is a winged figure with a crescent on her forehead, and near her
an infant Genius with a palm branch : below is a scroll inscribed,
r e v . i . sw if t . d s p d . (The Rev. Jonathan Swift, Dean of
St. Patrick’s, Dublin.)
Rev. Hibernia seated, L, leans upon her harp and holds an
olive branch; ships, flocks, and herds appear in the distance.
Ex. m d c c x x x v iii., and the artist’s initials, i. r . f e c i t .
1-5. (See Woodcut.)
86. Medal of Dean Swift.
MB. 2R. Very rare.
Cast and roughly executed. At the date of this medal Swift
was enjoying great popularity in Dublin on account of his
exertions to promote the trade, commerce, and agriculture of
Ireland.
87. T h e B e g g a r s ’ B e n is o n C l u b . 1739.
Adam and Eve, naked, standing facing, their hands joined;
Adam points to a bower : at their feet, a lion. Leg. b e .
FRUITFULL . AND . MULTIPLY.
Rev. Venus, recumbent, beneath a canopy; at her side,
Cupid; behind, Adonis with spear, and dog under a tree.
Leg. l o s e . no . o p po r t u n it y .
1-4 by 1-15.
MB. 2R gilt. R. W. Cochran-Patrick, iR gilt.
Yery rare.
This medal has a loop for suspension. “ The Beggars’
Benison ” was instituted at Anstruther during the first half
of the last century, ostensibly as a club for collecting “ good”
songs, stories, jokes, and facetice of all kinds, hut in reality to
serve as an outlet for the most exuberant and outrageous fun
and jocularity of the roughest description. It included eminent
men of all classes, besides many noblemen, and even some
members of the royal family. Each member upon his institution
paid an entrance fee of ten guineas, and received a highly
illuminated diploma, which cost three guineas, and a medal in
gold, the badge of the Order, of the value of five guineas. The
Sovereign of the Order and the officers were provided with green
silk sashes. At the death, in 1877, of Mr. Matthew Forster
Conolly, Town-Clerk of Anstruther, the entire hypothec of the
Society came into the possession of the Rev. Dr. J. P. S. Gordon,
of Glasgow, comprising the objects above mentioned and two
curious seals, impressions of which were always attached to
the diplomas. The club was in existence during the early part
of the present century, as one of the medals (No. 89) is dated as
late as 5826, i.e. a .d . 1826. The oldest date on the diplomas
is 1739, which may probably be that of the foundation of the
Club. For further particulars of the Club see Lieut.-Colonel
Alexander Fergusson, Henry Ershine, his Kinsfolk and Times,
p. 147 et seqq., 1882.
8 8 . T h e B eg g a r s ’ B e n is o n Cl u b . 1739.
Adam and Eve, naked, walking towards a bower, their hands
joined. Leg. b e f r v it f v l and m v l t ip l y .
Rev. A partially nude female figure reclining on a couch;
near her stands a man ; above, Cupid raises some drapery, and
in the distance are trees. Leg. l o s e no o p po r t v n it y .
1-2.
MB. iR gilt. Rare.
This medal has a loop for suspension, and was probably
made some little time later than the preceding.