ets a high value on his Judgment for
anticipating his Brethren, the other Writers, who look like Fools at
one another, to see themselves thus jockey'd out of so _remarkable_ a
piece of _Intelligence_.

One Day we are told of a _Reform_ of the _Army_, and the next of a
_Promotion_ of _General Officers_. 'Tis merry enough to see a Colonel
of a Regiment in a Coffee-House, reading a News-Paper, that informs
him of a Gentleman being made _Lieutenant-Colonel to a Company of
Foot_; and of a _General_ of _Horse_ being promoted to the Rank of
_Captain-Lieutenant_ in his own Regiment; of which the Papers extant
have afforded us numberless Instances. We often read of some _Duke_,
who is called eldest Son and Heir apparent to a _Viscount_ or _Baron_,
going to, or returning from his Travels.

A dignify'd Clergyman, who had given a few Sacks of Coals amongst some
poor People in hard Weather, happen'd to come into _Brown_'s
Coffee-House in _Spring-Garden_, where some of the Gentlemen cry'd
out, _Doctor, you're in the Papers_. The Gentleman seem'd to be
greatly surprized at the thing: _What impudent Rascal has made free
with my Character?_ answers the Priest. Upon which one, with an
audible Voice, read out the Paragraph, which contained nothing more
than a fine Encomium on his Charity. The Doctor said, indeed there was
some _Truth_ in it; but then, _how impertinent it was in any Fellow to
make such a trifling Affair the Burden of his Paper_. This gave
occasion for various Reflections on the Papers in general. The
_Printer_ happen'd to be present, and heard himself, and others of his
Fraternity abused, in this manner for some time. Several Gentlemen
that were his Acquaintance, thought it far better to be silent, than
to interfere in his favour, because that might tend to expose him to
the Doctor's farther Clamour and Resentment. After the _Divine_ had
harangued the Company with a long _Discourse_ upon the Insolence of
Authors, Printers, and Publishers; the _Printer_ pull'd out of his
Pocket the _Copy_ from which this _injurious Article_ had been
printed, and which appear'd, to the entire Satisfaction of every one
present, to be the Doctor's own Hand-Writing. The Printer further
declar'd, that he knew no more of the matter, than that his Servants,
in his absence, receiv'd the usual Price of three Shillings and
Six-pence, for its being inserted in his Paper.

The Tricks which have been put upon the weak and credulous part of
Mankind d