Page:Terræ-filius- or, the Secret History of the University of Oxford.djvu/27

 and the next beines is to cajole themelves into the favour of thoe, whom they had before depleaed; which is requently done by leaving their late vigorous adherents in the lurch; or, perhaps, giving them up as acrifices to appeae the reentments of the oppoite Party.

I do not mention this with any vain expectations that what I can ay will produce the leat amendment or alteration; but only by way of apology for my own conduct, in having been too zealous in a good caue, and fondly imagining that the ret of the world were as much in earnet as myelf.

It will probably be objected by the little bigots to a party, and tools to ambition, that it is preumptuous and impertinent for any private peron to peak thus freely of men, who move in an orb o far above his own. Such proveling objectors may enoy their ordid opinions as long as they pleae, which perhaps will be no longer than they themelves continue in dependance, and their Patrons in place. But let them know, that it was always a rooted peruaion in my mind, that every one, who is not become a lave by his own conent, has a right to peak with the utmot freedom conitent with decency and the publick good, of any men, in whatever rank or tation they are placed. Let them know farther, that I think it the duty of every member of a free ociety to maintain his private