The Works of the REV. Jonathan Swift, D.D. (Volume 3); Dean of St. Patrick's, Dublin (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1812 Excerpt: ... A TALE OF A TUB. "Democritui, dum ridet, philosophatur." SECT. I. THE INTRODUCTION. "WHOEVER has an ambition to be heard in a crowd, must press, and squeeze, and thrust, and climb, with indefatigable pains, till he has exalted himself to a certain degreee of altitude above them. Now in all assemblies, though you wedge them ever so close, we may observe this peculiar property, that over their heads there is room enough, but how to reach it is the difficult point; it being as hard to get quit of a number, as of hell; evadere ad auras, Hoc opus, hie labor est. Virgil. To this end, the philosopher's way in all ages, has been by erecting certain edifices in the air: but whatever practice and reputation these Kind of structures have formerly possessed, or may still continue in, not excepting even that of Socrates, when he was supended in a basket to help contemplation; I think, with due submission, they seem to labour under two inconveniences. First, That the foundations being laid too high, they have been often out of sight, and ever out of hearing. Secondly, That the materials, being very transitory, have suffer But to return and view the cheerful skies; In this the task and mighty labour lies. Dktdex. ed much from inclemencies of air, especially in these north-west regions. Therefore, towards the just performance of this great work, there remain but three methods, that I can think of; whereof the wisdom of our ancestors being highly sensible, has, to encourage all aspiring adventurers, thought fit to erect three wooden machines for the use of those orators, who desire to talk much without interruption. These are, the pulpit, the ladder, and the stage-itinerant. For, as to the bar, though it be compounded of the same matter, and designed for the same use, it c...