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New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VIII, Issue 655, 12 November 1851, Page 3

Our observations on the gross and unwarrantable attacks on private character which continually appear in the Independent (with especial reference to the recent attack on Mr. Mantell), and which have conferred on that paper so discreditable a notoriety, have induced its editor to publish what we presume is intended to be a reply, the only effect of which has been to confirm tuu public verdict, and to show how fully our strictures were deserved. As far as Mr. Mantell is concerned we shall not further notice these attacks, since they have only had the effect of exciting general contempt and indignation against the unworthy author of them. When Dr. Featherston talks of the Spectator being “ Sir George Grey’s paper” and asserts that the Governor and his officials influence and control this Journal, with much more to the same purpose, we must charitably conclude he is not in his sober senses, since, if he were so, he would Know that there is not the slightest shadow of truth in his assertions, and that no one will be silly enough to believe him. His denial of having been a placehunter, and his disclaimer of personalities are of a piece with each other, the former assertion is contradicted by the whole tenor of his public conduct, the latter by every number oi tne independent, and he appears to take pains to give additional force to the justice and truth of our remarks by further outrages, by his utter recklessness and disregard of facts, and by his contempt of public opinion. We feel quite disposed to pity him, and as we are sufficiently “ the friend of our Pnom v ” 4-,— — — Ll— _4 J 1. ? 1 . _ vw UVOHG UW ecu uitu SIdHU lllgQCr than he does at present in the estimation of all those whose good opinion is worth having, we would advise him to abandon his present trade of detraction, and take to some more honest and reputable calling