Crescit, et auditis aliquid novus adjicit auctor:
Illic Credulitas, illic temerarius Error,
Vanaque Laetitia est, consternatique Timores,
Seditioque repens, dubioque auctore Susurri.
OVID, Metamorphoses
THE ARGUMENT
This not a Time favourable to Poetical Composition: and why - Newspapers enemies to Literature, and their general Influence - Their Numbers - The Sunday Monitor - Their general Character - Their Effect upon Individuals - upon Society - in the Country - The Village Freeholder - What Kind of Composition a Newspaper is; and the Amusement it affords - Of what Parts it is chiefly composed - Articles of Intelligence: Advertisements: The Stage: Quacks: Puffing - The Correspondents to a Newspaper, political and poetical - Advice to the latter - Conclusion.
A time like this, a busy, bustling time,
Suits ill with writers, very ill with rhyme:
Unheard we sing, when party-rage runs strong,