Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) Study Objectives: 1.Understand the literary manner of satire. 2.Appreciate how Jonathan Swift's"A Modest Proposal"exemplifies the Juvenalian satire. 3.Learn to write an argumentative essay. Understanding the Author: Jonathan Swift at the Deanery of St.Patrick's, Swift bust at St.Patrick's Cathedral illus.from 1905 Temple Scott edition of Works The 18th century in English literature is an age of prose and the supreme master of prose in the first half of the century is Jonathan Swift.Jonathan Swift was born in Ireland of an Irish father and an English mother and felt the pull between the two countries all his life.He went to England to live for short periods on several occasions.After he became a clergyman he hoped to obtain a position in the Church of England.However,he was appointed to St.Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland,a position with which he was deeply disappointed,even after becoming the Dean of St. Patrick's
Jonathan Swift （1667-1745） Study Objectives: 1. Understand the literary manner of satire. 2. Appreciate how Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” exemplifies the Juvenalian satire. 3. Learn to write an argumentative essay. Understanding the Author: Jonathan Swift at the Deanery of St. Patrick's, Swift bust at St. Patrick's Cathedral illus. from 1905 Temple Scott edition of Works The 18 th century in English literature is an age of prose and the supreme master of prose in the first half of the century is Jonathan Swift. Jonathan Swift was born in Ireland of an Irish father and an English mother and felt the pull between the two countries all his life. He went to England to live for short periods on several occasions. After he became a clergyman he hoped to obtain a position in the Church of England. However, he was appointed to St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland, a position with which he was deeply disappointed, even after becoming the Dean of St. Patrick’s
As Dean of St.Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin,Ireland,Jonathan Swift observed the poverty and oppression of the Irish people and proposed remedies for the problems.He wrote many pamphlets outlining serious solutions to the problems of wide-spread poverty in Ireland,problems that were beyond the control of the poor lower classes.Crop failures resulted in very little available food,and what was available was extremely expensive.The British government imposed impossibly high taxes specifically to force small farmers to sell their land and work as tenant farmers for the wealthy Irish landowners who kept them in poverty.There were well-known instances of corruption in the governing of Ireland.In one example,government officials took bribes to allow certain people to print coins until the economy was flooded with money.Those of you who know anything about economics know that the result was rampant inflation. Swift tried hard to help the Irish poor by proposing and pushing for reforms.For his efforts he was considered an enemy of the British government and of the Irish aristocracy,and warrants were issued for his arrest.On several occasions,the poor Irish,who knew he was trying to help them.hid him from soldiers sent to arrest him. After writing a number of proposals which were ignored,Swift turned to satire in an effort to shock his audience into paying attention to the problem he addressed.He was so disgusted with the ruling upper classes who refused to consider any of his serious proposals that he wrote his"A Modest Proposal",a work designed to be so outrageous that it would shock his readers into action. Swift maintained friendships with other 18th-century writers such as Alexander Pope, William Congreve,John Gay,and John Arbuthnot.In fact,Pope was instrumental in helping Swift publish what is probably his most well-known work,Gulliver 's Travels. Understanding Satire: Used in any genre,satire is a literary manner that blends criticism of a person,event,or situation with witty humor for the purpose of improving the object of the satire.Writers such as Jonathan Swift and Alexander Pope found much in their society that needed improvement,and satire was their weapon of choice. Horatian satire such as Alexander Pope's"The Rape of the Lock"is gentle and humorous,but Juvenalian satire such as Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal"is very harsh and vindictive.As you will read,Swift's language is abusive and insulting,which is characteristic of Juvenalian satire The original motive for writing satire is anger or annoyance.The attempt to diminish a subject by ridicule is the primary organizing principle.Irony,which exploits the relationship between appearance and reality,is its chief device
As Dean of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland, Jonathan Swift observed the poverty and oppression of the Irish people and proposed remedies for the problems. He wrote many pamphlets outlining serious solutions to the problems of wide-spread poverty in Ireland, problems that were beyond the control of the poor lower classes. Crop failures resulted in very little available food, and what was available was extremely expensive. The British government imposed impossibly high taxes specifically to force small farmers to sell their land and work as tenant farmers for the wealthy Irish landowners who kept them in poverty. There were well-known instances of corruption in the governing of Ireland. In one example, government officials took bribes to allow certain people to print coins until the economy was flooded with money. Those of you who know anything about economics know that the result was rampant inflation. Swift tried hard to help the Irish poor by proposing and pushing for reforms. For his efforts he was considered an enemy of the British government and of the Irish aristocracy, and warrants were issued for his arrest. On several occasions, the poor Irish, who knew he was trying to help them, hid him from soldiers sent to arrest him. After writing a number of proposals which were ignored, Swift turned to satire in an effort to shock his audience into paying attention to the problem he addressed. He was so disgusted with the ruling upper classes who refused to consider any of his serious proposals that he wrote his “A Modest Proposal”, a work designed to be so outrageous that it would shock his readers into action. Swift maintained friendships with other 18th-century writers such as Alexander Pope, William Congreve, John Gay, and John Arbuthnot. In fact, Pope was instrumental in helping Swift publish what is probably his most well-known work, Gulliver’s Travels. Understanding Satire: Used in any genre, satire is a literary manner that blends criticism of a person, event, or situation with witty humor for the purpose of improving the object of the satire. Writers such as Jonathan Swift and Alexander Pope found much in their society that needed improvement, and satire was their weapon of choice. Horatian satire such as Alexander Pope’s “The Rape of the Lock” is gentle and humorous, but Juvenalian satire such as Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” is very harsh and vindictive. As you will read, Swift’s language is abusive and insulting, which is characteristic of Juvenalian satire.The original motive for writing satire is anger or annoyance. The attempt to diminish a subject by ridicule is the primary organizing principle. Irony, which exploits the relationship between appearance and reality, is its chief device
Lead-in Questions: 1.How much do you know about the relationship between England and Ireland in the 18th century? 2.Are you familiar with any historical events that led to Swift's writing of"A Modest Proposal"? 3.Do you know other works written by Jonathan Swift? A Modest Proposal for preventing the children of poor people in Ireland,from being a burden on their parents or country,and for making them beneficial to the public (1729) 1 It is a melancholy object to those,who walk through this great town,or travel in the country,when they see the streets,the roads and cabin-doors crowded with beggars of the female sex,followed by three,four,or six children,all in rags,and importuning every passenger for an alms.These mothers instead of being able to work for their honest livelihood,are forced to employ all their time in strolling to beg sustenance for their helpless infants who,as they grow up,either turn thieves for want of work,or leave their dear native country,to fight for the Pretender in Spain,or sell themselves to the Barbadoes. 2 I think it is agreed by all parties,that this prodigious number of children in the arms,or on the backs,or at the heels of their mothers,and frequently of their fathers, is in the present deplorable state of the kingdom,a very great additional grievance; and therefore whoever could find out a fair,cheap and easy method of making these children sound and useful members of the common-wealth,would deserve so well of the public,as to have his statue set up for a preserver of the nation. 3 But my intention is very far from being confined to provide only for the children of professed beggars:it is of a much greater extent,and shall take in the whole number of infants at a certain age,who are born of parents in effect as little able to support them,as those who demand our charity in the streets
Lead-in Questions: 1. How much do you know about the relationship between England and Ireland in the 18 th century? 2. Are you familiar with any historical events that led to Swift’s writing of “A Modest Proposal”? 3. Do you know other works written by Jonathan Swift? A Modest Proposal for preventing the children of poor people in Ireland, from being a burden on their parents or country, and for making them beneficial to the public (1729) 1 It is a melancholy object to those, who walk through this great town, or travel in the country, when they see the streets, the roads and cabin-doors crowded with beggars of the female sex, followed by three, four, or six children, all in rags, and importuning every passenger for an alms. These mothers instead of being able to work for their honest livelihood, are forced to employ all their time in strolling to beg sustenance for their helpless infants who, as they grow up, either turn thieves for want of work, or leave their dear native country, to fight for the Pretender in Spain, or sell themselves to the Barbadoes. 2 I think it is agreed by all parties, that this prodigious number of children in the arms, or on the backs, or at the heels of their mothers, and frequently of their fathers, is in the present deplorable state of the kingdom, a very great additional grievance; and therefore whoever could find out a fair, cheap and easy method of making these children sound and useful members of the common-wealth, would deserve so well of the public, as to have his statue set up for a preserver of the nation. 3 But my intention is very far from being confined to provide only for the children of professed beggars: it is of a much greater extent, and shall take in the whole number of infants at a certain age, who are born of parents in effect as little able to support them, as those who demand our charity in the streets
4 As to my own part,having turned my thoughts for many years,upon this important subject,and maturely weighed the several schemes of our projectors',I have always found them grossly mistaken in their computation.It is true,a child just dropped from its dam,may be supported by her milk,for a solar year,with little other nourishment:at most not above the value of two shillings,which the mother may certainly get,or the value in scraps,by her lawful occupation of begging;and it is exactly at one year old that I propose to provide for them in such a manner,as,instead of being a charge upon their parents,or the parish,or wanting food and raiment for the rest of their lives,they shall,on the contrary,contribute to the feeding,and partly to the clothing of many thousands. 5 There is likewise another great advantage in my scheme,that it will prevent those voluntary abortions,and that horrid practice of women murdering their bastard children,alas!too frequent among us,sacrificing the poor innocent babes,I doubt, more to avoid the expense than the shame,which would move tears and pity in the most savage and inhuman breast. 6 The number of souls in this kingdom being usually reckoned one million and a half,of these I calculate there may be about two hundred thousand couples whose wives are breeders;from which number I subtract thirty thousand couples,who are able to maintain their own children,(although I apprehend there cannot be so many, under the present distresses of the kingdom)but this being granted,there will remain a hundred and seventy thousand breeders.I again subtract fifty thousand,for those women who miscarry,or whose children die by accident or disease within the year. There only remain an hundred and twenty thousand children of poor parents annually born.The question therefore is,how this number shall be reared,and provided for? which,as I have already said,under the present situation of affairs,is utterly impossible by all the methods hitherto proposed.For we can neither employ them in handicraft or agriculture;we neither build houses,(I mean in the country)nor cultivate land:they can very seldom pick up a livelihood by stealing till they arrive at six years old;except where they are of towardly parts,although I confess they learn the rudiments much earlier;during which time they can however be properly looked upon only as probationers:As I have been informed by a principal gentleman in the 1 Projectors:persons who devise plans
4 As to my own part, having turned my thoughts for many years, upon this important subject, and maturely weighed the several schemes of our projectors 1 , I have always found them grossly mistaken in their computation. It is true, a child just dropped from its dam, may be supported by her milk, for a solar year, with little other nourishment: at most not above the value of two shillings, which the mother may certainly get, or the value in scraps, by her lawful occupation of begging; and it is exactly at one year old that I propose to provide for them in such a manner, as, instead of being a charge upon their parents, or the parish, or wanting food and raiment for the rest of their lives, they shall, on the contrary, contribute to the feeding, and partly to the clothing of many thousands. 5 There is likewise another great advantage in my scheme, that it will prevent those voluntary abortions, and that horrid practice of women murdering their bastard children, alas! too frequent among us, sacrificing the poor innocent babes, I doubt, more to avoid the expense than the shame, which would move tears and pity in the most savage and inhuman breast. 6 The number of souls in this kingdom being usually reckoned one million and a half, of these I calculate there may be about two hundred thousand couples whose wives are breeders; from which number I subtract thirty thousand couples, who are able to maintain their own children, (although I apprehend there cannot be so many, under the present distresses of the kingdom) but this being granted, there will remain a hundred and seventy thousand breeders. I again subtract fifty thousand, for those women who miscarry, or whose children die by accident or disease within the year. There only remain an hundred and twenty thousand children of poor parents annually born. The question therefore is, how this number shall be reared, and provided for? which, as I have already said, under the present situation of affairs, is utterly impossible by all the methods hitherto proposed. For we can neither employ them in handicraft or agriculture; we neither build houses, (I mean in the country) nor cultivate land: they can very seldom pick up a livelihood by stealing till they arrive at six years old; except where they are of towardly parts, although I confess they learn the rudiments much earlier; during which time they can however be properly looked upon only as probationers: As I have been informed by a principal gentleman in the 1 Projectors: persons who devise plans
county of Cavan,who protested to me,that he never knew above one or two instances under the age of six,even in a part of the kingdom so renowned for the quickest proficiency in that art. 7 I am assured by our merchants,that a boy or a girl before twelve years old,is no saleable commodity,and even when they come to this age,they will not yield above three pounds,or three pounds and half a crown at most,on the exchange;which cannot turn to account either to the parents or kingdom,the charge of nutriments and rags having been at least four times that value. 8 I shall now therefore humbly propose my own thoughts,which I hope will not be liable to the least objection. 9 I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed,is,at a year old,a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food,whether stewed,roasted,baked,or boiled;and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricassee,or a ragout. 10 I do therefore humbly offer it to public consideration,that of the hundred and twenty thousand children,already computed,twenty thousand may be reserved for breed,whereof only one fourth part to be males;which is more than we allow to sheep,black cattle,or swine,and my reason is,that these children are seldom the fruits of marriage,a circumstance not much regarded by our savages,therefore,one male will be sufficient to serve four females.That the remaining hundred thousand may,at a year old,be offered in sale to the persons of quality and fortune,through the kingdom,always advising the mother to let them suck plentifully in the last month,so as to render them plump,and fat for a good table.A child will make two dishes at an entertainment for friends,and when the family dines alone,the fore or hind quarter will make a reasonable dish,and seasoned with a little pepper or salt,will be very good boiled on the fourth day,especially in winter. 11 I have reckoned upon a medium,that a child just born will weigh 12 pounds,and in a solar year,if tolerably nursed,will increase to 28 pounds
county of Cavan, who protested to me, that he never knew above one or two instances under the age of six, even in a part of the kingdom so renowned for the quickest proficiency in that art. 7 I am assured by our merchants, that a boy or a girl before twelve years old, is no saleable commodity, and even when they come to this age, they will not yield above three pounds, or three pounds and half a crown at most, on the exchange; which cannot turn to account either to the parents or kingdom, the charge of nutriments and rags having been at least four times that value. 8 I shall now therefore humbly propose my own thoughts, which I hope will not be liable to the least objection. 9 I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricassee, or a ragout. 10 I do therefore humbly offer it to public consideration, that of the hundred and twenty thousand children, already computed, twenty thousand may be reserved for breed, whereof only one fourth part to be males; which is more than we allow to sheep, black cattle, or swine, and my reason is, that these children are seldom the fruits of marriage, a circumstance not much regarded by our savages, therefore, one male will be sufficient to serve four females. That the remaining hundred thousand may, at a year old, be offered in sale to the persons of quality and fortune, through the kingdom, always advising the mother to let them suck plentifully in the last month, so as to render them plump, and fat for a good table. A child will make two dishes at an entertainment for friends, and when the family dines alone, the fore or hind quarter will make a reasonable dish, and seasoned with a little pepper or salt, will be very good boiled on the fourth day, especially in winter. 11 I have reckoned upon a medium, that a child just born will weigh 12 pounds, and in a solar year, if tolerably nursed, will increase to 28 pounds
12 I grant this food will be somewhat dear,and therefore very proper for landlords, who,as they have already devoured most of the parents,seem to have the best title to the children. 13 Infant's flesh will be in season throughout the year,but more plentiful in March, and a little before and after;for we are told by a grave author,an eminent French physician,that fish being a prolific diet,there are more children born in Roman Catholic countries about nine months after Lent,the markets will be more glutted than usual,because the number of Popish infants,is at least three to one in this kingdom, and therefore it will have one other collateral advantage,by lessening the number of Papists among us. 14 I have already computed the charge of nursing a beggar's child(in which list I reckon all cottagers,labourers,and four-fifths of the farmers)to be about two shillings per annum,rags included;and I believe no gentleman would repine to give ten shillings for the carcass of a good fat child,which,as I have said,will make four dishes of excellent nutritive meat,when he hath only some particular friend,or his own family to dine with him.Thus the squire will learn to be a good landlord,and grow popular among his tenants,the mother will have eight shillings neat profit,and be fit for work till she produces another child. 15 Those who are more thrifty (as I must confess the times require)may flay the carcass;the skin of which,artificially dressed,will make admirable gloves for ladies, and summer boots for fine gentlemen. 16 As to our City of Dublin,shambles may be appointed for this purpose,in the most convenient parts of it,and butchers we may be assured will not be wanting; although I rather recommend buying the children alive,and dressing them hot from the knife,as we do roasting pigs. 17 A very worthy person,a true lover of his country,and whose virtues I highly esteem,was lately pleased,in discoursing on this matter,to offer a refinement upon my scheme.He said,that many gentlemen of this kingdom,having of late destroyed their deer,he conceived that the want of venison might be well supplied by the bodies
12 I grant this food will be somewhat dear, and therefore very proper for landlords, who, as they have already devoured most of the parents, seem to have the best title to the children. 13 Infant's flesh will be in season throughout the year, but more plentiful in March, and a little before and after; for we are told by a grave author, an eminent French physician, that fish being a prolific diet, there are more children born in Roman Catholic countries about nine months after Lent, the markets will be more glutted than usual, because the number of Popish infants, is at least three to one in this kingdom, and therefore it will have one other collateral advantage, by lessening the number of Papists among us. 14 I have already computed the charge of nursing a beggar's child (in which list I reckon all cottagers, labourers, and four-fifths of the farmers) to be about two shillings per annum, rags included; and I believe no gentleman would repine to give ten shillings for the carcass of a good fat child, which, as I have said, will make four dishes of excellent nutritive meat, when he hath only some particular friend, or his own family to dine with him. Thus the squire will learn to be a good landlord, and grow popular among his tenants, the mother will have eight shillings neat profit, and be fit for work till she produces another child. 15 Those who are more thrifty (as I must confess the times require) may flay the carcass; the skin of which, artificially dressed, will make admirable gloves for ladies, and summer boots for fine gentlemen. 16 As to our City of Dublin, shambles may be appointed for this purpose, in the most convenient parts of it, and butchers we may be assured will not be wanting; although I rather recommend buying the children alive, and dressing them hot from the knife, as we do roasting pigs. 17 A very worthy person, a true lover of his country, and whose virtues I highly esteem, was lately pleased, in discoursing on this matter, to offer a refinement upon my scheme. He said, that many gentlemen of this kingdom, having of late destroyed their deer, he conceived that the want of venison might be well supplied by the bodies
of young lads and maidens,not exceeding fourteen years of age,nor under twelve;so great a number of both sexes in every country being now ready to starve for want of work and service:And these to be disposed of by their parents if alive,or otherwise by their nearest relations.But with due deference to so excellent a friend,and so deserving a patriot,I cannot be altogether in his sentiments;for as to the males,my American acquaintance assured me from frequent experience,that their flesh was generally tough and lean,like that of our school-boys,by continual exercise,and their taste disagreeable,and to fatten them would not answer the charge.Then as to the females,it would,I think,with humble submission,be a loss to the public,because they soon would become breeders themselves:And besides,it is not improbable that some scrupulous people might be apt to censure such a practice,(although indeed very unjustly)as a little bordering upon cruelty,which,I confess,hath always been with me the strongest objection against any project,how well soever intended. 18 But in order to justify my friend,he confessed,that this expedient was put into his head by the famous Psalmanazar',a native of the island Formosa,who came from thence to London,above twenty years ago,and in conversation told my friend,that in his country,when any young person happened to be put to death,the executioner sold the carcass to persons of quality,as a prime dainty;and that,in his time,the body of a plump girl of fifteen,who was crucified for an attempt to poison the Emperor,was sold to his imperial majesty's prime minister of state,and other great mandarins of the court in joints from the gibbet,at four hundred crowns.Neither indeed can I deny,that if the same use were made of several plump young girls in this town,who without one single groat2 to their fortunes,cannot stir abroad without a chair,and appear at a play-house and assemblies in foreign fineries which they never will pay for,the kingdom would not be the worse. 19 Some persons of a desponding spirit are in great concern about that vast number of poor people,who are aged,diseased,or maimed;and I have been desired to employ my thoughts what course may be taken,to ease the nation of so grievous an encumbrance.But I am not in the least pain upon that matter,because it is very well known,that they are every day dying,and rotting,by cold and famine,and filth,and 1 George Psalmanazar(c.1679-1763),a Frenchman who claimed to be from Formosa(now Taiwan);he wrote An Historical and Geographical Description of Formosa(1704).The hoax was exposed soon after publication. 2 Groat:a silver coin used in Britain
of young lads and maidens, not exceeding fourteen years of age, nor under twelve; so great a number of both sexes in every country being now ready to starve for want of work and service: And these to be disposed of by their parents if alive, or otherwise by their nearest relations. But with due deference to so excellent a friend, and so deserving a patriot, I cannot be altogether in his sentiments; for as to the males, my American acquaintance assured me from frequent experience, that their flesh was generally tough and lean, like that of our school-boys, by continual exercise, and their taste disagreeable, and to fatten them would not answer the charge. Then as to the females, it would, I think, with humble submission, be a loss to the public, because they soon would become breeders themselves: And besides, it is not improbable that some scrupulous people might be apt to censure such a practice, (although indeed very unjustly) as a little bordering upon cruelty, which, I confess, hath always been with me the strongest objection against any project, how well soever intended. 18 But in order to justify my friend, he confessed, that this expedient was put into his head by the famous Psalmanazar 1 , a native of the island Formosa, who came from thence to London, above twenty years ago, and in conversation told my friend, that in his country, when any young person happened to be put to death, the executioner sold the carcass to persons of quality, as a prime dainty; and that, in his time, the body of a plump girl of fifteen, who was crucified for an attempt to poison the Emperor, was sold to his imperial majesty's prime minister of state, and other great mandarins of the court in joints from the gibbet, at four hundred crowns. Neither indeed can I deny, that if the same use were made of several plump young girls in this town, who without one single groat2 to their fortunes, cannot stir abroad without a chair, and appear at a play-house and assemblies in foreign fineries which they never will pay for; the kingdom would not be the worse. 19 Some persons of a desponding spirit are in great concern about that vast number of poor people, who are aged, diseased, or maimed; and I have been desired to employ my thoughts what course may be taken, to ease the nation of so grievous an encumbrance. But I am not in the least pain upon that matter, because it is very well known, that they are every day dying, and rotting, by cold and famine, and filth, and 1 George Psalmanazar (c. 1679–1763), a Frenchman who claimed to be from Formosa (now Taiwan); he wrote An Historical and Geographical Description of Formosa (1704). The hoax was exposed soon after publication. 2 Groat: a silver coin used in Britain
vermin,as fast as can be reasonably expected.And as to the young labourers,they are now in almost as hopeful a condition.They cannot get work,and consequently pine away from want of nourishment,to a degree,that if at any time they are accidentally hired to common labour,they have not strength to perform it,and thus the country and themselves are happily delivered from the evils to come. 20 I have too long digressed,and therefore shall return to my subject.I think the advantages by the proposal which I have made are obvious and many,as well as of the highest importance. 21 For first,as I have already observed,it would greatly lessen the number of Papists',with whom we are yearly over-run,being the principal breeders of the nation, as well as our most dangerous enemies,and who stay at home on purpose with a design to deliver the kingdom to the Pretender,hoping to take their advantage by the absence of so many good Protestants,who have chosen rather to leave their country, than stay at home and pay tithes against their conscience to an episcopal curate. 22 Secondly,The poorer tenants will have something valuable of their own,which by law may be made liable to a distress,and help to pay their landlord's rent,their corn and cattle being already seized,and money a thing unknown. 23 Thirdly,whereas the maintenance of a hundred thousand children,from two years old,and upwards,cannot be computed at less than ten shillings a piece per annum,the nation's stock will be thereby increased fifty thousand pounds per annum, besides the profit of a new dish,introduced to the tables of all gentlemen of fortune in the kingdom,who have any refinement in taste.And the money will circulate among ourselves,the goods being entirely of our own growth and manufacture 24 Fourthly,The constant breeders,besides the gain of eight shillings sterling per annum by the sale of their children,will be rid of the charge of maintaining them after the first year. 25 Fifthly,This food would likewise bring great custom to taverns,where the 1Papist:an insulting word for a member of the Roman Catholic Church,used especially by Protestants
vermin, as fast as can be reasonably expected. And as to the young labourers, they are now in almost as hopeful a condition. They cannot get work, and consequently pine away from want of nourishment, to a degree, that if at any time they are accidentally hired to common labour, they have not strength to perform it, and thus the country and themselves are happily delivered from the evils to come. 20 I have too long digressed, and therefore shall return to my subject. I think the advantages by the proposal which I have made are obvious and many, as well as of the highest importance. 21 For first, as I have already observed, it would greatly lessen the number of Papists 1 , with whom we are yearly over-run, being the principal breeders of the nation, as well as our most dangerous enemies, and who stay at home on purpose with a design to deliver the kingdom to the Pretender, hoping to take their advantage by the absence of so many good Protestants, who have chosen rather to leave their country, than stay at home and pay tithes against their conscience to an episcopal curate. 22 Secondly, The poorer tenants will have something valuable of their own, which by law may be made liable to a distress, and help to pay their landlord's rent, their corn and cattle being already seized, and money a thing unknown. 23 Thirdly, whereas the maintenance of a hundred thousand children, from two years old, and upwards, cannot be computed at less than ten shillings a piece per annum, the nation's stock will be thereby increased fifty thousand pounds per annum, besides the profit of a new dish, introduced to the tables of all gentlemen of fortune in the kingdom, who have any refinement in taste. And the money will circulate among ourselves, the goods being entirely of our own growth and manufacture. 24 Fourthly, The constant breeders, besides the gain of eight shillings sterling per annum by the sale of their children, will be rid of the charge of maintaining them after the first year. 25 Fifthly, This food would likewise bring great custom to taverns, where the 1 Papist: an insulting word for a member of the Roman Catholic Church, used especially by Protestants
vintners will certainly be so prudent as to procure the best receipts for dressing it to perfection;and consequently have their houses frequented by all the fine gentlemen, who justly value themselves upon their knowledge in good eating;and a skillful cook, who understands how to oblige his guests,will contrive to make it as expensive as they please. 26 Sixthly,This would be a great inducement to marriage,which all wise nations have either encouraged by rewards,or enforced by laws and penalties.It would increase the care and tenderness of mothers towards their children,when they were sure of a settlement for life to the poor babes,provided in some sort by the public,to their annual profit instead of expense.We should soon see an honest emulation among the married women,which of them could bring the fattest child to the market.Men would become as fond of their wives,during the time of their pregnancy,as they are now of their mares in foal,their cows in calf,or sow when they are ready to farrow; nor offer to beat or kick them(as is too frequent a practice)for fear of a miscarriage. 27 Many other advantages might be enumerated.For instance,the addition of some thousand carcasses in our exportation of barreled beef:the propagation of swine's flesh,and improvement in the art of making good bacon,so much wanted among us by the great destruction of pigs,too frequent at our tables;which are no way comparable in taste or magnificence to a well grown,fat yearly child,which roasted whole will make a considerable figure at a Lord Mayor's feast,or any other public entertainment.But this,and many others,I omit,being studious of brevity. 28 Supposing that one thousand families in this city,would be constant customers for infants flesh,besides others who might have it at merry meetings,particularly at weddings and christenings,I compute that Dublin would take off annually about twenty thousand carcasses;and the rest of the kingdom(where probably they will be sold somewhat cheaper)the remaining eighty thousand. 29 I can think of no one objection,that will possibly be raised against this proposal, unless it should be urged,that the number of people will be thereby much lessened in the kingdom.This I freely own,and 'twas indeed one principal design in offering it to the world.I desire the reader will observe,that I calculate my remedy for this one
vintners will certainly be so prudent as to procure the best receipts for dressing it to perfection; and consequently have their houses frequented by all the fine gentlemen, who justly value themselves upon their knowledge in good eating; and a skillful cook, who understands how to oblige his guests, will contrive to make it as expensive as they please. 26 Sixthly, This would be a great inducement to marriage, which all wise nations have either encouraged by rewards, or enforced by laws and penalties. It would increase the care and tenderness of mothers towards their children, when they were sure of a settlement for life to the poor babes, provided in some sort by the public, to their annual profit instead of expense. We should soon see an honest emulation among the married women, which of them could bring the fattest child to the market. Men would become as fond of their wives, during the time of their pregnancy, as they are now of their mares in foal, their cows in calf, or sow when they are ready to farrow; nor offer to beat or kick them (as is too frequent a practice) for fear of a miscarriage. 27 Many other advantages might be enumerated. For instance, the addition of some thousand carcasses in our exportation of barreled beef: the propagation of swine's flesh, and improvement in the art of making good bacon, so much wanted among us by the great destruction of pigs, too frequent at our tables; which are no way comparable in taste or magnificence to a well grown, fat yearly child, which roasted whole will make a considerable figure at a Lord Mayor's feast, or any other public entertainment. But this, and many others, I omit, being studious of brevity. 28 Supposing that one thousand families in this city, would be constant customers for infants flesh, besides others who might have it at merry meetings, particularly at weddings and christenings, I compute that Dublin would take off annually about twenty thousand carcasses; and the rest of the kingdom (where probably they will be sold somewhat cheaper) the remaining eighty thousand. 29 I can think of no one objection, that will possibly be raised against this proposal, unless it should be urged, that the number of people will be thereby much lessened in the kingdom. This I freely own, and 'twas indeed one principal design in offering it to the world. I desire the reader will observe, that I calculate my remedy for this one
individual Kingdom of Ireland,and for no other that ever was,is,or,I think,ever can be upon Earth.Therefore let no man talk to me of other expedients:Of taxing our absentees at five shillings a pound:Of using neither cloths,nor household furniture, except what is of our own growth and manufacture:Of utterly rejecting the materials and instruments that promote foreign luxury:Of curing the expensiveness of pride, vanity,idleness,and gaming in our women:Of introducing a vein of parsimony, prudence and temperance:Of learning to love our country,wherein we differ even from Laplanders,and the inhabitants of Topinamboo:Of quitting our animosities and factions,nor acting any longer like the Jews,who were murdering one another at the very moment their city was taken:Of being a little cautious not to sell our country and consciences for nothing:Of teaching landlords to have at least one degree of mercy towards their tenants.Lastly,of putting a spirit of honesty,industry,and skill into our shop-keepers,who,if a resolution could now be taken to buy only our native goods, would immediately unite to cheat and exact upon us in the price,the measure,and the goodness,nor could ever yet be brought to make one fair proposal of just dealing, though often and earnestly invited to it. 30 Therefore I repeat,let no man talk to me of these and the like expedients,'till he hath at least some glimpse of hope,that there will ever be some hearty and sincere attempt to put them into practice. 31 But,as to myself,having been wearied out for many years with offering vain, idle,visionary thoughts,and at length utterly despairing of success,I fortunately fell upon this proposal,which,as it is wholly new,so it hath something solid and real,of no expence and little trouble,full in our own power,and whereby we can incur no danger in disobliging England.For this kind of commodity will not bear exportation, and flesh being of too tender a consistence,to admit a long continuance in salt, although perhaps I could name a country,which would be glad to eat up our whole nation without it. 32 After all,I am not so violently bent upon my own opinion,as to reject any offer, proposed by wise men,which shall be found equally innocent,cheap,easy,and effectual.But before something of that kind shall be advanced in contradiction to my scheme,and offering a better,I desire the author or authors will be pleased maturely
individual Kingdom of Ireland, and for no other that ever was, is, or, I think, ever can be upon Earth. Therefore let no man talk to me of other expedients: Of taxing our absentees at five shillings a pound: Of using neither cloths, nor household furniture, except what is of our own growth and manufacture: Of utterly rejecting the materials and instruments that promote foreign luxury: Of curing the expensiveness of pride, vanity, idleness, and gaming in our women: Of introducing a vein of parsimony, prudence and temperance: Of learning to love our country, wherein we differ even from Laplanders, and the inhabitants of Topinamboo: Of quitting our animosities and factions, nor acting any longer like the Jews, who were murdering one another at the very moment their city was taken: Of being a little cautious not to sell our country and consciences for nothing: Of teaching landlords to have at least one degree of mercy towards their tenants. Lastly, of putting a spirit of honesty, industry, and skill into our shop-keepers, who, if a resolution could now be taken to buy only our native goods, would immediately unite to cheat and exact upon us in the price, the measure, and the goodness, nor could ever yet be brought to make one fair proposal of just dealing, though often and earnestly invited to it. 30 Therefore I repeat, let no man talk to me of these and the like expedients, 'till he hath at least some glimpse of hope, that there will ever be some hearty and sincere attempt to put them into practice. 31 But, as to myself, having been wearied out for many years with offering vain, idle, visionary thoughts, and at length utterly despairing of success, I fortunately fell upon this proposal, which, as it is wholly new, so it hath something solid and real, of no expence and little trouble, full in our own power, and whereby we can incur no danger in disobliging England. For this kind of commodity will not bear exportation, and flesh being of too tender a consistence, to admit a long continuance in salt, although perhaps I could name a country, which would be glad to eat up our whole nation without it. 32 After all, I am not so violently bent upon my own opinion, as to reject any offer, proposed by wise men, which shall be found equally innocent, cheap, easy, and effectual. But before something of that kind shall be advanced in contradiction to my scheme, and offering a better, I desire the author or authors will be pleased maturely
