Chelsea, in the Olden & Present TimesBryan, George
History
Chelsea, in the Olden & Present Times
Bryan, George
Chelsea (London, England) -- History
Upon the accession of Queen Anne, in 1702, Dr. Atterbury was appointed
one of her Majesty’s Chaplains in Ordinary; and in 1704 was advanced to
the Deanery of Carlisle. In 1713, at the recommendation of Lord
Chancellor Harcourt, the Queen promoted him to the Bishopric of
Rochester.
* * * * *
In 1722, Dr. Atterbury, on suspicion of being concerned in a plot in
favour of the Pretender, was apprehended and committed to the Tower.
Shortly afterwards he was condemned to perpetual exile. Just before
this, a large fine dropped to him as Dean of Westminster, but he could
have no right to receive it without the seal being set to it in full
chapter. Sir Robert Walpole earnestly enquired whether a Chapter could
not be held in the Tower, that he might receive the benefit of the fine.
A chapter was accordingly there held, and the Bishop received a £1000 for
his share. This anecdote, which is well authenticated, does great credit
to the liberality of Walpole.
* * * * *
Dr. Atterbury, in his private character, was most amiable and exemplary;
as a preacher he was eloquent, and as a writer, his sermons, letters and
other tracts, proved most decidedly that he possessed piety, genius, and
erudition. On the 18th of June, 1723, having the day before taken leave
of his friends, this eminent prelate embarked on board the Aldborough
man-of-war, and landed on the Friday following at Calais.
A prelate for wit, and for eloquence fam’d,
Apollo soon miss’d, and he need not be nam’d;
Since amidst a whole bench, of which some are so bright,
No one of them shines so learn’d and polite.—_Sheffield_, 1719.
The celebrated Dean Swift came to Chelsea in the year 1711, and took up
his residence facing Dr. Atterbury’s house in Church Street.
* * * * *
Dr. Jonathan Swift, Dean of St. Patrick, in Dublin, an illustrious poet,
and political and satirical writer, was born in Dublin in 1667, and died
in 1745. Of a life so various and so full of business as Swift’s, we
know not what part we could select consistent with the limits of this
work that would not excite rather than gratify curiosity.
The company of Swift was courted by persons of the first rank in life and
literature; the following peculiarities may be related:—He made to
himself a rule never to speak more than a minute at a time, and to wait
for others to take up the conversation. He was singularly happy in
punning; and used to say, that none despised that talent but those who
were without it. He also greatly excelled in telling a story; but, in
the latter part of his life, used to tell the same rather to often.
Though to strangers he appeared churlish, and austere to his servants, it
is said he was a kind and generous master; he was also very charitable to
the poor.
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