THE Dyet of POLAND, A SATYR. CONSIDER'D Paragraph by Paragraph. To which is added A Key to the whole, with the Names of the Au⯑thor, and the Nobility and Gentry, that are Scandalouſly Pointed at, in it.
LONDON, Printed: And Sold by Ben. Bragg, at the Blue-Ball in Ave-Mary-Lane, in the Year, 1705.
THE PREFACE.
[]AS Poland lyes almoſt in the ſame Latitude with England, ſo the Character the Poet has here gi⯑ven of the Poles, ſeems ſo exactly to match what ſome ill-natur'd People have ſaid of ſome in En⯑land, that he eaſily foreſees this Cenſorious Age will be apt to miſ-judge him, as if he had ſome Oblique Meaning, and that this was a Satyr levell'd at ſome People nearer Home [...]han the Caſtle of Warſaw.
To foreſee an Accident and not endeavour to be prepar'd againſt it, is a Piece of Policy peculiar to an Author that ſets up To Reform the Errors of Petty Statſmen three times a week to no Purpoſe; and it adds very much to a Malefactor's Conviction to be guilty of a Willful Crime. Wherefore He had better, either to have kept his Foreſight to himſelf, or stifled his Poem before he had ſent it abroad, to the Great Abuſe of [...]imſelf, and the Patriots he has taken the Freedom to Characte⯑ [...]. As for his Skill in Poetry, if it was no better than his Knowledge in Geography, He might have ſpar'd the Trouble of a Preface to the Reader, ſince there is ſo great a Differ⯑ence between London and Warſaw in their Latitude, that [...]he firſt is Lon. 18. 36. Lat. 51. 32. the laſt Lon. 42. 5. Lat. 52. 7.
But the Author humbly hopes all ſuch Inuendo-Men will conſider, that as they can have no Reaſon to Think ſo, but Similitude of Characters, ſo no Conjectures of theirs, ought to pre-judge his meaning, in which he demands to be left to himſelf, and expects to be underſtood in the fol⯑lowing Poem as he Speaks, not as every prejudic'd Man may imagine he meant.
How any Man can humbly hope, that has the Arrogance to ſay, He can be charg'd with nothing but ſimilitude of Cha⯑racters, is beyoud the Reach of my Ʋnderſtanding, and if he has not done by the Gentlemen whom he has Injuriouſly treated, as well as thoſe whoſe Reputation is blaſted with his Commen⯑dation, as if he had actually written down their Chriſtian and Sir Names in Capital Letters, then I have no claim to any ſuch Thing as Common Apprehenſion.
If any are ſo Weak to tell us, That Smithfield and Cheap⯑ſide, cannot be meant of Poland, the Author preſumes to ask ſuch People, if ever they have been at Warſaw; and, if they have, and don't know that there is both a Smithfield and a Cheapſide, as well as a May-Fair; and a Bear-Garden, he is ſorry for their Heads, and deſires them to ſtep thi⯑ther again to Reform their Memories.
Poland may have Places put to the ſame uſes as Smith⯑field and Cheapſide, and Fairs and Bear-gardens may be in Requeſt there; but it is none of his buſineſs, to bring Eng⯑liſh Tranſactions upon the Poliſh Theatre. And any Man of Compaſſion has very great Reaſon to be ſorry for his Head, who thinks to conceal what was Printed near Bartholomew-Cloſe, under the ſorry Artifice of an Impreſſion from Dant⯑zick.
But ſuppoſe there are not places call'd directly by thoſe Names, if there are places apply'd to the ſame Uſes, what has any Body to queſtion the Allegories? A poor Au⯑thor muſt never Write at all, if he is not at Liberty to choſe His Metaphors, and all the reſt of the neceſſary Fi⯑gures of Speech to help out his Expreſſion.
[] He has forgot his Tryal at the Old-Baily for writing The Shorteſt Way with the Diſſenters, or He would never in⯑ſiſt upon an Author's Liberty to chuſe what Metaphors He thinks fit; for, though He did not pay ſo dearly for his Be⯑loved Ironies as he deſerv'd, yet the Sentence then paſs'd on Him by the Bench might have had ſuch an Effect upon his Temper, as not to make him uneaſie, but when he was break⯑ing through the Bonds, he was engag'd in to the Government, in being tyed up to his Good Behaviour.
If 'tis alledg'd that there is too great an Affinity in the Story.—He Anſwers, If that be True, he is ſorry for it; but at the ſame time he Hopes not, and the matter of Fact ought to be prov'd, before he ſtands Cenſur'd for Calumny.
Though the Character of the Perſons his Satyr points at are Falſe and Malicious, yet they bear ſo near a Reſemblance to what is ſaid of them by their Enemies of the Diſſenting Party, that the Scandal is fix'd beyond an Excuſe, and ought to be Ammadverted upon with the utmoſt ſeverity, unleſs the Gentlemen in Power cloſe with the Libeller, and fling off all Deference and Reſpect for the Memories of their Predeceſ⯑ſors.
'Tis very hard that a Man cannot Write of the Follies of other Nations, but People will be always comparing them with their own. One would ha' Thought the Au⯑thor had Travell'd far enough to find out Hiſtories and odd Paſſages to divert us; but if neither China, Poland, nor the Inhabitants of the Moon will protect Folks from being Hang'd, as the Frenchmen ſaid, for Tinking, go on, Gentlemen, and if the Cap fits any Body let 'em wear it. You are Welcome to ſay theſe Poliſh Grandees repreſent Engliſhmen, but look to it, ye Sons of Cenſure, that can Swear to a Man's Meaning, and know his Inſide without the help of his Outſide: For if the People your Profoundi⯑ty [] pretends to deſcribe, are Affronted, the Action of Slander lyes againſt You, and not the Anthor. In the Writing 'tis a Poem, you, in the Reading, turn it into a Libel, and you merit the Puniſhment for the Metamor⯑phoſis.
An ingennous Confeſſion of the Author, who would be thought to take the Pains of Concealing himſelf. If neither China, Poland, nor the Inhabitants of the Moon will pro⯑tect Folks from being Hang'd, &c. Your Humble Servant Mr. Daniel Foe! you might as well have given us your Name at Large, for every one knows who wrote the Conſoli⯑dator; and as to your Meaning, they muſt be Men of pro⯑found Stupidity indeed, that cannot find it out by your Gaping, you are ſo Intelligible your ſelf, amongst your want of under⯑ſtanding. So that the Scandal will be laid at your Door who made it a Libel, not at your Readers, who finds it as ſuch.
Perhaps there is a ſort of Affinity among the Vitious part of Mankind in all Countries and Climates; and the Author Doubts not he ſhould have run the ſame Riſque of Miſconſtruction, had he Wrote this at Paris as at London, that he ſhould have been ſummon'd before the Court of Honour for Libelling the Princes of the Blood, the Sorbon⯑ne, or the Councellors of Parliament: 'tis very hard it ſhould [...] there, and here too.
Had ſuch a Piece of Scurrility dar'd to ſhow its Face at Paris, the Author of it would ſcarce have had his Heels at [...] during Life, and if ſome People whom it concerns [...] of this nature, would but perform thoſe Duties [...] to the Well being of the Government, He may chance to meet with none of the Civileſt Treatment in London for his Impudence; ſince no Term can be too opprobri⯑ [...] [...] thinks no Appellation Bitter enough againſt [...] Direct [...]rs of the Publ [...]k Affairs, who act contrary to the Methods [...] preſcribe to them.
Since then this is the Fate of Authors, and he muſt ex⯑pect it, he Submits, but deſires however, that theſe Un⯑chriſtian Cenſurers will take this along with them, and ſo make a Vertue of their want of Charity. That where-ever the Similitude of Character pinches them too cloſe, they would prevent the Severity of the Application, by Re⯑forming the Likeneſs; the Satyr wou'd then have the de⯑ſired Effect, viz. By drawing the Imaginary Picture of Outlandiſh Devels, really Transform our own.
The Fate of an Author that caſts ſuch a Reproach on the Church and Government Eſtabliſh'd, ought not to terminate in a Scotch Caſement; but He, that has offer'd up a Hymn to the Pillory, and made it clap its wooden Wings for Joy, at the Reception of its new Tenant, would not be much lamented if the Three Leg'd Tree, a Mile and a half out of Town, ſhould pay Him the ſame Compliment: Since it is not his Reader's want of Charity, but his own, that renders him Criminal.
Nor do I apprehend the World will be leſs Solicitous about who is the Author of this: Some perhaps will gueſs one, ſome another; and the Hawkers, they tell me, will ac⯑cording to Cuſtom, Cry it about the ſtreet in the famous Name of Daniell de Foe. And tho' they might as well Gueſs it was Wrote by the Man in the Moon, yet I am content, He, or any body elſe ſhould go away with the Credit of it. 'Tis enough that I am out of the Reach of the Poliſh Reſentments, and cannot be Proſecuted by the Cardinal Primate, moſt of the Perſons here toucht at be⯑ing his Friends, and all of them in his Intereſt; and as for the World they may do their Worſt.
I am their Ʋnconcerned Humble Servant, Anglipoloski, Of Luthuania.
[]When an Outrage is committed, it is but natural to be in Queſt of the Perſon that caus'd it; and it will not be difficult, without the aſſiſtance of the Hawkers, who are more at his Service than his Handmaids the Nine Muſes, to find that this Label is not, without ſufficient Grounds for ſo doing, charg'd with a Name thoſe Prophane Throats are inceſſantly piercing our Ears with. Which may prove his being out of the Reach of the Poliſh Reſentments, to be a more Chimara and falſe ſuggeſtion; for though the Eccleſiaſtical Authority may not take him to Task, He may be grinded to Powder by the Secular Arm, which he muſt own himſelf obnoxious to, notwithſtanding his Borrow'd Name of Anglipoloski.
THE Dyet of Poland A SATYR, &c.
[1]Thoſe muſt be Furious Men indeed that can out-Bluſter Boreas, and how any thing can be at Natures Elbow, and yet Diſtant and Remote at the ſame time, requires the Niceſt Determi⯑nation. Natures Backſide would have done as well every Jot, but it's a Paw Word, as the Obſervator tells his Countryman Roger, and muſt be flung aſide for being Uncourtly. The World's Proboſ⯑cis too is altogether New, and juſt minted, why not Great Toe as well, for he that gave the World a Noſe, gave it likewiſe Feet to Stand upon, or it's Creation would be imperfect?
He muſt be well Read in Natural Philoſophy, that makes Na⯑tures Streams run higher Northwardly, and in the Coldeſt Climates, th [...]n in thoſe that are many Degrees nearer to the Sun, as the Weſtern Parts, &c. And ſince He has given Nature an Elbow, does very Poetically, as well as Modeſtly, in deſcribing Her, more Virginum, to make Water by the means of that Inſtrument; for it is not to be imagin'd whence Her Streams Iſſue unleſs from thence. That Pride is a Grace is likewiſe Wonderfully Novel, and how they can want that Grace when in the ſame Paragraph they are Swell'd with Conceit; and be va [...] in Pride is a Riddle requires an Oedi⯑pus [3] to explain it. Neither are the two laſt Lines the moſt ſenſible Mr. Foe has written in his Life, though they are very Muſical to the Ear; for it's a Manifeſt Contradiction to make the Dwina dwell upon their Song, which is an Act of Stagnation, at the ſame Time, it is Hurried, i. e. Precipitated and puſh'd along by Barbarous Steeps and Hills.
Now Dame Nature makes uſe of Her Hand as well as her Elbow, and gives amends for Her Situation Inſufficiencies. But how ſo? The Climate was Temper'd for Plenty, in the Second Paragraph, and now its ſo far from it, that Nature is forc'd to Interpoſe, and Act as we do Unnaturaly, by Forcing the Growth of Plants, &c. by Hot Beds. For my Part it never Enter'd into my Noddle how Na⯑ture could work by Force, till this Author gave it me in the Affir⯑mative.
To Corrode a Miſchief, is in my Senſe to leſſen it, which is far from having any Analogy to Debauching the Blood, that is to en⯑creaſe it; and then again to ſay, that Native Fierceneſs which makes Heroes and Poets in Chriſtian Countries, here tis a Vice, and Rankles up to Few'd is falſe Grammar, with Reverence to his Dictatorſhip, who ſets up for the Difficult Reſolver, and im⯑propriety Fi [...]der among the Claſs of Authors. Beſides my Hiſto⯑rians tell me, though they are not of the Leyden Edition, and Prin⯑ted cum Notis Variorum, That Poland is a Chriſtian Country which He ſeems not to allow here.
To make Heaven ſtrive in Vain, looks alſo a little Impious, in an Author of this Gentleman's Pretences to Religion; and to let it be Anticipated in its Decrees of Peace, can fall under no other A⯑pellation than that of Blaſphemy.
That is, ſuch is thy People Poland, and ſuch thy Name, i. e. Poland. And what of all this, where's the harm of Poland's being call'd Poland? A Spade's a Spade, and a Bandbox will be a Bandbox to the end of the Chapter, yet ſtill they Love Praiſe, and who does not? As the Vice-Chancellor, who anfwer'd a Maſter of Arts, that gave in for his Reaſons of denying a certain Scholar his Degree, that He Lov'd a Girl, by the known Reſponſe of Quis non? What Man is without a Natural Affection to a Pritty Females.
His Philoſophy is none of the Beſt, whatever the Cadence of his Poetry is; for that Imaginary Happineſs can ſerve for near as many uſes as True, neither Ariſtotle or des Cartes has yet laid down for an Axiom in Ethicks.
Now he begins to fall into Particulars, and by Great Sobieski muſt be meant K. W, who Reign'd over us Thirteen Years, and who Conquer'd Ireland in Perſon and by his Generals, after the Loſs of Sixty Thouſand French and Iriſh that ſided with the Unfortunate King James.
He rather Led than Rul'd. Very pritty truly, and Emphatica⯑ly! That is, He ſeem'd rather a Captain than a King. Dux ſuit non Rex: As if Leading an Army was not to Rule it.
He might have ſpar'd himſelf the Queſtion of what ail'd the Poles, &c. when if he would but have look'd into the Partition Treaty which was Sign'd and brought about by a Miniſter of State He now profeſſes ſo great a Regard for, he had been ſatisfied with⯑out an Enquiry; and if he would faſten upon any one of the Country Party, for taking of Places, after they had rail'd at Men in Offices; we can give him two of the C—ſide, &c. for one, without any more to do by way of Exchange, If D— and H— are ſufficient to ballance Accounts with him.
If all the Strife and Contention for Offices and Places of Truſt, be for obtaining the Power of doing Ill, then thoſe in Authority muſt of Conſequence do Ill. Which is but an odd Compliment to the Preſent Adminiſtration, and takes off very much from the Character he beſtow's upon the L— H— T— and Mr. S—t—y— H—y under the Names of Caſimir and the Dyets Marſhall. And if Kings are Cully's, Foot-Balls, and Wheedled into Pay he has done Auguſtus no Manner of Service in giving him that Inglorious Title. And here I cannot agree with ſome People who will have Auguſtus to be the Type of Q— A—for an Author could not be ſo unmannerly as to Repreſent a Fortunate Princeſs, and Immoveable in Her Principles by the Name of one who has not only Chang'd his Religion for a Crown, but has Ruin'd his Hereditary Dominions, being as it were under a State of Exile at this Juncture. But Authors are Inſcrutable in their Reaſons, and I leave him to explain himſelf on this Head, to ſuch as he ſhall think fit to Impart the Secret to.
That There were Thieves about the Throne in the Late Reign we'll not diſpute; but he that has been ſo Free with the Names of ſuch as have ſhar'd in the Direction of Publick Affairs in this, might have given us theirs, had they not been his particular Friends and Favoureits. I never heard the Prince he reflects upon, gave away all his Wealth to theſe Craving Wretches, if he had, there had been no Diſpute between the King of Pruſſia and Prince of Friez land, about the Immenſe Riches he left behind Him.
The Turk that is K. J. who Abdicated—What a Reſpectful Title does he give Her Majeſty's Royal Father? and ſuffice their Avarice, is a Peculiarity of Phraſe I never heard of before. But this I have to ſay for him, when he turns Plagiary, he makes bold with his own Works, as thinking nothing that belongs to others worthy of being taken from them, but their Reputations; Wit⯑neſs Unſatisfied as Death, and Greedy as the Grave, which are ap⯑plyed to the Saints Favourite Sir R— Cl—ton in his Satyr call'd the Reformation.
By Moldavia is meant Ireland; and if the Members of Parlia⯑ment, whom he owns to be the Wiſer, paſs'd an Act for reſuming the Grants of the forfeited Eſtates in that Kingdom, then he muſt allow himſelf to be falſe in his Character, when he ſpeaks of them in another Style ſometime after. And if the Grant was allow'd to be Haſtily, they are not to be blam'd who conſiderately preſs'd His Late Majeſty to Re-beſtow it on the Publick.
Here he takes Matters upon Truſt, by giving Credit to a few Iriſh Petitions. For the Parliament, if he means the Proceedings of the Truſtees for the Forfeited Eſtates, ſince A—leski, i. e. Mr. Annesly was one in that Commiſſion, have paſs'd a Vote in their Favour, which is a ſufficient Argument, that they [...] not Part with the Lands they were Impowr'd to ſell to the Buyer, without Caſh.
Diſmiſs'd the Throne, may be an elegancy with him, but cannot with a Judicious Reader, who will Conclude Death Diſmiſs'd K. W. from the Throne; neither is it a very great Compliment to a King's Memory, whom he would play the Panegyriſt upon, to affirm that he left us Embroil'd; ſince the World is not without People who make very Odd Reflections upon his Laſt Will and Teſtament.
Never did any Prince come to the Crown with a more general Satisfaction of the Party, he points at, than Her Majeſty: and the very Perſons he is ſo Laviſh of his Invectives, againſt were thoſe who re⯑joyc'd at the Turn of Affairs both in Church and State. As to their Endeavours to defeat the Monarch's Healing Project, they were ſuch as advis'd it to be carryed on; and for Swearing to Day and Ab⯑juring to Morrow, that Flies in the Face of the Pretenders to Mo⯑deration, equaly with theirs who ſeem realy diſpos'd for it.
The Parliament was then ſitting when Queen Anne Succeded to the Throne; ſo that ſhe could not be ſaid to call them together, having met before to conſider of the Arduous Affairs of the Kingdom.
To ſay that the Antient Lords of the Jagellan Line (whoſe Titles were Hereditary doubtleſs) Shine in their Repreſenting Glory, ſeems ſomewhat like an Abſurdity; for our Accounts hitherto tell us, the Houſe of Peers Conſtitute two Eſtates of Parliament, and the People of England, that is the Inferior Eſtate, are Repreſented by the Commons. The Monarch's Safety, and the TYRANT'S DEATH, Squints likewiſe at their Old Practice of Decollation, which the Party he is Advocate for, has no ſmall Veneration for the Memory of, at their Cruel Feſtivals on the Anniverſary of Her Majeſty's Royal Grand-Fathers Martyrdom.
The Devil under no Capacity is to be fear'd, but God whom the Scripture Exhorts us to the Fear of; and if he was to deſcribe all that were leſs True than Truth it ſelf, I queſtion whether, if the whole Kingdom were to be Number'd, notwithſtanding his boaſted Perſpicuity, he could find one: For God is Truth it ſelf, and only the Divine Being worthy of that Attribute.
By the Character of Taguski, though it infinitely fall's ſhort of him, we may perceive ſome Lineaments belonging to the L— H—x, whom he ſeems here to endeavour to deſcribe, [12] and bears no more Proportion to his Gigantick Merit, than a Mouſe does to a Mountain. Parent Wit, is what alſo his L—p owes his no Thanks for, and ſuſpected Fame is what he might have omitted, as well as Phraſe profound; for I look upon Profun⯑dity to be an Epithet for the Judgment not the Word, which it is here applyed to. Beſides he might have conſider'd when he was delineating ſo Great a Judge in Poetry, not to call upon Satyr to deſcribe him while he was endeavouring a Panegyrick upon his Undeniable Accompliſhments. What he means by calling his L—p the Monarch's Favourite is unknown to me, and he would do the In [...]tive Part of the World a Kindneſs if he would ex⯑plain himſelf upon that Head.
The Nation is very much Endebted to the Lord O—d, then Admiral Ruſſel, for his Defeat of Torvill; and there is not one among the Party whom he hints at for being Ungenerous, but pays him their Acknowledgment for that Days Service.
Rigatski by whom the Lord S— is Perſonated; (King William) having inv [...]ed him with Large Demains at Rigate in Surrey, has the Character of a very Great Man, though I can't cloſe with him in his ill Manners to the Preſent Poſſeſſor of the great Seal, as to wiſh him to be Lord High Chancellor again; or ſay that He made way for a Fool or a Knave ſince his immediate Succeſſor, choſen by King William, is deſervedly Famous for being the very Reverſe of that Inv [...]ious Apellation.
In Cujavia we may Read the B—p of S— Character who Preach'd the Inuaguration Sermon at the Coronation of their Late Majeſties King William and Queen Mary, and by Culm, Poſnania, Patcherousky and Thirteen Mitres more, are meant ſome very Good E—l Peers, who were againſt the Bill to prevent Occaſional Conformity, and conſequently [...]rue to Poland and Auguſtus. Which Conſequence I ſhall no otherwiſe Animadvert upon, than that it is Injurious to Auguſtus his Character, as if he was againſt the Bill, when he had given ſuch Aſſurances from the Throne in Favour of the Church Eſtabliſh'd.
That Biſhops are Pillars of the Church, and Conſequently Co⯑lumns, no Man will diſpute with him; but that they held the Scep⯑ter while he drew the Sword, I cannot agree with him, ſince it will very much derogate from the Honour of the Lords Juſtices among whom the Temporal L—ds preceding, for whom he ex⯑preſſes ſuch Regard, made a very great Figure.
England has been bleſs'd with more Victories ſince Her Majeſty's Acceſſion to the Throne, than what fell to Her Share for a Centu⯑ry before, which is a long Computation of Years Compar'd to Thir⯑teen; and our Councellors Heads have done enough at Home, as well as our Heroes Hands Abroad, to Eclypſe the Glory of any Hands or Heads whatſoever, King William's not excepted.
The Noble Peer that falls under his Cenſure here, is as much above his Detraction, as the deſpicable Wretch that flings Dirt at him is beneath his Notice. He never Employ'd his Momentous Hours about other Things than the Advantage of the Prince whoſe Service he was in, and as for ſinking any one, it was never in his Thoughts, if a Perſon aim'd at, Acted Contrary to the Well-being of the Government. By Polands Prime Viſier, is meant the L— H— T— who owes him no Thanks for giving him an Infidels Title, which I never heard belong'd to Poland before. But as the Character of the Great Man, whom he vilifies to the loweſt Degree is Falſe, ſo are the Terms he makes uſe of, to bring his Deſigns about by.
Grieffier of Poland, is likewiſe a Title in no wiſe belonging to the Court he applys it to; and the Publick has been ſo well ſatisfied about the pretended Proofs of the Wretch Fuller's Affidavity of his Lordſhips giving Paſſes to the French Diſcontented Natives of England, that it looks Ridiculous in one that lays any Claim to ſenſe, to incline towards the very thought of it.
Mr. Foe ſure is acquainted with the Hermet in the Fable, that Blows Hot and Cold with the ſame Breath, or elſe how could he make his Slow Manager (which By the By is not to be Hot) too Hot for Peace, and too Cold for War. The Wi [...]eſt of Men will have their Intervals of Diverſion, and it looks as well in one Stateſman, nay better, ſince the Fabrick of the Univerſe is Go⯑vern'd by Harmony, to paſs away his leſs Important Hours with Muſick, than for another to ſpend whole Weeks with Horſe Racing at New-Market. Beſides, let him conſider who was Secretary of State, when the Ships at Vigo were Taken and Deſtroy [...], the Town's in Flanders Surrendred, and the March to the Danube concerted, and he muſt Condemn himſelf for Blami [...]ng his L—p's diſpatch of the Publick Buſineſs.
This Paragraph, is the Product of a Complaint that this Incendia⯑ry vents in all Companies, about his L—p's not keeping his Word with him, when in Newgate; At the ſame time, that he is Con⯑ſcious to himſelf, he perform'd not the Conditions for which the Promiſe was made of his coming to do no Damage.
If the Parliament of England Addreſs'd the Throne in his Lord⯑ſhips Favour, they did nothing but what was conſiſtent with the Reputation of that Auguſt Aſſembly, and which ought to be al⯑low'd for the pure effect of his Merit, as well as Taguskis's, who had likewiſe the ſame Honour done him, though not for the ſame Service. As for, no Knave is above being told HE IS SO, I agree with him, but the Conſequence may tell him before he is much Older, that an Honeſt Man is, ſuch as the Noblemen, whoſe Characters he makes ſo Free with.
Under Lawrensky, none that is acquainted with Names or Things, but may know that Lawrence E— of R—ter is Couch'd. A Gentleman too near related to Her Majeſty, to be us'd after ſuch a manner, and whoſe Conduct as L— H— T—r has not been Excell'd by any Succeſſor whatever, without any Re⯑flection upon the Preſent Management of the Ex—quer.
The Tearing the Leaves is ſuch a Forgery as has been more than once Exp [...]ed and Confuted in the late Reign, when his Enemies, ſuch as G [...]p'd after his Lord Lieutenantſhip of Ireland, publiſh'd their Sham Vindication, and for that Cauſe requires no other An⯑ſwer, than that thoſe who think it Meritorious to revile a N—m, will not ſtick to Traduce a R—r.
His Character is of a much different Complexion, for he did not fling up his Lieutenancy of Ireland for the ſake of the Prime Mi⯑niſtry, but for his Eaſe, ſince the Iriſh are an Inflexible People, and not to be Gove [...]n'd Eaſily but by ſuch as are the [...] own Na⯑tive. And he was ſo far from being diſſatisfied with the Meaſures taken by thoſe near Her Majeſty, that no other Motive but the Sa⯑tisfaction in the Adminiſtration, induc'd him to retire.
Mr. Review has Preach'd up Peace and Union to ſome purpoſe, if at laſt he turns Renegade from his own Principles, and makes it his Buſineſs to Ridicule ſuch as are for a Treaty between the two Contending Parties. Give 'em for Arms their Eyes, ſays he, [...] Swords their Senſe, as if Swords were not Arms; why did he [19] not inſert for Guns their Eyes, ſince Arms and Swords are the very ſame ſort of Weapons.
In Seymsky, the Reader muſt agree with me, that he points at Sir Edward S—r, but all to no purpoſe. Reverberat Ictus, the Shot rebounds upon himſelf, and the Detracter falls a sacrifice to his own Calumny. At the Sitting of the Parliament, 'tis [...]en to one, but this Seymski makes Foeski Eat his Words, he has ſhewn many a Better Man a pleaſanter Trick, and the Poliſh Scribe will not be the Firſt, whom he has brought upon his Knees for Breach of Priviledge. For he that Writes R— upon a Wiſeman's Fore⯑head, ought to have Fool Written on his own, beſides the reſt of the Catalogue of Hard Names which are uſually affix'd to Pil⯑lories.
[20] Where Miſmanagements are, there they ſhould be taken notice of: for little Evils as well as Great, though he's of too Intrepid a Temper to ſpare them, ought to be animadverted upon.
A General Charge without mentioning Particulars, can never Affect any Gentlemans Reputation, eſpecially one of his Figure and Family, and h s hints of expiating for Violence and Blood, will ne⯑ver make any Impreſſion upon any one that has had the leaſt No⯑tice of what publick Service he had done, and continues to do, for the good of his Native Country, which he may be Styl'd the Or⯑nament as well as Defence of.
If Immortal Braſs fits on his Brows, how comes he to be Abject and mean when Storms appear? When a Man turns Abject, his Im⯑pudence commonly leaves him and dyes with his being diſpirited or I am wrong inform'd from Experience in the like Caſes.
If Vanity conſiſts in a Fooliſh Perſuit after Titles and Applauſe, how can any one be too vain to be made Great? And if Pride is the effect of an Ambitious Temper, that aim's at an Increaſe of Prerogative and Power, can it be otherwiſe than Impoſſible, that the Gentleman here deſign'd can be too proud to Riſe? I have heard of Chewing of Tobacco indeed, but never heard of Chewing the Air to ſounds of Strife, which is a Note beyond Ela.
He was too proud to be made Great before, but here He accepts the High Command. Ay but, ſays our Author without the Name of a P— as if Greatneſs did not conſiſt more in Extenſive Command than Length of Title. To Covet Miſchief more than Fame, is none of the moſt regular Expreſſions that have dropt from Mr. Foe. ſince Miſchief is Fame in one ſenſe, and a Man may as well be Famous that is Tranſmitted to Poſterity for doing Ill things as Good.
The White Staff was not taken from him, but he reſign'd it; and as Her Majeſty Tax'd him with nothing diſrespectful to Her Auguſt Character, the Poet would have look'd like a Man of more V [...]city had he done the ſame.
How could he quit his Honours with Reluctance, when the very Gazette tells us he voluntary reſign'd them? Or how could his Temper be ſaid to be yet Untry'd, on Account of his Places, when he had the Experiment made upon him more than once in the ſurrender of more profitable Employs? But Contradiction ſis what the Party gain their Ends by, and ſo he's at Liberty to uſe them.
[23] If he was not rais'd by Fate above his Senſe, in being Speaker of the Houſe of Commons, Treaſurer of the Navy, &c. Places of greater Importance by far, than the Comp [...]'s of the Houſhold 'twas a little out of the way to make him loſe it for what, was little Better than a Feather, to a Gentleman of his Years and fre⯑quent Indiſpoſitions. And to make Nature do it in her own defence, requires ſuch Explanatory Notes from him, as he is not at leiſure to give us, being ſo taken up in Reading Horace, cum Notis Variorum.
He will make the Polanders Infidels do what we can, notwith⯑ſtanding he has been told over and over, that Poland is a Chriſtian Country. But its Sir George R—k whom he fallen's his Talons on now, and he that has done more Good than all our Admirals at Sea for more than Twenty Years laſt paſt, muſt be a Captain Baſſa, and Mark'd out under an Odious Diſtinction.
Was the Deſtroying the Ships at La Hogue, the Breaking the Boom at Londonderry, the Deliverance of Two Hundred Ships Trading to Turkey, the Levant, &c. the Glorious Succels at Vigo, the Taking of Gibraltar, which the Spaniards have Spent ſo much Blood and Treaſure about, in Endeavouring to regain it, the Naval Victory over the whole Power of France and Spain, of ſo little Force as to render him liable with being Tax'd with Trifling our Blood Time and Strength away? If ſo, what Apellation will our Future Miſcarriages fall under, when it ſhall be Viſible how we ſuffer for wantof his Conduct, in the Marine Affairs?
To preſerve a Fleet, ſometimes is equal to a Victory, and Prince [...] got more Honour in the laſt War, by making a Glori⯑ou [...] Retreat, than Luxemburgh did by defeating the Confederate [...] at Landen. If he's a Negative Soldier that has Fought the [...] of France and his Two Seconds with one Single Ship, with at being worſted, what a Champion of a Man muſt he be [...] an Affirmative?
Mr [...] is not at all Oblig'd to you for reviving the Story of [...] Diſpute between Him and Sir George, which tends ſo [...] to his Diſreputation, and reminds People of the Merry [...] the Rehearſal mentions of that Friend and Acquaintance [...] Fighting Duels. Should any Man ſerve me ſo, he ſhould [...] have the uſe of my Chambers at the Temple.
If P [...] always where their's Guilt, then ſome Body is very Impr [...] make a Champion for a Party; and if telling a Man to [...] the Open Field of Election, as Sir G— did [...] he wrote what he Tax'd him with, and would make it good, ie. Bullying, I dare perſuade my ſelf an Aſſertor of ſuch a Contradiction will not be able to Define what Fighting is.
PART II.
[25]Freedom of Speech is allowed in the Engliſh Parliaments, but un⯑ [...]er certain Reſtrictions; for ſome Members have ſpoke ſo much [...]here, as to be call'd to the Bar, and afterwards ſent to the Tower for talking too freely. As for Swearing firſt to Poland, then to Him, would Mr. Foe give himſelf the Trouble of peruſing the Oaths [...]he Members of Parliament take, he would not have occaſion to be [...]old he is in an Error on that Account, ſince they ſwear to be true to [...]heir Queen and Country, not COUNTRY and QUEEN.
By the Livonian Plot, is meant the Scotch Plot, which was ſo ve⯑ [...]y deep indeed, that I never heard of any one yet that found the [...]ottom of it.
The Commons were as hearty in purſuit of ſuch as were thought criminal [...] that Juncture, as their Lordſhips, though they did not appoint a Committee to meet at N—d Houſe, and were ſo very far from faintly defending her Majeſty, that never a hear⯑tier and more earneſt Addreſs came from a People to a Prince on that Account. What remains, is to ask the Senſe of the laſt Line, and how it is a Conſequence, that they muſt ſell that Prince whom they defend faintly.
He ſhould have given us the Names of thoſe Laws which he cal [...] prepoſterous and abſurd, as his Reader might have known his Mean⯑ing. I have heard indeed of bringing in a Bill, but never of a La [...] that was brought; for nothing can be call'd a Law till it has ha [...] the Royal Aſſent. As for ſecuring the Poliſh Free-men in a Goa [...] thoſe Free-men, as he terms them, were guilty of an expreſs Breac [...] [27] of Priviledge, in which the Honour of Parliament was ſo far con⯑cern'd, that they had leſſen'd their Authority, but for their Com⯑mitment.
By Mackreſki, we are to underſtand Sir Humphry, who has writ⯑ten ſo very much and well for the Honour of the Houſe of Com⯑mons, and ſo learnedly vindicated their Priviledges, that were this Author Maſter of any Gratitude, he would rather pay his Acknow⯑ledgments to ſo worthy a Repreſentative, than make ſuch unman⯑nerly Comments on what he himſelf, and all the Commons of Eng⯑land, are ſo nearly concern'd in.
If the Poet that Lampoons him, were but half ſo wiſe and rich, he would have no Reaſon to expoſe himſelf in his Saturday's Review, July 7. by complaining of ſleeping Debates in Trade of ſeventeen Years ſtanding being reciv'd; and the very Management and Produce of thoſe Mines he is ſo angry at the Depth of, is ſuch an Argument of his Deſigning, that he ſhews his own want of Brains, by ſaying, No Man ever heard that he deſign'd. If the Dyet miſtook what he ſaid, why did they cloſe with his Projection, and paſs his Bill for the Relief of the Poor? But the Poet miſtakes him, and therefore all muſt. As for the reſt of the Jargon of Scandal upon this Gen⯑tleman, it's all of a piece, and his Quibling about his Speeches being made up of all Tail, and no Head, and his Convertible Terms, (which he is ſo famous for in his Little Maſter Review) no Good and no Harm, they are beneath Sir Humphry's Notice, and our Obſer⯑vation.
By Pacſki, we may read Sir J—n P—n, a Gentleman whoſe Hereditary Zeal for the eſtabliſh'd Church and Government, is what renders him obnoxious to the Cenſures of thoſe that would ſhare in the Revenues of the Church, while they are Enemies to its Wor⯑ſhip. If he did make Complaints to Parliament againſt his Dioce⯑ſan, every Gentleman has the Liberty ſo to do, when aggriev'd; and it has been more than once reſolv'd in St Stephen's Chappel, That no Peer has any thing to do with Elections for Members to ſerve in Parliament.
The Rebel Coſſacks, viz. the Round-heads, in Oliver's Time, and what they did, ought to be freſh in our Memory, that we may pre⯑vent the like Barbarities from them again. But how Tacking the Occaſional Bill as a Clauſe to the Land-Tax, could be Tacking their Ruin to the Tribute Bill, is beyond my Power to Divine, ſince there was no Property invaded, but the Church only ſecur'd by an Act of Parliament in her behalf.
Sir John is of another Temper, than to talk for a Place, and of too large an Eſtate to make his Conſcience truckle to his Intereſt, as ſome that have gone over from the Church-party have. Nei⯑ther is it Fact that all his Province diſclaim his Proceedings; they ſhew their juſt Reſentment indeed for his Affection to his Queen and Country for they have reſented it ſo as to chuſe him again for one of the Knights of the Shire, which is an Argument, that Mr. Foe ſhot his Bolt too ſoon, when he ſaid, Their future Truſts to Pacſki they refuſe.
The Noble Gentleman that is perſonated here, Mr. B—, Bro⯑ther to the E— of A—, is of another Diſpoſition than what is froward; and his Sweetneſs of Temper is as remarkable as his Loyalty to the preſent Government, which he would not forfeit his Obedience to for any Cauſe whatſoever. Though he has but too much Reaſon to think our Peace will never ſucceed at home, till ſuch as are averſe to it, and ſay, Peace, Peace, when there is no Peace, (I mean the Diſſenters) are remov'd from having any ſhare in the Adminiſtration.
It was but reaſonable that a Law ſhould be brought in to prevent the Growth of Hypocriſy, and Endeavours be uſed to ſave Repro⯑bates againſt their Wills, if they would not be inſtrumental to their own Salvation themſelves; and if all the Clergy in England had been ſo deſervedly famous as Dr. Birch, ſome People would have been nearer to that happy State, than they now are.
If Dr. Stanhope, in his Sermon upon the 30th of January at St. Margaret's Church, apply'd the ſparing the Amalekite to the Subject of that Day, it was applicable enough; for the Remiſſneſs of King Charles the ſecond in not taking off all the Regicides, has been the chief Cauſe of our home-bred civil Diſſentions ever ſince: And if he talk'd Greek, it's more than the Learned Mr. Foe can do, the want of which Tongue, makes him exaſperated againſt all that uſe it.
How he could Unchurch the Nation by preaching in Defence of the National Church, I cannot imagine; neither is it in my Power to know he could perjure Auguſtus; for Perſons guilty of a Breach of an Oath, in my humble Opinion, muſt perjure themſelves. As for his Reflection upon the Prieſt-hood in general, he acts contrary to their Precepts, and conſequently is not to be expected to ſpeak well of them; and if he himſelf thinks with Pain, then ſome body does ſo as well as my Lord of N—m; a great Condeſcention truly for our Author to accept of the Character he has beſtow'd up⯑on that worthy P—r. Well, but he has Reaſon to think with Pain; the Church of England Clergy are Sermon-Readers, they don't Preach and Pray extempore, like Diſſenters, becauſe they think before they ſpeak; which Premeditation of theirs makes Reaſon ſub⯑mit, and raging Nonſenſe govern in its ſtead. Moſt exquiſite Lo⯑gick!
By Sachareſki, it will not be amiſs to read Mr. Sacheverel, Fellow of Magdalen Colledge, a Gentleman whoſe Accompliſhments and Zeal render him as well an Honour to the Church and Univerſity, as an Otnament to the Colledge he belongs to; and as Loyal to the Queen, as he is faithful to his Country.
How can Moderation be cenſur'd for an Extream? for that's a Vertue that is inſeparable from the Church of England; and if ſome L—s and Gentlemen were not ſo hearty as was expected for the Church's Service, it muſt be attributed to the Weakneſs of their own Reſolves, not any thing that was defective in her Worſhip.
With all Deference to my L—d M—ſs of H—n's excel⯑lent Qualities and healing Diſcourſe. Though his L—p is to be commended for ſtanding up for ſo numerous a People as Yorkſhire, who is ſo happy in the Choice of ſo excellent a Champion, Mr. Foe has made him make but an indifferent Speech, which is ſomewhat un⯑mannerly for a Gentleman of his great Quality. For I cannot make Senſe of,
Beſides, he introduces his L—p, ſpeaking as if the Revolution was a Rebellion, and inſinuates by way of Compariſon, as if it was e⯑qually criminal with that in Forty one.
Who doubts the Diſſenters Right and Title to their Eſtate? Hea⯑ven's forbid they ſhould be wrong'd in the minuteſt Particle, either as to their Temporal or Spiritual Concerns. The Church-party nei⯑ther has, or ever had any Thoughts that tended towards their no enjoying the Land ſince the late Revolution. Neither did the Queen promiſe to eſtabliſh them, only maintain them in the Benefits that ac⯑crue to them from the Act of Toleration.
If the Church of England can never be ſufficiently ſecur'd till the Bill paſſes, 'twould be impardonable for them wholly to drop the De⯑bate; wherefore 'tis but their Duty to adjourn it to a more conveni⯑ent Opportunity.
[35] Never was Queen happier than her preſent Majeſty, and never was Princeſs more the Delight of the Church of England, who pays her the Hearts of her Sons, by way of Acknowledgments of her Duty, while the Offerings of the Diſſenters have more of Appearance than real Sincerity.
How can the Patriots that ſtand up in Defence of the Church, aim at her Majeſty's Crown? Have not they more to loſe than the Diſ⯑ſenters? Are not they poſſeſs'd of the beſt Eſtates of the Land? And would not a French Power be more deſtructive of their civil Rights and Immunities, than thoſe of a Sect of Men who have no Right to any Eſtabliſhment, and who have more than once, witneſs their Brethren in Scotland, cloſed in with Rome and France, in Op⯑poſition to a Worſhip they are declar'd Enemies of.
What is hinted here, exactly Tallies with her Majeſty's Uſage of the Diſſenters ſince her happy Acceſſion to the Throne; but it has always been the Practice of the Party, to throw Dirt firſt, and to fence off a Reproach, by fixing it upon thoſe from whence they ex⯑pect it.
[36] Whom the Aſperſions in this Paragraph belong to, may be ſoon diſcover'd, by the Whigs inſolent Uſage of Her Majeſty and Mini⯑ſtry, 'till the laſt Seſſion of Parliament, when a Change was made in the Adminiſtration and as for Treaſon blacken'd with Ingrati⯑tude, they know beſt how to form New Conſpiracies, that have been ſo dext'ious in managing Old.
As for the Plot here hinted at, we may expect Diſcoveries of th [...] Authors of it, from the Parliament of Scotland as ſoon as they ſhal [...] fit; 'till then, perhaps, it may be out of his Power to know whe [...] to fix it: For it's an unqueſtionable Truth, That he that hides a thing, is the beſt able to find it again.
By Tocockſi, we are to underſtand Mr. T—ke, a Gentleman deſe⯑vedly the Envy of all ill Men, becauſe he is the Glory of the Go [...] and who may truly be ſaid to be poliſh'd, and of ſhining Abiliti [...] if any Gentleman in England deſerves that Character: So that wh [...] is inſerted of him, is the very Reverſe of his Demeanour; and [...] is ſo far from not thinking at all, that the Politeneſs, and Effica [...] of what he ſpeaks, intimates as much as if he thought always.
Can a Diſſenter be ſaid to be doom'd to Tartarian Shades, when it is endeavour'd that he may be reſcued from finking downwards, thro' the great Weight of Hypocriſy? And is it not the higheſt Injuſtice to ſay, Mr. T—ke inclines this Way, or that Way. as Sir Ed. S—r directs him, when Sir Ed— himſelf would think it no Diſparage⯑ment to adviſe with him?
To teach any one to pray after the true Form of Worſhip, is to de⯑ſerve the Thanks of thoſe that are inſtructed; and tho' he does not affect the Chair, I queſtion whether there is one among his Ene⯑mieshas an equal Title to it.
When the Tackers in K. Charles the Second's Time, were for tacking away all the Prerogatives of the Crown, the Name of them was not Fool then, but Knave: 'Twas their own dear Invention, and always put in Practice by the Commonwealth Party. But for the Church to aſſume only the Liberty of trying the Experiment once, and that for the Preſervation of the Monarchy, there it muſt imme⯑diately fall under the Name of Folly, becauſe ſucceſsleſs.
He might have ſpar'd himſelf making the Tackers a Coat of Arms; for it's well known they had them from their Predeceſſors, and have not been ſo good Cuſtomers to the Herauld's Office, as the Whigs of late Years, who have had none to put upon their Coaches 'till they paid for them.
If they hardly know from whence they came, or when, how comes he to lay it down for granted, that they are deſcended from Tartary? But I forget he is quoting himſelf, and the True-born Engliſh-man muſt be brought in, though introduc'd by the Head and Shoulders.
His traducing Mr. Br—ly for his Book, is no Argument of the Goodneſs of his own; beſides, his contemptible Treatment of it will render that Gentleman more valuable, becauſe his Enemy is ſo illi⯑terate, as not to be able to diſtinguiſh between what's a Learned Le⯑cture, or not: And it's enough for him not to have blacken'd him as to other Concerns; for had he been guilty of any thing like a Crime, he would have been ſure of being told of it.
The Preamble was not left out, becauſe it favour'd of Perſecution, but becauſe the Diſſenters, and their Friends in Parliament, exclaim'd againſt it as ſuch.
Formality of Face, is all the Sobriety the Generality of the adverſe Party are famous for; and if the Perſon that calumniates him had but any thing like his Learning and Breeding, he would have made it his Choice to have paid him his Acknowledgments for his Ser⯑vices to his Country, not a Return of baſe Ingratitude forſuch in⯑eſtimable Goodneſs.
By his Deſcription, he ſhould know Sir Thomas M—rs no better than Mr. Br—ly: But Madneſs is like the Yellow Jaundice; and thoſe that are poſſeſs'd with it, think every one they ſee of the ſame Complexion; otherwiſe he would never ſay, this worthy Knight was under that Predicament.
If Leudneſs has forſook his Breaſt forty Years, then how can the Rampant Devil hurry the Leud Diſtemper'd Wretch along ſtill? for it is impoſ⯑ſible for a Man not to be Wicked, and Wicked at the ſame time.
I would not be thought to compare Mr. Dryden who is the Antient Poliſh Bard here meant to Mr. Foe, on Account of his Poetical Performance; but for Ill-Nature, the latter has ſuch an Exceſs of it that he may be properly ſaid to loſe by the Cha⯑racter; though Mr. Dryden had his ſhare too, and fell foul upon Sir Thomas on Account of a Perſonal Pique, which always carries more Ma⯑lice than Truth in it.
How can Mr. W—rd be mighty in Wit, and vaſt in Impertinence, at the ſame time, unleſs Mr Foe takes Wit and Impertinence for convertible Terms, as he did the Elements of Air and Water in one of his Reviews.
Satyr may make Room for Mr. Anneſly Member of Parliament for the Univerſity of Cambridge a [...] long as it pleaſes for it, though I do not wonder a Perſon ſhould have no good opinion for Col⯑ledges, that has never been in any other than that of Newgate.
The Earl of Angleſea, Lord Privy-Seal to King Charles II. whom this Paragraph highly injures in calling him a Coſſack, was advanc'd for his Loyalty and Zeal for the Church Eſtabliſh'd; and being the Father of this Worthy Gentleman made ſuch Proviſion for his Son's Education, as is in no wiſe conſonant to the Diſſenters Communion. For though they have their ſeparate Univerſities at Ʋtrecht, Leyden, &c. they are averſe to the two Univerſities here, where Religion and Loyalty are Taught and Practis'd. Which is an Argu⯑ment that he did not Deſign to have his Son bred up otherwiſe than in thoſe Principles which he ſo gloriouſly adhere's to. And how a Man can Vote his Fathers to the Devil, by coming up to his Father's Direction, I muſt profeſs my ſelf Incapa⯑ble of Explaining.
If he has neither Senſe nor Manners, how comes he to be Bleſs'd with every Gift but Honeſtys For as I take it, Senſe and Manners are Gifts, and he can't have them, and not have them at the ſame time.
By Gransky, the Poet deſigns we ſhall read the L— G—ll, though he gives us no Lineaments of him in his pretended Character. That he was made a Lord was the Queen's Act and Deed, and to call his Creation Abſurd, is to make her Maje⯑ſty Guilty of that Abſurdity.
When once a Gentleman comes to be the En⯑vy of a Party, and an overmatch for them in Po⯑liticks as well as Popularity and the People's Af⯑fection, they make it their endeavour to render him Little, leaſt his Merits ſhould raiſe him too high for their reach. This worthy Patriot's Services by Sea and Land atteſt for him that his Thoughts are above Prize fighting and ſuch Vul⯑gar Exerciſes, and though he may have Diverted himſelf as well as others, by ſeeing the Rarities of Art and Nature, it's no more than the greateſt Councellor in the Cabinet deſcends to, ſometimes.
More Noblemen and Gentlemen than He who refus'd the Aſſociation at firſt have taken it ſince, and to be ſingly in the Right, is more Honourable than to have Thouſands embark with him in a Cauſe that is wrong.
None that knows him will ſay, that he is not Maſter of Abilities to fill the Speakers Chair, and had the Perſon that cenſures him for hardly ſpeak⯑ing at all theſe two long Years, manag'd his Pen as the Noble P—r is ſaid to manage his Tongue, he would have no occaſion next Seſſion of Parliament to take the Country Air, when the Winter draws other People to the City.
A Sign that he knows the Conſtitution of the Stannaries, to ſay it is a Bear-Garden, and Mob-Aſſembly, when moſt of the beſt Gentlemen of the Weſt gave their Appearance there. I hope he has chang'd his mind ſince his Lordſhip's Removal from being Lord Warden, or it will be an Affront to Mr. Godolphin who ſucceeds him.
The Speech which he calls a Mobb-Speech may be ſeen in the Gazette, and to ſay much of no⯑thing, is rather an Argument of his Dexterity in Diſcourſe than againſt it. As for his calling the Elder Devils of the Mines like Divines to the Con⯑vocation-Houſe, that carries ſuch an odious Re⯑flection upon the Church of England Clergy in General, that i tought to be cenſur'd by the Civil-Magiſtrate.
By Banksky we are to underſtand, the L—d Gu—ſey who Married Sir John Banks's Daugh⯑ter, whom he owns to be furniſh'd with Cicero⯑nian Eloquence, at the ſame time as he will al⯑low him to have no Senſe. An Inſtance of the Satyriſt's great Knowledge in Cicero, whoſe Ora⯑tory [48] conſiſted not only in the Cadence of his Words, but the Senſe of them. As for his Voice being a Pun upon his Name, (viz). that there is Muſick in it, and his Name is Finch, that is ſo ſorry a Conundrum that OWEN SWAN would kick his Vinegar drawer out of Doors for it.
The Queen mov'd him from the Commons to the Peers, from a true Senſe of his Worth, and the Nation is more indebted to his Aſſiſtance than his Brother who needs it not, and is Second to no one Patriot whatſoever in every Acquiſition whether Natural or Artificial, that can make a Compleat States-man.
[49] For a Man to be laugh'd at, and diſreſpectfully treated by ſome People, redounds to his Credit ſince we are equaly to conſider the Perſons that Laugh with thoſe that are Laught at, and the Character of the one is to be eſteem'd or deſpis'd, ac⯑cording to the Character of the other.
The Motto's of Sibi Moleſtus and Laetantur Lares, ſo well deſcribe the great Man here hinted at, that there is no need of explaining it: Wherefore, I ſhall only animadvert upon his Poetical Forehead, that could have the Impudence to ſay ſo much, when there is ſo little reaſon of ſaying any thing of [50] this Nature; and point out a Perſon ſo plain, in affronting of whom, not only the whole Nobility is concern'd, but the Queen Her ſelf, who is the Fountain of all Honour, and is Intereſted in keeping its chryſtal Streams pure and undefiled from ſuch horrid Contaminations.
Great Wits will be guilty of Miſtakes ſometimes, I per⯑ceive; for the Perſon miſrepreſented here is one of his own Kidney; and he may ſooner find Sir R— G—n at Hannover, than affecting the Recorder's Chair at Exeter: And if he is guilty of any thing here taxed with, he belongs to the Poet's own Party; and muchgood may He do them, for Sir E— S—r has a greater Value for the Monarchy, than to have a Republi⯑can for his Diſciple, unleſs it be to Convert him.
Every one that has heard of Sir Thomas Po [...]is, has been acquainted with other Qualities than what he is here cenſur'd for; an [...] that he is ſo far from ſpeaking in Bombaſt Style, that the Happineſs of his Periods terminates in the moſt intel⯑ligible Expreſſions that can be made uſe of. As to his ſpeaking [52] always to a Queſtion when 'tis paſs'd; the Author would do well to explain himſelf, for I never heard of any that ſpoke to a Queſtion before it was paſs'd.
This Gent. is the better to be ſpoken of, becauſe ſet down for a Madman in his ridiculous Metre; and if he is below Lam⯑poon, why does the Poet take ſuch pains to expoſe Him? But perhaps Mr. Author does not think himſelf below Lampoon, and therefore does it on purpoſe to Lampoon himſelf.
As for Sir Thomas C—k, every one knows what he was ſent to the Tower for; and the Character of Mercenary, ſo very ill becomes him, that no one has been more fam'd for Genero⯑ſity; [53] witneſs his Sheriffalty, which fell very little ſhort of Sir [...]arles Duncomb's. How the Tower could be his Puniſhment [...]d Protection at the ſame time, is very difficult to be explain⯑ [...]; though had he cenſur'd Sir Thomas, for being ſo mean ſpi⯑ [...]d as to refuſe the Mayoralty of London, becauſe Sir John [...]rſons had lop'd off the moſt conſiderable Branches of its Re⯑ [...]ue, I would have agreed; for he is ſo far from being un⯑ [...]e, as the Verſe-inſinuates, that he is very wealthy, and by at means the more inexcuſable.
To pull a Houſe down to rebuild it Nobler, is common [...]ough in Architecture; but that they endeavour'd to deſtroy [...]e Government Eſtabliſhed, to make it Great and Flouriſh⯑ [...]g, is a Falſhood a Man of any Sincerity would not be in [...]e leaſt guilty of. For what was done by the Church-Party [...]as in purſuance of former Acts of Parliament, in particular, [...]at of Uniformity, to ſtrengthen what had been paſs'd by [...]ing, Lords and Commons; and render Her preſent Majeſty's [...]eign as Glorious, for the Preſervation of the Church from [...]er ſecret and declar'd Enemies, as She has been for that of [...]urope.
The very cheerful Aid here ſpoken of was advanc'd and forwarded by the very Patriots whom he treats after ſuch a Raſcally manner; and the time may come, when Her Ma⯑jeſty may be more ſenſible than he would have Her, of the Removal of ſuch Gentlemen from Her Preſence and Favour, who have made it their whole Buſineſs to deſerve Her Graci⯑ous Approbation. For it's impoſſible, that a Queen deſcend⯑ed from the Family of the Stuarts can diſcountenance Men of Probity, Affection and Loyalty, to Her Perſon and Govern⯑ment.
If Sir E. S—r was advanc'd for his Antimerit, what a ſort of a L—y muſt ſome-body be that promoted him to that Dig⯑nity? For nothing can be plainer, than that if I give a Man a Place becauſe of his Oppoſition to Goodneſs, I muſt be an ill Perſon my ſelf. A ſcandalous Inuendo, which the Wri⯑ter ought to be called to an account for. But to anſwer this Paragraph in his own way, take this noble Gentleman's Cha⯑racter, from a very worthy Gentleman, and yet a Tacker, in his Poem, call'd, Moderation diſplay'd; where the Fiend, ſpeaking of the late Change at Cort, ſays, after my Lord of I—ſy Removal had been ſpoken of:
The Earl of N—m then is acknowledg'd to do one Wiſe Thing at laſt, ſure the Poet forgets himſelf, or He would never have been Guilty of ſuch a Condeſcention. But his Guilt taught him his Prince's Mind, he foreſaw her Majesty's In⯑tentions, and upon that account was before hand with the Queen and reſign'd the Seals before they were taken from him. Very well but how came Mr. Foe to know the Queen's Mind, for I ne⯑ver heard he belong'd to the Cabinet before. But Railery a⯑part, hear what the Devil himſelf ſays likewiſe of this Noble Peer in the aſoreſaid Moderation diſplay'd.
What the E— of I—ſy did in Relation to K— W— after his Death, was Honourable and the Duty of his Poſt, and he was ſo very far from abuſing or betraying his Maſter, that he had been falſe to his Miſtreſs had he not ſecur'd that Prince's Cloſet. Take his Character likewiſe from the ſame Valuable Poem.
[57] The way to make Poland unhappy, is to follow the Poets preſcriptions, and perſwade all Men to be in Love with his Sham-Moderations; and to advance to Liberty's Defence in his Scheme of Politicks, is for us to turn Levellers, and bring the Eſtabliſh'd Conſtitution to ſuch a Paſs that we may all equal in Power, and ſhare the Direction of Affairs alike, without any thing like a Kingly Government, which this pretended Peace at Home may bring us to at laſt, without the Interpoſition of ſuch Patriots whom he calls Degenerate Palatines.
I joyn with him in the Prayer, though we are of two Minds concerning the Juſtice of the Stateſmen. For the World Juſt falls under a Different Acceptation with Men of dif⯑ferent Principles.
Heav'n ſend Her Majeſty ſuch Perſons about Her Royal Perſon. Amen, ſays the Church of England from the bottom of her Heart, who looks upon the Queen as Her Nurſing Mother, as well as Daughter; while the Diſſenters ſpeak after this way for form ſake only, and from the Teeth out⯑wards, ſince Knavery and Diſhoneſty is the ſupport of their Cauſe.
We pretend not to ſo much as to inſinuate, that her Ma⯑jeſty having ſuſpected Perſons about her, ſuch as take Bribes, &c. contrary to Her Declaration at her Acceſſion to the Throne, but that notwithſtanding we are very happy in the Preſent Miniſtry, we might likewiſe have been ſo if thoſe that are removed from it had continued in it.
What has Satyr to do in Viewing the Man that deſerves your Panegyrick: Prethee Daniel leave off this way of Writ⯑ing, or you'll bring in Satyr ſo often, that your Writings will be a Satyr upon your ſelf at laſt.
If the Gentlemen pointed at in this paragraph held any ſecret Caballs, they were for the good of Church and State [59] and they are ſo far from forſaking their own Principles that taught them the Continuance of their Duty without any ſuch thing as the Renewing their Allegiance, that they are inſepa⯑rable from them as Heat is from fire, or ſenſation from the Soul.
We agree with him, that the Fate of Prince and People depends upon the Choice of a Miniſtry, and that Wiſe Coun⯑cils may ſupport a Weak Prince, but muſt deny the Conſe⯑quence, that none but a wiſe Prince can have a Wiſe Mini⯑ſtry, ſince he has own'd in this very Paragraph, that a weak one may be reſtor'd by one that is Wiſe.
By Caſamir he ſeems to hint at the L— H— T— who he ſays plac'd Mr. S— H—y in the E— of N—m's Place, when we cannot but know thoſe Offices of Truſt, ſuch as a Sec— of S— are wholly and ſole⯑ly in the Gift of the Crown.
That they are a Happy Two muſt be taken for granted ſince they are not only in the Prince's Favour and Peoples too, but we are not to inter from, but to ſay they neglect their own In⯑tereſt [60] out of Regard to the Queen's is an impardonable Abſur⯑dity, becauſe the Intereſt of Queen and People are Inſepa⯑rable.
This is a Compliment they themſelves will not allow of, for Sin is a Crime; and there is no Man, not the Arch-B—p him⯑ſelf, without it; which is enough to infer from thence, that all Mankind in general are guilty of ſome ſecret Crime or other.
The want of Money makes all Men Poor; and if they can make us Rich by that Want which made us Poor, then all Contradictions whatſoever my be reſolv'd by this Arcanum.
There is no Happineſs, that the Church of England wiſhes Her Majeſty not Miſtreſs of, who makes it Her continual Prayers, that not ſo much as the Talk of a Plot, Scotch or Eng⯑liſh, may be heard in Her Auſpicious Reign; and that Mo⯑ney is the Nerves of War has been a received Truth, ſince Fighting is become Mercenary, no Man of any rational Fa⯑culties will ſo much as queſtion.
We grant him, that the Noble P—rs repreſented by the bor⯑row'd Name of Caſimir, has done more than could be expect⯑ed in a Treaſury, that had been exhauſted by Depreations in the late Reign: and while either of two worthy Patriots con⯑tinue in their Poſts, without giving us any Cauſe of Fear and Diſtruſt, that they ought to be belov'd by Poles and Coſſacks too.
The Concluſion.
If the uſefulleſt Thing in Poland is a Fool, then a wiſe Man is a Fool, for wiſe Perſons at the Helm of Government are the uſefullest Things we can hope for.
That's very ſtrange indeed, to be redeem'd by Fools, and al⯑moſt as much as to ſay, when we were at the brink of Ruin, by a parcel of Knaves who ſhar'd the Adminiſtration in King James's Reign, the Fools interpos'd in our Behalf, and brought about the late R—vol—n.
So that Folly's a Dignity, and Dubs a Poliſh Peer, which is a ſort of Petty-Treaſon, becauſe it's the Queen alone who Dubs a Commoner a Peer, and inſinuates as if Her Sacred Majeſty was Guilty of Short-ſightedneſs in the Diſtribution of Her Royal Fa⯑vours, and could not diſtinguiſh a Wiſe Man from a Fool. Re⯑trabas aut Vapules mi Poetula.
To compare a Fool to David's Harp is a little Prophane, as it is to liken Sir Tho. M—r to David, who was a Man after God's own Heart, and huntiug a Qneſtion like a Fox a Gooſe, is ſuch an [64] Attribute of a Fool, as I never heard of Before, ſince a Fox is look'd upon to be the moſt Cunning Creature among the whole Four Legged Race.
Now He has made His Satyr ſay all the Malicious Things He could Invent of Her Majeſtys beſt Subjects, He ve⯑ry Mercifully calls upon Satyr to Forbear, juſt like a Cer⯑tain Great General at the Boyne who ſent orders to give Quarter, after all his Enemies had been put to the Sword. If it be true that all the Fools and Knaves are laid by and diſarm'd, then the Tackers are neither Fools nor Knaves as He has Intimated, ſince there are above 90 choſen for Par⯑liament Men out of the 134. And England Thou ar't the Happieſt ſpot in the whole Univerſe, and ſo God Bleſs the Queen's moſt Excellent Majeſty.
- Citation Suggestion for this Object
- TextGrid Repository (2020). TEI. 3311 The dyet of Poland a satyr Consider d paragraph by paragraph To which is added a key to the whole. University of Oxford Text Archive. . https://hdl.handle.net/21.T11991/0000-001A-5952-4