Swift, Selections From His Works, Vol. 1 of 2: Edited With Life, Introductions, and Notes (Classic Reprint) - Softcover

Excerpt from Swift, Selections From His Works, Vol. 1 of 2: Edited With Life, Introductions, and Notes

The eldest son, Godwin Swift, who had been trained as a lawyer in England, went to Ireland, where, in the settlement of landed estates after the disturbances of the Civil War, there was much work for a lawyer to do. He rose rapidly, partly by an abundant practice and partly by more than one profitable marriage. He became a wealthy man, and his success attracted others of his brothers to follow his steps to Ireland. Amongst these was his younger brother Jonathan, who, however, was without his brother's prudence and business capacity. He married, while yet very young, Abigail Erick, the dowerless daughter of an old Leicestershire family, and secured a moderate post, as Steward of the King's Inn, Dublin. First, a daughter was born to the young couple; and then, in the spring of 1667, the young lawyer left his wife (then in expectation of a second child) a widow. This second child was Jonathan Swift, Dean of St. Patrick's, born on 3oth Nov. 1667.

About the Publisher

Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com

This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from Swift, Selections From His Works, Vol. 1 of 2: Edited With Life, Introductions, and Notes

It is the aim of this Selection to give (as fully as the exigencies of space and the taste of the present day permit) specimens of the whole range of Swift's work, and to elucidate by notes what is obscure in intention or recondite in allusion. It has been thought proper to begin the Selection by specimens of his earlier poems, not only because they illustrate the growth of his genius, but because they let us see how severely, under the stress of circumstances or disparaging criticism, Swift afterwards repressed a real tendency towards more serious poetical aspirations. However faulty they are in construction, these early poems, it is thought, give proofs that Swift might well have achieved success in other than humorous or sarcastic verse.

The Selection does not strictly follow chronological order. The First Volume embraces the chief specimens of his work of a general kind, down to 1712, and includes those letters to Esther Johnson, which were never intended for publication, but which the reader would not readily spare, having regard either to their biographical interest or to the perfection of the skill with which they convey the impression of easy, natural, and affectionate intercourse and sympathy.

To the Second Volume is left the work of the remainder of his life, and also specimens of those prose writings of which the aim was special rather than general.

About the Publisher

Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com

This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.