Jonathan Swift (1667-1745)
Autograph letter signed (with initials, 'J.S.') to Revd Daniel Jackson ('Dear Dan'), Dublin, 26 March 1722
Two pages, 229 x 184mm, integral address leaf. Provenance: Christie's, 11 June 1980, lot 492.

'I lose all my Acquaintance by my quarrellsome Temper': an idiosyncractic letter combining personal news, instructions and flashes of humour. Swift sends instructions for his horse ('my nag') to be brought to him, including 'that he may be led and not rode up, for fear of spoiling him', and also for dealing with 'my Hogshead of White wine'. He reports a death in his household, 'Poor Saunders dyed on Saturday and was buryd on Easter Sunday, and in him I have lost one of my best Friends as well as the best Servant in the Kingdom', going on with social news: 'I called at Lady Betty's twice last week but found she was abroad: I want you here, for I lose all my Acquaintance by my quarrellsome Temper'. In literary news, 'Sheridan is daily Libelled in abominable Rimes, but he is safe in the County of Cavan ... Parnells Poems are just published, but that inscribed to Ld Bolinbroke is omitted in this Irish Edition by the zeal of his Booby Brother who is endeavoring to be a Judge'. He asks Jackson to preach for him on the following Sunday, going on 'You have heard of the Rebellion in the Colledge, it hat encreased Delany's Spleen – fifty per cent; The Ladyes are undone for want of you to keep up their practice of calling Names. Saunders's successor is a Lad that understands Greek, but I wish he may understand English'. He concludes with a mention of an acquaintance, Joseph Beaumont, who is in London 'riding thro' the Street on his Irish horse with all the Rabble after him ... I have writt to the Secretary of the Governor of Bedlam to have him sent there, for you know I have the Hon[ou]r to be a Governor there'.

Daniel Jackson was part of a humorous circle of younger clergymen with whom Swift associated in Ireland: their friendship is memorialised in Swift's mocking poem 'On Dan Jackson's Picture', amongst other literary squibs.