MATTHEW PRIOR, ESQ., COMMISSIONER OF TRADE.

Macky.  On the Queen’s accession to the throne, he was continued in his office, is very well at court with the ministry, and is an entire creature of my Lord Jersey’s, whom he supports by his advice.  Is one of the best poets in England, but very factious in conversation; a thin hollow-looked man, turned of 40 years old.—­Swift.  This is near the truth.

THOMAS TENISON, ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY.

Macky.  A plain, good, heavy man, now much in years, and wearing out; very tall, of a fair complexion, and 70 years old.—­Swift.  The most good-for-nothing prelate I ever knew.

GILBERT BURNET.  BISHOP OF SALISBURY.

Macky.  Of a very good family in Scotland, of the name of Burnet, his father was Lord [Swift, laird] of Cremont....  He is one of the greatest [Swift, Scotch] orators of the age he lives in.  His “History of the Reformation,” and his “Exposition of the Thirty-nine Articles,” show him to be a man of great learning; but several of his other works show him to be a man neither of prudence nor temper; his sometimes opposing, and sometimes favouring, the Dissenters, hath much exposed him to the generality of the people of England; yet he is very useful in the House of Peers, and proves a great pillar, both of the civil and ecclesiastical constitution, against the encroachments of a party which would destroy both.—­Swift.  His true character would take up too much time for me (who knew him well) to describe it.

GEORGE STEPNEY, ESQ.,
ENVOY EXTRAORDINARY TO THE EMPEROR [OF AUSTRIA].

Macky.  A gentleman of admirable natural parts, very learned, one of the best poets [Swift, scarce of a third rate] now in England.

MR. [AFTERWARDS SIR PAUL] METHUEN,
AMBASSADOR TO THE KING OF PORTUGAL.

Macky.  A man of intrigue, but very muddy in his conceptions, and not quickly understood in anything.  In his complexion and manners, much of a Spaniard.—­Swift.  A profligate rogue, without religion or morals; but cunning enough, yet without abilities of any kind.

THOMAS, LORD RABY [AFTERWARDS EARL OF STRAFFORD],
ENVOY EXTRAORDINARY TO THE KING OF PRUSSIA.

Macky.  He is a young gentleman, de bon naturel, handsome, of fine understanding, [Swift, very bad, and can’t spell,] and, with application, may prove a man of business.  He is of low stature [Swift, he is tall].

MR. [RICHARD] HILL,
ENVOY EXTRAORDINARY TO THE DUKE OF SAVOY.

Macky.  Is a gentleman of a good family in Shropshire.  He was designed for the church, and took deacon’s [Swift, priest’s] orders; but having a genius for business, and falling into the acquaintance of my Lord Ranelagh, when tutor to my Lord Hyde, he was sent into Flanders as paymaster to the English troops there. ...  He is a gentleman of very clear parts, and affects plainness and simplicity [Swift, au contraire] in his dress, and conversation especially.  He is a favourite to both parties [Swift, to neither]; and is beloved for his easy access, and affable way by those he has business to do with.  He is a thin, tall man, [Swift, short, if I remember right,] taller than the ordinary stature, near 50 years old.