| Citation |
CJ-B.781.023
14 Jun 1781:11,12 (277)
From a new Political Paper, of May 9 and 16, entitled The
Freeman's Journal, published at Philadelphia.
SINON. . . [1 1/2 column article on Tory lawyer who had
masqueraded as a Patriot. In second column:]
Flight is a confession of guilt, as well as of cowardice.
Sinon was invited to a magnificent ball which the Chevalier
de la Touche gave on board his frigate on Wednesday evening
last. But alas! The last Freeman's Journal fell into his
hands the Wednesday morning preceding that entertainment.
Sinon was planet-struck at the fatal paper. Sinon is fond
of the ball. Ludicrous as it was for a man of his years and
make, and a member of Congress too, to be labouring and
sweating his fat sides in a public dance, Sinon seldom
failed last winter of exhibiting his aukward movements at
the French Ambassador's balls. But strange to tell! Such
was the magic power of the paper, that the smiles and graces
which illume his fair face, instantaneously disappeared.
The novelty of a ball on ship board, the allurements of
female charms, his own pre-engagements to the amiable fair,
and to the gallant Frenchman, all lost their force on Sinon.
He decamped that very forenoon. Alas, poor Sinon! Thou
mayest now furnish morality for an Almanack.
Various are the speculations on Sinon's sudden retreat.
Some good sort of folks think he was very wrong in not
shewing himself at the ball. There are others who think he
acted very wisely in avoiding it. The latter probably had
an eye to a line in Ovid . . . [9 lines, signed] Lucilius
|