little boy Jack, who has had several convulsion fits. I hope he may recover it. I am for ever yours, M. PEN. Inclose my letters to the Bishop of Killala. Ballard, in his "Memoirs of Learned Ladies," says that "the Constantia Grierson, mentioned as one of the wits of Dublin in the above letter, was born in the county of Kilkenny, in Ireland, and that she was one of the most extraordinary women that either that age or any other ever produced. She died in the year 1713, at the age of 27, and was allowed, long before, to be an excellent scholar, not only in Greek and Roman literature, but in history, divinity, philosophy, and mathematics. She gave a proof of her knowledge in the Latin tongue, by her dedication of the Dublin edition of Tacitus to the Lord Carteret, and by that of Terence to his son, to whom she likewise wrote a Greek epigram." She wrote several fine poems in English, (Mrs. Barber has inserted several specimens of her talent in this way in her printed poems,) on which she set so little value, that she neglected to leave more than a few copies behind her. "What makes her character the more remarkable is, that she rose to this eminence in learning merely by the force of her own genius, and continual application. She was not only happy in a fine imagination, a great memory, an excellent understanding, and an exact judgment, but had all these crowned by virtue and piety; she was too learned to be vain, too wise to be conceited, too knowing and too clear-sighted to be irreligious. As her learning and abilities raised her above her own sex, so they left her no room to envy any; on the contrary, her delight was to see others excel; she was always ready to advise and direct those who applied to her, and was herself willing to be advised. Lord Carteret, when he was Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, obtained a patent for Mr. Grierson, her husband, to be the king's printer, and to distinguish and reward her uncommon merit, had her life inserted in it." Letitia Pilkington, another wit, the daughter of Dr. Vanlewin, a physician of Dublin, was born in that city in 1712. Her husband was a clergyman, and a needy author, from whom a separation took place by mutual consent. Mrs. Pilkington was one of Dean Swift's female coterie, and perhaps surpassed all the party in wit and genius not less than in levity. She died in Dublin in 1750. Her memoirs written by herself, and her letters, are still entertaining. Mrs. Pilkington's acquaintance with Dean Swift commenced by her sending him verses on his birthday. She was afterwards introduced to him by a lady, whom he asked if she was her daughter, and when informed that she was Mrs. Pilkington, he said, “What, that poor little child married! God help her, she is early inured to trouble;" the next Sunday the Dean engaged Mr. Pilkington to preach for him at St. Patrick's church, when Mrs. Pilkington was struck by observing that Dr. Swift went through the whole service himself without once looking into a book. After church he was surrounded by poor people, and gave to all but one old woman with dirty hands, to whom he said that "though a beggar, water was not so scarce but that she might have washed them." He afterwards invited the Pilkingtons to supper, handed her to the coach, and slipped into her hand the exact sum of money that she and her husband had given at the Offertory in the morning, as well as the coach-hire. The Rev. Thomas Pilkington was originally introduced by Dr. Delany to the notice of Dean Swift, and obtained a humble post in his cathedral. He had talent and vivacity, but was totally devoid of principle, and imposed upon Dr. Swift, who, ever anxious to serve merit, gave him strong recommendations, when Pilkington went to England, to his old friend Barber, then Lord Mayor of London, who made Pilkington his chaplain. He also gave him introductions to Pope, Bolingbroke, and other friends. Pilkington soon threw off the mask, and became impudent and profligate, which occasioned the complaint of Lord Bolingbroke to Swift upon the discredit that had been occasioned by his recommendation of Pilkington, of whom the Lord Mayor Barber, also complained. Mrs. Pilkington did not turn out much better than her husband, but there is no doubt that she was very clever, and that she exerted herself with great success at the period of this letter in appearing as estimable as she was agreeable. Mrs. Sican (or Sycon), one of the three wits above recorded, was the mother of Dr. J. Sican, who was murdered in Italy. Roscoe, in his edition of Swift, calls her "a very ingenious lady," and Swift having transformed her name into "Psyche," addressed to her the following verses :— ON PSYCHE. At two afternoon, for our Psyche inquire, Her tea-kettle's on, and her smock at the fire: Which has she most need of, a spur or a bridle? Thus a greyhound outruns the whole pack in a race, Yet would rather be hang'd than he'd leave a warm place. She gives you such plenty, it puts you in pain; For her taste is almost as refined as her wit. To oblige a good friend she will trace every market, It would do your heart good to see how she will cark it. Mrs. Pendarves to Mrs. Ann Granville. Dublin, 21st Octr, 1731. The enclosed was to have been sent to the last post by way of excusing me. Mrs. Clayton was obliged to go to Court in the morning, and would have me go with her. I am glad you like your friend's friend; I have enclosed to you a letter for her, which I desire she may have soon. I dare say your mind was never yet tainted by envy. This present circumstance puts me in mind of Lady Sunderland's wedding. I believe you have the same satisfaction in Miss Unet's' good fortune as I had 1 Elizabeth, daughter and co-heir of Robert Unitt, Esq, was the fourth wife of Thomas Foley, Esq., who, after marrying a fifth wife, died in 1749. He was of Whitley Court, in Worcestershire. on hers, or rather more, because you have been together at an age when the affections are strongest. Who knows what may follow? The account of your ball, indeed, is dull enough: we have better at Court. I have not heard from Mr. Kirkham;' when I do I shall do my endeavour to serve him. You must know, madam, yesterday being Wednesday, Mrs. Clayton opened her apartment and admitted all her acquaintance. I will describe to you how they are disposed and furnished. First there is a very good hall well filled with servants, then a room of eighteen foot square, wainscoated with oak, the panels all carved, and the doors and chimney finished with very fine high carving, the ceiling stucco, the window-curtains and chairs yellow Genoa damask, portraits and landscapes, very well done, round the room, marble tables between the windows, and looking-glasses with gilt frames. The next room is twenty-eight foot long and twenty-two broad, and is as finely adorned as damask, pictures, and busts can make it, besides the floor being entirely covered with the finest Persian carpet that ever was seen. The bedchamber is large and handsome, all furnished with the same damask. There was abundance of good and agreeable company; they went away about half an hour after ten, and so delighted with their reception, that Mrs. Clayton has promised to admit her friends every Wednesday. I preside at the commerce table. I must leave off, my letter wanted to go to the post. 1 Rev. Mr. Kirkham, the father of "Sally," Mrs. Capon, (Chapone.) VOL. I. X Mrs. Foley to Mrs. Ann Granville, in the Eastgate Street, Gloucester. Notwithstanding I left Glocester with so great a prospect of happiness, yet I assure you leaving my Nanelia was a very great allay to it; and though I have so often experienced the pain of parting, the frequency of it is so far from inspiring me with philosophy enough to bear it cheerfully, that I left you with greater regret then ever; but the reason of that is, that by your sweetness of temper and the many good qualities you possess, you are dearer to me every day, and the continuance of your friendship is essential to my happiness in whatever state of life I am in. As you are so good to be interested in all my affairs, I shall as I promised let you into them without any reserve, though as I am not yet at all settled I have not much to communicate. My sister informed you that we had a good and agreeable journey. I was received by my father and mother Wolstenholme, with a great deal of kindness and civility. My mother is so good to go on with the housekeeping till Xmas, by which time I hope to be a little acquainted with it; and she is so kind to take the care of the chilldren, which for many reasons I am glad of. I think I never saw finer or better behaved chilldren in my life. I need not tell dear Miss Granville how perfectly happy I am in Mr. Foley, and from the appearance of affairs at present I have great reason to believe I shall be so in every other particular. I hope the good fortune I have met with in this world will be no bar to my thoughts of a much better, but rather heighten my gratitude and acknowledgments to the Author of them. Some people Some people might perhaps take |