| Citation |
NHG-P.771.032
28 Jun 1771:11 (767)
Messieurs Fowles, Please to insert the following.
When a writer appears in the presence of the public
destitute of the shining garb of modesty, he commonly meets
with a very unfavourable reception. This seems to have been
the case with the unfortunate Syfax; who, with regard to
this shining garment, is perfectly naked, and with
unparalleled indelicacy has attacked our sex (whom the
wisest of men have ever acknowledged to be the fairest part
of the creation) in the most delicate point, asserted that a
green headed fellow who had taken a degree at a French
dancing School, 'and could 'talk nonsense in a genteel
manner had more charms to captivate a female mind than all
the virtue and good sense that ever concentered in a human
breast since the days of Adam,'---and that such a coxcomical
figure as above described, would lead of [sic] the fair in
triumph while a worthy man would be the subject of their
ridicule. Such are the sentiments of the incomparable
Syfax, and are sufficient to kindle indignation in any mind
but that of a female, but we agreeable to the delicacy of
our make, are more ready to pardon than to resent an injury,
and therefore shall make all the excuses for the
presumptuous of Syfax, which the most extensive charity
dictates.---It is evident he set out with wrong principles,
viz. that 'talking nonsense, French airs, and flattery was
the way to please the ladies'---those principles led him
into wrong practices, wrong practices brought upon him the
contempt of the ladies, and that contempt has induced him to
publish his folly to the world. Thus poor Syfax has got to
the end of his 'tether' however we would not insult over the
unhappy, but rather extend our pity, and in the name of
'good sense,' we admonish him to lay aside his 'French
airs,' his 'flattery,' and his 'nonsense,' and adorn his
mind with wisdom and virtue, then, and not till then, may he
expect to meet with the smiles of the ladies. These are the
only charms that will hold a female mind in pleasing
captivity, kindle the pure flame of virtuous love, and raise
lasting esteem and admiration.
As Syfax discovers marks of genius as well as literature,
we have some reason to hope that he will be made sensible of
his error, reform his manners, polish his mind and refine
his sentiments--merit the esteem and obtain the honour and
happiness to be a humble servant and a companion to one of
our sex; to acquire those important blessings, his first
step must be to make a public acknowledgment of his error
and humbly ask pardon of the ladies for all his past
offenses.
[signed] Amelia.
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