"to themselves; and thought it would be best "if they could eat them with their own con"sent. So they sent messages to them privately, "wondering how sheep, in these enlightened "times, should have no more spirit, than to "live under that Tyrant the Shepherd; and "telling them how happy they would all be if "he were out of the way; and how they hoped

soon to see all those ruffians the shepherds "worried out of the world. But how to get "at the shepherd they did not know, because "of the dogs so they sent another message to corrupt the dogs; telling them how sorry

:

they were to see them living upon stale crusts "and sour butter-milk, when there would soon "be mutton enough for them all, if they would "but come over to their interest. So they got "the dogs to their side; made the shepherd fly for his life; and then began to kill the "sheep of which when the sheep complained, "they told them it was all for their good; that "a great improvement had taken place, which i must cost a great many lives; but that all "would be right soon. Thus the poor sheep "were in a miserable case. The dogs, their "old guardians, were now turned traiterous and "blood-thirsty and no justice could be had

"by

"by complaining of one wolf to another wolf: "so they were either worried to death at home, "or scattered over the mountains, in hourly

danger both from dogs and wolves, and with "no shepherd to protect them.

"The wolves having succeeded so well, sent "to their brethren in other countries: and the

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wolf-principles grew so fast, that the species "of sheep were nearly extinct, and there was "now a new world of wolves; who, when "there are no sheep left, must fall upon the dogs whom they used for their convenience, "and at last devour one another.

Neighbours, continued he, you have heard "and read so much lately, that you will want "little of my help in applying the story to "what has happened in a neighbouring coun

try. The shepherd is the King; driven from "his throne, and in danger of his life from his "traiterous subjects; whose hearts were first poisoned by the enemies of all religion, per"mitted to corrupt the people, and spread their "atheistical opinions without controul. The "wolves are the pretended Patriots and Demo

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crats, who have got the nation into their own "clutches, and can kill whom they please, "without law, judge, or jury: there being

"now no law but their own savage will; and "so the vilest of murderers. go without punish"ment. The dogs, those faithful and warlike "animals, are the French army; once the "guardians of the King and the People; and kept for their security against thieves, rebels, "and invaders; but now, bribed with plunder; "with no sense of honour left; and carrying "about war, to levy contributions from innocent "people, and spread their new Liberty, as "Mahomet did his fools-paradise, by the terrors "of the sword: and they are assisted in all this by an infatuation peculiar to this time, and "never heard of before in the world. The

poor silly sheep are the bulk of the people; "first gulled into vile opinions, and then de"voured by their unmerciful and insatiable "fellow-subjects. The country of France has "of late taken up a new political slang, or "cant-language, accommodated to their new "monster of a government, and put it into a "catechism for women and children; while the "Christian catechism is kicked out of doors. "Hitherto they have murdered and plundered "with as little difficulty as a gang of wolves "devour sheep and lambs. They have made money of the possessions of the church; "they

"they have robbed their King of all his trea "sures to an immense value; they have seized "and sold the estates of their countrymen, for "not approving their proceedings, which no "man of sense or humanity can endure. "But all this is not sufficient, without plundering and taxing the cities and countries round "about them. Where this will end, God "knows! A prospect of their devouring one "another, when their supplies of plunder shall "be drained and wasted, is all that appears at

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present. Before which, infinite mischief may "be done; and we ourselves may suffer; unless "the shepherd, the sheep, and the faithful dogs "shall hold together against the wolves."

A few such discourses as this, brother John, would save our country from all the perils of the present times, and as soon as I learn more, you may expect to hear farther from your loving brother,

December 12, 1792.

THOMAS BULL.

VOL. XII.

A LETTER