Transcriber’s Note:
The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.
Mr. Burke’s Reflections on theFrench Revolution first engaged myattention as the transient topic of theday; and reading it more for amusementthan information, my indignationwas roused by the sophisticalarguments, that every moment crossedme, in the questionable shape of naturalfeelings and common sense.
Many pages of the following letterwere the effusions of the moment;but, swelling imperceptibly toa considerable size, the idea was suggestedivof publishing a short vindicationof the Rights of Men.
Not having leisure or patience tofollow this desultory writer throughall the devious tracks in which hisfancy has started fresh game, I haveconfined my strictures, in a great measure,to the grand principles at whichhe has levelled many ingenious argumentsin a very specious garb.
It is not necessary, with courtly insincerity,to apologise to you for thus intruding on yourprecious time, not to profess that I think it anhonour to discuss an important subject witha man whose literary abilities have raised himto notice in the state. I have not yet learnedto twist my periods, nor, in the equivocalidiom of politeness, to disguise my sentiments,and imply what I should be afraid to utter:2if, therefore, in the course of this epistle, Ichance to express contempt, and even indignation,with some emphasis, I beseech youto believe that it is not a flight of fancy; fortruth, in morals, has ever appeared to methe essence of the sublime; and, in taste, simplicitythe only criterion of the beautiful.But I war not with an individual when I contendfor the rights of men and the liberty ofreason. You see I do not condescend to cullmy words to avoid the invidious phrase, norshall I be prevented from giving a manly definitionof it, by the flimsy ridicule which alively fancy has interwoven with the presentacceptation of the term. Reverencing therights of humanity, I shall dare to assertthem; not intimidated by the horse laughthat you have raised, or waiting till time haswiped away the compassionate tears w