Art. 36. A ferious and friendly Address to the People, with regard A calm expoftulation with the feveral orders of mad mobs, most of whom cannot read, and of the reft, whofe ftudies are confined to halfpenny literature; the complexion of which has of late totally unfitted them for attending to the difpaffionate fcrutiny which the Author offers, concerning the merits of a prefent favourite with them. N. Art. 37. A Narrative of the Proceedings against John Wilkes, Efq; from his Commitment in April 1763 to his Outlawry. With a full View of the Arguments used in Parliament and out of Doors in canvaffing the various important Questions that arofe from his Cafe. 8vo. I S. Richardfon and Urquhart. The title of this piece fufficiently explains the nature of it. But, as a note to one of Mr. Wilkes's letters, a rhapfodical string of declamations is thruft in, and figned Goldsmith, burlefquing the regal power; the propriety or meaning of which is best known to the Writer, whoever he may be. N Art. 38. A Letter to an Auguft Aflembly, on the prefent Pofture of Affairs: wherein the hard Treatment of Mr. Wilkes, and the Caufe of Riots, are duly confidered, and Remedies provided. 4to. 2 S. Tomlinfon, Whitechapel. Written by a zealot for Mr. Wilkes, who figns himself Maffinello; and who, writing about every thing, writes properly about nothing. The liberty of the prefs is an invaluable privilege; but fuch is the fate of humanity, that the best things are alloyed with very difagreeable circumflances. The liberty of the prefs tempts numbers into print, whofe fpeculations are naufeous. Whatever may be faid as to purchasers, it is pity paper and print are fo cheap to writers and venders. N Art. 39. An Address to the Public: wherein the Conduct of Mr. Wilkes is candidly and impartially confidered, and fome Matters brought to light that have been hitherto concealed. Folio. 6 d. Pearch. A few loofe thoughts to prove that Mr. Wilkes has no fuperior abilities, or patriotic principles, beyond other men; and that his political confequence fprung from adventitious circumstances. Thefe are clofed with fome queries relating to his former conduct, which have been republifhed in all the news-papers. N. Art. 40. A comparative View of the Conduct of John Wilkes Efq; as contrafted with the oppofite Measures during the laft Six Years. By John **** R. De C-lington. Small 8vo. 1 s. Williams. A political wag, who having compofed a fhort, ludicrous, but favourable reprefentation of Mr. Wilkes's affairs, drops his readers fuddenly without concluding his tale, telling them in excufe, that he has himfelf before now purchased as imperfect a production at the fame price, Art. 41. N. Art. 41. An Efay on Patriotifm, and on the Character and Conduct of fome late famous Pretenders to that Virtue, particularly of the prefent Popular Gentleman. 8vo. I s. 6d. Steare. One of the most fevere, and at the fame time, beft wrote performance, that has appeared against our flaming patriot Mr. Wilkes. Our Author, who writes in the character of an elderly man well acquainted with the political occurrences of the prefent century, fets out with a comparison between pretenders to patriotifm, and deceivers in religion, which he well fupports; and as according to fome fectaries, the greater finner the greater faint, fo according to our fcrutinizer into patriotic pretenfions, patriotifm like charity covers a multitude of fins. Not that like the generality of anti-Wilkites, he endeavours to blaft that gentleman's public character on the account of his private imputations; for thefe, he good-naturedly extenuates, and makes all reafonable allowances; adding, that if none but men of ftrict virtue were to be employed in the fervice of government, the Court Kalendar would be reduced in a moment to the fize of a child's primmer.' It may indeed be remarked, that the general reflections caft on the gentleman in queftion, are not often juftified by defcending to many particulars, or of a peculiar nature; and our Author declares, what to many will appear in the light of a paradox, on the contrary, in my opinion, his private character, oppofed to his public, is white, innocent, and even praife-worthy! In order to folve this feeming riddle, it will be neceffary to examine his idea of patriotifm. True patriotism, fays he, in the times of public peace and tranquillity, is of a character precifely the fame with true religion. At fuch times the only patriotifm that deferves the name, confifts in a fober and fteady obedience to the laws, and obfervance of the conftitution; in mild and moderate endeavours to rectify whatever diforders and corruptions may have crept into either through human frailty, and the neceffity of things; in a firm fupport without refpect to names and parties, or private connections, of whatever administration may happen to be then established in points wherein they are right; in as firm though a calm oppofition to them, in matters wherein they may be wrong; but above all, it confifts in providing for the contingencies of war during the times of peace, in encreafing the revenue without burthening trade, in difcharging the public debts, and in promoting arts, fcience, agriculture, manufactures and population throughout the kingdom.' This our Author delivers as the theory of patriotism, as to the reality, he thus declares himself. After all, it is a question whether fuch a thing as pure unmixed patriotifm exifts in any human breast, unless it may be in that of a philofophical fpeculative man retired in his own clofet. Even then, it is like the fceptical fyftem of Berkeley, which denies the existence of matter, and maintains there is nothing in nature but fpirit and idea. I defy any man to difprove this paradox by any reasoning whatsoever; the more he reafons the more he will be perplexed. But let him come abroad into the world, and the hurry of action, bufinefs, and affairs, will foon banish all thought of it, without leaving any traces behind. In the fame manner, when the fpeculative patriot engages among mankind, what he fees in others and feels within himself, will foon convince him of the chimerical nature of his refined notions. 1 notions. How then can we imagine that such a virtue can be the great Our Author enters into a critical examination of the political lives of a late and prefent earl, who were in turn great favourites with the people under their proper names, and affumed characters; greatly to iheir advantage, when contrafted with the immediate object of his ftrictures, at the fame time that he confiders them both as impofters. But when confidering the middlemost of the three, he exclaims, But at any rate, God forbid I should ever compare the great man I have been juit fpeaking of, either with his immediate predeceffor, or fill more contemptible fucceffor, in that hackneyed, though never to be wo n out impofture of patriotiin. His motives were a noble pride and ambiton, and his actions were fuitable to them. Their motives were little perío nal piques and refentments, and a low pitiful disappointed ambition. And their conduct, especially that of the latter, has been what might be expected from fuch principles.' If the justice of these remarks fhould be admitted, it is a severe fatire on mankind; all then that we have to confole ourselves must be, that if there is really no fuch character in human nature as a steady patrioț upon inflexible principle; we must content ourselves with those who from private views affume that refpectable cloak, which to answer their purpose must be wrapped carefully round them. While they maintain this character, they are certainly of ufe, and when it has answered their turn, and it is thrown off, we need never to doubt of being supplied with an uninterrupted fucceffion of others, ready to fupply their places from the fame ignoble motives. It is a popular aphorifm, de mortuis nil nifi bonum; we shall invert this, and apply it to the living, fo far as to refer the Reader to the pamphlet, for the fevere, farcaftic, and fhrewd examination of the conduct of one who is now in the full vigor of political life, Reasoning from peculiarity of circumftances, it is not impoffible however that fuch principles as are there laid down and argued from, may have fome weight in dictating a confiftency of conduct in thofe inftances, where if a person can flatter himself with the profpect of continuing, amidit the fluctuation of affairs, a favorite of the people through life, he may imagine it in his power to profit more by continuing so, than by tergiverfation. It is hoped to be no departure from the conduct we have above prefcribed to ourselves to give the reflections with which our Author concludes his Effay; leaving it to our Readers to make their own remarks thereupon. Though I have recommended a perfect refignation to the culprit, yet I know not, confidering this bufinefs merely in a political view, whether it would be better to inflict any further punishment upon him, See a letter to Lord T-e, giving an account of a most tremendous duel fought by moon-light with pistols, and at a very convenient distance. than than what he has already fuffered. I am not his enemy, unless praying for his repentance, and that God may turn his heart and fhew him the folly and error of his ways, can make me one. We never hate thofe we thoroughly defpife. Though this man, owing to a ftrange concur. rence of circumstances, fome of them very laughable, has made a great noife, done a good deal of mifchief, might have done much more, and has made his country very ridiculous in the eyes of foreigners; yet his parts and practices are fuch, that they cannot ferioufly be the objects of any paffion, but contempt and derifion. Like fome religious fanatics, he owes all his confideration to the improper methods that perhaps have been taken with him. As maltiffs who are tied up foon lofe all their fierceness when fuffered to go at large, fo would this man all his im portance were he treated in the fame manner. The people would focn forget him, and find some other gewgaw to play with or rattle to amuse them. They must have fomething, and a Cock-lane Gholt, an Elizabeth Canning, or a John Wilkes are all one to them. Though I mult confefs, that of the three, the former are the most innocent impoftors. Could he be very fairly and legally deprived of his feat, I would not advife that measure, because he would be found of much lefs weight when in the House of Commons than where he is now, in the King's Bench. If he is an indifferent writer, he is a much more contemptible fpeaker. Eloquentiæ fatis, fapientiæ parum, is faid by Salluft of Catiline; reverse it, and with tome other articles in the character of that infamous confpirator and affaffin, as drawn by that great hiftorian, fapientia parum, eloquentiæ minus, may be applied to John Wilkes. When I advise this lenient measure, I do not pretend to be his friend, for I really believe it would turn out to be his greatest punishment, if contempt and oblivion would be thought fo by fuch a man. Yet to bring this about, I think the royal interpofition would be extremely improper for many reasons, and for none more fo than the following. It might be afcribed by his partizans to every motive, but to the real one; to his majesty's paternal indulgence for the folly of his people, and to his ineffable contempt of its ridiculous object. Some quirk or chicanery in the law, a writ of error or arreft of judment, alledged on his part and fuffered to pafs on that of the crown, would do the bafinefs as effectually. Perhaps I may be wading out of my depth, but I know this opinion might be fupported by very plaufible arguments, whereof I say no more at prefent. Indeed, I can only fee one folid objection against it; which is, that the impunity of this flagrant impoftor, when he hath fo fairly at laft fallen under the cognizance of the laws, might encourage future impoftors equally defperate and audacious to attempt playing the fame game over again, with greater power and abi. lities to work mischief. 'I fhall now take my leave of this adventurer. That I have not paid my compliments to him in this way fooner, has been owing to an acci dent, to my having been abfent from the kingdom when he was making fo confpicuous a figure in it. My principal intention has been to heal and reconcile thofe animofities, which this impoftor has fo wickedly and wantonly raised between the two nations, or rather in the stronger against the weaker. United, England and Scotland have been found a match for almost the whole world befide; feparated, befides the inestimable advantage of being an island, England would immediately lofe half her prelent prefent ftrength, not only the native ftrength of Scotland, not very confiderable for riches, but great by the number and bravery of her people; but also a far greater proportion of her own ftrength, in order to keep Scotland then fuppofed an enemy in awe. Accurfed be he, fay the fcriptures, who feparates man and wife. Much more accurfed be he, ought we all to fay, who feparates England and Scotland, two nations much more closely united than it is poffible for man and wife to be. But a feparation of that kind is now, thank God, impoffible. The writings and the fpeeches of this man had a much more fatal and even an infernal tendency. What that was I have already mentioned exprefly, and I will not again repeat. Happily his endeavours had not their dreadful effect. It was owing to an extraordinary patience in the Scotch people, and to the peculiar generofity and good-nature of the English; and here I do not fpeak of the better or middling ranks amongst them only, but also of the very lowest of their vulgar. The Scotch may perhaps difpute with the English, and they are the only people that can, the palm of bravery in the field of battle; but in those more amiable virtues I think they as well as other nations muft yield to them. How then must all Englishmen, who think coolly, execrate the very name of this impoftor, who has not only endeavoured to rob them of this divine and their peculiar commendation, but to fix in its room an eternal stigma on the whole people? No doubt he will deny all fuch intentions. So has he denied all intentional abufe on his fovereign or any branch of the royal family. I confefs, indeed, it belongeth to God alone, the fearcher of hearts and the trier of reins, to fix them unalterably upon him. But then I will fay, that at the belt, he is like the fool in the fcriptures, who scattered about arrows and firebrands of destruction and said, am I not in Sport. In the courfe of this Effay, I have fhewn what real patriotism is, of ought to be, in fuch times of national peace as we enjoy at prefent. It is obvious how different that is from what the whole conduct of this man has been. I have alfo enquired into the nature of that patriotism he would be thought to poffefs. I have fhewn its very being to be equivocal, and that it can exift no where, but in the breaft of a retired philofophical man. I could have fhewn by numberless examples, drawn from the hiftories of all free ftates, thofe of Greece and Rome as well as our own, that all fuch extraordinary pretensions have ever been tricks and impostures, fet on foot by defigning men for factious and ambitious ends; but I have confined myself to two most remarkable instances, within our own times and memory. I fhall now conclude, and put the whole matter in difpute on a very short iffue, by afking one plain fimple queftion. If the people of England have been disappointed in their expectations from two fuch great and diftinguifhed men as Mr. Pulteney and M. Pt, what ought they to expect from a needy, profligate, as well as desperate adventurer?" From fome acrimonious epithets which occafionally occur, it may perhaps be fuppofed that the Author of this Effay is a North Briton; but be this as it may, he appears in the capacity of an intelligent writer, and a friend to the inland in general. N RELIGIOUS |