A LETTER

TO

A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, IN IRELAND,

UPON THE CHOOSING A NEW SPEAKER THERE.

WRITTEN IN THE YEAR 1708.




NOTE.


In the note prefixed to the reprint of Swift's "Letter concerning
the Sacramental Test," the circumstances under which this "Letter
to a Member of Parliament in Ireland" was written, are explained
(see vol. iv., pp. 3-4, of present edition). The Godolphin ministry
was anxious to repeal the Test Act in Ireland, as a concession to
the Presbyterians who had made themselves prominent by their
expressions of loyalty to William and the Protestant succession. In
this particular year also (1708), rumours of an invasion gave them
another opportunity to send in loyal addresses. In reality,
however, the endeavour to try the repeal in Ireland, was in the
nature of a test, and Swift ridiculed the attempt as being like to