ABSTRACT
Once again I shall violate chronology and move back in time to the early years of the decade 1720-30, when Swift gave up the habit of retirement. Having dealt with public affairs and visible friendships, I turn to his most secret attachment, Esther Vanhomrigh. If Ford ever went to see Vanessa after 1720, we have no evidence of the fact. 1 I doubt that Swift encouraged him to do so. Swift’s tone to her begins to sound at times like his tone to Chetwode. The difference is that she could, if she pleased, cause him scandalous embarrassment. He delighted in the frissons of her company, spent hours with her at a time, and kept her in touch with the travels of Gulliver (which he carefully hid from strangers). He wrote poems for her and sent her extravagant compliments.
