Gazette Of The United States And Daily Evening Advertiser

For the Gazette of the United States

Mr. FENNO.

EVERY peruser of your Gazette must be struck with surprise, nay, astonishment, when he beholds with what depth of penetration "A Citizen of Philadelphia" comments, or, to use a more apt expression, satirically criticises on a speech which was read, at a late commencement, by Mr. Swanwick.

The speech, whether written by Mr. S. or not, is certainly most floridly ridiculous. The first sentence from the introduction is almost incomprehensible. and from that to the last sentence there is little perspicuity or elegance; but who cannot discover wit, genius, and every attendant requisite in his inimitable commentator! No envy, no jealousy discernible, nor biased by no party prejudice, he has given his ideas purely for the emolument and recreation of the public. Tho'-one few partizans of a late contested election were somewhat subject to fits, yet this gentleman does not appear to have the least symptom of that direful malady. So impartial, so just, so intelligent a critic will not fail to gain the most general approbation; and, as I have lately been informed, there is to be established (as soon as time and circumstances will permit) in this city, a Critical Review, to be similar I imagine to that which is at present carried on in London, I am very solicitous to learn the real name of this admirable character. It must not be supposed, however, that I mean to depreciate this sublime Quintillian, Aristotle, Longinus, or I know indeed of no epithet sufficiently expressive-I only wish to intimate that with the judgment, candor, & erudition he possesses, he might, could he so far condescend, prove of the most infinite utility as a director of so arduous but desirable an undertaking.

F. I. N. I. S.

Phila. Dec. 23, 1794