CHARACTER OF HERODOTUS.

HE underwritten is copied from Dr. Swift's hand-writing, in an edition of Herodotus, by Paul Stephens, the gift of the Earl of Clanricard to the library of Winchester College.

"Judicium de Herodoto post longum tempus relecto.

"Ctesias mendacissimus Herodotum mendaciorum arguit, exceptis paucissimis, (ut mea fert sententia,) omnimodo excusandum. Cæterum, diverticulis abundans, hic pater historicorum filum narrationis ad tædium abrumpit: unde oritur (ut par est) legentibus confusio, et exindè oblivio. Quin et forsan ipsæ narrationes circumstantiis nimium pro re scatent. Quod ad cætera, hunc scriptorem inter apprimè laudandos censeo, neque Græcis neque Barbaris plus æquo faventem aut iniquum in orationibus ferè brevem, simplicem, nec nimis frequentem. Neque absunt dogmata e quibus eruditus lector prudentiam tam moralem quam civilem haurire poterit.

"Julii 6, 1720."

"J. SWIFT.*

"I do hereby certify, that the above is the hand-writing of the late Dr. Jonathan Swift, D. S. P. D., from whom I have had many letters, and printed several pieces from his original MSS. "GEORGE FAULKNER.

"Dublin, August 21, 1762."

CHARACTER OF PRIMATE MARSH.*

M

ARSH has the reputation of most profound and universal learning; this is the general opinion, neither can it be easily disproved. An old rusty iron chest in a banker's shop, strongly locked, and wonderfully heavy, is full of gold; this is the general

* Dr. Narcissus Marsh, successively Bishop of Ferns, Dublin, and Armagh. He was promoted to the last see in 1702, and died in 1713. He founded a public library in Dublin, and distinguished himself by other acts of munificence. But he was at variance with Archbishop King, to whom Swift at this time looked up as a patron. The following character is engraved on his tomb-stone. The truth probably lies somewhat between the epitaph and the satire.

Now take the talents of his mind,
Which were equal to, nay even greater
Than all these employments.

As Provost, Prelate, and Governor,
He promoted, encreased, and established,
In the university, the study of sound learning,
In the church, piety and primitive discipline,
In the republic, peace and reverence for the laws;
By living always a pious and unblameable life,
By encouraging the learned,

By defending his fellow-citizens.
Among all these great duties,

He dedicated his leisure hours

To the study of mathematics and natural philosophy,

opinion, neither can it be disapproved, provided the key be lost, and what is in it be wedged so close that it will not by any motion discover the metal by the chinking. Doing good is his pleasure; and as no man consults another in his pleasures, neither does he in this; by his awkwardness and unadvisedness disappointing his own good designs. His high station has placed him in the way of great employments, which, without in the least polishing his native rusticity, have given him a tincture of pride and ambition. But these vices would have passed concealed under his natural simplicity, if he had not endeavoured to hide them by art. His disposition to study is the very same with that of a usurer to hoard up money, or of a vicious young fellow to a wench; nothing but avarice and evil concupiscence, to which his constitution has fortunately given a more innocent turn. He is sordid and suspicious in his domestics, without love or hatred; which is but reasonable, since he has neither friend nor enemy; without joy or grief; in short, without all passions but fear, to which of all others he has least temptation, having nothing to get or to lose; no posterity, relation, or friend, to be solicitous about; and placed by his station above the reach of fortune or envy. He has found out the secret of preferring men with

And above all was highly skilled

In the knowledge of languages, especially the oriental:
Endowed with the highest knowledge

Of the Scriptures and Ecclesiastical History,
He transferred

The truth and beauty of the Christian Religion
Into his life, and the government of the church.
Thus he became

Dear, worthy, and useful to all,

A Man born

For his country, the church, and the world.

out deserving their thanks; and where he dispenses his favours to persons of merit, they are less obliged to him than to fortune. He is the first of human race, that with great advantages of learning, piety, and station, ever escaped being a great man. That which relishes best with him, is mixed liquor and mixed company; and he is seldom unprovided with very bad of both. He is so wise as to value his own health more than other men's noses, so that the most honourable place at his table is much the worst, especially in summer. It has been affirmed, that originally he was not altogether devoid of wit, till it was extruded from his head to make room for other men's thoughts. He will admit a governor, provided it be one who is very officious and diligent, outwardly pious, and one that knows how to manage and make the most of his fear. No man will be either glad or sorry at his death, except his successor.

CHARACTER OF MRS. HOWARD.*

WRITTEN IN THE YEAR 1727.

SHALL say nothing of her wit or beauty, which are allowed by all persons who can judge of either, when they hear or see her. Besides, beauty being transient, and a trifle, cannot justly make part of a character. And I leave others to celebrate

* This character was written when Tory courtiers as well as Tory poets saw, or thought they saw, some dawning of future favour in the dispositions of the Prince and Princess of Wales, from their affecting to encourage those who were discontented with the ministry of Sir Robert Walpole. The Tories knew well the advantages they had formerly enjoyed, during the predominating influence of Lady Masham over Queen Anne; and therefore failed not to cultivate the intimacy of Mrs. Howard, whose post near the princess's person, and high state of favour with her mistress, promised the exhibition of a part scarcely less important. Whatever might be the views of the courtiers, those of the poetical and literary adulators seem to have been limited to working forth the preferment of Gay. The reconciliation between Queen Caroline and Walpole, broke all the measures of the expectants. The obnoxious minister retained his power and emoluments, and Mrs. Howard, deafer than the adder, resisted all the tuneful flattery, by which Swift and Pope vainly hoped to bribe her favour for poor Gay.

The panegyric here pronounced on Mrs. Howard is truly elegant. But whether from Swift's deep knowledge of human nature, or from his natural disposition to satire, or that he anticipated the change which actually took place, the Dean has mingled food for future satire, even with the honey of his praises.