The monster of monsters: a true and faithful narrative of a most remarkable phaenomenon lately seen in this metropolis; to the great surprize and terror of His Majesty's good subjects: humbly dedicated to all the virtuosi of New-England. / By Thomas Thumb, Esq. ; [One line in Latin ; five lines from Milton]

Abstract

A satire arising from a bill debated in the Massachusetts General Court for laying an excise on wine and spirituous liquors retailed and consumed within the province. It was ordered by the General Court to be burnt by the common hangman. "Samuel Waterhouse is supposed to be the author, as it is known he made use of the same pseudonym in 1760. It has also been attributed to Benjamin Church (1734-1778). In the copy in the possession of the Boston Athenaeum is written in contemporary handwriting: The supposed authors Benj. Brandon & Rev.d Dr. [Jonathan] Mayhew."--Evans. The attribution to Church is rejected in Sibley's Harvard graduates. Printed by Zechariah Fowle. Fowle's brother Daniel was arrested on suspicion of involvement in the publication of the work. Cf. Thomas, Isaiah. The history of printing in America, 1970, p. 126-132.