"Sir,--I am a despe_rat_e _Rat_, g_rat_ified indeed in the present opportunity of cong_rat_ulating you, though lately sepa_rat_ed from my family and connexions, having been caught in the g_rat_ing of Mr. Pitt's cage, in Downing St., prost_rat_e at his feet, I escaped death, and even cast_rat_ion, in the conside_rat_ion that I belong to your worthy f_rat_ernity, and upon condition that I should inform you of certain truths, however g_rat_ing. Since the discovery of the conspi_rat_ors, your o_rat_ions have not been unde_rat_ed, for they have not been _rat_ional. If your treaty with them has been _rat_ified, you will be well sc_rat_ched, and so forbear p_rat_ing for the present. Besides it is a deside_rat_um that you should have nothing to say to Mr. G_rat_tan, and that you should not Co-ope_rat_e with the Irish-Ma_rats_. Let your nar_rat_ions concerning _Rat_isbon, or _Rat_stadt, be mode_rat_e, and endeavour to make repa_rat_ion for all the nonsense you have talked, and the mischief you have not ope_rat_ed. Sequest_rat_e yourself with your vene_rat_ed old Aunts, and deal out _rat_ions of oatmeal, and cheese, to your p_rat_ing b_rat_s, whom everybody commise_rat_es, and arbit_rat_e between cowherds, and bullock drivers. Demonst_rat_e that you are a wise man in your gene_rat_ion: Exempli g_rat_ia, this year, having been beat blind by the bulk of bullocks, try next to run down your successor in a race of amelio_rat_ed _Rats_. Full of admi_rat_ion, and great g_rat_itude, I give you the f_rat_ernal hug, and _rat_e myself, with great conside_rat_ion, without alte_rat_ion. Your g_rat_eful F_rat_er (G_rat_is) "Democ_rat_." --(_Times, June 4, 1798._) * * * * * "We are sorry to hear that the _Rat_ that wrote the famous letter, was cruelly murdered by the enraged servants. The _Rat_ is now said to have been over-driven, and made mad in Downing St., in order that he might scratch the Knight into the _Cat_-aphobia. He anxiously expects the _cat_-astrophe. The _Rat_'s letter has very much exaspe_rat_ed the Worthy Baronet to whom he addressed it."--(_Times, June 8, 1798._) * * * * * "Colonel Twiss, and other officers of the engineers, have been employed by government to examine a proposition made by a Mr. Dodd, for forming a _tunnel under the River Thames_, from Gravesend, to Tilbury."--(_Times, July 16, 1798._) * * * * * "_Tower Hill_ is soon to lose that name, and, in compliment to the Trinity House, it is in future to be called _Trinity Square_."--(_Times, July 16, 1798._) They knew how to puff--in those days:--