Page:Terræ-filius- or, the Secret History of the University of Oxford.djvu/46

 I do not expect that the paions of my readers hould keep time with my own; for I think it full as arbitrary to obtrude my anger or mirth upon others, as it is to impoe my faith and opinions: neither do I expect to have it believ'd, when upon ome particular ubjects I peak with more than ordinary warmth and aperity (Si paulo aperius quam pro meo more expreerim, as a mot reverend author has it) that publick pirit and pulick good, abtracted from all elfih motives, are my ole aim; but I hope that even peronal reentments may be well grounded, and conequently praie-worthy.

Whilt therefore the Britih legilature are regenging their injur'd country, and bringing the gigantick parricides to jutice, I judge it no improper time to dicover other traytors and other pluderers; traytors to the King, whom they have worn to obey; and plunderers of living ocieties, as well as of good men deceas'd, their antient founders and benefactors.

The latter of thee do not eem to me much les michievous than the former; they have pillag'd their country of its wealth and its credit; thee of its religion and of every good principle; nay, it is not unlikely (ince corruption of principles is the irt tep to vice) that our univerities, or the pawn iuiing from thence, irt debauch'd the mornals of thee men, and actuated them to thoe villanies, which they have ince committed.

The only difference I can ee between them is this; that whereas the traiterous tock-jobbers dipatch'd their wickednes at once, and by their fahnes brought down udden vengeance upon themelves; the traierous gown men proceeded gradually from one corruption to another, and from one iniquity to another; by which means they have