Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 6.djvu/14

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$$$$$$ and the The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift/Volume 2/A Tale of a Tub are indisputably the two most capital works of Swift. It is remarkable that he never would own himself to be the author of the latter; nor is the slightest hint of it to be found in any of his writings. I have very lately been authentically informed, that Swift used to be mortified at sir William Temple's frequent censure and contempt of burlesque writings; and was much hurt at the last paragraph of sir William's Essay upon Ancient and Modern Learning; where he says, "I wish the vein of ridiculing all that is serious and good, all honour and virtue, as well as learning and piety, may have no worse effect on any state; it is the itch of our age and climate; and has overrun both the court and the stage, enters a house of lords and commons, as boldly as a coffeehouse; debates of council as well as private conversation; and I have known in my life, more than one or two ministers of state, that would rather have said a witty thing, than have done a wise one; and made the company laugh, rather than the kingdom rejoice." Joseph Warton. THE