SWIFTIANA. 1. A CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE. SWIFT, in one of his pedestrian journies from London toward Chester, is reported to have taken shelter from a summer-tempest under a large oak on the road side, at no great distance from Litchfield. Presently, a man, with a pregnant woman, were driven by the like impulse, to avail themselves of the same covert. The Dean, entering into conversation, found the parties were destined for Litchfield, to be married. As the situation of the woman indicated no time should be lost, a proposition was made on his part, to save them the rest of the journey, VOL. II. B journey, by performing the ceremony on the spot. The offer was gladly accepted, and thanks being duly returned, the bridal pair, as the sky brightened, was about to return; but the bridegroom suddenly recollecting that a certificate was requisite to authenticate the marriage, requested one, which the Dean wrote in these words: Under an oak, in stormy weather, 1 join'd this rogue and whore together; II. GRACE AFTER DINNER. Swift was once invited by a rich miser with a large party to dine; being requested by the host to return thanks at the removal of the cloth, uttered the following grace: Thanks for this miracle!-this is no less, Where raging hunger reign'd we've found relief, $11. SIGN OF THE THREE CROSSES. Swift in his journies on foot from Dublin to London, was accustomed to stop for refreshment or rest at the neat little ale-houses on the road's sides. One of these, between Dunchurch and Daventry, was formerly distinguished by the sign of the three crosses, in reference to the three intersecting ways, which fixed the site of the house. At this, the Dean called for his breakfast; but the landlady, being engaged with accommodating her more constant customers, some waggoners, and staying to settle an altercation which unexpectedly arose, keeping him waiting, and inattentive to his repeated exclamations, he took from his pocket a diamond, and wrote on every pane of glass in her bettermost room: TO THE LANDLORD. There hang three crosses at thy door : IV. A SCHOOLBOY'S THEME. The following elegant lines were enclosed in a letter from Mr. Pulteney (afterwards. Earl of Bath) to Swift, in which he says; "You must give me leave to add to my letter a copy of verses at the end of a decla mation made by a boy at Westminster school on this theme.” RIDENTEM DICERE VERUM QUID VETAT? Dulce, Decane, decus, Flos optime Gentis Hiberna, Dum lepido indulges Risu, et mutaris in Horas, Nune gravis Astrologus, Cœlo dominaris et Astris, Nunc Populo speciosa Hospes Miracula promis, Seu plausum captat queruli Persona Draperi, Nec tantum potuit grande Platonis Opus. |