Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-07-11
LEGAL.

for adjudication before Mr.. Justice TILLING-
HAST; and as full report of it may amuse
the town, and in " some small degree benefit
the rising gencration," as far famed forensic
spouter would say, before we proceed to the
report, We deem it perfectly proper to give
what the Abbc Clavigero would call, "suc-
cinct view Of the rise and progress of the whole
transa act;on.'
1t appears then. that day or two previous
to the anniversary Of American Independence,
a day more vulgarly called the Fourth Of July,
an individual, who has Of late, and for the last
five or six years, amused the populace Of Bos-
ton as mountcbank, named Emmons; but
better known by the appellaton of Orator
Emmons, or Pickle Emmons, made visit to
this goodv place, and entered into an engage
ment with the Managers Of the Providence
Theatre, to make "Patriotic address" TO
the public, for which service it was agreed,
that he, the said Orator, should receive six
per ccntuIn on the nett proceeds Of the house.
The annunciation Of the fact, was no. well re-
ceived by this community, and as they had
that mere mountcbank, one Of the fag-cnd
members Of society, miserable outcast from
the cOterie Of idcots, and the scum of Boston.
had the audacity to contemplate appearing be-
fore them, to enlighten their minds with his
ribaldry and argon, the defendant in this case,
considered it his duty as an editor of public
newspaper, to discountenancc the impudence
of the famous Oraor, and at the same time
to apprize the managers Of our Theatre that
their conduct, in thus insulting whole COM
munity, by introducing to the stage, wander
ing ideot, the laughing stock of the world, and
the sport Of the rabble, would not be subnit-
ted to. With this view all article was written.
and published the morning previous to The con-
tempatcd appearance of Pickle Emmons; and
whether it had any influence on the minds of
those who attended the theatre or not, the Or
ator, as soon as he made his appearance, was
assailed with Kisses by an indignant audience,
and driven from the stage, without having an
opportunity to edity and delight the citizens Of
Providence, with mis- silvcry and melodious
strains.
Mortified and chagrined, that the people
would not listen to him, Pickle Emmons. the
next day resolved to be revengcd, und TO OBJ
tain the sweet morsel, he called upon the
author of the offending article, and in an en-
phatic manner, just like any other dealer N
oratory, "suting the action to The word and
the word to the action" demanded satisfac-
ton! Amused with the appearance and de-
pertinent Of the enragcd Demosshenes, the de-
fcndant, being somewhat disposed TO amuse
himself at the expense Of the orators dignity,
invited him to seat, and requested him to
make known the "head and front" of his sor-
rows, and the causes which led to the excite
mcnt Of his ire. The Orator began the story
Of his Affections and his wrongs, by pointing TO
the offensive publication, and asking the de-
fendunt if he would have the impudence, to
acknowledge before witnesses, that he was
the author of the aragraph; and then burst
ing into tears, wept over his hard fate, spoke
of his high reputation as an orator, and Of his
intimate acquaintance with the editor Of the
Rhode Island American, Mrs. Anne Royal,
and several other distinguished pcrsonages,
the names Of whom are not now recollectcd.
Having completed his speech, the defendant
J,,.. Jx,. T. L,,t J,,;,
to him that consolation which was so essen
tial to sooth his wounded spirit, and advised
him 10 take up his line Of march for Boston,
and when arris cd there, to abandon the Forum,
and bctakc himself 10 the professional labours,
Of his original profession of a wood saw
yer and a dealer in gin-pop, oranges. malt
beer, and cookies. This advice, reused the
ire of the indignant orator, and in attempting
TO rise from his seat 10 make his departure,
was politely requested TO remain seated, by
the defendant: but as he declined doing so, the
defendant took him by the skirt Of his coat,
and holding him down to the chair, informed
him, that he could not depart, till it suited his
pleasure. and that he was very anxious to re-
tain the honor Of his company. Again the or
ator attempted to move, and again he was
confined to his seat, and reminded, that he
could not depart till it suited the pleasure Of
the defendant, to release him from his compa-
ny. Here, like Peter Of old he wept, but
not for betraying his master, but for bctraying
himself into the society Of one, who ungrate-
fully amused himself, at the expense Of his
dignity. The defendant, satisfied with teasing