I shall take the same liberty in a
following paper of giving my opinion upon the subject of music;
which I shall lay down only in a problematical manner, to be
considered by those who are masters in the art.
LAMPOONS.
Saevit atrox Volscens, nec teli conspicit usquam
Auctorem, nec quo se ardens immittere possit.
VIRG., AEn. ix. 420.
Fierce Volscens foams with rage, and, gazing round,
Descry'd not him who gave the fatal wound;
Nor knew to fix revenge. DRYDEN.
There is nothing that more betrays a base, ungenerous spirit than
the giving of secret stabs to a man's reputation. Lampoons and
satires, that are written with wit and spirit, are like poisoned
darts, which not only inflict a wound, but make it incurable. For
this reason I am very much troubled when I see the talents' of
humour and ridicule in the possession of an ill-natured man. There
cannot be a greater gratification to a barbarous and inhuman wit,
than to stir up sorrow in the heart of a private person, to raise
uneasiness among near relations, and to expose whole families to
derision, at the same time that he remains unseen and undiscovered.
If, besides the accomplishments of being witty and ill-natured, a
man is vicious into the bargain, he is one of the most mischievous
creatures that can enter into a civil society.
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