Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 12.djvu/392

380 to return the same polite language; and there has been more Billingsgate stuff uttered from the press within these two months, than ever was known before. Upon this, Dr. Arbuthnot has written a very humourous treatise, which he showed me this morning; wherein he proves, from many learned instances, that this sort of altercation is ancient, elegant, and classical; and that what the world falsely imagines to be polite, is truly Gothick and barbarous. He shows how the gods and goddesses used one another; dog, bitch and whore were pretty common expressions among them: kings, heroes, ambassadors, and orators, abused one another much in the same way; and he concludes, that it is a pity this method of objurgation should be lost. His quotations from Homer, Demosthenes, Æschines, and Tully, are admirable, and the whole is very humourously conducted. I take it for granted, he will send it you himself, as soon as it is printed.

FEB. 23, 1730-31.

OW were you in vast hopes you should hear no more from me, I being slow in my motions: but do not flatter yourself; you began the dence,