Page:The Poetical Works of Thomas Parnell (1833).djvu/88

40 latter zealously introduced him to the notice of the ministry. Parnell, however, gained nothing by his powerful connexions, but a few dinners and compliments from Lord Oxford, and some poetical criticisms from Mr. Secretary St. John; his preferment he owed entirely to the faithful and persevering friendship of the Dean.

Swift, in his Journal to Stella, July 1, 1712, writes—'On Sunday Archdeacon Parnell came here to see me. It seems he has been ill for grief of his wife's death, and has been two months at Bath. He has a mind to go to Dunkirk with Jack Hill, and I persuaded him to it, and have spoke to Hill to receive him, but I doubt he won't have spirit to go.'

On the 22d December, of the same year, he says—'I gave Lord Bolingbroke a poem of Parnell's. I made Parnell insert some compliments in it to his lordship. He is extremely pleased with it, and read some parts of it to-day to Lord Treasurer, who liked it as much. And indeed he outdoes all our poets here a bar's length. Lord Bolingbroke has ordered me to bring him to dinner on Christmas day, and I made Lord Treasurer promise to see him, and it may one day do Parnell a kindness. You know Parnell, I believe I have told you of that poem.'

Dec. 25. I carried Parnell to dine at Lord Bolingbroke's, and he behaved himself very well, and Lord Bolingbroke is mightily pleased with him.