The Works of Jonathan Swift, D.D, Vol. 4 : Dean of St. Patrick's, Dublin; Containing Additional Letters, Tracts, and Poems, Not Hitherto Published; With Notes and a Life of the Author (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from The Works of Jonathan Swift, D.D, Vol. 4: Dean of St. Patrick's, Dublin; Containing Additional Letters, Tracts, and Poems, Not Hitherto Published; With Notes and a Life of the Author

And because the relation I am going to make may be judged rather a history of his excellency than of his government, I must here declare, that I have not the least view to his person in any part of it. I have had the honour of much conversation with his lordship, and am thoroughly convinced how indifferent he is to applause, and how insen sible of reproach; which is not an humour put on to serve a turn, or keep a countenance, nor arising from the consciousness of innocence, or any gran deur of mind, but the mere unaffected bent of his nature. He is without the sense of shame, or glory, as some men are without the sense of smelling; and, therefore, a good name to him is no more than a precious ointment would be to these. Whoever, for the sake of others, were to describe the nature of a serpent, a wolf, a crocodile, or a fox, must be understood to do it without any personal love or hatred for the animals themselves.

In the same manner, his excellency is one whom I neither personally love nor hate. I see him at court, at his own house, and sometimes at mine, for I have the honour of his visits; and when these papers are public, it is odds but he will tell me.

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