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Their pens inflict not e'en a moment's pain,

And Honee scribbles, and his friends, in vain ;

Like angry flies that buzz upon the wing,

They show the will, but not the power, to sting;
Ambitious with ephemeras to vie,

Or moles that thunder into light, and die."

Here follows an account of the fruitless efforts of Honestus to make a speech at the Jacobin Club, which met at the Green Dragon Tavern:

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In "The Democratiad," a political satire, published at Philadelphia in 1795, we find the following allusion to a speech of Benjamin Austin, in Faneuil Hall, on Jay's treaty, and in our sketch of Joseph Hall are further allusions. The "satirizing priest" of whom the poet says Mr. Austin had such dread was probably Dr. Gardiner :

"Now, sage Honestus from his seat arose,

Thrice stroked his chops, and thrice surveyed his toes;

Thrice strove his mighty project to declare,

Thrice stopped to see if Parson G. were there;

For well he knew the satirizing priest

Would hang him up, a scarecrow and a jest,

If once he saw his wayward footsteps stray
But a small distance in the factious way.

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JULY 4, 1787. FOR THE TOWN AUTHORITIES.

JUDGE DAWES introduced the following felicitous figure, in this production: "One of the late aërostatic navigators,"― probably Dr. John Jeffries, "has intimated that, when sailing in his balloon through the blue climes of air, over European territories, the eye was gratified in the accuracy with which the divisions were made between contiguous owners of the lands below. The circumstance suggested the idea of firm laws. Had this philosopher made his aërial voyage over the fields of Massachusetts, he would have enjoyed an additional sentiment,—an idea of equality would have been joined to that of certainty. The sentimentalist would not only have discovered the justness of outlines in the bounds of property, but he would have observed the equality of portions of the respective owners,-a species of equality how exalted above the condition of those countries where the peasant is alienated with the soil, and the price of acres is the number of slaves! Not, indeed, that perfect equality which deadens the motives of industry, and places demerit on a footing with virtue; but that happy mediocrity which soars above bondage, without aspiring to domination. Less favorable to liberty were those agrarian laws which lifted the ancient republics into grandeur."

In the peroration of this oration, Judge Dawes says, in a strain of eloquence: "Poverty of genius is not our misfortune. The forms of free and justly balanced politics maintain our title to legislative wisdom. Nor have we narrowed the gates of our religious institutions. Liberality is not an exotic that dies on our soil. Independent ground is not watered with the blood of unbelievers. We have not contracted the worship of the Deity to a single establishment, but we have opened an asylum to all people, and kindred, and tongues, and nations. No!

Mediocrity is not the bane of independent minds. Nature has dealt with us not on the minute scale of economy, but the broader principles of bounty. What remains, then, but that we improve the gratuities of Providence? Roused by a sense of past suffering and the dignity of freedom, we have once more called on venerable sages of our first Congress, on other immortal characters, to add new strength and beauty to the fair fabric of independence.

"A legislation, common in certain cases to all the States, will make us a nation in reality, as well as in name. This will permit us to respect our own station, and to treat on equal grounds with other powers; will suffer us to be just at home and respectable abroad; will render property secure, and convince us that the payment of debts is our truest policy and highest honor. This will encourage husbandry and arts; will settle, with numerous and happy families, the banks of the Ohio and the borders of Kennebec. Huron's neglected waves -Superior's wilderness of waters, now forlorn and unemployedshall bear the countless vessels of internal traffic. Niagara's foaming cataract, crowned with columns of vapor and refracted lines, shall not always bar the intercourse of mighty lakes. The mechanic arts shall find a passage from Erie to Ontario, and Champlain shall be led in triumph to the bosom of the deep.

"Hail, glorious age! when the potent rays of perfect liberty shall burst upon the now benighted desert; when the tawny natives of America, and the descendants of those who fled hither from the old world, shall forget their animosities; when all parts of this immense continent shall be happy in ceaseless communications, and the mutual exchange of benefits; when the cornucopia of peace shall be preferred to the waste of war, as the genial gales of summer to the ruffian blasts of winter; when nations, who now hold the same jealous relation to each other which individuals held before society was formed, shall find some grand principle of combination, like that which rolls the heavenly bodies round a common centre. The distinct fires of American States, which are now blended into one, rising just through broken clouds from the horizon, shall blaze bright in the zenith,— the glory of the universe!"

"You and I," says John Adams to Samuel Adams, "have seen four noble families rise up in Boston,- the Crafts, Gores, Dawes and Austins. These are as really a nobility, in our town, as the Howards, Somersets, Berties, &c., in England. By nobles I mean not peculiarly an hereditary nobility, or any particular modification, but the natural and actual aristocracy among mankind."

JOHN BROOKS.

JULY 4, 1787. FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY OF CINCINNATI.

BEFORE the dissolution of the American army, the officers, in their cantonments near Hudson's river, instituted a society, May 10, 1783, which, from similarity in their situation to that of the celebrated Roman, was to be denominated "The Society of the Cincinnati." It was to be designated by a medal of gold, representing the American eagle, bearing on its breast the devices of the order, which was to be suspended by a deep blue ribbon, edged with white, descriptive of the union of America and France. The immutable principles of the society required the members to preserve the rights and privileges of human nature, for which they had fought and bled, and to promote and cherish union and honor between the respective States. Its objects were to perpetuate the remembrance of the American Revolution, as well as a cordial affection among the officers, and to extend acts of beneficence to those officers and their families whose situation might require assistance. A common fund was to be created, by the deposit of one month's pay on the part of every officer becoming a member. This institution excited no inconsiderable degree of jealousy and opposition. The ablest dissertation against it was entitled "Considerations on the Society or Order of Cincinnati," dated Charleston, S. C., Oct. 10, 1783, and signed "Cassius." It was the production of Acdamus Burke, one of the judges of the Supreme Court of South Carolina, who undertook to prove that the Cincinnati creates two distinct orders among our people: a race of hereditary nobles founded on the military, together with the most influential families and men in the State, and the people, or plebeians. On about the year 1803, Col. Humphrey wrote, in reply, that "more than twenty years have elapsed, and not one fact has occurred to countenance these jealous insinuations." This institution is said to have been originated by Maj. Gen. Knox. Its first president was George Washington, who gave his signature at the head of the list of members on its establishment. Gen. Knox was secretary-general. The first officers for the Massachusetts branch of that society were as follows:

Maj. Gen. Benjamin Lincoln, President; Maj. Gen. Henry Knox, Vice President; Col. John Brooks, Secretary; Col. Henry Jackson, Treasurer; Capt. Benjamin Haywood, Assistant Treasurer.

The first orator for this branch of the institution was Hon. John Brooks, in 1787. After 1790, the delivery of orations for this society ceased; but annual meetings, and civic feasts, with toasts and sentiments, on the anniversary of independence, are to this day perpetuated.

A strong indication of the patriotic motives of this remnant of revolutionary heroes is evident from the eloquent appeal of Gen. John Brooks, in this oration. "Considering the temper of the times," says Gen. Brooks," in which you live, the part you have to act is confessedly difficult. For, although, as a society, friendship and benevolence are your great objects, yet apathy in you with regard to the public welfare would be construed into disaffection, and uncommon sensibility into design. It is impossible for men, whose great ambition it has been to deserve the approbation of their fellow-citizens, to view with indifference the reproach which has been cast upon your institution. But there is a degree of respect due from every man to himself, as well as to others; and there are situations from which one may not recede, without the unavoidable imputation of weakness or of guilt. While, therefore, a consciousness of virtuous and laudable views will prompt you to cherish the benevolent principles which first induced you to associate, you will be led to respect that spirit of jealousy which always characterizes a free government, and, when not carried to excess, is useful in its support. Time, which places everything in its true light, will convince the world that your institution is founded in virtue, and leads to patriotism.

"Besides the motives you have, in common with others, to seek the public welfare, a regard to the consistence of your own character, that sense of honor which has raised you superior to every temptation and to every distress, the reiterated testimonials you have received from your country of their sense of your patriotism and military merit, are ties that must forever bind you most sacredly to her interests. Prosecute, then, with resolution, what you have instituted in sincerity. Make it the great object of your ambition, as you have shone as soldiers, to excel as citizens. Treat with just indifference the insinuations which envy may be disposed to throw out against you. Silence the tongue of slander, by the rectitude of your conduct and the brilliance of your virtues. Suffer not the affected jealousy of individuals to abate the ardor of your patriotism. As you have fought for liberty, convince the world you know its value. As you have greatly contributed to establish these governments, teach the licentious traitor

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