"
Friend. I like your plan: "art sure there's no offence?"
Author. None that's intended to wound common-sense. For your uncommon
knaves who rule the town, Your M.P.'s, M.D.'s, R.A.'s and silk gown,
Empirics in all arts, every degree, Just Satire whispers are fair game
for me.
Friend. The critic host beware!
Author. Wherefore, I pray? "The cat will mew, the dog will have his
day." Let them bark on! who heeds their currish note Knows not the
world--they howl, for food, by rote.
[Illustration: page007]
~7~~
REFLECTIONS, ADDRESSED TO THOSE WHO CAN THINK.
Reflections of an Author--Weighty Reasons for writing--
Magister artis ingeniique largitor Venter--Choice of Subject
considered--Advice of Index, the Book-seller--Of the Nature
of Prefaces--How to commence a new Work.
Author (solus). I must write--my last sovereign has long since been
transferred to the safe keeping of mine hostess, to whom I have
the honor to be obliged. I just caught a glance of her inflexible
countenance this morning in passing the parlour door; and methought
I could perceive the demon aspect of suspicion again spreading his
corrosive murky hue over her furrowed front. The enlivening appearance
of my golden ambassador had for a few days procured me a faint smile of
complacency; but the spell is past, and I shall again be doomed to the
humiliation
~8~~
of hearing Mrs Martha Bridget's morning lectures on the necessity
of punctuality.
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