The biographer and the critic, down to the pamphleteer and the lecturer,
have united in painting St. Patrick's immortal Dean in the blackest
colours. To their (for the most part) unmerited scandal and reproach thus
heaped upon his memory (as little in accordance with truth as with
Christian charity), let me, Mr. Editor, oppose the following brief but
emphatic testimony on the bright (and I firmly believe the _right_) side of
the question, of the virtuous, the accomplished Addison:
"To Dr. Jonathan Swift, The most Agreeable Companion, The Truest
Friend, And the Greatest Genius of his Age, This Book is presented by
his most Humble Servant the Authour."
The above inscription, in the autograph of Addison, is on the fly-leaf of
his _Remarks on several Parts of Italy, &c._, 8vo. 1705, the possession of
which I hold very dear.
Permit me to add _another_ beautiful example of friendship between two
generous rivals in a glorious art.
"My dear Hoppner,
"In return for your elegant volume, let me request you will accept this
little work, as a testimony of ardent esteem and friendship.
"While the two books remain they will prove, that in a time of much
professional jealousy, there were _two painters_, at least, who could
be emulous, without being envious; who could contend without enmity,
and associate without suspicion.
"That this cordiality may long subsist between us, is the sincere
desire of, dear Hoppner,
Yours ever faithfully,
MARTIN ARCHER SHEE.
Cavendish Square, December 7, 1805."
This letter is written on the fly-leaf of _Rhymes on Art, or the
Remonstrance of a Painter_, 2nd edit. 1805, also in my library.
Need I offer an apology for introducing a _third_ inscription?
"To my perfect Friend, Mr. Francis Crane, I erect this Altar of
Friendship, And leave it as the Eternall Witnesse of my Love. Ben
Jonson."
This is in the beautiful autograph of rare Ben, on the fly-leaf of _Sejanus
his Fall_, 4to. 1605, large paper and _unique_, and bound in the original
vellum. It also contains the autograph of Francis Mundy, brother of the
dramatist Anthony Mundy, to whom it once belonged. It is now mine.