Hay, William (1695-1755)

Deformity, An Essay

London

Printed for R. and J. Dodsley

1754

"Maecenas would laugh at any Irregularity in Horace's Dress, but not at any Caprice in his Behaviour, because it was common and fashionable: so a Man's Person, which is the Dress of his Soul, only is ridiculed, while the vicious Qualities of it escape."

[...] I have given the Words of a late very elegant Translation of Cicero's Letters.--On the whole, I could wish, that Mankind would be more candid and friendly with us; and instead of ridiculing a distorted Person, would rally the Irregularities of the Mind: which generally are as visible as those of the Person; but being more common, they pass with little Notice as well in high as low Life. Maecenas would laugh at any Irregularity in Horace's Dress, but not at any Caprice in his Behaviour, because it was common and fashionable: so a Man's Person, which is the Dress of his Soul, only is ridiculed, while the vicious Qualities of it escape.--Let me add, that if ridiculing another's Person is in no Case to be justified, the ill Treatment of it must be highly criminal: what then must we think of Balbus, a Roman Quaestor in Spain who wantonly exposed to wild Beasts a certain noted Auctioneer at Seville for no other reason, but because he was deformed. This is related in a Letter to Cicero by Asinuis Pollio, the most accomplished Gentleman of that Age; who calls Balbus a Monster for this and other acts of Barbarity. I am glad he has preserved the Memory of this poor Man; whom I here consecrate to Fame; and place foremost in the glorious List of our Martyrs.