SWIFT'S POLITICAL CONDUCT. 151 under this management it continued to the close of the reign, when it had reached to six volumes. The last number was published July 26, 1714. From the known talents of the early writers in the work, the ministers had just reason to calculate upon its effect, and that no sophistry would be spared to make the worse cause appear the better; but the writers disgraced their talents by the scurrility of their pen, and by the rancour with which they attacked both their political and literary opponents. (c) The efforts of the paper just named, were opposed in (c) Swift, who was the principal mover in the Examiner, wrote with a malignity against Steele, that can only be accounted for by his political connexions. He had always professed himself a Whig, but his contempt for the Dissenters, of whom he appears to have known nothing, made him a high-churchman. Of his political virtue, it is impossible to entertain a very high opinion. He avowed his purpose of making his fortune by means of one party or the other, and made the first trial with the Whigs. Lord Godolphin, to whom he offered his services, had a great contempt for hireling writers, and rejected him in a manner that kindled his resentment. "My lord-treasurer," says he, "received me with a great deal of coldness, which has enraged me so, I am almost vowing revenge." This temper seems to have increased upon him; for, after "talking treason heartily for an hour and a half with Lord Radnor," he says, "I am come home, rolling resentinents in my mind, framing schemes of revenge; full of which (having written down some hints) I go to bed." Speaking of the Whigs, he says, "But who the devil cares what they think? Rot 'em, for ungrateful dogs; I'll make them repent their usage before I leave this place." Meeting with disappointment from the Whigs, he faced about to the new ministers, with whom he found a more profitable market; and therefore, sold himself to the dirty work of abusing their political opponents. As some of the ministers had a taste for literature, and a contempt for religion, a man of Swift's character found an easy access to their society; and he was indulged in his vagaries, which sometimes mounted to the highest pitch of pride and insolence. Swift always paid a greater deference to talent than to station, and exacted it in behalf of others, as well as himself. He rejected with indignation a bank note of fifty pounds, sent him by Harley, looking forward to a more permanent reward for his services; but when the ministers recommended him for a bishopric, the Archbishop of York represented him to the Queen as an unfit person for such an office, and he was passed over. This interference he ever afterwards resented against that prelate, and was obliged to sit down with the deanery of St. Patrick's. 152 DE FOE'S REMARKS UPON THESE WORKS. powerful language, aided by wit and argument, in "The Whig Examiner," a paper by Addision; of which only five numbers were published, between the 14th of September, and the 12th of October. Swift exults in its death, as a triumph over a formidable enemy; but it was only laid down to make way for "The Medley." This paper was projected by Arthur Maynwaring, a gentleman of great accomplishments, and a considerable critic, and well versed in the politics of the day. The first number appeared the 5th of October, 1710, and it closed with the 45th, which was published the 6th of August, 1711, the "Examiner" having promised to lay down his pen. Oldmixon had a considerable share in the "Medley ;" and Steele, Kennet and Anthony Henley, each contributed a paper. After an interval of several months, it was revived March 3, 1712, but finally expired upon the 4th of August in the same year, when it had reached, also, to forty-five numbers. The first "Medleys" were written with much good sense, as well as strength of argument; but this, like the "Examiner," was disfigured by its scurrility. They were both collected into small volumes, soon after publication, that in this more stable form, they might give a more permanent influence to the purposes of party. Upon these rival papers, De Foe has the following remarks: "I remember, we had two party authors who vexed the town awhile, though lately they have scolded themselves out of breath, and have left off: I mean the "Examiner," and the "Medley." Between these, nothing was more frequent, except giving one another the lie, (to their mutual reputation) than to reproach each other with dullness. The authors were men of wit enough on either side, and there are many other faux-pas to be found in them, rather than dullness."* * Review, viii. 255. CHAPTER VI. Address from the London Clergy.-Hoadly's Publication upon it.—And De Foe's Animadversions.-Collection of Addresses published.—De Foe Announces a Work in opposition. He publishes "A New Test of the Sense of the Nation."- His Satire upon the Addresses.—And upon the mode of jesting with Oaths.-History of Addresses.-De Foe's political feelings at this time. His Speculations upon the policy of the Ministers.—Accused of making court to the Ministers.—His facetious Reply.—Attempts to embroil him with the Government.-The political course he prescribed to himself. He is attacked in a pamphlet, called "Now or Never."-His Reply.- Embarrassment of Harley.-His overtures to the Whigs rejected. He is thrown upon the Tories.--Dissolution of Parliament.— Sets the Country in an Uproar.-De Foe publishes "A Word against a New Election."- He makes a Tour of the Country.—And describes the Outrages committed at the Elections.-Humorous remark of the "Tatler."Plots to bring in the Pretender.-Delusion of the People.-Letter from a Gentleman at St. Germain's.-De Foe's Remarks upon it.-Reasons against receiving the Pretender.-De Foe accused of wavering in his Politics.-Defends himself." Secret History of Arlus and Odolphus.— Answers to it.-De Foe resides at Stoke-Newington.-Assembling of Parliament.-Altered tone of the Queen.-Act for building fifty new Churches.— Character of the Convocation.—And of the Clergy at this period. 1710. - In the former chapter, some notice has been taken of the addresses manufactured by the high-party, preparatory to a change in the ministry. After that change had taken place, the bishop and clergy of London came forward with their address, which was not prepared until the 21st of August, and was as remarkable for its contents, as the promoters of it were for the tardiness of their loyalty. 154 ADDRESS OF THE LONDON CLERGY. Although the incongruity of the matter was sufficient to deter any wise man from affixing his name to it, yet this trifle was easily overlooked by men who were less remarkable for their consistency, than for their artifice. But there were some who refused to be caught in the snare, being of opinion, that an address at this juncture was not necessary, and that the one in question had been managed by indirect and unfair methods. These persons were represented as enemies to the queen and the ministry, and their names were transmitted through the kingdom, in the newspapers of the day.(D) As the address made great noise at the time, so it occasioned many pamphlets pro and con. The non-subscribing clergy were not backward in vindicating themselves from the slanders of their enemies, and Hoadly, one of them, exposed the inconsistency of his diocesan, in "A Letter concerning Allegiance Written by the Lord Bishop of London to a Clergyman in Essex, presently after the Revolution. Never before published. To which are added, some Queries, occasioned by the late Address of his Lordship, and the Clergy of London and Westminster. Lond. 1710." 8vo. The address is supposed to have been penned by Dr. Smalridge, the friend of Atterbury, and like him, the patron of Sacheverell. De Foe, to whose writings some passages in it seem to be directed, bestowed some remarks upon it in his Reviews, in which he mixes gravity of argument with keenness of satire. He exposes the inconsistency of that part of the address in which the clergy speak "of (D) Dyer, in his News-Letter for August 24, has the following account: "The Address of the Bishop and Clergy of London, was inserted in this day's Gazette, by order of the Queen, as a distinguished favour to them. The Clergymen who refused to sign it, were Dr. Barton, and Mr. Baker; and those who did not answer to the Bishop's summons, were Dr. Kennet, Dr. Bradford, Dr. Hancock, and Mr. Hoadly. And, therefore, as they have no share in the Queen's thanks, so I hope they will have as little in her favours." COLLECTION OF ADDRESSES PUBLISHED. 155 their vigorously and successfully withstanding arbitrary power, and in the same breath talk of her majesty's irresistible authority;" and he congratulates them upon their concession of those political doctrines which he had always advocated. "Before they addressed the queen," says he, "in their sermons and printed books, they talked as other of the clergy; they preached up passive-obedience and non-resistance as warmly as any Sacheverell of them all. But when they begin to talk to the queen, this jargon of the press and pulpit vanishes at once; they then speak plain English, and own that all the pretences to these things have been cheats and frauds; and that truly they have vigorously resisted arbitrary power, and taken arms against their sovereign in defence of religion and liberty; and let none of our princes deceive themselves, if ever they meditate the return of Popery and arbitrary power, they, the bishop and clergy of London, will manifest an equal zeal against them.”* Our author justly observes, that the doctrines taught by the clergy were a force upon their understandings to bring about some private end; but at the bottom, they were all of a mind: "And, let any prince hereafter trust them at his peril. King James is a beacon upon that rock where he split and shipwrecked all his fortunes: then it was their fault; if any man believe them again, it will be his own." Upon the whole, he observes, if we would speak intelligibly, we must dismiss the jargon of tyrants, and use the language of the constitution, as the only one that is reconcileable to common sense. The addresses presented in the former part of the year being calculated for the service of the party now in power, they were collected together and published at this time, being preceded by the following advertisement in |