tertaining. By the ancients they were look'd upon as immediately inspired from above, and the professors reverenc'd as sacred, and the favourites of heaven.
He adds, that we excel the ancients in musick, if not in poetry, and prefers a good English fong, tho' set to a common tune, before the Italian trifling unnatural compositions. The one ravishes the ear, only, the other entertains the understanding also. ——— Hence he takes occasion to recommend A collection of Lyric poems and songs, with musick annexed, lately publish'd.
Free Briton, Jan. 7. No. 58.
THE author refutes a falsity advanced by Mr D'anvers in the Craftsman of the 13th of Dec. where in, speaking of the riot-act, he says, "That an election of Church-wardens hath been already made a handle for putting this law in execution. That the master of a small vessel was kept a whole year in prison, to the loss of his voyage, and almost the ruin of his family, upon happening to go thro' the churchyard, from visiting a friend, an hour after the proclamation was read. Nay, that the poor man might have run the hazard of his life, as well as have been put to further expences, if his late Majesty had not graciously pleas'd to grant him a Noli prosequi."
The falsehood of this story the Free Briton thus corrects. ——— The gentlemen of Greenwich disagreeing upon the choice of a church-warden at Easter 1722, a poll was demanded and a scrutiny afterwards agreed on. The scrutineers met, but a number of dissolute persons tumultuously assembling at the same time, insulted the justices in a rude and outragious manner, (justice Savory receiving a blow on the back by a great stone) so that it was thought proper to read the proclamation in order to disperse them. Among the rioters was Charles Curtis, master of a small vessel. He was with them before, at, and after the proclamation was read, and very notorious by his behaviour; was several times admonished by the justices to depart; and as often very civilly acquainted by them with the ill consequence of his continuance in that riotous assembly. But notwithstanding their repeated admonitions, he still continued, and was found among the rioters an hour and a half after the Proclamation was read, and being even then advised to leave that place, and to avoid the fatal consequence, the said Curtis, still refused to depart, and insisted with uncommon insolence, that he was as much about his business in that place as the justices themselves. Whereupon he was apprehended, committed to Maidstone Gaol, try'd, and convicted, but in compassion to his family his punishment was suspended; but a Noli prosequi was never granted.
The aim of the Free Briton, in this paper, is to shew the inconclusive reasoning of the Craftsman from matters of fact falsely asserted.
Free Briton, Jan. 14. No. 59.
IN the conclusion of this paper is a letter by way of reply to the Craftsman, Jan. 9. wherein that author calls upon the Free Briton to justify the administration for breaking with the Emperor. To which the Free Briton answers, that it will be full time to make a defence when such measures are undertaken; that their insolence is astonishing, in imputing the same crimes to our ministers for which themselves have deserved a halter. Asks the Craftsman whether he imagines the ministry are so fond of the Emperor on the sudden, as to sacrifice the trade of Spain, and abandon all the powers of Europe, only to run into his arms?
In Feb. last an outcry was rais'd ona pre-
