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"The questions would seem to answer themselves, and may be left to Lord North himself, if he has not altogether abandoned the sterling currency of Idea and Language (the reverse of his conduct with regard to the coin) and has not folded up, for ever and for ever, the un-corporational rectitude and integrity of things, in the plaitings of his Aulic-robe, or the duplications of his Blue Ribbon."

— Philadelphos, Theophilos (fl. 1777)

Author

Philadelphos, Theophilos (fl. 1777)

Work Title

A Sequel to Common Sense: or, the American Controversy Considered in Two Points of View Hitherto Unnoticed

Place of Publication

Dublin

Publisher

Printed by Alex. Stuart

Date

1777

Metaphor

"The questions would seem to answer themselves, and may be left to Lord North himself, if he has not altogether abandoned the sterling currency of Idea and Language (the reverse of his conduct with regard to the coin) and has not folded up, for ever and for ever, the un-corporational rectitude and integrity of things, in the plaitings of his Aulic-robe, or the duplications of his Blue Ribbon."

Metaphor in Context

Shall an old palsied man then wrestle with the young and vigorous? the diseased with the healthy? the weaker with the stronger?--In other words, shall parent States be eternal? and shall Colonies never become parent States? Absurd and fanciful indeed!--Mark the extravagance and self-delusion here. In many supposable cases, not to mention cases that have really happened, Colonies may become greater, wealthier, and more powerful, than the birth-giving State. At such a crisis, what is to be done? Shall the lesser legislatively controul the greater? The poorer the wealthier? Or the weaker the stronger?--The questions would seem to answer themselves, and may be left to Lord North himself, if he has not altogether abandoned the sterling currency of Idea and Language (the reverse of his conduct with regard to the coin) and has not folded up, for ever and for ever, the un-corporational rectitude and integrity of things, in the plaitings of his Aulic-robe, or the duplications of his Blue Ribbon.
(p. 47)