Observations occasioned by reading a Paper, entitled, the Case of the Woollen Manufacturers of Dublin, &c. On the Bill for the Clergy's residing on their Livings...... 172 A Narrative of the several Attempts, which the Dissenters of Ireland have made, for a Repeal of the Sacramental Test 180 The Drapier's Letter to the Good People of Ireland, 1745.. 196 ADDENDUM. IN vol. XIV, p. 9, a note from Dr. Warton has been cited, which it may not be improper to controvert. To pass over an allusion to Milton's prose writings in vol. XVI, p. 182; he twice mentions "Paradise Lost" with commendation; vol. V, p. 251, and vol. XI, p. 439; but, what is still more to the purpose, in the late excellent edition of Milton's "Poetical Works," by the Rev. H. J. Todd, vol. II, p. 157, a note is given from the margin of Swift's copy of "Paradise Lost;" which having excited my curiosity, I have been favoured with the following extract of a letter addressed to Mr. Todd from J. C. Walker, esq., well known to the literary world by his Historical Memoir on Italian Tragedy, and several other ingenious publications: "I had once in my possession a book which might be of great use to you, a copy of the Paradise Lost, with marginal notes in the handwriting of the celebrated dean Swift, for the use of Mrs. Johnson and her friend Mrs. Dingley. But this book, which belonged to the late Mr. John Whiteway (whose name appears in Swift's will), is, I fear, lost, nor can I find an exact transcript which I made of these notes. It is true these notes were rather explanatory than critical; they served to justify Dr. Johnson's assertion, "that Stella had not much literature." By the remarks already printed on bishop Burnet's preface to the "History of the Reformation," vol. X, p. 308; on Gibbs's Psalms," vol. XVI, p. 359; and on "Mackay's Characters, vol, XVIII, p. 218; some idea may be formed of the value of his marginal notes. And it may not be unacceptable to the curious to be informed that in the library of the marquis of Lansdown is preserved the dean's copy of Herbert's History of Henry VIII, (which, it appears in vol. I, p. 24, he had in 1696-7 been reading with attention); and also his copy of bishop Burnet's "History of the Reformation." EPISTOLARY EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE CONTINUED. TO SIR WILLIAM TEMPLE *. MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HONOUR, DUBLIN, OCT. 6, 1694. THAT I might not continue the many troubles I have given you, I have all this while avoided one, which I fear proves necessary at last. I have taken all que methods to be ordained, and one time of ordination is already elapsed since my arrival for effecting it. Two or three bishops, acquaintance of our family, have signified to me and them, that after so long standing in the university, it is admired I have not entered upon something or other, (above half the clergy in this town being my juniors,) and that it being so many years since I left this kingdom, they could not admit me to the ministry without some certificate of my behaviour where I lived; and my lord archbishop of Dublin was pleased to say a great deal of this kind to me yesterday; concluding against all I had to say, that he expected I should have a * This very curious letter was transcribed from the original to sir W. Temple; endorsed by Mr. Temple, Swift's Penitential "Letter;" copied by Dr. Shipman, late fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, and rector of Compton near Winchester, who was a relation to sir W. Temple. VOL. XIX. B 'certificate certificate from your honour of my conduct in your family. The sence I am in, how low I am fallen in your honour's thoughts, has denied me assurance enough to beg this favour, till I find it impossible to avoid and I entreat your honour to understand, that no person is admitted here to a living, without some knowledge of his abilities for it: which it being reckoned impossible to judge in those who are not ordained, the usual method is to admit men first to some small reader's place, till, by preaching upon occasions, they can value themselves for better preferment. This (without great friends) is so general, that if I were fourscore years old I must go the same way, and should at that age be told, every one must have a beginning. I entreat that your honour will consider this, and will please to send me some certificate of my behaviour during almost three years in your family; wherein I shall stand in need of all your goodness to excuse my many weaknesses and oversights, much more to say any thing to my advantage. The particulars expected of me are what relate to morals and learning, and the reasons of quitting your honour's family, that is, whether the last was occasioned by any ill actions. They are all left entirely to your honour's mercy, though in the first I think I cannot reproach myself any farther than for infirmities. This is all I dare beg at present from your honour, under circumstances of life not worth your regard : what is left me to wish (next to the health and prosperity of your honour and family) is, that Heaven would one day allow me the opportunity of leaving my acknowledgments at your feet for so many favours I have received; which, whatever effect they have |