The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

Messrs Fowles,

A Number of your Customers wish to see the following Thoughts publish'd in your Paper, which may be a Means of putting a Stop to the damnable Vice of Detraction and Slander, which reigns very much in this Town.

Yours, Gc. Ignotus.

There is not a Set of Persons, I believe, On this Side Tophet, of whom with greater Propriety it may be said, their Tongues are set on Fire of Hell, than those infamous Wretches called LIARS and DETRACTERS, nor can I think of any Name expressive of their proper Character, unless one among those appropriated to his infernal Majesty, an Abbadon, Belial, Belzebub, Lucifer, Satan, the Devil, and twenty other synonymous Words, which applied to them would be significant Terms: they are Scorpions and Sycophants, with this single Difference, a Scorpion carries his Sting in the Tail, these in their Mouths. It would be in vain to attempt a Discovery of the various Methods these bold Invaders make use of to traduce those against whom their Spleen is bent. What an abandon'd Piece of Impudence are those guilty of, who either by notorious Falsehood or secret Insinnuation (and sometimes under a Mask of Sanctity) endeavour to convey to others the vilest Ideas respecting their Fellow Creatures.

One bold Fury attacks his Neighbour's Reputation, charges him with the blackest of Crimes, and proves it by affirming he was an Eye or Ear Witness thereto, when in Fact his own wicked Heart begat the Enormity, Envy brought it into the World, and Malice diabolical promulged it. A second, by sly Insinnuations artfully conveys corrupt Notions to the Minds of others relative to those whom they intend to vilify; and that he may not fail to possess the Mind that it is something of the worst Nature, he says it is too bad to be mentioned. A third, counterfeiting a sanctified Disposition, therein perfectly resemble Satan transform'd, pretend a mighty Sorrow for one whom they always entertained an high Opinion. But, Oh! -- : Here a Blank is left to be filled up with the worst Conceptions; and after a short Pause they conclude, Ah! and Religion is like to suffer by the Scandal.

These are Villains, not in a natural, but demoniacal Sense. They are a Nuisance to the World and fit to be improved as the Excrements of other Beasts to manure Land, Serpents the most baneful are reduced to serve beneficial Purposes: but of these noxious Vermin, one Grain is sufficient to exterminate the human Species.

It is said that the Women carry on this illicit Trade, and import large Quantities of this contraband Stuff: that the Tea-Table is the Board where they enter and clear out whole Cargoes, without the Ceremony of swearing to a Manifest, and the only Duty imposed is a speedy unloading of their Vessel, that they may be ready to take in a fresh Supply. However, the Author would hope better Things of those who so nearly resemble the Angels: but should it hereafter appear that they concern themselves in such a Commerce, as there is two Sorts of those Spirits, he hopes they will excuse him if he gives the fallen the Preference when he makes the Comparison: He is far from thinking all Women are equally concerned in this Business: on the contrary, he believes there are some who detest and abhor it, who open their Mouths with Wisdom, and in whose Tongue is the Law of Kindness. These he respects and honours, they shall be had in everlasting Remembrance; but the other will be held in Contempt, and loaded with eternal Execrations.

Evil be to him that evil speaks.