[107] It was an ancient British custom, and prevailed in Scotland within these forty years, to finish all bargains, contracts, and even consultations, at a tavern, that the parties might not, according to the ancient Caledonian phrase, part dry-lipp’d. The custom between authors and booksellers seems to have been universal; and the reader may recollect, that the supposed poisoning of the celebrated Edmund Curl took place at a meeting of this kind.
[108] At Burleigh, the seat of John, the fifth Earl of Exeter.
[109] Both the gold and silver coin were at this time much depreciated; and remained in a fluctuating state till a new coinage took place.
[110] From inspecting the plates of Dryden’s Virgil, it appears, that the Earl of Derby had one inscribed to him, as had Lord Chesterfield. But this wrathful letter made no farther impression on the mercantile obstinacy of Tonson; and neither the Duke of Devonshire, Lord Petre, nor Lady Macclesfield, obtained the place among the first subscribers, which Dryden so peremptorily demands for them.
[111] This seems to be a bitter gibe at Jacob’s parsimony.
[112] Perhaps the proposals for the second subscription. See Letter xi.
[113] “The Husband his own Cuckold,” written by our author’s second son, John, and published in July 1696.
[114] Tonson’s answer to the foregoing letter, seems to have been pacific and apologetical, yet peremptory as to his terms.
[115] Richard Bentley, a bookseller and printer, who lived in Russel Street, Covent Garden.
[116] A banker or goldsmith, afterwards notorious for his share in the South Sea scheme, to which Company he was cashier.