Letter 47
From The Journal To Stella by Jonathan Swift

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May 31, 1712. I believe I have lost credit with you, in relation to my coming over; but I protest it is impossible for one, who has any thing to do with this ministry, to be certain when he fixes any time. There is a business, which, till it takes some turn or other, I cannot leave this place in prudence or honour. And I never wished so much as now, that I had staid in Ireland; but the die is cast, and is now a spinning, and till it settles, I cannot tell whether it be an ace or a sise. I am confident by what you know yourselves you will justify me in all this. The moment I am used ill, I will leave them; but know not how to do it while things are in suspense. — The session will soon be over, (I believe in a fortnight,) and the peace, we hope, will be made in a short time; and then there will be no further occasion for me; nor have I any thing to trust to but court gratitude; so that I expect to see my willows a month after the Parliament is up: but I will take MD in the way, and not go to Laracor like an unmannerly spreenckich Parson. Have you seen my Letter to Lord-Treasurer? There are two answers come out to it already; though 'tis no politics, but a harmless proposal about the improvement of the English Tongue. I believe if I writ an essay upon a straw some fool would answer it. * * * * * * *