No, there was only one way out of the difficulty, and that was to have these poor people breed children, which they could profitably dispose of for food. Let them fatten their offspring as best they could and sell them dead or alive for cooking. The irony of the proposition may sound appalling to us in this century, but Swift was not exaggerating the distress of his day. Even Primate Boulter, who was certainly the last man to overstate an Irish case, sent such reports as gave the English Government anxiety. To Swift it was no time for polite speeches and calm proposals. He had already given them in abundance. Now was the time for something merry and with laughter: "I may storm and rage in vain; It but stupifies your brain. But with raillery to nettle, Set your thoughts upon their mettle." It was in this spirit that the "Modest Proposal" was written. Swift concludes with a final touch by telling us that he has nothing to gain personally by his suggestion, since his "youngest child is nine and his wife past child-bearing." * * * * * The text of the present edition is that of the original issue collated with that given by Faulkner. [T. S.] A MODEST PROPOSAL For preventing the CHILDREN OF POOR PEOPLE From ~being a Burthen~ to Their Parents or Country, AND For making them Beneficial to the PUBLICK. * * * * * By Dr. Swift. * * * * * _Dublin_, Printed by _S. Harding_: _London_, Reprinted; and sold by _J. Roberts_ in _Warwick-lane_, and the Pamphlet-Shops. M.DCC.XXIX. A MODEST PROPOSAL FOR PREVENTING THE CHILDREN OF POOR PEOPLE FROM BEING A BURTHEN TO THEIR PARENTS OR COUNTRY, AND FOR MAKING THEM BENEFICIAL TO THE PUBLIC. It is a melancholy object to those, who walk through this great town, or travel in the country, when they see the streets, the roads, and cabin-doors, crowded with beggars of the female sex, followed by three, four, or six children, _all in rags_, and importuning every passenger for an alms. These mothers instead of being able to work for their honest livelihood, are forced to employ all their time in strolling, to beg sustenance for their helpless infants, who, as they grow up, either turn thieves for want of work, or leave their dear Native Country to fight for the Pretender in Spain,[129] or sell themselves to the Barbadoes.