Journeys Through Bookland, Volume 5 | Page 2

Grell TOM SITS ON MARTIN'S
KNEE Louis Grell

JONATHAN SWIFT
The father of Jonathan Swift was a Dublin lawyer who died just as he
was beginning what might have been a profitable career, and before his
only son was born. The widow was left with so little money that when
her son was born in November, 1667, she was not able to take care of
him. Her brother-in-law undertook to provide for mother and child.
He procured a nurse who became so attached to her little charge that
when she received a small sum of money from a relative in England
and was compelled to go to that country, she stole the baby and took
him with her across the channel. It was more than three years before
Jonathan was brought back to Dublin, but he had been tenderly cared
for, and though but five years of age had been taught to spell and to
read in the Bible.

A year later he was sent to a good school, where he made rapid
progress. However, he could not have been always studious, for visitors
to the school are still shown a desk in which his name is deeply cut.
He was fourteen years old when he entered the University of Dublin,
where his record was not a very satisfactory one. When it came time for
him to graduate, his standing was too poor for him to take his degree,
but after some delay it was given him "by special favor," a term then
used in Dublin to show that a candidate did not pass in his
examinations.
After this, Swift remained three years at the University under the
pretense of studying, but he was chiefly notorious for his connection
with a gang of wild and disobedient students who were often under
censure of the faculty for their irregularities. For one offense Swift was
severely censured and compelled upon his knees to beg pardon of the
dean. This punishment he did not forgive, and long afterward he wrote
bitter things about Dr. Allen, the dean.
Yet while indulging in these follies, Swift learned to write well and
became noted for a peculiar satirical style that afterward made him
much feared by the government.
When the uncle who had first supported Swift had died, a second uncle
and his son took up the burden. At one time this cousin sent Swift quite
a large sum of money, a fact which seemed to change the nature of the
wild young spendthrift, who thereafter remained economical; in fact, he
became niggardly in his saving.
Swift's second degree from the University was earned creditably, and
he was much pleased with the praise and respect with which he was
received. This was owing to two years of diligent study which he spent
at the home of Sir William Temple, a leading statesman of the time and
a distant relative by marriage of Swift's mother.
Discouraged by his fruitless attempt to enter public life, he began to
study for the ministry, and, ultimately, he received a church
appointment, of which he wearied after a short experience.

Until 1710, he led a varied life, sometimes dependent upon his relatives,
and at others making his way in various political positions. From the
date above he was embroiled in heated political controversies in which
his bitter writings made him feared even by his friends and fiercely
hated by his enemies. But he steadily rose in power and influence, and
when his party triumphed he was rewarded for his political services by
being appointed dean of Saint Patrick's Cathedral in Ireland.
His appointment was exceedingly unpopular, even in Ireland, for few
believed him at all suited for a position in the church, much less for one
so high and important. On the day he was installed, some bitter verses,
of which the following are three, were found posted on the door of the
cathedral:
To-day this temple gets a dean, Of parts and fame uncommon; Used
both to pray and to profane, To serve both God and Mammon.
* * * * *
This place he got by wit and rhyme, And many ways most odd; And
might a bishop be in time, Did he believe in God.
* * * * *
And now when'er his deanship dies, Upon his tomb be graven-- A man
of God here buried lies, Who never thought of heaven.
Unfortunately there was too much truth in the charges against Swift's
character, and his career, in spite of his genius, is a pitiful one. He was
admired for his wit and brilliancy, and courted by the noble and
powerful, but he was never able to gratify his ambitions, though he did
secure many devoted friends. From his disappointments he became
moody, bitter and discontented. This state