[Literary Translation] A little suggestion

Original: (English) Jonathan Swift

Translation and annotation: Jing Yuan

A Modest Proposal

a small suggestion

For preventing the children of poor people in Ireland,

from being a burden on their parents or country,

and for making them beneficial to the public.

To prevent the children of the Irish poor,

a burden to their parents and their country,

And also make them useful to the general public.

It is a melancholy object to those, who walk through this great town, or travel in the country, when they see the streets, the roads, and cabin-doors crowded with beggars of the female sex, followed by three, four, or six children, all in rags, and importing every passenger for an alms. These mothers, instead of being able to work for their honest livelihood, are forced to employ all their time in stroling to beg sustainability for their helpless infants who, as they grow up , either turn thieves for want of work, or leave their dear native country, to fight for the Pretender in Spain, or sell themselves to the Barbadoes.

For those who pass through this great city[1], or travel in the country, when they see the streets, roads, and wooden houses crowded with women beggars, followed by three, four, or six It is a sad thing that little children, all dressed in rags, keep begging for alms from every passerby. These mothers, unable to earn a living by working, are forced to spend their time traveling and begging for food for their dependent babies. And when the baby grows up, either becomes a thief because he can't get a job, or leaves his beloved country to fight for the Spanish pretenders[2], or sell himself to Barbados[3].

I think it is agreed by all parties, that this prodigious number of children in the arms, or on the backs, or at the heels of their mothers, and frequently of their fathers, is in the present deplorable state of the kingdom, a very great additional grievance; and therefore whoever could find out a fair, cheap and easy method of making these children sound and useful members of the commonwealth, would deserve so well of the public, as to have his statue set up for a preserver of the nation .

I think everyone on all sides would agree that it is a shame that so many young children, carried in the arms, on the backs, or at the heels of their parents, by their mothers—and often their fathers—are in the midst of the dire state of affairs in the Kingdom. additional sin. So whoever can find a fair cheap and easy way to make these children healthy and useful to the Commonwealth will deserve a statue erected by the public in his honor as the guardian of this country.

But my intention is very far from being confined to provide only for the children of professored beggars: it is of a much greater extent, and shall take in the whole number of infants at a certain age, who are born of parents in effect as little able to support them, as those who demand our charity in the streets.

But my thinking goes far beyond simply supporting the children of professional beggars: that is a much wider range, and should cover all babies of a certain age—they were born into families whose parents were physically unable to support them, and whose parents Like those in the street who need a handout from us.

As to my own part, having turned my thoughts for many years upon this important subject, and maturely weighed the several schemes of our projectors, I have always found them grossly mistaken in their computation. It is true, a child just drop from its dame , may be supported by her milk, for a solar year, with little other nourishment: at most not above the value of two shillings, which the mother may certainly get, or the value in scraps, by her lawful occupation of begging; and it is exactly at one year old that I propose to provide for them in such a manner, as, instead of being a charge upon their parents, or the parish, or wanting food and raiment for the rest of their lives, they shall, on the Contrary, contribute to the feeding, and partly to the clothing of many thousands.

Personally, I have had this important question in my mind for many years, and have thoughtfully weighed some of our planners' proposals, but I have always found huge errors in their calculations. It is true that a child, fresh from the mother's womb, may live a year on its mother's milk, without any other nourishment: that is not more than two shillings' worth at most, and the mother may be sure to get it, or not more than The value of the mother's leftovers obtained through legal begging. When they were exactly one year old, I begged that they should be provided with such a means that they would not be a burden to their parents and the parish, and would be in need of food and clothing for the rest of their lives. On the contrary, they should contribute to the problem of feeding and, in some cases, the clothing of thousands of people.

There is likewise another great advantage in my scheme, that it will prevent those voluntary abortions, and that horrid practice of women murdering their bastard children, alas! too frequent among us, sacrificing the poor innocent babes, I doubt, more to avoid the exp ence than the shame, which would move tears and pity in the most savage and inhuman breast.

There is another huge benefit in my plan, which is to stop abortions of their own accord, the abominable practice of women murdering their illegitimate children. well! This happens all too often among us, and it is poor innocent children who are sacrificed. I think what they want to avoid is spending more than shame. That act is capable of producing tears and pity in the most savage and inhuman heart.

The number of souls in this kingdom being usually reckoned one million and a half, of these I calculate there may be about two hundred thousand couples, whose wives are breeders; from which number I subtract thirty thousand couples, who are able to maintain their own children, (although I appreciate there cannot be so many under the present distresses of the kingdom) but this being granted, there will remain a hundred and seventy thousand breeders. I again subtract fifty thousand, for those women who miscarry, or whose children die by accident or disease within the year. There only remain a hundred and twenty thousand children of poor parents annually born. The question therefore is, How this number shall be reared and provided for? which, as I have already said, under the present situation Of affairs, is Utterly Impossible by All the Methods Hitherto Proposed. For we can neither emplay it in handicraft or Agriculture; using, (I Mean in the Country) Nor Cultivate Land: They Can Very Seldom Pick Up a Livelihood by Stealing till they arrive at six years old; except where they are of towardly parts, although I confess they learned the rudiments much earlier; during which time they can however be properly looked upon only as probationers; the county of Cavan, who protested to me, that he never knew above one or two instances under the age of six, even in a part of the kingdom so renowned for the quickest proficiency in that art.

The population of this kingdom is usually counted as 1.5 million, and I calculated that there may be about 200,000 couples and wives who can have children. Among them, I remove 30,000 couples who can support their own children (although I don’t think there can be so many in the current predicament of the kingdom), so let’s count, and there are 170,000 couples who can have children. I subtracted 50,000 women who had miscarriages or children who died within a year of death or disease. Now there are only 120,000 children born each year to poor families. So the question is, how should these numbers of children be raised and supported? As I said before, in the current situation, all the methods proposed so far are completely infeasible. For we cannot make children engage in handicrafts and agriculture; they neither build houses, (I mean in the country) nor clear wasteland[4]: before the age of six, it is almost impossible for them to steal for a living, unless they have already acquired the ability to steal . Although I admit that they had learned the basics long ago, at that time, they could properly be regarded as nothing more than a test of skill. For a great gentleman in Cavanshire once told me that he had never heard of a case or two of a child under the age of six, even in that part of the kingdom which is reputed to be most proficient in that art.

I am assured by our merchants, that a boy or a girl, before twelve years old, is no saleable commodity, and even when they come to this age, they will not yield above three pounds, or three pounds and half a crown at most , on the exchange; which cannot turn to account either to the parents or kingdom, the charge of nutrients and rags having been at least four times that value.

Our human traffickers told me that a boy or girl cannot be sold before the age of twelve. Even if the child reaches this age, he will not earn more than three pounds in the transaction, or at most not more than three pounds. half a crown. It was useless to the parents and the kingdom, and the food and rags cost at least four times that amount.

I shall now therefore humbly propose my own thoughts, which I hope will not be liable to the least objection.

It is therefore time for me to offer my humble opinion, without the slightest objection, I hope.

I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricasee, or a ragoust.

A well-informed American acquaintance in London told me that a healthy one-year-old is the most delicious and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked or boiled. and I'm sure they'd be just as good in a stew or a ragout.

I do therefore humbly offer it to public consideration, that of the hundred and twenty thousand children, already computed, twenty thousand may be reserved for breed, whereof only one fourth part to be males; which is more than we allow to sheep, black cattle , or swine, and my reason is, that these children are seldom the fruits of marriage, a circumstance not much regarded by our savages, therefore, one male will be sufficient to serve four females. That the remaining hundred thousand may, at a year old, be offered in sale to the persons of quality and fortune, through the kingdom, always advising the mother to let them suck plentifully in the last month, so as to render them plump, and fat for a good table. A child will make two dishes at an entertainment for friends, and when the family dines alone, the fore or hind quarter will make a reasonable dish, and seasoned with a little pepper or salt, will be very good boiled on the fourth day, especially in winter.

So I'm going to respectfully put this idea to the public for consideration, out of the 120,000 children I figured out before, 20,000 might be kept for breeding, and only a quarter of them are males, more than those reserved for sheep, beef cattle, and pigs many. My reason is that these children are seldom the fruit of marriage, after all we savages don't give much thought to such cases. Therefore, one male with four females is sufficient. The remaining 100,000 may be sold to wealthy people in the entire kingdom when they are one year old, and they must continue to persuade mothers to let their children drink enough milk in the last month, so that they will grow fat Some, plump enough to serve a hearty table. When entertaining friends, one child can make two dishes. When eating with the family alone, the forelimb or the hindquarter can make a suitable dish, with a little pepper and salt, and it will be delicious on the fourth day after cooking, especially in winter.

I have reckoned upon a medium, that a child just born will weigh 12 pounds, and in a solar year, if tolerated nursed, increaseth to 28 pounds.

On average, I calculate that a child weighing 12 pounds at birth will grow to 28 pounds within a year, with reasonable care.

I grant this food will be somewhat dear, and therefore very proper for landlords, who, as they have already devoured most of the parents, seem to have the best title to the children.

I admit that this food is a little expensive, so it will be very suitable for landlords. The landowners, who had devoured most of the parents, seemed to have the right to eat the children too.

Infant's flesh will be in season throughout the year, but more plentiful in March, and a little before and after; for we are told by a grave author, an eminent French physician, that fish being a prolifick dye, there are more children born in Roman Catholic countries about nine months after Lent, than at any other season; therefore, reckoning a year after Lent, the markets will be more glutted than usual, because the number of Popish infants, is at least three to one in this kingdom, and Therefore it will have one other collateral advantage, by lessening the number of Papists among us.

Baby meat is available all year round, but is a little more plentiful in and around March. Because a serious author [6], also a well-known French surgeon, tells us that fish is a food for fertility, in Roman Catholic countries there will be more fish after nine months of Lent than at other times. child was born. So if you count the year after Lent, the market will be oversupplied compared to normal, because the number of Catholic babies is at least three to one in this kingdom compared to the rest, so this has the added bonus of , that is, to reduce the number of Popists[7] among us.

I have already computed the charge of nursing a beggar's child (in which list I reckon all cottages, laborers, and four-fifths of the farmers) to be about two shillings per annum, rags included; ten shillings for the carcass of a good fat child, which, as I have said, will make four dishes of excellent nutritive meat, when he hath only some particular friend, or his own family to dine with him. Thus the squire will learn to Be a good landlord, and grow popular among his tenants, the mother will have eight shillings neat profit, and be fit for work till she produces another child.

I calculated the cost of caring for a beggar's child (I counted all the villagers, laborers, and four-fifths of the peasants), including rags, to be about two shillings a year. And I don't think any gentleman would complain about paying ten shillings for a fat butchered baby. As I said, one baby can make four very nutritious meat dishes for a meal with friends or family. In this way, the squire also learns to be a great landowner, becoming more and more popular among his tenants. The mother would also get a net profit of eight shillings, and would be able to work until the birth of a child.

Those who are more thrifty (as I must confess the times require) may flay the carcass; the skin of which, artificially dressed, will make admirable gloves for ladies, and summer boots for fine gentlemen.

For those who are more frugal (in need, I must confess), it is possible to skin the baby. The leather is finely processed to make fine gloves for ladies and sandals for elegant gentlemen.

As to our City of Dublin, shambles may be appointed for this purpose, in the most convenient parts of it, and butchers we may be assured will not be wanting; although I rather recommend buying the children alive, and dressing them hot from the knife , as we do roasting pigs.

In the case of our city, Dublin, the abattoir may perhaps be placed in the most convenient part of the city for this purpose. As for the butchers, we can be sure that there will be no shortage of them. But I recommend buying live children, slaughtering them and cooking them with seasoning, just like when we roast pigs.

A very worthy person, a true lover of his country, and whose virtues I highly esteemed, was lately pleased in discoursing on this matter, to offer a refinement upon my scheme. He said, that many gentlemen of this kingdom, having of late destroyed their deer, he conceived that the want of venison might be well supplied by the bodies of young lads and maidens, not exceeding fourteen years of age, nor under twelve; so great a number of both sexes in every county being now ready to starve for want of work and service: and these to be disposed of by their parents if alive, or otherwise by their nearest relations. But with due deference to so excellent a friend, and so deserving a patron, I cannot be altogether in his sentiments; as to the males, my American acquaintance assured me from frequent experience, that their flesh was generally tough and lean, like that of our schoolboys, by continual exercise, and their taste disagreeable, and to fatten them would not answer the charge. to the females, it would, I think, with humble submission, be a loss to the publick, because they soon would become breeders themselves: and besides, it is not improbable that some scrubulous people might be apt to censure such a practice, ( although indeed very unjustly) as a little bordering upon cruelty, which, I confess, hath always been with me the strongest objection against any project, how well soever intended.

A man whom I greatly respect, who is both very rich and a true patriot, has been very fond of talking of this lately, and has suggested some improvements to my scheme. He said that many gentlemen in this kingdom had lately killed their deer. He imagined that the shortage of venison could be replaced by the meat of boys and girls under the age of fourteen and over twelve. So many boys and girls in the counties have no work or work to do, and are going to starve. If they survive, they are arranged by their parents or by their closest relatives. Yet, with all due respect to such a wonderful friend and a worthy patriot, I could not quite agree with his proposals for improvement. Because as far as boys are concerned, my American acquaintance told me that, from many experiences, their meat is almost rough and woody, like the meat of our school children here, because of constant exercise, so it doesn't taste very good, And fattening them doesn't count. As far as the young girls are concerned, it is supposed to be a loss to the general public, since they will soon reproduce themselves. Moreover, it is possible that some decent people would condemn such behavior, which (unjustly as it is) would deem it bordering on cruelty. I also admit that cruelty in any plan is my strongest objection, no matter how well-intentioned it may be.

But in order to justify my friend, he confessed, that this expedient was put into his head by the famous Psalmanaazor, a native of the island Formosa, who came from thence to London, above twenty years ago, and in conversation told my friend, that in his country, when any young person happened to be put to death, the executioner sold the carcass to persons of quality, as a prime dainty; and that, in his time, the body of a plump girl of fifteen, who was crucified for an attempt to poison the Emperor, was sold to his imperial majesty's prime minister of state, and other great mandarins of the court in joints from the gibbet, at four hundred crowns. Neither indeed can I deny, that if the same use were made of several plump young girls in this town, who without one single groat to their fortunes, cannot stir abroad without a chair, and appear at a playhouse and assemblies in foreign fineries which they never will pay for, the kingdom would not be the worse.

Still, I have to defend my friend. He admits that this expedient was told to him by the famous Samanazar,[7] a native of Formosa who came to London more than twenty years ago. He told my friend in conversation that in his country, when any young man happened to be put to death, the executioner sold the body as a delicacy to people of high rank. At his time, a fifteen-year-old girl was crucified for attempting to poison the emperor. Her plump body was cut piece by piece from the gallows and sold to the emperor's chancellor and court officials for four hundred crowns. other senior officials. I certainly cannot deny that there are plump young girls in our town who, though they have no money, never travel without a sedan chair, and who appear in theaters and crowds in foreign finery for which they never pay their bills. Had they taken the same measures, the kingdom would have been no worse.

Some persons of a desponding spirit are in great concern about that vast number of poor people, who are aged, diseased, or maimed; and I have been desired to employ my thoughts what course may be taken, to ease the nation of so grievous an incumbrance. But I am not in the least pain upon that matter, because it is very well known, that they are every day dying, and rotting, by cold and famine, and filth, and vermin, as fast as can be reasonably expected. And as to the young laborers, they are now in almost as hopeful a condition. They cannot get work, and consequently pine away from want of nourishment, to a degree, that if at any time they are accidentally hired to common labor, they have not strength to perform it, and thus the country and themselves are happily delivered from the evils to come.

Some pessimists are deeply concerned about the vast numbers of poor people who are old, sick, and disabled. I have also racked my brains to figure out how to get rid of the huge drag of these countries. But I don't feel any pain about that now, because they are known to die every day from cold, hunger, filth, parasites, and rot as quickly as can reasonably be expected. For young workers, they are now in what appears to be a hopeful situation. They couldn't find work and ended up so emaciated from malnutrition that they happened to be employed but also unable to work. In this way, the country and those people themselves will be very happy out of the coming misfortune.

I have too long digressed, and therefore shall return to my subject. I think the advantages by the proposal which I have made are obvious and many, as well as of the highest importance.

I've strayed too far, now it's time to get down to business. I think the benefits of my suggestion are obvious, they are numerous, and they are also very important.

For first, as I have already observed, it would greatly lessen the number of Papists, with whom we are yearly overrun, being the principal breeders of the nation, as well as our most dangerous enemies, and who stay at home on purpose with a design to deliver the kingdom to the Pretender, hoping to take their advantage by the absence of so many good Protestants, who have chosen rather to leave their country, than stay at home and pay tithes against their conscience to an episcopal curate.

First, as I said before, it will greatly reduce the number of Popists. The number of Popes is skyrocketing every year, because they are the main birthers of the country. They are also our most dangerous enemies, for the Protestants prefer to go abroad than to stay at home and unconscionably pay their tithes[9] to the bishop's curate, while the Popes are willing to stay at home and make use of many good In the absence of his Protestants, he planned to give the kingdom to the pretender.

Secondly, The poorer tenants will have something valuable of their own, which by law may be made liable to a distress, and help to pay their landlord's rent, their corn and cattle being already seized, and money a thing unknown.

Second, poorer tenants would have something of their own value that they could legally pay in times of hardship, helping them pay their rent to their landlords. Because their millet and cattle have already been taken away, and money is something they don't know.

Thirdly, Whereas the maintenance of a hundred thousand children, from two years old, and upwards, cannot be computed at less than ten shillings a piece per annum, the nation's stock will be thereby increased fifty thousand pounds per annum, besides the profit of a new dish, introduced to the tables of all gentlemen of fortune in the kingdom, who have any refinement in taste. And the money will circulate among our selves, the goods being entirely of our own growth and manufacture.

Thirdly, because the cost of raising a child of two years and over shall not be less than ten shillings a year per person. Therefore, in addition to the benefit of bringing a new dish to the tables of rich gentlemen with tricky tastes in the kingdom, my proposal will also increase the treasury's income by 50,000 pounds a year. Moreover, the money will be circulated among ourselves, and the products are completely cultivated and manufactured by ourselves.

Fourthly, the constant breeders, besides the gain of eight shillings sterling per annum by the sale of their children, will be rid of the charge of maintaining them after the first year.

Fourthly, Those who continue to bear children, not only sell their children for eight shillings a year, but their maintenance after the first year is exempted.

Fifthly, This food would likewise bring great custom to taverns, where the vintners will certainly be so prudent as to procure the best receipts for dressing it to perfection; and consequently have their houses frequented by all the fine gentlemen, who just value themselves upon their knowledge in good eating; and a skilful cook, who understands how to oblige his guests, will contrive to make it as expensive as they please.

Fifth, this kind of food can also greatly increase the business of small hotels, and the boss will definitely be careful to find the best recipes to make the dishes perfect. So that all elegant gentlemen with a taste for good food can keep patronizing their shop. Moreover, a chef who is skilled in cooking and knows how to take care of customers will definitely cook extravagant dishes to please the guests.

SiXthly, this will be a great reason to marriage, which all will be natives have enceher enCouraged by rewards, or enforced by lat and PenalTies. It will ente CREASE CARE and TENDERNESS of Mothers Towards Their Children, when they we paf a settlement for life to the poor babes, provided in some sort by the publick, to their annual profit instead of expence. We should soon see an honest emulation among the married women, which of them could bring the fattest child to the market. Men would become as fond of their wives, during the time of their pregnancy, as they are now of their mares in foal, their cows in calf, or sows when they are ready to farrow; nor offer to beat or kick them (as is too frequent a practice) for fear of a miscarriage.

Sixth, it will also greatly match people's marriages. All sensible nations either encourage marriage by rewards, or compel it by laws and penalties. The mother is sure that the support of the poor baby will be provided by the public in some way, and the annual income will be left to her without spending, and she will be more tender and considerate to the child. Before long we shall see a healthy competition among married women to see who can supply the market with the fattest children. Men also love their wives very much while they are pregnant, just as they do now with a mare with a foal, a cow with a calf, and a sow with a calf, neither beating nor kicking (this commonplace behavior) for fear of miscarriage.

Many other advantages might be enumerated. For instance, the addition of some thousand carcasses in our exportation of barrel'd beef: the propagation of swine's flesh, and improvement in the art of making good bacon, so much wanted among us by the great destruction of pigs, too frequent at our tables; which are no way comparable in taste or magnificence to a well grown, fat yearling child, which roasted whole will make a considerable figure at a Lord Mayor's feast, or any other public entertainment. But this, and many others, I omit, being studious of brevity.

Other benefits can also be mentioned. For example, the export volume of barreled beef will be several thousand more cattle. Pork production will also increase, and bacon techniques will improve. The mass die-off of pigs has kept those things off our table. But those things are far inferior to a healthy and plump one-year-old child in terms of taste and appearance. After the whole child is roasted, even if it is put on the mayor's or any public banquet, it is very decent. In addition to this, there are many other benefits, but I have omitted them for the sake of brevity.

Supposing that one thousand families in this city, would be constant customers for infants flesh, besides others who might have it at merry meetings, particularly at weddings and christenings, I compute that Dublin would take off annually about twenty thousand carcass es; and the rest of the kingdom (where probably they will be sold somewhat cheaper) the remaining eighty thousand.

Apart from those who might eat baby meat at parties, especially weddings and baptisms, assuming there are a thousand other households in the city who are regular customers of baby meat, I figure Dublin will sell 20,000 a year baby. The remaining 80,000 will be sold throughout the rest of the kingdom (maybe the baby will sell for less).

I can think of no one objection, that will possibly be raised against this proposal, unless it should be urged, that the number of people will be thereby much lessened in the kingdom. This I freely own, and was indeed one principal design in offering it to the world. I desire the reader will observe, that I calculate my remedy for this one individual Kingdom of Ireland, and for no other that ever was, is, or, I think, ever can be upon Earth. Therefore let no man talk to me of other expedients: Of taxing our absentees at five shillings a pound: Of using neither clothes, nor housing furniture, except what is of our own growth and manufacture: Of utterly rejecting the materials and instruments that promote foreign lux ury: Of curing the expensiveness of pride, vanity, idleness, and gaming in our women: Of introducing a vein of parsimony, prudence and temperance: Of learning to love our country, wherein we differ even from Laplanders, and the inhabitants of Topinamboo: Of quitting our animosities and facts, nor acting any longer like the Jews, who were murdering one another at the very moment their city was taken: Of being a little cautious not to sell our country and consciences for nothing: Of teaching landlords to have at least one degree of Mercy towards their tenants. Lastly, of putting a spirit of honesty, industry, and skill into our shopkeepers, who, if a resolution could now be taken to buy only our native goods, would immediately unite to cheat and exact upon us in the price , the measure, and the goodness, nor could ever yet be brought to make one fair proposal of just dealing, though often and earnestly invited to it.

I cannot think of any reason which might be employed against my proposal, except that the kingdom would be greatly reduced in number by it. Let me admit it directly, this is an important project for the world. I hope the reader will notice that I have planned this policy only for the independent kingdom of Ireland, and not for any other country that may have been, is, or will ever arise. So don't talk to me of other expedients[10]: five shillings a pound for out-of-towners; no clothing or furniture other than domestic; a firm boycott of fabrics and musical instruments that encourage foreign luxury; take care of us women The arrogance, vanity, laziness, and high cost of gambling; the promotion of the methods of forming the habits of stinginess, frugality, and abstinence; A place where the residents are inferior; eliminate our resentment and disputes, and stop imitating the Jews, who killed each other at the critical moment of the city's fall[13]; be cautious, and do not sell our country and conscience in vain; teach the landlords to learn how to treat Tenants be merciful. Finally, let our small shop owners have a little honesty, hard work, and discernment. Because if they decide to only buy domestic products now, they will immediately join forces to deceive and blackmail us in terms of price, quantity and quality. Despite people's often sincere pleas, they never offer sound advice about trading.

Therefore I repeat, let no man talk to me of these and the like expenses, till he hath at least some glympse of hope, that there will ever be some hearty and sincere attempt to put them into practice.

So I repeat, don't talk to me about these stopgap measures until you see a glimmer of hope in the fact that someone is sincerely trying to put them into practice.

But, as to myself, having been worn out for many years with offering vain, idle, visionary thoughts, and at length utterly distressing of success, I fortunately fell upon this proposal, which, as it is wholly new, so it hath something solid and real, of no expence and little trouble, full in our own power, and whyby we can incur no danger in disobliging England. For this kind of commodity will not bear exportation, and flesh being of too tender a consistency, to admit a long continuance in salt, although perhaps I could name a country, which would be glad to eat up our whole nation without it.

But, for myself, I've been tired of contributing over the years to high-flying and futile ideas, and I've ended up completely hopeless of success, and yet I'm lucky enough to come up with this suggestion, which has its security since it's brand new Down-to-earth, cost-free and trouble-free, fully in our own hands, and will not cause any dissatisfaction among the English authorities. Because this commodity cannot be exported, the meat is too tender to withstand prolonged salting, but perhaps I can name a country that is happy to eat all our citizens without salt[14].

After all, I am not so violently bent upon my own opinion, as to reject any offer, proposed by wise men, which shall be found equally innocent, cheap, easy, and effective. But before something of that kind shall be advanced in contradiction to my scheme, and offering a better, I desire the author or authors will be pleased maturely to consider two points. First, As things now stand, how they will be able to find food and raiment for a hundred thousand useless mouths and backs. And secondly, There being a round million of creatures in humane figure throughout this kingdom, whose whole subsistence put into a common stock, would leave them in debt two million of pounds sterling, adding those who are beggars by profession, to the bulk of farmers , cottages and laborers, with their wives and children, who are beggars in effect; I desire those politicians who dislike my overture, and may perhaps be so bold to attempt an answer, that they will first ask the parents of these mortals, whether they would not at this day think it a great happiness to have been sold for food at a year old, in the manner I prescribe, and thereby have avoided such a perpetual scene of misfortunes, as they have since gone through, by the oppression of landlords , the impossibility of paying rent without money or trade, the want of common sustenance, with neither house nor clothes to cover them from the inclemencies of the weather, and the most inevitable prospect of intailing the like, or greater miseries, upon their breed for ever.

At the end of the day, I don't mean to stick to my opinion against the equally innocuous, cheap, simple, and effective advice of other learned people. However, before that kind of suggestion should be put forward against my plan and give a better one, I hope that the proposer can fully consider two points. The first point is, under the current circumstances, how can we find food and clothes for 100,000 useless mouths and 100,000 useless bodies. The second point, counting those professional beggars, as well as most of the farmers, villagers, laborers, and their wives and children who are actually beggars, there are a million people who look like people in the whole kingdom. All together, there is still a debt of two million pounds. I hope that those politicians who don't like my proposal, and may have the courage to try to solve the problem, first ask the parents of these children, will they now think that when they are one year old, I will sell it as food in my way? A very good thing, because then they would be spared all the eternal misfortunes they later experienced, namely, the oppression of landowners, the rent they could not pay because they had no money or business, the lack of normal food, the lack of houses and clothing against bad weather, And the most inescapable fate is that future generations will never end to suffer the same or even more tragic suffering.

I profess in the sincerity of my heart, that I have not the least personal interest in endeavoring to promote this necessary work, having no other motive than the public good of my country, by advancing our trade, providing for infants, relieving the poor, and giving some pleasure to the rich. I have no children, by which I can propose to get a single penny; the youngest being nine years old, and my wife past child-bearing.

I confess with all my heart that I have done my best to promote this necessary cause without any personal interest in me, for there is nothing more inspiring than to make our people happy: to promote our trade, to raise babies, to give relief to the poor, to give to the rich Bring some joy. I have no children for a penny, the youngest is nine years old, and my wife is past childbearing age.

Notes:

[1] Refers to Dublin.

[2] Refers to James II of the Stuart dynasty (James II, 1633-1701), who was expelled from England in 1689. Because he and his descendants were Catholics, they took refuge in Spain, a Catholic country.

[3] Located in the Caribbean, at a time when many impoverished Irish were forced to seek a living in the Americas.

[4] Cavan County (Cavan), one of the poorest areas in Ireland at that time.

[5] The British implemented strict control over Irish agriculture.

[6] Rabelais - original note. Francois Rabelais, French satirist, author of Gargantua et Pantagruel - Annotation.

[7] The Pope is a derogatory term for Protestants to Catholics.

[8] George Psalmanazar, a well-known French literary liar who claimed to be from Formosa (Formosa, present-day Taiwan Island), his book "Historical and Geographical Description of Formosa" (An Historical and Geographical Description of Formosa) describes their religious customs: 18,000 boys are sacrificed to the gods every year, and parishioners eat their hearts raw.

[9] The tithe is a religious tax collected by European Christian churches from residents.

[10] These "quick fixes" are actually serious suggestions, and Swift makes several of them in his other writings.

[11] Inhabitants of the Lapland region of Europe near the Arctic.

[12] Refers to the indigenous tribes of Brazil.

[13] Titus (Titus Flavius ​​Sabinus Vespasianus, 39-81) of ancient Rome captured the Second Temple in Jerusalem in 70 AD.

[14] Euphemistically referring to Great Britain.

Original source: The Project Gutenberg:

www.gutenberg.org/files/1080/1080-h/1080-h.htm

The translation notes mainly refer to the notes of scholar Jack Lynch:

www.jacklynch.net/Texts/modest.html#15