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The Journal to Stella

by Jonathan Swift (1667–1745)

  • Free to read
  • 16 hours to read
  • 67 chapters
  • Reading level: 7th grade

"The Journal to Stella" by Jonathan Swift is a collection of letters written in the early 18th century, focusing on the correspondence between Swift and his close friend Esther Johnson, affectionately known as Stella. The journal highlights their unique friendship, capturing a rich blend of personal reflections, daily observations, and various societal contexts in which Swift found himself. Through these letters, readers can glean insights into Swift's thoughts on his life, his whimsical yet serious nature, and the intertwining of his public interactions with private affections. At the start of the correspondence, Swift details his journey to London and the initial encounters he has with various notable figures. He shares observations on the political atmosphere and personal relationships while expressing a sense of longing for Stella's company. The opening letters illustrate his day-to-day activities and concerns regarding both professional matters and personal affections, including updates about their mutual acquaintances and agile commentary on the political landscape. Through these early exchanges, readers are introduced to Swift's candid writing style and his nuanced affections for Stella, setting the stage for the deeper exploration of their bond throughout the journal.

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  • Johnson, Esther, 1681-1728 · Correspondence
  • Swift, Jonathan, 1667-1745 · Correspondence
  • Authors, Irish · 18th century · Correspondence

Read the opening

Letter I: {1a}: Chester, Sept. 2, 1710

JOE {1b} will give you an account of me till I got into the boat; after which the rogues made a new bargain, and forced me to give them two crowns, and talked as if we should not be able to overtake any ship: but in half an hour we got to the yacht; for the ships lay by [to] wait for my Lord Lieutenant’s steward. We made our voyage in fifteen hours just. Last night I came to this town, and shall leave it, I believe, on Monday. The first man I met in Chester was Dr. Raymond. {1c} He and Mrs. Raymond were here about levying a fine, in order to have power to sell their estate. They have found everything answer very well. They both desire to present their humble services to you: they do not think of Ireland till next year. I got a fall off my horse, riding here from Parkgate, {2a} but no hurt; the horse understanding falls very well, and lying quietly till I get up. My duty to the Bishop of Clogher. {2b} I saw him returning from Dunleary; but he saw not me. I take it ill he was not at Convocation, and that I have not his name to my powers. {2c} I beg you will hold your resolution of going to Trim, and riding there as much as you can. Let the Bishop of Clogher remind the Bishop of Killala {2d} to send me a letter, with one enclosed to the Bishop of Lichfield. {2e} Let all who write to me, enclose to Richard Steele, Esq., at his office at the Cockpit, near Whitehall. {2f} But not MD; I will pay for their letters at St. James’s Coffee-house, {2g} that I may have them the sooner. My Lord Mountjoy {2h} is now in the humour that we should begin our journey this afternoon; so that I have stole here again to finish this letter, which must be short or long accordingly. I write this post to Mrs. Wesley, {2i} and will tell her, that I have taken care she may have her bill of one hundred and fifteen pounds whenever she pleases to send for it; and in that case I desire you will send it her enclosed and sealed, and have it ready so, in case she should send for it: otherwise keep it. I will say no more till I hear whether I go to-day or no: if I do, the letter is almost at an end. My cozen Abigail is grown prodigiously old. God Almighty bless poo dee richar MD; and, for God’s sake, be merry, and get oo health. I am perfectly resolved to return as soon as I have done my commission, whether it succeeds or no. I never went to England with so little desire in my life. If Mrs. Curry {3a} makes any difficulty about the lodgings, I will quit them and pay her from July 9 last, and Mrs. Brent {3b} must write to Parvisol {3c} with orders accordingly. The post is come from London, and just going out; so I have only time to pray God to bless poor richr MD FW FW MD MD ME ME ME.

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Contents

Show all 67 chapters
  1. Preface
  2. Introduction
  3. Letter I: {1a}: Chester, Sept. 2, 1710
  4. Letter II: LONDON, Sept. 9, 1710
  5. Letter III: LONDON, Sept. 9, 1710
  6. Letter IV: LONDON, Sept. 21, 1710
  7. Letter V: LONDON, Sept. 30, 1710
  8. Letter VI: London, Oct. 10, 1710
  9. Letter VII: London, Oct. 19, 1710
  10. Letter VIII: London, Oct. 31, 1710
  11. Letter IX: London, Nov. 11, 1710
  12. Letter X: London, Nov. 25, 1710
  13. Letter XI: London, Dec. 9, 1710
  14. Letter XII: London, Dec. 23, 1710
  15. Letter XIII: London, Jan. 4, 1710–11
  16. Letter XIV: London, Jan. 16, 1710–11
  17. Letter XV: London, Jan. 31, 1710–11
  18. Letter XVI: London, Feb. 10, 1710–11
  19. Letter XVII: London, Feb. 24, 1710–11
  20. Letter XVIII: LONDON, March 10, 1710–11
  21. Letter XIX: LONDON, March 24, 1710–11
  22. Letter XX: LONDON, April 5, 1711
  23. Letter XXI: LONDON, April 14, 1711
  24. Letter XXII: CHELSEA, April 28, 1711
  25. Letter XXIII: Chelsea, May 12, 1711
  26. Letter XXIV: Chelsea, May 24, 1711
  27. Letter XXV: Chelsea, June 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
  28. Letter XXVI: Chelsea, June 30, 1711
  29. Letter XXVII: LONDON, July 19, 1711
  30. Letter XXVIII: Windsor, Aug. 11, 1711
  31. Letter XXIX: London, Aug. 25, 1711
  32. Letter XXX: Windsor, Sept. 8, 1711
  33. Letter XXXI: LONDON, Sept. 25, 1711
  34. Letter XXXII: London, Oct. 9, 1711
  35. Letter XXXIII: London, Oct. 23, 1711
  36. Letter XXXIV: London, Nov. 3, 1711
  37. Letter XXXV: London, Nov. 17, 1711
  38. Letter XXXVI: London, Dec. 1, 1711
  39. Letter XXXVII: London, Dec. 15, 1711
  40. Letter XXXVIII: London, Dec. 29, 1711
  41. Letter XXXIX: London, Jan. 12, 1711–12
  42. Letter XL: London, Jan. 26, 1711–12
  43. Letter XLI: {399b}: London, Feb. 9, 1711–12
  44. Letter XLII: {408e}: London, Feb. 23, 1711–12
  45. Letter XLIII: {418a}: LONDON, March 8, 1711–12
  46. Letter XLIV: {429d}: LONDON, March 22, 1711–12
  47. Letter XLV: {436a}: LONDON, April 24, 1712
  48. Letter XLVI: {437a}: London, May 10, 1712
  49. Letter XLVII: {439c}: London, May 31, 1712
  50. Letter XLVIII: {442c}: Kensington, June 17, 1712
  51. Letter XLIX: {445c}: Kensington, July 1, 1712
  52. Letter L: {449a}: Kensington, July 17, 1712
  53. Letter LI: {452a}: London, Aug. 7, 1712
  54. Letter LII: {454c}: Windsor, Sept. 15, 1712
  55. Letter LIII: {458}: London, Oct. 9, 1712
  56. Letter LIV: {463a}: London, Oct. 28, 1712
  57. Letter LV: {466d}: London, Nov. 15, 1712
  58. Letter LVI: {472a}: London, Dec. 12, 1712
  59. Letter LVII: {476c}: London, Dec. 18, 1712
  60. Letter LVIII: {487a}: London, Jan. 4, 1712–13
  61. Letter LIX: {498a}: London, Jan. 25, 1712–1713
  62. Letter LX: {508a}: London, Feb. 15 [1712–13]
  63. Letter LXI: {516a}: LONDON, March 1, 1712–13
  64. Letter LXII: {527a}: LONDON, March 21, 1712–13
  65. Letter LXIII: {537b}: LONDON, April 7, 1713
  66. Letter LXIV: {547b}: London, May 16 [1713]
  67. Letter LXV: {549b}: Chester, June 6, 1713

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About this edition

This free edition of The Journal to Stella by Jonathan Swift comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #4208, released 2003-07-01. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Biographies, Essays, Letters & Speeches, British Literature.

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