NOTE.
In the note prefixed to the reprint of Swift's “Letter
concerning
the Sacramental Test,” the circumstances under which this
“Letter
to a Member of Parliament in Ireland” was written, are
explained
(see vol. iv., pp. 3-4, of present edition). The Godolphin
ministry
was anxious to repeal the Test Act in Ireland, as a concession
to
the Presbyterians who had made themselves prominent by their
expressions of loyalty to William and the Protestant
succession. In
this particular year also (1708), rumours of an invasion gave
them
another opportunity to send in loyal addresses. In reality,
however, the endeavour to try the repeal in Ireland, was in
the
nature of a test, and Swift ridiculed the attempt as being
like to
“that of a discreet physician, who first gives a new medicine
to a
dog, before he prescribes it to a human creature.” It seems
that
Swift had been consulted by Somers on the question of the
repeal,
and had given his opinion very frankly. The letter to
Archbishop
King, revealing this, contains some bitter remarks about “a
certain
lawyer of Ireland.” The lawyer was Speaker Brodrick,
afterwards
Lord Midleton, who was enthusiastic for the repeal. The
present
letter gives a very clear idea of what Swift thought should be
a
Speaker's duties both as the chairman of the House and as
related
to this particular measure of the Test.
* * * * *
The text of the present reprint is based on the original
manuscript
in Swift's handwriting; but as this was found to be somewhat
illegible, it has been collated with the text given in vol.
viii.
of the quarto edition of Swift's collected works, published in
1765.
[T. S.]