Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-12-08

whisper word or two in the ear of the peo-
pie.
One of our members had just finished val
liable essay which we are under the necessi-
ty of deferring, in order that our readers may
see the terrible Lion we have caught. His
roarings are loud, but, as my lady Racket
says, he is the most " good natured, good sort
Of a good for nothing" animal that you ever
saw. We fear him not, neither need you
and here he is.
Mr.. Editor-We are set of geniuses asso-
ciated for various purposes, among which is the
pursuit OF every kind of knowledge the human
mind is capable of acquiring. We have taken
great care in selecting orr mem 5ers, and have
allowed no one diploma who has failed to pro-
duce satisfactory evidence of his possessing an
extraordinary head-piece. Our charter is so
much defaced, that it is impossible to deter
mine when it was dated. We are certain,
however, we have existed long enough to be
distinguished by the title of Sc ancient and
honorable" Our fraternity at first consisted
of few restless spirits, who were dissatisfied
| with being obliged to wade through seas of
| trouble, and pore over volume after volume to
obtain the summit of literary fame, and reso!v-
ed to devise some new mode of coming at the
object of our wishes. Since which we have
added to our number such as we k10W will
some time distinguish themselves in the SEN
ate, IN the pulpit, and indeed in every place
where talent is required and genius allowed to
| display her banners-where et0quence will
be listened to, and WiSdono be necessary to di-
rect. We have made rapid proficiency, as
| the most incredulous would acknowledge,
could they be allowed to be present at our
| deliberations, and are now not merely a
"lighted taper'' but a splendid lunlinary, a
World on fire, in the splcndour of which every
thing that comes in competition with us must
be lost. At late meeting we resolved to
| publish to the world the result of all our cogi-
tations, and to make the columns of your pa
per the channel OF communications but we
were little disheartened by perceiving in the
last Spy the debate of The Blue Stocking
Club" and the threat that they would con-
tinue their labours, if not forever, at least to
the end OF many generations. Not being cas-
! lily ightened, as you shall have abundant
cause TO be satisfied before this business is
ended, we concluded to give their C No. u a
careful perusal, and then determine what
course should be taken. We were unanimous
in the opinion that this opposition must be put
| uoNbS ohN hSSOA'NO ~ PUb Jul C'tS CLC III LlO-
| ton for that purpose. And now "No. II of
The Blue Stocking Club'' we are after you.
You assure the' Editor you shall not stop
short OF "a thousand numbers!' We are at a
loss whether most to pity or despiss you for
this rash and unadvised resolution.
AS respects ourselves, all you can do or say
will make but little difference, but we feel it
our duty to protest against imposing on the
public IN this manner. We can discover
nothing in your first number which appears
like operating as a cathartic, but it may. sail
vate US to death, and this dying by inches is
| horrible.
| Your next assertion" Being but a cypher,"
is perfectly in character and we doubt not
is literally true.
You commence your march incog.-In this
there is glmmering of wisdom. We are not
surprised at your wishing to conceal your real
character; but it is OF no use, like the simple
boy, they will find you out, even if you do moi
speak your names.
| Now we happen to be differently circum-
stanced-we commence our march openly,
| trusting in the nerve of our own arm-we are
not ashamed of our name-it is-LEGlON.
! We can hardly treat your reasons for re-
naming tncOg. with becoming seriousness
You refer to Sir Walter, and expect TO build
| your fame on the same foundation of his.
o Tempora! o Mores !" How this world is
! given TO vanitY
| You ask for " elbow room''-you will have
! tin the ocean of oblivion there is no crowd
ing.
Having disposed OF what at first appeared a
formidable enemy, "The Blue Stocking
Club" and slenced them, as we trust forev-
err, we shall in future quietly pursue ''the
tenor of our way'' without experimenting any
further interruption.
| For the purpose Of formally introducing our
selves to our readers, we beg leave to promise
that we shall not con6ne ourselves exclusive
ly to the discussion of literary and scientific
questions, but occasionally condescend to
treat with the community generally on the
SUBJECT OF their grievances. In doing which
we engage that religion shall ever be held too
sacred to be made the butt of our ridicule-
that is concern between man and his Ma
ker-neither shall private character be abus-
ed, or the inhrmitcs of human life, and tn.
unavoidable misfortunes TO which we are all
liable, suffer in our hands. The course we
shall pursue will BE- to lash Uice ard follg
wherever we find it--to encourage every ap-
pearance of pirtue, and to cherish genuine
goodness as the apple of our eye. Our artil-
iery will also be levelled at the ignorance,
the stupidity, the folly, and the sOickedness
which infest the society by which we are sur
rounded We know our duty, and we shall
faithfully perform it. None are our superiors
No man (if we find he is deserving) shall es-
cape our flagellations, or presume on purchas-
ing our good graces with filthy lucre.
If in the course of our lucubrations we shall
happen to fashion garment which any of our
| readers may conceive was intended for them,
if we cannot convince them to the contrary.
| they must e'en wear it.''
Gentle Reader-We congratulate you, il
you have fairly gone through the foregoing
piece OF audacity and presumption. The pom
pous title which they had taken to them
selves, in mercy to them we have omitted
and had we not been willing that our motives
and our actions should he frealv canvaasad