Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 2.djvu/317

Rh men: because, in spiritual harangues, the disposition of the words according to the art of grammar, has not the least use, but the skill and influence wholly lie in the choice and cadence of the syllables; even as a discreet composer, who, in setting a song, changes the words and order so often, that he is forced to make it nonsense, before he can make it musick. For this reason it has been held by some, that the art of canting is ever in greatest perfection, when managed by Ignorance; which is thought to be enigmatically meant by Plutarch, when he tells us, that the best musical instruments, were made from the bones of an ass. And the profounder criticks upon that passage, are of opinion, the word in its genuine signification, means no other than a jaw-bone; though some rather think it to have been the os sacrum; but in so nice a case I shall not take upon me to decide; the curious are at liberty to pick from it whatever they please.

The first ingredient toward the art of canting, is, a competent share of inward light; that is to say, a large memory, plentifully fraught with theological polysyllables, and mysterious texts from holy writ, applied and digested, by those methods and mechanical operations, already related: the bearers of this light, resembling lanterns compact of leaves from old Geneva bibles; which invention, sir Humphrey Edwin, during his mayoralty, of happy memory, highly approved and advanced; affirming the Scripture to be now fulfilled, where it says, thy word is a lantern to my feet, and a light to my paths. Now,