into Scott's possession. But the interest of this memorandum
escaped Scott's notice."

"PROPOSAL FOR VIRTUE."

"Every little fellow who has a vote now corrupted.

"An arithmetical computation, how much spent in election of
Commons, and pensions and foreign courts: how then can our debts be
paid?

"No fear that gentlemen will not stand and serve without Pensions,
and that they will let the Kingdom be invaded for want of fleets
and armies, or bring in Pretender, etc.

"How K(ing) will ensure his own interest as well as the Publick: he
is now forced to keep himself bare, etc., at least, late King was.

"Perpetual expedients, stop-gaps, etc., at long run must terminate
in something fatal, as it does in private estates.

"There may be probably 10,000 landed men in England fit for
Parliament. This would reduce Parliament to consist of real landed
men, which is full as necessary for Senates as for Juries. What do
the other 9,000 do for want of pensions?

" ... In private life, virtue may be difficult, by passions,
infirmities, temptations, want of pence, strong opposition, etc.
But not in public administration: there it makes all things easy.

"Form the Scheme. Suppose a King of England would resolve to give
no pension for party, etc., and call a Parliament, perfectly free,
as he could.

"What can a K. reasonably ask that a Parliament will refuse? When
they are resty, it is by corrupt ministers, who have designs
dangerous to the State, and must therefore support themselves by
bribing, etc.

"Open, fair dealing the best.

"A contemptuous character of Court art. How different from true
politics. For, comparing the talents of two professions that are
very different, I cannot but think, that in the present sense of
the word Politician, a common sharper or pickpocket, has every
quality that can be required in the other, and accordingly I have
personally known more than half a dozen in their hour esteemed
equally to excell in both."

* * * * *

The present text is based on that given in the eighth volume of the
quarto issue of Swift's Works published in 1765.

[T. S.]

A LETTER TO THE WRITER OF
THE OCCASIONAL PAPER.[200]

[VIDE THE CRAFTSMAN, 1727.]

SIR,

Although, in one