Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 6.djvu/258

232 virtue infused into a man, was a perpetual clog to publick business.

I had the curiosity to inquire in a particular manner, by what method, great numbers had procured to themselves high titles of honour, and prodigious estates; and I confined my inquiry to a very modern period, however without grating upon present times, because I would be sure to give no offence, even to foreigners; for I hope the reader need not to be told, that I do not in the least intend my own country, in what I say upon this occasion. A great number of persons concerned, were called up; and upon a very slight examination, discovered such a scene of infamy, that I cannot reflect upon it without some seriousness. Perjury, oppression, subornation, fraud, pandarism, and the like infirmities, were among the most excusable arts they had to mention; and for these I gave, as it was reasonable, great allowance. But when some confessed they owed their greatness and wealth to sodomy, or incest; others, to the prostituting of their own wives and daughters; others, to the betraying of their country or their prince; some, to poisoning; more, to the perverting of justice, in order to destroy the innocent: I hope I may be pardoned, if these discoveries inclined me a little to abate of that profound veneration, which I am naturally apt to pay to persons of high rank; who ought to be treated with the utmost respect due to their sublime dignity, by us their inferiours.

I had often read of some great services done to princes and states, and desired to see the persons, by whom those services were performed. Upon inquiry I was told, that their names were to be found on no record,