WEAK MEN. [From the Morning Chronicle.] MR. EDITOR. THERE is a HERE is a prejudice which has much influence upon the public in favour of weak men. It is generally thought that because men are weak, they are therefore honeft, and require not to be guarded against as knaves. What expreffion more frequent than this, He is a fimple, honeft, well-meaning man? Now there is a fenfe, the only proper fenfe indeed of the word fimple, borrowed from mechanics I believe, which expreffes all that is pure and grand in the character of human beings, a freedom from complex and hidden views, direct and honourable conduct in every tranfaction; a man, therefore, who fhould be entitled, in this fenfe of the word, to the character of one of a fimple mind, must be an excellent perfon. But a fimple honeft man, according to the vulgar import of the expreffion, is neither more nor less than a filly fellow, who is thought to be too great a fool to be a rogue. It is this common prejudice which I would combat, because it is not only mifchievous, but, in my opinion, extremely falfe. Weak perfons are commonly falfe; and men of fuperior understanding, men of integrity and truth, if I have been happy enough to make any correct obfervations. I think too, that my obfervations of facts are fupported by the beft theory on the fubject. Men of talents have extenfive views, and perceive in a moment how very feldom it is that falfehood and deception can accomplish any purpose. Weak men, who never fee far, are always preffed to overcome prefent difficulty, and nothing feems to them more eafy than a lie or a trick. This is the habit of every child to efcape correction or gain a point; and what is a weak man but a grown child? Now, Sir, when Mr. Addington became Prime Minister, it the general cry, He is a fimple well-meaning man; and jealoufy was laid afleep by this prejudice, that a weak man is not to be dreaded as deceitful. How has this fimple well-meaning man acted? He has made war under falfe pretences-by this the nation has been deceived. He has unfairly stated the finances of the country, and tricked men into loans-by this the monied men have been deceived. He has talked fair to his old friends, who opened the door of his advancement-by this Mr. Pitt has been deceived, who ftill thinks himself the wifer of the two. He keeps his place in peace and war by trick and management aloneby this all parties have been deceived. His adminiftration is a scheme of low deception, a fyftem of expedients fuch as children adopt. He has proved that a weak man is moft likely to be false; and that a great man of talents is moft likely to be true, honourable, and useful, I hope the nation will one day believe and experience. It has often been remarked, that low minds are cunning; for the fame reafon, no doubt, becaufe great minds know that cunning and trick cannot long fubferve any important purpose, and fuch folicit only the accomplishment of important purposes; whilft low minds are ever upon the watch to obtain temporary advantages, and, looking no farther, leave their characters at risk. I am no partifan in politics; one word, however, may be pardoned upon a politician. Mr. Fox has fhut the door of office against himself, only by his open and ingenuous conduct. "There was in the nature of this man (fo his biographer will fay) fomething fo undifguifed, fimple, and direct, that he always gave offence to the Court; for thofe who required flattery from him, found that he was too proud to debafe himself." I fear Mr. Fox will not be foon in office; but when he thall be fo, let no vulgar maxim be oppofed to him; and because he he is a man of talents, let us not be told that therefore he will deceive us. Deception is exclufively the companion of the weak-he who can walk alone difdains to repofe on fuch a fupport. ANTHONY NOSNIBOR. From my Counting-houfe in Gracechurch Street, 31ft Jan. 1804. EPIGRAM S. [From the Oracle.] 1. QUOTH Sir Chriftopher Croaker, "I've form'd a strong The Machine of the State muft foon ftop in its motion;" And the state of that crazy Machine plainly fhews But to prove the affertion, I'll wager a crown, That in two or three weeks we fhall fee them run down." II. Wit is to madnefs always an ally; If fo, ye minifterial hearts, be glad; J. H. For though the Doctor, all must know, can die,' III. A COMPARISON. A plain country 'Squire, 't is a fact I relate, J. H. Hir'd a Coachman who fcarce knew the whip from the reins, Who, like him that now drives the great Coach of the State, Was complete, fave in one thing, and what was that?— Brains! A day or two pass'd, and he pleas'd very well; J. H. J. H.. THOU beft of Brothers!" fapient Hiley cries, "For making me Paymafter Military!" Thou beft of Brothers!" fweetly Bragge replies, "For making me War-Office Secretary!" "Thou beft of Brothers!" hark to Adams' note, For making him a heav'n-taught Naval Lord! "Thou beft of Coufins!" hear the well-purg'd throat Of Coufin Blackwood and of Coufin Ford! "Thou beft of Coufins!" Golding loudly rings, "That made me Treasury Lord, who was a writer !" To him you jobb'd for, all your voices raise; Then all that beft of men, the Doctor, praise! BRODUM. ON ON THE EXTRAORDINARY SILENCE OF A LATE TALKATIVE SENATOR. [From the fame.] WHEN first in Britain's Senate tried His new-fledg'd pow'rs against the Ministry, So when nor wit nor argument prevail'd, To raise his confequence, or ftamp his fame; Stept forth a Duellift, but mifs'd his aim. Not fo does Addington (with crafty minds A FABLE. [From the fame.] T Saint Barthol'mew's annual feast, AT A certain Noble Peer Bought Goodman Punch for twice ten pounds, Nor thought his purchase dear. Two hours the titled fage had heard The Puppet rout and bellow; And "Sure," thought he, " 's a dev'lish clever fellow. my wooden friend "High in the Council of the land Full twenty years I've fat, And, though a Chriftian, ne'er could make * See Mr. Tierney's first speech in Parliament. C 4 Pleas |