1656-1698), M.P. for Dublin University, a writer on
philosophical and scientific subjects, and the friend of Locke. Samuel
Molyneux took his M.A. degree in Dublin in 1710, and in 1712 visited
England. He was befriended by the Duke of Marlborough at Antwerp, and in
1714 was sent by the Duke on a mission to the Court of Hanover. He
held office under George I., but devoted most of his attention to
astronomical research, until his death in 1728.

5 Probably "The Case of Ireland's being bound by Acts of Parliament in
England stated" (1698).

6 Oxford and Bolingbroke.

7 See Letter 36, note 18.

8 See Letter 51, Aug. 7, 1712.

9 George Ridpath (died 1726), a Whig journalist, of whom Pope (Dunciad,
i. 208) wrote-- "To Dulness Ridpath is as dear as Mist." He edited the
Flying Post for some years, and also wrote for the Medley in 1712.
In September William Hurt and Ridpath were arrested for libellous
and seditious articles, but were released on bail. On October 23 they
appeared before the Court of Queen's Bench, and were continued on their
recognizances. In February 1713 Ridpath was tried and, in spite of
an able defence by leading Whig lawyers, was convicted. Sentence was
postponed, and when Ridpath failed to appear, as ordered, in April, his
recognizances were escheated, and a reward offered for his discovery;
but he had fled to Scotland, and from thence to Holland.

10 See Letter 52, note 5.

11 Lady Orkney's sister, Barbara Villiers, who married John Berkeley,
fourth Viscount Fitz-Hardinge, had been governess to the Duke of
Gloucester, Queen Anne's son. She died in 1708, in her fifty-second
year; and on her husband's death four years later the peerage became
extinct.

12 For the street criers, see the Spectator, No. 251.

LETTER 55.

1 Addressed to "Mrs. Dingley." Endorsed "Nov. 26, just come from
Portraine"; and "The band-box plot--D: Hamilton's murther."

2 Charles Mohun, fifth Baron Mohun, had been twice arraigned of murder,
but acquitted; and during his short but turbulent life he had taken part
in many duels. Even Burnet could say nothing in his favour.

3 This duel between the Duke of Hamilton (see Letter 27, note 9) and
Lord Mohun, who had married nieces of Lord Macclesfield, had its origin
in a protracted dispute about some property. The challenge came from
Lord Mohun, and the combatants fought like "enraged lions." Tory writers
suggested that the duel was a Whig conspiracy to get rid of the Duke