I do not expect that the paſſions of my readers ſhould keep time with my own; for I think it full as arbitrary to obtrude my anger or mirth upon others, as it is to impoſe my faith and opinions: neither do I expect to have it believ'd, when upon ſome particular ſubjects I ſpeak with more than ordinary warmth and aſperity (Si paulo aſperius quam pro meo more expreſſerim, as a moſt reverend author has it) that publick ſpirit and pulick good, abſtracted from all ſelfiſh motives, are my ſole aim; but I hope that even perſonal reſentments may be well grounded, and conſequently praiſe-worthy.
Whilſt therefore the Britiſh legiſlature are regenging their injur'd country, and bringing the gigantick parricides to juſtice, I judge it no improper time to diſcover other traytors and other pluderers; traytors to the King, whom they have ſworn to obey; and plunderers of living ſocieties, as well as of good men deceas'd, their antient founders and benefactors.
The latter of theſe do not ſeem to me much leſs miſchievous than the former; they have pillag'd their country of its wealth and its credit; theſe of its religion and of every good principle; nay, it is not unlikely (ſince corruption of principles is the ſirſt ſtep to vice) that our univerſities, or the ſpawn iſſuiing from thence, ſirſt debauch'd the mornals of theſe men, and actuated them to thoſe villanies, which they have ſince committed.
The only difference I can ſee between them is this; that whereas the traiterous ſtock-jobbers diſpatch'd their wickedneſs at once, and by their faſhneſs brought down ſudden vengeance upon themſelves; the traierous gown men proceeded gradually from one corruption to another, and from one iniquity to another; by which means they have
