Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-08-29

tons Of the day. Il vas whilst thus eli gagged. (
that lie commented a series Of essays Oh sari- !
Gus subjects. and Published them in the Proyi- !
dence Gazette. They were well written, ano
ways The case, curiosity was excited relative
to the author of them, and they we're laudcd
as interesting classical productions The l'e-
rati of the town spoke highly ofthcn.; until The
name OF the author was discovered, when nc
was assailed by tho psucdo critics OF the day,
who sneered at his eIiusions, and pronounced
them stale. flat and Improbable" and un-
worthy Of the pen of Sophomore. Mr.. hai-
ley, nothing alarmed at the attacks Of his as
sailants, hit upon an eXpedient 10 put his oPpo-
sers to the blush and confusion, aud as all re-
member. he was trumphantly sdcccsstul. To
effect his plans, lie copied two or three Of CIc-
eros Translated Ora,ions, and caused them TO
DO published under the same signature, that
had been attached 10 his original productions.
AS he expected, his assailants seized upon them
with the same aviduy that they dad his origi-
nal eliisions, and treated them With all the
affected contempt and .idicule, that envy and
jealousy can engcndcr. II was now time for
Mr.. Bailey TO triumph; and coming forward
with his real name, he said good naturedly
10 his quandam friends, gentlemen, your criti-
cisns may be jus and true. fer aught know,
but the productions you have so vehemently
IL 4 ~,
the productions OF the fertile mind and imagi-
nation OF one Cicero. and for many centuries
have successfully withstood the sneers and
blasts OF criticism, and are esteemed by eye-
ry scholar, as the happ:est specimens OF an-
cient literature and defamation.
II is unnecessary to say, that the victory was
signal and compie,e;- the tables were turned
and whilst he exposed the ignorance of the
traducers Of his literary fame, ne proved that
prejudice, will often overcome the better judy
nents Of men, and that envy and Jealousy,
will sooner or later, furnish their own punish
mcnt and correction.
Although it HAY not well become us TO speak
of ourselves. particularly on this occasion, yet
as We would show ;he extent to which prcpi-
! will, at the risk Of being set down, as the veri-
est Of egotsis, relate Il tri.,;ng incident, in
which We were particularly interested. About
three years since, having nothing 10 do, and
being quite as willing to be considered smart,
as any other individual in the community, we
commenced writing series Of political essays
and caused them TO be published in one Of the
newspaper publications Of the town. That
they were not the best written articles, that
ever appeared in a periodical publication, we
are very free TO acknowledge; and since they
did not effect the object they aimed at, the
fact has been proved, without our making the
concession. Be this. however. as it may, con-
trary to our expectations, they excited some
attention, and were ascribed to individuals now
high in office, whose education We envy, and
whose talents we admire. To our infinite sat-
isfaction. they were highly spoken Of by many
and among others, who passed an unmerited
oncomium upon them, was an individual, for
|
opinion, and whose good wishes we hope nc, er
to possess. Keeping behind the anonymous
mantle that screened us from observation, we
listened to the remarks that were made in re-
lation to our humble efforts. and smiled at the
unexpected applause they called forth. AT
length, however, vanity got the better of mod
esty, aud anxious to father tho offspring of on,
own brain, we a,owed ourselves, and claimed
the authorship Of the productions. The tide
Of popularity Instantly turncd-thongh there
were many who had the candor to speak vel
: Of us and our writings-and the very individual
who spoke in terms Of commendation Of oul
efforts, 80 long as he supposed them to be the
productions OF another mans pen, was first to
abuse US, aud TO scout illusions, as the i'm
beetle emanations of school-boy Bat wha
cared we for that! The folly Of the individua
afforded us a rich treat, and we listened an,
laughed at his calumnics. So much for The
! little and contemplate feeling Of tho prcju
! diced mindl
TAE OPPOSITION. The opposition fac