The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-10-22
DisceliaQeops.
Lecture on Dean Swift.

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A large and enthusiastic audience as
sembled in fremont Temple, Monday, to |
listen to one of T. F. Meagher's enter
tanning lectures. His subject was, "Jon-
athan Swift, Dean of St. Patrick: the
ISLANDERS of Thackeray refuted." Most
writers of biographies, Mr.. Meagher said,
endeavor to present their subjects in the
most striking colors especially is this
true of lecturers, whose chief aim appears
to be vivid picturesqueness, to attain
which they draw largely upon their pow
ers Of fancy, paying but little regard to
the true facts of the case
To this class of writers belongs William
Makepeace Thackeray. Thackeray was
undoubtedly brilliant and learned wri
ter, but when he attempted to fathOm
the genius and character of Jonathan
Swift, he was evidently out Of his depth.
The renowned novelist had sketched him
as a mere artist, consulting the tastes of
those whose patronage paid the best He
had represented Swift as a melodramatic
monster instead of man. Mr.. Meagher
trusted it would be his proud achieve.
ment to restore the defaced likeness of the
intrepid patriot.
Here followed short sketch of Swift's
early life.
After leaving school, Swift went to re-
side with the celebrated Sir William
Temple, distant relation, who employed
him as a sort of confidential secretary, in
which capacity he was highly priced
While with Sir William, Swift took out
his degree at Oxford, expecting his rich
patron to provide him with an office, but
hat learned gentleman found his secreta-
nv too valuable to lose, and turned deaf
ear tu Swift's solicitations for advance
ment. Swift finally left sin huff" went
over To Iceland, where he assumed the
duties OF paw Il b. Temple soon found
ne could 10, 81 wIInou; mn. ard sent for
him to return, and Tor Iour more years he
wss Sir Williams right hand man. Dur
ing this time, he wrote his celebrated Tale
of Tub, aud other works In his thirty.
first year Swift was in London, superin
tending the publication OF Sir VIM. Tenn.
ple's memoirs, then deceased; and here
he had an opportunity of becoming &C.
quainted with many of the literary nota.
bilities of his day.
At the age of thirty three, Swift pos.
sessed what every Irishman should pos
sess, the means of an independent liveli
hood, On the soil of Ireland. In 171O h,
went to London again and became in
volved in politics. By the death of Queer
Anne in 1714, his party was broken up
and receiving the appointment of Dean o
st. Patrick, he gladly fed to Ireland.
Here the lecturer stopped to conside
what he called one of the foulest of tn
many foul calumnies which Thackera,
has propsgated concerning Swift, viz.
licentious intercourse with two of his in
innate female friends. Mr.. Meaghe
thought Swift never was in love. Never
theless, his brilliant talents and sparklin
conversation made him great favorit
with the fair sex. His only fault in th
present instance consisted in harmless
correspondence with the ladies in uues
tion.
Flinging aside, therefore, this fou
slander, Mr.. Meagher proceeded to spea
of Swift's political life in Ireland. Th
aspect of things at this time was irritatin
to every nerve of Swifrs honest natur,
The nobility was impoverished, trade ha
declined, and Ireland was passing throug
its most degrading period. The nations
bank scheme, which was then broachet
was abandoned in consequence of Swift
exertions.
Then broke out one of the fiercest az
tations of the day. The owner of sever;
large mines had been authorized by th
English government to coin copper none
to the extent of over 100000 sterlin,
without even consulting either the Lor
Lieutenant or Privy Council of Irelant
This measure Swift assailed with all b
powers of sarcasm and invective. H
wrote songs and preached sermons again
it. His powerful sarcasm prevailed tn
Irish Parliament declared the contra
null and void; and Swift was the mo
popular man in Ireland. Some peop
have sneered at Swift, said Mr.. Meaghe
for making such fuss about few col
pers, but the question was one of far higl
er importance than mere coppers it il
volved the liberty of his country. Fierc,
ly did he battle for its rights, and galan
ly would he have led his countrymen q
to freedom, had the time and circuu
stances favored the attempt.
With all his stern independence Swi
possessed kind and humane disposition
the charge of Thackeray that he w,
coarse and brutal Notwithstanding. Th
he was liable to fits of spleen which mac
him mauy enemies, and that gave birl
10 tl,s s.allrIs which 80 rem0rselesSly 10
lowe, hip' through lie, and many
which sill oiutg 10 h.s N mopy, the le
t1rer was forced to admit But those WI
knew him best loved him best. POI
wrote OF ann in the highest terms.
As regsnis the lighter part Of Swift
character, he might quote host of ane,
dotes, but they were all too familiar
need repetition. His wit was everywhel
acknowledged. In conclusion, Swift WI
the man ofthe Irish people, aud the mo-
powerful Irish genius that ever lived. Ii
famed with generous hate of all nj
truth and injustice, had he been posses
ed of official power, he would have use
it for the highest objects Of the publ
good. d.-Boston Messenger.
IA l-k