DEAN SWIFT: AUTOGRAPHS IN BOOKS.
The biographer and the critic, down to the pamphleteer and the lecturer, have united in painting St. Patrick's immortal Dean in the blackest colours. To their (for the most part) unmerited scandal and reproach thus heaped upon his memory (as little in accordance with truth as with Christian charity), let me, Mr. Editor, oppose the following brief but emphatic testimony on the bright (and I firmly believe the right) side of the question, of the virtuous, the accomplished Addison:
"To Dr. Jonathan Swift, The most Agreeable Companion, The Truest Friend, And the Greatest Genius of his Age, This Book is presented by his most Humble Servant the Authour."
The above inscription, in the autograph of Addison, is on the fly-leaf of his Remarks on several Parts of Italy, &c., 8vo. 1705, the possession of which I hold very dear.
Permit me to add another beautiful example of friendship between two generous rivals in a glorious art.
"My dear Hoppner,
"In return for your elegant volume, let me request you will accept this little work, as a testimony of ardent esteem and friendship.
"While the two books remain they will prove, that in a time of much professional jealousy, there were two painters, at least, who could be emulous, without being envious; who could contend without enmity, and associate without suspicion.
"That this cordiality may long subsist between us, is the sincere desire of, dear Hoppner,
Yours ever faithfully,
Martin Archer Shee.
Cavendish Square, December 7, 1805."
This letter is written on the fly-leaf of Rhymes on Art, or the Remonstrance of a Painter, 2nd edit. 1805, also in my library.
Need I offer an apology for introducing a third inscription?
"To my perfect Friend, Mr. Francis Crane, I erect this Altar of Friendship, And leave it as the Eternall Witnesse of my Love. Ben Jonson."
This is in the beautiful autograph of rare Ben, on the fly-leaf of Sejanus his Fall, 4to. 1605, large paper and unique, and bound in the original vellum. It also contains the autograph of Francis Mundy, brother of the dramatist Anthony Mundy, to whom it once belonged. It is now mine.
George Daniel.
Canonbury.