網頁圖片
PDF
ePub 版

JONATHAN SWIFT was, according to an account faid to be writtenby himself, the son of Jonathan Swift, an attorney, and was born at Dublin on St. Andrew's day, 1667: according to his own report, as delivered by Pope to Spence, he was born at Leicester, the fson of a elergyman, who was minifter of a parish in Herefordshire *. During his life the place of his birth was undetermined. He was contented to be called an Irishman by the Irifh; but would occafionally call himself an Englishman. The queftion may, without much regret, be left in the obscurity in which he delighted to involve it.

Spence's Anecdotes, vol. II. p. 273.

What

Whatever was his birth, his education was Irifh. He was fent at the age of fix to the school at Kilkenny, and in his fifteenth year (1682) was admitted into the Univerfity of Dublin..

In his academical ftudies he was either not diligent or not happy. It muft disappoint every reader's expectation, that, when at the ufual time he elaimed the Bachelorfhip of Arts, he was found by the examiners too confpicuously deficient for regular admiffion, and obtained his degree at laft by Special favour; a term used in that Univerfity to denote want of merit.

Of this difgrace it may be cafily fuppofed that he was much afhamed, and fhame had its proper effect in producing

[blocks in formation]

reformation. He refolved from that time to ftudy eight hours a-day, and continued his induftry for feven years, with what improvement is fufficiently known. This part of his ftory well deferves to be remembered; it may af ford useful admonition and powerful encouragement to many men, whofe abilities have been made for a time ufelefs by their paffions or pleasures, and who, having loft one part of life in idleness, are tempted to throw away the remainder in despair.

In this courfe of daily application he continued three years longer at Dublin ; and in this time, if the obfervation and memory of an old companion may be trufted,

trufted, he drew the firft fketch of his

Tale of a Tub.

When he was about one and twenty (1688), being by the death of Godwin Swift his uncle, who had fupported him, left without fubfiftence, he went to confult his mother, who then lived at Leicester, about the future course of his life, and by her direction folicited the advice and patronage of Sir William Temple, who had married one of Mrs. Swift's relations, and whofe father Sir John Temple, Mafter of the Rolls in Ireland, had lived in great familiarity of friendship with Godwin Swift, by whom Jonathan had been to that time main

tained.

Temple

A 3

Temple received with fufficient kindnefs the nephew of his father's friend, with whom he was, when they conversed together, fo much pleafed, that he detained him two years in his house. Here he became known to King William, who fometimes vifited Temple when he was difabled by the gout, and, being attended by Swift in the garden, fhewed him how to cut afparagus in the Dutch way.

King William's notions were all military; and he expreffed his kindness to Swift by offering to make him a captain of horse.

When Temple removed to Moor-park, he took Swift with him; and when he

was confulted by the Earl of Portland about

« 上一頁繼續 »