, the author of some dramas and poems of considerable merit, was a
, the author of some dramas and
poems of considerable merit, was a native of Ireland, where
he was born in 1736. He appears to have profited by a
liberal education, but entered early into the army, and
attained the rank of captain in the 73d regiment of foot
on the Irish establishment. When that regiment was
reduced in 1763, he was put on the half- pay list. In 1763
he became acquainted with the late William Gerard Hamilton, esq. who was charmed with his liveliness of fancy
and uncommon talents, and for about five years they lived
together in the greatest and most unreserved intimacy;
Mr. Jephson usually spending the summer with Mr. Hamilton at his house at Hampton-court, and also giving him
much of his company in town during the winter. In 1767,
Mr. Jephson married one of the daughters of Sir Edward
Barry, hart, a celebrated physician, and author of various
medical works; and was obliged to bid a long farewell to
his friends in London, Dr. Johnson, Mr. Burke, Mr. Charles
Townsend, Garrick, Goldsmith, &c. in consequence of
having accepted the office of master of the horse to lord
viscount Townsend, then appointed lord lieutenant of Ireland. Mr. Hamilton also used his influence to procure
Mr. Jephson a permanent provision on the Irish establishment, of 300l. a year, which the duke' of Rutland, from
personal regard, and a high admiration of Mr. Jephson’s
talents, increased to 600l. per annum, for the joint lives
of himself and Mrs. Jephson. In addition to this proof of
his kindness and esteem, Mr. Hamilton never ceased, without any kind of solicitation, to watch over Mr. Jephson’s
interest with the most lively solicitude constantly
applying in person, in his behalf, to every new lord lieutenant,
if he were acquainted with him; or, if that we.e not the
case, contriving by some circuitous means to pro Mire Mr.
Jephson’s re-appointment to the office originally con i erred
upon him by lord Townsend and by these means chiefly
he was continued for a long series of years, under tw- ive
successive governors of Ireland, in the same station, which
always before had been considered a temporary office. In
Mr. Jephson’s case, this office was accompanied by a seat
in the house of commons, where he occasionally amused
the house by his wit, but does not at any time appear to
have been a profound politician. His natural inclination
was for literary pursuits; and he supported lord Towosend’s
government with more effect in the “Bachelor,
” a set of
periodical essays which he wrote in conjunction with
Mr. Courtenay, the Rev. Mr. Burroughs, and others. He
died at his house at Blackrock, near Dublin, of a paralytic
disorder, May 31, 1803.