Her fears dispell'd, and all her foes remov'd, And Plenty smiling on her plains around; And canker'd heart, the parent, who so late Soon as on Britain's shore th' alarm was heard, His voice like thunder will support her cause, Discover language or ideas fit? Like the grim portress of hell-gate he stands, A golden millstone hangs upon his neck! Methinks I hear the bellowing demagogue Where pompous jargon fills the place of strength; the seizing an armed vessel, fitted in Philadelphia, sent by the king's subjects to the above places, in to take these illegal cartels. She was commanded return whereof commodities are taken, which inby a gentleman, whom the majority of the mer-terfere with the product of the British colonies chants in that city join'd to oppose and distress. They employed a crew of ruffians, who seized his vessel openly, in the most unwarranted and lawless manner, and brought her up in triumph to the town, when she had only five men aboard: and so inveterate was their hatred to the commander, that he was obliged to leave the country precipitately, as being in danger of his life." There cannot be a stronger confirmation of the truth of the above account, than the following letter of Mr. Pitt: Copy of a letter from Mr. Secretary Pitt to the several Governors and Councils in North America, relating to the flag of truce trade. "Whitehall, August 24, 1760. "Gentlemen, "The commanders of his majesty's forces and fleets in North America and the West Indies have transmitted certain and repeated intelligences of an illegal and most pernicious trade carried on by the king's subjects in North America and the West Indies, as well to the French islands as to the French settlements on the continent in America, and particularly to the rivers Mobile and Mississippi; by which the enemies, to the great reproach and detriment of government, are supplied with provisions and other necessaries; whereby they are principally, if not alone, enabled to sustain and protract this long and expensive war. And it further appearing, that large sums of bullion are themselves, in open contempt of the authority of the mother-country, as well as the most manifest prejudice of the manufactures and trade of Great Britain: in order, therefore, to put the most speedy and effectual stop to such flagitious practices, so utterly subversive of all laws, and so highly repugnant to the well-being of this kindgdom: "It is his majesty's express will and pleasure, that you do forthwith make the strictest and most diligent inquiry into the state of this dangerous and ignominious trade; and that you do use every concerned either as principals or accessaries theremeans in your power to detect and discover persons in; and that you do take every step authorised by law to bring all such heinous offenders to the most exemplary and condign punishment: and you will, as soon as-may be, and from time to time transmit to me, for the king's information, full and particular accounts of the progress you shall have made in the execution of this his majesty's commands, to the which the king expects that you pay the most exact obedience. And you are further to use your utmost endeavours to trace out and investigate the various artifices and evasions by which the dealers in this iniquitous intercourse find means to cover their criminal proceedings, and to elude the law; in order that from such lights due and timely considerations may be had what further provision may be necessary to restrain an evil of such extensive and pernicious consequences. I am, &c." With these auxiliaries, drawn up at large, To thee, whose soul, all steadfast and serene, Beholds the tumults that distract our scene; And, in the calmer seats of wisdom plac'd, Enjoys the sweets of sentiment and taste; To thee, O Marius! whom no factions sway, Th' impartial Muse devotes her honest lay! In her fond breast no prostituted aim, Nor venal hope, assumes fair Friendship's name: Sooner shall Churchill's feeble meteor-ray, That led our foundering demagogue astray, Darkling to grope and flounce in Errour's night, Eclipse great Mansfield's strong meridian light, Than shall the change of fortune, time, or place, Thy generous friendship in my heart efface! O! whether wandering from thy country far, And plung'd amid the murdering scenes of war; Or in the blest retreat of Virtue laid, Where Contemplation spreads her awful shade; If ever to forget thee I have power, May Heaven desert me at my latest hour! Still Satire bids my bosom beat to arms, Like some full river charg'd with falling show'rs, ON THE UNCOMMON SCARCITY OF POETRY IN THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE FOR DECEMBER LAST, (1755.) BY I. W. A SAILOR. THE springs of Helicon can Winter bind, And chill the fervour of a poet's mind? 4 Luca Pitt continued at Florence, presuming upon his late alliance, and the promises which Pietro had made him; But amongst all the changes that ensued upon this revolution, nothing was more remarkable than the case of Luca Pitt, who soon began to experience the difference betwixt prosperity and adversity, betwixt living in authority and falling into disgrace. His house, which used to be crowded with swarms of followers and dependants, was now as unfrequented as a desert; and his friends and relations were not only afraid of being seen with him, but durst not even salute him if they met him in the street; some of them having been deprived of their honours, others of their estates, and all of them threatened. What though the low'ring skies and driving storm DESCRIPTION OF A NINETY GUN SHIP, [FROM THE Gentleman's magazine, may, 1759.] AMIDST a wood of oaks with canvass leaves, Which form'd a floating forest on the waves, There stood a tow'r, whose vast stupendous size Rear'd its huge mast, and seem'd to gore the skies, From which a bloody pendant stretch'd afar Its comet-tail, denouncing ample war; Two younger giants' of inferior height Display'd their sporting streamers to the sight: The magnificent palaces which he had begun to build were abandoned by the workmen; the services he had formerly done to any one were requited with injuries and abuse; and the honours he had conferred, with infamy and taunts. Many who had made him valuable presents, now came to demand them again, as only lent; and others, who before used to flatter and extol him to the skies, in these circumstances, loaded him with contumely and reproaches of ingratitude and violence; so that he heartily repented, though too late, that he had not followed Nicolo Soderini's advice, and preferred an honourable death to a life of ignominy and contempt. Mach. Hist. Flor. 'Fore and mizen masts. The base below, another island rose, To pour Britannia's thunder on her foes: See dread engagements pictur'd to the life, |