Pleas’d with his Idol, he commends, admires,Adores; and last, the Thing ador’d, desires. Dryden, Pygmalion and His Statue

/in /by

As I was walking home yesterday afternoon after luncheon at Mr Lloyd’s Coffee House (which I vouchsafe has not been of the same quality since the death of Mr Lloyd), I chanced upon Mortdecai Benjamin outside the Synagogue at Bevis Marks. After I had told him of the day’s tittle tattle I fancied that old Mortdecai might have opinions on the pulling down of statues. This had been much vexing me since I wrote my last essay.  Although he is a Jew, I have always found Mr Benjamin’s counsel most perspicacious.

So, I asked him, do not the Enthusiasts for Sleeplessness found their actions upon the Holy Book when they smash statues since the Bible commands us to tear down the altars and images of the gods of the Heathens 1Editor’s note: the Somnambulist is referring to Deuteronomy 12.3?  This was not so, Mr Benjamin replied. He informed me that the wise men of his People noticed that it is stated in the Bible that it is only the images of “gods” that should be torn down. What is treated as a god is prohibited but what is not treated as a deity is permitted. So, if one does not treat a statue as a god, there is no commandment to tear it down. Mr Mortdecai then told me a saucy story about a Rabbi in a bathhouse but I cannot recall the details. 2Editor’s note: it appears that the Somnambulist, as often is the case, was not paying attention to Mr Mortdecai’s story which from the context appears to be that found in Mishnah Avodah Zara 3.

Presently, I resolved that the next time I should happen upon Mr H_____  I would refute his argument with Scripture of my own and pay him back for his ill-manner’d treatment of Mr Tonson. 

I have been deprived, however, of the chance to avenge my friend. Upon my return home, Abigail related to me that Mr H ___ had been apprehended climbing Temple Bar Gate in a priapic distemper assaying to propose marriage to the statue of Anne of Denmark situated thereupon. H____ is now confined to Bethlem Hospital claiming himself to be the Modern Pygmalion.  I must content myself therefore with using Mr Mortdecai’s wisdom in my Treatise which I will commence, with your leave, in my next essay

I remain your humble and obedient servant,

The Somnambulist

References   [ + ]

1. ↑ Editor’s note: the Somnambulist is referring to Deuteronomy 12.3
2. ↑ Editor’s note: it appears that the Somnambulist, as often is the case, was not paying attention to Mr Mortdecai’s story which from the context appears to be that found in Mishnah Avodah Zara 3.