Sir, if you can but use the tomahawk skilfully, your fortune
is certain. '_Sic itur ad astra_.' Read Blackwood's Noctea Ambrosiance.
Take the town by surprise, folly by the ears; 'the glory, jest, and
riddle of the world' is man; use your knowledge of this ancient volume
rightly, and you may soon mount the car of fortune, and drive at random
wherever your fancy dictates. Bear in mind the Greek proverb, '_Mega
biblion, mega kakon_.' In your remarks, select such persons who, from
their elevated situations in society, ought to be above reproof, and
whose vices are, therefore, more worthy of public condemnation:
'------------Ridiculum acri
Fortius ac melius magnas plerumque secat res.'
By this means you will benefit the state, and improve the morals of
society. The most wholesome truths may be told with pleasantry. Satire,
to be severe, needs not to be scurrilous. The approval of the judicious
will always follow the ridicule which is directed against error,
ignorance, and folly."
How long little Index might have continued in this strain I know not, if
I had not ventured to suggest
~11~~
that the course he pointed out was one of great difficulty, and
considerable personal hazard; that to arrive at fortune by such means,
an author must risk the sacrifice of many old connexions, and incur no
inconsiderable dangers; that great caution would be necessary to escape
the fangs of the forensic tribe, and that in voluntarily thrusting his
nose into such a nest of hornets, it would be hardly possible to
escape being severely stung in retaliation.
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