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Swift, Jonathan, 1667-1745

"A Tale of a Tub"

To
be short, here began a mortal breach between these two. Jack went
immediately to new lodgings, and in a few days it was for certain
reported that he had run out of his wits. In a short time after he
appeared abroad, and confirmed the report by falling into the oddest
whimsies that ever a sick brain conceived.
And now the little boys in the streets began to salute him with
several names. Sometimes they would call him Jack the Bald,
sometimes Jack with a Lanthorn, sometimes Dutch Jack, sometimes
French Hugh, sometimes Tom the Beggar, and sometimes Knocking Jack
of the North {112}. And it was under one or some or all of these
appellations (which I leave the learned reader to determine) that he
hath given rise to the most illustrious and epidemic sect of
AEolists, who, with honourable commemoration, do still acknowledge
the renowned Jack for their author and founder. Of whose originals
as well as principles I am now advancing to gratify the world with a
very particular account.
"Mellaeo contingens cuncta lepore."

SECTION VII.


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