Parodies, Hoaxes, Mock Treatises
Parodies, Hoaxes, Mock Treatises
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Swift's parodies are among his most fascinating works, but perhaps require most explication for the modern reader. Valerie Rumbold brings a new depth and detail to the editing of Swift's Bickerstaff papers, 'Polite Conversation', 'Directions to Servants' and other works on language and conduct. Highlights include a fresh investigation of the political and print contexts of the Bickerstaff papers, full commentaries on such smaller works as 'A Modest Defence of Punning' and 'On Barbarous Denominations in Ireland', identification and explanation of many additional sayings in 'Polite Conversation', and a detailed contextualisation of 'Directions to Servants' in contemporary domestic theory and practice. A substantial thematic Introduction is supplemented by an individual headnote and full annotation to each work. The Textual Introduction explores the publishing strategies adopted by Swift and his booksellers, and a separate Textual Account of each work presents and discusses changes in the texts over time.
- An authoritative edition of Swift's Bickerstaff papers, 'Polite Conversation', 'Directions to Servants' and other works on language and conduct
- Many works included have rarely or never been annotated in detail before
- Detailed textual apparatus shows how the works have varied over their various printings, relating changes to wider issues in Swift's print career
Reviews & endorsements
'A mighty contribution to Swift studies.' Times Literary Supplement
'Valerie Rumbold as editor has done an assiduous and thorough job, well up to the high standards set by this series so far … this volume is, in its editorial construction and execution, a wonderful resource for scholars which will remain the standard edition for the foreseeable future.' Robert J. Mayhew, Journal for Eighteenth-Century Studies
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No date availableAdobe eBook Reader
9781107595804
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11 b/w illus.
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Table of Contents
- General editors' preface
- Chronology
- Introduction
- A Meditation upon a Broom-stick
- A Tritical Essay upon the Faculties of the Mind
- Predictions for the Year 1708
- The Accomplishment of the First of Mr Bickerstaff's Predictions
- A Vindication of Isaac Bickerstaff Esq.
- A Famous Prediction of Merlin, the British Wizard
- Tatler no. 230
- Harrison's Tatler no. 5
- Harrison's Tatler no. 20
- A Proposal for Correcting, Improving and Ascertaining the English Tongue
- A Modest Defence of Punning
- Hints towards an Essay on Conversation
- On Good-Manners and Good-Breeding
- Hints on Good Manners
- The Last Speech and Dying Words of Ebenezor Ellison
- Of the Education of Ladies
- A History of Poetry
- A Discourse to Prove the Antiquity of the English Tongue
- On Barbarous Denominations in Ireland
- Polite Conversation
- Directions to Servants
- General Textual Introduction and Textual Accounts of Individual Works
- Associated Materials: I. April Fool's Joke
- II. Specimens of Irish English
- III. Laws for the Dean's Servants
- IV. Duty of Servants at Inns
- V. Notes for Polite Conversation
- VI. Fragment of a Preface for Directions to Servants
- Appendices: A. A Dialogue in the Castilian Language
- B. The Dying Speech of Tom Ashe
- C. To my lord High Admirall. The Humble petition of the Doctor
- D. 'Squire Bickerstaff Detected
- E. An Answer to Bickerstaff
- F. The Publisher to the Reader
- G. The Attribution to Swift of Further Tatlers and Spectators
- H. The Attribution to Swift of A Letter of Advice to a Young Poet
- I. The Last Farewell of Ebenezor Elliston
- J. A Consultation of Four Physicians, upon a Lord that was Dying
- K. A Certificate to a Discarded Servant
- Bibliography
- Index.
