---- Rectory, Hereford.
"_Paetus and Arria_" (Vol. viii., p. 219.).--As I have not observed a reply
to the Query respecting the author of _Paetus and Arria_, a tragedy, I beg
to state that the work was not written by a gentleman of the University of
Cambridge, but by Mr. Nicholson, son of Mr. Nicholson, a well-known and
highly respectable bookseller in Cambridge, in the early part of the
present century. The young man, who, besides being unfailing in his
attention to business, had a literary turn, and was attached to the fine
arts, died in the prime of life. After his death, the poor father, with
tears in his eyes, presented me with a copy of the tragedy. I am glad to
record this testimony to the character of persons well known to me during
several years.
[Greek: Martus Pistos].
"_That Swinney_" (Vol. viii, p. 213.).--I am well pleased with the manner
in which T. S. J. has unearthed "that Swinney," if indeed, as is very
probable, Sidney Swinney really was the man who interfered with _the great
unknown_. It may not be impertinent to state that Sidney Swinney, who was
of Clare Hall, Cambridge, became B.A. in 1744, M.A. in 1749, and D.D. (_per
saltum_) in 1763. It may also be worth noting that a George Swinney, of the
same college, became B.A. in 1767, and M.A. in 1770. This _George_ Swinney
_may_ have been _Sidney_ Swinney's son, or his near relation; and _may_
have been the man who went to Lord G. Sackville in July, 1769; but I think
this not likely. I will only observe farther that, in the "Graduati
Cantabrigienses," {375} the names are spelled _Swiney_; but changes of this
kind, by the parties themselves, are by no means uncommon.
The question, whether Swinney had ever _before_ spoken to Lord G.
Sackville, remains unanswered, although Junius most probably made a mistake
in that matter.