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THOMAS SHERIDAN (1687–1724–1738) Thomas Sheridan, one of the most famous Dublin schoolmasters of the eighteenth century, was born in County Cavan. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin and ordained into the Church of Ireland; he was a close friend of Jonathan Swift and an important member of the circle surrounding the dean. In the affectionate but ironic poem that follows – ‘ironic’ since Delville was in reality a spacious building on fairly extensive grounds – Sheridan describes the ‘country house’at Glasnevin, near Dublin, on which Dr Patrick Delany (1685– 1768), mutual friend of Swift and Sheridan, spent so much more than he could afford. A Description of Doctor Delany’s Villa Would you that Delville1 I describe? Believe me, Sir, I would not gibe; For who would be Satirical Upon a Thing so very small? You scarce upon the Borders enter, Before you’re at the very Centre. A single Crow can make it Night, When o’er your Farm he takes his Flight; Yet in this narrow Compass, we Observe a vast Variety; 10 Both Walks, Walls, Meadows and Parterres,2 Windows, and Doors, and Rooms, and Stairs, And Hills, and Dales, and Woods and Fields, And Hay, and Grass, and Corn it yields; All to your Haggard3 brought so cheap in, Without the Mowing or the Reaping. A Razour, tho’ to say’t I’m loath, Wou’d shave you and your Meadows both. 156 The name Delville is a shortening of ‘Heldeville’, the name Swift gave to the house when 1 it was jointly tenanted by Delany and his TCD friend, Dr Richard Helsham. Under the influence of Alexander Pope, the gardens at Delville were laid out in the latest Dutch fashion creating one of Ireland’s earliest naturalistic gardens. ornamental parts of the garden, containing flowerbeds. 2 a yard where hay or straw is stacked. 3 157 Thomas Sheridan Tho’ small’s the Farm, yet here’s a House Full large to entertain a Mouse, 20 But where a Rat is dreaded more Than savage Caledonian4 Boar; For, if ’tis enter’d by a Rat, There is no Room to bring a Cat. A little Riv’let seems to steal Down thro’ a Thing you call a Vale Like Tears along a wrinkled Cheek, Like Rain along a Blade of Leek; And this you call your sweet Meander, Which might be suck’d up by a Gander, 30 Could he but force his nestling Bill To scoop the Channel of the Rill. I’m sure you’d make a mighty Clutter, Were it as big as City Gutter. Next come I to your Kitchen-Garden, Where one poor Mouse wou’d fare but hard in; And round this Garden is a Walk, No longer than a Taylor’s Chalk:5 Thus I compute what Space is in it, A Snail creeps round it in a Minute. 40 One Lettice makes a shift to squeeze Up thro’ a Tuft you call your Trees; And once a Year a single Rose Peeps from the Bud, but never blows;6 In vain then you expect its Bloom! It cannot blow for want of Room. In short, in all your boasted Seat, There’s nothing but yourself that’s Great. Scottish. 4 i.e. no longer than could be made by a tailor using his chalk (for marking cloth). 5 come into bloom. 6 ...

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