MEMOIRS OF CAPTAIN JOHN CREICHTON. FROM HIS OWN MATERIALS, Drawn up and digested by DEAN J. SWIFT. FIRST PRINTED IN 1731. These Memoirs contain a most striking picture of the spirit and calamities of those times; such a one is not to be found in more general histories, where private distress is absorbed in the fate of nations. W. B. THE PRINTER'S ADVERTISEMENT. WHEN Dr. Swift was at Sir Arthur Acheson's, at Markethill, in the county of Armagh, an old gentleman was recommended to him, as being a remarkable cavalier in the reigns of Charles II., James II., and William III.; who had behaved with great loyalty and bravery in Scotland during the troubles of those reigns, but was neglected by the government, although he deserved great rewards from it. As he was reduced in his circumstances, Dr. Swift made him a handsome present; but at the same time said, "Sir, this trifle cannot support you long, and your friends may grow tired of you; therefore I would have you contrive some honest means of getting a sum of money, sufficient to put you into a way of life of supporting yourself with independency in your old age." To which captain Creichton (for that was the gentleman's name) answered, "I have tired all my friends, and cannot expect any such extraordinary favours." Then Dr. Swift replied, Sir, I have heard much of your adventures; that they are fresh in your memory; that you can tell them with great humour; and that you have taken memorandums of them in writing." To which the captain said, "I have; but no one can understand them but myself." Then Dr. Swift rejoined, "Sir, get your manuscripts, read them to me, and tell me none but genuine stories; and then I will place them in order for you, pre pare pare them for the press, and endeavour to get you a subscription among my friends, as you may do among your own." The captain soon after waited on the Dean with his papers, and related many adventures to him; which the Dean was so kind as to put in order of time, to correct the style, and make a small book of, entitled, THE MEMOIRS OF CAPTAIN JOHN CREICHTON. A subscription was immediately set on foot, by the Dean's interest and recommendation, which raised for the captain above two hundred pounds, and made the remaining part of his life very happy and easy. G. F. ΤΟ TO THE READER. THE author of these Memoirs, captain John Creichton, is still alive, and resides in the northern part of this kingdom. He is a very honest and worthy man, but of the old stamp; and it is probable that some of his principles will not relish very well in the present disposition of the world. His Memoirs are therefore to be received like a posthumous work, and as containing facts, which very few alive, except himself, can remember: upon which account none of his generous sub> scribers are, in the least, answerable for many opinions, relating to the public, both in church and state, which he seems to justify; and in the vindication of which, to the hazard of his life, and the loss of his fortune, he spent the most useful part of his days. Principles, as the world goes, are little more than fashion; and the apostle tells us, that "the fashion of this world passeth away." We read with pleasure the memoirs of several authors, whose party we disapprove, if they be written with nature and truth. Curious men are desirous to see what can and said on both sides; and even the virulent flat relation of Lud low, though written in the spirit of rage, prejudice, and vanity, does not want its advocates. This inclines me to think, that the Memoirs of eaptain Creichton may not be unacceptable to the enrious of every party; because, from my know ledge of the man, and the testimony of several considerable VOL. IX. 2 C |