Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/68

 64 DELANY. The readiness with which he entered into the dean's play ful humour, cemented the friendship founded on respect. Along with Dr. Sheridan he wrote and answered riddles, and composed light and humorous pieces of poetry. This was only the recreation of his passing moments; and he was careful not to interrupt his more valuable studies. Many of these little pieces may be found in Swift's works. In 1724, he unfortunately got involved in a dispute re specting college discipline, which was of considerable injury to his future prospects. Two under-graduates had behaved with great insolence to the provost, and on their refusal to make the proper submissions, were expelled. On this occasion Dr. Delany took part with the young men, and went so far, it is said, as to abuse the provost to his face, in a sermon in the college chapel. He was in consequence obliged to make satisfaction to the provost, by acknowledging his offence; and the displeasure he excited in the Lord Primate Boulter, on a future occasion pre vented him receiving a preferment in the church. This was in 1725, when he was presented by the chapter of Christ church, to the parish of St. John, in the city of Dublin; and it was necessary to obtain a royal dispensa tion in order to be enabled to hold it and retain his fellow ship at the same time. The archbishop interfered, and this dispensation was accordingly refused. In 1727, when Lord Carteret, who was a man of wit, and who courted the society and friend ship of Dean Swift, was a second time appointed lord lieutenant, Dr. Delany was strongly recommended to his lordship by the dean, and at the same time also by Archbishop King, and he had accordingly great civilities shewn him, and received frequent invitations to the castle. Unfortunately at that time political faction ran high, and the doctor's Tory connexions rendered it im possible for the lord lieutenant to gratify his own wishes by conferring any considerable church preferment. He, however, promoted him in 1727, to the chancellorship of l