A Boy's Retort; Wm. and Mary Qrtly., Vol. 2, No. 4

Transcribed by Kathy Merrill for the USGenWeb Archives Special Collections Project

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A Boy's Retort

   William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Papers, Vol. 2, No. 4.
   (Apr., 1894), p. 264.

                           A BOY'S RETORT.
   In the Virginia Gazette for 1737 is the following:

                          "An Hint for a Hint".

Mr. Parks,

   I have learnt my Book, so far as to be able to read plain English, when printed in your
Papers, and finding in one of them my Papa's name often mentioned by a scolding man called
Edwin Conway(1), I asked my Papa, whether he did not design to answer him.  But he replyd:
"No child, this is a better Contest for you that are a school Boy, for it will not become me
to answer every Fool in his Folly, as the Lesson you learned the other day of the Lion and
the Ass may teach you".  This Hint being given me, I copied out the said Lesson and now
send you the same for my Answer to Mr. Conway's Hint from
               Sir, your Humble Servant
                                         JOHN SPOTSWOOD(2).

   Fab. 10.  A Lion and an Ass.

   An Ass was so hardy once as to fall a Mopping and Braying at a Lion.  The Lion began at
first to shew his teeth and to stomach the Affront, But upon second Thoughts, Well, says he,
Jeer on and be an Ass still, take notice only by the way, that it is the Baseness of your
Character that has saved your Carcass.
_____________________________________________________
   (1) Col. Edwin Conway was a member of the house of Burgesses from 1710-1742, a period of
thirty-two years' continued service, except the year 1720.  He was a prominent figure in the
affairs of his country and section; and as such took part in the quarrel against Governor
Spotswood for delaying to turn over the arms intended for Brunswick county, purchased with
the public funds.  His letter, to which the above is a reply, appeared in the Gazette of
April 15 and 22, 1737, and was entitled "A Hint to discover a few of Colonel Spotswood's
Proceedings."  See Hayden, p. 240.

   (2) John Spotswood was eldest son of Alexander Spotswood, married Mary, daughter of Capt.
William Dandridge, and had General Alexander and Col. John Spotswood of the Revolution. 
See QUARTERLY for October, 1893, p. 113.