Superior excellence is the general mark for calumny; and envy is usually
led to asperse what it cannot imitate. A little mind is scandalized at
the pre-eminence of its neighbour, and endeavours to depreciate the
virtues which it cannot attain to. Thus the distempered eye is impatient
of prevailing brightness; and, by attempting to observe the lucid
object, inadvertently betrays its own weakness. Pride is the fruitful
parent of Detraction; and it is the unjust estimate which men set upon
themselves, that generates in their minds this ridiculous contempt of
greater worth. Persons of this unhappy complexion regard all praises
conferred upon another as derogatory from their own value. The arrows of
the backbiter are generally shot in the night; and the most unspotted
innocence is the game of this infernal destroyer. The heads of his darts
are imbrued in poison; and it too frequently happens, that a small wound
proves mortal to the injured. But to drop for the present these
figurative expressions, I would only observe, that it is a pity a
well-regulated society cannot more effectually curb this impious
licentiousness of those sons of darkness. If a wretch, necessitated by
the cries of a starving family to seek illegal supplies of bread, shall
make an open attack upon me, the constitution of the realm consigns such
a pitiable malefactor to infamy and death. And shall this miserable
object of compassion prove the victim of my resentment; while the
backbiter may, with impunity, revel in the excesses of his iniquity, and
boast defiance to all laws? As this is a topic, however, which has been
descanted on by a variety of pens, I shall endeavour to enliven it with
the air of novelty, by throwing my farther sentiments into the form of a
vision.
I found myself, during the slumbers of the night, in a very extensive
region, which was subject to the jurisdiction of a fury, named
Detraction. The fields were wild, and carried not the least appearance
of cultivation. The tops of the hills were covered with snow; and the
whole country seemed to mourn the inclement severity of one eternal
winter. Instead of the verdure of pleasing herbage, there sprang up to
sight hemlock, aconite, and other baneful plants. The woods were the
retreats of serpents; while on the boughs were perched the birds of
night, brooding in doleful silence.
In the middle of the plain was a bleak mountain, where I discovered a
groupe of figures, which I presently made up to. The summit presented
the fury of the place. There was a peculiar deformity attending her
person. Her eyes were galled and inflamed; her visage was swoln and
terrible; and from her mouth proceeded a two-edged sword. A blasted oak
was the throne which she sat on; her food was the flesh of vipers, and
her drink gall and vinegar.
At a little distance from her I observed Ignorance talking loud in his
own applause; Pride strutting upon his tiptoes; Conceit practising at a
mirror; and Envy, like a vulture, preying upon herself.
The multitudes who paid their addresses to this fury were a composition
of all nations and professions, of different characters, and various
capacities. There was the mechanic, the tradesman, the scholar; but the
most zealous votaries consisted principally of old maids, antiquated
batchelors, discarded courtiers, and the like. Each strove to ingratiate
himself with the fury, by sacrificing the most valuable of his friends;
nor could proximity of blood move compassion, or plead exemption from
being victims to her insatiable passion. Some addressed this infernal
Moloch with the very fruits of their bodies; while others were
triumphantly chanting forth the extent of her power, and expatiating on
the numbers of her conquests. At this incident arose in my breast all
the tender sentiments of humanity that I had ever cultivated; and I
began to blame my criminal curiosity, which had prompted me to ascend
the mountain. But in a few minutes the whole scene was very agreeably
reversed. For, towards the southern boundaries, I observed the clouds
parting, the sky purpling, and the sun breaking forth in all its glory.
When immediately there appeared marching towards us Good-nature, in all
her pomp and splendor; arrayed like a sylvan nymph, and blooming with
unstudied graces. She was of a fair and ruddy complexion, which received
additional beauty from the frequent smiles that she threw into her
countenance. On her right hand shone Good Sense, with much majesty and
diffidence in her mien. She was an essential attendant on the young
lady, who never appeared to such advantage, as when she was under her
more immediate direction. On her left was Generosity, carrying a heart
in her hand. The next that presented, was Modesty, with her eyes fixed
on the ground, and her cheeks spread with roses. Then followed a train
of beauties, who, by the unaffected charms of their persons, made me
desirous of a nearer inspection. Upon a close approach, I discovered
that they were a tribe of AMERICAN LADIES, who were always fond of
appearing in the retinue of the Goddess, from whose indulgent smiles
they received an accessional lustre to their charms. I then turned my
eyes towards the monsters I have above described; the principal of which
turned pale, and fell down in a swoon from her throne. Pride sunk into a
shade; Envy fell prostrate and bit the ground; while Ignorance vanished
like a morning cloud before the rising sun. As the Goddess drew near,
the whole collection of fiends disappeared. The basilisk skulked into
the glade, and the oak on which the fury was seated budded forth afresh.
Wherever the goddess walked, the flowers sprang up spontaneous at her
feet. The trees, surprized with new-born life, displayed the enamelled
blossom. The tender roe was seen bounding over the mountains, and the
little lamb sporting on the hills. Instead of the briar and the thorn,
there shot forth the myrtle and every odoriferous shrub. The voice of
the turtle was heard in the groves, and the dales resounded with the
melodious harmony of the nightingale. In a word, the whole reign
confessed the happy influences of the Deity, and charmed in all the
genial softness of the spring.