Gazette Of The United States

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PICTURE OF NEW-YORK—AUGUST 1790.

THE observation is not new,
But still tho' ancient, not less true,
That where men cluster thick together,
(Like cackling geese in stormy weather)
Amidst the din of news and noise,
Some wond'rous theme each tongue employs
Some one great subject thro' the town,
Runs all inferior topics down.
As for example look at London,
Great Britain's heir by debt is undone;
Then poor Mad Peg, with carving knife,
Aims at great George's—coat—or life—
A Pig,* or Cat,† as is the fashion,
Gains the attention of the nation;
Some boxing-match, to which the Prince
Flies, his great courage to evince;
Where some great Cobler maims a Weaver,
Or Butcher fights a fam'd Coal-heaver;
Where bones are broke, and joints are put out,
Where bruises kill, and eyes are cut out;
Such glorious themes fill English papers,
Cure English ladies of the vapours;
Nay, of such consequence are grown,
That faith they nearly fill our own;
Mendoza's battles, or sad work
'Bout duel fought by Duke of York,
Of how his Highness' curl was hit,
Or when George wore his Epaulet,
Convey instructions to our youth,
And teach them sentiment and truth :
—Thus in all places some small matter
Is found for universal chatter—
Assumption, Residence, M'Gillivray,
Treaties, trainings of Artillery,
Coweta's, Cuscitahs, and Choctaws,
Tuskarbatchees, and other Crackjaws.
When Congress wish'd to go away,
Thus said our cits—or seem'd to say,
"Ungrateful men, and will ye go,
"And can ye—dare ye—leave us so ?
"After we've turn'd 'Old City Hall,
"Into fam'd Mansion Federal;
"After damping all our pavers,
"Worn smooth by trampling sweeps and shavers
"Those venerably ancient stones,
"That bore our great forefathers' bones;
That made the ploughman, when at work,
"Remember, he had seen New-York,
"And limping, tell his neighbour Clods,
"That city streets a'n't pav'd with sods.
"After new mod'ling all our matters,
"And treating ye, as if our betters;
"And see ! The lofty fort is down,
"The harmless guardian of our town;
"All open to the bay and seas,
"T'invite—for you—the summer breeze;
"And see yon tow'ring pile arise,
"A Babel!—threat'ning the skies;
"Rising—on ! most unapt allusion,
"I do not mean to our confusion:
"And can ye so ungrateful be,
"From such kind patriots e'er to flee ?
"Where will the soft, sweet, southern manners,
"So soon allure to pleasure's banners ?
"So soon convince the artless maid,
"That love at best is but a trade ;
"Beauty, a saleable commodity,
"Marriage, a state of fashion'd oddity;
"For which free joys may be exchang'd,
"In case affairs should be derang'd;
"But otherwise a girl of merit,
"Should manage matters with more spirit;
"Taste uncontroul'd the joys of love,
"For ever ?—that is—till ye move.
"Oh think, and think, and think again,
"Our thick, deep, complicated pain;
"How much we wish, and wish, to keep ye
"Altho' long speeches make us sleepy :
"Remember all our anxious toil,
"The Philadelphians arts to foil;
"That we to keep ye—glad and willing,
"Gave six pence, hoping for a shilling.
Thus rav'd the wise ones of our city,
Some swore t'was shame; some said t'was pity;
When (suddenly) this topic dies,
And all the rage is blank and prize!
No longer bluster, bounce and zounds,
But ev'ry thought—three thousand pounds:
From National Assembly prancing
They seek th' Assembly Room for dancing.:
No longer loiter, nod and slumber,
But watch the wheel, and catch the number:
No longer, peeping thro' the grates,
See Senators desert their seats,
And walking forth as if for air,
Strait to the anti-room repair,
View Trumbull's forms sublimely blaze
And see the paint with wondering gaze.
Justly admire the glowing work,
A lasting honor to New-York;
An honor to our corporation,
A future honor to our nation.
Blest Lottery ! Blest thirst of gain!
That makes us lose all sense of pain :
While our grave citizens were watching
And every rumour's rumour catching,
Of who is blank, and who is prize,
Mine is four pounds young Noddy cries—
I'll not put up with it, not I,
But off to Roosevelt's and buy—
Four pounds! Why tis'n't worth a thank—
D—n it, I'd rather have a blank.
While thus all ranks were deep engag'd,
And various war with fortune wag'd;
Congress perceiv'd the lucky minute,
Slipt off left us—to bear and grin it.
"Slipt off! but pray what did they do,
"By way of recompence to you ?
"You ! who in pure good natur'd pity,
"Granted them house-room in your city ;
"And gave them beef, and fish, and mutton,
"And genteel Congress coats to put on;
"Their horses, cows, and goats, found hay for.
"And ev'ry thing—that they could pay for ?"
What did they do ? Why Sir, I'll tell,
They gave what we deserv'd full well—
They met in form—good Heaven guard us,
Resolv'd nem. con. they would reward us;
Voted for great Potowmac's banks,
And gave us—" What ?" They gave us—THANKS.

* The learned Pig. + Lunardi's Cat.— ‡ Stones for paving.

& The Lottery it is well known was drawn in the Dancing Assembly Room.— The Room adjoining the Senate Chamber, where Mr. Trumbull paints his truly historical portraits of The President, and Governor Clinton.

New-York, Sept. 17, 1790.