Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 1.djvu/534

 some may ascribe it to his desire of surveying human life through all its varieties; and others, perhaps with equal probability, to a passion which seems to have been deep fixed in his heart, the love of a shilling." How little ground there was for such a charge against Swift, has been amply shown; but that it should be authorized here, by the same writer, who in another place says, — "With all this talk of his covetousness and generosity, it should be remembered that he was never rich," — can be imputed only to a spirit of detraction.

On another occasion he relates the following anecdote: Of his humour, a story told by Pope may afford a specimen, thus related by Spence.

Doctor Swift has an odd, blunt way, that is mistaken by strangers for ill nature. — 'Tis so odd that there is 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 all 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 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 it is 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