Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 2.djvu/197

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^[1]; sometimes, Jack with a lantern^[2]; sometimes, Dutch Jack^[3]; sometimes, French Hugh^[4]; sometimes, Tom the Beggar^[5]; and sometimes, Knocking Jack of the north^[6]. And it was under one, or some, or all of these appellations, which I leave the learned reader to determine, that he has given rise to the most illustrious and epidemick sect of Æolists; who, with honourable commemoration, do still acknowledge the renowned JACK, for their author and founder. Of whose original, as well as principles, I am now advancing to gratify the world with a very particular account.

————Mellæo contingens cuncta lepore.

1. That is, Calvin, from calvus, bald.
2. All those who pretend to inward light.
3. Jack of Leyden, who gave rise to the Anabaptists.
4. The Hugonots.
5. The Gueuses, by which name some Protestants in Flanders were called.
6. John Knox, the reformer of Scotland.