[The Prose Works of Jonathan Swift, Vol. X. by Jonathan Swift]@TWC D-Link bookThe Prose Works of Jonathan Swift, Vol. X. BOOK II 128/492
Neither is it probable that the Dutch, or any other ally, except the Emperor, will encounter any difficulties of moment, to retard their several treaties with his Catholic Majesty. The treaties of peace and commerce between Britain and France, were ratified here on the seventh of April; on the twenty-eighth the ratifications were exchanged; and on the fifth of May the peace was proclaimed in the usual manner; but with louder acclamations, and more extraordinary rejoicings of the people, than had ever been remembered on the like occasion.[34] [Footnote: 34 The treaty was brought to England by George St.John, Bolingbroke's young brother, who arrived with it in London on Good Friday, 3rd April, 1713.
[T.S.]] [It need hardly be observed, that this history is left incomplete by the author.
[S.] Sir Walter Scott's note hardly agrees with Swift's own statement to Stella.
Writing under date May 16th, 1713, he says: "I have just finished my Treatise, and must be ten days correcting it." It is evident that Swift did not intend to write a "History of the Four Last Years of Queen Anne's Reign." A better title for this work would be the title originally given it, namely, "History of the Peace of Utrecht." In the letter already quoted from Erasmus Lewis, Swift's account of the negotiations for the peace are thus remarked upon: "That part of it which relates to the negotiations of peace, whether at London or at Utrecht, they admire exceedingly, and declare they never yet saw that, or any other transaction, drawn up with so much perspicuity, or in a style so entertaining and instructive to the reader in every respect." [T.S.]] ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** AN ABSTRACT OF THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND, FROM THE INVASION OF IT BY JULIUS CAESAR TO THE REIGN OF HENRY THE SECOND. NOTE. The Abstract of the History of England here reprinted calls for little or no comment.
It is but a dry relation of events with no touch in the recital of any of those qualities which characterize Swift's writings. The facts were evidently obtained from the old chroniclers.
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