These Resolves struck the languishing Reputation of the Feathers with
the dead Palsie, and they began to stink in the Nostrils of all the
Nations in the Moon.

But besides this, they had one strange effect, which was a prodigious
disappointment to the Men of the Feather.

I had observ'd before, that there was to be a new Set of Feathers,
provided in order to Building another Consolidator, according to a
late Law for a new Engine every three Years. Now several of these Men
of the Feather, who thought their Feathers capable of serving again,
had made great Interest, and been at great Cost to have their old
Feathers chosen again, but the People had entertain'd such scoundrel
Opinions of these Proceedings, such as Tacking, Consolidating,
Imprisoning Electors, Impeaching without Tryal, Writs of Follies and
the like, that if any one was known to be concern'd in any of these
things, no Body would Vote for him.

The Gentlemen were so mortify'd at this, that even the hottest
High-Church Solunarian of them all, if he put in any where to be
re-chosen, the first thing he had to do, was to assure the People he
was no Tacker, none of the 134, and a vast deal of difficulty they
had to Purge themselves of this blessed Action, which they us'd to
value themselves on before, as their Glory and Merit.

Thus they grew asham'd of it as a Crime, got Men to go about to vouch
for them to the Country People, that they were no Tackers, nay, one
of them to clear himself loudly forswore it, and taking a Glass of
Wine wisht it might never pass thro' him, if he was a Tacker, tho'
all Men suspected him to be of that Number too, he having been one of