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Literary
March 28, 1788
The Daily Advertiser
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
In this fragment from the Poughkeepsie Advertiser, a narrator converses with Florio, who satirically criticizes the pretentious writing of 'the modern Sidney,' likening him to a magpie in peacock feathers and an ass in a lion's skin, amid references to political thinkers like Montesquieu.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
From the Poughkeepsie Advertiser.
A FRAGMENT.
—I was filling my second pipe, when it came into my head to ask Florio what he thought of the modern Sidney. "Think of him," cried he, "why I contemplate him with pity and trembling--My pity is touched at seeing a weak man calling upon all the world to observe him; and I tremble at the punishment with which the public is threatened, for Sidney has protested that he will write again. This writer's ideas appear, mixed with his splendid quotations, like here and there a stale Sturgeon among a parcel of fine Salmon.
The magpie in the fable strutted under the spoils of the peacock; but birds of discernment disrobed him of his plundered ornaments, and all the magpie stood confessed.---This magpie is Sidney.
The same volume of parables mentions an ass, that wished the public to mistake him for the King of the Forest, and accordingly clothed himself in a lion's skin: but his own long ears peeped out from beneath the royal hide, and the ass could not be hid. This ass is Sidney.
Sidney appears to the same advantage in the company of Montesquieu, Vattel, and Beccaria, that a stick of rough-hewn pitch pine would among bureaus and cases of polished mahogany. Sidney in my opinion, continued Florio----I begged his pardon for interrupting him, and informed him that we were summoned to supper.
A FRAGMENT.
—I was filling my second pipe, when it came into my head to ask Florio what he thought of the modern Sidney. "Think of him," cried he, "why I contemplate him with pity and trembling--My pity is touched at seeing a weak man calling upon all the world to observe him; and I tremble at the punishment with which the public is threatened, for Sidney has protested that he will write again. This writer's ideas appear, mixed with his splendid quotations, like here and there a stale Sturgeon among a parcel of fine Salmon.
The magpie in the fable strutted under the spoils of the peacock; but birds of discernment disrobed him of his plundered ornaments, and all the magpie stood confessed.---This magpie is Sidney.
The same volume of parables mentions an ass, that wished the public to mistake him for the King of the Forest, and accordingly clothed himself in a lion's skin: but his own long ears peeped out from beneath the royal hide, and the ass could not be hid. This ass is Sidney.
Sidney appears to the same advantage in the company of Montesquieu, Vattel, and Beccaria, that a stick of rough-hewn pitch pine would among bureaus and cases of polished mahogany. Sidney in my opinion, continued Florio----I begged his pardon for interrupting him, and informed him that we were summoned to supper.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
Dialogue
Prose Fiction
What themes does it cover?
Political
Moral Virtue
Social Manners
What keywords are associated?
Satire
Literary Criticism
Modern Sidney
Fable Metaphor
Pretension
Political Writers
Literary Details
Title
A Fragment.
Subject
Criticism Of The Modern Sidney's Writing
Form / Style
Satirical Prose Narrative With Dialogue
Key Lines
"Think Of Him," Cried He, "Why I Contemplate Him With Pity And Trembling My Pity Is Touched At Seeing A Weak Man Calling Upon All The World To Observe Him;"
The Magpie In The Fable Strutted Under The Spoils Of The Peacock; But Birds Of Discernment Disrobed Him Of His Plundered Ornaments, And All The Magpie Stood Confessed. This Magpie Is Sidney.
The Same Volume Of Parables Mentions An Ass, That Wished The Public To Mistake Him For The King Of The Forest, And Accordingly Clothed Himself In A Lion's Skin: But His Own Long Ears Peeped Out From Beneath The Royal Hide, And The Ass Could Not Be Hid. This Ass Is Sidney.