There were attempts at caricature during the later years of the Revolutionary war. From 1778, when inflated paper, French francs, British gold, and Hessian thalers had given the business centres of the country a short, fallacious prosperity, there was gayety enough in Philadelphia and Boston. There were balls and parties, and sending to France for articles of luxury, and profusion of all kinds--as there was in the late war, and as there must be in all wars which are not paid for till the war is over. There are indications in the old books that the burlesquing pencil was a familiar instrument then among the merry lads of the cities and towns. But their efforts, after having answered their momentary purpose, perished. And the habit of burlesque survived the war. There are few persons, even among the zealous fraternity of collectors, who are aware that a New York dramatist, in the year 1788, endeavored to burlesque, in a regular five-act comedy, the violent debates which distracted all circles while the acceptance of the new Constitution was the question of questions. A copy or two of this comedy, called "The Politician Outwitted," have been preserved. In lieu of the lost pictures, take this brief scene, which exhibits a violent squabble between an inveterate opponent of the Constitution and a burning patriot who supports it. They enter, in proper comedy fashion, after they are in full quarrel. "_Enter_ OLD LOVEYET _and_ TRUEMAN. "_Loveyet._ I tell you, it is the most infernal scheme that ever was devised. "_Trueman._ And I tell you, sir, that your argument is heterodox, sophistical, and most preposterously illogical. "_Loveyet._ I insist upon it, sir, you know nothing at all about the matter! And give me leave to tell you, sir-- "_Trueman._ What! Give you leave to tell me I know nothing at all about the matter? I shall do no such thing, sir. I'm not to be governed by your _ipse dixit_. "_Loveyet._ I desire none of your musty Latin, for I don't understand it, not I. "_Trueman._ O the ignorance of the age! To oppose a plan of government like the new Constitution! _Like_ it, did I say? There never _was_ one like it. Neither Minos, Solon, Lycurgus, nor Romulus ever fabricated so wise a system. Why, it is a political phenomenon, a prodigy of legislative wisdom, the fame of which will soon extend ultramundane, and astonish the nations of the world with its transcendent excellence. To what a sublime height will the superb edifice attain! "_Loveyet._ Your aspiring edifice shall never be erected in this State, sir. "_Trueman._ Mr. Loveyet, you will not listen to reason. Only calmly attend one moment. [_Reads._] 'We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide--' "_Loveyet._ I tell you I won't hear it.