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when I ask； What is become of the freedom of an Englishman？ And where
is the liberty and property that my old glorious friend came over to assert？
We have drove popery out of the nation； and sent slavery to foreign climes。
The arts only remain in bondage； when a man of science and character
shall be openly insulted in the midst of the many useful services he is daily
paying to the publick。 Was it ever heard； even in Turkey or Algiers； that a
state…astrologer was banter'd out of his life by an ignorant impostor； or
bawl'd out of the world by a pack of villanous； deep…mouth'd hawkers？
Though I print almanacks； and publish advertisements； though I produce
certificates under the ministers and church…wardens hands I am alive； and
attest the same on oath at quarter…sessions； out comes a full and true
relation of the death and interment of John Partridge； Truth is bore down；
attestations neglected； the testimony of sober persons despised； and a man
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is looked upon by his neighbours as if he had been seven years dead； and
is buried alive in the midst of his friends and acquaintance。
Now can any man of common sense think it consistent with the honour
of my profession； and not much beneath the dignity of a philosopher； to
stand bawling before his own door？ Alive！ Alive ho！ The famous Dr。
Partridge！ No counterfeit； but all alive！ As if I had the twelve celestial
monsters of the zodiac to shew within； or was forced for a livelihood to
turn retailer to May and Bartholomew Fairs。 Therefore； if Her Majesty
would but graciously be pleased to think a hardship of this nature worthy
her royal consideration； and the next parliament； in their great wisdom cast
but an eye towards the deplorable case of their old philomath； that
annually bestows his poetical good wishes on them； I am sure there is one
Isaac Bickerstaff； Esq； would soon be truss'd up for his bloody predictions；
and putting good subjects in terror of their lives： And that henceforward to
murder a man by way of prophecy； and bury him in a printed letter； either
to a lord or commoner； shall as legally entitle him to the present
possession of Tyburn； as if he robb'd on the highway； or cut your throat in
bed。
I shall demonstrate to the judicious； that France and Rome are at the
bottom of this horrid conspiracy against me； and that culprit aforesaid is a
popish emissary； has paid his visits to St。 Germains； and is now in the
measures of Lewis XIV。 That in attempting my reputation； there is a
general massacre of learning designed in these realms； and through my
sides there is a wound given to all the Protestant almanack…makers in the
universe。
Vivat Regina。 ___________________________________________
A vindication of Isaac Bickerstaff； Esq； against what is objected to him
by Mr。 Partridge in his almanack for the present year 1709。
By the said Isaac Bickerstaff； Esq；
Written in the year 1709。
Mr。 Partridge hath been lately pleased to treat me after a very rough
manner； in that which is called； his almanack for the present year： Such
usage is very undecent from one gentleman to another； and does not at all
contribute to the discovery of truth； which ought to be the great end in all
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disputes of the learned。 To call a man fool and villain； and impudent
fellow； only for differing from him in a point meer speculative； is； in my
humble opinion； a very improper style for a person of his education。 I
appeal to the learned world； whether in my last year's predictions I gave
him the least provocation for such unworthy treatment。 Philosophers have
differed in all ages； but the discreetest among them have always differed
as became philosophers。 Scurrility and passion； in a controversy among
scholars； is just so much of nothing to the purpose； and at best； a tacit
confession of a weak cause： My concern is not so much for my own
reputation； as that of the Republick of Letters； which Mr。 Partridge hath
endeavoured to wound through my sides。 If men of publick spirit must be
superciliously treated for their ingenious attempts； how will true useful
knowledge be ever advanced？ I wish Mr。 Partridge knew the thoughts
which foreign universities have conceived of his ungenerous proceedings
with me； but I am too tender of his reputation to publish them to the world。
That spirit of envy and pride； which blasts so many rising genius's in our
nation； is yet unknown among professors abroad： The necessity of
justifying myself will excuse my vanity； when I tell the reader that I have
near a hundred honorary letters from several parts of Europe （some as far
as Muscovy） in praise of my performance。 Besides several others； which；
as I have been credibly informed； were open'd in the post…office and never
sent me。 'Tis true the Inquisition in Portugal was pleased to burn my
predictions； and condem the author and readers of them； but I hope at the
same time； it will be consider'd in how deplorable a state learning lies at
present in that kingdom： And with the profoundest veneration for crown'd
heads； I will presume to add； that it a little concerned His Majesty of
Portugal； to interpose his authority in behalf of a scholar and a gentleman；
the subject of a nation with which he is now in so strict an alliance。 But
the other kingdoms and states of Europe have treated me with more candor
and generosity。 If I had leave to print the Latin letters transmitted to me
from foreign parts； they would fill a volume； and be a full defence against
all that Mr。 Partridge； or his accomplices of the Portugal Inquisition； will
be able to object； who； by the way； are the only enemies my predictions
have ever met with at home or abroad。 But I hope I know better what is
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due to the honour of a learned correspondence in so tender a point。 Yet
some of those illustrious persons will perhaps excuse me from transcribing
a passage or two in my own vindication。 The most learned Monsieur
Leibnits thus addresses to me his third letter：