his end from 
 a paralitec disorder, nor can his blood, notwithstanding all its 
 royalty, be kept warm much longer. The town has already 
 prepared the Countess a second husband of a more proportion- 
 able age and vigour to her Ladysp.-' 
 
 I beg to be remembered in the most respectfuU manner to 
 Lady Orrery as well on my Mother's account as my own. I 
 am extremely glad to hear of L"* Boyle's recovery, for I shall 
 ever cherish and honour him, not only on his own account, 
 but upon that (considering where you now are you '11 excuse 
 the phrase) of being his Father's son. Pray tell him that both 
 his and your Lordsp's friends expect much from him, consider- 
 ing his name and blood. They expect no less than that he 
 shall distinguish himself as much by the number of his virtues 
 and good qualities, from the youth of the age as the majority 
 of them do by their vices. Idleness, Foppery and Inattention 
 to everything commendable. 
 
 I have now troubled you with a long scrawl, but hope its 
 
 tediousness wiU not deter your Lordsp from giving me a line 
 
 now and then at your leisure. — I am, my Lord, your Lordsps, 
 
 etc., 
 
 AL. FORRESTER. 
 
 1 Field-Marshal Conway, whom Lady Ailesbuiy (who was the third wife of her 
 first husband) eventually married. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 307 
 
 FROM THE EARL OF ORRERY TO THE 
 REV. MR. WATKINS. 
 
 Caledon, Janry. 22, 1746-47. 
 
 Dear Sir, — As I was proposing to answer your first, I 
 rece^ your second letter. Let me return at once my thanks 
 for both. I find I have differed from you in some parts — not 
 in very many. But I confess, from what you say of Mr. 
 
 M ,^ I am very impatient to see his work. If he goes on 
 
 in Manuscripts that will mislead him, as evidently as in the 
 instance you have sent me, he had better, in my opinion, have 
 relied upon the printed copies, in which there is room enough 
 for innvmierable criticisms and various readings, but, till I see 
 his performance, and I fear it will be long before it reaches 
 Caledon, I cannot form the least judgement of the execution 
 of the plan. Works of learning arrive slow in Ireland, and 
 circulate slower when arrived. 
 
 I leave L^ Boyle to speak for himself. Lady O. and all 
 the Caledonians remember you with true esteem. 
 
 I am jogging on in Mottos. The Statue of Diana stands 
 at the entrance of a wood, which by the turn of the river 
 is formed into a Peninsula. Fields again on every side, the 
 
 motto is : 
 
 En lucus et ara Diana; 
 
 Et properantis aquae per amoenos ambitus agros. 
 
 But, to tell you the truth, my tenants have a notion that I am 
 atheistically inclined, by putting up heathen statues and writing 
 upon them certain words in an unknown language. By 
 accident, an attorney, who guides most of them in their family 
 
 1 Mr Melmoth. 
 
3o8 THE ORRERiY PAPERS 
 
 disputes, had enough left of school learning to declare that my 
 mottos were all latin, which proved still more dangerous, not 
 only to my character, but to my life. They immediately 
 suspected me for a papist, and my statues had been demolished, 
 my woods burnt, and my throat cut had not I suddenly placed 
 a seat under an holly bush with this plain inscription Sit down 
 AND Welcome. I have assured them that all the Latin 
 mottos are to this purpose, and that in places where they 
 cannot sit down, I have desired them in the old Norman 
 dialect to go to the lodge and drink Whisky. The attorney, 
 for five shillings and fivepence (such is our Irish Crown), has 
 retracted all he said last week, and since Monday last has sub- 
 mitted to act the puppet and to suffer me to be his prompter. 
 While I can keep him by bribery in this excellent road, my 
 life is safe, and while it lasts, I shall take all opportunities of 
 shewing you how much I am, dear Sir, your unalterable humble 
 servant, 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 Dr King is never forgotten at my table. The att' 
 begins to drink him with true devotion because his health is 
 always a bumper. 
 
 MR. BIRCH TO THE EARL OF ORRERY. 
 
 Norfolk Street, London, Feb. 7, 1746. 
 
 My Lord, — It has been no small addition to the pain I 
 have suffered from a violent inflammation in my eyes of above 
 two months' continuance, that I have been wholly incapable 
 of returning my acknowledgements to your Lordsp for so very 
 agreeable and obliging a letter as yours of the 22nd December, 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 309 
 
 and I am not yet recovered enough to do it in the manner I 
 could wish. 
 
 The position of affairs abroad is extremely promising, and 
 France seems in a state of humiliation, which it has not felt 
 for many years ; a powerfull enemy in her own bowels, whom 
 she will find it difficult to dislodge, and a very superior army 
 collecting against her in Flanders which may strip her of all 
 her late acquisitions. 
 
 Lord Lovat, it is expected, will petition for a longer time 
 for his trial, than the 23rd instant, but much longer cannot 
 be granted on account of the Judges going into circuit. He in- 
 tends to respite his fate by protracting his defence, having given 
 in a list of no less than 64 witnesses, though to little purpose 
 in the event, for the evidence against him is clear and full. 
 
 Mr. West's Book, your Lordsp will see, deserves the high 
 approbation it has met with here. But his uncle. Lord Cob- 
 ham, is so unhappily prejudiced against the subject that he 
 cannot speak of the performance with temper, and declares 
 that he will not forgive a Layman for concerning himself with 
 such matters. 
 
 Gibber's observations on Dr. Middleton's Life of Cicero, are 
 marked with some of the peculiarities of the author, but the 
 book, as I am assured by good judges, has sense and vivacity, 
 and is much beyond what one would expect from a man who 
 professes that he knows nothing of the history of the times 
 about which he writes but what he derives from the writer 
 who gave occasion to his observations, and from whom he 
 differs in many things, and particularly with regard to the 
 character of Caesar. A new life of Caesar is just imported from 
 Paris in 2 vol. 4'°, written by Monsr. Morabin, who gave 
 the public a very good Essay towards it in his Exit de Cicero 
 about twelve years ago. 
 
3IO THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 My eyes, which have but ill directed my hand thus far, 
 
 will serve me no longer than to add my compliments to my 
 
 Lady and my Lord Boyle, and the assurance of a more punctual 
 
 correspondence when I am able from, my Lord, your Lordsps, 
 
 etc., 
 
 THQs BIRCH. 
 
 THE PRIMATE OF IRELAND TO THE EARL 
 OF ORRERY. 
 
 Dublin, March lotk, 1746. 
 
 My Lord, — Your Lordsps most kind congratulation is as 
 undeserved by me as any honour that I have received, and I 
 beg leave to assure your Lordsp that it is as welcome. I have 
 often lamented the interruption of so early an acquaintance as 
 mine was with your Lordsp, and I have the more lamented 
 it from a persuasion that it has been occasioned by accidents 
 and situations. They are more strongly on my side, as I have 
 the happiness to find this, my last and very great settlement, 
 in the neighbourhood of your Ldsp's, I shall do my utmost 
 to redeem the time that I have lost in the cultivation of so 
 valuable a friendship, and shall upon all occasions endeavour 
 to approve myself, as I really am, my Lord, Your Lordsp's 
 most affectionate servant, 
 
 GEO. DERRY. 
 
 FROM THE RT. HON. LORD BOYLE. 
 
 St. Mary Hall, April -jth, 1746. 
 
 My Lord, — I suppose this will find you in Dublin. I 
 long most impatiently to hear from you. My brother and 
 Bowen are to come to Oxford in Easterweek. 
 

THE ORRERY PAPERS 311 
 
 We have had another terrible accident at Christchurch 
 College, Some noblemen and Gentlemen made one of the 
 scouts drunk, and they say he fell downstairs : but there are 
 several bruises about him. His scull was fractured, and he 
 died the day after. The coroners inquest have brought it in 
 Wilfull Murder, and the Gentlemen have all disappeared : they 
 will surrender themselves to be tried. This verdict is thought 
 very unjust. The jury were drunk. The Gentlemen concerned 
 are almost distracted with grief. It is most certain they never 
 thought of murdering the man, but played many tricks with 
 him ; such as cutting of his hair. There are a thousand 
 different reports, and we cannot have a true account till their 
 depositions are known. This affair, and that of fighting Dr. 
 King, which was done two months ago, will hurt the Univer- 
 sity in general, but probably ruin Christchurch. Perhaps you 
 did not hear an account of that affair. Two gentlemen of 
 Xtchurch, and one of Lincoln, were very much in liquor, and 
 played a great many pranks with the women whom they met 
 in the streets. At last, one of them ran into the Drs. lodgings 
 after the chambermaid. The door was shut upon him. The 
 Principal, hearing a noise, went out in his night-gown, with a 
 candle in his hand. Duncomb (for that was his name) fearing 
 the principal should know him, struck the candle out of his 
 hand, and they had a little scuffle. The Dr. collared him and 
 sent for the Proctor. The other two, whose offence was not 
 so great as his, were ordered to ask pardon publicly, which 
 they did. L** Charles D — ^1 — s^ was one. Duncomb was to 
 have asked pardon upon his knees, and in a more public 
 manner : which [kneeling] he has refused to submit to. He 
 will, we suppose, be expelled as contumax. The persons con- 
 cerned in this last affair are Lord Abergavenny, L'^ Char. Scott, 
 
 1 Douglas. 
 
312 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 Mr. Bale, Dobson, Carter, Delaval, Smallwell ; all belonging 
 
 to Xtchurch. 1/ Abergavenny and L"* Charles Scott, are, 
 
 they say, little concerned in beating or otherwise abusing the 
 
 man. They are almost mad with grief. The former has had 
 
 two fainting fits. They all left the.Colledge at about 3 o'clock 
 
 on Monday. The Verdict, WillfuU Murder, against persons 
 
 unknown, being brought in at about 11 on Sunday night. 
 
 You must not credit what reports you hear, but I will take 
 
 care to send you the proceedings as I learn them. Remember 
 
 me to all at Caledon or Dublin. I am, my Lord, your Ldsp's 
 
 most dutiful son, 
 
 BOYLE. 
 
 FROM DR. KING. 
 
 St. Mary Hall, April loth, 1 746-/7. 
 
 My dear Lord, — I have rec*^ y' Letter, and return you 
 both y' Packetts in very good Time To-day ; I shall probably 
 return you the uncorrected Sheet by the posts Tomorrow. I 
 have many Speculations in regard to the treatment y' Ld and I 
 have rec** from the D. What can he mean by it .f" 'Tis as 
 great an Affront as can well be offered, but for what end ? 
 He may look on me perhaps as a little Man and of no con- 
 sequence. But he cannot think so of You who are in all 
 respects his Equal and in many his Superior. I don't know 
 whether I ought not by For: (if he will deliver y"^ message) to 
 desire my Book again. If not, I know but one other Method 
 to make the Man sensible y' he is a man and so am I ; and 
 that I shall certainly take. For nothing now can excuse y' 
 Usage. I saw a new Paper To-day for the i' Time, called y' 
 National Journal, w*" is to be published twice a week. I like 
 y'= Manner of it much, because y° Author seems resolved to 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 313 
 
 tell us a little Truth, an Ingredient w"* is not to be found in 
 any other Paper. We propose to take it in, but till we have 
 settled our Correspondence, will y' Ld be so good to send it 
 to us. Believe me my dearest Lord, Ever Yours, 
 
 W. K. 
 
 THE ANSWER. 
 
 D" Doct", — Y" of y' 10"' came to me Yesterday, and as I 
 shaU have little time to write to you after I have seen our 
 friend Mr. F. Today at Dinner, I snatch up my Pen at an 
 early hour to answer it. The Behaviour of the D. of A. calls 
 for resentment even from the meekest Spirit imaginable, let 
 us state the Case. His Grace desires to read a Book not yet 
 made publick, and w*" he had sufficient Character to spur on 
 his Curiosity. The Author, without farther loss of Time than 
 was inevitable, sends the Book handsomely bound, and desires 
 Ld Or^ to deliver it. As soon as Ld O. was able to put on 
 a Shoe, so as to attend H. Gr: he carried y' Book, and least 
 the D. of A. should not be at home, he writ a Letter in as civil 
 terms as possible, to let H. Gr: know y' y"= Gout had prevented 
 his earlier Delivery of a Present designed by the Author for 
 H. Gr.'s own Perusal. The Duke was abroad, and Ld O. 
 committed the Book and y* Letter to his Porter. A month 
 is now pass'd since H. G. rec** y* Book, and he has not thought 
 proper by Letter, Message or Writ to acknowledge to Dr. K. 
 the Author, or to Ld O. the Carrier, the Rec' of such a Present. 
 This is an exact Representation of the Facts ; now let every 
 Gentleman judge whether the D. of A. has not failed in Polite- 
 ness to a degree that admits of no excuse. If H. G. had 
 intended to steal the Book he c** scarce have Acted otherwise. 
 You smile when I mention the possibility of his stealing ; such 
 
314 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 an Inclination may happen ex Natura and on this point suffer 
 me to tell you a story. A Scotch Lady of Quality speaking 
 not long ago of her two sons, told an intimate Friend that She 
 was happy in the qualifications of both but that she had ex- 
 perienced very different sensations when she bore each in her 
 Bosom : ' While I carried John I was amazingly intrepid, 
 ' defy'd Dangers, wish'd to command Armies ; delighted in 
 ' Warlike Talk. But when I went with Archy, I had Violent 
 ' Inclination to steal, even my own silver spoons and c*^ not look 
 ' any of my Friends in the Face, 'tis well I escap'd Committal 
 ' to the Tolbooth for a Thief Alas ! I am interrupted. Y' 
 faithfuU 
 
 O. 
 
 [Written on the outside page of the Letter, which was in 
 an envelope : — ] 
 
 April izth, 8 o'Cbck a.m. 
 
 To the Inquisitor of Letters, — Sir, Pray Attempt not to stop 
 this Letter. My Letter to Sir Cord : Firebrace was stopped 
 some While agoe ; but I have a Copy of this Letter and Your 
 Stoppage will be of no Use. 
 
 I am Sir Not Your humble Servant. 
 
 MR. COLLEY GIBBER TO MRS. PILKINGTON. 
 
 Thou frolicksome Farce of Fortune ! 
 
 What ! is there another Act to come of you then ? 
 I was afraid some time ago you had made your last 
 Exit. Well, but without Wit or Compliment, I am 
 glad to hear you are so tolerably alive. I have your 
 incredible Narrative from Dublin before me, and shall, 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 315 
 
 as you desire, answer every Paragraph in its Turn, without 
 considering its Importance or Connection. You say I have, 
 for many Years, been the kind Preserver of your Life. In 
 this, I think, I have no great Merit, because you seemed to set 
 so little Value upon it yourself ; otherwise you would have 
 considered that Poverty was the most helpless Handmaid that 
 ever waited upon a high-spirited Lady : But, as long as the 
 World allowed you Wit and Parts, how poor, compared to you 
 without a Shilling in your Pocket, was an illiterate Queen of 
 the Indies. Oh ! the Glory of a great Soul ; why, to be sure, 
 as you say, it must be a fine Thing indeed. But a Word in 
 your Majesty's Ear. Common Sense is no contemptible 
 Creature, notwithstanding you have thought her too vulgar to 
 be one of your Maids of Honour. Common Sense might 
 have prevented many Misfortunes as your High and Mighti- 
 ness has been reduced to run through. Tis true you have 
 stood them all with a Catonian Constancy ; but I fancy you 
 might have passed your Life as merrily without them. You 
 see, I am still Friend enough to be free with your Failings ; 
 but make the best of your bad Market. You seem now to 
 have a Glimpse of a new World before you : Think a little, 
 how you are to squeeze through the Crowd with such a Bundle 
 at your Back, and do not suppose it possible you can have a 
 Grain of Wit till you have Twenty Pounds in your Pocket. 
 With half that Sum, a greater Sinner than you may look the 
 Devil in the Face. Few people of Sense will turn their Back 
 upon a Woman of Wit that does not look as if She came to 
 borrow Money of them ; and when Want brings her to her 
 Wits' End, every Fool will have Wit enough to avoid her. 
 But as this seems now not to be your Case I am more afraid 
 of your being out of your Wits at your good, than your 
 bad Fortune ; for I question whether you are as able to bear 
 
3i6 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 the first as the last. If you do not tell me a damned poetical 
 Fib in saying that People of Taste so often borrow Cicero of 
 you, I will send you half a Score of them, with which you may 
 compliment those whom you suppose to be your Friends. 
 Perhaps you may have a Chance of having the favour returned 
 with Something more than it is worth. Generosity is less 
 ready in shewing itself, when it only appears to be grateful. 
 In a Word, if you would have those Books you must order 
 some Friend in London to call upon me for them. For, you 
 know, I hate Care and Trouble. 
 
 I am not sure, your Spouse's taking another Wife before 
 you came over, might not have proved the only Means of his 
 being a better Husband to you. For, had he picked up a 
 Fortune, the Hush, Hush of your prior Claim to him, might 
 have been worth a better separate Maintenance than you are 
 now likely to get out of him. As for my Health and Spirits, 
 they are as usual, and full as strong as any Body's that has 
 enjoyed theirs the same Number of Years. 
 
 If the Value I have for you gives you any Credit in your 
 own Country, pray stretch it as far as you think it can be 
 serviceable to you ; for under all the Rubbish of your Mis- 
 fortunes I see your Merits sparkle like a lost Jewel. I have 
 no greater pleasure than in placing my Esteem on those who 
 can feel and value it. Had you been born to a large Fortune, 
 your shining Qualities might have put half the Wit of your 
 Sex out of Countenance. If any of them are uncharitable 
 enough to call this flattery, tell them what a poor Devil you 
 are, and let that silence them. If ever you should recover 
 enough of the Public Favour to dissipate your former Sorrows, 
 I should be glad to see you here ; in the Meantime you will 
 fully re-pay any Service I have done you by sometimes letting 
 me hear of your Well doing. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 317 
 
 I hope you have but one Volume of your Memoirs in the 
 Press ; because, if that meets with any Success, I believe I 
 could give you some natural hints which, in the easy Dress of 
 your Pen, might a good Deal enliven it. 
 
 You make your Court to me very ill by depreciating the 
 natural Blessings on your Side of the Water. What have we 
 to boast of that you want, but Wealth and insolent Dominion.'' 
 Is not the Glory of God's Creation, Lovely Woman, there in 
 its highest Lustre ? I have seen several and frequent Examples 
 of them here, and have heard of many, not only from yourself, 
 but others, who, for the agreeable Entertainment of the social 
 Mind, have not their equal Play Fellows in Old England. 
 
 And pray, what to me would Life be without them ? 
 Dear soft Souls ! for now, too, they are lavish of Favours, 
 which in my Youth they would have trembled to trust me 
 with. In a word, if, instead of the Sea, I had only the dry 
 ground Alps to get over, I should think it but a Trip to 
 Dublin. In the mean Time we must e'en compound for such 
 Interviews as the Post or Packet can send to you or bring to 
 Your real Friend and Servant, 
 
 C. CIBBER. 
 
 Mon., Jan. 29, 1747. 
 
 TO LADY ELIZABETH SPELMAN. 
 
 Caledon, May \f>th, 1747. 
 
 Madam, — Your Ladysp, I am persuaded, will most easily 
 forgive my silence when I assure you that during these last 
 six months I have been under great conflict of mind for my 
 children, who were continually alarming us by little complaints 
 to which children of their age are subject. We dreaded the 
 smallpox ; it has been very severe in Lady Orrery's family. 
 
3i8 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 We came to a resolution therefore, to innoculate them. It has 
 pleased God to bless our proceedings, and Edmund and Lucy 
 are now as healthful! and as playfuU as their years and strength 
 can admit. We have received many congratulations upon 
 the occasion, none of which pleased me more than the fat 
 house-keepers, who said * She was glad they were past the 
 small pox, as no more rolls of wax candle would be wasted in 
 looking at flea-bites, freckles and pimples.' 
 
 In my last. Madam, I promised you a description of this 
 place. Our house, which is called the Castle, is extremely 
 old and weather-beaten. By the assistance of good fires we 
 keep ourselves warm in it in winter, and in summer we pass 
 most of our time at a Lodge in the park, about a mile and a 
 half distant from the castle. 
 
 I shall carry your Ladysp in this letter no farther 
 than the garden, which consists of fifty acres diversified by 
 wood and water : three parts of it being bounded by a large 
 and broad river, and the fourth is walled in, so as at once 
 to give us fruit and security. On the side of the river is 
 a most noble grove of fir trees. These, like the tall cedars 
 of Lebanus, are perpetually green, and afford us at this 
 time of the year, a gloomy shade, that like the awfulness 
 of a Cathedral, inspires us with a serious kind of reflection, 
 and keeps the mind in a proper state of humility, without 
 diminishing the chearfulness which makes life agreeable. From 
 the grove, let me lead your Ladyship into my study, from 
 whence I transmit the compliments of the whole female race of 
 Boyle to your Ladysp. But these commands were given me 
 some days ago at Dublin. Lady Orrery and Lady Betty are 
 still there. They will move Northward next week. I shall 
 go as far as Dundalk to meet them. As I passed through 
 that town yesterday, I heard that Lord and Lady Limerick 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 319 
 
 were perfectiy well. I have not the honour to know them, 
 but I thought the news would be acceptable to your Ldysp 
 and indeed to every body who has heard of their name. — I am, 
 Madam, your Ladysp's, etc., 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 TO THE REV. MR. BIRCH. 
 
 Cakdon, May z6tA, 1747. 
 
 Dr Sir, — It is very certain I write to you with regret. 
 Had a Southsayer foretold such a doom I should have believed 
 him as little as the Trojans believed Cassandra. However, let 
 me entreat you to lay aside my future letters till your eyes are 
 perfectly recovered. Let them remain, like the letters of a 
 guardian to a young heir, in your Bureau unopened. 
 
 I have lately passed a fortnight in Dublin in attendance 
 upon my two youngest children, who were innoculated and 
 who have passed through the small pox in a most happy 
 manner. All my leisure time was employed in the book- 
 sellers shops, and particularly in search of such books as you 
 have mentioned to me. Many of them were not to be found 
 in our Hibernian coast. When St. Patrick banished poisonous 
 animals, the Saint in his fury probably cursed books into the 
 bargain. He certainly wished ignorance might succeed him, 
 and I am sorry to tell you that scarce a gentleman in Ireland 
 (although he be a better Protestant than even St. Patrick 
 dreaded) goes farther in literature than Urban's English 
 Magazine or Faulkner's Irish Journal. 
 
 Mr. West's book pleased me very much. I know and I 
 greatly admire and so respect the author, whose virtues are 
 most truly christian. The book is as much applauded here 
 as any book can be. 
 
320 THE ORRERY PAPERS 
 
 I had a glimpse of Warburton's Shakespear. My house is 
 too litde to hold any more Shakspears. But I have room for 
 the Divine Legation of Moses. Let me recommend to you, 
 if you have not seen it, Les Memoires d'un honnete homme. It is 
 an amusing tale, written in a superior style, but in the manner 
 of Marianne and the Paysan parvenu : or rather, written so 
 entirely in the French manner, that I daresay no English 
 translation of it will appear tolerable. Perhaps you will not 
 descend to these kind of entertainments. They serve to relax 
 my severer studies, and as such toys I mention them to 
 you. 
 
 The Essay on virtue, and the Philosophical books, stay on 
 your side of the water. Virtue is loth, I fear, to come to 
 Ireland, and Philosophy thinks she should be swallowed up in 
 our Bogs. Yet in truth such apprehensions are groundless. 
 We are really improving, slowly but certainly. 
 
 Lord Chesterfield's influence, like the departing sun, has 
 left a warm and serene sky behind it. I have known this 
 Kingdom fifteen years. More improvements than I have 
 visibly observed of all kinds could not have been effected in 
 that space of time. Duels are at an end. Politeness is making 
 some progress. Literature is close behind her. Industry 
 must follow. As popery decreases, cleanliness and honesty 
 will find place. The Charter Schools^ will banish the former, 
 
 ' ' The Incorporated Society in Dublin for promoting English Protestant Schools 
 in Ireland.' The original design of this Society was the work of the Bishop of 
 Dromore (Henry Maule). In 1733 a Charter was granted to the Lord Lieutenant 
 and others in Corporation for the erection and support of these schools. In 1739 
 the King made a donation of £1000 and 'an annual grant of the like sum on the 
 'establishment of this Kingdom.' In 1794 new financial regulations were framed. 
 In 1826 fresh rules were issued 'for the Government of the Protestant Charter 
 ' Schools,' and a Parliamentary Paper was printed 'for the use of the Endowed 
 ' Schools in Ireland' in 1856. Up to the year 1787 ,£62,029 had been remitted in 
 all by the corresponding Society in London, and in 1789 an anonymous Englishman 
 bequeathed £4.0,000 to the fund. 
 
THE ORRERY PAPERS 321 
 
 and introduce the two latter. In this part of the Island we 
 
 are all Protestant. I wish we were all of the Church of 
 
 England. But what am I doing ? forgive me, I entreat you, 
 
 for I thought myself conversing with you, and was willing to 
 
 detain you as long as possible under my roof. Adieu then, 
 
 without further ceremony. You know me, Sir, Your faithfull 
 
 etc., 
 
 ORRERY. 
 
 Your packets arrive constantly. 
 
 END OF VOL. I. 
 
 Edinburgh : Printed by T. and A. Constablx 
 
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