Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-07-28
MISCELLANY
From Eliza Cooks Journal.
Swift, Stella, and VaNeSsa.

There Is nothing IN romance more pain
fully interesting than the history of Dean
Swift, in connection with the lives of the
two beautiful and accomplished women
whom he addressed by the names Of Stella
and VaaesSa.
We may briefly recount the prominent
facts of Swift's life, before entering upon
any consideration Of the transactions refer
red to. Jonathan Swift was descended
from Yorkshire family. His father was
son of the rector of Coz orich, and through
family Interest, he obtained government
appointment in Dublin, where Jonathan
Swift was born in 1861. The boy was cd
ucated at Kilkenney and afterwards enter
ed Trinity College, Dublin, as a student;
from thence he went to Oxford, where he
graduated. But in the mean time, he had
obtaihed the patronage of Sir. William
Temple the statesman who had married one
of his mothers relations. Sir Williem pre-
sel.ted him with the prebandarysiip of Kill
root, IN the diocese of Connor, worth about
a hundred pounds year. While there, he
commenced Irritation with young lady,
a Miss Waring, to whom he gave the af-
fected name Of Variaa, and though she was
very cold and indifferent to his professions
of love at first, his impetuosity at length
won her heart; but now his ardor disap-
pfared, he grew cold and formal and al
length broke off all intercourse with her.
Swift left Kilroot, and proceeded to Eng
land at the earnest invitation of his relative,
Sir. William Temple, for whom he now
acted as secretary. 1t was while at Moor
Park that he became acquainted with Miss
Esther Johnson, afterwards better known
BY the name of Stella. She was born al
Bichaaond, the daughter of a merchant
Mrs. johnson, her mother was widow al
the time she became acquainted with Lady
Clifford, the sister of Sir William Temple
AS Lady Clifford lived much with her broth
er. Sir William and her intimacy with Mrs
Johnson was great, friendly intercourse
sprang up between all the parties, and
Mrs JohnSon's daughters, of whom Stella
was one, were thus admitted to the circle
of Sir William Temples family. Indeed
the little Hetty was, brought up in the fam.
lily, with Sir Williams own niece; and il
was while she was thus living at Moor Park
that Swift FIRST became acquainted with
her.
Swift resided al Moor Park for four years,
aud while there, made his appearance IN
public as a poet. But his patron died leav-
ing Swift a considerable fortune; after
which he got appointed 10 the liviags oil
Laracor and Rathbeggin in the county
Meath; where Swift's congregation was SO
small, that he occasionally oficiated before
only single individual, and that was Rog-
er, The clerk While at Laracor, he invit-
ed Stella to Ireland, whittier she went in
company With Mrs. Dinglev. They llv-
ed at the parsonage while Swift was away,
and went into lodgings at Trim, when he
returned, thus never living in the same
house together; but Swift spent most Of
his leisure hours in their company. Such
mode oflife must have been most pain
full to the lady but, as we shall afterwards
find, Swift advanced all manner of excuses
to avoid fulfilling the promise Of marriage
which he had made to Stella, ihferentially
if not directly.
W@en Swift invited Stella and Mrs. Din
gle to visit him at Laracor, the former was
only eighteen years of age-a mere girl ;
and though beautiful, educated, and ac.
complIshed yonng lady, with fortune suf-
ficient to maintain her in comfort, Swift did
not hesitate thus 20 compromise her reputa-
ton and to aifiX stain upon her which life
could not remove.
The personal attractions of Stella were
great. Her hair was of raven black, her
features were beautiful and attractive, her
forfa was Of exquisite symmetry; added to
this, she had cheerfulness, good sense, wit,
and virtue. These qualities brought lovers
and admirers about her, for as yet the Sc
crecy which had been observed IN connec-
ton with the visit, had not affected Miss
Johnson's reputation, and clergyman, the
Rev. MIR. TiSdall, friend of Swifi's offer.
led tiS hand to her in marriage. What was
Swllts conduct? He wrote an equivocal
:letter, very cautious, but saying that should
he ever think of 'that state, ," he should
certainly, Of all others, make choice Of Miss
Johnson for his wife; and good deal more
10 the same efct. In consequence of this
letter, the clergyman dropped his suit.
Alas poor Stella waited many long years
in yain-till the bloom of her youth and
beauty had fed-til her heart had become
wearied and worn waiting for the day that
came not, for the hope that was not 10 be