[Footnote 5:  For the signification of these coffee-houses see the remarks prefixed to the “Tatlers” in this volume, p. 4. [T.S.]]

[Footnote 6:  An Act for Securing the Freedom of Parliaments (9 Ann. c. 5) provided that English members should show a land qualification.  It was introduced December 13th, 1710, and received the Royal Assent, February 28th.  See also No. 45, post, p. 294. [T.S.]]

[Footnote 7:  The Address to the Queen was presented on March 13th, Swift somewhat strengthens the language of the address, the original words stating that the Houses had “to our great concern been informed,” etc.; and “we cannot but be most deeply affected to find such an instance of inveterate malice, against one employed in your Majesty’s council,” etc.  The Queen, in her reply, referred to “that barbarous attempt on Mr. Harley, whose zeal and fidelity in my service must appear yet more eminently by that horrid endeavour,” etc.—­“Journals of House of Lords,” xix.; “Journals of House of Commons,” xvi. [T.S.]]

[Footnote 8:  William Bromley (1664-1732) was Speaker from 1710 till 1713.  See note on p. 334 of vol. v. of present edition. [T.S.]]

[Footnote 9:  Clobery Bromley (1688-1711) was elected M.P. for Coventry, December, 1710.  Only a few days before his death he had been appointed one of the commissioners to examine the public accounts.  “The House being informed [March 20th] that Clobery Bromley, Esq., son to the Speaker, died that morning; out of respect to the father, and to give him time, both to perform the funeral rites, and to indulge his just affliction, they thought fit to adjourn to” the 26th.—­“Hist. and Proc. of House of Commons,” iv. 199.

Swift wrote to Stella on the matter under date March 20th, 1711:  “The Speaker’s eldest son is just dead of the small pox, and the House is adjourned a week, to give him time to wipe off his tears.  I think it very handsomely done; but I believe one reason is, that they want Mr. Harley so much” (vol. ii., p. 141 of present edition). [T.S.]]

NUMB. 36.[1]

FROM THURSDAY MARCH 29, TO THURSDAY APRIL 5, 1711.

Nullo suo peccato impediantur, quo minus alterius peccata demonstrare possint.[2]

I have been considering the old constitution of this kingdom, comparing it with the monarchies and republics whereof we meet so many accounts in ancient story, and with those at present in most parts of Europe:  I have considered our religion, established here by the legislature soon after the Reformation:  I have likewise examined the genius and disposition of the people, under that reasonable freedom they possess:  Then I have turned my reflections upon those two great divisions of Whig and Tory, (which, some way or other, take in the whole kingdom) with the principles they both profess, as well as those wherewith they reproach one another.  From all this, I endeavour to determine,