wretches, who first seduce the poor young creatures from their
innocence, and then triumph in their wickedness. He who debauches a
maiden, and then exposes her to want and shame, is arrived to such a
monstrous height of villany, that no word in our language can reach
it. Mentions a further species of cruelty, that is, the necessity
some of these poor wretches are under, if with child, of applying to
a magistrate to procure some pitiful maintenance for her unfortunate
babe.----When all that is to be done by the father, is to make the best
bargain he can with the church-wardens to take it off his hands; which
is commonly done for a treat, and 10 or 12_l._ So the child is placed
upon the parish, and the woman upon the town.
Univers. Spectator, _Jan. 23._ No. 120.
Entertains his readers with two letters; the first is from _Tristitia
Stale_, who complains that she is continually persecuted, merely
because she is an old maid.
Virginity, she says, has not always been a reproach, sees no
encouragement in matrimony, and begs the _Spectator_ to reprimand the
malaperts, who ridicule chastity; adds, that a single life in woman was
esteem’d among the ancient as well as modern Romans; vestals then, and
nuns now.
The other letter is from _Charlotte Wilful_, a young lady of 19,
who says she has two admirers. The first is ’squire _Scrape_, who
has 1200_l._ _per annum_, which he keeps in his own hands and farms
himself, and therefore is favour’d in his pretentions by her father.
Mr _Myrtle_, her mother’s favourite, is the other, who, by his own
account is near 40, by that of his acquaintance 10 years older, has
squander’d away a good estate, but by the death of an uncle is now
worth 1000_l._ _per annum_, and is a perfect humourist.
But to both these she prefers Mr _Plume_ of the _Inner-Temple_, who
has no estate, but is of a sweet temper. Concludes with desiring Mr
_Stonecastle_ to declaim on parents making choices for their Children,
with a stroke on antiquated beaus, and rural animals, and to recommend
a fine gentleman with no fortune. Desires, by way of postscript, that
he would not delay publishing her letter, because Mr _Plume_ and she
had agreed to run away together on _Tuesday_ next.
The Universal Spectator, _Jan. 30._ No. 121.
Among all those amusements people find to pass away the time, _Poesy_
and _Musick_ are the most elegantly entertaining. By the ancients they
were look’d upon as immediately inspired from above, and the professors
reverenc’d as sacred, and the favourites of heaven.
He adds, that we excel the ancients in musick, if not in poetry, and
prefers a good _English_ song, tho’ set to a common tune, before the
_Italian_ trifling unnatural compositions. The _one_ ravishes the ear
only, the _other_ entertains the understanding also.----Hence he takes
occasion to recommend _A collection of ~Lyric~ poems and songs with
musick annexed_, lately publish’d.
Free Briton, _Jan. 7._ No. 58.
The author refutes a falsity advanced by Mr _D’anvers_ in the
_Craftsman_ of the 13th of _Dec._ wherein, speaking of the riot-act,
he says, “That an election of Church-wardens hath been already made a
handle for putting this law in execution. That the master of a small
vessel was kept a whole year in prison, to the loss of his voyage,
and almost the ruin of his family, upon happening to go thro’ the
church-yard, from visiting a friend, an hour after the proclamation was
read. Nay, that the poor man might have run the hazard of his life, as
well as have been put to further expences, if his late Majesty had not
been graciously pleas’d to grant him a _Noli prosequi_.”
The falsehood of this story the _Free Briton_ thus corrects.--The
gentlemen of _Greenwich_ disagreeing upon the choice of a church-warden
at _Easter_ 1722, a poll was demanded and a scrutiny afterwards agreed
on. The scrutineers met, but a number of dissolute persons tumultuously
assembling at the same time, insulted the justices in a rude and
outragious manner, (justice _Savory_ receiving a blow on the back by
a great stone) so that it was thought proper to read the proclamation
in order to disperse them. Among the rioters was _Charles Curtis_,
master of a small vessel. He was with them before, at, and after the
proclamation was read, and very notorious by his behaviour; was several
times admonished by the justices to depart; and as often very civilly
acquainted by them with the ill consequence of his continuance in that
riotous assembly. But notwithstanding their repeated admonitions, he
still continued, and was found among the rioters an hour and a half
after the Proclamation was read, and being even then advised to leave
that place, and to avoid the fatal consequence, the said _Curtis_,
still refused to depart, and insisted with uncommon insolence, that
he was as much about his business in that place as the justices
themselves. Whereupon he was apprehended, committed to _Maidstone
Gaol_, try’d, and convicted, but in compassion to his family his
punishment was suspended; but a _Noli prosequi_ was never granted.
The aim of the _Free Briton_, in this paper, is to shew the
inconclusive reasoning of the _Craftsman_ from matters of fact
_falsely_ asserted.
Free Briton, _Jan. 14._ No. 59.
In the conclusion of this paper is a letter by way of reply to the
_Craftsman_, Jan. 9. wherein that author calls upon the _Free Briton_
to justify the administration for breaking with the Emperor. To which
the _Free Briton_ answers, that it will be full time to make a defence
when such measures are undertaken; that their insolence is astonishing,
in imputing the same crimes to our ministers for which themselves
have deserved a halter. Asks the _Craftsman_ whether he imagines the
ministry are so fond of the Emperor on the sudden, as to sacrifice the
trade of _Spain_, and abandon all the powers of _Europe_, only to run
into his arms?
In _Feb._ last an outcry was rais’d on a pretended discovery that the
ministry were making up at _Vienna_ by an implicit guarantee of the
Emperor’s succession to the _Austrian Netherlands_, as he should settle
it; yet this could not be obtain’d of the _British_ councils; and now
we are told we are ready to lurch all our allies for his sake.
The authors of the _Craftsman_ allow that this Treaty-breaking measure
would be right, provided a certain great man was removed. As if
national compacts could be dissolv’d by the change of the ministers:
The nation must answer for the faith of treaties. Grants that such a
conduct might be expected, should this ministry be chang’d.
It does not redound to the shame of those who made the treaty of
_Seville_, that the parties have allow’d the Emperor a reasonable
time to come into their measures; which if they had not, they would
have been charg’d with rashness, precipitation, and every enormity.
Concludes with mentioning several injuries and insults that this nation
has suffer’d from the Imperial quarter.
Free Briton, _Jan. 21._
He applies _Job_’s saying to his friends, _Will you lye for God?_ to
the Craftsman, _Will you lye for liberty and country?_ and asks, if he
demands impunity for defamatory falsehood?
Breach of faith, which the _Craftsman_ had laid to the charge of the
ministry, is the most virulent aspersion that a libeller can utter
against any government, is therefore punishable, and declares his
opinion, that spreading false news is no part of the freedom of the
press.
He thinks no honest cause wants the assistance of falshood, so no man
should lay claim to liberty who adheres not to truth; therefore the
_Craftsman_ ought not to complain of severity from the government,
unless he will evince the truth of his assertion.
Men think that prosecutions and confinement are very hard, not
considering the provocations that urg’d them; and that the worst
imputations are charg’d on the councils of the crown, without the least
colour of truth. The punishment inflicted on a libelling printer, bears
no proportion with the wrongs thus offer’d to a great people.
Distinguishes between _opinions_ offr’d upon national affairs, and
_misrepresentations_ of those affairs. The first is not criminal, the
other may. Says, these men may be punished on the Statute, as spreaders
of false news.
The _Craftsman_ can defend himself no other way then by refuting the
charge of falshood.
The _Craftsman_ had suggested that the _Government_ abetted the very
practices for which he is under prosecution; and instanced in the
pamphlet _Sedition and Defamation display’d_, which represents the
conduct and characters of two persons who have laboured these five
years to make this ministry odious, for which reasons the opposite
writers spare no invectives to point out these gentlemen _Weekly_,
as _Traitors_ and _Villains_. The _Free Briton_ here justifies the
characters complain’d of.
Free Briton, _Jan. 28._ No. 61.
He takes notice that the _Craftsman_ in his reply to the pamphlet
called _Sedition and Defamation display’d_, has not once attempted
to show that the characters of two gentlemen there given are in the
least unlike or injurious, and maintains that whatever is said of them
in that pamphlet is indisputably true; yet observes, that the author
admitted, that he who had _wronged_ his friendship, and _betrayed_
his confidence, came into the world with _all the advantages_ that
recommend men to the _esteem, favour, and approbation of mankind_.
The _Craftsman_ on the contrary divests the minister whose character he
draws of all those _talents_ and _abilities_, without which, _power_ is
not _easily acquir’d_, or _long maintain’d_. See p. 4.
But the _minister’s abilities_ have been the dread and disappointment
of his enemies, and have carried him thro’ innumerable difficulties
for five years together, and enabled him to baffle all their attempts
against him; notwithstanding he is describ’d as setting out in mean
circumstances, and recommended to mankind by every bad quality, yet
those who object this now, were more than ten years his associates in
_private life_ as well as _publick affairs_. As to what has been said
of his being _superior in impudence to all_, this author replies, that
’twas never heard that he call’d gentlemen _scoundrels_ in _publick
assemblies_; reviled the _Speeches_ from the _Throne_; or, that if
affairs were managed as he dictated, he would maintain his Majesty’s
administration.
Several other scurrilous reflections, thrown out against this
honourable person, are answer’d at large in this paper, and some of
them charged with notorious falshood.
The British Journal: or, The Traveller, _Jan. 9._
The author mentions two evils which attend those that trade with
pawnbrokers; the first is, persons who have left pledges in their
hands, upon offering to redeem them, have been obliged to advance five
or six shillings more than they borrow’d on them. The other is the
power of the pawnbroker to defraud his customer entirely of his pledge;
both which may be redress’d by obliging pawnbrokers to give a receipt
to every person borrowing money on pledges, to which both borrower and
lender shall subscribe their names, and each of them take a copy.
In some considerations on the stage, opera’s, and the force of musick,
he says, that an opera ought to be as regularly conducted, and the
characters as justly maintain’d; the same end propos’d, and as large
room for the exercise of a fine genius, as in tragedy or comedy. That a
compleat opera set to musick would have an advantage over tragedy. Is
not pleased with the _Recitativo_ of an opera, because ’tis the musick
of the songs only that dwell on the memory.
Distinguishes between the grand-opera and those ballad-opera’s now in
vogue, which latter, if well set to musick, might deserve applause.
Commends _Addison_’s _Rosamond_ as a beautifull piece of poetry, both
in fable and language. In it is maintain’d the dignity of tragedy,
the humour of comedy, and the principal end of opera’s; _i. e._ the
encouragement of virtue, discouraging vice, and probability through the
whole is preserv’d.
The British Journal, _Jan. 23._
Relates the history of two traytors, _Edric_ the father, and _Edric_
the son, who lived near 800 years ago; from which he collects and
concludes with this lesson to princes, that they ought to be cautious
whom they trust, and to pry with piercing eyes into the conduct of
their ministers, and the motives of their counsels.
_An Extract of a Discourse made to the ~Royal Society~, in Defence
of Mr. ~Cheselden~’s intended Operation on the Ear of a condemn’d
Malefactor._ Daily Courant. _Jan. 17._
The author first observes, that the skin, commonly call’d, _The Drum
of the Ear_, is not the organ of hearing, as was vulgarly thought;
for the proof of which he offers a great number of reasons and
observations of his own, as well as the opinions and reasons of the
most learned and judicious anatomists. He then observes, there are
two passages to the organs of hearing; one by the outward ear, the
other thro’ the back part of the mouth, thro’ which some people can
hear, who cannot hear thro’ the outward ear. In this case he supposes
the sound may be interrupted by the drum of the ear, which is seated
in this passage, and being diseased, may hinder sounds from passing
to the internal parts, where are seated the proper organs of hearing:
In this case only, he supposes, that perforating the drum may prove a
remedy for deafness, as depressing the chrystalline humour of the eye
(vulgarly call’d couching a cataract) is daily found to be a remedy for
blindness; and yet that operation has been as indecently and ignorantly
ridicul’d as the experiment of Mr. _Cheselden_’s; one writer against
that operation not scrupling to give his book the following title, _A
new method of recovering the sight by putting out the eye_. He also
deserves, that the scituation of the drum is such, that the operation
may be easily made by a skilful person; and it being a very thin skin,
he presumes it will not be very painful; and if so, the person who is
to undergo the experiment will purchase his life upon very easy terms:
But supposing it should be very painful; (which ’tis hop’d it will not
be) on whom can the first experiment be so fitly made, for the service
of mankind, as on one whose life is already forfeited to the publick?
[See page 10. Col. 2]
_Read’s Weekly Journal_, Jan. 16.
Entertains his readers with a letter from a correspondent concerning
the present state of the _Law_; takes notice of the spleen which in
general appears against lawyer and law; says, that the multiplicity
of statutes is one of the greatest grievances of this kingdom. Quotes
an opinion of a learned judge, that the best way to reform the law,
was to abrogate all the acts made for its amendment. Asserts, that the
founding a proper _Corpus Juris_, is the highest point of policy in
a well order’d state. The old _English_ method of proceeding against
debtors, being judg’d inconvenient, produced the act on which was
found’d the _Capias in detinue_, as the shortest way of recovery.
Complains of fictitious suits, particularly in ejectments. He resents
likewise the encouragement given in every court to the multitude
of suitors, as contrary to the very ends of justice. Proposes some
remedies for these evils, by an act empowering commissioners to inspect
into
1. _The condition of the law in general, common and statute; what of
them may be repealed, and what not._
2. _To frame proper instructions to direct those who are intrusted with
the execution of the law._
3. _To examine into the nature of actions on the case, which by judge
~Dodderidge~ is declared to be a feigned action contrived in deceit of
the law._
4. _To contrive how to prevent vexatious and litigious suits, by
lessening the credit of parole agreement._
5. _That every practiser of the law be obliged by oath to give his
opinion justly to the best of his knowledge, to practise fairly, and by
no indirect means procure false judgment in any case._
Lastly, _To compile a compleat body of the law, with an institute of
maxims and rules, a treatise of practice, and the forms to be observed
by courts._
See more concerning the amending the law, _p._ 77. 98. 100. 106. and
the substance of the Act passed this Sessions of Parliament relating
there to p. 213.
_Poetical ESSAYS for ~JANUARY, 1731~._
_~ODE~ for New-Years-Day by ~C. Cibber~, Esq;_
_Recitativo._
Once more the ever circling Sun
Thro’ the coelestial signs has run,
Again old Time inverts his glass,
And bids the annual Season pass:
The youthful Spring shall call for birth, 5
And glad with op’ning flow’rs the Earth:
Fair Summer lead with Sheaves the Field,
And golden Fruit shall Autumn yield,
Each to the Winter’s want their store shall bring,
’Till warmer genial Suns recall the Spring. 10
_Air._
Ye grateful _Britons_ bless the Year,
That kindly yields increase,
While plenty that might feed a War,
Enjoys the guard of peace,
Your plenty to the Skies you owe, 15
Peace is your Monarch’s care;
Thus bounteous _Jove_ and _George_ below
Divided empire share.
_Recitativo._
_Britannia_ pleas’d, looks round her realms to see
Your various causes of Felicity! 20
(To glorious War, a glorious peace succeeds;
For most we triumph when the Farmer feeds)
Then truly are we great when truth supplies
Our Blood, our Treasures drain’d by victories.
Turn happy _Briton_, to the throne your Eyes, 25
And in the royal offspring see,
How amply bounteous providence supplies
The source of your felicity.
_Air._
Behold in ev’ry Face imperial Graces shine
All native to the Race of _George_ and _Caroline_: 30
In each young Hero we admire
The blooming virtue of his sire;
In each maturing fair we find,
Maternal charms of softer kind.
_Recitativo._
In vain thro’ ages past has _Phœbus_ reli’d, 35
E’re such a sight blest _Albion_ could behold
Thrice happy Mortals, if your state you knew,
Where can the Globe so blest a nation shew?
All that of you indulgent Heav’n requires,
Is loyal Hearts, to reach your own Desires. 40
Let Faction then her self born views lay down,
And Hearts united, thus address the Throne.
_Air._
Hail! Royal _Cesar_, hail!
Like this may ev’ry annual Sun
Add brighter Glories to thy Crown, 45
’Till Suns themselves shall fail.
_Recitativo._
May Heav’n thy peaceful Reign prolong,
Nor let to thy great Empires wrong,
Foreign or native Foes prevail.
_Hail_, &c.
See p. 10, 11.
_~ODE~ humbly inscribed to the Poet Laureat, taken from ~Lon. Evening
Post~ Jan. 7. as there said by ~Step. Duck~, Esq._
_Semei in annoridet Apollo._
_Recitativo._
Accept, O _Cibber_, the advent’rous lay,
Which, to your honour, dares both sing and say:
To you great Prince of Comedy and Song,
The Tributes o’ inferior Pens belong;
You, who by royal favour wear the Bays,
And grateful eternize our Monarch’s Praise.
_Air._
Let us sing to the King,
All about the circling Year;
Sing a _floreat_ to the _laureat_,
Ev’ry Season brings good cheer,
Grateful _Britons_, thank the bard,
Who by Peace does plenty guard,
Such as hungry War does need,
War, that does on plenty feed.
_Recitativo._
Phœbus with joy looks _Britain_ round to see,
The happy state of his lov’d Poetry,
To _Eusdes_, _Cibber_ gloriously succeeds;
Wit triumphs most, when bard like farmer feeds!
Then truly are we great, when he can shew
The way _his own out-doings to out-do_.
Cast, envious Poets, on his Verse your Eyes,
Behold the offspring of his brain.
How his rich Genius constantly supplies
The source of his poetick vein!
_Air._
Thro’out the whole what matchless Graces shine;
_Paraphonalia_ sparkles in each Line;
Native to _Cibber_, we admire
The style and fancy, wit and fire,
In each maturing Word we find
Something soft for thought design’d.
_Recitativo._
Complain not Sol, of fruitless ages past,
Think your self blest in such a Son at last!
Thrice happy Poets, if you knew your state;
_Britain_ alone can boast a _Laureat_.
For if, like him, to Grandeur you aspire,
By his Example reach your own desire.
Let criticks then their self born views lay down;
And Bards in chorus thus sing round the town.
_Air._
Hail! Matchless _Colley_, hail!
Like this may ev’ry New Year’s Day
Add fresher Honour to the Bay,
’Till Bay itself shall fail.
_Recitativo._
May Heaven preserve thy Genius clear,
For _Christmas_ comes but once a Year.
Give the Poet then some Ale.
_Ale_, &c.
From _Fog_’s Journal, _Jan. 9._
An Ode on _Twelfth Day_. In Imitation of an Ode on _New Year’s-Day_.
_Past Two o’Clock, and a frosty Morning._
_Recitativo._
Once more the Bell-man bids us wake,
With Prophesy of Ale and Cake;
Tells us before we sleep again,
_Tom_ shall be King, and _Nancy_ Queen,
While good Sir Knight a Knave appears,
And Madam the Slut’s Ensign wears.
Such Kings and Queens should _Colly_ sing,
Such Worthies in his numbers ring;
While both the _British_ soil and Foreign Shores,
To form the Cake, unite their grateful Stores.
_Air._
Ye grateful Footmen, bless the Day,
That such Preferments give;
Ye joyful Cook-maids drink away,
While ye your Title lives.
Good Ale you to the Brewer owe,
The Cake’s the Baker’s care,
And all above, and eke below,
Combine to give good fare.
_Recitativo._
_Tom_ thinks himself a real Monarch grown,
And, pleas’d looks round the Kitchen as his own.
While _Nancy_ with him royal Honour shares,
And on the other Maids majestick stares.
The New King’s Health is first, the Queen’s succeed:
And most he triumphs, who most freely feeds.
Then all are truly great when Ale supplies
The want of Riches and of Dignities,
And the exhausted Jugg gives victories.
Turn happy _Will_, _Jack_, _Kate_, and _Doll_, your eyes
On yon Two Chairs, and there observe
How well the new rais’d prince the place supplies
Which both, as you must own, deserve.
_Air._
Behold in each pleas’d face what lovely graces shine,
How on their little realm they look with air benign,
Such, _Will_, must you and _Kate_ appear,
If Fortune the ensuing Year,
Convinces us she is not blind,
By proving to your merit kind.
_Recitativo._
In vain above Three Hundred Days have pass’d
Between this joyful Twelfth Day and the last,
No Scene like this has chear’d your Hearts and Eyes,
Where shall we find such bliss beneath the Skies?
All that Sir _William_ and my Lady ask,
Is, that when all have well perform’d their Task,
With silent pace, without your Shoes you’ll tread
And each go peaceably, tho’ drunk to bed.
_Air._
Hail! merry Monarch, hail!
Like this may ev’ry annual Cake
You merrier still and merrier make,
’Till Cakes themselves shall fail.
_Recitativo._
May you all long your Places keep;
May no makebate amongst you creep,
With Peace destroying Tale.
A HYMN to the LAUREAT, Introduced in the _Whitehall_ and _London_
Evening Posts, _Jan. 9._ thus
Sir, _By giving a Place in your Paper to the following Unfashionable
Hymn you will very much oblige Sir_,
_your Humble servt._
_Cibber_, accept these feeble lays
From an unskilfull muse,
Who tries with artless Note, to praise
What _envious men_ abuse.
Nature and Art in thee combine;
Thy Comedies excell:
With Wit and Sense replete, they shine,
And read politely well.
Who sees th’ inconstant[1] _Loveless_ range,
But mourns _Amanda’s_ fate?
Each female Heart approves his change,
And pants for such a state.
When Lady _Betty_[2] treads the stage,
All _modish_ prudes submit:
What _Foppington_ adorns our age,
With the same Grace and Wit?
In _Townley_[3] see the _modern Wife_!
How full of Vice! how blam’d!
How ruin’d by the _modern Life_!
How valu’d, when reclaim’d!
May empty Journals weekly rail;
May all dull bards repine:
If Wit unequall’d shou’d prevail,
The _Laurel’s_ justly thine.
[1] _Love’s last shift._
[2] _Careless Husband._
[3] _Provok’d Husband._
To the Author of the _Whitehall Evening Post_.
_Jan. 12._
SIR,
As you are an impartial Writer, I dare say you will do justice on both
sides.
The Verses on the _Laureat_, in yours of _Saturday_ last, have
occasion’d the following reply; which I hope you will give a Place
to in your next, to show that we can be quick as well as smart, upon
a proper occasion. And as I think it the lowest mark of a scoundrel
to make bold with any man’s character in print, without subscribing
the true name of the author; I therefore desire, if the _Laureat_ is
concern’d enough to ask the question, that you will tell him my name,
and where I live, till then I beg leave to be known by no other than
that of your servant,
_Francis Fair-play_.
_Ah! hah! Sir ~Coll.~ is that thy way,_
_Thy own dull Praise to write?_
_And would’st thou stand so sure a lay?_
_No! that’s too stale a bite._