Page 411.  “The restraint of the press a badge of Popery.”  Why is that a badge of Popery?  Why not restrain the press to those who would confound religion, as in civil matters?  But this toucheth himself.  He would starve, perhaps, &c, Let him get some honester livelihood then.  It is plain, all his arguments against constraint, &c. favour the papists as much as dissenters; for both have opinions that may affect the peace of the state.

Page 413.  “Since this discourse, &c.”  And must we have another volume on this one subject of independency?  Or, is it to fright us?  I am not of Dr. Hickes’s mind, Qu’il venge.  I pity the readers, and the clergy that must answer it, be it ever so insipid.  Reflect on his sarcastic conclusion, &c.

***** ***** ***** *****

A

PREFACE

TO THE

B—–­P OF S——­M’S

INTRODUCTION, &c.

NOTE.

AT the time of writing this scathing piece of invective, Swift was busy dealing out to an old friend a similar specimen of his terrible power of rejoinder.  Steele, in the newly established “Guardian,” as Mr. Churton Collins well puts it, “drunk with party spirit, had so far forgotten himself as to insert ... a coarse and ungenerous reflection on Swift.”  Swift sought an explanation through Addison, but Steele’s egotism was stronger than the feeling of friendship, and the insult remained for Swift to wipe out in “The Importance of the ‘Guardian’ Considered.”  Probably this severance from his friend, due to political differences—­for Steele glowed in Whiggism—­deepened, if possible, his hatred to Whigs of whatever degree; and in Burnet he found another object for his wit.  But apart from such a suggestion, there was enough in the Bishop’s attitude towards the Tories to rouse Swift to his task.  It was not enough that Burnet should accuse his political opponents of sympathy with the French, Jacobitism, and Popery, but he must needs flaunt his vanity in issuing, in advance, for purposes of advertisement, the introduction to a work which was to come later.  This was enough for Swift, and the prelate who “could smell popery at five hundred miles distance better than fanaticism under his nose,” became the recipient of one of the most amusing and yet most virulent attacks which even that controversial age produced.  “The whole pamphlet,” Mr. Collins truly says, “is inimitable.  Its irony, its humour, its drollery, are delicious.”