The Battle of the Books

THE BATTLE OF THE BOOKS

AND OTHER WORKS, INCLUDING 'A MODEST PROPOSAL'

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JONATHAN SWIFT

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The Battle of the Books
And Other Works, Including 'A Modest Proposal'
From an 1886 edition
ISBN 978-1-62012-362-1
Duke Classics
© 2012 Duke Classics and its licensors. All rights reserved.

While every effort has been used to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information contained in this edition, Duke Classics does not assume liability or responsibility for any errors or omissions in this book. Duke Classics does not accept responsibility for loss suffered as a result of reliance upon the accuracy or currency of information contained in this book.

Contents

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Introduction
The Bookseller to the Reader
The Preface of the Author
The Battle of the Books
The Episode of Bentley and Wotton
A Meditation Upon a Broomstick
Predictions for the Year 1708
The Accomplishment of the First of Mr. Bickerstaff's Predictions
Baucis and Philemon
The Logicians Refuted
The Puppet Show
Cadenus and Vanessa
Stella's Birthday, 1718
Stella's Birthday, 1720
Stella's Birthday
Stella's Birthday, 1724
Stella's Birthday, March 13, 1726
To Stella
The First He Wrote Oct 17, 1727
The Second Prayer was Written Nov 6, 1727
The Beasts' Confession
An Argument Against Abolishing Christianity
Hints Towards an Essay on Conversation
Thoughts on Various Subjects
A Modest Proposal
Endnotes

Introduction

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Jonathan Swift was born in 1667, on the 30th of November. His father was a Jonathan Swift, sixth of the ten sons of the Rev. Thomas Swift, vicar of Goodrich, near Ross, in Herefordshire, who had married Elizabeth Dryden, niece to the poet Dryden's grandfather. Jonathan Swift married, at Leicester, Abigail Erick, or Herrick, who was of the family that had given to England Robert Herrick, the poet. As their eldest brother, Godwin, was prospering in Ireland, four other Swifts, Dryden, William, Jonathan, and Adam, all in turn found their way to Dublin. Jonathan was admitted an attorney of the King's Inns, Dublin, and was appointed by the Benchers to the office of Steward of the King's Inns, in January, 1666. He died in April, 1667, leaving his widow with an infant daughter, Jane, and an unborn child.

Swift was born in Dublin seven months after his father's death. His mother after a time returned to her own family, in Leicester, and the child was added to the household of his uncle, Godwin Swift, who, by his four wives, became father to ten sons of his own and four daughters. Godwin Swift sent his nephew to Kilkenny School, where he had William Congreve among his schoolfellows. In April, 1782, Swift was entered at Trinity College as pensioner, together with his cousin Thomas, son of his uncle Thomas. That cousin Thomas afterwards became rector of Puttenham, in Surrey. Jonathan Swift graduated as B.A. at Dublin, in February, 1686, and remained in Trinity College for another three years. He was ready to proceed to M.A. when his uncle Godwin became insane. The troubles of 1689 also caused the closing of the University, and Jonathan Swift went to Leicester, where mother and son took counsel together as to future possibilities of life.