ABSTRACT
Shortly after Swift's return to Ireland in August 1726, Pope met with an accident. One night in early September, the coach in which Bolingbroke was sending him home overturned while crossing a stream, and he was rescued from drowning in it only at the cost of severe cuts sustained in his right hand when one of the footmen 'pulled him out through the window'. As the news of the accident spread, Pope's friends gathered round, and Twicker:ham became the centre of much hospitality. One day, a dish of stewed veal was prepared according to a recipe from Pulteney's cook, Monsieur Devaux, which was greatly 'approved of at one of our Twickenham entertainments'. It was probably on this occasion that Pope suggested sending Swift a composite letter, in the production of which he was joined by Gay, Bolingbroke, lVlrs. Howard, and Pulteney. Pope's own contribution to this letter was a rhymed version of the recipe.
