Were it allowable to accommodate one hero at the expense of another, we would gladly appropriate the conceit which decorates the pannels of a fplendid chariot *, "Dum fpiro falus eft," to our great fenatorial oppofitionist,

"While R-bf-n breathes on British ground,

The constitution's fafe and found;"

or, as it may be rendered in terms fomewhat more congenial to the fpirit, than to the letter of the original,

"The rhetoric of R-bf-n folus †,

Is fanative as B

-'s bolus."

The veteran commanders, the experienced fubalterns, the hardy privates of the old Oppofition, have all free leave of abfence, and may extend their furloughs to what limits they think proper; their feceffion, nay, their defertìon itself, can never be felt, while they are fo ably, fo effectually, fo completely reprefented by R. B. R-bf-n, Efq. whom candour muft acknowledge to be ipfe agmen.

Anterior to the rife of this patriotic luminary, the true oppofition fpirit feems to have been very imperfectly understood; for in contefting the meafures of Government, it has been hitherto held neceflary to advance either reafon, or fome femblance of reafon, in commencing the attack; but we now difcover that it is only to the weak and beggarly elements of Oppofition that reafon can be wanted. Your thoroughpaced and finifhed oppofitionifts (to borrow the expreffion of Shakespear's fat Knight), though reafons were as plentiful as blackberries, would fcorn to make ufe of them.

Dr. Brodum's.

+ Mr. R-bf-n folus beat the Minifter, &c. &c, ad morem.-M. Poft, Dec. 3, 1801.

Το

To afcertain the courage of a litter of bull-dog puppies, recourfe is had to an experiment as decifive as it is cruel-A whelp, as foon as he can run, is brought in fight of a bull; if he inftantly flies at the beaft it is a favourable fign, and the trainer cuts a foot off the whelp and prefents him to his object again : if he makes for the bull upon three legs, another foot is cut off; and if he still manifefts a difpofition for the attack, he is fucceffively defpoiled of his remaining feet; when, if fymptoms of hoftility to the bull still appear to prevail over the fenfe of his tortures, he is. charitably knocked on the head, and his furviving brethren of the litter are pronounced to be genuine bull-dogs.

As advocates for bull-baiting are to be found in all ranks, this fhort digreffion refpecting that noble pastime will be excufed, fince it ferves fo happily to illuftrate the temper and proceedings of a ftaunch and thorough-bred oppofitionist. At first fight of the Minister he avows his refolution to oppofe him at all events, and upon all occafions: whether he is right or wrong, he fiercely encounters every measure that is brought forward; he perfeveres with dogged inflexibility, though every pofition which he advances is refuted; and, incapable of conviction, and callous to every feeling of liberality or decency, continues his inveterate hoftility, even when he is left deftitute of all fupport, and has not a foot to ftand upon.

If orators challenge our approbation, when their eloquence is exerted upon folid grounds, and for the wifeft purposes, what applaufe can be commenfurate to the merits of that rhetorician who contends on no grounds, and to no one purpose whatever? And if he is a worthy champion who fights with fenfe and reafon upon his fide, can we hesitate to admit his fuperiority who has the fpirit to enter the lifts unfupported by either; to fubftitute pertinacity for argument, and

to fingle out as objects of his attack, measures the moft falutary and expedient, and worth the moft exemplary and exalted?

When we calmly contemplate the extraordinary exertions of fo extraordinary a fenator, we are aftonifhed to find fuch almoft univerfal indifpofition to do juftice to unparalleled defert. A thoufand panegyrifts, it might be fuppofed, would be emulous to obtain fome notice at least for themfelves by making him the fubject of their lavish eulogies. But instead of a thoufand, one folitary and forlorn encomiaft takes up the pen, and one, alas! in eftimating whofe applauf, Mr. R-bf-u, and the reft of the world, are not very likely to agree!

A Morning Poft paragraph of the 3d of this month. (of which, as it fets out à grande pas with Mr. R-bf-n folus, a fwelling clofe is to be expected of course), winds up a fhort but impudent mifreprefentation of the debates of the Houfe on the Refolutions of the Committee of Supply refpecting Ireland, with this gratulatory period:

"We congratulate Mr. R-bf-n upon this new triumph over the Minifter."

How materially the true value of praife depends upon the worth of the party which beftows it, no one could, perhaps, determine with greater precifion

See the debates on the Minifter's late propofal to reduce the amount of the secret service money- Morning Herald.

A new triumph indeed, and well deferving to be promulgated in Mr. R-bf-n's Gazette, in which the Hon. Gentleman certainly triumphed falus; no Member having expreffed a wish to participate with him the honour of being called to order by the Speaker as iniegular, and his arguments as irrelevant; of being affirmed (by Mr. Corry) to have wholly mistaken the point in debate; and (by Mr. Alexander) to want the concurrence of any perfon within or out of the Houfe. See Morning Herald, Dec. 2, 1801.

"Mark how a plain tale fhall put you down." VOL, VI..

than

than the late acute and intelligent Mr. Topham Beanclerk.

When Moody the comedian was attempting to ob trude his opinion, unafked, in converfation with Dr. Johnfon, Tom Davies the book feller clapped him on the back to encourage him. Beauclerk, to whom Bofwell mentioned the circumftance, faid, "he could not conceive a more humiliating fituation than to be clapped on the back by Tem Davies."

I am, Sir, yours, &c.

Dec. 26.

ΦΙΛΟΔΙΑΜΑΧΟΜΕΝΩΝ,

RULES FOR THE CRUDIVOROUS CLUB,

LATELY INSTITUTED BY THE DILETTANTI OF THE CORPS ATHLETIQUE.

THAT

HAT the club confift of the following twenty-four members, and their bottle-holders.

[Here follow the noblemen and gentlemen's names.] That every member be at liberty to introduce one other candidate, to be boxed for at the next meeting. Three black eyes to exclude.

That no gentleman is to walk into the club-room without a ftarting certificate from the fifty-mile-ftone upon one of the principal roads, dated within ten hours after his arrival.

Any gentleman unprovided of fuch a certificate is to declare upon honour, that he has either been prefent at a bull-baiting, bear or badger bait, or cock-fight, or that he has fought himfelf a battle of not lefs than twenty rounds, or been fecond or bottle-holder to another member of the club.

Any

Any gentleman reporting himself to have been interrupted or in cuftody of the police-officers may take his feat, but the fact is to be verified at the next meeting.

No member to bring more than one bull-dog into the club-room at the same time.

Gentlemen's bludgeons to be of the weight, length, and ftandard of the club.

No cards, dice, odd horfe, or toffing-up, to be permitted; but all wagers to be fought upon the spot. The first knock-down to be the winner.

Any gentleman's bull-dog taking another member by the fhins, and not letting go upon the first pail of water, to be expelled.

That it be a standing order, that the club do annually, upon the anniverfary of their inftitution, challenge all England.

That for thirty days previous to the faid annual challenge taking effect, no bye battles be permitted in the club, nor any private walking-matches; but that every member do, bona fide, put himself into ftrict training for the honour of the club. During this time, all differences of fentiment to be fettled by the bull-dogs.

Refolved, however, that fighting in the lobbies at playhouses be not confidered as a breach of this ftatute, being taken for good training exercise, provided the cause of the battle do not offend against any of the rules of training.

That the club employ none but travelling bankers, in order to keep itfelf in wind.

That a walking committee do conftantly fit, in order to start after the faid bankers, as often as any of them fhall walk off.

That a fubfcription be fet on foot, and a fund be raifed, for the widows and orphans of the members of the club.