Quote 41
It is a melancholy object to those who walk through this great town, or travel in the country, when they see the streets, the roads, and cabin doors crowded with beggars. (1)
When Swift speaks of a great town, he refers to Dublin. He wasn't always so favorable in descriptions of his home country, but it sounds like he's being serious.
Quote 42
These […] helpless infants, who, as they grow up, either turn thieves for want of work, or leave their dear native country to fight for the Pretender in Spain, or sell themselves to Barbados. (1)
Here's a real life game of thrones: Catholic Ireland was loyal to King James Francis Edward Stuart (the Pretender) even after he was dethroned for his Catholicism.
Quote 43
For we can neither employ them in handicraft or agriculture; we neither build houses (I mean in the country) nor cultivate land. (7)
Lazy absentee landlords typically built huge estates, further contributing to Ireland's poverty.
Quote 44
For we are told by a grave author, an eminent French physician, that, fish being a prolific diet, there are more children born in Roman Catholic countries about nine months after Lent than at any other season. (13)
Here's another satirical reference to Ireland's Catholicism and the Lenten practice of eating fish. Fish was supposed to boost fertility.
Quote 45
As to our city of Dublin, shambles may be appointed for this purpose in the most convenient parts of it. (16)
Shambles are slaughterhouses. Swift is painting a picture of a lovely Ireland, isn't he?
Quote 46
But I am not in the least pain upon that matter because it is very well known that they are every day dying and rotting by cold and famine, and filth and vermin, as fast as can be reasonably expected. (18)
The conditions may be slightly exaggerated, but Swift is trying to tug at the heartstrings of wealthy Irish readers.
Quote 47
For first, as I have already observed, it would greatly lessen the number of papists, with whom we are yearly overrun, being the principal breeders of the nation as well as our most dangerous enemies. (20)
Swift is satirizing English gossip that Irish Catholics would rise up and restore the Pretender to the throne.
Quote 48
I desire the reader will observe I calculate my remedy for this one individual kingdom of Ireland, and for no one that ever was, is, or, I think, ever can be upon earth. (28)
Just so we're clear, Swift isn't proposing that the whole world turn to cannibalism. Just Ireland will do for now.
Quote 49
Therefore let no man talk to me of other expedients […] of learning to love our country, wherein we differ even from Laplanders and the inhabitants of Topinamboo, of quitting our animosities and factions. (28)
Can't everyone get along? Get this: this was one of the actual solutions Swift proposed in an earlier tract.
Quote 50
I desire those politicians who dislike my overture […] that they will first ask the parents of these mortals whether they would not at this day think it a great happiness to have been sold for food at a year old in the manner I prescribe, and therefore have avoided such a perpetual scene of misfortunes as they have since gone through by […] the want of common sustenance, with neither house nor clothes to cover them from the inclemencies of the weather. (34)
Swift shows the gap between what he views as two separate Irelands: the hoity-toity politicians and the very real economic burdens of poor Irish citizens.
Quote 51
I think it is agreed by all parties that this prodigious number of children in the arms, or on the backs, or at the heels of their mothers, and frequently of their fathers, is, in the present deplorable state of the kingdom, a very great additional grievance. (2)
Children should bring joy, right? Not these kids. By suggesting that poor children are little more than a grievance, the narrator distinguishes them from wealthier and more accepted children.
Quote 52
But my intention is very far from being confined to provide only for the children of professed beggars; it is of a much greater extent, and shall take in the whole number of infants at a certain age who are born of parents in effect as little able to support them as those who demand our charity in the streets. (3)
The narrator implies that poor parents don't deserve children, even suggesting that there should be a wealth cutoff. We're getting into dangerous territory, and we haven't even gotten to the proposal yet.
Quote 53
'Tis true, a child just dropped from its dam may be supported by her milk for a solar year (4)
The narrator doesn't want kids to mooch off of wealthier folks. Note the degrading language used to equate a child to an animal.
Quote 54
The number of souls in this kingdom being usually reckoned one million and half, of these I calculate there may be about two hundred thousand couple whose wives are breeders (6)
Referring to someone as a "breeder" might not get you past a first date. Used in this context, the word is meant to be dehumanizing.
Quote 55
They can very seldom pick up a livelihood by stealing […], although I confess they learn the rudiments much earlier, during which time they can however be properly looked upon only as probationers […] as I have been informed by a principal gentleman in the country of Cavan (7)
The narrator draws a distinct boundary between "a gentleman" and the rapscallions who learn to steal from birth.
Quote 56
I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London that a young healthy child well nursed is at a year a most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome food (10)
The "knowing American" has been read as a Native American with knowledge of exotic foods. Why does Swift include this reference?
Quote 57
I do therefore humbly offer it to public consideration that of the hundred and twenty thousand already computed, twenty thousand may be reserved for breed, […] which is more than we allow to sheep, black cattle, and swine, and my reason is that these children are seldom the fruits of marriage, a circumstance not much regarded by our savages (11)
Is the expression "our savages" meant as an endearment? Let's hope not.
Quote 58
Those who are more thrifty […] may flay the carcass, the skin of which, artificially dressed, will make admirable gloves for ladies and summer boots for fine gentlemen. (15)
The narrator likens Irish children to exotic animals wanted for their skins.
Quote 59
For first, as I have already observed, it would greatly lessen the papists, with whom we are yearly overrun, being the principal breeders of the nation (20)
Here come some more animal comparisons. This time, the narrator suggests that the Irish Catholics are swarming the countryside like vermin.
Quote 60
It would increase the care and tenderness of mothers toward their children, when they were sure of a settlement for life to the poor babes, provided in some sort by the public, to their annual profit instead of expense. (25)
At several points, the narrator suggests strategies to improve the mothering skills of poor Irish women. His solution, as always, is to throw money at them.