ned the greatest part
of the audience, it was taken into serious deliberation. Some observed,
that it was not only a malicious effort against the plaintiff, but also
a spiteful advertisement to the public, tending to promote an inquiry
into the abilities of all other translators, few of whom, it was well
known, were so qualified as to stand the test of such examination.
Others said, that over and above this consideration, which ought to have
its due weight with the college, there was a necessity for concerting
measures to humble the presumption of booksellers, who had, from
time immemorial, taken all opportunities to oppress and enslave their
authors; not only by limiting men of genius to the wages of journeymen
tailors, without even allowing them one Sabbath in the week, but also
in taking such advantages of their necessities as were inconsistent with
justice and humanity.

"For example," said one of the members, "after I myself had acquired a
little reputation with the town, I was caressed by one of those tyrants,
who professed a friendship for me, and even supplied me with money,
according to the exigencies of my situation; so that I looked upon
him as the mirror of disinterested benevolence; and had he known my
disposition, and treated me accordingly, I should have writ for him upon
his own terms. After I had used his friendship in this manner for some
time, I happened to have occasion for a small sum of money, and with
great confidence made another application to my good friend; when all of
a sudden he put a stop to his generosity, refused to accommodate me
in the most abrupt and mortifying style; and though I was at that time
pretty far advanced in a work for his benefit, which was a sufficient
security for what I owed him, he roundly asked, how I proposed to pay
the money which I had already borrowed? Thus was I used like a young w--
just come upon the town, whom the b--d allows to run into her debt,
that she may have it in her power to oppress her at pleasure; and if the
sufferer complains, she is treated like the most ungrateful wretch
upon earth; and that too with such appearance of reason, as may easily
mislead an unconcerned spectator. 'You unthankful drab!' she will say,
'didn't I take you into my house when you hadn't a shift to your back,
a petticoat to your tail, nor a morsel of bread to put into your belly?
Han't I clothed you from head to foot like a gentlewoman, supported you
with board, lodging, and