The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1833-06-22
" A II II T. N
ron THE STAR

ron TIE STAR.
In the Specimens Of American Poe
!ry,' short biographical sketches are CIV
en- OF those native Americans who have
attained distinction by courling the muses.;
and'of some whose reputation has never
been extensively heralded by the trumpet
Of fame. Among those, however, 'distin.
guished for their wit, drollerj, and learn
ing, in the colony of Massachusetts Bay,
he Rev. Malher Byles, and Joseph
.Greene, were as conspicuous, perhaps, as
any on the catalogue, in that day though
their names have not descended 10 US en-
aazohed very high on the rolls Of fpoe,ical
,ame. 2 We are told that the Rev. Mather
Byles, -. d. was a person of great wit
aud sociality and that the ngreeableness
{ his conversation gained him ready
"ricoine among society in Boston ; not
outstanding the rigor and sahctity Of an
cirnt puri.anism had isiaintained itself, in
a great measure, among the members of
The clergy up to that period. Byles made
choice oi Theology for his profession, and
was ordained over the Hollis-st. church,
IN 1882. His whim and lactiousncss, his
turn for aillery, srrcasm, and repartee,
displayed on almost every occasion, and
often with a reckless unccncern as to the
consequences, might have seemed unnat-
ural adjuncts ofthe priesIly character, to
a people accusto6,ed to al almost over
strained gobriety Of demeanor in persons
1t that rank.
A rhyming catalogue Of the principal
church dignataries Of Boston and the
aeighborhood, still extant in manuscript,
hus Introduces the subject ofthis notice
There's punning Byles, provokes our smiles,
A man of stately parts.
He visits folks TO crack his jokes,
Which never mend their hearts.
With strutting gait, and wig SO great,
He walks along the streets,
And throws out wit, or what's like il,
10 y one he meets.
1t does no, appear, however, that the
colloquiai vagaries of the fartious par
son at all diminisi. ed his reputation as a
sound divine, or in the least injured the
gravity Or effect ofhis pulpit discourses.
His reputation among the people of the
colony, in that Gay, was more for wit chan
poetry. His pleasantries were current in
every social circle; and obtained him such
a notoriety in that character, as to beget
practice Of ascribing every bon mot in
vogue to the Doctor; but such of his po-
e,ns as have been collected show him to
nave been possessed Of a good degree Of
foetical talent.
Joseph Greene cotemporary OF Bylcs,
was born in Boston, A. ID. l706, and was
educnted a, Cambridge. On leaving Co
lcge, he entered into mercantile business,
10 which he continued to devote himself
ior the greater part OF hislie. He pos
,essrd lively temperament with a cop
,ous vein OF humuur and satire, and be-
came the master spirit vi Ctuo ot WIS
aho entertained themselves with turning
40 ridiculc The political freaks at the gov
-rnmeni, and the iol,cs in vogue AMONG
gen,eeI' society in Boston. Governor
i,eIchcr aud the most noted public char
,cters offered theme for his pleasantly
which he vented in many u political d'a-
tribe for Greene, though not in any
public station during the eaIly part OF his
lie, was sagacious aud Interested OBJ
server Of political events. Reir,ns aud
uuambnious in his personal character, he
vas irm opposer OF arbitrary power. =
lis iampoon,ng contest with -, les ail",d
d much amusement to the people oi Bos-
ton. 1t appears thnl Gov. belcher being