The New Hampshire Gazette

TO THE PRINTER.

SIR,

YOUR Correspondent Rusticus seems to be a good Deal out of Humour, with the Author of the Proposal for laying a Tax on Nonsense, &c. His Resentment is a little unseasonable, so long after the Matter to which it refers : as Things of that Kind, intended only as a Banter and Raillery, to put those at whom it was pointed, upon thinking on the Subject; are not kept in Mind by the Generality of Readers, so long after their Appearance, as to enable the Reader to make the Comparison, whether the Remarks are not as indifferent as that which occasioned them. : And if Rusticus lives at such a Distance as not to have the perusing Things published in your Paper, till others have forgotten them, he had much better save himself the Pains of making any Remarks. Or Was his Situation ever so convenient, the Public will doubtless hereafter freely forgive him for such an Omission, if his Animadversions should never appear. It would be difficult to account for the Offence taken by Rusticus at this Proposal, upon any other Principle, than that he sees were it carried into Execution, it would bear hard upon him, and his Judgment here will never be questioned.

But since he makes a very serious Affair of this Matter, to appease him, and enable him to return to his usual good Humour, you may let him know, the Proposal is laid aside at present: upon a further View of the extensive Nature of it, that it would involve many with him, in a Burthen disproportionate to their Ability.

His pithy Queries may be answered, if this Proposal, or any Thing like it should ever be reviv'd,