On 8 August 1710, Queen Anne dismissed her Lord Treasurer, Sidney, Earl Godolphin (1645–1712). He had led a moderate Whig ministry since 1702, but a number of personal and political factors had brought him down, most significantly the aftermath of an ill-judged decision to prosecute the highflying clergyman Henry Sacheverell. This development had united the Tories and they now had the chance to form a government under Robert Harley and Henry St John. Both men were both eager to enlist the support of Swift, formerly a client of Godolphin, to run their publicity campaign against the long-running War of the Spanish Succession.
Soon afterwards Swift arrived in London from Ireland and arranged a meeting with his erstwhile patron. Godolphin gave him a frosty reception, which served as the cue
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Citation: Rogers, Pat. "The Virtues of Sid Hamet the Magician’s Rod". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 14 October 2020 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=39385, accessed 21 November 2024.]
