no other; nor shall any consideration
of my own misfortune, in losing so good a friend and companion as her,
prevail on me, against her interest and settlement in the world, since
it is held so necessary and convenient a thing for ladies to marry, and
that time takes off from the lustre of virgins in all other eyes but
mine. I appeal to my letters to herself whether I was your friend or not
in the whole concern, though the part I designed to act in it was purely
passive." He had even thought "it could not be decently broken," without
disadvantage to the lady's credit, since he supposed it was known to the
town; and he had always spoken of her in a manner far from discouraging.
Though he knew many ladies of rank, he had "nowhere met with an humour,
a wit, or conversation so agreeable, a better portion of good sense, or
a truer judgment of men or things." He envied Tisdall his prudence and
temper, and love of peace and settlement, "the reverse of which has been
the great uneasiness of my life, and is likely to continue so."

This letter has been quoted at some length because of its great
importance. It is obviously capable of various interpretations, and
some, like Dr. Johnson, have concluded that Swift was resolved to keep
Stella in his power, and therefore prevented an advantageous match
by making unreasonable demands. I cannot see any ground for this
interpretation, though it is probable that Tisdall's appearance as
a suitor was sufficiently annoying. There is no evidence that Stella
viewed Tisdall's proposal with any favour, unless it can be held to
be furnished by Swift's belief that the town thought--rightly or
wrongly--that there was an engagement. In any case, there could be no
mistake in future with regard to Swift's attitude towards Stella. She
was dearer to him than anyone else, and his feeling for her would not
change, but for marriage he had neither fortune nor humour. Tisdall
consoled himself by marrying another lady two years afterwards; and
though for a long time Swift entertained for him feelings of dislike,
in later life their relations improved, and Tisdall was one of the
witnesses to Swift's will.

The Tale of a Tub was published in 1704, and Swift was soon in constant
intercourse with Addison and the other wits. While he was in England in
1705, Stella and Mrs. Dingley made a short visit to London. This and a
similar visit in 1708 are the only occasions on which Stella is known to
have left Ireland a