Steele, in his review of the “Project” in the fifth “Tatler” (April 20th, 1709), makes some interesting observations, and seems to take special note of the “Person of Honour,” in the character of which Swift wrote it.  Writing from Will’s Coffee-House, Steele says:  “This week being sacred to holy things, and no public diversions allowed, there has been taken notice of even here, a little Treatise, called ’A Project for the Advancement of Religion:  dedicated to the Countess of Berkeley.’  The title was so uncommon, and promised so peculiar a way of thinking, that every man here has read it, and as many as have done so have approved it.  It is written with the spirit of one who has seen the world enough to undervalue it with good breeding.  The author must certainly be a man of wisdom, as well as piety, and have spent as much time in the exercise of both.  The real causes of the decay of the interests of religion are set forth in a clear and lively manner, without unseasonable passions; and the whole air of the book, as to the language, the sentiments, and the reasonableness, show it was written by one whose virtue sits easy about him, and to whom vice is thoroughly contemptible.  It was said by one of this company, alluding to that knowledge of the world the author seems to have, the man writes much like a gentleman, and goes to Heaven with a very good mien.”

In his “Apology” Steele refers to this “Tatler” note, and remarks:  “The gentleman I here intended was Dr. Swift, this kind of man I thought him at that time.  We have not met of late, but I hope he deserves this character still.”

The present text is based upon the first edition; but this edition was so wretchedly printed that I have carefully collated it with those given in the “Miscellanies” (1711), Faulkner (1735), and Hawkesworth (1762).

[T.  S.]

  A
  PROJECT
  FOR THE
  ADVANCEMENT OF RELIGION,
  AND THE
  REFORMATION OF MANNERS. 
  BY A PERSON OF QUALITY.

  O quisquis volet impias
    Caedes, & rabiem tollere civicam: 
  Si quaeret pater urbium
    Subscribi statuis, indomitam audeat
  Refraenare licentiam.

Hor.

LONDON:

Printed and Sold by H.  Hills, in Black-fryars, near the Water-side. 
For the Benefit of the Poor. 1709.

TO THE COUNTESS OF BERKELEY.[1]

MADAM,

My intention in prefixing your Ladyship’s name, is not after the common form, to desire your protection of the following papers; which I take to be a very unreasonable request; since, by being inscribed to your Ladyship, though without your knowledge, and from a concealed hand, you cannot recommend them without some suspicion of partiality.  My real design is, I confess, the very same I have often detested in most dedications; that of publishing your praises to the world.  Not upon the subject of your noble