U.S. Politics Online
U.S. Politics
Online Archives
ENTER THE U.S. POLITICS ONLINE DISCUSSION
FORUM
Note: The text below is in
the public domain.
This text is offered to the general public for non-profit educational purposes. U.S.
Politics Online does not own any copyrights pertaining to the text. Any copyrights
that may exist as to the
format, translation, etc., resides with the respective author/formatter, not U.S. Politics
Online. U.S.
Politics Online did convert the original text file into html. Any errors
with respect to formatting is a result of a program used to automate the
process.
Due to the requirements for redistribution of this text
by
some of the sources, the original source from which I obtained the text at times
will not be disclosed. If you would like information with respect to where
I obtained the text then please send me an e-mail:
archives@uspoliticsonline.com.
Such sources are not liable in any way for the text here. I would simply
provide you with information where you can find the original text of the
document, which may or may not be identical to what you see here. I have
made every attempt to comply with the wishes of the sources of these documents.
If an error is found with respect to such compliance then please bring it to my
attention immediately so the matter can be resolved.
Also, if you are the person responsible for
converting the text to the electronic format and would like credit for your work
in the document, please e-mail me and I would be more than happy to comply.
Due to my conversion of these text documents into the html format and the
possibility for errors to occur in said conversion, I did not want to
inadvertently attribute such errors to you.
PHILADELPHIA 1726-1757
by Benjamin Franklin
_Articles of Belief and Acts of Religion_
IN TWO PARTS.
Here will I hold ------ If there is a Pow'r above us
(And that there is, all Nature cries aloud,
Thro' all her Works), He must delight in Virtue
And that which he delights in must be Happy. Cato.
PART I.
Philada.
Nov. 20 1728.
First Principles
I believe there is one Supreme most perfect Being, Author and
Father of the Gods themselves.
For I believe that Man is not the most perfect Being but One,
rather that as there are many Degrees of Beings his Inferiors, so
there are many Degrees of Beings superior to him.
Also, when I stretch my Imagination thro' and beyond our System
of Planets, beyond the visible fix'd Stars themselves, into that
Space that is every Way infinite, and conceive it fill'd with Suns
like ours, each with a Chorus of Worlds for ever moving round him,
then this little Ball on which we move, seems, even in my narrow
Imagination, to be almost Nothing, and my self less than nothing, and
of no sort of Consequence.
When I think thus, I imagine it great Vanity in me to suppose,
that the _Supremely Perfect_, does in the least regard such an
inconsiderable Nothing as Man. More especially, since it is
impossible for me to have any positive clear Idea of that which is
infinite and incomprehensible, I cannot conceive otherwise, than that
He, _the Infinite Father_, expects or requires no Worship or Praise
from us, but that he is even INFINITELY ABOVE IT.
But since there is in all Men something like a natural
Principle which enclines them to DEVOTION or the Worship of some
unseen Power;
And since Men are endued with Reason superior to all other
Animals that we are in our World acquainted with;
Therefore I think it seems required of me, and my Duty, as a
Man, to pay Divine Regards to SOMETHING.
I CONCEIVE then, that the INFINITE has created many Beings or
Gods, vastly superior to Man, who can better conceive his Perfections
than we, and return him a more rational and glorious Praise. As
among Men, the Praise of the Ignorant or of Children, is not regarded
by the ingenious Painter or Architect, who is rather honour'd and
pleas'd with the Approbation of Wise men and Artists.
It may be that these created Gods, are immortal, or it may be
that after many Ages, they are changed, and Others supply their
Places.
Howbeit, I conceive that each of these is exceeding wise, and
good, and very powerful; and that Each has made for himself, one
glorious Sun, attended with a beautiful and admirable System of
Planets.
It is that particular wise and good God, who is the Author and
Owner of our System, that I propose for the Object of my Praise and
Adoration.
For I conceive that he has in himself some of those Passions he
has planted in us, and that, since he has given us Reason whereby we
are capable of observing his Wisdom in the Creation, he is not above
caring for us, being pleas'd with our Praise, and offended when we
slight Him, or neglect his Glory.
I conceive for many Reasons that he is a _good Being_, and as I
should be happy to have so wise, good and powerful a Being my Friend,
let me consider in what Manner I shall make myself most acceptable to
him.
Next to the Praise due, to his Wisdom, I believe he is pleased
and delights in the Happiness of those he has created; and since
without Virtue Man (*) can have no Happiness in this World, I firmly
believe he delights to see me Virtuous, because he is pleas'd when he
sees me Happy.
(*) See Junto Paper of Good and Evil, &c.
And since he has created many Things which seem purely design'd
for the Delight of Man, I believe he is not offended when he sees his
Children solace themselves in any manner of pleasant Exercises and
innocent Delights, and I think no Pleasure innocent that is to Man
hurtful.
I _love_ him therefore for his Goodness and I _adore_ him for
his Wisdom.
Let me then not fail to praise my God continually, for it is
his Due, and it is all I can return for his many Favours and great
Goodness to me; and let me resolve to be virtuous, that I may be
happy, that I may please Him, who is delighted to see me happy.
Amen.
1. Adoration. 2. Petition. 3. Thanks.
Prel.
Being mindful that before I address the DEITY, my Soul ought to
be calm and Serene, free from Passion and Perturbation, or otherwise
elevated with Rational Joy and Pleasure, I ought to use a Countenance
that expresses a filial Respect, mixt with a kind of Smiling, that
signifies inward Joy, and Satisfaction, and Admiration.
O wise God,
My good Father,
Thou beholdest the Sincerity of my Heart,
And of my Devotion;
Grant me a Continuance of thy Favour!
(1)
Powerful Goodness, &c.
O Creator, O Father, I believe that thou art Good, and that
thou art _pleas'd with the Pleasure_ of thy Children.
Praised be thy Name for Ever.
(2)
By thy Power hast thou made the glorious Sun, with his
attending Worlds; from the Energy of thy mighty Will they first
received their prodigious Motion, and by thy Wisdom hast thou
prescribed the wondrous Laws by which they move.
Praised be thy Name for ever.
(3)
By thy Wisdom hast thou formed all Things, Thou hast created
Man, bestowing Life and Reason, and plac'd him in Dignity superior to
thy other earthly Creatures.
Praised be thy Name for ever.
(4)
Thy Wisdom, thy Power, and thy GOODNESS are every where clearly
seen; in the Air and in the Water, in the Heavens and on the Earth;
Thou providest for the various winged Fowl, and the innumerable
Inhabitants of the Water; Thou givest Cold and Heat, Rain and
Sunshine in their Season, and to the Fruits of the Earth Increase.
Praised be thy Name for ever.
(5)
I believe thou hast given Life to thy Creatures that they might
Live, and art not delighted with violent Death and bloody Sacrifices.
Praised be thy Name for Ever.
(6)
Thou abhorrest in thy Creatures Treachery and Deceit, Malice,
Revenge, Intemperance and every other hurtful Vice; but Thou art a
Lover of Justice and Sincerity, of Friendship, Benevolence and every
Virtue. Thou art my Friend, my Father, and my Benefactor.
Praised be thy Name, O God, for Ever.
Amen.
After this, it will not be improper to read part of some such
Book as Ray's Wisdom of God in the Creation or Blacmore on the
Creation, or the Archbishop of Cambray's Demonstration of the Being
of a God; &c. or else spend some Minutes in a serious Silence,
contemplating on those Subjects.
Then Sing
Milton's Hymn to the Creator
These are thy Glorious Works, Parent of Good!
Almighty: Thine this Universal Frame,
Thus wondrous fair! Thy self how wondrous then!
Speak ye who best can tell, Ye Sons of Light,
Angels, for ye behold him, and with Songs,
And Choral Symphonies , Day without Night
Circle his Throne rejoicing. You in Heav'n,
On Earth, join all Ye Creatures to extol
Him first, him last, him midst and without End.
Fairest of Stars, last in the Train of Night,
If rather thou belongst not to the Dawn,
Sure Pledge of Day! That crown'st the smiling Morn
With thy bright Circlet; Praise him in thy Sphere
While Day arises, that sweet Hour of Prime.
Thou Sun, of this Great World both Eye and Soul
Acknowledge Him thy Greater, Sound his Praise
In thy Eternal Course; both when thou climb'st,
And when high Noon hast gain'd, and when thou fall'st.
Moon! that now meet'st the orient Sun, now fly'st
With the fix'd Stars, fix'd in their Orb that flies,
And ye five other Wandring Fires, that move
In mystic Dance, not without Song, resound
His Praise, that out of Darkness call'd up Light.
Air! and ye Elements! the Eldest Birth
Of Nature's Womb, that in Quaternion run
Perpetual Circle, multiform; and mix
And nourish all Things, let your ceaseless Change
Vary to our great Maker still new Praise.
Ye Mists and Exhalations! that now rise
From Hill or steaming Lake, dusky or grey,
Till the Sun paint your fleecy Skirts with Gold,
In Honour to the World's Great Author rise.
Whether to deck with Clouds th' uncolour'd Sky
Or wet the thirsty Earth with falling Show'rs,
Rising or falling still advance his Praise.
His Praise, ye Winds! that from 4 Quarters blow,
Breathe soft or loud; and wave your Tops ye Pines!
With every Plant, in Sign of Worship wave.
Fountains! and ye that warble as ye flow
Melodious Murmurs, warbling tune his Praise.
Join Voices all ye living Souls, ye Birds!
That singing, up to Heav'n's high Gate ascend,
Bear on your Wings, and in your Notes his Praise.
Ye that in Waters glide! and ye that walk
The Earth! and stately Tread, or lowly Creep;
Witness _if I be silent_, Ev'n orain or Fresh Shade,
Made Vocal by my Song, and taught his Praise.
Here follows the Reading of some Book or part of a Book
Discoursing on and exciting to MORAL VIRTUR
Petition.
Prel.
In as much as by Reason of our Ignorance We cannot be Certain
that many Things Which we often hear mentioned in the Petitions of
Men to the Deity, would prove REAL GOODS if they were in our
Possession, and as I have Reason to hope and believe that the
Goodness of my Heavenly Father will not withold from me a suitable
Share of Temporal Blessings, if by a VIRTUOUS and HOLY Life I merit
his Favour and Kindness, Therefore I presume not to ask such Things,
but rather Humbly, and with a sincere Heart express my earnest
Desires that he would graciously assist my Continual Endeavours and
Resolutions of eschewing Vice and embracing Virtue; Which kind of
Supplications will at least be thus far beneficial, as they remind me
in a solemn manner of my Extensive DUTY.
That I may be preserved from Atheism and Infidelity, Impiety
and Profaneness, and in my Addresses to Thee carefully avoid
Irreverence and Ostentation, Formality and odious Hypocrisy,
Help me, O Father
That I may be loyal to my Prince, and faithful to my Country,
careful for its Good, valiant in its Defence, and obedient to its
Laws, abhorring Treason as much as Tyranny,
Help me, O Father
That I may to those above me be dutiful, humble, and
submissive, avoiding Pride, Disrespect and Contumacy,
Help me, O Father
That I may to those below me, be gracious, Condescending and
Forgiving, using Clemency, protecting _Innocent Distress_, avoiding
Cruelty, Harshness and Oppression, Insolence and unreasonable
Severity,
Help me, O Father
That I may refrain from Calumny and Detraction; that I may
avoid and abhor Deceit and Envy, Fraud, Flattery and Hatred, Malice,
Lying and Ingratitude,
Help me, O Father
That I may be sincere in Friendship, faithful in Trust, and
impartial in Judgment, watchful against Pride, and against Anger
(that momentary Madness),
Help me, O Father
That I may be just in all my Dealings and temperate in my
Pleasures, full of Candour and Ingenuity, Humanity and Benevolence,
Help me, O Father
That I may be grateful to my Benefactors and generous to my
Friends, exerting Charity and Liberality to the Poor, and Pity to the
Miserable,
Help me, O Father
That I may avoid Avarice, Ambition, and Intemperance, Luxury
and Lasciviousness,
Help me, O Father
That I may possess Integrity and Evenness of Mind, Resolution
in Difficulties, and Fortitude under Affliction; that I may be
punctual in performing my Promises, peaceable and prudent in my
Behaviour,
Help me, O Father
That I may have Tenderness for the Weak, and a reverent Respect
for the Ancient; That I may be kind to my Neighbours, good-natured to
my Companions, and hospitable to Strangers,
Help me, O Father
That I may be averse to Craft and Overreaching, abhor
Extortion, Perjury, and every kind of Wickedness,
Help me, O Father
That I may be honest and Openhearted, gentle, merciful and
Good, chearful in Spirit, rejoicing in the Good of Others,
Help me, O Father
That I may have a constant Regard to Honour and Probity; That I
may possess a perfect Innocence and a good Conscience, and at length
become Truly Virtuous and Magnanimous, Help me, Good God,
Help me, O Father
And forasmuch as Ingratitude is one of the most odious of
Vices, let me not be unmindful gratefully to acknoledge the Favours I
receive from Heaven.
Thanks.
For Peace and Liberty, for Food and Raiment, for Corn and Wine,
and Milk, and every kind of Healthful Nourishment, _Good God, I Thank
thee._
For the Common Benefits of Air and Light, for useful Fire and
delicious Water, _Good God, I Thank thee._
For Knowledge and Literature and every useful Art; for my
Friends and their Prosperity, and for the fewness of my Enemies,
_Good God, I Thank thee._
For all thy innumerable Benefits; For Life and Reason, and the
Use of Speech, for Health and Joy and every Pleasant Hour, _my Good
God, I thank thee._
End of the first Part.
_Epitaph_
The Body of
B. Franklin,
Printer;
Like the Cover of an old Book,
Its Contents torn out,
And stript of its Lettering and Gilding,
Lies here, Food for Worms.
But the Work shall not be wholly lost:
For it will, as he believ'd, appear once more,
In a new & more perfect Edition,
Corrected and amended
By the Author.
He was born Jan. 6. 1706.
Died 17
1728
_The Busy-Body, No. 1_
Mr. _Andrew Bradford_,
I design this to acquaint you, that I, who have long been one
of your _Courteous Readers_, have lately entertain'd some Thoughts of
setting up for an Author my Self; not out of the least Vanity, I
assure you, or Desire of showing my Parts, but purely for the Good of
my Country.
I have often observ'd with Concern, that your _Mercury_ is not
always equally entertaining. The Delay of Ships expected in, and
want of fresh Advices from _Europe_, make it frequently very Dull;
and I find the Freezing of our River has the same Effect on News as
on Trade. -- With more Concern have I continually observ'd the
growing Vices and Follies of my Country-folk. And tho' Reformation
is properly the concern of every Man; that is, _Every one ought to
mend One_; yet 'tis too true in this Case, that _what is every Body's
Business is no Body's Business_, and the Business is done
accordingly. I, therefore, upon mature Deliberation, think fit to
take _no Body's Business_ wholly into my own Hands; and, out of Zeal
for the Publick Good, design to erect my Self into a Kind of _Censor
Morum_; proposing with your Allowance, to make Use of the _Weekly
Mercury_ as a Vehicle in which my Remonstrances shall be convey'd to
the World.
I am sensible I have, in this Particular, undertaken a very
unthankful Office, and expect little besides my Labour for my Pains.
Nay, 'tis probable I may displease a great Number of your Readers,
who will not very well like to pay 10 s a Year for being told of
their Faults. But as most People delight in Censure when they
themselves are not the Objects of it, if any are offended at my
publickly exposing their private Vices, I promise they shall have the
Satisfaction, in a very little Time, of seeing their good Friends and
Neighbours in the same Circumstances.
However, let the Fair Sex be assur'd, that I shall always treat
them and their Affairs with the utmost _Decency_ and Respect. I
intend now and then to dedicate a Chapter wholly to their Service;
and if my Lectures any Way contribute to the Embellishment of their
Minds, and Brightning of their Understandings, without offending
their _Modesty_, I doubt not of having their Favour and
Encouragement.
'Tis certain, that no Country in the World produces naturally
finer Spirits than ours, Men of Genius for every kind of Science, and
capable of acquiring to Perfection every Qualification that is in
Esteem among Mankind. But as few here have the Advantage of good
Books, for want of which, good Conversation is still more scarce, it
would doubtless have been very acceptable to your Readers, if,
instead of an old out-of-date Article from _Muscovy_ or _Hungary_,
you had entertained them with some well-chosen Extract from a good
Author. This I shall sometimes do, _when I happen to have nothing of
my own to say that I think of more Consequence._ Sometimes, I propose
to deliver Lectures of Morality or Philosophy, and (because I am
naturally enclin'd to be meddling with Things that don't concern me)
perhaps I may sometimes talk Politicks. And if I can by any means
furnish out a Weekly Entertainment for the Publick, that will give a
rational Diversion, and at the same Time be instructive to the
Readers, I shall think my Leisure Hours well employ'd: And if you
publish this I hereby invite all ingenious Gentlemen and others,
(that approve of such an Undertaking) to my Assistance and
Correspondence.
'Tis like by this Time you have a Curiosity to be acquainted
with my Name and Character. As I do not aim at publick Praise I
design to remain concealed; and there are such Numbers of our Family
and Relations at this Time in the Country, that tho' I've sign'd my
Name at full Length, I am not under the least Apprehension of being
distinguish'd and discover'd by it. My Character indeed I would
favour you with, but that I am cautious of praising my Self, lest I
should be told _my Trumpeter's dead_: And I cannot find in my Heart,
at present, to say any Thing to my own Disadvantage.
It is very common with Authors in their First Performances to
talk to their Readers thus, _If this meets with a SUITABLE
_Reception_; Or, _If this should meet with DUE _Encouragement, I
shall hereafter publish, &c._ This only manifests the Value they put
on their own Writings, since they think to frighten the Publick into
their Applause, by threatning, that unless you approve what they have
already wrote, they intend never to write again; when perhaps, it
mayn't be a Pin Matter whether they ever do or no. As I have not
observ'd the Criticks to be more favourable on this Account, I shall
always avoid saying any Thing of the Kind; and conclude with telling
you, that if you send me a Bottle of Ink and a Quire of Paper by the
Bearer, you may depend on hearing further from
SIR,
Your most humble Servant
_The Busy Body._
_No 1_.
_The American Weekly Mercury_, February 4, 1728/9
_The Busy-Body, No. 2_
_All Fools have still an Itching to deride;
And fain would be upon the laughing Side._ Pope.
Monsieur _Rochefocaut_ tells us somewhere in his Memoirs, that
the Prince of _Conde_ delighted much in Ridicule; and us'd frequently
to shut himself up for Half a Day together in his Chamber with a
Gentleman that was his Favourite, purposely to divert himself with
examining what was the Foible or ridiculous side of every Noted
Person in the Court. That Gentleman said afterwards in some Company,
that he thought nothing was more ridiculous in any Body, than this
same Humour in the Prince; and I am somewhat inclin'd to be of his
Opinion. The General Tendency there is among us to this
Embellishment, (which I fear has too often been grossly imposed upon
my loving Countrymen instead of Wit) and the Applause it meets with
from a rising Generation, fill me with fearful Apprehensions for the
future Reputation of my Country: A young Man of Modesty (which is the
most certain Indication of large Capacities) is hereby discourag'd
from attempting to make any Figure in Life: His Apprehensions of
being out-laugh'd, will force him to continue in a restless
Obscurity, without having an Opportunity of knowing his own Merit
himself, or discovering it to the World, rather than venture to
expose himself in a Place where a Pun or a Sneer shall pass for Wit,
Noise for Reason, and the Strength of the Argument be judg'd by that
of the Lungs. Among these witty Gentlemen let us take a View of
_Ridentius_: What a contemptible Figure does he make with his Train
of paultry Admirers? This Wight shall give himself an Hours
Diversion with the Cock of a Man's Hat, the Heels of his Shoes, an
unguarded Expression in his Discourse, or even some Personal Defect;
and the Height of his low Ambition is to put some One of the Company
to the Blush, who perhaps must pay an equal Share of the Reckoning
with himself. If such a Fellow makes Laughing the sole End and
Purpose of his Life, if it is necessary to his Constitution, or if he
has a great Desire of growing suddenly fat, let him treat; let him
give publick Notice where any dull stupid Rogues may get a Quart of
Four-penny for being laugh'd at; but 'tis barbarously unhandsome,
when Friends meet for the Benefit of Conversation, and a proper
Relaxation from Business, that one should be the _Butt_ of the
Company, and Four Men made merry at the Cost of the Fifth.
How different from this Character is that of the good-natur'd
gay _Eugenius_? who never spoke yet but with a Design to divert and
please; and who was never yet baulk'd in his Intention. _Eugenius_
takes more Delight in applying the Wit of his Friends, than in being
admir'd himself: And if any one of the Company is so unfortunate as
to be touch'd a little too nearly, he will make Use of some ingenious
Artifice to turn the Edge of Ridicule another Way, chusing rather to
make even himself a publick Jest, than be at the Pain of seeing his
Friend in Confusion.
Among the Tribe of Laughers I reckon the _pretty Gentlemen_
that write _Satyrs_, and carry them about in their Pockets, reading
them themselves in all Company they happen into; taking an Advantage
of the ill Taste of the Town, to make themselves famous for a Pack of
paultry low Nonsence, for which they deserve to be kick'd, rather
than admir'd, by all who have the least Tincture of Politeness.
These I take to be the most incorrigible of all my Readers; nay I
expect they will be squibbing at the _BUSY-BODY_ himself: However the
only Favour he begs of them is this; that if they cannot controul
their over-bearing Itch of _Scribbling_, let him be attack'd in down
right _BITING LYRICKS_; for there is no _Satyr_ he Dreads half so
much as an Attempt towards a Panegyrick.
_The American Weekly Mercury_, February 11, 1728/9
_The Busy-Body, No. 3_
_Non vultus instantis Tyranni
Mente quatit solida -- neque Auster
Dux inquieti turbidus Adriae,
Nec fulminantis magna Jovis manus._ Hor.
It is said that the _Persians_ in their ancient Constitution,
had publick Schools in which Virtue was taught as a Liberal Art or
Science; and it is certainly of more Consequence to a Man that he has
learnt to govern his Passions; in spite of Temptation to be just in
his Dealings, to be Temperate in his Pleasures, to support himself
with Fortitude under his Misfortunes, to behave with Prudence in all
Affairs and in every Circumstance of Life; I say, it is of much more
real Advantage to him to be thus qualified, than to be a Master of
all the Arts and Sciences in the World beside.
_Virtue alone is sufficient to make a Man Great, Glorious and
Happy._ -- He that is acquainted with _CATO_, as I am, cannot help
thinking as I do now, and will acknowledge he deserves the Name
without being honour'd by it. _Cato_ is a Man whom Fortune has
plac'd in the most obscure Part of the Country. His Circumstances
are such as only put him above Necessity, without affording him many
Superfluities; Yet who is greater than _Cato_? -- I happened but the
other Day to be at a House in Town, where among others were met Men
of the most Note in this Place: _Cato_ had Business with some of
them, and knock'd at the Door. The most trifling Actions of a Man,
in my Opinion, as well as the smallest Features and Lineaments of the
Face, give a nice Observer some Notion of his Mind. Methought he
rapp'd in such a peculiar Manner, as seem'd of itself to express,
there was One who deserv'd as well as desir'd Admission. He appear'd
in the plainest Country Garb; his Great Coat was coarse and looked
old and thread-bare; his Linnen was homespun; his Beard perhaps of
Seven Days Growth, his Shoes thick and heavy, and every Part of his
Dress corresponding. Why was this Man receiv'd with such concurring
Respect from every Person in the Room, even from those who had never
known him or seen him before? It was not an exquisite Form of
Person, or Grandeur of Dress that struck us with Admiration. I
believe long Habits of Virtue have a sensible Effect on the
Countenance: There was something in the Air of his Face that
manifested the true Greatness of his Mind; which likewise appear'd in
all he said, and in every Part of his Behaviour, obliging us to
regard him with a Kind of Veneration. His Aspect is sweetned with
Humanity and Benevolence, and at the same Time emboldned with
Resolution, equally free from a diffident Bashfulness and an
unbecoming Assurance. The Consciousness of his own innate Worth and
unshaken Integrity renders him calm and undaunted in the Presence of
the most Great and Powerful, and upon the most extraordinary
Occasions. His strict Justice and known Impartiality make him the
Arbitrator and Decider of all Differences that arise for many Miles
around him, without putting his Neighbours to the Charge, Perplexity
and Uncertainty of Law-Suits. He always speaks the Thing he means,
which he is never afraid or asham'd to do, because he knows he always
means well; and therefore is never oblig'd to blush and feel the
Confusion of finding himself detected in the Meanness of a Falshood.
He never contrives Ill against his Neighbour, and therefore is never
seen with a lowring suspicious Aspect. A mixture of Innocence and
Wisdom makes him ever seriously chearful. His generous Hospitality
to Strangers according to his Ability, his Goodness, his Charity, his
Courage in the Cause of the Oppressed, his Fidelity in Friendship,
his Humility, his Honesty and Sincerity, his Moderation and his
Loyalty to the Government, his Piety, his Temperance, his Love to
Mankind, his Magnanimity, his Publick-spiritedness, and in fine, his
_Consummate Virtue_, make him justly deserve to be esteem'd the Glory
of his Country.
------ _The Brave do never shun the Light,
Just are their Thoughts and open are their Tempers;
Freely without Disguise they love and hate;
Still are they found in the fair Face of Day,
And Heaven and Men are Judges of their Actions._
Rowe.
Who would not rather chuse, if it were in his Choice, to merit
the above Character, than be the richest, the most learned, or the
most powerful Man in the Province without it?
Almost every Man has a strong natural Desire of being valu'd
and esteem'd by the rest of his Species; but I am concern'd and
griev'd to see how few fall into the Right and only infallible Method
of becoming so. That laudable Ambition is too commonly misapply'd
and often ill employ'd. Some to make themselves considerable pursue
Learning, others grasp at Wealth, some aim at being thought witty,
and others are only careful to make the most of an handsome Person;
But what is Wit, or Wealth, or Form, or Learning when compar'd with
Virtue? 'Tis true, we love the handsome, we applaud the Learned, and
we fear the Rich and Powerful; but we even Worship and adore the
Virtuous. -- Nor is it strange; since Men of Virtue, are so rare, so
very rare to be found. If we were as industrious to become Good, as
to make ourselves Great, we should become really Great by being Good,
and the Number of valuable Men would be much increased; but it is a
Grand Mistake to think of being Great without Goodness; and I
pronounce it as certain, _that there was never yet a truly Great Man
that was not at the same Time truly Virtuous._
O _Cretico_! Thou sowre Philosopher! Thou cunning States-man!
Thou art crafty, but far from being Wise. When wilt thou be
esteem'd, regarded and belov'd like _Cato_? When wilt thou, among
thy Creatures meet with that unfeign'd Respect and warm Good-will
that all Men have for him? Wilt thou never understand that the
cringing, mean, submissive Deportment of thy Dependants, is (like the
Worship paid by _Indians_ to the Devil) rather thro' Fear of the Harm
thou may'st do to them, than out of Gratitude for the Favours they
have receiv'd of thee? -- Thou art not wholly void of Virtue; there
are many good Things in thee, and many good Actions reported of thee.
Be advised by thy Friend: Neglect those musty Authors; let them be
cover'd with Dust, and moulder on their proper Shelves; and do thou
apply thy self to a Study much more profitable, The Knowledge of
Mankind, and of thy Self.
_This is to give Notice that the BUSY-BODY strictly forbids all
Persons, from this Time forward, of what Age, Sex, Rank, Quality,
Degree or Denomination soever, on any Pretence to enquire who is the
Author of this Paper, on Pain of his Displeasure, (his own near and
Dear Relations only excepted)._
_'Tis to be observ'd that if any bad Characters happen to be
drawn in the Course of these Papers, they mean no particular Person,
if they are not particularly apply'd._
_Likewise that the Author is no Partyman, but a general
Meddler._
N. B. Cretico _lives in a neighbouring Province_.
_The American Weekly Mercury_, February 18, 1728/9
_The Busy-Body, No. 4_
_Nequid nimis._
In my first Paper I invited the Learned and the Ingenious to
join with me in this Undertaking; and I now repeat that Invitation.
I would have such Gentlemen take this Opportunity, (by trying their
Talent in Writing) of diverting themselves and their Friends, and
improving the Taste of the Town. And because I would encourage all
Wit of our own Growth and Produce, I hereby promise, that whoever
shall send me a little Essay on some moral or other Subject, that is
fit for publick View in this Manner (and not basely borrow'd from any
other Author) I shall receive it with Candour, and take Care to place
it to the best Advantage. It will be hard if we cannot muster up in
the whole Country, a sufficient Stock of Sense to supply the
_Busy-Body_ at least for a Twelvemonth. For my own Part, I have
already profess'd that I have the Good of my Country wholly at Heart
in this Design, without the least sinister View; my chief Purpose
being to inculcate the noble Principles of Virtue, and depreciate
Vice of every kind. But as I know the Mob hate Instruction, and the
Generality would never read beyond the first Line of my Lectures, if
they were usually fill'd with nothing but wholesome Precepts and
Advice; I must therefore sometimes humour them in their own Way.
There are a Set of Great Names in the Province, who are the common
Objects of Popular Dislike. If I can now and then overcome my
Reluctance, and prevail with my self to Satyrize a little, one of
these Gentlemen, the Expectation of meeting with such a
Gratification, will induce many to read me through, who would
otherwise proceed immediately to the Foreign News. As I am very well
assured that the greatest Men among us have a sincere Love for their
Country, notwithstanding its Ingratitude, and the Insinuations of the
Envious and Malicious to the contrary, so I doubt not but they will
chearfully tolerate me in the Liberty I design to take for the End
above mentioned.
As yet I have but few Correspondents, tho' they begin now to
increase. The following Letter, left for me at the Printers, is one
of the first I have receiv'd, which I regard the more for that it
comes from one of the Fair Sex, and because I have my self oftentimes
suffer'd under the Grievance therein complain'd of.
_To the Busy-Body._
_Sir,_
`You having set your self up for a _Censuror Morum_ (as I think
you call it) which is said to mean a _Reformer of Manners_, I know no
Person more proper to be apply'd to for Redress in all the Grievances
we suffer from _Want of Manners_ in some People. You must know I am
a single Woman, and keep a Shop in this Town for a Livelyhood. There
is a certain Neighbour of mine, who is really agreeable Company
enough, and with whom I have had an Intimacy of some Time standing;
But of late she makes her Visits so excessively often, and stays so
very long every Visit, that I am tir'd out of all Patience. I have
no Manner of Time at all to my self; and you, who seem to be a wise
Man, must needs be sensible that every Person has little Secrets and
Privacies that are not proper to be expos'd even to the nearest
Friend. Now I cannot do the least Thing in the World, but she must
know all about it; and it is a Wonder I have found an Opportunity to
write you this Letter. My Misfortune is, that I respect her very
well, and know not how to disoblige her so much as to tell her I
should be glad to have less of her Company; for if I should once hint
such a Thing, I am afraid she would resent it so as never to darken
my Door again. -- But, alas, Sir, I have not yet told you half my
Afflictions. She has two Children that are just big enough to run
about and do pretty Mischief: These are continually along with
_Mamma_, either in my Room or Shop, if I have never so many Customers
or People with me about Business. Sometimes they pull the Goods off
my low Shelves down to the Ground, and perhaps where one of them has
just been making Water; My Friend takes up the Stuff, and cries, _Eh!
thou little wicked mischievous Rogue! -- But however, it has done no
great Damage; 'tis only wet a little_; and so puts it up upon the
Shelf again. Sometimes they get to my Cask of Nails behind the
Counter, and divert themselves, to my great Vexation, with mixing my
Ten-penny and Eight-penny and Four-penny together. I Endeavour to
conceal my Uneasiness as much as possible, and with a grave Look go
to Sorting them out. She cries, _Don't thee trouble thy self,
Neighbour: Let them play a little; I'll put all to rights my self
before I go._ But Things are never so put to rights but that I find a
great deal of Work to do after they are gone. Thus, Sir, I have all
the Trouble and Pesterment of Children, without the Pleasure of --
calling them my own; and they are now so us'd to being here that they
will be content no where else. If she would have been so kind as to
have moderated her Visits to ten times a Day, and stay'd but half an
hour at a Time, I should have been contented, and I believe never
have given you this Trouble: But this very Morning they have so
tormented me that I could bear no longer; For while the Mother was
asking me twenty impertinent Questions, the youngest got to my Nails,
and with great Delight rattled them by handfuls all over the Floor;
and the other at the same Time made such a terrible Din upon my
Counter with a Hammer, that I grew half distracted. I was just then
about to make my self a new Suit of Pinners, but in the Fret and
Confusion I cut it quite out of all Manner of Shape, and utterly
spoil'd a Piece of the first Muslin. Pray, Sir, tell me what I shall
do. And talk a little against such unreasonable Visiting in your
next Paper: Tho' I would not have her affronted with me for a great
Deal, for sincerely I love her and her Children as well I think, as a
Neighbour can, and she buys a great many Things in a Year at my Shop.
But I would beg her to consider that she uses me unmercifully; Tho' I
believe it is only for want of Thought. -- But I have twenty Things
more to tell you besides all this; There is a handsome Gentleman that
has a Mind (I don't question) to make love to me, but he can't get
the least Opportunity to -- : O dear, here she comes again; -- I must
conclude
Yours, &c.
Patience.'
Indeed, 'tis well enough, as it happens, that _she is come_, to
shorten this Complaint which I think is full long enough already, and
probably would otherwise have been as long again. However, I must
confess I cannot help pitying my Correspondent's Case, and in her
Behalf exhort the Visitor to remember and consider the Words of the
Wise Man, _Withdraw thy Foot from the House of thy Neighbour least he
grow weary of thee, and so hate thee._ It is, I believe, a nice thing
and very difficult, to regulate our Visits in such a Manner, as never
to give Offence by coming too seldom, or too often, or departing too
abruptly, or staying too long. However, in my Opinion, it is safest
for most People, in a general way, who are unwilling to disoblige, to
visit seldom, and tarry but a little while in a Place;
notwithstanding pressing Invitations, which are many times insincere.
And tho' more of your Company should be really desir'd; yet in this
Case, too much Reservedness is a Fault more easily excus'd than the
Contrary.
Men are subjected to various Inconveniences meerly through lack
of a small Share of Courage, which is a Quality very necessary in the
common Occurences of Life, as well as in a Battle. How many
Impertinences do we daily suffer with great Uneasiness, because we
have not Courage enough to discover our Dislike? And why may not a
Man use the Boldness and Freedom of telling his Friends that their
long Visits sometimes incommode him? -- On this Occasion, it may be
entertaining to some of my Readers, if I acquaint them with the
_Turkish_ Manner of entertaining Visitors, which I have from an
Author of unquestionable Veracity; who assures us, that even the
Turks are not so ignorant of Civility, and the Arts of Endearment,
but that they can practice them with as much Exactness as any other
Nation, whenever they have a Mind to shew themselves obliging.
`When you visit a Person of Quality, (says he) and have talk'd
over your Business, or the Complements, or whatever Concern brought
you thither, he makes a Sign to have Things serv'd in for the
Entertainment, which is generally, a little Sweetmeat, a Dish of
Sherbet, and another of Coffee; all which are immediately brought in
by the Servants, and tender'd to all the Guests in Order, with the
greatest Care and Awfulness imaginable. At last comes the finishing
Part of your Entertainment, which is, Perfuming the Beards of the
Company; a Ceremony which is perform'd in this Manner. They have for
the Purpose a small Silver Chaffing-Dish, cover'd with a Lid full of
Holes, and fixed upon a handsome Plate. In this they put some fresh
Coals, and upon them a piece of _Lignum Aloes_, and shutting it up,
the Smoak immediately ascends with a grateful Odour thro' the Holes
of the Cover. This Smoak is held under every one's Chin, and offer'd
as it were a Sacrifice to his Beard. The bristly Idol soon receives
the Reverence done to it, and so greedily takes in and incorporates
the gummy Steam, that it retains the Savour of it, and may serve for
a Nosegay a good while after.
`This Ceremony may perhaps seem ridiculous at first hearing;
but it passes among the _Turks_ for an high Gratification. And I
will say this in its Vindication, that it's Design is very wise and
useful. For it is understood to give a civil Dismission to the
Visitants; intimating to them, that the Master of the House has
Business to do, or some other Avocation, that permits them to go away
as soon as they please; and the sooner after this Ceremony the
better. By this Means you may, at any Time, without Offence, deliver
your self from being detain'd from your Affairs by tedious and
unseasonable Visits; and from being constrain'd to use that Piece of
Hypocrisy so common in the World, of pressing those to stay longer
with you, whom perhaps in your Heart you wish a great Way off for
having troubled you so long already.'
Thus far my Author. For my own Part, I have taken such a Fancy
to this Turkish Custom, that for the future I shall put something
like it in Practice. I have provided a Bottle of right French Brandy
for the Men, and Citron-Water for the Ladies. After I have treated
with a Dram, and presented a Pinch of my best Snuff, I expect all
Company will retire, and leave me to pursue my Studies for the Good
of the Publick.
Advertisement.
_I give Notice that I am now actually compiling, and design to
publish in a short Time, the true History of the Rise, Growth and
Progress of the renowned_ Tiff-Club. _All Persons who are acquainted
with any Facts, Circumstances, Characters, Transactions,_ &c. _which
will be requisite to the Perfecting and Embellishment of the said
Work, are desired to communicate the same to the Author, and direct
their Letters to be left with the Printer hereof._
The Letter sign'd _Would-be-something_ is come to hand.
_The American Weekly Mercury_, February 25, 1728/9
_The Busy-Body, No. 5_
_Vos, O Patricius sanguis, quos vivere fas est
Occipiti caeco, posticae occurrite sannae_. Persius.
This Paper being design'd for a Terror to Evil-Doers, as well
as a Praise to them that do well, I am lifted up with secret Joy to
find that my Undertaking is approved, and encourag'd by the Just and
Good, and that few are against me but those who have Reason to fear
me.
There are little Follies in the Behaviour of most Men, which
their best Friends are too tender to acquaint them with: There are
little Vices and small Crimes which the Law has no Regard to, or
Remedy for: There are likewise great Pieces of Villany sometimes so
craftily accomplish'd, and so circumspectly guarded, that the Law can
take no Hold of the Actors. All these Things, and all Things of this
Nature, come within my Province as _CENSOR_, and I am determined not
to be negligent of the Trust I have reposed in my self, but resolve
to execute my Office diligently and Faithfully.
And that all the World may judge with how much Humanity as well
as Justice I shall behave in this Office; and that even my Enemies
may be convinc'd I take no Delight to rake into the Dunghill Lives of
vicious Men; and to the End that certain Persons may be a little
eas'd of their Fears, and reliev'd from the terrible Palpitations
they have lately felt and suffer'd, and do still suffer; I hereby
graciously pass an Act of general Oblivion, for all Offences, Crimes
and Misdemeanors of what Kind soever, committed from the Beginning of
Year sixteen hundred and eighty one, until the Day of the Date of my
first Paper; and promise only to concern my self with such as have
been since and shall hereafter be committed. I shall take no Notice
who has, (heretofore) rais'd a Fortune by Fraud and Oppression, nor
who by Deceit and Hypocrisy: What Woman has been false to her good
Husband's Bed; nor what Man has, by barbarous Usage or Neglect, broke
the Heart of a faithful Wife, and wasted his Health and Substance in
Debauchery: What base Wretch has betray'd his Friend, and sold his
Honesty for Gold, nor what yet baser Wretch, first corrupted him and
then bought the Bargain: All this, and much more of the same Kind I
shall forget and pass over in Silence; -- but then it is to be
observed that I expect and require a sudden and general Amendment.
These Threatnings of mine I hope will have a good Effect, and,
if regarded, may prevent abundance of Folly and Wickedness in others,
and at the same Time save me abundance of Trouble. And that People
may not flatter themselves with the Hopes of concealing their
Misdemeanours from my Knowledge, and in that View persist in
Evil-doing, I must acquaint them, that I have lately enter'd into an
Intimacy with the extraordinary Person who some Time since wrote me
the following Letter; and who, having a Wonderful Faculty that
enables him to discover the most secret Iniquity, is capable of
giving me great Assistance in my designed Work of Reformation.
_Mr. Busy-Body_.
`I rejoice Sir, at the Opportunity you have given me to be
serviceable to you, and by your Means to this Province. You must
know, that such have been the Circumstances of my Life, and such were
the marvellous Concurrences of my Birth, that I have not only a
Faculty of discovering the Actions of Persons that are absent or
asleep; but even of the Devil himself in many of his secret Workings,
in the various Shapes, Habits and Names of Men and Women. And having
travel'd and conversed much and met but with a very few of the same
Perceptions and Qualifications, I can recommend my Self to you as the
most useful Man you can correspond with. My Father's Father's Father
(for we had no Grandfathers in our Family) was the same _John Bunyan_
that writ that memorable Book _The Pilgrim's Progress_, who had in
some Degree a natural Faculty of _Second Sight_. This Faculty (how
derived to him, our Family Memoirs are not very clear) was enjoy'd by
all his Descendants, but not by equal Talents -- 'Twas very dim in
several of my first Cousins, and probably had been nearly extinct in
our particular Branch, had not my Father been a Traveller -- He lived
in his youthful Days in _New-England_. There he married, and there
was born my elder Brother, who had so much of this Faculty, as to
discover Witches in some of their occult Performances. My Parents
transporting themselves to _Great Britain_ my second Brother's Birth
was in that Kingdom -- He shared but a small Portion of this Virtue,
being only able to discern Transactions about the Time, and for the
most Part after their happening. My good Father, who delighted in
the _Pilgrim's Progress_, and mountainous Places, took Shipping with
his Wife for _Scotland_, and inhabited in the Highlands, where my
Self was born; and whether the Soil, Climate or Astral Influences, of
which are preserved divers Prognosticks, restored our Ancestors
Natural Faculty of _Second Sight_, in a greater Lustre to me than it
had shined in thro' several Generations, I will not here discuss.
But so it is, that I am possess'd largely of it, and design if you
encourage the Proposal, to take this Opportunity of doing good with
it, which I question not will be accepted of in a grateful Way, by
many of your honest Readers, Tho' the Discovery of my Extraction
bodes me no Deference from your great Scholars and modern
Philosophers. This my Father was long ago aware of, and lest the
Name alone should hurt the Fortunes of his Children; he in his
Shiftings from one Country to another wisely changed it.
`Sir, I have only this further to say, how I may be useful to
you & as a Reason for my not making my Self more known in the World:
By Virtue of this Great Gift of Nature _Second-Sightedness_. I do
continually see Numbers of Men, Women and Children of all Ranks, and
what they are doing, while I am sitting in my Closet; which is too
great a Burthen for the Mind, and makes me also conceit even against
Reason, that all this Host of People can see and observe me, which
strongly inclines me to Solitude and an obscure Living; and on the
other Hand, it will be an Ease to me to disburthen my Thoughts and
Observations in the Way proposed to you by, Sir, your Friend, and
humble Servant. ------ '
I conceal this Correspondent's Name in my Care for his Life and
Safety, and cannot but approve his Prudence in chusing to live
obscurely. I remember the Fate of my poor Monkey: He had an
ill-natur'd Trick of grinning and chattering at every Thing he saw in
Pettycoats. My ignorant Country Neighbours got a Notion that _Pugg_
snarl'd by instinct at every Female who had lost her Virginity. This
was no sooner generally believ'd than he was condemn'd to Death; By
whom I could never learn, but he was assassinated in the Night,
barbarously stabb'd and mangled in a Thousand Places, and left
hanging dead on one of my Gate posts, where I found him the next
Morning.
_The_ Censor _observing that the_ Itch of Scribbling _begins to
spread exceedingly, and being carefully tender of the Reputation of
his Country in Point of_ Wit _and_ Good Sense, _has determined to
take all manner of Writings, in Verse or Prose, that pretend to
either, under his immediate Cognizance; and accordingly hereby
prohibits the Publishing any such for the future, 'till they have
first pass'd his Examination, and receiv'd his_ Imprimatur. _For
which he demands as a Fee only 6_ d. _per Sheet_.
N. B. _He nevertheless permits to be published all Satyrical
Remarks on the_ Busy-Body, _the above Prohibition notwithstanding,
and without Examination, or requiring the said Fees: which Indulgence
the small Wits in and about this City are advised gratefully to
accept and acknowledge.
_The Gentleman who calls himself_ Sirronio, _is directed, on
the Receipt of this, to burn his great Book of_ Crudities.
P. S. _In Compassion to that young Man on Account of the great
Pains he has taken; in Consideration of the Character I have just
receiv'd of him, that he is really_ _Good-natured; _and on Condition
he shows it to no Foreigner or Stranger of Sense, I have thought fit
to reprieve his said_ _great Book of Crudities _from the Flames,
'till further Order_.
_Noli me tangere_.
I had resolved when I first commenc'd this Design, on no
Account to enter into a publick Dispute with any Man; for I judg'd it
would be equally unpleasant to me and my Readers, to see this Paper
fill'd with contentious Wrangling, Answers, Replies, _&c_. which is a
Way of Writing that is Endless, and at the same time seldom contains
any Thing that is either edifying or entertaining. Yet when such a
considerable Man as Mr. ------ finds himself concern'd so warmly to
accuse and condemn me, as he has done in _Keimer_'s last
_Instructor_, I cannot forbear endeavouring to say something in my
own Defence, from one of the worst of Characters that could be given
of me by a Man of Worth. But as I have many Things of more
Consequence to offer the Publick, I declare that I will never, after
this Time, take Notice of any Accusations not better supported with
Truth and Reason; much less may every little Scribbler, that shall
attack me, expect an Answer from the _Busy-Body_.
The Sum of the _Charge deliver'd_ against me, either directly
or indirectly in the said Paper, is this. Not to mention the first
weighty Sentence concerning _Vanity and Ill-Nature_, and the shrew'd
Intimation _that I am without Charity, and therefore can have no
Pretence to Religion_, I am represented as guilty of _Defamation and
Scandal, the Odiousness of which is apparent to every good Man, and
the Practice of it opposite to Christianity, Morality, and common
Justice, and in some Cases so far below all these as to be inhumane_.
As a _Blaster of Reputations_. As _attempting by a Pretence to
screen my Self from the Imputation of Malice and Prejudice_. As
_using a Weapon which the Wiser and better Part of Mankind hold in
Abhorrence_: And as _giving Treatment which the wiser and better Part
of Mankind dislike on the same Principles, and for the same Reason as
they do Assassination_. &c, And all this, is infer'd and concluded
from a Character I wrote in my Number 3.
In order to examine the Justice and Truth of this heavy Charge,
let us recur to that Character. -- And here we may be surpriz'd to
find what a Trifle has rais'd this mighty Clamour and Complaint, this
Grievous Accusation! -- The worst Thing said of the Person, in what
is called my gross Description, (be he who he will to whom my Accuser
has apply'd the Character of _Cretico_) is, that he is a _sower
Philosopher, crafty, but not wise_: Few Humane Characters can be
drawn that will not fit some body, in so large a Country as this; But
one would think, supposing I meant _Cretico_ a real Person, I had
sufficiently manifested my impartiality, when I said in that very
Paragraph, _That_ Cretico _is not without Virtue; that there are MANY
good Things in him, and MANY good Actions reported of him_; Which
must be allow'd in all Reason, very much to overballance in his
Favour those worst Words, _sowre Temper'd_ and _cunning_. Nay my
very Enemy and Accuser must have been sensible of this, when he
freely acknowledges, _that he has been seriously considering, and
cannot yet determine, which he would chuse to be, the_ Cato _or_
Cretico _of that Paper_: Since my _Cato_ is one of the best of
Characters.
Thus much in my own Vindication. As to the _only reasons_
there given why I ought not to continue drawing Characters, viz.
_Why should any Man's Picture be published which he never sat for; or
his good Name taken from him any more than his Money or Possessions
at the arbitrary Will of another,_ &c? I have but this to answer.
The Money or Possessions I presume are nothing to the Purpose, since
no Man can claim a Right either to those or a good Name, if he has
acted so as to forfeit them. And are not the Publick the only Judges
what Share of Reputation they think proper to allow any Man? --
Supposing I was capable, and had an Inclination to draw all the good
and bad Characters in _America_; Why should a good Man be offended
with me for drawing good Characters? And if I draw Ill Ones, can
they fit any but those that deserve them? And ought any _but such_
to be concern'd that they have their Deserts? I have as great an
Aversion and Abhorrence from Defamation and Scandal as any Man, and
would with the utmost Care avoid being guilty of such base Things:
Besides I am very sensible and certain, that if I should make use of
this Paper to defame any Person, my Reputation would be sooner hurt
by it than his, and the _Busy-Body_ would quickly become detestable;
because in such a Case, as is justly observ'd, _The Pleasure arising
from a Taste of Wit and Novelty soon dies away in generous and Honest
Minds, and is follow'd with a secret Grief to see their Neighbours
calumniated_. But if I my self was actually the worst Man in the
Province, and any one should draw my true Character, would it not be
ridiculous in me to say, _he had defam'd and scandaliz'd me_; unless
added, _in a Matter of Truth_? -- If any Thing is meant by asking,
_Why any Man's Picture should be publish'd which he never sate for?_
It must be, that we should give no Character without the Owner's
Consent. If I discern the Wolf disguis'd in harmless Wool, and
contriving the Destruction of my Neighbour's Sheep, must I have his
Permission before I am allow'd to discover and prevent him? If I
know a Man to be a designing Knave, must I ask his Consent to bid my
Friends beware of him? If so, Then by the same Rule, supposing the
_Busy-Body_ had really merited all his Enemy has charg'd him with,
his Consent likewise ought to have been obtain'd before so terrible
an Accusation was published against him.
I shall conclude with observing, that in the last Paragraph
save one of the Piece now examin'd, much _ILL-NATURE_ and some Good
Sense are _Co-inhabitants_, (as he expresses it.) The _Ill Nature_
appears, in his endeavouring to discover Satyr, where I intended no
such Thing, but quite the Reverse: The good Sense is this, _that
drawing too good a Character of any one, is a refined Manner of Satyr
that may be as injurious to him as the contrary, by bringing on an
Examination that undresses the Person, and in the Haste of doing it,
he may happen to be stript of what he really owns and deserves_. As
I am _Censor_, I might punish the first, but I forgive it. Yet I
will not leave the latter unrewarded; but assure my Adversary, that
in Consideration of the Merit of those four Lines, I am resolved to
forbear _injuring_ him on any Account in that _refined Manner_.
_I thank my Neighbour_ P -- w -- l _for his kind Letter_. The
Lions complain'd of shall be muzzled.
_The American Weekly Mercury_, March 4, 1728/9
_The Busy-Body, No. 8_
------ _Quid non mortalia Pectora cogis
Auri sacra Fames!_ Virgil.
One of the greatest Pleasures an Author can have is
certainly the Hearing his Works applauded. The hiding from the World
our Names while we publish our Thoughts, is so absolutely necessary
to this Self-Gratification, that I hope my Well-wishers will
congratulate me on my Escape from the many diligent, but fruitless
Enquires that have of late been made after me. Every Man will own,
That an Author, as such, ought to be try'd by the Merit of his
Productions only; but Pride, Party, and Prejudice at this Time run so
very high, that Experience shews we form our Notions of a Piece by
the Character of the Author. Nay there are some very humble
Politicians in and about this City, who will ask on which Side the
Writer is, before they presume to give their Opinion of the Thing
wrote. This ungenerous Way of Proceeding I was well aware of before
I publish'd my first Speculation; and therefore concealed my Name.
And I appeal to the more generous Part of the World, if I have since
I appear'd in the Character of the _Busy-Body_ given an Instance of
my siding with any Party more than another, in the unhappy Divisions
of my Country; and I have above all, this Satisfaction in my Self,
That neither Affection, Aversion or Interest, have byass'd me to use
any Partiality towards any Man, or Sett of Men; but whatsoever I find
nonsensically ridiculous, or immorally dishonest, I have, and shall
continue openly to attack with the Freedom of an honest Man, and a
Lover of my Country.
I profess I can hardly contain my Self, or preserve the Gravity
and Dignity that should attend the _Censorial-Office_, when I hear
the odd and unaccountable Expositions that are put upon some of my
Works, thro' the malicious Ignorance of some, and the vain Pride of
more than ordinary Penetration in others; one Instance of which many
of my Readers are acquainted with. A certain Gentleman has taken a
great Deal of Pains to write a _KEY_ to the Letter in my _No._ 4.
wherein he has ingeniously converted a gentle Satyr upon tedious and
impertinent Visitants into a Libel on some in the Government: This I
mention only as a Specimen of the Taste of the Gentlemen, I am
forsooth, bound to please in my Speculations, not that I suppose my
Impartiality will ever be called in Question upon that Account.
Injustices of this Nature I could complain of in many Instancies; but
I am at present diverted by the Reception of a Letter, which tho' it
regards me only in my Private Capacity, as an Adept, yet I venture to
publish it for the Entertainment of my Readers.
To CENSOR MORUM, _Esq_; _Busy-Body_ General of the Province of
_Pennsylvania_, and the Counties of _Newcastle_, _Kent_, and
_Sussex_, upon _Delaware_.
_Honourable Sir,_
`I judge by your Lucubrations, that you are not only a Lover of
Truth and Equity, but a Man of Parts and Learning, and a Master of
Science; as such I honour you. Know then, _Most profound Sir_, That
I have from my Youth up, been a very indefatigable Student in, and
Admirer of that Divine Science, _Astrology_. I have read over
_Scot_, _Albertus Magnus_, and _Cornelius Agrippa_ above 300 Times;
and was in hopes by my Knowledge and Industry, to gain enough to have
recompenced me for my Money expended, and Time lost in the Pursuit of
this Learning. You cannot be ignorant _Sir_, (for your intimate
_Second sighted_ Correspondent knows all Things) that there are large
Sums of Money hidden under Ground in divers Places about this Town,
and in many Parts of the Country; But alas, Sir, Notwithstanding I
have used all the Means laid down in the _immortal Authors_
before-mentioned, and when they fail'd, the ingenious Mr. _P -- d --
l_ with his _Mercurial Wand_ and _Magnet_, I have still fail'd in my
Purpose. This therefore I send to Propose and desire an Acquaintance
with you, and I do not doubt, notwithstanding my repeated
Ill-Fortune, but we may be exceedingly serviceable to each other in
our Discoveries; and that if we use our united Endeavours, the Time
will come when the _Busy-Body_, his _Second-sighted Correspondent_,
and _your very humble Servant_, will be Three of the richest Men in
the Province: And then Sir, what may not we do? _A Word to the Wise
is sufficient,_
I conclude with all demonstrable Respect,
Yours, and _Urania_'s Votary,
_Titan Pleiades_.'
In the Evening after I had received this Letter, I made a Visit
to my _Second-sighted_ Friend, and communicated to him the Proposal.
When he had read it, he assur'd me, that to his certain Knowledge
there is not at this Time so much as one Ounce of Silver or Gold hid
under Ground in any Part of this Province, For that the late and
present Scarcity of Money had obliged those who were living, and knew
where they had formerly hid any, to take it up, and use it in their
own necessary Affairs: And as to all the Rest which was buried by
Pyrates and others in old Times, who were never like to come for it,
he himself had long since dug it all up and applied it to charitable
Uses, And this he desired me to publish for general Good. For, as he
acquainted me, There are among us great Numbers of honest Artificers
and labouring People, who fed with a vain Hope of growing suddenly
rich, neglect their Business, almost to the ruining of themselves and
Families, and voluntarily endure abundance of Fatigue in a fruitless
Search after Imaginary hidden Treasure. They wander thro' the Woods
and Bushes by Day, to discover the Marks and Signs; at Midnight they
repair to the hopeful Spot with Spades and Pickaxes; full of
Expectation they labour violently, trembling at the same Time in
every Joint, thro' Fear of certain malicious Demons who are said to
haunt and guard such Places. At length a mighty hole is dug, and
perhaps several Cart-loads of Earth thrown out, but alas, no Cag or
Iron Pot is found! no Seaman's Chest cram'd with Spanish Pistoles, or
weighty Pieces of Eight! Then they conclude, that thro' some Mistake
in the Procedure, some rash Word spoke, or some Rule of Art
neglected, the Guardian Spirit had Power to sink it deeper into the
Earth and convey it out of their Reach. Yet when a Man is once thus
infatuated, he is so far from being discouraged by ill Success, that
he is rather animated to double his Industry, and will try again and
again in a Hundred Different Places, in Hopes at last of meeting with
some lucky Hit, that shall at once Sufficiently reward him for all
his Expence of Time and Labour.
This odd Humour of Digging for Money thro' a Belief that much
has been hid by Pirates formerly frequenting the River, has for
several Years been mighty prevalent among us; insomuch that you can
hardly walk half a Mile out of Town on any Side, without observing
several Pits dug with that Design, and perhaps some lately opened.
Men, otherwise of very good Sense, have been drawn into this Practice
thro' an over weening Desire of sudden Wealth, and an easy Credulity
of what they so earnestly wish'd might be true. While the rational
and almost certain Methods of acquiring Riches by Industry and
Frugality are neglected or forgotten. There seems to be some
peculiar Charm in the conceit of _finding_ Money; and if the Sands of
_Schuylkil_ were so much mixed with small Grains of Gold, that a Man
might in a Day's Time with Care and Application get together to the
Value of half a Crown, I make no Question but we should find several
People employ'd there, that can with Ease earn Five Shillings a Day
at their proper Trades.
Many are the idle Stories told of the private Success of some
People, by which others are encouraged to proceed; and the
Astrologers, with whom the Country swarms at this Time, are either in
the Belief of these things themselves, or find their Advantage in
persuading others to believe them; for they are often consulted about
the critical Times for Digging, the Methods of laying the Spirit, and
the like Whimseys, which renders them very necessary to and very much
caress'd by the poor deluded _Money-hunters_.
There is certainly something very bewitching in the Pursuit
after Mines of Gold and Silver, and other valuable Metals; And many
have been ruined by it. A Sea Captain of my Acquaintance used to
blame the _English_ for envying _Spain_ their Mines of Silver; and
too much despising or overlooking the Advantages of their own
Industry and Manufactures. For my Part, says he, I esteem the Banks
of _Newfoundland_ to be a more valuable Possession than the Mountains
of _Potosi_; and when I have been there on the Fishing Account, have
look'd upon every Cod puli'd up into the Vessel as a certain Quantity
of Silver Ore, which required only carrying to the next _Spanish_
Port to be coin'd into Pieces of Eight; not to mention the _National
Profit_ of fitting out and Employing such a Number of Ships and
Seamen. Let honest _Peter Buckrum_, who has long without Success
been a Searcher after hidden Money, reflect on this, and be reclaimed
from that unaccountable Folly. Let him consider that every Stitch he
takes when he is on his Shop-board, is picking up part of a Grain of
Gold that will in a few Days Time amount to a Pistole; And let
_Faber_ think the same of every Nail he drives, or every Stroke with
his Plain. Such Thoughts may make them industrious, and of
consequence in Time they may be Wealthy. But how absurd is it to
neglect a certain Profit for such a ridiculous Whimsey: To spend
whole Days at the _George_, in company with an idle Pretender to
Astrology, contriving Schemes to discover what was never hidden, and
forgetful how carelessly Business is managed at Home in their
Absence: To leave their Wives and a warm Bed at Midnight (no matter
if it rain, hail, snow or blow a Hurricane, provided that be the
critical Hour) and fatigue themselves with the Violent Exercise of
Digging for what they shall never find, and perhaps getting a Cold
that may cost their Lives, or at least disordering themselves so as
to be fit for no Business beside for some Days after. Surely this is
nothing less than the most egregious Folly and Madness.
I shall conclude with the Words of my discreet Friend
_Agricola_, of _Chester_-County, when he gave his Son a Good
Plantation, _My Son,_ says he, _I give thee now a Valuable Parcel of
Land; I assure thee I have found a considerable Quantity of Gold by
Digging there; -- Thee mayst do the same. -- But thee must carefully
observe this, Never to dig more than Plow-deep_.
_Monday Night, March_ 24.
I have received Letters lately from several considerable Men,
earnestly urging me to write on the Subject of _Paper-Money_; and
containing very severe Reflections on some Gentlemen, who are said to
be Opposers of that Currency. I must desire to be excus'd if I
decline publishing any Thing lent to me at this Juncture, that may
add Fuel to the Flame, or aggravate that Management that has already
sufficiently exasperated the Minds of the People. The Subject of
_Paper Currency_ is in it self very intricate, and I believe,
understood by Few; I mean as to its Consequences _in Futurum_: And
tho' much might be said on that Head, I apprehend it to be the less
necessary for me to handle it at this Time, because _EXPERIENCE_,
(more prevalent than all the _Logic_ in the World) has fully
convinced us all, that it has been, and is now of the greatest
Advantage to the Country: Not only those who were once doubtful are
intirely of this Opinion, but the very Gentlemen who were at first
most violent Enemies to that _Currency_, have lately, (particularly
about the Time of the last Election) declared, freely, both in
private Conversation, and publickly in Print, _That they now are
heartily for it; that they are sensible it has been a great Benefit
to the Country; and that it has not now one Opponent that they know
of._ They have likewise assured us, _That the Governour is a zealous
Friend to it_; and I do not understand that any material Reason is
given for the Additional Bill's not passing, but this. _That it is
contrary to the Constituents Orders from Home_. If this be the Case,
I see nothing further in it but this; that those Gentlemen who in
their Zeal for the Good of their Country, formerly oppos'd
_Paper-Money_, when they thought it would prove hurtful, and by their
powerful Representations procured those Orders from Home, but now
being better acquainted with its Usefulness, and sensible how much it
is to our Advantage to have such a Currency, are become hearty
Friends to it; I say, nothing remains, but that those Gentlemen join
as heartily with the Representative Body of the Country to endeavour,
by different Representations, a Revocation of those Orders: And in
the mean Time, as it is certain They would be pleased at Home to see
this Province in Prosperity, so without Doubt there is no Man so
unreasonable among them, supposing that Act should now pass, as to
imagine, that the whole Country united is entirely ignorant of its
own true Interest. And the Interest of the Country is the same, I
presume, with that of the Proprietary.
'Tis true indeed, I am not satisfied that it is for our
Advantage to rest contented with _Paper-Money_ for ever, without
endeavouring to recover our Silver and Gold; which may be done
without much Difficulty, (as I shall shew in some future Papers) if
those who have the Management of Publick Affairs should have no
Interests to pursue separate from those of their Country. Yet at
this Time it seems absolutely necessary to have a large Additional
Sum struck for the Relief of the People in their present miserable
Circumstances, and until such Methods of Trade are thought on, and
put in Practice, as will make that Currency needless; which I hope
the Legislature will as soon as possible take into their
Consideration. And in the mean Time I cannot but think it
commendable in every honest _Thinking_ Man, to publish his Sentiments
on this Head, to the End such Methods may be chose and fallen upon as
will appear most conducive.
Unhappy is the Case of that good Gentleman, our Governor, who
sees a flourishing Province sinking under his Administration into the
most wretched and deplorable Circumstances; and while no Good-will is
wanting in him to wards us and our Welfare, finds his Hands are tyed,
and that without deviating from his Instructions, it is not in his
Power to help us. The whole Country is at this Instant filled with
the greatest Heat and Animosity; and if there are yet among us any
Opposers of a _Paper-Currency_, it is probable the Resentments of the
People point at them; and tho' I must earnestly exhort my Countrymen
to Peace and Quietness, for that publick Disturbances are seldom
known to be attended with any good Consequence; yet I cannot but
think it would be highly prudent in those Gentlemen with all
Expedition to publish such Vindications of themselves and their
Actions, as will sufficiently clear them in the Eyes of all
reasonable Men, from the Imputation of having a Design to engross the
Property of the Country, and make themselves and their Posterity
Lords, and the Bulk of the Inhabitants their Tenants and Vassals;
which Design they are everywhere openly accused of. And such a
Vindication is the more necessary at this Time, because if the People
are once convinced there is no such Scheme on Foot, (and Truth
without Doubt will prevail) it may exceedingly tend to the Settlement
of their Minds, the Abatement of their Heats, and the Establishment
of Peace, Love, and Unity, and all the Social Virtues.
_The American Weekly Mercury_, March 27, 1729
_A Modest Enquiry into the Nature and Necessity of a
Paper-Currency_
------ _Quid asper
Utile Nummus habet; patriae, charisq; propinquis
Quantum elargiri deceat._ ------
Pers.
There is no Science, the Study of which is more useful and
commendable than the Knowledge of the true Interest of one's Country;
and perhaps there is no Kind of Learning more abstruse and intricate,
more difficult to acquire in any Degree of Perfection than This, and
therefore none more generally neglected. Hence it is, that we every
Day find Men in Conversation contending warmly on some Point in
Politicks, which, altho' it may nearly concern them both, neither of
them understand any more than they do each other.
Thus much by way of Apology for this present _Enquiry into the
Nature and Necessity of a Paper Currency_. And if any Thing I shall
say, may be a Means of fixing a Subject that is now the chief Concern
of my Countrymen, in a clearer Light, I shall have the Satisfaction
of thinking my Time and Pains well employed.
To proceed, then,
_There is a certain proportionate Quantity of Money requisite
to carry on the Trade of a Country freely and currently; More than
which would be of no Advantage in Trade, and Less, if much less,
exceedingly detrimental to it._
This leads us to the following general Considerations.
First, _A great Want of Money in any Trading Country, occasions
Interest to be at a very high Rate_. And here it may be observed,
that it is impossible by any Laws to restrain Men from giving and
receiving exorbitant Interest, where Money is suitably scarce: For he
that wants Money will find out Ways to give 10 _per Cent_. when he
cannot have it for less, altho' the Law forbids to take more than 6
_per Cent._ Now the Interest of Money being high is prejudicial to a
Country several Ways: It makes Land bear a low Price, because few Men
will lay out their Money in Land, when they can make a much greater
Profit by lending it out upon Interest: And much less will Men be
inclined to venture their Money at Sea, when they can, without Risque
or Hazard, have a great and certain Profit by keeping it at home;
thus Trade is discouraged. And if in two Neigbouring Countries the
Traders of one, by Reason of a greater Plenty of Money, can borrow it
to trade with at a lower Rate than the Traders of the other, they
will infallibly have the Advantage, and get the greatest Part of that
Trade into their own Hands; For he that trades with Money he hath
borrowed at 8 or 10 _per Cent._ cannot hold Market with him that
borrows his Money at 6 or 4. -- On the contrary, _A plentiful
Currency will occasion Interest to be low:_ And this will be an
Inducement to many to lay out their Money in Lands, rather than put
it out to Use, by which means Land will begin to rise in Value and
bear a better Price: And at the same Time it will tend to enliven
Trade exceedingly, because People will find more Profit in employing
their Money that Way than in Usury; and many that understand Business
very well, but have not a Stock sufficient of their own, will be
encouraged to borrow Money to trade with, when they can have it at
moderate Interest.
Secondly, _Want of Money in a Country reduces the Price of that
Part of its Produce which is used in Trade:_ Because Trade being
discouraged by it as above, there is a much less Demand for that
Produce. And this is another Reason why Land in such a Case will be
low, especially where the Staple Commodity of the Country is the
immediate Produce of the Land, because that Produce being low, fewer
People find an Advantage in Husbandry, or the Improvement of Land. --
On the contrary, _A Plentiful Currency will occasion the Trading
Produce to bear a good Price:_ Because Trade being encouraged and
advanced by it, there will be a much greater Demand for that Produce;
which will be a great Encouragement of Husbandry and Tillage, and
consequently make Land more valuable, for that many People would
apply themselves to Husbandry, who probably might otherwise have
sought some more profitable Employment.
As we have already experienced how much the Increase of our
Currency by what Paper Money has been made, has encouraged our Trade;
particularly to instance only in one Article, _Ship-Building_; it may
not be amiss to observe under this Head, what a great Advantage it
must be to us as a Trading Country, that has Workmen and all the
Materials proper for that Business within itself, to have
_Ship-Building_ as much as possible advanced: For every Ship that is
built here for the _English_ Merchants, gains the Province her clear
Value in Gold and Silver, which must otherwise have been sent Home
for Returns in her Stead; and likewise, every Ship built in and
belonging to the Province, not only saves the Province her first
Cost, but all the Freight, Wages and Provisions she ever makes or
requires as long as she lasts; provided Care is taken to make This
her _Pay Port_, and that she always takes Provisions with her for the
whole Voyage, which may easily be done. And how considerable an
Article this is yearly in our Favour, every one, the least acquainted
with mercantile Affairs, must needs be sensible; for if we could not
Build our selves, we must either purchase so many Vessels as we want
from other Countries, or else Hire them to carry our Produce to
Market, which would be more expensive than Purchasing, and on many
other Accounts exceedingly to our Loss. Now as Trade in general will
decline where there is not a plentiful Currency, so _Ship-Building_
must certainly of Consequence decline where Trade is declining.
Thirdly, _Want of Money in a Country discourages Labouring and
Handicrafts Men (which are the chief Strength and Support of a
People) from coming to settle in it, and induces many that were
settled to leave the Country, and seek Entertainment and Employment
in other Places, where they can be better paid_. For what can be
more disheartning to an industrious labouring Man, than this, that
after he hath earned his Bread with the Sweat of his Brows, he must
spend as much Time, and have near as much Fatigue in getting it, as
he had to earn it. _And nothing makes more bad Paymasters than a
general Scarcity of Money_. And here again is a Third Reason for
Land's bearing a low Price in such a Country, because Land always
increases in Value in Proportion with the Increase of the People
settling on it, there being so many more Buyers; and its Value will
infallibly be diminished, if the Number of its Inhabitants diminish.
-- On the contrary, _A Plentiful Currency will encourage great
Numbers of Labouring and Handicrafts Men to come and Settle in the
Country_, by the same Reason that a Want of it will discourage and
drive them out. Now the more Inhabitants, the greater Demand for
Land (as is said above) upon which it must necessarily rise in Value,
and bear a better Price. The same may be said of the Value of
House-Rent, which will be advanced for the same Reasons; and by the
Increase of Trade and Riches People will be enabled to pay greater
Rents. Now the Value of House-Rent rising, and Interest becoming
low, many that in a Scarcity of Money practised Usury, will probably
be more inclined to Building; which will likewise sensibly enliven
Business in any Place; it being an Advantage not only to
_Brickmakers_, _Bricklayers_, _Masons_, _Carpenters_, _Joiners_,
_Glaziers_, and several other Trades immediately employ'd by
Building, but likewise to _Farmers_, _Brewers_, _Bakers_, _Taylors_,
_Shoemakers_, _Shop-keepers_, and in short to every one that they lay
their Money out with.
Fourthly, _Want of Money in such a Country as ours, occasions a
greater Consumption of_ English _and_ European _Goods, in Proportion
to the Number of the People, than there would otherwise be._ Because
Merchants and Traders, by whom abundance of Artificers and labouring
Men are employed, finding their other Affairs require what Money they
can get into their hands, oblige those who work for them to take one
half, or perhaps two thirds Goods in Pay. By this Means a greater
Quantity of Goods are disposed of, and to a greater Value; because
Working Men and their Families are thereby induced to be more profuse
and extravagant in fine Apparel and the like, than they would be if
they were obliged to pay ready Money for such Things after they had
earn'd and received it, or if such Goods were not imposed upon them,
of which they can make no other Use: For such People cannot send the
Goods they are paid with to a Foreign Market, without losing
considerably by having them sold for less than they stand 'em in
here; neither can they easily dispose of them at Home, because their
Neighbours are generally supplied in the same Manner; But how
unreasonable would it be, if some of those very Men who _have been a
Means_ of thus forcing People into unnecessary Expence, should be the
first and most earnest in accusing them of _Pride and Prodigality._
Now tho' this extraordinary Consumption of Foreign Commodities may be
a Profit to particular Men, yet the Country in general grows poorer
by it apace. -- On the contrary, As _A plentiful Currency will
occasion a less Consumption of_ European _Goods, in Proportion to the
Number of the People,_ so it will be a means of making the Balance of
our Trade more equal than it now is, if it does not give it in our
Favour; because our own Produce will be encouraged at the same Time.
And it is to be observed, that tho' less Foreign Commodities are
consumed in Proportion to the Number of People, yet this will be no
Disadvantage to the Merchant, because the Number of People
increasing, will occasion an increasing Demand of more Foreign Goods
in the Whole.
Thus we have seen some of the many heavy Disadvantages a
Country (especially such a Country as ours) must labour under, when
it has not a sufficient Stock of running Cash to manage its Trade
currently. And we have likewise seen some of the Advantages which
accrue from having Money sufficient, or a Plentiful Currency.
The foregoing Paragraphs being well considered, we shall
naturally be led to draw the following Conclusions with Regard to
what Persons will probably be for or against Emitting a large
Additional Sum of Paper Bills in this Province.
1. Since Men will always be powerfully influenced in their
Opinions and Actions by what appears to be their particular Interest:
Therefore all those, who wanting Courage to venture in Trade, now
practise Lending Money on Security for exorbitant Interest, which in
a Scarcity of Money will be done notwithstanding the Law, I say all
such will probably be against a large Addition to our present Stock
of Paper-Money; because a plentiful Currency will lower Interest, and
make it common to lend on less Security.
2. All those who are Possessors of large Sums of Money, and are
disposed to purchase Land, which is attended with a great and sure
Advantage in a growing Country as this is; I say, the Interest of all
such Men will encline them to oppose a large Addition to our Money.
Because their Wealth is now continually increasing by the large
Interest they receive, which will enable them (if they can keep Land
from rising) to purchase More some time hence than they can at
present; and in the mean time all Trade being discouraged, not only
those who borrow of them, but the Common People in general will be
impoverished, and consequently obliged to sell More Land for less
Money than they will do at present. And yet, after such Men are
possessed of as much Land as they can purchase, it will then be their
Interest to have Money made Plentiful, because that will immediately
make Land rise in Value in _their_ Hands. Now it ought not to be
wonder'd at, if People from the Knowledge of a Man's Interest do
sometimes make a true Guess at his Designs; for, _Interest_, they
say, _will not Lie._
3. Lawyers, and others concerned in Court Business, will
probably many of them be against a plentiful Currency; because People
in that Case will have less Occasion to run in Debt, and consequently
less Occasion to go to Law and Sue one another for their Debts. Tho'
I know some even among these Gentlemen, that regard the Publick Good
before their own apparent private Interest.
4. All those who are any way Dependants on such Persons as are
above mentioned, whether as holding Offices, as Tenants, or as
Debtors, must at least _appear_ to be against a large Addition;
because if they do not, they must sensibly feel their present
Interest hurt. And besides these, there are, doubtless, many
well-meaning Gentlemen and Others, who, without any immediate private
Interest of their own in View, are against making such an Addition,
thro' an Opinion they may have of the Honesty and sound Judgment of
some of their Friends that oppose it, (perhaps for the Ends
aforesaid) without having given it any thorough Consideration
themselves. And thus it is no Wonder if there is a _powerful_ Party
on that Side.
On the other Hand, Those who are Lovers of Trade, and delight
to see Manufactures encouraged, will be for having a large Addition
to our Currency: For they very well know, that People will have
little Heart to advance Money in Trade, when what they can get is
scarce sufficient to purchase Necessaries, and supply their Families
with Provision. Much less will they lay it out in advancing new
Manufactures; nor is it possible new Manufactures should turn to any
Account, where there is not Money to pay the Workmen, who are
discouraged by being paid in Goods, because it is a great
Disadvantage to them.
Again, Those who are truly for the Proprietor's Interest (and
have no separate Views of their own that are predominant) will be
heartily for a large Addition: Because, as I have shewn above, Plenty
of Money will for several Reasons make Land rise in Value
exceedingly: And I appeal to those immediately concerned for the
Proprietor in the Sale of his Lands, whether Land has not risen very
much since the first Emission of what Paper Currency we now have, and
even by its Means. Now we all know the Proprietary has great
Quantities to sell.
And since a Plentiful Currency will be so great a Cause of
advancing this Province in Trade and Riches, and increasing the
Number of its People; which, tho' it will not sensibly lessen the
Inhabitants of _Great Britain_, will occasion a much greater Vent and
Demand for their Commodities here; and allowing that the Crown is the
more powerful for its Subjects increasing in Wealth and Number, I
cannot think it the Interest of _England_ to oppose us in making as
great a Sum of Paper Money here, as we, who are the best Judges of
our own Necessities, find convenient. And if I were not sensible
that the Gentlemen of Trade in _England_, to whom we have already
parted with our Silver and Gold, are misinformed of our
Circumstances, and therefore endeavour to have our Currency stinted
to what it now is, I should think the Government at Home had some
Reasons for discouraging and impoverishing this Province, which we
are not acquainted with.
It remains now that we enquire, _Whether a large Addition to
our Paper Currency will not make it sink in Value very much;_ And
here it will be requisite that we first form just Notions of the
Nature and Value of Money in general.
As Providence has so ordered it, that not only different
Countries, but even different Parts of the same Country, have their
peculiar most suitable Productions; and likewise that different Men
have Genius's adapted to Variety of different Arts and Manufactures,
Therefore _Commerce_, or the Exchange of one Commodity or Manufacture
for another, is highly convenient and beneficial to Mankind. As for
Instance, _A_ may be skilful in the Art of making Cloth, and _B_
understand the raising of Corn; _A_ wants Corn, and _B_ Cloth; upon
which they make an Exchange with each other for as much as each has
Occasion, to the mutual Advantage and Satisfaction of both.
But as it would be very tedious, if there were no other Way of
general Dealing, but by an immediate Exchange of Commodities; because
a Man that had Corn to dispose of, and wanted Cloth for it, might
perhaps in his Search for a Chapman to deal with, meet with twenty
People that had Cloth to dispose of, but wanted no Corn; and with
twenty others that wanted his Corn, but had no Cloth to suit him
with. To remedy such Inconveniences, and facilitate Exchange, Men
have invented MONEY, properly called a _Medium of Exchange_, because
through or by its Means Labour is exchanged for Labour, or one
Commodity for another. And whatever particular Thing Men have agreed
to make this Medium of, whether Gold, Silver, Copper, or Tobacco; it
is, to those who possess it (if they want any Thing) that very Thing
which they want, because it will immediately procure it for them. It
is Cloth to him that wants Cloth, and Corn to those that want Corn;
and so of all other Necessaries, it _is_ whatsoever it will procure.
Thus he who had Corn to dispose of, and wanted to purchase Cloth with
it, might sell his Corn for its Value in this general Medium, to one
who wanted Corn but had no Cloth; and with this Medium he might
purchase Cloth of him that wanted no Corn, but perhaps some other
Thing, as Iron it may be, which this Medium will immediately procure,
and so he may be said to have exchanged his Cloth for Iron; and thus
the general Exchange is soon performed, to the Satisfaction of all
Parties, with abundance of Facility.
For many Ages, those Parts of the World which are engaged in
Commerce, have fixed upon Gold and Silver as the chief and most
proper Materials for this Medium; they being in themselves valuable
Metals for their Fineness, Beauty, and Scarcity. By these,
particularly by Silver, it has been usual to value all Things else:
But as Silver it self is of no certain permanent Value, being worth
more or less according to its Scarcity or Plenty, therefore it seems
requisite to fix upon Something else, more proper to be made a
_Measure of Values_, and this I take to be _Labour._
By Labour may the Value of Silver be measured as well as other
Things. As, Suppose one Man employed to raise Corn, while another is
digging and refining Silver; at the Year's End, or at any other
Period of Time, the compleat Produce of Corn, and that of Silver, are
the natural Price of each other; and if one be twenty Bushels, and
the other twenty Ounces, then an Ounce of that Silver is worth the
Labour of raising a Bushel of that Corn. Now if by the Discovery of
some nearer, more easy or plentiful Mines, a Man may get Forty Ounces
of Silver as easily as formerly he did Twenty, and the same Labour is
still required to raise Twenty Bushels of Corn, then Two Ounces of
Silver will be worth no more than the same Labour of raising One
Bushel of Corn, and that Bushel of Corn will be as cheap at two
Ounces, as it was before at one; _caeteris paribus._
Thus the Riches of a Country are to be valued by the Quantity
of Labour its Inhabitants are able to purchase, and not by the
Quantity of Silver and Gold they possess; which will purchase more or
less Labour, and therefore is more or less valuable, as is said
before, according to its Scarcity or Plenty. As those Metals have
grown much more plentiful in _Europe_ since the Discovery of
_America_, so they have sunk in Value exceedingly; for, to instance
in _England_, formerly one Penny of Silver was worth a Days Labour,
but now it is hardly worth the sixth Part of a Days Labour; because
not less than Six-pence will purchase the Labour of a Man for a Day
in any Part of that Kingdom; which is wholly to be attributed to the
much greater Plenty of Money now in _England_ than formerly. And yet
perhaps _England_ is in Effect no richer now than at that Time;
because as much Labour might be purchas'd, or Work got done of almost
any kind, for 100 _l_. then, as will now require or is now worth 600
_l_.
In the next Place let us consider the Nature of _Banks_
emitting _Bills of Credit_, as they are at this Time used in
_Hamburgh_, _Amsterdam_, _London_ and _Venice_.
Those Places being Seats of vast Trade, and the Payment of
great Sums being for that Reason frequent, _Bills of Credit_ are
found very convenient in Business; because a great Sum is more easily
counted in Them, lighter in Carriage, concealed in less Room, and
therefore safer in Travelling or Laying up, and on many other
Accounts they are very much valued. The Banks are the general
Cashiers of all Gentlemen, Merchants and great Traders in and about
those Cities; there they deposite their Money, and may take out Bills
to the Value, for which they can be certain to have Money again at
the Bank at any Time: This gives the Bills a Credit; so that in
_England_ they are never less valuable than Money, and in _Venice_
and _Amsterdam_ they are generally worth more. And the Bankers
always reserving Money in hand to answer more than the common Run of
Demands (and some People constantly putting in while others are
taking out) are able besides to lend large Sums, on good Security, to
the Government or others, for a reasonable Interest, by which they
are paid for their Care and Trouble; and the Money which otherwise
would have lain dead in their Hands, is made to circulate again
thereby among the People: And thus the Running Cash of the Nation is
as it were doubled; for all great Payments being made in Bills, Money
in lower Trade becomes much more plentiful: And this is an exceeding
great Advantage to a Trading Country, that is not over-stock'd with
Gold and Silver.
As those who take Bills out of the Banks in _Europe_, put in
Money for Security; so here, and in some of the neighbouring
Provinces, we engage our Land. Which of these Methods will most
effectually secure the Bills from actually sinking in Value, comes
next to be considered.
Trade in general being nothing else but the Exchange of Labour
for Labour, the Value of all Things is, as I have said before, most
justly measured by Labour. Now suppose I put my Money into a Bank,
and take out a Bill for the Value; if this Bill at the Time of my
receiving it, would purchase me the Labour of one hundred Men for
twenty Days; but some time after will only purchase the Labour of the
same Number of Men for fifteen Days; it is plain the Bill has sunk in
Value one fourth Part. Now Silver and Gold being of no permanent
Value; and as this Bill is founded on Money, and therefore to be
esteemed as such, it may be that the Occasion of this Fall is the
increasing Plenty of Gold and Silver, by which Money is one fourth
Part less valuable than before, and therefore one fourth more is
given of it for the same Quantity of Labour; and if Land is not
become more plentiful by some proportionate Decrease of the People,
one fourth Part more of Money is given for the same Quantity of Land;
whereby it appears that it would have been more profitable to me to
have laid that Money out in Land which I put into the Bank, than to
place it there and take a Bill for it. And it is certain that the
Value of Money has been continually sinking in _England_ for several
Ages past, because it has been continually increasing in Quantity.
But if Bills could be taken out of a Bank in _Europe_ on a Land
Security, it is probable the Value of such Bills would be more
certain and steady, because the Number of Inhabitants continue to be
near the same in those Countries from Age to Age.
For as Bills issued upon Money Security are Money, so Bills
issued upon Land, are in Effect _Coined Land._
Therefore (to apply the Above to our own Circumstances) If Land
in this Province was falling, or any way likely to fall, it would
behove the Legislature most carefully to contrive how to prevent the
Bills issued upon Land from falling with it. But as our People
increase exceedingly, and will be further increased, as I have before
shewn, by the Help of a large Addition to our Currency; and as Land
in consequence is continually rising, So, in case no Bills are
emitted but what are upon Land Security, the Money-Acts in every Part
punctually enforced and executed, the Payments of Principal and
Interest being duly and strictly required, and the Principal _bona
fide_ sunk according to Law, it is absolutely impossible such Bills
should ever sink below their first Value, or below the Value of the
Land on which they are founded. In short, there is so little Danger
of their sinking, that they would certainly rise as the Land rises,
if they were not emitted in a proper Manner for preventing it; That
is, by providing in the Act _That Payment may be made, either in
those Bills, or in any other Bills made current by any Act of the
Legislature of this Province;_ and that the Interest, as it is
received, may be again emitted in Discharge of Publick Debts; whereby
circulating it returns again into the Hands of the Borrowers, and
becomes Part of their future Payments; and thus as it is likely there
will not be any Difficulty for want of Bills to pay the Office, they
are hereby kept from rising above their first Value: For else,
supposing there should be emitted upon mortgaged Land its full
present Value in Bills; as in the Banks in _Europe_ the full Value of
the Money deposited is given out in Bills; and supposing the Office
would take nothing but the same Sum in those Bills in Discharge of
the Land; as in the Banks aforesaid, the same Sum in their Bills must
be brought in, in order to receive out the Money: In such Case the
Bills would most surely rise in Value as the Land rises; as certainly
as the Bank Bills founded on Money would fall if that Money was
falling. Thus if I were to mortgage to a Loan-Office, or Bank, a
Parcel of Land now valued at 100 _l_. in Silver, and receive for it
the like Sum in Bills, to be paid in again at the Expiration of a
certain Term of Years; before which, my Land rising in Value, becomes
worth 150 _l_. in Silver: 'Tis plain, that if I have not these Bills
in Possession, and the Office will take nothing but these Bills, or
else what it is now become worth in Silver, in Discharge of my Land;
I say it appears plain, that those Bills will now be worth 150 _l_.
in Silver to the Possessor; and if I can purchase them for less, in
order to redeem my Land, I shall by so much be a Gainer.
I need not say any Thing to convince the Judicious that our
Bills have not yet sunk, tho' there is and has been some Difference
between them and Silver; because it is evident that that Difference
is occasioned by the Scarcity of the latter, which is now become a
Merchandize, rising and falling, like other Commodities, as there is
a greater or less Demand for it, or as it is more or less Plenty.
Yet farther, in order to make a true Estimate of the Value of
Money, we must distinguish between Money as it is Bullion, which is
Merchandize, and as by being coin'd it is made a Currency: For its
Value as a Merchandize, and its Value as a Currency, are two distinct
Things; and each may possibly rise and fall in some Degree
independent of the other. Thus if the Quantity of Bullion increases
in a Country, it will proportionably decrease in Value; but if at the
same Time the Quantity of current Coin should decrease, (supposing
Payments may not be made in Bullion) what Coin there is will rise in
Value as a Currency, _i. e._ People will give more Labour in
Manufactures for a certain Sum of ready Money.
In the same Manner must we consider a _Paper Currency_ founded
on Land; as it is Land, and as it is a Currency.
_Money as Bullion, or as Land, is valuable by so much Labour as
it costs to procure that Bullion or Land._
_Money, as a Currency, has an Additional Value by so much Time
and Labour as it saves in the Exchange of Commodities._
If, as a Currency, it saves one Fourth Part of the Time and
Labour of a Country; it has, on that Account, one Fourth added to its
original Value.
When there is no Money in a Country, all Commerce must be by
Exchange. Now if it takes one fourth Part of the Time and Labour of
a Country, to exchange or get their Commodities exchanged; then, in
computing their Value, that Labour of Exchanging must be added to the
Labour of manufacturing those Commodities: But if that Time or Labour
is saved by introducing Money sufficient, then the additional Value
on Account of the Labour of Exchanging may be abated, and Things sold
for only the Value of the Labour in making them; because the People
may now in the same Time make one Fourth more in Quantity of
Manufactures than they could before.
From these Considerations it may be gathered, that in all the
Degrees between having no Money in a Country, and Money sufficient
for the Trade, it will rise and fall in Value as a Currency, in
Proportion to the Decrease or Increase of its Quantity: And if there
may be at some Time more than enough, the Overplus will have no
Effect towards making the Currency, as a Currency, of less Value than
when there was but enough; because such Overplus will not be used in
Trade, but be some other way disposed of.
If we enquire, _How much_ per Cent. _Interest ought to be
required upon the Loan of these Bills;_ we must consider what is the
Natural Standard of Usury: And this appears to be, where the Security
is undoubted, at least the Rent of so much Land as the Money lent
will buy: For it cannot be expected that any Man will lend his Money
for less than it would fetch him in as Rent if he laid it out in
Land, which is the most secure Property in the World. But if the
Security is casual, then a kind of Ensurance must be enterwoven with
the simple natural Interest, which may advance the Usury very
conscionably to any height below the Principal it self. Now among
us, if the Value of Land is twenty Years Purchase, Five _per Cent._
is the just Rate of Interest for Money lent on undoubted Security.
Yet if Money grows scarce in a Country, it becomes more difficult for
People to make punctual Payments of what they borrow, Money being
hard to be raised; likewise Trade being discouraged, and Business
impeded for want of a Currency, abundance of People must be in
declining Circumstances, and by these Means Security is more
precarious than where Money is plenty. On such Accounts it is no
wonder if People ask a greater Interest for their Money than the
natural Interest; and what is above is to be look'd upon as a kind of
_Praemium_ for the Ensurance of those Uncertainties, as they are
greater or less. Thus we always see, that where Money is scarce,
Interest is high, and low where it is plenty. Now it is certainly
the Advantage of a Country to make Interest as low as possible, as I
have already shewn; and this can be done no other way than by making
Money plentiful. And since, in Emitting Paper Money among us, the
Office has the best of Security, the Titles to the Land being all
skilfully and strictly examined and ascertained; and as it is only
permitting the People by Law to coin their own Land, which costs the
Government nothing, the Interest being more than enough to pay the
Charges of Printing, Officers Fees, _&c._ I cannot see any good
Reason why Four _per Cent._ to the Loan-Office should not be thought
fully sufficient. As a low Interest may incline more to take Money
out, it will become more plentiful in Trade; and this may bring down
the common Usury, in which Security is more dubious, to the Pitch it
is determined at by Law.
If it should be objected, _That Emitting It at so low an
Interest, and on such easy Terms, will occasion more to be taken out
than the Trade of the Country really requires:_ It may be answered,
That, as has already been shewn, there can never be so much of it
emitted as to make it fall below the Land it is founded on; because
no Man in his Senses will mortgage his Estate for what is of no more
Value to him than That he has mortgaged, especially if the Possession
of what he receives is more precarious than of what he mortgages, as
that of Paper Money is when compared to Land: And if it should ever
become so plenty by indiscreet Persons continuing to take out a large
Overplus, above what is necessary in Trade, so as to make People
imagine it would become by that Means of less Value than their
mortgaged Lands, they would immediately of Course begin to pay it in
again to the Office to redeem their Land, and continue to do so till
there was no more left in Trade than was absolutely necessary. And
thus the Proportion would find it self, (tho' there were a Million
too much in the Office to be let out) without giving any one the
Trouble of Calculation.
It may perhaps be objected to what I have written concerning
the Advantages of a large Addition to our Currency, _That if the
People of this Province increase, and Husbandry is more followed, we
shall overstock the Markets with our Produce of Flower,_ &c. To this
it may be answered, that we can never have too many People (nor too
much Money) For when one Branch of Trade or Business is overstocked
with Hands, there are the more to spare to be employed in another.
So if raising Wheat proves dull, more may (if there is Money to
support and carry on new Manufactures) proceed to the raising and
manufacturing of _Hemp_, _Silk_, _Iron_, and many other Things the
Country is very capable of, for which we only want People to work,
and Money to pay them with.
Upon the Whole it may be observed, That it is the highest
Interest of a Trading Country in general to make Money plentiful; and
that it can be a Disadvantage to none that have honest Designs. It
cannot hurt even the Usurers, tho' it should sink what they receive
as Interest; because they will be proportionably more secure in what
they lend; or they will have an Opportunity of employing their Money
to greater Advantage, to themselves as well as to the Country.
Neither can it hurt those Merchants who have great Sums out-standing
in Debts in the Country, and seem on that Account to have the most
plausible Reason to fear it; _to wit_, because a large Addition being
made to our Currency, will increase the Demand of our Exporting
Produce, and by that Means raise the Price of it, so that they will
not be able to purchase so much Bread or Flower with 100 _l._ when
they shall receive it after such an Addition, as they now can, and
may if there is no Addition: I say it cannot hurt even such, because
they will get in their Debts just in exact Proportion so much the
easier and sooner as the Money becomes plentier; and therefore,
considering the Interest and Trouble saved, they will not be Losers;
because it only sinks in Value as a Currency, proportionally as it
becomes more plenty. It cannot hurt the Interest of _Great Britain_,
as has been shewn; and it will greatly advance the Interest of the
Proprietor. It will be an Advantage to every industrious Tradesman,
_&c._ because his Business will be carried on more freely, and Trade
be universally enlivened by it. And as more Business in all
Manufactures will be done, by so much as the Labour and Time spent in
Exchange is saved, the Country in general will grow so much the
richer.
It is nothing to the Purpose to object the wretched Fall of the
Bills in _New-England_ and _South-Carolina_, unless it might be made
evident that their Currency was emitted with the same Prudence, and
on such good Security as ours is; and it certainly was not.
As this Essay is wrote and published in Haste, and the Subject
in it self intricate, I hope I shall be censured with Candour, if,
for want of Time carefully to revise what I have written, in some
Places I should appear to have express'd my self too obscurely, and
in others am liable to Objections I did not foresee. I sincerely
desire to be acquainted with the Truth, and on that Account shall
think my self obliged to any one, who will take the Pains to shew me,
or the Publick, where I am mistaken in my Conclusions, And as we all
know there are among us several Gentlemen of acute Parts and profound
Learning, who are very much against any Addition to our Money, it
were to be wished that they would favour the Country with their
Sentiments on this Head in Print; which, supported with Truth and
good Reasoning, may probably be very convincing. And this is to be
desired the rather, because many People knowing the Abilities of
those Gentlemen to manage a good Cause, are apt to construe their
Silence in This, as an Argument of a bad One. Had any Thing of that
Kind ever yet appeared, perhaps I should not have given the Publick
this Trouble: But as those ingenious Gentlemen have not yet (and I
doubt never will) think it worth their Concern to enlighten the Minds
of their erring Countrymen in this Particular, I think it would be
highly commendable in every one of us, more fully to bend our Minds
to the Study of _What is the true Interest of PENNSYLVANIA;_ whereby
we may be enabled, not only to reason pertinently with one another;
but, if Occasion requires, to transmit Home such clear
Representations, as must inevitably convince our Superiors of the
Reasonableness and Integrity of our Designs.
_B. B._
_Philadelphia, April_ 3. 1729.
Philadelphia, New Printing-Office, 1729
_The Printer to the Reader_
The _Pennsylvania Gazette_ being now to be carry'd on by other
Hands, the Reader may expect some Account of the Method we design to
proceed in.
Upon a View of _Chambers_'s great Dictionaries, from whence
were taken the Materials of the _Universal Instructor in all Arts and
Sciences_, which usually made the First Part of this Paper, we find
that besides their containing many Things abstruse or insignificant
to us, it will probably be fifty Years before the Whole can be gone
thro' in this Manner of Publication. There are likewise in those
Books continual References from Things under one Letter of the
Alphabet to those under another, which relate to the same Subject,
and are necessary to explain and compleat it; these taken in their
Turn may perhaps be Ten Years distant; and since it is likely that
they who desire to acquaint themselves with any particular Art or
Science, would gladly have the whole before them in a much less Time,
we believe our Readers will not think such a Method of communicating
Knowledge to be a proper One.
However, tho' we do not intend to continue the Publication of
those Dictionaries in a regular Alphabetical Method, as has hitherto
been done; yet as several Things exhibited from them in the Course of
these Papers, have been entertaining to such of the Curious, who
never had and cannot have the Advantage of good Libraries; and as
there are many Things still behind, which being in this Manner made
generally known, may perhaps become of considerable Use, by giving
such Hints to the excellent natural Genius's of our Country, as may
contribute either to the Improvement of our present Manufactures, or
towards the Invention of new Ones; we propose from Time to Time to
communicate such particular Parts as appear to be of the most general
Consequence.
As to the _Religious Courtship_, Part of which has been retal'd
to the Publick in these Papers, the Reader may be inform'd, that the
whole Book will probably in a little Time be printed and bound up by
it self; and those who approve of it, will doubtless be better
pleas'd to have it entire, than in this broken interrupted Manner.
There are many who have long desired to see a good News-Paper
in _Pennsylvania_; and we hope those Gentlemen who are able, will
contribute towards the making This such. We ask Assistance, because
we are fully sensible, that to publish a good News-Paper is not so
easy an Undertaking as many People imagine it to be. The Author of a
_Gazette_ (in the Opinion of the Learned) ought to be qualified with
an extensive Acquaintance with Languages, a great Easiness and
Command of Writing and Relating Things cleanly and intelligibly, and
in few Words; he should be able to speak of War both by Land and Sea;
be well acquainted with Geography, with the History of the Time, with
the several Interests of Princes and States, the Secrets of Courts,
and the Manners and Customs of all Nations. Men thus accomplish'd
are very rare in this remote Part of the World; and it would be well
if the Writer of these Papers could make up among his Friends what is
wanting in himself.
Upon the Whole, we may assure the Publick, that as far as the
Encouragement we meet with will enable us, no Care and Pains shall be
omitted, that may make the _Pennsylvania Gazette_ as agreeable and
useful an Entertainment as the Nature of the Thing will allow.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, October 2, 1729
_"One Piles a Fidler"_
And sometime last Week, we are informed, that one Piles a
Fidler, with his Wife, were overset in a Canoo near Newtown Creek.
The good Man, 'tis said, prudently secur'd his Fiddle, and let his
Wife go to the Bottom.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, October 16,1729
_Fire and the Nature of Horses_
We hear from Trenton, that on Friday the 5th Instant, a good
new Stable belonging to Mr. John Severn, was burnt down to the
Ground, in which was consumed five Load of English Hay, and seven
Horses were burnt to Death; occasioned by the Carelessness of a
Servant, who let a Candle fall among the Hay.
About the same Time a Barn and Stable was burnt near
Allen's-Town: The Owner attempting to save a good Horse he had in the
Stable, very narrowly escap'd with his own Life; 'tis observed as
something unaccountable in the Nature of Horses, that they are so far
from endeavouring to avoid the Danger of Fire, as to stand
obstinately and suffer themselves to be burnt; nor will they be led
from it unless first made blindfold.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, December 16, 1729
_The Trial and Reprieve of Prouse and Mitchel_
Last Week at a Court of Oyer and Terminer held in this City,
two Servants, James Prouse and James Mitchel (the same who broke
Prison some time since, and were retaken at Amboy) were tried for
Burglary. It appeared by the King's Evidence, that _Prouse_ entred
the House of Mr. _Sheed_, Barber, in Front-street, (being admitted by
a Servant of the Family) and there broke open a Desk, from whence he
took _Seven Pounds Ten Shillings_ in Paper Money, and some Copper
Half-pence; and that _Mitchel_ in the mean time waited without to
watch. It was proved that the Money lost was found upon _Prouse_
when he was taken; who only said in his Defence at the Bar, that it
was given him by Mr. _Sheed_'s Man to keep. _Mitchel_ in his Defence
said, that tho' he had been in Company with _Prouse_ and other
Servants drinking _Rum_ out of Town in the Day Time, being Sunday,
yet that he heard nothing of any Contrivance to Rob, or the like; and
that he was in Bed when the Fact was committed, from whence _Prouse_
afterwards call'd him to go and drink, but did not acquaint with what
had been done. The Jury brought them both in Guilty; and _Prouse_
being asked what he had to say why Sentence of Death should not pass
against him, answered, that he had nothing to say in his own Behalf,
but declared that _Mitchel_ was wholly innocent, and knew nothing of
the Fact. The Court passed Sentence on them both, but directed
_Mitchel_ to apply to His Honour the Governour for Mercy.
Mr. _Sheed_'s Servant (who in the above Trial was Evidence for
the King) is hereafter to be tried for Robbery; the Law not making it
Burglary in a Servant to open a Door in the Night time, tho' it be to
admit Thieves, _&c_.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, December 23, 1729
We hear to Morrow is appointed for the Execution of _Prouse_
and _Mitchel_.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, January 13, 1729/30
_We think our Readers will not be displeased to have the
following remarkable Transaction related to them in this particular
Manner._
Wednesday the 14th Instant, being the Day appointed for the
Execution of _James Prouse_ and _James Mitchel_ for Burglary,
suitable Preparations were accordingly made. The tender Youth of one
of them (who was but about 19) and the supposed Innocence of the
other as to the Fact for which they were condemned, had induced the
Judges (upon the Application of some compassionate People) to
recommend them to His Honour's known Clemency: But several
Malefactors having been already pardoned, and every Body being
sensible, that, considering the great Increase of Vagrants and idle
Persons, by the late large Importation of such from several Parts of
_Europe_, it was become necessary for the common Good to make some
Examples, there was but little Reason to hope that either, and less
that both of them might escape the Punishment justly due to Crimes of
that enormous Nature. About 11 o'Clock the Bell began to Toll, and a
numerous Croud of People was gathered near the Prison, to see these
unhappy young Men brought forth to suffer. While their Irons were
taken off, and their Arms were binding, _Prouse_ cry'd immoderately;
but _Mitchel_ (who had himself all along behaved with unusual
Fortitude) endeavoured in a friendly tender Manner to comfort him:
_Do not cry, Jemmy;_ (says he) _In an Hour or two it will be over
with us, and we shall both be easy_. They were then placed in a
Cart, together with a Coffin for each of them, and led thro' the Town
to the Place of Execution: _Prouse_ appear'd extreamly dejected, but
_Mitchel_ seemed to support himself with a becoming manly Constancy:
When they arriv'd at the fatal Tree, they were told that it was
expected they should make some Confession of their Crimes, and say
something by Way of Exhortation to the People. _Prouse_ was at
length with some Difficulty prevailed on to speak; he said, his
Confession had been taken in Writing the Evening before; he
acknowledged the Fact for which he was to die, but said, That
_Greyer_ who had sworn against him was the Person that persuaded him
to it; and declared that he had never wronged any Man beside Mr.
_Sheed_, and his Master. _Mitchel_ being desired to speak, reply'd
with a sober compos'd Countenance, _What would you have me to say? I
am innocent of the Fact_. He was then told, that it did not appear
well in him to persist in asserting his Innocence; that he had had a
fair Trial, and was found guilty by twelve honest and good Men. He
only answer'd, _I am innocent; and it will appear so before God;_ and
sat down. Then they were both bid to stand up, and the Ropes were
order'd to be thrown over the Beam; when the Sheriff took a Paper out
of his Pocket and began to read. The poor Wretches, whose Souls were
at that Time fill'd with the immediate Terrors of approaching Death,
having nothing else before their Eyes, and being without the least
Apprehension or Hope of a Reprieve, took but little Notice of what
was read; or it seems imagined it to be some previous Matter of Form,
as a Warrant for their Execution or the like, 'till they heard the
Words PITY and MERCY [_And whereas the said_ James Prouse _and_ James
Mitchel _have been recommended to me as proper Objects of Pity and
Mercy._] Immediately _Mitchel_ fell into the most violent Agony; and
having only said, _God bless the Governor_, he swooned away in the
Cart. Suitable Means were used to recover him; and when he came a
little to himself, he added; _I have been a great Sinner; I have been
guilty of almost every Crime; Sabbath-breaking in particular, which
led me into ill Company; but Theft I never was guilty of. God bless
the Governor; and God Almighty's Name be praised;_ and then swooned
again. _Prouse_ likewise seemed to be overwhelmed with Joy, but did
not swoon. All the Way back to the Prison, _Mitchel_ lean'd on his
Coffin, being unable to support himself, and shed Tears in abundance.
He who went out to die with a large Share of Resolution and
Fortitude, returned in the most dispirited Manner imaginable; being
utterly over-power'd by the Force of that sudden Turn of excessive
Joy, for which he had been no Way prepared. The Concern that
appeared in every Face while these Criminals were leading to
Execution, and the Joy that diffused it self thro' the whole
Multitude, so visible in their Countenances upon the mention of a
Reprieve, seems to be a pleasing Instance, and no small Argument of
the general laudable Humanity even of our common People, who were
unanimous in their loud Acclamations of _God bless the Governor for
his Mercy_.
The following are Copies of the Papers delivered out by
_Prouse_ and _Mitchel_ the Evening before, with little or no
Alteration from their own Words.
"I _James Prouse_ was born in the Town of _Brentford_ in
_Middlesex_ County in _Old England_, of honest Parents, who gave me
but little Education. My Father was a Corporal in the late Lord
_Oxford_'s Regiment of Horse, (then named the said Lord's Blues) and
I was for some Time in the Care of an Uncle who lived at _Eling_ near
_Brentford_ aforesaid, and who would have given me good Learning; but
I being young would not take his good Counsel, and in the 12th Year
of my Age came into _Philadelphia_, where I was recommended to one of
the best of Masters, who never let me want for any Thing: But I
minding the evil Insinuations of wicked People, more than the good
Dictates of my Master, and having not the Fear of God before my Eyes,
am deservedly brought to this wretched and shameful End. I
acknowledge I justly merit Death for the Fact which condemns me; but
I never had the least Design or Thought of the like, until often
press'd, and at length seduced to it by _John Greyer_, who was the
only Person that ruined me. He often solicited me to be guilty of
other Crimes of the like Nature, but I never was guilty of any such,
neither with him or any one else; neither did I ever wrong any Man
before, save my too indulgent Master; from whom I now and then
pilfer'd a Yard or the like of Cloth, in order to make Money to spend
with the said _Greyer_. As for _James Mitchel_ who dies for the same
Fact with me, as I hope to receive Mercy at the great Tribunal, he
the said _James Mitchel_ is intirely innocent, (*) and knew nothing
of the Fact until apprehended and taken. I am about Nineteen Years
of Age and die a Protestant.
_JAMES PROUSE_."
(*) N. B. _He declared the same Thing at the Bar just before he
received Sentence_.
_The Speech or Declaration of_ James Mitchel _written with his
own Hand_.
"I _James Mitchel_, was born, at _Antrim_ in the Kingdom of
_Ireland_, of good and honest Parents, and brought up with them until
the Age of 13 Years, and had a suitable Education given me, such as
being taught to read and write _English_, with some _Latin_; and
might have been further instructed, but at my earnest Request was
bound Apprentice to a Book-binder, and served 4 Years to that Trade;
after which I left the Kingdom and went for _England_ in order to be
further improved in my Business; but there had the Misfortune to be
press'd on board the _Berwick_ Man of War, commanded by the Honorable
_George Gordon_, and having been at several Parts abroad, returned to
_England_ in _Octob_. 1728. where I was by Sickness reduced to a very
sad Condition, through which I came over to this Country a Servant;
here I was it seems unfortunately led into bad Company, and one
Evening by _James Prouse_ was raised out of my Bed to go and drink
with him and one _Greyer_, the which _Greyer_ after parting gave to
the said _James Prouse_ Six-pence, which was all the Money I saw that
Night and till next Morning, and then _James Prouse_ took out of his
Pocket a 15 Shilling Bill, and desired me to get it changed for him,
in order to spend some of it; but coming unto Town I was apprehended
for the robbing of Mr. _George Sheed_, and now am to die for the
same. I die a Protestant.
_JAMES MITCHEL_."
_The Pennsylvania Gazette,_ January 20, 1729/30
_A Gallant Duel and an Unhappy Man_
Saturday last, about nine o'Clock in the Morning two young
_Hibernian_ Gentlemen met on _Society Hill_, and fought a gallant
Duel before a Number of Spectators not very usual on such Occasions.
The Cause of their Quarrel is it seems unknown; and as they were
parted without much Difficulty, and neither of them received any
considerable Hurt, it is generally looked upon to be only a Piece of
_Theatrical Representation_.
The same Day an unhappy Man one _Sturgis_, upon some Difference
with his Wife, determined to drown himself in the River; and she,
(kind Wife) went with him, it seems, to see it faithfully performed,
and accordingly stood by silent and unconcerned during the whole
Transaction: He jump'd in near _Carpenter_'s Wharff, but was timely
taken out again, before what he came about was thoroughly effected,
so that they were both obliged to return home as they came, and put
up for that Time with the Disappointment.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, February 10, 1729/30
_Printer's Errors_
_To the Publisher of the_ Pennsylvania Gazette.
_Printerum est errare._
_SIR,_
As your last Paper was reading in some Company where I was
present, these Words were taken Notice of in the Article concerning
Governor _Belcher_, [_After which his Excellency, with the Gentlemen
trading to New-England,_ died _elegantly at Pontack's_]. The Word
_died_ should doubtless have been _dined_, _Pontack_'s being a noted
Tavern and Eating-house in _London_ for Gentlemen of Condition; but
this Omission of the letter (_n_) in that Word, gave us as much
Entertainment as any Part of your Paper. One took the Opportunity of
telling us, that in a certain Edition of the Bible, the Printer had,
where _David_ says _I am fearfully and wonderfully made_, omitted the
Letter (_e_) in the last Word, so that it was, _I am fearfully and
wonderfully mad_; which occasion'd an ignorant Preacher, who took
that Text, to harangue his Audience for half an hour on the Subject
of _Spiritual Madness._ Another related to us, that when the Company
of Stationers in _England_ had the Printing of the Bible in their
Hands, the Word (_not_) was left out in the Seventh Commandment, and
the whole Edition was printed off with _Thou shalt commit Adultery_,
instead of _Thou shalt not_, &c. This material _Erratum_ induc'd the
Crown to take the Patent from them which is now held by the King's
Printer. The _Spectator_'s Remark upon this Story is, that he doubts
many of our modern Gentlemen have this faulty Edition by 'em, and are
not made sensible of the Mistake. A Third Person in the Company
acquainted us with an unlucky Fault that went through a whole
Impression of Common-Prayer-Books; in the Funeral Service, where
these Words are, _We shall all be changed in a moment, in the
twinkling of an Eye,_ &c. the Printer had omitted the (_c_) in
_changed_, and it read thus, _We shall all be hanged,_ &c. And
lastly, a Mistake of your Brother News-Printer was mentioned, in _The
Speech of_ James Prouse _written the Night before he was to have been
executed_, instead of _I die a Protestant_, he has put it, _I died a
Protestant_. Upon the whole you came off with the more favourable
Censure, because your Paper is most commonly very correct, and yet
you were never known to triumph upon it, by publickly ridiculing and
exposing the continual Blunders of your Contemporary. Which
Observation was concluded by a good old Gentleman in Company, with
this general just Remark, That whoever accustoms himself to pass over
in Silence the Faults of his Neighbours, shall meet with much better
Quarter from the World when he happens to fall into a Mistake
himself; for the Satyrical and Censorious, whose Hand is against
every Man, shall upon such Occasions have every Man's Hand against
him.
_I am, SIR, your Friend,_ &c.
J. T.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, March 13, 1729/30
_Letter of the Drum_
_To the Publisher of the_ GAZETTE.
_SIR,_
I know well that the Age in which we live, abounds in
_Spinosists_, _Hobbists_, and _most impious Free-Thinkers_, who
despise _Revelation_, and treat the _most sacred Truths_ with
_Ridicule_ and _Contempt_: Nay, to such an Height of Iniquity are
they arrived, that they not only deny the _Existence_ of the _Devil_,
and of _Spirits_ in general, but would also persuade the World, that
the Story of _Saul_ and the _Witch of Endor_ is an Imposture; and
which is still worse, that no Credit is to be given to the so
well-attested One of the _Drummer_ of _Tedsworth._ I do, indeed,
confess that the Arguments of some of these unbelieving Gentlemen,
with whom I have heretofore conversed on the Subject of _Spirits_,
_Apparitions_, _Witches_, &c. carried with them a great Shew of
Reason, and were so specious, that I was strongly inclined to think
them in the Right; and for several Years past have lived without any
Fear or Apprehensions of _Daemons_ or _Hobgoblins_; but the Case is
quite alter'd with me now; and I who used to sleep without drawing my
Curtains, am now so fearful, that I pin them every Night I go to Bed
with corking Pins, and cover my self Head over Ears with the Clothes.
Now this Change is not owing, as you would imagine, to any frightful
Apparition I have seen, or uncommon Noise I have heard; but to a most
amazing Account I received the other Day from a Reverend Gentleman,
of a certain House's being haunted with the _D ------ l_ of a
Drummer, not a whit less obstreperous, than the _Tedsworthian_
Tympanist: This Gentleman, whose Veracity few People presume to call
in Question, told me, that he was not long since obliged to meet some
of his Brethren, at a certain Town about fifteen Miles below
_Philadelphia_, in order to settle some Affairs of the Church, and to
consult on proper Measures to prevent the _Growth of Atheism_; that
he was there joined by four of his Brethren; who insisting that it
was unpresidented to proceed to Business at their first Meeting, they
thereupon unanimously agreed to defer their Consultations 'till the
next Day; that they spent the Evening chearfully, yet soberly; that
about ten at Night they retired to repose themselves, but lodged in
separate Rooms; that he, with his Companion, were no sooner warm in
their Bed, than they heard a Drum beating very loud, now on the one
Side of their Bed, then on the other, and in a Moment after on the
Teaster; that sometimes they distinctly heard the _Scots Traveller_,
and at other Times the _Grenadiers March_; that the Noise continued
all Night, frighted them almost to Death, and yet, which is the most
surprizing and unaccountable Part of the Relation, disturbed no
Mortal in the House save themselves; that early in the Morning they
went into the next Room, where they found two of their Brethren
sleeping soundly; that they were amazed to find them so fast asleep
after such a terrible Night; that having awakened them, they asked
whether they had not been disturbed with the Noise of a Drum? that
they replied, They had rested well, and were surprized to hear them
ask such a Question, and hinted that they believed them to be out of
their Senses; upon which he related to them the Adventure of the
Night, so full of Horror, with all the Particulars I have mentioned,
and many more which I have omitted; That at first they seemed to give
little Credit to what he said; but upon his Bedfellow's affirming it
to be true, they appeared to be satisfied of the Reality of the Fact.
Then the Gentleman went on with his Story in this wise: That the next
Night he with his Companion went to Bed in the same Room, in which
they had been so terribly frighten'd; that they had not taken their
first Nap, before they heard an uncouth Noise under them; that his
Companion was shortly after seized violently and forcibly by the
great Toe, and in great Danger of being pulled out of the Bed; but
that upon the Beating of the Drum, which happen'd at the same
Instant, his Toe was released; and that to prevent any future
Attacks, they hoisted their Knees up to their very Noses; the Noise
still growing louder, they felt a most prodigious Weight on them,
heavier, as he said, than the _Night-Mare_; that by his Voice they
presently discovered it to be one of their Brethren, who had come
into their Room on purpose to scare them; either believing that they
had told him a Fib, or that they were under such potent Influences
the Night before, as made them imagine they heard a Drum, when in
Reality they did not; But mark, said the Relater to me; according to
the old Proverb, _Harm watch Harm catch_; for he was so frighted
himself, that he would not have ventured back to his own Room, though
he were sure to be made a Bishop; so that we were obliged to share
our Bed with him, in which we lay sweating, and almost dead with
Fear, 'till Morning. Thus he concluded his surprizing Relation,
which wrought so strongly on me, that I could no longer Doubt of the
_D ------ l_'s having plaid them this Prank; and to this Story only
my Timorousness is owing. Now, I know well enough, that some Folks
will be apt to say; it is all a Lye, a meer Forgery; in short, they
will raise an infinite Number of Objections to destroy its Credit;
for when I told it to a certain Person, he swore it could not be
true; because in a Piece of the learned _Greutzius_, which he had
read, _De examine Sagarum_, he found that all the Divines in
_Germany_ were clearly of Opinion, that the Devil never begins to
play his Pranks 'till after Midnight, and that no Spectres were seen
before that Time; and this Noise beginning between ten and eleven
both Nights, he was assured, for that Reason, that the Devil was no
Way concern'd in it; but he had almost staggered me, when he told me
this Story: _A certain Curate lived in the Island of_ Jamaica, _who
loved his Bottle, no Curate better; he chanced to be drinking in a
Tavern, when he was called upon to do the last Offices to a Brother
departed; upon which with great Reluctance he leaves his Company, but
told them he would return immediately: away he hies to the Place of
Burial, and, as is usual, reads over the Service for the Dead, 'till
he came to the Words,_ I heard a Voice from Heaven, saying, blessed,
_&c. at which he was interrupted by one of his Companions, who had
followed him from the Ale-house, with a `By G ------ that's a d
------ 'd Lye, for I have been drinking with you all Day at Mother
------ _'s, _and if you had heard the Voice, I should have heard it
too, for my Ears are as good as yours.'_ The Gentleman left me to
apply the Story.
Now, Sir, as I take you to be a Person of profound Learning and
Judgment, I desire you will set me to rights, by giving me your
Opinion candidly, whether I ought to give Credit to the above
Relation or not, altho' it be attested by two Reverend Fathers,
_I am, Sir, yours,_ &c.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, April 23, 1730
_On that Odd Letter of the Drum_
_To the Author of the_ Pennsylvania Gazette.
_SIR,_ _Burlington, April_ 27. 1730.
As I am your sincere Friend and Well-wisher, it is with a great
deal of Pleasure I have observed your prudent Management of the
News-Paper, in which, till last Week, there has been no one Thing
seen that might justly give Offence either to Church or State, or to
any private Person: But when I reflect how good a Judge you are of
what is or is not proper to be published in that manner, I am puzzled
to think what could induce you to insert that odd Letter of the
_Drum_ in your last _Gazette._ I am satisfied you know better than to
imagine that such a Thing would please the Generality of your
Readers, or that it might be instrumental in doing Good to any one
Creature living; I believe you have had no Reason to be piqu'd
against the Gentlemen there reflected on; and as to the Wit and
Humour which some Persons of reputed Taste pretend to discern in it,
I protest I can see none, and I think that true Wit and Humour cannot
be employ'd in ridiculing Things serious and sacred. Whoever was the
Writer of it, notwithstanding his seeming Reflection on _Spinosists_,
_Hobbists_, _and most impious Freethinkers_, his Design is apparent,
To bring the Dispensers of Religion among us into Contempt, and to
weaken our Belief of the Divine Writings; a Design, in my Opinion,
very unworthy an honest Man and a good Subject, even tho' he was of
no Religion at all. His depreciating the Holy Scriptures, by
insinuating that the Story of the Drummer of _Tedsworth_ is a better
attested One than that of _Saul_ and the Witch of _Endor_, as also
his satyrical Sneer at the Meeting of those Reverend Gentlemen _to
prevent the Growth of Atheism_, I pass over at present without any
further Remark; and as I apprehend that Arguments drawn from the
Truth of our Religion, will have but little Weight with this Writer,
in dissuading him from such a Way of indulging his satyrical Humour,
I would only request him to consider these Things seriously, _to
wit_, That wise Men have in all Ages thought Government necessary for
the Good of Mankind; and, that wise Governments have always thought
Religion necessary for the well ordering and well-being of Society,
and accordingly have been ever careful to encourage and protect the
Ministers of it, paying them the highest publick Honours, that their
Doctrines might thereby meet with the greater Respect among the
common People; And that if there were no Truth in Religion, or the
Salvation of Men's Souls not worth regarding, yet, in consideration
of the inestimable Service done to Mankind by the Clergy, as they are
the Teachers and Supporters of Virtue and Morality, without which no
Society could long subsist, prudent Men should be very cautious how
they say or write any thing that might bring them into Contempt, and
thereby weaken their Hands and render their Labours ineffectual. If
this Writer is a Man of good Sense, as I am willing to think he is, I
am persuaded this single Consideration will be sufficient to prevail
with him never more to employ his Pen in so unjustifiable a manner.
For my Part, I am entirely unacquainted with the Fact, the
Relation of which this Writer pretends to have at first believ'd,
till the Story of the _Jamaica_ Curate stagger'd his Faith. If he
really believ'd the Relation at first, I cannot see why that Story
should stagger his Faith in the least: For tho' one Man's Ears may be
as good as another's when both are awake and in Company, it does not
thence follow that one Man may not sleep sounder than another when in
Bed. Besides, as far as we know, _there is nothing absolutely
impossible in the Thing it self:_ We cannot be certain there are no
Spirits existing; it is rather highly probable that there are: But we
are sure that if Spirits do exist, we are very ignorant of their
Natures, and know neither their Motives nor Methods of Acting, nor
can we tell by what Means they may render themselves perceptible to
our Senses. Those who have contemplated the Nature of Animals seem
to be convinced that Spirit can act upon Matter, for they ascribe the
Motion of the Body to the Will and Power of the Mind. Anatomists
also tell us, that there are Nerves of Communication from all Parts
of the Body to the Brain: And Philosophers assure us, that the
Vibrations of the Air striking on the Auditory Nerves, give to the
Brain the Sensation of what we call Sound; and that the Rays of Light
striking on the optic Nerves, communicate a Motion to the Brain which
forms there the Image of that Thing from which those Rays were
reflected: We find that a sudden Blow upon the Eye shakes the visual
Nerve in the same Manner as when Light strikes it, and therefore we
think we see a Light, when there is no such Thing at that Time
visible without us, and no one standing by can see it, but the Person
that is struck alone. Now, how can we be assur'd that it is not in
the Power of a Spirit _without_ the body to operate in a like manner
on the Nerves of Sight, and give them the same Vibrations as when a
certain Object appears before the Eye, (tho' no such Object is really
present) and accordingly make a particular Man see the Apparition of
any Person or Thing at Pleasure, when no One else in Company can see
it? May not such a Spirit likewise occasion the same Vibrations in
the auditory Nerves as when the Sound of a Drum, or any other Sound,
is heard, and thereby affect the Party in the same manner as a real
Drum beating in the Room would do, tho' no one hears it but himself.
Perhaps I need not have said all this to a Person who believes _the
well-attested Story of the Drummer of Tedsworth_, since there are
many other Stories, equally incontestible with that, by which
reasonable Men are convinc'd that Spirits do not only actually exist,
but are able to make themselves sometimes both seen and heard.
In the Close of his Letter, after paying a Complement to your
_profound Learning and Judgment_, he requests _your Opinion, _whether
he ought to give Credit to the said Relation, tho' it be attested by
two Reverend Fathers_. Since you have not thought proper to say any
thing to it, I beg Leave to give the Gentleman my Opinion, which is,
_That he may very safely believe it_, and that for the following
Reasons.
1. Because, as I have shewn above, there is nothing absolutely
impossible in the Thing it self.
2. Because they were Men of Probity, Learning and sound good
Sense, who related this Fact to him upon their own Knowledge. If
they were not such, 'tis presum'd they would not have been thought
proper Persons to be made publick Instructors.
3. Because they both concur'd in the same Testimony; and it
cannot be imagin'd what Interest they should have in contriving
together to impose a Falshood of that Nature upon him; since they
could expect Nothing but to be ridicul'd for their Pains, both by him
and every other unthinking Sceptic in the Country.
If you insert this Epistle in your next Gazette, I shall
believe you did not approve of That I have been writing against, and
shall continue,
_SIR,_
_Your real Friend and constant Reader,_
PHILOCLERUS.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, May 7, 1730
_An Unlucky She-Wrestler_
We have here an unlucky She-Wrestler who has lately thrown a
young Weaver, and broke his Leg, so that tis thought he will not be
able to tread the Treadles these two Months. In the mean Time,
however, he may employ himself in winding Quills.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, July 23, 1730
_Rules and Maxims for Promoting Matrimonial Happiness_
_Ver novum, ver jam canorum, vere natus Orbis est:
Vere concordant amores, vere nubent alites_ -- Catul.
_Faelices ter, & amplius,
Quos irrupta tenet Copula: nec malis
Divulsis Querimoniis
Suprema citius solvet amor die_. Horat.
The happy State of Matrimony is, undoubtedly, the surest and
most lasting Foundation of Comfort and Love; the Source of all that
endearing Tenderness and Affection which arises from Relation and
Affinity; the grand Point of Property; the Cause of all good Order in
the World, and what alone preserves it from the utmost Confusion;
and, to sum up all, the Appointment of infinite Wisdom for these
great and good Purposes. Notwithstanding, such is the Perverseness
of human Nature, and so easy is it to misuse the best of Things, that
by the Folly and Ill-behaviour of those who enter into it, this is
very often made a State of the most exquisite Wretchedness and
Misery; which gives the wild and vicious Part of Mankind but too much
reason to rail against it, and treat it with Contempt. Wherefore, it
highly becomes the virtuous of both Sexes, by the Prudence of their
Conduct, to redeem this noble Institution from those unjust
Reproaches which it at present labours under, and restore it to the
Honour and Esteem it merits, by endeavouring to make each other as
happy as they can.
I am now about to lay down such Rules and Maxims as I think
most practicable and conducive towards the End and Happiness of
Matrimony. And these I address to all Females that would be married,
or are already so; not that I suppose their Sex more faulty than the
other, and most to want Advice, for I assure them, upon my Honour, I
believe the quite contrary; but the Reason is, because I esteem them
better disposed to receive and practice it, and therefore am willing
to begin, where I may promise myself the best Success. Besides, if
there is any Truth in Proverbs, _Good Wives_ usually make _Good
Husbands_.
_RULES and MAXIMS for promoting_ Matrimonial Happiness.
_Address'd to all_ Widows, Wives, _and_ Spinsters.
The likeliest Way, either to obtain a _good Husband_, or to
keep one _so_, is to be _Good_ yourself.
Never use a _Lover_ ill whom you design to make your _Husband_,
lest he either upbraid you with it, or return it afterwards: and if
you find, at any Time, an Inclination to play the Tyrant, remember
these two Lines of Truth and Justice.
_Gently shall those be_ rul'd, _who_ gently _sway'd;_
Abject _shall those_ obey, _who_ haughty _were_ obey'd.
Avoid, both before and after Marriage, all Thoughts of
_managing_ your Husband. Never endeavour to deceive or impose on his
Understanding: nor give him _Uneasiness_ (as some do very foolishly)
to _try_ his Temper; but treat him always beforehand with
_Sincerity_, and afterwards with _Affection_ and _Respect_.
Be not over sanguine before Marriage, nor promise your self
Felicity without Alloy, for that's impossible to be attain'd in this
present State of Things. Consider beforehand, that the Person you
are going to spend your Days with, is a Man, and not an Angel; and
if, when you come together, you discover any Thing in his Humour or
Behaviour that is not altogether so agreeable as you expected, _pass
it over as a humane Frailty_: smooth your Brow; compose your Temper;
and try to amend it by _Cheerfulness_ and Good-nature.
Remember always, that whatever Misfortunes may happen to
either, they are not to be charg'd to the Account of _Matrimony_, but
to the Accidents and Infirmities of humane Life, a Burthen which each
has engaged to assist the other in supporting, and to which both
Parties are equally expos'd. Therefore, instead of _Murmurs_,
_Reflections_, and _Disagreement_, whereby the _Weight_ is rendred
abundantly more _grievous_, readily put your Shoulders to the Yoke,
and make it easier to both.
Resolve every Morning to be _good-natur'd_ and CHEERFUL that
Day: and if any Accident should happen to break that Resolution,
suffer it not to put you out of Temper with every Thing besides, and
especially with your Husband.
Dispute not with him, be the Occasion what it will; but much
rather deny yourself the trivial Satisfaction of having your own
Will, or gaining the better of an Argument, than risk a Quarrel or
create an Heart-burning, which it's impossible to know the End of.
Be assured, a Woman's Power, as well as Happiness, has no other
Foundation but her Husband's Esteem and Love, which consequently it
is her undoubted Interest by all Means possible to preserve and
increase. Do you, therefore, study his Temper, and command your own;
enjoy his Satisfaction with him, share and sooth his Cares, and with
the utmost Diligence conceal his Infirmities.
Read frequently with due Attention the Matrimonial Service; and
take care in doing so, not to overlook the Word _Obey_.
In your Prayers be sure to add a Clause for Grace to make you a
good Wife; and at the same Time, resolve to do your utmost endeavour
towards it.
Always wear your Wedding Ring, for therein lies more Virtue
than usually is imagined. If you are ruffled unawares, assaulted
with improper Thoughts, or tempted in any kind against your Duty,
cast your Eyes upon it, and call to Mind, who gave it you, where it
was received, and what passed at that solemn Time.
Let the Tenderness of your conjugal Love be expressed with such
Decency, Delicacy and Prudence, as that it may appear plainly and
thorowly distinct from the designing Fondness of an Harlot.
Have you any Concern for your own Ease, or for your Husband's
Esteem? then, have a due Regard to his Income and Circumstances in
all your Expences and Desires: For if Necessity should follow, you
run the greatest Hazard of being deprived of both.
Let not many Days pass together without a serious Examination
how you have behaved as a Wife, and if upon Reflection you find your
self guilty of any Foibles or Omissions, the best Attonement is, to
be exactly careful of your future Conduct.
I am fully persuaded, that a strict Adherence to the foregoing
Rules would equally advance the Honour of Matrimony, and the _Glory_
of the _Fair Sex_: And since the greatest Part of them, with a very
little Alteration, are as proper for Husbands as for Wives to
practice, I recommend them accordingly to their Consideration, and
hope, in a short time, to receive Acknowledgments from _married
Persons_ of _both Sexes_ for the Benefit they receive thereby.
And now, in behalf of my _unlearned Readers_, I beg Leave of my
_learned Ones_, to conclude this Discourse with Mr. _Creech_'s
Translation of that Part of _Horace_ which I have taken for the
_Motto_ of this Paper.
_Thrice happy_ They, _that free from_ Strife,
_Maintain a_ Love _as long as Life:
Whose fixt and binding Vows,
No intervening_ Jealousy,
_No_ Fears _and no_ Debates _untye;
And_ Death _alone can loose_.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, October 8, 1730
_A Witch Trial at Mount Holly_
_Burlington, Oct_. 12. Saturday last at _Mount-Holly_, about 8
Miles from this Place, near 300 People were gathered together to see
an Experiment or two tried on some Persons accused of Witchcraft. It
seems the Accused had been charged with making their Neighbours Sheep
dance in an uncommon Manner, and with causing Hogs to speak, and sing
Psalms, &c. to the great Terror and Amazement of the King's good and
peaceable Subjects in this Province; and the Accusers being very
positive that if the Accused were weighed in Scales against a Bible,
the Bible would prove too heavy for them; or that, if they were bound
and put into the River, they would swim; the said Accused desirous to
make their Innocence appear, voluntarily offered to undergo the said
Trials, if 2 of the most violent of their Accusers would be tried
with them. Accordingly the Time and Place was agreed on, and
advertised about the Country; The Accusers were 1 Man and 1 Woman;
and the Accused the same. The Parties being met, and the People got
together, a grand Consultation was held, before they proceeded to
Trial; in which it was agreed to use the Scales first; and a
Committee of Men were appointed to search the Men, and a Committee of
Women to search the Women, to see if they had any Thing of Weight
about them, particularly Pins. After the Scrutiny was over, a huge
great Bible belonging to the Justice of the Place was provided, and a
Lane through the Populace was made from the Justices House to the
Scales, which were fixed on a Gallows erected for that Purpose
opposite to the House, that the Justice's Wife and the rest of the
Ladies might see the Trial, without coming amongst the Mob; and after
the Manner of _Moorfields_, a large Ring was also made. Then came
out of the House a grave tall Man carrying the Holy Writ before the
supposed Wizard, &c. (as solemnly as the Sword-bearer of _London_
before the Lord Mayor) the Wizard was first put in the Scale, and
over him was read a Chapter out of the Books of _Moses_, and then the
Bible was put in the other Scale, (which being kept down before) was
immediately let go; but to the great Surprize of the Spectators,
Flesh and Bones came down plump, and outweighed that great good Book
by abundance. After the same Manner, the others were served, and
their Lumps of Mortality severally were too heavy for _Moses_ and all
the Prophets and Apostles. This being over, the Accusers and the
rest of the Mob, not satisfied with this Experiment, would have the
Trial by Water; accordingly a most solemn Procession was made to the
Mill-pond; where both Accused and Accusers being stripp'd (saving
only to the Women their Shifts) were bound Hand and Foot, and
severally placed in the Water, lengthways, from the Side of a Barge
or Flat, having for Security only a Rope about the Middle of each,
which was held by some in the Flat. The Accuser Man being thin and
spare, with some Difficulty began to sink at last; but the rest every
one of them swam very light upon the Water. A Sailor in the Flat
jump'd out upon the Back of the Man accused, thinking to drive him
down to the Bottom; but the Person bound, without any Help, came up
some time before the other. The Woman Accuser, being told that she
did not sink, would be duck'd a second Time; when she swam again as
light as before. Upon which she declared, That she believed the
Accused had bewitched her to make her so light, and that she would be
duck'd again a Hundred Times, but she would duck the Devil out of
her. The accused Man, being surpriz'd at his own Swimming, was not
so confident of his Innocence as before, but said, _If I am a Witch,
it is more than I know._ The more thinking Part of the Spectators
were of Opinion, that any Person so bound and plac'd in the Water
(unless they were mere Skin and Bones) would swim till their Breath
was gone, and their Lungs fill'd with Water. But it being the
general Belief of the Populace, that the Womens Shifts, and the
Garters with which they were bound help'd to support them; it is said
they are to be tried again the next warm Weather, naked.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, October 22, 1730
_The Aurora Borealis_
Last Thursday Evening there was seen throughout this Province
in the N. East, a very bright Appearance of the _Aurora Borealis_, or
Northern Twilight. It seems this kind of Meteor never appears near
the Equator, and has therefore obtained the above Name. In 1716,
March 6. there was one visible to the West of _Ireland_, Confines of
_Russia_, and to the East of _Poland_; extending at least near 30
deg. of Longitude, and 50 deg. in Latitude, that is, over almost all
the North of _Europe_; it continued three Nights successively, and in
all Places at the same time it exhibited the like wondrous
Circumstances. In the Years 1707 and 1708, five small ones were
observ'd in little more than eighteen Months. But a sufficient
Number of Observations have not yet been made by the Curious, to
enable them to assign the Cause of this Phaenomenon with any
Certainty.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, October 29, 1730
_The Earliest New-England Immigrants_
Sometime since, the following Lines were found stuck on the
outside of the Door of the Council Chamber.
_Our Fathers pass'd the wide_ Atlantick _Sea,
And bless'd themselves when in the Desert Free:
And shall their Sons thro' Treachery and Fear,
Give up that Freedom which has cost so dear?
Whate'er Pretence our Enemies may frame,
The Man is alter'd, but the Cause the same.
From_ Caesar'_s Court should_ Cato _fawning come,
Be sure that_ Cato _is no Friend to_ Rome.
To which a Gentleman in _New-York_ has wrote the following Answer.
_Their Fathers crost the wide_ Atlantick Sea,
_To be in Desarts from their_ Deserts _free;
And shall their Sons with glaring Insolence
Support a Cause so void of common Sense?
What-e'er Pretence this stubborn People frame,
The Case is alter'd, but the Men the same.
From_ Caesar'_s Court should a new Ruler come,
Be sure they'll starve him, as they've others done._
Whatever Wit there may be in this Answer, it contains one
Reflection not altogether just: Since 'tis certain, that the greatest
Part of the Settlers of New-England removed thither on no other
Account than for the sake of enjoying their Liberty, especially their
religious Liberties, in greater Security: Being persecuted at home,
as _Puritans_ in the Reign of _James_ I. and among all other
Dissenters in the Reign of _Charles_ II.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, November 5, 1730
_Lying Shopkeepers_
_Veritas Luce clarior_.
A Friend of mine was the other Day cheapening some Trifles at a
Shopkeepers, and after a few Words, they agreed on a Price; at the
lapping up this Purchase, the Mistress of the Shop told him, People
were grown very hard, for she actually lost by every thing she sold:
How then is it possible, replied my Friend, that you can keep on your
Business? Indeed, Sir, answer'd she, I must of Necessity shut my
Doors, had I not a very great Trade. The Reason, said my Friend,
with a Sneer, is admirable.
There are a great many Retailers, who falsly imagine that being
_Historical_ (the modern Phrase for _Lying_) is much for their
Advantage; and some of them have a Saying, _That 'tis a Pity Lying is
a Sin, it is so useful in Trade_; tho', if they would examine into
the Reason why a Number of Shopkeepers raise considerable Estates,
while others, who have set out with better Fortunes have become
Bankrupts; they will find, that the former made up with Truth,
Diligence and Probity, what they wanted in Stock, and the latter have
been guilty of imposing on such Customers as they found had no Skill
in their Goods. The former's Character raises a Credit which
supplies the Want of Fortune, and their fair Dealing, brings them
Custom; whereas none will return to buy of him, by whom he has been
once defrauded. If People in Trade would judge rightly, we might buy
blindfold, and they would save, both to themselves and Customers, the
uneasiness of Haggling.
Though there are Numbers of Shopkeepers, who scorn that mean
Vice of _Lying_, and whose Word may very safely be relied on; yet
there are too many, who will endeavour to deceive, and, backing their
Falsities with Asseverations, pawn their Salvation to raise their
Price. As Example works more than Precept, and my sole View being
the Good and Interest of my Countrymen, whom I could wish without
Vice or Folly, I shall shew the Esteem of _Truth_, and the
Abbhorrence of _Falsity_ among the Antients.
_Augustus_ triumphing over _Mark Anthony_ and _Cleopatra_,
among other Captives, brought to _Rome_ a Priest about 60 Years old.
The Senate being inform'd that this Man was never detected in a
_Lie_, and thought never to have been guilty of one, not only
restored him to his Liberty, but made him a High Priest, and raised
him a Statue. This Priest thus honoured, was an _Aegyptian_, and an
Enemy to _Rome_, but this Virtue cover'd all Obstacles: Whereas
_Pamphilus_ was a _Roman_ Citizen, whose Body was deny'd Burial, his
Estate confiscated, his House raz'd, and his Wife and Children
banished the _Roman_ Territories, for his having been a noted and
irreclaimable _Liar_. Can there be a greater Demonstration of
Respect to Truth than this of the _Romans_, who raised an Enemy to
the greatest Honour, and exposed a Citizen's Family to the greatest
Contumely!
There is no Excuse for _Lying_, neither is there any equally
despicable and dangerous with a _Liar_, no Man being in Safety who
frequents his Company; for who will _lie_ (says the _English_
Proverb) will _swear_; and such an one may take away my Life, turn my
Family a begging, and ruin my Reputation, whenever he shall find it
for his Interest: For if a Man will _lie_ and _swear_ in his Shop to
get a Trifle, why should we question his doing of it, when he may
hope to make his Fortune by his _Perjury_! the Crime is in itself so
mean, that to call a Man a _Liar_, is every where esteem'd an Affront
not to be forgiven. If any have Lenity enough to allow the
_Dealer_'s Excuse for this base Practice, yet I believe they will
allow none for the _Gentleman_ who is addicted to this Vice, and must
look upon him as a Wretch undeserving the Name; and that the World
does so, is visible, by the Contempt with which he is mentioned
whenever there is Occasion to name him.
_Epimenides_ the Philosopher, gave the _Rhodians_ this
Definition of Truth, That she was Companion of the Gods, the Joy of
Heaven, the Light of the Earth, the Basis of Justice, and the
Foundation of good Policy. _Eschines_ told the same People, that
Truth was a Virtue, without which, Force was enfeebled, Justice
corrupted; Humility was Dissimulation, Patience intolerable, Chastity
dissembled, Liberty lost, and Pity superfluous. _Pharmacus_ the
Philosopher; told the _Romans_, that Truth was the Centre in which
all Things rested; a Chart to sail by, a Remedy for all Evils, and a
Light to the whole World. _Anaxarchus_ speaking of _Truth_, to the
_Lacedemonians_, said, It was Health incapable of Sickness; Life not
subject to Death; an Elixir which healeth all; a Sun not to be
obscur'd; a Moon without Eclipse; an Herb which never withereth; a
Gate that is never closed, and a Path which never fatigues the
Traveller.
But if we are blind to the Beauties of _Truth_, it's
astonishing that we should not open our Eyes to the Inconveniencies
of Falsities; for a Man given to Romance, must be always on his
Guard, for Fear of contradicting, and exposing himself to the
Derision of his Hearers: For the most _Historical_ would avoid the
odious Character; tho' 'tis impossible for any, with all their
Circumspection, to travel long in this Road, without being
discover'd; and then what Shame, what Confusion follows! he is
continually anxious to hide himself from the Knowledge of the World,
and loads his Memory with Trifles, for fear of being taken with his
own Words. Whereas, who is a Votary to _Truth_, never hesitates for
an Answer, never wrecks his Invention, to make the Sequel quadrate
with the foregoing Part of his Discourse; is not obliged to burden
his Memory with minute Circumstances, since Truth easily recollects
them, speaks openly, and will repeat the same Things often, without
varying; which a _Liar_ can hardly do, without that necessary Gift, a
good Memory.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, November 19, 1730
_Replies by "Betty Diligent" and "Mercator"_
_As a Nail sticketh fast between the Joinings of the Stones, so doth
Sin stick close between Buying and Selling._ Apocrypha.
We have received the two following Letters, relating to our
_Gazette_ of the 19th past. The first is from a _Shopkeeper_, and
the other from a _Merchant_.
_To the Author of the_ GAZETTE.
_SIR,_
`I am a Shopkeeper in this City, and I suppose am the Person at
whom some Reflections are aimed in one of your late Papers. It is an
easy Matter for Gentlemen that can write, to say a great deal upon
any Subject, and to censure Faults of which perhaps they are as
guilty as other People. I cannot help thinking that Paper is wrote
with much Partiality, and is a very unfair Representation of Things.
Shopkeepers are therein accus'd of _Lying_, as if they were the only
Persons culpable, without the least Notice being taken of the general
Lying practis'd by _Customers_. _I am sure 'tis very ordinary at
that Price; I have bought much better at such a one's Shop for less
Money;_ are very common Falsities repeated on this Occasion, almost
worn threadbare; but some have even the Confidence to aver, _that
they have bought cheaper of me;_ when I know the Price they mention
is less than the Goods cost me. In short, they will tell a hundred
Lies to undervalue our Goods, and make our Demands appear
extravagant: So that the Blame of all the Lying properly belongs to
the Customers that come to buy; because if the Shopkeepers strain the
Truth a little now and then, they are forc'd to do it in their own
Defence. In hopes you will do us Justice in this Affair, I remain,
_Your Friend and Servant,_
Betty Diligent.'
Mr. _Gazetteer_,
`You have in a late Paper very justly taken Notice of, and
censur'd the too common Practice of Lying used by Shopkeepers in
_selling_ their Goods; but you have omitted just one half the Story,
_viz._ their Lying when they come to the Stores to _buy_. I believe
they think Lying full as convenient and beneficial in _buying_ their
Goods as selling them; for to my Knowledge some of them are most
egregiously guilty in this Particular.
_I am, Sir, Yours_, &c.
Mercator.'
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, December 3, 1730
_On the Providence of God in the Government of the World_
When I consider my own Weakness, and the discerning Judgment of
those who are to be my Audience, I cannot help blaming my self
considerably, for this rash Undertaking of mine, it being a Thing I
am altogether ill practis'd in and very much unqualified for; I am
especially discouraged when I reflect that you are all my intimate
Pot Companions who have heard me say a 1000 silly Things in
Conversations, and therefore have not that laudable Partiality and
Veneration for whatever I shall deliver that Good People commonly
have for their Spiritual Guides; that You have no Reverence for my
Habit, nor for the Sanctity of my Countenance; that you do not
believe me inspir'd or divinely assisted, and therefore will think
your Selves at Liberty to assent or dissent approve or disapprove of
any Thing I advance, canvassing and sifting it as the private Opinion
of one of your Acquaintance. These are great Disadvantages and
Discouragements but I am enter'd and must proceed, humbly requesting
your Patience and Attention.
I propose at this Time to discourse on the Subject of our last
Conversation: the Providence of God in the Government of the World.
I shall not attempt to amuse you with Flourishes of Rhetorick, were I
master of that deceitful Science because I know ye are Men of
substantial Reason and can easily discern between sound Argument and
the false Glosses of Oratory; nor shall I endeavour to impose on your
Ears, by a musical Accent in delivery, in the Tone of one violently
affected with what he says; for well I know that ye are far from
being superstitious or fond of unmeaning Noise, and that ye believe a
Thing to be no more true for being sung than said. I intend to offer
you nothing but plain Reasoning, devoid of Art and Ornament;
unsupported by the Authority of any Books or Men how sacred soever;
because I know that no Authority is more convincing to Men of Reason
than the Authority of Reason itself. It might be judg'd an Affront
to your Understandings should I go about to prove this first
Principle, the Existence of a Deity and that he is the Creator of the
Universe, for that would suppose you ignorant of what all Mankind in
all Ages have agreed in. I shall therefore proceed to observe: 1.
That he must be a Being of great Wisdom; 2. That he must be a Being
of great Goodness and 3. That he must be a Being of great Power.
That he must be a Being of infinite Wisdom, appears in his admirable
Order and Disposition of Things, whether we consider the heavenly
Bodies, the Stars and Planets, and their wonderful regular Motions,
or this Earth compounded of such an Excellent mixture of all the
Elements; or the admirable Structure of Animal Bodies of such
infinite Variety, and yet every one adapted to its Nature, and the
Way of Life it is to be placed in, whether on Earth, in the Air or in
the Waters, and so exactly that the highest and most exquisite human
Reason, cannot find a fault and say this would have been better so or
in another Manner, which whoever considers attentively and thoroughly
will be astonish'd and swallow'd up in Admiration.
2. That the Deity is a Being of great Goodness, appears in his
giving Life to so many Creatures, each of which acknowledge it a
Benefit by their Unwillingness to leave it; in his providing
plentiful Sustenance for them all, and making those Things that are
most useful, most common and easy to be had; such as Water necessary
for almost every Creature's Drink; Air without which few could
subsist, the inexpressible Benefits of Light and Sunshine to almost
all Animals in general; and to Men the most useful Vegetables, such
as Corn, the most useful of Metals as Iron, and the most useful
Animals, as Horses, Oxen and Sheep, he has made easiest to raise, or
procure in Quantity or Numbers: each of which particulars if
considered seriously and carefully would fill us with the highest
Love and Affection. 3. That he is a Being of infinite Power appears,
in his being able to form and compound such Vast Masses of Matter as
this Earth and the Sun and innumerable Planets and Stars, and give
them such prodigious Motion, and yet so to govern them in their
greatest Velocity as that they shall not flie off out of their
appointed Bounds nor dash one against another, to their mutual
Destruction; but 'tis easy to conceive his Power, when we are
convinc'd of his infinite Knowledge and Wisdom; for if weak and
foolish Creatures as we are, by knowing the Nature of a few Things
can produce such wonderful Effects; such as for instance by knowing
the Nature only of Nitre and Sea Salt mix'd we can make a Water which
will dissolve the hardest Iron and by adding one Ingredient more, can
make another Water which will dissolve Gold and render the most Solid
Bodies fluid -- and by knowing the Nature of Salt Peter Sulphur and
Charcoal those mean Ingredients mix'd we can shake the Air in the
most terrible Manner, destroy Ships Houses and Men at a Distance and
in an Instant, overthrow Cities, rend Rocks into a Thousand Pieces,
and level the highest Mountains. What Power must he possess who not
only knows the Nature of every Thing in the Universe, but can make
Things of new Natures with the greatest Ease and at his Pleasure!
Agreeing then that the World was at first made by a Being of
infinite Wisdom, Goodness and Power, which Being we call God; The
State of Things ever since and at this Time must be in one of these
four following manners, viz.
1. Either he unchangeably decreed and appointed every Thing
that comes to pass; and left nothing to the Course of Nature, nor
allow'd any Creature free agency. or
2. Without decreeing any thing, he left all to general Nature
and the Events of Free Agency in his Creatures, which he never alters
or interrupts. or
3. He decreed some Things unchangeably, and left others to
general Nature and the Events of Free agency, which also he never
alters or interrupts; or
4. He sometimes interferes by his particular Providence and
sets aside the Effects which would otherwise have been produced by
any of the Above Causes.
I shall endeavour to shew the first 3 Suppositions to be
inconsistent with the common Light of Reason; and that the 4th is
most agreeable to it, and therefore most probably true.
In the 1. place. If you say he has in the Beginning
unchangeably decreed all Things and left Nothing to Nature or free
Agency. These Strange Conclusions will necessarily follow; 1. That
he is now no more a God. 'Tis true indeed, before he had made such
unchangeable Decree, he was a Being of Power, Almighty; but now
having determin'd every Thing, he has divested himself of all further
Power, he has done and has no more to do, he has ty'd up his Hands,
and has now no greater Power than an Idol of Wood or Stone; nor can
there be any more Reason for praying to him or worshipping of him,
than of such an Idol for the Worshippers can be never the better for
such Worship. Then 2. he has decreed some things contrary to the
very Notion of a wise and good Being; Such as that some of his
Creatures or Children shall do all Manner of Injury to others and
bring every kind of Evil upon them without Cause; that some of them
shall even blaspheme him their Creator in the most horrible manner;
and, which is still more highly absurd that he has decreed the
greatest Part of Mankind, shall in all Ages, put up their earnest
Prayers to him both in private and publickly in great Assemblies,
when all the while he had so determin'd their Fate that he could not
possibly grant them any Benefits on that Account, nor could such
Prayers be any way available. Why then should he ordain them to make
such Prayers? It cannot be imagined they are of any Service to him.
Surely it is not more difficult to believe the World was made by a
God of Wood or Stone, than that the God who made the World should be
such a God as this.
In the 2. Place. If you say he has decreed nothing but left
all things to general Nature, and the Events of Free Agency, which he
never alters or interrupts. Then these Conclusions will follow; He
must either utterly hide him self from the Works of his Hands, and
take no Notice at all of their Proceedings natural or moral; or he
must be as undoubtedly he is, a Spectator of every thing; for there
can be no Reason or Ground to suppose the first -- I say there can be
no Reason to imagine he would make so glorious a Universe meerly to
abandon it. In this Case imagine the Deity looking on and beholding
the Ways of his Creatures; some Hero's in Virtue he sees are
incessantly indeavouring the Good of others, they labour thro vast
difficulties, they suffer incredible Hardships and Miseries to
accomplish this End, in hopes to please a Good God, and obtain his
Favour, which they earnestly Pray for; what Answer can he make them
within himself but this; _take the Reward Chance may give you, I do
not intermeddle in these Affairs;_ he sees others continually doing
all manner of Evil, and bringing by their Actions Misery and
Destruction among Mankind: What can he say here but this, _if Chance
rewards you I shall not punish you, I am not to be concerned._ He
sees the just, the innocent and the Beneficent in the Hands of the
wicked and violent Oppressor; and when the good are at the Brink of
Destruction they pray to him, _thou, O God, art mighty and powerful
to save; help us we beseech thee:_ He answers, _I cannot help you,
'tis none of my Business nor do I at all regard these things._ How is
it possible to believe a wise and an infinitely Good Being can be
delighted in this Circumstance; and be utterly unconcern'd what
becomes of the Beings and Things he has created; for thus, we must
believe him idle and unactive, and that his glorious Attributes of
Power, Wisdom and Goodness are no more to be made use of.
In the Third Place. If you say he has decreed some things and
left others to the Events of Nature and Free Agency, Which he never
alters or interrupts; Still you unGod him, if I may be allow'd the
Expression; he has nothing to do; he can cause us neither Good nor
Harm; he is no more to be regarded than a lifeless Image, than Dagon,
or Baall, or Bell and the Dragon; and as in both the other
Suppositions foregoing, that Being which from its Power is most able
to Act, from its Wisdom knows best how to act, and from its Goodness
would always certainly act best, is in this Opinion supposed to
become the most unactive of all Beings and remain everlastingly Idle;
an Absurdity, which when considered or but barely seen, cannot be
swallowed without doing the greatest Violence to common Reason, and
all the Faculties of the Understanding.
We are then necessarily driven into the fourth Supposition,
That the Deity sometimes interferes by his particular Providence, and
sets aside the Events which would otherwise have been produc'd in the
Course of Nature, or by the Free Agency of Men; and this is perfectly
agreeable with what we can know of his Attributes and Perfections:
But as some may doubt whether 'tis possible there should be such a
Thing as free Agency in Creatures; I shall just offer one Short
Argument on that Account and proceed to shew how the Duties of
Religion necessary follow the Belief of a Providence. You
acknowledge that God is infinitely Powerful, Wise and Good, and also
a free Agent; and you will not deny that he has communicated to us
part of his Wisdom, Power and Goodness; i.e. he has made us in some
Degree Wise, potent and good; and is it then impossible for him to
communicate any Part of his Freedom, and make us also in some Degree
Free? Is not even his _infinite_ Power sufficient for this? I
should be glad to hear what Reason any Man can give for thinking in
that Manner; 'tis sufficient for me to shew tis not impossible, and
no Man I think can shew 'tis improbable, but much more might be
offer'd to demonstrate clearly that Men are in some Degree free
Agents, and accountable for their Actions; however, this I may
possibly reserve for another separate Discourse hereafter if I find
Occasion.
Lastly If God does not sometimes interfere by his Providence
tis either because he cannot, or because he will not; which of these
Positions will you chuse? There is a righteous Nation grievously
oppress'd by a cruel Tyrant, they earnestly intreat God to deliver
them; If you say he cannot, you deny his infinite Power, which you at
first acknowledg'd; if you say he will not, you must directly deny
his infinite Goodness. You are then of necessity oblig'd to allow,
that 'tis highly reasonable to believe a Providence because tis
highly absurd to believe otherwise.
Now if tis unreasonable to suppose it out of the Power of the
Deity to help and favour us particularly or that we are out of his
Hearing or Notice or that Good Actions do not procure more of his
Favour than ill Ones. Then I conclude, that believing a Providence
we have the Foundation of all true Religion; for we should love and
revere that Deity for his Goodness and thank him for his Benefits; we
should adore him for his Wisdom, fear him for his Power, and pray to
him for his Favour and Protection; and this Religion will be a
Powerful Regulater of our Actions, give us Peace and Tranquility
within our own Minds, and render us Benevolent, Useful and Beneficial
to others.
1730
_Compassion and Regard for the Sick_
--------- _Mors sola fatetur
Quantula sunt hominum corpuscula _ ------ Juv.
_Post obitum bene facta manent, aeternaq; virtus
Non metuit Stygiis nec rapiatur aquis._
Among all the innumerable Species of Animals which inhabit the
Air, Earth and Water, so exceedingly different in their Production,
their Properties, and the Manner of their Existence, and so varied in
Form, that even of the same Kind it can scarce be said there are two
Individuals in all Respects alike; it is remarkable there are none,
within our Observation, distinguish'd from the rest by this
Particular, _that they are by Nature incapable of DISEASES_. The old
Poets, how extravagant soever in their Fictions, durst never offend
so far against Nature and Probability, as even to feign such a Thing;
and though they made _Achilles_ invulnerable from Head to Foot, and
clad him beside in impenetrable Armour forg'd by the Immortals, yet
they were oblig'd to leave one soft Place in his Heel, how small
soever, for Destruction to enter at. But though every Animal that
hath Life is liable to Death, Man of all other Creatures has the
greatest Number of _Diseases_ to his Share; whether they are the
Effects of our Intemperance and Vice, or are given us that we may
have a greater Opportunity of exercising towards each other that
Virtue which most of all recommends us to the Deity, I mean
_CHARITY._
The great Author of our Faith, whose Life should be the
constant Object of our Imitation, as far as it is not inimitable,
always shew'd the greatest Compassion and Regard for the _SICK_; he
disdain'd not to Visit and minister Comfort and Health to the meanest
of the People, and he frequently inculcated the same Disposition in
his Doctrine and Precepts to his Disciples. For this one Thing (in
that beautiful Parable of the Traveller wounded by Thieves) the
_Samaritan_, (who was esteemed no better than an Heretick or an
Infidel by the Orthodox of those Times) is prefer'd to the _Priest_
and the _Levite_; because he did not, like them, pass by regardless
of the Distress of his Brother Mortal, but when he came to the Place
where the half-dead Traveller lay, he _had Compassion on him, and
WENT TO HIM, and bound up his Wounds, pouring in Oyl and Wine, and
set him on his own Beast, and brought him to an Inn, and TOOK CARE OF
HIM_. The Rich Man also is represented as being excluded from the
Happiness of Heaven, because he fared sumptuously every Day, and had
Plenty of all Things, and yet neglected to comfort and assist his
poor Neighbour who was helpless and _full of Sores_, and might
perhaps have been revived and restored with small Care, _with the
Crums that fell from his Table_. -- _I was SICK and ye VISITED me_,
is one of the Terms of Admission into Bliss, and the contrary a Cause
of Exclusion: That is, as our Saviour himself explains it, _Ye have
visited, or ye have not visited, assisted and comforted those who
stood in need of it, even tho' they were the least or meanest of
Mankind._ This Branch of _Charity_ seems essential to the true Spirit
of Christianity; and it should be extended to all in general, whether
deserving or undeserving, as far as our Power reaches. Of the ten
Lepers that were cleansed, nine seem to have been much more unworthy
than the tenth, yet in respect of their Disease they equally shared
the Goodness of God. And when the great Physician sent forth his
Disciples, he always gave them a particular Charge, _that into
whatsoever City they entred, they should heal_ all _the Sick,_
without distinction.
Now tho' in these Days we cannot work Miracles, and are not all
Physicians; yet in this time of general Distress by Sickness, there
are few Persons that have their Health, but what have Opportunity
enough of exercising that humane and Christian Virtue, which teaches
a tender Regard for the Afflicted. It is thought by some, that in
the present Distemper, a greater Number have been heretofore lost for
want of suitable Care and Attendance, than thro' the natural
Malignity of the Disease. The Rich have Visitors enough, and Advice
enough; but perhaps there may be some poor Families, where not only
those few that are well, have their Health endanger'd by the constant
Fatigue of Watching Night and Day, but the Sick suffer much for want
of Friends to offer their Assistance. The good _Samaritan_ gave
_Money_ to the Host where he had lodg'd his Patient, and said, _TAKE
CARE OF HIM, and what thou spendest more, I will repay thee._ If our
Circumstances will not afford This, we may at least be helpful in
Visiting, Watching, and doing many other kind Things, which the Poor
have almost as much in their Power as the Wealthy.
Now if the Considerations of Religion and Humanity have not the
Effect they ought to have on the Minds of some, perhaps this
Observation, which generally holds true, may have its weight with the
Self-interested, _That there are no Kindnesses done by one Man to
another, which are remembred so long, and so frequently return'd with
Gratitude, as those received in Sickness, whether they are only
present Comforts, or assist in restoring Health_.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, March 25, 1731
_English Officials for America_
We hear from _North-Carolina_, That Governor _Burrington_ is
arrived there, accompanied by several Gentlemen, who are to have the
chief Places of Profit and Trust in that Government.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, May 27, 1731
_Apology for Printers_
Being frequently censur'd and condemn'd by different Persons
for printing Things which they say ought not to be printed, I have
sometimes thought it might be necessary to make a standing Apology
for my self, and publish it once a Year, to be read upon all
Occasions of that Nature. Much Business has hitherto hindered the
execution of this Design; but having very lately given extraordinary
Offence by printing an Advertisement with a certain _N.B._ at the End
of it, I find an Apology more particularly requisite at this
Juncture, tho' it happens when I have not yet Leisure to write such a
thing in the proper Form, and can only in a loose manner throw those
Considerations together which should have been the Substance of it.
I request all who are angry with me on the Account of printing
things they don't like, calmly to consider these following
Particulars
1. That the Opinions of Men are almost as various as their
Faces; an Observation general enough to become a common Proverb, _So
many Men so many Minds._
2. That the Business of Printing has chiefly to do with Mens
Opinions; most things that are printed tending to promote some, or
oppose others.
3. That hence arises the peculiar Unhappiness of that Business,
which other Callings are no way liable to; they who follow Printing
being scarce able to do any thing in their way of getting a Living,
which shall not probably give Offence to some, and perhaps to many;
whereas the Smith, the Shoemaker, the Carpenter, or the Man of any
other Trade, may work indifferently for People of all Persuasions,
without offending any of them: and the Merchant may buy and sell with
Jews, Turks, Hereticks, and Infidels of all sorts, and get Money by
every one of them, without giving Offence to the most orthodox, of
any sort; or suffering the least Censure or Ill-will on the Account
from any Man whatever.
4. That it is as unreasonable in any one Man or Set of Men to
expect to be pleas'd with every thing that is printed, as to think
that nobody ought to be pleas'd but themselves.
5. Printers are educated in the Belief, that when Men differ in
Opinion, both Sides ought equally to have the Advantage of being
heard by the Publick; and that when Truth and Error have fair Play,
the former is always an overmatch for the latter: Hence they
chearfully serve all contending Writers that pay them well, without
regarding on which side they are of the Question in Dispute.
6. Being thus continually employ'd in serving all Parties,
Printers naturally acquire a vast Unconcernedness as to the right or
wrong Opinions contain'd in what they print; regarding it only as the
Matter of their daily labour: They print things full of Spleen and
Animosity, with the utmost Calmness and Indifference, and without the
least Ill-will to the Persons reflected on; who nevertheless unjustly
think the Printer as much their Enemy as the Author, and join both
together in their Resentment.
7. That it is unreasonable to imagine Printers approve of every
thing they print, and to censure them on any particular thing
accordingly; since in the way of their Business they print such great
variety of things opposite and contradictory. It is likewise as
unreasonable what some assert, _That Printers ought not to print any
Thing but what they approve;_ since if all of that Business should
make such a Resolution, and abide by it, an End would thereby be put
to Free Writing, and the World would afterwards have nothing to read
but what happen'd to be the Opinions of Printers.
8. That if all Printers were determin'd not to print any thing
till they were sure it would offend no body, there would be very
little printed.
9. That if they sometimes print vicious or silly things not
worth reading, it may not be because they approve such things
themselves, but because the People are so viciously and corruptly
educated that good things are not encouraged. I have known a very
numerous Impression of _Robin Hood's Songs_ go off in this Province
at 2_s_. per Book, in less than a Twelvemonth; when a small Quantity
of _David's Psalms_ (an excellent Version) have lain upon my Hands
above twice the Time.
10. That notwithstanding what might be urg'd in behalf of a
Man's being allow'd to do in the Way of his Business whatever he is
paid for, yet Printers do continually discourage the Printing of
great Numbers of bad things, and stifle them in the Birth. I my self
have constantly refused to print any thing that might countenance
Vice, or promote Immorality; tho' by complying in such Cases with the
corrupt Taste of the Majority, I might have got much Money. I have
also always refus'd to print such things as might do real Injury to
any Person, how much soever I have been solicited, and tempted with
Offers of great Pay; and how much soever I have by refusing got the
Ill-will of those who would have employ'd me. I have heretofore
fallen under the Resentment of large Bodies of Men, for refusing
absolutely to print any of their Party or Personal Reflections. In
this Manner I have made my self many Enemies, and the constant
Fatigue of denying is almost insupportable. But the Publick being
unacquainted with all this, whenever the poor Printer happens either
through Ignorance or much Persuasion, to do any thing that is
generally thought worthy of Blame, he meets with no more Friendship
or Favour on the above Account, than if there were no Merit in't at
all. Thus, as _Waller_ says,
_Poets loose half the Praise they would have got
Were it but known what they discreetly blot;_
Yet are censur'd for every bad Line found in their Works with
the utmost Severity.
I come now to the particular Case of the _N.B._
above-mention'd, about which there has been more Clamour against me,
than ever before on any other Account. -- In the Hurry of other
Business an Advertisement was brought to me to be printed; it
signified that such a Ship lying at such a Wharff, would sail for
_Barbadoes_ in such a Time, and that Freighters and Passengers might
agree with the Captain at such a Place; so far is what's common: But
at the Bottom this odd Thing was added, N.B. _No Sea Hens nor Black
Gowns will be admitted on any Terms._ I printed it, and receiv'd my
Money; and the Advertisement was stuck up round the Town as usual. I
had not so much Curiosity at that time as to enquire the Meaning of
it, nor did I in the least imagine it would give so much Offence.
Several good Men are very angry with me on this Occasion; they are
pleas'd to say I have too much Sense to do such things ignorantly;
that if they were Printers they would not have done such a thing on
any Consideration; that it could proceed from nothing but my abundant
Malice against Religion and the Clergy: They therefore declare they
will not take any more of my Papers, nor have any farther Dealings
with me; but will hinder me of all the Custom they can. All this is
very hard!
I believe it had been better if I had refused to print the said
Advertisement. However, 'tis done and cannot be revok'd. I have
only the following few Particulars to offer, some of them in my
Behalf, by way of Mitigation, and some not much to the Purpose; but I
desire none of them may be read when the Reader is not in a very good
Humour.
1. That I really did it without the least Malice, and imagin'd
the _N.B._ was plac'd there only to make the Advertisement star'd at,
and more generally read.
2. That I never saw the Word _Sea-Hens_ before in my Life; nor
have I yet ask'd the meaning of it; and tho' I had certainly known
that _Black Gowns_ in that Place signified the Clergy of the Church
of _England_, yet I have that confidence in the generous good Temper
of such of them as I know, as to be well satisfied such a trifling
mention of their Habit gives them no Disturbance.
3. That most of the Clergy in this and the neighbouring
Provinces, are my Customers, and some of them my very good Friends;
and I must be very malicious indeed, or very stupid, to print this
thing for a small Profit, if I had thought it would have given them
just Cause of Offence.
4. That if I have much Malice against the Clergy, and withal
much Sense; 'tis strange I never write or talk against the Clergy my
self. Some have observed that 'tis a fruitful Topic, and the easiest
to be witty upon of all others. I can print any thing I write at
less Charge than others; yet I appeal to the Publick that I am never
guilty this way, and to all my Acquaintance as to my Conversation.
5. That if a Man of Sense had Malice enough to desire to injure
the Clergy, this is the foolishest Thing he could possibly contrive
for that Purpose.
6. That I got Five Shillings by it.
7. That none who are angry with me would have given me so much
to let it alone.
8. That if all the People of different Opinions in this
Province would engage to give me as much for not printing things they
don't like, as I can get by printing them, I should probably live a
very easy Life; and if all Printers were every where so dealt by,
there would be very little printed.
9. That I am oblig'd to all who take my Paper, and am willing
to think they do it out of meer Friendship. I only desire they would
think the same when I deal with them. I thank those who leave off,
that they have taken it so long. But I beg they would not endeavour
to dissuade others, for that will look like Malice.
10. That 'tis impossible any Man should know what he would do
if he was a Printer.
11. That notwithstanding the Rashness and Inexperience of
Youth, which is most likely to be prevail'd with to do things that
ought not to be done; yet I have avoided printing such Things as
usually give Offence either to Church or State, more than any Printer
that has followed the Business in this Province before.
12. And lastly, That I have printed above a Thousand
Advertisements which made not the least mention of _Sea-Hens_ or
_Black Gowns_; and this being the first Offence, I have the more
Reason to expect Forgiveness.
I take leave to conclude with an old Fable, which some of my
Readers have heard before, and some have not.
"A certain well-meaning Man and his Son, were travelling
towards a Market Town, with an Ass which they had to sell. The Road
was bad; and the old Man therefore rid, but the Son went a-foot. The
first Passenger they met, asked the Father if he was not ashamed to
ride by himself, and suffer the poor Lad to wade along thro' the
Mire; this induced him to take up his Son behind him: He had not
travelled far, when he met others, who said, they were two unmerciful
Lubbers to get both on the Back of that poor Ass, in such a deep
Road. Upon this the old Man gets off, and let his Son ride alone.
The next they met called the Lad a graceless, rascally young
Jackanapes, to ride in that Manner thro' the Dirt, while his aged
Father trudged along on Foot; and they said the old Man was a Fool,
for suffering it. He then bid his Son come down, and walk with him,
and they travell'd on leading the Ass by the Halter; 'till they met
another Company, who called them a Couple of sensless Blockheads, for
going both on Foot in such a dirty Way, when they had an empty Ass
with them, which they might ride upon. The old Man could bear no
longer; My Son, said he, it grieves me much that we cannot please all
these People; Let us throw the Ass over the next Bridge, and be no
farther troubled with him."
Had the old Man been seen acting this last Resolution, he would
probably have been call'd a Fool for troubling himself about the
different Opinions of all that were pleas'd to find Fault with him:
Therefore, tho' I have a Temper almost as complying as his, I intend
not to imitate him in this last Particular. I consider the Variety
of Humours among Men, and despair of pleasing every Body; yet I shall
not therefore leave off Printing. I shall continue my Business. I
shall not burn my Press and melt my Letters.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, June 10, 1731
_"A certain St-n-c-tt-r"_
Friday Night last, a certain St-n-c-tt-r was, it seems, in a
fair way of dying the Death of a Nobleman; for being caught Napping
with another Man's Wife, the injur'd Husband took the Advantage of
his being so fast asleep, and with a Knife began very diligently to
cut off his Head. But the Instrument not being equal to the intended
Operation, much Struggling prevented Success; and he was oblig'd to
content himself for the present with bestowing on the Aggressor a
sound Drubbing. The Gap made in the Side of the St-n-c-tt-r's Neck,
tho' deep, is not thought dangerous; but some People admire, that
when the Person offended had so fair and suitable an Opportunity, it
did not enter into his Head to turn St-n-c-tt-r himself.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, June 17, 1731
_The Molasses Bill_
By way of Boston there is Advice, That a Bill for prohibiting
the Importation of Rum, Sugar and Mellasses from the French and Dutch
Plantations into the Northern Colonies in America, has pass'd both
Houses of Parliament, pursuant to a Petition from the Island of
Barbadoes. What Effect this will have, as to raising or falling the
Prices of those Commodities and of our Flour, &c. is left to the
Judicious to consider.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, June 17, 1731
_"A certain C-n-table"_
Sure some unauspicious cross-grain'd Planet, in Opposition
to _Venus_, presides over the Affairs of Love about this Time. For
we hear, that on Tuesday last, a certain C-n-table having made an
Agreement with a neighbouring Female, to _Watch_ with her that Night;
she promised to leave a Window open for him to come in at; but he
going his Rounds in the dark, unluckily mistook the Window, and got
into a Room where another Woman was in bed, and her Husband it seems
lying on a Couch not far distant. The good Woman perceiving
presently by the extraordinary Fondness of her Bedfellow that it
could not possibly be her Husband, made so much Disturbance as to
wake the good Man; who finding somebody had got into his Place
without his Leave, began to lay about him unmercifully; and 'twas
thought, that had not our poor mistaken Galant, call'd out manfully
for Help (as if he were commanding Assistance in the King's Name) and
thereby raised the Family, he would have stood no more Chance for his
Life between the Wife and Husband, than a captive L ------ between
two Thumb Nails.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, June 24, 1731
_"George is as good as de best"_
We are credibly inform'd, that the young Woman who not long
since petitioned the Governor, and the Assembly to be divorced from
her Husband, and at times industriously solicited most of the
Magistrates on that Account, has at last concluded to cohabit with
him again. It is said the Report of the Physicians (who in Form
examined his _Abilities_, and allowed him to be in every respect
_sufficient_,) gave her but small Satisfaction; Whether any
Experiments _more satisfactory_ have been try'd, we cannot say; but
it seems she now declares it as her Opinion, That _George is as good
as de best_.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, July 29, 1731
_Fighting Bucks_
We hear from Hopewell in the Jerseys, that on the 4th past, two
Bucks were observed fighting near the new Meeting House there; one of
them extraordinary large, supposed to be a Roe-buck; the other small
and of the common sort. In company with them was a black Doe, who
stood by to see the Engagement. The small Buck proved a full match
for the great one, giving him many violent Punches in the Ribs, but
in the height of the Battle, they fastned their Horns so strongly
together, that they were not able with all their Strength to
disengage; and in that condition they were taken. The Doe retreated
into the Woods, but being pursued with several Beagle Hounds, she was
taken also alive, and they have put her and the large Buck into a
boarded Pasture together, in hopes to have a Breed, if the Sizes are
not too unsuitable. This is the second Brace of Bucks that have been
caught by the Horns this Fall. _Had they not better put 'em up
quietly in their Pockets?_
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, October 7, 1731
_Doctrine to be Preached_
Doct. to be preached
That there is one God Father of the Universe.
That he is infinitely good, Powerful and wise.
That he is omnipresent.
That he ought to be worshipped, by Adoration Prayer and
Thanksgiving both in publick and private.
That he loves such of his Creatures as love and do good to
others: and will reward them either in this World or hereafter.
That Men's Minds do not die with their Bodies, but are made
more happy or miserable after this Life according to their Actions.
That Virtuous Men ought to league together to strengthen the
Interest of Virtue, in the World: and so strengthen themselves in
Virtue.
That Knowledge and Learning is to be cultivated, and Ignnorance
dissipated.
That none but the Virtuous are wise.
That Man's Perfection is in Virtue.
1731
_Death of a Lion_
_Boston, Jan._ 3. Last Saturday Night, The LYON, King of
Beasts, who had travelled all over North America by Sea and Land,
died here in a Tan-yard. Like other Kings, his Death was often
reported, long before it happened.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, January 25, 1731/2
_A Burnt-Offering_
We hear from the Jersey side, that a Man near Sahaukan being
disordred in his Senses, protested to his Wife that he would kill her
immediately, if she did not put her Tongue into his Mouth: She
through Fear complying, he bit off a large Piece of it; and taking it
between his Fingers threw it into the Fire with these Words, _Let
this be for a Burnt-Offering_.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, February 15, 1731/2
_Lost Money_
Lost last Saturday Night, in Market Street, about 40 or 50 s.
if the Finder will bring it to the Printer hereof, who will describe
the Marks, he shall have 10 s. Reward.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, March 30, 1732
_On Simplicity_
There is in Humane Nature a certain charming Quality, innate
and original to it, which is called SIMPLICITY. In latter Ages, this
has been almost universally exploded, and banished from amongst Men,
as the Characteristic of Folly; whilst _Cunning_ and _Artifice_ have
prevailed in its stead, and with equal Justice been dignified with
the Titles of Wisdom and Understanding. But I believe the juster
Account of the Matter is, that Simplicity is the homespun Dress of
Honesty, and Chicanery and Craft are the Tinsel Habits and the false
Elegance which are worn to cover the Deformity of Vice and Knavery.
In the first Ages of the World, when Men had no Wants but what
were purely natural, before they had refin'd upon their Necessities,
and Luxury and Ambition had introduced a Thousand fantastick Forms of
Happiness, Simplicity was the Dress and Language of the World, as
Nature was its Law. The little Cunning which was then in use, only
taught them to ensnare, or to make tame such Animals as were
necessary to their Support or their Convenience, and were otherwise
too swift or too strong for them; but since these Arts have attain'd
their utmost Perfection, Men have practised the same low Stratagems
upon one another, and by an infinite Variety of Disguises and
well-covered Treacheries, have long since instituted those little
Basenesses among the necessary Arts and Knowledges of Life, and
practised without Scruple, that which they have long owned without
Shame.
But if we look into the History of the World, and into the
Characters of those who have had the greatest Names in it, we shall
find, that this original Simplicity of Mind has gradually been worn
off in every Age, down to the present Time, when there is hardly any
Characters of it remaining undefaced. The old Greeks and Romans,
whose unperishable Writings have preserved to us the Actions and
Manners of their Countrymen, and who were so well studied in all the
Forms and reasonable Happinesses of Life, are so full of that just
and beautiful Stile and Sentiment, as seems to have been the only
proper Method of transcribing the frank and open Characters of the
Heroes they celebrate, and of making them and their Writers immortal.
To prove the natural Charm and Beauty there is in this
Simplicity, we need only, at this Day, as false as the World is
grown, retire but far enough from great Cities, the Scenes of all
worldly Business and Action; and, I believe, the most cunning Man
will be obliged to own, the high and sincere Pleasure there is in
conversing from the Heart, and without Design. What Relief do we
find in the simple and unaffected Dialogues of uncorrupted Peasants,
after the tiresome Grimace of the Town! The veriest Double-Dealer in
the World is ever hankering after an Opportunity to open his own
Heart, tho' perhaps he curseshimself after he has done it. We are
all forward enough to protest and complain against the Falshood and
Treachery of Mankind, tho' the Remedy be always in our own Power, and
each is at Liberty to reform himself.
But perhaps we need not be forced always to go into the Country
in search of this amiable Complexion of Mind, Simplicity; for I
believe it will be found sometimes, that the Men of the truest Genius
and highest Characters in the Conduct of the World, (as few of them
as rise in any Age) are observed to possess this Quality in the
highest Degree. They are Pretenders only, to Policy and Business,
who have recourse to Cunning, and the little Chicaneries thereof: for
Cunning is but the Ape of Wisdom, as Sheepishness is of Modesty,
Impudence of Courage, and Pedantry of Learning. -- Cunning, says my
Lord _Bacon_, is a sinister or crooked Wisdom, and Dissimulation but
a faint kind of Policy; for it asks a strong Wit and a strong Heart,
to know when to tell Truth and to do it; therefore they are the
weaker sort of Politicians, that are the greatest Dissemblers. And
certainly there is a great Difference between a cunning Man and a
wise One, not only in point of Honesty but in point of Ability; as
there are those that can pack the Cards, who cannot play the Game
well.
Cunning is a Vice purely personal, and is with the greatest
Difficulty practised in free and mixed Assemblies. A cunning Man is
obliged to hunt his Game alone, and to live in the dark; he is
uncapable of Counsel and Advice, for his dishonest Purpose dies upon
Discovery. A vertuous and an honourable Action only, will bear a
Conference and Freedom of Debate. And this is the Part of true
Wisdom, to be busy and assistant in a fair and worthy Design. None
but Fools are Knaves, for wise Men cannot help being honest. Cunning
therefore is the Wisdom of a Fool; one who has Designs that he dare
not own.
To draw these loose Thoughts towards an End. If Cunning were
any real Excellence in Human Nature, how comes it that the greatest
and ablest, the most amiable and worthy of Mankind, are often
entirely without it, and vastly above it; while Numbers of the weaker
Part are observed to be very expert therein; sordid and ignorant
Servants, and dishonest idle Vagabonds, often attain to the highest
Perfection in it. Simplicity we are sure is natural, and the highest
Beauty of Nature; and all that is excellent in Arts which Men have
invented, is either to demonstrate this native Simplicity and Truth
in Nature, or to teach us to transcribe and copy in every Thing from
it. Simplicity of Speech and Manners is the highest Happiness as
well as the greatest Ornament of Life; whereas nothing is so tiresome
to one's self, as well as so odious to others, as Disguise and
Affectation. Who was ever cunning enough to conceal his being so?
No Mask ever hid it self. In a Word, those cunning Men, tho' they
are not declared Enemies to the World, yet they are really Spies upon
it, and ought in the Justice of Things to be considered and treated
as such, whenever they are caught. And to what purpose is all this
Craft? To make themselves suspected and avoided by the World in
return, and to have never a Friend in it. A Knave cannot have a
Friend, any more than he can be one: An honest Man must discover him,
a Rascal will betray him. And by this Time I hope my Reader and I
are agreed, that Wisdom and Vertue are the same Thing, as Knavery and
Cunning are generally so too; and that for the future, we shall
resolve to be what we would seem, which is the only sure way not to
be afraid to seem what we really are.
Perhaps it is not necessary to add here, that by Simplicity is
not at all meant the Pretences to it, which are made now a-days, by
many good People, who I believe very honestly mistake the Thing, and
while they aim at Simplicity are guilty of very gross Affectation.
The Plainness and Integrity of Mind, which is here recommended, is
very little concerned in any Quaintness of Habit, or Oddness of
Behaviour: Nor is it at all of Importance to Vertue and Simplicity,
that great care is taken to appear unfashionable. Again, on the
other side, I know very well that the Word _Cunning_ did in the
ancient Sense of it imply Knowledge. The Word Ken may perhaps be
akin to it; it is of Saxon Original, and we are told the Word King is
derived from it. I have no Quarrel to this Construction of it; but
only against (what it now comes to signify) the little Subtilty of
base Minds, who are incapable of great and honest Actions; in which
Sense the Word is now commonly used.
After all, I am sensible this crooked Wisdom has established
itself by the Force of an unhappy Fashion, too firmly to be
immediately exploded; and though I could wish my Reader would be
ashamed to live in the World by such a wretched Method, yet I would
warn him to be well aware of those that do; and to be sure to arm
against them, not with the same Weapons, but those which are of much
better Proof, the Integrity of a wise Man, and the Wisdom of an
honest one.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, April 13, 1732
_"To melt the Pewter Button"_
From New-York, we hear, that on Saturday se'nnight, in the
Afternoon, they had there most terrible Thunder and Lightning, but no
great Damage done. The same Day we had some very hard Claps in these
Parts; and 'tis said, that in Bucks County, one Flash came so near a
Lad, as, without hurting him, to melt the Pewter Button off the
Wasteband of his Breeches. 'Tis well nothing else thereabouts, was
made of Pewter.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, June 19, 1732
_Anthony Afterwit_
Mr. _Gazetteer_,
I am an honest Tradesman, who never meant Harm to any Body. My
Affairs went on smoothly while a Batchelor; but of late I have met
with some Difficulties, of which I take the Freedom to give you an
Account.
About the Time I first address'd my present Spouse, her Father
gave out in Speeches, that if she married a Man he liked, he would
give with her 200 _l_. on the Day of Marriage. 'Tis true he never
said so to me, but he always receiv'd me very kindly at his House,
and openly countenanc'd my Courtship. I form'd several fine Schemes,
what to do with this same 200 _l_. and in some Measure neglected my
Business on that Account: But unluckily it came to pass, that when
the old Gentleman saw I was pretty well engag'd, and that the Match
was too far gone to be easily broke off; he, without any Reason
given, grew very angry, forbid me the House, and told his Daughter
that if she married me he would not give her a Farthing. However (as
he foresaw) we were not to be disappointed in that Manner; but having
stole a Wedding, I took her home to my House; where we were not in
quite so poor a Condition as the Couple describ'd in the Scotch Song,
who had
_Neither Pot nor Pan,
But four bare Legs together;_
for I had a House tolerably furnished, for an ordinary Man,
before. No thanks to Dad, who I understand was very much pleased
with his politick Management. And I have since learn'd that there
are old Curmudgeons (_so called_) besides him, who have this Trick,
to marry their Daughters, and yet keep what they might well spare,
till they can keep it no longer: But this by way of Digression; _A
Word to the Wise is enough_.
I soon saw that with Care and Industry we might live
tolerably easy, and in Credit with our Neighbours: But my Wife had a
strong Inclination to be a _Gentlewoman_. In Consequence of this, my
old-fashioned Looking-Glass was one Day broke, as she said, _No
Mortal could tell which way_. However, since we could not be without
a Glass in the Room, _My Dear_, says she, _we may as well buy a large
fashionable One that Mr_. Such-a-one _has to sell; it will cost but
little more than a common Glass, and will be much handsomer and more
creditable_. Accordingly the Glass was bought, and hung against the
Wall: But in a Week's time, I was made sensible by little and little,
_that the Table was by no Means sutable to such a Glass_. And a more
proper Table being procur'd, my Spouse, who was an excellent
Contriver, inform'd me where we might have very handsome Chairs _in
the Way_; And thus, by Degrees, I found all my old Furniture stow'd
up into the Garret, and every thing below alter'd for the better.
Had we stopp'd here, we might have done well enough; but my
Wife being entertain'd with _Tea_ by the Good Women she visited, we
could do no less than the like when they visited us; and so we got a
_Tea-Table_ with all its Appurtenances of _China_ and _Silver_. Then
my Spouse unfortunately overwork'd herself in washing the House, so
that we could do no longer without a _Maid_. Besides this, it
happened frequently, that when I came home at _One_, the Dinner was
but just put in the Pot; for, _My Dear thought really it had been but
Eleven:_ At other Times when I came at the same Hour, _She wondered I
would stay so long, for Dinner was ready and had waited for me these
two Hours._ These Irregularities, occasioned by mistaking the Time,
convinced me, that it was absolutely necessary _to buy a Clock_;
which my Spouse observ'd, _was a great Ornament to the Room!_ And
lastly, to my Grief, she was frequently troubled with some Ailment or
other, and nothing did her so much Good as _Riding_; And _these
Hackney Horses were such wretched ugly Creatures, that_ -- I bought a
very fine pacing Mare, which cost 20 _l_. And hereabouts Affairs
have stood for some Months past.
I could see all along, that this Way of Living was utterly
inconsistent with my Circumstances, but had not Resolution enough to
help it. Till lately, receiving a very severe Dun, which mention'd
the next Court, I began in earnest to project Relief. Last Monday my
Dear went over the River, to see a Relation, and stay a Fortnight,
because _she could not bear the Heat of the Town._ In the Interim, I
have taken my Turn to make Alterations, _viz_. I have turn'd away
the Maid, Bag and Baggage (for what should we do with a Maid, who
have (except my Boy) none but our selves.) I have sold the fine
Pacing Mare, and bought a good Milch Cow, with 3 _l_. of the Money.
I have dispos'd of the Tea-Table, and put a Spinning Wheel in its
Place, which methinks _looks very pretty_: Nine empty Canisters I
have stuff'd with Flax; and with some of the Money of the
Tea-Furniture, I have bought a Set of Knitting-Needles; for to tell
you a Truth, which I would have go no farther, _I begin to want
Stockings_. The stately Clock I have transform'd into an Hour-Glass,
by which I gain'd a good round Sum; and one of the Pieces of the old
Looking-Glass, squar'd and fram'd, supplies the Place of the Great
One, which I have convey'd into a Closet, where it may possibly
remain some years. In short, the Face of Things is quite changed;
and I am mightily pleased when I look at my Hour-Glass, _what an
Ornament it is to the Room_. I have paid my Debts, and find Money in
my Pocket. I expect my Dame home next Friday, and as your Paper is
taken in at the House where she is, I hope the Reading of this will
prepare her Mind for the above surprizing Revolutions. If she can
conform to this new Scheme of Living, we shall be the happiest Couple
perhaps in the Province, and, by the Blessing of God, may soon be in
thriving Circumstances. I have reserv'd the great Glass, because I
know her Heart is set upon it. I will allow her when she comes in,
to be taken suddenly ill with the _Headach_, the _Stomach-ach_,
_Fainting-Fits_, or whatever other Disorder she may think more
proper; and she may retire to Bed as soon as she pleases: But if I do
not find her in perfect Health both of Body and Mind the next
Morning, away goes the aforesaid Great Glass, with several other
Trinkets I have no Occasion for, to the Vendue that very Day. Which
is the irrevocable Resolution of, Sir,
Her loving Husband, _and_
Your very humble Servant,
_ANTHONY AFTERWIT_.
_Postscript,_ You know we can return to our former Way of
Living, when we please, if _Dad_ will be at the Expence of it.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, July 10, 1732
_Celia Single_
_My Correspondent Mrs._ Celia, _must excuse my omitting those
Circumstances of her Letter, which point at People_ too plainly; _and
content herself that I insert the rest as follows._
Mr. _Gazetteer_,
I must needs tell you, that some of the Things you print do
more Harm than Good; particularly I think so of my Neighbour the
Tradesman's Letter in one of your late Papers, which has broken the
Peace of several Families, by causing Difference between Men and
their Wives: I shall give you here one Instance, of which I was an
Eye and Ear Witness.
Happening last _Wednesday_ Morning to be in at Mrs. _C ------
ss_'s, when her Husband return'd from Market, among other Things
which he had bought, he show'd her some Balls of Thread. _My Dear,_
says he, _I like mightily those Stockings which I yesterday saw
Neighbour_ Afterwit _knitting for her Husband, of Thread of her own
Spinning: I should be glad to have some such Stockins my self: I
understand that your Maid_ Mary _is a very good Knitter, and seeing
this Thread in Market, I have bought it, that the Girl may make a
Pair or two for me._ Mrs. _Careless_ was just then at the Glass,
dressing her Head; and turning about with the Pins in her Mouth,
_Lord, Child_, says she, _are you crazy? What Time has_ Mary _to
knit? Who must do the Work, I wonder, if you set her to Knitting?_
Perhaps, my Dear, _says he_, you have a mind to knit 'em yourself; I
remember, when I courted you, I once heard you say you had learn'd to
knit of your Mother. _I knit Stockins for you,_ says she, _not I
truly; There are poor Women enough in Town, that can knit; if you
please you may employ them._ Well, but my Dear, _says he_, you know a
penny sav'd is a penny got, a pin a day is a groat a year, every
little makes a mickle, and there is neither Sin nor Shame in Knitting
a pair of Stockins; why should you express such a mighty Aversion to
it? As to _poor_ Women, you know we are not People of Quality, we
have no Income to maintain us, but what arises from my Labour and
Industry; methinks you should not be at all displeas'd, if you have
an Opportunity to get something as well as my self. _I wonder,_ says
she, _how you can propose such a thing to me; did not you always tell
me you would maintain me like a Gentlewoman? If I had married_ Capt.
------ , _he would have scorn'd even to mention Knitting of
Stockins._ Prithee, _says he_, _(a little nettled)_ what do you tell
me of your Captains? If you could have had him, I suppose you would;
or perhaps you did not very well like him: If I did promise to
maintain you like a Gentlewoman, I suppose 'tis time enough for that
when you know how to behave like one; mean while 'tis your Duty to
help make me able. How long d'ye think I can maintain you at your
present Rate of Living? _Pray_, says she, (somewhat fiercely, and
dashing the Puff into the Powder-Box) _don't use me after this
Manner, for I assure you I won't bear it. This is the Fruit of your
poison_ News-papers; _there shall come no more here, I promise you._
Bless us, _says he_, what an unaccountable thing is this! Must a
Tradesman's Daughter, and the Wife of a Tradesman, necessarily and
instantly be a Gentlewoman? You had no Portion; I am forc'd to work
for a Living; if you are too great to do the like, there's the Door,
go and live upon your Estate, if you can find it; in short, I don't
desire to be troubled w'ye. -- What Answer she made, I cannot tell;
for knowing that a Man and his Wife are apt to quarrel more violently
when before Strangers, than when by themselves, I got up and went out
hastily: But I understood from _Mary_, who came to me of an Errand in
the Evening, that they dined together pretty peaceably, (the Balls of
Thread that had caused the Difference, being thrown into the Kitchen
Fire) of which I was very glad to hear.
I have several times in your Paper seen severe Reflections upon
us Women, for Idleness and Extravagance, but I do not remember to
have once seen any such Animadversions upon the Men. If I were
dispos'd to be censorious, I could furnish you with Instances enough:
I might mention Mr. _Billiard_, who spends more than he earns, at the
Green Table; and would have been in Jail long since, were it not for
his industrious Wife: Mr. _Husselcap_, who often all day long leaves
his Business for the rattling of Halfpence in a certain Alley: Mr.
_Finikin_, who has seven different Suits of fine Cloaths, and wears a
Change every Day, while his Wife and Children sit at home half naked:
Mr. _Crownhim_, who is always dreaming over the Chequer-board, and
cares not how the World goes, so he gets the Game: Mr. _T'otherpot_
the Tavern-haunter; Mr. _Bookish_, the everlasting Reader; Mr.
_Tweedledum_, Mr. _Toot-a-toot_, and several others, who are mighty
diligent at any thing beside their Business. I say, if I were
dispos'd to be censorious, I might mention all these, and more; but I
hate to be thought a Scandalizer of my Neighbours, and therefore
forbear. And for your part, I would advise you, for the future, to
entertain your Readers with something else besides People's
Reflections upon one another; for remember, that there are Holes
enough to be pick'd in your Coat as well as others; and those that
are affronted by the Satyrs you may publish, will not consider so
much who _wrote_, as who _printed_: Take not this Freedom amiss, from
_Your Friend and Reader_,
CELIA SINGLE.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, July 24, 1732
_Praise for William Penn_
_Philadelphia, August_ 12. Yesterday Afternoon, our Governor
having received by Express the agreeable News of the Arrival of the
Honourable _THOMAS PENN_, Esq; our Proprietary, at _Chester_,
immediately dispatch'd his Secretary thither with his Compliments of
Congratulation; and next Morning, attended by the Council, and many
other Gentlemen, His Honour our Governor set out for _Chester_, where
great Numbers of People from the neighbouring Parts of the Country
were flocking together. After Dinner, our Honourable Proprietor,
with his Company which was now grown very numerous, set out for
_Philadelphia_, and passing the Ferry at _Skuylkill_, was met by the
Mayor, Recorder and Aldermen of this City, in whose Name _Andrew
Hamilton_, Esq; the Recorder, made the following congratulatory
Speech.
May it please our Honourable Proprietor,
_The Mayor and Commonalty of the city of_ Philadelphia, _do
most joyfully congratulate You, on your safe Arrival into your
Province of_ Pennsylvania.
_You are now entring into the Liberties of the City of_
Philadelphia, _the Capital of your Province, where You have been long
and impatiently expected: Be pleased, Sir, to accept from this
Corporation, the Acknowledgements due to a Son of its Honourable
Founder._
_That generous Charter which he gave this City, those wise and
just Laws which he gave to the People of_ Pennsylvania, _and above
all his religious Care in securing to all its Inhabitants that
natural Right_ Liberty of Conscience, _and Freedom from_ Spiritual
Tyranny, _will ever continue a Testimony of his great Wisdom and
Goodness, in framing a Constitution every way fitted to make a happy
People, and be a lasting Monument of his Benevolence to Mankind._
_But he is gone!_ -- _and to whom can we so properly own these
Obligations, as to the Descendants of that good Man, under whom, next
to our gracious Sovereign, the Inhabitants of_ Philadelphia _derive
and enjoy so many valuable Privileges._
_We are indeed strongly prejudiced in favour of a_ Son _of the
great Mr. PENN; We know you have the same Powers of Government, and
if You shall imitate his excellent Example, in using them for the
Good of the People, as that made his Memory dear to all who lived
under his Influence, so this will give you a peculiar Claim to Our
Duty and Affections, and lay the Citizens of_ Philadelphia _under the
strongest Obligations of doing you the most acceptable Services in
their Power._
To which our Honourable Proprietor gave the following Answer.
"I am oblig'd to the City of _Philadelphia_, for this Mark of
their Affection to me, and Regard for the Memory of my Father; and
shall be pleased with every Opportunity of doing your Corporation any
agreeable Service."
The _Proprietor_ then proceeding forwards, was welcomed to this
City with the Discharge of many Guns from the Ships in our River, and
the joyful Acclamations of a Multitude of People, who lined all the
Streets through which the Cavalcade (consisting of between Seven and
Eight Hundred Horse) passed; and alighting at our Governour's House,
was saluted with the Discharge of a large Battery of Cannon on
_Society_ _Hill._ The universal Joy and Satisfaction which appeared
on this Occasion, seems a just Tribute to a worthy Son of the Great
and Good Mr. _PENN_, whose Memory must ever remain dear to all those
who set a just Value on the ample Privileges and Liberties granted by
him, and at this Time fully enjoyed by all the Inhabitants of this
flourishing Colony.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, August 14, 1732
_On Censure or Backbiting_
_Impia sub dulci melle venena latent_. Ovid.
_Naturam expellas furca licet, usq; recurret_. Hor.
There is scarce any one Thing so generally spoke against, and
at the same time so universally practis'd, as _Censure_ or
_Backbiting_. All Divines have condemn'd it, all Religions have
forbid it, all Writers of Morality have endeavour'd to discountenance
it, and all Men hate it at all Times, except only when they have
Occasion to make use of it. For my part, after having frankly
declar'd it as my Opinion, that the general Condemnation it meets
with, proceeds only from a Consciousness in most People that they
have highly incurr'd and deserv'd it, I shall in a very fearless
impudent Manner take upon me to oppose the universal Vogue of Mankind
in all Ages, and say as much in Behalf and Vindication of this
decry'd Virtue, as the usual Vacancy in your Paper will admit.
I have call'd it a Virtue, and shall take the same Method to
prove it such, as we commonly use to demonstrate any other Action or
Habit to be a Virtue, that is, by shewing its Usefulness, and the
great Good it does to Society. What can be said to the contrary, has
already been said by every body; and indeed it is so little to the
purpose, that any body may easily say it: But the Path I mean to
tread, has hitherto been trod by no body; if therefore I should meet
with the Difficulties usual in tracing new Roads, and be in some
Places a little at loss, the Candour of the Reader will the more
readily excuse me.
The first Advantage I shall mention, arising from the free
Practice of _Censure_ or _Backbiting_, is, that it is frequently the
Means of preventing powerful, politick, ill-designing Men, from
growing too popular for the Safety of a State. Such Men are always
setting their best Actions to view, in order to obtain Confidence and
Trust, and establish a Party: They endeavour to shine with false or
borrow'd Merit, and carefully conceal their real Demerit: (that they
fear to be evil spoken of is evident from their striving to cover
every Ill with a specious Pretence;) But all-examining CENSURE, with
her hundred Eyes and her thousand Tongues, soon discovers and as
speedily divulges in all Quarters, every the least Crime or Foible
that is a part of their true Character. This clips the Wings of
their Ambition, weakens their Cause and Party, and reduces them to
the necessity of dropping their pernicious Designs, springing from a
violent Thirst of Honour and Power; or, if that Thirst is
unquenchable, they are oblig'd to enter into a Course of true Virtue,
without which real Grandeur is not to be attained.
Again, the common Practice of _Censure_ is a mighty Restraint
upon the Actions of every private Man; it greatly assists our
otherwise weak Resolutions of living virtuously. _What will the
World say of me, if I act thus?_ is often a Reflection strong enough
to enable us to resist the most powerful Temptation to Vice or Folly.
This preserves the Integrity of the Wavering, the Honesty of the
Covetous, the Sanctity of some of the Religious, and the Chastity of
all Virgins. And, indeed, when People once become regardless of
_Censure_, they are arrived to a Pitch of Impudence little inferior
to the Contempt of all Laws humane and divine.
The common Practice of _Censure_ is also exceedingly
serviceable, in helping a Man to _the Knowledge of himself_; a piece
of Knowledge highly necessary for all, but acquired by very few,
because very few sufficiently regard and value the Censure past by
others on their Actions. There is hardly such a Thing as a Friend,
sincere or rash enough to acquaint us freely with our Faults; nor
will any but an Enemy tell us of what we have done amiss, _to our
Faces_; and Enemies meet with little Credit in such Cases, for we
believe they speak from Malice and Ill-will: Thus we might always
live in the blindest Ignorance of our own Folly, and, while every
body reproach'd us in their Hearts, might think our Conduct
irreproachable: But Thanks be to Providence, (that has given every
Man a natural Inclination to backbite his Neighbour) we now hear of
many Things said _of_ us, that we shall never hear said _to_ us; (for
out of Goodwill to us, or Illwill to those that have spoken ill of
us, every one is willing enough to tell us how we are censur'd by
others,) and we have the Advantage of mending our Manners
accordingly.
Another vast Benefit arising from the common Practice of
_Backbiting_, is, that it helps exceedingly to a thorough _Knowledge
of Mankind_, a Science the most useful of all Sciences. Could we
come to know no Man of whom we had not a particular Experience, our
Sphere of Knowledge of this Sort would certainly be narrow and
confined, and yet at the same Time must probably have cost us very
dear. For the crafty tricking Villain would have a vast Advantage
over the honest undesigning Part of Men, when he might cheat and
abuse almost every one he dealt with, if none would take the Liberty
to characterize him among their Acquaintance behind his Back.
Without saying any more in its Behalf, I am able to challenge
all the Orators or Writers in the World, to show (with solid Reason)
that the few trifling Inconveniencies attending it, bear any
Proportion to these vast Benefits! And I will venture to assert to
their Noses, that nothing would be more absurd or pernicious than a
Law against Backbiting, if such a Law could possibly take Effect;
since it would undoubtedly be the greatest Encouragement to Vice that
ever Vice met with, and do more towards the encreasing it, than would
the Abolishing of all other Laws whatsoever.
I might likewise have mentioned the Usefulness of _Censure_ in
Society, as it is a certain and an equal Punishment for such Follies
and Vices as the common Laws either do not sufficiently punish, or
have provided no Punishment for. I might have observed, that were it
not for this, we should find the Number of some Sorts of Criminals
increased to a Degree sufficient not only to infest, but even to
overthrow all good and civil Conversation: But it is endless to
enumerate every particular Advantage arising from this glorious
Virtue! A Virtue, which whoever exerts, must have the largest Share
of Publick Spirit and Self-denial, the highest Benevolence and Regard
to the Good of others; since in This he entirely sacrifices his own
Interest, making not only the Persons he accuses, but all that hear
him, his Enemies; for all that deserve Censure (which are by far the
greatest Number) hate the Censorious;
_That dangerous Weapon, Wit,
Frightens a Million when a few you hit:
Whip but a Cur as you ride thro' a Town,
And strait his Fellow Curs the Quarrel own:
Each Knave or Fool that's conscious of a Crime,
Tho' he scapes now, looks for't another time._
A Virtue! decry'd by all that fear it, but a strong Presumption
of the Innocence of them that practise it; for they cannot be
encouraged to offend, from the least Prospect of Favour or Impunity;
their Faults or Failings will certainly meet with no Quarter from
others. And whoever practises the Contrary, always endeavouring to
excuse and palliate the Crimes of others, may rationally be suspected
to have some secret darling Vice, which he hopes will be excused him
in return. A Virtue! which however ill People may load it with the
opprobrious Names of _Calumny_, _Scandal_, and _Detraction_, and I
know not what; will still remain a Virtue, a bright, shining, solid
Virtue, of more real Use to Mankind than all the other Virtues put
together; and indeed, is the Mother or the Protectress of them all,
as well as the Enemy, the Destructress of all kinds of Vice. A
Virtue, innately, necessarily, and essentially so; for ------ But,
dear Reader, large Folio Volumes closely written, would scarce be
sufficient to contain all the Praises due to it. I shall offer you
at present only one more convincing Argument in its Behalf, _viz_.
that you would not have had the Satisfaction of seeing this Discourse
so agreeably short as I shall make it, were it not for the just Fear
I have of incurring your _Censure_, should I continue to be
troublesome by extending it to a greater Length.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, September 7, 1732
_Alice Addertongue_
_Mr. Gazetteer,_
I was highly pleased with your last Week's Paper upon SCANDAL,
as the uncommon Doctrine therein preach'd is agreeable both to my
Principles and Practice, and as it was published very seasonably to
reprove the Impertinence of a Writer in the foregoing Thursdays
_Mercury_, who at the Conclusion of one of his silly Paragraphs,
laments, forsooth, that the _Fair Sex_ are so peculiarly guilty of
this enormous Crime: Every Blockhead ancient and modern, that could
handle a Pen, has I think taken upon him to cant in the same
senseless Strain. If to _scandalize_ be really a _Crime_, what do
these Puppies mean? They describe it, they dress it up in the most
odious frightful and detestable Colours, they represent it as the
worst of Crimes, and then roundly and charitably charge the whole
Race of Womankind with it. Are they not then guilty of what they
condemn, at the same time that they condemn it? If they accuse us of
any other Crime, they must necessarily _scandalize_ while they do it:
But to _scandalize_ us with being guilty of _Scandal_, is in itself
an egregious Absurdity, and can proceed from nothing but the most
consummate Impudence in Conjunction with the most profound Stupidity.
This, supposing, as they do, that to scandalize is a Crime;
which you have convinc'd all reasonable People, is an Opinion
absolutely erroneous. Let us leave then these Ideot Mock-Moralists,
while I entertain you with some Account of my Life and Manners.
I am a young Girl of about thirty-five, and live at present
with my Mother. I have no Care upon my Head of getting a Living, and
therefore find it my Duty as well as Inclination, to exercise my
Talent at _CENSURE_, for the Good of my Country folks. There was, I
am told, a certain generous Emperor, who if a Day had passed over his
Head, in which he had conferred no Benefit on any Man, used to say to
his Friends, in Latin, _Diem perdidi_, that is, it seems, _I have
lost a Day_. I believe I should make use of the same Expression, if
it were possible for a Day to pass in which I had not, or miss'd, an
Opportunity to scandalize somebody: But, Thanks be praised, no such
Misfortune has befel me these dozen Years.
Yet, whatever Good I may do, I cannot pretend that I first
entred into the Practice of this Virtue from a Principle of Publick
Spirit; for I remember that when a Child, I had a violent Inclination
to be ever talking in my own Praise, and being continually told that
it was ill Manners, and once severely whipt for it, the confin'd
Stream form'd itself a new Channel, and I began to speak for the
future in the Dispraise of others. This I found more agreable to
Company, and almost as much so to my self: For what great Difference
can there be, between putting your self up, or putting your Neighbour
down? _Scandal_, like other Virtues, is in part its own Reward, as
it gives us the Satisfaction of making our selves appear better than
others, or others no better than ourselves.
My Mother, good Woman, and I, have heretofore differ'd upon
this Account. She argu'd that Scandal spoilt all good Conversation,
and I insisted that without it there could be no such Thing. Our
Disputes once rose so high, that we parted Tea-Table, and I concluded
to entertain my Acquaintance in the Kitchin. The first Day of this
Separation we both drank Tea at the same Time, but she with her
Visitors in the Parlor. She would not hear of the least Objection to
any one's Character, but began a new sort of Discourse in some such
queer philosophical Manner as this; _I am mightily pleas'd
sometimes,_ says she, _when I observe and consider that the World is
not so bad as People out of humour imagine it to be. There is
something amiable, some good Quality or other in every body. If we
were only to speak of People that are least respected, there is_ such
a one _is very dutiful to her Father, and methinks has a fine Set of
Teeth;_ such a one _is very respectful to her Husband;_ such a one
_is very kind to her poor Neighbours, and besides has a very handsome
Shape;_ such a one _is always ready to serve a Friend, and in my
Opinion there is not a Woman in Town that has a more agreeable Air
and Gait._ This fine kind of Talk, which lasted near half an Hour,
she concluded by saying, _I do not doubt but every one of you have
made the like Observations, and I should be glad to have the
Conversation continu'd upon this Subject._ Just at that Juncture I
peep'd in at the Door, and never in my Life before saw such a Set of
simple vacant Countenances; they looked somehow neither glad, nor
sorry, nor angry, nor pleas'd, nor indifferent, nor attentive; but,
(excuse the Simile) like so many blue wooden Images of Rie Doe. I in
the Kitchin had already begun a ridiculous Story of Mr. ------ 's
Intrigue with his Maid, and his Wife's Behaviour upon the Discovery;
at some Passages we laugh'd heartily, and one of the gravest of
Mama's Company, without making any Answer to her Discourse, got up
_to go and see what the Girls were so merry about:_ She was follow'd
by a Second, and shortly after by a Third, till at last the old
Gentlewoman found herself quite alone, and being convinc'd that her
Project was impracticable, came her self and finish'd her Tea with
us; ever since which _Saul also has been among the Prophets_, and our
Disputes lie dormant.
By Industry and Application, I have made my self the Center of
all the _Scandal_ in the Province, there is little stirring but I
hear of it. I began the World with this Maxim, _That no Trade can
subsist without Returns_; and accordingly, whenever I receiv'd a good
Story, I endeavour'd to give two or a better in the Room of it. My
Punctuality in this Way of Dealing gave such Encouragement, that it
has procur'd me an incredible deal of Business, which without
Diligence and good Method it would be impossible for me to go
through. For besides the Stock of Defamation thus naturally flowing
in upon me, I practice an Art by which I can pump Scandal out of
People that are the least enclin'd that way. Shall I discover my
Secret? Yes; to let it die with me would be inhuman. -- If I have
never heard Ill of some Person, I always impute it to defective
Intelligence; _for there are none without their Faults, no not one._
If she is a Woman, I take the first Opportunity to let all her
Acquaintance know I have heard that one of the handsomest or best Men
in Town has said something in Praise either of her Beauty, her Wit,
her Virtue, or her good Management. If you know any thing of Humane
Nature, you perceive that this naturally introduces a Conversation
turning upon all her Failings, past, present, and to come. To the
same purpose, and with the same Success, I cause every Man of
Reputation to be praised before his Competitors in Love, Business, or
Esteem on Account of any particular Qualification. Near the Times of
_Election_, if I find it necessary, I commend every Candidate before
some of the opposite Party, listning attentively to what is said of
him in answer: (But Commendations in this latter Case are not always
necessary, and should be used judiciously;) of late Years I needed
only observe what they said of one another freely; and having for the
Help of Memory taken Account of all Information & Accusations
received, whoever peruses my Writings after my Death, may happen to
think, that during a certain Term, the People of _Pennsylvania_ chose
into all their Offices of Honour and Trust, the veriest Knaves, Fools
and Rascals in the whole Province. The Time of Election used to be a
busy Time with me, but this Year, with Concern I speak it, People are
grown so good natur'd, so intent upon mutual Feasting and friendly
Entertainment, that I see no Prospect of much Employment from that
Quarter.
I mention'd above, that without good Method I could not go
thro' my Business: In my Father's Life-time I had some Instruction in
Accompts, which I now apply with Advantage to my own Affairs. I keep
a regular Set of Books, and can tell at an Hour's Warning how it
stands between me and the World. In my _Daybook_ I enter every
Article of Defamation as it is transacted; for Scandals _receiv'd
in_, I give Credit; and when I pay them out again, I make the Persons
to whom they respectively relate _Debtor_. In my _Journal_, I add to
each Story by Way of Improvement, such probable Circumstances as I
think it will bear, and in my _Ledger_ the whole is regularly posted.
I suppose the Reader already condemns me in his Heart, for this
particular of _adding Circumstances_; but I justify that part of my
Practice thus. 'Tis a Principle with me, that none ought to have a
greater Share of Reputation than they really deserve; if they have,
'tis an Imposition upon the Publick: I know it is every one's
Interest, and therefore believe they endeavour, to conceal _all_
their Vices and Follies; and I hold, that those People are
_extraordinary_ foolish or careless who suffer a _Fourth_ of their
Failings to come to publick Knowledge: Taking then the common
Prudence and Imprudence of Mankind in a Lump, I suppose none suffer
above _one Fifth_ to be discovered: Therefore when I hear of any
Person's Misdoing, I think I keep within Bounds if in relating it I
only make it _three times_ worse than it is; and I reserve to my self
the Privilege of charging them with one Fault in four, which, for
aught I know, they may be entirely innocent of. You see there are
but few so careful of doing Justice as my self; what Reason then have
Mankind to complain of _Scandal_? In a general way, the worst that
is said of us is only half what _might_ be said, if all our Faults
were seen.
But alas, two great Evils have lately befaln me at the same
time; an extream Cold that I can scarce speak, and a most terrible
Toothach that I dare hardly open my Mouth: For some Days past I have
receiv'd ten Stories for one I have paid; and I am not able to
ballance my Accounts without your Assistance. I have long thought
that if you would make your Paper a Vehicle of Scandal, you would
double the Number of your Subscribers. I send you herewith Account
of 4 _Knavish Tricks_, 2 _crackt M--n--ds_, 5 _Cu--ld--ms_, 3 _drub'd
Wives_, and 4 _Henpeck'd Husbands_, all within this Fortnight; which
you may, as Articles of News, deliver to the Publick; and if my
Toothach continues, shall send you more; being, in the mean time,
_Your constant Reader,_
ALICE ADDERTONGUE.
_I thank my Correspondent Mrs._ Addetiongue _for her Good-Will;
but desire to be excus'd inserting the Articles of News she has sent
me; such Things being in Reality_ no News at all.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, September 12, 1732
_Men are Naturally Benevolent as Well as Selfish_
_To the Printer of the_ GAZETTE.
_SIR,_
It is the Opinion of some People, that Man is a Creature
altogether selfish, and that all our Actions have at Bottom a View to
private Interest; If we do good to others, it is, say they, because
there is a certain Pleasure attending virtuous Actions. But how
Pleasure comes to attend a virtuous Action, these Philosophers are
puzzled to shew, without contradicting their first Principles, and
acknowledging that Men are _naturally_ benevolent as well as selfish.
For whence can arise the Pleasure you feel after having done a
good-natured Thing, if not hence, that you had _before_ strong humane
and kind Inclinations in your Nature, which are by such Actions in
some Measure gratified?
I am told that a late ingenious Author, enquiring why we
approve and disapprove of Actions done many Ages since, which can no
way be suppos'd to affect our present Interest, conceives that we
have a certain internal _Moral Sense_, which tastes the Beauty of a
rational benevolent Action, and the Deformity of an ill-natured cruel
one; and that our consequent Judgment is as involuntary as when the
Tongue is apply'd to Aloes, and we can by no Act of the Will prevail
with the Mind to acknowledge it tastes like Honey. However this be,
the Fact is certain, that we do approve and disapprove of Actions
which cannot in the least influence our present Affairs. How could
this happen, if we did not in contemplating such Actions, find
something agreeable or disagreeable to our natural Inclinations as
Men, that is, to our benevolent Inclinations?
Let this serve as an Introduction to a short Story, which I
have translated from the French, for the Pleasure of your Readers,
who will therein find wherewith to exercise their _moral Sense_ of
Tasting, if such a Sense they have. The Writer delivers it as a
known Affair, transacted but a few Years since. It is as follows.
`A certain French Merchant, remarkable for his Honesty and
Uprightness, which had procured him the Confidence of the greatest
Traders in _Europe_, having suffered very considerable Losses at Sea,
followed by the Bankrupcy of several who were deeply in his Debt,
fell at length into so great Necessity, that he resolved to visit
_Paris_ in quest of Succours. He addressed himself to all his old
Correspondents, acquainted them with his Misfortunes, and prayed them
to help him in beginning the World again; assuring those to whom he
owed any thing, that he had no greater Desire than to pay them, and
that he should die contented if he might be so happy as to accomplish
it. All equally affected with his Condition, promised to assist him.
`One only inexorable, to whom he owed 1000 Crowns, took him
precisely in these Circumstances, and threw him into Prison,
absolutely resolved there to let him rot, rather than risque longer
what was his due.
`The Son of this Merchant, aged about two and twenty Years,
informed of the sorrowful Situation of his Father, arrives at
_Paris_, goes and throws himself at the Feet of the pitiless
Creditor, and there dissolving in Tears, intreats him by every Thing
that is most touching, to restore him his Father; protesting
solemnly, that if he would not thus make himself an Obstacle to their
Hopes of being re-establish'd in their Affairs, he should certainly
be the first payed.
`But if this fail'd to move, he conjures him to have Pity of
his Youth, and to be sensible to the Unhappiness of a Mother, charg'd
with seven or eight young Children, who are reduc'd to Beggary, and
perish: And in fine, if nothing was capable to touch him, at least
that he would permit him to put himself in his Father's Place, who by
his greater Skill in Business would probably sooner come to give him
entire Satisfaction. In uttering these last Words, he so tenderly
press'd his Knees in hope the Request would be granted, that this
Man, so hard and inflexible, struck with the Sight of so much Virtue
at his Feet, raised the young Man and embrac'd him in his Turn, with
Eyes all bathed in Tears: Ah! my Son, said he, your Father shall come
out. So much Love, and so much Respect for him, makes me even die
with Shame. I have resisted too long; let me efface forever the
Remembrance of it. I have one only Daughter, and she is worthy of
you. She would do as much for me as you for your Father. I give her
to you with all my Wealth, accept her; and let us run to your Father,
and demand his Consent.
`This tender Scene finished through all that the purest
Generosity might inspire on such Occasions, they ran to renew it at
the Dungeon of the poor Prisoner. But what was his Joy and his
Surprize! He saw his Son, of whose Arrival at _Paris_ he had not
known; and in the same Moment he saw him at the Top of Fortune and
Happiness. The Day of Marriage was fixed, all the Creditors were
payed by the Father-in-law, and the Merchant even in these so
delicate Circumstances, found himself free enough to take their
Receipts. In fine, they live all together, and their Union is
cemented on both sides with so much cordial hearty Love, that their
Happiness is perfect.'
A Friend of mine, to whom I show'd this Story in the Original,
altho' his Circumstances are very near as unfortunate as those of the
Merchant before the happy Change, yet could say upon reading it, That
he knew not whose Happiness was most to be envy'd, his whose Affairs
were so happily retriev'd, or his who had the Opportunity of giving
so much Pleasure to others. I believe my benevolent Friend spoke his
real Sentiments. I see Virtue in all those who were concern'd in the
Story, yet I know not whether their Virtue is more worthy of
Admiration than his.
_I am Your Friend and Reader,_ Y. Z.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, November 30, 1732
_Death of a Drunk_
Last Monday Morning a Woman who had been long given to
excessive Drinking, was found dead in a Room by her self, upon the
Floor. She could not be persuaded to go to Bed the Night before, but
would sit up alone, as was her frequent Custom. The Coroners Inquest
ascribe her Death to the too great Quantity of Liquor she took at one
Time. Her former Husband had many Times put several Sorts of odious
Physick into her Drink, in order to give her an Aversion to it, but
in vain; for who ever heard of a Sot reclaim'd? If there are any
such they are Miracles. People cannot be too cautious of the first
Steps that may lead them to be engaged in a Habit the most invincible
and the most pernicious of all others.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, December 7, 1732
_Counterfeits_
Last Monday se'nnight in the Evening, three Men went into the
Indian Prince Tavern, and having call'd for some Liquor, one of them
offer'd a new Twenty Shilling Bill to be chang'd for the Reckoning;
Mr. _R_. _Brockden_, Master of the House, suspecting it to be a
Counterfeit, went with it immediately to _A_. _Hamilton_, Esq; (under
Pretence of going out to get Change) who caused them presently to be
apprehended. Upon Examination, two of them appeared innocent, and
were discharged; the third, who offer'd to pass the Bill, being ask'd
how he came by it, answer'd that he brought Hogs to Town to sell, and
had taken it of a Woman unknown in the Market: Upon searching him,
two more of the same sort were found in his Pocket-book, all which he
said he had taken for Pork. From the Indian Prince he was carried
over to another Tavern, where he had put up his Horse, in order to
see if he had any Bags wherein more Bills might be found: While the
Examination was continuing there, a Woman Stranger in the outer Room
was observed to appear somewhat concern'd; upon which she was call'd
in, and ask'd, if she knew that Man: she answer'd Yes, he was her
Brother; being ask'd if she had any Money about her, the Man was seen
to wink at her, and she answer'd, No; but attempting to slide her
Hand into her Pocket, they prevented her, and brought the Woman of
the House to search her, who found in her Pocket twenty-three 20 _s_.
Bills of the same Sort. The Fellow finding the Story of the Hogs
would not answer, nor any other Shuffles avail him any thing, betook
himself at last to make an ingenuous Confession. He said that one
_Grindal_ who arrived this Summer in Capt. Blair from _Ireland_, got
600 20 _s_. Bills printed there from a Pattern he carried home last
Year; that when he came here, he admitted one _Watt_ into the Secret,
and gave him a Number of the Bills to pass and exchange in
_Pennsylvania_, while he went into the Jersies on the same Account,
altering his Name to _Thomson_ lest a Wife he had married at
New-Garden should hear of him; and that they were to meet next
Christmas at _Philadelphia_, and divide the Profits: That _Watt_ had
communicated the Thing to him, and given him Twenty-seven Bills to
pass, of which he was to have a Share for himself; telling him, to
persuade him to it, that it was no Sin, for it would make Money
plentier among poor People. He said he had as yet pass'd but one, of
which the Change 19 _s_. was found in his Pocket. He could not tell
where _Grindal_ might be at this Time in the Jersies, but he inform'd
that _Watt_ was at Eastown in Chester County. Officers were
immediately dispatch'd in quest of him, who rid all Night, surpriz'd
him in his Bed about Day-break, and guarded him to Town. After
Examination he was committed to Prison, to keep company with his
Friend the Pork-seller, who it seems has _brought his Hogs to a fine
Market_. Tis hoped that by Christmas we shall see _Grindal_ here
also, that he may (according to Agreement) _share the Profits with
'em_. The Bills they have attempted to counterfeit are of the last
Impression; the Counterfeits might pass with many People who do not
take much Notice, but they have imitated the Paper very ill, that of
the new Bills being thick and stiff, and the Counterfeits soft and
flimsy. What is most surprising is, that the Counterfeiters, with
all their care and exactness, have entirely omitted numbering their
Bills; at least none of those are number'd which are seiz'd. Was
this Infatuation, or were they afraid they should not number them
right?
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, December 19, 1732
Yesterday, being Market Day, Watt who was concern'd in the
Counterfeit Money, as mentioned in one of our late Papers, receiv'd
part of his Punishment, being whipt, pilloried and cropt. He behaved
so as to touch the Compassion of the Mob, and they did not fling at
him (as was expected) neither Snow-balls nor any Thing else. We hear
that Grindal, the Importer of the Bills, and chief Person concern'd,
was taken in the Jersies, but afterwards made his Escape. In his
Pocket-Book was found the Account of Charge, so much to the Printer,
so much for engraving the Plates, so much for Paper, &c.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, January 11, 1732/3
_Rules for a Club Formerly Established in Philadelphia_
Previous question, to be answer'd at every meeting.
Have you read over these queries this morning, in order to
consider what you might have to offer the Junto touching any one of
them? viz.
`1. Have you met with any thing in the author you last read,
remarkable, or suitable to be communicated to the Junto? particularly
in history, morality, poetry, physic, travels, mechanic arts, or
other parts of knowledge.
`2. What new story have you lately heard agreeable for telling
in conversation?
`3. Hath any citizen in your knowledge failed in his business
lately, and what have you heard of the cause?
`4. Have you lately heard of any citizen's thriving well, and
by what means?
`5. Have you lately heard how any present rich man, here or
elsewhere, got his estate?
`6. Do you know of any fellow citizen, who has lately done a
worthy action, deserving praise and imitation? or who has committed
an error proper for us to be warned against and avoid?
`7. What happy effects of intemperance have you lately observed
or heard? of imprudence? of passion? or of any other vice or folly?
`8. What happy effects of temperance? of prudence? of
moderation? or of any other virtue?
`9. Have you or any of your acquaintance been lately sick or
wounded? If so, what remedies were used, and what were their
effects?
`10. Who do you know that are shortly going voyages or
journies, if one should have occasion to send by them?
`11. Do you think of any thing at present, in which the Junto
may be serviceable to _mankind_? to their country, to their friends,
or to themselves?
`12. Hath any deserving stranger arrived in town since last
meeting, that you heard of? and what have you heard or observed of
his character or merits? and whether think you, it lies in the power
of the Junto to oblige him, or encourage him as he deserves?
`13. Do you know of any deserving young beginner lately set up,
whom it lies in the power of the Junto any way to encourage?
`14. Have you lately observed any defect in the laws of your
_country_, of which it would be proper to move the legislature for an
amendment? Or do you know of any beneficial law that is wanting?
`15. Have you lately observed any encroachment on the just
liberties of the people?
`16. Hath any body attacked your reputation lately? and what
can the Junto do towards securing it?
`17. Is there any man whose friendship you want, and which the
Junto or any of them, can procure for you?
`18. Have you lately heard any member's character attacked, and
how have you defended it?
`19. Hath any man injured you, from whom it is in the power of
the Junto to procure redress?
`20. In what manner can the Junto, or any of them, assist you
in any of your honourable designs?
`21. Have you any weighty affair in hand, in which you think
the advice of the Junto may be of service?
`22. What benefits have you lately received from any man not
present?
`23. Is there any difficulty in matters of opinion, of justice,
and injustice, which you would gladly have discussed at this time?
`24. Do you see any thing amiss in the present customs or
proceedings of the Junto, which might be amended?'
Any person to be qualified, to stand up, and lay his hand on
his breast, and be asked these questions; viz.
`1. Have you any particular disrespect to any present members?
-- _Answer._ I have not.
`2. Do you sincerely declare that you love mankind in general;
of what profession or religion soever? -- _Answ._ I do.
`3. Do you think any person ought to be harmed in his body,
name or goods, for mere speculative opinions, or his external way of
worship? -- _Ans._ No.
`4. Do you love truth for truth's sake, and will you endeavour
impartially to find and receive it yourself and communicate it to
others? -- _Answ._ Yes.'
1732
_Proposals and Queries to be Asked the Junto_
Proposals
That P S and A N be immediately invited into the Junto.
That all New Members be qualified by the 4 qualifications and
all the old ones take it.
That these Queries be copied at the beginning of a Book and be
read distinctly each Meeting with a Pause between each while one
might fill and drink a Glass of Wine.
That if they cannot all be gone thro' in one Night we begin the
next where we left off, only such as particularly regard the Junto to
be read every Night.
That it be not hereafter the Duty of any Member to bring
Queries but left to his Discretion.
That an old Declamation be without fail read every Night when
there is no New One.
That Mr. Brientnals Poem on the Junto be read once a Month, and
hum'd in Consort, by as many as can hum it.
That once a Month in Spring, Summer and Fall the Junto meet of
a Sunday in the Afternoon in some proper Place cross the River for
Bodily Exercise.
That in the aforesaid Book be kept Minutes thus
Fryday June 30. 1732.
Present ABCDEF &c.
1. HP read this Maxim viz. or this Experiment viz or &c.
5. Lately arriv'd one ------ of such a Profession or such a
Science &c.
7. XY grew rich by this Means &c.
That these Minutes be read once a Year at the Anniversary.
That all Fines due be immediately paid in, and that penal Laws
for Queries and Declamations be abolish'd only he who is absent above
ten Times in the Year, to pay 10_s._ towards the Anniversary
Entertainment.
That the Secretary for keeping the Minutes be allow'd one
Shilling per Night, to be paid out of the Money already in his Hands.
That after the Queries are begun reading, all Discourse foreign
to them shall be deem'd impertinent.
When any thing from Reading an Author is mention'd, if it
excead___lines and the Junto require it; The Person shall bring the
Passage, or an Abstract of it, in Writing, the next Night, if he has
it not with him.
When the Books of the Library come: Every Member shall
undertake some Author, that he may not be without Observations to
communicate.
Queries to be ask'd the Junto
Whence comes the Dew that stands on the Outside of a Tankard
that has cold Water in it in the Summer Time?
Does the Importation of Servants increase or advance the Wealth
of our Country?
Would not an Office of Insurance for Servants be of Service,
and what Methods are proper for the erecting such an Office?
Qu. Whence does it proceed, that the Proselytes to any Sect or
Persuasion generally appear more zealous than those who are bred up
in it?
Answ. I Suppose that People _bred_ in different Persuasions are
nearly zealous alike. He that changes his Party is either sincere,
or not sincere; that is he either does it for the sake of the
Opinions merely, or with a View of Interest. If he is sincere and
has no View of Interest; and considers before he declares himself,
how much Ill will he shall have from those he leaves, and that those
he is about to go among will be apt to suspect his Sincerity: if he
is not really zealous he will not declare; and therefore must be
zealous if he does declare. If he is not sincere, He is oblig'd at
least to put on an Appearance of great Zeal, to convince the better,
his New Friends that he is heartily in earnest, for his old ones he
knows dislike him. And as few Acts of Zeal will be more taken Notice
of than such as are done against the Party he has left, he is
inclin'd to injure or malign them, because he knows they contemn and
despise him. Hence one Renegade is (as the Proverb says) worse than
10 Turks.
Qu. Can a Man arrive at Perfection in this Life as some
Believe; or is it impossible as others believe?
A. Perhaps they differ in the meaning of the Word Perfection.
I suppose the Perfection of any Thing to be only the greatest
the Nature of that Thing is capable of;
different Things have different Degrees of Perfection; and the
same thing at different Times.
Thus an Horse is more perfect than an Oyster yet the Oyster may
be a perfect Oyster as well as the Horse a perfect Horse.
And an Egg is not so perfect as a Chicken, nor a Chicken as a
Hen; for the Hen has more Strength than the Chicken, and the Chicken
more Life than the Egg: Yet it may be a perfect Egg, Chicken and Hen.
If they mean, a Man cannot in this Life be so perfect as an
Angel, it may be true; for an Angel by being incorporeal is allow'd
some Perfections we are at present incapable of, and less liable to
some Imperfections that we are liable to.
If they mean a Man is not capable of being so perfect here as
he is capable of being in Heaven, that may be true likewise. But
that a Man is not capable of being so perfect here, as he is capable
of being here; is not Sense; it is as if I should say, a Chicken in
the State of a Chicken is not capable of being so perfect as a
Chicken is capable of being in that State. In the above Sense if
there may be a p erfect Oyster, a perfect Horse, a perfect Ship, why
not a perfect Man? that is as perfect as his present Nature and
Circumstances admit?
Quest. Wherein consists the Happiness of a rational Creature?
Ans. In having a Sound Mind and a healthy Body, a Sufficiency
of the Necessaries and Conveniencies of Life, together with the
Favour of God, and the Love of Mankind.
Qu. What do you mean by a sound Mind?
A. A Faculty of reasoning justly and truly in searching after
and discovering such Truths as relate to my Happiness. Which Faculty
is the Gift of God, capable of being improv'd by Experience and
Instruction, into Wisdom.
Q. What is Wisdom?
A. The Knowledge of what will be best for us on all Occasions
and of the best Ways of attaining it.
Q. Is any Man wise at all Times, and in all Things?
A. No; but some are much more frequently wise than others.
Q. What do you mean by the Necessaries of Life?
A. Having wholesome Food and Drink wherewith to satisfie Hunger
and Thirst, Cloathing and a Place of Habitation fit to secure against
the inclemencies of the Weather.
Q. What do you mean by the Conveniencies of Life?
A. Such a Plenty [ ]
And if in the Conduct of your Affairs you have been deceived by
others, or have committed any Error your self, it will be a
Discretion in you to observe and note the same, and the Defailance,
with the Means or Expedient to repair it.
No Man truly wise but who hath been deceived.
Let all your observations be committed to writing every Night
before you go to Sleep.
Query, Whether it is worth a Rational Man's While to forego the
Pleasure arising from the present Luxury of the Age in Eating and
Drinking and artful Cookery, studying to gratify the Appetite for the
Sake of enjoying healthy Old Age, a Sound Mind and a Sound Body,
which a re the Advantages reasonably to be expected from a more
simple and temperate Diet.
Whether those Meats and Drinks are not the best, that contain
nothing in their natural Tastes, nor have any Thing added by Art so
pleasing as to induce us to Eat or Drink when we are not athirst or
Hungry or after Thirst and Hunger are satisfied; Water for Instance
for Drink and Bread or the Like for Meat?
Is there any Difference between Knowledge and Prudence?
If there is any, which of the two is most Eligible?
Is it justifiable to put private Men to Death for the Sake of
publick Safety or Tranquility, who have committed no Crime?
As in the Case of the Plague to stop Infection, or as in the
Case of the Welshmen here Executed.
Whether Men ought to be denominated Good or ill Men from their
Actions or their Inclinations?
If the Sovereign Power attempts to deprive a Subject of his
Right, (or which is the same Thing, of what he thinks his Right) is
it justifiable in him to resist if he is able?
What general Conduct of Life is most suitable for Men in such
Circumstances as most of the Members of the Junto are; Or, of the
many Schemes of Living which are in our Power to pursue, which will
be most probably conducive to our Happiness.
Which is best to make a Friend of, a wise and good Man that is
poor; or a Rich Man that is neither wise nor good? Which of the two
is the greatest Loss to a Country, if they both die?
Which of the two is happiest in Life?
Does it not in a general Way require great Study and intense
Application for a Poor Man to become rich and Powerful, if he would
do it, without the Forfeiture of his Honesty?
Does it not require as much Pains, Study and Application to
become truly Wise and strictly Good and Virtuous as to become rich?
Can a Man of common Capacity pursue both Views with Success at
the same Time?
If not, which of the two is it best for him to make his whole
Application to?
1732
_On Drunkenness_
_To the Printer of the_ GAZETTE.
I was much pleas'd with the short Caution you gave in one of
your late Papers, on Occasion of a Woman whose sudden Death the
Coroner's Inquest ascrib'd to the violent Effect of strong Drink; and
being my self related in the nearest manner to one, on whom that
Caution seem'd to have some good Effect, I could wish you would
pursue it further, in which perhaps you may oblige others beside me:
For it is now become the Practice of some otherwise discreet Women,
instead of a Draught of Beer and a Toast, or a Hunk of Bread and
Cheese, or a wooden Noggin of good Porridge and Bread, as our good
old English Custom is, or Milk and Bread boiled, or Tea and Bread and
Butter, or Milk-Coffee, &c. they must have their two or three DRAMS
in a Morning; by which, as I believe, their Appetite for wholesome
Food is taken away, and their Minds stupified, so that they have no
longer that prudent Care for their Family, to manage well the
Business of their Station, nor that regard for Reputation, which good
Women ought to have. And tho' they find their Husband's Affairs
every Day going backward thro' their Negligence, and themselves want
Necessaries; tho' there be no Bread in the House, and the Children
almost barefoot this cold Weather, yet, as if Drinking Rum were part
of their Religious Worship, they never fail their constant daily
Sacrifice. It is not long since I was present at the following
Scene. Enters one who was once a handsome Woman, but now with
bloated Face and swollen Legs, _How do you do, Neighbour?_
Indifferent. _Bless me, it's very cold, and I've no Wood at home;
but I'll go down to_ ------ , _and they'll help me to Wood; for they
have a penny to spend, and a penny to lend, and a penny to lay up.
Come, can't you give us a Dram?_ No, I wish I had one. _Come, I've
got a Penny._ And I've got but a Penny, if more would save my Life I
ha'nt it. _Come then, I've got two pence, and your Penny will fetch
half a Pint of Run; and you shall be two pence another time._ So away
goes the half-pint Bottle. _And you shall find Sugar, and a little
Bit of Butter, and that's pure good this cold Weather._ Judge you how
finely things are like to be carried on in the Families over which
such Women are placed. I for any part shall never more speak against
TEA; let those that like it enjoy it for ever: Tea will not take away
their Sense of Shame and of Duty, nor their Fear of Censure: Their
Pride in this Particular, may make them careful, and industrious, and
frugal in other Respects, that they may have wherewith to support
their Rank and Credit in the World. They may still preserve their
Modesty, and their natural Affection; But Drunkenness is utterly
inconsistent with any one of those Virtues which make Women amiable
or valuable to Men. _I am your Friend and Reader,_ &c.
Altho' it has happened, that of the four unfortunate Wretches,
who within these few Weeks have died suddenly in this County, by
excessive Drinking of strong Liquor, two were indeed Women; yet it
must be acknowledged, that this Kind of Intemperance is by far more
frequent among the Men than among them: And perhaps 'tis owing to the
general Moderation of Women in the Use of strong Drink, that the
present Race of Englishmen retain any considerable Degree of the
Health, Robustness, and Activity of their Ancestors. There are,
however, some, it seems, who, directly contrary to the Advice given
by the Angel to the Mother of the strongest Man, instead of
refraining all Drink that may intoxicate, are determin'd to drink
nothing else. Their Fault will be its own Punishment: But what
Crimes have their unhappy Offspring committed, that they are
condemn'd to bring Misery into the World with them, to be born with
the Seeds of many future Diseases in their Constitution.
The Practice of Drinking Drams is so general, and so well
establish'd in the World at present, that some People are apt to
wonder, and scarce think it possible, when they are told, that Men
formerly lived and performed their Labour without it; and that 'tis
scarce 50 Years since distill'd Spirits have been commonly used in
England. They were first only to be found in the Apothecary's Shop,
and prescrib'd by Physicians in extraordinary Cases, a _Drachm_ at a
time, whence we have the present Word _Dram_, but it signifies now
much more than the _eighth part of an Ounce._ Our Forefathers, 'tis
true, have had Beer many Ages; but within the Memory of Men,
Temperance in Drinking was so universal amongst them, especially in
the inland Country Places, that a good old Man not long since dead
with us, could speak it as an extraordinary Thing, _Verily, I tell
thee, Friend, I knew a Smith in aoer Toon, who would sometimes go to
th' Alehouse, when he had no other Business there, but to drink!_
Observe, it was _a Smith_, which is allow'd to be a thirsty Trade,
_and but one Smith!_ I am afraid we have never a modern Miracle on
the other side to match it; that is to say, _A Smith_, or indeed any
other Tradesman, _in our Town, who never goes to the Tavern_ but when
he has other Business there _beside Drinking_.
That decrying of _Drams_ may not be thought the Fancy of
whimsical particular Men, who love Singularity, and to talk against
every thing that is in Fashion; see the united Wisdom of the British
Nation, King, Lords, and Commons in Parliament assembled, condemning
that Practice, in the Act made in 1729, for restraining it. The
Preamble is worth transcribing. _Whereas the Drinking of Spirits and
strong Waters is become very common amongst the People of Inferior
Rank, and the constant Use thereof tends greatly to the Destruction
of th eir Healths, enervating them, and rendring them unfit for
useful Labour, intoxicating them, and debauching their Morals, and
leading them into all manner of Vices and Wickedness, the Prevention
whereof would be of the greatest publick Good and Benefit,_ &c. 'Tis
pity that Act had not fully its desired Effect.
I might cite the Opinions of our most famous Physicians, who
are universally against the Practice we are speaking of: but I have
not Room, and can only at present give a Paragraph or two from Dr.
_Allen's Synopsis of Physick_, lately published with considerable
Applause. In his Chapter of _POISONS_, having treated of mineral,
vegetable, and animal _Poisons_, he concludes with this.
DISTILLED POISONS.
`There is yet another Family of Poisons, to wit, _Vinous
Spirits_ and _distilled intoxicating Liquors_; for the too frequent
and plentiful devouring of these (as the ill Custom obtains) hath
killed as many Thousands of Men as there are Stars in the Skie; nay,
ten times ten hundred Thousands have died by these, more than by all
the rest of Poisons whatever, which is not in the least to be doubted
of; wherefore I usually call this pernicious Mischief, by way
excellence, THE HARM, whether in jest or earnest I need not say. It
not only occasions violent Distempers in a great many, but also
sometimes _sudden Death_ in some; for which Reason, if it does not
deserve the Name of _Poison_, what else it would be called I can
neither learn nor conjecture.
`An ungrateful Burthen lies upon generous Physicians. Those
who guzzle burning Spirits Night and Day, according to their
detestable Custom, perpetually tippling _liquid Fire_, when they have
extinguished all Concoctions, enervated all the Solids, and corrupted
the Liquids; and the Fabrick a long while staggering is now ready to
fall, then they seek our Help. What is to be done? The Office of a
Scavenger is to be performed; and perhaps when the Drain is made, and
by chance the Matter retrieved, they presently return to the same
Practice again, as a Dog to the Vomit, or a Sow to the Mire; and
prodigal of their Lives, they shorten the remaining part of their
Days. What must Physicians, or what can Divines do? Medicines can
be of no Service, and they will not hearken to Counsel. All Things
will be in vain, they rush into the Embraces of the wicked Poison,
they become stupid and blind, deafer to Reason and Counsel than
_Marpassus's Rocks_, they thirst forever, and drink as if bit by the
_Dipsas_, and the more they drink the more they covet of the _deadly
distilled Water_, with which, in as much Haste as they can, they
close the Scene, even at the Point of Death calling for the Bottle.
Most miserable! and deplorable!
`O happy Temperance! never too much to be praised! of the
_first_, which thou mad'st the _golden_ Age, _the Ornament and
Safeguard!_ thy own Persuasive and Value! worshipped and adored by
all pure and pious Souls in all Ages. Thou art, if any thing in the
Earth, _the true Composer of Archaeus_, and the Preserver of a sound
Mind in a sound Body. Thou lead'st thy Adorers right on the way to a
long and happy old Age, with a pleasant and youthful, graceful and
lovely Countenance. To conclude, thou art adorned with the Praises
even of thy Enemies, and art counted lovely by them, with whom, when
thou art cast off, there remains the Curse of _Satyricus_, _Let them
see this Virtue, and waste away, since they have forsaken it_.'
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, February 1, 1732/3
_A Meditation on a Quart Mugg_
Wretched, miserable, and unhappy Mug! I pity thy luckless Lot,
I commiserate thy Misfortunes, thy Griefs fill me with Compassion,
and because of thee are Tears made frequently to burst from my Eyes.
How often have I seen him compell'd to hold up his Handle at
the Bar, for no other Crime than that of being empty; then snatch'd
away by a surly Officer, and plung'd suddenly into a Tub of cold
Water: Sad Spectacle, and Emblem of human Penury, oppress'd by
arbitrary Power! How often is he hurry'd down into a dismal Vault,
sent up fully laden in a cold Sweat, and by a rude Hand thrust into
the Fire! How often have I seen it obliged to undergo the
Indignities of a dirty Wench; to have melting Candles dropt on its
naked Sides, and sometimes in its Mouth, to risque being broken into
a thousand Pieces, for Actions which itself was not guilty of! How
often is he forced into the Company of boisterous Sots, who say all
their Nonsence, Noise, profane Swearing, Cursing, and Quarreling, on
the harmless Mug, which speaks not a Word! They overset him, maim
him, and sometimes turn him to Arms offensive or defensive, as they
please; when of himself he would not be of either Party, but would as
willingly stand still. Alas! what Power, or Place, is provided,
where this poor Mug, this unpitied Slave, can have Redress of his
Wrongs and Sufferings? Or where shall he have a Word of Praise
bestow'd on him for his Well-doings, and faithful Services? If he
prove of a large size, his Owner curses him, and says he will devour
more than he'll earn: If his Size be small, those whom his Master
appoints him to serve will curse him as much, and perhaps threaten
him with the Inquisition of the Standard. Poor Mug, unfortunate is
thy Condition! Of thy self thou wouldst do no Harm, but much Harm is
done with thee! Thou art accused of many Mischiefs; thou art said to
administer Drunkenness, Poison, and broken Heads: But none praise
thee for the good Things thou yieldest! Shouldest thou produce
double Beer, nappy Ale, stallcop Cyder, or Cyder mull'd, fine Punch,
or cordial Tiff; yet for all these shouldst thou not be prais'd, but
the rich Liquors themselves, which tho' within thee, twill be said to
be foreign to thee! And yet, so unhappy is thy Destiny, thou must
bear all their Faults and Abominations! Hast thou been industriously
serving thy Employers with Tiff or Punch, and instantly they dispatch
thee for Cyder, then must thou be abused for smelling of Rum. Hast
thou been steaming their Noses gratefully, with mull'd Cyder or
butter'd Ale, and then offerest to refresh their Palates with the
best of Beer, they will curse thee for thy Greasiness. And how,
alas! can thy Service be rendered more tolerable to thee? If thou
submittest thy self to a Scouring in the Kitchen, what must thou
undergo from sharp Sand, hot Ashes, and a coarse Dishclout; besides
the Danger of having thy Lips rudely torn, thy Countenance
disfigured, thy Arms dismantled, and thy whole Frame shatter'd, with
violent Concussions in an Iron Pot or Brass Kettle! And yet, O Mug!
if these Dangers thou escapest, with little Injury, thou must at last
untimely fall, be broken to Pieces, and cast away, never more to be
recollected and form'd into a Quart Mug. Whether by the Fire, or in
a Battle, or choak'd with a Dishclout, or by a Stroke against a
Stone, thy Dissolution happens; 'tis all alike to thy avaritious
Owner; he grieves not for thee, but for the Shilling with which he
purchased thee! If thy Bottom-Part should chance to survive, it may
be preserv'd to hold Bits of Candles, or Blacking for Shoes, or Salve
for kibed Heels; but all thy other Members will be for ever buried in
some miry Hole; or less carefully disposed of, so that little
Children, who have not yet arrived to Acts of Cruelty, may gather
them up to furnish out their Baby-Houses: Or, being cast upon the
Dunghill, they will therewith be carted into Meadow Grounds; where,
being spread abroad and discovered, they must be thrown to the Heap
of Stones, Bones, and Rubbish; or being left until the Mower finds
them with his Scythe, they will with bitter Curses be tossed over the
Hedge; and so serve for unlucky Boys to throw at Birds and Dogs;
until by Length of Time and numerous Casualties, they shall be
press'd into their Mother Earth, and be converted to their original
Principles.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, July 19, 1733
_Blackamore, on Mulatto Gentlemen_
_Set a Beggar on Horseback,_ &c. Chesh.
Mr. _Gazetteer_,
It is observed concerning the Generation of _Molattoes_, that
they are seldom well belov'd either by the Whites or the Blacks.
Their Approach towards Whiteness, makes them look back with some kind
of Scorn the Colour they seem to have left, while the Negroes, who do
not think them better than themselves, return their Contempt with
Interest: And the Whites, who respect them no Whit the more for the
nearer Affinity in Colour, are apt to regard their Behaviour as too
bold and assuming, and bordering upon Impudence. As they are next to
Negroes, and but just above 'em, they are terribly afraid of being
thought Negroes, and therefore avoid as much as possible their
Company or Commerce: and Whitefolks are as little fond of the Company
of _Molattoes_.
When People by their Industry or good Fortune, from mean
Beginnings find themselves in Circumstances a little more easy, there
is an Ambition seizes many of them immediately to become
_Gentlefolks_: But 'tis no easy Thing for a Clown or a Labourer, on a
sudden to hit in all respects, the natural and easy Manner of those
who have been genteely educated: And 'tis the Curse of _Imitation_,
that it almost always either under-does or over-does.
The _true Gentleman_, who is well known to be such, can take a
Walk, or drink a Glass, and converse freely, if there be occasion,
with honest Men of any Degree below him, without degrading or fearing
to degrade himself in the least. For my Part, I am an ordinary
Mechanick, and I pray I may always have the Grace to know my self and
my Station. As little as I have learnt of the World, whenever I find
a Man well dress'd whom I do not know, and observe him mighty
cautious how he mixes in Company, or converses, or engages in any
kind of equal Affair with such as appear to be his Inferiors; I
always judge him, and I generally find him, to be some _new
Gentleman_, or rather _half Gentleman_, or _Mungrel_, an unnatural
Compound of Earth and _Brass_ like the Feet of _Nebuchadnezzar's_
Image. And if in the Way of my Business, I find some young Woman
Mistress of a newly fine furnished House, treating me with a kind of
Superiority, a distant sort of Freedom, and a high Manner of
Condescension that might become a Governor's Lady, I cannot help
imagining her to be some poor Girl that is but lately well married:
Or if I see something in her very haughty and imperious, I conclude
that 'tis not long since she was somebody's Servant Maid.
With Regard to the Respect shown them by the _true Gentry_ and
the _no Gentry_, our _half Gentry_ are exactly in the Case of the
_Mulattoes_ abovementioned. They are the Ridicule and Contempt of
both sides.
There is my former Acquaintance (but now he cannot speak to me)
the lumpish stupid _Jack Chopstick_, while he kept in his natural
Sphere, which (as that of all heavy Bodies) is the lowest, the Figure
he made among Acquaintance of his own Rank was well enough; none of
us envy'd him, 'tis true, nor none of us despis'd him: But now he has
got a little Money, the Case is exceedingly alter'd. Without
Experience of Men or Knowledge of Books, or even common Wit, the vain
Fool thrusts himself into Conversation with People of the best Sense
and the most polite. All his Absurdities, which were scarcely taken
Notice of among us, stand evident among them, and afford them
continual Matter of Diversion. At the same time, we below cannot
help considering him as a Monkey that climbs a Tree, the higher he
goes, the more he shows his Arse.
To conclude with the Thought I began; there are perhaps
_Molattoes_ in Religion, in Politicks, in Love, and in several other
Things; but of all sorts of _Molattoes_, none appear to me so
monstrously ridiculous as the _Molatto Gentleman_.
_I am Yours, &c._
BLACKAMORE.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, August 30, 1733
_Brave Men at Fires_
_To the Publisher of the_ GAZETTE.
An experienc'd Writer has said, there was never a great Man
that was not an industrious Man, and I believe that there never was a
good Man that was a lazy Man. This may serve to introduce a few
Thoughts I have had while meditating on the Circumstances of
Buildings on Fire, and the Persons there gather'd. Accidental Fires
in Houses are most frequent in the Winter and in the Night Time: But
neither Cold nor Darkness will deter good People, who are able, from
hastening to the dreadful Place, and giving their best Assistance to
quench the Flames; nor wicked People from making as much Haste to
pilfer; nor others to be idle Spectators. The two latter Sort are
not to be easily instructed and made good; and as it is not in my
Power to punish them otherwise than by despising them, as all good
People do, I shall here neglect to characterize them further.
The brave Men who at Fires are active and speedy with their
best Advice and Example, or the Labour of their Hands, are uppermost
in my Thoughts. This kind of Industry seems to me a great Virtue.
He that is afraid to leave a warm Bed, and to walk in the Dark, and
to dawb or tear his Clothes or his Skin; He that makes no Difference
between Virtue and Vice, and takes no Pleasure in Hospitality; and He
that cares not who suff ers, if he himself gains by it, or suffers
not; will not any one of them, be industriously concern'd (if their
own Dwellings are out of Danger) in preserving from devouring Flames
either private or publick Buildings.
But how pleasing must it be to a thinking Man to observe, that
not a Fire happens in this Town, but soon after it is seen and cry'd
out, the Place is crowded by active Men of different Ages,
Professions and Titles; who, as of one Mind and Rank, apply
themselves with all Vigilance and Resolution, according to their
Abilities, to the hard Work of conquering the increasing Fire. Some
of the chiefest in Authority, and numbers of good Housekeepers, are
ever ready, not only to direct but to labour, and are not seen to
shun Parts or Places the most hazardous; and Others who having scarce
a Coat in the World besides that on their Backs, will venture that,
and their Limbs, in saving of Goods surrounded with Fire, and in
rending off flaming Shingles. They do it not for Sake of Reward of
Money or Fame: There is no Provision of either made for them. But
they have a Reward in themselves, and they love one another. If it
were prudent to mention Names, and could Virtue be prais'd without
Danger of Envy and Calumny rising against her, I should rejoyce to
know a skilful Pen employ'd, to distinguish, in lively Expressions
and significant Language, Men so deserving.
This poor Paper shall praise them altogether; and while neither
its Author nor they are nam'd, Virtue will be its own Reward, and
Envy and Calumny have no Body to point at. Ye Men of Courage,
Industry, and Goodness, continue thus in well doing; and if you grow
not ostentatious, it will be thought by every good Man who sees your
Performances; here are brave Men, Men of Spirit and Humanity, good
Citizens, or Neighbours, capable and worthy of civil Society, and the
Enjoyment of a happy Government. We see where these Men are, and
what they are busy about; they are not snoring in their Beds after a
De bauch; they are not employ'd in any Crimes for Concealment whereof
the Vicious chuse the Night Season, nor do they prefer their own Ease
at Home to the Safety of other Peoples Fortunes or Lives. See there
a gallant Man who has rescu'd Children from the Flames! -- Another
receives in his Arms a poor scorch'd Creature escaping out at a
Window! -- Another is loaded with Papers and the best Furniture, and
secures them for the Owner. -- What daring Souls are cutting away the
flaming Roof to stop the Fires Progress to others! -- How vigorously
do these brave Fellows hand along the Water and work the Engines, and
assist the Ladders; and with what Presence of Mind, Readiness and
Clearness, do these fine Men observe, advise and direct. Here are
Heroes and effective Men fit to compose the Prime of an Army, and to
either lay or defend a Siege or Storm.
This little City, but esteem'd great of its Age, owes not more
at this Day for its long Streets and fair Stories, to Architects of
any kind, than to those worthy Inhabitants, who have always started
at the first Warning, to oppose and vanquish the Rage of Fire.
Besides the Pains freely taken by a great many good People in
putting out Fires, some are at the Expence of Buckets and Ladders;
without which the Business could not be done. And if it be a Duty
incumbent on all that can afford it, to provide such useful
Implements, I am of Opinion that it is most so on those, who being
decrepid or infirm, cannot assist in Person; or who wearing costly
Clothes, would not risque their being spoil'd. But such as can
neither advise nor labour, should not stand in the Way of others who
can, and are willing.
It is true indeed, as well among Men as Bees, that some Drones
are in every Hive or Swarm; but I hope there are few so void of
Consideration, and Regard to private and publick Safety, as a
vagabond Fellow at the late Fire, who, being smartly ask'd by an
industrious young Man, why he did not lend a Hand to the Buck ets,
answer'd, He car'd not if all the Houses in Town were o'Fire: For
which he receiv'd a Bucket of Water on his impudent Face. This was a
fit Reward, as it was near at Hand and took up a little Time to give
it, but I doubt not a large Majority of People think with me, that he
deserves a Punishment much greater and more exemplary.
_December_ 1. 1733. _Pennsilvanus_.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, December 20, 1733
_Queries on a Pennsylvania Militia_
B. Franklin,
_Thee art desired to insert the following Queries in the_
Gazette, _for the Consideration of People_.
Whether it is not a great Disadvantage to the _French_, and a
great Discouragement to their Colonies on this Continent, that from
the Mouth of _Missisipi_ to St. _Lawrence_ they have no Ports to the
Sea, for the Benefit of Trade; but see them all in the Hands of the
_English_, for 1500 Miles; tho' they possess a fine Country back of
the same Extent?
Whether the Possession of the Governments of _N. Y. J. and P._
would not be very convenient for them, as well on Account of the
Plenty of Provisions raised here, as for our Rivers which run far
back towards their present Settlements?
Whether it is not possible for our Pilots to be compell'd to
bring armed Vessels up this River?
Whether Vessels do not oftentimes turn the Point in Sight of
this Town, before we hear of their being in the River?
Whether if this Town could be surpriz'd, there is not Plate,
Clocks, Watches and other rich Goods in it, sufficient to make it
worth their While that attempt?
Whether, considering our present Circumstances, any great
Number of Men would be necessary for such an Enterprize, or whether a
moderate Number would run any great Risque in it?
Whether they who are against fortifying their Coun try against
an Enemy, ought not, by the same Principle to be against shutting and
locking their Doors a Nights?
Whether it be not as just to shoot an Enemy who comes to
destroy my Country, and deprive the People of their Substance, Lives
and Liberties, as to sit (being either Judge or Juryman) and condemn
a Man to Death for breaking open a House, or taking a Purse?
Whether there was not formerly a People, who possessed a large
and good Land, where there was plenty of every Thing; and who lived
_after the Manner of the Zidonians, careless, quiet, and secure_?
Whether this was not an Invitation to an Enemy? And what was the
Consequence? See Judges 18.
Whether the _French_ Soldiers are a good, friendly, harmless
Sort of People; or whether they are not composed of the Scum, the
most profligate, wicked, and abandoned of the Nation?
Whether, if they were in Possession of these Governments, and
quarter'd upon the Inhabitants, they would out of Honesty and Scruple
of Conscience, forbear to take any Thing which was not their own?
And out of Modesty and Bashfulness, forbear to ravish any of our
Wives and Daughters? Or whether they would not do as they did, when
they overrun _Holland_ in 1675?
Whether we are sure that if they should attempt to abuse our
Women, our Men could be quiet and peaceable Witnesses of it; and that
Attempts to rescue and prevent, would not occasion frequent and daily
Murders here, as well as in _Holland_ aforesaid?
Whether they would not take as much Pride in deflouring
_Quaker_ Girls, as the _English_ did in the Nuns of the Town they
took in _Spain_?
Whether from the Purity of our Lives and the Sanctity of our
Manners, we have any more Reason to expect the immediate Protection
of Heaven than the rest of our Neighbours?
Whether the ancient Story of the Man, who sat down and prayed
his Gods to lift his Cart out of the Mire , hath not a very good
Moral?
Whether 500 disciplined Men well armed, are not able to beat an
unarm'd, unheaded, undisciplined, and affrighted Mob of 5000?
Whether, if it were known that we fortifyed and exercised
ourselves, it would not contribute towards discouraging an Enemy from
attacking us?
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, March 6, 1733/4
_On Constancy_
------ _Hi mores baec duri immota_ Catonis
_Secta fuit, servare modum, finemque tenere,
Naturamque sequi, patriaeque impendere vitam_. Lucan.
When I have sometimes observ'd Men of Wit and Learning, in
Spite of their excellent natural and acquir'd Qualifications, fail of
obtaining that Regard and Esteem with Mankind, which their Inferiors
in point of Understanding frequently arrive at, I have, upon a slight
Reflection, been apt to think, that it was owing to the ill Judgment,
Malice, or Envy of their Acquaintance: But of late two or three
flagrant Instances of this kind have put me upon thinking and
deliberating more maturely, and I find within the Compass of my
Observation the greatest part of those fine Men have been ruined for
want of _CONSTANCY_, a Virtue never too highly priz'd, and whose true
Worth is by few rightly understood.
A Man remarkably wavering and inconstant, who goes through with
no Enterprize, adheres to no Purpose that he has resolv'd on, whose
Courage is surmounted by the most trifling Obstacles, whose Judgment
is at any time byass'd by his Fears, whose trembling and disturb'd
Imagination will at every Turn suggest to him Difficulties and
Dangers that actually have no Existence, and enlarge those that have;
A Man, I say, of this Stamp, whatever natural and acquir'd Qual ities
he may have, can never be a truly useful Member of a Common-wealth, a
sincere or amiable Friend, or a formidable Enemy; and when he is once
incapable of bearing either of these Characters, 'tis no Wonder he is
contemn'd and disregarded by Men of all Ranks and Conditions.
Without Steadiness or Perseverance no Virtue can long subsist;
and however honest and well-meaning a Man's Principles may be, the
Want of this is sufficient to render them ineffectual, and useless to
himself or others. Nor can a Man pretend to enjoy or impart the
lasting Sweets of a strict and glorious Friendship, who has not
Solidity enough to despise the malicious Misrepresentations
frequently made use of to disturb it, and which never fail of Success
where a mutual Esteem is not founded upon the solid Basis of
Constancy and Virtue. An Intimacy of this sort, contracted by
chance, or the Caprice of an unstable Man, is liable to the most
violent Shocks, and even an intire Ruin, from very trifling Causes.
Such a Man's Incapacity for Friendship, makes all that know his
Character absolutely indifferent to him: His known Fickleness of
Temper renders him too inconsiderable to be fear'd as a Foe, or
caress'd as a Friend.
I may venture to say there never was a Man eminently famous but
what was distinguish'd by this very Qualification; and few if any can
live comfortably even in a private Life without it; for a Man who has
no End in View, no Design to pursue, is like an irresolute Master of
a Ship at Sea, that can fix upon no one Port to steer her to, and
consequently can call not one Wind favourable to his Wishes.
'Tis by his firm and unshaken Adherence to his Country's Cause,
his constant Bravery in her Defence, and his burying himself but in
her Ruins, that the rigid and severe _Cato_ shines thro' those
admirable Lines of _Lucan_, of which my Motto is a part, superior to
the learn'd and eloquent _Cicero_, the great and majestick _Pompey_,
or the mighty and invincible _Caesar_ himself. This is alone what
could move the Poet to set him in Competition with the Gods
themselves, and will transmit him down to latest Posterity with the
highest Veneration and Honour.
To come nearer to our own Times; 'Tis the extraordinary
Constancy of _Charles_ XII. of _Sweden_, which makes up the most
admirable and inimitable Part of his Character: His severe and
impartial Distribution of Justice in his Army, and that fierce and
resolute Speech with which he broke up his Council, _Gentlemen, I
have resolved never to engage in an unjust War, but never to finish
one that is founded upon Justice and Right, but by the Destruction of
my Enemies:_ these and such like Instances of his Steadiness and
Perseverance in the Pursuit of Justice, have deservedly made him
esteem'd the Wonder of his Age.
King _Charles_ II. of _England_, was doubtless a Man of great
Understanding: His acquir'd Qualities far surpass'd those of
_Cromwell_, and his natural Talents at least equal'd them: He came to
rule over a People, formidable to all _Europe_ for their Bravery, and
exceedingly prepossessed in his Favour; he had learn'd to bear
Misfortune by many Years Exile, and numerous Hazards and
Difficulties: With these Advantages how great and glorious might he
have made his Reign, by the Happiness, Content and Security of his
People! 'Tis however undeniable, that the _English_ never were less
happy, or less regarded by their Neighbours, than during his Reign.
The Reason is obvious; his Inconstancy and Indolence laid him open to
every trifling Project, every self-interested Scheme, that an
avaritious or revengeful Minister or Mistress could suggest to him
for their own sinister Ends. 'Tis this has given many Occasion to
think, that he acted thro'out his whole Reign upon no Principles and
Maxims, and had no one Design in View.
_Cromwel_ came to the supreme Authority with few of these
Advantages, and against the Will of the whole Nation, except a few
Fanaticks in the Army; but his constant and resolute Carriage, which
was the Effect of his keeping one principal End in view, surmounted
all Obstacles: 'Twas this, and this alone, which rais'd him so far
above the Malice of his Enemies, or the Expectation of his Friends;
and gain'd him that high Character from a judicious Historian, _That
never Man chose his Party with more Judgment, and executed his
Designs with more Constancy and Vigour_. By virtue of this Constancy
the _English_ Nation under him arriv'd to that Pitch of Grandeur, as
to become a Terror and Dread to their Enemies, and the greatest
Protection to their Allies. 'Tis this steady Perseverance that
render'd him the Center of the different Factions and Interests in
which _England_ was at that time embroil'd, that secur'd his former
Friends and Adherents to his Interest, and deter'd his Foes from
attempting to undermine his Authority.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, April 4, 1734
_The Death of Infants_
_Ostendunt Terris hunc tantum Fata, neque ultra
Esse sinunt_. -------- Virgil.
It has been observ'd Sir _William Petty_ in his _Political
Arithmetick_, that one half of Mankind, which are born into this
World, die, before they arrive to the age of _Sixteen_, and that an
half of the remaining part never measure out the short Term of
_Thirty_ Years. That this Observation is pretty just, every
inquisitive Person may be satisfied by comparing the several Bills of
Mortality, published in _Europe_, for some Years past; even a cursory
View of any common Burial-place may, in a great measure evidence the
Truth of it.
Many Arguments, to prove a _Future State_, have been drawn from
the unequal Lot of good and bad Men upon Earth, but no one seems to
carry a greater Degree of Probability in it, than the foregoing
Observation. -- , To see Virtue languish and repine, to see Vice
prosperous and triumphant, to see a _Dives_ faring deliciously every
Day, and rioting in all the Excess of Luxury and Wantonness; to see a
_Lazarus_ poor, hungry, naked, and full of Sores, lying at his Door,
and denied even the Crumbs that fall from his Table, the Portion of
his Dogs, which Dogs are more charitable, more human than their
Master: Such a View, I confess, raises in us a violent Presumption
that there is another State of Retribution, where the Just and the
Unjust will be equally punished or rewarded by an impartial Judge.
On the other hand, when we reflect on the vast Numbers of Infants,
that just struggle into Life, then weep and die, and at the same time
consider, that it can be in no wise consistent with the Justice and
Wisdom of an infinite Being, to create to no end, we may very
reasonably conclude, that those animated Machines, those _Men_ in
_miniature_, who know no Difference between Good and Evil, who are
incapable of any good Offices towards their Fellow-Creatures, or of
serving their Maker, were made for good and wise Designs and
Purposes, which Purposes, and Designs transcend all the Limits of our
Ideas and all our present Capacities to conceive. Should an able and
expert Artificer employ all his Time and his Skill in contriving and
framing an exquisite Piece of _Clock-work_, which, when he had
brought it to the utmost Perfection Wit and Art were capable of, and
just set it a-going, he should suddenly dash it to pieces; would not
every wise Man naturally infer, that his intense Application had
disturb'd his Brain and impair'd his Reason?
Let us now contemplate the Body of an Infant, that curious
Engine of Divine Workmanship. What a rich and artful Structure of
Flesh upon the solid and well compacted Foundation of Bones! What
curious Joints and Hinges, on which the Limbs are moved to and fro!
What an inconceivable Variety of Nerves, Veins, Arteries, Fibres and
little invisible parts are found in every Member! What various
Fluids, Blood and Juices run thro' and agitate the innumerable
slender Tubes, the hollow Strings and Strainers of the Body! What
millions of folding Doors are fixed within, to stop those red or
transparent Rivulets in their course, either to prevent their Return
backwards, or else as a Means to swell the Muscles and move the
Limbs! What endless contrivances to secure Life, to nourish Nature,
and to propagate the same to future Animals! Can we now imagine
after such a Survey, that so wise, so good and merciful a Creator
should produce _Myriads_ of such exquisite Machines to no other End
or Purpose, but to be deposited in the dark Chambers of the Grave,
where each of the Dead lie in their cold Mansions, in Beds of
Darkness and Dust. The Shadows of a long Evening are stretch'd over
them, the Curtains of a deep Midnight are drawn around them, _The
Worm lies under them, and the Worm covers them_. No! the Notion of
Annihilation has in it something so shocking and absurd, Reason
should despise it; rather let us believe, that when they drop this
earthly Vehicle they assume an Aetherial one, and become the
Inhabitants of some more glorious Region. May they not help to
people that infinite Number of _Starry_ and _Planetary_ Worlds that
roll above us: may they not become our better _Genii_, our Guardian
Angels, watch round our Bed and our Couch, direct our wandring Paths
thro' the Maze and Labyrinth of Life, and at length conduct us safe,
even us, who were the Instruments of their passing thro' this
_Valley_ of Sorrow and Death, to a Land of Peace and the Mountains of
_Paradise_? -- But these are things that belong to the Provinces of
Light and immortality, and lie far beyond our mortal Ken. --
I was led into this Train of thinking by the Death of a
desireable Child, whose Beauty is now turning a pace into Corruption,
and all the Loveliness of its Countenance fled for ever. Death sits
heavy upon it, and the Sprightliness and Vigour of Life is perished
in every Feature and in every Limb. If the foregoing Reflections
should urge any one forward in the Paths of Vertue, or yield any
Consolation to those in the like Circumstances, and help to divert
the Stream of their Sorow into a better Channel, I shall hope my
Thoughts have been employ'd to good Purpose. When Nature gave us
Tears, she gave us leave to weep. A long Separation from those who
are so near a-kin to us in Flesh and Blood, will touch the Heart in a
painful Place, and awaken the tenderest Springs of Sorrow. The
Sluices must be allowed to be held open a little; _Nature_ seems to
demand it as a Debt to _Love_. When _Lazarus_ died, _Jesus_ groaned
and wept.
I shall only add by way of Conclusion an _Epitaph_ upon an
Infant: It is taken from a Tombstone in a little obscure Village in
_England_, that seems to have very little Title to any thing so
elegantly poetical, which renders it the more remarkable.
_Read this and weep -- but not for me;
Lament thy longer Misery:
My Life was short, my Grief the less;
Blame not my Hast to Happiness!_
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, June 20, 1734
_Parody and Reply to a Religious Meditation_
_By being too nice in the Choice of the little Pieces sent me
by my Correspondents to be printed, I had almost discouraged them
from writing to me any more. For the Time to come, and that my Paper
may become still more generally agreeable, I have resolved not to
regard my own Humour so much in what I print; and thereupon I give my
Readers the two following Letters_.
Mr. _Franklin_,
You gave us in your last a melancholy Account of Human Life, in
the Meditation upon that Subject. The gloomy and splenetick Part of
your Readers like it much; but as for me, I do not love to see the
dark Side of Things; and besides, I do not think such Reflections
upon Life altogether just. The World is a very good World, and if we
behave our selves well, we shall doubtless do very well in it. I
never thought even _Job_ in the right, when he repin'd that the Days
of a Man are _few_ and _full of Trouble_; for certainly both these
Things cannot be together just Causes of Complaint; if our Days are
full of Trouble, the fewer of 'em the better. But as for the Author
of the Meditation above-mention'd, besides what he says in common
with _Job_, he seems to complain in several respects very weakly, and
without the least shadow of Reason; in particular, That he cannot be
alive now, and ten Years ago, and ten Years hence, at the same time:
With very little Variation, as you shall see, his elegant Expressions
will serve for a Child who laments that he cannot eat his Cake and
have his Cake.
_All the few days we live are full of Vanity; and our
choicest Pleasures sprinkled with bitterness:_
All the few Cakes we have are puffed up with Yeast; and the
nicest Gingerbread is spotted with Flyshits!
_The time that's past is vanish'd like a dream; and that which
is to come is not yet at all:_
The Cakes that we have eaten are no more to be seen; and those
which are to come are not yet baked.
_The present we are in stays but for a moment, and then flies
away, and returns no more:_
The present Mouthful is chewed but a little while, and then is
swallowed down, and comes up no more.
_Already we are dead to the years we have liv'd; and shall
never live them over again:
Already we have digested the Cakes we have eaten, and shall
never eat them over again.
_But the longer we live, the shorter is our life; and in the
end we become a little lump of clay_.
And the more we eat, the less is the Piece remaining; and in
the end the whole will become Sir-reverence!
_O vain, and miserable world! how sadly true is all this
story!_
O vain and miserable Cake-shop! _&c_.
Away with all such insignificant Meditations. I am for taking
_Solomon_'s Advice, _eating Bread with Joy, and drinking Wine with a
merry Heart_. Let us rejoice and bless God, that we are neither
Oysters, Hogs, nor Dray-Horses; and not stand repining that He has
not made us Angels; lest we be found unworthy of that share of
Happiness He has thought fit to allow us.
_I am, Yours,_ &c.
S. M.
_SIR,_
Seeing a very _melancholy_ Piece in your Paper of last Week,
asking your Pardon, I think we have enough of that Humour in the
World already, without your Addition: I have therefore written the
following few Lines in order to palliate it. And as that may be very
acceptable to some of your Readers, this may to some others, if you
think fit to give it a Place in your next.
_I am, Yours, &c_.
J. Anonymous.
_Most happy are we, the sons of men, above all other creatures,
who are born to behold the glorious rays of the sun, and to enjoy the
pleasant fruits of the earth_.
_With what pleasure did our parents first receive us, first to
hear us cry, then to see us smile, and afterwards to behold us
growing up and thriving in the world_.
_By their good examples and a vertuous education, they put us
in the right path to happiness, as all good parents do;_
_Then we, by making a right use of that share of reason with
which God hath endued us, spend our days in gaining and enjoying the
blessings of life, which are innumerable._
_If we meet with crosses and disappointments, they are but as
sowr sauce to the sweet meats we enjoy, and the one hath not a right
relish without the other._
_As time passes away, it carries our past pains with it, and
returns no more; and the longer we live the fewer misfortunes we have
to go through._
_If death takes us off in the heighth of our prosperity, it
takes us from the pains which may ensue._
_And a great blessing attends old age, for by that we are
naturally wean'd from the pleasures of youth, and a more solid
pleasure takes place, The thoughts of our having so far escaped all
the hazards that attend mankind, and a contemplation on all our
former good actions._
_And if we have done all the good we could, we have done all
that we ought, and death is no terror to a good man._
_And after we are far declined, with hearty praises and thanks
we recommend our soul to God, the eternal Being from whom we received
it._
_Then comes the grave, and the sweet sleep of death, pleasant
as a bed is to a weary traveller after a long journey_.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, August 8, 1734
_A Thunderstorm_
Sunday last between 7 and 8 in the Evening we had the most
terrible Gust of Wind and Rain accompanied with Thunder and
Lightning, that can be remembred in these Parts: It blew down several
Stacks of Chimneys, uncovered several Houses, some wholly and others
in Part; and quite demolished some weak Buildings. The Violence of
it did not continue long, but the Storm was of wide Extent, for we
have heard of it from _Conestogoe_, from the Mouth of the Bay, and
from _New-York_: At _Conestogoe_ it was about half an hour before it
arrived here, but in the Bay it was at near Midnight.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, September 25, 1734
_The Murder of a Daughter_
Saturday last, at a Court of Oyer and Terminer held here, came
on the Tryal of a Man and his Wife, who were indicted for the Murder
of a Daughter which he had by a former Wife, (a Girl of about 14
Years of Age) by turning her out of Doors, and thereby exposing her
to such Hardships, as afterwards produced grievous Sickness and
Lameness; during which, instead of supplying her with Necessaries and
due Attendance, they treated her with the utmost Cruelty and
Barbarity, suffering her to lie and rot in her Nastiness, and when
she cried for Bread giving her into her Mouth with a Iron Ladle, her
own Excrements to eat, with a great Number of other Circumstances of
the like Nature, so that she languished and at length died. The
Evidence against them was numerous, and in many Particulars positive;
but the Opinion of the Physician who had visited the Child, that
whatever Usage might be given her, the Distemper she laboured under
was such, as would of itself in all Probability have ended her Life
about the Time she died, it is thought weighed so much with the Jury,
that they brought in their Verdict only _Man-slaughter_. A Verdict
which the Judge, (in a short but pathetic Speech to the Prisoners
before the Sentence) told them was _extreamly favourable_; and that,
as the Relation of their hitherto unheard-of Barbarity had in the
highest Manner shocked all that were present; so, if they were not
perfectly stupified, the inward Reflection upon their own enormous
Crimes, must be more terrible and shocking to them, than the
Punishment they were to undergo: For that they had not only acted
contrary to the particular Laws of all Nations, but had even broken
the Universal Law of Nature; since there are no Creatures known, how
savage, wild, and fierce soever, that have not implanted in them a
natural Love and Care of their tender Offspring, and that will not
even hazard Life in its Protection and Defence. -- But this is not
the only Instance the present Age has afforded, of the
incomprehensible Insensibility Dram-drinking is capable of producing.
-- They were sentenced to be burnt in the Hand, which was accordingly
executed in Court, upon them both, but first upon the Man, who
offer'd to receive another Burning if so be his Wife might be
excused; but was told the Law would not allow it.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, October 24, 1734
_Variant Accounts of a Battle_
_As there is nothing more partial than the Accounts given of
Battles, all of them lessening or magnifying the Loss or Gain on
either Side, just as the Writers are affected; we find it necessary
to publish several Accounts on both Sides, when there has been any
important Action, that so the Reader may be the better enabled to
form a true Judgment: And therefore to the Relations we have already
publish'd of the late important Battle in_ Italy, _we shall add the
following._
_Guastalla, Sept_. 18. Long had the brave Count Koningsegg
meditated Revenge for the fatal Battle of Parma, and Relief for the
Honour of the Imperial Arms, by giving the Allies some desperate
Blow. He had made several Attempts, but was constantly betrayed; his
Designs always took Air, and he could never discover the Traitors: At
last, however, he has carried them into Execution. There is an old
Saying in Lombardy, That if a Man would execute any Grand Design, he
must take Care to possess himself of the Seraglio, (a Spot of Ground
between Mantua and the Po). Count Merci neglected this Advice; but
Count Koningsegg thought it very just and solid, and posted the 4000
Croatians there, supported by three Regiments of Horse under the
Command of General Berlinger, whom he ordered to act along the Oglio
as Opportunity should offer. On the 4th, Count Koningsegg ordered
the whole Army to be upon its Guard, and every Man in his Post, as if
he had received Notice that he should be attacked by the Allies.
About Five o'Clock in the Evening, he gave Orders, at the same time
that he discovered to them the Design he was going to execute. The
Guards were doubled, and Notice was given, that no Person should stir
out of the Camp without Leave. The Retreat was beat, as usual, that
they might hear it in the Enemy's Camp; and the Trumpets having
flourished as at other times, every one retired. At Midnight the
Army began its March in three Columns, and in Order of Battle, the
Soldiers only in their Wastecoats, without Coats or Knapsacks; _We
shall find enough in the Enemy's Camp_, said their Officers to them,
_if you have any Hearts_. 13,000 Foot and 6 Regiments of Horse
advanced first towards the Secchia above Quistello, and forded it,
there not being above three Foot Water. The Count de Waldebeck staid
with his Brigade facing Quistello, to make a faint Attack there, as
soon as he should hear that they had surprized the Head-Quarters at
Bondanello. The French had at Quistello, (which they had well
retrenched) 1000 Men and nine Pieces of Cannon; and they had at that
time above sixty Officers there. As soon as the Germans had passed
the Secchia, they fell upon the Marshal de Broglio's Quarters, who
was so sound asleep, that our Granadiers were in his Court-Yard,
before he was well awake: Fifty Men and the Officers of the Guard
made some Resistance, to give him Time to make his Escape at the back
Door in his Shirt, with his Breeches in one Hand, and his two Sons in
the other. The Guard then surrendered; and we advanced to the Bridge
over-against Quistello, and carried that Quarter; but here the Count
de Waldebeck was killed, greatly lamented. During these
Preliminaries, the Army advanced apace, and fell upon the Count de
Broglio's Body, which consisted of 28 or 30 Battalions, who fled in
their Shirts and left their very Arms behind them. The brave
Regiments of the King and Picardie were among these; every Man made
the best Shift he could for himself, and carried the Alarm to the
Right. The Marshal de Coigny made the Troops under his Command take
Arms, all in a Hurry and Disorder, and was advancing to the Right;
but perceiving that the Imperial Army was marching towards him in
three Columns, he halted and called a Council of War; and the
Imperialists just then moving towards their Left, it was imagined
that they would endeavour to cut off the Army's Retreat towards the
Bridge of Guastalla; and therefore it was instantly resolved to make
a Retreat that way in the best Order they could. Some Battalions
were left with Artillery in the neighbouring Cassines, to stop the
Enemy; but those Troops made but a very slender Resistance, and were
obliged to yield themselves Prisoners of War. Count Koningsegg
seeing the Enemy's Disorder on all Sides, sent 10,000 Men this way,
under the Command of Prince Lewis of Wirtemberg, and advanced towards
San Benedetto, where were the Head-Quarters of the Savoyards: The
King of Sardinia made his Escape in his Night-Gown and Slippers; but
two Regiments of his Troops were cut off from the rest and taken.
Some Squadrons of Dragoons and the Hussars broke and put into
Disorder the Enemy's Rear-Guard, who are divided into Bodies of 2 or
3000 Men each, most of them without Arms, Baggage or Artillery, which
we hope to cut off and take one after the other; for we are still
pursuing them. The Booty already taken, amounts to upwards of 15
Millions of Livres; for we have taken the Arms of one Third of the
Gallo-Sardinick Army, all the Artillery, 12 or 1500 Waggons, all the
Baggage, heavy and light, all the Tents; and between 6 and 8000
Prisoners. There were doubtless 1000 or 1200 of the Enemy killed.
Never was seen such Confusion. But the Generals who suffered
themselves to be thus surprized, how will they come off.
_Next here follows a more particular Account of the Second
Battle between the same Armies, which happened on the_ 19_th of_
Sept. _viz._
_Mantua, Sept._ 24. We have here the following Particulars of
the Battle fought the 19th near Guastalla. Count Konigsegg broke up
from Luzara the 16th about Nine in the Morning, and at Ten he ordered
the Enemy, who were posted under Guastalla, to be attack'd by seven
Battalions of Foot and 12 Companies of General Valpereve and
Colmenero, who made the Onset in a very brave and intrepid Manner.
The Enemy pour'd on fresh Troops continually; whereupon our Troops
were reinforc'd with 17 Companies of Grenadiers and 19 Battallions of
Foot: Then the Action became general in a Moment, and thereupon we
order'd 50 Squadrons to engage: The Enemy's Horse were then on a
Plain, where they were, most advantageously posted behind the
Cassines, very deep Ditches, and a great many Bushes, from whence
they made a terrible and constant Fire upon our Men, which prevented
our knowing their Number. The Generals Valpareve and Colmenero were
killed in the Beginning of this Attack, as were all the Field
Officers; so that only one Lieutenant-Colonel was at the Head of the
seven Battalions who began the Attack. The Prince of Wirtemberg was
killed in the Middle of this Action, when his Presence was most
necessary to lead on the Foot. Count Koningsegg then seeing that it
was impossible for him to break the Enemy's Cavalry, after a
continual Fire of about six Hours, order'd his Army to retire, which
they did in so good Order, that the Enemy durst not pursue him; and
he went and encamped at Luzara, where his Army was encamped the Day
before. Notwithstanding the great Loss of Officers above-mentioned,
whereby the Attack was something slackened, and our Troops brought
into some disorder, our Men did not retire or lose one Inch of
Ground, till they were ordered to draw off from the Field of Battle.
The Number of our killed and wounded Men amounts to between 4 and
6000. For six or seven Hours nothing was to be seen but Fire and
Sword, Dead and Wounded, and Rivulets of Blood. The Field of Battle
was indeed left to the Enemy, where they could find nothing to give
them Occasion to boast of a Victory; for as the Fire on both Sides
was equally strong and continual, we judge their Loss must be equal
to ours.
The Velt Marshal Konnigsegg has been join'd since the last
Battle by 4000 Croatians and three Regiments of Horse. His
Excellency is actually making new Dispositions for another Combat.
The Retreat of the Imperial Army was owing to the unhappy Loss
of the Prince of Wirtemberg, and the Wounds receiv'd by the Generals
Valpariso and Watchtendonck; most of the prime Officers were also
disabled, by which means none but Lieutenant-Colonel de Uhlenfeld was
left to command the seven Battalions engag'd in the heat of Action.
Our Loss amounts to between 4 or 5000 Men; that of the Enemy must be
as considerable, if not larger.
_Paris, Octo_. 6. By our last Account from Italy the Battle of
the 19th past was very bloody; for during the Combat wherein the
Enemy had between 12 and 13000 kill'd and wounded, they sent away 200
Waggons full of wounded Men; but towards the End, being press'd
closely, were oblig'd to leave 900 wounded in the Field, whom our
General had remov'd in order to be taken care of. We reckon between
6 and 7000 killed and wounded on our Side. After the Battle the
Enemy intrench'd themselves on the Banks of the Po, over-against
Burgo-Fort, where they have a Bridge to retire over into the Mantuan
in case of Occasion.
On the 3d Te Deum was sung in the Church of Notre Dame for the
signal Victory in Italy.
_London, Octo_. 5. Letters from Paris intimate, that his Most
Christian Majesty has been pleas'd to order 100,000 Crowns to be
distributed among the Officers who lost their Equipages, when Count
Koninsegg surpriz'd the Marshal de Broglio's Quarters; and at the
same Time sent Instructions to Marshal Coigny, to inform him of the
Number of Officers who had been kill'd in the Surprize, as well as at
the Battle, in order to settle Pensions upon their Widows and
Children.
A private Letter from Paris, dated the 29th, tells us, that the
Germans, on the 19th being Sunday, with uncommon Valour attack'd the
Allies in their Intrenchment at Guastalla. At 10 the whole Armies
were engaged, Sword in Hand. The Fight lasted till 5 in the
Afternoon, when the Germans retired, without being pursued, to
Luzara, and left behind them some Pieces of Cannon, and a few Colours
and Standards. That 15000 Men were kill'd on both Sides, among them
800 Officers. That Marshal de Coigny was wounded, M. d'Harcourt lost
one Arm. 'Tis agreed on all Hands, that the Allies were much
superior in Number, notwithstanding which, putting the two Actions
together, the Loss on both Sides was supposed to be equal.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, December 19, 1734
_On Protection of Towns from Fire_
_Mr. Franklin,_
Being old and lame of my Hands, and thereby uncapable of
assisting my Fellow Citizens, when their Houses are on Fire; I must
beg them to take in good Part the following Hints on the Subject of
Fires.
In the first Place, as _an Ounce of Prevention is worth a Pound
of Cure_, I would advise 'em to take Care how they suffer living
Brands-ends, or Coals in a full Shovel, to be carried out of one Room
into another, or up or down Stairs, unless in a Warmingpan shut; for
Scraps of Fire may fall into Chinks, and make no Appearance till
Midnight; when your Stairs being in Flames, you may be forced, (as I
once was) to leap out of your Windows, and hazard your Necks to avoid
being over-roasted.
And now we talk of Prevention, where would be the Damage, if,
to the Act for preventing Fires, by regulating Bakehouses and Coopers
Shops, a Clause were added to regulate all other Houses in the
particulars of too shallow Hearths, and the detestable Practice of
putting wooden Mouldings on each side the Fire Place, which being
commonly of Heart-of-Pine and full of Turpentine, stand ready to
flame as soon as a Coal or a small Brand shall roul against them.
Once more; If Chimneys were more frequently and more carefully
clean'd, some Fires might thereby be prevented. I have known foul
Chimneys burn most furiously a few Days after they were swept: People
in Confidence that they are clean, making large Fires. Every Body
among us is allow'd to sweep Chimneys, that please to undertake that
Business; and if a Chimney fires thro' fault of the Sweeper, the
Owner pays the Fine, and the Sweeper goes free. This Thing is not
right. Those who undertake Sweeping of Chimneys, and employ Servants
for that Purpose, ought to be licensed by the Mayor; and if any
Chimney fires and flames out 15 Days after Sweeping, the Fine should
be paid by the Sweeper; for it is his Fault.
We have at present got Engines enough in the Town, but I
question, whether in many Parts of the Town, Water enough can be had
to keep them going for half an Hour together. It seems to me some
Publick Pumps are wanting; but that I submit to better Judgments.
As to our Conduct in the Affair of Extinguishing Fires, tho' we
do not want Hands or Good-will, yet we seem to want Order and Method,
and therefore I believe I cannot do better than to offer for our
Imitation, the Example of a City in a Neigbouring Province. There
is, as I am well inform'd, a Club or Society of active Men belonging
to each Fire Engine; whose Business is to attend all Fires with it
whenever they happen; and to work it once a Quarter, and see it kept
in order: Some of these are to handle the Firehooks, and others the
Axes, which are always kept with the Engine; and for this Service
they are consider'd in an Abatement or Exemption in the Taxes. In
Time of Fire, they are commanded by Officers appointed by Law, called
_Firewards_, who are distinguish'd by a Red Staff of five Feet long,
headed with a Brass Flame of 6 Inches; And being Men of Prudence and
Authority, they direct the opening and stripping of Roofs by the
Ax-Men, the pulling down burning Timbers by the Hook-men, and the
playing of the Engines, and command the making of Lanes, &c. and they
are impowered to require Assistance for the Removing of Goods out of
Houses on fire or in Danger of Fire, and to appoint Guards for
securing such Goods; and Disobedience, to these Officers in any, at
such Times, is punished by a Fine of 40 s. or Ten Days Imprisonment.
These Officers, with the Men belonging to the Engine, at their
Quarterly Meetings, discourse of Fires, of the Faults committed at
some, the good Management in some Cases at others, and thus
communicating their Thoughts and Experience they grow wise in the
Thing, and know how to command and to execute in the best manner upon
every Emergency. Since the Establishment of this Regulation, it
seems there has been no extraordinary Fire in that Place; and I wish
there never may be any here. But they suffer'd before they made such
a Regulation, and so must we; for _Englishmen_ feel but cannot see;
as the _Italian_ says of us. And it has pleased God, that in the
Fires we have hitherto had, all the bad Circumstances have never
happened together, such as dry Season, high Wind, narrow Street, and
little or low Water: which perhaps tends to make us secure in our own
Minds; but if a Fire with those Circumstances, which God forbid,
should happen, we should afterwards be careful enough.
Let me say one thing more, and I will be silent. I could wish,
that either Tiles would come in use for a Covering to Buildings; or
else that those who build, would make their Roofs more safe to walk
upon, by carrying the Wall above the Eves, in the Manner of the new
Buildings in _London_, and as Mr. _Turner's_ House in _Front-Street_,
or Mr. _Nichols_'s in _Chesnut-Street_, are built; which I conceive
would tend considerably to their Preservation.
Let others communicate their Thoughts as freely as I have done
mine, and perhaps something useful may be drawn from the Whole.
_I am yours,_ &c.
_A. A._
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, February 4, 1734/5
_Self-Denial Not the Essence of Virtue_
To the Printer of the Gazette.
_That SELF-DENIAL is not the ESSENCE of VIRTUE_.
It is commonly asserted, that without _Self-Denial_ there is no
Virtue, and that the greater the _Self-Denial_ the greater the
Virtue.
If it were said, that he who cannot deny himself in any Thing
he inclines to, tho' he knows it will be to his Hurt, has not the
Virtue of _Resolution_ or _Fortitude_, it would be intelligible
enough; but as it stands it seems obscure or erroneous.
Let us consider some of the Virtues singly.
If a Man has no inclination to _wrong_ People in his Dealings,
if he feels no Temptation to it, and therefore never does it; can it
be said that he is not a just Man? If he is a just Man, has he not
the Virtue of Justice?
If to a certain Man, idle Diversions have nothing in them that
is tempting, and therefore he never relaxes his Application to
Business for their Sake; is he not an Industrious Man? Or has he not
the Virtue of Industry?
I might in like manner instance in all the rest of the Virtues:
But to make the Thing short, As it is certain, that the more we
strive against the Temptation to any Vice, and practise the contrary
Virtue, the weaker will that Temptation be, and the stronger will be
that Habit; 'till at length the Temptation has no Force, or entirely
vanishes: Does it follow from thence, that in our Endeavours to
overcome Vice, we grow continually less and less Virtuous; till at
length we have no Virtue at all?
If Self-Denial be the Essence of Virtue, then it follows, that
the Man who is naturally temperate, just, &c. is not virtuous; but
that in order to be virtuous, he must, in spight of his natural
Inclinations, wrong his Neighbours, and eat and drink, &c. to excess.
But perhaps it may be said, that by the Word _Virtue_ in the
above Assertion, is meant, _Merit_; and so it should stand thus;
Without Self-Denial there is no Merit; and the greater the
Self-Denial the greater the Merit.
The Self-denial here meant, must be when our Inclinations are
towards Vice, or else it would still be Nonsense.
By Merit is understood, Desert; and when we say a Man merits,
we mean that he deserves Praise or Reward.
We do not pretend to merit any thing of God, for he is above
our Services; and the Benefits he confers on us, are the Effects of
his Goodness and Bounty.
All our Merit then is with regard to one another, and from one
to another.
Taking then the Assertion as it last stands,
If a Man does me a Service from a natural benevolent
Inclination, does he deserve less of me than another who does me the
like Kindness against his Inclination?
If I have two Journeymen, one naturally industrious, the other
idle, but both perform a Days Work equally good, ought I to give the
latter the most Wages?
Indeed, lazy Workmen are commonly observ'd to be more
extravagant in their Demands than the Industrious; for if they have
not more for their Work, they cannot live so well: But tho' it be
true to a Proverb, _That Lazy Folks take the most Pains_, does it
follow that they deserve the most Money?
If you were to employ Servants in Affairs of Trust, would you
not bid more for one you knew was naturally honest, than for one
naturally roguish, but who had lately acted honestly? For Currents
whose natural Channel is damm'd up, (till the new Course is by Time
worn sufficiently deep and become natural,) are apt to break their
Banks. If one Servant is more valuable than another, has he not more
Merit than the other? And yet this is not on Account of Superior
Self-denial.
Is a Patriot not praise-worthy, if Publick Spirit is natural to
him?
Is a Pacing-Horse less valuable for being a natural Pacer?
Nor in my Opinion has any Man less Merit for having in general
natural virtuous Inclinations.
The Truth is, that Temperance, Justice, Charity, &c. are
Virtues, whether practis'd with or against our Inclinations; and the
Man who practises them, merits our Love and Esteem: And Self-denial
is neither good nor bad, but as 'tis apply'd: He that denies a
Vicious Inclination is Virtuous in proportion to his Resolution, but
the most perfect Virtue is above all Temptation, such as the Virtue
of the Saints in Heaven: And he who does a foolish, indecent or
wicked Thing, meerly because 'tis contrary to his Inclination, (like
some mad Enthusiasts I have read of, who ran about naked, under the
Notion of taking up the Cross) is not practising the reasonable
Science of Virtue, but is lunatick.
_New-Castle, Feb._ 5. 1734,5.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, February 18, 1734/5
_A Man of Sense_
_Mr. Franklin,_
`Being the other Day near the Meeting-House Corner with some
Gentlemen, in the open Street, I heard the following Piece of
Conversation; and penn'd it down as soon as I came home. I am
confident it varies scarce any thing from what really passed; and as
it pleased the By-standers, it may possibly please the Publick, if
you give it a Place in your Paper.
`It not being proper to name the Persons discoursing, I shall
call one of them _Socrates_, his manner of Arguing being in my
Opinion, somewhat like that of _Socrates_: And, if you please, the
other may be _Crito_.'
_I am Yours,_ &c.
A. A.
_Socrates._ Who is that well-dress'd Man that passed by just
now?
_Crito._ He is a Gentleman of this City, esteem'd a _Man of
Sense_, but not very honest.
_S._ The Appellation of _a Man of Sense _ is of late frequently
given, and seems to come naturally into the Character of every Man we
are about to praise: But I am at some Loss to know whether a Man who
_is not honest_ can deserve it.
_C._ Yes, doubtless; There are many vicious Men who are
nevertheless Men of very good Sense.
_S._ You are of Opinion, perhaps, that a Man of Knowledge is _a
Man of Sense_.
_C._ I am really of that Opinion.
_S._ Is the Knowledge of Push-pin, or of the Game at Ninepins,
or of Cards and Dice, or even of Musick and Dancing, sufficient to
constitute the Character of a Man of Sense?
_C._ No certainly; there are many silly People that understand
these Things tolerably well.
_S._ Will the Knowledge of Languages, or of Logic and Rhetoric
serve to make a Man of Sense.
_C._ I think not; for I have known very senseless Fellows to be
Masters of two or three Languages; and mighty full of their Logic, or
their Rhetoric.
_S._ Perhaps some Men may understand all the Forms and Terms of
Logic, or all the Figures of Rhetoric, and yet be no more able to
convince or to perswade, than others who have not learnt those
Things?
_C._ Indeed I believe they may.
_S._ Will not the Knowledge of the Mathematicks, Astronomy, and
Natural Philosophy, those sublime Sciences, give a Right to the
Character of _a Man of Sense_.
_C._ At first Sight I should have thought they might: But upon
Recollection I must own I have known some Men, Masters of those
Sciences, who, in the Management of their Affairs, and _Conduct of
their Lives_, have acted very weakly, I do not mean viciously but
foolishly; and therefore I cannot find in my Heart to allow 'em the
Character of _Men of Sense._
_S._ It seems then, that no Knowledge will serve to give this
Character, but the Knowledge of our _true Interest_; that is, of what
is best to be done in all the Circumstances of Humane Life, in order
to arrive at our main End in View, HAPPINESS.
_C._ I am of the same Opinion. And now, as to the Point in
Hand, I suppose you will no longer doubt whether a vicious Man may
deserve the Character of a Man of Sense, since 'tis certain that
there are many Men who _know_ their true Interest, &c. and are
therefore _Men of Sense_, but are nevertheless vicious and dishonest
Men, as appears from the whole Tenour of their Conduct in Life.
_S._ Can Vice consist with any Man's true Interest, or
contribute to his Happiness.
_C._ No certainly; for in Proportion as a Man is vicious he
loses the Favour of God and Man, and brings upon himself many
Inconveniences, the least of which is capable of marring and
demolishing his Happiness.
_S._ How then does it appear that those vicious Men have the
Knowledge we have been speaking of, which constitutes _a Man of
Sense_, since they act directly contrary?
_C._ It appears by their Discoursing perfectly well upon the
Subjects of Vice and Virtue, when they occur in Conversation, and by
the just Manner in which they express their Thoughts of the
pernicious Consequences of the one, and the happy Effects of the
other.
_S._ Is it the Knowledge of all the Terms and Expressions
proper to be used in Discoursing well upon the Subject of making a
good Shoe, that constitutes a Shoemaker; or is it the Knowing how to
go about it and do it?
_C._ I own it is the latter, and not the former.
_S._ And if one who could only _talk finely_ about Shoe-making,
were to be set to work, would he not presently discover his Ignorance
in that Art?
_C._ He would, I confess.
_S._ Can the Man who is only able to talk justly of Virtue and
Vice, and to say that "Drunkenness, Gluttony and Lewdness destroy a
Man's Constitution; waste his Time and Substance, and bring him under
many Misfortunes, (to the Destruction of his Happiness) which the
contrary Virtues would enable him to avoid;" but notwithstanding his
talking thus, continues in those Vices; can such a Man deserve the
Character of a Temperate and Chaste Man? Or does not that Man rather
deserve it, who having _a thorough Sense_ that what the other has
said is true, _knows_ also _how_ to resist the Temptation to those
Vices, and embrace Virtue with a hearty and steady Affection?
_C._ The latter, I acknowledge. And since Virtue is really the
true Interest of all Men; and some of those who talk well of it, do
not put it in Practice, I am now inclined to believe they speak only
by rote, retailing to us what they have pick'd out of the Books or
Conversation of wise and virtuous Men; but what having never enter'd
or made any Impression on their Hearts, has therefore no Influence on
the Conduct of their Lives.
_S._ Vicious Men, then, do not appear to have that Knowledge
which constitutes _the Man of Sense_.
_C._ No, I am convinced they do not deserve the Name. However,
I am afraid, that instead of _defining_ a Man of Sense we have now
entirely _annihilated_ him: For if the Knowlege of his true Interest
in all Parts of the Conduct of Life, and a constant Course of
Practice agreeable to it, are essential to his Character, I do not
know where we shall find him.
_S._ There seems no necessity that to be a Man of Sense, he
should never make a Slip in the Path of Virtue, or in Point of
Morality; provided he is sensible of his Failing and diligently
applys himself to rectify what is done amiss, and to prevent the like
for the future. The best Arithmetician may err in casting up a long
Account; but having found that Error, he _knows how_ to mend it, and
immediately does so; and is notwithstanding that Error, an
Arithmetician; But he who _always_ blunders, and cannot correct his
Faults in Accounting, is no Arithmetician; nor is the
habitually-vicious Man _a Man of Sense_.
_C._ But methinks 'twill look hard, that all other Arts and
Sciences put together, and possess'd by one Man in the greatest
Perfection, are not able to dignify him with the Title of _a Man of
Sense_, unless he be also a Man of Virtue.
_S._ We shall agree, perhaps, that one who is _a Man of Sense_,
will not spend his Time in learning such Sciences as, if not useless
in themselves, will probably be useless to him?
_C._ I grant it.
_S._ And of those which may be useful to him, that is, may
contribute to his Happiness, he ought, if he is a Man of Sense to
know how to make them so.
_C._ To be sure.
_S._ And of those which may be useful, he will not (if he is a
Man of Sense) acquire all, except that One only which is the most
useful of all, to wit, the Science of Virtue.
_C._ It would, I own, be inconsistent with his Character to do
so.
_S._ It seems to follow then, that the vicious Man, tho' Master
of many Sciences, must needs be an ignorant and foolish Man; for
being, as he is vicious, of consequence unhappy, either he has
acquired only the useless Sciences, or having acquired such as might
be useful, he knows not how to make them contribute to his Happiness;
and tho' he may have every other Science, he is ignorant that the
SCIENCE OF VIRTUE is of more worth, and of more consequence to his
Happiness than all the rest put together. And since he is ignorant
of what _principally_ concerns him, tho' it has been told him a
thousand Times from Parents, Press, and Pulpit, the Vicious Man
however learned, cannot be _a Man of Sense_, but is a Fool, a Dunce,
and a Blockhead.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, February 11, 1734/5
_Reply to a Piece of Advice_
_Mr. Franklin,_
In your Paper of the 18th past, some Verses were inserted, said
to be design'd as a PIECE OF ADVICE to a good Friend. As this _Piece
of Advice_, if it had been intended for a particular Friend alone,
might have been as well convey'd to him privately; I suppose the
Author by getting it publish'd, thinks it may be of Use to great
Numbers of others, in his Friend's Circumstances. The import of it
is, "That 'tis mighty silly for a single Man to change his State; for
assoon as his Wishes are crown'd, his expected Bliss dissolves into
Cares in Bondage, which is a compleat Curse; That only Fools in Life
wed, for every Woman is a Tyrant: That he who marries, acts contrary
to his Interest, loses his Liberty and his Friends, and will soon
perceive himself undone; and that the best of the Sex are no better
than a Plague." So ill-natur'd a Thing must have been written, either
by some forlorn old Batchelor, or some cast-away Widower, that has
got the Knack of drowning all his softer Inclinations in his Bowl or
his Bottle. I am grown old and have made abundance of Observations,
and I have had three Wives my self; so that from both Experience and
Observation I can say, that this Advice is wrong and untrue in every
Particular. It is wrong to assert _that tis silly in a single Man to
change his State_: For what old Batchelor can die without Regret and
Remorse, when he reflects upon his Death-bed, that the inestimable
Blessing of Life and Being has been communicated by Father to Son
through all Generations from _Adam_ down to him, but in him it stops
and is extinguished; and that _the Humane Race divine_ would be no
more, for any Thing he has done to continue it; he having, like the
wicked Servant, _wrapt up and hid his Talent in a Napkin_, (i. e. his
Shirt Tail,) while his Neighbours the Good and Faithful Servants, had
some of them produced _Five_ and some _Ten._ I say such an one shall
not only die with Regret, but he may justly fear a severe Punishment.
Nor is it true that _assoon as a Man weds, his expected Bliss
dissolves into slavish Cares and Bondage._ Every Man that is really a
Man is Master of his own Family; and it cannot be _Bondage_ to have
another submit to one's Government. If there be any Bondage in the
Case, 'tis the Woman enters into it, and not the Man. And as to the
_Cares_, they are chiefly what attend the bringing up of Children;
and I would ask any Man who has experienced it, if they are not the
most delightful Cares in the World; and if from that Particular
alone, he does not find the _Bliss_ of a double State much greater,
instead of being less than he expected. In short this _Bondage_ and
these _Cares_ are like the Bondage of having a beautiful and fertile
Garden, which a Man takes great Delight in; and the Cares are the
Pleasure he finds in cultivating it, and raising as many beautiful
and useful Plants from it as he can. And if common Planting and
Gardening be an Honourable Employment, (as 'tis generally allow'd,
since the greatest Heroes have practic'd it without any Diminution to
their Glory) I think _Human Planting_ must be more Honourable, as the
Plants to be raised are more excellent in their Nature, and to bring
them to Perfection requires the greater Skill and Wisdom.
As to the Adviser's next Insinuation, that _only Fools wed, and
every Woman is a Tyrant_; 'tis a very severe and undutiful Reflection
upon his own Father and Mother; and since he is most likely to know
best the Affairs of his own Family, I shall not contradict him in
that particular, so far as relates to his own Relations: for perhaps
his Aversion to a Wife arises from observing how his Mamma treated
his Daddy; for she might be a _Xantippe_ tho' he was no _Socrates_;
it being probable that a wise Man would have instill'd sounder
Principles into his Son. But in general I utterly dissent from him,
and declare, that I scarce ever knew a Man who knew how to command in
a proper Manner, but his Wife knew as well how to show a becoming
Obedience. And there are in the World infinitely more He-Tyrants
than She-Ones.
In the next Place he insinuates, that _a Man by marrying, acts
contrary to his Interest, loses his Liberty and his Friends, and soon
finds himself undone_. In which he is as much mistaken as in any of
the rest. A Man does not act contrary to his Interest by Marrying;
for I and Thousands more know very well that we could never thrive
till we were married; and have done well ever since; What we get, the
Women save; a Man being fixt in Life minds his Business better and
more steadily; and he that cannot thrive married, could never have
throve better single; for the Idleness and Negligence of Men is more
frequently fatal to Families, than the Extravagance of Women. Nor
does a Man _lose his Liberty_ but encrease it; for when he has no
Wife to take Care of his Affairs at Home, if he carries on any
Business there, he cannot go Abroad without a Detriment to that; but
having a Wife, that he can confide in, he may with much more Freedom
be abroad, and for a longer Time; thus the Business goes on
comfortably, and the good Couple relieve one another by turns, like a
faithful Pair of Doves. Nor does he _lose Friends_ but gain them, by
prudently marrying; for there are all the Woman's Relations added to
his own, ready to assist and encourage the new-married Couple; and a
Man that has a Wife and Children, is sooner trusted in Business, and
can have Credit longer and for larger Sums than if he was single,
inasmuch as he is look'd upon to be more firmly settled, and under
greater Obligations to behave honestly, for his Family's Sake.
I have almost done with our _Adviser_, for he says but one
thing more; to wit, _that the best of the Sex are no better than
Plagues._ Very hard again upon his poor Mother, who tho' she might be
the best Woman in the World, was, it seems, in her graceless Son's
Opinion, no better than a Pestilence. Certainly this Versifyer never
knew what a Woman is! He must be, as I conjectur'd at first, some
forlorn old Batchelor. And if I could conjure, I believe I should
discover, that his Case is like that of many other old He-Maids I
have heard of. Such senseless Advice as this can have no Effect upon
them; 'tis nothing like this, that deters them from marrying. But
having in some of their first Attempts upon the kinder Sort of the
Fair Sex, come off with Shame and Disgrace, they persuade themselves
that they are, (and perhaps they are) really Impotent: And so durst
not marry, for fear of those dishonourable Decorations of the Head,
which they think it the inevitable Fate of a Fumbler to wear. Then,
like the Fox who could not use his Tail, (but the Fox had really lost
it) they set up for _Advisers_, as the Gentleman I have been dealing
with; and would fain persuade others, that the Use of their own Tails
is more mischievous than beneficial. But I shall leave him to
Repentance; and endeavour to make the Reader some Amends for my
Scribble, by adding the following Verses from the two best English
Poets that ever were; only hinting, that by the first two Lines 'tis
plain from whence our Poetical Adviser had his Inspiration.
Our Maker bids increase; who bids abstain,
But our _Destroyer_, foe to GOD and Man?
Hail wedded Love! mysterious Law, true source
Of human Offspring, sole propriety
In Paradise! of all Things common else.
By thee adult'rous Lust was driv'n from Men,
Among the bestial Herds to range; by thee,
(Founded in Reason, loyal, just, and pure)
Relations dear, and all the Charities
Of Father, Son, and Brother, first were known.
Perpetual Fountain of domestic Sweets!
Whose Bed is undefil'd, and chaste, pronounc'd.
Here, Love his golden shafts employs; here lights
His constant Lamp; and waves his purple Wings;
Reigns here, and revels: not in the bought smile
Of harlots; loveless, joyless, un-endear'd;
Casual fruition! _Milton_.
BUT happy they! the happiest of their Kind!
Whom gentler Stars unite, and in one Fate
Their Hearts, their Fortunes, and their Beings blend.
'Tis not the courser Tie of human Laws,
Unnatural oft, and foreign to the Mind,
Which binds their Peace, but Harmony itself,
Attuning all their Passions into Love;
Where Friendship full-exerts his softest Power,
Perfect Esteem enliven'd by Desire
Ineffable, and Sympathy of Soul,
Thought meeting Thought, and Will preventing Will,
With boundless Confidence; for nought but Love
Can answer Love, and render Bliss secure.
------ those whom Love cements, in holy Faith,
And equal Transport, free as Nature, live,
Disdaining Fear; for what's the World to them,
It's Pomp, it's Pleasure, and it's Nonsense all!
Who in each other clasp whatever fair
High Fancy forms, and lavish Heart can wish,
Something than Beauty dearer, should they look
Or on the Mind, or mind-illumin'd Face;
Truth, Goodness, Honour, Harmony and Love,
The richest Bounty of indulgent _Heaven_.
Mean-time a smiling Offspring rises round,
And mingles both their Graces. By degrees,
The human Blossom blows; and every Day,
Soft as it rolls along, shows some new Charm,
The Father's Lustre, and the Mother's Bloom.
Then infant Reason grows apace, and calls
For the kind Hand of an assiduous Care;
Delightful Task! to rear the tender Thought,
To teach the young Idea how to shoot,
To pour the fresh Instruction o'er the Mind,
To breathe th' inspiring Spirit, and to plant
The generous Purpose in the glowing Breast.
Oh speak the Joy! You, whom the sudden Tear
Surprizes often, while you look around,
And nothing strikes your Eye but Sights of Bliss,
All various Nature pressing on the Heart,
Obedient Fortune, and approving _Heaven._
These are the Blessings of diviner Love;
And thus their Moments fly; the _Seasons_ thus,
As ceaseless round a jarring World they roll,
Still find them happy; and consenting SPRING
Sheds her own rosy Garland on their Head:
Till Evening comes at last, cool, gentle, calm;
When after the long vernal Day of Life,
Enamour'd more, as Soul approaches Soul,
Together, down they sink in social Sleep. _Thomson_.
_I am, Sir,
_Your most humble Servant_,
A. A.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, March 4, 1734/5
_On a Pertinacious Obstinacy in Opinion_
As a _pertinacious Obstinacy_ in Opinion, and confident
_Self-Sufficiency_, is possibly one of the greatest Vices, as well as
Weaknesses, that the human Mind is capable of; so on the contrary a
Readiness to give up a _loved Opinion_, upon due Conviction, is as
great a Glory, as well as Happiness, as we are here capable of
attaining: For as _Solomon_ justly observes, a _wise Man_ feareth;
he, conscious of his own Imperfections, and sensible of the
numberless Mistakes and Errors we are here subject and liable to,
submits to the Dictates of Truth and Wisdom, where-ever he finds
them, and thereby avoids the Evil, and attains the Glory. But the
_Fool_, the self-sufficient Man, who proudly arrogates all Knowledge
and Science to himself, rageth at Contradiction, and will not suffer
his Knowledge to be questioned; what wonder is it then, if he _fall
into Evil_ when he is thus _confident_?
It is a just Observation, that a love of Truth and Goodness is
not more essential to an honest Man than a Readiness to change his
Mind and Practice, upon Conviction that he is in the wrong: And
indeed, these two are inseparably connected in our present fallible
Condition; possibly those who are arrived at a better State, may get
clear of all their Mistakes, as well as their ill Habits immediately,
and yet be capable of an endless Improvement in Knowledge, by having
their Minds extended still to discover further Objects and new
Relations of Things which they had no Notions of before. Upon this
Supposition they may receive continual Additions to their Store, and
yet have no Occasion to change their former Sentiments, because they
were right as far as they went: But I am sure in this Life we find
frequent Reason _to give up mistaken Opinions_, as well as to take in
additional Light. We cannot but perceive ourselves liable to
innumerable Errors, even when we are most careful to avoid them,
either from our Ignorance in the Nature of Things, or in the Use and
Meaning of Words. We take up Opinions, or engage in Parties, thro'
the influence of Education, Friendship, and Alliances, or in the Heat
of Opposition and Prejudice, which cannot be maintained upon more
exact Enquiries, or in cool impartial Thoughts. _Prevailing
Opinions_ insensibly gain the Possession of our Minds, and have
commonly the Advantage of being Firstcomers: and yet are very often
no better than _prevailing Falshoods_, directly the Reverse of Truth.
We are all apt to be misled, where the Safety of our Interest, or
Peace with our Neighbours appear to depend upon a particular Sett of
Principles, or upon falling in with a Party. A Man can hardly
forbear wishing those Things to be true and right, which he
apprehends would be for his Conveniency to find so: And many
Perswasions, when they are looked into, plainly appear to have no
better a Foundation.
It must therefore be highly reasonable, to examine our
Sentiments, and always to _lie open to Conviction_ and farther Light
upon better Consideration of a Case, and to be willing to profit by
the Diligence and Enquiries, as well of other Men, as ourselves.
Without this, _Reason_ would be given us in vain, _Study_ and
_Converse_ wou'd be useless and unprofitable Things. It would be
much happier for us to have no Advantages for better Instruction, or
no Capacity to improve by them, if we must necessarily be staked down
to those Apprehensions of Things, either in _Religion_ or
_Politicks_, which we have happened to light upon.
That Man only, who is ready to change his Mind upon proper
Conviction, is in the Way to come at the Knowledge of Truth. He who
is neither _ashamed_ of his own Ignorance, nor _unwilling_ to receive
Help from any Quarter towards the better Information of his Mind, or
_afraid_ to discard an old and _favoured_ Opinion, upon better
Evidence; he, I say, will find Truth kindly open before him, and
freely offer it self to him: He will be surprized with the noble
Pleasure of a new Discovery, and his Knowledge will be always
progressive as long as he lives. But a Man _tenacious_ of his _first
Thoughts_ is necessarily concluded in Error, if ever he happens to
mistake: For when People once arrive to an Opinion of Infallibility,
they can never grow wiser than they already are.
It is an Argument indeed of _Levity_ and _Weakness_ of Mind, to
change our Opinion upon every slight Appearance, or to give it up to
the Authority of others: But it argues a _real Greatness_ of Soul, to
have always a regard for Truth, superiour to every other
Consideration, and to feel an undissembled Pleasure upon the
Discovery of it.
If Truth is _Divine_ and _Eternal_, 'tis the natural Homage of
a Reasonable Mind to yield to its powerful Light, and embrace its
lovely Form wherever it appears; 'tis _Superstition_ to be fond of an
old Opinion not supported by it; It is _Idolatry_ to adore the Image
and false Appearance of it: But it is open _Prophaness_, to neglect
and contemn it. The only acceptable Sacrifice here, is that of our
_darling Prejudice_, and the Offering of an upright Mind is like the
Perfume of Incense.
But a sincere and hearty Lover of Truth will not content
himself with a meer Change of his Sentiments upon Conviction,
concealed within his own Breast; but will ingenuously acknowledge his
Mistake, as freely and as publickly as he avowed it. The same
Frankness and Sincerity which make me declare myself of one Opinion
at one Time, will oblige me to declare myself of another afterwards,
if my Sentiments are really altered. We owe this Justice to Mankind
as well as Truth.
VERIDICUS.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, March 27, 1735
_Dialogue Between Two Presbyterians_
Mr. FRANKLIN,
_You are desired by several of your Readers to print the
following_ DIALOGUE. _It is between Two of the Presbyterian Meeting
in this City. We cannot tell whether it may not be contrary to your
Sentiments, but hope, if it should, you will not refuse publishing it
on that Account: nor shall we be offended if you print any thing in
Answer to it._ We are yours, _&c._ A.B.C.D.
_S._ Good Morrow! I am glad to find you well and abroad; for
not having seen you at Meeting lately, I concluded you were
indispos'd.
T. _Tis true I have not been much at Meeting lately, but that
was not occasion'd by any Indisposition. In short, I stay at home,
or else go to Church, because I do not like Mr._ H. _your new-fangled
Preacher._
_S._ I am sorry we should differ in Opinion upon any Account;
but let us reason the Point calmly; what Offence does Mr. _H._ give
you?
T. _Tis his Preaching disturbs me: He talks of nothing but the
Duties of Morality: I do not love to hear so much of Morality: I am
sure it will carry no Man to Heaven, and I do not think it fit to be
preached in a Christian Congregation_.
_S._ I suppose you think no Doctrine fit to be preached in a
Christian Congregation, but such as Christ and his Apostles used to
preach.
T. _To be sure I think so_.
_S._ I do not conceive then how you can dislike the Preaching
of Morality, when you consider, that Morality made the principal Part
of their Preaching as well as of Mr. _H_'s. What is Christ's Sermon
on the Mount but an excellent moral Discourse, towards the End of
which, (as foreseeing that People might in time come to depend more
upon their _Faith_ in him, than upon _Good Works_, for their
Salvation) he tells the Hearers plainly, that their saying to him,
_Lord, Lord_, (that is, professing themselves his Disciples or
_Christians_) should give them no Title to Salvation, but their
_Doing_ the Will of his Father; and that tho' they have prophesied in
his Name, yet he will declare to them, as Neglecters of Morality,
that he never knew them.
T. _But what do you understand by that Expression of Christ's,_
Doing the Will of my Father.
_S._ I understand it to be the Will of God, that we should live
virtuous, upright, and good-doing Lives; as the Prophet understood
it, when he said, _What doth the Lord require of thee, O Man, but to
do justly, love Mercy, and walk humbly with the Lord thy God._
T. _But is not Faith recommended in the New Testament as well
as Morality?_
_S._ Tis true, it is. Faith is recommended as a Means of
producing Morality: Our Saviour was a Teacher of Morality or Virtue,
and they that were deficient and desired to be taught, ought first to
_believe_ in him as an able and faithful Teacher. Thus Faith would
be a Means of producing Morality, and Morality of Salvation. But
that from such Faith alone Salvation may be expected, appears to me
to be neither a Christian Doctrine nor a reasonable one. And I
should as soon expect, that my bare Believing Mr. _Grew_ to be an
excellent Teacher of the Mathematicks, would make me a Mathematician,
as that Believing in Christ would of it self make a Man a Christian.
T. _Perhaps you may think, that tho' Faith alone cannot save a
Man, Morality or Virtue alone, may._
_S._ Morality or Virtue is the End, Faith only a Means to
obtain that End: And if the End be obtained, it is no matter by what
Means. What think you of these Sayings of Christ, when he was
reproached for conversing chiefly with gross Sinners, _The whole,_
says he, _need not a Physician, but they that are sick;_ and, _I come
not to call the Righteous, but Sinners, to Repentance:_ Does not this
imply, that there were good Men, who, without Faith in him, were in a
State of Salvation? And moreover, did he not say of _Nathanael_,
while he was yet an Unbeliever in him, and thought no Good could
possibly come out of Nazareth, _Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom
there is no Guile!_ that is, _behold a virtuous upright Man._ Faith
in Christ, however, may be and is of great Use to produce a good
Life, but that it can conduce nothing towards Salvation where it does
not conduce to Virtue, is, I suppose, plain from the Instance of the
Devils, who are far from being Infidels, _they believe_, says the
Scripture, _and tremble._ There were some indeed, even in the
Apostles' Days, that set a great Value upon Faith, distinct from Good
Works, they meerly idolized it, and thought that a Man ever so
righteous could not be saved without it: But one of the Apostles, to
show his Dislike of such Notions, tells them, that not only those
heinous Sins of Theft, Murder, and Blasphemy, but even _Idleness_, or
the Neglect of a Man's Business, was more pernicious than meer
harmless Infidelity, _He that neglects to provide for them of his own
House,_ says he, _is WORSE than an Infidel._ St. _James_, in his
second Chapter, is very zealous against these Cryers-up of Faith, and
maintains that Faith without Virtue is useless, _Wilt thou know, O
vain Man,_ says he, _that Faith without Works is dead;_ and, _shew me
your Faith without your Works, and I will shew you mine by my Works_.
Our Saviour, when describing the last Judgment, and declaring what
shall give Admission into Bliss, or exclude from it, says nothing of
_Faith_ but what he says against it, that is, that those who cry
_Lord, Lord_, and profess to have _believed_ in his Name, have no
Favour to expect on that Account; but declares that 'tis the
Practice, or the omitting the Practice of the Duties of Morality,
_Feeding the Hungry, cloathing the Naked, visiting the Sick,_ &c. in
short, 'tis the Doing or not Doing all the Good that lies in our
Power, that will render us the Heirs of Happiness or Misery.
T. _But if Faith is of great Use to produce a good Life, why
does not Mr._ H. _preach up Faith as well as Morality?
_S._ Perhaps it may be this, that as the good Physician suits
his Physick to the Disease he finds in the Patient, so Mr. _H_. may
possibly think, that though Faith in Christ be properly first
preach'd to Heathens and such as are ignorant of the Gospel, yet
since he knows that we have been baptized in the Name of Christ, and
educated in his Religion, and call'd after his Name, it may not be so
immediately necessary to preach _Faith_ to us who abound in it, as
_Morality_ in which we are evidently deficient: For our late Want of
Charity to each other, our Heart-burnings and Bickerings are
notorious. St. _James_ says, _Where Envying and Strife is, there is
Confusion and every evil Work:_ and where Confusion and every evil
Work is, _Morality_ and Good-will to Men, can, I think, be no
unsuitable Doctrine. But surely _Morality_ can do us no harm. Upon
a Supposition that we all have Faith in Christ already, as I think we
have, where can be the Damage of being exhorted to Good Works? Is
Virtue Heresy; and Universal Benevolence False Doctrine, that any of
us should keep away from Meeting because it is preached there.
T. _Well, I do not like it, and I hope we shall not long be
troubled with it. A Commission of the Synod will sit in a short
Time, and try this Sort of Preaching.
_S._ I am glad to hear that the Synod are to take it into
Consideration. There are Men of unquestionable Good Sense as well as
Piety among them, and I doubt not but they will, by their Decision,
deliver our Profession from the satyrical Reflection, which a few
uneasy People of our Congregation have of late given Occasion for,
_to wit_, That the _Presbyterians_ are going to persecute, silence
and condemn a good Preacher, for exhorting them to be honest and
charitable to one another and the rest of Mankind.
T. _If Mr._ H. _is a Presbyterian Teacher, he ought to preach
as Presbyterians use to preach; or else he may justly be condemn'd
and silenc'd by our Church Authority. We ought to abide by the_
Westminster _Confession of Faith; and he that does not, ought not to
preach in our Meetings._
_S._ The Apostacy of the Church from the primitive Simplicity
of the Gospel, came on by Degrees; and do you think that the
Reformation was of a sudden perfect, and that the first Reformers
knew at once all that was right or wrong in Religion? Did not
_Luther_ at first preach only against selling of Pardons, allowing
all the other Practices of the _Romish_ Church for good. He
afterwards went further, and _Calvin_, some think, yet further. The
Church of _England_ made a Stop, and fix'd her Faith and Doctrine by
39 Articles; with which the Presbyterians not satisfied, went yet
farther; but being too self-confident to think, that as their Fathers
were mistaken in some Things, they also might be in some others; and
fancying themselves infallible in _their_ Interpretations, they also
ty'd themselves down by the _Westminster Confession_. But has not a
Synod that meets in King GEORGE the Second's Reign, as much Right to
interpret Scripture, as one that met in _Oliver_'s Time? And if any
Doctrine then maintain'd, is, or shall hereafter be found not
altogether orthodox, why must we be for ever confin'd to that, or to
any, _Confession_?
T. _But if the Majority of the Synod be against any Innovation,
they may justly hinder the Innovator from Preaching._
_S._ That is as much as to say, if the Majority of the
Preachers be in the wrong, they may justly hinder any Man from
setting the People right; for a _Majority_ may be in the wrong as
well as the _Minority_, and frequently are. In the beginning of the
Reformation, the _Majority_ was vastly against the Reformers, and
continues so to this Day; and, if, according to your Opinion, they
had a Right to silence the _Minority_, I am sure the _Minority_ ought
to have been silent. But tell me, if the _Presbyterians_ in this
Country, being charitably enclin'd, should send a Missionary into
_Turky_, to propagate the Gospel, would it not be unreasonable in the
_Turks_ to prohibit his Preaching?
T. _It would, to be sure, because he comes to them for their
good._
_S._ And if the _Turks_, believing us in the wrong, as we think
them, should out of the same charitable Disposition, send a
Missionary to preach _Mahometanism_ to us, ought we not in the same
manner to give him free Liberty of preaching his Doctrine?
T. _It may be so; but what would you infer from that?_
_S._ I would only infer, that if it would be thought reasonable
to suffer a _Turk_ to preach among us a Doctrine diametrically
opposite to _Christianity_, it cannot be reasonable to silence one of
our own Preachers, for preaching a Doctrine exactly agreeable to
_Christianity_, only because he does not perhaps zealously propagate
all the Doctrines of an old _Confession_. And upon the whole, though
the _Majority_ of the Synod should not in all respects approve of Mr.
_H_'s Doctrine, I do not however think they will find it proper to
condemn him. We have justly deny'd the Infallibility of the _Pope_
and his _Councils_ and _Synods_ in their Interpretations of
Scripture, and can we modestly claim _Infallibility_ for our selves
or our _Synods_ in our way of Interpreting? Peace, Unity and Virtue
in any Church are more to be regarded than Orthodoxy. In the present
weak State of humane Nature, surrounded as we are on all sides with
Ignorance and Error, it little becomes poor fallible Man to be
positive and dogmatical in his Opinions. No Point of Faith is so
plain, as that _Morality_ is our Duty, for all Sides agree in that.
A virtuous Heretick shall be saved before a wicked Christian: for
there is no such Thing as voluntary Error. Therefore, since 'tis an
Uncertainty till we get to Heaven what true Orthodoxy in all points
is, and since our Congregation is rather too small to be divided, I
hope this Misunderstanding will soon be got over, and that we shall
as heretofore unite again in mutual _Christian Charity._
T. _I wish we may. I'll consider of what you've said, and wish
you well.
_S._ Farewell.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, April 10, 1735
_Women's Court_
We hear from Chester County, that last Week at a Vendue held
there, a Man being unreasonably abusive to his Wife upon some
trifling Occasion, the Women form'd themselves into a Court, and
order'd him to be apprehended by their Officers and brought to Tryal:
Being found guilty he was condemn'd to be duck'd 3 times in a
neighbouring Pond, and to have one half cut off, of his Hair and
Beard (which it seems he wore at full length) and the Sentence was
accordingly executed, to the great Diversion of the Spectators.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, April 17, 1735
_Advice to a Pretty Creature and Replies_
Mr. _Franklin_,
"Pray let the prettiest Creature in this Place know, (by
publishing this) That if it was not for her Affectation, she would be
absolutely irresistible."
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, November 20, 1735
_The little Epistle in our last, has produced no less than six,
which follow in the order we receiv'd 'em._
Mr. _Franklin_,
`I cannot conceive who your Correspondent means by _the
prettiest Creature_ in this Place; but I can assure either him or
her, that she who is truly so, has no Affectation at all.'
_SIR,_
`Since your last Week's Paper I have look'd in my Glass a
thousand Times, I believe, in one Day; and if it was not for the
Charge of Affectation I might, without Partiality, believe myself the
Person meant.'
Mr. _Franklin_,
`I must own that several have told me, I am the prettiest
Creature in this Place; but I believe I shou'd not have been tax'd
with Affectation if I cou'd have thought as well of them as they do
of themselves.'
_SIR,_
`Your Sex calls me pretty; my own affected. Is it from
Judgment in the one, or Envy in the other?'
Mr. _Franklin_,
`They that call me affected are greatly mistaken; for I don't
know that I ever refus'd a Kiss to any Body but a Fool.'
_Friend Benjamin,_
`I am not at all displeased at being charged with Affectation.
Thou know'st the vain People call Decency of Behaviour by that Name.'
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, November 27, 1735
_A Sea Monster_
From Bermuda, they write, that a Sea Monster has been lately
seen there, the upper part of whose Body was in the Shape and about
the Bigness of a Boy of 12 Years old, with long black Hair; the lower
Part resembled a Fish. He was first seen on shore, and taking to the
Water, was pursu'd by People in a Boat, who intended to strike him
with a Fishgig; but approaching him, the human Likeness surpris'd
them into Compassion, and they had not the Power to do it.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, April 29, 1736
_The Art of Saying Little in Much_
_Amplification_, or the Art of saying _Little in Much_, seems
to be principally studied by the Gentlemen Retainers to the Law.
'Tis highly useful when they are to speak at the Bar; for by its
Help, they talk a great while, and appear to say a great deal, when
they have really very little to say. But 'tis principally us'd in
Deeds and every thing they write. You must abridge their
Performances to understand them; and when you find how little there
is in a Writing of vast Bulk, you will be as much surpriz'd as a
Stranger at the Opening of a _Pumpkin_.
It is said, that in the Reign of _William_ the Conqueror, the
Conveyance of a large Estate, might be made in about half a dozen
short Lines; which was nevertheless in every Respect sufficiently
authentick. For several Hundred Years past, Conveyances and Writings
in the Law have been continually encreasing in Bulk, and when they
will come to their full Growth, no Man knows: For the Rule, _That
every thing past and present ought to be express'd, and every thing
future provided for_, (tho' one would think a large Writing might be
made by it) does not serve to confine us at present; since all those
things are not only to be express'd, but may (by the Modern License)
be express'd by all the _different Words_ we can think of. Probably
the Invention of Printing, which took from the Scribes great Part of
their former Employment, put them on the Contrivance of making up by
a Multitude of Words, what they wanted in real Business; hence the
plain and strong Expression, _shall be his own_, is now swoln into,
_shall and may at all Times hereafter forever, and so from time to
time, freely, quietly and peaceably, have, hold and enjoy, &c_. The
Lawyer, in one of _Steele_'s Comedies, instructs his Pupil, that
_Tautology_ is the first, second, and third Parts of his Profession,
that is to say, _the whole of it_: And adds, _That he hopes to see
the Time, when it will require as much Parchment to convey a Piece of
Land as will cover it_. That time perhaps is not far off: For I am
told, that the Deeds belonging to the Title of some small Lotts,
(which have gone thro' several Hands) are nearly sufficient for the
Purpose.
But of all the Writings I have ever seen, for the Multiplicity,
Variety, Particularity, and prodigious Flow of Expression, none come
up to the Petition of _Dermond O Folivey_, an Attorney of the Kingdom
of _Ireland_: As the Petition is curious in itself, and may serve as
a Precedent for young Clerks, when they would acquire a proper Stile
in their Performances, I shall give it to the Publick entire, as
follows.
To the Right Honourable _Sir William Asten_, Knight, and
Lord Judge of Assize of the _Munster_ Circuit.
_The humble_ Petition _of_ Dermond O Folivey _a well
and most accomplished Gentleman_.
`Most humbly, and most submissively, and most obediently,
and most dutifully, by shewing, and expressing, and declaring to your
Lordship, that whereby, and whereas, and wherein, the most major, and
most greater, and most bigger, and the most stronger Part of the most
best, and the most ablest, and the most mightiest Sort of the People
of the Barony of _Torrough_ and County of _Kerry_, finding, and
knowing, and certifying themselves, both hereafter, and the Time
past, and now, and then, and at the present time, to be very much
oppressed, and distressed, and overcharged in all Taxes, and
Quit-rents, and other Levies, and accidental Applotments, and
Collections, and Gatherings-together in the Barony of _Torrough_ and
County of _Kerry_ aforesaid, And for the future Prevention of all,
and every such, henceforth, hereafter, heretofore, and for the time
to come, and now, and then, and at this time, and forever, the
aforesaid most major, and most bigger, and most better, and most
stronger Part of the most best, and most ablest, and most mightiest
Sort of the People of _Torrough_ and County of _Kerry_ aforesaid,
HATH appointed, nominated, constituted, ordained, declared, elected,
and made me Mr. _Dermond O Folivey_ to solicite, and make mention to
your Lordship, looking upon me now, and then, and there, and here,
the said Mr. _Dermond O Folivey_, to be the fittest, the most
mightiest, and the most ablest, and the most best, and the most
accomplished, and the most eloquentest Spokesman within the said
Barony and County, their granded, and well beloved, and well
bestowed, and better merited Agent and Sollicitor, to represent
Oppression, and Suppression, and Extortion, for all such, and for all
much, and whereof, and whereby, and whereupon, your Petitioner
fairly, and finely, and honestly, and ingeniously, and deservedly
appointed, nominated, constituted, and ordained, and elected, and
approved, and made choice of me the said Mr. _Dermond O Folivey_ as
an Agent and Sollicitor, to undergo, and overgo, and under-run, and
over-run, and manage this much, big, and mighty Service.
`These are therefore to will, and to shall be, now, and then,
and there, and at this time, and at the time past, and heretofore,
and formerly, and at the present, and forever, the humble, and
special, and important, and mighty, and irrefatigable Request of me,
your Petitioner and Sollicitor-General aforesaid; THAT your Lordship
will be pleased, and satisfied, and resolved, to grant, and give, and
deliver, and bestow, upon me Mr. _Dermond O Folivey_, your before
recited, and nominated Petitioner and Sollicitor-General aforesaid,
an Order and Judgment, and Warrant, and Authority of Preference to my
Lord _Kerry_, and Mr. _Henry Punceby_, Esq; and Justice of the Peace
and Quorum, or to any four or five or more or less, or either or
neither of them, now, and then, and there, and here, and any where,
and every where, and somewhere, and no-where, to call and bring, and
fetch, and carry, before him, or them, or either of them, or neither,
or both, such Party or Parties as they shall imagine, and conceive,
and consider, and suppose, and assent, and esteem, and think fit, and
meet, and necessary, and decent, and convenient, all, and every, and
either, or neither of them, to call, to examine, and call to a strict
Account; and that Part, and most Part, Extortion; and then, and
there, when, and where, and whether, to establish, and elect, and
direct, and impower, and authorize all such, and all much, Bailiffs,
and under Receivers, and Collectors and Gatherers-together of Money,
as your Petitioner did, or do, or have, or had, or shall, or will, or
may, or might, or should, or could, or ought to chuse, or pitch upon
with, and punctually to desire my self Mr. _Dermond O Folivey_ that
they, them, and these, and every, and either, and neither of them,
that shall, and did, and have, and do, and will him in Peace, and
Unity, and Amity, and Concord, and Tranquility, henceforth, and for
the time to come, and hereafter, and for the time past, and not past,
and the time present, and now, and for everlasting; and especially
not to molest, or trouble, or hinder, or disturb, or hurt, or meddle
with the Petitioner, my self, Mr. _Dermond O Folivey_, in his
Possession of 72 Acres of Land in _Gertogolinmore_ in the Barony of
_Torrough_ and County of _Kerry_.'
Mr. _Dermond O Folivey._
_Given, and granted, and dated, and signed, and sealed by my
own Hand and with my own Hand, and for my own Hand, and under my own
Hand and Seal this -- Day of -- Anno Dom_.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, June 17, 1736
_The Drinker's Dictionary_
_Nothing more like a Fool than a drunken Man_.
Poor Richard.
'Tis an old Remark, that Vice always endeavours to assume the
Appearance of Virtue: Thus Covetousness calls itself _Prudence_;
_Prodigality_ would be thought _Generosity_; and so of others. This
perhaps arises hence, that Mankind naturally and universally approve
Virtue in their Hearts, and detest Vice; and therefore, whenever
thro' Temptation they fall into a Practice of the latter, they would
if possible conceal it from themselves as well as others, under some
other Name than that which properly belongs to it.
But DRUNKENNESS is a very unfortunate Vice in this respect. It
bears no kind of Similitude with any sort of Virtue, from which it
might possibly borrow a Name; and is therefore reduc'd to the
wretched Necessity of being express'd by distant round-about Phrases,
and of perpetually varying those Phrases, as often as they come to be
well understood to signify plainly that A MAN IS DRUNK.
Tho' every one may possibly recollect a Dozen at least of the
Expressions us'd on this Occasion, yet I think no one who has not
much frequented Taverns would imagine the number of them so great as
it really is. It may therefore surprize as well as divert the sober
Reader, to have the Sight of a new Piece, lately communicated to me,
entitled
The DRINKERS DICTIONARY.
A
He is Addled,
He's casting up his Accounts,
He's Afflicted,
He's in his Airs.
B
He's Biggy,
Bewitch'd,
Block and Block,
Boozy,
Bowz'd,
Been at Barbadoes,
Piss'd in the Brook,
Drunk as a Wheel-Barrow,
Burdock'd,
Buskey,
Buzzey,
Has Stole a Manchet out of the Brewer's Basket,
His Head is full of Bees,
Has been in the Bibbing Plot,
Has drank more than he has bled,
He's Bungey,
As Drunk as a Beggar,
He sees the Bears,
He's kiss'd black Betty,
He's had a Thump over the Head with Sampson's Jawbone,
He's Bridgey.
C
He's Cat,
Cagrin'd,
Capable,
Cramp'd,
Cherubimical,
Cherry Merry,
Wamble Crop'd,
Crack'd,
Concern'd,
Half Way to Concord,
Has taken a Chirriping-Glass,
Got Corns in his Head,
A Cup to much,
Coguy,
Copey,
He's heat his Copper,
He's Crocus,
Catch'd,
He cuts his Capers,
He's been in the Cellar,
He's in his Cups,
Non Compos,
Cock'd,
Curv'd,
Cut,
Chipper,
Chickery,
Loaded his Cart,
He's been too free with the Creature,
Sir Richard has taken off his Considering Cap,
He's Chap-fallen,
D
He's Disguiz'd,
He's got a Dish,
Kill'd his Dog,
Took his Drops,
It is a Dark Day with him,
He's a Dead Man,
Has Dipp'd his Bill,
He's Dagg'd,
He's seen the Devil,
E
He's Prince Eugene,
Enter'd,
Wet both Eyes,
Cock Ey'd,
Got the Pole Evil,
Got a brass Eye,
Made an Example,
He's Eat a Toad & half for Breakfast.
In his Element,
F
He's Fishey,
Fox'd,
Fuddled,
Sore Footed,
Frozen,
Well in for't,
Owes no Man a Farthing,
Fears no Man,
Crump Footed,
Been to France,
Flush'd,
Froze his Mouth,
Fetter'd,
Been to a Funeral,
His Flag is out,
Fuzl'd,
Spoke with his Friend,
Been at an Indian Feast.
G
He's Glad,
Groatable,
Gold-headed,
Glaiz'd,
Generous,
Booz'd the Gage,
As Dizzy as a Goose,
Been before George,
Got the Gout,
Had a Kick in the Guts,
Been with Sir John Goa,
Been at Geneva,
Globular,
Got the Glanders.
H
Half and Half,
Hardy,
Top Heavy,
Got by the Head,
Hiddey,
Got on his little Hat,
Hammerish,
Loose in the Hilts,
Knows not the way Home,
Got the Hornson,
Haunted with Evil Spirits,
Has Taken Hippocrates grand Elixir,
I
He's Intoxicated,
Jolly,
Jagg'd,
Jambled,
Going to Jerusalem,
Jocular,
Been to Jerico,
Juicy.
K
He's a King,
Clips the King's English,
Seen the French King,
The King is his Cousin,
Got Kib'd Heels,
Knapt,
Het his Kettle.
L
He's in Liquor,
Lordly,
He makes Indentures with his Leggs,
Well to Live,
Light,
Lappy,
Limber,
M
He sees two Moons,
Merry,
Middling,
Moon-Ey'd,
Muddled,
Seen a Flock of Moons,
Maudlin,
Mountous,
Muddy,
Rais'd his Monuments,
Mellow,
N
He's eat the Cocoa Nut,
Nimptopsical,
Got the Night Mare,
O
He's Oil'd,
Eat Opium,
Smelt of an Onion,
Oxycrocium,
Overset,
P
He drank till he gave up his Half-Penny,
Pidgeon Ey'd,
Pungey,
Priddy,
As good conditioned as a Puppy,
Has scalt his Head Pan,
Been among the Philistines,
In his Prosperity,
He's been among the Philippians,
He's contending with Pharaoh,
Wasted his Paunch,
He's Polite,
Eat a Pudding Bagg,
Q
He's Quarrelsome,
R
He's Rocky,
Raddled,
Rich,
Religious,
Lost his Rudder,
Ragged,
Rais'd,
Been too free with Sir Richard,
Like a Rat in Trouble.
S
He's Stitch'd,
Seafaring,
In the Sudds,
Strong,
Been in the Sun,
As Drunk as David's Sow,
Swampt,
His Skin is full,
He's Steady,
He's Stiff,
He's burnt his Shoulder,
He's got his Top Gallant Sails out,
Seen the yellow Star,
As Stiff as a Ring-bolt,
Half Seas over,
His Shoe pinches him,
Staggerish,
It is Star-light with him,
He carries too much Sail,
Stew'd
Stubb'd,
Soak'd,
Soft,
Been too free with Sir John Strawberry,
He's right before the Wind with all his Studding Sails out,
Has Sold his Senses.
T
He's Top'd,
Tongue-ty'd,
Tann'd,
Tipium Grove,
Double Tongu'd,
Topsy Turvey,
Tipsey,
Has Swallow'd a Tavern Token,
He's Thaw'd,
He's in a Trance,
He's Trammel'd,
V
He makes Virginia Fence,
Valiant,
Got the Indian Vapours,
W
The Malt is above the Water,
He's Wise,
He's Wet,
He's been to the Salt Water,
He's Water-soaken,
He's very Weary,
Out of the Way.
The Phrases in this Dictionary are not (like most of our Terms
of Art) borrow'd from Foreign Languages, neither are they collected
from the Writings of the Learned in our own, but gather'd wholly from
the modern Tavern-Conversation of Tiplers. I do not doubt but that
there are many more in use; and I was even tempted to add a new one
my self under the Letter B, to wit, _Brutify'd_: But upon
Consideration, I fear'd being guilty of Injustice to the Brute
Creation, if I represented Drunkenness as a beastly Vice, since, 'tis
well-known, that the Brutes are in general a very sober sort of
People.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, January 13, 1736/7
_Captain Farra_
The same Day arrived Capt.Farra, who has long been given over
for lost. In his Voyage from Jamaica hither, he was cast away in
Palachee Bay within Cape Florida, among the Cannibal Indians, who
were extreamly kind and assisted in saving the Cargo, Rigging, &c.
And News of the Wreck coming to Augustine, the Spaniards sent
Periagua's and other small Vessels round to take in what was sav'd,
and bring it to that Port; where Capt. Farra hir'd a Rhode-Island
Sloop to bring it hither. Had this English Vessel been forc'd ashore
on the civil, polite, hospitable, christian, protestant Coast of
Great-Britain, Query, _Might they have expected kinder Treatment from
their own Countrymen?_
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, June 2, 1737
_Upon the Talents Requisite in an Almanack-Writer_
_To the Author of the_ Pennsylvania Gazette.
_SIR,_
As I am a great Lover of all Works of Ingenuity, and the
Authors of them, so more especially am I a great Reader and Admirer
of those _Labours of the Learned_, called _ALMANACKS._
As I am a considerable Proficient in this Sort of Learning; and
as at this time of the Year, Copies of Almanacks for the next Year
usually come to the Press, long before they are wanted: And as I have
laid out many a Six-pence among your Customers, the Profit whereof
has in a great Measure redounded to you: So I may reasonably hope to
be look'd on as a good Customer, and claim a favourable Place in your
Paper.
I have a large Volume in Manuscript by me, on the Important
Subject of _Almanack-making_, which I may in time communicate to the
Publick; but at present I am willing to oblige them, with only a
Taste of my Skill, which (if I have any Title to the Art of
Prognostication) will certainly make them long for the whole.
My present Design, is to give to you and the Publick, _a short
Essay_, upon the Talents requisite in _an Almanack-Writer_, by which
it will plainly appear, how much the Community is indebted to Men of
such _great and uncommon Parts and Sagacity_.
An _Almanack-Writer_, Sir, should be born one like a Poet; for
as I read among the Works of the learned, _Poeta nascitur non fit_;
so it is a Maxim with me, that _Almanackorum scriptor nascitur not
fit_. Gifts of Nature, Sir, compleated by Rules of Art, are
indispensably Necessary to make a great Man this way, as well as any
other.
The first Thing requisite in an _Almanack-Writer_, is, _That he
should be descended of a great Family, and bear a Coat of Arms_, this
gives Lustre and Authority to what a Man writes, and makes the common
People to believe, that _certainly this is a great Man_. I have
known Almanack-Writers so curious and exact in this particular, that
they have been at the Expence and Charge of a Wooden Cut in the
Frontispiece, with their Arms emblazon'd, and surrounded with a
Label, expressing the Name of the Family. This, Sir, made a great
Impression, I confess, upon myself and others, and made those Works
to go off well.
If the Author who was _born to be an Almanack-maker_, has the
Misfortune to be meanly descended, but yet, has a true Genius; if he
has by him, or can borrow a Book, entitul'd the Peerage of _England_,
he may safely borrow a Coat, (if there happens to be a Peer of his
own Name) by reason, we are so great a Way distant from the Earl
Marshal of that Part of _Great-Britain_ call'd _England_.
The next Talent requisite in the forming of _a compleat
Almanack-Writer_, is a Sort of Gravity, which keeps a due medium
between Dulness and Nonsence, and yet has a Mixture of both. Now you
know, Sir, that grave Men are taken by the common People always for
wise Men. Gravity is just as good a Picture of Wisdom, as Pertness
is of Wit, and therefore very taking. And to compleat an
Almanack-maker, in this particular, he shou'd write Sentences, and
throw out Hints, that neither himself, nor any Body else can
understand or know the Meaning of. And this is also a necessary
Talent. I will give you some Instances of this Way of Writing, which
are almost inimitable, such as these, _Leeds, Jan_. 23. 1736.
_Beware, the Design is suspected_. Feb. 23. _The World is bad with
somebody_. Mar. 27. _Crimes not remitted_. April 10. _Cully Mully
puff appears_. May 21 _The Sword of Satan is drawn_. June 7. _The
Cat eat the Candle_. Now, Sir, Why should the Sword of Satan be
drawn to kill the Cat on the 21st Day of _May_, when it plainly
appears in Print, that the Cat did not eat the Candle till the 7th of
_June_ following? This Question no Man but an Astrologer can
possibly answer.
In the next Place, I lay it down as a certain Maxim or
Position, that _an Almanack-Writer shou'd not be a finish'd Poet, but
a Piece of one_, and qualify'd to write, what we vulgarly call
Doggerel; and that his Poetry shou'd bear a near Resemblance to his
Prose. I must beg _Horace's_ and my Lord _Roscommon's_ Pardon, if I
dissent from them in this one particular. I will give you their Rule
in my Lord's English Translation, and save myself the Trouble of
transcribing the Latin of _Horace_.
_But no Authority of Gods nor Men
Allow of any Mean in Poesy."
This might for all I know be a Rule for Poetry among the
Ancients, but the Moderns have found it troublesome, and the most of
them, have wholly neglected it for that Reason. Witness the Authors
Verses, whose Praise I am now celebrating, _December_ 1736.
_Now is my_ 12 _Months Task come to conclusion,
_Lord free us from Hatred, Envy and Confusion_.
_All are not pleas'd, nor never will i'th' main_.
_Fewds and Discords among us will remain_.
_Be that as 'twill, however I'm glad to see,
Envy disappointed both at Land and Sea_.
I do not pretend to say, that this is like the Poetry of
_Horace_, or Lord _Roscommon_, but it is the Poesy of an Astrologer;
it is his own and not borrowed; It is occult and mysterious. It has
a due Degree of that Sort of Gravity, which I have mentioned: In
short, it is form'd upon the Rules which I have laid down in this
short Essay.
I could further prove to you, if I was to go about it, That _an
Almanack-Writer_ ought not only to be a Piece of a Wit, but a very
Wag; and that he shou'd have the Art also to make People believe,
that he is almost a Conjurer, &c. But these Things I reserve for my
greater Work, and in the mean time, until that appears, I desire to
remain,
_Sir,_
_Sept_. 27. 1737. _Your very humble Servant,_
PHILOMATH.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, October 20, 1737
_The Compassion of Captain Croak_
On the 3d Inst. arrived here the _Rose_, of _London_, Capt.
_Croak_ Commander, from whom we have the following Relation, viz.
That on the 17th of _June_ last, being on his Voyage from
_Newfoundland_ to this Port, and in the Latitude of 41 Deg. N. and 48
Deg. of Longitude, he espied a Sail that made Signals of Distress;
whereupon he came up to her, and found her so near Sinking, that he
had only just Time to save the Persons belonging to her, (who were to
the Number of 61) for he had no sooner taken them on board his own
Vessel, but the other foundered in the Sea. The Persons thus
providentially saved, informed him:
That they were for the most part indented Servants and set Sail
from _Cork_ for _Boston_, the 29th of _March_ last, on board the said
Vessel, which was called the Speedwell, of which _William Stockdale_
had been Master. That about the 7th of _May_, their Water and Bread
beginning to fall short, they were obliged to touch at the Island of
St. _Michael_'s, and having lain there at Anchor, about 5 Days, a
boisterous and violent Wind, blowing S W (while the Captain and
Super-Cargo, and several others belonging to the Vessel were on
Shore) forced her out to Sea, leaving her Anchor and Cable behind.
That it was 21 Days before she could recover the Island, and being
arrived there, which was on a Friday, those on board were informed,
that the Master and those before mentioned, to have been left ashore,
had set Sail for _Lisbon_ the Friday before, on Board one Capt.
_Gillegan_. That thereupon the Persons, who had then the Care of the
Vessel, put to Sea in order to proceed on their Voyage to _Boston_.
That having met with a hard Gale of Wind, which caused the Vessel's
Larboard Quarter to give way, they were obliged to keep two Pumps a
going without Intermission, during the Space of three Days, when they
most providentially met with the _Rose_, that saved their Lives,
which otherwise were inevitably lost. _As it was running a Risque,
which few others have cared to do, it was therefore a more remarkable
Act of Humanity, in the Commander of the_ Rose, _to take so many
additional Mouths on Board, when he had only Provisions for his own
Company. This is such an Instance of a laudable Compassion, that it
is to be wished it may not be more admired than imitated on the like
Occasions.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, August 10, 1738
_Octuplets_
_Aug_. 5. We hear that the Wife of a Peasant in the District of
_Boisleduc_ was brought to Bed of eight Children, seven Girls and one
Boy, who were all living.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, November 24, 1738
_Obadiah Plainman Defends the Meaner Sort_
_To the Author of the Letter in the last_ Pennsylvania _Gazette._
_SIR,_
On my first hearing of the Outcry that was raised against the
Paragraph, that related to the shutting up of the Concert Room, _&c_.
I immediately called for the _Gazette_; but, tho' I read the Article
over and over with the greatest Attention, I was not able to discover
in it the least injurious Reflection on the Characters of the
Gentlemen concerned. My ill Success, I then attributed to my
Stupidity, and concluded that the Abuse, tho' I could not see it,
must nevertheless be very perspicuous to the BETTER SORT, otherwise,
they would not have made so loud a Complaint against it, as it is
publickly known they did, _since it was in the publick Street_.
I comforted myself with the Hopes, that, on the Appearance of
your Letter, the Mist would have been dispelled from my Eyes. But, I
can't help declaring, that, notwithstanding all the Assistance you
have furnished me with, the Injury complained of, still remains to me
as great a Secret as ever.
You tell us _the Paragraph manifestly carries in it an
Insinuation,_ that _the Persons concerned in the Concert declin'd
meeting, as thinking it inconsistent with the Doctrine of the
Christian Religion_. But, with Submission, I think the Paragraph
manifestly insinuates the quite contrary. It mentions, that the
Gentlemen concerned in the Concert, _&c_. caused the Door to be
_broke open_, which was the strongest Evidence that could be given of
their Dislike to the Principles on which it had been shut up.
Therefore, tho' it immediately follows, that no Company came the last
Assembly Night, it was _most unnatural_ to suppose they should so
_suddenly_ have changed their Sentiments, and declined their
Diversions on any religious Consideration.
Let us admit for Argument's Sake (which, otherwise, can by no
Means be admitted) that the Words are guilty of the Insinuation,
which you are so fond it should be thought they are. Yet, how does
it appear that the Characters of the Gentlemen are injured by it?
You tell us, _They think so_. But, is that a Reason to induce _Us_
to believe it is _really_ so? Since you have appealed to the _Mob_
as _Judges_ of this IMPORTANT Controversy, I must inform you, that
the Assertion (and much less, _the Belief_) of any Man, never passes
for Argument at _Our_ impartial Tribunal. For my own Part (I speak
with an humble Deference to the rest of my Brethren) I cannot
conceive how any Person's Reputation can be prejudiced, tho' it
should be reported, that he has left off making of Legs, or cutting
of Capers.
Perhaps you will object, _that it is not the Fact, but the
Motive, which is controverted; That you admit the Company did not
meet; but deny, they declined meeting, for the Reason, which,_ as you
pretend, _is insinuated in the Gazette_. If this be the true State
of the Question, _we_ unanimously pronounce the Accusation to be
groundless. In Matters of such a Nature, no Man can judge of your
Thoughts but yourself: Therefore, your Denial of the Charge was a
sufficient, and indeed the _only_ proper Defence you could make.
But you were not contented to stop here, but must needs tell
_us_ incoherent Stories of Mr. _Whitefield_ and Mr. _Seward_, and,
under Pretence of a Vindication, foist into the News-Paper Invectives
against those two Gentlemen. You might with equal Propriety have
entertained _Us_ with the History of _Romulus_ and _Remus_, and
entituled it "an Argument to prove, that you did not _think_ Dancing,
or _idle_ Capering an unchristian Diversion."
I hope, Sir, from what I have said, you are now convinced, that
you have brought before _Us_ a most _ridiculous_ Complaint against an
_imaginary_ Abuse, and consequently you have been all this Time doing
nothing more than beating the Air, and _fighting without an
Adversary_.
In the next Place, I am to reprimand you, Sir, for your
disrespectful Behaviour to _Us_, whom you had chosen for your Judges.
_We_ take Notice, that you have ranked yourself under the
Denomination of the BETTER SORT of People, which is an Expression
always made use of in Contradistinction to the _meaner Sort_, _i.e._
the Mob, or the Rabble. Tho' _We_ are not displeased with such
Appellations when bestowed on _Us_ by our Friends, yet _We_ have ever
regarded them as Terms of outrageous Reproach, when applied to _Us_
by our Enemies; for in this (and so it is in many other Cases) the
Words are to receive their Construction from the _known_ Mind of the
Speaker: Your _Demosthenes'_ and _Ciceroes_, your _Sidneys_ and
_Trenchards_ never approached _Us_ but with Reverence: _The High and
Mighty Mob_, _The Majesty of the Rabble_, _The Honour and Dignity of
the Populace_, _Or_ such _like_ Terms of Respect, were frequent in
their Orations; and what a high Opinion they entertained of the
Accuracy of _Our_ Judgment, appears from those elaborate Compositions
they addressed to _Us_.
They never took upon them to make a Difference of Persons, but
as they were distinguished by their Virtues or their Vices. But now
our present Scriblers expect our Applause for reviling us to our
Faces. They consider us as a stupid Herd, in whom the Light of
Reason is extinguished. Hence every impertinent Babler thinks
himself qualified to harangue us, without Style, Argument or Justness
of Sentiment. Your gross Deficiency in the two latter Particulars I
have already given Instances of; and as to your Skill in Language you
have furnished _Us_ with the following notable Example: You affirm
_That Mr_. Whitefield's _Tenets are mischievous_: Therefore, on that
Supposition, it is impossible they should be contemptible; yet, with
the same Breath _you assure_ Us, _that you have them in the utmost
Contempt_. This is the merriest Gibberish I ever met with. Surely,
you have not published it as a Sample of the Stile of those polite
Folks, who by their own Authority, _"contrary to Law and Justice,
without any previous Application to or Consent first had"_ of their
Fellow-Citizens, have usurped the Title of the BETTER SORT.
Under these _gentle_ Reprehensions _We_ now dismiss you, hoping
you will make a proper Use of them, when you shall judge it
_convenient_ to appeal to _Us_ again.
_I am, _On Behalf of myself and the Rest of my
Brethren of the_ Meaner Sort,
Yours, _&c_.
OBADIAH PLAINMAN.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, May 15, 1740
_Obadiah Plainman to Tom Trueman_
_To_ TOM TRUEMAN.
_Dear Tommy,_
Tho' there are two Letters addressed to me, one in the
_Gazette_, and the other in the _Mercury_; yet, from the near
Conformity they bear to one another in Sentiment, Reasoning, and
_Similes_, I am apt to conclude they were wrote by the same Hand,
_Or_, if by different Persons, that they communicated their Thoughts
to one another, and then club'd them together for the Service of the
_Public_. On the latter Supposition, it would be unnecessary in my
Reply, to regard them as distinct Performances of several Writers; I
therefore address myself to you as the Author of both.
You tell me you have found out by my Letter, that I imagine
myself the Prince and Leader of a mighty People. I wonder how a
Genius so penetrating as yours could be led into so gross an Error:
For, alas! I am but a poor ordinary Mechanick of this City, obliged
to work hard for the Maintenance of myself, my Wife, and several
small Children. When my daily Labour is over, instead of going to
the Alehouse, I amuse myself with the Books of the Library Company,
of which I am an _unworthy_ Member. This Account of my
Circumstances, the Meanness of my Education, and my innocent Manner
of Life, I hope, will effectually remove those _groundless_
Suspicions, which you seemed to entertain, of my being in a Plot
against the State.
You are pleased to inform me, that _you are_ But _a young Man,
Country-born_. In Return for such an _important_ Discovery, I will
let you into another Secret of as great Consequence. -- "Hark in your
Ear," _I am_ But _an old Man not Country-born_. In Respect of Soil,
I presume neither of us will pretend to any Superiority; but the
Pre-eminence being on my Side in Regard to my Age, I shall make Use
of that Privilege to _Document_ you a little.
I shall first consider the argumentative Part of your Letter in
the Gazette. You there assert, _that from the first Facts alledged
in the Paragraph, supposing nothing more said, a Stranger would
unquestionably imagine that the Rooms were shut up by the Owners_.
This Assertion is granted you, _because_ you are so kind to allow
that It is absolutely _destroyed_ by the Remainder of the Article;
which says, _the Gentlemen caused the Door to be broke open again_.
Thus far we have travelled, thro' the Construction of the Paragraph,
with a mutual Agreement, and a wonderful Satisfaction on both Sides.
But now you ask, _What does the Author mean by informing the World
that no Company came the,_ then, _last Assembly Night?_ Ay, what does
he mean? This is the "plaguy" Difficulty that has so _strangely
puzzled_, and which still seems to _continue_ to puzzle the _Better
Sort_. You are however sure, for your Part, that his Words must be
intended to signify _Something_ or _NOTHING_. As I shall always be
ready to gratify you, when I can do it safely, I agree to your latter
Alternative. But then, how can those Words which, on your own
Concession, mean NOTHING, carry in them the _Insinuation_ you contend
for, or any Insinuation at all. This notwithstanding, you think
yourself so absolutely certain of the Truth of your Consequence, that
one would imagine you were ready to take your corporal Oath of it,
when required, tho' you acknowledge there is not the _least Shadow_
of any Premises from which it can be deduced. This is such strange
Reasoning, that _doubtless, it has been reserved to this Time,
solely,_ dear _Tommy,_ for a Head so singularly clear and logical as
yours. You desire I would show the World the Interpretation the
Words will bear. Your Request, my dear Child, is contrary to all
Laws of Argument, and therefore (tho' I am heartily sorry it should
happen so) I cannot comply with your Desire. If you advance an
Assertion, it is at your own Peril to support it with Proofs, which
if you fail in, every one has a Right to _reject it as false_.
In my first I did not give any Construction of the Paragraph,
for my Business was to defend it from the Insinuation with which it
unjustly stood accused; and therefore, from the Gentlemen's declared
Dislike of Mr. _Whitefield_'s Principles, I inferred it was unnatural
to suppose they should so suddenly have changed their Sentiments.
Against this Defence you object, _that the_ Followers of Mr.
_Whitefield_ would naturally believe so sudden a Conversion. Now,
that They should be capable of _Thinking_ so, whom, in the first
Colume of the _Gazette_, you regard as _irrational_ Creatures, and,
consequently, destitute of the Faculty of _Thinking_, is to me quite
incomprehensible.
I now proceed to your Complaint of the gross Misrepresentation,
as you imagine, of the Meaning of the Words, _Better Sort_, in your
first Letter. That _notable_ Epistle was published as the Sentiments
of the whole Company concerned in the Concert. Therefore (whether
the Fact be so or not; for that is entirely out of the Question) I
had NO RIGHT to consider it, but as Theirs, nor Them in any other
Light than as they there appeared, namely as Part of the _People_,
which always signifies the Governed, or _private Persons_. Tho' the
Stile be in the third Person, yet, without any Prejudice to the
Sense, it may be changed to the first, and then it will run thus, _We
think our Characters injured by the Paragraph, as tho' Mr_.
Whitefield _had met with great Success among us the_ BETTER SORT _of
People of Pennsilvania_. This Case has no Manner of Resemblance to
those which you have put, of Boys at Bandy-Wicket, young Fellows at
Foot-Ball, Magistrates on the Bench, Quakers with their Hats on, or
the Library Company with their Hats off or on, for all those Persons
are said to be OF the _Better Sort_, which does not exclude others
from the same Rank. But the Denomination of _Better Sort_ in your
first Letter (where the Particle _of_, as applied in the latter
Cases, cannot be found) is evidently engrossed by Those who, with
such a commendable Modesty, bestowed it on themselves. Now when
private Persons publickly stile themselves, exclusively of all
others, the BETTER SORT of People of the Province, can it be doubted
but that they look on the Rest of their Fellow Subjects in the same
Government with Contempt, and consequently regard them as Mob and
Rabble. For so gross an Insult on the People in general, I
endeavoured (but without respecting any Party in particular, as you
groundlessly insinuate) to turn the Writer into Ridicule; and
therefore made Use of the Words Mob and Rabble, to expose him more
effectually; but with very different Ideas annexed to them in my Mind
(of which I was careful to give Notice) from those they receive, when
deduced from that extraordinary Epistle. In my Animadversions on it
I personated the Public, which you charge as a Crime, tho' it is an
allowed Figure in Speech, frequently used, and particularly by those
great Assertors of _Public Liberty_, whose Names I mentioned at the
Time.
I imagined my Design lay so apparently on the Surface, that you
could not have overlooked it. However, I am far from imitating the
Example you have set me, and shall not attribute your Mistake of my
Intentions, to an impenetrable Stupidity; but I fairly place it on
the Obscurity of my Stile.
This, dear _Tommy_, will be esteem'd a very liberal Concession,
by those who consider your Unskilfulness in Language. You have not,
by your Answer, mended the Blunder I remarked in your first: Your
saying, that the same Person may be both mischievous and
contemptible, is nothing to the Purpose; for you must regard him in
different Views before you can properly affirm so differently of him:
But Mr. _Whitefield_'s Doctrine you represented simply as
mischievous, and, under that Appearance only, you pronounced it the
Object of your Contempt. It seems as if you would rather have it
believed a Fault in Sentiment than Language: So you admit you
understood the Word, but charge the wrong Application of it, to the
Defect of your Judgment. In my poor Opinion, you gain nothing by the
Change, to furnish Matter of Triumph.
Tho' your Absurdities and Mistakes are such, that no Writer was
ever guilty of before; yet, I question not, but you will inform the
World in your next, as you did in your last, that my Animadversions
on them are only _Extracts out of other Men's Works,_ viz. _those of
the Party-Writers in_ England. I have, more than once, told you,
that no Man has a Right to bring an Accusation before the Publick,
without bringing his _Proofs_ along with it. You have confined your
Evidence, which is to support this Charge, to the Party-Writers of
_Great Britain_. I will not limit you to them, but shall admit, that
there is a _Possibility_ of its being true, if you can produce any
Author, of any Age or Country, that ever was engaged in a Controversy
_of the like Nature_ with Ours. The Paragraph in Dispute contains
but five Lines. The Insinuation, deduced from it in your first, is
also comprized within five; in your second it takes up fifteen; I
_hope_ I shall live to see the Day, when It shall have swelled to a
large Volume in Folio: For so useful and edifying a Work, as that is
likely to be, must redound to the immortal Honour of that IMPORTANT
Article of News, in the Reputation and Defence of which I am so
_deeply_ interested.
As to the PERSONAL SCANDAL, in both your Letters, it is a
Commodity I never deal in; and therefore, cannot make you any Return
for those _flagrant_ UNMERITED _Civilities_, which I have received
from your _polite_ Hand. However, if you think that such delicate
_genteel_ Touches of Raillery will be of any Service to you, in the
farther Prosecution of this _worthy_ Argument, I shall be far from
objecting against your Use of them.
And so, _my dear_ Tommy, _for the present_,
_I bid you heartily Farewell_.
OBADIAH PLAINMAN.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, May 29, 1740
_Religious Mood in Philadelphia_
During the Session of the _Presbyterian_ Synod, which began on
the 28th of the last Month, and continued to the third of this
Instant, there were no less than 14 Sermons preached on
_Society-Hill_ to large Audiences, by the Rev. Messrs. the
_Tennents_, Mr. _Davenport_, Mr. _Rowland_ and Mr. _Blair_, besides
what were deliver'd at the _Presbyterian_ and _Baptist_ Meetings, and
Expoundings and Exhortations in private Houses. The Alteration in
the Face of Religion here is altogether surprizing. Never did the
People show so great a Willingness to attend Sermons, nor the
Preachers greater Zeal and Diligence in performing the Duties of
their Function. Religion is become the Subject of most
Conversations. No Books are in Request but those of Piety and
Devotion; and instead of idle Songs and Ballads, the People are every
where entertaining themselves with Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs.
All which, under God, is owing to the successful Labours of the
Reverend Mr. _Whitefield_.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, June 12, 1740
_Statement of Editorial Policy_
It is a Principle among Printers, that when Truth has fair
Play, it will always prevail over Falshood; therefore, though they
have an undoubted Property in their own Press, yet they willingly
allow, that any one is entitled to the Use of it, who thinks it
necessary to offer his Sentiments on disputable Points to the
Publick, and will be at the Expence of it. If what is thus publish'd
be good, Mankind has the Benefit of it: If it be bad (I speak now in
general without any design'd Application to any particular Piece
whatever) the more 'tis made publick, the more its Weakness is
expos'd, and the greater Disgrace falls upon the Author, whoever he
be; who is at the same Time depriv'd of an Advantage he would
otherwise without fail make use of, _viz_. of Complaining, _that
Truth is suppress'd, and that he could say MIGHTY MATTERS, had he but
the Opportunity of being heard._
The Printers of this City have been unjustly reflected on, as
if they were under some undue Influence, and guilty of great
Partiality in favour of the Preaching lately admir'd among us, so as
to refuse Printing any Thing in Opposition to it, how just or
necessary soever. A Reflection entirely false and groundless, and
without the least Colour of Fact to support it; which all will be
convinc'd of when they see the following Piece from one Press, and
the Rev. Mr. _Cummings_'s Sermons against the Doctrines themselves,
from the other.
_Englishmen_ thought it an intolerable Hardship, when (tho' by
an Act of their own Parliament) Thoughts, which should be free, were
fetter'd and confin'd, and an Officer was erected over the Nation,
call'd _a Licenser of the Press_, without whose Consent no Writing
could be publish'd. Care might indeed be taken in the Choice of this
Officer, that he should be a Man of great Understanding, profound
Learning, and extraordinary Piety; yet, as the greatest and best of
Men may have _some_ Errors, and have been often found averse to
_some_ Truths, it was justly esteem'd a National Grievance, that the
People should have Nothing to read but the Opinions, or what was
agreeable to the Opinions of _ONE MAN_. But should every petty
Printer (who, if he can read his Hornbook, may be thought to have
Learning enough to qualify him for his own Sphere) presume to erect
himself into an Officer of this kind, and arbitrarily decide what
ought and what ought not to be published, much more justly might the
World complain. 'Tis true, where Invectives are contain'd in any
Piece, there is no good-natur'd Printer but had much rather be
employ'd in Work of another kind: However, tho' many personal
Reflections be interwoven in the following Performance, yet as the
Author _(who has subscrib'd his Name)_ thought them necessary, to
vindicate his own Conduct and Character, it is therefore hoped, on
that Consideration, the Reader will excuse the Printer for publishing
them.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, July 24, 1740
_Essay on Paper-Currency,
Proposing a New Method for Fixing Its Value_
_To the Author of the_ GENERAL MAGAZINE.
It appears by the Resolutions of the Honourable the House of
Commons of _Great Britain_, that it is their Opinion, that the
Issuing Paper Currencies in the _American_ Colonies hath been
prejudicial to the Trade of _Great Britain_, by causing a Confusion
in Dealings, and lessening of Credit in those Parts; and that there
is Reason to apprehend, that some Measures will be fallen upon, to
hinder or restrain any future Emissions of such Currencies, when
those that are now extant shall be called in and sunk. But if any
Scheme could be formed, for fixing and ascertaining the Value of
Paper Bills of Credit, in all future Emissions, it may be presumed
such Restraints will be taken off, as the Confusion complained of in
Dealings would thereby be avoided. Something of this Kind is here
attempted, in hopes that it may be improved into a useful Project.
But I shall first set down a few plain Remarks touching the
Fluctuation of Exchange, and the Value of Gold and Silver in the
Colonies; with some Observations on the Ballance of Trade; in order
to render what follows the more clear and intelligible.
I. Every particular Man, that is concerned in Trade, whose
Imports and Exports are not exactly equal, must either _draw_ Bills
of Exchange on other Countries, or _buy_ Bills to send abroad to
ballance his Accounts.
II. The Exports and Imports in any Colony, may be managed by
different Hands, and the Number of those chiefly imployed in the
latter may greatly exceed the Number of those imployed in the former.
Hence it is evident there may sometimes be many Buyers and few
Sellers of Bills of Exchange, even whilst the Exports may exceed in
Value the Imports: And it is easy to conceive, that in this Case,
Exchange may rise.
III. The _British_ Merchants, who trade to the Colonies, are
often unacquainted with the Advantages that may be made by building
of Ships there, or by the Commodities of those Colonies carried to
the _West-Indies_, or to Foreign Markets: And for that Reason,
frequently order all their Remittances in Bills of Exchange, tho'
less advantageous; which must encrease the Demand for Bills, and
enhance the Price of them.
IV. A great Demand in _Europe_ for any of the Commodities of
the Colonies, and large Orders for those Commodities from the
_British_ Merchants to their Factors here, with Directions to draw
for the Value, may occasion Exchange to fall for a Time, even tho'
the Imports should be greater than the Exports.
V. Hence it appears, that a sudden great Demand for Bills in
the Colonies, may, at any time, advance the Exchange; and a sudden
great Demand abroad for their Commodities may fall the Exchange.
VI. Gold and Silver will always rise and fall, very near in
Proportion as Exchange rises and falls; being only wanted, in those
Colonies that have a Paper Currency, for the same Use as Bills of
Exchange, _viz._ for Remittances to _England_.
VII. When few People can draw on _England_, or furnish those
who want Remittances with Gold or Silver, Paper Currency may fall
with respect to Sterling-Money and Gold and Silver, (by which the
_British_ Merchants always judge of it) and yet keep up to its
original Value in Respect to all other Things.
VIII. From all these Considerations, I think, it appears that
the Rising or Falling of the Exchange can be no sure Rule for
Discovering on which Side the Ballance of Trade lies; because that
Exchange may be affected by various Accidents independent thereof.
But in order to determine this Point with more Certainty, it should
be considered;
IX. That whatever is imported, must, first or last, be paid for
in the Produce or Manufactures of the Country: If the Commodities
exported in one Year be not sufficient to pay for what is imported,
the Deficiency must be made up by exporting more in succeeding Years;
otherwise the Colony becomes Debtor for so much as the Deficiency is;
which at last must be discharged (if it is ever discharged) by their
Lands.
X. If this has been the Case with any Colony; or if the Debt of
the Colony to _Great Britain_ has been increasing for several Years
successively, it is a Demonstration that the Ballance of Trade is
against them: But on the Contrary, if the Debt to _Great Britain_ is
lessening yearly, or not increasing, it is as evident, that the
Ballance of Trade is not against them; notwithstanding the Currency
of that Colony may be falling gradually all the while.
I shall now proceed to the Scheme for fixing the Value of a
Paper Currency, _viz_.
XI. Let it be supposed, that in some one of the Colonies the
Sum of 110,000 in Bills of Credit was proposed to be struck, and all
other Currencies to be called in and destroyed; and that 133 _l_. 6
_s_. 8 _d_. in these Bills should be equivalent to 100 _l_. Sterling;
which likewise would make the said Bills equal to Foreign Coins, at
the Rates settled by the Act of Parliament made in the Sixth Year of
Queen Anne_. At which Rate, according to this Scheme, it may be as
well settled as at any other.
XII. Let _One Hundred Thousand Pounds_ be emitted on Loan, upon
good Securities, either in Land or Plate, according to the Method
used in _Pensylvania_, the Borrowers to pay _Five per Cent per Annum_
Interest, together with a _Twentieth_ Part of the Principal, which
would give the Government an Opportunity of sinking it by Degrees, if
any Alteration in the Circumstances of the Province should make it
necessary: But if no such Necessity appeared, so much of the
Principal as should be paid in, might be re-emitted on the same Terms
as before.
XIII. The other _Ten Thousand_ Pounds to be laid out in such
Commodities as should be most likely to yield a Profit at Foreign
Markets, to be ship'd off on Account of the Colony, in order to raise
a Fund or Bank in _England_: Which Sum, so laid out, would in two
Years time, be returned into the Office again by the Interest Money.
XIV. The Trustees or Managers of this Bank to be impowered and
directed to supply all Persons that should apply to them, with Bills
of Exchange, to be drawn on the Colony's Banker in _London_, at the
aforesaid Rate of 133 _l_. 6 _s_. 8 _d_. of the said Bills of Credit
for 100 _l_. Sterling. The Monies thus brought in, to be laid out
again as before, and replaced in _England_ in the said Bank with all
convenient Speed: And as these provincial Bills would have, at least,
as good a Credit as those of any private Person; every Man, who had
occasion to draw, would, of Course, be obliged to dispose of his
Bills at the same Rate.
XV. It is by Means of this Bank, that it is proposed to
regulate the Rate of Exchange; and therefore it would be necessary to
make it so large, or procure the Trustees such a Credit in _London_,
as should discourage and prevent any mischievous Combinations for
draining it and rendering the Design useless. I know of no
Inconvenience that could arise by allotting double the proposed Sum
for that Service, but that the annual Interest would be lessen'd;
which in some Governments has been found a useful Engine for
defraying the publick Expence. But if only a Credit should be
thought needful, over and above the said Sum, and upon some Emergency
Recourse should be had to it, the Interest-Money would soon afford
sufficient Means for answering that Credit.
XVI. The Trustees might further be impowered and directed, to
take in Foreign Coins, at the Rates prescribed by the Act of
Parliament, from those who wanted to change them for Paper Currency,
and to exchange for those who wanted Gold and Silver. This, it is
imagined, might reduce those Coins again to a Currency, which now are
only bought and sold as a Commodity. Or, if it should be judged more
advantageous to the Credit of the Paper-Currency, Part of the
Proceeds of what should be sent abroad, might be returned to the
Province in Gold and Silver, for creating a Fund here.
XVII. I hope it will appear upon examining into the
Circumstances of the Paper-Money-Colonies, by the Rule proposed
above, that the Ballance of Trade has not been so much against them
as is commonly imagined; but that the Fall of their Currencies, with
Respect to Sterling, and to Gold and Silver, has been chiefly
occasioned either by some such Accidents as are above shewed to
influence it; which by this Scheme will be all prevented: Or to their
being issued without any good Foundation for supporting their Credit,
such as a Land Security, _&c_. However that be, I think, there can
be no room, upon our Plan, to fear, that the Credit of the
Paper-Currency can be injur'd, even though the Ballance of Trade were
against the Colony, while their Bank in _London_ can be duely
supported.
From the sad Consequence of a losing Trade, _viz_. that of
having the Property of the Lands transferr'd to another Country, it
appears absolutely necessary for every Colony, that finds or suspects
that to be its own Case, to think timely of all proper Means for
preventing it; such as encouraging Iron-Works, Ship-building, raising
and manufacturing of Hemp and Flax, and all other Manufactures not
prohibited by their Mother Country. They might likewise save
considerable Sums, which are now sent to _England_, by setting up and
establishing an Insurance-Office. This, I think, might effectually
be done by an Act of Assembly for impowering the Trustees of the
Loan-Office to subscribe all Policies that should be brought to them,
on such Terms as should be settled by the said Trustees jointly with
a Committee of Assembly, at a Meeting for that Purpose, once a Month,
or oftner if necessary. Besides the saving to the Country in the
Article of Trade, it would probably yield a considerable yearly
Income towards the Support of Government; it being evident, that most
prudent Insurers are great Gainers upon the Whole of their
Insurances, after all Losses are deducted.
Upon the Execution of this Scheme, I am persuaded, two very
great Advantages must accrue; _First_, That the Export would be
increased, and consequently bring the Ballance of Trade more in
favour of the Province: And, _Secondly_, that the Rate of Exchange
would be fixed and ascertained; which, 'tis hoped, would effectually
remove the Prejudices which the Merchants in _England_ seem to have
conceived against a Paper Currency in the Colonies.
_The General Magazine_, February, 1741
_Letter from Theophilus,
Relating to the Divine Prescience_
_To the Author of the_ GENERAL MAGAZINE.
SIR,
There is a Question in the Schools, and I think generally
resolved in the Affirmative; _Whether God concurs with all human
Actions or not?_ That is, Whether he be the principal efficient Cause
of every Action we produce? This Question, I say, is generally
resolved in the Affirmative: And the _Reason_ they give is this;
_Because,_ say they, _if God did not concur with every Action that's
produc'd, then there would be an Action, and consequently some Being,
independent of God, which is absurd: Therefore,_ &c.
It hath been the Opinion of many great and learned Men, that
second Causes have no proper Activity of their own; but that God acts
directly and immediately in them and by them; that he produces all
the Acts of Thinking, and all the Volitions or Acts of Willing; and
that he has from all Eternity decreed, _That he will do with such and
such a Creature, at such a Time, such and such Acts;_ which shall
_infallibly_ come to pass, the contrary whereof could not fall out
from any Principle in the Creature; that the Creature neither can nor
ought to have any thing real, nor positively do any Act but what God
produces in it.
There is no Possibility, they think, of defending the Doctrine
of the _Divine Prescience_, if this be deny'd. For nothing can be
foreknown that is contingent in its own Nature; but every Action
depending upon the Will of an Agent, left at Liberty to do as it
pleases, is contingent, _i. e._ it may or may not happen, and
therefore cannot be foreknown: For when any Being knows that a Thing
will be, it must be, otherwise it could not be an Object of
Knowledge: It is absolutely impossible to know, that any Event _will_
come to pass, that _may not_ come to pass.
So that whoever denies God's immediate Concourse with every
Action we produce, must of Consequence deny God's Foreknowledge.
I should be glad therefore to see some Remarks made upon this
Subject; and knowing of no better Method to invite some proper Person
to undertake it, I make bold to desire you to insert the Contents
hereof in the _General Magazine_ for the Month of _March_, and you
will oblige
_Your constant Reader, and
most humble Servant,_
THEOPHILUS.
_The General Magazine_, March, 1741
_Obituary of Andrew Hamilton_
On the 4th Instant, died ANDREW HAMILTON, Esq; and was the next
Day inter'd at _Bush-Hill_, his Country Seat. His Corps was attended
to the Grave by a great Number of his Friends, deeply affected with
their own, but more with their Country's Loss. He lived not without
Enemies: For, as he was himself open and honest, he took pains to
unmask the Hypocrite, and boldly censured the Knave, without regard
to Station and Profession. Such, therefore, may exult at his Death.
He steadily maintained the Cause of Liberty; and the Laws made,
during the time he was Speaker of the Assembly, which was many Years,
will be a lasting Monument of his Affection to the People, and of his
Concern for the welfare of this Province. He was no Friend to Power,
as he had observed an ill use had been frequently made of it in the
Colonies; and therefore was seldom upon good Terms with Governors.
This Prejudice, however, did not always determine his Conduct towards
them; for where he saw they meant well, he was for supporting them
honourably, and was indefatigable in endeavouring to remove the
Prejudices of others. He was long at the Top of his Profession here,
and had he been as griping as he was knowing and active, he might
have left a much greater Fortune to his Family than he has done: But
he spent more Time in hearing and reconciling Differences in private,
to the Loss of his Fees, than he did in pleading Causes at the Bar.
He was just, where he sat as a Judge; and tho' he was stern and
severe in his Manner, he was compassionate in his Nature, and very
slow to punish. He was the Poor Man's Friend, and was never known to
with-hold his Purse or Service from the Indigent or Oppressed. He
was a tender Husband and a fond Parent: But -- these are Virtues
which Fools and Knaves have sometimes in common with the Wise and the
Honest. His free Manner of treating Religious Subjects, gave Offence
to many, who, if a Man may judge by their Actions, were not
themselves much in earnest. He feared God, loved Mercy, and did
Justice: If he could not subscribe to the Creed of any particular
Church, it was not for want of considering them All; for he had read
much on Religious Subjects. He went through a tedious Sickness with
uncommon Chearfulness, Constancy and Courage. Nothing of affected
Bravery or Ostentation appeared; But such a Composure and Tranquility
of Mind, as results from the Reflection of a Life spent agreeable to
the best of a Man's Judgment. He preserved his Understanding and his
Regard for his Friends to the last Moment. What was given as a Rule
for a Poet, upon another Occasion, may be justly apply'd to Him upon
this,
------ _Servetur ad imum
Qualis ab incepto processerit, & sibi constet._
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, August 6, 1741
_Obituary of James Merrewether_
On Sunday last died after a short Illness, JAMES MERREWETHER, a
Person somewhat obscure, and of an unpromising Appearance, but
esteem'd by those few who enjoy'd an Intimacy with him, to be one of
the honestest, best, and wisest Men in Philadelphia.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, April 22, 1742
_I Sing My Plain Country Joan_
Poor RICHARD's Description of his
Country WIFE JOAN.
_A_ SONG -- TUNE, _The Hounds are all out_.
1. Of their _Chloes_ and _Phyllises_ Poets may prate,
I will sing my plain COUNTRY JOAN;
Twice twelve Years my Wife, still the Joy of my Life:
Bless'd Day that I made her my own,
_My dear Friends._
Bless'd Day that I made her my own.
2. Not a Word of her Shape, or her Face, or her Eyes,
Of Flames or of Darts shall you hear:
Though I BEAUTY admire, 'tis VIRTUE I prize,
Which fades not in seventy Years.
3. In Health a Companion delightful and gay,
Still easy, engaging, and free;
In Sickness no less than the faithfullest Nurse,
As tender as tender can be.
4. In Peace and good Order my Houshold she guides,
Right careful to save what I gain;
Yet chearfully spends, and smiles on the Friends
I've the Pleasure to entertain.
5. Am I laden with Care, she takes off a large Share,
That the Burden ne'er makes me to reel;
Does good Fortune arrive, the Joy of my Wife
Quite doubles the Pleasure I feel.
6. She defends my good Name, even when I'm to blame,
Friend firmer to Man ne'er was given:
Her compassionate Breast feels for all the distress'd,
Which draws down the Blessings of Heaven.
7. In Raptures the giddy Rake talks of his Fair,
Enjoyment will make him despise.
I speak my cool Sense, which long Exper'ence
And Acquaintance has chang'd in no Wise.
8. The Best have some Faults, and so has My JOAN,
But then they're exceedingly small,
And, now I'm us'd to 'em, they're so like my own,
I scarcely can feel them at all.
9. Was the fairest young Princess, with Millions in Purse,
To be had in Exchange for My JOAN,
She could not be a better Wife, might be a worse,
So I'll stick to My JUGGY alone,
_A Proposal for Promoting Useful Knowledge Among the British
Plantations in America_
The _English_ are possess'd of a long Tract of Continent, from
_Nova Scotia_ to _Georgia_, extending North and South thro' different
Climates, having different Soils, producing different Plants, Mines
and Minerals, and capable of different Improvements, Manufactures,
_&c._
The first Drudgery of Settling new Colonies, which confines the
Attention of People to mere Necessaries, is now pretty well over; and
there are many in every Province in Circumstances that set them at
Ease, and afford Leisure to cultivate the finer Arts, and improve the
common Stock of Knowledge. To such of these who are Men of
Speculation, many Hints must from time to time arise, many
Observa-tions occur, which if well-examined, pursued and improved,
might produce Discoveries to the Advantage of some or all of the
_British_ Plantations, or to the Benefit of Mankind in general.
But as from the Extent of the Country such Persons are widely
separated, and seldom can see and converse or be acquainted with each
other, so that many useful Particulars remain uncommunicated, die
with the Discoverers, and are lost to Mankind; it is, to remedy this
Inconvenience for the future, proposed,
That One Society be formed of Virtuosi or ingenious Men
residing in the several Colonies, to be called _The American
Philosophical Society_; who are to maintain a constant
Correspondence.
That _Philadelphia_ being the City nearest the Centre of the
Continent-Colonies, communicating with all of them northward and
southward by Post, and with all the Islands by Sea, and having the
Advantage of a good growing Library, be the Centre of the Society.
That at _Philadelphia_ there be always at least seven Members,
_viz_. a Physician, a Botanist, a Mathematician, a Chemist, a
Mechanician, a Geographer, and a general Natural Philosopher, besides
a President, Treasurer and Secretary.
That these Members meet once a Month, or oftner, at their own
Expence, to communicate to each other their Observations,
Experiments, _&c._ to receive, read and consider such Letters,
Communications, or Queries as shall be sent from distant Members; to
direct the Dispersing of Copies of such Communications as are
valuable, to other distant Members, in order to procure their
Sentiments thereupon, _&c._
That the Subjects of the Correspondence be, All new-discovered
Plants, Herbs, Trees, Roots, _&c._ their Virtues, Uses, _&c._ Methods
of Propagating them, and making such as are useful, but particular to
some Plantations, more general. Improvements of vegetable Juices, as
Cyders, Wines, _&c_. New Methods of Curing or Preventing Diseases.
All new-discovered Fossils in different Countries, as Mines,
Minerals, Quarries, _&c_. New and useful Improvements in any Branch
of Mathematicks. New Discoveries in Chemistry, such as Improvements
in Distillation, Brewing, Assaying of Ores, _&c_. New Mechanical
Inventions for saving Labour; as Mills, Carriages, _&c_. and for
Raising and Conveying of Water, Draining of Meadows, _&c_. All new
Arts, Trades, Manufactures, _&c_. that may be proposed or thought of.
Surveys, Maps and Charts of particular Parts of the Sea-coasts, or
Inland Countries; Course and Junction of Rivers and great Roads,
Sit-uation of Lakes and Mountains, Nature of the Soil and
Productions, _&c_. New Methods of Improving the Breed of useful
Animals; Introducing other Sorts from foreign Countries. New
Improvements in Planting, Gardening, Clearing Land, _&c_. And all
philosophical Experiments that let Light into the Nature of Things,
tend to increase the Power of Man over Matter, and multiply the
Conveniencies or Pleasures of Life.
That a Correspondence already begun by some intended Members,
shall be kept up by this Society with the ROYAL SOCIETY of _London_,
and with the DUBLIN SOCIETY.
That every Member shall have Abstracts sent him Quarterly, of
every Thing valuable communicated to the Society's Secretary at
_Philadelphia_; free of all Charge except the Yearly Payment
hereafter mentioned.
That by Permission of the Postmaster-General, such
Communications pass between the Secretary of the Society and the
Members, Postage-free.
That for defraying the Expence of such Experiments as the
Society shall judge proper to cause to be made, and other contingent
Charges for the common Good, every Member send a Piece of Eight _per
Annum_ to the Treasurer, at _Philadelphia_, to form a Common Stock,
to be disburs'd by Order of the President with the Consent of the
Majority of the Members that can conveniently be consulted thereupon,
to such Persons and Places where and by whom the Experiments are to
be made, and otherwise as there shall be Occasion; of which
Disbursements an exact Account shall be kept, and communicated yearly
to every Member.
That at the first Meetings of the Members at _Philadelphia_,
such Rules be formed for Regulating their Meetings and Transactions
for the General Benefit, as shall be convenient and necessary; to be
afterwards changed and improv'd as there shall be Occasion, wherein
due Regard is to be had to the Advice of distant Members.
That at the End of every Year, Collections be made and printed,
of such Experiments, Discoveries, Improvements, _&c_. as may be
thought of publick Advantage: And that every Member have a Copy sent
him.
That the Business and Duty of the Secretary be, To receive all
Letters intended for the Society, and lay them before the President
and Members at their Meetings; to abstract, correct and methodize
such Papers, _&c_. as require it, and as he shall be directed to do
by the President, after they have been considered, debated and
digested in the Society; to enter Copies thereof in the Society's
Books, and make out Copies for distant Members; to answer their
Letters by Direction of the President, and keep Records of all
material Transactions of the Society, _&c_.
_Benjamin Franklin_, the Writer of this Proposal, offers
himself to serve the Society as their Secretary, 'till they shall be
provided with one more capable.
_Philadelphia, May_ 14. 1743.
Philadelphia, broadside, 1743
_Apology for the Young Man in Goal_
_An_ Apology _for the young Man in Goal, and in Shackles, for
ravishing an old Woman of_ 85 _at_ Whitemarsh, _who had only one Eye,
and that a red one_.
Unhappy Youth, that could not longer stay,
Till by old Age thy Choice had dy'd away;
A few Days more had given to thy Arms,
Free from the Laws, her aged Lump of Charms,
Which, tho' defunct, might feel not less alive
Than we imagine Maids of Eighty-five;
Or hadst thou staid till t'other Eye was gone,
Thou mightst have lov'd and jogg'd securely on.
Yet may thy Council urge this prudent Plea,
That by one Crime, thou has avoided three;
For had a Mare or Sow attack'd thy Love,
No human Form to save thy Life would move;
Or had thy Lust been offer'd to a Male,
All Vindications would and ought to fail;
Or hadst thou sought a blooming Virgin's Rape,
Thou shouldst not from the Penalty escape:
But when the Object is long past her Flow'r,
And brings no County-Charge, and wants no Dow'r;
Who, slighted all her Life, would fain be ravish'd,
Thou shouldst be pity'd for thy Love so lavish'd.
_The American Weekly Mercury_, September 15, 1743
_An Over-Masted Privateer_
Sunday last the Tartar, Capt. Mackey, sail'd down the Bay in
order to proceed on his Cruise, but being (as 'tis said) over-masted,
and not well ballasted, she was unfortunately overset, by a slight
Flaw of Wind, near the Capes, and sunk immediately in about 8 Fathom
Water. The Captain with about 60 Officers and Seamen were saved in
her Long-boat, and went ashore at the Cape; 14 were taken up by Capt.
Plasket in a Pilot Boat; and Capt. Claes, who was coming in from
Barbadoes, ran his Vessel near the Ship, and took up 47. The rest
perished. 'Tis expected she will soon be weigh'd, and with some
Alterations, fitted out again, as she is a most extraordinary Sailor;
so that we hope our Enemies will hardly hear of the Misfortune,
before they find they have no great Reason to rejoice at it.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, July 5, 1744
_American Privateers_
'Tis computed that there are and will be before Winter 113 Sail
of Privateers at Sea, from the _British American_ Colonies; most of
them stout Vessels and abundantly well mann'd. A Naval Force, equal
(some say) to that of the Crown of _Great-Britain_ in the Time of
Queen _Elizabeth_.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, August 30, 1744
_Account of Louisburgh_
As the _CAPE-BRETON_ Expedition is at present the Subject of
most Conversations, we hope the following Draught (rough as it is,
for want of good Engravers here) will be acceptable to our Readers;
as it may serve to give them an Idea of the Strength and Situation of
the Town now besieged by our Forces, and render the News we receive
from thence more intelligible.
EXPLANATION.
1. The Island Battery, at the Mouth of the Harbour, mounting 34
Guns, ------ Pounders. This Battery can rake Ships
PLAN of the Town and Harbour of _LOUISBURGH_.
fore and aft before they come to the Harbour's Mouth, and take
them in the Side as they are passing in.
2. The Grand Battery, of 36 Forty-two Pounders, planted right
against the Mouth of the Harbour, and can rake Ships fore and aft as
they enter.
3. The Town N. East Battery, which mounts 18 Twenty-four
Pounders on two Faces, which can play on the Ships as soon as they
have entered the Harbour.
4. The Circular Battery, which mounts 16 Twenty four Pounders,
stands on high Ground, and overlooks all the Works. This Battery can
also gaul Ships, as soon as they enter the Harbour.
5. Three Flanks, mounting 2 Eighteen Pounders each.
6. A small Battery, which mounts 8 Nine Pounders. All these
Guns command any Ship in the Harbour.
7. The Fort or Citadel, fortified distinctly from the Town, in
which the Governor lives.
8. A Rock, called the Barrel.
T The Center of the Town. L The Light-House.
Every Bastion of the Town Wall has Embrasures or Ports for a
Number of Guns to defend the Land Side.
The black Strokes drawn from the several Batteries, shew the
Lines in which the Shot may be directed.
_CAPE-BRETON_ Island, on which _Louisburgh_ is built, lies on
the South of the Gulph of _St. Lawrence_, and commands the Entrance
into that River, and the Country of _Canada_. It is reckon'd 140
Leagues in Circuit, full of fine Bays and Harbours, extreamly
convenient for Fishing Stages. It was always reckon'd a Part of
_Nova-Scotia_. For the Importance of this Place see our _Gazette_,
No. 858. As soon as the French King had begun the present unjust War
against the English, the People of _Louisburgh_ attack'd the
_New-England_ Town of _Canso_, consisting of about 150 Houses and a
Fort, took it, burnt it to the Ground, and carried away the People,
Men, Women and Children, Prisoners. They then laid Siege to
_Annapolis Royal_, and would have taken it, if seasonable Assistance
had not been sent from _Boston_. Mr. _Duvivier_ went home to
_France_ last Fall for more Soldiers, _&c_. to renew that Attempt,
and for Stores for Privateers, of which they proposed to fit out a
great Number this Summer, being the last Year unprovided: Yet one of
their Cruisers only, took 4 Sail in a few Days, off our Capes, to a
very considerable Value. What might we have expected from a dozen
Sail, making each 3 or 4 Cruises a Year? They boasted that during
the War they should have no Occasion to cut Fire-Wood, for that the
Jackstaves of English Vessels would be a Supply sufficient. It is
therefore in their own NECESSARY DEFENCE, as well as that of all the
other _British_ Colonies, that the People of _New-England_ have
undertaken the present Expedition against that Place, to which may
the _GOD OF HOSTS_ grant Success. _Amen_.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, June 6, 1745
_Old Mistresses Apologue_
My dear Friend, June 25. 1745
I know of no Medicine fit to diminish the violent natural
Inclinations you mention; and if I did, I think I should not
communicate it to you. Marriage is the proper Remedy. It is the
most natural State of Man, and therefore the State in which you are
most likely to find solid Happiness. Your Reasons against entring
into it at present, appear to me not well-founded. The
circumstantial Advantages you have in View by postponing it, are not
only uncertain, but they are small in comparison with that of the
Thing itself, the being _married and settled_. It is the Man and
Woman united that make the compleat human Being. Separate, she wants
his Force of Body and Strength of Reason; he, her Softness,
Sensibility and acute Discernment. Together they are more likely to
succeed in the World. A single Man has not nearly the Value he would
have in that State of Union. He is an incomplete Animal. He
resembles the odd Half of a Pair of Scissars. If you get a prudent
healthy Wife, your Industry in your Profession, with her good
Economy, will be a Fortune sufficient.
But if you will not take this Counsel, and persist in thinking
a Commerce with the Sex inevitable, then I repeat my former Advice,
that in all your Amours you should _prefer old Women to young ones_.
You call this a Paradox, and demand my Reasons. They are these:
1. Because as they have more Knowledge of the World and their
Minds are better stor'd with Observations, their Conversation is more
improving and more lastingly agreable.
2. Because when Women cease to be handsome, they study to be
good. To maintain their Influence over Men, they supply the
Diminution of Beauty by an Augmentation of Utility. They learn to do
a 1000 Services small and great, and are the most tender and useful
of all Friends when you are sick. Thus they continue amiable. And
hence there is hardly such a thing to be found as an old Woman who is
not a good Woman.
3. Because there is no hazard of Children, which irregularly
produc'd may be attended with much Inconvenience.
4. Because thro' more Experience, they are more prudent and
discreet in conducting an Intrigue to prevent Suspicion. The
Commerce with them is therefore safer with regard to your Reputation.
And with regard to theirs, if the Affair should happen to be known,
considerate People might be rather inclin'd to excuse an old Woman
who would kindly take care of a young Man, form his Manners by her
good Counsels, and prevent his ruining his Health and Fortune among
mercenary Prostitutes.
5. Because in every Animal that walks upright, the Deficiency
of the Fluids that fill the Muscles appears first in the highest
Part: The Face first grows lank and wrinkled; then the Neck; then the
Breast and Arms; the lower Parts continuing to the last as plump as
ever: So that covering all above with a Basket, and regarding only
what is below the Girdle, it is impossible of two Women to know an
old from a young one. And as in the dark all Cats are grey, the
Pleasure of corporal Enjoyment with an old Woman is at least equal,
and frequently superior, every Knack being by Practice capable of
Improvement.
6. Because the Sin is less. The debauching a Virgin may be her
Ruin, and make her for Life unhappy.
7. Because the Compunction is less. The having made a young
Girl _miserable_ may give you frequent bitter Reflections; none of
which can attend the making an old Woman _happy_.
8thly and Lastly They are _so grateful!!_
Thus much for my Paradox. But still I advise you to marry
directly; being sincerely Your affectionate Friend.
_The Antediluvians Were All Very Sober_
The Antediluvians were all very sober
For they had no Wine, and they brew'd no October;
All wicked, bad Livers, on Mischief still thinking,
For there can't be good Living where there is not good
Drinking.
Derry down
'Twas honest old Noah first planted the Vine,
And mended his Morals by drinking its Wine;
He justly the drinking of Water decry'd;
For he knew that all Mankind, by drinking it, dy'd.
Derry down.
From this Piece of History plainly we find
That Water's good neither for Body or Mind;
That Virtue and Safety in Wine-bibbing's found
While all that drink Water deserve to be drown'd.
Derry down
So For Safety and Honesty put the Glass round.
_Appreciation of George Whitefield_
On Sunday the 20th Instant, the Rev. Mr. _Whitefield_ preach'd
twice, tho' apparently much indispos'd, to large Congregations in the
New-Building in this City, and the next Day set out for New-York.
When we seriously consider how incessantly this faithful Servant (not
yet 32 Years old) has, for about 10 Years past, laboured in his great
Master's Vineyard, with an Alacrity and fervent Zeal, which an infirm
Constitution, still daily declining, cannot abate; and which have
triumphed over the most vigorous Opposition from whole Armies of
invidious Preachers and Pamphleteers; under whose Performances, the
Pulpits and Presses, of _Great-Britain_ and _America_, have groaned;
We may reasonably think with the learned Dr. Watts_, "That he is a
Man raised up by Providence in an uncommon Way, to awaken a stupid
and ungodly World, to a Sense of the important Affairs of Religion
and Eternity:" And the Lines of Mr. _Wesley_, concerning another
young Methodist, may justly be applied to his dear Friend
_Whitefield_ --
_Wise in his Prime, he waited not for Noon,
Convinc'd that Mortals never liv'd too soon;
As if foreboding here his little Stay,
He makes his Morning bear the Heat of Day.
No fair Occasion glides unheeded by,
Snatching the Golden Moments as they fly,
He by few fleeting Hours ensures Eternity._
His Sermons here this Summer have given general Satisfaction,
and plainly proved the great Ability of the Preacher. His rich
Fancy, sound and ripening Judgment, and extensive Acquaintance with
Men and Books of useful Literature, have been acknowledg'd by every
unprejudiced Person. Purity of Language, Perspicuity of Method, a
ready Elocution, an engaging Address, and an apt Gesture, peculiar to
this accomplish'd Orator, consider'd with his unspotted Character in
private Life, have added Force to the plain strong Arguments, and
pathetick Expostulations, wherewith his Discourses abounded. And, it
cannot be doubted, that many have been awaken'd to a Sense of the
Importance of Religion, and others have been built up in their most
holy Christian Faith under his Ministry.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, July 31, 1746
_The Speech of Miss Polly Baker_
_The SPEECH of Miss_ Polly Baker, _before a Court of
Judicature, at_ Connecticut _in_ New England, _where she was
prosecuted the fifth Time for having a Bastard Child; which
influenced the Court to dispense with her Punishment, and induced one
of her Judges to marry her the next Day_.
May it please the Honourable Bench to indulge me a few Words: I
am a poor unhappy Woman; who have no Money to Fee Lawyers to plead
for me, being hard put to it to get a tolerable Living. I shall not
trouble your Honours with long Speeches; for I have not the
presumption to expect, that you may, by any Means, be prevailed on to
deviate in your Sentence from the Law, in my Favour. All I humbly
hope is, that your Honours would charitably move the Governor's
Goodness on my Behalf, that my Fine may be remitted. This is the
Fifth Time, Gentlemen, that I have been dragg'd before your Courts on
the same Account; twice I have paid heavy Fines, and twice have been
brought to public Punishment, for want of Money to pay those Fines.
This may have been agreeable to the Laws; I do not dispute it: But
since Laws are sometimes unreasonable in themselves, and therefore
repealed; and others bear too hard on the Subject in particular
Circumstances; and therefore there is left a Power somewhere to
dispense with the Execution of them; I take the Liberty to say, that
I think this Law, by which I am punished, is both unreasonable in
itself, and particularly severe with regard to me, who have always
lived an inoffensive Life in the Neighbourhood where I was born, and
defy my Enemies (if I have any) to say I ever wrong'd Man, Woman, or
Child. Abstracted from the Law, I cannot conceive (may it please
your Honours) what the Nature of my Offence is. I have brought Five
fine Children into the World, at the Risque of my Life: I have
maintained them well by my own Industry, without burthening the
Township, and could have done it better, if it had not been for the
heavy Charges and Fines I have paid. Can it be a Crime (in the
Nature of Things I mean) to add to the Number of the King's Subjects,
in a new Country that really wants People? I own I should think it
rather a Praise worthy, than a Punishable Action. I have debauch'd
no other Woman's Husband, nor inticed any innocent Youth: These
Things I never was charged with; nor has any one the least cause of
Complaint against me, unless, perhaps the Minister, or the Justice,
because I have had Children without being Married, by which they have
miss'd a Wedding Fee. But, can even this be a Fault of mine? I
appeal to your Honours. You are pleased to allow I don't want Sense;
but I must be stupid to the last Degree, not to prefer the honourable
State of Wedlock, to the Condition I have lived in. I always was,
and still am, willing to enter into it; I doubt not my Behaving well
in it, having all the Industry, Frugality, Fertility, and Skill in
Oeconomy, appertaining to a good Wife's Character. I defy any Person
to say I ever Refused an Offer of that Sort: On the contrary, I
readily Consented to the only Proposal of Marriage that ever was made
me, which was when I was a Virgin; but too easily confiding in the
Person's Sincerity that made it, I unhappily lost my own Honour, by
trusting to his; for he got me with Child, and then forsook me: That
very Person you all know; he is now become a Magistrate of this
County; and I had hopes he would have appeared this Day on the Bench,
and have endeavoured to moderate the Court in my Favour; then I
should have scorn'd to have mention'd it; but I must Complain of it
as unjust and unequal, that my Betrayer and Undoer, the first Cause
of all my Faults and Miscarriages (if they must be deemed such)
should be advanced to Honour and Power, in the same Government that
punishes my Misfortunes with Stripes and Infamy. I shall be told,
'tis like, that were there no Act of Assembly in the Case, the
Precepts of Religion are violated by my Transgressions. If mine,
then, is a religious Offence, leave it, Gentlemen, to religious
Punishments. You have already excluded me from all the Comforts of
your Church Communion: Is not that sufficient? You believe I have
offended Heaven, and must suffer eternal Fire: Will not that be
sufficient? What need is there, then, of your additional Fines and
Whippings? I own, I do not think as you do; for, if I thought, what
you call a Sin, was really such, I would not presumptuously commit
it. But how can it be believed, that Heaven is angry at my having
Children, when, to the little done by me towards it, God has been
pleased to add his divine Skill and admirable Workmanship in the
Formation of their Bodies, and crown'd it by furnishing them with
rational and immortal Souls? Forgive me Gentlemen, if I talk a
little extravagantly on these Matters; I am no Divine: But if you,
great Men, (*) must be making Laws, do not turn natural and useful
Actions into Crimes, by your Prohibitions. Reflect a little on the
horrid Consequences of this Law in particular: What Numbers of
procur'd Abortions! and how many distress'd Mothers have been driven,
by the Terror of Punishment and public Shame, to imbrue, contrary to
Nature, their own trembling Hands in the Blood of their helpless
Offspring! Nature would have induc'd them to nurse it up with a
Parent's Fondness. 'Tis the Law therefore, 'tis the Law itself that
is guilty of all these Barbarities and Murders. Repeal it then,
Gentlemen; let it be expung'd for ever from your Books: And on the
other hand, take into your wise Consideration, the great and growing
Number of Batchelors in the Country, many of whom, from the mean Fear
of the Expence of a Family, have never sincerely and honourably
Courted a Woman in their Lives; and by their Manner of Living, leave
unproduced (which I think is little better than Murder) Hundreds of
their Posterity to the Thousandth Generation. Is not theirs a
greater Offence against the Public Good, than mine? Compel them
then, by a Law, either to Marry, or pay double the Fine of
Fornication every Year. What must poor young Women do, whom Custom
has forbid to sollicit the Men, and who cannot force themselves upon
Husbands, when the Laws take no Care to provide them any, and yet
severely punish if they do their Duty without them? Yes, Gentlemen,
I venture to call it a Duty; 'tis the Duty of the first and great
Command of Nature, and of Nature's God, _Increase and multiply_: A
Duty, from the steady Performance of which nothing has ever been able
to deter me; but for it's Sake, I have hazarded the Loss of the
public Esteem, and frequently incurr'd public Disgrace and
Punishment; and therefore ought, in my humble Opinion, instead of a
Whipping, to have a Statue erected to my Memory.
(*) _Turning to some Gentlemen of the Assembly, then in Court.
_The Maryland Gazette_, August 11, 1747; first printed April
15, 1747
_Whitefield's Accounts_
_Extract of a Letter from the Reverend Mr._ Smith, _of_
Charles-Town, South-Carolina, _dated_ March 2. 1746-7.
"Mr. WHITEFIELD's excellent Parts, fine Elocution, and masterly
Address; His admirable Talent of opening the Scriptures, and
enforcing the most weighty Subjects upon the Conscience; His polite
and serious Behaviour; His unaffected and superior Piety; His
Prudence, Humility, and Catholick Spirit, are Things which must
silence and disarm Prejudice itself. By these Qualifications of the
_Orator_, the _Divine_, and the _Christian_, He has not only fixed
himself deeper in the Affections of his former Friends, but greatly
increased the Number wherever he has preached; and made his Way into
the Hearts of several, who, till this Visit, had said all the severe
Things against him that _Enmity_ itself seemed capable of. He now
seems to _reign_ over his Hearers, among whom are Gentlemen of the
best Figure and Estate we have, and has gained some, whose former
Prejudices one would have thought insuperable. As an Instance of our
Affection and Esteem, no sooner was the Motion started by some
particular Gentlemen, but, with the greatest Alacrity, and in a _very
short_ Time, we subscribed, and gave him, much above _Two Hundred
Pounds_ Sterling_; which we should not have done, but upon a firm
Persuasion of the Sincerity of his Intentions. We hope we have laid
an effectual Scheme for _tying_ him faster to _America_, which will
give us the Satisfaction of seeing a Man we so highly esteem the
oftener. These Things are so universally known in _this Town_, that
you have free Leave to publish them, and to affix the Name of,
_Dear Sir,_
_Your affectionate Friend and Servant,_
_JOSIAH SMITH_."
_Extract of another Letter from South-Carolina, dated March_
11_th_.
"It is with Pleasure I can now assure you, that the Rev. Mr.
_Whitefield_ has more Friends in _Charlestown_ among Gentlemen,
especially of Distinction and Substance, than ever heretofore. The
Orator in the Pulpit, and the Gentleman and the Christian, happily
united in Conversation, has triumph'd over a thousand Prejudices, and
is become the Admiration of several, who before had conceiv'd the
worst Idea of him imaginable. And since Actions are the best
Expositors of the Heart, we have not been content to court his
Company only, but, as a further Expression of our Esteem, have given
him between two and three hundred Pounds Sterling."
The above Extracts will, we doubt not, at once please the
Friends of the Reverend Mr. _Whitefield_, and convince every candid
Reader, that his Accounts of the Disposition of the Sums of Money
heretofore collected for the Use of his _Orphan House_ in _Georgia_
are just; since it cannot be conceived that Gentlemen, who live so
near to that House as _Charles-Town, South-Carolina_, and have daily
Opportunities of knowing how the Affair is conducted, should
contribute so generously to Mr. _Whitefield_, if they thought his
former Collections were not duly applied.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, April 23, 1747
_Verses on the Virginia Capitol Fire_
_Mr. Printer,_
It may entertain the curious and learned Part of your
Subscribers, if you give them the following genuine _Speech_ and
_Address_, which, for the _Importance_ of the _Subject_, _Grandeur_
of _Sentiment_, and _Elegance_ of _Expression_, perhaps exceed Any
they have hitherto seen. For the Benefit of more common Readers, I
have turn'd them, with some Paraphrase, into _plain English Verse_.
I am told by Friends, that my Performance is excellent: But I claim
no other Praise than what regards my _Rhyme_, and my _Perspicuity_.
All the other Beauties I acknowledge, are owing to the _Original_,
whose true Sense I have every where follow'd with a scrupulous
Exactness. If envious Critics should observe, that some of my Lines
are _too short_ in their Number of Feet, I own it; but then, to make
ample Amends, I have given _very good Measure_ in most of the others.
I am, Sir,
your constant Reader,
NED. TYPE.
* * * * *
_The_ SPEECH _Versyfied_.
L --- d have Mercy on us! -- the CAPITOL! the CAPITOL!
is burnt down!
O astonishing Fate! -- which occasions this Meeting in
Town.
And this _Fate_ proves a _Loss_, to be deplored the more,
The said _Fate_ being th'_Effect_ of Malice and _Design_, to be
sure.
And yet 'tis hard to comprehend how a Crime of so
flagitious a Nature,
Should be committed, or even _imagined_, by any but an
_irrational_ Creature.
But when you consider, that the first _Emission of Smoke_ was
not from below,
And that Fires kindled by Accident _always burn slow_,
And not with half the Fury as when they _burn on Purpose_
you know
You'll be forced to ascribe it (with Hearts full of Sadness)
To the horrid Machinations of desperate Villains, instigated
by infernal Madness.
God forbid I should accuse or excuse any without just
Foundation,
Yet I may venture to assert, -- for our own Reputation,
That such superlative Wickedness never entred the Hearts of
_Virginians_, who are the CREAM of the _British_ Nation.
The Clerks have been examin'd, and clear'd by the May'r,
Yet are willing to be examin'd again by you, and that's fair.
And will prove in the Face of the Country, if requir'd,
That it was not by their _Conduct_ our Capitol was fir'd.
I must add, to do 'em Justice, that the Comfort we have,
In enjoying our authentic Registers, which those Clerks did
save,
Is owing to their Activity, Resolution and Diligence,
Together with Divine Providence.
All which would have been in vain, I protest,
If the Wind, at the bursting out of the Flames, had not
changed from _East_ to _Northwest_.
Our Treasury being low, and my Infirmities great,
I would have kept you prorogu'd till the Revisal of the Laws
was compleat;
But this Misfortune befalling the _Capitol_ of the Capital of
our Nation
Require your immediate Care and Assistance for its
_Instauration_.
To press you in a Point of such Usefulness manifest,
Would shew a Diffidence of your sincere Zeal for the public
Interest
For which you and I always make such a laudable Pother,
And for which we've so often _applauded one Another_.
The same public Spirit which within these Walls us'd to
direct you all,
Will determine you (as Fathers of your Country) to apply
Means effectual
For restoring the ROYAL FABRIC to its former Beauty
And Magnificence, according to your Duty;
With the like Apartments, elegant and spacious
For all the _weighty_ purposes of Government, so capacious.
Mean time the College and Court of Hustings our _Weight_
may sustain,
But pray let us speedily have our CAPITOL, our _important_
CAPITOL again.
_The COUNCIL's Answer_.
We the King's _best Subjects_, the Council of this
Dominion,
Are deeply affected (as is every true _Virginian_)
With the unhappy Occasion of our present Meeting:
------ In Troth we have but a sorry Greeting.
We are also not a little touch'd (in the Head) with the
same _Weakness_ as your Honour's,
And therefore think this raging Fire which consum'd our
_Capitol_, should incite us to reform our Manners:
The best _Expedient_ at present to avert the Indignation
divine,
And _nobly_ to express our _Gratitude_ for the _Justice_, which
(temper'd with Mercy) doth shine,
In _preserving_ our Records, tho' Red hot,
And like Brands pluck'd out of the Flames, in which they
were going to pot,
Without this _Expedient_ we shall be ruin'd quite. --
Besides, This FIRE puts us in Mind of NEW-LIGHT;
And we think it Heav'n's Judgment on us for tolerating the
Presbyterians,
Whose Forefathers drubb'd ours, about a hundred Year-hence.
We therefore resolve to abate a little of our Drinking,
Gaming, Cursing and Swearing,
And make up for the rest, by persecuting some itinerant
Presbyterian.
An _active Discharge_ of our _important_ Trusts, according to
your Honour's Desire,
Is the wisest _Project of Insurance_ that can be, of the Public
Safety, from the Attempts of such as would _set it
on fire_.
'Tis _a Project_ also for advancing the Honour and Interest of
our King and Nation,
And _a Project_ for engaging Heaven's Protection from
Generation to Generation.
We take this Opportunity, that we may not be suspected
of Malignity,
To congratulate you, Sir, on your Promotion to the
Baronet's Dignity;
A fresh Instance of just Regard to your long and faithful
Services we say,
Because from _Carthagena_ your Honour came safe away,
And you lent and sent such _great Assistance_ for reducing
CANADA.
_The BARONET's Reply_.
The just Sense you express for the Loss of our CAPITOL,
which to be sure was a fatal Mishap,
Your affectionate Concern for the _Infirmities of my Honour_,
And Joy at my new Title, of which our good K -- g is the
Donor,
Claim sincere Acknowledgments of Thankfulness,
And Gratitude, for this obliging Address.
And, (lest here and hereafter we're left in the Lurch)
To promote _true Religion_, (I mean our own Church)
I'll heartily concur with you, and lend a few Knocks
To suppress these confounding New Light Heterodox.
Then if from our Sins, we also refrain,
Perhaps we may have our CAPITOL! our dear CAPITOL!
our glorious ROYAL CAPITOL again.
_The New-York Gazette,_ June 1, 1747, supplement
_The Necessity of Self-Defence_
Mr. _FRANKLIN_,
The absolute and obvious Necessity of Self-Defence, in the
present Conjuncture, occasioned me to consider attentively several
Passages in the New Testament, from whence some have endeavoured to
shew the Unlawfulness of Christians bearing Arms on any Account,
wherein I had made a small Progress before hearing Mr. _Tennent_'s
Sermon last _Thursday_ on that Occasion, which is so full and clear
on the Subject, so well supported by Strength of Argument, and
carried on with such masterly Judgment and Address, that I am of
Opinion, the Publication thereof may sufficiently answer the most
material Purposes in my View; wherefore I only now present you a few
Thoughts which lay ready, on one particular Passage, as an Amusement
to your Readers, till the above Sermon appears in Print, as I hear it
soon will.
When it is considered that some Kinds of War were held lawful
amongst the primitive Christians, as appears evidently from many of
the ancient Martyrs, who suffered Torture and Death, for their Faith
in Jesus, and Constancy to the Christian Religion, being at the Time
of such Martyrdom, actually in the Station of Soldiers, and this in
the early Ages of Christianity, while the Streams flow'd pure from
the Fountain, 'ere the Apostacy had crept in, or the holy Doctrines
of Jesus and his Apostles, were exchanged for the corrupt Traditions
of Men, being only a few Centuries from Christ, it may seem strange
that any Christians should now deny the Lawfulness of defensive War,
and attempt to infer from our Saviour's Answer and Command to the
Disciple who drew a Sword in his Defence, that the Use of Arms is in
all Cases forbid by Christ. For the better understanding this
Matter, observe what the several Evangelists say theron.
_Mark_ is very short: _One of them that stood by, drew a Sword,
and smote a Servant of the High Priest, and cut off his Ear,_ chap.
xiv. 47.
_Luke_ only says; _When they which were about him saw what
would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the
Sword? And one of them smote the Servant of the High Priest, and cut
off his right Ear. And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far,
and he touched his Ear, and healed him_, Chap. xx. 49-51.
This is all the Notice taken by _Mark_ and _Luke_, which
implies not so much as a Prohibition of Arms, even on this Occasion.
_John_ xviii. 10. writes; _Then Simon Peter having a Sword,
drew it, and smote the High Priest's Servant, and cut off his right
Ear. The Servant's Name was Malchus. Then said Jesus unto Peter,
Put up thy Sword into the Sheath:_ The Reason follows, not that the
Use of Arms is unlawful, but _The Cup which my Father hath given me,
shall I not drink it?_
_Matthew_ is most full on the Passage, Chap. xxvi. 51,-54. _And
behold one of them which were with Jesus, stretched out his Hand, and
drew a Sword, and struck a Servant of the High Priest's, and smote
off his Ear. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy Sword into
his Place; for all they that take the Sword, shall perish with the
Sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he
shall presently give me more than twelve Legions of Angels? But how
then shall the Scripture be fulfilled, that thus it must be?_
From whence neither will it follow, that the Use of Arms is
prohibited, since it must be granted, the Words, _All they that take
the Sword, shall perish with the Sword_, cannot be understood in an
absolute literal Sense, as to Individuals; it being evident that all
Men who have taken the Sword, have not perished by the Sword, but
many of them died in the common Course of Nature, by Diseases, or old
Age: Nor will any, 'tis presum'd, be so uncharitable to suppose, this
can be meant of the Souls of all those who have taken the Sword. The
Passage therefore by no Means determines this Point, whether to use a
Sword on any Occasion, be right or wrong; altho' it might have warned
People against attempting to propagate the Christian Religion by Fire
or Sword, and apparently tends to convince the _Jews_ of their great
Mistake, in expecting the Messiah with outward Pomp and Regal
Authority; also may be easily understood to illustrate the great
Difference between Christ's Kingdom and those of Princes. If Force
had been necessary to the former, an invincible Army of Angels would
assuredly have conquered all Opposition, the Disciples poor Help had
been quite needless: But the Defence of Christ's Kingdom not
depending on Men or Angels, could have no Support from their
Assistance, being neither liable to Change, or subject to
Dissolution. _The Word of the Lord endureth for ever; and this is
the Word which by the Gospel is preached unto you, 1 Pet. i. 24, 25.
On the other Hand, the above quoted Words of Christ may either
generally relate to the Revolutions and Periods of States, or in a
more limited Sense (as in this Case of the Disciples) only signify,
that all who persist in opposing their Swords, as private Men against
the legal Authority of the Magistracy, shall perish with the Sword.
Other Explications may be given, all _agreeing_ to demonstrate no
Inconsistency in the Passage, unless taken in an absolute literal
Sense, and without which, a total Prohibition or Discouragement of
bearing Arms will not follow. The Words, _Put up again thy Sword
into his Place_, convey an Idea very different to laying it aside for
ever as unlawful; do they not rather hint, The Sword, when in its
proper Place, is ready against a suitable Occasion. The Passage
might be enlarged upon; but, in my Apprehension, no Construction
appears more clear and easy, than the Text simply pointing out a
Contradistinction between the Kingdom of Christ, and those of
temporal Princes; carnal Weapons, tho' useful and necessary in the
latter, are not only unlawful, but improper and ineffectual for
establishing the former; and if Liberty may be taken to vary the
concise, comprehensive Stile of Scripture into a familiar Way of
Speech, the Sense of those Verses appears much the same as if Christ
had said, "_Peter_, put up thy Sword on this Occasion, it is no Time
now to use carnal Weapons; My Kingdom is not of this World, is
neither capable of being supported, or liable to be subverted by the
Sword, to the Dangers of which all earthly Kingdoms are continually
exposed: Mine stands on a more sure Foundation, in the De-fence
whereof, if Force availed, a most powerful Army of Angels would now
descend to my Assistance." But in the 54th Verse an immediate Reason
is given why our Saviour did not admit any kind of Defence to be made
in his Behalf: It would frustrate the End of his Coming, and prevent
the fulfilling of the Scriptures, which agrees with that given by St.
_John_; and the whole Passage appears plainly to have no Relation to
the Lawfulness or Unlawfulness of using the Sword in any other Case
than on the Score of Religion, but most particularly in preventing
Christ being delivered to the _Jews_. From whence follows this most
obvious Remark, That since Swords were by Christ commanded to be
procured, yet forbidden to be used on this Occasion, they were
certainly intended for some other Purpose: For the Injunction of
providing them will presently be shewn in the strongest Terms; and we
may here well use an Expression of _Cicero_ with redoubled Energy,
_Quid Gladii volunt? quos habere certi non liceret, si uti illis
nullo pacto liceret_. But in St. _Luke_, xxii. 35. we find very
plainly Christ's Opinion of the Necessity of having Swords in these
Words, _When I sent you without Purse, and Scrip, and Shoes, lacked
ye any Thing? And they said, Nothing_. This was when our Lord sent
his Disciples, Chapter x. 1. _Before his Face, into every City, and
Place, whither he himself would come._ But now, when the Lord is
about to be offered up, and his Disciples are to remain in the World,
it seems they are not to expect a miraculous Support and Defence: For
Christ says, Chapter xxii. 36. _But now, he that hath a Purse, let
him take it, and likewise his Scrip, and he that hath no Sword, let
him sell his Garment, and buy one._
_(He that hath a Purse, let him take it)_ Money, it seems, in
the tedious Journey of human Life was lawful and necessary _(and
likewise his Scrip)_ Provisions or Food were also; (_And he that hath
no Sword, let him sell his Garment, and buy one)_ But a Sword was
lawful, and still more necessary, even of greater Consequence than
our very Clothes; and the Experience of Christians from that Time
down to the present, may be appealed to, Whether Money and Provisions
have not been found very useful, and, in many Cases, the Defence of
Mens Lives and Liberties of greater Consequence than Food or Raiment;
agreeable to our Saviour's Words in another Place, _Is not the Life
more than Meat, and the Body than Raiment?_ Matth. vi. 25.
Yet how punctually do some Christians perform the first and
second Parts of this Injunction? Very diligently they provide Purse,
and Scrip, yet neglect that most necessary Provision, the Sword,
notwithstanding Food and Raiment are represented by Christ of so much
less Consequence than Life, which, under Providence, is protected and
defended by the Sword, and (on Account of its signal Use, no Doubt)
is commanded to be purchased at the Expence of our Garments: Wherefor
it is most plain some Use was to be made of Swords; but it has been
already shewn that Christianity was not to be forced upon People by
the Sword: What better Use then remains, than the Defence of our
Country, and the Protection of the Helpless and Innocent? If any can
be shewn more consistent with Christianity, or beneficial to Mankind,
it would be kind in the _Quakers_ to inform those, whose present
Measures of using Arms they condemn. Should some object, that on the
Answer, Verse 38. _Lord, Behold here are two Swords_, Christ said,
_It is enough_. Let them remember, that the same Proportion which
was adjusted for the Disciples, is enough in most well peopled
Countries.
_I am Yours,_ &c.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, December 29, 1747, supplement
_Devices and Mottoes of the Associators_
DEVICES and MOTTOES painted on some of the Silk Colours of the
Regiments of Associators_, in and near _Philadelphia_.
I. A Lion erect, a naked Scymeter in one Paw, the other holding
the _Pennsylvania_ Scutcheon. Motto, PRO PATRIA.
II. Three Arms, wearing different Linnen, ruffled, plain and
chequed; the Hands joined by grasping each the other's Wrist,
denoting the Union of all Ranks. Motto, UNITA VIRTUS VALET.
III. An Eagle, the Emblem of Victory, descending from the
Skies. Motto, A DEO VICTORIA.
IV. The Figure of LIBERTY, sitting on a Cube, holding a Spear
with the Cap of Freedom on its Point. Motto, INESTIMABILIS.
V. An armed Arm, with a naked Faulchion in its Hand. Motto,
DEUA ADJUVAT FORTES.
VI. An Elephant, being the Emblem of a Warrior always on his
Guard, as that Creature is said never to lie down, and hath his Arms
ever in Readiness. Motto, SEMPER PARATUS.
VII. A City walled round. Motto, SALUS PATRIAE, SUMMA LEX.
VIII. A Soldier, with his Piece recover'd, ready to present.
Motto, SIC PACEM QUERIMUS.
IX. A Coronet and Plume of Feathers. Motto, IN GOD WE TRUST.
X. A Man with a Sword drawn. Motto, PRO ARIS ET FOCIS. &c. &c.
Most of the above Colours, together with the Officers
Half-Pikes and Spontons, and even the Halberts, Drums, &c. have been
given by the good Ladies of this City, who raised Money by
Subscription among themselves for that Purpose.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, January 12, 1747/8
Continuation of Devices and Mottoes painted on some of the Silk
Colours of the Regiments of Associators in this City and Country
adjacent.
XI. Three of the Associators marching with their Muskets
shoulder'd, and dressed in different Clothes, intimating the
Unanimity of the different Sorts of People in the Association; Motto,
Vis Unita Fortior.
XII. A Musket and Sword crossing each other; Motto, Pro Rege &
Grege.
XIII. Representation of a Glory, in the Middle of which is
wrote _Jehovah_ _Nissi_, in English, The Lord our Banner.
XIV. A Castle, at the Gate of which a Soldier stands Centinel;
Motto, Cavendo Tutus.
XV. David, as he advanced against Goliah, and slung the Stone;
Motto, In Nomine Domini.
XVI. A Lion rampant, one Paw holding up a Scymiter, another on
a Sheaf of Wheat; Motto, Domine Protege Alimentum.
XVII. A sleeping Lion; Motto, Rouze me if you dare.
XVIII. Hope, represented by a Woman standing cloathed in blue,
holding one Hand on an Anchor; Motto, Spero per Deum vincere.
XIX. The Duke of Cumberland as a General; Motto, Pro Deo &
Georgio Rege.
XX. A Soldier on Horseback; Motto, Pro Libertate Patriae.
_The Pennsylvania Gazette_, April 16, 1748
_Advice to a Young Tradesman, Written by an Old One._
To my Friend _A_. _B_.
_As you have desired it of me, I write the following Hints,
which have been of Service to me, and may, if observed, be so to
you_.
Remember that TIME is Money. He that can earn Ten Shillings a
Day by his Labour, and goes abroad, or sits idle one half of that
Day, tho' he spends but Sixpence during his Diversion or Idleness,
ought not to reckon That the only Expence; he has really spent or
rather thrown away Five Shillings besides.
Remember that CREDIT is Money. If a Man lets his Money lie in
my Hands after it is due, he gives me the Interest, or so much as I
can make of it during that Time. This amounts to a considerable Sum
where a Man has good and large Credit, and makes good Use of it.
Remember that Money is of a prolific generating Nature. Money
can beget Money, and its Offspring can beget more, and so on. Five
Shillings turn'd, is _Six_: Turn'd again, 'tis Seven and Three Pence;
and so on 'til it becomes an Hundred Pound. The more there is of it,
the more it produces every Turning, so that the Profits rise quicker
and quicker. He that kills a breeding Sow, destroys all her
Offspring to the thousandth Generation. He that murders a Crown,
destroys all it might have produc'd, even Scores of Pounds.
Remember that Six Pounds a Year is but a Groat a Day. For this
little Sum (which may be daily wasted either in Time or Expence
unperceiv'd) a Man of Credit may on his own Security have the
constant Possession and Use of an Hundred Pounds. So much in Stock
briskly turn'd by an industrious Man, produces great Advantage.
Remember this Saying, _That the good Paymaster is Lord of
another Man's Purse_. He that is known to pay punctually and exactly
to the Time he promises, may at any Time, and on any Occasion, raise
all the Money his Friends can spare. This is sometimes of great Use:
Therefore never keep borrow'd Money an Hour beyond the Time you
promis'd, lest a Disappointment shuts up your Friends Purse forever.
The most trifling Actions that affect a Man's Credit, are to be
regarded. The Sound of your Hammer at Five in the Morning or Nine at
Night, heard by a Creditor, makes him easy Six Months longer. But if
he sees you at a Billiard Table, or hears your Voice in a Tavern,
when you should be at Work, he sends for his Money the next Day.
Finer Cloaths than he or his Wife wears, or greater Expence in any
particular than he affords himself, shocks his Pride, and he duns you
to humble you. Creditors are a kind of People, that have the
sharpest Eyes and Ears, as well as the best Memories of any in the
World.
Good-natur'd Creditors (and such one would always chuse to deal
with if one could) feel Pain when they are oblig'd to ask for Money.
Spare 'em that Pain, and they will love you. When you receive a Sum
of Money, divide it among 'em in Proportion to your Debts. Don't be
asham'd of paying a small Sum because you owe a greater. Money, more
or less, is always welcome; and your Creditor had rather be at the
Trouble of receiving Ten Pounds voluntarily brought him, tho' at ten
different Times or Payments, than be oblig'd to go ten Times to
demand it before he can receive it in a Lump. It shews, besides,
that you are mindful of what you owe; it makes you appear a careful
as well as an honest Man; and that still encreases your Credit.
Beware of thinking all your own that you possess, and of living
accordingly. 'Tis a mistake that many People who have Credit fall
into. To prevent this, keep an exact Account for some Time of both
your Expences and your Incomes. If you take the Pains at first to
mention Particulars, it will have this good Effect; you will discover
how wonderfully small trifling Expences mount up to large Sums, and
will discern what might have been, and may for the future be saved,
without occasioning any great Inconvenience.
In short, the Way to Wealth, if you desire it, is as plain as
the Way to Market. It depends chiefly on two Words, INDUSTRY and
FRUGALITY; _i. e._ Waste neither Time nor Money, but make the best
Use of both. He that gets all he can honestly, and saves all he gets
(necessary Expences excepted) will certainly become RICH; If that
Being who governs the World, to whom all should look for a Blessing
on their Honest Endeavours, doth not in his wise Providence otherwise
determine.
Philadelphia, B. Franklin and D. Hall, at the New-Printing-Office, 1748
_Proposals Relating to the Education of Youth in Pensilvania_
Advertisement to the Reader.
_It has long been regretted as a Misfortune to the Youth of
this Province, that we have no_ ACADEMY, _in which they might receive
the Accomplishments of a regular Education._
_The following Paper of_ Hints _towards forming a Plan for that
Purpose, is so far approv'd by some publick-spirited Gentlemen, to
whom it has been privately communicated, that they have directed a
Number of Copies to be made by the Press, and properly distributed,
in order to obtain the Sentiments and Advice of Men of Learning,
Understanding, and Experience in these Matters; and have determin'd
to use their Interest and best Endeavours, to have the Scheme, when
compleated, carried gradually into Execution; in which they have
Reason to believe they shall have the hearty Concurrence and
Assistance of many who are Wellwishers to their Country._
_Those who incline to favour the Design with their Advice,
either as to the Parts of Learning to be taught, the Order of Study,
the Method of Teaching, the Oeconomy of the School, or any other
Matter of Importance to the Success of the Undertaking, are desired
to communicate their Sentiments as soon as may be, by Letter directed
to_ B. Franklin, _Printer, in_ Philadelphia.
AUTHORS _quoted in this_ PAPER.
1. The famous _Milton_, whose Learning and Abilities are well
known, and who had practised some Time the Education of Youth, so
could speak from Experience.
2. The great Mr. _Locke_, who wrote a Treatise on Education,
well known, and much esteemed, being translated into most of the
modern Languages of _Europe_.
3. _Dialogues on Education_, 2 Vols. Octavo, that are much
esteem'd, having had two Editions in 3 Years. Suppos'd to be wrote
by the ingenious Mr. _Hutcheson_ (Author of _A Treatise on the
Passions_, and another on the _Ideas of Beauty and Virtue_) who has
had much Experience in Educating of Youth, being a Professor in the
College at _Glasgow_, &c.
4. The learned Mr. _Obadiah Walker_, who had been many Years a
Tutor to young Noblemen, and wrote a Treatise _on the Education of a
young Gentleman_; of which the Fifth Edition was printed 1687.
5. The much admired Mons. _Rollin_, whose whole Life was spent
in a College; and wrote 4 Vols. on Education, under the Title of,
_The Method of Teaching and Studying the Belles Lettres_; which are
translated into _English_, _Italian_, and most of the modern
Languages.
6. The learned and ingenious Dr. _George Turnbull_, Chaplain to
the present Prince of _Wales_; who has had much Experience in the
Educating of Youth, and publish'd a Book, Octavo, intituled,
_Observations on Liberal Education, in all its Branches_, 1742.
With some others.
The good Education of Youth has been esteemed by wise Men in
all Ages, as the surest Foundation of the Happiness both of private
Families and of Common-wealths. Almost all Governments have
therefore made it a principal Object of their Attention, to establish
and endow with proper Revenues, such Seminaries of Learning, as might
supply the succeeding Age with Men qualified to serve the Publick
with Honour to themselves, and to their Country. (* 1)
Many of the first Settlers of these Provinces, were Men who had
received a good Education in _Europe_, and to their Wisdom and good
Management we owe much of our present Prosperity. But their Hands
were full, and they could not do all Things. The present Race are
not thought to be generally of equal Ability: For though the
_American_ Youth are allow'd not to want Capacity; yet the best
Capacities require Cultivation, it being truly with them, as with the
best Ground, which unless well tilled and sowed with profitable Seed,
produces only ranker Weeds.
That we may obtain the Advantages arising from an Increase of
Knowledge, and prevent as much as may be the mischievous Consequences
that would attend a general Ignorance among us, the following _Hints_
are offered towards forming a Plan for the Education of the Youth of
_Pennsylvania_, viz.
It is propos'd,
THAT some Persons of Leisure and publick Spirit, apply for a
CHARTER, by which they may be incorporated, with Power to erect an
ACADEMY for the Education of Youth, to govern the same, provide
Masters, make Rules, receive Donations, purchase Lands, _&c._ and to
add to their Number, from Time to Time such other Persons as they
shall judge suitable.
That the Members of the Corporation make it their Pleasure, and
in some Degree their Business, to visit the Academy often, encourage
and (* 2) countenance the Youth, countenance and assist the Masters,
and by all Means in their Power advance the Usefulness and Reputation
of the Design; that they look on the Students as in some Sort their
Children, treat them with Familiarity and Affection, and when they
have behav'd well, and gone through their Studies, and are to enter
the World, zealously unite, and make all the Interest that can be
made to establish them (* 3), whether in Business, Offices,
Marriages, or any other Thing for their Advantage, preferably to all
other Persons whatsoever even of equal Merit.
And if Men may, and frequently do, catch such a Taste for
cultivating Flowers,ng, Grafting, Inoculating, and the like, as to
despise all other Amusements for their Sake, why may not we expect
they should acquire a Relish for that _more useful_ Culture of young
Minds. _Thompson_ says,
_'Tis Joy to see the human Blossoms blow,
When infant Reason grows apace, and calls
For the kind Hand of an assiduous Care;
Delightful Task! to rear the tender Thought,
To teach the young Idea how to shoot,
To pour the fresh Instruction o'er the Mind,
To breathe th' enliv'ning Spirit, and to fix
The generous Purpose in the glowing Breast._
That a House be provided for the ACADEMY, if not in the Town,
not many Miles from it; the Situation high and dry, and if it may be,
not far from a River, having a Garden, Orchard, Meadow, and a Field
or two.
That the House be furnished with a Library (if in the Country,
if in the Town, the Town (* 4) Libraries may serve) with Maps of all
Countries, Globes, some mathematical Instruments, and Apparatus for
Experiments in Natural Philosophy, and for Mechanics; Prints, of all
Kinds, Prospects, Buildings, Machines, _&c_. (* 5)
That the RECTOR be a Man of good Understanding, good Morals,
diligent and patient, learn'd in the Languages and Sciences, and a
correct pure Speaker and Writer of the _English_ Tongue; to have such
Tutors under him as shall be necessary.
That the boarding Scholars diet (* 6) together, plainly,
temperately, and frugally.
That to keep them in Health, and to strengthen and render
active their Bodies, they be frequently (* 7) exercis'd in Running,
Leaping, Wrestling, and Swimming (* 8) _&c_.
That they have peculiar Habits to distinguish them from other
Youth, if the Academy be in or near the Town; for this, among other
Reasons, that their Behaviour may be the better observed.
As to their STUDIES, it would be well if they could be taught
_every Thing_ that is useful, and _every Thing_ that is ornamental:
But Art is long, and their Time is short. It is therefore propos'd
that they learn those Things that are likely to be _most useful_ and
_most ornamental_. Regard being had to the several Professions for
which they are intended.
All should be taught to write a _fair Hand_, and swift, as that
is useful to All. And with it may be learnt something of (* 9)
_Drawing_, by Imitation of Prints, and some of the first Principles
of Perspective.
(* 10) _Arithmetick_, _Accounts_, and some of the first
Principles of _Geometry_ and _Astronomy_.
The (* 11) _English_ Language might be taught by Grammar; in
which some of our best Writers, as _Tillotson_, _Addison_, _Pope_,
_Algernoon Sidney_, _Cato_'s Letters, _&c_. should be Classicks: The
_Stiles_ principally to be cultivated, being the _clear_ and the
_concise_. Reading should also be taught, and pronouncing, properly,
distinctly, emphatically; not with an even Tone, which _under-does_,
nor a theatrical, which _over-does_ Nature.
To form their Stile, they should be put on Writing (* 12)
Letters to each other, making Abstracts of what they read; or writing
the same Things in their own Words; telling or writing Stories lately
read, in their own Expressions. All to be revis'd and corrected by
the Tutor, who should give his Reasons, explain the Force and Import
of Words, _&c_.
To form their (* 13) Pronunciation, they may be put on making
Declamations, repeating Speeches, delivering Orations, _&c_. The
Tutor assisting at the Rehearsals, teaching, advising, correcting
their Accent, _&c_.
But if (* 14) HISTORY be made a constant Part of their Reading,
such as the Translations of the _Greek_ and _Roman_ Historians, and
the modern Histories of antient _Greece_ and _Rome_, &c. may not
almost all Kinds of useful Knowledge be that Way introduc'd to
Advantage, and with Pleasure to the Student? As
GEOGRAPHY, by reading with Maps, and being required to point
out the Places _where_ the greatest Actions were done, to give their
old and new Names, with the Bounds, Situation, Extent of the
Countries concern'd, _&c_.
CHRONOLOGY, by the Help of _Helvicus_ or some other Writer of
the Kind, who will enable them to tell _when_ those Events happened;
what Princes were Cotemporaries, what States or famous Men flourish'd
about that Time, _&c_. The several principal Epochas to be first
well fix'd in their Memories.
ANTIENT CUSTOMS, religious and civil, being frequently
mentioned in History, will give Occasion for explaining them; in
which the (* 15) Prints of Medals, Basso Relievo's, and antient
Monuments will greatly assist.
MORALITY, (* 16) by descanting and making continual
Observations on the Causes of the Rise or Fall of any Man's
Character, Fortune, Power, _&c_. mention'd in History; the Advantages
of Temperance, Order, Frugality, Industry, Perseverance, _&c_. _&c_.
(* 17) Indeed the general natural Tendency of Reading good History,
must be, to fix in the Minds of Youth deep Impressions of the Beauty
and Usefulness of Virtue of all Kinds, Publick Spirit, Fortitude,
_&c_.
_History_ will show the wonderful Effects of ORATORY, in
governing, turning and leading great Bodies of Mankind, Armies,
Cities, Nations. When the Minds of Youth are struck with Admiration
at this, (* 18) then is the Time to give them the Principles of that
Art, which they will study with Taste and Application. Then they may
be made acquainted with the best Models among the Antients, their
Beauties being particularly pointed out to them. Modern Political
Oratory being chiefly performed by the Pen and Press, its Advantages
over the Antient in some Respects are to be shown; as that its
Effects are more extensive, more lasting, _&c_.
_History_ will also afford frequent Opportunities of showing
the Necessity of a _Publick Religion_, from its Usefulness to the
Publick; the Advantage of a Religious Character among private
Persons; the Mischiefs of Superstition, _&c_. and the Excellency of
the CHRISTIAN RELIGION above all others antient or modern (* 19).
_History_ will also give Occasion to expatiate on the Advantage
of Civil Orders and Constitutions, how Men and their Properties are
protected by joining in Societies and establishing Government; their
Industry encouraged and rewarded, Arts invented, and Life made more
comfortable: The Advantages of _Liberty_, Mischiefs of
_Licentiousness_, Benefits arising from good Laws and a due Execution
of Justice, _&c_. Thus may the first Principles of sound (* 20)
_Politicks_ be fix'd in the Minds of Youth.
On _Historical_ Occasions, Questions of Right and Wrong,
Justice and Injustice, will naturally arise, and may be put to Youth,
which they may debate in Conversation and in Writing (* 21). When
they ardently desire Victory, for the Sake of the Praise attending
it, they will begin to feel the Want, and be sensible of the Use of
_Logic_, or the Art of Reasoning to _discover_ Truth, and of Arguing
to _defend_ it, and _convince_ Adversaries. This would be the Time
to acquaint them with the Principles of that Art. _Grotius_,
_Puffendorff_, and some other Writers of the same Kind, may be used
on these Occasions to decide their Disputes. (* 22) Publick Disputes
warm the Imagination, whet the Industry, and strengthen the natural
Abilities.
When Youth are told, that the Great Men whose Lives and Actions
they read in History, spoke two of the best Languages that ever were,
the most expressive, copious, beautiful; and that the finest
Writings, the most correct Compos