a [Piggot's Political Dictionary]

Excerpts from a book by Charles Piggot, dated 1795 and written from within his prison cell.

The Letter A from Piggot's Political Dictionary (1795)

Absurdity, ― Mr. Pitts's surplus fund, his Majestey's civil list, and the combination of kings, to restore priesthood, aristocracy, and monarchy in France.

Abuse, ― the different governments of Europe; privileged orders, church establishments.

Adam, ― the only man of his time, a true Sans Culottes, and the first revolutionist.

Address, ― an echo of venal prostitution; an insidioius, ministerial trap to catch popularity; never to be trusted.

Admiralty, ― an office of the first responsibility, requiring the greatest talents, industry, and experience in the man who presides over it; filled by an IDIOT, because he happens to be brother to a PRIME MINISTER

Advantage, ― the evacuation of Toulon; the retreat from Dunkirk; the French triumphant masters of the sea, and Earl Moria's expedition to the coast of Britanny.

Alarm, ― the tocsin of delusion; plunging England into all the calamities of war, under the falsest pretence of their liberties and properties being endangered, to cover the real designs of hatred, jealousy, despotism, and revenge. A pretext for prosecutions, unconstitutional augmentation of the army, the introduction of foreign troops, barracks, &c. &c. &c.

Alarmists, ― miserable politicians, who have been dupes of the sound, terrified by the downfall of aristocracy in France; bewildered by apprehensions and fears for themselves, they have lost all sense of their duty towards the people, and have joined the conspiracy of courts against the interests of humanity. For example, Duke of Portland, Earls Fitzwilliam, Spencer, Messrs. Wyndham, Powis, and a list of et ceteras, ad infinitum.

Alderman, ― stupidity, gluttony, servility, avarice; perfectly represented in the persons of Mess. C-t-s, And-s-n, Le Mes-r-r and S-d-s-n; turtle feasting, &c. &c.

Ally (new), ― George III. Pope Pius VI.

America, ― a bright and immortal example to all colonies groaning under a foreign yoke, proving the invincible energy and virtue of Freedom, and enjoying a state of prosperity, since she has thrown off her depedence on Great Britain, hitherto unknown in the nations of Europe.

Ambassador, ― a privileged spy; a genuine Representative of Royalty.

Ambition, ― an irresistable stimulus to personal aggrandizement; a rage for foreign conquests; a sovereign contempt for public calamity, and an everlasting attachment to courts.

Ankerstrom, ― a generous tyrannicide, equal if not superior to Brutus

Apathy, ― a word characteristic of modern Britons

Apostate, ― one who barters his political principles for a sum of money; for a pension, a place, or a garter. Dumourier, Pitt, Burke, Moria, and other Great men.

Argument, ― proclamation, manifestos, Newgate, fine, pillory, Botany Bay.

Aristocrate, ― a fool, or scoundrel; generally both; a monster of rapacity, and an enemy to mankind.

Army (standing), ― an engine employed in monarches, by which nations are enslaved. Dalrymple observes that slavery follows a standing army, as sure as the shadow follows the body.

Ass, ― A beast of burthen. The celebrated naturalist Buffon says, that an ass is the most patient of all animals; but the philosopher had never read the history of John Bull.

Assertion, ― the king's speech on opening the sessions of parliament, 1794; the account of brilliant successes obtained by the combined powers; the British constitution, the chef d'oeuvre of perfection, the envy and admiration of the whole world; the inexhaustible resources, and unprecedented prosperity of England; the madness of reform; the necessity of carrying on the war, and, finally, the virtue of Mr. Pitt and his administration.

Association, ― The meaning of this word has lately undergone a revolution. In former times it was deemed legal for Englishmen to associate, for the purpose of discussing political principles and their own rights. Such meetings were once held constitutional and meritorious; Pitt, the Duke of Richmond, and other Friends of the people, were the chief supporters of them. Now, government deems them unconstitutional and seditious, and the associators stand a good chance of being confined four yuears in Newgate, or, if in Scotland, of being loaded with irons, and transported to Botany Bay. Nvertheless, on the other hand, associations are formed under the immediate sanction of this very identical P-tt, for the suppression of these once constitutional meetings, and his associatiors are regarded by him as the only true loyalists, the best friends to their country. Sir George Saville was a distinguished member of the first associations; Mr. Reeves, a placeman, the Prince of Spies and Informers, is at the head of the latter. It remains for sober-minded men to determine, on which side the truth lies; it is for them to judge, between a common hireling, and Sir George Saville, the patriot of his day. Other associations are also strictly legal, and warmly countenanced by a generous aristocracy; such, for exmple, as are united for the preservation of game, and for bringing to condign punishment the guilty culprit, who shall have dared to kill a hare, or pheasant, that laid waste his half rood of garden, and destroyed its produce, intended for support of himself and family.