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the faculties of men, who, upon an enlightened and liberal scale, might possess them to an advantage unknown and unlimited : Methinks whoever can admit the unaccountable absurdity, that effects have not an adequate cause, and that the ingenious productions of human wisdom are the consequence of diabolical agency, not only deceives himself but carries with him a veil of darkness, which he spreads over the eyes of his deluded followers ; and in that nation where superstition waves her bloody banners, Philosophy and the arts must hide their heads, or retire, whilst tyranny and oppression diffuse their baneful influence uninvestigated and unrestrained. Was there ever a person known to cherish this unnatural belief who became conspicuously ingenious, or singularly enterprizing ? On the contrary, being of this opinion, his ideas are contracted ; and whatever great end Nature might have designed for him, he is clouded and overwhelmed in this false and fatal belief. Was it superstition gave the world a Newton ? I answer, No : But rather philosophy inquiring into elementary bodies, the co-operation of substances, and the calculation of the effects naturally resulting from their adequate causes. Was it superstition discovered America ? No : Bold enterpize aided by similar calculations.——
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Was it superstition discovered the art of printing, the preserver of all arts ? No : Superstition would have burnt the ingenious inventor, had he not, in order to save his life, discovered the secret. —Here then is the picture of superstition, tyranny and oppression, hand in hand. What if Richard Faust, the ingenious inventor of this valuable art, had asserted his natural right, and dared to die, rather than thus be forced by the hand of ignorance to divulge the secret ; then, from this inconsistent and arbitrary step, the art of printing might have been forfeited even to the present hour : But it has and will diffuse unbounded benefits to this and future ages.
To strengthen the argument further, suffer me to make the following comparison : —We will suppose that Flavio de Gioia was now living, and had lately discovered the wonderful properties of the magnet, and found that a needle touched with the same will invariably point to the North Pole : This discovery he advertizes for exhibition ; it is singular, but thought of little or no consequence ; yet by proper improvement, how much benefit has it produced. On the other hand, we will suppose Flavio de Gioia is summoned before a body of men similar to an inquisition ; here he is
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examined, and all he can say in his behalf is, he has discovered its properties, but cannot account for the cause. Must this man, who discovered the inestimable uses of the magnet, the preserver of so many mariners’ lives ; that provided the means by which the long-lost sailor, amidst the wide ocean, surrounded by sea and sky, might obtain the knowledge of his
course ; and which has safely conducted the manufactories of one nation to another, and extended the benefits of navigation to all parts of the globe—Monstrous thought ! —Must this man be condemned for a wizard ?
Once more. —Was it superstition conferred the glorious gift of Liberty ? No : —Resolute wisdom, with a sense of the natural privileges man has an undoubted right to enjoy.
Leaving any further comparison, we may rationally conclude that superstition’s baneful effects are these, —retarding the human capacity, operating dangerously on society, and destructive to the common interest of mankind.
I remain yours, &c.
W. F. P.
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LETTER V.
From W. F. P. to A. B.
Sir,
Being about to publish the work, agreeably to your request, I shall close our correspondence with the following remarks, relating to the Pig of Knowledge. I observed, in a former Letter on this subject, that I was unable to discover the cause of his singular sagacity in comprehending my meaning without the signal. Notwithstanding, I will now further elucidate the subject.
You recollect that the cards are laid down in a circular direction, within which you stand, keeping the Pig by your side. Now we will suppose you wish him to fetch A : Step the opposite side of the circle, and the Pig, according to the nature of swine, being opposed to proceed in a direct course, will fetch you the letter ; you observing to step back, the moment he takes it in his mouth, and he will naturally follow. But should he chance to take a letter to the right, keep your station, and by inclining your body a little to the right, he will drop the card he has then got, and take the one you intend. Proceed in this
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manner, being careful that whatever direction you intend the Pig to take, your course and motion must be opposite.
By what manner the Pig is thought to know the card drawn. —Take a pack of cards ; place the clubs and hearts, and spades and diamonds according to their several suits : This done, begin with the eight of clubs ; on that place the king of hearts, on the king of hearts the tray of clubs, on the tray of clubs the ten of hearts, on the ten of hearts the deuce of clubs,on the deuce of clubs the seven of hearts, on the seven of hearts the nine of clubs, on the nine of clubs the five of hearts, on the five of hearts the queen of clubs, on the queen of clubs the four of hearts, on the four of hearts the ace of clubs, on the ace of clubs the six of hearts, on the six of hearts the jack of clubs. So much for the first assortment. —Then take the eight of hearts, and on that place the king of clubs ; and so proceed with the second assortment. —Then take the eight of Spades, and on that place the king of diamonds ; and so proceed with the third assortment. —Then take the eight of diamonds, and on that place the king of hearts ; and thus proceed with the fourth assortment. This being done, put them together, and the cards are prepared.
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Commit the manner in which the cards are placed, to memory, by learning the following words : —
Eight Kings tried to save nine fine Ladies for one sick Jack.
Which are thusexplained : —
eight is eight.
Kings are Kings.
tried is tray.
ten remember as coming between the tray and deuce
to is deuce.
save is seven.
nine is nine.
fine is five.
Ladies are Queens.
for is four.
one is ace.
sick is six.
Jack is Jack or Knave.
Now recollect that clubs and hearts, and hearts and clubs are together ; likewise that spades and diamonds, and diamonds and spades are together : In the same order, now present them thus packed to the Company to choose a card : When a choice is thus made, shift the cards above the one drawn, with a slight, to the bottom, and by looking at this, the
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card drawn is easily discovered, by a strict adherence to the remarks before mentioned ; as, for instance, suppose the bottom card you look at to be the eight of clubs, then of consequence the card drawn must be the King of hearts ; and so for any other in the pack. Then proceed with the Pig in the same manner as when he fetches a letter.
I hope this explanation will meet your approbation.
Your sincere friend,
W. F. P.
LETTER VI.
From A. B. to W. F. P.
Sir,
In consideration of the many advantages derived through the medium of your information, I tender you my sincere acknowledgments, as they have been both amusing and useful. I was much pleased with your poetic reflections on the Death of a Mouse. Presuming that is not the first nor only one your muse is capable of producing any other will be gratefully received, and much oblige
Your’s, &c.
A. B.
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LETTER VII.
From W. F. P. to A. B.
Sir,
As I have but little time to dedicate to the muses at present, and still wishing to comply with your request, I can only send you a few lines written on rescuing a Fly, which I did with my own hands, a few years since ; together with my thoughts on Philanthropy.
IN that gay season of the Spring,
When Ceres smiIe, and birds do sing,
And plenty crowns our joy ;
Of business tir’d, and bent on ease,
The muse alone my mind could please,
The vacant hour employ.
Miss laughing Pert or sister Tears*
In various images appears,
Shap’d by their votaries’ pens :
But Nature view, from men to worms,
Will furnish subjects in their turns,
And speculative themes.
A giddy Fly, just wak’d to day,
From Winter’s sleep to Summer’s play,
Would light on this and that :
He equal seem’d to taste the Spring,
Joy mark’d his flight, and bent his wing
To where I pensive sat.
*The Comic and Tragic Muse
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Busy around the room he flew,
Bask’d in the sun, and wanton grew ;
Nor seem’d a foe to dread :
But ah ! thou heedless silly Fly,
Would instinct say that danger’s nigh,
Beware of yonder web.
Quick as the thought embrac’d my mind),
The silly fool, (So fate design’d)
Had swept the subtle snare :
The sapient Spider seiz’d his prey ;
The Fly with struggling feeble lay,
To end his Summer there.
Elate, the monster mantles round,
In glist’ning cords the Fly is bound ;
And bound, alas, to die !
Avaunt ! thou wretch, my patience tir’d ;
Twas pity mov’d, and vengeance fir’d,
To hear the harmless cry.
Swift as my hand could seize the web,
The Fly was freed, the fled
To hole prepar’d hard by ;
The longlegg’d savage drove away,
The fly unhurt I gave to play :
Methinks ’twas charity.
PHILANTHROPY.
DEAREST possessor of the human heart,
Chief ornament of man ! Nor gold, nor title,
Wit, valour, wisdom, nought can share thy triumph
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Greater than all, above all, earthly angel !
Terrestrial in form ! in godlike deeds celestial !
The widow and the orphan, the aged and the maim’d
Within thy balmy arms, sweeten life’s bitter cup !
Behold the mind by disappointment worn,
Lost to all hope, and yielding to despair !
Anon, thy voice, as if an angel spoke,
Dispels the gloom. —
The bitter sign of woe falls from the cheek,
Now drench’d in tears of gratitude !
The breaking heart ceases to ache,
And smiles with joy.
The tir’d senses, worn by constant thought,
Retire to rest.
Happy result of human friendship.
Methinks I see heaven’s scrutinizing spirit,
Mark the fair deed ; in haste ascending
To the realms above ! Great news,
Acceptable to heaven ! Oh glorious tidings ! —
The recording angel joyfully gives credit,
And, turning to the page of human failings,
Balances accounts.
Adieu !
W. F. P.
FINIS.
