sired, position in the Church. Temple had indeed procured a kind of courtly promise from the king of a prebendary's stall in Canterbury or Westminster; but the office never was conferred. As an indication that Sir William felt no distrust in the abilities of Swift, he formally appointed him to edit a new and complete edition of his voluminous works. Such favors it is literally "more blessed to give than to receive." Sir William may have foreseen some distant advantage to his friend in the privilege of appearing before the world in the capacity of editor of works so important; but he surely anticipated that the chief benefit would be his own.

After Sir William Temple's death there was for him "as much to seek as ever." He proceeded at once to London, and as his first employment occupied himself in publishing a full and correct edition of the works of Sir William Temple. After the completion of this work he remained some time in London, waiting for some clerical preferment, but was doomed to disappointment. At length, weary of delay, he accepted the place of chaplain and private secretary to the Earl of Berkley, one of the lords-justices of Ireland. He officiated in this new capacity until their arrival at Dublin, when, through the intrigues of a man who desired to supplant him, he lost his secretaryship.

On the 22d of March, Swift was inducted to the rectory of Agher, and the vicarages of Laracor and Rathbeggan in the diocese of Meath. He was "collated" to the prebend of Dunlaven, in St. Patrick's Cathedral. These offices were surely suf ficient to occupy the time and talent of one poor clergyman. Swift, like most of the clergy of his day, gave little thought to the great object of the Gospel ministry, the conversion of the world. He had little more to do with some of his "flocks than to take possession of them in lordly style, and procure the services of curates who would perform at cheapest rates the drudgery of what was by courtesy styled "divine service." No matter how much of a "pluralist" a man might be, there was one part of his duty to which he never failed to give attention, the reception of his revenues. It must be presumed that Swift was not neglectful in this department of duty.

Swift now made his residence in his vicarage of Laracor, and spent a short time in that quiet attention to duty which so

much becomes a man. He gave some attention to parochial duties. He appeared occasionally in the pulpit, and grew considerably in favor with the good people of his parish. He gave attention to the restoration of dilapidated churches, and improved the grounds of the rectory, in accordance with the absurd taste of the time, by straightening the rivulet that wound through the glebe into a canal, and planting willows in regular rows along its banks.

But his spirit could not long be satisfied with labors so quiet and obscure. He longed for a wider field of activity. His residence with Sir William Temple had given him some lessons in statesmanship, and he was confident that his powers would enable him to wield an influence in the world of politics. He desired, however, that this influence should be brought to bear through the medium of his profession. So completely is the Establishment interwoven with the State, that his political aspirations were not inconsistent with his calling. He desired to become an English bishop. Ireland was not the place where such a hope could be realized; hence after 1701 he made very frequent journeys to London, where he spent a considerable portion of his time observing the progress of events and prosecuting literary enterprises. He exerted himself with great energy in procuring the redress of certain grievances of which the Irish clergy complained.

His only publications hitherto were "The Battle of the Books," and "Contests and Dissensions in Athens and Rome." In 1704 he published his "Tale of a Tub," which he had retained in manuscript for eight years. These productions gave him an introduction to the literary and political circles of London. He now commenced that career of influence which he wielded in after years so mightily with his pen.

During the earlier years of his public life Swift sided with the Whigs. He had on one or two occasions used his pen in defense of the principles and policy of that party, and yet he had received nothing which he considered an adequate reward. He determined to try his fortunes with the opposite party. He conceived that at the least his interests could not suffer by the change. His political views were constructed on a plan so fortunate as to admit of easy locomotion to one party or the other. As the Whigs were identified with liberty and progress, he had

some preference for their policy in secular affairs, and yet he was a most uncompromising high-churchman. As he more heartily approved the policy of the Tories in ecclesiastical matters, he determined to allow no scruples to interfere with his espousal of their cause.

This resolution was formed at a most fortunate juncture. When he went to London, in September, 1710, the fate of the Whigs was trembling in the balance. They were anxiously looking for some influence, no matter how small, that would continue to them their old preponderance. They applied to Swift, but he was deaf to their entreaties. The Whig ministry speedily fell, and a Tory administration was inaugurated. He was soon honored with an interview with the new Tory minister. After inquiring into the measures the ministry meant to adopt, and finding them moderate in regard to politics, and decided in favor of high-church interests, so much in unison with his own views, he engaged to support them with all his heart and strength.

He was gratified by the flattery and caresses of his new friends. His Journal overruns with joy on account of the attention which he received. He says of the prime minister: "He is so excessively obliging that I know not what to make of it, unless to show the rascals of the other party that they used a man unworthily who had deserved better. He speaks all the kind things to me in the world." Again he remarks: "I stand with the new people ten times better than I ever did with the old, and forty times more caressed."

If his delight in these new attentions is surpassed by anything, it is the joy he feels in prospect of immediate vengeance on the Whigs for the great error of their late administration, their failure to appreciate and reward the merits of Jonathan Swift.

It is difficult to conceive how a man pretending to respectability could descend to such loathsome labors. No character was too high or respectable to be reached by his foul calumnies. Those who had been his friends and benefactors were singled out as the especial recipients of his rancorous abuse. He left upon record a concise publication of his own shame when he said in his Journal: "I libeled them all round."

For a time Swift was the most powerful man in England. He had the attention of the reading masses, and could direct

public sentiment as he willed. The Tory leaders themselves said "that Swift was the only man in England of whom they were afraid." He was the confidential adviser of the ministry as well as the champion of their cause. He was admitted to their most secret councils. Lord Harcourt said: "Dr. Swift is not only our favorite but our governor."

Swift himself did not fail very soon to feel his importance. At first he had been sufficiently obsequious, and did not venture into the presence of the chiefs of the party in power until he had procured his representation before them as an ill-used man, and one deserving better treatment. After being received into favor he began to assume airs of importance. When the premier sent him a bank bill of fifty pounds he rejected it with scorn, and refused "to take him into favor" unless he made. satisfactory amends. He said on this occasion: "If we let these great ministers pretend too much, there will be no governing them." By way of wholesome humiliation, he sent the prime minister of Great Britain on one occasion into the House to inform the Secretary that Dr. Swift could not dine with him that day if he dined late. He said: "The ministers are good, honest, hearty fellows: I use them like dogs, because I expect they will use me so."

Swift and his party did not long occupy the summit of power. The Whigs were beginning once more to have access to the royal ear, and their principles were regaining ascendency among the people. Swift again stood forth as the advocate of peace, in opposition to the war principles of the Whigs. He issued his tracts entitled, "The Conduct of the Allies," in which he presented facts and arguments so cogently as to produce an immediate effect upon public opinion. Seven editions were issued in England and three in Ireland. The instantaneous effect was to gain for the ministry a large majority in Parliament, and thus give them present security in power. But a reaction soon ensued in popular opinion. There arose dissensions in the Tory camp. The great leaders of the party disagreed. In vain did Swift employ all his art and eloquence to promote a reconciliation. In vain did he endeavor to counteract the caution and delay of Harley and the love of pleasure, the jealousy and ambition of St. John. To maintain even a show of power it was necessary to resort to new and dangerous

measures. Twelve new peers were created to recruit the ranks of the waning majority. An act of still greater boldness followed. The Duke of Marlborough was dismissed from all his offices which he had been permitted to retain in the vain hope of conciliating his party. By virtue of these stupendous efforts to defer their doom, the Tory leaders managed to prolong for a brief space their insecure authority.

Meanwhile Swift's hopes for preferment were not realized. He seemed to have the power of serving every one but himself. The see of Hereford fell vacant, and Swift's friends did not fail to represent the importance of his services, and the propriety of his being permitted to wear the episcopal lawn; but the queen and some of the ladies of her household had insuperable prejudices, and the dignity was given to another.

As the power of the Tories was waning, and with it would depart their ability to reward their own peculiar style of virtue, Swift saw that what he would do must be done quickly. The fall of his party must not leave him portionless. He must not return to Ireland without some mark of distinction. If he could not have preferment in England he would take it in Ireland. If he could not have a bishopric he would accept a deanery. At length the warrant creating him Dean of St. Patrick's, Dublin, was signed on the 23d of April, 1713. After having passed through the ceremony of entering upon his new office, Swift spent a short time in Ireland, and then hastened back to London. He was only in time to witness the expiring agonies of his party. Queen Anne died suddenly August 1, 1714, to the great dismay of the Tory leaders, whose power terminated with her life.

From the Whigs, who now came into power, no favors could be expected. They were not the men to forgive the injury done them by the desertion of their ranks and the rendering of such signal service to their adversaries. With the fall of his party from power Swift closed his political career.

There is a thread of private life interwoven among the years preceding and following this event which must be exhibited before the texture of his character can be clearly understood. Swift's history is inseparably blended with that of three unfortunate ladies whom he chose to call "Varina," "Stella," and "Vanessa." The first is less known to the world than her sisters in