The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, D.D. ...: With Notes, Historical and Critical, Volume 2

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J. Johnson, 1808
 

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Page 307 - The most accomplished way of using books at present is two-fold: either first, to serve them as some men do lords, learn their titles exactly, and then brag of their acquaintance. Or secondly, which is indeed the choicer, the profounder, and politer method, to get a thorough insight into the index, by which the whole book is governed and turned, like fishes by the tail.
Page 397 - I am glad, answered the bee, to hear you grant at least that I am come honestly by my wings and my voice ; for then, it seems, I am obliged to Heaven alone for my flights and my music ; and Providence would never have bestowed on me two such gifts, without designing them for the noblest ends. I visit indeed all the flowers and blossoms of the field and...
Page 325 - For, what Man in the natural State, or Course of Thinking, did ever conceive it in his Power, to reduce the Notions of all Mankind, exactly to the same Length, and Breadth, and Height of his own? Yet this is the first humble and civil Design of all Innovators in the Empire of Reason.
Page 74 - Heyday, gentlemen (says the Doctor), what's the meaning of this visit ? How came you to leave all the great Lords, that you are so fond of, to come hither to see a poor Dean ? ' — Because we would rather see you than any of them.
Page 317 - ... of what is most perfect, finished, and exalted, till having soared out of his own reach and sight, not well perceiving how near the frontiers of height and depth border upon each other, with the same course and wing he falls down plum into the lowest bottom of things, like one who travels the east into the west, or like a strait line drawn by its own length into a circle.
Page 396 - ... end ; he stormed and swore like a madman, and swelled till he was ready to burst. At length, casting his eye upon the bee, and wisely gathering causes from events, ( for they knew each other by sight) : "A plague split you...
Page 67 - ... no pride, vanity, or affectation; no fops, bullies, drunkards, strolling whores, or poxes; no ranting, lewd, expensive wives; no stupid, proud pedants; no importunate, overbearing, quarrelsome, noisy, roaring, empty, conceited, swearing companions; no scoundrels raised from the dust upon the merit of their vices, or nobility thrown into it on account of their virtues; no lords, fiddlers, judges, or dancing-masters.
Page 223 - ... it is with wits as with razors, which are never so apt to cut those they are employed on, as when they have lost their edge.
Page 137 - Three years afterwards (1704) was published the Tale of a Tub. Of this book charity may be persuaded to think that it might be written, by a man of a peculiar character, without ill intention ; but it is certainly of dangerous example.

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