DEAN SWIFT'S LIBRARY.
The letters and other MSS. of Dr. John Lyon, who was prebendary at Rathmichael, in the archdiocese of Dublin, between the years 1755 and 1764, by some chance or another recently got into the possession of a shopkeeper in this city, by whom they have been, for the most part, used as waste paper. The originals from which the following transcripts have been made, are now in my possession.
"The Booksellers' Certificate.
"We the undernamed have examined and considered ye Catalogue of ye late Dr. Swift's Books, to which we find were added Dr. Wilson's Books. The whole is done with great exactness, and correctly printed. And in consideration that ye Gentleman who made and corrected ye said Catalogues not only pieced and numbered all ye said Books, but examined them also leaf by leaf, in order to distinguish those with a Star in ye Printed Catalogues that were noted and observed upon by Dr. Swift; which added very much to rise ye value of ye said Books at ye time of Sale, as may be seen by ye Prices paid for many of them. We are of opinion that ye Gentleman who took all ye trouble above mentioned did deserve to be paid one shilling per Pound upon ye sale of ye said Books. Given under our hands this 26 day of January 1749.
"George Faulkner.
John Torbuek.
"Mr. Walker's Charge and profit upon ye Sale,
as he returned it to ye Execrs.
£ s. d.
"The whole, both Dr. Swift's and Dr. Wilson's
Books, sold for
270 0 0
--------------
For ye Catalogues and Sale of wch Mr. Walker
charged
27 0 0
Deduct 1s. per pd. for forming ye Catalogues
and marking ye Books
13 10 0
--------------
£13 10 0
Mr. Walker paid for printing
ye Catalogue about
£3 5
The Auctioneer ought to have
had only 6d. per pd. viz.
6 15
Charge for a Clerk
and Fire
0 15
-------
£10 15
10 15 0
--------------
£2 15 0
Because Mr. Walker was imposed upon by his Auctioneer,
I am willing to allow him £5 10s. out of my proportion
of £13 10s., viz.
5 10 0
--------------
Walker ought to have this Balance clear, if he was not
deceived by ye man he imployed
8 5 0
"Rockfield, Fryday Evg.
"Lord Shelburne's compliments to Doctr Lyons, and has many thanks to return to him for his Incomparable Present of Dr. Burnet's History, the property of Dean Swift. It has been his daily Intention to wait upon Doctr Lyons, but has been prevented by the attention which his private affairs have required. He is just return'd from the Co. Meath. Lady Arabella Denny joins Lord Shelburne in requesting the favour of Dr Lyons' company to-morrow to Dinner, at Peafield, near the Black Rock. Ld S. embarks on Sunday. [Septr 1770.]"
J. F. F.
Dublin.