The Expedition of Humphry Clinker

104 TOBIAS SMOLLETT
press, from whence he squirted his filth at some respectable charac-
ters in the republic, which he had been obliged to abandon. Some
of these, finding him out of the reach of legal chastisement,
employed certain useful instruments, such as may be found in all
countries, to give him the bastinado; which, being repeated more
than once, effectually stopt the current of his abuse.
As for the liberty of the press, like every other privilege, it must
be restrained within certain bounds; for if it is carried to a breach
of law, religion, and charity, it becomes one of the greatest evils
that ever annoyed the community. If the lowest ruffian may stab
your good-name with impunity in England, will you be so un-
candid as to exclaim against Italy for the practice of common
assassination? To what purpose is our property secured, if our
moral character is left defenceless? People thus baited, grow
desperate; and the despair of being able to preserve one’s charac-
ter, untainted by such vermin, produces a total neglect of fame;
so that one of the chief incitements to the practice of virtue is
effectually destroyed.
Mr. Barton’s last consideration, respecting the stamp-duty, is
equally wise and laudable with another maxim which has been
long adopted by our financiers, namely, to connive at drunkenness,
riot, and dissipation, because they inhance the receipt of the excise;
not reflecting, that in providing this temporary convenience, they
are destroying the morals, health, and industry of the people—
Notwithstanding my contempt for those who flatter a minister,
I think there is something still more despicable in flattering a mob.
When I see a man of birth, education, and fortune, put himself on
a level with the dregs of the people, mingle with low mechanics,
feed with them at the same board, and drink with them in the same
cup, flatter their prejudices, harangue in praise of their virtues,
expose themselves to the belchings of their beer, the fumes of their
tobacco, the grossness of their familiarity, and the impertinence of
their conversation, I cannot help despising him, as a man guilty of
the vilest prostitution, in order to effect a purpose equally selfish
and illiberal.
I should renounce politics the more willingly, if I could find
other topics of conversation discussed with more modesty and
candour; but the dæmon of party seems to have usurped every
department of life. Even the world of literature and taste is divided
into the most virulent factions, which revile, decry, and traduce