in my opinion, will have a greater run with the lovers of harmony than any of the Corelli's, Vivaldi's, Purcell's, or Handel's pieces. When Arne, the famous composer, was last in Ireland, he made application to me for this cantata (which I could not then procure), to set it to music: perhaps he may do it now, and bring it on the stage; which, if he does, will run more than the Beggar's Opera; and therefore I would have you get it engraved in folio, with scores for bass, &c., which will make it sell very well. I believe you might get something handsome for it from Rich, or the managers of Drurylane, for which I shall send you the original MS. I am thus particular, that you may have the profit to yourself, as you will have the trouble. I was in daily expectation, for six weeks, of going to London; but was prevented by many accidents-I cannot say business, for I never had less, as Mr Hitch well knows, having had no order from me for two months past. The "Advice to Servants" was never finished by the Dean, and is consequently very incorrect; I believe you may see some Irishisms in it; if so, pray correct them. The Dean's friends do not know the manner of an assignment, and desire you will send over the form. The story of the Injured Lady does not make above a sheet; and will vex your northern hardy neighbours more than the "Public Spirit of the Whigs," of which they complained to Queen Anne. As you are famous for writing prefaces, pray help me to one for "Advice to Servants," for which I have not yet printed the title. My best compliments to our friends, and should be obliged to Mr Dodsley for the two letters; which you may send, under cover to Samuel Bindon, Esq., at my house. I am whimsical, and send you the beginning of " Advice," &c. and the remainder to Mr Hitch, that you may print it immediately. I think it might be printed without the Injured Lady," as your volume will make the better figure with original pieces: but this I submit to your better judgment. I long much to see London, although I have no other business than to visit my friends, and do them any service in my power; and if I can be useful to you in England or Ireland, pray let me know, and I will do it. I would not have you advertise until two or three days before you publish, in which I wish you all imaginable success; and am, dear Sir, your faithful friend, and obliged humble servant, GEORGE FAULKNER. AN ACCOUNT OF A MONUMENT ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF DR SWIFT, IN IRELAND. TO MR GEORGE FAULKNER.* SIR, Neale, Feb. 14, 1750. I HAVE at last finished, what you have often heard me wish I might be able to do, a monument for the greatest genius of our age, the late Dean of St Patrick's. The thing in itself is but a trifle; but it is more than I should ever have attempted, had I not with indignation seen a country (so honoured by the birth of so great a man, and so faithfully * By Sir John Browne, of the county of Mayo.-F. served by him all his life) so long and so shamefully negligent in erecting some monument of gratitude to his memory. Countries are not wise in such neglect; for they hurt themselves. Men of genius are encouraged to apply their talents to the service of their country, when they see in it gratitude to the memory of those who have deserved well of them. The ingenious Pere Castle told me at Paris, that he reckoned it the greatest misfortune to him that he was not born an Englishman; and, when he explained himself, it was only for this, that, after two hundred years, they had erected a monument to Shakespeare; and another to a modern, but to the greatest of them, Sir Isaac Newton. Great souls are very disinterested in the affairs of life; they look for fame and immortality, scorning the mean paths of interest and lucre: and, surely, in an age so mercenary as ours, men should not be so sparing to give public marks of their gratitude to men of such virtue, dead, however they may treat them living; since in so doing, they bespeak, and almost insure to themselves, a succession of such useful persons in society. It was with this view that I have determined to throw in my mite. In a fine lawn below my house, I have planted a hippodrome. It is a circular plantation, consisting of five walks; the central of which is a horse-course, and three rounds make exactly a mile. All the lines are so laid out, that, from the centre, the six rows of trees appear but one, and form 100 arches round the field; in the centre of which I have erected a mount, and placed a marble column on its proper pedestal, with all the decorations of the order; on the summit of which I have placed a Pegasus, just seeming to take flight to the Heavens; and, on the die of the pedestal I have engraved the following inscription, written by an ingenious friend : IN MEMORIAM JONATHAN SWIFT, S. T. P. VIRI SINE PARI. AONIDVM FONTES APERIS, DIVINE POETA, ARTE NOVA: ÆTHEREAS PROPRIIS, ET PEGASVS, ALIS MDCCL. I have also appointed a small fund for annual premiums to be distributed in the celebration of gaines at the monument yearly. The ceremony is to last three days, beginning the first of May yearly. On this day, young maids and men in the neighbourhood are to assemble in the hippodrome, with their garlands and chaplets of flowers, and to dance round the monument, singing the praises of this ingenious patriot, and strewing with flowers all the place: after which they are to dance for a prize; the best dancer among the maids is to be presented with a cap and ribbands; and, after the dance, the are to run for a hat and gloves. young men The second day, there is to be a large market upon the ground: and the girl who produces the finest hank of yarn, and the most regular reel and count, is to have a guinea premium; and the person who buys the greatest quantity of yarn is to have a premium of two guineas. The third day, the farmer who produces the best yearling calf of his own breed is to have two guineas premium; and he that produces the fairest colt or filly, of his own breed likewise, not over two years old, shall receive a premium of two guineas also.Thus the whole will not exceed ten pounds; and all these useful branches of our growth and manufacture will be encouraged, in remembering the patron who with so much care and tenderness recommended them to others, and cherished them himself. I am, dear Sir, Your humble servant, J. B. |