PREFACE THE biographical part of this work must be regarded as subordinate to the literary. I have attempted to describe and illustrate Swift's chief writings, merely giving such a sketch of his career as is required for a due understanding of their import. The quotations from Swift's works and correspondence have been intentionally made as numerous and as full as possible; it being, in my opinion, easier to give an idea of an author's genius in this way than by means of unsupported critical disquisitions. The latter are always delusive, except when a good knowledge of the works criticised has been previously obtained by the reader. In my quotations I have modernised the spelling, and have given up the use of capital letters in the case of common nouns prevalent in Swift's time. I have also altered a few words and phrases, the crudity of which suits not with present ideas. The edition of Swift's works mainly used has been that of Roscoe, published in 1864 by Bohn. In dealing with Swift's character, I have contented myself with the explanation of motives, without offering any comment thereon. The reader will notice that my view differs considerably from that of certain modern writers. The latter, in a spirit of reaction against the sombre and somewhat inaccurate picture drawn of Swift by Thackeray and M. Taine, have all but tried to raise the Dean of St. Patrick's to the rank of a saint and a hero. With this opinion, after much study of the original. authorities for Swift's life and the circumstances of his time, I find myself unable to concur. It is ill supported by the evidence; and it is self-contradictory in view of the peculiar tone of Swift's writings. An amiable parish priest could never have produced the "Tale of a Tub" or "Gulliver's Travels." A high-minded politician would never have written the "Character of Lord Wharton or the "Legion Club." It may, in conclusion, be doubted whether any advantage is to be gained from the present fondness for to use a colloquialism—“ whitewashing" historical characters. To paint in dark colours is not to depreciate. The Napoleon of Lanfrey is a far more interesting figure than the Napoleon of Thiers. It is true that Swift has much to urge in his excuse. He had endured more disappointments than fall to the lot of most men; and he suffered, nearly all his life, from an intermittent and distressing malady. None the less, the qualities produced by these trials were resentment, not resignation; vindictiveness, not forbearance; misanthropy, not fellow-feeling. BALLIOL COLLEGE, OXFORD, October, 1892. GERALD MORIARTY. |