a slur on an hospital erected upon Lazors-Hill, now on the Donny-Brook road near Dublin, for the reception of persons afflicted with incurable maladies.”  The reason seems a poor one, though it may have been as Dr. Barrett states.  A better argument might be found from the style and subject matter of the tract itself.  The style is strongly Swift’s, and the subject of such an hospital must certainly have occupied Swift’s thoughts at this time, since he left his fortune for the erection of a similar building.

* * * * *

     The text of the present edition is based on that of the volume
     issued by Faulkner in 1733, compared with the Dublin reprint of the
     following year.

     [T.  S.]

A

SERIOUS and USEFUL

SCHEME,

To make an

Hospital for Incurables,

OF

Universal Benefit to all His Majesty’s Subjects.

* * * * *

Humbly addressed to the Rt.  Hon. the Lord ——­, the Rt.  Hon. Sir ——­, and to the Rt.  Hon. ——­, Esq;

* * * * *

To which is added,

A Petition of the Footmen in and about Dublin.

* * * * *

Faecunda Culpae Secula!—­Hor.

* * * * *

Printed at LONDON:  And,

DUBLIN: 

Printed by GEORGE FAULKNER, and Sold at his Shop in Essex Street, opposite to the Bridge, and by G.  Risk, G.  Ewing and W.  Smith, Booksellers in Dame-Street, 1733.

There is not any thing which contributes more to the reputation of particular persons, or to the honour of a nation in general, than erecting and endowing proper edifices, for the reception of those who labour under different kinds of distress.  The diseased and unfortunate are thereby delivered from the misery of wanting assistance; and others are delivered from the misery of beholding them.

It is certain, that the genius of the people of England is strongly turned to public charities; and to so noble a degree, that almost in every part of this great and opulent city, and also in many of the adjacent villages, we meet with a great variety of hospitals, supported by the generous contributions of private families, as well as by the liberality of the public.  Some for seamen worn out in the service of their country, and others for infirm disabled soldiers; some for the maintenance of tradesmen decayed, and others for their widows and orphans; some for the service of those who linger under tedious distempers, and others for such as are deprived of their reason.

But I find, upon nice inspection, that there is one kind of charity almost totally disregarded, which, nevertheless, appears to me of so excellent a nature, as to be at present more wanted, and better calculated for the ease, quietness, and felicity of this whole kingdom, than any other can possibly be.  I mean an hospital for incurables.