Ireland in the Days of Dean Swift (Irish Tracts, 1720 to 1734)

Name: Ireland in the Days of Dean Swift (Irish Tracts, 1720 to 1734)
Author: Swift, Jonathan

Swift, Jonathan

Ireland -- History -- 18th century; Swift, Jonathan, 1667-1745

I am sure I never sought this alliance, and you can bear me witness that I
might have had other matches; nay if I were lightly disposed, I could
still perhaps have offers, that some, who hold their heads higher, would
be glad to accept. But alas! I never had any such wicked thought; all I
now desire is, only to enjoy a little quiet, to be free from the
persecutions of this unreasonable man, and that he will let me manage my
own little fortune to the best advantage; for which I will undertake to
pay him a considerable pension every year, much more considerable than
what he now gets by his oppressions; for he must needs find himself a
loser at last, when he has drained me and my tenants so dry, that we shall
not have a penny for him or ourselves. There is one imposition of his I
had almost forgot, which I think unsufferable, and will appeal to you, or
any reasonable person, whether it be so or not. I told you before, that by
an old compact we agreed to have the same steward; at which time I
consented likewise to regulate my family and estate by the same method
with him, which he then showed me written down in form, and I approved
of. Now, the turn he thinks fit to give this compact of ours is very
extraordinary; for he pretends, that whatever orders he shall think fit to
prescribe for the future in his family, he may, if he will, compel mine to
observe them without asking my advice, or hearing my reasons.

So that I must not make a lease without his consent, or give any
directions for the well-governing of my family, but what he countermands
whenever he pleases. This leaves me at such confusion and uncertainty,
that my servants know not when to obey me; and my tenants, although many
of them be very well-inclined, seem quite at a loss.

But I am too tedious upon this melancholy subject, which however I hope
you will forgive, since the happiness of my whole life depends upon it. I
desire you will think awhile, and give your best advice what measures I
shall take with prudence, justice, courage, and honour, to protect my
liberty and fortune against the hardships and severities I lie under from
that unkind, inconstant man.




THE ANSWER TO THE INJURED LADY.


MADAM,

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

Opening the text

Ireland in the Days of Dean Swift (Irish Tracts, 1720 to 1734)Swift, Jonathan

History

Ireland in the Days of Dean Swift (Irish Tracts, 1720 to 1734)

Swift, Jonathan

Ireland -- History -- 18th century; Swift, Jonathan, 1667-1745

I am sure I never sought this alliance, and you can bear me witness that I
might have had other matches; nay if I were lightly disposed, I could
still perhaps have offers, that some, who hold their heads higher, would
be glad to accept. But alas! I never had any such wicked thought; all I
now desire is, only to enjoy a little quiet, to be free from the
persecutions of this unreasonable man, and that he will let me manage my
own little fortune to the best advantage; for which I will undertake to
pay him a considerable pension every year, much more considerable than
what he now gets by his oppressions; for he must needs find himself a
loser at last, when he has drained me and my tenants so dry, that we shall
not have a penny for him or ourselves. There is one imposition of his I
had almost forgot, which I think unsufferable, and will appeal to you, or
any reasonable person, whether it be so or not. I told you before, that by
an old compact we agreed to have the same steward; at which time I
consented likewise to regulate my family and estate by the same method
with him, which he then showed me written down in form, and I approved
of. Now, the turn he thinks fit to give this compact of ours is very
extraordinary; for he pretends, that whatever orders he shall think fit to
prescribe for the future in his family, he may, if he will, compel mine to
observe them without asking my advice, or hearing my reasons.

So that I must not make a lease without his consent, or give any
directions for the well-governing of my family, but what he countermands
whenever he pleases. This leaves me at such confusion and uncertainty,
that my servants know not when to obey me; and my tenants, although many
of them be very well-inclined, seem quite at a loss.

But I am too tedious upon this melancholy subject, which however I hope
you will forgive, since the happiness of my whole life depends upon it. I
desire you will think awhile, and give your best advice what measures I
shall take with prudence, justice, courage, and honour, to protect my
liberty and fortune against the hardships and severities I lie under from
that unkind, inconstant man.




THE ANSWER TO THE INJURED LADY.


MADAM,

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

Ireland in the Days of Dean Swift (Irish Tracts, 1720 to 1734)

Ireland in the Days of Dean Swift (Irish Tracts, 1720 to 1734)

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