cause several persons have been lashed by name, a Bettesworth, and in this poem, Chartres and Whitshed; and for my part, I do not think, or ever shall think, that it is an imputation on a satirist to lash an infamous fellow by name. The lines which begin, Here's Wolston's Tracts, the twelfth edition, &c. are plainly a mistake, and were omitted for that reason only: for Wolston never had a pension : on the contrary he was prosecuted for his blasphemous writings; his book was burnt by the hands of the common hangman; he himself was imprisoned, and died in prison. Woolaston, the author of a book called, "The Religion of Nature "delineated," was indeed much admired at court, his book universally read, his busto set up by the late queen in her grotto at Richmond with Clarke's and Locke's; but this Woolaston was not a clergy man. The two last lines, That kingdom he hath left his debtor, I omitted, because I did not well understand them; a better what?There seems to be what the grammarians call an antecedent wanting for that word; for neither kingdom or debtor will do, so as to make it sense, and there is no other antecedent. The dean is, I think, without exception, the best and most correct writer of English that has ever yet appeared as an author; I was therefore unwilling any thing should be cavilled at as ungrammatical: he is besides the most patient of criticism of all I ever 5 knew; knew; which perhaps is not the least sign of a great genius I have therefore ventured to make these objections to you; in which, however, for the most part, I submitted my own opinion to the judgment of others. I had something to add concerning the notes, but I have not room in this paper-but I will give you the trouble of reading another letter. Believe me, madam, your most obedient and most humble servant, W. K. FROM WILLIAM RICHARDSON, ESQ. LONDON, DEAR SIR, APRIL THE 10TH, 1739. IT is an age since I had the honour of a line from you. Your friend Mr. Alderman Barber, whose veneration for you prompts him to do any thing he can think of that can show his respect and affection, made a present to the university of Oxford of the original picture done for you by Jervas, to do honour to the university by your being placed in the gallery among the most renowned and distinguished personages this island has produced; but first had a copy taken, and then had the original set in a fine rich frame, and sent it to Oxford, after concerting with lord Bolingbroke, the vicechancellor, and Mr. Pope, as I remember, the inscription to be under the picture, a copy whereof is enclosed. The alder man man had a very handsome compliment from the vicechancellor, in the name of all the heads of houses there, and by their direction; wherein there is most honourable mention of the dean of St. Patrick's on that occasion. Seeing an article in the London Evening Post upon your picture, which was drawn at the request and expense of the chapter of your cathedral, being put up in the deanery; alderman Barber took the hint, and caused what you see in the London Evening Post of this day to be printed therein. He knows nothing of my writing to you at this time; but I thought it right that you should be acquainted how intent he is, all manner of ways, to show the effects of the highest friendship, kindled to a flame by the warmest sense of gratitude, and the most exalted esteem and veneration. Mrs. Whiteway, and Mr. M'Aulay, can inform you how absolute your commands are with me. Since you recommended him, he is sure of the utmost I can do for him. Sir, if I have not a few words from you, I shall conclude that you think me troublesome, and are resolved to get rid of my impertinence. It will be two or three months before I can get from hence, although I am impatient to be at home: but wherever I am, or however engaged, I am always, dear sir, your most obliged and most truly faithful servant, WILLIAM RICHARDSON. My best respects wait upon Mrs. Whiteway. DR. DR. DUNKIN TO MRS. WHITEWAY. MADAM, APRIL 25, 1739. As it was through your countenance I had the honour of being first introduced to the most worthy dean of St. Patrick*, I must have thought myself under the highest obligation to you; but the continuance of your friendship, through so many repeated acts of generosity, and the course of his gracious endeavours to raise my reputation and fortune, are such things as I must ever remember and express with a very deep sense of gratitude. The fatigue of writing so many letters lately in my favour, was indeed what I could not in reason expect even from his humanity, were I worthy of them; and I can only say, the dean of St. Patrick is unwearied in doing good, and that he who could rise to preserve a nation, will descend to relieve an individual. The sense of my own demerit, and the just awe in which I stand before so great and good a man, will not allow me either that freedom of speech or writing, which is requisite to let him understand with what love, veneration, and respect of his person, I reflect upon the many instances of his tender concern and uncommon zeal for my welfare. This is a duty I most earnestly wish, but am * It was Faulkner who first introduced him to Dr. Swift by taking much pains and trouble to accomplish it. altogether altogether unable to perform, and such as I entreat you, dear madam, to undertake for me; your compliance in which will be yet another, among the many and weighty obligations laid upon your most dutiful, obedient, devoted servant, WILLIAM DUNKIN. FROM DR. SWIFT TO MR. POPE. DEAR SIR, DUBLIN, APRIL 28, 1730. THE gentleman who will have the honour to deliver you this, although he be one related to me, which is by no means any sort of recommendation; for I am utterly void of what the world calls natural affection, and with good reason, because they are a numerous race degenerating from their ancestors, who were of good esteem for their loyalty and sufferings in the rebellion against king Charles the first. This cousin of mine, who is so desirous to wait on you, is named Deane Swift, because his great grandfather by the grandmother's side was admiral Deane, who having been one of the regicides, had the good fortune to save his neck by dying a year or two before the Restoration. I have a great esteem for Mr. Deane Swift, who is much the most valuable of any in his family: he was first a student in this university, and finished his studies in Oxford, where Dr. King, principal of St. Mary Hall, assured me, that Mr. Swift behaved himself with good reputation and credit: he hath |