l have heard of the most
terrible Accident that hath almost ever happened. This morning at 8,
my men brought me word that D. Hamilton had fought with Ld. Mohun and
killed him and was brought home wounded. I immediately sent him to
the Duke's house in St James's Square, but the porter could hardly
answer for tears and a great Rabble was about the House. In short
they fought at 7 this morning the Dog Mohun was killed on the spot,
and wile (_sic_) the Duke was over him Mohun shortening his sword
stabbed him in at the shoulder to the heart the Duke was helpt
towards the lake house by the Ring in the park (where they fought),
{39} and dyed in the Grass before he could reach the House and was
brought home in his Coach by 8, while the poor Dutchess was asleep. .
. . I am told that a footman of Ld. Mohun's stabbd D. Hamilton; and
some say Mackartney did so too. Mohun gave the affront and yet sent
the Challenge. I am infinitly concerned for the poor Duke who was a
frank honest good natured man, I loved him very well and I think he
loved me better.

JONAT. SWIFT.

"LONDON, 15_th Nov._ 1712."

I insert the following extract as it records what was of great importance
to Hearne personally, since he refused to recognise George I. as the
legitimate monarch.

3_rd Aug._ 1714.--"On Sunday morning (Aug. 1st) died queen Anne, about 7
o'clock. She had been taken ill on Friday immediately before. Her
distemper an apoplexy, or, as some say, only convulsions. She was
somewhat recovered, and then made Shrewsbury lord treasurer. On Sunday
last, in the afternoon, George Lewis, elector of Brunswick, was
proclaimed in London King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, by
virtue of an act of parliament, by which those that are much nearer to
the crown by bloud are excluded."

The following extract illustrates the feeling in Oxford under the first
Hanoverian sovereign. Very few, however, showed Hearne's consistent and
courageous Jacobinism:--

29_th May_ 1715.--"Last night a good part of the presbyterian
meeting-house in Oxford was pulled down. There was such a concourse of
people going up and down, and putting a stop to the least sign of
rejoycing, as cannot be described. But then the rejoycing this day
(notwithstanding Sunday) was so very great and publick in Oxford, as hath
not been known hardly sinc