But their panegyric on our law is the boldest flight of invention that I remember to have seen. "The law fuffers no injury to go without a remedy, and affords a remedy equally to the proudest and the pooreft "man." For inftance, if it could be fuppofed poffible, for an overgrown Lord to distress his poor tenant, the law would exact an ample compenfation from the Lord, and replace the peafant in ftatu que, free from the effects of paft injuries, and the fear of future oppreffion. The only answer that needs be made to fuch an affertion is, that as it never was believed by the writer, fo it never will be believed by any reader. Yet, now and then, a ray of mercy breaks forth from the ftorm of abufe. The mischievous opinions are allowed to be founded on plaufible topics, and fupported by plausible reafening. Surely, then, however wrong the Levellers are, they may be honeft in their intention, and only mistaken in their argument. At another time they are" fpeculative men, who have conceived ideas of per"fection that never yet were known.” This feems to be a tacit, though, perhaps, unguarded conceffion infavour of the Reformers; and the only point in difpute is, whether certain alterations in our form of Government are practicable, and whether they would tend to the general benefit. If no excufe can be allowed for thofe unhappy men, who think that our Government would be rendered better, by having fewer faults, God help help the wicked! If wishing for a peaceful and temperate reform be wicked and fenfeless, we are certainly a fet of reprobate blockheads: for fuch are the avowed opinions of a very great part, and the real fentiments of more. I mean not, however, to deny, that this manifefto has fome touches of true eloquence. In particular I admire that fentence, "The inequality of rank and fortune in "this bleffed country is more the refult of every man's own exertions, than of any controling inftitution of "the ftate." Here is at once a plain confeffior, that all the profperity, whatever it is, that we enjoy, is due to the exertions of individuals, and not to the foftering influence of Government; together with a most bitter farcafm upon our prefent condition, conveyed in the words, "this bleffed country." But I think in prudence, they fhould have contented themselves with defending the abuses of the conftitution, without infulting the miseries of the nation. The latter end of thefe gentlemen's commonwealth forgets the beginning. They beftow great part of their advertisement upon the shocking French Revolution, which they fee with grief; and presently they take no concern in the fruggles now making abroad, Some folks have need of good memories, quoth Partridge. I think there is nothing more in the firft charge that requires animad 1 verfion. Their fecond advertisement prescribes an.opiate, called a fermon. I wish the readers a comfortable nap. One of their refolutions of to-day is "to undeceive the poor people by reafoning." If I had been one of the gentlemen of this fociety, (for it feems no men, or citizens belong to the club) I would have advised them to have omitted the words undeceive the people by reafoning, which is a thing at once needless and impracticable. It is needlefs, because the poor people are undeceived already; and it is impracticable, because reason is a commodity of which thefe gentlemen fcarcely poffefs enough for home confumption. At the conclufion of this laft address we are told, that the wicked men meet in defiance of law, but good men (i. e. the gentlemen of this club) meet in aid of law. If the first address had not had clear marks of its origin, this paragraph would have fhew us, that it could not proceed but from a gentleman of the robe. None but a lawyer could have recommended Judge Afhhurft's Charge. None but a lawyer could have made the nice distinction juft quoted, between wicked and good men. I shall keep a conftant eye upon the proceedings of thefe gentry, and from time to time communicate my remarks upon them, when the fubject seems to require it, and you think what I fay worthy of infertion. But all all criticifm, or anfwering, will be ufelefs, if they go on as they have begun.. Friend, for your long harangues I'm griev❜d, "Where ftill fo much is faid; "One half will never be believ'd, "The other never read." JACK SHERIFF, TO CHLOE. BY PETER PINDAR, ESQ. CHLOE, a thousand charms are thine, That give my heart the conftant figh; Ah! wherefore let thy poet pine, Who can't with ease his wants fupply? O, hafte, thy charity display ; With little I'll contented be! The kiffes which thou throw'ft away L3 SON. SONNET. BY PETER PINDAR, ESQ. OH Fortune! do not tempt my heart Her languid eyes and pallid cheek . PASTORAL BALLAD. BY PETER PINDAR, ESQ. THE fwains and the virgins fo gay Refort to my fountains and groves; Joy follows wherever they stray, And my vales feem the Court of the Loves. But with wonder they mark me forlorn, Nor to heave the fad figh of despair. Te. |