| Citation |
PC.767.159
28 Sep-5 Oct 1767:1453 (1/37)
It having of late fallen much in my way to associate with
the young and the gay in this city, I cannot be silent on a
subject which occurs to me almost as often as I go into
company; and I flatter myself none can take reasonable
offence at the remarks I am about to offer.
When I spend an evening at the tavern, I no soon enter the
door that one salutes me with d--n me, Jack, what detained
you so long? Another swears, by G--d, I shall drink five
bumpers; a third, by Chr--t, I shall toss off a dozen; and,
d--n his blood, says a fourth, if he don't, we'll funnel
him, by G--d. however glaringly shocking these phrases may
seem in print, they are daily used, with a thousand others
equally profane, all in the highest humour imaginable; and
he, who produced the best connected string of them, obtains
a hearty laugh of approbation; and though I always discover
the highest disgust that their immoralities, yet they fancy
there is some humour in putting modesty to the blush; and
Tom Rattle very archly asks how Moll Brim does, and whether
she did not take me h--li--shly in t'other night, but we
must drink her health in a bumper, and wish for better
times. Every man communicates his experience, how often he
has been caught, and sings a good high-relished song on the
occasion. For the truth of this I need not go far for
vouchers, and sorry I am to say there are thousands that
know it.
Now I would gladly persuade these young fellows to believe
they are by no means assuming the character of gentlemen,
which is as opposite to that of a licentious rake, as good
to evil, or day to night. There is scarce a part of the
debauchee's life that is not disconsonate to sense and good
breeding; and however they may imagine they are affecting
high life, and an imitation of people in figure, I can
assure them they never deviate wider, that when they attempt
it by such means. I could mention some of the principal
characters in England, both for rank and learning, whose
manners are as elevated as their stations, and who would
despise the tongue that could utter on oath or an indecency;
and I will venture to add, I never saw a well bred man that
was guilty of either; they are alone practiced by the
vulgar; for the greatest fortune will not protect a man from
that epithet, while his conversation is low and obscene.
Our young sparks would do well to consider, that they not
only debase themselves by using illiberal language, but
confirm the lower class in those habits they are too much
addicted to; for many of them are weak enough to mistake for
marks of gentility the irreverent and indecent expressions
of those whom the world (from their fortunes only)
improperly term gentlemen. . . [43 more lines, signed]
Philad. Sept. 1767. A Nonjuror.
|