Works

I wrote this last Month or two a Couple of Letters in the Public Advertiser signed Jacquet Droz—the real Jacquet Droz a Showman of Automata was fretted, and wrote a serious denial of his being the Author; my Answer had I think some humor in it and good natured Wit—I have lost the Copy¹  and am sorry for it—it was very comical.

The Question is I heard you say
Who is to keep America?
The Opposition make a Stir
For Keppel against Palleser,
Lord North complains they won't agree,
And bawls for Unanimity.—
I am content, and think 'tis right
To try who will, or will not fight;
And I and every Fool can find
Things best when Folks are of a Mind:
When all these Points are settled-pray
Who is to keep America?—

Footnotes

1. Hester Thrale's first letter appeared on November 20 1778, his disclaimer on November 27, and her answer, which took the form of a facetious comparison of herself and Jacquet Droz as rival showmen of automata, on December 1.↩︎