Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/585

 SWIFT. 581 removed, under the pretence that the situation was not f i t for a clergyman. To this disappointment succeeded another; the deanery o f Derry became vacant, and i t was the turn o f the Earl o f Berkeley t o dispose o f i t but instead o f presenting i t t o Swift a s a recompence for h i s late usage, i t was disposed o f t o another, and Swift was inducted t o the livings o f Laracor and Rathbeggin, i n the diocese o f Meath, which did not together amount t o half its value. On receiving these preferments h e went t o reside a t Laracor, whither h e journied o n foot, i n a decent suit o f black, with coarse worsted stockings, o f which h e had a second pair with a shirt i n his pocket, a round slouched hat o n his head, and a long pole, higher than himself, i n his hand. I n this equipage h e arrived o n the fourth day a t Laracor, where h e found the curate, a very worthy man, sitting a t the door o f his house, smoking his pipe. “What i s your name?” said Swift, very abruptly; and the old gentleman had scarcely answered, when h e exclaimed, “Well, then, I am your master.” I t would b e tedious t o repeat the remainder o f a dialogue commenced i n s o un feeling a manner: i t will b e sufficient t o observe, that h e retired i n a much better humour, being highly pleased a t some refreshment which h e obtained, and a t the manner i n which i t was served u p b y the wife o f the curate. The church a t Laracor having been left b y his pre decessor i n a very miserable condition, Swift laudably repaired i t . Indeed, h e performed the duties o f his situa tion with the utmost punctuality and devotion; but though really pious i n his heart, h e could not forbear indulging the peculiarity o f his humour, without reference t o time o r place. He gave notice o f his intention t o read prayers o n Wednesdays and Fridays; but o n entering the church o n the first o f those days, h e found n o one there but Roger Cox, the parish clerk. The rector, however, ascended the desk, and rising u p very gravely, began, “Dearly beloved Roger, the Scripture moveth you and me i n sundry places,” &c. and s o proceeded t o the end o f the service. I n 1701, Swift took his doctor's degree, and shortly