feared that the ink he used to wash out that stain only made it look
bigger. He had, however, known Swift, and corresponded with people
who knew him. His work (which appeared in 1751) provoked a good deal
of controversy, calling out, among other brochures, the interesting
_Observations on Lord Orrery's Remarks_, &c., of Dr. Delany.

26 Dr. Wilde's book was written on the occasion of the remains of Swift
and Stella being brought to the light of day--a thing which happened
in 1835, when certain works going on in St. Patrick's Cathedral,
Dublin, afforded an opportunity of their being examined. One hears
with surprise of these skulls "going the rounds" of houses, and
being made the objects of _dilettante_ curiosity. The larynx of
Swift was actually carried off! Phrenologists had a low opinion of
his intellect, from the observations they took.

Dr. Wilde traces the symptoms of ill-health in Swift, as detailed in
his writings from time to time. He observes, likewise, that the
skull gave evidence of "diseased action" of the brain during
life--such as would be produced by an increasing tendency to
"cerebral congestion".

27 "He [Dr. Johnson] seemed to me to have an unaccountable prejudice
against Swift; for I once took the liberty to ask him if Swift had
personally offended him, and he told me he had not."--BOSWELL'S _Tour
to the Hebrides_.

28 Few men, to be sure, dared this experiment, but yet their success
was encouraging. One gentleman made a point of asking the Dean,
whether his uncle Godwin had not given him his education. Swift, who
hated _that_ subject cordially, and, indeed, cared little for his
kindred, said, sternly, "Yes; he gave me the education of a dog."
"Then, sir," cried the other, striking his fist on the table, "you
have not the gratitude of a dog!"

Other occasions there were when a bold face gave the Dean pause,
even after his Irish almost-royal position was established. But he
brought himself into greater danger on a certain occasion, and the
amusing circumstances may be once more repeated here. He had
unsparingly lashed the notable Dublin lawyer, Mr. Serjeant
Bettesworth--

So, at the bar, the booby Bettesworth,
Though half a crown out-pays his sweat's worth,
Who knows in law nor tex