[F]or who ever heard of a Gold-finder that had the Impudence or Folly to assert, from the ill Success of his Search, that there was no such thing as Gold in the World? Whereas the Truth-finder, having raked out that Jakes his own mind, and being there capable of tracing no Ray of Divinity, nor any thing virtuous, or good, or lovely, very fairly, honestly, and logically concludes, that no such things exist in the whole creation.

Censor of Great Britain" until November of the same year. The particular play that triggered the Licensing Act was The Golden Rump but Fielding's satires had set the tone. Though a minor item in Fielding's total oeuvre the subject is consistent with his ongoing preoccupation with fraud sham and masks.

Henry Fielding (22 April 1707 – 8 October 1754) was an English novelist and dramatist known for his rich earthy humour and satirical prowess and as the author of the novel Tom Jones. His younger sister Sarah also became a successful writer.