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lefs. But it is faid, that, after a year of total filence, when his housekeeper, on the 30th of November, told him that the ufual bonfires and illuminations were preparing to celebrate his birthday, he anfwered, It is all folly; they had better let it alone.

It is remembered that he afterwards spoke now and then, or gave fome intimation of a meaning; but at last funk into perfect filence, which continued till about the end of October 1744, when, in his seventy-eighth year, he expired without a ftruggle.

WHEN

WHEN Swift is confidered as an author, it is just to estimate his powers by their effects. In the reign of Queen Anne he turned the ftream of popularity against the Whigs, and must be confeffed to have dictated for a time the political opinions of the English nation. In the fucceeding reign he delivered Ireland from plunder and oppreffion; and fhewed that wit, confederated with truth, had fuch force as authority was unable to refift. He faid truly of himfelf, that Ireland was his debtor. It was from the time when he first began to patronize the Irish, that they may date

F 2

date their riches and profperity. He taught them firft to know their own intereft, their weight, and their strength, and gave them fpirit to affert that equality with their fellow-fubjects to which they have ever fince been making vigorous advances, and to claim those rights which they have at last established. Nor can they be charged with ingratitude to their benefactor; for they reverenced him as a guardian, and obeyed him as a dictator.

In his works, he has given very different fpecimens both of fentiment and expreffion. His Tale of a Tub has little refemblance to his other pieces. It cxhibits a vehemence and rapidity of mind,

a copioufnefs of images, and vivacity

of diction, fuch as he afterwards never poffeffed, or never exerted. It is of a mode fo diftinct and peculiar, that it must be confidered by itfelf; what is true of that, is not true of any thing elfe which he has written.

He

In his other works is found an equable tenour of eafy language, which rather trickles than flows. His delight was in fimplicity. That he has in his works no me taphor, as has been faid, is not true; but his few metaphors feem to be received rather by neceffity than choice. ftudied purity; and though perhaps all his ftructures are not exact, yet it is not often that folecifms can be found; and whoever depends on his authority may generally conclude himself fafe. His fenF 3

tences

tences are never too much dilated or contracted; and it will not be easy to find any embarraffment in the complication of his claufes, any inconfequence in his connections, or abruptnefs in his tranfitions.

His ftyle was well fuited to his thoughts, which are never fubtilifed by nice difquifitions, decorated by sparkling. conceits, elevated by ambitious fentences, or variegated by far-fought learning. He pays no court to the paffions; he excites neither furprize nor admiration; he always understands himself, and his reader always understands him: the perufer of Swift wants little previous knowledge; it will be fufficient that he is acquainted with common words and

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