Capricious in their taste.-But, what is fame ? "Observe that lovely form! See BOULTER's hand She waves her wand; she makes Oppression feel Trampling the monster down; with hideous pain "Forgive these wild, these undescriptive lines; 3. "SIR, ; March 2, 1780. "It is so very long ago since you were pleased to favour me with theSupplement to Dr. Swift's Works,' that I am now almost ashamed to return you my thankful acknowledgments for that very obliging present. But, first, however, give me leave to thank you most heartily for inserting in your Annotations that whole account I sent you formerly about Guiscard's knife ‡, and also for the vindication of Swift's mother § from the dishonour thrown upon her innocence and virtue by a censorious, calumniating world . Swift's enemies, however, glad of the lie, whoever first invented it, were both desirous and willing to swallow that impossibility (as I have proved it to be) with the utmost greediness; and, in spite of demonstration, either to continue This alludes to a picture of the Primate of all Ireland, now in the poor-house of Dublin. The Primate in a time of distress expended five and twenty pounds a day, for six weeks, in supporting the poor. This alludes to a picture of Dr. Swift in my Lord Howth's collection. ✰ See Swift's Works, vol. XXV. p. 279. § Mrs. Abigail Swift, the Dean's Mother, died April 24, 1710; and, in a memorandum made by him on that occasion, is the following affecting passage: "I have now lost my barrier between me and death; God grant I may live to be as well prepared for it, as I confidently believe her to have been! If the way to Heaven be through piety, truth, justice, and charity, she is there. J. S," I See Swift's Works, vol. XXV. p. 365. blind, or maintain with effrontery what they were convinced was a most slanderous accusation. I should also thank you for printing my poem to Mr. Bindon in that collection. "I am now to acquaint you, that I have lately seen Dr. Nash once or twice; and I think the last time I had the pleasure of seeing him, he told me, that he had given you some intimation that I should criticise very severely on that supplemental volume; which notion, I do presume, he took up from some accidental words I had dropped in a former conversation with him; and, most certainly, begging your pardon, if I were inclined to criticise, which in truth I am not, that volume appears liable to a great number of animadversions. But, waving every thing of that sort, I shall now venture, as I really believe you to be an honest man, as well as a good scholar, to go one step further, and declare to you, that having formerly been extremely ill-used by some London printers, I had almost determined about six or eight years ago, to print an edition of Swift's Works, here at Worcester; but that design has been over for some time, chiefly, perhaps, because I thought it might be attended with some difficulties which I could not foresee. However, indeed, as I have not yet totally laid aside all intentions of that sort, if you, or any other reputable printer, be disposed to treat with me for such an undertaking, I shall not scruple, old as I am, to engage in so laborious a Work. And so, for the present, wishing you all prosperity and happiness, I am, dear Sir, "Your most obedient and very humble servant, DEANE SWIFT." THEOPHILUS SWIFT, Esq. Son of Mr. Deane Swift, inherited much of the eccentricities both of his Father and their celebrated Relative, and was distinguished in his day by his spirit and his genius. He published The Gamblers, a Poem, 4to; The Temple of Folly, in four cantos, 1787, 4to; Poetic Address to his Majesty, 1788, 4to; The Female Parliament, a Poem, 1789, 4to; Letter to the King on the Conduct of Colonel Lenox, 1789, Svo, which occasioned him. a Duel, in the July of that year, with Colonel Lenox (afterwards Duke of Richmond); in which Mr. Swift was wounded; Letter to W. A. Browne, Esq. on the Duel of the Duke of York and Colonel Lenox, 1789, 8vo; and The Monster at Large, or the Innocence of Rhynwick Williams* vindicated, in a Letter to Sir Francis Buller, Bart. Judge of the King's Bench, 1791, 8vo. Mr. Theophilus Swift also contributed some papers of his Relation the Dean, to Mr. [now Sir] Walter Scott's Edition of Swift's Works. He died in Ireland, in the Summer of 1815. * Whom, as an Advocate, he had defended at the Old Bailey. See the Monthly Review, New Series, vol. IV. p. 81. In the Life of Swift, Sir Walter Scott frequently acknowledges his obligations to his obliging Correspondent, the Son and Representative of Mr. Deane Swift. Thus, p. 498, after observing that Dr. Johnson appears to be " 'unfriendly to the memory of Dean Swift," he adds, "When employed in writing the Dean's life, Dr. Johnson received two invitations from Deane Swift, Esq. to spend some time at his house in Worcestershire, one of which was conveyed by Mr. Theophilus Swift his son, to whom I owe this information. The purpose was to make every communication in his power, that might throw light on the history of his great and beloved relative. But Dr. Johnson declined the invitation, and even refused to receive the information offered, or to communicate with Mr. Deane Swift upon the subject. It would be difficult to assign a motive for the prejudice against Swift so obvious in Dr. Johnson's conduct on this occasion, as well as in many passages of his life of the Dean, especially considering that these great men coincided in political sentiments. There is a Letter from Earl Gower to some friend of Swift, dated 1st August 1738, in which he endeavours to secure the Dean's interest for the purpose of procuring for Johnson the degree of Master of Arts in the University of Dublin, in order to render him eligible to be teacher of a charity-school at Appleby. The Dean may have refused or neglected this application. The late Bishop of Dromore, who had many opportunities of personal observation, was of opinion that Dr. Johnson's dislike to Swift arose from the Dean's having opposed Dr. Madden's scheme for distributing prizes in Trinity College. It must be remembered that Dr. Johnson himself revised Madden's poem on the death of Boulter. Yet certainly it is unlikely that, so late as 1742, when that Primate died, the Dean should have publicly interested himself in the affairs of the University." 1. THEOPHILUS SWIFT, Esq. to Mr. NICHOLS. "SIR, Worcester, May 6, 1784. "As my poor father was so well known to you, I find myself under the less difficulty of introducing to your notice the enclosed papers. The subject of them, you will perceive, is a fruitful one, and might have been extended to a much greater length; but I chose to compress my materials, and to exhibit, I hope, in a striking point of view those follies which are the more immediate object of a poet's satire. "Such as the Work is, I present it to you for publication, should you think proper to become the purchaser; in which case you will please to inform me on what terms you will chuse to purchase the Copy. Should you wish to decline the purchase, you will oblige me by returning the papers back to me immediately, by one of the Worcester coaches; as the season of publication is drawing towards a conclusion. "The Work is divided into four Cantos. The notes have been unavoidably long; but none of them, I believe, can well be spared. To preserve the beauty of the page, I would have them printed at the end of each canto, respectively, and in a small character, in order to lessen the price to the purchaser. "I write a very bad Greek hand; and my common hand is not much better; but, by your correspondence with me, we shall be able to get over that part of the business. It is my intention to put my name to the Work, and a noble Earl has given me leave to dedicate it to him. You have now, Sir, a comprehensive view of the whole; and I trust you will let me hear from you in a very few days. I remain, $ir, your most obedient and most humble servant, THEOPHILUS SWIFT." 2. "SIR, Worcester, June 9, 1784. "I was favoured with your Letter informing me you were in possession of the Poem entitled The Temple of Folly*,' which I transmitted to you some few weeks ago. As it is now too late to think of publishing it this season, I must defer printing it until winter; and, therefore, Sir, you will do me a great favour, as you do not think proper to undertake the Work, if you will be so kind to return it to me, as soon as you can, by one of the Worcester coaches. There is one which sets out from the Castle and Falcon, in Aldersgate Street; and it is my wish you would let me have it by that conveyance. "You mention a new Edition of Swift's Works: I can only say that such Edition was projected, and in a manner finished by my learned and much respected father. I had the happiness of assisting him in the Work; and it would not be difficult for me to complete any deficiencies under which it may at present labour; especially as I live at present quite retired, and have * A Review of this Poem, which was published by Mr. J. Johnson, in 1787 may be seen in the Monthly Review, vol. LXXVIII. p. 15. few avocations to prevent my speedy execution of the Work. I am confident that so perfect and accurate an Edition will never be given of Swift as it is now in my power to offer to the world. And if it is your wish to treat with me for it, I will go up to town and communicate to you the full plan and style of such an Edition as is already prepared; and such as was advised and recommended by our learned and ingenious friends. At present I can only observe on it, that I am determined to follow the plan which our Bishop Hurd is pursuing in regard to an Edition of Warburton's Works: viz. the selection of such pieces, with notes and illustrations, as are worthy the pen of Swift; weeded and purged of such tracts, &c. as discredit him. By such an Edition, the number of volumes will be lessened; and consequently the purchase be much easier to the buyer. "In the mean while, Sir, I remain "Your most humble servant, THEOPHILUS SWIFT." 3. TO WALTER SCOTT, Esq. My father having an easy fortune, had taken to no profession. He was an excellent scholar, but a very bad writer. No man of his day understood the Greek language better; and he was familiar with all the Oriental languages. He was a very moral man; and from an innate love of religion, had made divinity his immediate study. He had taken a degree of A. M. at Oxford, and was in every respect qualified for an excellent divine. Walpole knew him, and one day sent for him. He went; and Walpole asked him, whether it was his intention to take orders? My father was then about twenty-seven years of age. He answered, he had no such design. Walpole then desired that he would think of it, and that he would provide for him in the church; and even went so far to tell him, that, at a proper time, he would make him a Bishop. Swift very soon heard of what had passed, and sent for my father, whom he asked concerning the truth of the fact. Swift soon perceived that Walpole designed to prefer his relation over his head; and that while the Dean could not make himself a Bishop, no impediment stood in the way of people who bore his name. Swift remonstrated very strongly with my father, who did not choose to give up the prospects held out to him. But Swift was absolute on all occasions. Whatever he said or willed must be obeyed. Beside the respect that my father had for him, which approached almost to idolatry, he owed him ₤2500, an immense sum in those days; his estates were mortgaged for it to the Dean. The Dean did not absolutely promise a remission of the debt, but signified, in very indignant terms, that if he did not relinquish orders, he would always find him his enemy; but if he would give up the idea of orders, he (the Dean) would always be his friend, and would provide for him in the State. My father yielded; was not made a Bishop; was not provided for by Swift, but put upon the shelf; |