berties of the people; has a good, rough sense; is open and free; a great lover of his bottle and his friend; brave in his person, which he has shown in several duels; too familiar for his quality, and often keeps company below it: is a fat, fair-complexioned man; 45 years old. A blundering, rattle-pated, drunken sot. SECRETARY JOHNSTOUN, NOW LORD-REGISTER. He is very honest (a treacherous knave,) yet something too credulous and suspicious; endued with a great deal of learning and virtue; is above little tricks; free from ceremony; and would not tell a lie for the world. (One of the greatest knaves even in Scotland.) Very knowing in the affairs of foreign courts, and the constitution of both kingdoms; a tall, fair man, and toward 50 years old. MR CARSTAIRS. A presbyterian minister, who fled from Scotland after the insurrection for religion, in the reign of Charles II. He is the cunningest, subtle dissembler in the world, with an air of sincerity; a dangerous enemy, because always hid; an instance of which 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 politics; cannot endure the least contradiction in any of his visions or paradores. 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 imprisoned 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. Sir William Temple told me, he was a very valuable man, and a good scholar. Í 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. DR SWIFT'S REMARKS On "The first Fifteen Psalms of David, translated into Lyric Verse. Proposed as an Essay supplying the Perspicuity and Coherence according to the Modern Art of Poetry; not known to have been attempted before ‡ in any Language. With a Preface, containing some Observations of the great and general Defectives of the present Version in Greek, Latin, and English; by Dr [James] Gibbs. § London, printed by J. Mathews, for J. Bartley, over-against Gray's-Inn, in Holborn, 1701.” DR GIBBS. [PSALM OF DAVID [1]. Comparing the different state of the righteous and the wicked, both in this and the next world. THRICE happy he that doth refuse DR SWIFT. (1) I warn the reader that this is a lie, both here and all over this book; for these are not the Psalms of David, but of Dr Gibbs. (2) But, I suppose, with pious sinners a man may combine safely enough. (3) What part of speech is it? * By a memorandum on the first page, it appears that these Remarks were thought valuable by one who must be allowed to have been of no inconsiderable rank, both as a poet and a humourist: "The following manuscript was literally copied from the printed original, found in the library of Dr J. Swift, dean of St Patrick's, Dublin. The marginal notes and parodies were written by the dean's own hand, except such as are distinguished with this mark, (9,) with which I am only chargeable. Witness my hand, this 25th day of February, 1745. WILLIAM DUNKIN. "N. B.-The original was by me presented to his excellency Philip Dormer Stanhope, earl of Chesterfield, lord-lieutenant-general and general governor of Ireland. + Bagpipe. Nor, I hope, ever will again. § Sternholdides. SWIFT. W. D." || this and The above may serve for a tolerable specimen of Swift's remarks. The whole should be given, if it were possible to make them intelligible, without copying the version which is ridiculed; a labour for which our readers would scarcely thank us. A few detached stanzas, however, with the dean's notes on them, shall be transcribed. DR GIBBS. Why do the heathen nations rise, But those that do thy laws refuse, In pieces thou shalt break; Ye earthly kings, the caution hear, DR SWIFT. (1) I don't believe that ever kings entered into plots and confederacies against the reign of God Almighty. (2) After a man is broken in pieces, it is no great matter to have his neck bruised. (3) Neak. (4) Rulers must learn it, but kings may only hear it. (5) Very proper, to make Serve God with reverence, and with fear (5) a joyful proclamation with His joyful praise proclaim. fear. 1 |