was secretary Johnstoun, to whom he pretended friendship, till the very morning he gave him a blow; though he had been worming him out of the king's favour for many months before; he is a fat, sanguine complexioned fair man, always smiling where he designs most mischief; a good friend, when he is sincere; turned of 50 years old. A true character; but not strong enough by a fiftieth part.

EARL OF MARR.

He is a very good manager in his private affairs, which were in disorder when his father died; and is a staunch countryman, fair complexioned, low stature, and 30 years old. He is crooked; he seemed to be a gentleman of good sense and good nature.

ANDREW FLETCHER.

A GENTLEMAN of a fair estate in Scotland, attended with the improvement of a good education. He has written some excellent tracts, but not published in his name; and has a very fine genius; is a low thin man, brown complexion, full of fire, with a stern, sour look, and 50 years old. A most arrogant, conceited pedant in politicks, cannot endure the least contradiction in any of his visions or paradoxes.

EARL OF MIDDLETON.

He was against the violent measures of king James's reign; and, for that reason, made no great figure at court while that prince was upon the throne; yet he continued firm to his majesty's interest to the last; was proof against all the offers made him by king William; and after being frequently im

prisoned

prisoned in England, followed king James to France; when he had the chief administration given him. He is one of the politest gentlemen in Europe; has a great deal of wit, mixed with a sound judgment, and a very clear understanding; of an easy, indifferent address, but a careless way of living He is a black man, of a middle stature, with a sanguine complexion; and one of the pleasantest companions in the world. Toward 60 years old. S.r William Temple told me, he was a very valuable man; and a good scholar. I once saw him.

EARL OF WEEMS.

He has not yet been in the administration; is a fine personage, and very beautiful; has good sense, and is a man of honour. About 30 years old. He was a black man, and handsome for a Scot.

EPISTOLARY

EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE

CONTINUED,

TO THE ATHENIAN SOCIETY*.

GENTLEMEN,

MOOR PARK,

FEBRUARY 14, 1691-2.

SINCE every body pretends to trouble you with their follies, I thought I might claim the privilege of an Englishman, and put in my share among the rest. Being last year in Ireland (from whence I returned about half a year ago), I heard only a

loose

* This letter is printed in the fourth volume of the Athenian Oracle, ed. 3, p. 111. The ode, which accompanied it, is printed in vol. VII, p. 10. in which the ingenious author refers to a former ode written by him, and addressed to king William when in Ireland. Mr. Deane Swift, in his Essay on the Life of his Kinsman, informs us that this latter piece was also printed in the same publication. It however is not to be found in the last, nor in several other editions of that work; but will be given in the, poetical part of this volume, p. 405.

By this expression, and some particulars which follow, it appears that Dr. Swift, on his return from Ireland, did not immediately go back to Moor Park; as, in a letter to Mr. Kendal, VOL. XVIII.

R

dated

and ntage ths ago,

ed gentleman

Our volumes, and on of you. A while

upon a visit to ******, since, and have seen all the heir supplements; which answerctation, the perusal has produced what

been somewhat inclined to this folly, seldom wanted somebody to flatter me in for the ode enclosed, I have sent it to a very great learning and honour, and since others, the best of my acquaintance (which I thought very proper, to ensure it for a greater light); and they have all been pleased to tell me, that they are sure it will not be unwelcome, and that I should beg the honour of you to let it be printed before your next volume (which I think is soon to be published); it being so usual before most books of any great value among poets: and before its seeing

( 241 )

DENCE

submit it wholly to the correction of

one of you would descend so three lines to me of your pleacannot but expect it from

shown, upon so many racter of scholars in being rant; so, I am sure, nothing ore highly oblige me, or make me , gentlemen, your ever most humble, dmiring servant,

MADAM,

JON. SWIFT.

TO VARINA*.

APRIL 29, 1696.

IMPATIENCE is the most inseparable quality of a lover, and indeed of every person who is in pursuit of a design whereon he conceives his greatest happiness or misery to depend. It is the same thing in war, in courts, and in common business. Every one who hunts after pleasure, or fame, or fortune,

Sister to Mr. Waryng, Swift's chamber-fellow at college.See Sheridan's Life of Swift, vol. I, p. 283.--This letter was first printed in Mr. George Monck Berkeley's Literary Relicks, 1789.-A second letter to Miss Waryng, May 4, 1700, has already appeared in vol. I, p. 278. Three other letters, directed to her at Belfast, are existing; though we are unable to give more than their dates; December 20, 1695, from Dublin; June 29, 1696, and August 28, 1697, from Moor Park.