April 21st, 1731.

“Since I have got over the impediment to a writer, of water drinking, if I can persuade myself that I have any wit, and find I have inclination, I intend to write; though, as yet, I have another impediment:  for I have not provided myself with a scheme.  Ten to one but I shall have a propensity to write against vice, and who can tell how far that may offend?  But an author should consult his genius, rather than his interest, if he cannot reconcile them."[2]

JOHN GAY TO DEAN SWIFT.

  Amesbury, April 27th, 1731.

“When I was in town (after a bashful fit, for having writ something like a love-letter, and in two years making one visit), I writ to Mrs. Drelincourt, to apologise for my behaviour, and received a civil answer, but had not time to see her.  They are naturally very civil:  so that I am not so sanguine as to interpret this as any encouragement.  I find by Mrs. Barber that she interests herself very much in her affair; and, indeed, from everybody who knows her, she answers the character you first gave me....

“You used to blame me for over-solicitude about myself.  I am now grown so rich, that I do not think myself worth thinking on."[3]

DEAN SWIFT TO JOHN GAY.

  Dublin, June 29th, 1731.

“You are the silliest lover in Christendom.  If you like Mrs. [Drelincourt], why do you not command her to take you?  If she does not, she is not worth pursuing; you do her too much honour; she has neither sense nor taste, if she dares to refuse you, though she had ten thousand pounds.

“I cannot allow you rich enough till you are worth L7,000, which will bring you L300 per annum, and this will maintain you, with the perquisite of spunging, while you are young, and when you are old will afford you a pint of port at night, two servants, and an old maid, a little garden, and pen and ink—­provided you live in the country.  And what are you doing towards increasing your fame and your fortune?  Have you no scheme, either in verse or prose?  The Duchess should keep you at hard meat, and by that means force you to write."[4]

THE COUNTESS OF SUFFOLK TO JOHN GAY.

  Hampton Court, June 29th, 1731.

“To prevent all further quarrels and disputes, I shall let you know that I have kissed hands for the place of Mistress of the Robes.  Her Majesty did me the honour to give me the choice of Lady of the Bedchamber, or that, which I find so much more agreeable to me, that I did not take one moment to consider of it.  The Duchess of Dorset resigned it for me; and everything as yet promises more happiness for the latter part of my life than I have yet had a prospect of.  Seven nights’ quiet sleep, and seven easy days have almost worked a miracle upon me; for if I cannot say I am perfectly well, yet it