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Anglo-Irish writer, essayist, satirist, and cleric (1667–1745) celebrated for his satirical novel Gulliver's Travels and the deadpan essay A Modest Proposal. ALS signed “Jonath: Swift,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 5.75 x 7.25, December 12, 1734. Handwritten letter to "The Reverend Doctor Clerk at His Chambers in Trinity College, Dublin," in part: "I have read over the Discourse you sent me concerning the present condition of your College. The Writer seems to be a modest Man of good Understanding. I think there is a good deal in what he cautiously wishes, that what he calls the Powers of Bachelors and Sophisters were restored. But, I believe the disposition of the Kingdom at present will not turn to give them any Corrective Civil Power over the Persons of the Scholars. Your University is now I think near 150 years old; But the Complaint of Ryote, is chiefly since the Reign of the present Governor; How he will acquit himself, I neither know, nor much regard. He is charged with some personal Irregularities, but even those are light in comparison to the Spirit of Party, under the Influence of which he is said to dispose of all Employments, particularly fellowships very often to the least deserving.
There is no Headship in either of the English Universities, attended with so many Advantages of Dignity, Profit and Power as that of your Governor. But it is universally agreed by all Parties, that your Discipline is most infamously relaxed in every Particular. I had the Honor to be for some years a Student at Oxford, where I took my Master's Degree, and I know what your Author says, to be true. For the Vice Chancellor hath more Power than the Mayor, and indeed the University governs the City, although the latter in my time was often disposed to be turbulent. I mentioned to three L'd Lieutenants my wish that your Governor were otherwise provided for; and they all pretended to wish the same, but never went further…I have more than once heard at a meeting…very open complaints against the Conduct of your ——, although they were of those Principles to which he hath entirely devoted himself.
I quarrell at your Author as I do with all your writers and many of your Preachers, for their careless incorrect and improper Style, which they contract by reading the Scribblers from England, where an abominable Tast[e] is every day prevayling. It is your business, who are coming into the World to put a stop to these Corruptions; and recover that simplicity which in every thing of value ought chiefly to be followed." In a postscript, Swift notes: "Your writer should have sometimes Styled your College a University." Addressed on the integral leaf in Swift's own hand. In fine condition, with light scattered soiling. Accompanied by a custom-made quarter-morocco slipcase.
Published in The Correspondence of Jonathan Swift, Vol. IV, ed. H. Williams, 1965, pp. 273-4.
Provenance: Collection of Arthur A. Houghton, Jr., Christie's, June 12, 1980; Estate of John F. Fleming, Christie's, November 18, 1988.
By 1734, Swift was in his mid-sixties and had long since established himself as Ireland's most formidable satirist and its most outspoken defender against English encroachment, writing from his position as Dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin. This letter finds him turning his attention to his own alma mater, Trinity College, weighing in on the perennial complaints against its governance and discipline with the same unsparing wit that had animated A Modest Proposal and Gulliver's Travels—and taking care, characteristically, to blame Ireland's cultural and literary shortcomings on the corrupting influence of England.
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