Note 364b — JOURNAL TO STELLA (continued 8)

William King, D.C.L., author of the Journey to London in 1698, Dialogues of the Dead, The Art of Cookery, and other amusing works, was, at the end of the month, appointed Gazetteer, in succession to Steele, on Swift’s recommendation. Writing earlier in the year, Gay said that King deserved better than to “languish out the small remainder of his life in the Fleet Prison.” The duties of Gazetteer were too much for his easy-going nature and failing health, and he resigned the post in July 1712. He died in the following December.