The letters and other MSS. of Dr. John Lyon, who was prebendary at
Rathmichael, in the archdiocese of Dublin, between the years 1755 and
1764, by some chance or another recently got into the possession of a
shopkeeper in this city, by whom they have been, for the most part, used
as waste paper. The originals from which the following transcripts have
been made, are now in my possession.
"_The Booksellers' Certificate._
"We the undernamed have examined and considered ye Catalogue of ye
late Dr. Swift's Books, to which we find were added Dr. Wilson's
Books. The whole is done with great exactness, and correctly
printed. And in consideration that ye Gentleman who made and
corrected ye said Catalogues not only pieced and numbered all ye
said Books, but examined them also leaf by leaf, in order to
distinguish those with a Star in ye Printed Catalogues that were
noted and observed upon by Dr. Swift; which added very much to
rise ye value of ye said Books at ye time of Sale, as may be seen
by ye Prices paid for many of them. We are of opinion that ye
Gentleman who took all ye trouble above mentioned did deserve to
be paid one shilling per Pound upon ye sale of ye said Books.
Given under our hands this 26 day of January 1749.
"George Faulkner.
John Torbuek.
"Mr. Walker's Charge and profit upon ye Sale, as he
returned it to ye Exec'rs.
£ _s._ _d._
"The whole, both Dr. Swift's and
Dr. Wilson's Books, sold for 270 0 0
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For ye Catalogues and Sale of w'ch
Mr. Walker charged 27 0 0
Deduct 1_s._ per pd. for forming ye
Catalogues and marking ye Books 13 10 0
--------------
£13 10 0
Mr. Walker paid for printing
ye Catalogue about £3 5
The Auctioneer ought to
have had only 6_d._ per pd.
viz. 6 15
Charge for a Clerk and Fire 0 15
-------
£10 15 10 15 0
--------------
£2 15 0
Because Mr. Walker was imposed upon
by his Auctioneer, I am willing to
allow him £5 10_s._ out of my proportion
of £13 10_s._, viz. 5 10 0
--------------
Walker ought to have this Balance
clear, if he was not deceived
by ye man he imployed 8 5 0
"Rockfield, Fryday Ev'g.
"Lord Shelburne's compliments to Doct'r Lyons, and has many thanks
to return to him for his Incomparable Present of Dr. Burnet's
_History_, the property of Dean Swift. It has been his daily
Intention to wait upon Doct'r Lyons, but has been prevented by the
attention which his private affairs have required. He is just
return'd from the Co. Meath. Lady Arabella Denny joins Lord
Shelburne in requesting the favour of D'r Lyons' company to-morrow
to Dinner, at Peafield, near the Black Rock. L'd S. embarks on
Sunday. [Sept'r 1770.]"