to find on his arrival in London how great a value was set on his friendship
by both political parties: "The Whigs were ravished to see me, and would lay
hold on me as a twig while they are drowning;" but Godolphin's coldness
enraged him, so that he was "almost vowing vengeance." Next day he talked
treason heartily against the Whigs, their baseness and ingratitude, and went
home full of schemes of revenge. "The Tories drily tell me I may make my
fortune, if I please; but I do not understand them, or rather, I DO understand
them." He realised that the Tories might not be more grateful than others,
but he thought they were pursuing the true interests of the public, and was
glad to contribute what was in his power. His vanity was gratified by Harley
inviting him to the private dinners with St. John and Harcourt which were
given on Saturdays, and by their calling him Jonathan; but he did not hope too
much from their friendship: "I said I believed they would leave me Jonathan,
as they found me. . . but I care not."

Of Swift's frugal habits there is abundant evidence in the Journal. When he
came to town he took rooms on a first floor, "a dining-room and bed-chamber,
at eight shillings a week; plaguy dear, but I spend nothing for eating, never
go to a tavern, and very seldom in a coach; yet after all it will be
expensive." In November he mentions that he had a fire: "I am spending my
second half-bushel of coals." In another place he says, "People have so left
the town, that I am at a loss for a dinner. . . . It cost me eighteenpence in
coach-hire before I could find a place to dine in." Elsewhere we find: "This
paper does not cost me a farthing: I have it from the Secretary's office."
He often complains of having to take a coach owing to the dirty condition of
the streets: "This rain ruins me in coach-hire; I walked away sixpennyworth,
and came within a shilling length, and then took a coach, and got a lift back
for nothing."[13]

Swift's arrogance--the arrogance, sometimes, of a man who is morbidly