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Literary
June 25, 1762
The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
A 1762 fable from the London Magazine allegorizing international rivalry: an English mastiff (Britain) defeats a French greyhound (France) and Spanish pointer (Spain) over a bone (colonial interests). The moral urges Britain to seize the Isthmus of Darien to disrupt Spanish American trade, bringing riches and vindication.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
From the LONDON Magazine for February 1762.
A FABLE.
An English mastiff and a French greyhound quarrelled about a bone; and while they were fighting, in comes a Spanish pointer who sides with the greyhound. The spectators were shocked at the unequal combat. They pulled the pointer by the tail, and many a cudgel visited his loins in vain; till some one wiser than the rest, said, let us make short work of it; throw a halter about his neck, and throttle him. This was no sooner said than done; the Spanish pointer immediately quitted his hold being very near choaked. Upon which the English soon got the better of his slim antagonist, and each retired to his kennel, the mastiff carrying off his bone with him in triumph.
THE MORAL.
The Isthmus of Darien is the throat and neck of the Spanish monarchy. Let a rope be thrown over that as soon as may be, which may be done with great ease. Porto Bello, Chagre, and Panama, are well known in every part colour. The English have more than sufficient force now in the West Indies, to do the business: which, when done, adieu to all correspondence with America: confusion and distress would pour into Spain: the British public would be vindicated; and particulars would get immense riches. The Spanish pointer would not wag his tail again in a hurry.
A FABLE.
An English mastiff and a French greyhound quarrelled about a bone; and while they were fighting, in comes a Spanish pointer who sides with the greyhound. The spectators were shocked at the unequal combat. They pulled the pointer by the tail, and many a cudgel visited his loins in vain; till some one wiser than the rest, said, let us make short work of it; throw a halter about his neck, and throttle him. This was no sooner said than done; the Spanish pointer immediately quitted his hold being very near choaked. Upon which the English soon got the better of his slim antagonist, and each retired to his kennel, the mastiff carrying off his bone with him in triumph.
THE MORAL.
The Isthmus of Darien is the throat and neck of the Spanish monarchy. Let a rope be thrown over that as soon as may be, which may be done with great ease. Porto Bello, Chagre, and Panama, are well known in every part colour. The English have more than sufficient force now in the West Indies, to do the business: which, when done, adieu to all correspondence with America: confusion and distress would pour into Spain: the British public would be vindicated; and particulars would get immense riches. The Spanish pointer would not wag his tail again in a hurry.
What sub-type of article is it?
Fable
Satire
Allegory
What themes does it cover?
Political
War Peace
Commerce Trade
What keywords are associated?
Political Fable
Spanish Monarchy
Istmus Of Darien
West Indies
British Empire
Colonial Rivalry
Porto Bello
Panama
Literary Details
Title
A Fable.
Form / Style
Animal Allegory With Explicit Political Moral
Key Lines
The Isthmus Of Darien Is The Throat And Neck Of The Spanish Monarchy. Let A Rope Be Thrown Over That As Soon As May Be, Which May Be Done With Great Ease.
Porto Bello, Chagre, And Panama, Are Well Known In Every Part Colour.
The English Have More Than Sufficient Force Now In The West Indies, To Do The Business: Which, When Done, Adieu To All Correspondence With America: Confusion And Distress Would Pour Into Spain: The British Public Would Be Vindicated; And Particulars Would Get Immense Riches.