Swift sees the streets full of women begging, "followed by three, four, or six children, all in rags, and importuning . . . for an alms." In other words, he sees large families with more children than the mothers and fathers can house, clothe, or feed. He predicts that these destitute children will grow up to become thieves, soldiers in wars far from home, or slaves.
Swift satirically proposes that the answer to overpopulation and poverty is to offer a certain number of year-old children for sale to people of "quality and fortune" to be eaten. He points out that nine months after Lent the birth rate booms, and an added benefit to these children being consumed is that there would be fewer Catholics. Moreover, besides the tender flesh being consumed, the skin could be used for "admirable gloves for ladies" and "summer boots for fine gentlemen."
Swift's proposal, he claims, would advance Ireland's trade, relieve the poor, and offer some pleasure to the rich.
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