SOON after my return to London the two following paragraphs appeared in
the newspapers.
"T. has been over to France, botanizing, and has gotten what he
went to seek."
"I'll tell you, my Lord Fool, From this Nettle danger we pluck the
_Flower_ safety."
This I insert merely on account of the Bêtise of the quotation. The
Dutch inscription on sticks of sealing-wax would have been as
applicable.
"T. the Tourist was the first to fly from Paris on the prospect of
the tumults of the 10th of August. He is now writing a History of
the Bloody Murders which distinguished that day."
I suspect that the ingenious Genius who wrote this knew he was mistaking
as to the former part of this paragraph. He may say _Trippist_ now.
I should not have seen either of these, had they not been pointed out to
me by some of my "damned good-natured friends." I am in hopes of seeing
a number of very pretty criticisms on the foregoing pages; many passages
were written purposely to catch critics, as honey catches gnats; if
just, they shall be attended to, should there be another edition; and
if they are merely absurd, they shall be collected, and faithfully
presented to the gentle reader. I have told the truth, and have not "set
down aught in malice."