Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 17.djvu/482

476 or of Rome], must be yet worse: unless it can be proved, that the way to attract the love and convince the reason of mankind, is to show that we hate or despise them. While they revere what we deride, it is plain, we cannot both view the subject in the same light: and though we deride what appears to us contemptible, we deride what to them appears sacred. They will therefore accuse us of misrepresenting their opinions, and abhor us as unjust and impious.

"Thus, although this noted apologue be indeed a vindication of our English Church, yet it is such as had been better spared: because its natural effect is to create prejudice, and inspire the contending parties with mutual distaste, contempt, and hatred ."

According to one of these writers, the Tale of a Tub is a ridicule of all religion; according to the other, it is a defence of our constitution in church and state, but with an unlawful weapon. And yet how few controversialists do not make use of this weapon when they can lay hold of it! which of them keep themselves within the strict rules of pleadings in the Areopagus?

But, whatever may be thought of the dean as a Divine, all agree in their elogium of him as a Writer.

"Few characters could have afforded so great a variety of faults and beauties. Few men have been more known and admired, or more envied or censured, than Dr. Swift. From the gifts of nature, he had great powers; and, from the imperfections of humanity, he had many failings. I always " sidered