This volume investigates the political and literary polemics between Jonathan Swift and Arthur Mainwaring during the critical period of 1710-1711. Frank H. Ellis provides a scholarly edition that restores Swift's original text, bypassing later revisions to present the work in its raw, contemporary context. By juxtaposing Swift's The Examiner with Mainwaring's The Medley, the book establishes a framework for understanding the rapid-fire political discourse of early 18th-century London. The research highlights the rhetorical strategies employed by both authors as they navigated the volatile climate of the Tory-Whig divide.

Scholars and students of 18th-century literature view this edition as a vital resource for understanding the mechanics of political journalism in the Augustan age. The text is noted for its academic rigor and its success in placing Swift's work within its immediate, combative historical context.