ABSTRACT
The winter of 1739-40 was one of the least comfortable seasons in Swift’s life. It began reasonably enough, with agreeable events. First, there were the birthday rituals which he had long been used to. Once more, bells and illuminations marked the occasion. Visitors complimented him at the deanery. Poetasters offered verses. Twenty-one guns fired a salute. At night, yet again, bonfires could be seen on all four pinnacles of the cathedral. 1 Then there were the normal affairs of the church. On Sunday, 23 December, for example, Archbishop Hoadly ordained seven priests and eighteen deacons in the cathedral, and Swift seems to have assisted. 2
