It will hardly excite surprize to learn that the above gentleman was not distinguished by greatness of mind, and that he was rather to be classed among the fruges consumere nati, than among the egregia semper patriæ capita.
The story is on record of the new married Lady Burlington, who when she saw Swift for the first time, fancied from his dress and appearance, that he was, to use the Dean’s own words, “some hedge alehouse parson,” and accordingly resented his familiarity of address, as presumptuous and insolent. He had asked her to sing, but instead of complying, she left the room in disgust, and in tears. When, however, she next saw him, she approached him with a graceful air and curtsey, and said “I will sing to you Mr. Dean whenever you please.” Something not remarkably dissimilar, happened between the great man above alluded to, and our Sexagenarian.
He had an appointment with a much greater man than either of them, and was shewn into the private apartment of the person who had sent for him, and here, by accident, he saw the anxious expectant for the mitre, waiting also for an interview. The personal appearance of our friend was not remarkably prepossessing, and he did not much sacrifice to the graces in his dress; so that his attempts to enter into conversation were resisted, and great talents for silence were exhibited on both sides, for the space of half an hour.
At length the great man entered, who, as luck would have it, first accosted the Sexagenarian, and with particular cordiality. The consequence was electrical. The Doctor’s austerity of countenance in a moment relaxed into the most complacent good humour. He was really much concerned, not to have known who the gentleman was, with whom he had been sitting. He should be proud to rank him among his acquaintance, was not ignorant of his reputation, &c. &c.
That conjecture may not be directed to the wrong object, let it be understood, that this person, though subsequently elevated to the Episcopal dignity, was not Bishop A. or B. or C. or D. &c.
About Bishop H. there are a few scattered memoranda in the manuscript, but though the Sexagenarian had occasionally met him, no acquaintance subsisted between them, and though he most highly, on all occasions, venerated his learning and talents, and gave public testimony that he did so, he appears to have been by no means pleased with his personal manners.
Μονῃ θυτεον τῃ Αληθεια.