ing of the colonial times toward Materialism. This
is partly the reflection of the Deistic philosophy
which was influential in all European thought dur-
ing the eighteenth century. It took a special tone
and quality in our country from the influence of
the French. The Revolution naturally tended to
weaken the influence of British thought, and as
naturally to strengthen the influence of French
thought, upon America. The French helped us in
the war.
French officers were popular in the social
life of the time. It was thus inevitable that French
thought should make itself felt. In the form of what
was written, however, we cannot fail to notice the in-
fluence of the so-called "classical," or Queen Anne,
period of English Literature. Franklin's style was
formed by close and laborious study of Addison;
and the verse of the period was largely modelled
upon Pope.
One of the most popular books ever published in John America was Trumbull's "McFingal." It is a satiri- 1750-1831. cal Epic poem, the satire being directed against the "Tories" of the Revolutionary War. John Trumbull was born in Connecticut and graduated at Yale College. He wrote essays in the style of the "Spectator," and verse in the classical style; published the first part of "McFingal" in 1774, and the second "McFingal," part in 1782. The name was taken from Fingal, 1774-1782. the hero of "Ossian," and the general style was based upon that of Butler's "Hudibras." gal" ran rapidly through thirty editions. The first part was of great influence in strengthening the
Whigs and discouraging the Tories. There is one couplet in it which has become a popular proverb, and which will probably always be quoted:
No man e'er felt the halter draw,
With good opinion of the law.
"McFingal" is of great interest historically. It gives pictures of the New England town meeting; of the setting up of a liberty pole; of a riot between Whigs and Tories, ending in the tarring and feathering of one of the latter; and of a secret meeting of Tories in a Boston cellar. We will take a passage for special study.
MCFINGAL, CANTO III
When now the mob in lucky hour,
Had got their en'mies in their pow'r,
They first proceed by wise command,
To take the Constable in hand;
Then from the pole's sublimest top
They speeded to let down the rope,
At once its other end in haste bind,
And make it fast upon his waistband,
Till, like the earth, as stretch'd on tenter,
He hung self-balanced on his centre.
Then upwards, all hands hoisting sail,
They swung him, like a keg of ale,
Till to the pinnacle so fair,
He arose like meteor in the air.
As Socrates of old at first did,
His Tory errors clearly spy'd,
And from his elevated station,
With bawling voice began addressing:
"Good gentlemen, and friends, and kin,
For heav'n's sake hear, if not for mine!
I here renounce the Pope, the Turks,
The King, the Devil, and all their works;
And will, set me but once at ease,
Turn Whig or Christian, what you please;
And always mind your laws as justly;
Should I live long as old Methus❜lah,
I'll never join with British rage,
Nor help Lord North, or General Gage,
Nor lift my gun in future fights,
Nor take away your chartered rights ;
Nor overcome your new rais'd levies,
Destroy your towns, nor burn your navies;
Nor cut your poles down while I've breath,
Though rais'd more thick than hatchel teeth:
But leave King George and all his elves
To do their conqu'ring work themselves."
Not so our 'squire submits to rule,
But stood heroic as a mule.
"You'll find it all in vain," quoth he,
"To play your rebel tricks on me.
All punishments the world can render,
Serve only to provoke th' offender;
The will's confirmed by treatment horrid,
As hides grow harder when they're curried;
No man e'er felt the halter draw,
With good opinion of the law;
Or held in method orthodox,
His love of justice in the stocks;
This is a good example of what may be called "mock Epic" verse. It is the rimed iambic
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