n 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.

I think it is agreed by all parties, that this prodigious number of
children, in the arms, or on the backs, or at the heels of their
mothers, and frequently of their fathers, is in the present deplorable
state of the kingdom, a very great additional grievance; and therefore
whoever could find out a