[96] The affecting and amiable circumstances attending this resignation are not mentioned by Johnson, but may be seen in Sheridan’s Life of Swift, p. 21, 22.
[97] The publisher of this collection was John Dunton. R.
[98] How does it appear that Stella’s father was steward to sir William Temple? In his will he does not say one word of her father’s services, and did not leave Esther Johnson a thousand pounds, but a lease. His bequest runs thus: “I leave the lease of some lands I have in Morris-town, in the county of Wicklow, in Ireland, to Esther Johnson, servant to my sister Gifford.” M.
[99] See Sheridan’s Life, edit. 1784, p. 525; where are some remarks on this passage. R.
[100] The whole story of this bishoprick is a very blind one. That it was ever intended for Swift, or that Sharpe and the dutchess of Somerset ever dissuaded queen Anne from promoting him, is not ascertained by any satisfactory evidence. M.
[101] Mr. Sheridan, however, says, that Addison’s last Whig Examiner was published October 12, 1711; and Swift’s first Examiner, on the 10th of the following November. R.
[102] This emphatic word has not escaped the watchful eye of Dr. Warton, who has placed a nota bene at it.
[103] See this affair very differently represented in Swift’s Panegyrist, Sheridan, p. 530.
[104] An account somewhat different from this is given by Mr. Sheridan, in his Life of Swift, p. 511. R.
[105] It is but justice to the dean’s memory, to refer to Mr. Sheridan’s defence of him from this charge. See the Life of Swift, p. 458. R.