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.
***** ***** *****
***** *****
OF THE COURT OF QUEEN ANNE.
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
