gree than any of his contemporaries, with the powers of a creative genius. The more we dwell upon the character and writings of this great man, the more they improve upon us: in whatever light we view him, he still appears to be an original. His wit, his humour, his patriotism, his charity, and even his piety, were of a different cast from those of other men. He had, in his virtues, few equals, and in his talents no superior. In that of humour, and more especially in irony, he ever was, and probably ever will be unrivalled. He did the highest honour to his country by his parts, and was a great blessing to it by the vigilence and activity of his public spirit. His style, which generally consists of the most naked and simple terms, is strong, clear, and expressive; familiar, without vulgarity or meanness; and beautiful without affectation or ornament. He is sometimes licentious in his satire ; and transgresses the bounds of delicacy and purity. He, in the latter part of his life, availed himself of the privilege of his great wit to trifle; but when, in this instance, we deplore the misapplication of such wonderful abilities, we at the same time admire the whims, if not the dotages, of a Swift. He was perhaps, the only clergyman of his time, who had a thorough knowledge of men and manners. His Tale of a Tub,' his Gulliver's Travels,' and his Drapier's Letters,' are the most considerable of his prose works; and his

502 MEMOIRS OF JONATHAN SWIFT, D. D.

Legion Club,' his Cadenus and Vanessa,' and his Rhapsody on Poetry,' are at the head of his poetical performances. His writings, in general, are regarded as standing models of our language, as well as perpetual monuments of their author's fame."