The Prose Works of Jonathan Swift, D.D. — Volume 10 - Historical Writings

The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Prose Works of Jonathan Swift, Vol. X. by Jonathan SwiftThis eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it,give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online atwww.gutenberg.netTitle: The Prose Works of Jonathan Swift, Vol. X.Author: Jonathan SwiftRelease Date: July 28, 2004 [EBook #13040]Language: English*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JONATHAN SWIFT ***Produced by Terry Gilliland and PG Distributed ProofreadersBOHN'S STANDARD LIBRARYTHE PROSE WORKS OF JONATHAN SWIFTVOL. X[Illustration: _Jonathan Swift on the bust by Rouldiac in TrinityCollege Dublin]THE PROSE WORKSOFJONATHAN SWIFT, D.D.EDITED BYTEMPLE SCOTTVOL. XHISTORICAL WRITINGS1902INTRODUCTIONOf late years, that is to say, within the last thirty odd years, there has existed a certain amount of doubt as to whether orno the work known to us as "The History of the Four Last Years of the Queen," was really the product of Swift's pen. Thata work of this nature had occupied Swift during his retirement at Windsor in 1713, is undoubted. That the work herereprinted from the edition given to the world in 1758, "by an anonymous editor from a copy surreptitiously taken by ananonymous friend" (to use Mr. Churton Collins's summary), is the actual work upon which Swift was engaged at Windsor,is not so certain. Let us for a moment ...