The Virginia Gazette

RIDDLES in REAL LIFE.

Is it not a Riddle, that a Man with a Place of 60 l. a Year under the Government can live like a Gentleman who has a Freehold of 200 l. a Year?

Is it not a Riddle, that a Man who is a Bankrupt, and has delivered up upon Oath all his Effects to his Creditors, shall within a Year, perhaps, be a greater Man than ever, and may be ride in his Coach?

Is it not a Riddle, how young People at first setting out in Life, without a Halfpenny (comparatively speaking) shall live as if they had so large a Fortune, keep Country Houses, Horses, Dogs, &c.?

Is it not a Riddle, that a Sovereign, possessed of every Virtue, and does all he can to promote the Happiness of his Subjects, should be insulted, abused, and affronted as he has been?

Is it not a Riddle, how Numbers of our Clergy can answer to their Consciences to neglect their Parishioners in the Manner they do, whose Souls are committed to their Care, and for whom they must be answerable at the Day of Judgment?

Is it not a Riddle, that when one Man has injured another, it should be looked upon as a Point of Honour, and the Way to retrieve his Character by sending him out of the World, or by making him his Murderer?

Is it not a Riddle, that J. Wilkes should have so much Influence in the City of London as he has?

Is it not a Riddle, how a Man can bow and cringe to any great Man, ay, do, and wear any Thing he bids him, right or wrong, and yet this Man is looked upon as an honest Man, and all to procure a Place or a Pension?

Is it not a Riddle, when a Man who has been all his Life the greatest Villain, robbed, cheated, and lived the most debauched Life, and at last executed, yet a Clergyman shall very devoutly thank God for taking to himself the Soul of our dear Brother here departed, in sure and certain Hope of Resurrection to eternal Life?

Is it not a Riddle, that a Man who will lie, swear, and commit every Kind of Wickedness, yet if another Man should tell him he lies (when he really does) he must run the Risk of being run through the Body?

Is it not a Riddle, that many of our Ladies, who are modest, sober Women, should admit into their Company Men of the vilest Principles, and worst of Characters, and should prefer the greatest Rakes, for Husbands, to Men of Virtue and Sobriety?

Is it not a Riddle, that a Man should live the most wicked and debauched Life upon Earth, and yet expect to go to Heaven when he dies?

Is it not a Riddle, that Provisions of every Kind should be so excessively dear, when Providence always blesses us with Plenty, and we have more than we can consume fairly and honestly?

Is it not a Riddle, that we should encourage foreign Manufactures to the Prejudice of our own, so as to oblige our Poor to fly to distant Parts for Support?

Is it not a Riddle, that so many of our Clergy, who profess to be Teachers and Disciples of the blessed Jesus, should live so contrary to his Laws and Precepts?

Is it not a Riddle, that in a late Middlesex Election 200 and odd should be more than 1100 and odd?

Is it not a Riddle, that Tradesmen who can give their Daughters little or nothing should breed them up at Boarding Schools, where they learn nothing but Idleness and Extravagance of every Kind, Love of Pleasure, Dress, and Intrigue, and yet expect that honest young Tradesmen should marry them in Expectation of having notable Wives?