| Citation |
MG-A(G.768.018
31 Mar 1768:22,23,31 (1177)
The controversy between the Bystander and his opponents,
began upon points of a public nature; but according to the
usual fate of that species of writing, hath deviated into
personal invective, and lost sight of the original subject.
. .
[1 1/4 column on ongoing controversy concerning vestries and
clergymen, including:]
It is of no consequence to the community, whether Mr. C.D.
is a black or a fair man, and of as little, whether the
Bystander has a tallow, or sallow face, whether he has
ricketty legs, is bleer-eyed, and has a certain leer,
vulgarly express'd by the name of a hanging-look, and
whether, with the Fop in the Play, he is ugly all over, with
the affectation of being a fine gentleman. These are matters
eccentric to the merits of the dispute, and I agree entirely
with the humane Mr. P. Hint, that personal reflections are
ungenerous, and shou'd never be admitted into public
disquisitions. --Nor, can I see, that the singing of
catches, conduces any thing to the settlement of matters of
law or fact, or to what purpose this method is introduc'd by
the Bystander, since it appears from abundant instances,
that whenever it serves his turn, to make free with the
truth, he can assume the privilege. . . [5 lines] If I
don't forget, a great poet somewhere says,
The world's good word is better than a song.
Let this gentleman, then, leave off singing, and apply
himself to the better object of gaining the World's good
word, and especially, as the secret is now out, that he is
but a sorry songster--let him vindicate himself against the
charges . . . [19 lines]
On me when R---ls are satyric,
I take it for a panegyric.
Hated by knaves, and knaves to hate,
Be that my motto, and my fate. [signed] Your's Clericus.
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