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The Drinker’s Dictionary

Nothing more like a Fool than a drunken Man. Poor Richard. ‘Tis an old Remark, that Vice always endeavours to assume the Appearance of Virtue: Thus Covetousness calls itself Prudence; Prodigality would be thought Generosity; and so of others. This perhaps arises hence, that Mankind naturally and universally approve Virtue in their Hearts, and detest Vice; and…

Too Severe Upon Hobbes

To James Logan Having read the Chapter on Moral Good or Virtue, with all the Attention I am Capable of, amidst the many little Cares that Continually infest me, I shall, as the Author Condescends to desire, give my Opinion of it, and that with all Sincerity and Freedom, neither apprehending the Imputation of Flattery…

The Art of Saying Little in Much

Amplification, or the Art of saying Little in Much, seems to be principally studied by the Gentlemen Retainers to the Law. ‘Tis highly useful when they are to speak at the Bar; for by its Help, they talk a great while, and appear to say a great deal, when they have really very little to say.…

A Sea Monster

From Bermuda, they write, that a Sea Monster has been lately seen there, the upper part of whose Body was in the Shape and about the Bigness of a Boy of 12 Years old, with long black Hair; the lower Part resembled a Fish. He was first seen on shore, and taking to the Water,…

Advice to a Pretty Creature and Replies

Mr. Franklin, “Pray let the prettiest Creature in this Place know, (by publishing this) That if it was not for her Affectation, she would be absolutely irresistible.” The Pennsylvania Gazette, November 20, 1735 . . . The little Epistle in our last, has produced no less than six, which follow in the order we receiv’d ’em.…