AN

ENQUIRY

INTO THE BEHAVIOUR OF

THE QUEEN'S LAST MINISTRY,

WITH RELATION TO THEIR QUARRELS AMONG THEMSELVES AND THE DESIGN CHARGED UPON THEM OF ALTERING

THE SUCCESSION OF THE CROWN.

JUNE, MDCCXV.

NOTE.

SWIFT, when he wrote this "Enquiry," had been in Dublin about ten months. In his retirement at Letcombe he had attempted, as we have seen, to make a final effort on behalf of his friends Oxford and Bolingbroke. We must, however, believe that, even if this attempt had not been frustrated by Bolingbroke, it could not have stemmed the current of the stream of events. The "Enquiry" may be considered as a further effort in the same direction. If there be any other reason to be found in its writing it is to be sought in Swift's promise to Harley that he would see him righted before posterity. It is to be taken as a part of the general history of the reign of Anne which Swift had long wished to write. There could be no other reasons. The pamphlet might not be printed. Oxford was in the Tower and Bolingbroke and Ormond on the downward paths which led to their precipitate flight. A new king had arisen in Egypt who knew not Joseph.

As a contribution, therefore, to the political history of the time, this "Enquiry" is an extremely valuable document. Swift is in" private life," "excluded from any view of favour under the present administration." He has no purpose to serve other than that of telling a plain and unvarnished tale, and he tells it, as he puts it, "with the utmost impartiality." Even towards his friends, Oxford, Bolingbroke, and Ormond, though he gently and even lovingly touches upon their personal characters, he is just and often severe. The tone of the whole account is such as to give it a convincing sound to our ears. Its general thesis bears out the strength of the argument which insists that Swift_left Somers and the rest of the Whigs, to take side with Harley for those who stood for Church and State.

The present text is that given in the eighth volume of the quarto edition (published in 1765) of Swift's works, edited by Deane Swift. That text has been collated with that given in the fifteenth volume of the octavo edition of the same date, and that given by Scott. From Deane Swift's preface to his volume, it would appear that the "Enquiry" made then its first appearance in print. At any rate, I can find no earlier publication.

[T. S.]

AN ENQUIRY INTO THE BEHAVIOUR

SIN

OF THE QUEEN'S LAST

MINISTRY.

INCE the death of the Queen, it was reasonable enough for me to conclude that I had done with all public affairs and speculations: Besides, the scene and station I am in have reduced my thoughts into a narrow compass: And being wholly excluded from any view of favour under the present administration, upon that invincible reason of having been in some degree of trust and confidence with the former; I have not found the transition very difficult into a private life, for which I am better qualified both by nature and education.

The reading and enquiring after news not being one of my diversions, having always disliked a mixed and general conversation, which, however it fell to my lot, is now in my power to avoid; and being placed by the duties of my function at a great distance from the seat of business; I am altogether ignorant of many common events which happen in the world: Only, from the little I know and hear, it is manifest that the hearts of most men are filled with doubts, fears, and jealousies, or else with hatred and rage, to a degree that there seems to be an end of all amicable commerce between

people of different parties; and what the consequences of this may be, let those consider who have contributed to the causes; which, I thank God, is no concern of mine.

There are two points, with reference to the conduct of the late ministry, much insisted on, and little understood by those who write or talk upon that subject; wherein I am sufficiently qualified to give satisfaction; and would gladly do it, because I see very much weight laid upon each, and

most men's opinions of persons and things regulated accordingly.

About two months before the Queen's death, having lost all hopes of any reconcilement between the treasurer and the rest of the ministry; I retired into the country,' to await the issue of that conflict, which ended, as every one had reason to foresee, in the Earl of Oxford's disgrace; to whom the Lord Bolingbroke immediately succeeded as first minister: And I was told, that an earldom and the Garter were intended for him in a fortnight, and the treasurer's staff against the next session of parliament; of which I can say nothing certain, being then in Berkshire, and receiving this account from some of his friends; but all these schemes became soon abortive, by the death of the Queen, which happened in three days after the Earl of Oxford's removal.

Upon this great event, I took the first opportunity of withdrawing to my place of residence; and rejoiced as much as any man for His Majesty's quiet accession to the throne, to which I then thought, and it has since appeared indisputable, that the peace procured by the late ministry had, among other good effects, been highly instrumental. And, I thank God, I have been ever since a loyal humble spectator, during all the changes that have happened, although it were no secret to any man of common sagacity, that His present Majesty's choice of his servants, whenever he should happen to succeed, would be determined to those who most opposed the proceedings during the four last years of his predecessor's reign: And, I think, there hath not since happened one particular of any moment, which the ministers did not often mention at their tables, as what they certainly expected, from the dispositions of the court at Hanover in conjunction with the party at home, which, upon all occasions, publicly disapproved their proceedings, excepting only the attainder of the Duke of Ormonde; which, indeed, neither they nor I, nor, I believe, any one person in the three kingdoms, did ever pretend to foresee; and, now it is done, it looks like a

2

1 See note to the "Free Thoughts upon the Present State of Affairs." [T. S.]

2 Swift seems to have known absolutely nothing of the intrigues that were being carried on between his friends and the Court at St. Ger

dream to those, who will consider the nobleness of his birth, the great merits of his ancestors, and his own; his long unspotted loyalty, his affability, generosity, and sweetness of nature. I knew him long and well, and, excepting the frailties of his youth, which had been for some years over, and that easiness of temper, which did sometimes lead him to follow the judgment of those who had, by many degrees, less understanding than himself; I have not conversed with a more faultless person; of great justice and charity; a true sense of religion, without ostentation; of undoubted valour, thoroughly skilled in his trade of a soldier; a quick and ready apprehension, with a good share of understanding, and a general knowledge in men and history, although under some disadvantage by an invincible modesty, which however could not but render him yet more amiable to those who had the honour and happiness of being thoroughly acquainted with him. This is a short imperfect character of that great person the Duke of Ormonde, who is now attainted for high treason; and, therefore, I shall not presume to offer one syllable in his vindication, upon that head, against the decision of a parliament. Yet this, I think, may be allowed me to believe, or at least to hope, that when, by the direct and repeated commands of the Queen, his mistress, he committed those faults for which he hath now forfeited his country, his titles, and his fortune, he no more conceived himself to be acting high treason, than he did when he was wounded and a prisoner at Landen, for his sovereign King William, or when he took and burned the enemy's fleet at Vigo.

Upon this occasion, although I am sensible it is an old precept of wisdom to admire at nothing in human life, yet I consider, at the same time, how easily some men arrive to the practice of this maxim, by the help of plain stupidity or ill-nature, without any strain of philosophy; and although the uncertainty of human things be one of the most obvious reflections in morality; yet, such unexpected, sudden, and signal instances of it, as have lately happened among us, are

mains. Ormond was the last man he expected to take the course he did. Had Ormond stayed in England and carried out the purpose for which it was intended he should remain, the Pretender might have made a pretty strong bid for the Crown. See Bolingbroke's Letter to Sir W. Wyndham. [T. S.]