THE
^
Free Correspondent,
Number I. j^-^
To he publi/I/d the FIRST^?7^ FIFTEENTH of every Month,
NOVEMBER i, 1752.
Think you ^iwould pleafe if well per for 77^ d ?
" IVhy take it^
«^ Pm all Submijfton 3 What you'd have it^ make it J
Pope.
LONDON:
Printed for E. Ansgn, at the Mufic-Paper Warehoufe, near the Watch houfe, in Chancery-Lane, (where Letters are taken in) and fold by G. Woodfai l, at Charing- ■Crofs ; MJ2(:S3a0^«ty, at ihQ Royal Exchange, and by all Pamphlet Shops in London and Wejiminjler,
t O T H E
PUBLIC.
AMONG the many periodical Peices that make their Appeaf-ance daily^ weekly, and monthly, in none of them is the channel to the public free and open, to the demands of nccelTity or merit, without paying for the benefit whatever exorbitant fine t\it monopolizers pleafe to impofe on thofe that feek the favor. None of theiti without hire or reward give a freedom for per- fons to exprefs their fentiments, to difclofe their doubts and difficulties, to lay Oped their complaints, to proclaim their pleafirres td their fellow creatures, to commend or re- prove the judgments and aftions of men as they deferve, without eXpofing their perfons ; therefore freely to give the poblic oppor- tunity of communicating thefe things, is this Free Correspondent fet on foot.
So ufeful a defign will doubtlefs be accep- table to all lovers of truths virtue and //- A 2 herty :
ii PREFACE.
lert^ : ^ Thefe are the expeded Correfpon- (§ms:^ :W^;1Aw:pi^^^ 'that\ defire
^ ' prormftjer ;:i.ad ' patronize ,||ipfe laudable il^eidt^r'iBl^ it i4l^ride^^^ ^publifli'd ^
in confideration of the numerous occafions there are for people to difclofe their minds to the public, ;both for the pleafure and bene- fit of themfelves and others, in this bufy met^'opoHs, and nation-, and of the many iiTipdrtant fand plerefting affairs with their atfefting circumftances, that tho' privately tranfaded, it would be well done to make .^publicly kfiown. Many things committed In darknefs,. fllpulc^ be brought to light for •.|tjie gQoc| ;'6f /many,, by which means frgud ,and violence' may be expofed, ' dete(9:ed and ^detefled. It, is evident, that/this defign may .)be of great ufe to fuch as rab6r under griefs "that find not' . vent, and ppprefTions that ^lay not be aVowedly coiiiplained of : And t^ut merely to give them vent by relating them, .is' to give eafe. Private cafes being knovvn3 not only oftimes procure private reHef, but contrir bute to, public advantage. Single incidents re- vealed are public mpnition's. The adions of .fome men in private life being related to the public, form and improve the practice of others^ and are leflon^ to all; And'. the judgments of the wife and knowing divulged, inform and dired the.un3erfUnding3^Qf .the weak and ig-
J
PREFACE. Sii
There is reafon therefore to believe, that this undertaking will be of public utility, and an- fwer the end for which it is calculated, and to hope that it will meet with fuitable approbatioa and encouragement. Liberty is hereby granted to the Geniules of the age, that have pieces Po- etic or Profaic, of whatever kind, that may be ufeful or entertaining, fit to inform or pleafe the readers, to publifh them without any other expence than the poflage of their owii letters, or if not publifh'd, they fliall be made acquainted with the reafons that prevent the publication.
Let the.defign be well underftood, that it may not be blamed, which is to encou- rage and propagate Knowledge and Virtue among the Inioabitdnts of Britain, Men muft know what Virtue truly is, before they can rightly practife it -, the purfuit of which i5 the trueft wifdom, and the enjoym.ent of it IS the greateft felicity. Be it known, that this is fet on foot to promote ingenuity, fo- ciability, frieridlhip, and good nature. Llere freedom is given to enquirers to propofe any Queftions to the public, and the like freedom to any perfon to anfwer them ; that impartial juftice may be done to differ- ing parties in controverfial points, for the difplay of Truth, by which means lYuth will always obtain the afcendency. Lucubrations as well pleafant as ferious will meet vv^ith pro- per regard ; for Wit and Humor intervowen with Matters ferious and grave, make them the
more
y PREFACE.
more engaging and add grace to the. entertain- ment. The triendsof Arts and Sciences will be extremely well received, and treated with all due deference. OpprefTion, either public or private will be difcouraged. Here private benefits and ads of humanity may be bla- zon'd by the grateful receiver to the everlaft- ing honour of the Donor or Doer t Every fubjecl worthy of praife or tenfure will be received and exhibited to the public ear, to anuiiate the latent virtue in fome, and dif> countenance Vice in all •, that, if pofTible, Fraud may be put to fhame, and Impoftur^ be made to biufh.
Ohfervations^ or Criticifms^ On Literature and Books, ancient or modern, may find k place •, and what the Piilpit or Sta^e merit may be here difplayed. I'hofe who have a defire of cdmmunicating their thoughts on any of thefe fubjeds are permitted, with- out regard to party. No Inter eft will be efpoufed that is obnoxious to virtuous lihertyy rationality^ good nature, and good manners^ tending to the improvement of foci al har- mony, and the extirpating whatever has a tendency to deprive this Nation of thefe lau- dable enjoyments.
Some Authors of Papers or Pamphlets have thriven by Piracies and Thefts. Suc- cefs is hoped for in this to the Proprietor by truth and honejly. The lovers of thefe he ex- perts will countenance encourage and patro- nize the Free CoRRESPONDENt : that ma?«
ny
PREFACE. V
ny fimple may be delivered from being the prey of oppreffors ; and the honeft ignorant may not be kept in blindnefs and led out of the right way to fupport pride, avarice and infolent domineering; and that thofe who love darknefs rather than light, becaufe their deeds are evil, may be brought into the light and made afh^m'd of their evil deeds. If thefe things may be hoped for by this under- taking, it may be expected that all who feed themlelves by iniquity, and fatten on the fins, errors, and ignorance of the people, and all thofe Hypocrites, that under a Mafk of reli- gion and piety, do, or vindicate, actions that are apparently irreligious and impious, when fn in a true light, and only thefe will be Ad- verfaries to the Free Correspondent ; will envy, revile and flander this well meant at- tempt, and will practife all methods of defama- tion to blaft its taking root, and bringing forth thefe good fruits, viz. the defence of liberty,the encouragement of virtne, the fervice of truth, the improvement of Science, and promoting the inolFenfive pleafure of all. And becaufe this Defign may be better executed by many than "by one or two, the willing are invited to the work, who take delight in literature, and things laudable ; in pleafing others, as well as in be- ing pleafed. Such labors are productive of pleafure. The power of acquiring happinefs is the work of the mind, and by the mind enjoy- ed : Therefore the good, and the wife leek mental pleafures, as the fupreme, if not the on- ly
^i P R E F A C E,
]y felicity of intelligent nature. And where is this to be obtain'd, but in a land of liberty ! 'the enjoyment of which is Britain's glory ; and in the cultivation of it, the Free Corre- spondent aims at defer ving a fhare.
O Liberty! thou ever charming Deity, art the Glory of our IQe, which tho' with thick clouds invelop'd half the year, and with the frigid influence of ,the Pleiades chili'd more than half j yet thou in bright Serenity doft ever ihine, and the fenfation of thy exhilerating Spirit warms and enUvens our fouls. In having thee, what have we not that the whole world affords ? In not having thee, what does the world afford worth ha- ving? Thy Joys, O facred Liberty, is the pe- culiar bleffing of Britons, the reward of their bravery. Other kingdoms are Colonies of the kingdom of darknefs, whofe fubjeftsdare not claim the direction of their own mbds ; but here men may erect the inquifition of Truth, where the prieftly power of an inquifition reigns not ; here its heavenly light may fhine, and ^11 the ihining heaven- born virtues may appear. l^iberty^ thou Goddefs of immortal luftre ! art worth the exhaufting all our wealth and labor to maintain. In thy prefence is life's felicity, and glory. To live without thee may be animal life, but is not the life of a man.
Ou
thoughts on this Undertaking.
WH E N I had compofed and read the forego- ing to an acqualntanee, and afk'd his opi- nion, what he thought of its taking with the public, for whofe fervice it was calculated ? He anfwered, you have faid enough td explain the whole na- ture of yoUr defign, that by opening every where a common Current, you would not only give us op- portunity of purifying our habitations, but rrlake our very Streets and tho'ro' -fares clean and agreeable; but you may as well attempt to wafh the blackamoor white, as to reform men's nianners , for the confi- derate only will regard what you fay : And they are not many.— *To ere6t the public into a fort of Office of Inquifition over itfelf for its own refor- mation, carries in it the appearance of a rational method of proceeding : but it is a hard tafk to per- fuade people to be wife and honeft, when they have no inclination for it. However not entirely to dif- hearten you, and prevent your proceedings ; let me tell you, great attempts are noble in their nature; and even when there is but little profpe6l of fuccefs, are worthy of encouragement ; for that gives them additional ftrength and fpirit. The more public and general a defign is, the more benefit may be ex- peded from it— Come, V\\ caft the firfl: mite of fo- reign Coin into your intended Treafwry, and treading
B in
^ On AppAREt.
in your path, aim at much good, and may perhaps do a' little ; for an extenfive aim affords the greater probability of hitting the mark. If I reform but one, I may thereby fave one from ruin or unhappinefs ; and ever^ that alone will abundantly recompence my endeavor ; and reafonable endeavors may hope for reafonable fuccefs.-— Hand me the implements to convey my thoughts, and difpofe of them as you will. ,. •
Then the old Gentleman, after applying himfelf to thedefk, rubbing his Spedacles, and exalting them to the dignity of their ufual fituation, before he enters on any work of importance; he infpe£led the nib of his pen, moiftened it in his mouth, dipt it in ink, and brandi(h'd it over the paper, the pre- lude of making it eloquent ; without more preme- ditation, exprefs'd his thoughts, on the following fubjedt, and prefented me^ with the produclion.
On Apparel.
IT is a tribute we owe to Society, as Members thereof, to conform in our drefs and appear- ance, to our age, ftation and circumflances. It is very reafonable for the fake of decency, due deco- rum, and good order among mankind, that a dif- tin6tIon in form fhould be fubmitted to, where Nature has made one in reality, by conftituting fome rich, others poor; fome noble, and others fer- vile. But the mode of covering at prefent preva- ^ lent among rich and poor, old and young, natu-! rally tends to overthrow all diftin6lion ; for the- poor man vies in external fhew with the rich ;^
and^
On Apparel, 3
and tottering age puts on the attire and air of firm and rpri2;btly youth. Thus men of fmall circum- ilanccs, who might be as happy in them, as princes are in theirs, did they rightly regulate their con- dud, render their whole lives miferable, by endeavor- ing to carry a face greater than fuits their . body ; and fervants of both Sexes, keep .themfelves inever- iafting poverty and dependence, by vainly and fan- taftlcally emulating their Mailers and Miftrefles. It were well if they ftopt here, and a few only fuf- fered ; but Society itfelf fufFers ; for the lower clafs of men are induced by this abfurd extravagancy, to ufe diflioneft and deceitful methods of gain: Women to fupport this vanity, barter their chafti- ty and virtue : and people in years, by turning their attentions too much this way, are prevented from reflecSling upon what they have done that is necefTary, becoming their condition, or worthy nof remembrance ; and what they have yet to do, before their latter end, of things pertaining to this life and the next, for the fervice of their friends and pofte- rity. And thus the public are deprived of common fe- curity, domefticjoy, and the kind providence of pru- dent age— To be content and pleafed with decen- cy, and a moderate competency, is capable of af- fording to a well difpofed mind, the happinefs of life ; but to be always grafping at what we can never pnjoy ; or what enjoyed, can never give fatisfadtion, js to fpend life in anxious labor about vanity, and to be always iniferable : but it is only by confining our defires . to nature's wants, that life can be ren- dered truly eafy and agreeable.
B 2 Mr.
4 Unfortunate Flora.
.M'. Manager,
AS your Paper gives an equal right to per- fons to lay open diftrefs, to relate grievan- ces, and murmur complaint, as it does to publifh pleafure, and proclaim joy ; I fhall recite the feries of caufes that contributed to conduct me to my prefent unhappy fituation, without any further pre- face.
Let the unfortunate be pitied not punijhed.
MY Father was a retailer of fpirtuous liquors in Wejlminjler^ by which honeft employment, with a fuitable (hare of induftry, he obtained a genteel' livelihood for himfelf and a numerous family; till a late a6t of the legiQative power put a final flop to his bufmefs, and thereby at once reduced him and his family to want and beggary. T amongft the; reft of his children, was obliged to fhift for my- felf as well as I could. A tradefman in the neigh- bourhood hearing of my father's misfortune, out of compa/Iion prevailed on his daughter, a young lady of my own age, to admit me as her com"^ panion, till fomething better would turn out in my favor, which generous propofal I accepted of with gratefulnefs. There lodged in the houfe, a young gentleman, a relation in the family, who had long conceived a liking to my perfon, which he had declared fome time before my unhappy father's ru- in \ ^nd I believed him to be at that time iincere and honorable in his intentions, (but change of
fortune
Unfortunate Fl qr a 5
-fortune often caufes change of manners) For after- wards he fo well dlfTembled a difinterefted paffioq, and fincere determuiation to make me his wife, that, I ftill believing him to be in earneft, it increased my affe6lions towards him, but he foon took the ad- vantage of my folly ; for he embrac'd the firft opr portunity, when prudence was ofF its guard, and importunity prevailing, to ruin me. And what is bitter to relate, becaufe I was fubjed^ed to the frowns of fortune, he who ought in honor and humanity to have protected me, joined with the world to diftrefs me, and that in the moft tender point. I need not be very particular in relating the confequence, it is fufficient to acquaint you, that he foon grew cold, and at laft this bafe, per- fidious man privately perfuaded the young lady to difmifs me, left I fliould become troublefome and a lafting incumbrance to the family ; which dif- miflion by his art, induftry, and influence, he ef- fected.
In a few months after this additional difafter, ftruggling in vain againft too powerful necef- fity; want and artifice joinM to lodge me in the ha- bitation of one of thofe beaftly females, whofc fupport depends upon the ruin of the innocent. Here my common companions, were the dirty drunkard, the young rake, and old debauchee. I need not exprefs to you, (who have I am fenfible, a heart fufceptible of companion and tendernefs for the diftrefsM) what anguifli of foul I felt at intervals in this my unhap- py fituation. After a virtuous education in pre-- ccpt i^nd example, and an uninterrupted courfe of
chalte
6 Unfortunate Flora
chafte and innocent carriage and behavior, it was with the greateft difficulty I brought myfelf to any tolerable degree of content with my prefent method ipf hving. But its well known, that cuftom and ex- ample are capable of performing great things, either in the pra6lice of virtue, or vice. I had not continued many weeks in this fituatlon (unhap- py as it was) before it was rendered ftill more fo, by another act of the leglflative power, which is calculated (I am informed) to extirpate my man- ner of livelihood out of the nation ; but they may as well endeavor to extirpate the human fpecies put of the world ; for this occupation, however fliflionorable it may be, will lafl: as long as both fex remain ; w^ould it not be much better, Sir, to have it regulated here, as it is in fome countries abroad ? But why do I pretend to di6late to fo wife a body of men as the prefent perfons in power? Pardon my prefumption. It is fome relief to the diilrefs'd to complain, and yet it is difmal to com- plain without hopes of relief. Now I live in dread every moment of being drag'd to a prifon, where I fhall be the companion of worfe aflb- clates, and be in a more miferable fituatlon than I am in at prefent; and God knows, and men ought to know 5 it need not be worfe ; for few individuals in the unlverfe are more unhappy. Isitpoffible tq lead a more deplorable life, than is the conflant lot of thofe that are diftrefied like me, who are fub- j€6l to be abufed and infulted by every one; and are prevented from afTocIatlng with the virtuous and the modeft; and poiiibly for no other reafon, but t..:.. . that
Unfortunate Floiia f
that they have had the good luck to be kept from the temptations I have been overturned by. Alas ! the companions vi^e are Hnked to, have a natural ten- dency of tainting our minds, and debauching our manners, which in time, render us as deftitute of fhame, as of virtue. No\^ by one pious acft my father w^as ruin'd in his bufmefs, and thereby to the higheft degree diftrefs'd, as v^ell as a thoufand others; and. by another a£l as truly pious, I am perfe- cuted in the only way I had left to keep myfelf from ftarving! What can I do ? the very thought of. dying for want of bread, is too ihocking for human nature to thirvk of, and that muft have been the confequence with me, if I had not comply'd with this laft refource. Believe me, I had as true noti- ons of virtue and chaftity, as any of your female, readers can poffibly havej and fliuddered at the thoughts of vice and proftitution ; I imagined death would have been eafier to me, than fuch a difho- norable manner of living : but the notion of death like other fcieneesj differs much in theory and practice. If the makers of our laws wou'd point out a way for us, unhappy girls, to get a legal liveli- hood, I am fure we would be glad to embrace it j for is it poflible in the nature of things, for us not to chufe happinefs rafher than mifery? .we are now punlfh'd for endeavoring to fupport nature, for it is not in our po^yeF to get bread any other way j our credit with the world is pafl retrieving, no one will employ us as fervants, or marry us for wives. It would redound much more to the honor of our governors, to invent a fcheme to make a numerous
herd
8 Unfortunate Flora
herd of the moft miferable beings happy, than ta accumulate diftrefs on the wretched. O! Mr. Ma- nageri how it wouM rejoice our hearts, to be de- hvered from the moft diftrefled flavery, a fimpathizing fpirit can only in fome meafure conceive. I beg you. Sir, to compaffionate my unhappy cafe, by inferting this, and every other letter you may receive from the wretch'd
Flora.
P. 5. I have heard a gentleman of good fenfe affirm, he never knew an adl of parliament made in fa- vor of religion, but it always did much mifchief j that true religion muft be free, not forced ; muft be natural, not formal ; that reftraining people from fmning by com'pulfion, leaves them as great fmners as it found theni ; and that if people are not fo good as they may be, the way to make them fo, is to lay before them a fair opportunity of their making themfelves fuch as they would have them be : for without proper means, no end tho' ever fo good and laudable, can be efFeded.
SIR,
Til E following Ode appeared fo ftriking to me in the the Greek, and the enthufiafm of it fo extrordinaray, that I could not forbear tranfia- ting it, and I think I can't do better than make a facriiicc of it to you»
Bac-
Bacchanalian Enthufiafm. The Tmntyfixth Idjllm of Theocritus.
TH RE'S ■ rele£l Bands for dance and fong were led By three fair Ladies to a mountain's head ; Ljo march'd firft, next Autonoe paft, And Jgavi with downy cheek came laft. Entring a hallowM mead, they at one ftroke Of all, its rural foliage ftript an oak, And, with it's ravifh'd honours all the while Blending livs'^lvy and low Afphodile^ Rear'd twelve gay Altars on the ground divine. To facred ^emiU three, to Bacchus nine j And moft devoutly on the altars plac'd The holy trinckets, which they had uncas'd. Thus Baccbui taught ; and thus they Bacchus pleafc. All this from a high rock pent Pentheus {q^s-^ O'er him its boughs an aged lentifk threw, But hid him not from Autono'fs view She faw, (he roar'd, fhe ran ; and running, trpd Upon the fymbols of the madding God ^ Overthrew the Orgys with her pigiis heel ; (Prom eyes prophane we my file rites conceal A A holy Fury warm'd her frantic breaft, A holy fury quickly fir'd the reft j Pentheus affrighted fled ; the chace they fhare. Their unzon'd garments flutter'd in the air. When Pentheus afk'd'; " your Pleafure, Ladles dear"? -<^ey(^w^'anfw€r'd; « You fhall feel, not hear",
C The
JO Bacchanalian Enthufiafm,
The mother, howling, her fon's head ofF-wrung»
So prowls the liprxefs in labour ftung y •
Shoulder and Shoulder-Bone next Ino tore.
And trampt his belly in the trickling^re ;
Autonoe did the fame, the following crew l|
Rend what they touch, and in his blood imbrue
Their willing hands ; then from the moiint retire, '
And to fair Thehescon^Qj^ in holy ire.
Not Pentheus, but his reli6ls : The fad fight
Banifh'd all'joy, extinguilh'd all delight.
Yet far be it from me to reprehend What Bacchus prompted, or with God contend. Had the event been worfe, I couM fubmit ; 'Tis childijh to dehate with God what's Fit, , Let me be pious, and the pious pleafe '; Jove with his fhield protedts and honours thefe : For good men's children profper and do well j Notfo the race of fuch as go to hell. . Hail, Bacchus f thee, great Jove^ who rules on high, Traniplanted to ivhite Dracan from his Thighj Hail lovely 5^»z^/^ : Ye fifters too. Daughters of Cadmus^ to whom honours due Are pay'd by Heroines -, All hail, attend. And me, the champion of your caufe, defend.
Nought is amifs, that Bacchus does inspire ; Whate'er we do is right, if he require : , Who then (hall dare to blame thefe Ladies Rage j \ "lii furely madn^s^ war with heaven to iJOage, I am Sir,
Your humble Servant.
CS.
On Immateriality. U;
Two gentlemen agreeing to examine the doSfrines of Ma- teriality ^«/5^ Immateriality, and the letters being put into my hands ^ conceiving them tuorthy to' be communi- cated, and of ufeto them that {{pply their thoughts to ihefe juhjcfls^ I Jhall prefeni them to the public.
The Immaterialijl firft began.
SIR,
HA V IN G a value for you, as a gentleman who is a free enquirer into truth, I take the liberty to defire you to impart to me your fentiments on Subjiance, whicli is own'd by all to be that which exifts ; and may be confidered, in a peculiar fenfe, as independent in itfelf, and fupporting every thing about it, that is, its own qualities : But pray, in- form me, whether ■ you conceive, tHat our notions of it ou2;ht to be confined to folid extenfion or mat- ter ? or whether we ought npt alio fo comprehend iii it, pure or unfolid extenfion ? or whether extending, the idea ftili farther, we may not alfo afcribe this term or denomination to what is' without piarts, com-- pofition, or extenfion"? T'he reafon affigned for this! latter notion is, that thought, wifdom, goodiiefs,' power, and other qualities of this fort, cannot be naturally deduced from the confideration of extenfion, whether folid, or pure, as other quali- ties may ; and therefore ought to be imputed to fome other manner of exifterice. ^Your thoughts on this fubje£l will oblige. Sir,
' "Yours ^^ W. '
The Materialift'j anfwer in our next, '^^
'' C 2 The
101 - ./T-T/i '^'
GI V E me the Girl that is^efign'*! Ih every thing to pleafe my mind, Indl fhe does, in all fhe fays. That ftrives to pleafe, and loves to praife ; She fhall ikne my love controul, She is the girl delights my foul.
Bqt fhe that grumbles and complains.
And vents her mind in angry ftralns ;
That much for little things contends, ^ •
To lofs of great ^ and lofs of friends ;
Thb' praisM in other things (he be.
She' s not the girl that pleafes me.
Cruelty to Beasts.
I Read in a news paper, about the middle of O^o^ ■her^ of two cruel adiions committed on innocent beafts by favage human brutes. One Paragraph is that of a very pretty lap dog by the fide of a young lady, who was feeding a deer in one of the parks near London^ for its barking at the deer, notwith- ftanding the continual cries and entreaties of the young lady and others, was fet upon, at the inftiga- tion of the furly keeper, by four large hounds, who tore the poor little creature to pieces. The other fhocklng piece of news is, of a carman at the waterfide, having a young horfe of ipirity. that pranced and caper'd but would not go on, tied a rope round his tongue, and fallening it to a poft,
whipt
Cruelty to Beasts. 13
whipt the horfe moft furioufly, till the poor crca- .turc flung with generous refentment, bounded, that^ it tore its tongue cjuite out of its mouth. >
It is pity there is not a lav^ againft cruelty t<l beafts, the Mahometan religion wifely forbids k*: Thofe that cannot be cruel to beafts, cannot be cruel to men. Whoever are b«trbarous to fuch crea« tures as are within the Verge of their power, would be the fame to the human fpe(i:ies, if they had the fame authority over them. Were thefe men hang*d for cruel a(3:ions, committed on tame and ufeful crea- tures, it would be no n^ore than they deferv'd; for they are worfe in their nature, and therefore of lefs value than thcbeafls they exercife their barbarity upon. Cruelty is in their difpofition : If they exercife it not on mankind, 'tis becaufe they dare not : for the moft cruel are always the moft cowardly. 'Tis the want of power, and the fear of men ; not the want of inhumanity, nor the fear of ihame that reftrains them. Itrmay perhaps be pleaded in their behalf, that they cannot help their nature any more than their make, that wickednefs is inherent in theic conftitutions. Be it fo, I'll not contend about that: But if that be the cafe, there arifes from thence, ati invincible rcafon to cut them off" from the face of the earth ; becaufe of their invincible evil nature. Men who are otherwife form'd ought in their own defence to rid the world of fuch monfters, as they root up weeds in a garden, to prevent good plants from be- ing choak'd, and to preferve decorum : for fuch men are human weeds,and focial government would florifti like a well kept garden, if wicked men were weed- ed
14 Cruelty to Beasts.
cd out of it._.Refle<3:ing that nature had made no- thing in vain, I began to confider what men of cru- el difpofitions were fitted for ; and the moft proper work for fuch of them as are permitted to live, feem'd to be, that of becoming the executioners of thofe who among themfelves were appointed to die. But to execute the law on other criminals, their cruel tempers muft be limited by law ; becaufe they would even exceed in punifhing, the fentence of fevere juftice, if they had liberty fo to do. Thefe men would become fubfervient flaves to the mofl cruel tyrants, and propagating violence, barbarity, bloodfhed and terror without fhame or remorfe, as far as any royal tyrant, with their judges like Jeffe- ries^ and officers like Kirk could extend his malignant and deftru6l:ive power. The beft method therefore, that I can prefcribe for dealing with fuch favages, is this, as the maleficent feed difcovers itfelf, tho' but on the brute creation, to exterminate them out of t;he world-— As a good man is the beft creature on this globe, fo a wicked man is the worft. The former are adorn'd with the qualities of all the mild, tender and gentle animals ; the latter are impregnated with all the evil nature of the moft defperate and mifchie- vous. As we kill the latter fort of animals for the fake of human prefervation, the fame reafon will doom to death beafts in human fhape as well as thofe in another. Why fhould a lion, a tyger, a wolf, or a crocadile, be permitted to live in human form, that would not be permitted in their own ? Is the human fhape a fan£luary for evil natures, as churches are of cut- throats, in countries where religion is
eftablifh'd
Cruelty to '^^^^rs^ "^'S
eftablifhM in blood ? Surely the form of the creature ought to be no protection to its evil iiature. If men do barbarous actions to brutes, which the beafts that fufFer their barbarity would not do, is it not par- tiality, to ou^ own fpecies, not to take vengeance .of the worfer brutes for their cruelty to the better? better in all refpedts, being more gentle, and more ferviceable. _. . . ■
That men of a vile and favage nature, are in all degrees worfe than ufeful beafts, I have the autho- rity of one of the beft men in the world on myfide, the perfed and upright Job (Chap. xxx. i.) where he complaining fays, but now they that are younger than /, have me in derifton^ whofe fathers 1 would have f corned to have fet with the dogs of my flock. They were driven from men for their wickednefs ; vile men^ viler than the earth. If rhen are preferr'd to beafts for their rationality, are they not more vile than they, if they know better and a(S worfe ? and are not beafts to be preferred to thofe men that are lefs rational ; Ifaiah Xslj^ ^^^ ^^ knoweth his owner ^ and the afs his majier^s crib ; but Ifrael doth not know^ my people doth not cmftder. Does he not make this exclamation- to fhew, that they were lefs conflder^e than the moft ftupid of all beafts, the Ox and the Afs ? Were not thefe cattle then a degree above thofe men, that were animals of lefs underftanding, or adled as tho' they were? And indeed fo vaft a difference is between the intrinfic nature and value of the lives of the wife and good, and that ofthefoolifh and wicked, that there can be no comparifon between- Jhe one and the other. And were it not that we
believe
■^1^ Crmity to Be Asm
believe, a • po^bility that a wicked man. by proper culture of mind, or an alteration of circumftances, may J^come good ; I kiiow no reafon than can be oppofed Xo my fentence, of executing all that are guilty of pra^tifing cruelty on the beads that have the mif- fortune to be under their power. But if mens na- ture cannot be mended, it is only the lenity of any government, not the due or deferts of fuch men, that they are fufFered to live. For good government is eftablifhed by good laws ; and good laws civilize mankind, preferve fociety, and remove out of it whatever is injurious to its fafety and tranquility. But however worthy of death fuch cruel men are, yet I would not put them to torture ; that indeed would be for the judge to imitate the felon.
"See that they fuffer death, '" But in their death remember they are men, *S Strain not the laws to make thedr tp;:tvire griev ous."'
The fwral Poet's advice
WOULD you enjoy the eafe of fleeting lifcy Secure from anxious cafe, and angry ftrife 5 Avoid the vanity of all extremes. High fuperflruclurcs, and fantaftic dreanns. Affe«5l not gravely to be over wife, N^r flupid, nor afFeded folly prir'e. 5§.not religious with a burning T.eal, Npr to thy neighbor with unjuftice deal,- By men's mifcondu<Sl and their follies learrr,' The ways of peace and fafety to difcern.
But
T^^ Courtship. 17
But if ambition prompt you, play the man ; Condudl with reafon your intended plan ; And fteel your mind againft the worft event. That you may either live or die content.
Yourfelf regard, regard the common weal. For you a member fenfibly muft feel. When fmooth fuccefs fmiles on a profperous ftate. Or rough adverfity forebodes its fate
Not led by falfe opinions blindly go. But freely fearch, if you would truly know. Nor till you ceafe to live, defift to learn ; To pra6life rightj the right we muft difcern* Man's underftanding, prejudice confounds ; Let every flood of paffion know its bounds. Good men feek truth, the impious fly her fight. Who know and love it, ferve it with delight ; In life they happy are, nor dread eternal night.
T/??^ Courtship.
He. 1\ /T Y charming, lovely, beauteous fair, X V X Come eafe me of my love fick pain 5 Let not your faithful fwain defpair , Pierce not his heart with cold difdain.
She, Go falfe, deceitful, treacherous man^ My virgin heart do not invade. Too many of our hafmlefs fex Have been by yours too oft betrayed*
///i EXear lovely maid, pray fay not fo, My heart fhall ne'er inconftant prove j But evermore I'll be fmcerc, And from xny charmer never move.
1 8 The Humor of the "times.
She. Such charming accents fweetly hangy
Upon your foft delufive tongue,.
That if I lillen to your voice,
I certain/y fhaii be undone. He. You fear in vain, my lovely maid.
You are the pleafure of my foul ;
Inconflant I can- never prove,
But true as needle to the pole. She. And will you never then deceive.
My. tender fond believing heart ?
And w^illyou eyerconftantbe,
'Till fatal deat;l\,each other part ? ■ : : lie. Be vi^ell afTur'd, "arigelic maid.
For by thy lovely {t\i I fwear,
I never wiM ra;y faif forfake, ' Butyoufhallbe for ever dear.
HzNRY Hill,
The humor of the Times,
WE find the. World and all its variety of in- habitants in a continual fluctuation; all material fubftances go ' under forne change in their, forms , or conflltuent parts every increment of time; till at laft by a fucceffive gradation tl^iey are altered in their whole form, and become bodies of a quite difxerent nature. In like manner, there Is a change in our inclinations, paiTions, appetites, and mental purfuits. Cuftom and contingence, not judgment and reafon, are controlers to the multitude in their choice and purfuit of pleafure, profit and amufement.^ There are fufficient examples to illu- ftrate this obfervation within the knowledge of e- very one v/ho is capable of obferving. In confider-
<.,
T^he -Humor of the lifpei, $ g
ing the zxticlQ Jfmifementy which is a fubj^d: of great importance to mankind; if we are allowed to form a judgmeat of its value, by the folicitous care and uninterrupted pturlui:: of it, by perfons of almoft every profelSon, degree, and fex; we fhall find it always ilu6luati|ig. l^et us at this time ex- amine the moft rational method of amufmg our- selves, in reading books: It is obfervablc, that a few years ago the fubje£ls purfued were chiefly .political, and the current of mankind run with the greateft precipitation after pamphlets wrote on the conduct of the . miniftry, the afFairs of .this nation abroad, and at home ; as well as other kingdoms. But fuice by an infenfible change, we have got into the romantic and novel ftrain. I fhall no|: at prefent examine the alliance that fubuHs between politics and romance ; there may pofiibly be fome imper- ceptible affinity between thofe two fubjed^s, tho'i they appear to the world as different as the filk worm and butter- fiy. It is the glorious character of . ah EngUJhmariy that he is a zealous lovef of liberty, and always tenacious of every ftep taken by thofe in power, left hefliould be deprived pf that blelling^ and that may be the reafon forfuch a ri^n- and mode* of politics, as we had in the time of Sir R, — /i^-— 'i^; prefiding over the affairs of this nation. But-I; perceive only the image of a reafon in favour of the prefent tafte of anuufements fo univerfally purfued, namely, hiftory founded in the imagination of the ^ author, which is, that every one finds fomething very,; engaging in narrative; but when we confider it.as not , founded on facts, it is a great diminution to its valued D 2 and
26 As? ASIA and Sophia.
and the effe<5ls it otherwife might produce, on the rea- der are lofl. Indeed there are few relations in ro- mancej but what may poffibly be verified in the per- fon of fome man or woman in real life.
Thofe that have lived long in the world, know the abfolute neceffity there is for every individual to conform in fome meafure to the prefent prevailing mode, tho' in every refpe£l thofe modes won't bear examining by the touchftone of reafon and philofo- phy. Therefore, I prefent the public with a narra- tive of a true fa6t, in order to pleafe thofe per-^ fbns who are got into this ftrain, and feek no thing more by reading than meer amufement, By diverfifying the fubje6^s, they may probably, by degrees, tp brought ; to examine and contemplate upon matters of greater moment, when their firft intention was only to feek fomething to pleafe the fancy.
The Htjlory of Aspasia and her Dau^h^ ter Sophia.
T/'JLJRIUSw2iS an eminent tradefman in the ^ city of London^ of a fair chara6ter, and no ^g(~ picable fortune; he married Afpafia^ a gay lady of the court-end of the town, by her he liad one Daughter, whom we fhall call Sophia, • FJLJRIUS W2LS what we may very properly tbrm -a nian of bufinefs; but he did not want gaiety and politehefs, when either company, recreation, '• or friendfhip required it. As for J/pafia {he made pleafure her chief bufinefsi nothing was purfued'j
by
A^PAsiA and Sophia. 21
by her but modern dlverfions ; fhe thought all the time loft that was not laid out in the important tranfacEtions of drefling, cards, the playhoufe, the opera and mafquerade ; thofe were the only things in this world worth living for in her efleem j and confequently her genius and inclinations were difFe^ rently led from the accomplifhments of fliop and family-bufmefs. But Valarlus being a man of a tender and humane difpofition, (and fuch to a fault, in regard to her condudt) feemed blind to all her failings, and loved her to fuch excefs, that we may be allowed to fay, it was out of his power to deny her any requell:, tho' ever io prejudicial to his cir- cumftances j and fhe was ^^r^^ liberal of her requefts, which in a great meafure contributed to iinlc his fpirit and his fortune : for in cafting up his books annually, which was his conftant pra6lice, he always found the balance againft him, which gave him fuch uneafinefs, that it threw him into a confumption, and in a few months carried him ofF.
He had no other child befide Sophia , w^ho was - placed at a board ing-fchool, in ^een's Square^ and there (he received the moft grievous and unwelcome news of the death of the kinded, tendereft and beft of parents. Great was' her lofs, as well as her grief. ' Tho' but twelve years of age, yet fhe was fo fenfi- ble of the temper and condud of her mamma, that fhe forefaw hqr lofs irretrievable, which overwhelm'd her in forrow and almofl difpair. Afpafia thought file fnould a6l the more prudent part to have her daughter at home, and accordingly fhe was fent ^0r5 to whom ' the mother behaved at that time with
the
22 Aafa^i A and Sophia^
the greatefi: tendernefs and kindnefs Imaginable, in(o^ much that fhe could not fuffer her to be out of her fight 5 to fuch a height was her fondnefs wrought up, calling her^ the dear pledge of her departed mate, But by degrees that fondnefs cooled towards Sophia^ as it began to be placed on other more pleafmg ob- jects. A perfon of her gay dlfpofition in a few i?ionths got over the fcenes of melancholy, that had overwhelm'd her on the death of herhufban^, and as he had left his whole fortune, unwifely to her, flie was eafily prevailed upon to go abroad amongft her old acquaintance, and fhe in a very little time be- came as gay as ever, continually in purfuit of the diverfions that were moft in fafhion amongft the po- lite. Now {he fouhd the advantage of living with- out controle ; whilft the bufinefs of the fhop and care of the family was left entirely to the manage- ment of fervants (happy managers truly j A very ad- vantageous profped of increafmg her fortune j ) fhe was wafting her time and money at card-tables, afiemblies, or the playhoufe. In the mean time, mifs was returned to the boarding fchool, to compleat her education; ^fp^/^^ <^id not follow this courfe of life long, before fhe had a train of lovers, but the perfon moft in her efteem (and confequently the hap- pieft man) was call'd captain ^- — , who went under the denomination of a captain in the Horfe -guards ; he was a bold and handfome man, his perfon large, and a proportionable degree of afTurance (which is generally more prevailing on the female fex than any other accomplifhment) and never failed afford- ing the ladies a great fhare of fatisfa6J:ion wherever
he
AspAsiA ^W Sophia. 2^
he fell into their company. A very proper perfon to pay his addrelTes to a widow of Afpafia^^ gay dif- pofition. To make fhort of the matter which they were not long about, fhe liked himj and in a few weeks confented to be joined in the holy bands of matrimony. But before the fweet month (vulgarly called Honey-moon) was expired, the captain was very inquifitive about her crrcumflances, which he could not well come to a certain knowledge of before. Some are of opinion that by this time, -^fpafta found he was married to her fortuue, not her perfon ; If not fo foon, fhe was not much longer in doubt about it. He likewife began to perfuaJe her to leave ofF trade, and difpofe of her efFedls, which fhe too readily came into \ they amounted to upwards of 2000 /.
But how was (he furprized, when inflead of a captain as imagined, her hero turned out a Life- guard-man ! To keep up her fpirits, he pretended to have an eftate in Wales 5 and that his relations were very rich : but all his pretenfions turn'd out delufions. For the greateft part of AJpafia\ money, -was applied to pay off debts that he had contraded^ in providing himfelf with gay cloaths and glaring equipage, in order to qualify himfelf to pay his addrefTes to a young lady, with 20000 /. to her fortune, which he did with fo much good fuccefs^ that the day of accomplifhing his expe^c^ations was fixed J but unlucky for him, an unforefeen accident overturn'd all his fchemes, and difcovered the im- poftor. He was then obliged to abandon aU thoughts of his miflrefsj and feck his fortune elfe where, the
unhappy
24 AsPAsiA^W Sophia.
unhappy Afpafia fell the vidlim of his extravagance*- By the time be had difcharged his debts, he had barjs- ly fufficient left to purchafe a Quarter- mafter's war- rant in a regiment of horfe, vv'hich, with the affiftance of fome friends, he accomplifli'd.
And now having finifh'd his aftairs in London^ the Colonel of the regiment ordered him to join it in Staffer djh'ire. He begun to make overtures to Afpafia^ in his infinuating way, to go with him into W.ales^ to fpend a few months, as he pretended, with his noble friends ; which file thought beft to comply with, tho' much againil: her inclinations, fince all her own friends had forfaken her ; and poor Sophia was obliged to accompany her. Now. the time be- ing come v/hen they were to repair to the Inn, where the coach, as they imagined put up 5 going there to their great furprize and confufion, they were made to underftand, that places were taken for them in a vehicle with fix horfes all of a length, in pilairi English, a Waggon,
Great was the anguifh of unhappy Jfpaftah mind^ at this treatment and furprizing difappointment from a perfon whom fhe had intrufled with her whole fortune. The captain took his leave of them at the inn, and they beguA their journey the next morning; for what could they do, their whole fubfiftence wa:s at his difpofal, and by this time near all confumed.
The conclufion of this yiarrat'ion muji he referred U tht next Correspondent,
THE
Free Correspondent*
On PhilofophiUng.
WysiW^ H E ^^^^ ftep to natural Philofopby is to )^" 'p ^ know this, that Men ought to fearch into r^ \*/ Nature for the knowledge of Truth; that ^^Tkjk they ought to employ, on any fubjecSl, the talents of rationality God has given them; to em- brace any principles which are the refult of their beft judgment, and to difclorethem, that if they are rights he that is wrong may be informed ; if the Principles expofed are wrong, he that is miflaken may be in- ftrudled : For men are not to live each for himfelf only^ but for Society. Without right judgment, there can be no jufliEable pradlice ; and we ought tp allift Society by the one, as well as by the other.
If the rule be plain and evident by which we are directed, the truth muft and will appear ; if ob- fcure and inevident, the notions refultino; are of lefs lervice and regard. Falfe opinions that are of con- fequence, men will, by free enquiry, find out, be aware of, detect, and overthrow, with all their ratio- nal powers, where liberty is.— Opinions that are but meer amufements, cannot injure Society. Such as naturally tend to injury, naturally put Society on its
No- 2- B guard.
26 On Philofophifing.
§i|g;|pa;tid therefore are a benefit to it: For 'tis no' lets ne'cefiary to kndv/ the evil', in Order to a Void it; than 'tis to know the good, in order to purfue it. But where freedom is hot given to men to dif- clofe their fentiments, men in fociety being igno- rant, will be unguarded; and; thus fociety fufFers— ' V/hen the interefl and felicity of the common- wealth are concerned, ail are concernM to fecure it. It behoves men therefore,^ to fhew the weaknefs and evil of falfe opinions, to prevent the mifchiefs that may naturally arife therefrom. The Peace of a corri- munity or people is not fo fafely preferv'd, by fup- prelling dangerous and erroneous opinions by force, from making their appearance ; as by fuffering them to appear, expofe and confute them. Falfe doc- trines deftroyed by good' arguments, are more efFec- tuallv deftroyed than by fire.
Truth is of a focial friendly nature. It teaches right ai^ion, and"' leads to felicity. The enemies to truth are enemies to humanity, happinefs and Tocial virtue ; as is moft evident, where, and by whom, free enquiry and fair reafoning are fuppreflfed. In every cafe, wherein our happinefs, property and fecurity are concern'd, we find careful enquiry ne- cefiary to impartial judgment ; and not in matters of Religion only.
Whoever is a friend to the liberty of private judg- ment, can never be difpleafed with men for their different fentiments ; for 'tis the natural confequence -of enjoying this freedom. He that is a friend to liberty, will give as well as take it. The reafon why -men think diiFerent from each other is, becaufe of the ^ dii!b.
On Philofophifing. 27
difference of mens powers, and the dlfFerent means they make ufe of, in the excercife of their^ powers in forming a judgment We are commanded to xio to others, as we would have others do to us; l)ut he that is angry with another for thinking .dif- ferent from himfelf, or would not allow another the liberty of judging for himfelf, does not as ^ he 'would be done to. Anger weakens mens jiixlg- 'ments, and biafles their fentirnents. Ill naturecj contention betokens a bad caufe, or a bad tem- per ; therefore men fhould think' and reafbn calrhly. ' The enjoyment of private judgment, and mens divulging their fentiments to one another, befl: pleafes rational men ; the beft Governments therefore in- dulge and prctedl men in this liberty jand^-thiaf "Vvhich gives them the moft fatisfa^iion, makes men moft eafy and beft pleafed with the Government. And certainly rational creatures have aright 'to'^i)e^ govern'd in a rational way: t'hey that attempt' th^ contrary, draw upon themfelves the difpleafure. of wife and good men. They that govern mpnj ^a^ men govern beafts, by meer , arbitrary will and au- thority, are beads o^ governors. As it is natural ' to hate, fo It is to endeavor to overturn fuch an arbitrary Government; for men will, think that it is reafonable fo to do, who think Reafdii ought to govern; and that the power which fuppreffes the free exercife of reafon, is a'tyranhical and un- reafonable power, and repugnant to the- Bappinefs of mankind. ' ^'^ ' ''^' i ' ^
By giving free lll>ert5^-t6'A-?giiment^v/hat is right • will be the better difcerned,''if it bp".not:the::dnif^i means of difcerning it. Without this liberty, Phi- E 2 lofophy
28 On Philofophlfing.
lofophy muft hide her head, and Truth be banl{!i- ed from among us : But knowledge Hourifhes where Liberty is. The mind of man is' like the earth, it muft be weeded of falfe Notions and prejudices, muft be plowed with reafons, and har- rowed with arguments, before truth can be fown, and root itfelf, to produce the fruits of wifdom and virtue. Free Enquiry is always the inlet to Philofophy \ without which there can be no wifdom acquired, no knowledge gain'd. They that would obtain a good underftanding, muft diveft themfelves of all fondnefs for inbred opinions, of all prejudi- ces againft the fentiments of others, calmly hear the J4dgments of all, and from, all they hear, judge for themfelves.
He that belches out rage, that exerts Power and pracSlifes violence in defence of his tenets, does it bep.aufe thofe means are the beft he can ufe in its def'cnce, or elfe he illdefends them. ---Thofe that avoid anfwerlng the Arguments that tend to the (Jeftruftion of their Profeffion, ,do by their filence difcpver their fenfe and fears of the argumen t(when the adverf^,ry is not to be fearM) and the convincing force of his more plain and powerful reafons. In- deed, men don't care to engage in arguments they would not have known , becaufe it opens the light they would conceal, and reafon in it runs too ftrong againft them ; for every man would chufe to proclaim and defend his caufe, if he thought he could do it triumphantly j therefore when men of learning and capacity decline doing it, 'tis becaufe
Of2 Philofophizlng, ip
they wifely forefee, that an unfavorable event to them felves, will be the confequence of their engagement. What man fliuns an encounter with his Adverfary that is confident of fuccefs ? or does not avoid the combat if he can, that forefees he (hall be vanquifhM if he engages in it?
*Tis ading very unkindly to thofe, who in the fmcerity of their hearts, take the utmofl care to inform their judgments in the truthof things, that they fliould thereby acquire the hatred of men ! This is in Solomon's phrafe afore evil ; but as only the bold and brave dare to ftem the torrent of popular opi- nions, the brave and bold only are able to bear the oppofition. By their means will redemption from im- pofition be wrought, tho' it may not be in their time, for which fucceeding generations will have them in reverence. But we would have our correfpondents ofFend as few, and pleafe as many as poffible, treat the public, as difcreet fervants do their fuperiors, with gentle and condefcending behavior, that the Free Correfpondent may continue in their fervice with ^ good grace, and when it leaves the public fervice, obtain a good character.
All Epijile to Delia«
DEAR Delia, darling of my foul alone. Read with concern what I have undergone. When fo divine a face I firft beheld. My heart was all with adoration filled ; And when I was iudulgM an oftner view, With adoration, love in fecret grew.
What
^o An Epijile to Delia*
What lovely or magnificent appears At awful diftance, ignorance reveres; But if 'tis clear to a diilinder fight Our ignorance the v/orihip did excite. It droops or drops with the conceiv'd conceit. And from our adoration we retreat ; But if it ftand the teft, and we approve. Our adoration then is turn'd to love.
In thy bright afpe6t all the graces fhine. And every feature proves thy form divine. In thy fv/eet face the charms of beauty dwell, '/et inborn worth thy beauty does excel, As does thefweeteft nut, the nut brown fliell.
Tranfporting obje6is the foft paffions move. And lovers cannot fly the charms of love; They melt before 'the mighty fire they feel, Whofe faces are not brafs, nor hearts are fteel.
And do I love, faid I, muft I the rules Of Cz/^/Wferve, and lead the rear of fools? Ah no, I raging cry'd, I will rebel; I did. What follow'd ?- What but death and hell I Dark fears and torments, feizM on me amain, I trembling felt and fhook th'indignant chain. And try'd to break it; but I try'd in vain. You might have Teen, my Delia^ you might fee I kickt againft the darts of deity. Defpair, and anguifh feiz'd my fickning mind, I howFd and humbled till the god was kind ; IvowM no more his laws todifobey, I vow'd fincerely, and my vows will pay ;
And
^le PuDDiisiG cmqtier'J. 31
Apd if before my iife my love expire.
If thine continue to inflame defire,
Let me confume in lino;rino; lover'^s fire.
O mighty love! I own thy pow'r divine. The foft imprcfiTions of my foul are thine; Thy v^ondrous art has. fafiiion'd all my frame^ And by thy pleafure, what I am, I am. ^y all the virtues of my mind I feel Thou do'ftthyfelf a deity reveal: Beauty and harmony precede thy train, Delight and pleafure in thy prefence- reign.
Life to enjoy does bounteous nature give, But who that breathes not love, can truly live ? Life without^love is hardly worth out care. For after life v/hat pains or pleafures are. To us are all unknown, O let me be Moft dear to you, as you are dear to me.
Strephon^
S I R,
As a Friend of yours has ?nade ymi a Sacrifice to Bac- chus, I make ym one to Ceres.
The Pudding conquer d,
OWhom {laall I invoke ? whofe influence crave To fing in high, and unattcmpted Itrain, A Pudding conquer'd, and the gluttons triumph? No virgin m.ufe, from fam'd ParnaiTus height, Benign, the fupplicating bard infpires; For they are modeft, temperate and chaf?-, And meagre poverty, the poet's bane^ With vifage wan, and downcaft look, denies
To
3^ T'he f UDDING conqiier'di
To fmg of dainties, which he ne'er can tafte^
And but at Chriftmas fees. O could I fing
In ftralns adapted to the glutton's tafte,
And ftretch his cars, as wide his flretching paunch
Diflends at city.feafts ; fecure of fame,
Dauntlefs, I'd then defy the critic's fnarl.
Nor would the Pudding's fate be fung in vain.
Devoid ofthefe, poor Numfkul oft I claw,
And gnaw my nails in vain, for fcarce a line
Re^ponfive to the mighty Theme emerges.
Yet thy achievemenits Helluo urge me on,
Infpir'd or not^ I'll fing.— -Now had the trav'llers^
With fiow and weary march, fair Gw/V^ori^^reach'dj
The feat of deeds unequaliz'd in fong,
When gladfome, they their courfe bent to the inn.
Where rampant hangs the monarch of the wood :
For ufa^e tr^od, and ftrono; October fam'd.
Eager and loud (for appetite was fierce)
For food their hunger to allay, they call.
Reply'd the hofl:, I'll fliew you Britiih fare
Worthy the table of, great Britain's king.
When lo ! ' A buttock fmoak'd upon the board, ^
And Csres gifts attend. A Pudding next,
Of many a pound compos'd, provok'd the knife :
This Helluo fpies, and meditates attack.
Soon was the grace begun : Before amen^
He wounded deep the moft contiguous part.
And like a cannibal, devour'd his prey.
(The reft were at the buttock well em.ploy'd)
The Pudding maim'd, and deftitute of aid.
Had but one way of vengeance in its pow'r;
Had
T'he Petition of Thtc and Thou. 33
For, as tbe' glutton cram^'d large gqblets down,
A piece enor^cious, halted by the way; " ^.-i ^/j-Jjj lit
Which foon had put an end to future trophies, >./ ,i :.i.
Had not a quart of ale procured relief.
And wafh'd th' obftruction down his craving paunch. .
Thus wanton fchools boys have I known colle(5t,
Sportive, rank weeds, and filth of various kinds.
To ftop a canal's courfe, the llream at length,
Increafes, and accumulating weight,
Bears down before it all the damming mafs.
Our hero's paflage cleared, and hunger's rage Still urging, thfe remnant of the Pudding feizM, That vengeance might be fully made his own. But wifer now, with caution he proceeds. And wifh.lefs morfels profecutes his aim: Yet made amends mod amply by his fwiftnefs; For foon the conquer'd Pudding was no more. With filent v/onder, his companions gaz'd, ScarM at the mighty havock he had made- — Sought fome remains ; but fought, alas! in vain,' Not ev'n the fage, in his return from Troy, With more amaze his dear loft comrades fearch'd. When Circe\s charms their vifages ^transformed.
To the good People of Gre^t Britain,
%ke humble. Petition of jv^0 ^poor Vtonoxxmy Thou and Tmee j
Friendly fheweth,
TH A T your petitioners lived formerly in good . reputation, and had the honor to be perfonally known and employed by the nohhy \h^ good, and ihe. . '. ■• : F leuYned
3 4 : ^ Falfe Religion difplafd. learned o{i\\\s\2Ln^'y but feveral years paft have been ill ufcd, neglected, and almoft totally difregarded; which we impute to the forwardnefs of one of our fra- tcrn'tv, named Tow, who always fteps into our place, or intercepts us from the view of the pubhc; but who ought not to be indulged to our detriment, being con- ftfledly.a jugler, who fometimes palms himfelf upon fpedators for <?«^ perfon, and fometimes afTumes the air and figure of many, pretending at one time, to be of the fingular number, and at another, of the plural, in contradiction to the known nature of numbers, and to all common fenfe. Notwithftanding the influence of this impoftor, we are ftill employed by a few.
And therefore as we have always been faithful to ourtrufl-. We your petitioners humbly beg to be reinftated in our ancient and rightful pofts, efpecially as in our name, all good Britons ever pray, addrelTing the Deity by the pious appellations of TZ-iJwand Thee^ and not by that profane and profligate term Tou,
SIR, ■ ^«'^^«-
BY reading your Bacchanalian poem, thefe reflec-*, tlons naturally oecurr'd. It *is a true picture of falfe religion, which is noi: guided by reafon, but enthufiafm; my remarks are,
ifl:. From eyes profane we myjlk rites conceal.
The adherents and advocates of a falfe religion are guided by a wrong fpirit, and make a falfe judgment of things;' they are partial to themfelves, and cenforious to others, counting allthofe profane that are not oP
' * ' their
I
Palfe Religion difplayed^ 5^
their fecSl or party. When men. believe rellgron con'* fifts in fuperftition, they fancy themfelves to be made righteous by becoming fuperflitious.
The more carefully religious rites are concealed from vulgar eyes, the more remote they are from vul- gar fenfe. If they were expos'd, they would be explod- ed. No longer than they can be kept fee ret, will they ■be accounted fecred. The wifdom of God's ways does notfhun the judgment of men. 'Any God in darknefs maybe ador'd by the fearful and th'fe' ignorant -, arid an^ fuperftitions ferve thofe that folfow enthufiaftic leaders.
But the true Gody tuho is a fpint^ is only worjhiped in Jpirit and in truth : In which more is' meant than i^ commonly underftood. He accepts not of the facri-; fice of fools, nor of the adula'tioh of hypocrites j the props of idol worfhip. ■ .
Every man who worfhips God in a foolifli manner, has foolifh notions of God; therefore worftiips the idol of his folly, a falfegod ; and is confequently an idolator, and then it follows, that every falfe religion is the wor- fhip of a falfe god ; and every' ftich worfhipper may be reafonably fuppofed lefs pleafing to God than he that ufes no fort of worfhip; for how can wifdom and goodnefs be pleafed with folly and fraud. To worfhips <jod infprit and truths is, with the head of under- {landing, and the heart of fmcerity. '* .
2clJy. 'T/V childifh to debate with God what*s fit.
This is a good argument to keep men (laves to a b.ad
caufe. He that does not debate what is fit, may do
any thing that is unfit. When we debate with men,^
and on what men have faid concerning God, we don't
' F 2 debate
"5^ !Faife iReligion difplaye^,
•debat;^ with God: And 'yet a reafon able 'being may ht rfeafened with ; Come)n€W 'and let ui ttafon together Jaith the Lord ^ IfaiahJ;; iB. . " i : -,' f^rXh^, voice of Gc^d tia^ ;i?j?n is in the reafpn Qf man. V^he v^ord is riigh thee in thy hearty and in thy mouths vThe calls and contnlands of pure uncorrupied nature, are the,calljS and-commafid^of GQd: but impoftqrs fet themfelv-es up above^aeafon and nature', ehove all that is called Gpd^ 6r that is worjl/ipedhy thofe.that worfliip God in fpirit apd in truth. This is antichrift.— -
Capricious arbitrary beings will not have their commands fcrutinizM by reafon ; becaufe they nei- ther govern, nor are govern'd by reafonable con^ duel; , therefore fuch are not to be reafon'd with. The vvifer and better any governor is, tlie more exadly he c\d:s according to the reafon and fitnefs of things. Thelight and law of God in man, is. that reafonable nature which difcovers that fitnefs, and points it out to us for our conduct; therefore it is childifh not to debate with God what is lit; for there is no knowing his will without it : If men are not dire61:ed by^ a rea- fonable nature, they neither know the will of God, nor obey it: For a pure mind and a reafonable nature is all that men know of .God within them: and by a itn- fible and reafonable nature, is all that men can know of God without them. , By this tjhen is the know- ledge of God, as much as man can, know him, and by this is the v^orfhip of him in fpirit and truth, ^d'y. 'Tis fur ply madnefs war with heaven to wage.
To war with heaven, is to acSl againfl reafon and confcicnce: but not to debate what is fit, is to acEl without reafon" and confcience. To oppofe a blind and
bloody
Falfi Religion: JifpUfd. \^f
bloody ruper{|-ition,jsji4)t warring with heaven, but y^ith hell. How "ftrangely do fuch expreflians as thcfe impofe on the innocent, and deceive the ignorant; hav- ing a (hew of great humility and piety ! But to fet the authority of God above, and the duty of man below, all ti^atisgood, is not to honor God,' nor to ferve man, T^o perfwade men they are obedient to heaven, wlien they are doing the drudgery of hell, what can be mord impious! and what can rrieh do fnore really fo, than for God's fake to injure and deftroy men ? it Is not the • bufmefs nor nature of pure religion, and the promulga- tors of it, to dejlroy mem lives ^ hut to fave them. The reli- gion that is from God is for the univerfal good and bene- fit of men ; fof men cannot benefit God. There can be no war with heaven but in imagination, or in allegory, for heaven is happinefs The war of the angels, in hea- ven and their fall, has produc'd a fine poem, founded' liot on fact, but fiction. Fine fiction delicately exprefs'd is the fpirit and beauty of poetry, with which philofo- phy little agrees, for 'tis the beauty and fpirit of philo- fophy to find out the truth of allufions and allegories |' riierefore the bufinefs of Poetry is to tickle the ears and" the fancy, and that of philofophy to inform the head ahd reform the heart. Hence true religion has its ' foundation in philofophy, the falfe in fiilion. That' cannot be true in pra£lic'e, which is falfe in theory. Nor can that faith be true which is founded on falfc tales.
Mute
. %
MlTTE LOVE^'
THE experience of almoft every man is fufficlent to inform hiim, that there are a certain feries of concurring caufcs, operating on the human frame, kt fome particular feafons^ that render men unable to adl conformable to the conftant tenor of their behavlr* our ; we ha\ e inftances In hlflory of thofe hero's whofe prefence made the nations tremble, that on trifling' Occafions have been feiz'd with a timidity and tremor, which renderM them at that time une<jual to the moft inconfiderable exploit, that any common foldier in the Roman army wou'd have ventured upon undaunt^ cd : The men of eloquence and the greateil mafters of oratory, have fometimfes experienced a faltering ii^ their voice, and an utter inability of proceeding in aa ^ration with their nfual freedom and fpirit, and who- ever obferves the flux and reflux of his own paflions^ will find it often occafioned without any apparent mo- tive from without; and according as the paffions rife or fall, the fame motives do not always produce the fame eflfeiSl ; but where it does, it denotes the paffion is fleady and flx'd. This obfervation is truly verified In the paffion of love; here every one who has felt experi^ mentally that tender paflion, is able to confirm in his own perfon what is hinted above as a general occurrence- The lover has a number of imaginary doubts and dif- ficulties to grapple with, that others have no concepti- on of. Where he has the greateft folicitude in himfelf to become agreeable, there he Is furnifh'd with the feweft qualifications to render himfelf fo ; the uncer- tainty, inquietude, and fear, continually hovering in hk imagination, makes him fink in his own efteem, and gives him a poornefs of fpirit, a dejedednefs in his
coun-
Mute Love. 39
countenance^ that renders him inevitably ridiculous in the eyes of her whofe favour he is fo anxious to obtain. The generality of the fair fex are well pleafed witl^ men of courage ; but he who is moft couragious on other occafions, is moft commonly daftardly in love; as the greateft cowards in time of waf> are the greateft hero's and bullies In time of peace; it is much eafier for a man who diflembles a paflion to gain fuccefs, than the moft fmcerc and ardent lover. The following cafe is the caufe ofthefe reflections.
Antjntor^ my friend, is a man of true courage and good conduct, his perfon genteel, his behaviour polite and eafy, his converfation free and agreeable, which renders his comp^any defirable, and makes him efteem'd ty all his acquaintance. He has indulged a conftant uninterrupted paflion for Sylvia^ a. young lady of an amiable perlbn, adorned with good fenfe, and good nature; and to compleat the whole, ha$ a fortune fuita- We to his. Amyntor with all thbfe qualifications in his poffeflion, is not able to declare his mind to the. obJecSl of his defires, tho* he has had a number of the beft concerted opportunities for thefe twelve months p^ft, and has made a hundred effays in that time, and prepared almoft as many fpeeches ; but when the criti* ' caf moment of declaration was come, he was felzed with a trembling and a difficulty of utterance, that rendered him unable to fay any thing of more confe- qnence than an enquiry or obfervation about the wind or weather. And after fome moments of ftupid filence was obliged to fneak away, and by that means render- ed every opportunity of no effeft. Sylvia is not fo de- ^id ofunderftanding but (fee knows his intentions,
and
40 Mute Love
and would not be difpleasM at him for declaring his fentiments, and I am fure has her own happinefs too much at heart, to deny him a fuitable encouragement and return. ■
But as flie is follicited at the fame time by a lefs de- ferving perfon, v^^ho is poflefled of fewer ingredients of the tender paffion for her perfon than he pretends tq ? have ; the efteem that is wanting to her perfon he makes . up to her fortune^ he is able to flide into her favour by a diflembled affedlion, and in time may gain her efteem, when my friend Amyntor v^iW find it too late to exert his courage, ot:deG]are his love,, when his rival" is in pofTeffion of that valuable fdrtrefs the heart of the lovely Syhla. \ Wii^ai^yix. Freeman ^ as he is your read- . er, you could give him fome prqper hint§ dire<Sting his pra6lice to fuccefs. ,,, And you^ II oblige y &c.
'Mr. Freeman fays, fuch was the cafe with him to- wards the fiift object of his affedions, which being too . full in his heart could never find vent from his mouth, tho*^ he had all the opportunities he' could defire to re- veal it, till it was too late. And his genius had like to have ferved him in the fame manner, a few years after- wards, to the pretty maiden he loved and married; but , he found it neceffary to feek a little aid horn Bacchus^ . in that and all other concerns of any confequence, . where courage was v/anting to be immediately raifed. The fame remedy he recommends to Amyntor^ with this encouragement, that after the firft encounter, he - will find every attack more eafy ; and if, Sylvia would . •indulge, that is, I mean, do or fay fomething free*
to
||ggg^_^|.
AsfPAsfiA and Sophia. 49
well fhap'd and very agreeable, tho* unadornM with fine apparel (real beauty can no more be hid under a plain garb, than deformity can be conceard under a gaudy c6<^ering)her fame was foon blazon'd round that coun- ty, which at laft reach'd the ears of two young ladies whofe curiofity and charitable difpofition prompted them to pay a vifit to Sophia^ as their father's houfe was fituated but a few miles diftance from where fhe liv'd. Her behaviour and carriage they found fo ingaging that they gave her an invitation to come to fee them, which fhe in a humble manner accepted, and met with a VQ- ry kind reception from the ladies. Their brother, happen'd at that time to be at home, having taken a trip from the univerfity for a few months to pay his refpe£ls to his friends ; as his age and conftltution af- forded him vivacity, fo his education furnlfhM him with politenefs, and his fortune vv^ith courage.
He could not help being furpriz'd and pleafed with Sophia's addrefs and converfation, and being a little acquainted with her hiftory, which he gather^ from his fifters, he firfl: look'd upon her with pity, which, by the charms of her innocence and beauty, was foon fanned into love. He embraced the opportunities that ofter'd of converfmg with her : fhe was pleafed with his converfation, and quite a ftraiiger to any apprchenfion of danger (he expofed herfelf to m being often in his company; but he was a young gentleman of honour and integrity, and fcorn'd to take advantage of her dlflrefs and inexperience ; for the dictates of humanity and honourable love ovcr- povirer'd all fuch bafe intentions. He made no Icruple of declaring his mind to Sophiciy proteiling at
^o AsPATiA and Sophia.
the fame time the fmcerlty of his heart, and the honefty of his intentions; which fhe received with a prudent and becoming carriage, at the fame time fhe was fecretly pleafed with fuch a conqueft, yet told him the probable confequences that would follow from his marrying a perfon without a fortune, con- trary to his father'^s conferit, by which means he would forfeit not only his favour but difobllge the reft of his friends. This declaration however in- creafed his affections towards her, and determined him to make her his wife as foon as opportunity offer'd with fafety ; which, while he was meditating to bring about, and waiting for, his father was taken ill, and dying left his fon at his own difpofal.
By his father's death he became poffefsM of a good eflate, which had not the effe6l that change of worldly circumftances too often produces ; he for- got not his hdoved Sophia J but after performing the folemn rites over his parent's remains, and waiting a decent time to mourn his lofs, he accomplifhed his kind promifes to her, by making her his joyful wife. Her love, gratitude and prudence taught her to pleafe her hufband ; and in fo doing they lead fuch happy lives as are the natural rewards of the virtuous from the difpenfations of a gracious provi- vidence. Nor was Sophia negligent of her bene- faiStrefs ; her confort, for her fake, and at her re- quefl, pour'd on her favours in a bountiful man- ner for thofe that Sophia had received, by ge- neroully doubling her fmall income ^during her life, which was about thirty pounds a year. Thus Sophia lives efleem'd and beloved by all. When a generous
and
7^ Do RIND a; JX
and grateful mind recompenfes a favour received, it is hard to know, whether the giver or receiver pof- fefs the greateft pleafure; Let the reader learn by this Narration, that too eager purfuit of pleafure, not only finks that fortune which would fupport life with comfort, and the mind in tranquillity, but fo debili- tates the fpirlts when adverfity comes, that none fufFer it with more difquietude and dejedion ; but the virtues obtained by adverfity, teach a perfon good condudl in life, and how to make a proper ufe of an affluent ftate, whenever providence kindly raifes them to the pofleilion of it.
To DORINDA. ^ S072^.
J.
WHEN chance firft threw me in your way, I felt a pleafing fmart ; I feem'd delighted, brifk, and gay. Nor dreamt of 'Cupid's dart. IL I gaz'd. with raptures, on your eyes.
Each feature I admir'd ; But foon my heart was made your prize. With love my breaft was fir'd.
III.
With flames unknown my bofom glow'd.
Which on my vitals prey'd ; With pain I felt the lovM abode
Of you, cceleftial maid I
H 2 Not
52 ^Q Dor.inda;
IV. Not abfence could the flame allay, . But fiercer ftill it grew \ You're all my thoughts the live-long day.
My dream is only you. V. Some pow'r coeleftial take my part !
A (lift me from above ; With pity move her tender heart.
And melt her into love.
VI.
Heal, heal the wounds your eyes have made.
Nor give me to defpair ; Extend yoiir pity to my aid.
And take me to your care.
VII.
'Tis you alone can eafe my mind.
And fix my future fate ; For ever happy if youVe kind,
Or wretched in your hate. *
VIII.
Then blefs me with your radiant charms.
Be gen'rous as you're fair ; ril fly like lightning to your ^rms.
And dwell for ever there.
B
0/2 E N V Y. ^j
An ODE.
I.
Eneath the ihades of thickeft night. The child of Pride and Malice born. ■Ru(h'd into life ; an hideous Sprite,
That fhuts its eyes againft the chearful mofn. The fweet return of light fhe hails with cries. And from the day in rage the monfter flies. II. Round her black feat eternal vapours fpread Amoji malignant damp ; while ftagnant pools around.
And deep morafTes from a flimy bed, vf«^ herbs of baleful name, beftrew the fquallid ground. For here nofoft defcending dew Sprinkle the fun-impearled green ;
No flowers of pleafing fmell or hue. On this rude fpot were ever {ttn ; But rattling hail, and rain's impetuous pour ; Wild winds, and blafls infedious, madly roar. Then rufli to drown the cultivated plains ; O'er all things ftrait the rapid deluge reigns. III. Not here one bird of tuneful throat Is heard to pour his liquid note ; She liftens to the croaking frogs. The pois'nous toad and hifling fnake.
Ox to the fullen found of hogs. That ftir for food the miry lake. IV. With inward ftings her wicked bofom bleeds, Js drops the bloody on her own blood ihe feeds.
In
54 On EN V Y.
In rueful hands a cup fhe bears. Full of wretched mortals tears, When for an only child, juft dead, TheJIrmgeJI forrows parents fhed ; -.-iir But if feme happier news to this fucceed. She fcreams ; her limbs deformed, horrors fhake. She feels her bofom now more copious ble^d. And hiffing round her head, hears the enraged fnakes. . """ " '. V. , , : ' ■ With evil tirM, not fated, on her bed (A bed of thorns) her odious form is thrown.
There turns and toflcs, without reft.^ her head \ While every breath h-eathes fotth a fever's groan. Or, fhould (he gain a momentary fleep.
Ideas horrid ftill difturb her mind. Of fhipwreck'd mortals (hrieking in the deep. Of towns in flames, of plague with famine join'd.
VI. See at her. fide what curft companions move. All foes alike to pleafure, peace, and love.
With ears ere6t, attentive fear. And look amaz'd and trembling hand.
Start as fhe treads, and fpying far and near, Seemshalfto go, and halfto ftand. Slander^ -with her endlefs tale, Old, wither'd, lean, and fierce, and pale ; And y^iz/ow/y, with eyes aflcew, BufpeSling fomqthing J^range, and fomething new. VII.
Private Revenge^ with murdering fift^ With Wealthy foot, .and frequent lift. Creeps ilowly- on : v^ith wild amaze Guilt ftands, and looks an hundred ways.
Shame too, with hanging head, ftoops down fo low. As if to earth it wiih'd and fought to grow.
Hatred^ with her rankling thorns.
And Pride that each aflbciate fcorns, Clofe the vile tribe ; . O foes to health, to j oy, and lights Far hence to pine in grief, and dw-ell in endlefs night..'
George^ Coffee- Houfi^ Temple-Bar^ Nov, 6. T. H,
Remarks c;^ //6^ Inspector, Nov. io.
Messieurs Managers, ..,
AS the InfpecSlor has this day ftabb'd you unpro- vok'd, I think you can do no lefs than grant the juflice he denied me, by inferting the inclofed let- ter that was fent him, in anfwer to his hfpe^or of the day before, which he would not publiih, becaufe he would then have, been obliged to prove by reafon what he had ignorantly aflerted ; but reafoning is not his bufmefs ; he knew if he attempted it, he (hould gnaw a file. The Infpe^or^ would be a good writer, if his modefty equallM his ftile. , His writings are not all flerling without alloy. Why then does he expe<5l it in yours, which is a compofition of various fubjedts from various authors, who are not all equal to one ano- ther, nor to that formidable hero i\\Q.InfpeSfQr^ who vaunting fays of other writers, neither abuje norjlupi^ d'lty have provoked the InfpeSlor to lift up his arm^ which jnujl have crujhed them as it fell. But his vain boaft, fcurrility,infult, and fcandal undcfcrving, are unworthy regard. He vaunts of his being better received by the public than otlier Writers. Let him write the Infpector
^6 Remarks on the Inspector.
as the Rambler was written, without the invitation of news to read him, and he will fee how the public will receive him then. It may be as they did the Im- pertinent^ that died like a fart, as foon as it was born, of which he knows the author. The InfpeSfor complains all are in arms againfthim; 'tis what he def- fires to make himfelf famous. If he did not, why in the wantonnefs of his mifchief, does he firft make them his enemies, by endeavoring to injure the inno- cent, as he has done in calurhniating your Free Car^- refpondent^ which never mentioned him : But, if you had, 'twould not have been to his difgrace; for I have heard that you have taken his part againft his adverfa- ries, and fpake honorably of him ; and he has giveli you a reward, worthy him to give, but unworthy you to receive. Doubtlefs as good a writer as he is, fome low and mean things may be pickt out of his In- fpe£lors^ which he would be very unwilling fhould be made a flag of. To avoid this fhame, he pretends to ov>^n his faults, and to fee them better than his ene- mies. But he only condemns himfelf to avoid the juft condemnation of others. Let him know, " That he who would not have his fores offend^ *' Should not difguji the pimples of his friend.
It is a kind of malicious dlverfion to him to wound the weak. If the InfpeSfor will make to himfelf ene- mies undefervedly, it is fit he fhould take the confe- quence. I hope that you who are the Managers ot the Free Correfpondent will learn Virtue from the Vic^ of your adverfary; and then, if you never chance to be ,efteemed fo good authors, you'll be better men.
. Remarks on the Inspector. ^y
If the Infpe£ior had let your Free Correfpondent alone, I fliould have let him alone ; for I intended to have fent the inclofed to you without taking any notice that it had ever been fent to him at all, and to omit thofe things that particularly refpecSled him, or concernM him in the original. But now to avoid cavil, take it rough as it then run, with only the omifHon of one paragraph at the beginning, of no confequence, on which ink being fpilt and dried, it cannot be read. If the Infpe<!^or has a copy of it, and thinks it worth his while, he may give it the public.
I am^ SirSy ,
Tour Correfpondent,
P-r A— t. A Letter to the Inspector.
Mr. InjpeSlor, April 12, 1751.
IN your paper of TZ>z/r/fl^tfy, Jpril iith^ you pro- fefs yourfelf to be a perfon that conjiders things, and iveighs the nature and reafon of them \ in which I would join with you, for others are not to be rea- fon'd with.
The powers and faculties of man you there tell us, are nearly infinitely fuperior to other animals. Infi- nity, as it admits of no degrees, admits of no near- nefs. One creatures power, therefore, can be but greater than another's in a finite degree. I would. Sir, not cavil at the expreffion, but this feems to be a pufF of vain pride, which I only mention'd, that I if
58
"Remarh on the Inspector,
if pofTible you may, Sir, fee it to be fo, and weigh the nature and reafon cf things again, and judge of the wifclom of agents by their actions. There being na other way, that I know, of forming a judgment of internal powers but by their external appearances, nor of animals, but by their operations ; for birds, beafts, infects, and we cannot talk together : and you, no more than I, have pafled through any of thofe dates, therefore no more than I, have you any experimental knowledge of their intrinfic abilities, which, by their works, may be guefied at, but with- out cannot be known at ail. If works are declara- tive of power and wifdom in man, why not in other creatures ? And if the works of creatures are not demonftrations of their wifdom, how are the works of nature any indication of the wifdom of God ? And why may not he too be whatever he is, and adt whatever he does, from the necefTity of his nature, vv^thout will or wifdom * ? See now. Sir, how your Arguments, to fupport the belief of man's fuperiority, tends to overthrow the belief of Deity, and puzzle the caufe, by defiroying intelligence in God, Vv'ho is known only by his adiions.
I don t know. Sir, that you underftand the intel- ledual part of man 2nd animals better than other men ; but if you do, as you profefs to be InJlrnSfivey I would gladly be led into a little of that underftand- ing, which is by confidering things y weighifig the na- ture and rea/on of them. In that Infpe^or^ which is the occafion of this letter, Mofes^ whom you call the great Secretary of God and nature, (you don*t in- deed
'^ This is only faid to fiiew how the Infp':<flor srgued.
Remarks on the Inspector. 59
deed know that he was fo, and o-ive no reafon to prove it) writes, that God made man after his own image and fimilitude ; the meaning of which, you fay. Commentators do not commonly take, is, that by it is underftood, our free-will^ felf- agency^ power to rea- fon^ refie£i^ chufe, and refufe in our a£lions. But this. Sir, you have not proved ; therefore I find my reafon as much at a lofs to follow your fenfe of this expref- fion oi Mofes^ as that of other commentators. And Mofes feems to have wanted a Secretary, to explain to the world what this Secretary of God and nature meant. You add, that this Property moft efientially diftinguifhes us from other Animals, who move only involuntarily by what we call inJlinSft we may call it divine necejjiiy, that it is from a conjiant and continual impreJIJion of the omnipotent Creator^ who guides and directs the?n. But this neither have you proved, no more than you have what follows ; that conjcioufnefs and freedom of thought makes us like the Supreme. I fuppofe you do not know him by fenfe, but by faith \ and if by faith only, he is fuch to you as you con- ceive him to be. You fay, we have volition^ me^ morjy will^ all the aSlions of the Soul, and confequently have a principle within us immaterial.'^ Thefe things you have faid, but only faid them. See now. Sir, how many things you have taken for granted, and delivered without proof.
Seeing we cannot, as you fay, contemplate a nobler fuhjeSi than this, you will excufe my contemplations thereon. If all animals but man move only involun- tarily,
* He fliould have proved the one to be the confequence of the o:hcr.
6o Remarks on the Inspector.
iarifyy by tvhat we call inftinSf^ which we may call dl- vine necejfttyy when a wolf ravages a flock of flieep, wounding, and fucking the living blood of many ; or when a fierce beaft feizes and pre3^s on man (per- haps a good man too, a devout wor(hipper of God, who at that inOant calls on God for relief) yet God, regardlefs of his piteous plaint and devotion, fets on (if he is moved by divine neceffity) the ravenous beafl:, and tears him in pieces. Or when one crea- ture preys upon another, are not thefe actions alfo of divine neceffity ? And if fo, why may not like adions of man to man be of divine neceffity alfo ? Or are all the actions of other creatures the actions of God but the adlions of man, whom, becaufe he loves more, does he take lefs care of, direcSiing the for- mer by divine power or necejjity^ that they cannot move •nor a£l otherwife ; but wills man to a6i: as he will, «^iving him free power, will, and difpofitions fo to do, that be may with the better plea punifh him hereafter ? Does God fuffer his own will to be con- trndi&d by man, that God may punifh man for con-* tradi6^ing his will. This will produce too fevere reflections on the wifdom and goodnefs of our com- mon parent, if the dodrine be true ; on this dodtrine if it be falfe.
• As ihofe animals the Bees can make honey and hony- comh^ which all the wit of man cannot make^ they, as a peculiar creature, I fhould have thought are endued Vi^ith wifdom and abilities peculiar to their make and conflitution, and that it is right they fhould be fo ; but it feems they do it without knowing what is right or wrongby divine neceffity, becaufe they can move
er
Remarks ofi the Inspector. 6i
or aSf no otherwife; whereas I fhould have thought they adted fo becaufe they think it right, and underftand the benefit of their aftions for their own good, as much as man does for his ; and that therefore their adlions are as voluntary as man*s, and that God has given them^ and all creatures, convenient properties and underftandings. And as Bees can do what we can- not, they have an underftanding that we have not. To conclude otherwife, I think fhews only the igno- rance and pride of man, and I believe thefe two are always companions. — ' — ^ That Bees, by their fmall material powers and parts are able to do what man, with all his greater and immaterial powers, cannot do, (liews plainly that man's immaterial power is but conceived ; for if it was more than imaginary, what could it not do, that only material powers can ? It (hews alfo, that one creature cannot invade the property and power of another ; and that God, who is the equal maker of all, and conftitutor of the whole, is equally the father of all, and has equal love to all his creatures. How can we be ample judges of them, who are but miferable judges of ourfelves ? To me it appears, that there are fomc men, with all their immateriality, who have lefs underflanding than feme brutes v/ithout it ! Is not all our mighty boafted knowledge of things merely fuperficial ? Do we know the intrinfic nature of any thing ? Do we not find aay that clouds and darknefs reft upon it, and make it imperceptible to us ? And how oft does a fyftematical cloud obfcure the intelledlual vl- fion ? Do we certainly know we have a free power to do or not do the fame a£l:ions, or do we only think we have? If
62 Remarks on the Inspector,
If you pleafe to confider well concerning God, I am spt to think you mufl confefs, that as he is infinite, we x:annot comprehend him ; as he is eternal, we are loft in contemplating him ; and as he is infcrutable, we cannot know him. — Could men go equal lengths in examining and reafoning, and had they capacities alike, they would underftand alike ; but nature's powers pre- vent it, and it is not in the power of man to break dov/n nature's fence. — Every thing is made and de- termined as by number, weight, and meafure, by the great Mathematician of nature, v/ho bounds and go- verns all ; therefore every individual, and the minuteft a6iions as well as the greatefl, or he does not rule and govern all. If this {t^in not juft to us, 'tis becaufe our fight is finite, our love partial and felfifh ; but the Univerfal Being rules by univerfal laws, from which he nev'er exempts any creature; therefore his love is infinitely extended alike to all, to the lamb and the lion, to a man or a monkey; and the common condu(3: of Providence proves this dod:rine to be true. Let him difprove it that can. I am concerned for no- thing but truth.
If this letter be permitted to appear in the light I fhall think I have jufcice done me ; but if not, that ignorance and fear miftaken for holinefs prevent it. I ^m, Mr. Infpe^or^
Tour humble Servant^
Prat.
There
On Servility and Impenoufners. 63
THERE are genius's fuited to every branch of learning and bufinefs ; and peculiarly qualify'd to fill up every flation in life ; feme perfons are ufe- fui, di]i2:ent, and obedient fervants, vt'ho commence mafters with a very ill grace. Every one is not form- ed by nature for command, being uefHtute of thofe qualities that are necelTary in a w;ife governor, either of a nation, or a private family : Nor are fome form- ed to obey ; for there are good Mafters, who would be but very indifferent Servants, having too fmall a proportion of the feeds of fervility interwoven into their conftitutions. I am aware that the former obr fervation will feem fomewhat myfterious to moft peo- ple ; for every one is apt to conceive himfeif as ca- pable to command with difcretion, as the generality think themfelves qualify'd to manage a large eftate ; but fuch as have not fufficiently confidered the diffe- rent nature of the endowments that are requifite to fill up thofe Nations with eafe and credit ; for of thofe that have had the trial, there are but a very fmall num- ber fonnd capable of holding the reins of government: As cowards, when in power, are the greatefl Tyrants, fo the more fervile a man is when in a ftate of depen- dancy, the lefs qualify'd is he to exercife jurifdicSHon,, with judgiTjent and difcretion.
Himo had no education in his younger years, nor was he brought up to any trade; his firft entrance into bufmefs was in the flation of an errand-boy at an emi- nent Mercers ; but by his dil'gence, care, and conduct, in a hw years he was admitted behind the compter ; where his behaviour daily recommended him both to his Mafter and Cuflomers i he wai? remgrkably ready
in
64 Servility and Imperioufnefs.
in obeying commands, and his d-eportment was pro- portionably pliable and complaifant. He had not con- tinued long in his exalted ftation, before his Mailer died : When Hhno^ by the afTiftance of an advantage- ous marriage, took the fnop, and carried on the bufi- nefs. But from the moft fervile cringing journeyman, he Is commenced a peremptory, tyrannical Mafter j which indicates that he is in a ftation, he has neither natural nor acquired qualifications fuitable to dif-^ charge ; but if he had continued in his inferior fitua- tion, it would have enabled him to go through the world with efleem and applaufe.
It is natural for a fpirit, abje^l in (lavery, to be im- perious in power, becaufe he requires the fame obfe- quioufnefs from his Servants, that he praclifed when he was a Servant.
This difference of meannefs in a fervile ftate, and haughtinefs in a mafterly one, are both owing to Am- hiUon-y for this fpirit can {loop low, in order to rife hish ; it can condefcend to a mean eftate to come at an exalted one. The Ipweft ebb makes the higheft fiood. The more uneven the fpirits are, the greater extremes they fufFer. The paflions that are fi:rong, a- nimate the body to go through any hardfhip or fa- tigue, to reach their aim \ for ftrong paflions arc iiiong motives; and where the defire is great, the induftry to fatisfy that defir« will be fo to©.