Rosamond and the labyrinth at Woodstock.  Not very religious;[50] mortuos milites lugens plus quam vivos amans, largus in publico, parcus in privato.  Constant in love and hatred, false to his word, morose, a lover of ease.  Oppressor of nobles, sullen, and a delayer of justice; verbo varius et versutus—­Used churchmen well after Becket’s death; charitable to the poor, levied few taxes, hated slaughter and cruelty.[51] A great memory, and always knew those he once saw.

[Footnote 50:  Brompton. [D.S.]]

[Footnote 51:  Giraldus. [D.S.]]

Very indefatigable in his travels backwards and forwards to Normandy, &c. of most endless desires to increase his dominions.

Caetera desiderantur.

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

SWIFT’S REMARKS ON THE CHARACTERS

OF THE COURT OF QUEEN ANNE.

FROM “MEMOIRS OF THE SECRET SERVICES OF JOHN MACKY, ESQ.”

NOTE.

JOHN MACKY, the author of the “Characters,” was, for many years, in the employ of the English government, as an agent for obtaining information as to the movements of the French.  He published, in 1696, “A View of the Court of St. Germains from the Year 1690 to 1695.”  The information embodied in this work he obtained from personal observation while in Paris.  About 1709, however, he aroused the government’s suspicions, and was imprisoned.  He was kept confined until the accession of George I. On his release he attempted to establish a packet-service between England and Ireland, to Dublin; but the venture failed.  He died at Rotterdam in 1726.  The “Characters” was first published in 1733, with the title: 

“Memoirs of the Secret Services of John Macky, Esq., during the Reigns of King William, Queen Anne, and King George I. Including also the true Secret History of the Rise, Promotions, etc., of the English and Scots Nobility; Officers, Civil, Military, Naval, and other Persons of distinction from the Revolution.  In their respective Characters at large:  drawn up by Mr. Macky pursuant to the direction of Her Royal Highness the Princess Sophia.  Published from his original manuscript, as attested by his son, Spring Macky, Esq.  London, 1733.”  The work was prepared for the press by a Mr. Davis, an officer in the Customs.

It has been questioned whether Swift did really make the “remarks” attributed to him by his various editors; but there can be little doubt about their authenticity.  Thomas Birch seems to have transcribed the “remarks” in 1753, if we are to believe a note in a copy of Macky’s book in the British Museum, which says:  “The MS. notes on the Characters in this Book were written by Dr. Swift, and transcribed by Tho.  Birch.  Aug. 15, 1753.”  Isaac Reed’s copy is also in the British Museum, but his notes were transcribed from another copy in the possession of