"Some serious animadversions appear in the Connecticut Courant on the first number of the _Book of Odes_, published in the Time-Piece of the 14th ult. being a profane parody, as the writer insinuates, on the first Psalm of David--where the _aristocrat_ corresponds with the _saint_ in the psalm, and the _democrat_ with the _impenitent sinner_. These gentlemen writers ought to consider that the parody in question (as they choose to call it) was not meant to be sung through a deacon's nose, to the sound of the organ: nor yet to the timbrel of seven strings: it was merely intended to be _harped_ upon _out of doors_, for the benefit of all good democrats, and the utter astoundment and confusion of _the contrary character_. In the name of common sense how did the printers of the Connecticut Courant _dare_ to act so _irreverantly_ as to place the parody before the psalm? Are they trampling on all sanctity; or what do they mean? Let them beware--serious times are coming on, gentlemen: 'Your life is but a vapour, sure, A mere old woman's qualm-- And good king David's lyric harp, May close it--with a psalm.'" [132] _Time-Piece_, October 18, 1797. [133] The _Time-Piece_, October 20, 1797. [134] From the edition of 1809, the text of which I have followed in all but the title which is "To a Democratic Editor." This poem first appeared in the _Time-Piece_, October 23, 1797, with the following introduction: "'He that first put a real mark upon the forehead of the BEAST was the inventor of Printing. This mark was impressed deeply, and becomes deeper from day to day.'--_Erasmus._" [135] The _Time-Piece_, October 25, 1797. William Cobbett, an English adventurer, settled in Philadelphia in 1792. Under the signature "Peter Porcupine" he wrote many political pamphlets, and edited a paper called _Porcupine's Gazette_. He left America in 1800 after having been convicted of libel. His works in twelve volumes, including many selections from the _Gazette_, were published in 1801, in London. He was an avowed enemy to the Democrats of America; he opposed the French interests, and abused roundly Dr. Priestly, Benjamin Franklin, and Dr. Rush. [136] Text from the edition of 1809. Originally in the _Time-Piece_, October 27, 1797, with the following introduction: "Let but a dancing bear arrive, A pig that counts you four or five, And Cato, with his moral strain, Shall strive to mend the town--in vain." [137] From the _Time-Piece_, October 31, 1797. [138] From the 1815 edition. The _Time-Piece_ version, November 1, 1797, bore the title "To Thos. Swawgum, a Wharf Builder," with the following introduction: "'And Alexander built a solid mole from the coast, even unto the isle of Tyre, through the deep waters of the channel between: and people said it would be everlasting; and yet at this day it is overwhelmed, and few vestiges left thereof.'--_Modern Travels._"