DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2152#0229
THE TIMES, jgy
a rank among the nations; for each act of go-
vernment is debated,—not Only in the two Houses
of Parliament, but in every tavern, coffee-house,
and porter-house in the metropolis.
To these eloquent leaders of the numerous clubs,
we may add a myriad of political writers, who are
all but inspired. Without studying either Ma-
cbiavel, Locke, or Sydney,—they pour forth a tor-
rent of lucubrations on the floating subjects of the
hour;—that hour past, their letters, replies, re-
marks, and rejoinders, are heard of no more.
In .the hope of giving their puny offspring a lon-
ger life,—some of these learned Tbebans, or their
booksellers, called in the aid of artists, to adorn
their labours with taking frontispieces. These
graphic ornaments were in general about as lively
as the pamphlets they decorated; and it was found
that the united efforts of author, printer, painter,
engraver, and publisher, could not insure immor-
tality. Notwithstanding this general failure in
their intended operation, they had one very awk-
ward effect: A sort of political influenza was com-
municated to our engravers, and they also he -
came deep statesmen, and profound politicians.
VVhile part of this band sharpened their burins,
and defaced much good copper, in caricaturing
the members of administration, their opponents
were equally industrious, and equally pointed, in
taking off the honourable gentlemen on the other
sideofthe-hou.se.
a rank among the nations; for each act of go-
vernment is debated,—not Only in the two Houses
of Parliament, but in every tavern, coffee-house,
and porter-house in the metropolis.
To these eloquent leaders of the numerous clubs,
we may add a myriad of political writers, who are
all but inspired. Without studying either Ma-
cbiavel, Locke, or Sydney,—they pour forth a tor-
rent of lucubrations on the floating subjects of the
hour;—that hour past, their letters, replies, re-
marks, and rejoinders, are heard of no more.
In .the hope of giving their puny offspring a lon-
ger life,—some of these learned Tbebans, or their
booksellers, called in the aid of artists, to adorn
their labours with taking frontispieces. These
graphic ornaments were in general about as lively
as the pamphlets they decorated; and it was found
that the united efforts of author, printer, painter,
engraver, and publisher, could not insure immor-
tality. Notwithstanding this general failure in
their intended operation, they had one very awk-
ward effect: A sort of political influenza was com-
municated to our engravers, and they also he -
came deep statesmen, and profound politicians.
VVhile part of this band sharpened their burins,
and defaced much good copper, in caricaturing
the members of administration, their opponents
were equally industrious, and equally pointed, in
taking off the honourable gentlemen on the other
sideofthe-hou.se.