The Dean of Derry

Introduction by Hester Thrale

Another Death! nothing else indeed I think—the pleasant Bishop of Limerick1; gay, gallant, chearful Creature that he was— when known by name of Barnard Dean of Derry: Friend & Companion to dear little Goldsmith Reynolds, Burke, Johnson; all the old Coterie of the Turks head: where after Supper he used to sing the Song of Polypheme in Acis & Galatea:—Can one then help exclaiming…

Has then the Dean of Derry:
Past o’er the darksome Ferry?
Who once more bright
Than Torch by Night
Shone forth ’mong Wits so merry!

He to the Grape’s ripe Cluster
Could lend Convivial Lustre;
When blythe & gay
In Garrick’s Day
Sweet Mirth her Friends did muster.

But since the Dean of Derry
Has cross’d the Stygian Ferry;
Wit Sense and Worth
Shall joyn with Mirth,
And cry We are griev’d,—ay Very!

1 = Thomas Barnard. Gent. Magazine (lxxvi. 588) reported he died on 7 June 1806. A premature report of his death must have reached her. Written by Hester Lynch Thrale.
Published in St James’s Chronicle.
Thraliana entry dated May 1806. Hester Thrale's spelling, grammar and capitalisation, some of which may not conform to today's standards, are reproduced faithfully throughout.