Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 13.djvu/236

224 truth there would be no manner of shame that a head should be uncovered that has so little brains in it. Brutality and ill nature proceed from the want of sense; therefore without having ever heard of him before, I can decide what he is, from this single action. Now I really believe no layman could have done such a thing. The wearing petticoats gives to most of the clergy (a few only excepted of superiour understanding) certain feminine dispositions. They are commonly subject to malice and envy, and give more free vent to those passions: possibly for the same reason that women are observed to do so, because they cannot be called to account for it. When one of us does a brutal action to another, he may have his head broke, or be whipped through the lungs; but all who wear petticoats are secure from such accidents. Now to avoid farther trouble, I hope by this time his gown is stripped off his back, and the boys of Dublin have drawn him through a horsepond. Send me an account of this, and I shall be satisfied. Adieu, dear dean; I am got to the end of my paper, but you may be assured that my regard for you will only end with the last breath of your faithful servant.

SEPT. 30, 1735.

ESTERDAY was the going out of the last lord mayor, and to day the coming in of the new, who is alderman