Journal to Stella, series of letters written (1710–13) from Jonathan Swift in London to Esther Johnson and her companion, Rebecca Dingley, in Ireland.
Esther (Stella) was the daughter of the widowed companion of Sir William Temple’s sister. Swift, who was employed by Sir William, was Stella’s tutor when she was a child, and he formed a lifelong attachment to her. Swift wrote to Stella about current political and social events and his reactions to them. Swift’s letters contain his comments on eminent people as well as reflective, often humorous descriptions of occurrences and personalities and warm, affectionate personal messages.