Birth-day Presents
It was for many years a regular custom with Swift's most intimate friends to make him some presents on his birth day. On that occasion, 30th November, 1732, Lord Orrery presented him with a paper book, finely bound, and Dr Delany with a silver stand... Chief Justice Whitshed
Swift, in a letter to Pope, thus mentions the conduct of this worthy Chief Justice:-- I have written in this kingdom a discourse to persuade the wretched people to wear their own manufactures instead of those from England: this treatise soon spre... Chief Justice Whitshed's Motto On His Coach
Libertas et natale solum. Liberty and my native country. Libertas et natale solum; Fine words! I wonder where you stole 'em: Could nothing but thy chief reproach Serve for a motto on thy coach? But let me now the wor... Controversy With John Wesley
Wesley published in January, 1786, what he called, A Letter containing the Civil Principles of Roman Catholics; also, a Defence of the Protestant Association. In these letters he maintained that Papists ought not to be tolerated by any government--P... Cossing A Dog
In a humorous paper written in 1732, entitled, An Examination of certain Abuses, Corruptions, and Enormities in the city of Dublin, Swift mentions this diversion, which he ludicrously enough applies to the violent persecutions of the political parti... Countess Of Burlington
Swift was dining one day with the Earl of Burlington soon after his lordship's marriage, when that nobleman, expecting some diversion from Swift's oddities of behavior, purposely neglected to name him to his lady, who was entirely ignorant of the De... Curran And Lord Erskine
Dr. Crolly, in speaking of the two great forensic orators of the day, draws a comparison between the circumstances under which both addressed their audiences:-- When Erskine pleaded, he stood in the midst of a secure nation, and pleaded like a pr... Curran And The Banker
A Limerick banker, remarkable for his sagacity, had an iron leg. His leg, said Curran is the softest part about him. ... Curran And The Farmer
A farmer attending a fair with a hundred pounds in his pocket, took the precaution of depositing it in the hands of the landlord of the public-house at which he stopped. Next day he applied for the money, but the host affected to know nothing of the... Curran And The Informer
The following is an extract from Curran's speech delivered before a committee of the house of Lords, against the Bill of attainder on Lord Edward's property:-- I have been asked, said he, by the committee, whether I have any defensive evidence? I... Curran And The Judge
Soon after Mr. Curran had been called to the bar, on some statement of Judge Robinson's, the young counsel observed, that he had never met the law, as laid down by his Lordship, in any book in his library. That may be, sir, said the Judge; but I sus... Curran And The Mastiff
Curran used to relate with infinite humor an adventure between him and a mastiff, when he was a boy. He had heard somebody say that any person throwing the skirts of his coat over his head, stooping low, holding out his arms, and creeping along back... Curran As Punch's Man
Curran's first effort in public commenced when a boy in the droll character of Mr. Punch's man. It occurred in this way: One of the puppet-shows known as Punch and Judy, arrived at Newmarket, to the great gratification of the neighborhood. Young Cur... Curran At A Debating Society
Curran's account of his introduction and debut at a debating society, is the identical first appearance of hundreds. Upon the first of our assembling, he says, I attended, my foolish heart throbbing with the anticipated honor of being styled 'the le... Curran's Eloquence
In a debate on attachments in the Irish House of Commons, in 1785, Mr. Curran rose to speak against them; and perceiving Mr. Fitzgibbon, the attorney-general (afterwards Lord Clare), had fallen asleep on his seat, he thus commenced:--I hope I may sa...

Grace After Dinner A Dog's Religion His Duel With Captain D'esterre The Upstart His Birth Wisdom A Certificate Of Marriage The Serenading Lover

His Birth His First Client Refusal Of Office O'leary Versus Curran Dr Sacheverell His Defence Of Archibald Hamilton Rowan Scene Between Fitzgibbon And Curran In The Irish Parliament Epistolary Bores