The Massachusetts spy (Boston [Mass.]), 1770-11-08 00:00:00

The Massachusetts Spy.
VOL. I.] From MONDAY, November 5, to THURSDAY, November 8, 1770. [N o . 41.
To the Printer of the MASSACHUSETTS SPY.
SIR,
BY inserting the following in your next paper, you will much oblige A FEMALE READER.
To PYTHAGORAS.
IN the Spy, No. 34, I observed two or three paragraphs, which you say are from Cyprian's Life, but I am sorry you could not see clearer when you read the sayings of that good old saint: You had better do as I do, i. e. not trust your own eyes without they are covered with glass, for fear of making mistakes. You assert that the good man says, "Women who advance themselves in putting on silks and sattins, cannot lightly put on Christ;" but the words of Cyprian are these, "Women that take pride in being cloathed in silk and purple, cannot easily put on the Lord Jesus Christ." You add further, and say, "They who colour their locks with red and yellow, begin betimes to prognosticate of what colour their hair will be in hell:" Pray, how came you to forget blue and green? for we females are full as fond of blue and green hair as of red and yellow; as for good old Cyprian, he says nothing about hair. I am fully apt to think, (if you are really Pythagoras as you stile yourself) you must be greatly advanced in years: You was living in 608, before Christ, and Cyprian was beheaded in the year 258, after Christ was born; so, as I would always reverence old age, I do believe you can hardly discern colours without glass-eyes: Indeed, aged Sir, I never thought to see any of your words in print in my day: Pray, do you remember when you perswaded the Ladies to consecrate their cloaths and jewels to Juno? But to go on, you affirm that Cyprian says, "Those who colour their faces otherwise than God created them, let them fear lest when the Redeemer cometh he will not know them:" The good saint's words are, "They who delight to paint in this world, and alter themselves from what God hath created them, justly may fear at the resurrection their Creator will not know them." I have now the life and picture of that good man Cyprian, and yours also, and I beg leave to ask you, if you was created with a beard, (as I see you are pictured with one) or do you wear it only to be in company with the celebrated shoemaker *? Pray, if you die with it on, what will become of you?
MARY LOVETRUTH.
* Mr. S--tt, noted for wearing his beard.
To the Printer of the MASSACHUSETTS SPY.
SIR,
I HAVE for some time past taken notice of a growing disorder among the Ladies [ heads ] in this metropolis, and thought before now to have seen some cure proscrib-
ed for it. It seems about two years ago, the same distemper reigned epidemical in England, when the following piece made its appearance in the London Magazine, which please to insert in your paper, and you will oblige yours, &c. LOTHARIO.
"Would you, my fair ones, win the hearts of men,
"Cast off your heads and be yourselves again.
"THE noble science of politics, though extremely useful and entertaining, seems, at this crisis, to be somewhat dangerous. I leave it therefore, for the present, to be cultivated by those generous patriots, who chuse rather to lose their ears, than their dinner; and to live well in a prison, than to be starved out of it.
"I shall turn the readers thoughts and my own to a more agreeable subject---to a subject not only agreeable, but even ravishing; and for that reason sometimes ravished: You easily perceive, I mean the fair sex.
"I have spent my life in studying and admiring this delicious part of the creation; and till lately I have been amply rewarded, by the pleasure I received from the contemplation of so much beauty. But, within these few years, a cruel disease has robbed the dear creatures of their charms, and me of the delight of my life. This distemper is epidemical: It was imported from France, like another which shall be nameless; and appeared first among the court ladies; it then seized the citizens wives and daughters, and now it begins to make dreadful ravages in the country. I am afraid, in time, it will descend even to our cottagers. It affects the head in a strange manner: Insomuch, that from a moderate and beautiful form, proportioned to the delicate body of a fine lady, it swells all at once to a most enormous size; and I have known some females, four feet odd in height, go into their dressing rooms with heads not much larger than those of pins, and come out of them with Patagonian pericraniums.
"It is to be observed, that the face in this case is not swollen. The tumour appears principally in the occiput, and is so prodigious as to make the patient totter under the weight of it. It is not attended with any pain or inflammation; but when the disease has been of long continuance, it generally produces a violent itching in the head.
I do not find this distemper mentioned by any of the ancient physicians; and, indeed, it is no wonder it is not, since it was unknown to the Greeks and Romans. I do not remember, that even our English physicians have taken notice of it, which is astonishing, considering how common it is among us. As the college hath not thought proper to favour us with the name of this distemper, we have been obliged to adopt that which the French give

it, who call it tete de mouton [sheep's head] because it makes the patient look like a ram. I can give no natural account of the cause of this distemper. Though by no means superstitious, I am inclined to impute it to the power of magic, for what else can, all of a sudden, turn the beautiful head of a fine woman into a ram's head?
I forgot to mention, that sometime after the head is swollen to a monstrous magnitude, it sends forth a scetid smell, and generally breeds vermin, which I suppose, is not very wonderful, the maggots, which were first in the inside of the head, afterwards appearing outwardly.
It may suffice to have dropt these few hints concerning this surprizing distemper. I leave it to the gentlemen of the faculty thoroughly to investigate the nature of it, and find out its cure. I am sure I heartily wish them success in their enquiries, principally on account of the fair virgins of this isle; for in their present condition, though they might make very proper mistresses for Jupiter * Ammon, I fear their heads will hardly captivate the hearts of English gentlemen."
* This God was worshipped under the form of a ram.
AMERICAN INTELLIGENCE. NEWPORT, October 29.
FROM Swansey we hear, that a dwelling-house in that town was consumed by fire a few days past; and that several persons have been taken into custody, and recognized to appear at the next superior court on the county of Bristol, upon suspicion of having purposely set fire to said building.
The sentence of cropping, branding and whipping, lately passed on several persons, was put in execution last Friday, at Little-Rest, amidst near 3000 persons.
We just hear the sloop Virgin , Capt. Cozzens, from Dominica, bound for Old-York, is cast away on Block-Island: part of the cargo is saved.
PORTSMOUTH, November 2. We hear from the Isle of Shoals, that considerable damage was sustained there in the late storm, on the 20th of October, in particular, a schooner belonging to Kittery, fishing out of the Shoals, was stove to pieces on the rocks near Thatcher's Island, the skipper one Benjamin Parsons, and one of the men drowned. Another schooner was stove to pieces on the eastern point of Duck-Island, the skipper drowned, the rest got on shore, with their arms, legs, &c. much bruised. Several vessels which were riding at anchor in the Shoals road sunk to the bottom at their moorings. Three or four small schooners are yet missing, and it is feared are lost.
Four men belonging to Rye, who were out in the storm in a small boat, have not yet been heard of, and are undoubtedly lost: their names were all Saunders
October 25. On Friday last were interred the remains of the Hon. Benning Wentworth, Esq; the late worthy Governor of this province, in the 75th year of his age. The regiment was under arms on this occasion, the honourable, free and accepted Masons walking before the corpse, to Queen's Chapel, where a sermon suitable to the solemnity was preached by the Rev. Mr. Arthur
Browne. During the procession, minute guns were fired from his Majesty's Castle William & Mary; after which he was interred in a new tomb lately built for his family. He had been commander in chief of this province, and Surveyor-General of his Majesty's Woods, from the 15th year of the reign of his late Majesty, King George the Second, and so faithful was he to his trust, that he continued in favour with his Sovereign till his decease; and also until the seventh year of the reign of his present Majesty King George the third---perhaps a longer space of time than any Governor in America before him;---when by reason of his advanced age, and indisposition of body, he voluntarily resigned the government in June 1767, and was succeeded by his nephew, John Wentworth, Esq; our present worthy Governor. He was a Gentleman descended from an honourable family in England---His father, the Hon. John Wentworth, Esq; was Lieutenant-Governor of this Province, while under the same Governor with the Massachusetts Government, and sundry years commander in chief. In early life he was engaged largely in merchantile business, which he discharged with uprightness, and to general satisfaction, till by repeated misfortunes, he was obliged to lay it aside. He was also a gentleman blest with good natural abilities, improved by a liberal education, and an extensive acquaintance with the world. He was of a pleasant, affable, free and social disposition. His general behaviour, polite and genteel address in private life, endeared him to his acquaintance; and the high character he bore among mankind in general, who had any knowledge of him, while here and in foreign parts, together with other qualifications, no doubt, were means of his finding favour in the eyes of his Sovereign---which favour continued so long, that he was honoured with the high office of being at the head of this Government, near twenty-seven years, which employment he filled with dignity, and endeavoured to discharge that important trust with fidelity to his Sovereign, and faithfulness to the people whom he governed. He was steady in his friendship, of a benevolent disposition, a tender husband, an indulgent father, and a kind master. He was twice married;---by his first wife he had three sons, who arrived to manhood, but all died before him. By his Lady who now survives him, he had two children, who both died in infancy, so that he has left no issue---He has by will, left his Lady a handsome fortune.
SALEM, November 6. Capt. Mansfield, who arrived here last week from Philadelphia, was informed, on his passage, that a brigantine from Madeira, bound to New-York, was spoke with, in lat. 38 long. 71. W. the day after the late storm, having lost both her masts. She was commanded by Capt. Carroll.
THE POLITICAL MAXIMS of AMERICA. Dedicated to the PRINCES of the EARTH.
R ULERS are made for the people, not the people for the rulers.---The people are bound to obey the rulers, when the rulers obey the laws; and when the rulers are affectionate fathers, the people are bound to be dutiful children.

Rulers were instituted to be servants to the people, and ministers of God for Good; but if instead of servants they become masters, and instead of ministers for good, they are ministers for Evil, they are no longer rulers according to their institution.
Rulers are appointed to be the representatives of God among men, and when they imitate him in righteousness, the people are under the strongest obligations to give them great honour and reward.
The people always have a right to judge of the conduct of their rulers, and reward them according to their deeds.
The representative body of a people are the proper judges of all other powers, and officers in the state, for they are the foundation of all government, and the original of all authority in a nation.
No Prince can be safe, or happy, without the love of his subjects; and their love is only to be purchased with his love.
A wise Prince will never keep an unpopular favourite in power; but reward him in a private way.
A nation can never flourish long while the rulers are unpopular.
A bad government is better than none; but in destroying a bad government, the people have an opportunity to build up a good one upon its ruins.
Revolutions are not so dangerous to the people, as to the rulers, for the people remain through all changes, but the rulers often sink to rise no more.
The wisdom of a Prince appears in being very attentive to the complaints of his subjects, and ready to redress all their grievances; in punishing all who transgress the laws, or injure the common interest of his subjects; in shewing upon all occasions great affection for his subjects and putting an unbounded confidence in them.
Nothing can bind any people but interest, therefore that ruler, and he only, who promotes the general welfare, can be sure of the support of the people.
Religion lays the foundation in the human mind for noble deeds, and that ruler who is possessed of it, is sure to enjoy the smiles of heaven, and the love of mankind; for such a principle will kindle in his breast the heavenly fire of patriotism, and stimulate him to be ever active in promoting universal happiness.
No ruler should vainly presume to deceive the people, for they have ten thousand eyes to his one, and it is impossible his bad deeds should pass for good.---The character he desires, he must deserve, or never have it; for he may assure himself, be his covering ever so thick, the people will see through him, and turn his worst side to the day.
FUTURITY, should be written upon every mind, but in capitals upon the mind of a ruler.---Then he will be stripped of all disguise, and his naked actions weighed in Wisdom's impartial scale; and in proportion to the importance of his station, will be his reward---if just, blessings too sublime for human tongue to name, or thought to reach;---if bad, curses without number, or a name.
A M E R I C A.
November 6th, 1770.
From the PENNSYLVANIA JOURNAL.
Copy of a Letter from a gentleman of New-York, in answer to some strictures, upon the political state of that City, to his Friend in Boston. New-York, Oct. 1.
WHATE'ER you may think, my good Friend! I protest,
We constantly manage our cards for the best: 'Tho' censur'd by some, we were seldom to blame--- We shuffled---We cut---and-- We played all the Game *--- A Game which our Neighbours would gladly have tried, Uncheck'd by their Fear---unrestrain'd by their Pride; But, despairing to copy the Pattern we set, Resign'd us the Lead with the deepest Regret; Respecting the Virtue we offer'd to View; They honestly gave---to the Devil his Due.
Can ought so well prove the Existence of Merit--- Of patriot Worth, or political Spirit,---
Of Virtue sublim'd to the highest Perfection, As the Pains which we take it our City Election; As those Arts we have steadily practis'd of late To settle the lesser Arrangements of State; To chuse, from the Candidate Crows which appear A Quorum accomplish'd, to rule the New-Year?
Of Men most attach'd to the honest Old Cause Of Church and Assembly---of Freedom and Laws--- Of Laws which our Party are constantly seeking To check that damn'd License of Thinking and Speaking.
But, Thanks to the Care of our wise Legislature! We have now nought to fear from a Vice of that Nature.
Our American Wikes once ventur'd to scribble, But was check'd by the forcible Curb of a Libel--- A Bit, with which Mansfield, that Groom of high Station, Has broke all the Libertine Colts of the Nation.
No novel Invention, indeed it is true, But as much to be valued as if it was new; And we, who are wisely determin'd to use it, Disregard all the Sneers of the Fools who refuse it.
As like the old Cat as her favourite Kitten, We IMPORT--all our Precedents now from Great Britain;
So closely we tread on the Heels of our Mother, You scarcely distinguish the one from the other---
Informations---Attachments---these Engines of State, In our Courts are familiarly mention'd of late;
That Privilege boasted by Commons and Peers, In our great---little House reflected appears--
So dreadful appears in the Form of a Vote , That the Roarings of Liberty stick in her Throat §
That Monster the Mob no longer alarms Defeated and vanquish'd by Art or by Arms;
In one bloody Contest we forced him to yield, And muzzl'd at last, led him off from the Field.
So skill'd in the Practice of Politics grown,--- All its Legerdemain now so perfectly known;
We bribe and we canvass to govern the Poll,
* Though---"To play all the Game," be an expression used frequently to signify cheating, our Letter-Writer cannot mean to insinuate any thing of the kind.
§ "Vox in Faucibus hæret."

Then a Scrutiny call for--to settle the whole ; We neither begin nor break off in the Middle, But mind all the Stops---of the Government Fiddle ; And while we contrive---to rule all the Roast, The purest, political Harmony boast ; What a Concord in ev'ry Department of State, Produc'd by our virtuous Industry of late ; Our Aldermen Council, Assembly and Court From the same happy Source derive their Support : By Art and by Interest mutually bound, Such a firm little Junto can no where be found.
Were it not to correct all you obstinate Elves, We should not say so much in Behalf of ourselves ; We should leave our Deserts to the Judgement of others, If they would but treat us as Friends or as Brothers ; But tho' we have given such Proofs of our Merit--- Unshaken Integrity---Firmness of Spirit, Yet the Sons of Licentiousness---ignorant Tools ! Have dared to revile us as Villains or Fools.
I don't comprehend the whole Force of your Wit, Most wide of the Mark, when most anxious to hit ; But still I can plainly perceive what you mean, While venting such acid Effusions of Spleen ; Your Intention is clear---yet you labour in vain--- Strike still more severe---we shall suffer no Pain : Our Conduct confirm'd by Example we draw From Rome, at a Time, when her Word was a Law ; We despise the dull Maxims preach'd up in these Days, Unmindful of Censure---regardless of Praise. If Rome her Dictators could take from the Plough, Why are We more punctiliously delicate now ? To vicious Allurement we should shut up one Door, If the Man of our Choice be but honestly poor ; ‡ And I cannot perceive what Danger there lies In chusing their Worships---not wond'rous wise . Unbypass'd by Wealth, undeluded by Pride, The lean Judge will preserve all the Law on his Side ; And the Man unperplexed with the Mazes of Law, From a much surer Source will his Arguments draw ; Avoiding those Labyrinths fram'd to mislead, Uninstructed, perhaps, or write or to read) Not by Art but by Nature supported, he flies, And drags Truth from the dirty, dark Hole where she lies ; No Vapours of Science obstructing his Sight, He takes the strait Path which conducts him to Right.
When so much we can say, and so much has been said, Unless I've, through Weakness, my Purpose betrayed ; I think I may challenge you Sons of the Kirk To shew such a Job of political Work ; Where ev'ry Refinement of Art is employ'd, Where ev'ry Advantage of Wealth is enjoy'd ; Where the Rich guide the Helm, and the Poor tug the Oar, And the Knave robs the House while the Fool's at the Door.
‡ "Like rigid Cincinnatus nobly poor ."
WILLIAMSBURG, [ Virginia ] October 18.
ON Monday the 15th instant, about one o'clock in the morning, departed this life, universally lamented throughout this colony, his Excellency the Right Hon. NORBORNE Baron de BOTETOURT, his Majesty's Lieutenant, Governor General and Commander in chief of the colony and dominion of Virginia, and Vice-Admiral of the same. Truly and justly to express the many great virtues and amiable qualities which adorned this noble Lord, as well in his public as private character, would demand the skill of the ablest penman. Suffice in then to inform such parts of the world as were strangers to his transcendent merits that Virginia, in his fall, sorely laments the loss of the best of Governors and the best of men. Let his distant relations and friends be told that we have all anticipated, and shall, to the latest period, share their griefs and deep afflictions ; and that we condole with them, with the warmth of the most tender affection.
The Government devolves on the Hon. William Nelson, Esq; by the resignation of the Hon. John Blair, Esq.
PHILADELPHIA, October 29. The Hon. John Foxcroft, Esq; one of the Deputy-Postmasters General of the northern district of America, with his Lady ; and Joseph Reade, Esq; of Trenton, and his Lady, a daughter of the late Dennys de Berdt, Esq; the worthy and faithful Agent of the province of Massachusetts-Bay ; are safe arrived here, with Capt. Osborne, from London.
In the same ship nine capital workmen are arrived for the China Factory now carrying on in this city.
NEW-YORK, November 1. On Tuesday next, according to Act of Assembly, begins one of the Fairs, to be held in this city, on the first Tuesdays in April and November, yearly, and continuing till the end of the Friday following, being in all four days each, inclusively ; when all persons are authorised to expose and sell all sorts of cattle, horses, mares, colts, grain, victuals, provisions, and other necessaries, merchandize, &c.
B O S T O N.
His Majesty's Council and the Gentlemen of the General Court, of Virginia, have gone into deep mourning for Lord Botetourt, their Governor ; and we are well informed that most of the principal Gentlemen in that colony will do the same, in such general esteem was his Lordship and so universally lamented among them.
On Monday and Tuesday evenings last, Mr. Smith, companion to the late Rev. Mr. Whitefield, preached at the Rev. Mr. Croswell's meeting-house in this town, to the general acceptance of many hearers.
Yesterday Capt. Lyde sailed for London, with whom went passengers, Mr. Smith abovementioned, Mr. Caleb Blanchard, and Mr. William Jackson, merchants.
DIED.] Francis Bernard, Esq; eldest son of his Excellency Sir Francis Bernard.
BOSTON: Printed by ISAIAH THOMAS, at the New Printing-Office in Union-Street, (near the Market) where this Paper will be regularly published every MONDAY and THURSDAY, ; and where Subscriptions, Articles of Intelligence, and Advertisements, &c. for this Paper, are taken in ; and PRINTING, in general, done in a neat Manner, on very reasonable Terms.