# The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift/Volume 13/From Allen Bathurst to Jonathan Swift - 9

FROM LORD BATHURST.
SCARCLIFFE FARM,
I RECEIVED a letter from you at Cirencester, full of life and spirits, which gave me singular satisfaction; but those complaints you make of the deplorable state of Ireland, made me reflect upon the condition of England, and I am inclined to think it ​is not much better; possibly the only difference is, that we shall be the last devoured. I have attended parliament many years, and never found that I could do any good; I have therefore entered upon a new scheme of life, and am determined to look after my own affairs a little. I am now in a small farm house in Derbyshire, and my chief business is to take care that my agents do not impose upon my tenants. I am for letting them all good bargains, that my rents may be paid as long as any rents can be paid; and when the time comes that there is no money, they are honest fellows, and will bring me in what corn and cattle I shall want. I want no foreign commodities; my neighbour the duke of Kingston has imported one; but I do not think it worth the carriage.
I passed through London in my way here, and every body wondered I could leave them, they were so full of speculations upon the great event which lately happened; but I am of opinion some time will be necessary to produce any consequences. Some consequences will certainly follow; but time must ripen matters for them. I could send you many speculations of my own and others upon this subject; but it is too nice a subject for me to handle in a postletter. It is not every body who ought to have liberty to abuse their superiours: if a man has so much wit as to get the majority of mankind on his side, he is often safe; or if he is known to have talents that can make an abuse stick close, he is still ​safer. You may say, where is the occasion of abusing any body? I never did in my life; but you have often told truth of persons, who would rather you had abused them in the grossest manner.
I may say in parliament, that we are impoverished at home, and rendered contemptible abroad, because nobody will care to call upon me to prove it; but I do not know whether I may venture to put that in a letter, at least in a letter to a disaffected person; such you will be reputed as long as you live; after your death, perhaps, you may stand rectus in curia.
I met our friend Pope in town; he is as sure to be there in a bustle, as a porpus in a storm. He told me, that he would retire to Twickenham for a fortnight; but I doubt it much. Since I found, by your last, that your hand and your head are both in so good a condition, let me hear from you some times. And do not be discouraged that I send you nothing worth reading now: I have talked with nobody, for some time past, but farmers and ploughmen; when I come into good company again, I may possibly be less insipid; but in whatever condition I am, I shall always be most ambitious of your friendship, and most desirous of your esteem, being most faithfully and sincerely, dear sir, your obedient humble servant,
BATHURST.
* ↑ The promise of Polypheme to Ulysses.
* ↑ Madame la Touche, a French lady.
* ↑ The death of queen Caroline, on Sunday evening, November 20, 1737.