The Prose Works of Jonathan Swift, D.D., Vol. X. | Page 2

have become common knowledge
among Swift's friends in London, that he was preparing for publication
his "History of the Four Last Years of Queen Anne's Reign." Possibly
King may have dropped a hint of it; possibly Swift may have written to
others for information and assistance. Be that as it may, on April 7th,
1737, the Earl of Oxford (son of Swift's old friend) wrote to Swift as
follows:
"... One reason of my writing to you now is, (next to my asking your
forgiveness) this: I am told that you have given leave and liberty to
some one or more of your friends to print a history of the last four years
of Queen Anne's reign, wrote by you.
"As I am most truly sensible of your constant regard and sincere
friendship for my father, even to partiality, (if I may say so,) I am very
sensible of the share and part he must bear in such a history; and as I
remember, when I read over that history of yours, I can recollect that

there seemed to me a want of some papers to make it more complete,
which was not in our power to obtain; besides there were some severe
things said, which might have been very currently talked of; but now
will want a proper evidence to support; for these reasons it is that I do
entreat the favour of you, and make it my earnest request, that you will
give your positive directions, that this history be not printed and
published, until I have had an opportunity of seeing it; with a liberty of
showing it to some family friends, whom I would consult upon this
occasion. I beg pardon for this; I hope you will be so good as to grant
my request: I do it with great deference to you. If I had the pleasure of
seeing you, I would soon say something to you that would convince
you I am not wrong: they are not proper for a letter as you will easily
guess...."
It is evident that Swift had gone so far as to consult with Faulkner on
the matter of the printing of the "History," because he was present
when Oxford's letter arrived, and he tells us that Swift answered the
letter immediately, and made him read the answer, the purport of which
was: "That although he loved his lordship's father more than he ever
did any man; yet, as a human creature, he had his faults, and therefore,
as an impartial writer, he could not conceal them."
On the 4th of June, 1737, Swift wrote at length to Oxford a letter in
which he details the circumstances and the reasons which moved him
to write the History. The letter is important, and runs as follows:
"MY LORD,
"I had the honour of a letter from your lordship, dated April the 7th,
which I was not prepared to answer until this time. Your lordship must
needs have known, that the History you mention, of the Four last Years
of the Queen's Reign, was written at Windsor, just upon finishing the
peace; at which time, your father and my Lord Bolingbroke had a
misunderstanding with each other, that was attended with very bad
consequences. When I came to Ireland to take this deanery (after the
peace was made) I could not stay here above a fortnight, being recalled
by a hundred letters to hasten back, and to use my endeavours in
reconciling those ministers. I left them the history you mention, which I
finished at Windsor, to the time of the peace. When I returned to
England, I found their quarrels and coldness increased. I laboured to
reconcile them as much as I was able: I contrived to bring them to my

Lord Masham's, at St. James's. My Lord and Lady Masham left us
together. I expostulated with them both, but could not find any good
consequences. I was to go to Windsor next day with my lord-treasurer;
I pretended business that prevented me, expecting they would come to
some [agreement?]. But I followed them to Windsor; where my Lord
Bolingbroke told me, that my scheme had come to nothing. Things
went on at the same rate; they grew more estranged every day. My
lord-treasurer found his credit daily declining. In May before the Queen
died, I had my last meeting with them at my Lord Masham's. He left us
together; and therefore I spoke very freely to them both; and told them,
'I would retire, for I found all was gone'. Lord Bolingbroke whispered
me, 'I was in the right'. Your father said, 'All would do well'. I told him,
'That I would go to Oxford on Monday, since I found it was impossible
to be of any use'. I took coach