’A correspondent informs us, that the Worshipful Society of Chaldeans, Cadies[416], or Running Stationers of this city are resolved, in imitation, and encouraged by the singular success of their brethren, of an equally respectable Society, to apply for a Charter of their Privileges, particularly of the sole privilege of PROCURING, in the most extensive sense of the word[417], exclusive of chairmen, porters, penny-post men, and other inferiour ranks; their brethren the R—­Y—­L S—­LL—­RS, alias P—­C—­RS, before the INFERIOUR Courts of this City, always excepted.

’Should the Worshipful Society be successful, they are farther resolved not to be puffed up thereby, but to demean themselves with more equanimity and decency than their R—­y—­l, learned, and very modest brethren above mentioned have done, upon their late dignification and exaltation.’

A majority of the members of the Society prosecuted Mr. Robertson, the publisher of the paper, for damages; and the first judgement of the whole Court very wisely dismissed the action:  Solventur risu tabulae, tu missus abibis[418].  But a new trial or review was granted upon a petition, according to the forms in Scotland.  This petition I was engaged to answer, and Dr. Johnson with great alacrity furnished me this evening with what follows:—­

’All injury is either of the person, the fortune, or the fame.  Now it is a certain thing, it is proverbially known, that a jest breaks no bones.  They never have gained half-a-crown less in the whole profession since this mischievous paragraph has appeared; and, as to their reputation, What is their reputation but an instrument of getting money?  If, therefore, they have lost no money, the question upon reputation may be answered by a very old position,—­De minimis non curat Praetor.

’Whether there was, or was not, an animus injuriandi, is not worth inquiring, if no injuria can be proved.  But the truth is, there was no animus injuriandi.  It was only an animus irritandi[419], which, happening to be exercised upon a genus irritabile, produced unexpected violence of resentment.  Their irritability arose only from an opinion of their own importance, and their delight in their new exaltation.  What might have been borne by a Procurator could not be borne by a Solicitor.  Your Lordships well know, that honores mutant mores.  Titles and dignities play strongly on the fancy.  As a madman is apt to think himself grown suddenly great, so he that grows suddenly great is apt to borrow a little from the madman.  To co-operate with their resentment would be to promote their phrenzy; nor is it possible to guess to what they might proceed, if to the new title of Solicitor, should be added the elation of victory and triumph.

’We consider your Lordships as the protectors of our rights, and the guardians of our virtues; but believe it not included in your high office, that you should flatter our vices, or solace our vanity:  and, as vanity only dictates this prosecution, it is humbly hoped your Lordships will dismiss it.