cuting of the patent, the baseness of the metal, and the prodigious sum to be coined, which might be increased by stealth from foreign importations and his own counterfeits as well as those at home; "whereby we infallibly lose all our little gold and silver, and all our poor remainder of a very limited and discouraged trade." He likewise asserted in his advertisement that the sum was five times greater than the occasion required; and in one of his many poems upon the unlucky patentee he gives vent to his satirical genius upon the fact of his being committed to gaol for debt: the causes of the people's sufferings, in spite of the It might have been added by his ingenious relative utmost exertions of the Whig party, he was encou- and able commentator that the tacit approbation of raged to aim at higher things, and to identify his the dean upon this last occasion strongly evinced that future reputation with the triumph of a popular his opposition to the impolitic and disgraceful project movement almost unprecedented under the circum- was by no means of a factious nature, or induced by any stances in which Ireland was placed. After taking interested or ambitious views. Sheridan also declared signal vengeance upon the chief-justice, and ren- that no one in Ireland was consulted upon the subdering him an object of public indignation, he again ject, nor was any previous notice given to the lordwithdrew from the controversial arena, and appears lieutenant. And Swift himself, to place the matter to have been engaged, both then and subsequently in beyond a doubt, has left it upon record that his obEngland, in bringing to perfection his great master-jections to its introduction were founded upon strong piece of fictitious composition-his immortal Tra- principle--namely, the fraudulent obtaining and exevels of Captain Gulliver." In this interval, between 1720 and 1724, there does not seem to have been published a single work known under his name; but in the latter year an occasion offered, which he eagerly embraced, of dispersing those clouds behind which he had so long been concealed, and of venturing upon a more daring career than he had before attempted. "The great acquisition of esteem and influence," says Dr. Johnson, "was made by the "Drapier's Letters." One Wood, of Wolverhampton, in Staffordshire, a man enterprising and rapacious, had, as is said, by a present to the duchess of Munster, obtained a patent empowering him to coin one hundred and eight thousand pounds of halfpence and farthings, for the kingdom of Ireland, in which there was a very inconvenient and embarrassing scarcity of copper coin; so that it was possible to run in debt upon the credit of a piece of money; for the cook or keeper of an alehouse could not refuse to supply a man that had silver in his hand, and the buyer would not leave his money without change. The project was therefore plausible. The scarcity, which was already great, Wood took care to make greater by agents who gathered up the old halfpence, and was about to turn his brass into gold by pouring the treasures of his new mint upon Ireland, when Swift, finding that the metal was debased to an enormous degree, wrote letters under the name of M. B., Drapier, to show the folly of receiving, and the mischief that must ensue by giving gold and silver for coin perhaps not a third part of its nominal value." There were other and more serious evils that would have followed the nefarious attempt to enrich an individual at the expense of an entire nation. It was not the debasement of the metal so much as the wide field opened for the patentee to withdraw the remaining gold and silver from the already exhausted land, and to substitute a spurious coin, which must soon have found its way even to the treasury itself, bringing deserved retribution upon the heads of those who granted his powers. No security was exacted from Wood that he would not, like his predecessors, forge his own coin beyond the stated limits, and inundate the country with an arbitrary currency of his own. "The great force," says Mr. Deane Swift, "of the doctor's reasoning in the character of an Irish drapier, was not so much levelled against a moderate quantity of halfpence in general (which it is certain were much wanted in Ireland in 1724) as against Wood's adulterate copper in particular, which was not worth three halfpence in a shilling, and which might have been poured in upon the nation from Wood's mint to eternity, as he had neither given security for his honesty nor obliged himself, like other patentees, to give either gold or silver in exchange for his copper, whereas the halfpence (afterwards) sent over to Ireland in 1737 were coined in the Tower, by the express order of the crown, for the conveniency of the kingdom, &c. &c. However, it is certain that an advertisement of three lines by order of Dr. Swift, had there been occasion for it, as there was not, would instantly have stopped their currency." "And over these fillets he wisely has thrown To keep out of danger-a doublet of stone." "For my own part," he observes, "who am but one man of obscure origin, I do solemnly declare in the presence of Almighty God that I will suffer the most ignominious and torturing death rather than submit to receive this accursed coin, or any other that shall be liable to the same objections, until they shall be forced upon me by a law of my own country; and if that shall even happen, I will transport myself into some foreign land and eat the bread of poverty among a free people." "The great ignominy of a whole kingdom's lying so long at mercy, under so vile an adversary, is such a deplorable aggravation that the utmost expressions of shame and rage are too low to set it forth; and therefore I shall leave it to receive such a resentment as is worthy of a parliament." The history of the whole affair is so curious that a brief statement of facts will add greatly to the interest we feel in the dean's unprecedented popularity and political success. It seems to have begun in corruption as it must have ended in fraud. The emoluments from the disposal of the patent were given by lord Sunderland to the duchess of Kendal, who sold it to Wood: "Such a worm was Will Wood, when he scratch'd at the door of the kingdom; and this operated as another incentive to strain every nerve to oppose it. But this argument it was dangerous to avow; and when in his fourth letter he treated of simply as an abstract question, the arm of government was immediately raised to strike. "Who, while they strive the more success to gain, Should find their labour and their hopes are vain.' "I remember to have heard the late Hawkins Browne say that the Drapier's Letters' were the most perfect pieces of oratory ever composed since the days of Demosthenes. And indeed upon com the two writers. They both made use of the plainest words, and such as were in most general use, which they adorned only by a proper and beautiful arrangement of them. They both made use of the most obvious topics, which by the force of genius they placed in a new light. They were equally skilful in the arrangement and closeness of their arguments; equally happy in the choice and brevity of their allusions; each so entirely master of his art as entirely to conceal the appearance of art, so that they seized on the passions by surprise. Soon after lord Carteret's arrival in Ireland a pro-parison there will appear a great similitude between clamation was issued offering a reward of 3007. for the discovery of the author of the fourth" Drapier's Letter." The printer was imprisoned and a bill of indictment ordered to be prepared. Swift upon this came to his friend Harding's relief, with his short but "Seasonable Advice to the Grand Jury," copies of which were distributed to every person of the jury before the bill, and produced so powerful a sensation that it was unanimously thrown out. The chief-justice Whitshed discharged the jury in a rage, but it availed nothing, for the next that was summoned drew up a strong presentment in support of the opinions contained in the "Drapier's Letters," in language still more decisive. The same fate attended various others in different counties; the measure was soon known to be desperate even in the eyes of its projectors; and never was national exultation more loudly expressed at its final rejection. The drapier was hailed on all sides as the liberator of his country; his name resounded through the island; his picture became the favourite sign of every country inn, was treasured in every house, and even exhibited and cried about in the streets. I "One passage, indeed, is so admirable an instance of the species of excellence above described as to require no apology for bringing it here before the reader. I am very sensible, he says, in his assumed character, that such a work as I have undertaken might have worthily employed a much better pen; but when a house is attempted to be robbed, it often happens that the weakest in the family runs first to stop the door. All my assistance were some informations from an eminent person, whereof I am afraid I have spoiled a few by endeavouring to make them of a piece with my own productions, and the rest I was not able to manage. was in the case of David, who could not move in the armour of Saul; and therefore chose to attack this uncircumcised Philistine (Wood I mean) with a sling and a stone. And I may say for Wood's honour, as well as my own, that he resembles Goliah in many circumstances very applicable to the present purpose: for Goliah had a helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was 5000 shekels of brass; and he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders. In short, he was like Mr. Wood, all over brass, and he defied the armies of the living God. Goliah's conditions of combat were likewise the same with those of Wood: if he prevail against us then shall we be his servants; but if it happens that I prevail over him, I renounce the other part of the condition; he shall never be a servant of mine, for I do not think him fit to be trusted in any honest man's shop.' "Whoever," says Sheridan, "examines the "Drapier's Letters' with attention, will find that the great talents of Swift never appeared in a more conspicuous light than on this occasion. He saw that a plan was formed by the British minister to bring his country into the utmost distress. Notwithstanding the apparent opposition given to it by the Irish parliament and privy council, he knew too well the servile disposition of all men at that time in office, and their abject dependence on the minister, to suppose they would continue firm in their opposition at the certain loss of their places, if he was determined to carry the point. He saw, therefore, no possible means of preventing the evil but raising such a spirit in the whole body of the people as would make them resolve on no account whatever to receive this coin. His writings in the character of a drapier were in such plain language, and in such an easy series from simple and evident principles, as carried the fullest conviction to every mind. But as it was necessary to his purpose to rouse the feelings as well as convince the understandings of mankind, without ever appearing at all to apply to the passions, he raises them to the highest pitch by seemingly casual strokes here and there interspersed. So that the whole, on a transient view, appeared what it professed to be-the work of an honest shop-promoter, and abettor of this project, he would imkeeper, of plain common sense, who started out of his sphere to commence writer upon a view of the imminent danger with which his country was threatened; and who could not now and then suppress the honest indignation which rose in his breast at the unparalleled insolence of power in treating a great and loyal kingdom with such indignity as would have been thought intolerable even by the inhabitants of the Isle of Man. Yet plain and simple as these writings seem to be at first view, and which as every common reader would imagine he could produce himself, upon a closer inspection they would be found to be works of the most consummate skill and art; and whoever should attempt to perform the like would be obliged to say with Horace,"Sudet multum, frustraque laboret, Quivis speret idem.' "Nothing," continues his able biographer, "showed the generalship of Swift in a higher point of view during this contest than his choice of ground, both for attack and defence. He well knew of what importance it was to steer clear of party, and that, if he had attacked the British minister as the real author, He mediately have been stigmatized with the name of Ja. cobite, and his writings of course disregarded. therefore treated the matter all along as if there were no other parties concerned but William Wood, hardwareman, on the one side, and the whole kingdom of Ireland on the other. Nay he went farther; and finding that Wood in his several publications had often made use of Mr. Walpole's name, he took upon him. the defence of the latter in several passages of his fourth letter, which he concludes thus: But I will now demonstrate beyond all contradiction that Mr. Walpole is against this project of Mr. Wood, and is an entire friend to Ireland, only by this one invincible argument; that he has the universal opinion of being a wise man, an able minister, and in all his proceedings pursuing the true interest of the king his master; and that, as his integrity is above all corruption, so is his fortune above all temptation.' By the use of this irony, a doubleedged weapon which he knew how to manage with peculiar dexterity, his argument cut both ways. To the bulk of readers it might pass for a real acquittal of Mr. Walpole of the charge brought against him, which would answer one end; and to those of more discernment it obliquely pointed out the true object of their resentment; but this so guardedly, that it was impossible to make any serious charge against the author of his having such a design." Swift was known from this time by the appellation of The Dean. He was honoured by the populace as the champion, patron, and instructor of Ireland; and gained such power as, considered both in its extent and duration, scarcely any man has ever enjoyed without greater wealth or higher station. He was from this important year the oracle of the traders and the idol of the rabble, and by consequence was feared and courted by all to whom the kindness of the traders or the populace was necessary. The Drapier was a sign; the Drapier was a health; and which way soever the eye or the ear was turned, some tokens were found of the nation's gratitude to the Drapier. The benefit was indeed great. He had rescued Ireland from a very oppressive and predatory invasion; and the popularity which he had gained he was diligent to keep, by appearing forward and zealous on every occasion when the public interest was supposed to be involved. Nor did he much scruple to boast his influence; for when, upon some attempt to regulate the coin, archbishop Boulter, then one of the justices, accused him of exasperating the people, he exculpated himself by saying, "If I had lifted up my finger they would have torn you to pieces." (Johnson.) Through the medium likewise of his "Drapier's Letters," the dean took occasion to declare his real political opinions from the period when so many important changes had taken place. They were such as to dispel every suspicion thrown upon him by his enemies, of his perfect consistency, loyalty, and attachment to the house of Hanover. He expressed both his contempt and repugnance for the pretender, and succeeded in removing the prejudices conceived against him in high quarters, from the idle charge of his being a secret Jacobite and disaffected to the new succession. During the publication of his famous letters it is known that Swift studiously concealed himself from being known as the author. The only persons at first cognizant of the fact are said to have been Robert Blakely, his butler, whom he employed as his amanuensis, and Dr. Sheridan. Robert not being greatly experienced in his art, the copies were invariably delivered by him to the doctor, to receive his corrections before they were sent to the press. They were then conveyed by the former to the printer in a manner to prevent any discovery of the authorship, but it one day happened that Blakely staid out later than usual; and, as if to give his absence a stronger appearance of treachery, it was upon the very day the proclamation was issued offering a reward of 3001. for the detection of the author of the fourth letter. The dean ordered the door to be locked at the usual hour and shut him out. The next morning the poor fellow appeared before his master with marks of great sorrow; but Swift would listen to none of his excuses. He not only rated him soundly, but ordered him to strip off his livery and quit his house that moment. "What, you villain!" he exclaimed, "is it because I am in your power you dare to take these liberties? Get out of my house, you scoundrel, and receive the reward of your treachery." It seems that Stella, then at the deanery, became so much alarmed Upon that she sent off for Dr. Sheridan, who upon his arrival found Robert walking about the hall in great agitation and shedding abundance of tears. inquiry into the cause, he was informed of what had taken place; and bade the poor fellow not to despair nor leave the house, for that he would pacify the dean: "That is not what vexes me," was Blakely's reply, "though I should be sorry to lose so good a master; but what grieves me to the soul is that he should have so bad an opinion of me as to believe me capable of betraying him for any reward in the world." This was immediately repeated by Sheridan to the dean, who, struck with the generosity of the sentiment, not only forgave but restored him to more than his former favour. He took an opportunity also of rewarding him for his good feeling and fidelity; for the office of verger becoming vacant, Swift inquired of Robert if he had any clothes that were not a livery. Being answered in the affirmative, he bade him instantly put them on after stripping his livery. The poor fellow fell on his knees, requesting to know what new crime he had committed to deserve such a punishment. "Well! do as I order you," was the dean's answer; and upon Robert again appearing in plain clothes, he summoned the other servants, and informed them they were no longer to consider him as Robert their fellow-servant, but as Mr. Blakely, verger of St. Patrick's cathedral, a place bestowed upon him as a reward for his faithful services. But at Mr. Blakely's particular request, he continued as a volunteer to officiate also in his old capacity, although the dean would by no means permit him to assume any badge of servitude. He also took care that he was remunerated for both. Numerous other anecdotes have been repeated relating to the appearance of the famous Letters, and the following is given upon the authority of Sheridan, who received it from a respectable German merchant (Mr. Hoffslegar), then a resident in Dublin. There was a full levee held at the castle the day subsequent to the proclamation against the drapier, which had already become the general topic of all circles. The lord-lieutenant was in the act of going round the circle when the dean abruptly entered the room, and, pushing his way through the crowd, addressed the lord-lieutenant-his countenance bearing marks of the strongest indignation-in a voice that resounded through the place: "So, my lord, this is a glorious exploit that you performed yesterday, in suffering a proclamation against a poor shopkeeper, whose only crime is an honest endeavour to save his country from ruin. You have given a noble specimen of what this devoted nation is to hope for from your government. I suppose you expect a statue of copper will be erected to you for this service done to Wood." The effect of this double meaning and pun at the same time had an instantaneous effect upon the risible powers of the fashionable audience; and it was doubly relished by the lord-lieutenant himself, both a scholar and a man of taste; but the dean continued to read him a severe lecture upon the folly and impolicy of supporting a measure so detrimental to the best interests of the country. The incipient mirth of the titled slaves was soon lost in silence and astonishment at the terrific lashes of Swift's unsparing satire; and he is described as awing them into a sense of their native littleness, like so many Lilliputians in the presence of the great captain Gulliver at a court scene. For some moments a profound silence ensued, when the lord-lieutenant, who had listened with great composure, made the following fine and elegant application of Virgil's line to the case in hand : He was The patent being withdrawn, and all apprehensions as to the introduction of the coin being over, Swift retired to Quilca, a house of Dr. Sheridan's, where he spent some months in finishing and preparing his "Gulliver's Travels" for the press. It was probably with some views regarding its publication, and from the extreme earnestness with which his English friends urged him to try the benefit of a change of air, that in 1726 the dean again visited England, after an absence of twelve years. received with the most gratifying marks of attention, for the attachment of those who had previously known him seemed rather to have increased than diminished by time. All expressed the warmest wishes that he would leave Ireland and settle among them; and several plans are believed to have been proposed to accomplish this object. Swift had always considered England as his own country, and been anxious to make some beneficial transfer of his Irish interest that would have opened a new sphere of duties and exertions among the literary and political connexions he had so early formed; and in case of succeeding he would have made other arrangements, to which he has already alluded, for spending a portion of his more advanced years in France and Italy, though it was his wish to close his days in England. Unfortunately however, he was obnoxious to the men in power, though by no means disliked at court, being exactly the reverse of the situation in which he stood during the bright and fleeting days of his political ascendancy. Upon the present occasion he met with no unfavourable reception at Leicester-house. The princess of Wales, afterwards queen Caroline, was fond of patronising men of genius and science for the sort of reputation it gave to her station and for the promotion of her views; and, slight as it was, Swift had no better ground upon which to raise a hope of future success. Upon hearing of Swift's arrival in London she intimated her desire to have an interview with the author of the "Drapier's Letters ;" and in a letter to his friend lady Betty Germaine he has left the following account of it in his own words (1732-3):-" It is six years last spring since I first went to visit my friends in England after the queen's death. Her present majesty heard of my arrival, and sent at least nine times to command my attendance before I would obey her, for several reasons not hard to guess, and, among others, because I had heard her character from those who knew her well. At last I went, and she received me very graciously." The princess appears to have been struck with the novelty of such a character; and being highly entertained with his peculiar vein of humour, "she was never weary,” says Sheridan, "of sending for him, both in London and Richmond; while Swift, to keep up his consequence, never once attended her but by command." Mrs. Howard, first lady of the bedchamber and her chief favourite, was the person who usually sent for him. As a lady of fine taste and uncommon understanding, she soon contracted a high esteem for Swift, which was matured into a friendship by the frequent opportunities she had of conversing with him in company with Pope and Gay, who were her great favourites. These peculiar marks of esteem and the evident pleasure taken by the princess in Swift's society, added to the general conversation respecting the dean at court, naturally led his friends to conclude that the first opportunity would be taken to make some handsome provision for him in England, though, from his long experience of courts and his numerous disappointments, he was himself by no means sanguine upon the subject. During this visit to England his time seems to have been chiefly spent between Twickenham and Dawley, with his friends Pope and Bolingbroke, where he met the most eminent wits and politicians of the day. The occasion of his presence was eagerly seized upon by Pope and Arbuthnot for completing the volumes of "Miscellanies," the proceeds from which he generously relinquished to the former; and as this was the first time that Swift's works were published collectively in an authentic shape, the sale was immense, and produced a very considerable sum. Among other pleasant anecdotes connected with the dean's visits to England is the following characteristic one, which displays the peculiarities of his character in a very strong and amusing point of view. It has the merit of being told also (from Spence), in the words of Pope himself:-" Doctor Swift," he says, "has an odd, blunt way that is mistaken by strangers for ill-nature. 'Tis so odd that there is no describing it but by fact. I'll tell you one that first comes into my head. One evening Gay and I went to see him you know how intimately we were all acquainted. On our coming in, 'Hey-day, gentlemen,' says the doctor, 'what's the meaning of this visit? How came you to leave all the great lords that you are so fond of to come hither to see a poor dean? Because we would rather see you than any of them.' 'Ay! any one that did not know you so well as I do might believe you. But since you are come I must get some supper for you I suppose.' 'No, doctor, we have supped already.' 'Supped already! that's impossible; why it is not eight o'clock yet. That's very strange; but if you had not supped I must have got something for you. Let me see; what should I have had? A couple of lobsters; ay, that would have done very well: two shillings-tarts a shilling: but you will drink a glass of wine with me, though you have supped so much before your usual time only to spare my pocket?' 'No: we had rather talk with you than drink with you.' 'But if you had supped with me, as in all reason you ought to have done, you must then have drank with me. A bottle of wine, two shillings-two and two is four, and one is five: just two-and-sixpence a piece. There, Pope; there's half-a-crown for you, and there's another for you, sir; for I won't save anything by you, I am determined.' This was all said and done with his usual seriousness on such occasions; and in spite of anything we could say to the contrary, he actually obliged us to take the money." We are informed by Delany also, "that when lady Eustace or other women of rank joined his table at the deanery, he used in the same manner to allow them a shilling a head to provide their own entertainment, and would stickle hard that only sixpence should be allowed for the brat, as he used to call Miss Eustace, afterwards married to Mr. Tickell; and from a sense of justice more refined even than his aversion to any approach to obligation, when he dined with his poorer friends he uniformly insisted upon paying his club, as at a tavern or a house of public resort." The popularity it would appear that followed Swift's frequent interviews, during this visit, with the princess, at court, drew the attention of the premier, who entertained no friendly feelings towards the dean, and between whom there were too many points of disagreement ever to expect a complete or cordial co-operation. But as it was the fashion then to praise the dean for his social qualities and goodnature, Walpole so far chimed in with the popular feeling as to show his magnanimity in affecting to forget what he never could forgive the bitter irony and artful exhibition of his weak points to public derision and contempt. "For never can true reconcilement grow Where wounds of deadly hate have pierced so deep." In another of the dean's letters to lady Germaine (Jan. 8, 1722-3) he observes, as if the advances had come from the side of sir Robert, "Walpole was at that time very civil to me, and so were all the people in power. He invited me and some of my friends to dine with him at Chelsea. After dinner I took an occasion to say what I had observed of princes and great ministers, that if they heard an ill thing of a private person that expected some favour, although they were afterwards convinced that the person was innocent, yet they would never be reconciled. Mr. Walpole knew well enough that I meant Mr. Gay, but he gave it another turn, for he said to some of his friends, and particularly to a lord, a near relation of yours, that I had dined with him, and had been making apologies for myself.'" Subsequent to this polite attention, apparently with the specious view of throwing odium upon Swift's character for honour and consistency, sir Robert appointed another interview with the dean upon the subject of Irish grievances, and a most ungenerous use also was made by the premier's partisans of this incident, to represent Swift as demeaning himself by solicitations for his own advantage. Much has been said also of a letter from Swift, intercepted by sir Robert's spies, containing injurious reflections upon the premier and admissions of his own utter want of spirit and principle; and another letter from a Mr. Roberts is still pointed to as an authentic document, upon grounds equally strong and probable. It would be fortunate if we could always trace such slanders to their source; but the chief movers are careful to envelop themselves in mystery, and all that can be done in nine cases out of ten is to give the statement of the injured party, and as clear a statement of the facts of the whole proceeding as the details left on record will admit. First, it appears that lord Peterborough, in a note to Swift a little previous to the date of the dean's letter that follows, observes, "Sir Robert Walpole, any morning except Tuesday and Thursday, which are his public days, about nine in the morning, will be glad to see you at his London house. On Monday, if I see you, I will give you a farther account." This interview, through the intervention of his lordship, took place subsequent to Walpole's courteous invitation of the dean, so that, if he retained any vindictive feelings, as the savage assaults he and his friends made upon Swift in the house of commons indicated, nothing could effect the object of defamation more surely than a private interview, which left either party to allege whatever he pleased. It will be only justice to give the version of the party aspersed, which we are to conclude was made of up "He had written," says Swift, "a very ingenious book of fables for the use of the princess's younger son, and she had often promised to provide for him (Gay). But some time before, there came out a libel against Mr. Walpole, who was informed it was written by Mr. Gay; and although Mr. W. owned he was convinced that it was not written by Gay, yet he never would pardon him, and did him a hundred ill offices to the princess." a series of ingenious fictions, to cover his own disgrace, if we are to credit the allegations made upon the other side. The letter is addressed to lord Peterborough, two days after the celebrated interview that, in one moment, according to the minister's partisans, exhibited the great author of the " Drapier's Letters," the bold, lofty-minded, and consistent friend of Harley and Bolingbroke, the companion of Pope and Addison, and the patron of merit and good conduct wherever he found them, as the mean toad-eater of a man who hated him-as a renegade, and the most wretched of drivellers, bent upon stultifying himself. Now what is Swift's own plain, straightforward narrative of the affair; but, in the opinion of his traducers, so ingeniously got up as almost to rival the happy stories of Gulliver himself? We must also remember that it was written immediately after the interview with sir Robert Walpole :"April 28, 1726. : "MY LORD,-Your lordship having at my request obtained for me an hour from sir Robert Walpole, I accordingly attended him yesterday, at eight o'clock in the morning, and had somewhat more than an hour's conversation with him. Your lordship was this day pleased to inquire what passed between that great minister and me, to which I gave you some general answers, from whence you said you could comprehend little or nothing. "I had no other design in desiring to see sir Robert Walpole than to represent the affairs of Ireland to him in a true light, not only without any view to myself, but to any party whatsoever; and because I understood the affairs of that kingdom tolerably well, and observed the representations he had received were such as I could not agree to; my principal design was to set him right, not only for the service of Ireland, but likewise of England and his own administration. "I failed very much in my design; for I saw he conceived opinions, from the examples of the present and some former governors, which I could not reconcile to the notions I had of liberty; a possession always understood by the British nation to be the inheritance of a human creature. "Sir Robert Walpole was pleased to enlarge very much upon the subject of Ireland, in a manner so alien from what I conceived to be the rights and privileges of a subject of England, that I did not think proper to debate the matter with him so much as I otherwise might, because I found it would be in vain." The portion that follows has no relation to his discourse with Walpole, but consists of an enumeration of the particular grievances under which Ireland laboured; and the only additional reference is at the conclusion, where he says, "I most humbly entreat your lordship to give the paper to sir Robert Walpole, and to desire him to read it, which he may do in a few minutes." But perhaps the strongest of all the testimonies in favour of Swift is the silence of the members of the Walpole family, and of their chief biographer, Mr. Coxe, who, however severe upon the dean in other respects, stop and falter here, nor dared by adopting and giving circulation to the calumny to challenge an investigation of the truth. Sheridan, sir Walter Scott, and all the most impartial and enlightened writers who have treated upon this passage of the dean's history, have arrived at the same conclusion, not only upon general grounds, but after minute and particular investigation of the case. It will not be uninteresting in so important a matter briefly to give their views of an affair which in the present day has produced more impression than it at all de |