The Rhode Island American, And General Advertiser

FROM THE SECOND EDITION OF GRIMSHAW'S ENGLAND.

ANECDOTE OF SWIFT

Swift did every thing in a manner peculiar to himself. A story told by Pope will afford a specimen of his humour: "Dr. Swift has an odd, blunt way, which is mistaken by strangers for ill-nature. 'Tis so odd, that there's no describing it but by facts. I'll tell you one that first comes into my head. One evening, Gay and I went to see him: you know how intimately we were all acquainted. On our coming in, 'Heyday, gentlemen,' says the Doctor, 'what's the meaning of this visit? How came you to leave the great Lords that you are so fond of, to come hither to see a poor Dean?' 'Because we would rather see you than any of them.' 'Ay, any one that did not know you so well as I do might believe you. But, since you are come, I must get some supper for you, I suppose.' 'No Doctor, we have supped already.' 'Supped already? That's impossible! Why, 'tis not eight o'clock yet. That's very strange; but if you had not supped, I must have got something for you. Let me see; what should I have had? A couple of lobsters; ay, that would have done very well—two shillings—tarts, a shilling: but you will drink a glass of wine with me, though you supped so much before your usual time only to spare my pocket.' 'No; we would rather talk with you, than drink with you.' 'But, if you had supped with me, as in all reason you ought to have done, you must then have drank with me. A bottle of wine, two shillings; two and two are four, and one are five; just two and six pence a piece. There, Pope; there's half a crown for you; and there's another for you, Sir; for, I won't save any thing by you, I am determined.' This was all said and done with his usual seriousness on such occasions, and, in spite of every thing we could say to the contrary, he actually obliged us to take the money."