Share page |
THE DRUMMER OF HERSTMONCEUX. 191
received from Addison the sensible advice to " read a good History of England, that you may know the affairs of your own country." Harrison, who had the sense to follow this advice, attracted the notice of Dean Swift, by whose influence with St. John, possibly aided by that of Addison with Lord Raby, he became secretary to Lord Raby (afterwards Earl of Strafford), when he was ambassador at the Hague. There is a painful letter, written by Harrison from Utrecht, Dec. 16, 1712, for it shows that notwithstanding the high appointment he had received, the Government refrained from paying his salary, which was nominally ,£1,000 a year, so that he was in great straits. He speaks frankly of his difficulties, and with ardent gratitude to Swift for exertions on his behalf. This appears in Scott's " Dryden," Vol. XVI., p. 39 ; but, with many other references to William Harrison, is wrongly indexed. The entries in Swift's " Journal to Stella " are numerous, and give a vivid picture of this, the most important period of Harrison's life. They show, too, what a hold the clever young man had upon Swift's heart, and the efforts the Dean made to promote his fortunes, whilst styling his Tatlers "trash." |
||