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In the Biographical Memoir, it has been the object of the Editor to condense the information afforded by Mr Sheridan, Lord Orrery, Dr Delany, Deane Swift, Dr Johnson, and others, into one distinct and comprehensive narrative. Some preliminary critical observations are offered on Swift's most interesting productions; and historical explanations and anecdotes accompany his political treatises. So that, upon the whole, it is hoped this Edition may be considered as improved, as well as enlarged; and, in either point of view, may have some claim to public favour.

ABBOTSFORD, 1st July 1814.

CONTENTS

OF

VOLUME FIRST.

MEMOIRS OF JONATHAN SWIFT, D. D. Dean of St Patrick's,

Dublin,

-

SECTION I.-Swift's Parentage and Birth-His Life at Col-

lege-His first residence with Sir William Temple

-Visits Oxford-He takes Orders, and obtains

the Living of Kilroot-Resigns that Living in fa-

vour of a Friend, and returns to England-His

second Residence with Sir William Temple-The

Battle of the Books, and Tale of a Tub-Verses

on the Burning of Whitehall-Swift's Correspon-

dence with Miss Waryng-He becomes acquainted

with Stella-Sir William Temple dies, and be-

queaths his Works to Swift-Swift's Views of Pro-

motion at the Court are disappointed,

-

SECTION II.-Swift goes to Ireland with Lord Berkeley-

His differences with that Nobleman-Obtains the

Living of Laracor-He is displeased with his Sis-

ter's Marriage-His mode of Life at Laracor-

Mrs Dingley and Stella come to Ireland-Tisdal

makes proposals of Marriage to Stella-Swift em-

barks in Politics-His opinion of the Affairs of

Church and State-Tale of a Tub,

-

Page

1

3

5
CONTENTS.

Page

SECTION III.-Swift's Journey to England, in 1710-His

Quarrel with the Whigs, and Union with Harley

and the Administration-He writes the Examiner

-The Character of Lord Wharton, and other

Political Tracts-Obtains the First-Fruits and

Twentieth-parts for the Irish Clergy-His Cor-

respondence with Archbishop King-His intimacy

with the Ministers-The Services which he ren-

ders to them-Project for improving the English

Language-His Protection of Literary Characters

-Difficulties attending his Church Preferment-

He is made Dean of St Patrick's, and returns to

Ireland,

SECTION IV.-Swift takes possession of his Deanery-Is

recalled to England to reconcile Harley and St

John-Increases in favour with Oxford-Engages

again in Political Controversy-Writes the Public

Spirit of the Whigs-A Reward offered for dis-

covery of the Author-The dissensions of the Mi-

nisters increase-Swift retires to the Country-

Writes Thoughts on the present State of Affairs-

Writes to Lord Oxford on his being displaced,

and retires to Ireland on the Queen's Death-His

Reception-His Society-The Interest he dis-

played in the Misfortunes of his Friends,

-

SECTION V.-Swift's first acquaintance with Miss Vanhom-

righ-She follows him to Ireland-Swift's Mar-

riage with Stella-Death of Miss Vanhomrigh-

Poem of Cadenus and Vanessa-Swift's Studies

during his retirement from 1714 to 1720-His

System of Life and Amusement-Engages in Irish

Politics-His proposal for Encouragement of Irish

Manufactures-And other Tracts-Drapier's Let-

ters-Swift's subsequent Popularity,

SECTION VI. Swift retires to Quilca-His friendship for

Sheridan-He visits England-Has an audience

of Walpole-Becomes known at the Prince of

Wales' Court-Returns to Ireland, and publishes

Gulliver's Travels-He revisits England-And is

recalled by Stella's indisposition-Her Death-

Swift breaks with the Court and Minister-His

Writings on Irish Affairs-He quarrels with Lord

Allen-Is intimate with Carteret-A Letter is

113

175

226

forged in his name to the Queen-His Miscella-

neous Prose Writings about this period-His

Poems-His residence at Gosford with Sir Ar-

thur Acheson, and the Verses which were written

there,

SECTION VII.- Swift's Conduct as a dignified Clergyman-

His Controversies with the Dissenters-And with

the Bishops of Ireland--Verses on his own

Death-Faulkner's Edition of his Works-His

Quarrel with Bettesworth-Satire on Quadrille-

Legion Club-Controversy concerning the low-

ering of the Gold Coin-History of Queen Anne's

Reign-Swift's Private Life at this Period-He

disposes of his Fortune-Founds an Hospital-He

sinks into Incapacity-His Death,

CONCLUSION.- Person, Habits, and Private Character of

Swift-His Conversation-His Reading--Appa-

rent Inconsistencies in his Character--His Cha-

rity-His Talents for Criticism-Character of the

Page

307

395

No. I.-Pedigree and anecdotes of Swift,

* Anecdotes of the family of Swift, a Fragment, written by

Dr Swift,

* Extract of authentic particulars respecting the parents of

Dean Swift,

-

* Certificate of Dr Swift's degree, taken at Dublin, and sent

to Oxford,

iii

iv

xvii

xix

* No. II.-A Tripos,

xxi

A Tripos or speech, delivered at a commencement in the

University of Dublin, by Mr John Jones, then A. B. af-

terward D. D.

Page

* No. III. The present State of Wit, in a letter to a friend

in the country,

xlix

* No. IV. List of Tracts composed by Swift, in support of

Lord Oxford's administration,

-

* No. V. Additional papers by Swift, on the project of a

National Bank in Ireland,

* No. VI. -Additional Tracts by Dean Swift respecting

Wood's Project, and Irish affairs of the same period,

* Woods revived, or a short defence of his proceedings in

London, Bristol, &c. in reference to the kingdom of Ire-

land,

lviii

lxii

lxxii

lxxii

* The true state of the case between the kingdom of Ireland

of the one part, and Mr William Wood of the other part,

by a Protestant of Ireland,

-

lxxvii

* A Letter to William Woods, Esq. from his only friend in

Ireland,

lxxxii

* A Letter to William Wood, from a member of that society

of men who in derision are called Quakers,

lxxxvi

* The present miserable state of Ireland. In a letter from a

gentleman in Dublin to his friend, S. R.W. in London, lxxxix

* No. VII. Ten reasons for repealing the Test act,

XCV

* No. VIII. List of Friends-Ungrateful-Grateful-In-

different and Doubtful,

-

xcviii

*No. IX. Letters, Mr Pilkington to Mr Bowyer,

xciv

* No. X.-POEMS. - The Swan Tripe Club in Dublin,

ciii

*The story of Orpheus, burlesqued,

cxvii

* Acteon, or the original of Horn Fair,