"Terrible Tractoration" is a work of strange and grotesque ideas aptly
expressed: its rhymes are of a most singular character, yet fitting each
to each as accurately as echoes. As in all Mr. Fessenden's productions,
there is great exactness in the language; the author's thoughts being
thrown off as distinctly as impressions from a type. In regard to the
pleasure to be derived from reading this poem, there is room for
diversity of taste; but, that it is all original and remarkable work, no
person competent to pass judgment on a literary question will deny. It
was first published early in the year 1803, in an octavo pamphlet of
above fifty pages. Being highly applauded by the principal reviews, and
eagerly purchased by the public, a new edition appeared at the end of
two months, in a volume of nearly two hundred pages, illustrated with
engravings. It received the praise of Gifford, the severest of English
critics. Its continued success encouraged the author to publish a
volume of "Original Poems," consisting chiefly of his fugitive pieces
from the American newspapers. This, also, was favorably received. He
was now, what so few of his countrymen have ever been, a popular author
in London; and, in the midst of his triumphs, he bethought himself of
his native land.

Mr. Fessenden returned to America in 1804. He came back poorer than he
went, but with an honorable reputation, and with unstained integrity,
although his evil fortune had connected him with men far unlike himself.
His fame had preceded him across the Atlantic. Shortly before his
arrival, an edition of "Terrible Tractoration" had been published at
Philadelphia, with a prefatory memoir of the author, the tone of which
proves that the American people felt themselves honored in the literary
success of their countryman. Another edition appeared in New York, in
1806, considerably enlarged, with a new satire on the topics of the day.