The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-01-28

How Denj.nia West Get hi. wiz.
| The New York Ners tells tho following
story:
At q meeting of the Historical Society OF
Iennsyivania, held IN Philadelphia in 1868,
THE Corresponding Secretary read an interest,
ing letter from the venerable Joseph X. Swift.
NJ. D., of Easton, Penn The granduncle OF
Dr. Swift was Stephen Shewel, wealthy
merchant OF Philadelphia, more dhan o CEN
tnry ago; proud, imperious mad, of strong
passions, whose wife was descendant of the
aristocratic Buckley family. One of his two
sisters also married Buckley, and the other,
Elizabeth. after the decease of her parents
resided with her brother. This Miss Eliza
beth Sheweil became acquainted With Benia
min West, afterwards painter to his Majesty.
King George LII, and they fell in love with
each other, West, at the time, although de-
scended from good family, wal poor and
little known. Stephen Shewell wished his
SISTER to marry another suitor, which she re-
FUSED 10 DO, In consequence of her attach
ment to West. Her brother objected TO West
on account of his poverty and obsd durity, and
he was forbidden to come to the hduse. Miss
Shewell, however, contriyed to SEE him else
where, and they became engaged TO be mar.
RED. West then determined to 90 to Europe
to prosecute his studies and profession there.
and Miss Shewel promised him that when he
notified her of his ability to maintain her
and OF his visa for her TO come To- him. she
would proceed to join him in any d art of Eu-
rope, and marry him. Her brother was in.
FORMED OF the lovers meetings, and Of the
engagement between them; so, TO prevent
any further intercourse, he confined her n
her chamber, and kept her under lock and
key until after Vests departure for Eurone
West pursued his studies and profession for
some time In Italy aud other places on the con.
tineni, and finally settled in London. where
he soon established his reputation, and met
WITH sufficient patronage to Justify him in
calling on Miss Shewell 10 fulfill her promise.
lie then made arrangements for her TO come
70 him IN the same vessel that conveyed his
request to her, and also that his father should
accompany her on the voyage. Cpon the
receipt OF this message, Miss 5. prepared for
her departure, but her brother was apnrisea
OF her intention, and again confined her 10 her
chamber.
Ihe engagement between Wes and Miss
,. was well known in Philadelphia, and Mr.
Sheweils tyrannical treatment of his s;stey
excited great indignation against him. and
sympathy for the ladv.
In this state OF things the late Bishop White
who was DIR. Swift guest ON his last natri.
archai VISIT TO Easton, about the wear ,s42
told HIM thai he, the Bishop. then about II
years OF age, DR.. Franklin. in his 5sth year.
and Francs Hopslnson, - years of age. taf
ierward the celebrated Judge, and author of
:, ii"ii Nosuihpia, etc.,) went to the captain of
the vessel when it was ready to said with old
Mr. West. and engaged him to sail as soon
a. a. 'hes p'ouShl iady on board. They
tnen procured rope ladder, went at mid
= Ign. " S'epheh oheweii house attached
the ladder to a window of Miss ISheweIl-s
chamber and got her safely out and to The
ship, which sailed in few ulautek after She
entered it.
Mr.. " est Was in waiting for his Ibetrotbed
when she arrived in England and they were
soon marrled-Sep,ember :, l7a5. Na;,ber
OF them ever returned to this counsry. Ste.
phen Shewell never forgaye his sitter. and.
h,housh sue hane many efforts TO con
ciliaie him, he refused all commun;cat;on
with her.
Bishop White was about eighty-Eve wears
old when he related this youthful adventure
= y l''. swift anu, on the latter 5 observing
hat no one who knew him then wlopld snn.
''Se 'ha' ~ lad ever been engaged IN such a
affair. the Bishop replied hhat Miss
9he"eh case was hard one, and all her
nends were indignant at the treatment she
lad received that he had done ridht. and
ie added with warmth. '.if ii were ID do over.
le would do it again. for it was evident that
jod had intended they should corn. togeth.
,r, and man had no right to k tep them
lsunder.