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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/10489-0.txt b/10489-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..16a0d8b --- /dev/null +++ b/10489-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,13614 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10489 *** + +AN ENGLISH GARNER + + +CRITICAL ESSAYS +AND +LITERARY FRAGMENTS + + +WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY +J. CHURTON COLLINS + + +1903 + + +PUBLISHERS' NOTE + +The texts contained in the present volume are reprinted with very slight +alterations from the _English Garner_ issued in eight volumes (1877-1890, +London, 8vo.) by Professor Arber, whose name is sufficient guarantee for +the accurate collation of the texts with the rare originals, the old +spelling being in most cases carefully modernised. The contents of the +original _Garner_ have been rearranged and now for the first time +classified, under the general editorial supervision of Mr. Thomas +Seccombe. Certain lacunae have been filled by the interpolation of fresh +matter. The Introductions are wholly new and have been written specially +for this issue. The references to volumes of the _Garner_ (other than the +present volume) are for the most part to the editio princeps, 8 vols. +1877-90. + + + + +CONTENTS + + I. Extract from Thomas Wilson's _Art of Rhetoric_, 1554 + II. Sir Philip Sidney's _Letter to his brother Robert_, 1580 + III. Extract from Francis Meres's _Palladis Tamia_, 1598 + IV. Dryden's _Dedicatory Epistle to the Rival Ladies_, 1664 + V. Sir Robert Howard's _Preface to four new Plays_, 1665 + VI. Dryden's _Essay of Dramatic Poesy_, 1668 + VII. Extract from Thomas Ellwood's _History of Himself_, describing + his relations with Milton, 1713 +VIII. Bishop Copleston's Advice to a Young Reviewer, 1807 + IX. The Bickerstaff and Partridge Tracts, 1708 + X. Gay's _Present State of Wit_, 1711 + XI. Tickell's Life of Addison, 1721 + XII. Steele's Dedicatory Epistle to Congreve, 1722 +XIII. Extract from Chamberlayne's Angliae Notitia, 1669 + XIV. Eachard's Grounds and Occasions of the Contempt of the Clergy + and of Religion, 1670 + XV. Bickerstaff's Miseries of the Domestic Chaplain, 1710 + XVI. Franklin's Poor Richard Improved, 1757 + + + + +INTRODUCTION + +The miscellaneous pieces comprised in this volume are of interest and +value, as illustrating the history of English literature and of an +important side of English social life, namely, the character and status +of the clergy in the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. They +have been arranged chronologically under the subjects with which they are +respectively concerned. The first three--the excerpt from Wilson's _Art of +Rhetoric_, Sir Philip Sidney's _Letter_ to his brother Robert, and the +dissertation from Meres's _Palladis Tamia_--are, if minor, certainly +characteristic examples of pre-Elizabethan and Elizabethan literary +criticism. The next three--the _Dedicatory Epistle to the Rival Ladies_, +Howard's _Preface to Four New Plays_, and the _Essay of Dramatic +Poesy_--not only introduce us to one of the most interesting critical +controversies of the seventeenth century, but present us, in the last +work, with an epoch-marking masterpiece, both in English criticism and in +English prose composition. Bishop Copleston's brochure brings us to the +early days of the _Edinburgh Review_, and to the dawn of the criticism +with which we are, unhappily, only too familiar in our own time. From +criticism we pass, in the extract from Ellwood's life of himself, to +biography and social history, to the most vivid account we have of Milton +as a personality and in private life. Next comes a series of pamphlets +illustrating social and literary history in the reigns of Anne and George +I., opening with the pamphlets bearing on Swift's inimitable Partridge +hoax, now for the first time collected and reprinted, and preceding Gay's +_Present State of Wit_, which gives a lively account of the periodic +literature current in 1711. Next comes Tickell's valuable memoir of his +friend Addison, prefixed, as preface, to his edition of Addison's works, +published in 1721, with Steele's singularly interesting strictures on the +memoir, being the dedication of the second edition of the _Drummer_ to +Congreve. The reprint of Eachard's _Grounds and Occasions of the Contempt +of the Clergy and Religion Enquired into_, with the preceding extract from +Chamberlayne's _Angliae Notitia_ and the succeeding papers of Steele's in +the _Tatler_ and _Guardian_, throws light on a question which is not only +of great interest in itself, but which has been brought into prominence +through the controversies excited by Macaulay's famous picture of the +clergy of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Last comes what is by +general consent acknowledged to be one of the most valuable contributions +ever made to the literature of proverbs, Franklin's summary of the maxims +in _Poor Richard's Almanack_. + +Our first excerpt is the preface to a work which is entitled to the +distinction of being the first systematic contribution to literary +criticism written in the English language. It appeared in 1553, and was +entitled _The Art of Rhetorique, for the use of all suche as are studious +of eloquence, sette foorthe in Englishe by Thomas Wilson_, and it was +dedicated to John Dudley, Earl of Warwick. Thomas Wilson--erroneously +designated Sir Thomas Wilson, presumably because he has been confounded +with a knight of that name--was born about 1525, educated at Eton and +subsequently at King's College, Cambridge, whence he graduated B.A. in +1549. In life he played many parts, as tutor to distinguished pupils, +notably Henry and Charles Brandon, afterwards Dukes of Suffolk, as +diplomatist and ambassador to various countries, as a Secretary of State +and a Privy Councillor, as one of the Masters of Requests, and as Master +of St. Catherine's Hospital at the Tower, at which place and in which +capacity he terminated a very full and busy life on June 16th, 1581. The +pupil of Sir John Cheke and of Sir Thomas Smith, and the intimate friend +of Roger Ascham, Wilson was one of the most accomplished scholars in +England, being especially distinguished by his knowledge of Greek. He is +the author of a translation, of a singularly vigorous translation, of the +_Olynthiacs_ and _Philippics_ of Demosthenes, published in 1570. His most +popular work, judging at least from the quickly succeeding editions, +appears to have been his first, _The Rule of Reason, conteinynge the Art +of Logique set forth in Englishe_, published by Grafton in 1551, and +dedicated to Edward VI. _The Art of Rhetorique_ is said to have been +published at the same time, but the earliest known copy is dated January +1553. The interest of this Art of Rhetoric is threefold. It is the work +of a writer intelligently familiar with the Greek and Roman classics, and +it thus stands beside Elyot's _Governour_, which appeared two years +before, as one of the earliest illustrations of the influence of the +Renaissance on our vernacular literature. It is one of the earliest +examples, not only of the employment of the English language in the +treatment of scholastic subjects, but of the vindication of the use of +English in the treatment of such subjects; and, lastly, it is remarkable +for its sound and weighty good sense. His friend, Ascham, had already +said: 'He that wyll wryte well in any tongue muste folowe thys councel of +Aristotle, to speake as the common people do, to think as wise men do, and +so shoulde every man understande hym. Many English writers have not done +so, but usinge straunge words, as Latin, French, and Italian, do make all +thinges darke and harde.' And it is indeed by no means improbable that +this work, which is written to inculcate all that Ascham upheld, may have +been suggested by Ascham. It is in three books, and draws largely on +Quintilian, the first two books being substantially little more than a +compilation, but a very judicious one, from the _Institutes of Oratory_. +But Wilson is no pedant, and has many excellent remarks on the nature of +the influence which the classics should exercise on English composition. +One passage is worth transcribing-- + +'Among all other lessons, this should first be learned, that we never +affect any straunge ynkhorne termes, but to speake as is commonly +received, neither seeking to be over fine, nor yet being over carelesse, +using our speeche as most men doe, and ordering our wittes as the fewest +have done. Some seke so far outlandishe English, that thei forget +altogether their mothers language. And I dare sweare this, if some of +their mothers were alive, thei were not able to tell what thei saie; and +yet these fine English clerkes will saie thei speake in their mother +tongue--if a man should charge them for counterfeityng the kinges +Englishe.... The unlearned or foolish phantasicalle that smelles but of +learnyng (suche fellowes as have seen learned men in their daies) will so +Latin their tongues that the simple can not but wonder at their talke, and +thinke surely thei speake by some revelation. I know them that thinke +Rhetorique to stand wholie upon darke woordes; and he that can catche an +ynke horne terme by the taile him thei coumpt to bee a fine Englisheman +and a good Rhetorician.' + +In turning to Wilson's own style, we are reminded of Butler's sarcasm-- + + 'All a rhetorician's rules + Teach nothing but to name his tools.' + +He is not, indeed, deficient, as the excerpt given shows, in dignity and +weightiness, but neither there nor elsewhere has he any of the finer +qualities of style, his rhythm being harsh and unmusical, his diction +cumbrous and diffuse. + +The excerpt which comes next in this miscellany is by the author of that +treatise which is, with the exceptions, perhaps, of George Puttenham's +_Art of English Poesie_ and Ben Jonson's _Discoveries_, the most precious +contribution to criticism made in the Elizabethan age; but, indeed, the +_Defence of Poesie_ stands alone: alone in originality, alone in +inspiring eloquence. The letter we print is taken from Arthur Collins's +_Sydney Papers_, vol. i. pp. 283-5, and was written by Sir Philip Sidney +to his brother Robert, afterwards (August 1618) second Earl of Leicester, +then at Prague. From letters of Sir Henry Sidney in the same collection +(see letters dated March 25th and October 1578) we learn that Robert, +then in his eighteenth year, had been sent abroad to see the world and to +acquire foreign languages, that he was flighty and extravagant, and had in +consequence greatly annoyed his father, who had threatened to recall him +home. 'Follow,' Sir Henry had written, 'the direction of your most loving +brother. Imitate his virtues, exercyses, studyes and accyons, hee ys a +rare ornament of thys age.' This letter was written at a critical time in +Sidney's life. With great courage and with the noblest intentions, though +with extraordinary want of tact, for he was only in his twenty-sixth +year, he had presumed to dissuade Queen Elizabeth from marrying the Duke +of Anjou. The Queen had been greatly offended, and he had had to retire +from Court. The greater part of the year 1580 he spent at Wilton with his +sister Mary, busy with the _Arcadia_. In August he had, through the +influence of his uncle Leicester, become reconciled with the Queen, and a +little later took up his residence at Leicester House, from which this +letter is dated. It is a mere trifle, yet it illustrates very strikingly +and even touchingly Sidney's serious, sweet, and beautiful character. The +admirable remarks on the true use of the study of history, such as 'I +never require great study in Ciceronianism, the chief abuse of Oxford, +_qui dum verba sectantur, res ipsas negligunt_,' remind us of the author +of the _Defence_; while the 'great part of my comfort is in you,' 'be +careful of yourself, and I shall never have cares,' and the 'I write this +to you as one that for myself have given over the delight in the world,' +show that he had estimated royal reconciliations at their true value, and +anticipate the beautiful and pathetic words with which he is said to have +taken leave of the world. Short and hurried as this letter is, we feel it +is one of those trifles which, as Plutarch observes, throw far more light +on character than actions of importance often do. + +Between 1580 and the appearance of Meres's work in 1598 there was much +activity in critical literature. Five years before the date of Sidney's +letter George Gascogne had published his _Certayne Notes of Instruction +concerning the makyng of Verse in Rhyme_. This was succeeded in 1584 by +James I.'s _Ane Short Treatise conteining some rewles and cautelis to be +observit_. Then came William Webbe's _Discourse of English Poesie_, 1586, +which had been preceded by Sidney's charming _Defence of Poetry_, composed +in or about 1579, but not published till 1593. This and Puttenham's +elaborate treatise, _The Art of English Poesie contrived into three +books_ (1589), had indeed marked an epoch in the history of criticism. +Memorable, too, in this branch of literature is Harington's _Apologie for +Poetry_ (1591), prefixed to his translation of the _Orlando Furioso_. But +it was not criticism only which had been advancing. The publication of +the first part of Lyly's _Euphues_ and of Spenser's _Shepherd's Calendar_ +in 1579 may be said to have initiated the golden age of our literature. +The next twenty years saw Marlowe, Greene, Peele, Kyd, Shakespeare, +Chapman, Decker, and Ben Jonson at the head of our drama; Spenser, +Warner, Daniel, and Drayton leading narrative poetry; the contributors to +_England's Helicon_, published a year later, at the head of our sonneteers +and lyric poets; and Sidney, Lyly, Greene, and Hooker in the van of our +prose literature. The history of Meres's work, a dissertation from which +is here extracted, is curious. In or about 1596, Nicholas Ling and John +Bodenham conceived the idea of publishing a series of volumes containing +proverbs, maxims, and sententious reflections on religion, morals, and +life generally. Accordingly in 1597 appeared a small volume containing +various apothegms, extracted principally from the Classics and the +Fathers, compiled by Nicholas Ling and dedicated to Bodenham. It was +entitled _Politeuphuia_: _Wits Commonwealth_. In the following year +appeared '_Palladis Tamia, Wits Treasury_: _Being the Second Part of Wits +Commonwealth_. By Francis Meres, Maister of Arts in both Universities.' On +the title-page is the motto '_Vivitur ingenio, cetera mortis erunt_.' It +was printed by P. Short for Cuthbert Burbie. From the address to the +reader, which does not appear in the first edition, though it was +apparently intended for that edition, we learn that it had been +undertaken because of the extraordinary popularity of _Wits +Commonwealth_, which 'thrice within one year had runne thorough the +Presse.' Meres's work differs importantly from _Wits Commonwealth_. It is +not merely a compilation, but contains original matter, generally by way +of commentary. The extracts are much fuller, many being taken from modern +writers, notably Robert Greene, Lyly, Warner, and Sir Philip Sidney. In +1634 the work was re-issued under another title, _Wits Commonwealth, The +Second Part: A Treasurie of Divine, Moral, and Phylosophical Similes and +Sentences generally useful. But more particular published for the Use of +Schools_. In 1636 it was again reprinted. The only part of Meres's work +which is of interest now is what is here reprinted. It belongs to that +portion of his compilation which treats of studies and reading, the +preceding sections discussing respectively of 'books,' of 'reading of +books,' of 'choice to be had in reading of books,' of 'the use of reading +many books,' of 'philosophers,' of 'poetry,' of 'poets,' consisting for +the most part of remarks compiled from Plutarch, and in one or two +instances from Sir Philip Sidney's _Defence of Poetry. A portion of the +passage which immediately precedes the _Discourse_ may be transcribed +because of its plain speaking about the indifference of Elizabeth and her +ministers to the fortune of poets; though this, with curious +inconsistency, is flatly contradicted, probably for prudential reasons, +in the _Discourse_ itself-- + + 'As the Greeke and Latin Poets have wonne immortal credit to their + native speech, being encouraged and graced by liberal patrones and + bountiful benefactors; so our famous and learned Lawreate masters + of England would entitle our English to far greater admired + excellency, if either the Emperor Augustus or Octavia his sister + or noble Maecenas were alive to reward and countenance them; or if + witty Comedians and stately Tragedians (the glorious and goodlie + representers of all fine witte, glorified phrase and great action) + bee still supported and uphelde, by which meanes (O ingrateful and + damned age) our Poets are soly or chiefly maintained, countenanced + and patronized.' + +Of the author of this work, Francis Meres or Meers, comparatively little +is known. He sprang from an old and highly respectable family in +Lincolnshire, and was born in 1565, the son of Thomas Meres, of Kirton in +Holland in that county. After graduating from Pembroke College, Cambridge, +in 1587, proceeding M.A. in 1591 at his own University, and subsequently +by _ad eundem_ at Oxford, he settled in London, where in 1597, having +taken orders, he was living in Botolf Lane. He was presented in July 1602 +to the rectory of Wing in Rutland, keeping a school there. He remained at +Wing till his death, in his eighty-first year, January 29, 1646-7. As +Charles FitzGeoffrey, in a Latin poem in his _Affaniae_ addressed to +Meres, speaks of him as '_Theologus et poeta_', it is possible that the +'F.M.' who was a contributor to the _Paradise of Dainty Devices_ is to be +identified with Meres. In addition to the _Palladis Tamia_, Meres was the +author of a sermon published in 1597, a copy of which is in the Bodleian, +and of two translations from the Spanish, neither of which is of any +interest. + +Meres's _Discourse_ is, like the rest of his work, mainly a compilation, +with additions and remarks of his own. Much of it is derived from the +thirty-first chapter of the first book of Puttenham; with these +distinctions, that Meres's includes the poets who had come into +prominence between 1589 and 1598, and instituted parallels, biographical +and critical, between them and the ancient Classics. It is the notices of +these poets, and more particularly the references to Shakespeare's +writings, which make this treatise so invaluable to literary students. +Thus we are indebted to Meres for a list of the plays which Shakespeare +had produced by 1598, and for a striking testimony to his eminence at +that date as a dramatic poet, as a narrative poet, and as a writer of +sonnets. The perplexing reference to _Love's Labour's Won_ has never +been, and perhaps never will be, satisfactorily explained. To assume that +it is another title for _All's Well that Ends Well_ in an earlier form is +to cut rather than to solve the knot. It is quite possible that it refers +to a play that has perished. The references to the imprisonment of Nash +for writing the _Isle of Dogs_, to the unhappy deaths of Peele, Greene, +and Marlowe, and to the high personal character of Drayton are of great +interest. Meres was plainly a man of muddled and inaccurate learning, of +no judgment, and of no critical power, a sort of Elizabethan Boswell +without Boswell's virtues, and it is no paradox to say that it is this +which gives his _Discourse_ its chief interest. It probably represents +not his own but the judgments current on contemporary writers in +Elizabethan literary circles. And we cannot but be struck with their +general fairness. Full justice is done to Shakespeare, who is placed at +the head of the dramatists; full justice is done to Spenser, who is +styled divine, and placed at the head of narrative poets; to Sidney, both +as a prose writer and as a poet; to Drayton, to Daniel, and to Hall, +Lodge, and Marston, as satirists. We are surprised to find such a high +place assigned to Warner, 'styled by the best wits of both our +universities the English Homer,' and a modern critic would probably +substitute different names, notably those of Lodge and Campion, for those +of Daniel and Drayton in a list of the chief lyric poets then in activity. +In Meres's remarks on painters and musicians, there is nothing to detain +us. + +Of a very different order is the important critical treatise which comes +next, Dryden's _Essay of Dramatic Poesy_, to which are prefixed as +prolegomena Dryden's _Dedicatory Epistle to The Rival Ladies_, Sir Robert +Howard's _Preface to Four New Plays_, and, as supplementary, Howard's +_Preface to The Duke of Lerma_, and Dryden's _Defence of the Essay of +Dramatic Poesy_. As Dryden's _Essay_, like almost all his writings, both +in verse and prose, was of a more or less occasional character, it will +be necessary to explain at some length the origin of the controversy out +of which it sprang, as well as the immediate object with which it was +written. + +The Restoration found Dryden a literary adventurer, with a very slender +patrimony and with no prospects. Poetry was a drug in the market; +hack-work for the booksellers was not to his taste; and the only chance +of remunerative employment open to him was to write for the stage. To +this he accordingly betook himself. He began with comedy, and his comedy +was a failure. He then betook himself to a species of drama, for which +his parts and accomplishments were better fitted. Dryden had few or none +of the qualifications essential in a great dramatist; but as a +rhetorician, in the more comprehensive sense of the term, he was soon to +be unrivalled. In the rhymed heroic plays, as they were called, he found +just the sphere in which he was most qualified to excel. The taste for +these dramas, which owed most to France and something to Italy and Spain, +had come in with the Restoration. Their chief peculiarities were the +complete subordination of the dramatic to the rhetorical element, the +predominance of pageant, and the substitution of rhymed for blank verse. +Dryden's first experiment in this drama was the _Rival Ladies_, in which +the tragic portions are composed in rhyme, blank verse being reserved for +the parts approaching comedy. In his next play, the _Indian Queen_, +written in conjunction with Howard, blank verse is wholly discarded. The +dedication of the _Rival Ladies_ to Orrery is appropriate. Roger Boyle, +Baron Broghill, and first Earl of Orrery, was at this time Lord President +of Munster, and it was he who had revived these rhymed plays in his _Henry +V._, which was brought out in the same year as Dryden's comedy. Whoever +has read this drama and Orrery's subsequent experiments, _Mustapha_ +(1665), the _Black Prince_ (1667), _Tryphon_ (1668), will be able to +estimate Dryden's absurd flattery at its proper value. + +But these dramatic innovations were sure not to pass without protest, +though the protest came from a quarter where it might least have been +expected. Sir Robert Howard was the sixth son of Thomas, first Earl of +Berkshire. He had distinguished himself on the Royalist side in the Civil +War, and had paid the penalty for his loyalty by an imprisonment in +Windsor Castle during the Commonwealth. At the Restoration he had been +made an Auditor of the Exchequer. Dryden seems to have made his +acquaintance shortly after arriving in London. In 1660 Howard published a +collection of poems and translations, to which Dryden prefixed an address +'to his honoured friend' on 'his excellent poems.' Howard's rank and +position made him a useful friend to Dryden, and Dryden in his turn was +no doubt of much service to Howard. Howard introduced him to his family, +and in December 1663 Dryden married his friend's eldest sister, the Lady +Elizabeth Howard. In the following year Dryden assisted his +brother-in-law in the composition of the _Indian Queen_. There had +probably been some misunderstanding or dispute about the extent of the +assistance which Dryden had given, which accounts for what follows. In +any case Howard published in 1665, professedly under pressure from +Herringman, four plays, two comedies, _The Surprisal_ and _The +Committee_, and two tragedies, the _Vestal Virgin_ and _Indian Queen_; +and to the volume he prefixed the preface, which is here reprinted. It +will be seen that though he makes no reference to Dryden, he combats all +the doctrines laid down in the preface to the _Rival Ladies_. He exalts +the English drama above the French, the Italian, and the Spanish; and +vindicates blank verse against rhymed, making, however, a flattering +exception of Orrery's dramas. If Dryden was not pleased, he appears to +have had the grace to conceal his displeasure. For he passed the greater +part of 1666 at his father-in-law's house, and dedicated to Howard his +_Annus Mirabilis_. But Howard was to have his answer. In the _Essay of +Dramatic Poesy_ he is introduced in the person of Crites, and in his +mouth are placed all the arguments advanced in the _Preface_ that they +may be duly refuted and demolished by Dryden in the person of Neander. At +this mode of retorting Howard became really angry; and in the _Preface to +the Duke of Lerma_, published in the middle of 1668, he replied in a tone +so contemptuous and insolent that Dryden, in turn, completely lost his +temper. The sting of Howard's _Preface_ lies, it will be seen, in his +affecting the air of a person to whom as a statesman and public man the +points in dispute are mere trifles, hardly worth consideration, and in +the patronising condescension with which he descends to a discussion with +one to whom as a mere _litterateur_ such trifles are of importance. The +_Defence of the Essay of Dramatic Poesy_ Dryden prefixed to the second +edition of the _Indian Emperor_, one of the best of his heroic plays. The +seriously critical portion of this admirable little treatise deals with +Howard's attacks on the employment of rhyme in tragedy, on the observance +of strict rules in dramatic composition, and on the observance of the +unities. But irritated by the tone of Howard's tract, Dryden does not +confine himself to answering his friend's arguments. He ridicules, what +Shadwell had ridiculed before, Howard's coxcombical affectation of +universal knowledge, makes sarcastic reference to an absurdity of which +his opponent had been guilty in the House of Commons, mercilessly exposes +his ignorance of Latin, and the uncouthness and obscurity of his English. +The brothers-in-law afterwards became reconciled, and in token of that +reconciliation Dryden cancelled this tract. + +The _Essay of Dramatic Poesy_ was written at Charleton Park in the latter +part of 1665, and published by Herringman in 1668. It was afterwards +carefully revised, and republished with a dedication to Lord Buckhurst in +1684. Dryden spent more pains than was usual with him on the composition +of this essay, though he speaks modestly of it as 'rude and indigested,' +and it is indeed the most elaborate of his critical disquisitions. It +was, he said, written 'chiefly to vindicate the honour of our English +writers from the censure of those who unjustly prefer the French before +them.' Its more immediate and particular object was to regulate dramatic +composition by reducing it to critical principles, and these principles +he discerned in a judicious compromise between the licence of romantic +drama as represented by Shakespeare and his School, and the austere +restraints imposed by the canons of the classical drama. Assuming that a +drama should be 'a just and lively image of human nature, representing +its passions and humours, and the changes of fortune to which it is +subject, for the delight and instruction of mankind,' it is shown that +this end can only be attained in a drama founded on such a compromise; +that the ancient and modern classical drama fails in nature; that the +Shakespearian drama fails in art. At the conclusion of the essay he +vindicates the employment of rhyme, a contention which he afterwards +abandoned. The dramatic setting of the essay was no doubt suggested by +the Platonic _Dialogues_, or by Cicero, and the essay itself may have +been suggested by Flecknoe's short _Discourse of the English Stage_, +published in 1664. + +The _Essay of Dramatic Poesy_ may be said to make an era in the history +of English criticism, and to mark an era in the history of English prose +composition. It was incomparably the best purely critical treatise which +had hitherto appeared in our language, both synthetically in its +definition and application of principles, and particularly in its lucid, +exact, and purely discriminating analysis. It was also the most striking +and successful illustration of what may be called the new prose style, or +that style which, initiated by Hobbes and developed by Sprat, Cowley, and +Denham[1] blended the ease and plasticity of colloquy with the solidity +and dignity of rhetoric, of that style in which Dryden was soon to become +a consummate master. + +The _Advice to a Young Reviewer_ brings us into a very different sphere +of criticism, and has indeed a direct application to our own time. It was +written by Edward Copleston, afterwards Dean of St. Paul's and Bishop of +Llandaff. Born in February 1776 at Offwell, in Devonshire, Copleston +gained in his sixteenth year a scholarship at Corpus Christi College, +Oxford. After carrying off the prize for Latin verse, he was elected in +1795 Fellow of Oriel. In 1800, having been ordained priest, he became +Vicar of St. Mary's. In 1802 he was elected Professor of Poetry, in which +capacity he delivered the lectures subsequently published under the title +of _Praelectiones Academicae_--a favourite book of Cardinal Newman's. In +1814 he succeeded Dr. Eveleigh as Provost of Oriel. In 1826 he was made +Dean of Chester, in 1828 Bishop of Llandaff and Dean of St. Paul's. He +died at Llandaff, on October 14th, 1849. Copleston is one of the fathers +of modern Oxford, and from his provostship date many of the reforms which +transformed the University of Gibbon and Southey into the University of +Whateley, of Newman, of Keble, and of Pusey. The brochure which is +printed here was written when Copleston was Fellow and Tutor of Oriel. It +was immediately inspired, not, as is commonly supposed, by the critiques +in the _Edinburgh Review_, but by the critiques in the _British Critic_, +a periodical founded in 1793, and exceedingly influential between that +time and about 1812. Archbishop Whateley, correcting a statement in the +_Life_ of Copleston by W.J. Copleston, says that it was occasioned by a +review of Mant's poems in the _British Critic_[2]. But on referring to +the review of these poems, which appeared in the November number of 1806, +plainly the review referred to, we find nothing in it to support +Whateley's assertion. That the reviews in the _British Critic_ are, +however, what Copleston is parodying in the critique of _L'Allegro_ is +abundantly clear, but what he says about voyages and travels and about +science and recondite learning appear to have reference to articles +particularly characteristic of the _Edinburgh Review_. It was not, +however, till after the date of Copleston's parody that the _Edinburgh +Review_ began conspicuously to illustrate what Copleston here satirises; +it was not till a time more recent still that periodical literature +generally exemplified in literal seriousness what Copleston intended as +extravagant irony. It is interesting to compare with Copleston's remarks +what Thackeray says on the same subjects in the twenty-fourth chapter of +_Pendennis_, entitled 'The Pall Mall Gazette.' This brochure is evidently +modelled on Swift's 'Digression Concerning Critics' in the third section +of the _Tale of a Tub_, and owes something also to the _Treatise on the +Bathos_ in Pope's and Swift's _Miscellanies_, as the title may have been +suggested by Shaftesbury's _Advice to an Author_. The _Advice_ itself and +the supplementary critique of Milton are clever and have good points, but +they will not bear comparison with the satire of Swift and Pope. + +The excerpt which comes next in this Miscellany links with the name of +the author of the _Essay of Dramatic Poesy_ the name of the most +illustrious of his contemporaries. The difference, indeed, between Milton +and Dryden is a difference not in degree merely, but in kind, so +immeasurably distant and alien is the sphere in which they moved and +worked both as men and as writers. It has sometimes been questioned +whether Dryden is a poet. Few would dispute that Milton divides with +Shakespeare the supremacy in English poetry. In Dryden as a man there is +little to attract or interest us. In character and in private life he +appears to have been perfectly commonplace. We close his biography, and +our curiosity is satisfied. With Milton it is far otherwise. We feel +instinctively that he belongs to the demi-gods of our race. We have the +same curiosity about him as we have about Homer, Aeschylus, and +Shakespeare, so that the merest trifles which throw any light on his +personality assume an interest altogether out of proportion to their +intrinsic importance. Our debt to Ellwood is, it must be admitted, much +less than it might have been, if he had thought a little more of Milton +and a little less of his somewhat stupid self and the sect to which he +belonged. But, as the proverb says, we must not look a gift-horse in the +mouth, and we are the richer for the Quaker's reminiscences. With +Ellwood's work, the _History of Thomas Ellwood, written by Himself_, we +are only concerned so far as it bears on his relation with Milton. Born +in 1639, the son of a small squire and justice of the peace at Crowell in +Oxfordshire, Ellwood had, in 1659, been persuaded by Edward Burrough, one +of the most distinguished of Fox's followers, to join the Quakers. He was +in his twenty-fourth year when he first met Milton. Milton was then living +in Jewin Street, having removed from his former lodging in Holborn, most +probably in the autumn of 1661. The restoration had terminated his work +as a controversialist and politician. For a short time his life had been +in peril, but he had received a pardon, and could at least live in peace. +He could no longer be of service as a patriot, and was now occupied with +the composition of _Paradise Lost_. Since 1650 he had been blind, and for +study and recreation was dependent on assistance. Having little domestic +comfort as a widower, he had just married his third wife. + +Ellwood's narrative tells its own story. What especially strikes us in +it, and what makes it particularly interesting, is that it presents +Milton in a light in which he is not presented elsewhere. Ellwood seems +to have had the same attraction for him as Bonstetten had for Gray. No +doubt the simplicity, freshness, and enthusiasm of the young Quaker +touched and interested the lonely and world-wearied poet who, when +Ellwood first met him, had entered on his fifty-fifth year; he had no +doubt, too, the scholar's sympathy with a disinterested love of learning. +In any case, but for Ellwood, we should never have known the softer side +of Milton's character, never have known of what gentleness, patience, and +courtesy he was capable. And, indeed, when we remember Milton's position +at this time, as tragical as that of Demosthenes after Chaeronea, and of +Dante at the Court of Verona, there is something inexpressibly touching +in the picture here given with so much simplicity and with such evident +unconsciousness on the part of the painter of the effect produced. There +is one passage which is quite delicious, and yet its point may be, as it +commonly is, easily missed. It illustrates the density of Ellwood's +stupidity, and the delicate irony of the sadly courteous poet. Milton had +lent him, it will be seen, the manuscript of _Paradise Lost_; and on +Ellwood returning it to him, 'he asked me how I liked it, and what I +thought of it, which I modestly but freely told him, and after some +further discourse about it I pleasantly said to him, "Thou has said much +here of Paradise Lost, but what has thou to say of Paradise Found?"' Now +the whole point and scope of Paradise Lost is Paradise Found--the +redemption--the substitution of a spiritual Eden within man for a +physical Eden without man, a point emphasised in the invocation, and +elaborately worked out in the closing vision from the Specular Mount. It +is easy to understand the significance of what follows: 'He made me no +answer, but sat sometime in a muse; then broke off that discourse, and +fell upon another subject.' The result no doubt of that 'muse' was the +suspicion, or, perhaps, the conviction, that the rest of the world would, +in all probability, be as obtuse as Ellwood; and to that suspicion or +conviction we appear to owe _Paradise Regained_. The Plague over, Milton +returned to London, settling in Artillery Walk, Bunhill Fields. 'And when +afterwards I went to wait on him there ... he shewed me his second poem, +called _Paradise Regained_, and in a pleasant tone said to me, "This is +owing to you, for you put it into my head by the question you put to me +at Chalfont, which before I had not thought of."' In 'the pleasant tone' +more, and much more, is implied, of that we may be very sure, than meets +the ear. We should like to have seen the expression on Milton's face both +on this occasion and also when, on Dryden requesting his permission to +turn _Paradise Lost_ into an opera, he replied; 'Oh, certainly, you may +tug my verses if you please, Mr. Dryden.' It may be added that _Paradise +Lost_ was not published till 1667, and _Paradise Regained_ did not see +the light till 1671. Ellwood seems to imply that _Paradise Regained_ was +composed between the end of August or the beginning of September 1665, +and the end of the autumn of the same year, which is, of course, +incredible and quite at variance with what Phillips tells us. Ellwood is, +no doubt, expressing himself loosely, and his 'afterwards' need not +necessarily relate to his first, or to his second, or even to his third +visit to Milton after the poet's return to Artillery Walk, but refers +vaguely to one of those 'occasions which drew him to London.' When he +last saw Milton we have no means of knowing. He never refers to him +again. His autobiography closes with the year 1683. + +For the rest of his life Ellwood was engaged for the most part in +fighting the battles of the Quakers-esoterically in endeavouring to +compose their internal feuds, exoterically in defending them and their +tenets against their common enemies--and in writing poetry, which it is +to be hoped he did not communicate to his 'master.' After the death of +his father in 1684 he lived in retirement at Amersham. His most important +literary service was his edition of George Fox's _Journal_, the manuscript +of which he transcribed and published. He died at his house on Hunger +Hill, Amersham, in March 1714, and lies with Penn in the Quaker's +burying-ground at New Jordan, Chalfont St. Giles. + +We have now arrived at the pamphlets in our Miscellany bearing on the +reign of Queen Anne. First come the Partridge tracts. The history of the +inimitable hoax of which they are the record is full of interest. In +November 1707 Swift, then Vicar of Laracor, came over to England on a +commission from Archbishop King. His two satires, the _Battle of the +Books_ and the _Tale of a Tub_, published anonymously three years before, +had given him a foremost place among the wits, for their authorship was an +open secret. Though he was at this time principally engaged in the cause +of the Established Church, in active opposition to what he considered the +lax latitudinarianism of the Whigs on the one hand and the attacks of the +Freethinkers on the other, he found leisure for doing society another +service. Nothing was more detestable to Swift than charlatanry and +imposture. From time immemorial the commonest form which quackery has +assumed has been associated with astrology and prophecy. It was the +frequent theme or satire in the New Comedy of the Greeks and in the +Comedy of Rome; it has fallen under the lash of Horace and Juvenal; +nowhere is Lucian more amusing than when dealing with this species of +roguery. Chaucer with exquisite humour exposed it and its kindred alchemy +in the fourteenth century, and Ben Jonson and the author of _Albumazar_ in +the seventeenth. Nothing in _Hudibras_ is more rich in wit and humour than +the exposure of Sidrophel, and one of the best of Dryden's comedies is the +_Mock Astrologer_. But it was reserved for Swift to produce the most +amusing satire which has ever gibbeted these mischievous mountebanks. + +John Partridge, whose real name is said to have been Hewson, was born on +the 18th of January 1644. He began life, it appears, as a shoemaker; but +being a youth of some abilities and ambition, had acquired a fair +knowledge of Latin and a smattering of Greek and Hebrew. He had then +betaken himself to the study of astrology and of the occult sciences. +After publishing the _Nativity of Lewis XIV._ and an astrological essay +entitled _Prodromus_, he set up in 1680 a regular prophetic almanac, +under the title of _Merlinus Liberatus_. A Protestant alarmist, for such +he affected to be, was not likely to find favour under the government of +James II., and Partridge accordingly made his way to Holland. On his +return he resumed his Almanac, the character of which is exactly +described in the introduction to the _Predictions_, and it appears to +have had a wide sale. Partridge, however, was not the only impostor of +his kind, but had, as we gather from notices in his Almanac and from his +other pamphlets, many rivals. He was accordingly obliged to resort to +every method of bringing himself and his Almanac into prominence, which +he did by extensive and impudent advertisements in the newspapers and +elsewhere. In his Almanac for 1707 he issues a notice warning the public +against impostors usurping his name. It was this which probably attracted +Swift's attention and suggested his mischievous hoax. + +The pamphlets tell their own tale, and it is not necessary to tell it +here. The name, Isaac Bickerstaff, which has in sound the curious +propriety so characteristic of Dickens's names, was, like so many of the +names in Dickens, suggested by a name on a sign-board, the name of a +locksmith in Long Acre. The second tract, purporting to be written by a +revenue officer, and giving an account of Partridge's death, was, of +course, from the pen of Swift. The verses on Partridge's death appeared +anonymously on a separate sheet as a broadside. It is amusing to learn +that the tract announcing Partridge's death, and the approaching death of +the Duke of Noailles, was taken quite seriously, for Partridge's name was +struck off the rolls of Stationers' Hall, and the Inquisition in Portugal +ordered the tract containing the treasonable prediction to be burned. As +Stationers' Hall had assumed that Partridge was dead--a serious matter +for the prospects of his Almanac--it became necessary for him to +vindicate his title to being a living person. Whether the next tract, +_Squire Bickerstaff Detected_, was, as Scott asserts, the result of an +appeal to Rowe or Yalden by Partridge, and they, under the pretence of +assisting him, treacherously making a fool of him, or an independent +_j'eu d'esprit_, is not quite clear. Nor is it easy to settle with any +certainty the authorship. In the Dublin edition of Swift's works, it is +attributed to Nicholas Rowe; Scott assigns it to Thomas Yalden, the +preacher of Bridewell and a well-known poet. Congreve is also said to +have had a hand in it. It would have been well for Partridge had he +allowed matters to rest here, but unhappily he inserted in the November +issue of his Almanac another solemn assurance to the public that he was +still alive; and was fool enough to add, that he was not only alive at +the time he was writing, but was also alive on the day on which +Bickerstaff had asserted that he was dead. Swift saw his opportunity, and +in the most amusing of this series of tracts proceeded to prove that +Partridge, under whatever delusions as to his continued existence he +might be labouring, was most certainly dead and buried. + +The tracts here printed by no means exhaust the literature of the +Partridge hoax, but nothing else which appeared is worth reviving. It is +surprising that Scott should include in Swift's works a vapid and +pointless contribution attributed to a 'Person of Quality.' The effect of +all this on poor Partridge was most disastrous; for three years his +Almanac was discontinued. When it was revived, in 1714, he had discovered +that his enemy was Swift. What comments he made will be found at the end +of these tracts. Partridge did not long survive the resuscitation of his +Almanac. What had been fiction became fact on June 24th, 1715, and his +virtues and accomplishments, delineated by a hand more friendly than +Swift's, were long decipherable, in most respectable Latin, on his tomb +in Mortlake Churchyard. + +The Partridge hoax has left a permanent trace in our classical +literature. When, in the spring of 1709, Steele was about to start the +_Tatler_, he thought he could best secure the ear of the public by +adopting the name with which Englishmen were then as familiar as a +century and a half afterwards they became with the name of Pickwick. It +was under the title of the _Lucubrations of Isaac Bickerstaff_ that the +essays which initiated the most attractive and popular form of our +periodical literature appeared. + +The next tract, Gay's _Present State of Wit_, takes up the history of our +popular literature during the period which immediately succeeded the +discomfiture of poor Partridge. Its author, John Gay, who is, as we need +scarcely add, one of the most eminent of the minor poets of the Augustan +age, was at the time of its appearance almost entirely unknown. Born in +September 1685, at Barnstaple, of a respectable but decayed family, he +had received a good education at the free grammar school of that place. +On leaving school he had been apprenticed to a silk mercer in London. But +he had polite tastes, and employed his leisure time in scribbling verses +and in frequenting with his friend, Aaron Hill, the literary +coffee-houses. In 1708 he published a vapid and stupid parody, suggested +by John Philip's _Splendid Shilling_ and _Cider_, entitled _Wine_. His +next performance was the tract which is here printed, and which is dated +May 3rd, 1711. It is written with skill and sprightliness, and certainly +shows a very exact and extensive acquaintance with the journalistic world +of those times. And it is this which gives it its value. The best and most +useful form, perhaps, which our remarks on it can take will be to furnish +it with a running commentary explaining its allusions both to +publications and to persons. It begins with a reference to the unhappy +plight of Dr. King. This was Dr. William King, who is not to be +confounded with his contemporaries and namesakes, the Archbishop of +Dublin or the Principal of St. Mary Hall, Oxford, but who may be best, +perhaps, described as the Dr. William King 'who could write verses in a +tavern three hours after he could not speak.' He had long been a +prominent figure among wits and humorists. His most important recent +performances had been his _Art of Cookery_ and his _Art of Love_, +published respectively in 1708 and in 1709. In the latter year he had, +much to the disgust of Sir John Soames, issued some very amusing parodies +of the _Philosophical Transactions_, which he entitled _Useful +Transactions in Philosophy and other sorts of Learning_, to be continued +as long as it could find buyers. It ceased apparently to find buyers, and +after reaching three numbers had collapsed. When the _Examiner_ was +started in August 1710, King was one of the chief contributors. Latterly, +however, things had been going very badly with this 'poor starving wit,' +as Swift called him. He was either imprisoned or on the point of being +imprisoned in the Fleet, but death freed him from his troubles at the end +of 1712. John Ozell was, perhaps, the most ridiculous of the scribblers +then before the public, maturing steadily for the _Dunciad_, where, many +years afterwards, he found his proper place. He rarely aspired beyond +'translations,' and the _Monthly Amusement_ referred to is not, as might +be supposed, a periodical, but simply his frequent appearances as a +translator. Gay next passes to periodicals and newspapers. De Foe is +treated as he was always treated by the wits. Pope's lines are well +known, and the only reference to him in Swift is: 'The fellow who was +pilloried--I forget his name.' Posterity has done him more justice. The +'poor _Review_' is of course the _Weekly Review_, started by De Foe in +1704, the first number of which appeared on Saturday, February 19th of +that year. It had been continued weekly, and still continued, till 1712, +extending to nine volumes, eight of which are extant.[3] The +_Observator_, which is also described as in its decline, had been set up +by John Tutchin in imitation of the paper issued by Sir Roger L'Estrange +in 1681, its first number appearing April 1st, 1702. Tutchin, dying in +1707, the paper was continued for the benefit of his widow, under the +management of George Ridpath, the editor of the _Flying Post_, and it +continued to linger on till 1712, when it was extinguished by the Stamp +Tax. The first number of the _Examiner_ appeared on the 3rd of August +1710, and it was set up by the Tories to oppose the _Tatler_, the chief +contributors to it being Dr. King, Bolingbroke, then Henry St. John, +Prior, Atterbury, and Dr. Freind. With No. 14 (Thursday, October 26th, +1710), Swift assumed the management, and writing thirty-two papers +successively, made it the most influential political journal in the +kingdom. The 'Letter to Crassus' appeared on February 1st, 1711, and was +written by Swift. To oppose the _Examiner_, the Whigs set up what, after +the second number, they called the _Whig Examiner_, the first number of +which appeared on September 14th, 1710. It was continued weekly till +October 12th, five numbers appearing, all of which were, with one +exception, perhaps, written by Addison, so that Gay's conjecture--if +Bickerstaff may be extended to include Addison--was correct. The +_Medley_, to which Gay next passes, was another Whig organ. The first +number appeared on August 5th, 1710, and it was continued weekly till +August 6th, 1711. It was conducted by Arthur Mainwaring, a man of family +and fortune, and an ardent Whig, with the assistance of Steele, Anthony +Henley, and Oldmixon. + +With the reference to the _Tatler_, we pass from obscurity into daylight. +Since April 12th, 1709, that delightful periodical had regularly appeared +three times a week. With the two hundredth and seventy-first number on +January 2nd, 1711, it suddenly ceased. Of the great surprise and +disappointment caused by its cessation, of the causes assigned for it, +and of the high appreciation of all it had effected for moral and +intellectual improvement and pleasure, Gay gives a vivid picture. What he +says conjecturally about the reasons for its discontinuance is so near the +truth that we may suspect he had had some light on the subject from Steele +himself. It was, of course, from the preface to the edition of the first +three volumes of the collected _Tatlers_, published in 1710, that Gay +derived what he says about the contributions of Addison (though Steele +had not mentioned him by name, in accordance, no doubt, with Addison's +request) and about the verses of Swift. In all probability this was the +first public association of Addison's name with the _Tatler_. The Mr. +Henley referred to was Anthony Henley, a man of family and fortune, and +one of the most distinguished of the wits of that age, to whom Garth +dedicated _The Dispensary_. In politics he was a rabid Whig, and it was +he who described Swift as 'a beast for ever after the order of +Melchisedec.' Gay had not been misinformed, for Henley was the author of +the first letter in No. 26 and of the letter in No. 193, under the +character of Downes. + +The cessation of the _Tatler_ had been the signal for the appearance of +several spurious papers purporting to be new numbers. One entitling +itself No. 272 was published by one John Baker; another, purporting to be +No. 273, was by 'Isaac Bickerstaff, Junior.' Then, on January 6th, +appeared what purported to be Nos. 272 and 273 of the original issue, +with a letter from Charles Lillie, one of the publishers of the original +_Tatler_. Later in January, William Harrison, a _protégé_ of Swift, a +young man whose name will be familiar to all who are acquainted with +Swift's _Journal to Stella_, was encouraged by Swift to start a new +_Tatler_, Swift liberally assisting him with notes, and not only +contributing himself but inducing Congreve also to contribute a paper. +And this new _Tatler_ actually ran to fifty-two numbers, appearing twice +a week between January 13th and May 19th, 1711, but, feeble from the +first, it then collapsed. Nor had the _Tatler_ been without rivals. In +the two hundred and twenty-ninth number of the _Tatler_, Addison, +enumerating his antagonists, says, 'I was threatened to be answered +weekly _Tit for Tat_, I was undermined by the _Whisperer_, scolded at by +a _Female Tatler_, and slandered by another of the same character under +the title of _Atalantis_.' To confine ourselves, however, to the +publications mentioned by Gay. The _Growler_ appeared on the 27th of +January 1711, on the discontinuance of the _Tatler_. The _Whisperer_ was +first published on October 11th, 1709, under the character of 'Mrs. Jenny +Distaff, half-sister to Isaac Bickerstaff.' The _Tell Tale_ appears to be +a facetious title for the _Female Tatler_, the first number of which +appeared on July 8th, 1709, and was continued for a hundred and eleven +numbers, under the editorship of Thomas Baker, till March 3rd, 1710. The +allusion in the postscript to the _British Apollo_ is to a paper entitled +_The British Apollo: or Curious Amusements for the Ingenious_, the first +number of which appeared on Friday, March 13th, 1708, the paper regularly +continuing on Wednesdays and Fridays till March 16th, 1711. Selections +from this curious miscellany were afterwards printed in three volumes, +and ran into three editions. Gay does not appear to be aware that this +periodical had ceased. The reference in 'the two statesmen of the last +reign whose characters are well expressed in their mottoes' are to Lord +Somers and the Earl of Halifax, as what follows refers respectively to +Addison and Steele. The tract closes with a reference to the _Spectator_, +the first number of which had appeared on the first of the preceding March. + +Gay's brochure attracted the attention of Swift, who thus refers to it in +his _Journal to Stella_, May 14th, 1711: 'Dr. Freind was with me and +pulled out a two-penny pamphlet just published called _The State of Wit_. +The author seems to be a Whig, yet he speaks very highly of a paper called +the _Examiner_, and says the supposed author of it is Dr. Swift, but above +all he praises the _Tatler_ and _Spectator_.' + +The two tracts which follow consist of the Life of Addison, which forms +the preface to Addison's collected works, published by Tickell in 1721, +and of the Dedicatory Epistle prefixed by Steele to an edition of +Addison's _Drummer_ in 1722. To the student of the literary history of +those times they are of great interest and importance. Of all Addison's +friends, Steele had long been the most intimate of the younger men whom +he had taken under his patronage. Tickell was the most loyal and the most +attached. While still at Oxford he had expressed his admiration of Addison +in extravagant terms: on arriving in London he made his acquaintance. +Tickell was an accomplished poet and man of letters, and though not a +profound a graceful scholar. Addison was pleased with a homage which was +worth accepting. As he rose, his _protégé_ rose with him. On his +appointment as Chief Secretary in Ireland he took Tickell with him. When +he was appointed Secretary of State he chose him as Under Secretary, and +shortly before his death made him his literary executor, instructing him +to collect his writings in a final and authentic edition. This, for +reasons which will be explained directly, was a task of no small +difficulty, but to this task Tickell loyally addressed himself. In the +spring of 1721 appeared, in four sumptuous quartos, the collected edition +of Addison's works. It was prefaced by the biography which is here +reprinted, and to the biography was appended that noble and pathetic +elegy which will make Tickell's name as immortal as Addison's. + +There can be very little doubt that Steele had been greatly distressed +and hurt by the rupture of the friendship which had so long existed +between himself and Addison, but that Tickell should have taken his place +in Addison's affections must have been inexpressibly galling to him. +Naturally irritated, his irritation had no doubt been intensified by +Addison appointing Tickell Under Secretary of State, and still more by +his making him his literary executor--offices which Steel might naturally +have expected, had all gone well, to fill himself. It would not have been +in human nature that he could regard Tickell with any other feelings than +hostility and jealousy. Tickell's omission of the _Drummer_ from Addison's +works was, in all probability--such at least is the impression which the +letter makes on me--a mere pretext for the gratification of personal +spite. There is nothing to justify the interpretation which he puts on +Tickell's words. All that Steele here says about Addison he had said +publicly and quite as emphatically before, as Tickell had recorded. As +Steele had, in Tickell's own words, given to Addison 'the honour of the +most applauded pieces,' it is absurd to accuse Tickell of insinuating +that Addison wished his papers to be marked because he was afraid Steele +would assume the credit of these pieces. In one important particular he +flatly contradicts himself. At the beginning he asks 'whether it was a +decent and reasonable thing that works written, as a great part of Mr. +Addison's were, in correspondence with me, ought to have been published +without my review of the catalogue of them.' Three pages afterward, it +appears that, in compliance with the request of Addison delivered to him +by Tickell, he did mark with his own hand those _Tatlers_ which were +inserted in Addison's works--a statement of Tickell's, but a statement to +which Steele takes no exception. So far from attempting to disparage +Steele, Tickell does ample justice to him; and to accuse him of +insensibility to Addison's virtues, and of cold indifference to him +personally, is a charge refuted not only by all we know of Tickell, but +by every page in the tract itself. Many of the objections which he makes +to Tickell's remarks are too absurd to discuss. From nothing indeed which +Tickell says, but from one of Steele's own admissions, it is impossible +not to draw a conclusion very derogatory to Steele's honesty, and to make +us suspect that his sensitiveness was caused by his own uneasy conscience: +'What I never did declare was Mr. Addison's I had his direct injunctions +to hide.' This certainly seems to imply that Steele had allowed himself +to be credited with what really belonged to his friend. A month after +Addison's death he had written in great alarm to Tonson, on hearing that +it had been proposed to separate Addison's papers in the _Tatler_ from +his own. He bases his objection, it is true, on the pecuniary injury +which he and his family would suffer, but this is plainly mere +subterfuge. The truth probably is, that Steele wished to leave as +undefined as possible what belonged to Addison and what belonged to +himself; that he was greatly annoyed when he found that their respective +shares were by Addison's own, or at least his alleged, request to be +defined; that in his assignation of the papers he had not been quite +honest; and that, knowing this, he suspected that Tickell knew it too. +There is nothing to support Steele's assertion that it was at his +instigation that Addison distinguished his contributions to the +_Spectator_ and the _Guardian_. Addison, as his last injunctions showed, +must have contemplated a collective edition of his works, and must have +desired therefore that they should be identified. Steele's ambition, no +doubt, was that he and his friend should go down to posterity together, +but the appointment of Tickell instead of himself as Addison's literary +executor dashed this hope to the ground. + +Few things in literary biography are more pathetic than the estrangement +between Addison and Steele. They had played as boys together; they had, +for nearly a quarter of a century, shared each other's burdens, and the +burdens had not been light; in misfortune and in prosperity, in business +and in pleasure, they had never been parted. The wisdom and prudence of +Addison had more than once been the salvation of Steele; what he knew of +books and learning had been almost entirely derived from Addison's +conversation; what moral virtue he had, from Addison's influence. And he +had repaid this with an admiration and affection which bordered on +idolatry. A more generous and genial, a more kindly, a more warm-hearted +man than Steele never lived, and it is easy to conceive what his feelings +must have been when he found his friend estranged from him and a rival in +his place. There is much to excuse what this letter to Congreve plainly +betrays; but excuse is not justification. Tickell had a delicate and +difficult task to perform: a duty to his dead friend, which was +paramount, a duty to Steele, and a duty to himself, and he succeeded in +performing each with admirable tact. Whether Tickell ever made any reply +to Steele's strictures, I have not been able to discover. + +We pass now from the literary pamphlets to the extract and excerpts +illustrating the condition of the Church and the clergy at the end of the +seventeenth and about the first half of the eighteenth century. They are +of particular interest, not only in themselves, but in their relation to +Swift and Macaulay--to Swift as a Church reformer, to Macaulay as a +social historian. Few historical questions in our own time provoked more +controversy than the famous pages delineating the clergy who, according +to Macaulay, were typical of their order about the time of the +Restoration. The first excerpt is from Chamberlayne's _Angliae Notitia_. +The author of that work, Edward Chamberlayne, was born on the 13th of +December 1616. He was educated at Oxford, where he graduated as B.A. in +April 1638. For a short time he was Reader in Rhetoric to the University, +but on the breaking out of the Civil War he left for the Continent, where +he visited nearly every country in Europe. At the Restoration he +returned; and about 1675, after having been secretary to the Earl of +Carlisle, he became tutor to the King's natural son, Henry Fitzroy, +afterwards Duke of Grafton, and subsequently instructor in English to +Prince George of Denmark. He was also one of the earliest Fellows of the +Royal Society. He died at Chelsea in May 1703. In 1669 he published +anonymously _Angliae Notitia, or the Present State of England with Divers +Reflection upon the Ancient State therefor_, a work no doubt suggested by +and apparently modelled on the well-known _L'Estat Nouveau de la France_. +The work contains more statistics than reflections, and is exactly what +its title implies--a succinct account of England, beginning with its +name, its climate, its topography, and giving information, now +invaluable, about everything included in its constitution and in its +economy. The extract printed here is, as is indicated, from pp. 383-389 +and p. 401. The work passed through two editions in the year of its +appearance, the second bearing the author's name, and at the time of +Chamberlayne's death it had, with successive amplifications, reached its +twentieth edition. + +Of a very different order to Chamberlayne's work is the remarkable tract +which follows. The author, John Eachard, was born about 1636, at what +date is doubtful, but he was admitted into Catherine Hall, Cambridge, in +May 1653. Becoming Fellow of the Hall in 1658, he was chosen, on the +death of Dr. Lightfoot, Master. His perfectly uneventful life closed on +the 7th of July 1697. Personally he was a facetious and agreeable man, +and had the reputation of being rather a wit and humorist than a divine +and scholar. Baker complained of his inferiority as a preacher; and +Swift, observing 'that men who are happy enough at ridicule are +sometimes perfectly stupid upon grave subjects,' gives Eachard as an +instance. _The Grounds and Occasions of the Contempt of the Clergy and +Religion enquired into, In a letter written to R.L._, appeared +anonymously in 1670. This anonymity Eachard carefully preserved during +the controversies which it occasioned. It is difficult to understand how +any one after reading the preface could have misunderstood the purpose of +the book. But Eachard's fate was Swift's fate afterwards, though there was +more excuse for the High Church party missing the point of the _Tale of a +Tub_ than for the clergy generally missing that of Eachard's plea for +them. Ridicule is always a dangerous ally, especially when directed +against an institution or community, for men naturally identify +themselves with the body of which they are members, and resent as +individuals what reflects on them collectively. When one of the opponents +of Barnabus Oley in his preface to Herbert's _Country Parson_ observed: +'The pretence of your book was to _show_ the occasions, your book is +_become_ the occasion of the contempt of God's ministers,' he expressed +what the majority of the clergy felt. The storm burst at once, and the +storm raged for months. 'I have had,' wrote Eachard in one of his many +rejoinders, 'as many several names as the Grand Seignior has titles of +honour; for setting aside the vulgar and familiar ones of Rogue, Rascal, +Dog, and Thief (which may be taken by way of endearment as well as out of +prejudice and offence), as also those of more certain signification, as +Malicious Rogue, Ill-Natured Rascal, Lay Dog, and Spiteful Thief.' He had +also, he said, been called Rebel, Traitor, Scot, Sadducee, and Socinian. +Among the most elaborate replies to his work were: _An Answer to a Letter +of Enquiry into the Ground, _etc.. 1671; _A Vindication of the Clergy from +the Contempt imposed upon them, By the author of the Grounds_ etc., 1672; +_Hieragonisticon, or Corah's Doom, being an Answer to_, etc., 1672; _An +Answer to two Letters of T.B._, etc., 1673. The occasional references to +it in the theological literature of these times are indeed innumerable. +Many affected to treat him as a mere buffoon--the concoctor, as one +bitterly put it, of 'a pretty fardle of tales bundled together, and they +have had the hap to fall into such hands as had rather lose a friend, not +to say their country, than a jest.' Anthony Wood, writing at the time of +its appearance, classes it with 'the fooleries, playes, poems, and +drolling books,' with which, as he bitterly complains, people were 'taken +with' coupling with it Marvell's _Rehearsal Transposed_ and Butler's +_Hudibras_.[4] + +To some of his opponents Eachard replied. Of his method of conducting +controversy, in which it is clear that he perfectly revelled, I +give a short specimen. It is from his letter to the author of +_Hieragonisticon_:-- + +'You may possibly think, sir, that I have read your book, but if you do +you are most mistaken. For as long as I can get Tolambu's _History of +Mustard_, Frederigo _Devastation of Pepper, The Dragon_, with cuts, +Mandringo's _Pismires rebuffeted_ and _retro-confounded, Is qui me +dubitat, or a flap against the Maggot of Heresie, Efflorescentina +Flosculorum_, or a choice collection of F. (_sic_) Withers _Poems_ or the +like, I do not intend to meddle with it. Alas, sir, I am as unlikely to +read your book that I can't get down the title no more than a duck can +swallow a yoked heifer'--and then follows an imitation of gulps straining +at the divided syllables of Hieragonisticon. + +There is no reason to suspect the sincerity of Eachard, or to doubt that +he was, in his own words, an honest and hearty wisher that 'the best of +the clergy might for ever continue, as they are, rich and learned, and +that the rest might be very useful and well esteemed in their +profession.' To describe the work as 'a series of jocose caricatures--as +Churchill Babington in his animadversions on Macaulay's _History_ +does--is absurd. Eachard was evidently a man of strong common sense, of +much shrewdness, a close observer, and one who had acquainted himself +exactly and extensively with the subject which he treats. But he was a +humorist, and, like Swift, sometimes gave the reins to his humour. It +must be remembered that his remarks apply only to the inferior clergy, +and there can be no doubt that since the Reformation they had, as a body, +sunk very low. Chamberlayne had no motive for exaggeration, but the +language he uses in describing them is stronger even than Eachard's. +Swift had no motive for exaggeration, and yet his pictures of Corusodes +and Eugenio in his _Essay on the Fates of Clergymen_, and what we gather +from his _Project for the Advancement of Religion_, his _Letter to a +Young Clergyman_, and what may be gathered generally from his writings, +very exactly corroborate Eachard's account. The lighter literature of the +later seventeenth and of the first half of the eighteenth century teems +with proofs of the contempt to which their ignorance and poverty exposed +them. To the testimonies of Oldham and Steele, and to the authorities +quoted by Macaulay and Mr. Lecky, may be added innumerable passages from +the _Observator_, from De Foe's _Review_, from Pepys,[5] from Baxter's +_Life_ of himself, from Archbishop Sharp's _Life_, from Burnet, and many +others. + +It is remarkable that Eachard says nothing about two causes which +undoubtedly contributed to degrade the Church in the eyes of the laity: +its close association with party politics, and the spread of +latitudinarianism, a conspicuous epoch in which was marked some +twenty-six years later in the Bangorian controversy. + +The appearance of the first volume of Macaulay's _History_ in 1848 again +brought Eachard's work into prominence. Macaulay's famous description of +the clergy of the seventeenth century in his third chapter was based +mainly on Eachard's account. The clergy and orthodox laity of our own day +were as angry with Eachard's interpreter as their predecessors, nearly two +centuries before, had been with Eachard himself. The controversy began +seriously, after some preliminary skirmishing in the newspapers and +lighter reviews, with Mr. Churchill Babington's _Mr. Macaulay's +Characters of the Clergy in the Latter Part of the Seventeenth Century +Considered_, published shortly after the appearance of the _History_. +What Mr. Babington and those whom he represented forgot was precisely +what Eachard's opponents had forgotten, that it was not the clergy +universally who had been described, for Macaulay, like Eachard, had +distinguished, but the clergy as represented by its proletariat. + +If Eachard had occasionally given the reins to humour, Macaulay had +occasionally perhaps given them to rhetoric. But of the substantial +accuracy of both there can be no doubt at all. + +On the intelligent, discriminating friends of the Church, Eachard's work +had something of the same effect, as Jeremy Collier's _Short View of the +Profaneness and Immorality of the English Stage_ had in another sphere. +It directed serious attention to what all thoughtful and right-feeling +people must have felt to be a national scandal. It was an appeal to +sentiment and reason on matters with respect to which, in this country at +least, such appeals are seldom made in vain. It did not, indeed, lead +immediately to practical reform, but it advanced the cause of reform by +inspiring and bringing other initiators into the field. And pre-eminent +among these was Swift. Swift was evidently well acquainted with Eachard's +work. In the apology prefixed to the fourth edition of the _Tale of a Tub_ +in 1710, he speaks of Eachard with great respect. Contemptuously +explaining that he has no intention of answering the attacks which had +been made on the _Tale_, he observes: 'When Dr. Eachard wrote his book +about the _Contempt of the Clergy_, numbers of these answerers +immediately started up, whose memory, if he had not kept alive by his +replies, it would now be utterly unknown that he were ever answered at +all.' No one who is familiar with Swift's tracts on Church reform can +doubt that he had read Eachard's work with minute attention, and was +greatly influenced by it. In his _Project for the Advancement of +Religion_, he largely attributed the scandalous immorality everywhere +prevalent to the insufficiency of religious instruction, and to the low +character of the clergy, the result mainly of their ignorance and +poverty. His _Letter to a Young Clergyman_ is little more than a didactic +adaptation of that portion of Eachard's work which deals with the +character and education of the clergy. The _Essay on the Fates of +Clergymen_ is another study from the _Contempt_, while the fragment of +the tract which he had begun, _Concerning that Universal Hatred which +prevails against the Clergy_, brings us still more closely to Eachard. +The likeness between them cannot be traced further; they were both, it is +true, humorists, but there is little in common between the austere and +bitter, yet, at the same time, delicious flavour of the one, and the +trenchant and graphic, but coarse and rollicking, humour of the other. + +The essays reprinted from the _Tatler_ give humorous expression to a +grievance which not only wounded the pride of the clergy, but touched +them on an equally sensitive part--the stomach. It was not usual for the +chaplain in great houses to remain at table for the second course. When +the sweets were brought in, he was expected to retire. As Macaulay puts +it: 'He might fill himself with the corned beef and carrots; but as soon +as the tarts and cheese-cakes made their appearance, he quitted his seat +and stood aloof till he was summoned to return thanks for the repast, +from a great part of which he had been excluded.' Gay refers to this +churlish custom in the second book of _Trivia_:-- + + 'Cheese that the table's closing rites denies. + And bids me with th' unwilling chaplain rise.' + +Possibly the custom originally arose, not from any wish to mark the +social inferiority of the chaplain, but because his presence was a check +on conversation. It must be owned, however, that this would have been +more intelligible had he retired, not with the corned beef and carrots, +but with the ladies. The passage quoted by Steele from Oldham is from his +_Satire, addressed to a Friend that is about to Leave the University and +come Abroad in the World_, not the only poem in which Oldham has thrown +light on the degraded profession of the clergy. See the end of his +_Satire, spoken in the person of Spenser_. + +The last piece in this Miscellany has no connection with what precedes +it, but it has an interest of its own. Among the many services of one of +the purest and most indefatigable of philanthropists to his +fellow-citizens was the establishment of what is commonly known as _Poor +Richard's Almanack_. Of this periodical, and of the particular number of +it which is here reprinted, Franklin gives the following account in his +autobiography:-- + +'In 1732 I first published an Almanack, under the name of _Richard +Saunders_; it was continued by me about twenty-five years, and commonly +called _Poor Richard's Almanack_. I endeavoured to make it both +entertaining and useful, and it accordingly came to be in such demand +that I reaped considerable profit from it, vending annually near ten +thousand. And observing that it was generally read (scarce any +neighbourhood in the province being without it), I considered it as a +proper vehicle for conveying instruction among the common people, who +bought scarcely any other books. I therefore filled all the little spaces +that occurred between the remarkable days in the calendar with proverbial +sentences, chiefly such as inculcated industry and frugality as the means +of procuring wealth and thereby securing virtue, it being more difficult +for a man in want to act always honestly, as, to use here one of these +proverbs, "it is hard for an empty sack to stand upright." These +proverbs, which contained the wisdom of many ages and nations, I +assembled and formed into a connected discourse prefixed to the +_Almanack_ of 1757, as the harangue of a wise old man to the people +attending an auction. The bringing all these scattered counsels thus into +a focus enabled them to make a greater impression. The piece being +universally approved, was copied in all the newspapers of the American +Continent, reprinted in Britain on a large sheet of paper to be stuck up +in houses; two translations were made of it in France, and great numbers +bought by the clergy to distribute gratis among their poor parishioners +and tenants. In Pennsylvania, as it discouraged useless expense in +foreign superfluities, some thought it had its share of influence in +producing that growing plenty of money which was observable for several +years after its publication.'--_Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin_, Part II, +Works Edit. 1833, vol. ii. pp. 146-148. + +Reprinted innumerable times while Franklin was alive, this paper has, +since his death, passed through seventy editions in English, fifty-six In +French, eleven in German, and nine in Italian. It has been translated into +nearly every language in Europe: into French, German, and Italian, as we +have seen; into Spanish, Danish, Swedish, Polish, Bohemian, Dutch, Welsh, +and modern Greek; it has also been translated into Chinese.[6] In the +edition of _Franklin's Works_, printed in London in 1806, it appears +under the title of _The Way to Wealth, as clearly shown in the Preface to +an old Pennsylvanian Almanack, entitled Poor Richard Improved_, and under +this title it was usually printed when detached from the Almanack. + +As Franklin himself owns, the maxims have little pretension to +originality. It is evident that he had laid under contribution such +collections as Clerk's _Adagio Latino-Anglica_, Herbert's _Jacula +Prudentum_, James Howell's collection of proverbs, David Fergtison's +_Scotch Proverbs_ (with the successively increasing editions between 1641 +and 1706), Ray's famous _Collection of English Proverbs_, William Penn's +_Maxims_, and the like. A few are probably original, and many have been +re-minted and owe their form to him. + +The first number of the famous _Almanack_ from which they are extracted +was published at the end of 1732, just after Franklin had set up as a +printer and stationer for himself, its publication being announced in the +_Pennsylvania Gazette_ of December 9th, 1732; and for twenty-five years it +continued regularly to appear, the last number being that for the year +1758, and having for preface the discourse which became so +extraordinarily popular. The name assumed by Franklin was no doubt +borrowed from that of Richard Saunders, a well-known astrologer of the +seventeenth century, of whom there is a notice in the _Dictionary of +National Biography_. But Mr. Leicester Ford[7] says that it was the name +of 'a chyrurgeon' of the eighteenth century who for many years issued a +popular almanac entitled _The Apollo Anglicanus__. Of this publication I +know nothing, and can discover nothing. The probability is that its +compiler, whoever he was, anticipated Franklin in assuming the name of +John Saunders. He is most certainly not to be identified with Saunders +the astrologer, who died in, or not much later than, 1687. + +It remains to add that no pains have been spared to make the texts of the +excerpts and tracts in this Miscellany as accurate as possible--indeed, +Mr. Arber's name is a sufficient guarantee of the efficiency with which +this important part of the work has been done. For the modernisation of +the spelling, which some readers may perhaps be inclined to regret, and +for the punctuation, as well as for the elucidatory notes within +brackets, Mr. Arber is solely responsible. + +J. CHURTON COLLINS. + + +[1] See his Preface to his version of part of Virgil's second _Aeneid_. + +[2] Whateley's _Reminiscences of Bishop Copleston_, p. 6. + +[3] See _Late Stuart Tracts_. + +[4] Wood's _Life and Times_, Clark's Ed. vol. ii. p. 240. + +[5] See, for example, _Diary_, February 16th, 1668: 'Much discourse + about the bad state of the Church, and how the clergy are come to + be men of no worth in the world, and, as the world do now generally + discourse, they must be reformed.' + +[6] For this information I am indebted to Mr. Paul Leicester Ford's + interesting monograph on the sayings of Poor Richard, prefixed to + his selections from the _Almanack_, privately printed at Brooklyn + in 1890. + +[7] Introduction to his selections from the _Almanack_. + + + + +THOMAS WILSON. + + _Eloquence first given by GOD, after lost by man, and last repaired + by GOD again_. + + [_The Art of Rhetoric_.] + + +Man in whom is poured the breath of life, was made at his first being an +everlasting creature, unto the likeness of GOD; endued with reason, and +appointed lord over all other things living. But after the fail of our +first father, sin so crept in that our knowledge was much darkened, and +by corruption of this our flesh, man's reason and entendment +[_intellect_] were both overwhelmed. At what time, GOD being sore grieved +with the folly of one man; pitied, of His mere goodness, the whole state +and posterity of mankind. And therefore whereas through the wicked +suggestion of our ghostly enemy, the joyful fruition of GOD's glory was +altogether lost; it pleased our heavenly Father to repair mankind of his +free mercy and to grant an everlasting inheritance unto such as would by +constant faith seek earnestly thereafter. + +Long it was, ere that man knew; himself being destitute of GOD's grace, +so that all things waxed savage, the earth untilled, society neglected, +GOD's will not known, man against man, one against another, and all +against order. Some lived by spoil, some like brute beasts grazed upon +the ground, some went naked, some roamed like woodwoses [_mad wild men_], +none did anything by reason, but most did what they could by manhood. None +almost considered the everliving GOD; but all lived most commonly after +their own lust. By death, they thought that all things ended; by life, +they looked for none other living. None remembered the true observation +of wedlock, none tendered the education of their children; laws were note +regarded, true dealing was not once used. For virtue, vice bare place; for +right and equity, might used authority. And therefore whereas man through +reason might have used order, man through folly fell into error. And thus +for lack of skill and want of grace, evil so prevailed that the devil was +most esteemed; and GOD either almost unknown among them all or else +nothing feared among so many. Therefore--even now when man was thus past +all hope of amendment--GOD still tendering his own workmanship; stirred +up his faithful and elect, to persuade with reason all men to society; +and gave his appointed ministers knowledge both to see the natures of +men; and also granted to them the gift of utterance, that they might with +ease win folk at their will, and frame them by reason to all good order. + +And therefore whereas men lived brutishly in open fields having neither +house to shroud [_cover_] them in, nor attire to clothe their backs; nor +yet any regard to seek their best avail [_interest_]; these appointed of +GOD, called them together by utterance of speech; and persuaded with them +what was good, what was bad, and what was gainful for mankind. And +although at first the rude could hardly learn, and either for the +strangeness of the thing would not gladly receive the offer or else for +lack of knowledge could not perceive the goodness; yet being somewhat +drawn and delighted with the pleasantness of reason and the sweetness of +utterance, after a certain space, they became through nurture and good +advisement, of wild, sober; of cruel, gentle; of fools, wise; and of +beasts, men. Such force hath the tongue, and such is the power of +Eloquence and Reason that most men are forced, even to yield in that +which most standeth against their will. And therefore the poets do feign +that HERCULES, being a man of great wisdom, had all men linked together +by the ears in a chain, to draw them and lead them even as he listed. For +his wit so great, his tongue so eloquent, and his experience such that no +man was able to withstand his reason; but every one was rather driven to +do that which he would, and to will that which he did; agreeing to his +advice both in word and work, in all that ever they were able. + +Neither can I see that men could have been brought by any other means to +live together in fellowship of life, to maintain cities, to deal truly, +and willingly to obey one another; if men, at the first, had not by art +and eloquence persuaded that which they full oft found out by reason. For +what man, I pray you, being better able to maintain himself by valiant +courage than by living in base subjection, would not rather look to rule +like a lord, than to live like an underling; If by reason he were not +persuaded that it behoveth every man to live in his own vocation, and not +to seek any higher room than that whereunto he was at the first, +appointed? Who would dig and delve from morn till evening? Who would +travail and toil with the sweat of his brows? Yea, who would, for his +King's pleasure, adventure and hazard his life, if wit had not so won men +that they thought nothing more needful in this world nor anything +whereunto they were more bounden than here to live in their duty and to +train their whole life, according to their calling. Therefore whereas men +are in many things weakly by nature, and subject to much infirmity; I +think in this one point they pass all other creatures living, that they +have the gift of speech and reason. + +And among all other, I think him of most worthy fame, and amongst men to +be taken for half a god that therein doth chiefly and above all other +excel men; wherein men do excel beasts. For he that is among the +reasonable of all the most reasonable; and among the witty, of all the +most witty; and among the eloquent, of all the most eloquent: him, think +I, among all men, not only to be taken for a singular man, but rather to +be counted for half a god. For in seeking the excellency hereof, the +sooner he draweth to perfection the nigher he corneth to GOD, who is the +chief Wisdom: and therefore called GOD because He is the most wise, or +rather wisdom itself. + +Now then seeing that GOD giveth heavenly grace unto such as called unto +him with outstretched hands and humble heart; never wanting to those that +want not to themselves; I purpose by His grace and especial assistance, to +set forth such precepts of eloquence, and to show what observation the +wise have used in handling of their matters; that the unlearned by seeing +the practice of others, may have some knowledge themselves; and learn by +their neighbours' device what is necessary for themselves in their own +case. + + + + +Sir PHILIP SIDNEY. + +_Letter to his brother ROBERT, then in Germany, 18 October_ 1580. + +Sir PHILIP SIDNEY to his brother, ROBERT SIDNEY, who was the first Earl +of LEICESTER of that familiar name. + + +My Dear Brother, + +For the money you have received, assure yourself (for it is true) there +is nothing I spend so pleaseth me; as that which is for you. If ever I +have ability, you shall find it so: if not, yet shall not any brother +living be better beloved than you, of me. + +I cannot write now to N. WHITE. Do you excuse me! For his nephew, they +are but passions in my father; which we must bear with reverence: but I +am sorry he should return till he had the circuit of his travel; for you +shall never have such a servant, as he would prove. Use your own +discretion! + +For your countenance, I would (for no cause) have it diminished in +Germany. In Italy, your greatest expense must be upon worthy men, and not +upon householding. Look to your diet, sweet ROBIN! and hold up your heart +in courage and virtue. Truly, great part of my comfort is in you! I know +not myself what I meant by bravery in you; so greatly you may see I +condemn you. Be careful of yourself, and I shall never have cares. + +I have written to Master SAVELL. I wish you kept still together. He is an +excellent man. And there may, if you list, pass good exercises betwixt you +and Master NEVELL. There is great expectation of you both. + +For method of writing history, BODEN hath written at large. You may read +him, and gather out of many words, some matter. + +This I think, in haste. A Story is either to be considered as a Story; or +as a Treatise, which, besides that, addeth many things for profit and +ornament. As a Story, he is nothing, but a narration of things done, with +the beginnings, causes, and appendices thereof. In that kind, your method +must be to have _seriem temporum_ very exactly, which the chronologies of +MELANCTHON, TARCHAGNORA, LANGUET and such others will help you to. + +Then to consider by that... as you note yourself, XENOPHON to follow +THUCYDIDES, so doth THUCYDIDES follow HERODOTUS, and DIODORUS SICULUS +follow XENOPHON. So generally, do the Roman stories follow the Greek; and +the particular stories of the present monarchies follow the Roman. + +In that kind, you have principally to note the examples of virtue and +vice, with their good or evil success; the establishment or rains of +great Estates, with the causes, the time, and circumstances of the laws +then written of; the enterings and endings of wars; and therein, the +stratagems against the enemy, and the discipline upon the soldier. + +And thus much as a very historiographer. + +Besides this, the Historian makes himself a Discourser for profit; and an +Orator, yea, a Poet sometimes, for ornament. An Orator; in making +excellent orations, _è re nata_, which are to be marked, but marked with +the note of rhetorical remembrances: a Poet; in painting for the effects, +the motions, the whisperings of the people, which though in disputation, +one might say were true--yet who will mark them well shall find them +taste of a poetical vein, and in that kind are gallantly to be +marked--for though perchance, they were not so, yet it is enough they +might be so. The last point which tends to teach profit, is of a +Discourser; which name I give to whosoever speaks _non simpliciter de +facto, sed de qualitatibus et circumstantiis facti_: and that is it which +makes me and many others, rather note much with our pen than with our mind. + +Because we leave all these discourses to the confused trust of our +memory; because they be not tied to the tenour of a question: as +Philosophers use sometimes, places; the Divine, in telling his opinion +and reasons in religion; sometimes the Lawyer, in showing the causes and +benefits of laws; sometimes a Natural Philosopher, in setting down the +causes of any strange thing which the Story binds him to speak of; but +most commonly a Moral Philosopher, either in the ethic part, where he +sets forth virtues or vices and the natures of passions; or in the +politic, when he doth (as often he doth) meddle sententiously with +matters of Estate. Again, sometimes he gives precept of war, both +offensive and defensive. And so, lastly, not professing any art as his +matter leads him, he deals with all arts; which--because it carrieth the +life of a lively example--it is wonderful what light it gives to the arts +themselves; so as the great Civilians help themselves with the discourses +of the Historians. So do Soldiers; and even Philosophers and Astronomers. + +But that I wish herein is this, that when you read any such thing, you +straight bring it to his head, not only of what art; but by your logical +subdivisions to the next member and parcel of the art. And so--as in a +table--be it witty words, of which TACITUS is full; sentences, of which +LIVY; or similitudes, whereof PLUTARCH: straight to lay it up in the +right place of his storehouse--as either military, or more specially +defensive military, or more particularly, defensive by fortification--and +so lay it up. So likewise in politic matters. And such a little table you +may easily make wherewith I would have you ever join the historical part; +which is only the example of some stratagem, or good counsel, or such like. + +This write I to you, in great haste, of method, without method: but, with +more leisure and study--if I do not find some book that satisfies--I will +venture to write more largely of it unto you. + +Master SAVELL will, with ease, help you to set down such a table of +remembrance to yourself; and for your sake I perceive he will do much; +and if ever I be able, I will deserve it of him. One only thing, as it +comes into my mind, let me remember you of, that you consider wherein the +Historian excelleth, and that to note: as DION NICAEUS in the searching +the secrets of government; TACITUS, in the pithy opening of the venom of +wickedness; and so of the rest. + +My time--exceedingly short--will suffer me to write no more leisurely. +STEPHEN can tell you who stands with me, while I am writing. + +Now, dear brother! take delight likewise in the mathematicals. Master +SAVELL is excellent in them. I think you understand the sphere. If you +do, I care little for any more astronomy in you. Arithmetic and Geometry, +I would wish you well seen in: so as both in matter of number and measure, +you might have a feeling and active judgment, I would you did bear the +mechanical instruments, wherein the Dutch excel. + +I write this to you as one, that for myself have given over the delight +in the world; but wish to you as much, if not more, than to myself. + +So you can speak and write Latin, not barbarously; I never require great +study in Ciceronianism, the chief abuse of Oxford, _qui dum verba +sectantur, res ipsas negligunt_. + +My toyful books I will send--with GOD's help--by February [1581]; at +which time you shall have your money. And for £200 [_nearly £2,000 at the +present day_] a year, assure yourself! If the estates of England remain, +you shall not fail of it. Use it to your best profit! + +My Lord of LEICESTER sends you £40 as I understand, by STEPHEN; and +promiseth he will continue that stipend yearly at the least. Then that is +above commons. In any case, write largely and diligently unto him: for, in +truth, I have good proof that he means to be every way good unto you. The +odd £30 shall come with the £100, or else my father and I will jarle. + +Now, sweet Brother, take a delight to keep and increase your music. You +will not believe what a want I find of it, in my melancholy times. + +At horsemanship; when you exercise it, read CRISON CLAUDIO, and a book +that is called _La Gloria de l'Cavallo_ withal: that you may join the +thorough contemplation of it with the exercise: and so shall you profit +more in a month, than others in a year. And mark the bitting, saddling, +and cur[ry]ing of horses. + +I would, by the way, your Worship would learn a better hand. You write +worse than I: and I write evil enough. Once again, have a care of your +diet; and consequently of your complexion. Remember _gratior est veniens +in pulchro corpore virtus_. + +Now, Sir, for news; I refer myself to this bearer. He can tell you how +idly we look on our neighbour's fires: and nothing is happened notable at +home; save only DRAKE's return. Of which yet, I know not the secret +points: but about the world he hath been, and rich he is returned. +Portugal, we say, is lost. And to conclude, my eyes are almost closed up, +overwatched with tedious business. + +God bless you, sweet Boy! and accomplish the joyful hope I conceive of +you. Once again commend me to Master NEVELL, Master SAVELL, and honest +HARRY WHITE, and bid him be merry. + +When you play at weapons; I would have you get thick caps and bracers +[_gloves_], and play out your play lustily; for indeed, ticks and +dalliances are nothing in earnest: for the time of the one and the other +greatly differs. And use as well the blow as the thrust. It is good in +itself; and besides increaseth your breath and strength, and will make +you a strong man at the tourney and barriers. First, in any case, +practise the single sword; and then, with the dagger. Let no day pass +without an hour or two of such exercise. The rest, study; or confer +diligently: and so shall you come home to my comfort and credit. + +Lord! how I have babbled! Once again, farewell, dearest Brother! + +Your most loving and careful brother + +PHILIP SIDNEY. + +At Leicester House +this 18th of October 1580. + + + + +Francis Meres, M.A. + +_Sketch of English Literature, Painting, and Music, up to September_ 1598. + +_A comparative Discourse of our English Poets [Painters and Musicians] +with the Greek, Latin, and Italian Poets [Painters and Musicians]_. + + +As Greece had three poets of great antiquity, ORPHEUS, LINUS, and +MUSAEUS; and Italy, other three ancient poets, LIVIUS ANDRONICUS, ENNIUS, +and PLAUTUS: so hath England three ancient poets, CHAUCER, GOWER, and +LYDGATE. + +As HOMER is reputed the Prince of Greek poets; and PETRARCH of Italian +poets: so CHAUCER is accounted the god of English poets. + +As HOMER was the first that adorned the Greek tongue with true quantity: +so [WILLIAM LANGLAND, the author of] _PIERS PLOWMAN_ was the first that +observed the true quantity of our verse without the curiosity of rhyme. + +OVID writ a Chronicle from the beginning of the world to his own time; +that is, to the reign of AUGUSTUS the Emperor: so hath HARDING the +Chronicler (after his manner of old harsh rhyming) from ADAM to his time; +that is, to the reign of King EDWARD IV. + +As SOTADES Maronites, the Iambic poet, gave himself wholly to write +impure and lascivious things: so SKELTON (I know not for what great +worthiness, surnamed the Poet Laureate) applied his wit to scurrilities +and ridiculous matters; such [as] among the Greeks were called +_Pantomimi_, with us, buffoons. + +As CONSALVO PEREZ, that excellent learned man, and secretary to King +PHILIP [II.] of Spain, in translating the "Ulysses" [_Odyssey_] of HOMER +out of Greek into Spanish, hath, by good judgement, avoided the fault of +rhyming, although [he hath] not fully hit perfect and true versifying: so +hath HENRY HOWARD, that true and noble Earl of SURREY, in translating the +fourth book of VIRGIL's _AEneas_: whom MICHAEL DRAYTON in his _England's +Heroical Epistles_ hath eternized for an _Epistle to his fair GERALDINE_. + +As these Neoterics, JOVIANUS PONTANUS, POLITIANUS, MARULLUS TARCHANIOTA, +the two STROZAE the father and the son, PALINGENIUS, MANTUANUS, +PHILELPHUS, QUINTIANUS STOA, and GERMANUS BRIXIUS have obtained renown, +and good place among the ancient Latin poets: so also these Englishmen, +being Latin poets; WALTER HADDON, NICHOLAS CARR, GABRIEL HARVEY, +CHRISTOPHER OCKLAND, THOMAS NEWTON, with his _LELAND_, THOMAS WATSON, +THOMAS CAMPION, [JOHN] BRUNSWERD, and WILLEY have attained [a] good +report and honourable advancement in the Latin empire [of letters]. + +As the Greek tongue is made famous and eloquent by HOMER, HESIOD, +EURIPIDES, AESCHYLUS, SOPHOCLES, PINDARUS, PHOCYLIDES, and ARISTOPHANES; +and the Latin tongue by VIRGIL, OVID, HORACE, SILIUS ITALICUS, LUCANUS, +LUCRETIUS, AUSONIUS, and CLAUDIANUS: so the English tongue is mightily +enriched, and gorgeously invested in rare ornaments and resplendent +habiliments by Sir PHILIP SYDNEY, SPENSER, DANIEL, DRAYTON, WARNER, +SHAKESPEARE, MARLOW, and CHAPMAN. + +As XENOPHON, who did imitate so excellently as to give us _effigiem justi +imperii_, "the portraiture of a just empire" under the name of _CYRUS_, +(as CICERO saith of him) made therein an absolute heroical poem; and as +HELIODORUS wrote in prose, his sugared invention of that picture of love +in _THEAGINES and CARICLEA_; and yet both excellent admired poets: so Sir +PHILIP SIDNEY writ his immortal poem, _The Countess of PEMBROKE's +"Arcadia"_ in prose; and yet our rarest poet. + +As SEXTOS PROPERTIUS said, _Nescio quid magis nascitur Iliade_: so I say +of SPENSER's _Fairy Queen_; I know not what more excellent or exquisite +poem may be written. + +As ACHILLES had the advantage of HECTOR, because it was his fortune to be +extolled and renowned by the heavenly verse of HOMER: so SPENSER's _ELIZA, +the Fairy Queen_, hath the advantage of all the Queens in the world, to be +eternized by so divine a poet. + +As THEOCRITUS is famoused for his _Idyllia_ in Greek, and VIRGIL for his +_Eclogues_ in Latin: so SPENSER their imitator in his _Shepherds +Calendar_ is renowned for the like argument; and honoured for fine +poetical invention, and most exquisite wit. + +As PARTHENIUS Nicaeus excellently sang the praises of _ARETE_: so DANIEL +hath divinely sonnetted the matchless beauty of _DELIA_. + +As every one mourneth, when he heareth of the lamentable plangors +[plaints] of [the] Thracian ORPHEUS for his dearest _EURYDICE_: so every +one passionateth, when he readeth the afflicted death of DANIEL's +distressed _ROSAMOND_. + +As LUCAN hath mournfully depainted the Civil Wars of POMPEY and CAESAR: +so hath DANIEL, the Civil Wars of York and Lancaster; and DRAYTON, the +Civil Wars of EDWARD II. and the Barons. + +As VIRGIL doth imitate CATULLUS in the like matter of _ARIADNE_, for his +story of Queen _DIDO_: so MICHAEL DRAYTON doth imitate OVID in his +_England's Heroical Epistles_. + +As SOPHOCLES was called a Bee for the sweetness of his tongue: so in +CHARLES FITZ-GEFFRY's _DRAKE_, DRAYTON is termed "golden-mouthed," for +the purity and preciousness of his style and phrase. + +As ACCIUS, MARCUS ATILIUS, and MILITHUS were called _Tragaediographi_; +because they writ tragedies: so we may truly term MICHAEL DRAYTON, +_Tragaediographus_: for his passionate penning [_the poem of_] the +downfalls of valiant ROBERT of NORMANDY, chaste MATILDA, and great +GAVESTON. + +As JOANNES HONTERUS, in Latin verse, wrote three books of Cosmography, +with geographical tables; so MICHAEL DRAYTON is now in penning in English +verse, a poem called _Poly-olbion_ [which is] geographical and +hydrographical of all the forests, woods, mountains, fountains, rivers, +lakes, floods, baths [_spas_], and springs that be in England. + +As AULUS PERSIUS FLACCUS is reported, among all writers to [have] been of +an honest life and upright conversation: so MICHAEL DRAYTON, _quem toties +honoris et amoris causa nomino_, among scholars, soldiers, poets, and all +sorts of people, is held for a man of virtuous disposition, honest +conversation, and well governed carriage: which is almost miraculous +among good wits in these declining and corrupt times; when there is +nothing but roguery in villainous man, and when cheating and craftiness +are counted the cleanest wit and soundest wisdom. + +As DECIUS AUSONIUS Gallus, _in libris Fastorum_, penned the occurrences +of the world from the first creation of it to this time; that is, to the +reign of the Emperor GRATIAN: so WARNER, in his absolute _Albion's +England_, hath most admirably penned the history of his own country from +NOAH to his time, that is, to the reign of Queen ELIZABETH. I have heard +him termed of the best wits of both our Universities, our English HOMER. + +As EURIPIDES is the most sententious among the Greek poets: so is WARNER +among our English poets. + +As the soul of EUPHORBUS was thought to live in PYTHAGORAS: so the sweet +witty soul of OVID lives in mellifluous and honey-tongued SHAKESPEARE. +Witness his _VENUS and ADONIS_; his _LUCRECE_; his sugared _Sonnets_, +among his private friends; &c. + +As PLAUTUS and SENECA are accounted the best for Comedy and Tragedy among +the Latins: so SHAKESPEARE among the English is the most excellent in both +kinds for the stage. For Comedy: witness his _Gentlemen of Verona_; his +[_Comedy of_] _Errors_; his _Love's Labour's Lost_; his _Love's Labour's +Won_ [? _All's Well that Ends Well_] his _Midsummer Night's Dream_; and +his _Merchant of Venice_. + +For Tragedy: his _RICHARD II., RICHARD III., HENRY IV., King JOHN, TITUS +ANDRONICUS_, and his _ROMEO and JULIET_. + +As EPIUS STOLO said that the Muses would speak with PLAUTUS's tongue, if +they would speak Latin: so I say that the Muses would speak with +SHAKESPEARE's fine filed phrase; if they would speak English. + +As MUSAEUS, who wrote the love of HERO and LEANDER, had two excellent +scholars, THAMYRAS and HERCULES; so hath he [MUSAEUS] in England, two +excellent, poets, imitators of him in the same argument and subject, +CHRISTOPHER MARLOW and GEORGE CHAPMAN. + +As OVID saith of his work, + + _Famque opus exegi, quod nec FOVIS ira, nec ignis, + Nec poterit ferrum, nec edax abolere vetustas_; + +And as HORACE saith of his, + + _Exegi monumentum oere perennius + Regalique situ pyramidum altius, + Quod non imber edax, non Aquilo impotens + Possit disruere, aut innumerabilis + Annorum series, et fuga temporum_: + +So I say, severally, of Sir PHILIP SIDNEY's, SPENSER's, DANIEL's, +DRAYTON's, SHAKESPEARE's, and WARNER's works, + + _Non FOVIS ira: imbres: MARS: ferrum: flamma: senectus: + Hoc opus unda: lues: turbo: venena ruent. + Et quanquam ad pulcherrimum hoc opus evertendum, tres illi Dii + conspirabunt, CHRONUS, VULCANUS, et PATER ipse gentis. + Non tamen annorum series, non flamma, nec ensis; + AEternum potuit hoc abolere Decus_. + +As Italy had DANTE, BOCCACE [BOCCACIO], PETRARCH, TASSO, CELIANO, and +ARIOSTO: so England had MATTHEW ROYDON, THOMAS ATCHELOW, THOMAS WATSON, +THOMAS KYD, ROBERT GREENE, and GEORGE PEELE. + +As there are eight famous and chief languages; Hebrew, Greek, Latin, +Syriac, Arabic, Italian, Spanish, and French; so there are eight notable +several kinds of poets, [1] Heroic, [2] Lyric, [3] Tragic, [4] Comic, [5] +Satiric, [6] Iambic, [7] Elegiac, and [8] Pastoral. + +[1] As HOMER and VIRGIL among the Greeks and Latins are the chief Heroic +poets: so SPENSER and WARNER be our chief heroical "makers." + +[2] As PINDARUS, ANACREON, and CALLIMACHUS, among the Greeks; and HORACE +and CUTALLUS among the Latins are the best Lyric poets: so in this +faculty, the best among our poets are SPENSER, who excelleth in all +kinds; DANIEL, DRAYTON, SHAKESPEARE, BRETON. + +[3] As these Tragic poets flourished in Greece: AESCHYLUS, EURIPIDES, +SOPHOCLES, ALEXANDER AEtolus; ACHAEUS ERITHRIOEUS, ASTYDAMAS Atheniensis, +APOLLODORUS Tarsensis, NICOMACHUS Phrygius, THESPIS Atticus, and TIMON +APOLLONIATES; and these among the Latins, ACCIUS, MARCUS ATILIUS, +POMPONUS SECUNDUS, and SENECA: so these are our best for Tragedy; The +Lord BUCKHURST, Doctor LEG, of Cambridge, Doctor EDES, of Oxford, Master +EDWARD FERRIS, the author[s] of the _Mirror for Magistrates_, MARLOW, +PEELE, WATSON, KYD, SHAKESPEARE, DRAYTON, CHAPMAN, DECKER, and BENJAMIN +JOHNSON. + +As MARCUS ANNEUS LUCANUS writ two excellent tragedies; one called +_MEDEA_, the other _De incendio Trojoe cum PRIAMI calamitate_: so Doctor +LEG hath penned two famous tragedies; the one of _RICHARD III._, the +other of _The Destruction of Jerusalem_. + +[4] The best poets for Comedy among the Greeks are these: MENANDER, +ARISTOPHANES, EUPOLIS Atheniensis, ALEXIS Terius, NICOSTRATUS, AMIPSIAS +Atheniensis, ANAXANDRIDES Rhodeus, ARISTONYMUS, ARCHIPPUS Atheniensis, +and CALLIAS Atheniensis; and among the Latins, PLAUTUS, TERENCE, NAEVIUS, +SEXTUS TURPILIUS, LICINIUS IMBREX, and VIRGILIUS Romanus: so the best for +Comedy amongst us be EDWARD [VERE], Earl of OXFORD; Doctor GAGER, of +Oxford; Master ROWLEY, once a rare scholar of learned Pembroke Hall in +Cambridge; Master EDWARDES, one of Her Majesty's Chapel; eloquent and +witty JOHN LILLY, LODGE, GASCOIGNE, GREENE, SHAKESPEARE, THOMAS NASH, +THOMAS HEYWOOD, ANTHONY MUNDAY, our best plotter; CHAPMAN, PORTER, +WILSON, HATHWAY, and HENRY CHETTLE. + +[5] As HORACE, LUCILIUS, JUVENAL, PERSIUS, and LUCULLUS are the best for +Satire among the Latins: so with us, in the same faculty, these are chief +[WILLIAM LANGLAND, the author of] _PIERS PLOWMAN_, [T.] LODGE, [JOSEPH] +HALL of Emmanuel College in Cambridge [_afterwards Bishop of NORWICH_]; +[JOHN MARSTON] the Author of _PYGMALION's Image, and certain Satires_; +the Author of _Skialetheia_. + +[6] Among the Greeks, I will name but two for Iambics, ARCHILOCHUS Parius +and HIPPONAX Ephesius: so amongst us, I name but two Iambical poets; +GABRIEL HARVEY and RICHARD STANYHURST, because I have seen no more in +this kind. + +[7] As these are famous among the Greeks for Elegies, MELANTHUS, MYMNERUS +Colophonius, OLYMPIUS Mysius, PARTHENIUS Nicoeus, PHILETAS Cous, THEOGENES +Megarensis, and PIGRES Halicarnassoeus; and these among the Latins, +MAECENAS, OVID, TIBULLUS, PROPERTIUS, C. VALGIUS, CASSIUS SEVERUS, and +CLODIUS Sabinus: so these are the most passionate among us to bewail and +bemoan the perplexities of love, HENRY HOWARD, Earl of SURREY, Sir THOMAS +WYATT the Elder, Sir FRANCIS BRYAN, Sir PHILIP SIDNEY, Sir WALTER RALEIGH, +Sir EDWARD DYER, SPENSER, DANIEL, DRAYTON, SHAKESPEARE, WHETSTONE, +GASCOIGNE, SAMUEL PAGE sometime Fellow of Corpus Christi College in +Oxford, CHURCHYARD, BRETON. + +[8] As THEOCRITUS in Greek; VIRGIL and MANTUAN in Latin, SANNAZAR in +Italian, and [THOMAS WATSON] the Author of _AMINTAE Gaudia_ and +_WALSINGHAM's MELIBOEUS_ are the best for Pastoral: so amongst us the +best in this kind are Sir PHILIP SIDNEY, Master CHALLONER, SPENSER, +STEPHEN GOSSON, ABRAHAM FRAUNCE, and BARNFIELD. + +These and many other Epigrammatists, the Latin tongue hath; Q. CATULLUS, +PORCIUS LICINIUS, QUINTUS CORNIFICIUS, MARTIAL, CNOEUS GETULICUS, and +witty Sir THOMAS MORE: so in English we have these, HEYWOOD, DRANT, +KENDAL, BASTARD, DAVIES. + +As noble MAECENAS, that sprang from the Etruscan Kings, not only graced +poets by his bounty, but also by being a poet himself; and as JAMES VI., +now King of Scotland, is not only a favourer of poets, but a poet; as my +friend Master RICHARD BARNFELD hath in this distich passing well recorded, + + The King of Scots now living is a poet, + As his _Lepanto_ and his _Furies_ show it: + +so ELIZABETH, our dread Sovereign and gracious Queen, is not only a +liberal Patron unto poets, but an excellent poet herself; whose learned, +delicate and noble Muse surmounteth, be it in Ode, Elegy, Epigram; or in +any other kind of poem, Heroic or Lyric. + +OCTAVIA, sister unto AUGUSTUS the Emperor, was exceeding[ly] bountiful +unto VIRGIL, who gave him for making twenty-six verses, £1,137, to wit, +ten _sestertiae_ for every verse (which amounted to above £43 for every +verse): so learned MARY, the honourable Countess of PEMBROKE [and] the +noble sister of the immortal Sir PHILIP SIDNEY, is very liberal unto +poets. Besides, she is a most delicate poet, of whom I may say, as +ANTIPATER Sidonius writeth of SAPPHO: + + _Dulcia Mnemosyne demirans carmina Sapphus, + Quaesivit decima Pieris unde foret_. + +Among others, in times past, poets had these favourers; AUGUSTUS, +MAECENAS, SOPHOCLES, GERMANICUS; an Emperor, a Nobleman, a Senator, and a +Captain: so of later times, poets have [had] these patrons; ROBERT, King +of Sicily, the great King FRANCIS [I.] of France, King JAMES of Scotland, +and Queen ELIZABETH of England. + +As in former times, two great Cardinals, BEMBA and BIENA did countenance +poets: so of late years, two great Preachers, have given them their right +hands in fellowship; BEZA and MELANCTHON. + +As the learned philosophers FRACASTORIUS and SCALIGER have highly prized +them: so have the eloquent orators, PONTANUS and MURETUS very gloriously +estimated them. + +As GEORGIUS BUCHANANUS' _JEPTHAE_, amongst all modern tragedies, is able +to abide the touch of ARISTOTLE's precepts and EURIPIDES's examples: so +is Bishop WATSON's _ABSALOM_. + +As TERENCE for his translations out of APOLLODORUS and MENANDER, and +AQUILIUS for his translation out of MENANDER, and C. GERMANICUS AUGUSTUS +for his out of ARATUS, and AUSONIUS for his translated _Epigrams_ out of +[the] Greek, and Doctor JOHNSON for his _Frog-fight_ out of HOMER, and +WATSON for his _ANTIGONE_ out of SOPHOCLES, have got good commendations: +so these versifiers for their learned translations, are of good note +among us; PHAER foi VIRGIL's _AEneid_, GOLDING for OVID's +_Metamorphosis_, HARINGTON for his _ORLANDO Furioso_, the Translators of +SENECA's _Tragedies_, BARNABE GOOGE for PALINGENIUS's [_Zodiac of Life_], +TURBERVILLE for OVID's _Epistles_ and MANTUAN, and CHAPMAN for his +inchoate HOMER. + +As the Latins have these Emblematists, ANDREAS ALCIATUS, REUSNERUS, and +SAMBUCUS: so we have these, GEFFREY WHITNEY, ANDREW WILLET, and THOMAS +COMBE. + +As NONNUS PANAPOLYTA wrote the _Gospel_ of Saint JOHN in Greek +hexameters: so GERVASE MARKHAM hath written SOLOMON's _Canticles_ in +English verse. + +As CORNELIUS PLINIUS writ the life of POMPONUS SECUNDUS; so young CHARLES +FITZ-GEFFERY, that high towering falcon, hath most gloriously penned _The +honourable Life and Death of worthy Sir FRANCIS DRAKE_. + +As HESIOD wrote learnedly of husbandry in Greek: so TUSSER [hath] very +wittily and experimentally written of it in English. + +As ANTIPATER Sidonius was famous for extemporal verse in Greek, and OVID +for his + + _Quicquid conabar dicere versus erat_: + +so was our TARLETON, of whom Doctor CASE, that learned physician, thus +speaketh in the Seventh Book and 17th chapter of his _Politics_. + +_ARISTOTLES suum THEODORETUM laudavit quendam peritum Tragaediarum +actorem, CICERO suum ROSCIUM: nos Angli TARLETONUM, in cujus voce et +vultu omnes jocosi affectus, in cujus cerebroso capite lepidae facetiae +habitant_. + +And so is now our witty [THOMAS] WILSON, who, for learning and extemporal +wit in this faculty, is without compare or compeer; as to his great and +eternal commendations, he manifested in his challenge at the _Swan_, on +the Bank Side. + +As ACHILLES tortured the dead body of HECTOR; and as ANTONIUS and his +wife FULVIA tormented the lifeless corpse of CICERO; so GABRIEL HARVEY +hath showed the same inhumanity to GREENE, that lies full low in his +grave. + +As EUPOLIS of Athens used great liberty in taxing the vices of men: so +doth THOMAS NASH. Witness the brood of the HARVEYS! + +As ACTAEON was worried of his own hounds: so is TOM NASH of his _Isle of +Dogs_. Dogs were the death of EURIPIDES; but be not disconsolate, gallant +young JUVENAL! LINUS, the son of APOLLO, died the same death. Yet GOD +forbid that so brave a wit should so basely perish! Thine are but paper +dogs, neither is thy banishment like OVID's, eternally to converse with +the barbarous _Getae_. Therefore comfort thyself, sweet TOM! with +CICERO's glorious return to Rome; and with the counsel AENEAS gives to +his seabeaten soldiers, _Lib_ 1, _AEneid_. + + Pluck up thine heart! and drive from thence both fear and care away! + To think on this, may pleasure be perhaps another day. + _Durato, et temet rebus servato secundis_. + +As ANACREON died by the pot: so GEORGE PEELE, by the pox. + +As ARCHESILAUS PRYTANOEUS perished by wine at a drunken feast, as +HERMIPPUS testifieth in DIOGENES: so ROBERT GREENE died by a surfeit +taken of pickled herrings and Rhenish wine; as witnesseth THOMAS NASH, +who was at the fatal banquet. + +As JODELLE, a French tragical poet, being an epicure and an atheist, made +a pitiful end: so our tragical poet MARLOW, for his Epicurism and Atheism, +had a tragical death; as you may read of this MARLOW more at large, in the +_Theatre of GOD's judgments_, in the 25th chapter, entreating of _Epicures +and Atheists_. + +As the poet LYCOPHRON was shot to death by a certain rival of his: so +CHRISTOPHER MARLOW was stabbed to death by a baudy Servingman, a rival of +his, in his lewd love. + +_PAINTERS_. + +APELLES painted a mare and a dog so lively [_lifelike_], that horses and +dogs passing by would neigh and bark at them. He grew so famous for his +excellent art, that great ALEXANDER came often to his shop to visit him, +and commanded that none other should paint him. At his death, he left +VENUS unfinished; neither was any [one] ever found, that durst perfect +what he had begun. + +ZEUXIS was so excellent in painting, that it was easier for any man to +view his pictures than to imitate them; who, to make an excellent table +[_picture_], had five Agrigentine virgins naked by him. He painted grapes +so lively, that birds did fly to eat them. + +PARRHASIUS painted a sheet [_curtain_] so artificially, that ZEUXIS took +it for a sheet indeed; and commanded it to be taken away, to see the +picture that he thought it had veiled. + +As learned and skilful Greece had these excellently renowned for their +limning; so England hath these: HILIARD, ISAAC OLIVER, and JOHN DE +CREETES, very famous for their painting. + +As Greece moreover had these painters, TIMANTES, PHIDIAS, POLIGNOTUS, +PANEUS, BULARCHUS, EUMARUS, CIMON CLEONCEUS, PYTHIS, APPOLLODORUS +Atheniensis, ARISTIDES Thebanus, NICOPHANES, PERSEUS, ANTIPHILUS, and +NICEARCHUS: so in England, we have also these; WILLIAM and FRANCIS SEGAR, +brethren; THOMAS and JOHN BETTES; LOCKEY, LYNE, PEAKE, PETER COLE, +ARNOLDE, MARCUS, JACQUES DE BRAY, CORNELIUS, PETER GOLCHIS, HIERONIMO and +PETER VAN DE VELDE. + +As LYSIPPUS, PRAXITELES, and PYRGOTELES were excellent engravers: so we +have these engravers; ROGERS, CHRISTOPHER SWITSER, and CURE. + +_MUSIC_. + +The loadstone draweth iron unto it, but the stone of Ethiopia called +_Theamedes_ driveth it away: so there is a kind of music that doth +assuage and appease the affections, and a kind that doth kindle and +provoke the passions. + +As there is no law that hath sovereignty over love; so there is no heart +that hath rule over music, but music subdues it. + +As one day takes from us the credit of another: so one strain of music +extincts [_extinguishes_] the pleasure of another. + +As the heart ruleth over all the members: so music overcometh the heart. + +As beauty is not beauty without virtue: so music is not music without art. + +As all things love their likes: so the more curious ear, the delicatest +music. + +As too much speaking hurts, too much galling smarts; so too much music +gluts and distempereth. + +As PLATO and ARISTOTLE are accounted Princes in philosophy and logic; +HIPPOCRATES and GALEN, in physic; PTOLOMY in astromony; EUCLID in +geometry; and CICERO in eloquence: so BOETIUS is esteemed a Prince and +captain in music. + +As Priests were famous among the Egyptians; Magi among the Chaldeans, and +Gymnosophists among the Indians; so Musicians flourished among the +Grecians: and therefore EPAMINONDAS was accounted more unlearned than +THEMISTOCLES, because he had no skill in music. + +As MERCURY, by his eloquence, reclaimed men from their barbarousness and +cruelty: so ORPHEUS, by his music, subdued fierce beasts and wild birds. + +As DEMOSTHENES, ISOCRATES, and CICERO, excelled in oratory: so ORPHEUS, +AMPHION, and LINUS surpassed in music. + +As Greece had these excellent musicians, ARION, DORCEUS, TIMOTHEUS +Milesius, CHRYSOGONUS, TERPANDER, LESBIUS, SIMON Magnesius, PHILAMON, +LINUS, STRATONICUS, ARISTONUS, CHIRON, ACHILLES, CLINIAS, EUMONIUS, +DEMODOCHUS, and RUFFINUS: so England hath these, Master COOPER, Master +FAIRFAX, Master TALLIS, Master TAVERNER, Master BLITHMAN, Master BYRD, +Doctor TIE, Doctor DALLIS, Doctor BULL, Master THOMAS MUD, sometime +Fellow of Pembroke Hall in Cambridge, Master EDWARD JOHNSON, Master +BLANKES, Master RANDALL, Master PHILIPS, Master DOWLAND, and Master +MORLEY. + +_A Choice is to be had in Reading of Books_. + +As the Lord DE LA NOUE in the sixth Discourse of his _Politic and +Military Discourses_, censureth the books of _AMADIS de Gaul_; which, he +saith, are no less hurtful to youth than the works of MACHIAVELLI to age: +so these books are accordingly to be censured of, whose names follow. + +_BEVIS of Hampton. +GUY of Warwick. +ARTHUR of the Round Table. +HUON of Bordeaux. +OLIVER of Castile. +The Four Sons of AYMON. +GARGANTUA. +GIRELEON. +The Honour of Chivalry. +PRIMALEON of Greece. +PALERMIN DE OLIVA. +The Seven Champions [of Christendom]. +The Mirror of Knighthood. +BLANCHARDINE. +MERVIN. +OWLGLASS. +The Stories of PALLADIN and PALMENDOS. +The Black Knight. +The Maiden Knight. +The History of CAELESTINA. +The Castle of Fame. +GALLIAN of France. +ORNATUS and ARTESIA. +&c_. + +_Poets_. + +As that ship is endangered where ail lean to one side; but is in safety, +one leaning one way and another another way: so the dissensions of Poets +among themselves, doth make them, that they less infect their readers. +And for this purpose, our Satirists [JOSEPH] HALL [_afterwards Bishop of +NORWICH_], [JOHN MARSTON] the Author of _PYGMALION's Image and Certain +Satires_, [JOHN] RANKINS, and such others, are very profitable. + + + + +JOHN DRYDEN. + +Dedicatory Epistle to _The Rival Ladies_. + +[Printed in 1664.] + + +To THE RIGHT HONOURABLE ROGER, EARL OF ORRERY. + +MY LORD, + +This worthless present was designed you, long before it was a Play; when +it was only a confused mass of thoughts tumbling over one another in the +dark: when the Fancy was yet in its first work, moving the sleeping +Images of Things towards the light, there to be distinguished; and then, +either chosen or rejected by the Judgement. It was yours, my Lord! before +I could call it mine. + +And I confess, in that first tumult of my thoughts, there appeared a +disorderly kind of beauty in some of them; which gave me hope, something +worthy of my Lord of ORRERY might be drawn from them: but I was then, in +that eagerness of Imagination, which, by over pleasing Fanciful Men, +flatters them into the danger of writing; so that, when I had moulded it +to that shape it now bears, I looked with such disgust upon it, that the +censures of our severest critics are charitable to what I thought, and +still think of it myself. + +'Tis so far from me, to believe this perfect; that I am apt to conclude +our best plays are scarcely so. For the Stage being the Representation of +the World and the actions in it; how can it be imagined that the Picture +of Human Life can be more exact than Life itself is? + +He may be allowed sometimes to err, who undertakes to move so many +Characters and Humours (as are requisite in a Play) in those narrow +channels, which are proper to each of them; to conduct his Imaginary +Persons through so many various intrigues and chances, as the labouring +Audience shall think them lost under every billow: and then, at length, +to work them so naturally out of their distresses, that when the whole +Plot is laid open, the Spectators may rest satisfied that every Cause was +powerful enough to produce the Effect it had; and that the whole Chain of +them was, with such due order, linked together, that the first Accident +[_Incident_], would, naturally, beget the second, till they All rendered +the Conclusion necessary. + +These difficulties, my Lord! may reasonably excuse the errors of my +Undertaking: but for this confidence of my Dedication, I have an +argument, which is too advantageous for me not to publish it to the +World. 'Tis the kindness your Lordship has continually shown to all my +writings. You have been pleased, my Lord! they should sometimes cross the +Irish seas, to kiss your hands; which passage, contrary to the experience +of others, I have found the least dangerous in the world. Your favour has +shone upon me, at a remote distance, without the least knowledge of my +person: and, like the influence of the heavenly bodies, you have done +good, without knowing to whom you did it, 'Tis this virtue in your +Lordship, which emboldens me to this attempt. For did I not consider you +as my Patron, I have little reason to desire you for my Judge: and should +appear, with as much awe before you, in the Reading; as I had, when the +full theatre sate upon the Action. + +For who so severely judge of faults, as he who has given testimony he +commits none? Your excellent _Poems_ having afforded that knowledge of it +to the World, that your enemies are ready to upbraid you with it as a +crime, for a Man of Business to write so well. Neither durst I have +justified your Lordship in it, if examples of it had not been in the +world before you: If XENOPHON had not written a Romance; and a certain +Roman, called AUGUSTUS CAESAR, a Tragedy and Epigrams. But their writing +was the entertainment of their pleasure; yours is only a diversion of +your pain. The Muses have seldom employed your thoughts, but when some +violent fit of the gout has snatched you from Affairs of State: and, like +the priestess of APOLLO, you never come to deliver his oracles, but +unwillingly, and in torment. So that we are obliged to your Lordship's +misery, for our delight. You treat us with the cruel pleasure of a +Turkish triumph, where those who cut and wound their bodies, sing songs +of victory as they pass; and divert others with their own sufferings. +Other men endure their diseases, your Lordship only can enjoy them! + +Plotting and Writing in this kind, are, certainly, more troublesome +employments than many which signify more, and are of greater moment in +the world. The Fancy, Memory, and Judgement are then extended, like so +many limbs, upon the rack; all of them reaching, with their utmost +stress, at Nature: a thing so almost infinite and boundless, as can never +fully be comprehended but where the Images of all things are always +present. + +Yet I wonder not your Lordship succeeds so well in this attempt. The +knowledge of men is your daily practice in the world. To work and bend +their stubborn minds; which go not all after the same grain, but, each of +them so particular a way, that the same common humours, in several +persons, must be wrought upon by several means. + +Thus, my Lord! your sickness is but the imitation of your health; the +Poet but subordinate to the Statesman in you. You still govern men with +the same address, and manage business with the same prudence: allowing it +here, as in the world, the due increase and growth till it comes to the +just height; and then turning it, when it is fully ripe, and Nature calls +out (as it were) to be delivered. With this only advantage of ease to you, +in your Poetry: that you have Fortune, here, at your command: with which, +Wisdom does often unsuccessfully struggle in the world. Here is no +Chance, which you have not foreseen. All your heroes are more than your +subjects, they are your creatures: and, though they seem to move freely, +in all the sallies of their passions; yet, you make destinies for them, +which they cannot shun. They are moved, if I may dare to say so, like the +rational creatures of the Almighty Poet; who walk at liberty, in their own +opinion, because their fetters are invincible: when, indeed, the Prison of +their Will is the more sure, for being large; and instead of an Absolute +Power over their actions, they have only a Wretched Desire of doing that, +which they cannot choose but do. + +I have dwelt, my Lord! thus long, upon your Writing; not because you +deserve not greater and more noble commendations, but because I am not +equally able to express them in other subjects. Like an ill swimmer, I +have willingly stayed long in my own depth; and though I am eager of +performing more, yet I am loath to venture out beyond my knowledge. For +beyond your Poetry, my Lord! all is Ocean to me. + +To speak of you as a Soldier, or a Statesman, were only to betray my own +ignorance: and I could hope no better success from it, than that +miserable Rhetorician had, who solemnly declaimed before HANNIBAL "of the +Conduct of Armies, and the Art of War." I can only say, in general, that +the Souls of other men shine out at little cranies; they understand some +one thing, perhaps, to admiration, while they are darkened on all the +other parts: but your Lordship's Soul is an entire Globe of Light, +breaking out on every side; and if I have only discovered one beam of it, +'tis not that the light falls unequally, but because the body which +receives it, is of unequal parts. + + +The acknowledgement of which, is a fair occasion offered me, to retire +from the consideration of your Lordship to that of myself. I here present +you, my Lord! with that in Print, which you had the goodness not to +dislike upon the Stage; and account it happy to have met you here in +England: it being, at best, like small wines, to be drunk out upon the +place [i.e., _of vintage, where produced_]; and has not body enough to +endure the sea. + +I know not, whether I have been so careful of the Plot and Language, as I +ought: but for the latter, I have endeavoured to write English, as near as +I could distinguish it from the tongue of pedants, and that of affected +travellers. Only, I am sorry that, speaking so noble a language as we do, +we have not a more certain Measure of it, as they have in France: where +they have an "Academy" erected for that purpose, and endowed with large +privileges by the present King [_LOUIS XIV._]. I wish, we might, at +length, leave to borrow words from other nations; which is now a +wantonness in us, not a necessity: but so long as some affect to speak +them, there will not want others who will have the boldness to write them. + +But I fear, lest defending the received words; I shall be accused for +following the New Way: I mean, of writing Scenes in Verse; though, to +speak properly, 'tis no so much a New Way amongst us, as an Old Way new +revived. For, many years [i.e., 1561] before SHAKESPEARE's Plays, was the +Tragedy of _Queen_ [or rather _King_] _GORBODUC_ [_of which, however, the +authentic title is "FERREX and PORREX"_] in English Verse; written by +that famous Lord BUCKHURST, afterwards Earl of DORSET, and progenitor to +that excellent Person, [_Lord BUCKHURST, see_ p. 503] who, as he inherits +his Soul and Title, I wish may inherit his good fortune! + +But supposing our countrymen had not received this Writing, till of late! +Shall we oppose ourselves to the most polished and civilised nations of +Europe? Shall we, with the same singularity, oppose the World in this, as +most of us do in pronouncing Latin? Or do we desire, that the brand which +BARCLAY has, I hope unjustly, laid upon the English, should still +continue? _Angli suos ac sua omnia impense mirantur; coeteras nationes +despectui habent_. All the Spanish and Italian Tragedies I have yet seen, +are writ in Rhyme. For the French, I do not name them: because it is the +fate of our countrymen, to admit little of theirs among us, but the +basest of their men, the extravagancies of their fashions, and the +frippery of their merchandise. + +SHAKESPEARE, who (with some errors, not to be avoided in that Age) had, +undoubtedly, a larger Soul of Poesy than ever any of our nation, was the +First, who (to shun the pains of continual rhyming) invented that kind of +writing which we call Blank Verse [_DRYDEN is here wrong as to fact, Lord +SURREY wrote the earliest_ printed _English Blank Verse in his Fourth +Book of the_ AEneid, _printed in_ 1548]; but the French, more properly +_Prose Mesurée_: into which, the English Tongue so naturally slides, that +in writing Prose, 'tis hardly to be avoided. And, therefore, I admire +[_marvel that_] some men should perpetually stumble in a way so easy: +and, inverting the order of their words, constantly close their lines +with verbs. Which, though commended, sometimes, in writing Latin; yet, we +were whipt at Westminster, if we used it twice together. + +I know some, who, if they were to write in Blank Verse _Sir, I ask your +pardon!_ would think it sounded more heroically to write + + _Sir, I, your pardon ask!_ + +I should judge him to have little command of English, whom the necessity +of a _rhyme_ should force upon this rock; though, sometimes, it cannot be +easily avoided. + +And, indeed, this is the only inconvenience with which Rhyme can be +charged. This is that, which makes them say, "Rhyme is not natural. It +being only so, when the Poet either makes a vicious choice of words; or +places them, for Rhyme's sake so unnaturally, as no man would, in +ordinary speaking." But when 'tis so judiciously ordered, that the first +word in the verse seems to beget the second; and that, the next; till +that becomes the last word in the line, which, in the negligence of +Prose, would be so: it must, then, be granted, Rhyme has all advantages +of Prose, besides its own. + +But the excellence and dignity of it, were never fully known, till Mr. +WALLER taught it. He, first, made writing easily, an Art: first, showed +us to conclude the Sense, most commonly in distiches; which in the Verse +of those before him, runs on for so many lines together, that the reader +is out of breath, to overtake it. + +This sweetness of Mr. WALLER's Lyric Poesy was, afterwards, followed in +the Epic, by Sir JOHN DENHAM, in his _Cooper's Hill_; a Poem which, your +Lordship knows! for the majesty of the style, is, and ever will be the +Exact Standard of Good Writing. + +But if we owe the invention of it to Mr. WALLER; we are acknowledging for +the noblest use of it, to Sir WILLIAM D'AVENANT; who, at once, brought it +upon the Stage, and made it perfect in _The Siege of Rhodes_. + + +The advantages which Rhyme has over Blank Verse, are so many that it were +lost time to name them. + +Sir PHILIP SIDNEY, in his _Defence of Poesy_, gives us one, which, in my +opinion, is not the least considerable: I mean, _the Help it brings to +Memory_; which Rhyme so knits up by the Affinity of Sounds, that by +remembering the last word in one line, we often call to mind both the +verses. + +Then, in the Quickness of Repartees, which in Discoursive Scenes fall +very often: it has so particular a grace, and is so aptly suited to them, +that _the Sudden Smartness of the Answer, and the Sweetness of the Rhyme +set off the beauty of each other_. + +But that benefit, which I consider most in it, because I have not seldom +found it, is that _it Bounds and Circumscribes the Fancy_. For +Imagination in a Poet, is a faculty so wild and lawless, that, like a +high ranging spaniel, it must have clogs tied to it, lest it outrun the +Judgement. The great easiness of Blank Verse renders the Poet too +luxuriant. He is tempted to say many things, which might better be +omitted, or, at least, shut up in fewer words. + +But when the difficulty of artful Rhyming is interposed, where the Poet +commonly confines his Sense to his Couplet; and must contrive that Sense +into such words that the Rhyme shall naturally follow them, not they the +Rhyme [pp. 571 581]: the Fancy then gives leisure to the Judgement to +come in; which, seeing so heavy a tax imposed, is ready to cut off all +unnecessary expenses. + +This last consideration has already answered an objection, which some +have made, that "Rhyme is only an Embroidery of Sense; to make that which +is ordinary in itself, pass for excellent with less examination." But, +certainly, that which most regulates the Fancy, and gives the Judgement +its busiest employment, is like[ly] to bring forth the richest and +clearest thoughts. The Poet examines that most which he produceth with +the greatest leisure, and which, he knows, must pass the severest test of +the audience, because they are aptest to have it ever in their memory: as +the stomach makes the best concoction when it strictly embraces the +nourishment, and takes account of every little particle as it passes +through. + + +But, as the best medicines may lose their virtue, by being ill applied; +so is it with Verse, if a fit Subject be not chosen for it. Neither must +the Argument alone, but the Characters and Persons be great and noble: +otherwise, as SCALIGER says of CLAUDIAN, the Poet will be _Ignobiliore +materia depressus_. The Scenes which (in my opinion) most commend it, are +those of Argumentation and Discourse, on the result of which, the doing or +not doing [of] some considerable Action should depend. + + +But, my Lord! though I have more to say upon this subject; yet, I must +remember, 'tis your Lordship, to whom I speak: who have much better +commended this Way by your writing _in_ it; than I can do, by writing +_for_ it. Where my Reasons cannot prevail, I am sure your Lordship's +Example must. Your Rhetoric has gained my cause; as least, the greatest +part of my design has already succeeded to my wish: which was, to +interest so noble a Person in the Quarrel; and withal, to testify to the +World, how happy I esteem myself in the honour of being, My Lord, + +Your Lordship's most humble, and most obedient servant, + +JOHN DRYDEN. + + + + +The Honourable Sir ROBERT HOWARD, Auditor of the Exchequer. + +Preface to _Four new Plays_. + +[Licensed 7 March 1665, Printed the same year.] + + +_TO THE READER_. + +There is none more sensible than I am, how great a charity the most +Ingenious may need, that expose their private wit to a public judgement; +since the same Phancy from whence the thoughts proceed, must probably be +kind to its own issue. This renders men no perfecter judges of their own +writings, than fathers are of their own children: who find out that wit +in them, which another discerns not; and see not those errors, which are +evident to the unconcerned. Nor is this Self Kindness more fatal to men +in their writings, than in their actions; every man being a greater +flatterer to himself, than he knows how to be to another: otherwise, it +were impossible that things of such distant natures, should find their +own authors so equally kind in their affections to them; and men so +different in parts and virtues, should rest equally contented in their +own opinions. + +This apprehension, added to that greater [one] which I have of my own +weakness, may, I hope, incline the Reader to believe me, when I assure +him that these follies were made public, as much against my inclination +as judgement. But, being pursued with so many solicitations of Mr. +HERRINGMAN's [_the Publisher_], and having received civilities from him, +if it were possible, exceeding his importunities: I, at last, yielded to +prefer that which he believed his interest; before that, which I +apprehended my own disadvantage. Considering withal, that he might +pretend, It would be a real loss to him: and could be but an imaginary +prejudice to me: since things of this nature, though never so excellent, +or never so mean, have seldom proved the foundation of men's new built +fortunes, or the ruin of their old. It being the fate of Poetry, though +of no other good parts, to be wholly separated from Interest: and there +are few that know me but will easily believe, I am not much concerned in +an unprofitable Reputation. + +This clear account I have given the Reader, of this seeming +contradiction, to offer that to the World which I dislike myself: and, in +all things, I have no greater an ambition than to be believed [to be] a +Person, that would rather be unkind to myself, than ungrateful to others. + +I have made this excuse for myself. I offer none for my writings; but +freely leave the Reader to condemn that which has received my sentence +already. + + +Yet, I shall presume to say something in the justification of our +nation's Plays, though not of my own: since, in my judgement, without +being partial to my country, I do really prefer our Plays as much before +any other nation's; as I do the best of ours before my own. + +The manner of the Stage Entertainments has differed in all Ages; and, as +it has increased in use, it has enlarged itself in business. The general +manner of Plays among the Ancients we find in SENECA's Tragedies, for +serious subjects; and in TERENCE and PLAUTUS, for the comical. In which +latter, we see some pretences to Plots; though certainly short of what we +have seen in some of Mr. [BEN.] JOHNSON's Plays. And for their Wit, +especially PLAUTUS, I suppose it suited much better in those days, than +it would do in ours. For were their Plays strictly translated, and +presented on our Stage; they would hardly bring as many audiences as they +have now admirers. + +The serious Plays were anciently composed of Speeches and Choruses; where +all things are Related, but no matter of _fact_ Presented on the Stage. +This pattern, the French do, at this time, nearly follow: only leaving +out the Chorus, making up their Plays with almost Entire and Discoursive +Scenes; presenting the business in Relations [p. 535]. This way has very +much affected some of our nation, who possibly believe well of it, more +upon the account that what the French do ought to be a fashion, than upon +the reason of the thing. + +It is first necessary to consider, Why, probably, the compositions of the +Ancients, especially in their serious Plays were after this manner? And it +will be found, that the subjects they commonly chose, drave them upon the +necessity; which were usually the most known stories and Fables [p. 522]. +Accordingly, SENECA, making choice of MEDEA, HYPPOLITUS, and HERCULES +_OEtaeus_, it was impossible to _show_ MEDEA throwing old mangled AESON +into her age-renewing caldron, or to _present_ the scattered limbs of +HYPPOLITUS upon the Stage, and _show_ HERCULES burning upon his own +funeral pile. + +And this, the judicious HORACE clearly speaks of, in his _Arte Poetica_; +where he says + + _Non tamen intus + Digna geri, promes in scenam: multaque tolles + Ex oculis, quae mox narret facundia praesens. + Nec pueros coram populo MEDEA trucidet[8] + Aut humana palam coquat extra nefarius ATREUS, + Aut in avem PROGNE vertatur, CADMUS in anguem. + Quodcunque ostendit mihi sic, incredulus odi_. + +So that it appears a fault to chose such Subjects for the Stage; but much +greater, to affect that Method which those subjects enforce: and therefore +the French seem much mistaken, who, without the necessity, sometimes +commit the error. And this is as plainly decided by the same author, in +his preceding word + + _Aut agitur res in Scenis aut acta refertur: + Segnius irritant animos demissa per aurem; + Quam quae sunt oculis subjecta fidelibus, et quae + Ipse sibi tradit spectator_. + +By which, he directly declares his judgement, "That every thing makes +more impression Presented, than Related." Nor, indeed, can any one +rationally assert the contrary. For, if they affirm otherwise, they do, +by consequence, maintain, That a whole Play might as well be Related, as +Acted. + +Therefore whoever chooses a subject, that enforces him to RELATIONS, is +to blame; and he that does it without the necessity of the subject, is +much more. + +If these premisses be granted, 'tis no partiality to conclude, That our +English Plays justly challenge the pre-eminence. + + +Yet, I shall as candidly acknowledge, that our best Poets have differed +from other nations, though not so happily [_felicitously_], in usually +mingling and interweaving Mirth and Sadness, through the whole course of +their Plays. BEN. JOHNSON only excepted; who keeps himself entire to one +Argument. And I confess I am now convinced in my own judgement, that it +is most proper to keep the audience in one entire disposition both of +Concern and Attention: for when Scenes of so different natures, +immediately succeed one another; 'tis probable, the audience may not so +suddenly recollect themselves, as to start into an enjoyment of Mirth, or +into the concern for the Sadness. Yet I dispute not but the variety of +this world may afford pursuing accidents of such different natures; but +yet, though possible in themselves to be, they may not be so proper to be +Presented. An Entire Connection being the natural beauty of all Plays: and +Language, the Ornament to dress them in; which, in serious Subjects, ought +to be great and easy, like a high born Person that expresses greatness +without pride or affection. + +The easier dictates of Nature ought to flow in Comedy; yet separated from +obsceneness. There being nothing more impudent than the immodesty of +words. Wit should be chaste; and those that have it, can only write well: + + _Si modo + Scimus in urbanum Lepido se ponere dicto_. + +Another way of the Ancients, which the French follow, and our Stage has, +now lately, practised; is to write in Rhyme. And this is the dispute +betwixt many ingenious persons, _Whether Verse in Rhyme; or Verse without +the Sound, which may be called Blank Verse_ (though a hard expression) _is +to be preferred_? + +But take the question, largely, and it is never to be decided [p. 512]; +but, by right application, I suppose it may. For, in the general, they +are both proper: that is, one for a Play; the other for a Poem or Copy of +Verses: as Blank Verse being as much too low for one [_i.e., a. Poem or +Verses_]; as Rhyme is unnatural for the other [_i.e., a Play_]. + +A Poem, being a premeditated Form of thoughts, upon designed occasions: +ought not to be unfurnished of any Harmony in Words or Sound. The other +[_a Play_] is presented as the _present effect_ of accidents not thought +of. So that, 'tis impossible, it should be equally proper to both these; +unless it were possible that all persons were born so much more than +Poets, that verses were not to be composed by them, but already made in +them. + +Some may object "That this argument is trivial; because, whatever is +showed, 'tis known still to be but a Play." But such may as well excuse +an ill scene, that is not naturally painted; because they know 'tis only +a scene, and not really a city or country. + + +But there is yet another thing which makes Verse upon the Stage appear +more unnatural, that is, when a piece of a verse is made up by one that +knew not what the other meant to say; and the former verse answered as +perfectly in Sound as the last is supplied in Measure. So that the +smartness of a Reply, which has its beauty by coming from sudden +thoughts, seems lost by that which rather looks like a Design of two, +than the Answer of one. + +It may be said, that "Rhyme is such a confinement to a quick and +luxuriant Phancy, that it gives a stop to its speed, till slow Judgement +comes in to assist it [p. 492];" but this is no argument for the question +in hand. For the dispute is not which way a man may write best in; but +which is most proper for the subject he writes upon. And if this were let +pass, the argument is yet unsolved in itself; for he that wants Judgement +in the liberty of his Phancy, may as well shew the defect of it in its +confinement: and, to say truth, he that has judgement will avoid the +errors, and he that wants it, will commit them both. + +It may be objected, "'Tis Improbable that any should speak _ex tempore_, +as well as Beaumont and Fletcher makes them; though in Blank Verse." I do +not only acknowledge that, but that 'tis also improbable any will write so +well that way. But if that may be allowed improbable; I believe it may be +concluded impossible that any should speak as good Verses in Rhyme, as +the best Poets have writ: and therefore, that which seems _nearest_ to +what he intends is ever to be preferred. + +Nor are great thoughts more adorned by Verse; than Verse unbeautified by +mean ones. So that Verse seems not only unfit in the best use of it, but +much more in the worst, when "a servant is called," or "a door bid to be +shut" in Rhyme [p. 569]. Verses, I mean good ones, do, in their height of +Phancy, declare the labour that brought them forth! like Majesty that +grows with care: and Nature, that made the Poet capable, seems to retire, +and leave its offers to be made perfect by pains and judgement. + +Against this, I can raise no argument, but my Lord of Orrery's writings. +In whose Verse, the greatness of the Majesty seems unsullied with the +cares, and his inimitable Phancy descends to us in such easy expressions, +that they seem as if neither had ever been added to the other: but both +together flowing from a height; like birds got so high that use no +labouring wings, but only, with an easy care, preserve a steadiness in +motion. But this particular happiness, among those multitudes which that +excellent Person is owner of, does not convince my reason, but employ my +wonder. Yet, I am glad such Verse has been written for our Stage; since +it has so happily exceeded those whom we seemed to imitate. + + +But while I give these arguments against Verse, I may seem faulty, that I +have not only writ ill ones, but writ any. But since it was the fashion; I +was resolved, as in all indifferent things, not to appear singular: the +danger of the vanity being greater than the error. And therefore, I +followed it as a fashion; though very far off. + +For the Italian plays; I have seen some of them, which have been given me +as the best: but they are so inconsiderable that the particulars of them +are not at all worthy to entertain the Reader. But, as much as they are +short of others, in this; they exceed in their other performances on the +Stage. I mean their Operas: which, consisting of Music and Painting; +there's none but will believe it as much harder to equal them in that +way, than 'tis to excel them in the other. + +The Spanish Plays pretend to more; but, indeed, are not much: being +nothing but so many novels put into Acts and scenes, without the least +attempt or design of making the Reader more concerned than a well-told +tale might do. Whereas, a Poet that endeavours not to heighten the +accidents which Fortune seems to scatter in a well-knit Design, had +better have told his tale by a fireside, than presented it on a Stage. + + +For these times, wherein we write. I admire to hear the Poets so often +cry out upon, and wittily (as they believe) threaten their judges; since +the effects of their mercy has so much exceeded their justice, that +others with me, cannot but remember how many favourable audiences, some +of our ill plays have had: and, when I consider how severe the former Age +has been to some of the best of Mr. Johnson's never to be equalled +Comedies; I cannot but wonder why any Poet should speak of former Times, +but rather acknowledge that the want of abilities in this Age are largely +supplied with the mercies of it. + +I deny not, but there are some who resolve to like nothing, and such, +perhaps, are not unwise; since, by that general resolution, they may be +certainly in the right sometimes: which, perhaps, they would seldom be, +if they should venture their understandings in different censures; and, +being forced to a general liking or disliking (lest they should discover +too much their own weakness), 'tis to be expected they would rather +choose to pretend to Judgement than Good Nature, though I wish they could +find better ways to shew either. + + +But I forget myself; not considering that while I entertain the Reader, +in the entrance, with what a good play should be: when he is come beyond +the entrance, he must be treated with what ill plays are. But in this, I +resemble the greatest part of the World, that better know how to talk of +many things, than to perform them; and live short of their own discourses. + +And now, I seem like an eager hunter, that has long pursued a chase after +an inconsiderable quarry; and gives over, weary; as I do. + + +[8] p. 537 + + + + +OF DRAMATIC POESY, AN ESSAY. + +By JOHN DRYDEN Esq.; + + _Fungar vice cotis, acutum + Reddere quae ferrum valet, exors ipsa secandi_. + Horat. De Arte Poet. + +1668 + + +To the Right Honourable CHARLES LORD BUCKHURST. + +My Lord, + +_As I was lately reviewing my loose papers, amongst the rest I found this +Essay, the writing of which, in this rude and indigested manner wherein +your Lordship now sees it, served as an amusement to me in the country +[in 1665], when the violence of the last Plague had driven me from the +town. Seeing, then, our theatres shut up; I was engaged in these kind[s] +of thoughts with the same delight with which men think upon their absent +mistresses. + +I confess I find many things in this Discourse, which I do not now +approve; my judgement being a little altered since the writing of it: but +whether for the better or worse, I know not. Neither indeed is it much +material in an_ Essay, _where all I have said is problematical. + +For the way of writing Plays in Verse, which I have seemed to favour [p. +561]; I have, since that time, laid the practice of it aside till I have +more leisure, because I find it troublesome and slow. But I am no way +altered from my opinion of it, at least, with any reasons which have +opposed it. For your Lordship may easily observe that none are very +violent against it; but those who either have not attempted it, or who +have succeeded ill in their attempt. 'Tis enough for me, to have your +Lordship's example for my excuse in that little which I have done in it: +and I am sure my adversaries can bring no such arguments against Verse, +as the Fourth Act of_ POMPEY _will furnish me with in its defence. + +Yet, my Lord! you must suffer me a little to complain of you! that you +too soon withdraw from us a contentment, of which we expected the +continuance, because you gave it us so early. 'Tis a revolt without +occasion from your Party! where your merits had already raised you to the +highest commands: and where you have not the excuse of other men that you +have been ill used and therefore laid down arms. I know no other quarrel +you can have to Verse, than that which_ SPURINA _had to his beauty; when +he tore and mangled the features of his face, only because they pleased +too well the lookers on. It was an honour which seemed to wait for you, +to lead out a New Colony of Writers from the Mother Nation; and, upon the +first spreading of your ensigns, there had been many in a readiness to +have followed so fortunate a Leader; if not all, yet the better part of +writers._ + + Pars, indocili melior grege, mollis et expes + Inominata perprimat cubilia. + +_I am almost of opinion that we should force you to accept of the +command; as sometimes the Praetorian Bands have compelled their Captains +to receive the Empire. The Court, which is the best and surest judge of +writing, has generally allowed of Verse; and in the Town, it has found +favourers of Wit and Quality. + +As for your own particular, my Lord! you have yet youth and time enough +to give part of it to the Divertisement of the of the Public, before you +enter into the serious and more unpleasant Business of the World. + +That which the French Poet said of the Temple of Love, may be as well +applied to the Temple of Muses. The words, as near[ly] as I can remember +them, were these--_ + + La jeunesse a mauvaise grace + N'ayant pas adoré dans le Temple d'Amour; + Il faut qu'il entre: et pour le sage; + Si ce n'est son vrai sejour, + Ce'st un gîte sur son passage. + +_I leave the words to work their effect upon your Lordship, in their own +language; because no other can so well express the nobleness of the +thought: and wish you may be soon called to bear a part in the affaires +of the Nation, where I know the World expects you, and wonders why you +have been so long forgotten; there being no person amongst our young +nobility, on whom the eyes of all men are so much bent. But, in the +meantime, your Lordship may imitate the Course of Nature, which gives us +the flower before the fruit; that I may speak to you in the language of +the Muses, which I have taken from an excellent Poem to the King [i.e.,_ +CHARLES II.] + + _As Nature, when she fruit designs, thinks fit + By beauteous blossoms to proceed to it, + And while she does accomplish all the Spring, + Birds, to her secret operations sing. + +I confess I have no greater reason in addressing this Essay to your +Lordship, than that it might awaken in you the desire of writing +something, in whatever kind it be, which might be an honour to our Age +and country. And, methinks, it might have the same effect upon you, +which, HOMER tells us, the fight of the Greeks and Trojans before the +fleet had on the spirit of ACHILLES; who, though he had resolved not to +engage, yet found a martial warmth to steal upon him at the sight of +blows, the sound of trumpets, and the cries of fighting men. + +For my own part, if in treating of this subject, I sometimes dissent from +the opinion of better Wits, I declare it is not so much to combat their +opinions as to defend mine own, which were first made public. Sometimes, +like a scholar in a fencing school, I put forth myself, and show my own +ill play, on purpose to be better taught. Sometimes, I stand desperately +to my arms, like the Foot, when deserted by their Horse; not in hope to +overcome, but only to yield on more honourable terms. + +And yet, my Lord! this War of Opinions, you well know, has fallen out +among the Writers of all Ages, and sometimes betwixt friends: only it has +been persecuted by some, like pedants, with violence of words; and +managed, by others, like gentlemen, with candour and civility. Even TULLY +had a controversy with his dear ATTICUS; and in one of his_ Dialogues, +_makes him sustain the part of an enemy in Philosophy, who, in his_ +Letters, _is his confident of State, and made privy to the most weighty +affairs of the Roman Senate: and the same respect, which was paid by +TULLY to ATTICUS; we find returned to him, afterwards, by CAESAR, on a +like occasion: who, answering his book in praise of CATO, made it not so +much his business to condemn CATO, as to praise CICERO. + +But that I may decline some part of the encounter with my adversaries, +whom I am neither willing to combat, nor well able to resist; I will give +your Lordship the relation of a dispute betwixt some of our wits upon this +subject: in which, they did not only speak of Plays in Verse, but mingled, +in the freedom of discourse, some things of the Ancient, many of the +Modern Ways of Writing; comparing those with these, and the Wits of our +Nation with those of others. 'Tis true, they differed in their opinions, +as 'tis probable they would; neither do I take upon me to reconcile, but +to relate them, and that, as TACITUS professes of himself_, sine studio +partium aut ira_, "without passion or interest": leaving your Lordship to +decide it in favour of which part, you shall judge most reasonable! And +withal, to pardon the many errors of_ + +Your Lordship's most obedient humble servant, + +JOHN DRYDEN. + + + + +TO THE READER. + +_The drift of the ensuing Discourse was chiefly to vindicate the honour +of our English Writers from the censure of those who unjustly prefer the +French before them. This I intimate, lest any should think me so +exceeding vain, as to teach others an Art which they understand much +better than myself. But if this incorrect Essay, written in the country, +without the help of books or advice of friends, shall find any acceptance +in the World: I promise to myself a better success of the Second Part, +wherein the virtues and faults of the English Poets who have written, +either in this, the Epic, or the Lyric way, will be more fully treated +of; and their several styles impartially imitated._ + +AN ESSAY OF Dramatic Poesy. + +It was that memorable day [_3rd of June_ 1665] in the first summer of the +late war, when our Navy engaged the Dutch; a day, wherein the two most +mighty and best appointed Fleets which any Age had ever seen, disputed +the command of the greater half of the Globe, the commerce of Nations, +and the riches of the Universe. While these vast floating bodies, on +either side, moved against each other in parallel lines; and our +countrymen, under the happy conduct of His Royal Highness [_the Duke of +YORK_], went breaking by little and little, into the line of the enemies: +the noise of the cannon from both navies reached our ears about the City; +so that all men being alarmed with it, and in a dreadful suspense of the +event which we knew was then deciding, every one went following the sound +as his fancy [_imagination_] led him. And leaving the Town almost empty, +some took towards the Park; some cross the river, others down it: all +seeking the noise in the depth of silence. + +Among the rest, it was the fortune of EUGENIUS, CRITES, LISIDEIUS and +NEANDER to be in company together: three of them persons whom their Wit +and Quality have made known to all the Town; and whom I have chosen to +hide under these borrowed names, that they may not suffer by so ill a +Relation as I am going to make, of their discourse. + +Taking then, a barge, which a servant of LISIDEIUS had provided for them, +they made haste to shoot the Bridge [_i.e., London Bridge_]: and [so] left +behind them that great fall of waters, which hindered them from hearing +what they desired. + +After which, having disengaged themselves from many vessels which rode at +anchor in the Thames, and almost blocked up the passage towards Greenwich: +they ordered the watermen to let fall their oars more gently; and then, +every one favouring his own curiosity with a strict silence, it was not +long ere they perceived the air break about them, like the noise of +distant thunder, or of swallows in a chimney. Those little undulations of +sound, though almost vanishing before they reached them; yet still seeming +to retain somewhat of their first horror, which they had betwixt the +fleets. + +After they had attentively listened till such time, as the sound, by +little and little, went from them; EUGENIUS [_i.e., Lord BUCKHURST_] +lifting up his head, and taking notice of it, was the first to +congratulate to the rest, that happy Omen of our nation's victory: +adding, "we had but this to desire, in confirmation of it, that we might +hear no more of that noise, which was now leaving the English coast." + +When the rest had concurred in the same opinion, CRITES [_i.e., Sir +ROBERT HOWARD_] (a person of a sharp judgment, and somewhat a too +delicate a taste in wit, which the World have mistaken in him for ill +nature) said, smiling, to us, "That if the concernment of this battle had +not been so exceeding[ly] great, he could scarce have wished the victory +at the price, he knew, must pay for it; in being subject to the reading +and hearing of so many ill verses, he was sure would be made upon it." +Adding, "That no argument could 'scape some of those eternal rhymers, who +watch a battle with more diligence than the ravens and birds of prey; and +the worst of them surest to be first in upon the quarry: while the better +able, either, out of modesty, writ not at all; or set that due value upon +their poems, as to let them be often called for, and long expected." + +"There are some of those impertinent people you speak of," answered +LISIDEIUS [_i.e., Sir CHARLES SEDLEY_], "who, to my knowledge, are +already so provided, either way, that they can produce not only a +Panegyric upon the Victory: but, if need be, a Funeral Elegy upon the +Duke, and, after they have crowned his valour with many laurels, at last, +deplore the odds under which he fell; concluding that his courage deserved +a better destiny." All the company smiled at the conceit of LISIDEIUS. + +But CRITES, more eager than before, began to make particular exceptions +against some writers, and said, "The Public Magistrate ought to send, +betimes, to forbid them: and that it concerned the peace and quiet of all +honest people, that ill poets should be as well silenced as seditious +preachers." + +"In my opinion" replied EUGENIUS, "you pursue your point too far! For, as +to my own particular, I am so great a lover of Poesy, that I could wish +them all rewarded, who attempt but to do well. At least, I would not have +them worse used than SYLLA the Dictator did one of their brethren +heretofore. _Quem in concione vidimus_ (says TULLY, speaking of him) _cum +ei libellum malus poeta de populo subjecisset, quod epigramma in eum +fecisset tantummodo alternis versibus longiuculis, statim ex iis rebus +quae tunc vendebat jubere ei praemium tribui, sub ea conditione ne quid +postea scriberet_." + +"I could wish, with all my heart," replied CRITES, "that many whom we +know, were as bountifully thanked, upon the same condition, that they +would never trouble us again. For amongst others, I have a mortal +apprehension of two poets, whom this Victory, with the help of both her +wings, will never be able to escape." + +"'Tis easy to guess, whom you intend," said LISIDEIUS, "and without +naming them, I ask you if one [_i.e., GEORGE WITHER_] of them does not +perpetually pay us with clenches upon words, and a certain clownish kind +of raillery? If, now and then, he does not offer at a catachresis [_which +COTGRAVE defines as 'the abuse, or necessary use of one word, for lack of +another more proper'_] or Clevelandism, wresting and torturing a word +into another meaning? In fine, if be not one of those whom the French +would call _un mauvais buffon_; one that is so much a well willer to the +Satire, that he spares no man: and though he cannot strike a blow to hurt +any, yet ought to be punished for the malice of the action; as our witches +are justly hanged, because they think themselves so, and suffer deservedly +for believing they did mischief, because they meant it." + +"You have described him," said CRITES, "so exactly, that I am afraid to +come after you, with my other Extremity of Poetry. He [_i.e., FRANCIS +QUARLES_] is one of those, who, having had some advantage of education +and converse [_i.e., conversation, in the sense of Culture through +mixture with society_], knows better than the other, what a Poet should +be; but puts it into practice more unluckily than any man. His style and +matter are everywhere alike. He is the most calm, peaceable writer you +ever read. He never disquiets your passions with the least concernment; +but still leaves you in as even a temper as he found you. He is a very +Leveller in poetry; he creeps along, with ten little words in every line, +and helps out his numbers with _For to_, and _Unto_, and all the pretty +expletives he can find, till he drags them to the end of another line: +while the Sense is left, tired, halfway behind it. He doubly starves all +his verses; first, for want of Thought, and then, of Expression, His +poetry neither has wit in it, nor seems to have it; like him, in MARTIAL, + + "_Pauper videri CINNA vult, et est pauper_. + +"He affects plainness, to cover his Want of Imagination. When he writes +in the serious way; the highest flight of his Fancy is some miserable +_antithesis_ or seeming contradiction: and in the comic; he is still +reaching at some thin conceit, the ghost of a jest, and that too flies +before him, never to be caught. These swallows, which we see before us on +the Thames, are the just resemblance of his Wit. You may observe how near +the water they stoop! how many proffers they make to dip, and yet how +seldom they touch it! and when they do, 'tis but the surface! they skim +over it, but to catch a gnat, and then mount in the air and leave it!" + +"Well, gentlemen!" said EUGENICS, "you may speak your pleasure of these +authors; but though. I and some few more about the Town, may give you a +peaceable hearing: yet, assure yourselves! there are multitudes who would +think you malicious, and them injured; especially him whom you first +described, he is the very _Withers_ of the City. They have bought more +Editions of his works, than would serve to lay under all their pies at +the Lord Mayor's Christmas. When his famous poem [_i.e., Speculum +Speculativium; Or, A Considering Glass, Being an Inspection into the +present and late sad condition of these Nations.... London. Written June +xiii. XDCLX, and there imprinted the same year_] first came out in the +year 1660, I have seen them read it in the midst of Change time. Nay, so +vehement were they at it, that they lost their bargain by the candles' +ends! But what will you say, if he has been received among the Great +Ones? I can assure you, he is, this day, the envy of a Great Person, who +is Lord in the Art of Quibbling; and who does not take it well, than any +man should intrude so far into his province." + +"All I would wish," replied CRITES, "is that they who love his writings, +may still admire him and his fellow poet. _Qui Bavium non odit &c._, is +curse sufficient." + +"And farther," added LISIDEIUS; "I believe there is no man who writes +well; but would think himself very hardly dealt with, if their admirers +should praise anything of his. _Nam quos contemnimus eorum quoque laudes +contemnimus_." + +"There are so few who write well, in this Age," said CRITES, "that +methinks any praises should be welcome. They neither rise to the dignity +of the last Age, nor to any of the Ancients: and we may cry out of the +Writers of this Time, with more reason than PETRONIUS of his, _Pace +vestra liceat dixisse, primi omnium eloquentiam perdidistis_! 'You have +debauched the true old Poetry so far, that Nature (which is the Soul of +it) is not in any of your writings!'" + +"If your quarrel," said EUGENIUS, "to those who now write, be grounded +only upon your reverence to Antiquity; there is no man more ready to +adore those great Greeks and Romans than I am: but, on the other side, I +cannot think so contemptibly of the Age I live in, or so dishonourably of +my own Country as not to judge [that] we equal the Ancients in most kinds +of Poesy, and in some, surpass them; neither know I any reason why I may +not be as zealous for the reputation of our Age, as we find the Ancients +themselves, in reference to those who lived before them. For you hear +HORACE saying + + "_Indignor quidquam reprehendi, non quia crasse + Compositum, ille pide've putetur, sed quia nuper._ + +"And, after, + + "Si meliora dies, ut vina, poemata reddit, + Scire velim pretium chartis quotus arroget annus?_ + +"But I see I am engaging in a wide dispute, where the arguments are not +like[ly] to reach close, on either side [p. 497]: for Poesy is of so +large extent, and so many (both of the Ancients and Moderns) have done +well in all kinds of it, that, in citing one against the other, we shall +take up more time this evening, than each man's occasions will allow him. +Therefore, I would ask CRITES to what part of Poesy, he would confine his +arguments? and whether he would defend the general cause of the Ancients +against the Moderns; or oppose any Age of the Moderns against this of +ours?" + +CRITES, a little while considering upon this demand, told EUGENIUS, he +approved of his propositions; and, if he pleased, he would limit their +dispute to Dramatic Poesy: in which, he thought it not difficult to +prove, either that the Ancients were superior to the Moderns; or the last +Age to this of ours. + +EUGENIUS was somewhat surprised, when he heard CRITES make choice of that +subject. "For ought I see," said he, "I have undertaken a harder province +than I imagined. For though I never judged the plays of the Greek and +Roman poets comparable to ours: yet, on the other side, those we now see +acted, come short of many which were written in the last Age. But my +comfort is, if we were o'ercome, it will be only by our own countrymen; +and if we yield to them in this one part of Poesy, we [the] more surpass +them in all the other[s]. + +"For in the Epic, or Lyric way, it will be hard for them to shew us one +such amongst them, as we have many now living, or who lately were so. +They can produce nothing so Courtly writ, or which expresses so much the +conversation of a gentleman, as Sir JOHN SUCKLING; nothing so even, +sweet, and flowing, as Mr. WALLER; nothing so majestic, so correct, as +Sir JOHN DENHAM; nothing so elevated, so copious, and full of spirit, as +Mr. COWLEY. As for the Italian, French, and Spanish plays, I can make it +evident, that those who now write, surpass them; and that the Drama is +wholly ours." + +All of them were thus far of EUGENIUS his opinion, that "the sweetness of +English Verse was never understood or practised by our fathers"; even +CRITES himself did not much oppose it: and every one was willing to +acknowledge how much our Poesy is improved by the happiness of some +writers yet living, who first taught us to mould our thoughts into easy +and significant words; to retrench the superfluities of expression; and +to make our Rhyme so properly a part of the Verse, that it should never +mislead the Sense, but itself be led and governed by it. + + +EUGENIUS was going to continue this discourse, when LISIDEIUS told him, +that "it was necessary, before they proceeded further, to take a Standing +Measure of their controversy. For how was it possible to be decided who +writ the best plays, before we know what a Play should be? but this once +agreed on by both parties, each might have recourse to it; either to +prove his own advantages, or discover the failings of his adversary." + +He had no sooner said this; but all desired the favour of him to give the +definition of a Play: and they were the more importunate, because neither +ARISTOTLE, nor HORACE, nor any other who writ of that subject, had ever +done it. + +LISIDEIUS, after some modest denials, at last, confessed he had a rude +notion of it; indeed, rather a Description than a Definition; but which +served to guide him in his private thoughts, when he was to make a +judgment of what others writ. That he conceived a Play ought to be A JUST +AND LIVELY IMAGE OF HUMAN NATURE, REPRESENTING ITS PASSIONS AND HUMOURS; +AND THE CHANGES OF FORTUNE, TO WHICH IT IS SUBJECT: FOR THE DELIGHT AND +INSTRUCTION OF MANKIND. + +This Definition, though CRITES raised a logical objection against it +(that "it was only _a genere et fine_," and so not altogether perfect), +was yet well received by the rest. + +And, after they had given order to the watermen to turn their barge, and +row softly, that they might take the cool of the evening in their return: +CRITES, being desired by the company to begin, spoke on behalf of the +Ancients, in this manner. + + +"If confidence presage a victory; EUGENIUS, in his own opinion, has +already triumphed over the Ancients. Nothing seems more easy to him, than +to overcome those whom it is our greatest praise to have imitated well: +for we do not only build upon their foundation, but by their models. + +"Dramatic Poesy had time enough, reckoning from THESPIS who first +invented it, to ARISTOPHANES; to be born, to grow up, and to flourish in +maturity. + +"_It has been observed of Arts and Sciences, that in one and the same +century, they have arrived to a great perfection_ [p. 520]. And, no +wonder! since every Age has a kind of Universal Genius, which inclines +those that live in it to some particular studies. The work then being +pushed on by many hands, must, of necessity, go forward. + +"Is it not evident, in these last hundred years, when the study of +Philosophy has been the business of all the _Virtuosi_ in Christendom, +that almost a new Nature has been revealed to us? that more errors of the +School have been detected, more useful experiments in Philosophy have been +made, more noble secrets in Optics, Medicine, Anatomy, Astronomy, +discovered; than, in all those credulous and doting Ages, from ARISTOTLE +to us [p. 520]? So true it is, that nothing spreads more fast than +Science, when rightly and generally cultivated. + +"Add to this, _the more than common Emulation that was, in those times, +of writing well_: which, though it be found in all Ages and all persons +that pretend to the same reputation: yet _Poesy, being then in more +esteem than now it is, had greater honours decreed to the Professors of +it, and consequently the rivalship was more high between them_. They had +Judges ordained to decide their merit, and prizes to reward it: and +historians have been diligent to record of AESCHYLUS, EURIPIDES, +SOPHOCLES, LYCOPHRON, and the rest of them, both who they were that +vanquished in these Wars of the Theatre, and how often they were crowned: +while the Asian Kings and Grecian Commonwealths scarce[ly] afforded them a +nobler subject than the unmanly luxuries of a debauched Court, or giddy +intrigues of a factious city. _Alit oemulatio ingenia_, says PATERCULUS, +_et nunc invidia, nunc admiratio incitationem accendit_: 'Emulation is +the spur of wit; and sometimes envy, sometimes admiration quickens our +endeavours.' + +"But now, since the rewards of honour are taken away: that Virtuous +Emulation is turned into direct Malice; yet so slothful, that it contents +itself to condemn and cry down others, without attempting to do better. +'Tis a reputation too unprofitable, to take the necessary pains for it; +yet wishing they had it, is incitement enough to hinder others from it. +And this, in short, EUGENIUS, is the reason why you have now so few good +poets, and so many severe judges. Certainly, to imitate the Ancients +well, much labour and long study is required: which pains, I have already +shown, our poets would want encouragement to take; if yet they had ability +to go through with it. + +"Those Ancients have been faithful Imitators and wise Observers of that +Nature, which is so torn and ill-represented in our Plays. They have +handed down to us a perfect Resemblance of Her, which we, like ill +copyers, _neglecting to look on_, have rendered monstrous and disfigured. + +"But that you may know, how much you are indebted to your Masters! and be +ashamed to have so ill-requited them! I must remember you, that all the +Rules by which we practise the Drama at this day (either such as relate +to the Justness and Symmetry of the Plot; or the episodical ornaments, +such as Descriptions, Narrations, and other beauties which are not +essential to the play), were delivered to us from the Observations that +ARISTOTLE made of those Poets, which either lived before him, or were his +contemporaries. We have added nothing of our own, except we have the +confidence to say, 'Our wit is better!' which none boast of in our Age, +but such as understand not theirs. Of that book, which ARISTOTLE has left +us, [Greek: peri taes Poietikaes]; HORACE his _Art of Poetry_ is an +excellent _Comment_, and, I believe, restores to us, that Second Book of +his [_i.e., ARISTOTLE_] concerning _Comedy_, which is wanting in him. + +"Out of these two [Authors], have been extracted the Famous Rules, which +the French call, _Des trois Unités_, or 'The Three Unities,' which ought +to be observed in every _regular_ Play; namely, of TIME, PLACE, and +ACTION. + +"The UNITY OF TIME, they comprehend in Twenty-four hours, _the compass of +a natural Day_; or, as near it, as can be contrived. And the reason of it +is obvious to every one. That _the Time_ of the feigned Action or Fable +of the Play _should be proportioned_, as near as can be, _to the duration +of that Time in which it is REPRESENTED_. Since therefore all plays are +acted on the Theatre in a space of time _much within_ the compass of +Twenty-four hours; that Play is to be thought the _nearest Imitation_ of +Nature, whose Plot or Action is confined within that time. + +"And, by the same Rule which concludes this General Proportion of Time, +it follows, _That all the parts of it are to be equally subdivided_. As, +namely, that one Act take not up the supposed time of Half a day, which +is out of proportion to the rest; since the other four are then to be +straitened within the compass of the remaining half: for it is unnatural +that one Act which, being spoken or written, is not longer than the rest; +should be supposed longer by the audience. 'Tis therefore the Poet's duty +to take care _that no Act_ should be imagined to _exceed the Time in +which it is Represented on the Stage_; and that the intervals and +inequalities of time, be supposed to fall out _between_ the Acts. + +"This Rule of TIME, how well it has been observed by the Ancients, most +of their plays will witness. You see them, in their Tragedies (wherein to +follow this Rule is certainly most difficult), from the very beginning of +their Plays, falling close into that part of the Story, which they intend +for the Action or principal Object of it: leaving the former part to be +delivered by Narration. So that they set the audience, as it were, at the +post where the race is to be concluded: and, saving them the tedious +expectation of seeing the Poet set out and ride the beginning of the +course; you behold him not, till he is in sight of the goal, and just +upon you. + +"For the Second Unity, which is that of PLACE; the Ancients meant by it, +_That the scene_ [locality] _ought to be continued_, through the Play, +_in the same place, where it was laid in the beginning_. For _the Stage_, +on which it is represented, _being but one, and the same place; it +isunnatural to conceive it many, and those far distant from one another_. +I will not deny but by the Variation of Painted scenes [_scenery was +introduced about this time into the English theatres, by Sir WILLIAM +D'AVENANT and BETTERTON the Actor: see Vol. II. p. 278_] the Fancy which, +in these casts, will contribute to its own deceit, may sometimes imagine +it several places, upon some appearance of probability: yet it still +carries _the greater likelihood of truth_, if those places be supposed so +near each other as in the same town or city, which may all be comprehended +under the larger denomination of One Place; for a greater distance will +bear no proportion to the _shortness of time which is allotted in the +acting_, to pass from one of them to another. + +"For the observation of this; next to the Ancients, the French are most +to be commended. They tie themselves so strictly to the Unity of Place, +that you never see in any of their plays, a scene [_locality_] changed in +the middle of an Act. If the Act begins in a garden, a street, or [a] +chamber; 'tis ended in the same place. And that you may know it to be the +same, the Stage is so supplied with persons, that it is never empty all +the time. He that enters the second has business with him, who was on +before; and before the second quits the stage, a third appears, who has +business with him. This CORNEILLE calls _La Liaison des Scenes_,'the +Continuity or Joining of the Scenes': and it is a good mark of a well +contrived Play, when all the persons are known to each other, and every +one of them has some affairs with all the rest. + +"As for the third Unity, which is that of ACTION, the Ancients meant no +other by it, than what the Logicians do by their _Finis_; the End or +Scope of any Action, that which is the First in intention, and Last in +execution. + +"Now the Poet is to aim at _one great and complete Action_; to the +carrying on of which, all things in the Play, even the very obstacles, +are to be subservient. And the reason of this, is as evident as any of +the former. For two Actions, equally laboured and driven on by the +Writer, would destroy the Unity of the Poem. It would be no longer one +Play, but two. Not but that there may be many actions in a Play (as BEN. +JOHNSON has observed in his _Discoveries_), but they must be all +subservient to the great one; which our language happily expresses, in +the name of Under Plots. Such as, in TERENCE's _Eunuch_, is the deference +and reconcilement of _THAIS_ and _PHAEDRIA_; which is not the chief +business of the Play, but promotes the marriage of _CHOEREA_ and +_CHREMES's sister_, principally intended by the Poet. + +"'There ought to be but one Action,' says CORNEILLE, 'that is, one +complete Action, which leaves the mind of the audience in a full repose.' +But this cannot be brought to pass, but by many other imperfect ones, +which conduce to it, and hold the audience in a delightful suspense of +what will be. + +"If by these Rules (to omit many others drawn from the Precepts and +Practice of the Ancients), we should judge our modern plays, 'tis +probable that few of them would endure the trial. That which should be +the business of a Day, takes up, in some of them, an Age. Instead of One +Action, they are the Epitome of a man's life. And for one spot of ground, +which the Stage should represent; we are sometimes in more countries than +the map can show us. + +"But if we will allow the Ancients to have _contrived_ well; we must +acknowledge them to have _writ_ better. Questionless, we are deprived of +a great stock of wit, in the loss of MENANDER among the Greek poets, and +of COECILIUS, AFFRANIUS, and VARIUS among the Romans. We may guess of +MENANDER's excellency by the Plays of TERENCE; who translated some of +his, and yet wanted so much of him, that he was called by C. CAESAR, the +Half-MENANDER: and of VARIUS, by the testimonies of HORACE, MARTIAL, and +VELLEIUS PATERCULUS. 'Tis probable that these, could they be recovered, +would decide the controversy. + +"But so long as ARISTOPHANES in the Old Comedy, and PLAUTUS in the New +are extant; while the Tragedies of EURIPIDES, SOPHOCLES, and SENECA are +to be had: I can never see one of those Plays which are now written, but +it increases my admiration of the Ancients. And yet I must acknowledge +further, that to admire them as we ought, we should understand them +better than we do. Doubtless, many things appear flat to us, whose wit +depended upon some custom or story, which never came to our knowledge; or +perhaps upon some criticism in their language, which, being so long dead, +and only remaining in their books, it is not possible they should make us +know it perfectly. + +"To read MACROBIUS explaining the propriety and elegancy of many words in +VIRGIL, which I had before passed over without consideration as common +things, is enough to assure me that I ought to think the same of TERENCE; +and that, in the purity of his style, which TULLY so much valued that he +ever carried his _Works_ about him, there is yet left in him great room +for admiration, if I knew but where to place it. + +"In the meantime, I must desire you to take notice that the greatest man +of the last Age, BEN. JOHNSON, was willing to give place to them in all +things. He was not only a professed imitator of HORACE, but a learned +plagiary of all the others. You track him everywhere in their snow. If +HORACE, LUCAN, PETRONIUS _Arbiter_, SENECA, and JUVENAL had their own +from him; there are few serious thoughts that are new in him. You will +pardon me, therefore, if I presume, he loved their fashion; when he wore +their clothes. + +"But since I have otherwise a great veneration for him, and you, +EUGENIUS! prefer him above all other poets: I will use no farther +argument to you than his example. I will produce Father BEN. to you, +dressed in all the ornaments and colours of the Ancients. You will need +no other guide to our party, if you follow him: and whether you consider +the bad plays of our Age, or regard the good ones of the last: both the +best and worst of the Modern poets will equally instruct you to esteem +the Ancients." + + +CRITES had no sooner left speaking; but EUGENIUS, who waited with some +impatience for it, thus began: + +"I have observed in your speech, that the former part of it is +convincing, as to what the Moderns have profited by the Rules of the +Ancients: but, in the latter, you are careful to conceal, how much they +have excelled them. + +"We own all the helps we have from them; and want neither veneration nor +gratitude, while we acknowledge that, to overcome them, we must make use +of all the advantages we have received from them. But to these +assistances, we have joined our own industry: for had we sate down with a +dull imitation of them; we might then have lost somewhat of the old +perfection, but never acquired any that was new. We draw not, therefore, +after their lines; but those of Nature: and having the Life before us, +besides the experience of all they knew, it is no wonder if we hit some +airs and features, which they have missed. + +"I deny not what you urge of Arts and Sciences [p. 514]; that they have +flourished in some ages more than others: but your instance in Philosophy +[p. 514] makes for me. + +"For if Natural Causes be more known now, than in the time of ARISTOTLE, +because more studied; it follows that Poesy and other Arts may, with the +same pains, arrive still nearer to perfection. And that granted, it will +rest for you to prove, that they wrought more perfect Images of Human +Life than we. + +"Which, seeing, in your discourse, you have avoided to make good; it +shall now be my task to show you some of their Defects, and some few +Excellencies of the Moderns. And I think, there is none amongst us can +imagine I do it enviously; or with purpose to detract from them: for what +interest of Fame, or Profit, can the Living lose by the reputation of the +Dead? On the other side, it is a great truth, which VELLEIUS PATERCULUS +affirms, _Audita visis libentius laudamus; et proesentia invidia, +proeterita, admiratione prosequimur, et his nos obrui, illis instrui +credimus_, 'That Praise or Censure is certainly the most sincere, which +unbribed Posterity shall give us.' + +"Be pleased, then, in the first place, to take notice that the Greek +Poesy, which CRITES has affirmed to have arrived to perfection in the +reign of the Old Comedy [p. 514], was so far from it, that _the +distinction of it into Acts was not known to them_; or if it were, it is +yet so darkly delivered to us, that we cannot make it out. + +"All we know of it is, from the singing of their Chorus: and that too, is +so uncertain, that in some of their Plays, we have reason to conjecture +they sang more than five times. + +"ARISTOTLE, indeed, divides the integral parts of a Play into four. + + "Firstly. The _Protasis_ or Entrance, which gives light only to the + Characters of the persons; and proceeds very little into any part + of the Action. + + "Secondly. The _Epitasis_ or Working up of the Plot, where the Play + grows warmer; the Design or Action of it is drawing on, and you see + something promising, that it will come to pass. + + "Thirdly. The _Catastasis_ or Counter-turn, which destroys that + expectation, embroils the action in new difficulties, and leaves + you far distant from that hope in which it found you: as you may + have observed in a violent stream, resisted by a narrow passage; it + turns round to an eddy, and carries back the waters with more + swiftness than it brought them on. + + "Lastly. The _Catastrophe_, which the Grecians call [Greek: desis]; + the French, _Le denoument_; and we, the Discovery or Unravelling of + the Plot. There, you see all things settling again upon the first + foundations; and the obstacles, which hindered the Design or Action + of the Play, once removed, it ends with that Resemblance of Truth + or Nature, that the audience are satisfied with the conduct of it. + +"Thus this great man delivered to us the Image of a Play; and I must +confess it is so lively, that, from thence, much light has been derived +to the forming it more perfectly, into Acts and Scenes. But what Poet +first limited to Five, the number of the Acts, I know not: only we see it +so firmly established in the time of HORACE, that he gives it for a rule +in Comedy. + + "_Neu brevier quinto, neu sit productior actu:_ + +"So that you see, the Grecians cannot be said to have consumated this +Art: writing rather by Entrances than by Acts; and having rather a +general indigested notion of a Play, than knowing how and where to bestow +the particular graces of it. + +"But since the Spaniards, at this day, allow but three Acts, which they +call _Jornadas_, to a Play; and the Italians, in many of theirs, follow +them: when I condemn the Ancients, I declare it _is not altogether +because they have not five Acts to every Play; but because they have not +confined themselves to one certain number_. 'Tis building a house, +without a model: and when they succeeded in such undertakings, they ought +to have sacrificed to Fortune, not to the Muses. + +"Next, for the Plot, which ARISTOTLE called [Greek: to muthos], and often +[Greek: ton pragmaton sunthesis]; and from him, the Romans, _Fabula_. It +has already been judiciously observed by a late Writer that 'in their +_TRADGEDIES_, it was only some tale derived from Thebes or Troy; or, at +least, something that happened in those two Ages: which was worn so +threadbare by the pens of all the Epic Poets; and even, by tradition +itself of the _talkative Greeklings_, as BEN. JOHNSON calls them, that +before it came upon the Stage, it was already known to all the audience. +And the people, as soon as ever they heard the name of _OEDIPUS_, knew as +well as the Poet, that he had killed his father by a mistake, and +committed incest with his mother, before the Play; that they were now to +hear of a great plague, an oracle, and the ghost of _LAIUS_: so that they +sate, with a yawning kind of expectation, till he was to come, with his +eyes pulled out, and speak a hundred or two of verses, in a tragic tone, +in complaint of his misfortunes.' + +"But one _OEDIPUS_, _HERCULES_, or _MEDEA_ had been tolerable. Poor +people! They scaped not so good cheap. They had still the _chapon +bouillé_ set before them, till their appetites were cloyed with the same +dish; and the Novelty being gone, the Pleasure vanished. So that one main +end of Dramatic Poesy, in its definition [p. 513] (which was, to cause +_Delight_) was, of consequence, destroyed. + +"In their _COMEDIES_, the Romans generally borrowed their Plots from the +Greek poets: and theirs were commonly a little girl stolen or wandered +from her parents, brought back unknown to the same city, there got with +child by some lewd young fellow, who (by the help of his servant) cheats +his father. And when her time comes to cry _JUNO Lucina fer opem!_ one or +other sees a little box or cabinet, which was carried away with her, and +so discovers her to her friends: if some god do not prevent +[_anticipate_] it, by coming down in a machine [_i.e., supernaturally_], +and take the thanks of it to himself. + +"By the Plot, you may guess much [_many_] of the characters of the +Persons. An old Father that would willingly, before he dies, see his son +well married. His debauched Son, kind in his nature to his wench, but +miserably in want of money. A Servant or Slave, who has so much wit [as] +to strike in with him, and help to dupe his father, A braggadochio +Captain, a Parasite, and a Lady of Pleasure. + +"As for the poor honest maid, upon whom all the story is built, and who +ought to be one of the principal Actors in the Play; she is commonly a +Mute in it. She has the breeding of the old ELIZABETH [_Elizabethan_] +way, for 'maids to be seen, and not to be heard': and it is enough, you +know she is willing to be married, when the Fifth Act requires it. + +"These are plots built after the Italian mode of houses. You see through +them all at once. The Characters, indeed, are Imitations of Nature: but +so narrow as if they had imitated only an eye or an hand, and did not +dare to venture on the lines of a face, or the proportion of a body. + +"But in how strait a compass sorever, they have bounded their Plots and +Characters, we will pass it by, if they have regularly pursued them, and +perfectly observed those three Unities, of TIME, PLACE, and ACTION; the +knowledge of which, you say! is derived to us from them. + +"But, in the first place, give me leave to tell you! that the Unity of +PLACE, however it might be practised by them, was never any of their +Rules. We neither find it in ARISTOTLE, HORACE, or any who have written +of it; till, in our Age, the French poets first made it a Precept of the +Stage. + +"The Unity of TIME, even TERENCE himself, who was the best and most +regular of them, has neglected. His _Heautontimoroumenos_ or 'Self +Punisher' takes up, visibly, two days. 'Therefore,' says SCALIGER, 'the +two first Acts concluding the first day, were acted overnight; the last +three on the ensuing day.' + +"And EURIPIDES, in tying himself to one day, has committed an absurdity +never to be forgiven him. For, in one of his Tragedies, he has made +THESEUS go from Athens to Thebes, which was about forty English miles; +under the walls of it, to give battle; and appear victorious in the next +Act: and yet, from the time of his departure, to the return of the +_Nuntius_, who gives relation of his victory; _AETHRA_ and the _Chorus_ +have but thirty-six verses, that is, not for every mile, a verse. + +"The like error is evident in TERENCE his _Eunuch_; when _LACHES_ the old +man, enters, in a mistake, the house of _THAIS_; where, between his _Exit_ +and the Entrance of _PYTHIAS_ (who comes to give an ample relation of the +garboils he has raised within), _PARMENO_ who was left upon the stage, +has not above five lines to speak. _C'est bien employé, un temps si +court!_ says the French poet, who furnished me with one of the[se] +observations. + +"And almost all their Tragedies will afford us examples of the like +nature. + +"'Tis true, they have kept the Continuity, or as you called it, _Liaison +des Scenes_, somewhat better. Two do not perpetually come in together, +talk, and go out together; and other two succeeded them, and do the same, +throughout the Act: which the English call by the name of 'Single Scenes.' +But the reason is, because they have seldom above two or three Scenes, +properly so called, in every Act. For it is to be accounted a _new_ +Scene, not every time the Stage is empty: but every person _who enters_, +though to others, makes it so; because he introduces a new business. + +"Now the Plots of their Plays being narrow, and the persons few: one of +their Acts was written in a less compass than one of our well-wrought +Scenes; and yet they are often deficient even in this. + +"To go no further than TERENCE. You find in the _Eunuch_, _ANTIPHO_ +entering, single, in the midst of the Third Act, after _CHREMES_ and +_PYTHIAS_ were gone off. In the same play, you have likewise _DORIAS_ +beginning the Fourth Act alone; and after she has made a relation of what +was done at the soldier's entertainment (which, by the way, was very +inartificial to do; because she was presumed to speak directly to the +Audience, and to acquaint them with what was necessary to be known: but +yet should have been so contrived by the Poet as to have been told by +persons of the Drama to one another, and so by them, to have come to the +knowledge of the people), she quits the Stage: and _PHAEDRIA_ enters +next, alone likewise. He also gives you an account of himself, and of his +returning from the country, in monologue: to which unnatural way of +Narration, TERENCE is subject in all his Plays. + +"In his _Adelphi_ or 'Brothers,' _SYRUS_ and _DEMEA_ enter after the +Scene was broken by the departure of _SOSTRATA_, _GETA_, and _CANTHARA_; +and, indeed, you can scarce look into any of his Comedies, where you will +not presently discover the same interruption. + +"And as they have failed both in [the] laying of the Plots, and managing +of them, swerving from the Rules of their own Art, by misrepresenting +Nature to us, in which they have ill satisfied one intention of a Play, +which was Delight: so in the Instructive part [pp. 513, 582-4], they have +erred worse. Instead of punishing vice, and rewarding virtue; they have +often shown a prosperous wickedness, and an unhappy piety. They have set +before us a bloody Image of Revenge, in _MEDEA_; and given her dragons to +convey her safe from punishment. A _PRIAM_ and _ASTYANAX_ murdered, and +_CASSANDRA_ ravished; and Lust and Murder ending in the victory of him +that acted them. In short, there is no indecorum in any of our modern +Plays; which, if I would excuse, I could not shadow with some Authority +from the Ancients. + +"And one farther note of them, let me leave you! Tragedies and Comedies +were not writ then, as they are now, promiscuously, by the same person: +but he who found his genius bending to the one, never attempted the other +way. This is so plain, that I need not instance to you, that ARISTOPHANES, +PLAUTUS, TERENCE never, any of them, writ a Tragedy; AESCHYLUS, EURIPIDES, +SOPHOCLES, and SENECA never meddled with Comedy. The Sock and Buskin were +not worn by the same Poet. Having then so much care to excel in one kind; +very little is to be pardoned them, if they miscarried in it. + +"And this would lead me to the consideration of their Wit, had not CRITES +given me sufficient warning, not to be too bold in my judgement of it; +because (the languages being dead, and many of the customs and little +accidents on which it depended lost to us [p. 518]) we are not competent +judges of it. But though I grant that, here and there, we may miss the +application of a proverb or a custom; yet, a thing well said, will be Wit +in all languages: and, though it may lose something in the translation; +yet, to him who reads it in the original, 'tis still the same. He has an +Idea of its excellency; though it cannot pass from his mind into any +other expression or words than those in which he finds it. + +"When _PHAEDRIA_, in the _Eunuch_, had a command from his mistress to be +absent two days; and encouraging himself to go through with it, said, +_Tandem ego non illa caream, si opus sit, vel totum triduum? PARMENO_ to +mock the softness of his master, lifting up his hands and eyes, cries +out, as it were in admiration, _Hui! universum triduum!_ The elegancy of +which _universum_, though it cannot be rendered in our language; yet +leaves an impression of the Wit on our souls. + +"But this happens seldom in him [_i.e., TERENCE_]; in PLAUTUS oftner, who +is infinitely too bold in his metaphors and coining words; out of which, +many times, his Wit is nothing. Which, questionless, was one reason why +HORACE falls upon him so severely in those verses. + + "_Sed Proavi nostri Plautinos el numeros et + Laudavere sales, nimium patienter utrumque + Ne dicam stolidè_. + +"For HORACE himself was cautious to obtrude [_in obtruding_] a new word +upon his readers: and makes custom and common use, the best measure of +receiving it into our writings, + + "_Multa renascentur quae nunc cecidere, cadentque + Quae nunc sunt in honore vocabula, si volet usus + Quem penes, arbitrium est, et jus, et norma loquendi_. + +"The not observing of this Rule, is that which the World has blamed in +our satirist CLEVELAND. To express a thing hard and unnaturally is his +New Way of Elocution. Tis true, no poet but may sometimes use a +_catachresis_. VIRGIL, does it, + + "_Mistaque ridenti Colocasia fundet Acaniho_-- + +"in his Eclogue of _POLLIO_. + +"And in his Seventh AEneid-- + + "_Mirantur et unda, + Miratur nemus, insuetam fulgentia longe, + Scuta virum fluvio, pictaque innare carinas_. + +"And OVID once; so modestly, that he asks leave to do it. + + "_Si verbo audacia, detur + Haud metuam summi dixisse Palatia coeli_ + +"calling the Court of JUPITER, by the name of AUGUSTUS his palace. +Though, in another place, he is more bold; where he says, _Et longas +visent Capitolia pompas_. + +"But to do this always, and never be able to write a line without it, +though it may be admired by some few pedants, will not pass upon those +who know that _Wit is best conveyed to us in the most easy language: and +is most to be admired, when a great thought comes dressed in words so +commonly received, that it is understood by the meanest apprehensions; as +the best meat is the most easily digested_. But we cannot read a verse of +CLEVELAND's, without making a face at it; as if every word were a pill to +swallow. He gives us, many times, a hard nut to break our teeth, without a +kernel for our pains. So that there is this difference between his +_Satires_ and Doctor DONNE's: that the one [_DONNE_] gives us deep +thoughts in common language, though rough cadence; the other +[_CLEVELAND_] gives us common thoughts in abtruse words. 'Tis true, in +some places, his wit is independent of his words, as in that of the +_Rebel Scot_-- + + "Had CAIN been Scot, GOD would have changed his doom, + Not forced him wander, but confined him home. + +"_Si sic, omnia dixisset!_ This is Wit in all languages. 'Tis like +MERCURY, never to be lost or killed. And so that other, + + "For beauty, like white powder, makes no noise, + And yet the silent hypocrite destroys. + +"You see the last line is highly metaphorical; but it is so soft and +gentle, that it does not shock us as we read it. + +"But to return from whence I have digressed, to the consideration of the +Ancients' Writing and Wit; of which, by this time, you will grant us, in +some measure, to be fit judges. + +"Though I see many excellent thoughts in SENECA: yet he, of them, who had +a genius most proper for the Stage, was OVID. He [_i.e., OVID_] had a way +of writing so fit to stir up a pleasing admiration and concernment, which +are the objects of a Tragedy; and to show the various movements of a soul +combating betwixt different passions: that, had he lived in our Age, or +(in his own) could have writ with our advantages, no man but must have +yielded to him; and therefore, I am confident the _MEDEA_ is none of his. +For, though I esteem it, for the gravity and sentiousness of it (which he +himself concludes to be suitable to a Tragedy, _Omne genus scripti +gravitate Tragadia, vincit_); yet it moves not my soul enough, to judge +that he, who, in the Epic way, wrote things so near the Drama (as the +stories of _MYRRHA,_ of _CAUNUS and BIBLIS,_ and the rest) should stir up +no more concernment, where he most endeavoured it. + +"The masterpiece of SENECA, I hold to be that Scene in the _Troades_, +where _ULYSSES_ is seeking for _ASTYANAX,_ to kill him. There, you see +the tenderness of a mother so represented in _ANDROMACHE_, that it raises +compassion to a high degree in the reader; and bears the nearest +resemblance, of anything in their Tragedies, to the excellent Scenes of +Passion in SHAKESPEARE or in FLETCHER. + +"For Love Scenes, you will find but few among them. Their Tragic poets +dealt not with that soft passion; but with Lust, Cruelty, Revenge, +Ambition, and those bloody actions they produced, which were more capable +of raising horror than compassion in an audience: leaving Love untouched, +whose gentleness would have tempered them; which is the most frequent of +all the passions, and which (being the private concernment of every +person) is soothed by viewing its own Image [p. 549] in a public +entertainment. + +"Among their Comedies, we find a Scene or two of tenderness: and that, +where you would least expect it, in PLAUTUS. But to speak generally, +their lovers say little, when they see each others but anima mea! vita +mea! [Greek: zoae kai psuchae!] as the women, in JUVENAL's time, used to +cry out, in the fury of their kindness. + +"Then indeed, to speak sense were an offence. Any sudden gust of passion, +as an ecstasy of love in an unexpected meeting, cannot better be expressed +than in a word and a sigh, breaking one another. Nature is dumb on such +occasions; and to make her speak, would be to represent her unlike +herself. But there are a thousand other concernments of lovers as +jealousies, complaints, contrivances, and the like; where, not to open +their minds at large to each other, were to be wanting to their own love, +and to the expectation of the audience: who watch the Movements of their +Minds, as much as the Changes of their Fortunes. For the Imaging of the +first [p. 549], is properly the work of a Poet; the latter, he borrows of +the Historian." + + +EUGENIUS was proceeding in that part of his discourse, when CRITES +interrupted him. + +"I see," said he, "EUGENIUS and I are never likely to have this question +decided betwixt us: for he maintains the Moderns have acquired a _new +perfection_ in writing; I only grant, they have _altered the mode_ of it. + +"HOMER describes his heroes, [as] men of great appetites; lovers of beef +broiled upon the coals, and good fellows: contrary to the practice of the +French romances, whose heroes neither eat, nor drink, nor sleep for love. + +"VIRGIL makes _AENEAS_, a bold avower of his own virtues, + + "_Sum pius AENEAS fama super aethera notus_; + +"which, in the civility of our Poets, is the character of a _Fanfaron_ or +Hector. For with us, the Knight takes occasion to walk out, or sleep, to +avoid the vanity of telling his own story; which the trusty Squire is +ever to perform for him [p. 535]. + +"So, in their Love Scenes, of which EUGENIUS spoke last, the Ancients +were more hearty; we, the more talkative. They writ love, as it was then +the mode to make it. + +"And I will grant thus much to EUGENIUS, that, perhaps, one of their +Poets, had he lived in our Age, + + "_Si foret hoc nostrum fato delupsus in aevum_, + +"as HORACE says of LUCILIUS, he had altered many things: not that they +were not natural before; but that he might accommodate himself to the Age +he lived in. Yet, in the meantime, we are not to conclude anything rashly +against those great men; but preserve to them, the dignity of Masters: +and give that honour to their memories, _quos libitina sacravit_; part of +which, we expect may be paid to us in future times." + + +This moderation of CRITES, as it was pleasing to all the company, so it +put an end to that dispute: which EUGENIUS, who seemed to have the better +of the argument, would urge no further. + +But LISIDEIUS, after he had acknowledged himself of EUGENIUS his opinion, +concerning the Ancients; yet told him, "He had forborne till his discourse +was ended, to ask him, Why he preferred the English Plays above those of +other nations? and whether we ought not to submit our Stage to the +exactness of our next neighbours?" + + +"Though," said EUGENIUS, "I am, at all times, ready to defend the honour +of my country against the French; and to maintain, we are as well able to +vanquish them with our pens, as our ancestors have been with their swords: +yet, if you please!" added he, looking upon NEANDER, "I will commit this +cause to my friend's management. His opinion of our plays is the same +with mine. And besides, there is no reason that CRITES and I, who have +now left the Stage, should re-enter so suddenly upon it: which is against +the laws of Comedy." + + +"If the question had been stated," replied LISIDEIUS, "Who had writ best, +the French or English, forty years ago [_i.e., in_ 1625]? I should have +been of your opinion; and adjudged the honour to our own nation: but, +since that time," said he, turning towards NEANDER, "we have been so long +bad Englishmen, that we had not leisure to be good Poets. BEAUMONT [_d._ +1615], FLETCHER [_d._ 1625], and JOHNSON [_d._ 1637], who were only +[_alone_] capable of bringing us to that degree of perfection which we +have, were just then leaving the world; as if, in an Age of so much +horror, Wit and those milder studies of humanity had no farther business +among us. But the Muses, who ever follow peace, went to plant in another +country. It was then, that the great Cardinal DE RICHELIEU began to take +them into his protection; and that, by his encouragement, CORNEILLE and +some other Frenchmen reformed their _Theatre_: which, before, was so much +below ours, as it now surpasses it, and the rest of Europe. But because +CRITES, in his discourse for the Ancients, has prevented [_anticipated_] +me by touching on many Rules of the Stage, which the Moderns have +borrowed from them; I shall only, in short, demand of you, 'Whether you +are not convinced that, of all nations, the French have best observed +them?' + +"In the Unity of TIME, you find them so scrupulous, that it yet remains a +dispute among their Poets, 'Whether the artificial day, of twelve hours +more or less, be not meant by ARISTOTLE, rather that the natural one of +twenty-four?' and consequently, 'Whether all Plays ought not to be +reduced into that compass?' This I can testify, that in all their dramas +writ within these last twenty years [1645-1665] and upwards, I have not +observed any, that have extended the time to thirty hours. + +"In the Unity of PLACE, they are full[y] as scrupulous. For many of their +critics limit it to that spot of ground, where the Play is supposed to +begin. None of them exceed the compass of the same town or city. + +"The Unity of ACTION in all their plays, is yet more conspicuous. For +they do not burden them with Under Plots, as the English do; which is the +reason why many Scenes of our Tragi-Comedies carry on a Design that is +nothing of kin to the main Plot: and that we see two distincts webs in a +Play, like those in ill-wrought stuffs; and two Actions (that is, two +Plays carried on together) to the confounding of the audience: who, +before they are warm in their concernments for one part, are diverted to +another; and, by that means, expouse the interest of neither. + +"From hence likewise, it arises that one half of our Actors [_i.e., the +Characters in a Play_] are not known to the other. They keep their +distances, as if they were _MONTAGUES_ and _CAPULETS_; and seldom begin +an acquaintance till the last Scene of the fifth Act, when they are all +to meet on the Stage. + +"There is no _Theatre_ in the world has anything so absurd as the English +Tragi-Comedy. 'Tis a Drama of our own invention; and the fashion of it is +enough to proclaim it so. Here, a course of mirth; there, another of +sadness and passion; a third of honour; and the fourth, a duel. Thus, in +two hours and a half, we run through all the fits of Bedlam. + +"The French afford you as much variety, on the same day; but they do it +not so unseasonably, or _mal apropos_ as we. Our Poets present you the +Play and the Farce together; and our Stages still retain somewhat of the +original civility of the 'Red Bull.' + + "_Atque ursum et pugiles media inter carmina poscunt._ + +"'The end of Tragedies or serious Plays,' says ARISTOTLE, 'is to beget +Admiration [_wonderment_], Compassion, or Concernment.' But are not mirth +and compassion things incompatible? and is it not evident, that the Poet +must, of necessity, destroy the former, by intermingling the latter? that +is, he must ruin the sole end and object of his Tragedy, to introduce +somewhat that is forced in, and is not of the body of it! Would you not +think that physician mad! who having prescribed a purge, should +immediately order you to take restringents upon it? + +"But to leave our Plays, and return to theirs. I have noted one great +advantage they have had in the Plotting of their Tragedies, that is, they +are always grounded upon some known History, according to that of HORACE, +_Ex noto fictum carm n sequar_: and in that, they have so imitated the +Ancients, that they have surpassed them. For the Ancients, as was +observed before [p. 522], took for the foundation of their Plays some +poetical fiction; such as, under that consideration, could move but +little concernment in the audience, because they already knew the event +of it. But the French[man] goes farther. + + "_Atque ita mentitur, sic veris falso remiscet, + Primo ne medium, media ne discrepet imum._ + +"He so interweaves Truth with probable Fiction, that he puts a pleasing +fallacy upon us; mends the intrigues of Fate; and dispenses with the +severity of History, to reward that virtue, which has been rendered to +us, there, unfortunate. Sometimes the Story has left the success so +doubtful, that the writer is free, by the privilege of a Poet, to take +that which, of two or more relations, will best suit his Design. As, for +example, the death of CYRUS; whom JUSTIN and some others report to have +perished in the Scythian War; but XENOPHON affirms to have died in his +bed of extreme old age. + +"Nay more, when the event is past dispute, even then, we are willing to +be deceived: and the Poet, if he contrives it with appearance of truth, +has all the audience of his party [_on his side_], at least, during the +time his Play is acting. So naturally, we are kind to virtue (when our +own interest is not in question) that we take It up, as the general +concernment of mankind. + +"On the other side, if you consider the Historical Plays of SHAKESPEARE; +they are rather so many Chronicles of Kings, or the business, many times, +of thirty or forty years crampt into a Representation of two hours and a +half: which is not to imitate or paint Nature, but rather to draw her in +miniature, to take her in little; to look upon her, through the wrong of +a perspective [_telescope_], and receive her Images [pp. 528, 549], not +only much less, but infinitely more imperfect than the Life. This, +instead of making a Play delightful, renders it ridiculous. + + "_Quodeunque ostendis mihi sic, incredulus odi._ + +"For the Spirit of Man cannot be satisfied but with Truth, or, at least, +Verisimilitude: and a Poem is to contain, if not [Greek ta hetuma], yet +[Greek: hetmoisiu homia]; as one of the Greek poets has expressed it +[_See_ p. 589.]. + +"Another thing, in which the French differ from us and from the +Spaniards, is that they do not embarrass or cumber themselves with too +much Plot. They only represent so much of a Story as will constitute One +whole and great Action sufficient for a Play. We, who undertake more, do +but multiply _Adventures [pp. 541, 552]; which (not being produced from +one another, as Effects from Causes, but, barely, following) constitute +many Actions in the Drama, and consequently make it many Plays. + +"But, by pursuing close[ly] one Argument, which is not cloyed with many +Turns; the French have gained more liberty for Verse, in which they +write. They have leisure to dwell upon a subject which deserves it; and +to represent the passions [p. 542] (which we have acknowledged to be the +Poet's work) without being hurried from one thing to another, as we are +in the plays of CALDERON; which we have seen lately upon our theatres, +under the name of Spanish Plots. + +"I have taken notice but of one Tragedy of ours; whose Plot has that +uniformity and unity of Design in it, which I have commended in the +French; and that is, ROLLO, or rather under the name of ROLLO, the story +of BASSANIUS _and_ GOETA, in HERODIAN. There, indeed, the plot is neither +large nor intricate; but just enough to fill the minds of the audience, +not to cloy them. Besides, you see it founded on the truth of History; +only the time of the Action is not reduceable to the strictness of the +Rules. And you see, in some places, a little farce mingled, which is +below the dignity of the other parts. And in this, all our Poets are +extremely peccant; even BEN. JOHNSON himself, in _SEFANUS_ and +_CATILINE,_ has given this Oleo [_hodge-podge_] of a Play, this unnatural +mixture of Comedy and Tragedy; which, to me, sounds just as ridiculous as +_The History of DAVID, with the merry humours of GOLIAS_. In _SEFANUS_, +you may take notice of the Scene between _LIVIA_ and the _Physician;_ +which is a pleasant satire upon the artificial helps of beauty. In +_CATILINE_, you may see the Parliament of Women; the little envies of +them to one another; and all that passes betwixt _CURIO_ and _FULVIA_. +Scenes, admirable in their kind, but of an ill mingle with the rest. + +"But I return again to the French Writers: who, as I have said, do not +burden themselves too much with Plot; which has been reproached to them +by an Ingenious Person of our nation, as a fault. For he says, 'They +commonly make but one person considerable in a Play. They dwell upon him +and his concernments; while the rest of the persons are only subservient +to set him off.' If he intends this by it, that there is one person in +the Play who is of greater dignity than the rest; he must tax not only +theirs, but those of the Ancients, and (which he would be loath to do) +the best of ours. For it 'tis impossible but that one person must be more +conspicuous in it than any other; and consequently the greatest share in +the Action must devolve on him. We see it so in the management of all +affairs. Even in the most equal aristocracy, the balance cannot be so +justly poised, but some one will be superior to the rest, either in +parts, fortune, interest, or the consideration of some glorious exploit; +which will reduce [_lead_] the greatest part of business into his hands. + +"But if he would have us to imagine, that in exalting of one character, +the rest of them are neglected; and that all of them have not some share +or other in the Action of the Play: I desire him to produce any of +CORNEILLE's Tragedies, wherein every person, like so many servants in a +well governed family, has _not_ some employment; and who is _not_ +necessary to the carrying on of the Plot, or, at least, to your +understanding it. + +"There are, indeed, some protactic persons [_precursors_] in the +Ancients; whom they make use of in their Plays, either to hear or give +the Relation; but the French avoid this with great address; making their +Narrations only to, or by such, who are some way interessed +[_interested_] in the main Design. + +"And now I am speaking of RELATIONS; I cannot take a fitter opportunity +to add this, in favour of the French, that they often use them with +better judgement, more _apropos_ than the English do. + +"Not that I commend NARRATIONS in general; but there are two sorts of +them: + +"One, of those things which are antecedent to the Play, and are related +to make the Conduct of it more clear to us. But 'tis a fault to choose +such subjects for the Stage, as will inforce us upon that rock: because +we see that they are seldom listened to by the audience; and that it is, +many times, the ruin of the play. For, being once let pass without +attention, the audience can never recover themselves to understand the +Plot; and, indeed, it is somewhat unreasonable that they should be put to +so much trouble, as that, to comprehend what passes in their sight, they +must have recourse to what was done, perhaps ten or twenty years ago. + +"But there is another sort of RELATIONS, that is, of things happening in +the Action of a Play, and supposed to be done behind the scenes: and this +is, many times, both convenient and beautiful. For by it, the French avoid +the tumult, which we are subject to in England, by representing duels, +battles, and such like; which renders our Stage too like the theatres +where they fight for prizes [_i.e., theatres used as Fencing Schools, for +Assaults of Arms, &c._]. For what is more ridiculous than to represent an +army, with a drum and five men behind it? All which, the hero on the +other side, is to drive in before him. Or to see a duel fought, and one +slain with two or three thrusts of the foils? which we know are so +blunted, that we might give a man an hour to kill another, in good +earnest, with them. + +"I have observed that in all our Tragedies, the audience cannot forbear +laughing, when the Actors are to die. 'Tis the most comic part of the +whole Play. + +"All Passions may be lively Represented on the Stage, if, to the well +writing of them, the Actor supplies a good commanded voice, and limbs +that move easily, and without stiffness: but there are many Actions, +which can never be Imitated to a just height. + +"Dying, especially, is a thing, which none but a Roman gladiator could +naturally perform upon the Stage, when he did not Imitate or Represent +it, but naturally Do it. And, therefore, it is better to omit the +Representation of it. The words of a good writer, which describe it +lively, will make a deeper impression of belief in us, than all the Actor +can persuade us to, when he seems to fall dead before us: as the Poet, in +the description of a beautiful garden, or meadow, will please our +Imagination more than the place itself will please our sight. When we see +death Represented, we are convinced it is but fiction; but when we hear it +Related, our eyes (the strongest witnesses) are wanting, which might have +undeceived us: and we are all willing to favour the sleight, when the +Poet does not too grossly impose upon us. + +"They, therefore, who imagine these Relations would make no concernment +in the audience, are deceived, by confounding them with the other; which +are of things antecedent to the Play. Those are made often, in cold +blood, as I may say, to the audience; but these are warmed with our +concernments, which are, before, awakened in the Play. + +"What the philosophers say of Motion, that 'when it is once begun, it +continues of itself; and will do so, to Eternity, without some stop be +put to it,' is clearly true, on this occasion. The Soul, being moved with +the Characters and Fortunes of those Imaginary Persons, continues going of +its own accord; and we are no more weary to hear what becomes of them, +when they are not on the Stage, than we are to listen to the news of an +absent mistress. + +"But it is objected, 'That if one part of the Play may be related; then, +why not all?' + +"I answer. Some parts of the Action are more fit to be Represented; some, +to be Related. CORNEILLE says judiciously, 'That the Poet is not obliged +to expose to view all particular actions, which conduce to the principal. +He ought to select such of them to be Seen, which will appear with the +greatest beauty, either by the magnificence of the shew, or the vehemence +of the passions which they produce, or some other charm which they have in +them: and let the rest arrive to the audience, by Narration.' + +"'Tis a great mistake in us, to believe the French present no part of the +Action upon the Stage. Every alteration, or crossing of a Design; every +new sprung passion, and turn of it, is a part of the Action, and much the +noblest: except we conceive nothing to be Action, till they come to blows; +as if the painting of the Hero's Mind were not more properly the Poet's +work, than, the strength of his Body. + +"Nor does this anything contradict the opinion of HORACE, where he tells +us + + "_Segnius irritant animos demissa per aurem + Quam quae sunt occulis subjecta fidelibus._ + +"For he says, immediately after, + + "_Non tamen intus + Digna, geri promes in scenam, Multaque tolles + Ex occulis, quae mox narret facundia praesens._ + +"Among which 'many,' he recounts some, + + "_Nec pueros coram populo MEDEA trucidet, + Aut in avem PROGNE mutetur, CADMUS in anguem, &c._ + +"that is, 'Those actions, which, by reason of their cruelty, will cause +aversion in us; or (by reason of their impossibility) unbelief [pp. 496, +545], ought either wholly to be avoided by a Poet, or only delivered by +Narration.' To which, we may have leave to add, such as 'to avoid +tumult,' as was before hinted [pp. 535, 544]; or 'to reduce the Plot into +a more reasonable compass of time,' or 'for defect of beauty in them,' are +rather to be Related than presented to the eye. + +"Examples of all these kinds, are frequent; not only among all the +Ancients, but in the best received of our English poets. + +"We find BEN. JOHNSON using them in his _Magnetic Lady_, where one comes +out from dinner, and Relates the quarrels and disorders of it; to save +the indecent appearing of them on the Stage, and to abbreviate the story: +and this, in express imitation of TERENCE, who had done the same before +him, in his _Eunuch_; where _PYTHIAS_ makes the like Relation of what had +happened within, at the soldiers' entertainment. + +"The Relations, likewise, of _SEFANUS_'s death and the prodigies before +it, are remarkable. The one of which, was hid from sight, to avoid the +horror and tumult of the Representation: the other, to shun the +introducing of things impossible to be believed. + +"In that excellent Play, the _King and no King_, FLETCHER goes yet +farther. For the whole unravelling of the Plot is done by Narration in +the Fifth Act, after the manner of the Ancients: and it moves great +concernment in the audience; though it be only a Relation of what was +done many years before the Play. + +"I could multiply other instances; but these are sufficient to prove, +that there is no error in chosing a subject which requires this sort of +Narration. In the ill managing of them, they may. + +"But I find, I have been too long in this discourse; since the French +have many other excellencies, not common to us. + +"As that, _you never see any of their Plays end with a Conversion, or +simple Change of Will_: which is the ordinary way our Poets use [_are +accustomed_] to end theirs. + +"It shows little art in the conclusion of a Dramatic Poem, when they who +have hindered the felicity during the Four Acts, desist from it in the +Fifth, without some powerful cause to take them off: and though I deny +not but such reasons may be found; yet it is a path that is cautiously to +be trod, and the Poet is to be sure he convinces the audience, that the +motive is strong enough. + +"As, for example, the conversion of the _Usurer_ in the _Scornful Lady_, +seems to me, a little forced. For, being a Usurer, which implies a Lover +of Money in the highest degree of covetousness (and such, the Poet has +represented him); the account he gives for the sudden change, is, that he +has been duped by the wild young fellow: which, in reason, might render +him more wary another time, and make him punish himself with harder fare +and coarser clothes, to get it up again. But that he should look upon it +as a judgement, and so repent; we may expect to hear of in a Sermon, but +I should never endure it in a Play. + +"I pass by this. Neither will I insist upon _the care they take, that no +person, after his first entrance, shall ever appear; but the business +which brings upon the Stage, shall be evident_. Which, if observed, must +needs render all the events of the Play more natural. For there, you see +the probability of every accident, in the cause that produced it; and +that which appears chance in the Play, will seem so reasonable to you, +that you will there find it almost necessary: so that in the Exits of +their Actors, you have a clear account of their purpose and design in the +next Entrance; though, if the Scene be well wrought, the event will +commonly deceive you. 'For there is nothing so absurd,' says CORNEILLE, +'as for an Actor to leave the Stage, only because he has no more to say!' + +"I should now speak of _the beauty of their Rhyme_, and the just reason I +have to prefer _that way of writing_, in Tragedies, _before ours, in Blank +Verse_. But, because it is partly received by us, and therefore, not +altogether peculiar to them; I will say no more of it, in relation to +their Plays. For our own; I doubt not but it will exceedingly beautify +them: and I can see but one reason why it should not generally obtain; +that is, because our Poets write so ill in it [pp. 503, 578, 598]. This, +indeed, may prove a more prevailing argument, than all others which are +used to destroy it: and, therefore, I am only troubled when great and +judicious Poets, and those who are acknowledged such, have writ or spoke +against it. As for others, they are to be answered by that one sentence +of an ancient author. _Sed ut primo ad consequendos eos quos priores +ducimus accendimur, ita ubi aut praeteriri, aut aequari eos posse +desperavimus, studium cum spe senescit: quod, scilicet, assequi non +potest, sequi desinit; praeteritoque eo in quo eminere non possumus, +aliquid in quo nitamur conquirimus_." + + +LISIDEIUS concluded, in this manner; and NEANDER, after a little pause, +thus answered him. + + +"I shall grant LISIDEIUS, without much dispute, a great part of what he +has urged against us. + +"For I acknowledge _the French contrive their Plots more regularly; +observe the laws of Comedy, and decorum of the Stage_, to speak +generally, _with more exactness_ _than the English_. Farther, I deny not +but he has taxed us justly, in some irregularities of ours; which he has +mentioned. Yet, after all, I am of opinion, that neither our faults, nor +their virtues are considerable enough to place them above us. + +"For _the lively Imitation of Nature_ being the Definition of a Play [p. +513]; those which best fulfil that law, ought to be esteemed superior to +the others, 'Tis true those beauties of the French Poesy are such as will +raise perfection higher where it is; but are not sufficient to give it +where it is not. They are, indeed, the beauties of a Statue, not of a +Man; because not animated with the Soul of Poesy, which is _Imitation of +Humour and Passions_. + +"And this, LISIDEIUS himself, or any other, however biased to their +party, cannot but acknowledge; if he will either compare the Humours of +our Comedies, or the Characters of our serious Plays with theirs. + +"He that will look upon theirs, which have been written till [within] +these last ten years [_i.e._, 1655, _when MOLIERE began to write_], or +thereabouts, will find it a hard matter to pick out two or three passable +Humours amongst them. CORNEILLE himself, their Arch Poet; what has he +produced, except the _Liar_? and you know how it was cried up in France. +But when it came upon the English Stage, though well translated, and that +part of _DORANT_ acted to so much advantage by Mr. HART, as, I am +confident, it never received in its own country; the most favourable to +it, would not put it in competition with many of FLETCHER's or BEN. +JOHNSON's. In the rest of CORNEILLE's Comedies you have little humour. He +tells you, himself, his way is first to show two lovers in good +intelligence with each other; in the working up of the Play, to embroil +them by some mistake; and in the latter end, to clear it up. + +"But, of late years, DE MOLIERE, the younger CORNEILLE, QUINAULT, and +some others, have been imitating, afar off, the quick turns and graces of +the English Stage. They have mixed their serious Plays with mirth, like +our Tragi-Comedies, since the death of Cardinal RICHELIEU [_in_ 1642]: +which LISIDEIUS and many others not observing, have commended that in +them for a virtue [p. 531], which they themselves no longer practise. + +"Most of their new Plays are, like some of ours, derived from the Spanish +novels. There is scarce one of them, without a veil; and a trusty _DIEGO_, +who drolls, much after the rate of the _Adventures_ [pp. 533, 553]. But +their humours, if I may grace them with that name, are so thin sown; that +never above One of them comes up in a Play. I dare take upon me, to find +more variety of them, in one play of BEN. JOHNSON's, than in all theirs +together: as he who has seen the _Alchemist_, the _Silent Woman_, or +_Bartholomew Fair_, cannot but acknowledge with me. I grant the French +have performed what was possible on the ground work of the Spanish plays. +What was pleasant before, they have made regular. But there is not above +one good play to be writ upon all those Plots. They are too much alike, +to please often; which we need not [adduce] the experience of our own +Stage to justify. + +"As for their New Way of mingling Mirth with serious Plot, I do not, with +LISIDEIUS, condemn the thing; though I cannot approve their manner of +doing it. He tells us, we cannot so speedily re-collect ourselves, after +a Scene of great Passion and Concernment, as to pass to another of Mirth +and Humour, and to enjoy it with any relish. But why should he imagine +the Soul of Man more heavy than his Senses? Does not the eye pass from an +unpleasant object, to a pleasant, in a much shorter time than is required +to this? and does not the unpleasantness of the first commend the beauty +of the latter? The old rule of Logic might have convinced him, that +'Contraries when placed near, set off each other.' A continued gravity +keeps the spirit too much bent. We must refresh it sometimes; as we bait +[_lunch_] upon a journey, that we may go on with greater ease. A Scene of +Mirth mixed with Tragedy, has the same effect upon us, which our music has +betwixt the Acts; and that, we find a relief to us from the best Plots and +Language of the Stage, if the discourses have been long. + +"I must, therefore, have stronger arguments, ere I am convinced that +Compassion and Mirth, in the same subject, destroy each other: and, in +the meantime, cannot but conclude to the honour of our Nation, that we +have invented, increased, and perfected a more pleasant way of writing +for the Stage than was ever known to the Ancients or Moderns of any +nation; which is, Tragi-Comedy. + +"And this leads me to wonder why LISIDEIUS [p. 533], and many others, +should cry up _the barrenness of the French Plots_ above _the variety and +copiousness of the English_? + +"Their Plots are single. They carry on one Design, which is push forward +by all the Actors; every scene in the Play contributing and moving +towards it. Ours, besides the main Design, have Under Plots or +By-Concernments of less considerable persons and intrigues; which are +carried on, with the motion of the main Plot: just as they say the orb +[?_orbits_] of the fixed stars, and those of the planets (though they +have motions of their own), are whirled about, by the motion of the +_Primum Mobile_ in which they are contained. That similitude expresses +much of the English Stage. For, if contrary motions may be found in +Nature to agree, if a planet can go East and West at the same time; one +way, by virtue of his own motion, the other, by the force of the First +Mover: it will not be difficult to imagine how the Under Plot, which is +only different [from], not contrary to the great Design, may naturally be +conducted along with it. + +"EUGENIUS [?_LISIDEIUS_] has already shown us [p. 534], from the +confession of the French poets, that the Unity of Action is sufficiently +preserved, if all the imperfect actions of the Play are conducing to the +main Design: but when those petty intrigues of a Play are so ill ordered, +that they have no coherence with the other; I must grant, that LISIDEIUS +has reason to tax that Want of due Connection. For Co-ordination in a +Play is as dangerous and unnatural as in a State. In the meantime, he +must acknowledge, our Variety (if well ordered) will afford a greater +pleasure to the audience. + +"As for his other argument, that _by pursuing one single Theme, they gain +an advantage to express, and work up the passions_ [p. 533]; I wish any +example he could bring from them, would make it good. For I confess their +verses are, to me, the coldest I have ever read. + +"Neither, indeed, is It possible for them, in the way they take, so to +express Passion as that the effects of it should appear in the +concernment of an audience; their speeches being so many declamations, +which tire us with the length: so that, instead of persuading us to +grieve for their imaginary heroes, we are concerned for our own trouble, +as we are, in the tedious visits of bad [_dull_] company; we are in pain +till they are gone. + +"When the French Stage came to be reformed by Cardinal RICHELIEU, those +long harangues were introduced, to comply with the gravity of a +Churchman. Look upon the _CINNA_ and _POMPEY_! They are not so properly +to be called Plays, as long Discourses of Reason[s] of State: and +_POLIEUCTE_, in matters of Religion, is as solemn as the long stops upon +our organs. Since that time, it has grown into a custom; and their Actors +speak by the hour glass, as our Parsons do. Nay, they account it the grace +of their parts! and think themselves disparaged by the Poet, if they may +not twice or thrice in a Play, entertain the audience, with a speech of a +hundred or two hundred lines. + +"I deny not but this may suit well enough with the French: for as we, who +are a more sullen people, come to be diverted at our Plays; they, who are +of an airy and gay temper, come thither to make themselves more serious. +And this I conceive to be one reason why Comedy is more pleasing to us, +and Tragedy to them. + +"But, to speak generally, it cannot be denied that _short_ Speeches and +Replies are more apt to move the passions, and beget concernment in us; +than the other. For it is unnatural for any one in a gust of passion, to +speak long together; or for another, in the same condition, to suffer him +without interruption. + +"Grief and Passion are like floods raised in little brooks, by a sudden +rain. They are quickly up; and if the Concernment be poured unexpectedly +in upon us, it overflows us: but a long sober shower gives them leisure +to run out as they came in, without troubling the ordinary current. + +"As for Comedy, Repartee is one of its chiefest graces. The greatest +pleasure of the audience is a Chase of Wit, kept up on both sides, and +swiftly managed. And this, our forefathers (if not we) have had, in +FLETCHER's _Plays_, to a much higher degree of perfection, than the +French Poets can arrive at. + +"There is another part of LISIDEIUS his discourse, in which he has rather +excused our neighbours, than commended them; that is, _for aiming only_ +[simply] _to make one person considerable in their Plays_. + +"'Tis very true what he has urged, that one Character in all Plays, even +without the Poet's care, will have the advantage of all the others; and +that the Design of the whole Drama will chiefly depend on it. But this +hinders not, that there may be more shining Characters in the Play; many +persons of a second magnitude, nay, some so very near, so almost equal to +the first, that greatness may be opposed to greatness: and all the persons +be made considerable, not only by their Quality, but their Action. + +"'Tis evident that the more the persons are; the greater will be the +variety of the Plot. If then, the parts are managed so regularly, that +the beauty of the whole be kept entire; and that the variety become not a +perplexed and confused mass of accidents: you will find it infinitely +pleasing, to be led in a labyrinth of Design; where you see some of your +way before you, yet discern not the end, till you arrive at it. + +"And that all this is practicable; I can produce, for examples, many of +our English plays, as the _Maid's Tragedy_, the _Alchemist_, the _Silent +Woman_. + +"I was going to have named the _Fox_; but that the Unity of Design seems +not exactly observed in it. For there appear two Actions in the Play; the +first naturally ending with the Fourth Act, the second forced from it, in +the Fifth. Which yet, is the less to be condemned in him, because the +disguise of _VOLPONE_ (though, it suited not with his character as a +crafty or covetous person) agreed well enough with that of a voluptuary: +and, by it, the Poet gained the end he aimed at, the punishment of vice, +and reward of virtue; which that disguise produced. So that, to judge +equally of it, it was an excellent Fifth Act; but not so naturally +proceeding from the former. + +"But to leave this, and to pass to the latter part of LISIDEIUS his +discourse; which concerns RELATIONS. I must acknowledge, with him, that +the French have reason, _when they hide that part of the Action, which +would occasion too much tumult on the Stage_; and choose rather to have +it made known by Narration to the audience [p. 535]. Farther; I think it +very convenient, for the reasons he has given, that _all incredible +Actions were removed_ [p. 537]: but, whether custom has so insinuated +itself into our countrymen, or Nature has so formed them to fierceness, I +know not; but they will scarcely suffer combats or other objects of horror +to be taken from them. And indeed the _indecency_ of tumults is all which +can be objected against fighting. For why may not our imagination as well +suffer itself to be deluded with the _probability_ of it, as any other +thing in the Play. For my part, I can, with as great ease, persuade +myself that the blows, which are struck, are given in good earnest; as I +can, that they who strike them, are Kings, or Princes, or those persons +which they represent. + +"For _objects of incredibility_ [p. 537], I would be satisfied from +LISIDEIUS, whether we have any so removed from all appearance of truth, +as are those in CORNEILLE's _ANDROMEDE_? A Play that has been frequented +[_repeated_] the most, of any he has writ. If the _PERSEUS_ or the son of +the heathen god, the _Pegasus_, and the Monster, were not capable to choke +a strong belief? let him blame any representation of ours hereafter! +Those, indeed, were objects of delight; yet the reason is the same as to +the probability: for he makes it not a Ballette [_Ballet_] or Masque; but +a Play, which is, _to resemble truth_. + +"As for _Death_, that _it ought not to be represented_ [p. 536]: I have, +besides the arguments alleged by LISIDEIUS, the authority of BEN. +JOHNSON, who has foreborne it in his Tragedies: for both the death of +SEJANUS and CATILINE are Related. Though, in the latter, I cannot but +observe one irregularity of that great poet. He has removed the Scene in +the same Act, from Rome to _CATILINE_'s army; and from thence, again to +Rome: and, besides, has allowed a very inconsiderable time after +_CATILINE_'s speech, for the striking of the battle, and the return of +_PETREIUS_, who is to relate the event of it to the Senate. Which I +should not animadvert upon him, who was otherwise a painful observer of +[Greek: to prepon] or the Decorum of the Stage: if he had not used +extreme severity in his judgement [_in his 'Discoveries'_] upon the +incomparable SHAKESPEARE, for the same fault. + +"To conclude on this subject of Relations, if we are to be blamed for +showing too much of the Action; the French are as faulty for discovering +too little of it. A mean betwixt both, should be observed by every +judicious writer, so as the audience may neither be left unsatisfied, by +not seeing what is beautiful; or shocked, by beholding what is either +incredible or indecent. + +"I hope I have already proved in this discourse, that though we are not +altogether so punctual as the French, in observing the laws of Comedy: +yet our errors are so few, and [so] little; and those things wherein we +excel them so considerable, that we ought, of right, to be preferred +before them. + +"But what will LISIDEIUS say? if they themselves acknowledge they are too +strictly tied up by those laws: for the breaking which, he has blamed the +English? I will allege CORNEILLE's words, as I find them in the end of +this _Discourse_ of _The three Unities_. _Il est facile aux speculatifs +d'être severe, &c_. ''Tis easy, for speculative people to judge severely: +but if they would produce to public view, ten or twelve pieces of this +nature; they would, perhaps, give more latitude to the Rules, than I have +done: when, by experience, they had known how much we are bound up, and +constrained by them, and how many beauties of the Stage they banished +from it.' + +"To illustrate, a little, what he has said. By their servile imitations +of the UNITIES of TIME and PLACE, and INTEGRITY OF SCENES they have +brought upon themselves the Dearth of Plot and Narrowness of Imagination +which may be observed in all their Plays. + +"How many beautiful accidents might naturally happen in two or three +days; which cannot arrive, with any probability, in the compass of +twenty-four hours? There is time to be allowed, also, for maturity of +design: which, amongst great and prudent persons, such as are often +represented in Tragedy, cannot, with any likelihood of truth, be brought +to pass at so short a warning. + +"Farther, by tying themselves strictly to the UNITY OF PLACE and UNBROKEN +SCENES; they are forced, many times, to omit some beauties which cannot be +shown where the Act began: but might, if the Scene were interrupted, and +the Stage cleared, for the persons to enter in another place. And +therefore, the French Poets are often forced upon absurdities. For if the +Act begins in a Chamber, all the persons in the Play must have some +business or other to come thither; or else they are not to be shown in +that Act: and sometimes their characters are very unfitting to appear +there. As, suppose it were the King's Bedchamber; yet the meanest man in +the Tragedy, must come and despatch his business there, rather than in +the Lobby or Courtyard (which is [_were_] fitter for him), for fear the +Stage should be cleared, and the Scenes broken. + +"Many times, they fall, by it, into a greater inconvenience: for they +keep their Scenes Unbroken; and yet Change the Place. As, in one of their +newest Plays [_i.e., before 1665_]. Where the Act begins in a Street: +there, a gentleman is to meet his friend; he sees him, with his man, +coming out from his father's house; they talk together, and the first +goes out. The second, who is a lover, has made an appointment with his +mistress: she appears at the Window; and then, we are to imagine the +Scene lies under it. This gentleman is called away, and leaves his +servant with his mistress. Presently, her father is heard from within. +The young lady is afraid the servingman should be discovered; and thrusts +him through a door, which is supposed to be her Closet [_Boudoir_]. After +this, the father enters to the daughter; and now the Scene is in a House: +for he is seeking, from one room to another, for his poor _PHILIPIN_ or +French _DIEGO_: who is heard from within, drolling, and breaking many a +miserable conceit upon his sad condition. In this ridiculous manner, the +Play goes on; the Stage being never empty all the while. So that the +Street, the Window, the two Houses, and the Closet are made to walk +about, and the Persons to stand still! + +"Now, what, I beseech you! is more easy than to write a regular French +Play? or more difficult than to write an irregular English one, like +those of FLETCHER, or of SHAKESPEARE? + +"If they content themselves, as CORNEILLE did, with some flat design, +which (like an ill riddle) is found out ere it be half proposed; such +Plots, we can make every way regular, as easily as they: but whene'er +they endeavour to rise up to any quick Turns or Counter-turns of Plot, as +some of them have attempted, since CORNEILLE's _Plays_ have been less in +vogue; you see they write as irregularly as we! though they cover it more +speciously. Hence the reason is perspicuous, why no French plays, when +translated, have, or ever can succeed upon the English Stage. For, if you +consider the Plots, our own are fuller of variety; if the Writing, ours +are more quick, and fuller of spirit: and therefore 'tis a strange +mistake in those who decry the way of writing Plays in Verse; as if the +English therein imitated the French. + +"We have borrowed nothing from them. Our Plots are weaved in English +looms. We endeavour, therein, to follow the variety and greatness of +Characters, which are derived to us from SHAKESPEARE and FLETCHER, The +copiousness and well knitting of the Intrigues, we have from JOHNSON. And +for the Verse itself, we have English precedents, of elder date than any +of CORNEILLE's plays. Not to name our old Comedies before SHAKESPEARE, +which are all writ in verse of six feet or Alexandrines, such as the +French now use: I can show in SHAKESPEARE, many Scenes of Rhyme together; +and the like in BEN. JOHNSON's tragedies. In _CATILINE_ and _SEJANUS_, +sometimes, thirty or forty lines. I mean, besides the Chorus or the +Monologues; which, by the way, showed BEN. no enemy to this way of +writing: especially if you look upon his _Sad Shepherd_, which goes +sometimes upon rhyme, sometimes upon blank verse; like a horse, who eases +himself upon trot and amble. You find him, likewise, commending FLETCHER's +pastoral of the _Faithful Shepherdess_: which is, for the most part, [in] +Rhyme; though not refined to that purity, to which it hath since been +brought. And these examples are enough to clear us from, a servile +imitation of the French. + +"But to return, from whence I have digressed. I dare boldly affirm these +two things of the English Drama, + + "First. That we have many Plays of ours as regular as any of theirs; + and which, besides, have more variety of Plot and Characters. And + + "Secondly. That in most of the irregular Plays of SHAKESPEARE or + FLETCHER (for BEN. JOHNSON's are for the most part regular), there + is a more masculine Fancy, and greater Spirit in all the Writing, + than there is in any of the French. + +"I could produce, even in SHAKESPEARE's and FLETCHER's _Works_, some +Plays which are almost exactly formed; as the _Merry Wives of Windsor_ +and the _Scornful Lady_. But because, generally speaking, SHAKESPEARE, +who writ first, did not perfectly observe the laws of Comedy; and +FLETCHER, who came nearer to perfection [_in this respect_], yet, through +carelessness, made many faults: I will take the pattern of a perfect Play +from BEN. JOHNSON, who was a careful and learned observer of the Dramatic +Laws; and, from all his Comedies, I shall select the _Silent Woman_ [p. +597], of which I will make a short examen [_examination_], according to +those Rules which the French observe." + + +As NEANDER was beginning to examine the _Silent Woman_: EUGENIUS, looking +earnestly upon him, "I beseech you, NEANDER!" said he, "gratify the +company, and me in particular, so far, as, before you speak of the Play, +to give us a Character of the Author: and tell us, frankly, your opinion! +whether you do not think all writers, both French and English, ought to +give place to him?" + + +"I fear," replied NEANDER, "that in obeying your commands, I shall draw a +little envy upon myself. Besides, in performing them, it will be first +necessary to speak somewhat of SHAKESPEARE and FLETCHER his Rivals in +Poesy; and one of them, in my opinion, at least his Equal, perhaps his +Superior. + +"To begin then with SHAKESPEARE. He was the man, who, of all Modern and +perhaps Ancient poets, had the largest and most comprehensive Soul [p. +540]. All the Images of Nature [pp. 528, 533] were still present +[_apparent_] to him [p. 489]: and he drew them not laboriously, but +luckily [_felicitously_]. When he describes anything; you more than see +it, you feel it too. Those who accuse him to have wanted learning; give +him the greater commendation. He was naturally learned. He needed not the +spectacles of books, to read Nature; he looked inwards, and found her +there. I cannot say, he is everywhere alike. Were he so; I should do him +injury to compare him [_even_] with the greatest of mankind. He is many +times flat, insipid: his comic wit degenerating into clenches; his +serious swelling, into bombast. + +"But he is always great, when some great occasion is presented to him. No +man can say, he ever had a fit subject for his wit, and did not then raise +himself as high above the rest of poets, + + "_Quantum lenta solent, inter viberna cupressi._ + +"The consideration of this, made Mr. HALES, of Eton, say, 'That there was +no subject of which any poet ever writ; but he would produce it much +better treated of in SHAKESPEARE.' And however others are, now, generally +preferred before him; yet the Age wherein he lived (which had +contemporaries with him, FLETCHER and JOHNSON) never equalled them to +him, in their esteem. And in the last King's [_CHARLES I._] Court, when +BEN.'s reputation was at [the] highest; Sir JOHN SUCKLING, and with him, +the greater part of the Courtiers, set our SHAKESPEARE far above him. + +"BEAUMONT and FLETCHER (of whom I am next to speak), had, with the +advantage of SHAKESPEARE's wit, which was their precedent, great natural +gifts improved by study. BEAUMONT, especially, being so accurate a judge +of plays, that BEN. JOHNSON, while he [_i.e., BEAUMONT_] lived, submitted +all his writings to his censure; and,'tis thought, used his judgement in +correcting, if not contriving all his plots. What value he had for +[_i.e., attached to_] him, appears by the verses he writ to him: and +therefore I need speak no farther of it. + +"The first Play which brought FLETCHER and him in esteem, was their +_PHILASTER_. For, before that, they had written two or three very +unsuccessfully: as the like is reported of BEN. JOHNSON, before he writ +_Every Man in his Humour_ [_acted in_ 1598]. Their Plots were generally +more regular than SHAKESPEARE's, especially those which were made before +BEAUMONT's death: and they understood, and imitated the conversation of +gentlemen [_in the conventional sense in which it was understood in +DRYDEN's time_], much better [_i.e., than SHAKESPEARE_]; whose wild +debaucheries, and quickness of wit in repartees, no Poet can ever paint +as they have done. + +"This Humour, which BEN. JOHNSON derived from particular persons; they +made it not their business to describe. They represented all the passions +very lively; but, above all, Love. + +"I am apt to believe the English language, in them, arrived to its +highest perfection. What words have since been taken in, are rather +superfluous than necessary. + +"Their Plays are now the most pleasant and frequent entertainments of the +Stage; two of theirs being acted through the year, for one of +SHAKESPEARE's or JOHNSON's. The reason is because there is a certain +Gaiety in their Comedies, and Pathos in their more serious Plays, which +suit generally with all men's humours, SHAKESPEARE's Language is likewise +a little obsolete; and BEN. JOHNSON's Wit comes short of theirs. + +"As for JOHNSON, to whose character I am now arrived; if we look upon +him, while he was himself (for his last Plays were but his dotages) I +think him the most learned and judicious Writer which any _Theatre_ ever +had. He was a most severe judge of himself, as well as others. One cannot +say he wanted Wit; but rather, that he was frugal of it [p. 572]. In his +works, you find little to retrench or alter. + +"Wit and Language, and Humour also in some measure, we had before him; +but something of Art was wanting to the Drama, till he came. He managed +his strength to more advantage than any who preceded him. You seldom find +him making love in any of his Scenes, or endeavouring to move the +passions: his genius was too sullen and saturnine to do it gracefully; +especially when he knew, he came after those who had performed both to +such a height. Humour was his proper sphere; and in that, he delighted +most to represent mechanic [_uncultivated_] people. + +"He was deeply conversant in the Ancients, both Greek and Latin; and he +borrowed boldly from them. There is scarce a Poet or Historian, among the +Roman authors of those times, whom he has not translated in _SEJANUS_ and +_CATILINE_: but he has done his robberies so openly, that one may see he +fears not to be taxed by any law. He invades authors, like a Monarch; and +what would be Theft in other Poets, is only Victory in him. With the +spoils of these Writers, he so represents old Rome to us, in its rites, +ceremonies, and customs; that if one of their own poets had written +either of his Tragedies, we had seen less of it than in him. + +"If there was any fault in his Language, 'twas that he weaved it too +closely and laboriously in his serious Plays. Perhaps, too, he did a +little too much Romanize our tongue; leaving the words which he +translated, almost as much Latin as he found them: wherein, though he +learnedly followed the idiom of their language, he did not enough comply +with ours. + +"If I would compare him with SHAKESPEARE, I must acknowledge him, the +more correct Poet; but SHAKESPEARE, the greater Wit. SHAKESPEARE was the +HOMER, or Father of our Dramatic Poets; JOHNSON was the VIRGIL, the +pattern of elaborate writing. I admire him; but I love SHAKESPEARE. + +"To conclude of him. As he has given us the most correct Plays; so in the +Precepts which he has laid down in his _Discoveries_, we have as many and +profitable Rules as any wherewith the French can furnish us. + +"Having thus spoken of this author; I proceed to the examination of his +Comedy, the _Silent Woman_. + +"_Examen of the Silent Woman._ + +"To begin, first, with the Length of the Action. It is so far from +exceeding the compass of a natural day, that it takes not up an +artificial one. 'Tis all included in the limits of three hours and a +half; which is no more than is required for the presentment +[_representation of it_] on the Stage. A beauty, perhaps, not much +observed. If it had [been]; we should not have looked upon the Spanish +Translation [_i.e., the adaptation from the Spanish_] of _Five Hours_ +[pp. 533, 541], with so much wonder. + +"The Scene of it is laid in London. The Latitude of Place is almost as +little as you can imagine: for it lies all within the compass of two +houses; and, after the First Act, in one. + +"The Continuity of Scenes is observed more than in any of our Plays, +excepting his own _Fox_ and _Alchemist_, They are not broken above twice, +or thrice at the most, in the whole Comedy: and in the two best of +CORNEILLE's Plays, the _CID_ and _CINNA_, they are interrupted once a +piece. + +"The Action of the Play is entirely One: the end or aim of which, is the +settling _MQROSE's_ estate on _DAUPHINE_. + +"The Intrigue of it is the greatest and most noble of any pure unmixed +Comedy in any language. You see in it, many persons of various Characters +and Humours; and all delightful. + +"As first, _MOROSE_, an old man, to whom all noise, but his own talking, +is offensive. Some, who would be thought critics, say, 'This humour of +his is forced.' But, to remove that objection, we may consider him, +first, to be naturally of a delicate hearing, as many are, to whom all +sharp sounds are unpleasant: and, secondly, we may attribute much of it +to the peevishness of his age, or the wayward authority of an old man in +his own house, where he may make himself obeyed; and this the Poet seems +to allude to, in his name _MOROSE_. Besides this, I am assured from +divers persons, that BEN. JOHNSON was actually acquainted with such a +man, one altogether as ridiculous as he is here represented. + +"Others say, 'It is not enough, to find one man of such an humour. It +must he common to more; and the more common, the more natural.' To prove +this, they instance in the best of comical characters, _FALSTAFF_. There +are many men resembling him; Old, Fat, Merry, Cowardly, Drunken, Amorous, +Vain, and Lying. But to convince these people; I need but [to] tell them, +that _Humour is the ridiculous extravagance of conversation, wherein one +man differs from all others_. If then it be common, or communicated to +any; how differs it from other men's? or what indeed causes it to be +ridiculous, so much as the singularity of it. As for _FALSTAFF_, he is +not properly one Humour; but a Miscellany of Humours or Images drawn from +so many several men. That wherein he is singular is his Wit, or those +things he says, _praeter expectatum_, 'unexpected by the audience'; his +quick evasions, when you imagine him surprised: which, as they are +extremely diverting of themselves, so receive a great addition from his +person; for the very sight of such an unwieldy old debauched fellow is a +Comedy alone. + +"And here, having a place so proper for it, I cannot but enlarge somewhat +upon this subject of Humour, into which I am fallen. + +"The Ancients had little of it in their Comedies: for the [Greek: no +geloiou] [_facetious absurdities_] of the Old Comedy, of which +ARISTOPHANES was chief, was not so much to imitate a man; as to make the +people laugh at some odd conceit, which had commonly somewhat of +unnatural or obscene in it. Thus, when you see _SOCRATES_ brought upon +the Stage, you are not to imagine him made ridiculous by the imitation of +his actions: but rather, by making him perform something very unlike +himself; something so childish and absurd, as, by comparing it with the +gravity of the true SOCRATES, makes a ridiculous object for the +spectators. + +"In the New Comedy which succeeded, the Poets sought, indeed, to express +the [Greek: aethos] [_manners and habits_]; as in their Tragedies, the +[Greek: pathos] [_sufferings_] of mankind. But this [Greek: aethos] +contained only the general characters of men and manners; as [of] Old +Men, Lovers, Servingmen, Courtizans, Parasites, and such other persons as +we see in their Comedies. All which, they made alike: that is, one Old Man +or Father, one Lover, one Courtizan so like another, as if the first of +them had begot the rest of every [_each_] sort. _Ex homine hunc natum +dicas_. The same custom they observed likewise in their Tragedies. + +"As for the French. Though they have the word _humeur_ among them: yet +they have small use of it in their Comedies or Farces: they being but ill +imitations of the _ridiculum_ or that which stirred up laughter in the Old +Comedy. But among the English, 'tis otherwise. Where, by Humour is meant +_some extravagant habit, passion, or affection, particular_, as I said +before, _to some one person, by the oddness of which, he is immediately +distinguished from the rest of men_: which, being lively and naturally +represented, most frequently begets that malicious pleasure in the +audience, which is testified by laughter: as all things which are +deviations from common customs, are ever the aptest to produce it. +Though, by the way, this Laughter is only accidental, as the person +represented is fantastic or bizarre; but Pleasure is essential to it, as +the Imitation of what is natural. This description of these Humours[9], +drawn from the knowledge and observation of particular persons, was the +peculiar genius and talent of BEN. JOHNSON. To whose Play, I now return. + +"Besides _MOROSE_, there are, at least, nine or ten different Characters +and Humours in the _Silent Woman_: all which persons have several +concernments of their own; yet are all used by the Poet to the conducting +of the main Design to perfection. + +"I shall not waste time in commending the Writing of this Play: but I +will give you my opinion, that there is more Wit and Acuteness of Fancy +in it, than in any of BEN. JOHNSON's. Besides that, he has here described +the conversation of gentlemen, in the persons of _TRUE WIT_ and his +friends, with more gaiety, air, and freedom than in the rest of his +Comedies. + +"For the Contrivance of the Plot: tis extreme[ly] elaborate; and yet, +withal, easy. For the [Greek: _desis_], or Untying of it: 'tis so +admirable, that, when it is done, no one of the audience would think the +Poet could have missed it; and yet, it was concealed so much before the +last Scene, that any other way would sooner have entered into your +thoughts. + +"But I dare not take upon me, to commend the Fabric of it; because it is +altogether so full of Art, that I must unravel every Scene in it, to +commend it as I ought. And this excellent contrivance is still the more +to be admired; because 'tis [a] Comedy where the persons are only of +common rank; and their business, private; not elevated by passions or +high concernments as in serious Plays. Here, every one is a proper judge +of what he sees. Nothing is represented but that with which he daily +converses: so that, by consequence, all faults lie open to discovery; and +few are pardonable. 'Tis this, which HORACE has judiciously observed-- + + "_Creditur ex medio quia res arcessit habere + Sudoris minimum, sed habet Comedia tanto + Plus oneris, quanto venice minus._ + +"But our Poet, who was not ignorant of these difficulties, had prevailed +[? _availed_] himself of all advantages; as he who designs a large leap, +takes his rise from the highest ground. + +"One of these Advantages is that, which CORNEILLE has laid down as _the +greatest which can arrive_ [happen] _to any Poem_; and which he, himself, +could never compass, above thrice, in all his plays, viz., _the making +choice of some signal and long expected day; whereon the action of the +Play is to depend_. This day was that designed by _DAUPHINE_, for the +settling of his uncle's estate upon him: which to compass, he contrives +to marry him. That the marriage had been plotted by him, long beforehand, +is made evident, by what he tells _TRUE WIT_, in the Second Act, that 'in +one moment, he [_TRUE WIT_] had destroyed what he had been raising many +months.' + +"There is another artifice of the Poet, which I cannot here omit; +because, by the frequent practice of it in his Comedies, he has left it +to us, almost as a Rule: that is, _when he has any Character or Humour, +wherein he would show a_ coup de maître _or his highest skill; he +recommends it to your observation by a pleasant description of it, before +the person first appears_. Thus, in _Bartholomew Fair_, he gives you the +picture of _NUMPS and COKES_; and in this, those of _DAW, LAFOOLE, +MOROSE_, and the _Collegiate Ladies_: all which you hear described, +before you, see them. So that, before they come upon the Stage, you have +a longing expectation of them; which prepares you to receive them +favourably: and when they are there, even from their first appearance, +you are so far acquainted with them, that nothing of their humour is lost +to you. + +"I will observe yet one thing further of this admirable Plot. The +business of it rises in every Act. The Second is greater than the First; +the Third, than the Second: and so forward, to the Fifth. There, too, you +see, till the very last Scene, new difficulties arising to obstruct the +Action of the Play: and when the audience is brought into despair that +the business can naturally be effected; then, and not before, the +Discovery is made. + +"But that the Poet might entertain you with more variety, all this while; +he reserves some new Characters to show you, which he opens not till the +Second and Third Acts, In the Second, _MOROSE, DAW, the Barber_, and +_OTTER_; in the Third, the _Collegiate Ladies_, All which, he moves, +afterwards, in by-walks or under-plots, as diversions to the main Design, +least it grow tedious: though they are still naturally joined with it; +and, somewhere or other, subservient to it. Thus, like a skilful chess +player, by little and little, he draws out his men; and makes his pawns +of use to his greater persons. + +"If this Comedy and some others of his, were translated into French prose +(which would now be no wonder to them, since MOLIERE has lately given them +Plays out of Verse; which have not displeased them), I believe the +controversy would soon be decided betwixt the two nations: even making +them, the judges. + +"But we need not call our heroes to our aid. Be it spoken to the honour +of the English! our nation can never want, in any age, such, who are able +to dispute the Empire of Wit with any people in the universe. And though +the fury of a Civil War, and power (for twenty years together [1640-1660 +A.D.]) abandoned to a barbarous race of men, enemies of all good +learning[10], had buried the Muses under the ruins of Monarchy: yet, with +the Restoration of our happiness [1660], we see revived Poesy lifting up +its head, and already shaking off the rubbish, which lay so heavy upon it. + +"We have seen, since His Majesty's return, many Dramatic Poems which +yield not to those of any foreign nation, and which deserve all laurels +but the English. I will set aside flattery and envy. It cannot be denied +but we have had some little blemish, either in the Plot or Writing of all +those plays which have been made within these seven years; and, perhaps, +there is no nation in the world so quick to discern them, or so difficult +to pardon them, as ours: yet, if we can persuade ourselves to use the +candour of that Poet [_HORACE_], who, though the most severe of critics, +has left us this caution, by which to moderate our censures. + + "_Ubi plum nitent in carmine non ego paucis offendar maculis._ + +"If, in consideration of their many and great beauties, we can wink at +some slight and little imperfections; if we, I say, can be thus equal to +ourselves: I ask no favour from the French. + +"And if I do not venture upon any particular judgement of our late Plays: +'tis out of the consideration which an ancient writer gives me. _Vivorum, +ut magna admiratio ita censura difficilis_; 'betwixt the extremes of +admiration and malice, 'tis hard to judge uprightly of the living.' Only, +I think it may be permitted me to say, that as it is no lessening to us, +to yield to some Plays (and those not many) of our nation, in the last +Age: so can it be no addition, to pronounce of our present Poets, that +_they have far surpassed all the Ancients, and the Modern Writers of +other countries_." + +This, my Lord! [_i.e., the Dedicatee, the Lord BUCKHURST, p. 503] was the +substance of what was then spoke, on that occasion: and LISIDEIUS, I +think, was going to reply; when he was prevented thus by CRITES. + +"I am confident," said he, "the most material things that can be said, +have been already urged, on either side. If they have not; I must beg of +LISIDEIUS, that he will defer his answer till another time. For I confess +I have a joint quarrel to you both: because you have concluded [pp. 539, +548], without any reason given for it, that _Rhyme is proper for the +Stage._ + +"I will not dispute how ancient it hath been among us to write this way. +Perhaps our ancestors knew no better, till SHAKESPEARE's time, I will +grant, it was not altogether left by him; and that PLETCHER and BEN +JOHNSON used it frequently in their Pastorals, and sometimes in other +Plays. + +"Farther; I will not argue, whether we received it originally from our +own countrymen, or from the French. For that is an inquiry of as little +benefit as theirs, who, in the midst of the Great Plague [1665], were not +so solicitous to provide against it; as to know whether we had it from the +malignity of our own air, or by transportation from Holland. + +"I have therefore only to affirm that _it is not allowable in serious +Plays._ For Comedies, I find you are already concluding with me. + +"To prove this, I might satisfy myself to tell you, _how much in vain it +is, for you, to strive against the stream of the People's inclination!_ +the greatest part of whom, are prepossessed so much with those excellent +plays of SHAKESPEARE, FLETCHER, and BEN. JOHNSON, which have been written +_out_ of Rhyme, that (except you could bring them such as were written +better _in_ it; and those, too, by persons of equal reputation with them) +it will be impossible for you to gain your cause with them: who will +(still) be judges. This it is to which, in fine, all your reasons must +submit. The unanimous consent of an audience is so powerful, that even +JULIUS CAESAR (as MACROBIOS reports of him), when he, was Perpetual +Dictator, was not able to balance it, on the other side: but when +LABERIUS, a Roman knight, at his request, contended in the _Mime_ with +another poet; he was forced to cry out, _Etiam favente me victus es +Liberi_. + +"But I will not, on this occasion, take the advantage of the greater +number; but only urge such reasons against Rhyme, as I find in the +writings of those who have argued for the other way. + +"First, then, I am of opinion, that Rhyme is unnatural in a Play, because +_Dialogue,_ there, _is presented as the effect of sudden thought._ For a +Play is the Imitation of Nature: and since no man, without premeditation, +speaks in rhyme; neither ought he to do it on the Stage. This hinders not +but the Fancy may be, there, elevated to a higher pitch of thought than +it is in ordinary discourse; for there is a probability that men of +excellent and quick parts, may speak noble things _ex tempore_: but those +thoughts are never fettered with the numbers and sound of Verse, without +study; and therefore it cannot be but unnatural, _to present the most +free way of speaking, in that which is the most constrained_. + +"'For this reason,' says ARISTOTLE, ''tis best, to write Tragedy in that +kind of Verse, which is the least such, or which is nearest Prose': and +this, among the Ancients, was the _Iambic_; and with us, is _Blank Verse, +or the Measure of Verse kept exactly, without rhyme_. These numbers, +therefore, are fittest for a Play: the others [_i.e., Rhymed Verse_] for +a paper of Verses, or a Poem [p. 566]. Blank Verse being as much below +them, as Rhyme is improper for the Drama: and, if it be objected that +neither are Blank Verses made _ex tempore_; yet, as nearest Nature, they +are still to be preferred. + +"But there are two particular exceptions [_objections_], which many, +beside myself, have had to Verse [_i.e., in rhyme_]; by which it will +appear yet more plainly, how improper it is in Plays. And the first of +them is grounded upon that very reason, for which some have commended +Rhyme. They say, 'The quickness of Repartees in argumentative scenes, +receives an ornament from Verse [pp. 492, 498].' Now, _what is more +unreasonable than to imagine that a man should not only light upon the +Wit, but the Rhyme too; upon the sudden_? This nicking of him, who spoke +before, both in Sound and Measure, is so great a happiness [_felicity_], +that you must, at least, suppose the persons of your Play to be poets, +_Arcades omnes et cantare pares et respondere parati_. They must have +arrived to the degree of _quicquid conabar dicere_, to make verses, +almost whether they will or not. + +"If they are anything below this, it will look rather like the design of +two, than the answer of one. It will appear that your Actors hold +intelligence together; that they perform their tricks, like fortune +tellers, by confederacy. The hand of Art will be too visible in it, +against that maxim of all professions, _Ars est celare artem_; 'that it +is the greatest perfection of Art, to keep itself undiscovered.' + +"Nor will it serve you to object, that however you manage it, 'tis still +known to be a Play; and consequently the dialogue of two persons, +understood to be the labour of one Poet. For a Play is still an Imitation +of Nature. We know we are to be deceived, and we desire to be so; but no +man ever was deceived, but with a _probability of Truth_; for who will +suffer a gross lie to be fastened upon him? Thus, we sufficiently +understand that the scenes [_i.e., the scenery which was just now coming +into use on the English Stage_], which represent cities and countries to +us, are not really such, but only painted on boards and canvas. But shall +that excuse the ill painture [_painting_] or designment of them? Nay +rather, ought they not to be laboured with so much the more diligence and +exactness, to help the Imagination? since the Mind of Man doth naturally +bend to, and seek after Truth; and therefore the nearer anything comes to +the Imitation of it, the more it pleases. + +"Thus, you see! your Rhyme is incapable of expressing the greatest +thoughts, naturally; and the lowest, it cannot, with any grace. For what +is more unbefitting the majesty of Verse, than 'to call a servant,' or +'bid a door be shut' in Rhyme? And yet, this miserable necessity you are +forced upon! + +"'But Verse,' you say, 'circumscribes a quick and luxuriant Fancy, which +would extend itself too far, on every subject; did not the labour which +is required to well-turned and polished Rhyme, set bounds to it [pp. +492-493]. Yet this argument, if granted, would only prove, that _we may +write better in Verse_, but not _more naturally_. + +"Neither is it able to evince that. For he who _wants_ judgement to +confine his Fancy, in Blank Verse; may want it as well, in Rhyme: and he +who has it, will avoid errors in both kinds [pp. 498, 571], Latin Verse +was as great a confinement to the imagination of those poets, as Rhyme to +ours: and yet, you find OVID saying too much on every subject. + +"_Nescivit_, says SENECA, _quod bene cessit relinquere_: of which he +[OVID] gives you one famous instance in his description of the Deluge. + + "_Omnia pontus erat, deerant quoque litora ponto._ + Now all was sea; nor had that sea a shore. + +"Thus OVID's Fancy was not limited by Verse; and VIRGIL needed not Verse +to have bounded his. + +"In our own language, we see BEN. JOHNSON confining himself to what ought +to be said, even in the liberty of Blank Verse; and yet CORNEILLE, the +most judicious of the French poets, is still varying the same Sense a +hundred ways, and dwelling eternally upon the same subject, though +confined by Rhyme. + +"Some other exceptions, I have to Verse; but these I have named, being, +for the most part, already public: I conceive it reasonable they should, +first, be answered." + +"It concerns me less than any," said NEANDER, seeing he had ended, "to +reply to this discourse, because when I should have proved that Verse may +be _natural_ in Plays; yet I should always be ready to confess that those +which I [_i.e., DRYDEN, see_ pp. 503, 566] have written in this kind, +come short of that perfection which is required. Yet since you are +pleased I should undertake this province, I will do it: though, with all +imaginable respect and deference both to that Person [_i.e., SIR ROBERT +HOWARD, see_ p. 494] from whom you have borrowed your strongest +arguments; and to whose judgement, when I have said all, I finally submit. + +"But before I proceed to answer your objections; I must first remember +you, that I exclude all Comedy from my defence; and next, that I deny not +but Blank Verse may be also used: and content myself only to assert that +_in serious Plays_, where the Subject and Characters are great, and the +Plot unmixed with mirth (which might allay or divert these concernments +which are produced), _Rhyme is there, as natural, and more effectual than +Blank Verse_. + +"And now having laid down this as a foundation: to begin with CRITES, I +must crave leave to tell him, that some of his arguments against Rhyme, +reach no farther that from _the faults or defects of ill Rhyme_ to +conclude against _the use of it in general_ [p. 598]. May not I conclude +against Blank Verse, by the same reason? If the words of some Poets, who +write in it, are either ill-chosen or ill-placed; which makes not only +Rhyme, but all kinds of Verse, in any language, unnatural: shall I, for +their virtuous affectation, condemn those excellent lines of FLETCHER, +which are written in that kind? Is there anything in Rhyme more +constrained, than this line in Blank Verse? + + "I, heaven invoke! and strong resistance make. + +"Where you see both the clauses are placed unnaturally; that is, contrary +to the common way of speaking, and that, without the excuse of a rhyme to +cause it: yet you would think me very ridiculous, if I should accuse the +stubbornness of Blank Verse for this; and not rather, the stiffness of +the Poet. Therefore, CRITES! you must either prove that _words, though +well chosen and duly placed, yet render not Rhyme natural in itself_; or +that, _however natural and easy the Rhyme may be, yet it is not proper +for a Play_. + +"If you insist on the former part; I would ask you what other conditions +are required to make Rhyme natural in itself, besides an election of apt +words, and a right disposing of them? For the due _choice_ of your words +expresses your Sense naturally, and the due _placing_ them adapts the +Rhyme to it. + +"If you object that _one verse may be made for the sake of another, +though both the words and rhyme be apt_, I answer it cannot possibly so +fall out. For either there is a dependence of sense betwixt the first +line and the second; or there is none. If there be that connection, then, +in the natural position of the words, the latter line must, of necessity, +flow from the former: if there be no dependence, yet, still, the due +ordering of words makes the last line as natural in itself as the other. +So that the necessity of a rhyme never forces any but bad or lazy +writers, to say what they would not otherwise. + +"'Tis true, there is both care and art required to write in Verse. A good +Poet never concludes upon the first line, till he has sought out such a +rhyme as may fit the Sense already prepared, to heighten the second. Many +times, the Close of the Sense falls into the middle of the next verse, or +farther off; and he may often prevail [_avail_] himself of the same +advantages in English, which VIRGIL had in Latin; he may break off in the +hemistich, and begin another line. + +"Indeed, the not observing these two last things, makes Plays that are +writ in Verse so tedious: for though, most commonly, the Sense is to be +confined to the Couplet; yet, nothing that does _perpetuo tenore fluere_, +'run in the same channel,' can please always. 'Tis like the murmuring of a +stream: which, not varying in the fall, causes at first attention; at +last, drowsiness. VARIETY OF CADENCES is the best Rule; the greatest help +to the Actors, and refreshment to the Audience. + +"If, then, Verse may be made _natural in itself; how becomes it improper +to a Play_? You say, 'The Stage is the Representation of Nature, and no +man, in ordinary conversation, speaks in Rhyme': but you foresaw, when +you said this, that it might be answered, 'Neither does any man speak in +Blank Verse, or in measure without Rhyme!' therefore you concluded, 'That +which is nearest Nature is still to be preferred.' But you took no notice +that Rhyme might be made as natural as Blank Verse, by the well placing +of the words, &c. All the difference between them, when they are both +correct, is the sound in one, which the other wants: and if so, the +sweetness of it, and all the advantages resulting from it which are +handled in the _Preface_ to the _Rival Ladies_ [pp. 487-493], will yet +stand good. + +"As for that place of ARISTOTLE, where he says, 'Plays should be writ in +that kind of Verse which is nearest Prose': it makes little for you, +Blank Verse being, properly, but Measured Prose. + +"Now Measure, alone, in any modern language, does not constitute Verse. +Those of the Ancients, in Greek and Latin, consisted in Quantity of +Words, and a determinate number of Feet. But when, by the inundations of +the Goths and Vandals, into Italy, new languages were brought in, and +barbarously mingled with the Latin, of which, the Italian, Spanish, +French, and ours (made out of them, and the Teutonic) are dialects: a New +Way of Poesy was practised, new, I say, in those countries; for, in all +probability, it was that of the conquerors in their own nations. The New +Way consisted of Measure or Number of Feet, _and_ Rhyme. The sweetness of +Rhyme and observation of Accent, supplying the place of Quantity in Words: +which could neither exactly be observed by those Barbarians who knew not +the Rules of it; neither was it suitable to their tongues, as it had been +to the Greek and Latin. + +"No man is tied in Modern Poesy, to observe any farther Rules in the Feet +of his Verse, but that they be dissyllables (whether Spondee, Trochee, or +Iambic, it matters not); only he is obliged to Rhyme. Neither do the +Spanish, French, Italians, or Germans acknowledge at all, or very rarely, +any such kind of Poesy as Blank Verse among them. Therefore, at most, 'tis +but a Poetic Prose, _a sermo pedestris_; and, as such, most fit for +Comedies: where I acknowledge Rhyme to be improper. + +"Farther, as to that quotation of ARISTOTLE, our Couplet Verses may be +rendered _as near_ Prose, as Blank Verse itself; by using those +advantages I lately named, as Breaks in the Hemistich, or Running the +Sense into another line: thereby, making Art and Order appear as loose +and free as Nature. Or, not tying ourselves to Couplets strictly, we may +use the benefit of the Pindaric way, practised in the _Siege of Rhodes_; +where the numbers vary, and the rhyme is disposed carelessly, and far +from often chiming. + +"Neither is that other advantage of the Ancients to be despised, of +changing the Kind of Verse, when they please, with the change of the +Scene, or some new Entrance. For they confine not themselves always to +Iambics; but extend their liberty to all Lyric Numbers; and sometimes, +even, to Hexameter. + +"But I need not go so far, to prove that Rhyme, as it succeeds to all +other offices of Greek and Latin Verse, so especially to this of Plays; +since the custom of all nations, at this day, confirms it. All the +French, Italian, and Spanish Tragedies are generally writ in it; and, +sure[ly], the Universal Consent of the most civilised parts of the world +ought in this, as it doth in other customs, [to] include the rest. + +"But perhaps, you may tell me, I have proposed such a way to make Rhyme +_natural_; and, consequently, proper to Plays, as is impracticable; and +that I shall scarce find six or eight lines together in a Play, where the +words are so placed and chosen, as is required to make it _natural_. + +"I answer, no Poet need constrain himself, at all times, to it. It is +enough, he makes it his general rule. For I deny not but sometimes there +may be a greatness in placing the words otherwise; and sometimes they may +sound better. Sometimes also, the variety itself is excuse enough. But if, +for the most part, the words be placed, as they are in the negligence of +Prose; it is sufficient to denominate the way _practicable_: for we +esteem that to be such, which, in the trial, oftener succeeds than +misses. And thus far, you may find the practice made good in many Plays: +where, you do not remember still! that if you cannot find six natural +Rhymes together; it will be as hard for you to produce as many lines in +Blank Verse, even among the greatest of our poets, against which I cannot +make some reasonable exception. + +"And this, Sir, calls to my remembrance the beginning of your discourse, +where you told us _we should never find the audience favourable to this +kind of writing_, till we could produce as good plays _in_ Rhyme, as BEN. +JOHNSON, FLETCHER, and SHAKESPEARE had writ _out_ of it [p. 558]. But it +is to raise envy to the Living, to compare them with the Dead. They are +honoured, and almost adored by us, as they deserve; neither do I know any +so presumptuous of themselves, as to contend with them. Yet give me leave +to say thus much, without injury to their ashes, that not only we shall +never equal them; but they could never equal themselves, were they to +rise, and write again. We acknowledge them our Fathers in Wit: but they +have ruined their estates themselves before they came to their children's +hands. There is scarce a Humour, a Character, or any kind of Plot; which +they have not blown upon. All comes sullied or wasted to us: and were +they to entertain this Age, they could not make so plenteous treatments +out of such decayed fortunes. This, therefore, will be a good argument to +us, either not to write at all; or to attempt some other way. There are no +Bays to be expected in their walks, _Tentanda via est qua me quoque possum +tollere humo_. + +"This way of Writing in Verse, they have only left free to us. Our Age is +arrived to a perfection in it, which they never knew: and which (if we may +guess by what of theirs we have seen in Verse, as the _Faithful +Shepherdess_ and _Sad Shepherd_) 'tis probable they never could have +reached. For the Genius of every Age is different: and though ours excel +in this; I deny not but that to imitate Nature in that perfection which +they did in Prose [_i.e., Blank Verse_] is a greater commendation than to +write in Verse exactly. + +"As for what you have added, _that the people are not generally inclined +to like this way_: if it were true, it would be no wonder but betwixt the +shaking off of an old habit, and the introducing of a new, there should be +difficulty. Do we not see them stick to HOPKINS and STERNHOLD's Psalms; +and forsake those of DAVID, I mean SANDYS his Translation of them? If, by +the _people_, you understand the Multitude, the [Greek: _oi polloi_]; 'tis +no matter, what they think! They are sometimes in the right, sometimes in +the wrong. Their judgement is a mere lottery. _Est ubi plebs recte putat, +est ubi peccat_. HORACE says it of the Vulgar, judging Poesy. But if you +mean, the mixed Audience of the Populace and the Noblesse: I dare +confidently affirm, that a great part of the latter sort are already +favourable to Verse; and that no serious Plays, written since the King's +return [_May_ 1660], have been more kindly received by them, than the +_Siege of Rhodes_, the _MUSTAPHA_, the _Indian Queen_ and _Indian +Emperor_. [_See_ p. 503.] + +"But I come now to the Inference of your first argument. You said, 'The +dialogue of Plays is presented as the effect of sudden thought; but no +one speaks suddenly or, _ex tempore_, in Rhyme' [p. 498]: and you +inferred from thence, _that Rhyme_, which you acknowledge to be proper to +Epic Poesy [p. 559], _cannot equally be proper to Dramatic; unless we +could suppose all men born so much more than poets, that verses should be +made_ in _them, not_ by _them_. + +"It has been formerly urged by you [p. 499] and confessed by me [p. 563] +that 'since no man spoke any kind of verse _ex tempore_; that which was +_nearest_ Nature was to be preferred.' I answer you, therefore, by +distinguishing betwixt what is _nearest_ to the nature of Comedy: which +is the Imitation of common persons and Ordinary Speaking: and, what is +_nearest_ the nature of a serious Play. This last is, indeed, the +Representation of Nature; but 'tis Nature wrought up to an higher pitch. +The Plot, the Characters, the Wit, the Passions, the Descriptions are all +exalted above the level of common converse [_conversation_], as high as +the Imagination of the Poet can carry them, with proportion to +verisimility [_verisimilitude_]. + +"Tragedy, we know, is wont to Image to us the minds and fortunes of noble +persons: and to pourtray these exactly, Heroic Rhyme is _nearest_ Nature; +as being the noblest kind of Modern Verse. + + "_Indignatur enim privatis, et prope socco, + Dignis carminibus narrari coena THYESTOE._ + +"says HORACE. And in another place, + + "_Effutire leveis indigna tragoedia versus._ + +"Blank Verse is acknowledged to be too low for a Poem, nay more, for a +paper of Verses [pp. 473, 498, 559]; but if too low for an ordinary +Sonnet, how much more for Tragedy! which is, by ARISTOTLE, in the dispute +between the Epic Poesy and the Dramatic, (for many reasons he there +alleges) ranked above it. + +"But setting this defence aside, your argument is almost as strong +against the use of Rhyme in Poems, as in Plays. For the Epic way is +everywhere interlaced with Dialogue or Discoursive Scenes: and, +therefore, you must either grant Rhyme to be improper there, which is +contrary to your assertion; or admit it into Plays, by the same title +which you have given it to Poems. + +"For though Tragedy be justly preferred above the other, yet there is a +great affinity between them; as may easily be discovered in that +Definition of a Play, which LISIDEIUS gave us [p. 513]. The genus of them +is the same, A JUST AND LIVELY IMAGE OF HUMAN NATURE, IN ITS ACTIONS, +PASSIONS, AND TRAVERSES OF FORTUNE: so is the End, namely, FOR THE +DELIGHT AND BENEFIT OF MANKIND. The Characters and Persons are still the +same, viz., the greatest of both sorts: only the _manner of acquainting +us_ with those actions, passions, and fortunes is different. Tragedy +performs it, _viva voce_, or by Action in Dialogue: wherein it excels the +Epic Poem; which does it, chiefly, by Narration, and therefore is not so +lively an Image of Human Nature. However, the agreement betwixt them is +such, that if Rhyme be proper for one, it must be for the other. + +"Verse, 'tis true, is not 'the effect of Sudden Thought.' But this +hinders not, that Sudden Thought may be represented in Verse: since those +thoughts are such, as must be higher than Nature can raise them without +premeditation, especially, to a continuance of them, even out of Verse: +and, consequently, you cannot imagine them, to have been sudden, either +in the Poet or the Actors. + +"A Play, as I have said, to be like Nature, is to be set above it; as +statues which are placed on high, are made greater than the life, that +they may descend to the sight, in their just proportion. + +"Perhaps, I have insisted too long upon this objection; but the clearing +of it, will make my stay shorter on the rest. + +"You tell us, CRITES! that 'Rhyme is most unnatural in Repartees or Short +Replies: when he who answers, it being presumed he knew not what the other +would say, yet makes up that part of the Verse which was left incomplete; +and supplies both the sound and the measure of it. This,' you say, 'looks +rather like the Confederacy of two, than the Answer of one.' + +"This, I confess, is an objection which is in every one's mouth, who +loves not Rhyme; but suppose, I beseech you! the Repartee were made only +in Blank Verse; might not part of the same argument be turned against +you? For the measure is as often supplied there, as it is in Rhyme: the +latter half of the hemistich as commonly made up, or a second line +subjoined as a reply to the former; which any one leaf in JOHNSON's Plays +will sufficiently make clear to you. + +"You will often find in the Greek Tragedians, and in SENECA; that when a +Scene grows up into the warmth of Repartees, which is the close fighting +of it, the latter part of the trimeter is supplied by him who answers: +and yet it was never observed as a fault in them, by any of the Ancient +or Modern critics. The case is the same in our verse, as it was in +theirs: Rhyme to us, being in lieu of Quantity to them. But if no +latitude is to be allowed a Poet; you take from him, not only his license +of _quidlibet audendi_: but you tie him up in a straighter compass than +you would a Philosopher. + +"This is, indeed, _Musas colere severiores_. You would have him follow +Nature, but he must follow her on foot. You have dismounted him from his +_Pegasus_! + +"But you tell us 'this supplying the last half of a verse, or adjoining a +whole second to the former, looks more like the Design of two, than the +Answer of one [pp. 498, 559].' Suppose we acknowledge it. How comes this +Confederacy to be more displeasing to you, than a dance which is well +contrived? You see there, the united Design of many persons to make up +one Figure. After they have separated themselves in many petty divisions; +they rejoin, one by one, into the gross. The Confederacy is plain amongst +them; for Chance could never produce anything so beautiful, and yet there +is nothing in it that shocks your sight. + +"I acknowledge that the hand of Art appears in Repartee, as, of +necessity, it must in all kind[s] of Verse. But there is, also, the quick +and poignant brevity of it (which is a high Imitation of Nature, in those +sudden gusts of passion) to mingle with it: and this joined with the +cadency and sweetness of the Rhyme, leaves nothing in the Soul of the +Hearer to desire. 'Tis an Art which _appears_; but it _appears_ only like +the shadowings of painture [_painting_], which, being to cause the +rounding of it, cannot be absent: but while that is considered, they are +lost. So while we attend to the other beauties of the Matter, the care +and labour of the Rhyme is carried from us; or, at least, drowned in its +own sweetness, as bees are some times buried in their honey. + +"When a Poet has found the Repartee; the last perfection he can add to +it, is to put it into Verse. However good the Thought may be, however apt +the Words in which 'tis couched; yet he finds himself at a little unrest, +while Rhyme is wanting. He cannot leave it, till that comes naturally; +and then is at ease, and sits down contented. + +"From Replies, which are the most _elevated_ thoughts of Verse, you pass +to the most _mean_ ones, those which are common with the lowest of +household conversation. In these you say, the majesty of the Verse +suffers. You instance in 'the calling of a servant' or 'commanding a door +to be shut' in Rhyme. This, CRITES! is a good observation of yours; but no +argument. For it proves no more, but that such thoughts should be waved, +as often as may be, by the address of the Poet. But suppose they _are_ +necessary in the places where he uses them; yet there is no need to put +them into rhyme. He may place them in the beginning of a verse and break +it off, as unfit (when so debased) for any other use: or granting the +worst, that they require more room than the hemistich will allow; yet +still, there is a choice to be made of best words and least vulgar +(provided they be apt) to express such thoughts. + +"Many have blamed Rhyme in general for this fault, when the Poet, with a +little care, might have redressed it: but they do it, with no more +justice, than if English Poesy should be made ridiculous, for the sake of +[JOHN TAYLOR] the Water Poet's rhymes. + +"Our language is noble, full, and significant; and I know not why he who +is master of it, may not clothe ordinary things in it, as decently as the +Latin; if he use the same diligence in his choice of words. + +"_Delectus verborum origo est eloquentiae_ was the saying of JULIUS +CAESAR; one so curious in his, that none of them can be changed but for +the worse. + +"One would think 'Unlock the door!' was a thing as vulgar as could be +spoken; and yet SENECA could make it sound high and lofty, in his Latin-- + + "_Reserate clusos regii postes Laris._ + +"But I turn from this exception, both because it happens not above twice +or thrice in any Play, that those vulgar thoughts are used: and then too, +were there no other apology to be made, yet the necessity of them (which +is, alike, in all kind[s] of writing) may excuse them. Besides that, the +great eagerness and precipitation with which they are spoken, makes us +rather mind the substance than the dress; that for which they are spoken, +rather than what is spoke[n]. For they are always the effect of some hasty +concernment; and something of consequence depends upon them. + +"Thus, CRITES! I have endeavoured to answer your objections. It remains +only that I should vindicate an argument for Verse, which you have gone +about to overthrow. + +"It had formerly been said [p. 492] that, 'The easiness of Blank Verse +renders the Poet too luxuriant; but that the labour of Rhyme bounds and +circumscribes an over fruitful fancy: the Sense there being commonly +confined to the Couplet; and the words so ordered that the Rhyme +naturally follows them, not they, the Rhyme.' + +"To this, you answered, that 'It was no argument to the question in hand: +for the dispute was not which way _a man may write best_; but which is +_most proper for the subject on which he writes_.' + +"First. Give me leave, Sir, to remember you! that the argument on which +you raised this objection was only secondary. It was built upon the +hypothesis, that to write in Verse was proper for serious Plays. Which +supposition being granted (as it was briefly made out in that discourse, +by shewing how Verse might be made _natural_): it asserted that this way +of writing was a help to the Poet's judgement, by putting bounds to a +wild, overflowing Fancy. I think therefore it will not be hard for me to +make good what it was to prove. + +"But you add, that, 'Were this let pass; yet he who wants judgement in +the liberty of the Fancy, may as well shew the defect of it, when he is +confined to Verse: for he who has judgement, will avoid errors; and he +who has it not will commit them in all kinds of writing.' + +"This argument, as you have taken it from a most acute person, so I +confess it carries much weight in it. But by using the word Judgement +here indefinitely, you seem to have put a fallacy upon us. I grant he who +has judgement, that is, so profound, so strong, so infallible a judgement +that he needs no helps to keep it always poised and upright, will commit +no faults; either in Rhyme, or out of it: and, on the other extreme, he +who has a judgement so weak and crazed, that no helps can correct or +amend it, shall write scurvily out of Rhyme; and worse in it. But the +first of these Judgements, is nowhere to be found; and the latter is not +fit to write at all. + +"To speak, therefore, of Judgement as it is in the best Poets; they who +have the greatest proportion of it, want other helps than from it within: +as, for example, you would be loath to say that he who was endued with a +sound judgement, had no need of history, geography, or moral philosophy, +to write correctly. + +"Judgement is, indeed, the Master Workman in a Play; but he requires many +subordinate hands, many tools to his assistance. And Verse, I affirm to be +one of these. 'Tis a 'Rule and Line' by which he keeps his building +compact and even; which, otherwise, lawless Imagination would raise, +either irregularly or loosely. At least, if the Poet commits errors with +this help; he would make greater and more without it. 'Tis, in short, a +slow and painful, but the surest kind of working. + +"OVID, whom you accuse [p. 561] for luxuriancy in Verse, had, perhaps, +been farther guilty of it, had he writ in Prose. And for your instance of +BEN. JOHNSON [p. 561]; who, you say, writ exactly, without the help of +Rhyme: you are to remember, 'tis only an aid to a _luxuriant_ Fancy; +which his was not [p. 551]. As he did not want Imagination; so, none ever +said he had much to spare. Neither was Verse then refined so much, to be a +help to that Age as it is to ours. + +"Thus then, the second thoughts being usually the best, as receiving the +maturest digestion from judgement; and the last and most mature product +of those thoughts, being artfull and laboured Verse: it may well be +inferred, that Verse is a great help to a luxuriant Fancy. And this is +what that argument, which you opposed, was to evince." + +NEANDER was pursuing this discourse so eagerly that EUGENIUS had called +to him twice or thrice, ere he took notice that the barge stood still; +and that they were at the foot of Somerset Stairs, where they had +appointed it to land. + +The company were all sorry to separate so soon, though a great part of +the evening was already spent: and stood a while, looking back upon the +water; which the moonbeams played upon, and made it appear like floating +quicksilver. + +At last, they went up, through a crowd of French people, who were merrily +dancing in the open air, and nothing concerned for the noise of the guns, +which had alarmed the Town that afternoon. + +Walking thence together to the Piazza, they parted there, EUGENIUS and +LISIDEIUS, to some pleasant appointment they had made; and CRITES and +NEANDER to their several lodgings. + +FINIS. + + + [9] Compare DRYDEN's definition of Humour, with that of Lord MACAULAY, + in his review of _Diary and Letters of Madame D'ARBLAY (Edinburgh + Review_, Jan. 1843). E.A. 1880. + +[10] Glorious JOHN DRYDEN! thee liest! CROMWELL and his Court were + no "enemies of all good learning," though they utterly rejected the + Dramatic branch of it. E.A. 1880. + + + + +The Honourable Sir ROBERT HOWARD Auditor of the Exchequer. + +Preface to _The great Favourite, or the Duke of LERMA_. + +[Published in 1668.] + + +_TO THE READER._ + +I cannot plead the usual excuse for publishing this trifle, which is +commonly the subject of most Prefaces, by charging it upon the +importunity of friends; for I confess I was myself willing, at the first +desire of Mr. HERRINGMAN [_the Publisher_], to print it: not for any +great opinion that I had entertained; but for the opinion that others +were pleased to express. Which, being told me by some friends, I was +concerned to let the World judge what subject matter of offence was +contained in it. Some were pleased to believe little of it mine; but they +are both obliging to me, though perhaps not intentionally: the last, by +thinking there was anything in it that was worth so ill designed an envy, +as to place it to another author; the others, perhaps the best bred +Informers, by continuing their displeasure towards me, since I most +gratefully acknowledge to have received some advantage in the opinion of +the sober part of the World, by the loss of theirs. + +For the subject, I came accidentally to write upon it. For a gentleman +brought a Play to the King's Company, called, _The Duke of LERMA_; and, +by them, I was desired to peruse it, and return my opinion, "Whether I +thought it fit for the Stage!" After I had read it, I acquainted them +that, "In my judgement, it would not be of much use for such a design, +since the Contrivance scarce would merit the name of a Plot; and some of +that, assisted by a disguise: and it ended abruptly. And on the person of +PHILIP III., there was fixed such a mean Character; and on the daughter of +the Duke of LERMA, such a vicious one: that I could not but judge it unfit +to be presented by any that had a respect, not only to Princes, but +indeed, to either Man or Woman." + +And, about that time, being to go in the country, I was persuaded by Mr. +HART to make it my diversion there, that so great a hint might not be +lost, as the Duke of LERMA saving himself, in his last extremity, by his +unexpected disguise: which is as well in the true Story [_history_], as +the old Play. And besides that and the Names; my altering the most part +of the Characters, and the whole Design, made me uncapable to use much +more, though, perhaps, written with higher Style and Thoughts than I +could attain to. + +I intend not to trouble myself nor the World any more in such subjects; +but take my leave of these my too long acquaintances: since that little +Fancy and Liberty I once enjoyed, is now fettered in business of more +unpleasant natures. Yet, were I free to apply my thoughts, as my own +choice directed them; I should hardly again venture into the Civil Wars +of Censures. + + _Ubi ... Nullos habitura triumphos_. + +In the next place. I must ingeniously confess that the manner of Plays, +which now are in most esteem, is beyond my power to perform [p. 587]; nor +do I condemn, in the least, anything, of what nature soever, that pleases; +since nothing could appear to me a ruder folly, than to censure the +satisfaction of others. I rather blame the unnecessary understanding of +some, that have laboured to give strict Rules to things that are not +mathematical; and, with such eagerness, pursuing their own seeming +reasons, that, at last, we are to apprehend such Argumentative Poets will +grow as strict as SANCHO PANZA's Doctor was, to our very appetites: for in +the difference of Tragedy and Comedy, and of Fars [_farce_] itself, there +can be no determination, but by the taste; nor in the manner of their +composure. And, whoever would endeavour to like or dislike, by the Rules +of others; he will be as unsuccessful, as if he should try to be +persuaded into a power of believing, not what he must, but what others +direct him to believe. + +But I confess, 'tis not necessary for Poets to study strict Reason: since +they are so used to a greater latitude [pp. 568, 588], than is allowed by +that severe Inquisition, that they must infringe their own Jurisdiction, +to profess themselves obliged to argue well. I will not, therefore, +pretend to say, why I writ this Play, some Scenes in Blank Verse, others +in Rhyme; since I have no better a reason to give than Chance, which +waited upon my present Fancy: and I expect no better reason from any +Ingenious Person, than his Fancy, for which he best relishes. + +I cannot, therefore, but beg leave of the Reader, to take a little notice +of the great pains the author of an _Essay of Dramatic Poesy_ has taken, +to prove "Rhyme as _natural_ in a serious Play, and more _effectual_ than +Blank Verse" [pp. 561, 581]. Thus he states the question, but pursues that +which he calls natural, in a wrong application: for 'tis not the question, +whether Rhyme or not Rhyme be best or most natural for a grave or serious +Subject: but what is _nearest the nature_ of that which it presents. + +Now, after all the endeavours of that Ingenious Person, a Play will still +be supposed to be a Composition of several persons speaking _ex tempore_ +and 'tis as certain, that good verses are the hardest things that can be +imagined, to be so spoken [p. 582]. So that if any will be pleased to +impose the rule of measuring things to be the best, by _being nearest_ +Nature; it is granted, by consequence, that which is most remote from the +thing supposed, must needs be most improper: and, therefore, I may justly +say, that both I and the question were equally mistaken. For I do own I +had rather read good verses, than either Blank Verse or Prose; and +therefore the author did himself injury, if he like Verse so well in +Plays, to lay down Rules to raise arguments, only unanswerable against +himself. + +But the same author, being filled with the precedents of the Ancients +writing their Plays in Verse, commends the thing; and assures us that +"our language is noble, full, and significant," charging all defects upon +the ill placing of words; and proves it, by quoting SENECA loftily +expressing such an ordinary thing, as "shutting a door." + + _Reserate clusos regii postes Laris_. + +I suppose he was himself highly affected with the sound of these words. +But to have completed his Dictates [_injunctions_]; together with his +arguments, he should have obliged us by charming our ears with such an +art of placing words, as, in an English verse, to express so loftily "the +shutting of a door": that we might have been as much affected with the +sound of his words. + +This, instead of being an argument upon the question, rightly stated, is +an attempt to prove, that Nothing may seem Something by the help of a +verse; which I easily grant to be the ill fortune of it: and therefore, +the question being so much mistaken, I wonder to see that author trouble +himself twice about it, with such an absolute Triumph declared by his own +imagination. But I have heard that a gentleman in Parliament, going to +speak twice, and being interrupted by another member, as against the +Orders of the House: he was excused, by a third [member] assuring the +House he had not yet spoken to the question. + +But, if we examine the General Rules laid down for Plays by strict +Reason; we shall find the errors equally gross: for the great Foundation +that is laid to build upon, is Nothing, as it is generally stated; which +will appear on the examination of the particulars. + +First. We are told the Plot should not be so ridiculously contrived, as +to crowd several Countries into one Stage. Secondly, to cramp the +accidents of many years or days, into the Representation of two hours and +a half. And, lastly, a conclusion drawn that the only remaining dispute, +is concerning Time; whether it should be contained in twelve or four and +twenty hours; and the Place to be limited to the spot of ground, either +in town or city, where the Play is supposed to begin [p. 531]. And this +is called _nearest_ to Nature. For that is concluded most natural, which +is most _probable_, and _nearest_ to that which it presents. + +I am so well pleased with any ingenious offers, as all these are, that I +should not examine this strictly, did not the confidence of others force +me to it: there being not anything more unreasonable to my judgement, +than the attempts to infringe the Liberty of Opinion by Rules so little +demonstrative. + +To shew, therefore, upon what ill grounds, they dictate Laws for Dramatic +Poesy; I shall endeavour to make it evident that there's no such thing, as +what they All pretend [p. 592]. For, if strictly and duly weighed, 'tis as +impossible for one Stage to represent two houses or two rooms truly, as +two countries or kingdoms; and as impossible that five hours or four and +twenty hours should be two hours and a half, as that a thousand hours or +years should be less than what they are, or the greatest part of time to +be comprehended in the less. For _all_ being impossible; they are none of +them nearest the Truth, or nature of what they present. For +impossibilities are all equal, and admit no degrees. And, then, if all +those Poets that have so fervently laboured to give Rules as Maxims, +would but be pleased to abbreviate; or endure to hear their Reasons +reduced into one strict Definition; it must be, That there are _degrees_ +in impossibilities, and that many things, which are not possible, may yet +be more or less impossible; and from this, proceed to give Rules to +observe the least absurdity in things, which are not at all. + +I suppose, I need not trouble the Reader, with so impertinent a delay, to +attempt a further confutation of such ill grounded Reasons, than, thus, by +opening the true state of the case. Nor do I design to make any further +use of it, than from hence, to draw this modest conclusion: + +That I would have all attempts of this nature, be submitted to the Fancy +of others; and bear the name of Propositions [p. 590], not of confident +Laws, or Rules made by demonstration. + +And, then, I shall not discommend any Poet that dresses his Play in such +a fashion as his Fancy best approves: and fairly leave it for others to +follow, if it appears to them most convenient and fullest of ornament. + +But, writing this _Epistle_, in much haste; I had almost forgot one +argument or observation, which that author has most good fortune in. It +is in his _Epistle Dedicatory_, before his _Essay of Dramatic Poesy_, +where, speaking of Rhymes in Plays, he desires it may be observed, "That +none are violent against it; but such as have not attempted it; or who +have succeeded ill in the attempt [pp. 503, 539, 598]," which, as to +myself and him, I easily acknowledge: for I confess none has written, in +that way, better than himself; nor few worse than I. Yet, I hope he is so +ingenious, that he would not wish this argument should extend further than +to him and me. For if it should be received as a good one: all Divines and +Philosophers would find a readier way of confutation than they yet have +done, of any that should oppose the least Thesis or Definition, by +saying, "They were denied by none but such as never attempted to write, +or succeeded ill in the attempt." + +Thus, as I am one, that am extremely well pleased with most of the +_Propositions_, which are ingeniously laid down in that _Essay_, for +regulating the Stage: so I am also always concerned for the true honour +of Reason, and would have no spurious issue fathered upon her Fancy, may +be allowed her wantonness. + +But Reason is always pure and chaste: and, as it resembles the sun, in +making all things clear; it also resembles it, in its several positions. +When it shines in full height, and directly ascendant over any subject, +it leaves but little shadow: but, when descended and grown low, its +oblique shining renders the shadow larger than the substance; and gives +the deceived person [_i.e., DRYDEN_] a wrong measure of his own +proportion. + +Thus, begging the Reader's excuse, for this seeming impertinency; I +submit what I have written to the liberty of his unconfined opinion: +which is all the favour I ask of others, to afford me. + + + + +JOHN DRYDEN. + +_A Defence of_ An Essay of Dramatic Poesy. + +Being an Answer to the Preface of _The great Favourite or the Duke of +LERMA_. + + +[Prefaced to the Second Edition of _The Indian Emperor_. 1668.] + +The former Edition of the _Indian Emperor_, being full of faults, which +had escaped the printer; I have been willing to overlook this Second with +more care: and, though I could not allow myself so much time as was +necessary, yet, by that little I have done, the press is freed from some +gross errors which it had to answer for before. + +As for the more material faults of writing, which are properly mine; +though I see many of them, I want leisure to amend them. 'Tis enough for +those, who make one Poem the business of their lives, to leave that +correct; yet, excepting VIRGIL, I never met with any which was so, in any +language. + +But while I was thus employed about this impression, there came to my +hands, a new printed Play, called, _The great Favourite, or the Duke of +LERMA_. The author of which, a noble and most ingenious Person, has done +me the favour to make some observations and animadversions upon my +_Dramatic Essay_. + +I must confess he might have better consulted his reputation, than by +matching himself with so weak an adversary. But if his honour be +diminished in the choice of his antagonist, it is sufficiently +recompensed in the election of his cause: which being the weaker, in all +appearance (as combating the received opinions of the best Ancient and +Modern authors), will add to his glory, if he overcome; and to the +opinion of his generosity, if he be vanquished, since he engages at so +great odds, and so (like a Cavalier) undertakes the protection of the +weaker party. + +I have only to fear, on my own behalf, that so good a cause as mine, may +not suffer by my ill management or weak defence; yet I cannot, in honour, +but take the glove, when 'tis offered me: though I am only a Champion, by +succession; and, no more able to defend the right of ARISTOTLE and +HORACE, than an infant DYMOCK, to maintain the title of a King. + +For my own concernment in the controversy, it is so small, that I can +easily be contented to be driven from a few Notions of Dramatic Poesy, +especially by one who has the reputation of understanding all things [!]: +and I might justly make that excuse for my yielding to him, which the +Philosopher made to the Emperor, "Why should I offer to contend with him, +who is Master of more than twenty Legions of Arts and Sciences!" But I am +forced to fight, and therefore it will be no shame to be overcome. + +Yet, I am so much his servant as not to meddle with anything which does +not concern _me_ in his Preface. Therefore, I leave the good sense, and +other excellencies of the first twenty lines [_i.e., of the Preface, see_ +p. 573] to be considered by the critics. + +As for the Play of _The Duke of LERMA_; having so much altered and +beautified it, as he has done, it can be justly belong to none but him. +Indeed, they must be extreme[ly] ignorant as well as envious, who would +rob him of that honour: for you see him putting in his claim to it, even +in the first two lines. + + _Repulse upon repulse, like waves thrown back, + That slide to hang upon obdurate rocks_. + +After this, let Detraction do its worst! for if this be not his, it +deserves to be. For my part, I declare for Distributive Justice! and from +this, and what follows, he certainly deserves _those advantages_, which he +acknowledges, to _have received from the opinion of sober men_. + +In the next place, I must beg leave to observe his great address in +courting the Reader to his party. For, intending to assault all Poets +both Ancient and Modern, he discovers not his whole Design at once; but +seems only to aim at me, and attack me on my weakest side, my Defence of +Verse. + +To begin with me. He gives me the compellation of "The Author of a +_Dramatic Essay_"; which is a little Discourse in dialogue, for the most +part borrowed from the observations of others. Therefore, that I may not +be wanting to him in civility, I return his compliment, by calling him, +"The Author of _The Duke of LERMA_." + +But, that I may pass over his salute, he takes notice [p. 575] of my +great pains to prove "Rhyme as _natural_ in a serious Play; and more +_effectual_ than Blank Verse" [p. 561]. Thus, indeed, I did state the +question, but he tells me, _I pursue that which I call_ natural, _in a +wrong application; for 'tis not the question whether_ Rhyme _or_ not +Rhyme _be best or most natural for a serious Subject; but what is nearest +the nature of that it represents_. + +If I have formerly mistaken the question; I must confess my ignorance so +far, as to say I continue still in my mistake. But he ought to have +proved that I mistook it; for 'tis yet but _gratis dictum_. I still shall +think I have gained my point, if I can prove that "Rhyme is best or most +_natural_ for a serious Subject." + +As for the question, as he states it, "Whether Rhyme be nearest the +nature of what it represents"; I wonder he should think me so ridiculous +as to dispute whether Prose or Verse be nearest to ordinary conversation? + +It still remains for him, to prove his Inference, that, Since Verse is +granted to be more remote than Prose from ordinary conversation; +therefore no serious Plays ought to be writ in Verse: and when he clearly +makes that good, I will acknowledge his victory as absolute as he can +desire it. + +The question now is, which of us two has mistaken it? And if it appear I +have not, the World will suspect _what gentleman that was, who was +allowed to speak twice in Parliament, because he had not yet spoken to +the question_ [p. 576]: and, perhaps, conclude it to be the same, who (as +'tis reported) maintained a contradiction _in terminis_, in the face of +three hundred persons. + +But to return to Verse. Whether it be natural or not in Plays, is a +problem which is not demonstrable, of either side. 'Tis enough for me, +that he acknowledges that he had rather read good Verse than Prose [p. +575]: for if all the enemies of Verse will confess as much, I shall not +need to prove that it is _natural_. I am satisfied, if it cause Delight; +for Delight is the chief, if not the only end of Poesy. Instruction can +be admitted but in the second place; for Poesy only instructs as it +delights. + +'Tis true, that to Imitate Well is a Poet's work: but to affect the soul, +and excite the passions, and, above all, to move Admiration [_wondering +astonishment_] (which is the Delight of serious Plays), a bare Imitation +will not serve. The converse [_conversation_] therefore, which a Poet is +to _imitate_, must be _heightened_ with all the arts and ornaments of +Poesy; and must be such as, _strictly considered_, could never be +supposed [to be] spoken by any, without premeditation. + +As for what he urges, that, _A Play will still be supposed to be a +composition of several persons speaking_ ex tempore; and that good verses +are the hardest things, which can be imagined, to be so spoken_ [p. 575]: +I must crave leave to dissent from his opinion, as to the former part of +it. For, if I am not deceived, A Play is supposed to be the work of the +Poet, _imitating_ or _representing_ the conversation of several persons: +and this I think to be as clear, as he thinks the contrary. + +But I will be bolder, and do not doubt to make it good, though a paradox, +that, One great reason why Prose is not to be used in serious Plays is +because it is too near the nature of converse [_conversation_]. There may +be too great a likeness. As the most skilful painters affirm there may be +too near a resemblance in a picture. To take every lineament and feature +is not to make an excellent piece, but to take so much only as will make +a beautiful resemblance of the whole; and, with an ingenious flattery of +Nature, to heighten the beauties of some parts, and hide the deformities +of the rest. For so, says HORACE-- + + _Ut pictura Poesis erit + Haec amat obscurum; vult haec sub luce videri, + Judicis argutum quae non formidat acumen. + Et quae + Desperat, tractata nitescere posse, relinquit_. + +In _Bartholomew Fair_, or the lowest kind of Comedy, that degree of +heightening is used which is proper to set off that subject. 'Tis true, +the author was not there to go out of Prose, as he does in his higher +arguments of Comedy, the _Fox_ and _Alchemist_; yet he does so raise his +matter in that Prose, as to render it delightful: which he could never +have performed had he only said or done those very things that are daily +spoken or practised in the Fair. For then, the Fair itself would be as +full of pleasure to an Ingenious Person, as the Play; which we manifestly +see it is not: but he hath made an excellent Lazar of it. The copy is of +price, though the origin be vile. + +You see in _CATILINE_ and _SEJANUS_; where the argument is great, he +sometimes ascends to Verse, which shews he thought it not unnatural in +serious Plays: and had his genius been as proper for Rhyme as it was for +Humour, or had the Age in which he lived, attained to as much knowledge +in Verse, as ours; 'tis probable he would have adorned those Subjects +with that kind of writing. + +Thus PROSE, though the rightful Prince, yet is, by common consent, +deposed; as too weak for the Government of serious Plays: and he failing, +there now start up two competitors! one, the nearer in blood, which is +BLANK VERSE; the other, more fit for the ends of Government, which is +RHYME. BLANK VERSE is, indeed, the nearer PROSE; but he is blemished with +the weakness of his predecessor. RHYME (for I will deal clearly!) has +somewhat of the Usurper in him; but he is brave and generous, and his +dominion pleasing. For this reason of Delight, the Ancients (whom I will +still believe as wise as those who so confidently correct them) wrote all +their Tragedies in Verse; though they knew it most remote from +conversation. + +But I perceive I am falling into the danger of another rebuke from my +opponent: for when I plead that "the Ancients used Verse," I prove not +that, They would have admitted Rhyme, had it then been written. + +All I can say, is, That it seems to have succeeded Verse, by the general +consent of Poets in all modern languages. For almost all their serious +Plays are written in it: which, though it be no Demonstration that +therefore it ought to be so; yet, at least, the Practice first, and then +the Continuation of it shews that it attained the end, which was, to +Please. And if that cannot be compassed here, I will be the first who +shall lay it down. + +For I confess my chief endeavours are _to delight the Age in which I +live_ [p. 582]. If the Humour of this, be for Low Comedy, small Accidents +[_Incidents_], and Raillery; I will force my genius to obey it: though, +with more reputation, I could write in Verse. I know, I am not so fitted, +by nature, to write Comedy. I want that gaiety of Humour which is required +to it. My conversation is dull and slow. My Humour is saturnine and +reserved. In short, I am none of those, who endeavour to break jests in +company, or make repartees. So that those who decry my Comedies, do me no +injury, except it be in point of profit. Reputation in _them_ is the last +thing to which I shall pretend. + +I beg pardon for entertaining the reader with so ill a subject: but +before I quit that argument, which was the cause of this digression; I +cannot but take notice how I am corrected for my quotation of SENECA, in +my defence of Plays in Verse. + +My words were these [p. 570]: "Our language is noble, full, and +significant; and I know not why he, who is master of it, may not clothe +ordinary things in it, as decently as the Latin; if he use the same +diligence in his _choice of words_." + +One would think, "Unlock the door," was a thing as vulgar as could be +spoken: yet SENECA could make it sound high and lofty in his Latin. + + _Reserate clusos regii postes Laris_. + +But he says of me, _That being filled with the precedents of the Ancients +who Writ their Plays in Verse, I commend the thing; declaring our language +to be full, noble, and significant, and charging all the defects upon the_ +ill placing of words; _which I prove by quoting SENECA's loftily +expressing such an ordinary thing as_ shutting the door. + +Here he manifestly mistakes. For I spoke not of the Placing, but the +Choice of words: for which I quoted that aphorism of JULIUS CAESAR, +_Delectus verborum est origo eloquentiae_. But _delectus verborum_ is no +more Latin for the "Placing of words;" than _Reserate_ is Latin for +"_Shut_ the door!" as he interprets it; which I, ignorantly, construed +"_Unlock_ or _open_ it!" + +He supposes I was highly affected with the Sound of these words; and I +suppose I may more justly imagine it of him: for if he had not been +extremely satisfied with the Sound, he would have minded the Sense a +little better. + +But these are, now, to be no faults. For, ten days after his book was +published, and that his mistakes are grown so famous that they are come +back to him, he sends his _Errata_ to be printed, and annexed to his +Play; and desires that instead of _Shutting_, you should read _Opening_, +which, it seems, was the printer's fault. I wonder at his modesty! that +he did not rather say it was SENECA's or mine: and that in some authors, +_Reserate_ was to _Shut_ as well as to _Open_, as the word _Barach_, say +the learned, is [_in Hebrew_] both to _Bless_ and _Curse_. + +Well, since it was the printer['s fault]; he was a naughty man, to commit +the same mistake twice in six lines. + +I warrant you! _Delectus verborum_ for _Placing_ of words, was his +mistake too; though the author forgot to tell him of it. If it were my +book, I assure you it should [be]. For those rascals ought to be the +proxies of every Gentleman-Author; and to be chastised for him, when he +is not pleased to own an error. + +Yet, since he has given the _Errata_, I wish he would have enlarged them +only a few sheets more; and then he would have spared me the labour of an +answer. For this cursed printer is so given to mistakes, that there is +scarce a sentence in the Preface without some false grammar, or hard +sense [_i.e., difficulty in gathering the meaning_] in it; which will all +be charged upon the Poet: because he is so good natured as to lay but +three errors to the Printer's account, and to take the rest upon himself; +who is better able to support them. But he needs not [to] apprehend that I +should strictly examine those little faults; except I am called upon to do +it. I shall return, therefore, to that quotation of SENECA; and answer not +to what he _writes_, but to what he _means_. + +I never intended it as an Argument, but only as an Illustration of what I +had said before [p. 570] concerning the Election of words. And all he can +charge me with, is only this, That if SENECA could make an ordinary thing +sound well in Latin by the choice of words; the same, with like care, +might be performed in English. If it cannot, I have committed an error on +the right hand, by commending too much, the copiousness and well sounding +of our language: which I hope my countrymen will pardon me. At least, the +words which follow in my _Dramatic Essay_ will plead somewhat in my +behalf. For I say there [p. 570], That this objection happens but seldom +in a Play; and then too, either the meanness of the expression may be +avoided, or shut out from the verse by breaking it in the midst. + +But I have said too much in the Defence of Verse. For, after all, 'tis a +very indifferent thing to me, whether it obtain or not. I am content, +hereafter to be ordered by his rule, that is, "to write it, sometimes, +because it pleases me" [p. 575]; and so much the rather, because "he has +declared that it pleases him." + +But, he has taken his last farewell of the Muses; and he has done it +civilly, by honouring them with the name of _his long acquaintances_ [p. +574]: which is a compliment they have scarce deserved from him. + +For my own part, I bear a share in the public loss; and how emulous +soever I may be, of his Fame and Reputation, I cannot but give this +testimony of his Style, that it is extreme[ly] poetical, even in Oratory; +his Thoughts elevated, sometimes above common apprehension; his Notions +politic and grave, and tending to the instruction of Princes and +reformation of State: that they are abundantly interlaced with variety of +fancies, tropes, and figures, which the Critics have enviously branded +with the name of Obscurity and False Grammar. + +Well, _he is now fettered in business of more unpleasant nature_ [p. +574]. The Muses have lost him, but the Commonwealth gains by it. The +corruption of a Poet is the generation of a Statesman. + +_He will not venture again into the Civil Wars of Censure_ [Criticism]. + + _Ubi ... nullos habitura triumphos_. + +If he had not told us, he had left the Muses; we might have half +suspected it by that word, _ubi_, which does not any way belong to +_them_, in that place. The rest of the verse is indeed LUCAN's: but that +_ubi_, I will answer for it, is his own. + +Yet he has another reason for this disgust of Poesy. For he says, +immediately after, that _the manner of Plays which are now in most +esteem, is beyond his power to perform_ [p. 574]. To _perform_ the +_manner_ of a thing, is new English to me. + +_However he condemns not the satisfaction of others, but rather their +unnecessary understanding; who, like SANCHO PANZA's Doctor, prescribe too +strictly to our appetites. For_, says he, _in the difference of Tragedy +and Comedy and of Farce itself; there can be no determination but by the +taste; nor in the manner of their composure_. + +We shall see him, now, as great a Critic as he was a Poet: and the reason +why he excelled so much in Poetry will be evident; for it will have +proceeded from the exactness of his Judgement. + +_In the difference of Tragedy, Comedy, and Farce itself; there can be no +determination but by the taste_. I will not quarrel with the obscurity of +this phrase, though I justly might: but beg his pardon, if I do not +rightly understand him. If he means that there is no essential difference +betwixt Comedy, Tragedy, and Farce; but only what is made by people's +taste, which distinguishes one of them from the other: that is so +manifest an error, that I need lose no time to contradict it. + +Were there neither Judge, Taste, or Opinion in the world; yet they would +differ in their natures. For the Action, Character, and Language of +Tragedy would still be great and high: that of Comedy, lower and more +familiar. Admiration would be the Delight of the one: Satire, of the +other. + +I have but briefly touched upon these things; because, whatever his words +are, I can scarce[ly] imagine that _he who is always concerned for the +true honour of Reason, and would have no spurious issue fathered upon +her_ [p. 578], should mean anything so absurd, as to affirm _that there +is no difference between Comedy and Tragedy, but what is made by taste +only_: unless he would have us understand the Comedies of my Lord L. [?]; +where the First Act should be _Potages_, the Second, _Fricasses &c._, and +the Fifth, a _chère entière_ of women. + +I rather guess, he means that betwixt one Comedy or Tragedy and another; +there is no other difference but what is made by the liking or disliking +of the audience. This is, indeed, a less error than the former; but yet +it is a great one. + +The liking or disliking of the people gives the Play the _denomination_ +of "good" or "bad"; but does not really make or constitute it such. To +please the people ought to be the Poet's aim [pp. 513, 582, 584]; because +Plays are made for their delight: but it does not follow, that they are +always pleased with good plays; or that the plays which please them, are +always good. + +The Humour of the people is now for Comedy; therefore, in hope to please +them, I write Comedies rather than serious Plays; and, so far, their +taste prescribes to me. But it does not follow from that reason, that +Comedy is to be preferred before Tragedy, in its own nature. For that +which is so, in its own nature, cannot be otherwise; as a man cannot but +be a rational creature: but the opinion of the people may alter; and in +another Age, or perhaps in this, serious Plays may be set up above +Comedies. + +This I think a sufficient answer. If it be not, he has provided me of +[_with_] an excuse. It seems, in his wisdom, he foresaw my weakness; and +has found out this expedient for me, _That it is not necessary for Poets +to study strict Reason; since they are so used to a greater latitude than +is allowed by that severe inquisition; that they must infringe their own +jurisdiction to profess themselves obliged to argue well_. + +I am obliged to him, for discovering to me this back door; but I am not +yet resolved on my retreat. For I am of opinion, that they cannot be good +Poets, who are not accustomed to argue well. False Reasonings and Colours +of Speech are the certain marks of one who does not understand the Stage. +For Moral Truth is the Mistress of the Poet as much as of the Philosopher. +Poesy must _resemble_ Natural Truth; but it must _be_ Ethical. Indeed the +Poet dresses Truth, and adorns Nature; but does not alter them. + + _Ficta voluptatis causa sint proxima veris_. + +Therefore that is not the best Poesy which resembles notions of _things, +which are not_, to _things which are_: though the Fancy may be great, and +the Words flowing; yet the Soul is but half satisfied, when there is not +Truth in the foundation [p. 560]. + +This is that which makes VIRGIL [to] be preferred before the rest of +poets. In Variety of Fancy, and Sweetness of Expression, you see OVID far +above him; for VIRGIL rejected many of those things which OVID wrote. "A +great Wit's great work, is to refuse," as my worthy friend, Sir JOHN +BIRKENHEAD has ingeniously expressed it. You rarely meet with anything in +VIRGIL but Truth; which therefore leaves the strongest impression of +Pleasure in the Soul. This I thought myself obliged to say in behalf of +Poesy: and to declare (though it be against myself) that when poets do +not argue well, the defect is in the Workmen, not in the Art. + +And, now, I come to the boldest part of his Discourse, wherein he attacks +not me, but all the Ancient and Moderns; and undermines, as he thinks, the +very foundations on which Dramatic Poesy is built. I could wish he would +have declined that envy, which must, of necessity, follow such an +undertaking: and contented himself with triumphing over me, in my +opinions of Verse; which I will never, hereafter, dispute with him. But +he must pardon me, if I have that veneration for ARISTOTLE, HORACE, BEN. +JOHNSON, and CORNEILLE, that I dare not serve him in such a cause, and +against such heroes: but rather fight under their protection; as HOMER +reports of little TEUCER, who shot the Trojans from under the large +buckler of AJAX Telamon-- + + [Greek: _Stae d'ar hap Aiautos sakei Telamoniadao_], &c. + + He stood beneath his brother's ample shield; + And, covered there, shot death through all the field. + +The words of my noble adversary are these-- + +_But if we examine the general Rules laid down for Plays, by strict +Reason, we shall find the errors equally gross: for the great Foundation +which is laid to build upon, is Nothing, as it is generally stated: as +will appear upon the examination of the particulars_. + +These particulars, in due time, shall be examined. In the meanwhile, let +us consider, what this great Foundation is; which, he says, is "Nothing, +as it is generally stated." + +I never heard of any other Foundation of Dramatic Poesy, than the +Imitation of Nature: neither was there ever pretended any other, by the +Ancients or Moderns, or me who endeavoured to follow them in that Rule. +This I have plainly said, in my Definition of a Play, that IT IS A JUST +AND LIVELY IMAGE OF HUMAN NATURE, &c. + +Thus 'the Foundation, as it is generally stated,' will stand sure, if +this Definition of a Play be true. If it be not, he ought to have made +his exception against it; by proving that a Play is _not_ an Imitation of +Nature, but somewhat else, which he is pleased to think it. + +But 'tis very plain, that he has mistaken the Foundation, for that which +is built upon it; though not immediately. For the direct and immediate +consequence is this. If Nature be to be imitated, then there is a Rule +for imitating Nature rightly; otherwise, there may be an End, and no +Means conducing to it. + +Hitherto, I have proceeded by demonstration. But as our Divines, when +they have proved a Deity (because there is Order), and have inferred that +this Deity ought to be worshipped, differ, afterwards, in the Manner of +the Worship: so, having laid down, that "Nature is to be imitated;" and +that Proposition [p. 577] proving the next, that, then, "there are means, +which conduce to the imitating of Nature"; I dare proceed no farther, +positively, but have only laid down some opinions of the Ancients and +Moderns, and of my own, as Means which they used, and which I thought +probable, for the attaining of that End. + +Those Means are the same, which my antagonist calls the Foundations: how +properly the World may judge! And to prove that this is his meaning, he +clears it immediately to you, by enumerating those Rules or Propositions, +against which he makes his particular exceptions, as namely, those of TIME +and PLACE, in these words. + +_First, we are told the Plot should not be so ridiculously contrived, as +to crowd several Countries into one Stage. Secondly, to cramp the +accidents of many years or days, into the Representation of two hours and +a half. And, lastly, a conclusion drawn that the only remaining dispute, +is concerning Time; whether it should be contained in Twelve or Four and +twenty hours; and the Place to be limited to the spot of ground, [either +in town or city] where the Play is supposed to begin. And this is called, +nearest to Nature. For that is concluded most natural; which is most +probable and nearest to that which it presents_. + +Thus he has, only, made a small Mistake of the Means conducing to the +end, for the End itself; and of the Superstructure for the Foundation. +But he proceeds, + +_To show, therefore, upon what ill grounds, they dictate Laws for +Dramatic Poesy &c._ + +He is, here, pleased to charge me with being Magisterial; as he has done +in many other places of his Preface. + +Therefore, in vindication of myself, I must crave leave to say, that my +whole Discourse was sceptical, according to that way of reasoning which +was used by SOCRATES, PLATO, and all the Academics of old; which TULLY +and the best of the Ancients followed, and which is imitated by the +modest Inquisitions of the Royal Society. + +That it is so, not only the name will show, which is _An Essay_; but the +frame and composition of the work. You see it is a dialogue sustained by +persons of several opinions, all of them left doubtful, to be determined +by the readers in general; and more particularly deferred to the accurate +judgement of my Lord BUCKHURST, to whom I made a dedication of my book. +These are my words, in my Epistle, speaking of the persons, whom I +introduced in my dialogue, "'Tis true, they differed in their opinions, +as 'tis probable they would; neither do I take upon me to reconcile, but +to relate them: leaving your Lordship to decide it, in favour of that +part, which you shall judge most reasonable." + +And, after that, in my _Advertisements to the Reader_, I said this, "The +drift of the ensuing Discourse was chiefly to vindicate the honour of our +English Writers, from the censure of those who injustly prefer the French +before them. This I intimate, lest any should think me so exceeding vain, +as to teach others an Art, which they understand much better than myself." + +But this is more than [is] necessary to clear my modesty in that point: +and I am very confident that there is scarce any man, who has lost so +much time as to read that trifle, but will be my compurgator as to that +arrogance whereof I am accused. The truth is, if I had been naturally +guilty of so much vanity, as to dictate my opinions; yet I do not find +that the Character of a Positive or Self Conceited Person is of such +advantage to any in this Age, that I should labour to be Publicly +Admitted of that Order. + +But I am not, now, to defend my own cause, when that of all the Ancients +and Moderns is in question. For this gentleman, who accuses me of +arrogance, has taken a course not to be taxed with the other extreme of +modesty. Those Propositions which are laid down in my Discourse, as Helps +to the better Imitation of Nature, are _not_ mine, as I have said; nor +were ever pretended so to be: but were derived from the authority of +ARISTOTLE and HORACE, and from the rules and examples of BEN. JOHNSON and +CORNEILLE. These are the men, with whom be properly he contends: and +against _whom he will endeavour to make it evident, that then is no such +thing as what they All pretend_. + +His argument against the Unities of PLACE and TIME is this. + +_That 'tis as impossible for one Stage to present two Rooms or Houses +truly, as two Countries or Kingdoms; and as impossible that Five hours or +Twenty-four hours should be Two hours as that a Thousand years or hours +should be less than what they are, or the greatest part of time to be +comprehended in the less: for all of them being impossible they are none +of them nearest the Truth or Nature of what they present, for +impossibilities are all equal, and admit of no degrees_. + +This argument is so scattered into parts, that it can scarce be united +into a Syllogism: yet, in obedience to him, _I will abbreviate_, and +comprehend as much of it, as I can, in few words; that my Answer to it, +may be more perspicuous. + +I conceive his meaning to be what follows, as to the Unity of PLACE. If I +mistake, I beg his pardon! professing it is not out of any design to play +the _argumentative Poet_. "If one Stage cannot properly present two Rooms +or Houses, much less two Countries or Kingdoms; then there can be no Unity +of Place: but one Stage cannot properly perform this; therefore, there can +be no Unity of Place." + +I plainly deny his Minor Proposition: the force of which if I mistake +not, depends on this; that "the Stage being one place, cannot be two." +This, indeed, is as great a secret as that, "we are all mortal." But, to +requite it with another, I must crave leave to tell him, that "though the +Stage cannot be two places, yet it may properly Represent them, +successively or at several times." + +His argument is, indeed, no more than a mere fallacy: which will +evidently appear, when we distinguished Place as it relates to Plays, +into Real and Imaginary. The Real place is that theatre or piece of +ground, on which the Play is acted. The Imaginary, that house, town, or +country, where the action of the Drama is supposed to be; or, more +plainly, where the Scene of the Play is laid. + +Let us now apply this to that Herculean argument, _which if strictly and +duly weighed, is to make it evident, that there is no such thing as what +they All pretend. 'Tis impossible_, he says, _for one Stage to present +two Rooms or Houses_. I answer, "Tis neither impossible, nor improper, +for one _real_ place to represent two or more _imaginary_ places: so it +be done successively," which, in other words, is no more than this, "That +the Imagination of the Audience, aided by the words of the Poet, and +painted scenes [_scenery_], nay _suppose_ the Stage to be sometimes one +place, sometimes another; now a garden or wood, and immediately a camp;" +which I appeal to every man's imagination, if it be not true! + +Neither the Ancients nor Moderns (as much fools as he is pleased to think +them) ever asserted that they could make one place, two: but they might +hope, by the good leave of this author! that the change of a Scene might +lead the Imagination to suppose the place altered. So that he cannot +fasten those absurdities upon this Scene of a Play or Imaginary Place of +Action; that it is one place, and yet two. + +And this being so clearly proved, that 'tis past any shew of a reasonable +denial; it will not be hard to destroy that other part of his argument, +which depends upon it; that _'tis as impossible for a Stage to represent +two Rooms or Houses, as two Countries or Kingdoms_: for his reason is +already overthrown, which was, _because both were alike impossible_. This +is manifestly otherwise: for 'tis proved that a stage may properly +Represent two Rooms or Houses. For the Imagination, being judge of what +is represented, will, in reason, be less chocqued [shocked] with the +appearance of two rooms in the same house, or two houses in the same +city; than with two distant cities in the same country, or two remote +countries in the same universe. + +Imagination in a man or reasonable creature is supposed to participate of +Reason; and, when that governs (as it does in the belief of fiction) +reason is not destroyed, but misled or blinded. That can prescribe to the +Reason, during the time of the representation, somewhat like a weak belief +of what it sees and hears; and Reason suffers itself to be so hoodwinked, +that it may better enjoy the pleasures of the fiction: but it is never so +wholly made a captive as to be drawn headlong into a persuasion of those +things which are most remote from probability. 'Tis, in that case, a free +born subject, not a slave. It will contribute willingly its assent, as far +as it sees convenient: but will not be forced. + +Now, there is a greater Vicinity, in Nature, betwixt two rooms than +betwixt two houses; betwixt two houses, than betwixt two cities; and so, +of the rest. Reason, therefore, can sooner be led by Imagination, to step +from one room to another, than to walk to two distant houses: and yet, +rather to go thither, than to fly like a witch through the air, and be +hurried from one region to another. Fancy and Reason go hand in hand. The +first cannot leave the last behind: and though Fancy, when it sees the +wide gulf, would venture over, as the nimbler; yet, it is withheld by +Reason, which will refuse to take the leap, when the distance, over it, +appears too large. If BEN. JOHNSON himself, will remove the scene from +Rome into Tuscany, in the same Act; and from thence, return to Rome, in +the Scene which immediate follows; Reason will consider there is no +proportionable allowance of time to perform the journey; and therefore, +will choose to stay at home. + +So then, the less change of place there is, the less time is taken up in +transporting the persons of the Drama, with Analogy to Reason: and in +that Analogy or Resemblance of Fiction to Truth consists the excellency +of the Play. + +For what else concerns the Unity of PLACE; I have already given my +opinion of it in my _Essay_, that "there is a latitude to be allowed to +it, as several places in the same town or city; or places adjacent to +each other, in the same country; which may all be comprehended under the +larger denomination of One Place; yet, with this restriction, the nearer +and fewer those imaginary places are, the greater resemblance they will +have to Truth: and Reason which cannot _make_ them One, will be more +easily led to _suppose_ them so." + +What has been said of the Unity of PLACE, may easily be applied to that +of TIME. I grant it to be impossible that _the greater part of time +should be comprehended in the less_, that _Twenty-four hours should be +crowded into three_. But there is no necessity of that supposition. + +For as Place, so TIME relating to a Play, is either Imaginary or Real. +The Real is comprehended in those three hours, more or less, in the space +of which the Play is Represented. The Imaginary is that which is Supposed +to be taken up in the representation; as twenty-four hours, more or less. +Now, no man ever could suppose that twenty-four _real_ hours could be +included in the space of three: but where is the absurdity of affirming, +that the feigned business of twenty-four _imagined_ hours, may not more +naturally be represented in the compass of three _real_ hours, than the +like feigned business of twenty-four years in the same proportion of real +time? For the _proportions_ are always real; and much nearer, by his +permission! of twenty-four to three, than of 4000 to it. + +I am almost fearful of illustrating _anything_ by Similitude; lest he +should confute it for an Argument: yet, I think the comparison of a Glass +will discover, very aptly, the fallacy of his argument, both concerning +Time and Place. The strength of his Reason depends on this, "That the +less cannot comprehend the greater." I have already answered that we need +not suppose it does. I say not, that the less can _comprehend_ the +greater; but only that it may _represent_ it; as in a mirror, of half a +yard [in] diameter, a whole room, and many persons in it, may be seen at +once: not that it can _comprehend_ that room or those persons, but that +it _represents them to the sight_. + +But the Author of _The Duke of LERMA_ is to be excused for his declaring +against the Unity of TIME. For, if I be not much mistaken, he is an +interessed [_interested_] person; the time of that Play taking up so many +years as the favour of the Duke of LERMA continued: nay, the Second and +Third Acts including all the time of his prosperity, which was a great +part of the reign of PHILIP III.; for in the beginning of the Second Act, +he was not yet a favourite, and before the end of the Third, was in +disgrace. + +I say not this, with the least design of limiting the Stage too servilely +to twenty-four hours: however he be pleased to tax me with dogmatizing in +that point. In my Dialogue, as I before hinted, several persons +maintained their several opinions. One of them, indeed, who supported the +cause of the French Poesy, said, how strict they were in that particular +[p. 531]; but he who answered in behalf of our nation, was willing to +give more latitude to the Rule; and cites the words of CORNEILLE himself, +complaining against the severity of it, and observing what beauties it +banished from the Stage, page 44, of my _Essay_. + +In few words, my own opinion is this; and I willingly submit it to my +adversary, when he will please impartially to consider it. That the +Imaginary Time of every Play ought to be contrived into as narrow a +compass, as the nature of the Plot, the quality of the Persons, and +variety of Accidents will allow. In Comedy, I would not exceed +twenty-four or thirty hours; for the Plot, Accidents, and Persons of +Comedy are small, and may be naturally turned in a little compass. But in +Tragedy, the Design is weighty, and the Persons great; therefore there +will, naturally, be required a greater space of time, in which to move +them. + +And this, though BEN. JOHNSON has not told us, yet 'tis, manifestly, his +opinion. For you see, that, to his Comedies, he allows generally but +twenty-four hours: to his two Tragedies _SEJANUS_ and _CATILINE_, a much +larger time; though he draws both of them into as narrow a compass as he +can. For he shows you only the latter end of _SEJANUS_ his favour; and +the conspiracy of _CATILINE_ already ripe, and just breaking out into +action. + +But as it is an error on the one side, to make too great a disproportion +betwixt the _imaginary_ time of the Play, and the _real_ time of its +representation: so, on the other side, 'tis an oversight to compress the +Accidents of a Play into a narrower compass than that in which they could +naturally be produced. + +Of this last error, the French are seldom guilty, because the thinness of +their Plots prevents them from it: but few Englishmen, except BEN. +JOHNSON, have ever made a Plot, with variety of Design in it, included in +twenty-four hours; which was altogether natural. For this reason, I prefer +the _Silent Woman_ before all other plays; I think, justly: as I do its +author, in judgement, above all other poets. Yet of the two, I think that +error the most pardonable, which, in too straight a compass, crowds +together many accidents: since it produces more variety, and consequently +more pleasure to the audience; and because the nearness of proportion +betwixt the imaginary and real time does speciously cover the compression +of the Accidents. + +Thus I have endeavoured to answer the _meaning_ of his argument. For, as +he drew it, I humbly conceive, it was none. As will appear by his +Proposition, and the proof of it. His Proposition was this, _If strictly +and duly weighed, 'tis as impossible for one Stage to present two Rooms +or Houses, as two countries or kingdoms, &c_. And his Proof this, _For +all being impossible, they are none of them, nearest the Truth or Nature +of what they present_. + +Here you see, instead of a Proof or Reason, there is only a _petitio +principii_. For, in plain words, his sense is this, "Two things are as +impossible as one another: because they are both equally impossible." But +he takes those two things to be _granted_ as impossible; which he ought to +have _proved_ such, before he had proceeded to prove them equally +impossible. He should have made out, first, that it was impossible for +one Stage to represent two Houses; and then have gone forward, to prove +that it was as equally impossible for a Stage to present two Houses, as +two Countries. + +After all this, the very absurdity to which he would reduce me, is none +at all. For his only drives at this. That if his argument be true, I must +then acknowledge that there are degrees in impossibilities. Which I easily +grant him, without dispute. And if I mistake not, ARISTOTLE and the School +are of my opinion. For there are some things which are absolutely +impossible, and others which are only so, _ex parte_. As, 'tis absolutely +impossible for a thing _to be_ and _not to be_, at the same time: but, for +a stone to move naturally upward, is only impossible _ex parte materiae_; +but it is not impossible for the First Mover to alter the nature of it. + +His last assault, like that of a Frenchman, is most feeble. For where I +have observed that "None have been violent against Verse; but such only +as have not attempted it, or have succeeded ill in their attempt" [pp. +503, 539, 561, 578], he will needs, according to his usual custom, +improve my Observation into an Argument, that he might have the glory to +confute it. + +But I lay my observation at his feet: as I do my pen, which I have often +employed, willingly, in his deserved commendations; and, now, most +unwillingly, against his judgement. For his person and parts, I honour +them, as much as any man living: and have had so many particular +obligations to him, that I should be very ungrateful, if I did not +acknowledge them to the World. + +But I gave not the first occasion of this Difference in Opinions. In my +_Epistle Dedicatory_, before my _Rival Ladies_ [pp. 487-493], I said +somewhat in behalf of Verse: which he was pleased to answer in his +_Preface_ to his _Plays_ [pp. 494-500]. That occasioned my reply in my +_Essay_ [pp. 501-572]: and that reply begot his rejoinder in his +_Preface_ to _The Duke of LERMA_ [pp. 573-578]. But, as I was the last +who took up arms; I will be the first to lay them down. For what I have +here written, I submit it wholly to him [p. 561]; and, if I do not +hereafter answer what may be objected to this paper, I hope the World +will not impute it to any other reason, than only the due respect which I +have for so noble an opponent. + + + + +THOMAS ELLWOOD. + + +_Relations with JOHN MILTON_. + +I mentioned, before, that, when I was a boy, I made some good progress in +learning; and lost it all again before I came to be a man: nor was I +rightly sensible of my loss therein, until I came amongst the Quakers. +But then, I both saw my loss, and lamented it; and applied myself with +the utmost diligence, at all leisure times, to recover it: so false I +found that charge to be, which, in those times, was cast as a reproach +upon the Quakers, that "they despised and decried all human learning" +because they denied it to be _essentially necessary_ to a Gospel +Ministry; which was one of the controversies of those times. + +But though I toiled hard, and spared no pains, to regain what once I had +been master of; yet I found it a matter of so great difficulty, that I +was ready to say as the noble eunuch to PHILIP, in another case, "How can +I! unless I had some man to guide me?" + +This, I had formerly complained of to my especial friend ISAAC PENINGTON, +but now more earnestly; which put him upon considering and contriving a +means for my assistance. + +He had an intimate acquaintance with Dr. PAGET, a physician of note in +London; and he, with JOHN MILTON, a gentleman of great note in learning, +throughout the learned world, for the accurate pieces he had written on +various subjects and occasions. + +This person, having filled a public station in the former times, lived +now a private and retired life in London: and, having wholly lost his +sight, kept a man to read to him; which, usually, was the son of some +gentleman of his acquaintance, whom, in kindness, he took to improve in +his learning. + +Thus, by the mediation of my friend ISAAC PENINGTON, with Dr. PAGET; and +of Dr. PAGET with JOHN MILTON, was I admitted to come to him: not as a +servant to him (which, at that time, he needed not), nor to be in the +house with him; but only to have the liberty of coming to his house, at +certain hours, when I would, and to read to him, what books he should +appoint me, which was all the favour I desired. + +But this being a matter which would require some time to bring it about, +I, in the meanwhile, returned to my father's house [at Crowell] in +Oxfordshire. + +I had, before, received direction by letters from my eldest sister, +written by my father's command, to put off [_dispose of_] what cattle he +had left about his house, and to discharge his servants; which I had done +at the time called Michaelmas [1661] before. + +So that, all that winter when I was at home, I lived like a hermit, all +alone; having a pretty large house, and nobody in it but myself, at +nights especially. But an elderly woman, whose father had been an old +servant to the family, came every morning, and made my bed; and did what +else I had occasion for her to do: till I fell ill of the small-pox, and +then I had her with me, and the nurse. + +But now, understanding by letter from my sister, that my father did not +intend to return and settle there; I made off [_sold_] those provisions +which were in the house, that they might not be spoiled when I was gone: +and because they were what I should have spent, if I had tarried there, I +took the money made of them, to myself, for my support at London; if the +project succeeded for my going thither. This done, I committed the care +of the house to a tenant of my father's, who lived in the town; and +taking my leave of Crowell, went up to my sure friend ISAAC PENINGTON +again. Where, understanding that the mediation used for my admittance to +JOHN MILTON had succeeded so well, that I might come when I would: I +hastened to London [_in the Spring of 1662_], and, in the first place, +went to wait upon him. + +He received me courteously, as well for the sake of Dr. PAGET, who +introduced me; as of ISAAC PENINGTON, who recommended me: to both of +whom, he bore a good respect. And having inquired divers things of me, +with respect to my former progression in learning, he dismissed me, to +provide myself of such accommodation as might be most suitable to my +future studies. + +I went, therefore, and took myself a lodging as near to his house, which +was then in Jewin Street, as conveniently as I could; and from +thenceforward, went every day in the afternoon, except on the First Days +of the week; and, sitting by him in his dining-room, read to him, in such +books in the Latin tongue as he pleased to hear me read. + +At my first sitting to read to him, observing that I used the English +pronounciation; he told me, "If I would have the benefit of the Latin +tongue, not only to read and understand Latin authors, but to converse +with foreigners, either abroad or at home; I must learn the foreign +pronounciation." + +To this, I consenting, he instructed me how to sound the vowels so +different[ly] from the common pronounciation used by the English, who +speak _Anglice_ their Latin, that (with some few other variations, in +sounding some consonants: in particular case[s], as _c_ before _e_ or +_i_, like _ch_; _sc_ before _i_, like _sh_, &c.) the Latin, thus spoken, +seemed as different from that which was delivered as the English +generally speak it, as if it were another language. + +I had, before, during my retired life at my father's, by unwearied +diligence and industry, so far recovered the Rules of Grammar (in which, +I had, once, been very ready) that I could both read a Latin author; and, +after a sort, hammer out his meaning. But this change of pronounciation +proved a new difficulty to me. It was now harder for me to read; than it +was, before, to understand, when read. But + + _Labor omnia vincit + Improbus._ + + Incessant pains, + The end obtains. + +And so, did I: which made my reading the more acceptable to my Master. +He, on the other hand, perceiving with what earnest desire, I pursued +learning, gave me not only all the encouragement, but all the help he +could. For, having a curious ear, he understood by my tone, when I +understood what I read, and when I did not; and, accordingly, would stop +me, examine me, and open the most difficult passages. + +Thus I went on, for about six weeks' time, reading to him in the +afternoons; and exercising myself with my own books, in my chamber, in +the forenoons. I was sensible of an improvement. + +But, alas, I had fixed my studies in a wrong place. London and I could +never agree, for health. My lungs, as I suppose, were too tender, to bear +the sulphurous air of that city; so that, I soon began to droop, and in +less than two months' time, I was fain to leave both my studies and the +city; and return into the country to preserve life, and much ado I had to +get thither. + +I chose to go down to Wiccombe, and to JOHN RANCE's house there: both as +he was a physician, and his wife a honest, hearty, discreet, and grave +matron, whom I had a very good esteem of; and who, I knew, had a good +regard for me. + +There, I lay ill a considerable time; and to that degree of weakness, +that scarcely any who saw me, expected my life [_that I should live_]: +but the LORD was both gracious to me, in my illness; and was pleased to +raise me up again, that I might serve Him in my generation. + +As soon as I had recovered so much strength, as to be fit to travel; I +obtained of my father (who was then at his house in Crowell, to dispose +of some things he had there; and who, in my illness, had come to see me) +so much money as would clear all charges in the house, for physic, food, +and attendance: and having fully discharged all, I took leave of my +friends in that family, and town; and returned [_? in October 1662_] to +my studies at London. + +I was very kindly received by my Master, who had conceived so good an +opinion of me, that my conversation, I found, was acceptable to him; and +he seemed heartily glad of my recovery and return: and into our old +method of study, we fell again; I reading to him, and he explaining to me +as occasion required. + +But as if learning had been a forbidden fruit to me; scarce was I well +settled in my work; before I met with another diversion [_hindrance_], +which turned me quite out of my work. + +For a sudden storm arising (from, I know not what surmise of a plot; and +thereby danger to the Government); the meetings of Dissenters, such, I +mean, as could be found (which, perhaps, were not many besides the +Quakers) were broken up throughout the City: and the prisons mostly +filled with our Friends. + +I was, that morning, which was the 26th day of the 8th month [_which, +according to the reckoning of the Society of Friends, was October. Their +First month down to 1752, was March_], 1662, at the Meeting, at the _Bull +and Mouth_, by Alders Gate: when, on a sudden, a party of soldiers, of the +Trained Bands of the City, rushed in with noise and clamour: being led by +one, who was called Major ROSEWELL: an apothecary if I misremember not; +and, at that time, under the ill name of a Papist. + +[So the Friends there, with ELLWOOD, are taken; and sent to Bridewell +till the 19th December following: when they were taken to Newgate, +expecting to be called at the Old Bailey sessions: but, not being called, +were sent back to Bridewell again. On the 29th December, they were brought +up at the Sessions, and, refusing to swear, were all committed to the +"Common Side" of Newgate; but that prison being so full, they were sent +back to Bridewell again. Then we have the following extraordinary +circumstance.] + +Having made up our packs, and taken our leave of our Friends, whom we +were to leave behind; we took our bundles on our shoulders, and walked, +two and two a breast, through the Old Bailey into Fleet Street, and so to +Old Bridewell. And it being about the middle of the afternoon, and the +streets pretty full of people; both the shopkeepers at their doors, and +passengers in the way would stop us, and ask us, "What we were? and +whither we were going?" + +And when we had told them, "We were prisoners, going from one prison to +another (from Newgate to Bridewell)." + +"What," said they, "without a keeper?" + +"No," said we, "for our Word, which we have given, is our keeper." + +Some thereupon would advise us, not to go to prison; but to go home. But +we told them, "We could not do so. We could suffer for our testimony; but +could not fly from it." + +I do not remember we had any abuse offered us; but were generally pitied +by the people. + +When we were come to Bridewell, we were not put up into the great room in +which we had been before; but into a low room, in another fair court, +which had a pump in the middle of it. And, here, we were not shut up as +before; but had the liberty of the court, to walk in; and of the pump, to +wash and drink at. And, indeed, we might easily have gone quite away, if +we would; there was a passage through the court into the street: but we +were true and steady prisoners, and looked upon this liberty arising from +their confidence in us, to be a kind of _parole_ upon us; so that both +Conscience and Honour stood now engaged for our true imprisonment. + +And this privilege we enjoyed by the indulgence of our Keeper, whose +heart GOD disposed to favour us; so that both the Master and his porter +were very civil and kind to us, and had been so, indeed, all along. For +when we were shut up before; the porter would readily let some of us go +home in an evening, and stay at home till next morning, which was a great +conveniency to men of trade and business; which I, being free from, +forbore asking for myself, that I might not hinder others. + +Under this easy restraint, we lay till the Court sate at the Old Bailey +again; and, then (whether it was that the heat of the storm was somewhat +abated, or by what other means Providence wrought it, I know not), we +were called to the bar; and without further question, discharged. + +Whereupon we returned to Bridewell again; and having raised some monies +among us, and therewith gratified both the Master and his porter, for +their kindness to us; we spent some time in a solemn meeting, to return +our thankful acknowledgment to the LORD; both for His preservation of us +in prison, and deliverance of us out of it. And then, taking a solemn +farewell of each other; we departed with bag and baggage [_at the end of +January 1663_]. + +[Thus, by such magnificent patience under arbitrary injustice, these +invincible Quakers shamed the reckless Crime which, in those days, went +by the name of The Law; and such stories as ELLWOOD's _Life_ and GEORGE +FOX's _Journal_ abound with like splendid victories of patience, by men +who were incapable of telling a lie or of intentionally breaking their +word. + +JOHN BUNYAN's imprisonment at this time was much of the same kind as +ELLWOOD's, as soon as the Keeper of Bedford gaol found he could trust +him.] + +Being now at liberty, I visited more generally my friends, that were +still in prison: and, more particularly, my friend and benefactor, +WILLIAM PENINGTON, at his house; and then, went to wait upon my Master, +MILTON. With whom, yet, I could not propose to enter upon my intermitted +studies, until I had been in Buckinghamshire, to visit my worthy friends, +ISAAC PENINGTON and his virtuous wife, with other friends in that country +[_district or county_]. + +Thither, therefore, I betook myself; and the weather being frosty, and +the ways by that means clean and good; I walked it through in a day: and +was received by my friends there, with such demonstration of hearty +kindness, as made my journey very easy to me. + +I intended only a visit hither, not a continuance; and therefore +purposed, after I had stayed a few days, to return to my lodging and +former course [_i.e., of reading to MILTON_] in London. But Providence +ordered otherwise. + +ISAAC PENINGTON had, at that time, two sons and one daughter, all then +very young: of whom, the eldest son, JOHN PENINGTON, and the daughter, +MARY (the wife of DANIEL WHARLEY), are yet living at the writing of this +[_? 1713_]. And being himself both skilful and curious in pronounciation; +he was very desirous to have them well grounded in the rudiments of the +English tongue. To which end, he had sent for a man, out of Lancashire, +whom, upon inquiry, he had heard of; who was, undoubtedly, the most +accurate English teacher, that ever I met with or have heard of. His name +was RICHARD BRADLEY. But as he pretended no higher than the English +tongue, and had led them, by grammar rules, to the highest improvement +they were capable of, in that; he had then taken his leave, and was gone +up to London, to teach an English school of Friends' children there. + +This put my friend to a fresh strait. He had sought for a new teacher to +instruct his children in the Latin tongue, as the old had done in the +English: but had not yet found one. Wherefore, one evening, as we sate +together by the fire, in his bedchamber, which, for want of health, he +kept: he asked me, his wife being by, "If I would be so kind to him, as +to stay a while with him; till he could hear of such a man as he aimed +at; and, in the meantime, enter his children in the rudiments of the +Latin tongue?" + +This question was not more unexpected, than surprising to me; and the +more, because it seemed directly to thwart my former purpose and +undertaking, of endeavouring to improve myself, by following my studies +with my Master, MILTON; which this would give, at least, a present +diversion from; and, for how long, I could not foresee. + +But the sense I had, of the manifold obligations I lay under to these +worthy friends of mine, shut out all reasonings; and disposed my mind to +an absolute resignation to their desire, that I might testify my +gratitude by a willingness to do them any friendly service, that I could +be capable of. + +And though I questioned my ability to carry on that work to its due +height and proportion; yet, as that was not proposed, but an initiation +only by Accidence into Grammar, I consented to the proposal, as a present +expedient, till a more qualified person should be found; without further +treaty or mention of terms between us, than that of mutual friendship. + +And to render this digression from my own studies, the less uneasy to my +mind; I recollected, and often thought of, that Rule of LILLY-- + + _Qui docet indoctos, licet indoctissimus esset, + Ipse brevi reliquis, doctior esse queat._ + + He that th'unlearned doth teach, may quickly be + More learned than they, though most unlearned he. + +With this consideration, I undertook this province; and left it not until +I married; which was not till [_the 28th October in_] the year 1669, +near[ly] seven years from the time I came thither. + +In which time, having the use of my friend's books, as well as of my own, +I spent my leisure hours much in reading; not without some improvement to +myself in my private studies: which (with the good success of my labours +bestowed on the children, and the agreeableness of conversation which I +found in the family) rendered my undertaking more satisfactory; and my +stay there more easy to me. + +Although the storm raised by the _Act for Banishment [16 Car. II. c. 4. +1664_], fell with the greatest weight and force upon some other parts, as +at London, Hertford, &c.: yet were we, in Buckinghamshire, not wholly +exempted therefrom. For a part of that shower reached us also. + +For a Friend, of Amersham, whose name was EDWARD PEROT or PARRET, +departing this life; and notice being given, that his body would be +buried there on such a day (which was the First Day of the Fifth Month +[_July_], 1665): the Friends of the adjacent parts of the country, +resorted pretty generally to the burial. So that there was a fair +appearance of Friends and neighbours; the deceased having been well +beloved by both. + +After we had spent some time together, in the house (MORGAN WATKINS, who, +at that time, happened to be at ISAAC PENINGTON's, being with us); the +body was taken up, and borne on Friends' shoulders, along the street, in +order to be carried to the burying-ground: which was at the town's end; +being part of an orchard belonging to the deceased, which he, in his +lifetime, had appointed for that service. + +It so happened, that one AMBROSE BENNET, a Barrister at Law, and a +Justice of the Peace for that county, was riding through the town [of +Amersham] that morning, in his way to Aylesbury: and was, by some +ill-disposed person or other, informed that there was a Quaker to be +buried there that day; and that most of the Quakers in the country +[_county_] were come thither to the burial. + +Upon this, he set up his horses, and stayed. And when we, not knowing +anything of his design against us, went innocently forward to perform our +Christian duty, for the interment of our Friend; he rushed out of his Inn +upon us, with the Constables and a rabble of rude fellows whom he had +gathered together: and, having his drawn sword in his hand, struck one of +the foremost of the bearers, with it; commanding them "To set down the +coffin!" But the Friend, who was so stricken, whose name was THOMAS DELL +(being more concerned for the safety of the dead body than his own, lest +it should fall from his shoulder, and any indecency thereupon follow) +held the coffin fast. Which the Justice observing, and being enraged that +his word (how unjust soever) was not forthwith obeyed, set his hand to the +coffin; and, with a forcible thrust, threw it off the bearers' shoulders, +so that it fell to the ground, in the midst of the street: and there, we +were forced to leave it. + +For, immediately thereupon, the Justice giving command for the +apprehending us; the Constables with the rabble fell on us, and drew +some, and drove others in the Inn: giving thereby an opportunity to the +rest, to walk away. + +Of those that were thus taken, I was one. And being, with many more, put +into a room, under a guard; we were kept there, till another Justice, +called Sir THOMAS CLAYTON, whom Justice BENNET had sent for, to join with +him in committing us, was come. + +And then, being called forth severally before them, they picked out ten +of us; and committed us to Aylesbury gaol: for what, neither we, nor +_they_ knew. For we were not convicted of having either done or said +anything, which the law could take hold of. + +For they took us up in the open street, the King's highway, not doing any +unlawful act; but peaceably carrying and accompanying the corpse of our +deceased Friend, to bury it. Which they would not suffer us to do; but +caused the body to lie in the open street, and in the cartway: so that +all the travellers that passed by (whether horsemen, coaches, carts, or +waggons) were fain to break out of the way, to go by it, that they might +not drive over it; until it was almost night. And then, having caused a +grave to be made in the unconsecrated part, as it is accounted, of that +which is called the Church Yard: they forcibly took the body from the +widow (whose right and property it was), and buried it there. + +When the Justices had delivered us prisoners to the Constable, it being +then late in the day, which was the seventh day of the week: he (not +willing to go so far as Aylesbury, nine long miles, with us, that night; +nor to put the town [of Amersham] to the charge of keeping us, there, +that night and the First day and night following) dismissed us, upon our +_parole_, to come to him again at a set hour, on the Second day morning. + +Whereupon, we all went home to our respective habitations; and coming to +him punctually [_on Monday, 3rd July_, 1665] according to promise, were +by him, without guard, conducted to the Prison. + +The Gaoler, whose name was NATHANIEL BIRCH, had, not long before, behaved +himself very wickedly, with great rudeness and cruelty, to some of our +Friends of the lower side of the country [_i.e., Buckinghamshire_]; whom +he, combining with the Clerk of the Peace, whose name was HENRY WELLS, +had contrived to get into his gaol: and after they were legally +discharged in Court, detained them in prison, using great violence, and +shutting them up close in the Common Gaol among the felons; because they +would not give him his unrighteous demand of Fees, which they were the +more straitened in, from his treacherous dealing with them. And they +having, through suffering, maintained their freedom, and obtained their +liberty: we were the more concerned to keep what they had so hardly +gained; and therefore resolved not to make any contract or terms for +either Chamber Rent or Fees, but to demand a Free Prison. Which we did. + +When we came in, the gaoler was ridden out to wait on the Judges, who +came in, that day [_3rd July, 1665_], to begin the Assize; and his wife +was somewhat at a loss, how to deal with us. But being a cunning woman, +she treated us with a great appearance of courtesy, offering us the +choice of all her rooms; and when we asked, "Upon what terms?" she still +referred us to her husband; telling us, she "did not doubt, but that he +would be very reasonable and civil to us." Thus, she endeavoured to have +drawn us to take possession of some of her chambers, at a venture; and +trust to her husband's kind usage: but, we, who, at the cost of our +Friends, had a proof of his kindness, were too wary to be drawn in by the +fair words of a woman: and therefore told her, "We would not settle +anywhere till her husband came home; and then would have a Free Prison, +wheresoever he put us." + +Accordingly, walking all together into the court of the prison, in which +was a well of very good water; and having, beforehand, sent to a Friend +in the town, a widow woman, whose name was SARAH LAMBARN, to bring us +some bread and cheese: we sate down upon the ground round about the well; +and when we had eaten, we drank of the water out of the well. + +Our great concern was for our Friend, ISAAC PENINGTON, because of the +tenderness of his constitution: but he was so lively in his spirit, and +so cheerfully given up to suffer; that he rather encouraged us, than +needed any encouragement from us. + +In this posture, the gaoler, when he came home, found us. And having, +before he came to us, consulted his wife; and by her, understood on what +terms we stood: when he came to us, he hid his teeth, and putting on a +shew of kindness, seemed much troubled that we should sit there abroad +[_in the open air_], especially his old friend, Mr. PENINGTON; and +thereupon, invited us to come in, and take what rooms in his house we +pleased. We asked, "Upon what terms?" letting him know, withal, that we +were determined to have a Free Prison. + +He (like the Sun and the Wind, in the fable, that strove which of them +should take from the traveller, his cloak) having, like the wind, tried +rough, boisterous, violent means to our Friends before, but in vain; +resolved now to imitate the Sun, and shine as pleasantly as he could upon +us. Wherefore, he told us, "We should make the terms ourselves; and be as +free as we desired. If we thought fit, when we were released, to give him +anything; he would thank us for it: and if not, he would demand nothing." + +Upon these terms, we went in: and dispose ourselves, some in the +dwelling-house, others in the malt-house: where they chose to be. + +During the Assize, we were brought before Judge MORTON [_Sir WILLIAM +MORTON, Recorder of Gloucester_], a sour angry man, who [_being an old +Cavalier Officer, naturally_,] very rudely reviled us, but would not hear +either us or the cause; referring the matter to the two Justices, who had +committed us. + +They, when the Assize was ended, sent for us, to be brought before them, +at their Inn [at Aylesbury]; and fined us, as I remember, 6s. 8d. a +piece: which we not consenting to pay, they committed us to prison again, +for one month from that time; on the _Act for Banishment_. + +When we had lain there that month [_i.e., not later than the middle of +August, 1665_], I, with another, went to the gaoler, to demand our +liberty: which he readily granted, telling us, "The door should be +opened, when we pleased to go." + +This answer of his, I reported to the rest of my Friends there; and, +thereupon, we raised among us a small sum of money, which they put into +my hand, for the gaoler. Whereupon, I, taking another with me, went to +the gaoler, with the money in my hand; and reminding him of the terms, +upon which we accepted the use of his rooms, I told him, "That though we +could not pay Chamber Rent nor Fees, yet inasmuch as he had now been +civil to us, we were willing to acknowledge it by a small token": and +thereupon, gave him the money. He, putting it into his pocket, said, "I +thank you, and your Friends for it! and to let you see that I take it as +a gift, not a debt; I will not look on it, to see how much it is." + +The prison door being then set open for us; we went out, and departed to +our respective homes. + +Some little time before I went to Aylesbury prison [_on 3rd July, 1665_], +I was desired by my quondam Master, MILTON, to take a house for him in the +neighbourhood where I dwelt; that he might get out of the City, for the +safety of himself and his family: the Pestilence then growing hot in +London. + +I took a pretty box for him [_i.e., in June, 1665_] in Giles-Chalfont +[_Chalfont St. Giles_], a mile from me [_ELLWOOD was then living in ISAAC +PENINGTON's house, called The Grange, at Chalfont St. Peter; or Peter's +Chalfont, as he calls it_], of which, I gave him notice: and intended to +have waited on him, and seen him well settled in it; but was prevented by +that imprisonment. [_Therefore MILTON did not come into Buckinghamshire at +this time, till after the 3rd July, 1665_.] + +But, now [_i.e., not later than the middle of August, 1665_], being +released, and returned home; I soon made a visit to him, to welcome him +into the country [_county_]. + +After some common discourses had passed between us [_evidently at +ELLWOOD's first visit_], called for a manuscript of his: which being +brought, he delivered to me; bidding me, "Take it home with me, and read +it at my leisure; and, when I had so done, return it to him, with my +judgement thereupon!" + +When I came home [_i.e., The Grange; from which ISAAC PBNINGTON, with his +family (including THOMAS ELLWOOD) was,_ by military force, _expelled about +a month after their first return from Aylesbury gaol (i.e., about the +middle of September); and he again sent to the same prison_], and had set +myself to read it; I found it was that excellent poem, which he entitled, +_Paradise Lost_. + +After I had, with the best attention, read it through: I made him another +visit, and returned him his book; with due acknowledgment of the favour he +had done me, in communicating it to me. + +He asked me, "How I liked it? And what I thought of it?" Which I, +modestly but freely, told him. + +And, after some further discourse about it, I pleasantly said to him, +"Thou hast said much, here, of _Paradise lost_: but what hast thou to say +of _Paradise found_?" + +He made me no answer; but sate some time in a muse: then brake off that +discourse, and fell upon another subject. + +After the sickness [_Plague_] was over; and the City well cleansed, and +become safely habitable again: he returned thither. + +And when, afterwards [_probably in 1668 or 1669_], I went to wait on him +there (which I seldom failed of doing, whenever my occasions drew me to +London), he showed me his second poem, called _Paradise Regained_: and, +in a pleasant tone, said to me, "This is owing to you! For you put it +into my head, by the question you put to me at Chalfont! which, before, I +had not thought of." + +[_Paradise Regained_ was licensed for publication on 2nd July, 1670.] + + + + +ADVICE TO A YOUNG REVIEWER, WITH A SPECIMEN OF THE ART. + +1807. + + +ADVICE TO A YOUNG REVIEWER, &c. + +You are now about to enter on a Profession which has the means of doing +much good to society, and scarcely any temptation to do harm. You may +encourage Genius, you may chastise superficial Arrogance, expose +Falsehood, correct Error, and guide the Taste and Opinions of the Age in +no small degree by the books you praise and recommend. And this too may +be done without running the risk of making any enemies; or subjecting +yourself to be called to account for your criticism, however severe. +While your name is unknown, your person is invulnerable: at the same time +your aim is sure, for you may take it at your leisure; and your blows fall +heavier than those of any Writer whose name is given, or who is simply +anonymous. There is a mysterious authority in the plural, _We_, which no +single name, whatever may be its reputation, can acquire; and, under the +sanction of this imposing style, your strictures, your praises, and your +dogmas, will command universal attention; and be received as the fruit of +united talents, acting on one common principle--as the judgments of a +tribunal who decide only on mature deliberation, and who protect the +interests of Literature with unceasing vigilance. + +Such being the high importance of that Office, and such its +opportunities; I cannot bestow a few hours of leisure better than in +furnishing you with some hints for the more easy and effectual discharge +of it: hints which are, I confess, loosely thrown together; but which are +the result of long experience, and of frequent reflection and comparison. +And if anything should strike you, at first sight, as rather equivocal in +point of morality, or deficient in liberality and feeling; I beg you will +suppress all such scruples, and consider them as the offspring of a +contracted education and narrow way of thinking, which a little +intercourse with the World and sober reasoning will speedily overcome. + +Now as in the conduct of life nothing is more to be desired than some +Governing Principle of action, to which all other principles and motives +must be made subservient; so in the Art of Reviewing I would lay down as +a fundamental position, which you must never lose sight of, and which +must be the mainspring of all your criticisms--_Write what will sell!_ To +this Golden Rule every minor canon must be subordinate; and must be either +immediately deducible from it, or at least be made consistent with it. + +Be not staggered at the sound of a precept which, upon examination, will +be found as honest and virtuous as it is discreet. I have already +sketched out the great services which it is in your power to render +mankind; but all your efforts will be unavailing if men did not read what +you write. Your utility therefore, it is plain, depends upon your +popularity; and popularity cannot be attained without humouring the taste +and inclinations of men. + +Be assured that, by a similar train of sound and judicious reasoning, the +consciences of thousands in public life are daily quieted. It is better +for the State that their Party should govern than any other. The good +which they can effect by the exercise of power is infinitely greater than +any which could arise from a rigid adherence to certain subordinate moral +precepts; which therefore should be violated without scruple whenever +they stand in the way of their leading purpose. He who sticks at these +can never act a great part in the World, and is not fit to act it if he +could. Such maxims may be very useful in ordinary affairs, and for the +guidance of ordinary men: but when we mount into the sphere of public +utility, we must adopt more enlarged principles; and not suffer ourselves +to be cramped and fettered by petty notions of Right and Moral Duty. + +When you have reconciled yourself to this liberal way of thinking; you +will find many inferior advantages resulting from it, which at first did +not enter into your consideration. In particular, it will greatly lighten +your labours, to _follow_ the public taste, instead of taking upon you to +_direct_ it. The task of Pleasing is at all times easier than that of +Instructing: at least it does not stand in need of painful research and +preparation; and may be effected in general by a little vivacity of +manner, and a dexterous morigeration [_compliance, or obsequiousness_], +as Lord BACON calls it, to the humours and frailties of men. Your +responsibility too is thereby much lessened. Justice and Candour can only +be required of you so far as they coincide with this Main Principle: and a +little experience will convince you that these are not the happiest means +of accomplishing your purpose. + +It has been idly said, That a Reviewer acts in a judicial capacity, and +that his conduct should be regulated by the same rules by which the Judge +of a Civil Court is governed: that he should rid himself of every bias; be +patient, cautious, sedate, and rigidly impartial; that he should not seek +to shew off himself, and should check every disposition to enter into the +case as a partizan. + +Such is the language of superficial thinkers; but in reality there is no +analogy between the two cases. A Judge is promoted to that office by the +authority of the State; a Reviewer by his own. The former is independent +of control, and may therefore freely follow the dictates of his own +conscience: the latter depends for his very bread upon the breath of +public opinion; the great law of self-preservation therefore points out +to him a different line of action. Besides, as we have already observed, +if he ceases to please, he is no longer read; and consequently is no +longer useful. In a Court of Justice, too, the part of amusing the +bystanders rests with the Counsel: in the case of criticism, if the +Reviewer himself does not undertake it, who will? + +Instead of vainly aspiring to the gravity of a Magistrate; I would advise +him, when he sits down to write, to place himself in the imaginary +situation of a cross-examining Pleader. He may comment, in a vein of +agreeable irony, upon the profession, the manner of life, the look, +dress, or even the name, of the witness he is examining: when he has +raised a contemptuous opinion of him in the minds of the Court, he may +proceed to draw answers from him capable of a ludicrous turn; and he may +carve and garble these to his own liking. + +This mode of proceeding you will find most practicable in Poetry, where +the boldness of the image or the delicacy of thought (for which the +Reader's mind was prepared in the original) will easily be made to appear +extravagant, or affected, if judiciously singled out, and detached from +the group to which it belongs. Again, since much depends upon the rhythm +and the terseness of expression (both of which are sometimes destroyed by +dropping a single word, or transposing a phrase), I have known much +advantage arise from _not_ quoting in the form of a literal extract: but +giving a brief summary in prose, of the contents of a poetical passage; +and interlarding your own language, with occasional phrases of the Poem +marked with inverted commas. + +These, and a thousand other little expedients, by which the arts of +Quizzing and Banter flourish, practice will soon teach you. If it should +be necessary to transcribe a dull passage, not very fertile in topics of +humour and raillery; you may introduce it as a "favourable specimen of +the Author's manner." + +Few people are aware of the powerful effects of what is philosophically +termed Association. Without any positive violation of truth, the whole +dignity of a passage may be undermined by contriving to raise some vulgar +and ridiculous notions in the mind of the reader: and language teems with +examples of words by which the same idea is expressed, with the +difference only that one excites a feeling of respect, the other of +contempt. Thus you may call a fit of melancholy, "the sulks"; resentment, +"a pet"; a steed, "a nag"; a feast, "a junketing"; sorrow and affliction, +"whining and blubbering". By transferring the terms peculiar to one state +of society, to analogous situations and characters in another, the same +object is attained. "A Drill Serjeant" or "a Cat and Nine Tails" in the +Trojan War, "a Lesbos smack putting into the Piraeus," "the Penny Post of +Jerusalem," and other combinations of the like nature which, when you have +a little indulged in that vein of thought, will readily suggest +themselves, never fail to raise a smile, if not immediately at the +expense of the Author, yet entirely destructive of that frame of mind +which his Poem requires in order to be relished. + +I have dwelt the longer on this branch of Literature, because you are +chiefly to look here for materials of fun and irony. + +Voyages and Travels indeed are no barren ground; and you must seldom let +a Number of your _Review_ go abroad without an Article of this +description. The charm of this species of writing, so universally felt, +arises chiefly from its uniting Narrative with Information. The interest +we take in the story can only be kept alive by minute incident and +occasional detail; which puts us in possession of the traveller's +feelings, his hopes, his fears, his disappointments, and his pleasures. +At the same time the thirst for knowledge and love of novelty is +gratified by continual information respecting the people and countries he +visits. + +If you wish therefore to run down the book, you have only to play off +these two parts against each other. When the Writer's object is to +satisfy the first inclination, you are to thank him for communicating to +the World such valuable facts as, whether he lost his way in the night, +or sprained his ankle, or had no appetite for his dinner. If he is busied +about describing the Mineralogy, Natural History, Agriculture, Trade, etc. +of a country: you may mention a hundred books from whence the same +information may be obtained; and deprecate the practice of emptying old +musty Folios into new Quartos, to gratify that sickly taste for a +smattering about everything which distinguishes the present Age. + +In Works of Science and recondite Learning, the task you have undertaken +will not be so difficult as you may imagine. Tables of Contents and +Indexes are blessed helps in the hands of a Reviewer; but, more than all, +the Preface is the field from which his richest harvest is to be gathered. + +In the Preface, the Author usually gives a summary of what has been +written on the same subject before; he acknowledges the assistance he has +received from different sources, and the reasons of his dissent from +former Writers; he confesses that certain parts have been less +attentively considered than others, and that information has come to his +hands too late to be made use of; he points out many things in the +composition of his Work which he thinks may provoke animadversion, and +endeavours to defend or palliate his own practice. + +Here then is a fund of wealth for the Reviewer, lying upon the very +surface. If he knows anything of his business, he will turn all these +materials against the Author: carefully suppressing the source of his +information; and as if drawing from the stores of his own mind long ago +laid up for this very purpose. If the Author's references are correct, a +great point is gained; for by consulting a few passages of the original +Works, it will be easy to discuss the subject with the air of having a +previous knowledge of the whole. + +Your chief vantage ground is, That you may fasten upon any position in +the book you are reviewing, and treat it as principal and essential; when +perhaps it is of little weight in the main argument: but, by allotting a +large share of your criticism to it, the reader will naturally be led to +give it a proportionate importance, and to consider the merit of the +Treatise at issue upon that single question. + +If anybody complains that the greater and more valuable parts remain +unnoticed; your answer is, That it is impossible to pay attention to all; +and that your duty is rather to prevent the propagation of error, than to +lavish praises upon that which, if really excellent, will work its way in +the World without your help. + +Indeed, if the plan of your _Review_ admits of selection, you had better +not meddle with Works of deep research and original speculation; such as +have already attracted much notice, and cannot be treated superficially +without fear of being found out. The time required for making yourself +thoroughly master of the subject is so great, that you may depend upon it +they will never pay for the reviewing. They are generally the fruit of +long study, and of talents concentrated in the steady pursuit of one +object: it is not likely therefore that you can throw much new light on a +question of this nature, or even plausibly combat the Author's +propositions; in the course of a few hours, which is all you can well +afford to devote to them. And without accomplishing one or the other of +these points; your _Review_ will gain no celebrity, and of course no good +will be done. + +Enough has been said to give you some insight into the facilities with +which your new employment abounds. I will only mention one more, because +of its extensive and almost universal application to all Branches of +Literature; the topic, I mean, which by the old Rhetoricians was called +[Greek: _ex enantion_], That is, when a Work excels in one quality; you +may blame it for not having the opposite. + +For instance, if the biographical sketch of a Literary Character is +minute and full of anecdote; you may enlarge on the advantages of +philosophical reflection, and the superior mind required to give a +judicious analysis of the Opinions and Works of deceased Authors. On the +contrary, if the latter method is pursued by the Biographer; you can, +with equal ease, extol the lively colouring, and truth, and interest, of +exact delineation and detail. + +This topic, you will perceive, enters into Style as well as Matter; where +many virtues might be named _which are incompatible_: and whichever the +Author has preferred, it will be the signal for you to launch forth on +the praises of its opposite; and continually to hold up that to your +Reader as the model of excellence in this species of Writing. + +You will perhaps wonder why all my instructions are pointed towards the +Censure, and not the Praise, of Books; but many reasons might be given +why it should be so. The chief are, that this part is both easier, and +will sell better. + +Let us hear the words of Mr BURKE on a subject not very dissimilar: + +"In such cases," says he, "the Writer has a certain fire and alacrity +inspired into him by a consciousness that (let it fare how it will with +the subject) his ingenuity will be sure of applause: and this alacrity +becomes much greater, if he acts upon the offensive; by the impetuosity +that always accompanies an attack, and the unfortunate propensity which +mankind have to finding and exaggerating faults." Pref., _Vindic. Nat. +Soc_., p. 6. + +You will perceive that I have on no occasion sanctioned the baser motives +of private pique, envy, revenge, and love of detraction. At least I have +not recommended harsh treatment upon any of these grounds. I have argued +simply on the abstract moral principle which a Reviewer should ever have +present to his mind: but if any of these motives insinuate themselves as +secondary springs of action, I would not condemn them. They may come in +aid of the grand Leading Principle, and powerfully second its operation. + +But it is time to close these tedious precepts, and to furnish you with, +what speaks plainer than any precept, a Specimen of the Art itself, in +which several of them are embodied. It is hastily done: but it +exemplifies well enough what I have said of the Poetical department; and +exhibits most of those qualities which disappointed Authors are fond of +railing at, under the names of Flippancy, Arrogance, Conceit, +Misrepresentation, and Malevolence: reproaches which you will only regard +as so many acknowledgments of success in your undertaking; and infallible +tests of an established fame, and [a] rapidly increasing circulation. + + + + +_L'Allegro_. A Poem. + +By JOHN MILTON. + +No Printer's name. + + +It has become a practice of late with a certain description of people, +who have no visible means of subsistence, to string together a few trite +images of rural scenery, interspersed with vulgarisms in dialect, and +traits of vulgar manners; to dress up these materials in a Sing-Song +jingle; and to offer them for sale as a Poem. According to the most +approved recipes, something about the heathen gods and goddesses; and the +schoolboy topics of Styx and Cerberus, and Elysium; are occasionally +thrown in, and the composition is complete. The stock in trade of these +Adventurers is in general scanty enough; and their Art therefore consists +in disposing it to the best advantage. But if such be the aim of the +Writer, it is the Critic's business to detect and defeat the imposture; +to warn the public against the purchase of shop-worn goods and tinsel +wares; to protect the fair trader, by exposing the tricks of needy Quacks +and Mountebanks; and to chastise that forward and noisy importunity with +which they present themselves to the public notice. + +How far Mr. MILTON is amenable to this discipline, will best appear from +a brief analysis of the Poem before us. + +In the very opening he assumes a tone of authority which might better +suit some veteran Bard than a raw candidate for the Delphic bays: for, +before he proceeds to the regular process of Invocation, he clears the +way, by driving from his presence (with sundry hard names; and bitter +reproaches on her father, mother, and all the family) a venerable +Personage, whose age at least and staid matron-like appearance, might +have entitled her to more civil language. + + Hence, loathèd Melancholy! + Of CERBERUS and blackest Midnight born, + In Stygian cave forlorn, &c. + +There is no giving rules, however, in these matters, without a knowledge +of the case. Perhaps the old lady had been frequently warned off before; +and provoked this violence by continuing still to lurk about the Poet's +dwelling. And, to say the truth, the Reader will have but too good reason +to remark, before he gets through the Poem, that it is one thing to tell +the Spirit of Dulness to depart; and another to get rid of her in +reality. Like GLENDOWER's Spirits, any one may order them away; "but will +they go, when you do order them?" + +But let us suppose for a moment that the Parnassian decree is obeyed; +and, according to the letter of the _Order_ (which is as precise and +wordy as if Justice SHALLOW himself had drawn it) that the obnoxious +female is sent back to the place of her birth, + + 'Mongst horrid shapes, shrieks, sights, &c. + +At which we beg our fair readers not to be alarmed; for we can assure +them they are only words of course in all poetical Instruments of this +nature, and mean no more than the "force and arms" and "instigation of +the Devil" in a common Indictment. + +This nuisance then being abated; we are left at liberty to contemplate a +character of a different complexion, "buxom, blithe, and debonair": one +who, although evidently a great favourite of the Poet's and therefore to +be received with all due courtesy, is notwithstanding introduced under +the suspicious description of an _alias_. + + In heaven, ycleped EUPHROSYNE; + And by men, heart-easing Mirth. + +Judging indeed from the light and easy deportment of this gay Nymph; one +might guess there were good reasons for a change of name as she changed +her residence. + +But of all vices there is none we abhor more than that of slanderous +insinuation. We shall therefore confine our moral strictures to the +Nymph's mother; in whose defence the Poet has little to say himself. Here +too, as in the case of the _name_, there is some doubt. For the +uncertainty of descent on the Father's side having become trite to a +proverb; the Author, scorning that beaten track, has left us to choose +between two mothers for his favourite and without much to guide our +choice; for, whichever we fix upon, it is plain she was no better than +she should be. As he seems however himself inclined to the latter of the +two, we will even suppose it so to be. + + Or whether (as some sager say) + The frolic _wind that breathes the Spring_, + ZEPHYR with AURORA playing, + _As he met her once a Maying_; + There on beds of violets blue, + And fresh-blown roses washed in dew, _&c._ + +Some dull people might imagine that _the wind_ was more like _the breath +of Spring_; than _Spring, the breath of the wind_: but we are more +disposed to question the Author's Ethics than his Physics; and +accordingly cannot dismiss these May gambols without some observations. + +In the first place, Mr. M. seems to have higher notions of the antiquity +of the May Pole than we have been accustomed to attach to it. Or perhaps +he sought to shelter the equivocal nature of this affair under that +sanction. To us, however, who can hardly subscribe to the doctrine that +"Vice loses half its evil by losing all its grossness"; neither the +remoteness of time, nor the gaiety of the season, furnishes a sufficient +palliation. "Violets blue" and "fresh-blown roses" are, to be sure, more +agreeable objects of the Imagination than a gin shop in Wapping or a +booth in Bartholomew Fair; but, in point of morality, these are +distinctions without a difference: or it may be the cultivation of mind +(which teaches us to reject and nauseate these latter objects) aggravates +the case, if our improvement in taste be not accompanied by a +proportionate improvement of morals. + +If the Reader can reconcile himself to this latitude of principle, the +anachronism will not long stand in his way. Much indeed may be said in +favour of this union of ancient Mythology with modern notions and +manners. It is a sort of chronological metaphor--an artificial analogy, +by which ideas, widely remote and heterogeneous, are brought into +contact; and the mind is delighted by this unexpected assemblage, as it +is by the combinations of figurative language. + +Thus in that elegant Interlude, which the pen of BEN JONSON has +transmitted to us, of the loves of HERO and LEANDER: + + Gentles, that no longer your expectations may wander, + Behold our chief actor, amorous LEANDER! + With a great deal of cloth, lapped about him like a scarf: + For he yet serves his father, a Dyer in Puddle Wharf: + Which place we'll make bold with, to call it our Abydus; + As the Bankside is our Sestos, and _let it not be denied us_. + +And far be it from us to deny the use of so reasonable a liberty; +especially if the request be backed (as it is in the case of Mr. M.) by +the craving and imperious necessities of rhyme. What man who has ever +bestrode Pegasus for an hour, will be insensible to such a claim? + + _Haud ignara mali miseris succurrere disco_. + +We are next favoured with an enumeration of the Attendants of this +"debonair" Nymph, in all the minuteness of a German _Dramatis Personae_, +or a Ropedancer's Handbill. + + Haste thee, Nymph; and bring with thee + Jest and youthful Jollity, + Quips and cranks and wanton wiles, + Nods and becks and wreathèd smiles + Such as hang on HEBE's cheek + And love to live in dimple sleek; + Sport that wrinkled Care derides, + And Laughter holding both his sides. + +The Author, to prove himself worthy of being admitted of the crew, skips +and capers about upon "the light fantastic toe," that there is no +following him. He scampers through all the Categories, in search of his +imaginary beings, from Substance to Quality, and back again; from thence +to Action, Passion, Habit, &c. with incredible celerity. Who, for +instance, would have expected _cranks, nods, becks_, and _wreathèd +smiles_ as part of a group in which Jest, Jollity, Sport, and Laughter +figure away as full-formed entire Personages? The family likeness is +certainly very strong in the two last; and if we had not been told, we +should perhaps have thought the act of _deriding_ as appropriate to +Laughter as to Sport. + +But how are we to understand the stage directions? + + _Come_, and trip it as you _go_. + +Are the words used synonymously? Or is it meant that this airy gentry +shall come in a Minuet step, and go off in a Jig? The phenomenon of a +_tripping crank_ is indeed novel, and would doubtless attract numerous +spectators. + +But it is difficult to guess to whom, among this jolly company, the Poet +addresses himself: for immediately after the Plural appellative _you_, he +proceeds, + + And in _thy_ right hand lead with _thee_ + The mountain Nymph, sweet Liberty. + +No sooner is this fair damsel introduced; but Mr M., with most unbecoming +levity, falls in love with her: and makes a request of her companion which +is rather greedy, that he may live with both of them. + + To live with her, and live with thee. + +Even the gay libertine who sang "How happy could I be with either!" did +not go so far as this. But we have already had occasion to remark on the +laxity of Mr M.'s amatory notions. + +The Poet, intoxicated with the charms of his Mistress, now rapidly runs +over the pleasures which he proposes to himself in the enjoyment of her +society. But though he has the advantage of being his own caterer, either +his palate is of a peculiar structure, or he has not made the most +judicious selection. + + To begin the day well, he will have the _sky-lark_ + to come _in spite of sorrow_ + And at his window bid "Good Morrow!" + +The sky-lark, if we know anything of the nature of that bird, must come +"in spite" of something else as well as "of sorrow," to the performance +of this office. + +In the next image, the Natural History is better preserved; and, as the +thoughts are appropriate to the time of day, we will venture to +transcribe the passage, as a favourable specimen of the Author's manner: + + While the Cock, with lively din, + Scatters the rear of darkness thin, + And to the stack, or the barn door, + Stoutly struts his dames before; + Oft listening how the hounds and horns + Cheerly rouse the slumbering morn, + From the side of some hoar hill, + Through the high wood echoing still. + +Is it not lamentable that, after all, whether it is the Cock, or the +Poet, that listens, should be left entirely to the Reader's conjectures? +Perhaps also his embarrassment may be increased by a slight resemblance +of character in these two illustrious Personages, at least as far as +relates to the extent and numbers of their seraglio. + +After a _flaming_ description of sunrise, on which the clouds attend in +their very best liveries; the Bill of Fare for the day proceeds in the +usual manner. Whistling Ploughmen, singing Milkmaids, and sentimental +Shepherds are always to be had at a moment's notice; and, if well +grouped, serve to fill up the landscape agreeably enough. + +On this part of the Poem we have only to remark, that if Mr JOHN MILTON +proposeth to make himself merry with + + Russet lawns, and fallows grey + Where the nibbling flocks _do_ stray; + Mountains on whose barren breast + The labouring clouds _do_ often rest, + Meadows trim with daisies pied, + Shallow brooks, and rivers wide, + Towers and battlements, &c. &c. &c. + +he will either find himself egregiously disappointed; or he must possess +a disposition to merriment which even DEMOCRITUS himself might envy. To +such a pitch indeed does this solemn indication of joy sometimes rise, +that we are inclined to give him credit for a literal adherence to the +Apostolic precept, "Is any merry, let him sing Psalms!" + +At length, however, he hies away at the sound of bell-ringing, and seems +for some time to enjoy the tippling and fiddling and dancing of a village +wake: but his fancy is soon haunted again by spectres and goblins, a set +of beings not, in general, esteemed the companions or inspirers of mirth. + + With stories told of many a feat, + How fairy MAB the junkets eat. + She was pinched, and pulled, she said: + And he, by friar's lanthern led, + Tells how the drudging Goblin sweat + To earn his cream-bowl duly set; + When, in one night, ere glimpse of morn, + His shadowy Flail hath threshed the corn + That ten day-labourers could not end. + Then lies him down the lubbar Fiend; + And, stretched out all the chimney's length, + Basks at the fire his hairy strength: + And, crop-full, out of door he flings + Ere the first cock his Matins rings. + +Mr. M. seems indeed to have a turn for this species of Nursery Tales and +prattling Lullabies; and, if he will studiously cultivate his talent, he +need not despair of figuring in a conspicuous corner of Mr NEWBERY's shop +window: unless indeed Mrs. TRIMMER should think fit to proscribe those +empty levities and idle superstitions, by which the World has been too +long abused. + +From these rustic fictions, we are transported to another species of +_hum_. + + Towered cities please us then, + And the busy hum of men; + Where throngs of Knights and Barons bold, + In weeds of peace, high triumphs hold: + With _store of Ladies_, whose bright eyes + _Rain influence_, and judge the Prize + Of Wit or Arms; while both contend + To win her grace, whom all commend. + +To talk of the bright eyes of Ladies judging the Prize of Wit is indeed +with the Poets a legitimate species of humming: but would not, we may +ask, the _rain_ from these Ladies' bright eyes rather tend to dim their +lustre? Or is there any quality in a shower of _influence_; which, +instead of deadening, serves only to brighten and exhilarate? + +Whatever the case may be, we would advise Mr. M. by all means to keep out +of the way of these "Knights and Barons bold": for, if he has nothing but +his Wit to trust to, we will venture to predict that, without a large +share of most undue influence, he must be content to see the Prize +adjudged to his competitors. + +Of the latter part of the Poem little need be said. + +The Author does seem somewhat more at home when he gets among the Actors +and Musicians: though his head is still running upon ORPHEUS and EURYDICE +and PLUTO, and other sombre personages; who are ever thrusting themselves +in where we least expect them, and who chill every rising emotion of +mirth and gaiety. + +He appears however to be so ravished with this sketch of festive +pleasures, or perhaps with himself for having sketched them so well, that +he closes with a couplet which would not have disgraced a STERNHOLD. + + These delights if thou canst give, + Mirth, with thee I _mean_ to live. + +Of Mr. M.'s good _intentions_ there can be no doubt; but we beg leave to +remind him that there are two opinions to be consulted. He presumes +perhaps upon the poetical powers he has displayed, and considers them as +irresistible: for every one must observe in how different a strain he +avows his attachment now, and at the opening of the Poem. Then it was + + If I give thee honour due, + Mirth, admit me of thy crew! + +But having, it should seem, established his pretensions; he now thinks it +sufficient to give notice that he means to live with her, because he likes +her. + +Upon the whole, Mr. MILTON seems to be possessed of some fancy and talent +for rhyming; two most dangerous endowments which often unfit men for +acting a useful part in life without qualifying them for that which is +great and brilliant. If it be true, as we have heard, that he has +declined advantageous prospects in business, for the sake of indulging +his poetical humour; we hope it is not yet too late to prevail upon him +to retract his resolution. With the help of COCKER and common industry, +he may become a respectable Scrivener: but it is not all the ZEPHYRS, and +AURORAS, and CORYDONS, and THYRSIS's; aye, nor his "junketing Queen MAB" +and "drudging Goblins," that will ever make him a Poet. + + + + +PREDICTIONS FOR THE YEAR 1708. + +Wherein the Month and Day of the Month are set down, the Persons named, +and the great Actions and Events of next Year particularly related, as +they will come to pass. + +_Written to prevent the People of England from being further imposed on +by vulgar_ Almanack _Makers_. + +By ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esq. + +MDCCVIII. + + +PREDICTIONS for the Year 1708, &c. + +I have long considered the gross abuse of Astrology in this Kingdom; and +upon debating the matter with myself, I could not possibly lay the fault +upon the Art, but upon those gross Impostors who set up to be the Artists. + +I know several Learned Men have contended that the whole is a cheat; that +it is absurd and ridiculous to imagine the stars can have any influence at +all on human actions, thoughts, or inclinations: and whoever has not bent +his studies that way, may be excused for thinking so, when he sees in how +wretched a manner this noble Art is treated by a few mean illiterate +traders between us and the stars; who import a yearly stock of nonsense, +lies, folly, and impertinence, which they offer to the world as genuine +from the planets, although they descend from no greater height than their +own brains. + +I intend, in a short time, to publish a large and rational Defence of +this Art; and therefore shall say no more in its justification at present +than that it hath been, in all Ages, defended by many Learned Men; and, +among the rest, by SOCRATES himself, whom I look upon as undoubtedly the +wisest of uninspired mortals. To which if we add, that those who have +condemned this Art, although otherwise learned, having been such as +either did not apply their studies this way, or at least did not succeed +in their applications; their testimonies will not be of much weight to +its disadvantage, since they are liable to the common objection of +condemning what they did not understand. + +Nor am I at all offended, or think it an injury to the Art, when I see +the common dealers in it, the _Students in Astronomy_, the _Philomaths_, +and the rest of that tribe, treated by wise men with the utmost scorn and +contempt: but I rather wonder, when I observe Gentlemen in the country, +rich enough to serve the nation in Parliament, poring in PARTRIDGE's +_Almanack_ to find out the events of the year, at home and abroad; not +daring to propose a hunting match, unless GADBURY or he have fixed the +weather. + +I will allow either of the two I have mentioned, or any others of the +fraternity, to be not only Astrologers, but Conjurers too, if I do not +produce a hundred instances in all their _Almanacks_, to convince any +reasonable man that they do not so much as understand Grammar and Syntax; +that they are not able to spell any word out of the usual road, nor even, +in their _Prefaces_, to write common sense, or intelligible English. + +Then as their Observations or Predictions, they are such as will suit any +Age or country in the world. + +_This month, a certain great Person will be threatened with death or +sickness_. This the News Paper will tell them. For there we find at the +end of the year, that no month passeth without the death of some Person +of Note: and it would be hard if it should be otherwise, where there are +at least two thousand Persons of Note in this kingdom, many of them old; +and the _Almanack_ maker has the liberty of choosing the sickliest season +of the year, where he may fix his prediction. + +Again, _This month, an eminent Clergyman will be preferred_. Of which, +there may be some hundreds, half of them with one foot in the grave. + +Then, _Such a Planet in such a House shews great machinations, plots, and +conspiracies, that may, in time, be brought to light_. After which, if we +hear of any discovery, the Astrologer gets the honour; if not, his +prediction still stands good. + +And, at last, _God preserve King WILLIAM from all his open and secret +enemies, Amen_. When, if the King should happen to have died, the +Astrologer plainly foretold it! otherwise it passeth but for the pious +ejaculation of a loyal subject: although it unluckily happened in some of +their _Almanacks_, that poor King WILLIAM was prayed for, many months +after he was dead; because it fell out, that he died about the beginning +of the year. + +To mention no more of their impertinent Predictions, What have we to do +with their advertisements about pills, or their mutual quarrels in verse +and prose of Whig and Tory? wherewith the stars have little to do. + +Having long observed and lamented these, and a hundred other abuses of +this Art too tedious to repeat; I resolved to proceed in a New Way; +which, I doubt not, will be to the general satisfaction of the Kingdom. I +can, this year, produce but a specimen of what I design for the future: +having employed the most part of my time in adjusting and correcting the +calculations I made for some years past; because I would offer nothing to +the World, of which I am not as fully satisfied as that I am now alive. + +For these last two years, I have not failed in above one or two +particulars, and those of no very great moment. I exactly foretold the +miscarriage at Toulon [_fruitlessly besieged by Prince EUGENE, between +26th July, and 21st August_, 1707] with all its particulars: and the loss +of Admiral [Sir CLOUDESLY] SHOVEL [_at the Scilly isles, on 22nd October_, +1707]; although I was mistaken as to the day, placing that accident about +thirty-six hours sooner than it happened; but upon reviewing my Schemes, +I quickly found the cause of that error. I likewise foretold the battle +of Almanza [_25th April_, 1707] to the very day and hour, with the loss +on both sides, and the consequences thereof. All which I shewed to some +friends many months before they happened: that is, I gave them papers +sealed up, to open in such a time, after which they were at liberty to +read them; and there they found my Predictions true in every Article, +except one or two very minute. + +As for the few following Predictions I now offer the World, I forbore to +publish them until I had perused the several _Almanacks_ for the year we +are now entered upon. I found them all in the usual strain; and I beg the +reader will compare their manner with mine. + +And here I make bold to tell the World that I lay the whole credit of my +Art upon the truth of these Predictions; and I will be content that +PARTRIDGE and the rest of his clan may hoot me for a cheat and impostor, +if I fail in any single particular of moment. I believe any man who reads +this Paper [_pamphlet_], will look upon me to be at least a person of as +much honesty and understanding as the common maker of _Almanacks_. I do +not lurk in the dark, I am not wholly unknown to the World. I have set my +name at length, to be a mark of infamy to mankind, if they shall find I +deceive them. + +In one thing, I must desire to be forgiven: that I talk more sparingly of +home affairs. As it would be imprudence to discover Secrets of State, so +it would be dangerous to my person: but in smaller matters, and that as +are not of public consequence, I shall be very free: and the truth of my +conjectures will as much appear from these, as the other. + +As for the most signal events abroad, in France, Flanders, Italy, and +Spain: I shall make no scruple to predict them in plain terms. Some of +them are of importance; and I hope I shall seldom mistake the day they +will happen. Therefore I think good to inform the reader, that I, all +along, make use of the Old Style observed in England; which I desire he +will compare with that of the News Papers at the time they relate the +actions I mention. + +I must add one word more. I know it hath been, the opinion of several +Learned [Persons], who think well enough of the true Art of Astrology, +that the stars do only _incline_ and not _force_ the actions or wills of +men: and therefore, however I may proceed by right rules; yet I cannot, +in prudence, so confidently assure that the events will follow exactly as +I predict them. + +I hope I have maturely considered this objection, which, in some cases, +is of no little weight. For example, a man may, by the influence of an +overruling planet, be disposed or inclined to lust, rage, or avarice; and +yet, by the force of reason, overcome that evil influence. And this was +the case of SOCRATES. But the great events of the World usually depending +upon numbers of men; it cannot be expected they should _all_ unite to +cross their inclinations, from pursuing a general design wherein they +unanimously agree. Besides, the influence of the stars reacheth to many +actions and events which are not, in any way, in the power of Reason, as +sickness, death, and what we commonly call accidents; with many more, +needless to repeat. + +But now it is time to proceed to my Predictions: which I have begun to +calculate from the time that the sun entereth into _Aries [April]_; and +this I take to be properly the beginning of the natural year. I pursue +them to the time that he entereth _Libra [September]_ or somewhat more; +which is the busy period of the year. The remainder I have not yet +adjusted, upon account of several impediments needless here to mention. +Besides, I must remind the reader again, that this is but a specimen of +what I design, in succeeding years, to treat more at large; if I may have +liberty and encouragement. + +My first Prediction is but a trifle; yet I will mention it to shew how +ignorant those sottish pretenders to Astrology are in their own concerns. +It relateth to PARTRIDGE the _Almanack_ maker. I have consulted the star +of his nativity by my own rules; and find he will infallibly die upon the +29th of March [1708] next, about eleven at night, of a raging fever. +Therefore I advise him to consider of it, and settle his affairs in time. + +The month of APRIL will be observable for the death of many Great Persons. + +On the 4th will die the Cardinal DE NOAILLES, Archbishop of Paris. + +On the 11th, the young Prince of the ASTURIAS, son to the Duke of ANJOU. + +On the 14th, a great Peer of this realm will die at his country house. + +On the 19th, an old Layman of great fame and learning; and on the 23rd, +an eminent goldsmith in Lombard street. + +I could mention others, both at home and abroad, if I did not consider it +is of very little use or instruction to the Reader, or to the World. + +As to Public Affairs. On the 7th of this month, there will be an +insurrection in Dauphiny, occasioned by the oppressions of the people; +which will not be quieted in some months. + +On the 15th, there will be a violent storm on the southeast coast of +France; which will destroy many of their ships, and some in the very +harbours. + +The 19th will be famous for the revolt of a whole Province or Kingdom, +excepting one city: by which the affairs of a certain Prince in the +Alliance will take a better face. + +MAY, against common conjectures, will be no very busy month in Europe; +but very signal for the death of the Dauphin [_Note, how SWIFT is killing +off all the Great Men on the French side, one after another: became that +would jump with the inclination of the nation just at the moment_]; which +will happen on the 7th, after a short fit of sickness, and grievous +torments with the stranguary. He dies less lamented by the Court than the +Kingdom. + +On the 9th, a Marshal of France will break his leg by a fall from his +horse. I have not been able to discover whether he will then die or not. + +On the 11th, will begin a most important siege, which the eyes of all +Europe will be upon. I cannot be more particular; for in relating affairs +that so nearly concern the Confederates, and consequently this Kingdom; I +am forced to confine myself, for several reasons very obvious to the +reader. + +On the 15th, news will arrive of a _very surprising_ event; than which, +nothing could be more unexpected. + +On the 19th, three noble Ladies of this Kingdom, will, against all +expectation, prove with child; to the great joy of their husbands. + +On the 23rd, a famous buffoon of the Play House will die a ridiculous +death, suitable to his vocation. + +JUNE. This month will be distinguished at home by the utter dispersing of +those ridiculous deluded enthusiasts, commonly called Prophets [_Scotch +and English Jesuits affecting inspiration, under the name of the French +Prophets_], occasioned chiefly by seeing the time come when many of their +prophecies were to be fulfilled; and then finding themselves deceived by +the contrary events. It is indeed to be admired [_astonished at_] how any +deceiver can be so weak to foretell things near at hand; when a very few +months must, of necessity, discover the imposture to all the world: in +this point, less prudent than common _Almanack_ makers, who are so wise +[as] to wander in generals, talk dubiously, and leave to the reader the +business of interpreting. + +On the 1st of this month, a French General will be killed by a random +shot of a cannon ball. + +On the 6th, a fire will break out in all the suburbs of Paris, which will +destroy above a thousand houses; and seems to be the foreboding of what +will happen, to the surprise of all Europe, about the end of the +following month. + +On the 10th, a great battle will be fought, which will begin at four of +the clock in the afternoon, and last until nine at night, with great +obstinacy, but no very decisive event. I shall not name the place, for +the reasons aforesaid; but the Commanders of each left wing will be +killed.... I see bonfires, and hear the noise of guns for a victory. + +On the 14th, there will be a false report of the French King's death. + +On the 20th, Cardinal PORTOCARRERO will die of a dysentery, with great +suspicion of poison: but the report of his intentions to revolt to King +CHARLES will prove false. + +JULY. The 6th of this month, a certain General will, by a glorious +action, recover the reputation he lost by former misfortunes. + +On the 12th, a great Commander will die a prisoner in the hands of his +enemies. + +On the 14th, a shameful discovery will be made of a French Jesuit giving +poison to a great foreign General; and, when he is put to the torture, +[he] will make wonderful discoveries. + +In short, this will prove a month of great action, if I might have +liberty to relate the particulars. + +At home, the death of an old famous Senator will happen on the 15th, at +his country house, worn [out] with age and diseases. + +But that which will make this month memorable to all posterity, is the +death of the French King LEWIS XIV., after a week's sickness at Marli; +which will happen on the 29th, about six o'clock in the evening. It +seemeth to be an effect of the gout in his stomach followed by a flux. +And in three days after, Monsieur CHAMILLARD will follow his master; +dying suddenly of an apoplexy. + +In this month likewise, an Ambassador will die in London; but I cannot +assign the day. + +AUGUST. The affairs of France will seem to suffer no change for a while, +under the Duke of BURGUNDY's administration. But the Genius that animated +the whole machine being gone, will be the cause of mighty turns and +revolutions in the following year. The new King maketh yet little change, +either in the army or the Ministry; but the libels against his +[grand]father that fly about his very Court, give him uneasiness. + +I see an Express in mighty haste, with joy and wonder in his looks, +arriving by the break of day on the 26th of this month, having travelled, +in three days, a prodigious journey by land and sea. In the evening, I +hear bells and guns, and see the blazing of a thousand bonfires. + +A young Admiral, of noble birth, doth likewise, this month, gain immortal +honour by a great achievement. + +The affairs of Poland are, this month, entirely settled. AUGUSTUS resigns +his pretensions, which he had again taken up for some time. STANISLAUS is +peaceably possessed of the throne: and the King of SWEDEN declares for +the Emperor. + +I cannot omit one particular accident here at home: that, near the end of +this month, much mischief will be done at Bartholomew Fair [_held on +August 24th_], by the fall of a booth. + +SEPTEMBER. This month begins with a very surprising fit of frosty +weather, which will last near[ly] twelve days. + +The Pope having long languished last month, the swellings in his legs +breaking, and the flesh mortifying; he will die on the 11th instant. And, +in three weeks' time, after a mighty contest, he will be succeeded by a +Cardinal of the Imperial faction, but a native of Tuscany, who is now +about 61 years old. + +The French army acts now wholly on the defensive, strongly fortified in +their trenches: and the young French King sendeth overtures for a treaty +of peace, by the Duke of MANTUA; which, because it is a matter of State +that concerneth us here at home, I shall speak no further of. + +I shall add but one Prediction more, and that in mystical terms, which +shall be included in a verse out of VIRGIL, + + _Alter erit jam TETHYS, et altera quae vehat ARGO + Dilectos Heroas_. + +Upon the 25th day of this month, the fulfilling of this Prediction will +be manifest to everybody. + +This is the furthest I have proceeded in my calculations for the present +year. I do not pretend that these are all the great events which will +happen in this period; but that those I have set down will infallibly +come to pass. + +It may perhaps, still be objected, why I have not spoken more +particularly of affairs at home, or of the success of our armies abroad; +which I might, and could very largely have done. But those in Power have +wisely discouraged men from meddling in public concerns: and I was +resolved, by no means, to give the least offence. This I _will_ venture +to say, that it will be a glorious campaign for the Allies, wherein the +English forces, both by sea and land, will have their full share of +honour; that Her Majesty Queen ANNE will continue in health and +prosperity; and that no ill accident will arrive to any in the chief +Ministry. + +As to the particular events I have mentioned, the readers may judge by +the fulfilling of them, whether I am of the level with common +Astrologers, who, with an old paltry cant, and a few Pothooks for Planets +to amuse the vulgar, have, in my opinion, too long been suffered to abuse +the World. But an honest Physician ought not to be despised because there +are such things as mountebanks. + +I hope I have some share of reputation; which I would not willingly +forfeit for a frolic, or humour: and I believe no Gentleman, who reads +this Paper, will look upon it to be of the same last and mould with the +common scribbles that are every day hawked about. My fortune hath placed +me above the little regard of writing for a few pence, which I neither +value nor want. Therefore, let not any wise man too hastily condemn this +Essay, intended for a good design, to cultivate and improve an ancient +Art, long in disgrace by having fallen into mean unskilful hands. A +little time will determine whether I have deceived others, or myself: and +I think it is no very unreasonable request, that men would please to +suspend their judgements till then. + +I was once of the opinion with those who despise all Predictions from the +stars, till, in the year 1686, a Man of Quality shewed me written in his +album, that the most learned astronomer, Captain H[ALLEY], assured him he +would never believe anything of the stars' influence, if there were not a +great Revolution in England in the year 1688. Since that time, I began to +have other thoughts [SWIFT _does not say on what subject_]; and, after +eighteen years' [1690-1708] diligent study and application [_in what?_], +I think I have no reason to repent of my pains. + +I shall detain the reader no longer than to let him know, that the +account I design to give of next year's events shall take in the +principal affairs that happen in Europe. And if I be denied the liberty +of offering it to my own country; I shall appeal to the Learned World, by +publishing it in Latin, and giving order to have it printed in Holland. + +FINIS. + + + + +A Revenue Officer + +[_JONATHAN SWIFT_.] + +_A Letter to a Lord_. + +[30 March 1708.] + + +MY LORD, + +In obedience to your Lordship's commands, as well as to satisfy my own +curiosity; I have, for some days past, inquired constantly after +PARTRIDGE the _Almanack_ maker: of whom, it was foretold in Mr. +BICKERSTAFF's _Predictions_, published about a month ago, that he should +die, the 29th instant, about eleven at night, of a raging fever. + +I had some sort of knowledge of him, when I was employed in the Revenue; +because he used, every year, to present me with his _Almanack_, as he did +other Gentlemen, upon the score of some little gratuity we gave him. + +I saw him accidentally once or twice, about ten days before he died: and +observed he began very much to droop and languish; although I hear his +friends did not seem to apprehend him in any danger. + +About two or three days ago, he grew ill; was confined first to his +chamber, and in a few hours after, to his bed: where Dr. CASE and Mrs. +KIRLEUS [_two London quacks_] were sent for, to visit, and to prescribe +to him. + +Upon this intelligence, I sent thrice every day a servant or other, to +inquire after his health: and yesterday, about four in the afternoon, +word was brought me, that he was past hopes. + +Upon which, I prevailed with myself to go and see him: partly, out of +commiseration: and, I confess, partly out of curiosity. He knew me very +well, seemed surprised at my condescension, and made me compliments upon +it, as well as he could in the condition he was. The people about him, +said he had been delirious: but, when I saw him, he had his understanding +as well as ever I knew, and spoke strong and hearty, without any seeming +uneasiness or constraint. + +After I had told him, I was sorry to see him in those melancholy +circumstances, and said some other civilities suitable to the occasion; I +desired him to tell me freely and ingenuously, whether the _Predictions_, +Mr. BICKERSTAFF had published relating to his death, had not too much +affected and worked on his imagination? + +He confessed he often had it in his head, but never with much +apprehension till about a fortnight before: since which time, it had the +perpetual possession of his mind and thoughts, and he did verily believe +was the true natural cause of his present distemper. "For," said he, "I +am thoroughly persuaded, and I think I have very good reasons, that Mr. +BICKERSTAFF spoke altogether by guess, and knew no more what will happen +this year than I did myself." + +I told him, "His discourse surprised me, and I would be glad he were in a +state of health to be able to tell me, what reason he had, to be convinced +of Mr. BICKERSTAFF's ignorance." + +He replied, "I am a poor ignorant fellow, bred to a mean trade; yet I +have sense enough to know that all pretences of foretelling by Astrology +are deceits: for this manifest reason, because the wise and learned (who +can only judge whether there be any truth in this science), do all +unanimously agree to laugh at and despise it; and none but the poor +ignorant vulgar give it any credit, and that only upon the word of such +silly wretches as I and my fellows, who can hardly write or read." I then +asked him, "Why he had not calculated his own nativity, to see whether it +agreed with BICKERSTAFF's Predictions?" + +At which, he shook his head, and said, "O, Sir! this is no time for +jesting, but for repenting those fooleries, as I do now from the very +bottom of my heart." + +"By what I can gather from you," said I, "the Observations and +Predictions you printed with your _Almanacks_, were mere impositions upon +the people." + +He replied, "If it were otherwise, I should have the less to answer for. +We have a common form for all those things. As to foretelling the +weather, we never meddle with that! but leave it to the printer, who +taketh it out of any old _Almanack_, as he thinketh fit. The rest was my +own invention, to make my _Almanack_ sell; having a wife to maintain, and +no other way to get my bread: for mending old shoes is a poor livelihood! +And," added he, sighing, "I wish I may not have done more mischief by my +physic than by astrology! although I had some good receipts from my +grandmother, and my own compositions were such as I thought could, at +least, do no hurt." + +I had some other discourse with him, which now I cannot call to mind: and +I fear I have already tired your Lordship. I shall only add one +circumstance. That on his deathbed, he declared himself a Nonconformist, +and had a Fanatic [_the political designation of Dissenters_] preacher to +be his spiritual guide. + +After half an hour's conversation, I took my leave; being almost stifled +by the closeness of the room. + +I imagined he could not hold out long; and therefore withdrew to a little +coffee-house hard by, leaving a servant at the house, with orders to come +immediately, and tell me as near as he could the minute when PARTRIGE +should expire: which was not above two hours after, when, looking upon my +watch, I found it to be above Five minutes after Seven. By which it is +clear that Mr. BICKERSTAFF was mistaken almost four hours in his +calculation [_see_ p. 173]. In the other circumstances he was exact +enough. + +But whether he hath not been the cause of this poor man's death as well +as the Predictor may be very reasonably disputed. However, it must be +confessed the matter is odd enough, whether we should endeavour to +account for it by chance or the effect of imagination. + +For my own part, although I believe no man has less faith in these +matters, yet I shall wait with some impatience, and not without +expectation, the fulfilling of Mr. BICKERSTAFF's second prediction, that +the Cardinal De NOAILLES is to die upon the 4th of April [1708]; and if +that should be verified as exactly as this of poor PARTRIDGE, I must own +I shall be wholly surprised, and at a loss, and infallibly expect the +accomplishment of all the rest. + + +[In the original broadside, there are Deaths with darts, winged +hour-glasses, crossed marrow-bones, &c.] + +[JONATHAN SWIFT.] + +_An Elegy on Mr. PATRIGE, the_ Almanack _maker, who died on the 29th of +this instant March_, 1708. + +[Original broadside in the British Museum, C. 39. k./74.] + + Well, 'tis as BICKERSTAFF has guest; + Though we all took it for a jest; + PATRIGE is dead! nay more, he died + Ere he could prove the good Squire lied! + Strange, an Astrologer should die + Without one wonder in the sky + Not one of all his crony stars + To pay their duty at his hearse! + No meteor, no eclipse appeared, + No comet with a flaming beard! + The sun has rose and gone to bed + Just as if PATRIGE were not dead; + Nor hid himself behind the moon + To make a dreadful night at noon. + He at fit periods walks through _Aries_, + Howe'er our earthly motion varies; + And twice a year he'll cut th'Equator, + As if there had been no such matter. + + Some Wits have wondered what analogy + There is 'twixt[11] Cobbling and Astrology? + How PATRIGE made his optics rise + From a shoe-sole, to reach the skies? + A list, the cobblers' temples ties, + To keep the hair out of their eyes; + From whence, 'tis plain, the diadem + That Princes wear, derives from them: + And therefore crowns are now-a-days + Adorned with golden stars and rays; + Which plainly shews the near alliance + 'Twixt Cobbling and the Planet science. + + Besides, that slow-paced sign _Bo-otes_ + As 'tis miscalled; we know not who 'tis? + But PATRIGE ended all disputes; + He knew his trade! and called it _Boots_![12] + The Horned Moon which heretofore + Upon their shoes, the Romans wore, + Whose wideness kept their toes from corns, + And whence we claim our Shoeing Horns, + Shews how the art of Cobbling bears + A near resemblance to the Spheres. + + A scrap of parchment hung by Geometry, + A great refinement in Barometry, + Can, like the stars, foretell the weather: + And what is parchment else, but leather? + Which an Astrologer might use + Either for _Almanacks_ or shoes. + + Thus PATRIGE, by his Wit and parts, + At once, did practise both these Arts; + And as the boding owl (or rather + The bat, because her wings are leather) + Steals from her private cell by night, + And flies about the candle light: + So learned PATRIGE could as well + Creep in the dark, from leathern cell; + And in his fancy, fly as far, + To peep upon a twinkling star! + Besides, he could confound the Spheres + And set the Planets by the ears, + To shew his skill, he, Mars would join + To Venus, in _aspect malign_, + Then call in Mercury for aid, + And cure the wounds that Venus made. + + Great scholars have in LUCIAN read + When PHILIP, King of Greece was dead, + His soul and spirit did divide, + And each part took a different side: + One rose a Star; the other fell + Beneath, and mended shoes in hell. + + Thus PATRIGE still shines in each Art, + The Cobbling, and Star-gazing Part; + And is installed as good a star + As any of the CAESARS are. + + Thou, high exalted in thy sphere, + May'st follow still thy calling there! + To thee, the _Bull_ will lend his hide, + By _Phoebus_ newly tanned and dried! + For thee, they _Argo_'s hulk will tax, + And scrape her pitchy sides for wax! + Then _Ariadne_ kindly lends + Her braided hair, to make thee ends! + The point of Sagittarius' dart + Turns to an awl, by heavenly art! + And Vulcan, wheedled by his wife, + Will forge for thee, a paring-knife! + + Triumphant Star! some pity shew + On Cobblers militant below! + [13] But do not shed thy influence down + Upon St. James's end o' the Town! + Consider where the moon and stars + Have their devoutest worshippers! + Astrologers and lunatics + Have in Moorfields their stations fixt: + Hither, thy gentle aspect bend, + [14] Nor look asquint on an old friend! + + +[11] PATRIGE was a cobbler. + +[12] See his _Almanack_. + +[13] _Sed nec in Arctoo sede tibi legeris Orbe, &c._ + +[14] _Neve tuam videas obliquo idere Romam_. + + + + +THE EPITAPH. + + _Here five foot deep, lies on his back, + A Cobbler, Starmonger, and Quack; + Who to the stars, in pure good will, + Does to his best, look upward still. + Weep all you customers, that use + His Pills, his_ Almanacks, _or Shoes! + And you that did your fortunes seek, + Step to this grave, but once a week! + This earth which bears his body's print + You'll find has so much virtue in it; + That I durst pawn my ears, 'twill tell + Whate'er concerns you, full as well + (In physic, stolen goods, or love) + As he himself could, when above!_ + +LONDON: Printed in the Year 1708. + + + + +Squire BICKERSTAFF detected; +OR THE _Astrological Impostor convicted_. + +BY JOHN PARTRIDGE, + +Student in Physic and Astrology. + + +[This was written for PARTRIDGE, either by NICHOLAS ROWE or Dr. YALDEN, +and put forth by him, in good faith, in proof of his continued existence.] + +It is hard, my dear countrymen of these United Nations! it is very hard, +that a Britain born, a Protestant Astrologer, a man of Revolution +Principles, an assertor of the Liberty and Property of the people, should +cry out in vain, for justice against a Frenchman, a Papist, and an +illiterate pretender to Science, that would blast my reputation, most +inhumanly bury me alive, and defraud my native country of those services +which, in my double capacity [_Physician and Astrologer_], I daily offer +the public. + +What great provocations I have received, let the impartial reader judge! +and how unwillingly, even in my own defence, I now enter the lists +against Falsehood, Ignorance, and Envy! But I am exasperated at length, +to drag out this CACUS from the den of obscurity, where he lurketh, to +detect him by the light of those stars he hath so impudently traduced, +and to shew there is not a Monster in the skies so pernicious and +malevolent to mankind as an ignorant pretender to Physic and Astrology. + +I shall not directly fall on the many gross errors, nor expose the +notorious absurdities of this prostituted libeller, until I have let the +Learned World fairly into the controversy depending; and then leave the +unprejudiced to judge of the merits and justice of my cause. + +It was towards the conclusion of the year 1707 [_according to the old way +of reckoning the year from March 25th. The precise date is February, 1708, +see_ p. 469], when an impudent Pamphlet crept into the world, intituled +_Predictions &c. by ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esquire_. Among the many arrogant +assertions laid down by that lying Spirit of Divination; he was pleased +to pitch on the Cardinal DE NOAILLES and myself, among many other eminent +and illustrious persons that were to die within the confines of the +ensuing year, and peremptorily fixed the month, day, and hours of our +deaths. + +This, I think, is sporting with Great Men, and Public Spirits, to the +scandal of Religion, and reproach of Power: and if Sovereign Princes and +Astrologers must make diversion for the vulgar, why then, Farewell, say +I, to all Governments, Ecclesiastical and Civil! But, I thank my better +stars! I am alive to confront this false and audacious Predictor, and to +make him rue the hour he ever affronted a Man of Science and Resentment. + +The Cardinal may take what measures he pleases, with him: as His +Excellency is a foreigner and a Papist, he hath no reason to rely on me +for his justification. I shall only assure the World that he is alive! +but as he was bred to Letters, and is master of a pen, let him use it in +his own defence! + +In the meantime, I shall present the Public with a faithful Narrative of +the ungenerous treatment and hard usage I have received from the virulent +Papers and malicious practices of this pretended Astrologer. + + +A true and impartial ACCOUNT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, +Esq., against Me. + +The 29th of March, _Anno Dom_., 1708, being the night this Sham Prophet +had so impudently fixed for my last; which made little impression on +myself, but I cannot answer for my whole family. For my wife, with a +concern more than usual, prevailed on me to take somewhat to sweat for a +cold; and between the hours of 8 and 9, to go to bed. + +The maid as she was warming my bed, with the curiosity natural to young +women, runs to the window, and asks of one passing the street, "Who the +bell tolled for?" + +"Dr. PARTRIDGE," says he, "the famous _Almanack_ maker, who died suddenly +this evening." + +The poor girl provoked, told him, "He lied like a rascal!" + +The other very sedately replied, "The sexton had so informed him; and if +false, he was to blame for imposing on a stranger." + +She asked a second, and a third as they passed; and every one was in the +same tone. + +Now I don't say these were accomplices to a certain astrological Squire, +and that one BICKERSTAFF might be sauntering thereabouts; because I will +assert nothing here but what I dare attest, and plain matter of fact. + +My wife, at this, fell into a violent disorder; and I must own I was a +little discomposed at the oddness of the accident. + +In the meantime, one knocks at the door. BETTY runneth down and opening, +finds a sober grave person, who modestly inquires "If this was Dr. +PARTRIDGE's?" + +She, taking him for some cautious City patient, that came at that time +for privacy, shews him into the dining-room. + +As soon as I could compose myself, I went to him; and was surprised to +find my gentleman mounted on a table with a two-foot rule in his hand, +measuring my walls, and taking the dimensions of the room. + +"Pray, Sir," says I, "not to interrupt you, have you any business with +me?" + +"Only, Sir," replies he, "to order the girl to bring me a better light: +for this is but a dim one." + +"Sir," sayeth I, "my name is PARTRIDGE!" + +"Oh! the Doctor's brother, belike," cries he. "The staircase, I believe, +and these two apartments hung in close mourning will be sufficient; and +only a strip of Bays [cloth] round the other rooms. The Doctor must needs +die rich. He had great dealings in his way, for many years. If he had no +family Coat [of arms], you had as good use the scutcheons of the Company. +They are as showish and will look as magnificent as if he were descended +from the Blood-Royal." + +With that, I assumed a greater air of authority, and demanded, "Who +employed him? and how he came there?" + +"Why, I was sent, Sir, by the Company of Undertakers," saith he, "and +they were employed by the honest gentleman who is the executor to the +good Doctor departed: and our rascally porter, I believe is fallen fast +asleep with the black cloth and sconces or he had been here; and we might +have been tacking up by this time." + +"Sir," says I, "pray be advised by a friend, and make the best of your +speed out of my doors; for I hear my wife's voice," which, by the way, is +pretty distinguishable! "and in that corner of the room stands a good +cudgel which somebody [_i.e., himself_] has felt ere now. If that light +in her hands, and she knew the business you came about; without +consulting the stars, I can assure you it will be employed very much to +the detriment of your person." + +"Sir," cries he, bowing with great civility, "I perceive extreme grief +for the loss of the Doctor disorders you a little at present: but early +in the morning, I'll wait on you, with all necessary materials." + +Now I mention no Mr. BICKERSTAFF, nor do I say that a certain star-gazing +Squire has been a playing my executor before his time: but I leave the +World to judge, and if it puts things to things fairly together, it won't +be much wide of the mark. + +Well, once more I get my doors closed, and prepare for bed, in hopes of a +little repose, after so many ruffling adventures. Just as I was putting +out my light in order to it, another bounceth as hard as he can knock. + +I open the window and ask, "Who is there, and what he wants?" + +"I am NED the Sexton," replies he, "and come to know whether the Doctor +left any orders for a Funeral Sermon? and where he is to be laid? and +whether his grave is to be plain or bricked?" + +"Why, Sirrah!" says I, "you know me well enough. You know I am not dead; +and how dare you affront me after this manner!" + +"Alack a day, Sir," replies the fellow, "why it is in print, and the +whole Town knows you are dead. Why, there's Mr. WHITE the joiner is but +fitting screws to your coffin! He'll be here with it in an instant. He +was afraid you would have wanted it before this time." + +"Sirrah! sirrah!" saith I, "you shall know to-morrow to your cost that I +am alive! and alive like to be!" + +"Why, 'tis strange, Sir," says he, "you should make such a secret of your +death to us that are your neighbours. It looks as if you had a design to +defraud the Church of its dues: and let me tell you, for one who has +lived so long by the heavens, that is unhandsomely done!" + +"Hist! hist!" says another rogue that stood by him, "away, Doctor! into +your flannel gear as fast as you can! for here is a whole pack of dismals +coming to you with their black equipage; how indecent will it look for you +to stand frightening folks at your window, when you should have been in +your coffin this three hours!" + +In short, what with Undertakers, Embalmers, Joiners, Sextons, and your +_Elegy_ hawkers _upon a late practitioner in Physic and Astrology_; I got +not one wink of sleep that night, nor scarce a moment's rest ever since. + +Now, I doubt not but this villanous Squire has the impudence to assert +that these are entirely strangers to him; he, good man! knoweth nothing +of the matter! and honest ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, I warrant you! is more a man +of honour than to be an accomplice with a pack of rascals that walk the +streets on nights, and disturb good people in their beds. But he is out, +if he thinks the whole World is blind! for there is one JOHN PARTRIDGE +can smell a knave as far as Grub street, although he lies in the most +exalted garret, and writeth himself "Squire"! But I will keep my temper! +and proceed in the Narration. + +I could not stir out of doors for the space of three months after this; +but presently one comes up to me in the street: "Mr. PARTRIDGE, that +coffin you were last buried in, I have not yet been paid for." + +"Doctor!" cries another dog, "How do you think people can live by making +graves for nothing? Next time you die, you may even toll out the bell +yourself, for NED!" + +A third rogue tips me by the elbow, and wonders "how I have the +conscience to sneak abroad, without paying my funeral expenses." + +"Lord!" says one, "I durst have sworn that was honest Dr. PARTRIDGE, my +old friend; but, poor man, he is gone!" + +"I beg your pardon," says another, "you look so like my old acquaintance +that I used to consult on some private occasions: but, alack, he is gone +the way of all flesh." + +"Look, look!" cries a third, after a competent space of staring at me; +"would not one think our neighbour the _Almanack_ maker was crept out of +his grave, to take another peep at the stars in this world, and shew how +much he is improved in fortune telling by having taken a journey to the +other." + +Nay, the very Reader of our parish (a good sober discreet person) has +sent two or three times for me to come and be buried decently, or send +him sufficient reasons to the contrary: or if I have been interred in any +other parish, to produce my certificate as the _Act_ requires. + +My poor wife is almost run distracted with being called Widow PARTRIDGE, +when she knows it's false: and once a Term, she is cited into the Court, +to take out Letters of Administration. + +But the greatest grievance is a paltry Quack that takes up my calling +just under my nose; and in his printed directions with a, _N.B._, says: +_He lives in the house of the late ingenious Mr. JOHN PARTRIDGE, an +eminent Practitioner in Leather, Physic, and Astrology_. + +But to shew how far the wicked spirit of envy, malice, and resentment can +hurry some men, my nameless old persecutor had provided a monument at the +stone-cutter's, and would have it erected in the parish church: and this +piece of notorious and expensive villany had actually succeeded, if I had +not used my utmost interest with the Vestry; where it was carried at last +but by two voices, that I am alive. + +That stratagem failing, out cometh a long sable _Elegy_ bedecked with +hour-glasses, mattocks, skulls, spades, and skeletons, with an _Epitaph_ +[_see_ p. 486] as confidently written to abuse me and my profession, as +if I had been under ground these twenty years. + +And, after such barbarous treatment as this, can the World blame me, when +I ask, What is become of the freedom of an Englishman? and, Where is the +Liberty and Property that my old glorious Friend [_WILLIAM III_.] came +over to assert? We have driven Popery out of the nation! and sent Slavery +to foreign climes! The Arts only remain in bondage, when a Man of Science +and Character shall be openly insulted! in the midst of the many useful +services he is daily paying the public. Was it ever heard, even in Turkey +or Algiers, that a State Astrologer was bantered out of his life, by an +ignorant impostor? or bawled out of the world, by a pack of villanous +deep-mouthed hawkers? + +Though I print _Almanacks_, and publish _Advertisements_; although I +produce certificates under the Minister's and Churchwardens' hands, that +I am alive: and attest the same, on oath, at Quarter Sessions: out comes +_A full and true Relation of the death and interment of JOHN PARTRIDGE_. +Truth is borne down; Attestations, neglected; the testimony of sober +persons, despised: and a man is looked upon by his neighbours as if he +had been seven years dead, and is buried alive in the midst of his +friends and acquaintance. + +Now can any man of common sense think it consistent with the honour of my +profession, and not much beneath the dignity of a philosopher, to stand +bawling, before his own door, "Alive! Alive! Ho! the famous Doctor +PARTRIDGE! no counterfeit, but all alive!" as if I had the twelve +celestial Monsters of the Zodiac to shew within, or was forced for a +livelihood, to turn retailer to May and Bartholomew Fairs. + +Therefore, if Her Majesty would but graciously be pleased to think a +hardship of this nature worthy her royal consideration; and the next +Parl[ia]m[en]t, in their great wisdom, cast but an eye towards the +deplorable case of their old _Philomath_ that annually bestoweth his +poetical good wishes on them: I am sure there is one ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, +Esquire, would soon be trussed up! for his bloody persecution, and +putting good subjects in terror of their lives. And that henceforward, to +murder a man by way of Prophecy, and bury him in a printed _Letter_, +either _to a Lord_ or Commoner, shall as legally entitle him to the +present possession of Tyburn, as if he robbed on the highway, or cut your +throat in bed. + + + +_Advertisement_. + +N.B.: _There is now in the Press, my Appeal to the Learned; Or my general +Invitation to all Astrologers, Divines, Physicians, Lawyers, +Mathematicians, Philologers, and to the_ Literati _of the whole World, to +come and take their Places in the Common Court of Knowledge, and receive +the Charge given in by me, against ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esq., that most +notorious Impostor in Science and illiterate Pretender to the Stars; +where I shall openly convict him of ignorance in his profession, +impudence and falsehood in every assertion, to the great detriment and +scandal of Astrology. I shall further demonstrate to the Judicious, that +France and Rome are at the bottom of this horrid conspiracy against me; +and that the Culprit aforesaid is a Popish emissary, has paid his visits +to St. Germains, and is now in the Measures of LEWIS XIV.; that in +attempting my reputation, there is a general Massacre of Learning +designed in these realms; and, through my sides, there is a wound given +to all the Protestant_ Almanack _makers in the universe_. + +Vivat Regina! + + +Not satisfied with this _Impartial Account_, when next Almanack time came +(in the following November, 1708), PARTRIDGE's _Almanack_ for 1709 [P.P. +2465/8] contained the following: + +You may remember that there was a Paper published predicting my death +upon the 29th March at night, 1708, and after the day was past, the same +villain told the World I was dead, and how I died, and that he was with +me at the time of my death. + +I thank GOD, by whose mercy I have my Being, that I am still alive, and +(excepting my age) as well as ever I was in my life: as I was also at +that 29th of March. And that Paper was said to be done by one +BICKERSTAFF, Esq. But that was a sham name, it was done by an impudent +lying fellow. + +But his Prediction did not prove true! What will he say to that? For the +fool had considered the "Star of my Nativity" as he said. Why the truth +is, he will be hard put to it to find a _salvo_ for his Honour. It was a +bold touch! and he did not know but it might prove true. + +One hardly knows whether to wonder most at the self-delusion or credulity +of this last paragraph by the old quack. + +This called forth from SWIFT: + + + +A VINDICATION OF ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esq., &c. + +MR. PARTRIDGE hath been lately pleased to treat me after a very rough +manner, in that which is called his _Almanack_ for the present year. Such +usage is very undecent from one Gentleman to another, and does not at all +contribute to the discovery of Truth, which ought to be the great End in +all disputes of the Learned. To call a man, _fool_, and _villain_, and +_impudent fellow_, only for differing from him in a point merely +speculative, is, in my humble opinion, a very improper style for a person +of his Education. + +I appeal to the Learned World, whether, in my last year's _Predictions_, +I gave him the least provocation for such unworthy treatment. +Philosophers have differed in all Ages; but the discreetest among them, +have always differed as became Philosophers. Scurrility and Passion in a +Controversy among Scholars, is just so much of nothing to the purpose; +and, at best, a tacit confession of a weak cause. + +My concern is not so much for my own reputation, as that of the Republic +of Letters; which Mr. PARTRIDGE hath endeavoured to wound through my +sides. If men of public spirit must be superciliously treated for their +ingenious attempts; how will true useful knowledge be ever advanced? I +wish Mr. PARTRIDGE knew the thoughts which foreign Universities have +conceived of his ungenerous proceeding with me: but I am too tender of +his reputation to publish them to the World. That spirit of envy and +pride, which blasts so many rising Geniuses in our nation, is yet unknown +among Professors abroad. The necessity of justifying myself will excuse my +vanity, when I tell the reader that I have received nearly a hundred +Honorary Letters from several part of Europe, some as far as Muscovey, in +praise of my performance: besides several others, which (as I have been +credibly informed) were opened in the P[ost] Office, and never sent me. + +It is true, the Inquisition in P[ortuga]l was pleased to burn my +_Predictions_ [_A fact, as Sir PAUL METHUEN, the English Ambassador +there, informed SWIFT_], and condemned the Author and the readers of +them: but, I hope at the same time, it will be considered in how +deplorable a state Learning lieth at present in that Kingdom. And, with +the profoundest reverence for crowned heads, I will presume to add, that +it a little concerned His Majesty of Portugal to interpose his authority +in behalf of a Scholar and a Gentleman, the subject of a nation with +which he is now in so strict an alliance. + +But the other Kingdoms and States of Europe have treated me with more +candour and generosity. If I had leave to print the Latin letters +transmitted to me from foreign parts, they would fill a Volume! and be a +full defence against all that Mr. PARTRIDGE, or his accomplices of the +P[ortuga]l Inquisition, will be ever able to object: who, by the way, are +the only enemies my _Predictions_ have ever met with, at home or abroad. +But I hope I know better what is due to the honour of a Learned +Correspondence in so tender a point. + +Yet some of those illustrious Persons will, perhaps, excuse me for +transcribing a passage or two, in my own vindication. + +[15]The most learned Monsieur LEIBNITZ thus addresseth to me his third +Letter, _Illustrissimo BICKERSTAFFIO Astrologico Instauratori, &c._ +Monsieur LE CLERC, quoting my _Predictions_ in a treatise he published +last year, is pleased to say, _Ita, nuperrime BICKERSTAFFIUS, magnum +illud Angliae sidus_. Another great Professor writing of me, has these +words, _BICKERSTAFFIUS nobilis Anglus, Astrologarum hujusce seculi facile +Princeps_. Signior MAGLIABECCHI, the Great Duke's famous Library Keeper, +spendeth almost his whole Letter in compliments and praises. It is true +the renowned Professor of Astronomy at Utrecht seemeth to differ from me +in one article; but it is after the modest manner that becometh a +Philosopher, as _Pace tanti viri dixerim_: and, page 55, he seemeth to +lay the error upon the printer, as, indeed it ought, and sayeth, _vel +forsan error typographi, cum alioquin BICKERSTAFFIUS vir doctissimus, &c_. + +If Mr. PARTRIDGE had followed these examples in the controversy between +us, he might have spared me the trouble of justifying myself in so public +a manner. I believe few men are readier to own their error than I, or more +thankful to those who will please to inform him of them. But it seems this +Gentleman, instead of encouraging the progress of his own Art, is pleased +to look upon all Attempts of this kind as an invasion of his Province. + +He has been indeed so wise, as to make no objection against the truth of +my _Predictions_, except in one single point, relating to himself. And to +demonstrate how much men are blinded by their own partiality, I do +solemnly assure the reader, that he is the _only_ person from whom I ever +heard that objection offered! which consideration alone, I think, will +take off its weight. + +With my utmost endeavours, I have not been able to trace above two +Objections ever made against the truth of my last year's _Prophecies_. + +The first was of a Frenchman, who was pleased to publish to the World, +that _the Cardinal DE NOAILLES was still alive, notwithstanding the +pretended Prophecy of Monsieur BIQUERSTAFFE_. But how far a Frenchman, a +Papist, and an enemy is to be believed, in his own cause, against an +English Protestant, who is _true to the Government_, I shall leave to the +candid and impartial reader! + +The other objection is the unhappy occasion of this Discourse, and +relateth to an article in my _Predictions_, which foretold the death of +Mr. PARTRIDGE to happen on March 29, 1708. _This_, he is pleased to +contradict absolutely, in the _Almanack_ he has published for the present +year; and in that ungentlemanly manner (pardon the expression!) as I have +above related. + +In that Work, he very roundly asserts that _he is not only now alive, but +was likewise alive upon that very 29th of March, when I had foretold he +should die_. + +This is the subject of the present Controversy between us, which I design +to handle with all brevity, perspicuity, and calmness. In this dispute, I +am sensible the eyes, not only of England, but of all Europe will be upon +us: and the Learned in every country will, I doubt not, take part on that +side where they find most appearance of Reason and Truth. + +Without entering into criticisms of Chronology about the hour of his +death, I shall only prove that _Mr. PARTRIDGE is not alive_. + +And my first argument is thus. Above a thousand Gentlemen having bought +his _Almanack_ for this year, merely to find what he said against me: at +every line they read, they would lift up their eyes, and cry out, between +rage and laughter, _They were sure, no man alive ever wrote such stuff as +this!_ Neither did I ever hear that opinion disputed. So that Mr. +PARTRIDGE lieth under a dilemma, either of disowning his _Almanack_, or +allowing himself to be _no man alive_. + +Death is defined by all Philosophers [as] a separation of the soul and +body. Now it is certain that the poor woman [_Mrs. PARTRIDGE_] who has +best reason to know, has gone about, for some time, to every alley in the +neighbourhood, and swore to her gossips that _her husband had neither life +nor soul in him_. Therefore, if an _uninformed_ Carcass walks still about +and is pleased to call itself PARTRIDGE; Mr. BICKERSTAFF doth not think +himself any way answerable for that! Neither had the said Carcass any +right to beat the poor boy, who happened to pass by it in the street, +crying _A full and true Account of Dr. PARTRIDGE's death, &c_. + +SECONDLY. Mr. PARTRIDGE pretendeth to tell fortunes and recover stolen +goods, which all the parish says, he must do by conversing with the Devil +and other evil spirits: and no wise man will ever allow, he could converse +personally with either, until after he was dead. + +THIRDLY. I will plainly prove him to be dead out of his own _Almanack_ +for this year; and from the very passage which he produceth to make us +think him alive. He there sayeth, _He is not only_ now _alive, but was +also alive upon that very 29th of March, which I foretold he should die +on_. By this, he declareth his opinion that a man may be alive _now_, who +was not alive a twelve month ago. And, indeed, here lies the sophistry of +his argument. He dareth not assert he was alive _ever since the 29th of +March_! but that he is _now alive_, and _was so on that day_. I grant the +latter, for he did not die until night, as appeareth in a printed account +of his death, in a _Letter to a Lord_; and whether he be since revived, I +leave the World to judge! This indeed is perfect cavilling; and I am +ashamed to dwell any longer upon it. + +FOURTHLY. I will appeal to Mr. PARTRIDGE himself, whether it be probable +I could have been so indiscreet as to begin my _Predictions_ with the +_only_ falsehood that ever was pretended to be in them! and this in an +affair at home, where I had so many opportunities to be exact, and must +have given such advantages against me, to a person of Mr. PARTRIDGE's Wit +and Learning: who, if he could possibly have raised one single objection +more against the truth of my Prophecies, would hardly have spared me! + +And here I must take occasion to reprove the above-mentioned Writer +[i.e., SWIFT _himself, see_ p. 482] of the Relation of Mr. PARTRIDGE's +death, in a _Letter to a Lord_, who was pleased to tax me with a mistake +of _four whole hours_ in my calculation of that event. I must confess, +this censure, pronounced with an air of certainty, in a matter that so +nearly concerned me, and by a grave _judicious_ author, moved me not a +little. But though I was at that time out of Town, yet several of my +friends, whose curiosity had led them to be exactly informed (as for my +own part; having no doubt at all of the matter, I never once thought of +it!) assured me, I computed to something under half an hour: which (I +speak my private opinion!) is an error of no very great magnitude, that +men should raise clamour about it! + +I shall only say, it would not be amiss, if that Author would henceforth +be more tender of other men's reputation, as well as of his own! It is +well there were no more mistakes of that kind: if there had been, I +presume he would have told me of them, with as little ceremony. + +There is one objection against Mr. PARTRIDGE's death, which I have +sometimes met with, although indeed very slightly offered, That he still +continueth to write _Almanacks_. But this is no more than what is common +to all of that Profession. _GADBURY, Poor Robin, DOVE, WING_, and several +others, do yearly publish their _Almanacks_, though several of them have +been dead since before the Revolution. Now the natural reason of this I +take to be, that whereas it is the privilege of other Authors, _to live_ +after their deaths; _Almanack_ makers are only excluded, because their +Dissertations, treating only upon the Minutes as they pass, become +useless as those go off: in consideration of which, Time, whose Registers +they are, gives them a lease in reversion, to continue their Works after +their death. Or, perhaps, a _Name_ can _make_ an _Almanack_ as well as +_sell_ one. And to strengthen this conjecture, I have heard the +booksellers affirm, that they have desired Mr. PARTRIDGE to spare himself +further trouble, and only to lend his Name; which could make _Almanacks_ +much better than himself. + +I should not have given the Public or myself, the trouble of this +_Vindication_, if my name had not been made use of by several persons, to +whom I never lent it: one of which, a few days ago, was pleased to father +on me, a new set of _Predictions_. But I think these are things too +serious to be trifled with. It grieved me to the heart, when I saw my +Labours, which had cost me so much thought and watching, bawled about by +the common hawkers of Grub street, which I only intended for the weighty +consideration of the gravest persons. This prejudiced the World so much +at first, that several of my friends had the assurance to ask me, +"Whether I were in jest?" To which I only answered coldly, that "the +event will shew!" But it is the talent of our Age and nation to turn +things of the greatest importance into ridicule. When the end of the year +had _verified all_ my _Predictions_; out cometh Mr. PARTRIDGE's +_Almanack!_ disputing the point of his death. So that I am employed, like +the General who was forced to kill his enemies twice over, whom a +necromancer had raised to life. If Mr. PARTRIDGE has practised the same +experiment upon himself, and be again alive; long may he continue so! But +that doth not, in the least, contradict my veracity! For I think I have +clearly proved, _by invincible demonstration_, that he died, at farthest, +within half an hour of the time I foretold [; and not four hours sooner, +as the above-mentioned Author, in his _Letter to a Lord_ hath maliciously +suggested, with a design to blast my credit, by charging me with so gross +a mistake]. + +FINIS. + + +Under the combined assault of the Wits, PARTRIDGE ceased to publish his +_Almanack_ for a while; but afterwards took heart again, publishing his +"_Merlinus Redivivus_, being an Almanack for the year 1714, by JOHN +PARTRIDGE, a Lover of Truth [P.P. 2465/6];" at p. 2 of which is the +following epistle. + + +To ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esq. + +SIR, + +There seems to be a kind of fantastical propriety in a dead man's +addressing himself to a person not in Being. ISAAC BICKERSTAFF [_i.e., +RICHARD STEELE_] is no more [_the_ Tatler _having come to an end_], and I +have now nothing to dispute with on the subject of his fictions concerning +me, _sed magni nominis umbra_, "a shadow only, and a mighty name." + +I have indeed been for some years silent, or, in the language of Mr. +BICKERSTAFF, "dead"; yet like many an old man that is reported so by his +heirs, I have lived long enough to bury my successor [_the_ Tatler +_having been discontinued_]. In short, I am returned to Being after you +have left it; and since you were once pleased to call yourself my +brother-astrologer, the world may be apt to compare our story to that of +the twin-stars CASTOR and POLLUX, and say it was our destiny, not to +appear together, but according to the fable, to live and die by turns. + +Now, Sir, my intention in this Epistle is to let you know that I shall +behave myself in my new Being with as much moderation as possible, and +that I have no longer any quarrel with you [_i.e., STEELE_], for the +accounts you inserted in your writings [_the joke was continued in the_ +Tatler] concerning my death, being sensible that you were no less abused +in that particular than myself. + +The person from whom you took up that report, I know, was your namesake, +the author of BICKERSTAFF's _Predictions_, a notorious cheat.[16] And if +you had been indeed as much an Astrologer as you pretended, you might +have known that his word was no more to be taken than that of an Irish +evidence [_SWIFT was now Dean of St. Patrick's_]: that not being the only +_Tale of a Tub_ he had vented. The only satisfaction therefore, I expect +is, that your bookseller in the next edition of your Works [_The +Tatler_], do strike out my name and insert his in the room of it. I have +some thoughts of obliging the World with his nativity, but shall defer +that till another opportunity. + +I have nothing to add further, but only that when you think fit to return +to life again in whatever shape, of Censor [_the designation of the +supposed Writer of the_ Tatler], a _Guardian_, an _Englishman_, or any +other figure, I shall hope you will do justice to + +Your revived friend and servant, + +JOHN PARTRIDGE. + + +On the last leaf of this _Almanack_ is the following notice:-- + +This is to give notice to all people, that all those _Prophecies, +Predictions, Almanacks_, and other pamphlets, that had my name either +true, or shammed with the want of a Letter [_i.e., spelling his name +PARTRIGE instead of PARTRIDGE_]: I say, they are all impudent forgeries, +by a breed of villains, and wholly without my knowledge or consent. And I +doubt not but those beggarly villains that have scarce bread to eat +without being rogues, two or three poor printers and a bookbinder, with +honest BEN, will be at their old Trade again of Prophesying in my name. +This is therefore to give notice, that if there is anything in print in +my name beside this _Almanack_, you may depend on it that it is a lie, +and he is a villain that writes and prints it. + + +In his _Almanack_ for 1715 [P.P. 2465/7], PARTRIDGE says-- + +It is very probable, that the beggarly knavish Crew will be this year +also printing _Prophecies_ and _Predictions_ in my name, to cheat the +country as they used to do. This is therefore to give notice, that if +there is anything of that kind done in my name besides this _Almanack_ +printed by the Company of Stationers, you may be certain it is not mine, +but a cheat, and therefore refuse it. + + +[15] The quotations here, are said to be a parody of those of BENTLEY + in his controversy with BOYLE. + +[16] _Vide_ Dr. S[WI]FT. + + + + +THE PRESENT STATE OF WIT, +IN A LETTER TO A +Friend in the Country. + +_LONDON_: + +Printed in the Year, MDCCXI. +(Price 3_d_.) + + +THE Present State OF WIT, &c. + +SIR, + +You acquaint me in your last, that you are still so busy building at +----, that your friends must not hope to see you in Town this year: at +the same time, you desire me, that you may not be quite at a loss in +conversation among the _beau monde_ next winter, to send you an account +of the present State of Wit in Town: which, without further preface, I +shall endeavour to perform; and give you the histories and characters of +all our Periodical Papers, whether monthly, weekly, or diurnal, with the +same freedom I used to send you our other Town news. + +I shall only premise, that, as you know, I never cared one farthing, +either for Whig or Tory: so I shall consider our Writers purely as they +are such, without any respect to which Party they belong. + +Dr. KING has, for some time, lain down his monthly _Philosophical +Transactions_, which the title-page informed us at first, were only to be +continued as they sold; and though that gentleman has a world of Wit, yet +as it lies in one particular way of raillery, the Town soon grew weary of +his Writings: though I cannot but think that their author deserves a much +better fate than to languish out the small remainder of his life in the +Fleet prison. + +About the same time that the Doctor left off writing, one Mr. OZELL put +out his _Monthly Amusement_; which is still continued: and as it is +generally some French novel or play indifferently translated, it is more +or less taken notice of, as the original piece is more or less agreeable. + +As to our Weekly Papers, the poor _Review_ [_by DANIEL DEFOE_] is quite +exhausted, and grown so very contemptible, that though he has provoked +all his Brothers of the Quill round, none of them will enter into a +controversy with him. This fellow, who had excellent natural parts, but +wanted a small foundation of learning, is a lively instance of those Wits +who, as an ingenious author says, "will endure but one skimming"[!]. + +The _Observator_ was almost in the same condition; but since our party +struggles have run so high, he is much mended for the better: which is +imputed to the charitable assistance of some outlying friends. + +These two authors might however have flourished some time longer, had not +the controversy been taken up by abler hands. + +The _Examiner_ is a paper which all men, who speak without prejudice, +allow to be well written. Though his subject will admit of no great +variety; he is continually placing it in so many different lights, and +endeavouring to inculcate the same thing by so many beautiful changes of +expression, that men who are concerned in no Party, may read him with +pleasure. His way of assuming the Question in debate is extremely artful; +and his _Letter to Crassus_ is, I think, a masterpiece. As these Papers +are supposed to have been written by several hands, the critics will tell +you that they can discern a difference in their styles and beauties; and +pretend to observe that the first _Examiners_ abound chiefly in Wit, the +last in Humour. + +Soon after their first appearance, came out a Paper from the other side, +called the _Whig Examiner_, written with so much fire, and in so +excellent a style, as put the Tories in no small pain for their favourite +hero. Every one cried, "_BICKERSTAFF_ must be the author!" and people were +the more confirmed in this opinion, upon its being so soon laid down: +which seemed to shew that it was only written to bind the _Examiners_ to +their good behaviour, and was never designed to be a Weekly Paper. + +The _Examiners_, therefore, have no one to combat with, at present, but +their friend the _Medley_: the author of which Paper, though he seems to +be a man of good sense, and expresses it luckily now and then, is, I +think, for the most part, perfectly a stranger to fine writing. + +I presume I need not tell you that the _Examiner_ carries much the more +sail, as it is supposed to be written by the direction, and under the eye +of some Great Persons who sit at the helm of affairs, and is consequently +looked on as a sort of Public Notice which way they are steering us. + +The reputed author is Dr. S[WIF]T, with the assistance, sometimes, of Dr. +ATT[ERBUR]Y and Mr. P[RIO]R. + +The _Medley_ is said to be written by Mr. OLD[MIXO]N; and supervised by +Mr. MAYN[WARIN]G, who perhaps might entirely write those few Papers which +are so much better than the rest. + +Before I proceed further in the account of our Weekly Papers, it will be +necessary to inform you that at the beginning of the winter [_on Jan. 2_, +1711], to the infinite surprise of all men, Mr. STEELE flang up his +_Tatler_; and instead of _ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esquire_, subscribed himself +RICHARD STEELE to the last of those Papers, after a handsome compliment to +the Town for their kind acceptance of his endeavours to divert them. + +The chief reason he thought fit to give for his leaving off writing was, +that having been so long looked on in all public places and companies as +the Author of those papers, he found that his most intimate friends and +acquaintance were in pain to speak or act before him. + +The Town was very far from being satisfied with this reason, and most +people judged the true cause to be, either + + That he was quite spent, and wanted matter to continue his + undertaking any longer; or + + That he laid it down as a sort of submission to, and composition + with, the Government, for some past offences; + + or, lastly, + + That he had a mind to vary his Shape, and appear again in some new + light. + +However that were, his disappearance seemed to be bewailed as some +general calamity. Every one wanted so agreeable an amusement, and the +Coffee-houses began to be sensible that the _Esquire's Lucubrations_ +alone had brought them more customers, than all their other News Papers +put together. + +It must indeed be confessed that never man threw up his pen, under +stronger temptations to have employed it longer. His reputation was at a +greater height, than I believe ever any living author's was before him. +It is reasonable to suppose that his gains were proportionably +considerable. Every one read him with pleasure and good-will; and the +Tories, in respect to his other good qualities, had almost forgiven his +unaccountable imprudence in declaring against them. + +Lastly, it was highly improbable that, if he threw off a Character the +ideas of which were so strongly impressed in every one's mind, however +finely he might write in any new form, that he should meet with the same +reception. + +To give you my own thoughts of this Gentleman's Writings, I shall, in the +first place, observe, that there is a noble difference between him and all +the rest of our Polite and Gallant Authors. The latter have endeavoured to +please the Age by falling in with them, and encouraging them in their +fashionable vices and false notions of things. It would have been a jest, +some time since, for a man to have asserted that anything witty could be +said in praise of a married state, or that Devotion and Virtue were any +way necessary to the character of a Fine Gentleman. _BICKERSTAFF_ +ventured to tell the Town that they were a parcel of fops, fools, and +coquettes; but in such a manner as even pleased them, and made them more +than half inclined to believe that he spoke truth. + +Instead of complying with the false sentiments or vicious tastes of the +Age--either in morality, criticism, or good breeding--he has boldly +assured them, that they were altogether in the wrong; and commanded them, +with an authority which perfectly well became him, to surrender themselves +to his arguments for Virtue and Good Sense. + +It is incredible to conceive the effect his writings have had on the +Town; how many thousand follies they have either quite banished or given +a very great check to! how much countenance, they have added to Virtue +and Religion! how many people they have rendered happy, by shewing them +it was their own fault if they were not so! and, lastly, how entirely +they have convinced our young fops and young fellows of the value and +advantages of Learning! + +He has indeed rescued it out of the hands of pedants and fools, and +discovered the true method of making it amiable and lovely to all +mankind. In the dress he gives it, it is a most welcome guest at +tea-tables and assemblies, and is relished and caressed by the merchants +on the Change. Accordingly there is not a Lady at Court, nor a Banker in +Lombard Street, who is not verily persuaded that Captain STEELE is the +greatest Scholar and best Casuist of any man in England. + +Lastly, his writings have set all our Wits and Men of Letters on a new +way of Thinking, of which they had little or no notion before: and, +although we cannot say that any of them have come up to the beauties of +the original, I think we may venture to affirm, that every one of them +writes and thinks much more justly than they did some time since. + +The vast variety of subjects which Mr. STEELE has treated of, in so +different manners, and yet ALL so perfectly well, made the World believe +that it was impossible they should all come from the same hand. This set +every one upon guessing who was the _Esquire's_ friend? and most people +at first fancied it must be Doctor SWIFT; but it is now no longer a +secret, that his only great and constant assistant was Mr. ADDISON. + +This is that excellent friend to whom Mr. STEELE owes so much; and who +refuses to have his name set before those Pieces which the greatest pens +in England would be proud to own. Indeed, they could hardly add to this +Gentleman's reputation: whose works in Latin and English Poetry long +since convinced the World, that he was the greatest Master in Europe of +those two languages. + +I am assured, from good hands, that all the visions, and other tracts of +that way of writing, with a very great number of the most exquisite +pieces of wit and raillery throughout the _Lucubrations_ are entirely of +this Gentleman's composing: which may, in some measure, account for that +different Genius, which appears In the winter papers, from those of the +summer; at which time, as the _Examiner_ often hinted, this friend of Mr. +STEELE was in Ireland. + +Mr. STEELE confesses in his last Volume of the _Tatlers_ that he is +obliged to Dr. SWIFT for his _Town Shower_, and the _Description of the +Morn_, with some other hints received from him in private conversation. + +I have also heard that several of those _Letters_, which came as from +unknown hands, were written by Mr. HENLEY: which is an answer to your +query, "Who those friends are, whom Mr. STEELE speaks of in his last +_Tatler_?" + +But to proceed with my account of our other papers. The expiration of +_BICKERSTAFF's Lucubrations_ was attended with much the same consequences +as the death of _MELIBOEUS's Ox_ in VIRGIL: as the latter engendered +swarms of bees, the former immediately produced whole swarms of little +satirical scribblers. + +One of these authors called himself the _Growler_, and assured us that, +to make amends for Mr. STEELE's silence, he was resolved to _growl_ at us +weekly, as long as we should think fit to give him any encouragement. +Another Gentleman, with more modesty, called his paper, the _Whisperer_; +and a third, to please the Ladies, christened his, the _Telltale_. + + +At the same time came out several _Tatlers_; each of which, with equal +truth and wit, assured us that he was the genuine _ISAAC BICKERSTAFF_. + +It may be observed that when the _Esquire_ laid down his pen; though he +could not but foresee that several scribblers would soon snatch it up, +which he might (one would think) easily have prevented: he scorned to +take any further care about it, but left the field fairly open to any +worthy successor. Immediately, some of our Wits were for forming +themselves into a Club, headed by one Mr. HARRISON, and trying how they +could shoot in this BOW of ULYSSES; but soon found that this sort of +writing requires so fine and particular a manner of Thinking, with so +exact a Knowledge of the World, as must make them utterly despair of +success. + +They seemed indeed at first to think, that what was only the garnish of +the former _Tatlers_, was that which recommended them; and not those +Substantial Entertainments which they everywhere abound in. According +they were continually talking of their _Maid, Night Cap, Spectacles_, and +CHARLES LILLIE. However there were, now and then, some faint endeavours at +Humour and sparks of Wit: which the Town, for want of better +entertainment, was content to hunt after, through a heap of +impertinences; but even those are, at present, become wholly invisible +and quite swallowed up in the blaze of the _Spectator_. + +You may remember, I told you before, that one cause assigned for the +laying down the _Tatler_ was, Want of Matter; and, indeed, this was the +prevailing opinion in Town: when we were surprised all at once by a paper +called the _Spectator_, which was promised to be continued every day; and +was written in so excellent a style, with so nice a judgment, and such a +noble profusion of Wit and Humour, that it was not difficult to determine +it could come from no other hands but those which had penned the +_Lucubrations_. + +This immediately alarmed these gentlemen, who, as it is said Mr. STEELE +phrases it, had "the Censorship in Commission." They found the new +_Spectator_ came on like a torrent, and swept away all before him. They +despaired ever to equal him in Wit, Humour, or Learning; which had been +their true and certain way of opposing him: and therefore rather chose to +fall on the Author; and to call out for help to all good Christians, by +assuring them again and again that they were the First, Original, True, +and Undisputed _ISAAC BICKERSTAFF_. + +Meanwhile, the _Spectator_, whom we regard as our Shelter from that flood +of false wit and impertinence which was breaking in upon us, is in every +one's hands; and a constant topic for our morning conversation at +tea-tables and coffee-houses. We had at first, indeed, no manner of +notion how a diurnal paper could be continued in the spirit and style of +our present _Spectators_: but, to our no small surprise, we find them +still rising upon us, and can only wonder from whence so prodigious a run +of Wit and Learning can proceed; since some of our best judges seem to +think that they have hitherto, in general, outshone even the _Esquire_'s +first _Tatlers_. + +Most people fancy, from their frequency, that they must be composed by a +Society: I withal assign the first places to Mr. STEELE and his Friend. + +I have often thought that the conjunction of those two great Geniuses, +who seem to stand in a class by themselves, so high above all our other +Wits, resembled that of two statesmen in a late reign, whose characters +are very well expressed in their two mottoes, viz., _Prodesse quam +conspici_ [LORD SOMERS], and _Otium cum dignitate_ [CHARLES MONTAGU, Earl +of HALIFAX]. Accordingly the first [_ADDISON_] was continually at work +behind the curtain, drew up and prepared all those schemes, which the +latter still drove on, and stood out exposed to the World, to receive its +praises or censures. + +Meantime, all our unbiassed well-wishers to Learning are in hopes that +the known Temper and prudence of one of these Gentlemen will hinder the +other from ever lashing out into Party, and rendering that Wit, which is +at present a common good, odious and ungrateful to the better part of the +Nation [_by which, of course, GAY meant the Tories_]. + +If this piece of imprudence does not spoil so excellent a Paper, I +propose to myself the highest satisfaction in reading it with you, over a +dish of tea, every morning next winter. + +As we have yet had nothing new since the _Spectator_, it only remains for +me to assure you, that I am + +Yours, &c., J[OHN] G[AY]. + +_Westminster, May_ 3, 1711. + +_POSTCRIPT_. + +Upon a review of my letter, I find I have quite forgotten the _British +Apollo_; which might possibly have happened, from its having, of late, +retreated out of this end of the Town into the country: where, I am +informed however, that it still recommends itself by deciding wagers at +cards, and giving good advice to shopkeepers and their apprentices. + +_FINIS_. + + + + +THOMAS TICKELL. + +_Life of JOSEPH ADDISON_. + + +[_Preface_ to first edition of ADDISON's _Works_ 1721.] + +JOSEPH ADDISON, the son of LANCELOT ADDISON, D.D., and of JANE, the +daughter of NATHANIEL GULSTON, D.D., and sister of Dr. WILLIAM GULSTON, +Bishop of BRISTOL, was born at Milston, near Ambrosebury, in the county +of Wilts, in the year 1671. + +His father, who was of the county of Westmoreland, and educated at +Queen's College in Oxford, passed many years in his travels through +Europe and Africa; where he joined to the uncommon and excellent talents +of Nature, a great knowledge of Letters and Things: of which, several +books published by him, are ample testimonies. He was Rector of Milston, +above mentioned, when Mr. ADDISON, his eldest son, was born: and +afterwards became Archdeacon of Coventry, and Dean of Lichfield. + +Mr. ADDISON received his first education at the _Chartreuse_ +[_Charterhouse School in London_]; from whence he was removed very early +to Queen's College, in Oxford. He had been there about two years, when +the accidental sight of a Paper of his verses, in the hands of Dr. +LANCASTER, then Dean of that House, occasioned his being elected into +Magdalen College. + +He employed his first years in the study of the old Greek and Roman +Writers; whose language and manner he caught, at that time of life, as +strongly as other young people gain a French accent, or a genteel air. + +An early acquaintance with the Classics is what may be called the Good +Breeding of Poetry, as it gives a certain gracefulness which never +forsakes a mind that contracted it in youth; but is seldom, or never, hit +by those who would learn it too late. + +He first distinguished himself by his Latin compositions, published in +the _Musae Anglicanae_: and was admired as one of the best Authors since +the Augustan Age, in the two universities and the greatest part of +Europe, before he was talked of as a Poet in Town. + +There is not, perhaps, any harder task than to tame the natural wildness +of Wit, and to civilize the Fancy. The generality of our old English +Poets abound in forced conceits and affected phrases; and even those who +are said to come the nearest to exactness, are but too often fond of +unnatural beauties, and aim at something better than perfection. If Mr. +ADDISON's example and precepts be the occasion that there now begins to +be a great demand for Correctness, we may justly attribute it to his +being first fashioned by the ancient Models, and familiarized to +Propriety of Thought and Chastity of Style. + +Our country owes it to him, that the famous Monsieur BOILEAU first +conceived an opinion of the English Genius for Poetry, by perusing the +present he made him of the _Musae Anglicanae_. It has been currently +reported, that this famous French poet, among the civilities he shewed +Mr. ADDISON on that occasion, affirmed that he would not have written +against PERRAULT, had he before seen such excellent Pieces by a modern +hand. Such a saying would have been impertinent, and unworthy [of] +BOILEAU! whose dispute with PERRAULT turned chiefly upon some passages in +the Ancients, which he rescued from the misinterpretations of his +adversary. The true and natural compliment made by him, was that those +books had given him a very new Idea of the English Politeness, and that +he did not question but there were excellent compositions in the native +language of a country, that professed the Roman Genius in so eminent a +degree. + +The first English performance made public by him, is a short copy of +verses _To Mr. DRYDEN_, with a view particularly to his Translations. + +This was soon followed by a Version of the fourth _Georgic_ of VIRGIL; of +which Mr. DRYDEN makes very honourable mention in the _Postscript_ to his +own Translation of VIRGIL's _Works_: wherein, I have often wondered that +he did not, at the same time, acknowledge his obligation to Mr. ADDISON, +for giving the _Essay upon the Georgics_, prefixed to Mr. DRYDEN's +Translation. Lest the honour of so exquisite a piece of criticism should +hereafter be transferred to a wrong Author, I have taken care to insert +it in this Collection of his _Works_. + +Of some other copies of Verses, printed in the _Miscellanies_ while he +was young, the largest is _An Account of the greatest English Poets_; in +the close of which, he insinuates a design he then had of going into Holy +Orders, to which he was strongly importuned by his father. His remarkable +seriousness and modesty, which might have been urged as powerful reasons +for his choosing that life, proved the chief obstacles to it. These +qualities, by which the Priesthood is so much adorned, represented the +duties of it as too weighty for him, and rendered him still the more +worthy of that honour, which they made him decline. It is happy that this +very circumstance has since turned so much to the advantage of Virtue and +Religion; in the cause of which, he has bestowed his labours the more +successfully, as they were his voluntary, not his necessary employment. +The World became insensibly reconciled to Wisdom and Goodness, when they +saw them recommended by him, with at least as much Spirit and Elegance as +they had been ridiculed [with] for half a century. + +He was in his twenty-eighth year [1699], when his inclination to see +France and Italy was encouraged by the great Lord Chancellor SOMERS, one +of that kind of patriots who think it no waste of the Public Treasure, to +purchase Politeness to their country. His Poem upon one of King WILLIAM's +Campaigns, addressed to his Lordship, was received with great humanity; +and occasioned a message from him to the Author, to desire his +acquaintance. + +He soon after obtained, by his Interest, a yearly pension of three +hundred pounds from the Crown, to support him in his travels. If the +uncommonness of a favour, and the distinction of the person who confers +it, enhance its value; nothing could be more honourable to a young Man of +Learning, than such a bounty from so eminent a Patron. + +How well Mr. ADDISON answered the expectations of my Lord SOMERS, cannot +appear better than from the book of _Travels_, he dedicated to his +Lordship at his return. It is not hard to conceive why that performance +was at first but indifferently relished by the bulk of readers; who +expected an Account, in a common way, of the customs and policies of the +several Governments In Italy, reflections upon the Genius of the people, +a Map [_description_] of the Provinces, or a measure of their buildings. +How were they disappointed! when, instead of such particulars, they were +presented only with a Journal of Poetical Travels, with Remarks on the +present picture of the country compared with the landskips [_landscapes_] +drawn by Classic Authors, and others the like unconcerning parts of +knowledge! One may easily imagine a reader of plain sense but without a +fine taste, turning over these parts of the Volume which make more than +half of it, and wondering how an Author who seems to have so solid an +understanding when he treats of more weighty subjects in the other pages, +should dwell upon such trifles, and give up so much room to matters of +mere amusement. There are indeed but few men so fond of the Ancients, as +to be transported with every little accident which introduces to their +intimate acquaintance. Persons of that cast may here have the +satisfaction of seeing Annotations upon an old Roman Poem, gathered from +the hills and valleys where it was written. The Tiber and the Po serve to +explain the verses which were made upon their banks; and the Alps and +Apennines are made Commentators on those Authors, to whom they were +subjects, so many centuries ago. + +Next to personal conversation with the Writers themselves, this is the +surest way of coming at their sense; a compendious and engaging kind of +Criticism which convinces at first sight, and shews the vanity of +conjectures made by Antiquaries at a distance. If the knowledge of Polite +Literature has its use, there is certainly a merit in illustrating the +Perfect Models of it; and the Learned World will think some years of a +man's life not misspent in so elegant an employment. I shall conclude +what I had to say on this Performance, by observing that the fame of it +increased from year to year; and the demand for copies was so urgent, +that their price rose to four or five times the original value, before it +came out in a second edition. + +The _Letter from Italy_ to my Lord HALIFAX may be considered as the Text, +upon which the book of _Travels_ is a large Comment; and has been esteemed +by those who have a relish for Antiquity, as the most exquisite of his +poetical performances. A Translation of it, by Signor SALVINI, Professor +of the Greek tongue, at Florence, is inserted in this edition; not only +on account of its merit, but because it is the language of the country, +which is the subject of the Poem. + +The materials for the _Dialogues upon Medals_, now first printed from a +manuscript of the Author, were collected in the native country of those +coins. The book itself was begun to be cast in form, at Vienna; as +appears from a letter to Mr. STEPNEY, then Minister at that Court, dated +in November, 1702. + +Some time before the date of this letter, Mr. ADDISON had designed to +return to England; when he received advice from his friends that he was +pitched upon to attend the army under Prince EUGENE, who had just begun +the war in Italy, as Secretary from His Majesty. But an account of the +death of King WILLIAM, which he met with at Geneva, put an end to that +thought: and, as his hopes of advancement in his own country, were fallen +with the credit of his friends, who were out of power at the beginning of +her late Majesty's reign, he had leisure to make the tour of Germany, in +his way home. + +He remained, for some time after his return to England, without any +public employment: which he did not obtain till the year 1704, when the +Duke of MARLBOROUGH arrived at the highest pitch of glory, by delivering +all Europe from slavery; and furnished Mr. ADDISON with a subject worthy +of that Genius which appears in his Poem, called _The Campaign_. + +Lord Treasurer GODOLPHIN, who was a fine judge of poetry, had a sight of +this Work when it was only carried on as far as the applauded simile of +the Angel; and approved of the Poem, by bestowing on the Author, in a few +days after, the place of Commissioner of Appeals, vacant by the removal of +the famous Mr. [JOHN] LOCKE to the Council of Trade. + +His next advancement was to the place of Under Secretary, which he held +under Sir CHARLES HEDGES, and the present Earl of SUNDERLAND. The opera +of _Rosamond_ was written while he possessed that employment. What doubts +soever have been raised about the merit of the Music, which, as the +Italian taste at that time began wholly to prevail, was thought +sufficient inexcusable, because it was the composition of an Englishman; +the Poetry of this Piece has given as much pleasure in the closet, as +others have afforded from the Stage, with all the assistance of voices +and instruments. + +The Comedy called _The Tender Husband_ appeared much about the same time; +to which Mr. ADDISON wrote the _Prologue_. Sir RICHARD STEELE surprised +him with a very handsome _Dedication_ of his Play; and has since +acquainted the Public, that he owed some of the most taking scenes of it, +to Mr. ADDISON. + +His next step in his fortune, was to the post of Secretary under the late +Marquis of WHARTON, who was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, in the +year 1709. As I have proposed to touch but very lightly on those parts of +his life, which do not regard him as an Author; I shall not enlarge upon +the great reputation he acquired, by his turn for business, and his +unblemished integrity, in this and other employments. + + +It must not be omitted here, that the salary of Keeper of the Records in +Ireland was considerably raised, and that post bestowed upon him at this +time, as a mark of the Queen's favour. + +He was in that Kingdom, when he first discovered Sir RICHARD STEELE to be +the Author of the _Tatler_, by an observation upon _VIRGIL_, which had +been by him communicated to his friend. The assistance he occasionally +gave him afterwards, in the course of the Paper, did not a little +contribute to advance its reputation; and, upon the Change of the +Ministry, he found leisure to engage more constantly in that Work: which, +however, was dropped at last, as it had been taken up, without his +participation. + +In the last Paper, which closed those celebrated Performances, and in the +_Preface_ to the last Volume, Sir RICHARD STEELE has given to Mr. ADDISON, +the honour of the most applauded Pieces in that Collection. But as that +acknowledgement was delivered only in general terms, without directing +the Public to the several Papers; Mr. ADDISON (who was content with the +praise arising from his own Works, and too delicate to take any part of +that which belonged to others), afterwards, thought fit to distinguish +his Writings in the _Spectators_ and _Guardians_, by such marks as might +remove the least possibility of mistake in the most undiscerning readers. + +It was necessary that his share in the _Tatlers_ should be adjusted in a +complete Collection of his _Works_: for which reason, Sir RICHARD STEELE, +in compliance with the request of his deceased friend, delivered to him by +the Editor, was pleased to mark with his own hand, those _Tatlers_, which +are inserted in this edition; and even to point out several, in the +writing of which, they were both concerned. + +The Plan of the _Spectator_, as far as regards the feigned Person of +the Author, and of the several Characters that compose his Club, was +projected in concert with Sir RICHARD STEELE. And because many passages +in the course of the Work would otherwise be obscure, I have taken leave +to insert one single Paper written by Sir RICHARD STEELE, wherein those +Characters are drawn; which may serve as a _Dramatis Personae_, or as so +many pictures for an ornament and explication of the whole. + +As for the distinct Papers, they were never or seldom shewn to each +other, by their respective Authors; who fully answered the Promise they +had made, and far outwent the Expectation they had raised, of pursuing +their Labour in the same Spirit and Strength with which it was begun. + +It would have been impossible for Mr. ADDISON (who made little or no use +of letters sent in, by the numerous correspondents of the _Spectator_) to +have executed his large share of his task in so exquisite a manner; if he +had not engrafted into it many Pieces that had lain by him, in little +hints and minutes, which he from time to time collected and ranged in +order, and moulded into the form in which they now appear. Such are the +Essays upon _Wit_, the _Pleasures of the Imagination_, the _Critique upon +MILTON_, and some others: which I thought to have connected in a continued +Series in this Edition, though they were at first published with the +interruption of writings on different subjects. But as such a scheme +would have obliged me to cut off several graceful introductions and +circumstances peculiarly adapted to the time and occasion of printing +then; I durst not pursue that attempt. + +The Tragedy of CATO appeared in public in the year 1713; when the +greatest part of the last _Act_ was added by the Author, to the foregoing +which he had kept by him for many years. He took up a design of writing a +play upon this subject, when he was very young at the University; and +even attempted something in it there, though not a line as it now stands. +The work was performed by him in his travels, and retouched in England, +without any formed resolution of bringing it upon the Stage, until his +friends of the first Quality and Distinction prevailed on him, to put the +last finishing to it, at a time when they thought the Doctrine of Liberty +very seasonable. + +It is in everybody's memory, with what applause it was received by the +Public; that the first run of it lasted for a month, and then stopped +only because one of the performers became incapable of acting a principal +part. + +The Author received a message that the Queen would be pleased to have it +dedicated to her: but as he had designed that compliment elsewhere, he +found himself obliged, by his duty on the one side, and his honour on the +other, to send it into the World without any _Dedication_. + +The fame of this tragedy soon spread through Europe; and it has not only +been translated, but acted in most of the languages of Christendom. The +Translation of it into Italian by Signor SALVINI is very well known: but +I have not been able to learn, whether that of Signor VALETTA, a young +Neapolitan Nobleman, has ever been made public. + +If he had found time for the writing of another tragedy, the Death of +SOCRATES would have been the story. And, however unpromising that subject +may appear; it would be presumptuous to censure his choice, who was so +famous for raising the noblest plants from the most barren soil. It +serves to shew that he thought the whole labour of such a Performance +unworthy to be thrown away upon those Intrigues and Adventures, to which +the romantic taste has confined Modern Tragedy: and, after the example of +his predecessors in Greece, would have employed the Drama _to wear out of +our minds everything that is mean or little, to cherish and cultivate +that Humanity which is the ornament of our nature, to soften Insolence, +to soothe Affliction, and to subdue our minds to the dispensations of +Providence_. (_Spectator_, No. 39.) + +Upon the death of the late Queen, the Lords Justices, in whom the +Administration was lodged, appointed him their Secretary. + +Soon after His Majesty's arrival in Great Britain, the Earl of +SUNDERLAND, being constituted Lord Lieutenant of Ireland; Mr. ADDISON +became, a second time, Secretary for the Affairs of that Kingdom: and was +made one of the Lords Commissioners of Trade, a little after his Lordship +resigned the post of Lord Lieutenant. + +The Paper called the _Freeholder_, was undertaken at the time when the +Rebellion broke out in Scotland. + +The only Works he left behind for the Public, are the _Dialogues upon +medals_, and the Treatise upon the _Christian Religion_. Some account has +been already given of the former: to which nothing is now to be added, +except that a great part of the Latin quotations were rendered into +English in a very hasty manner by the Editor and one of his friends who +had the good nature to assist him, during his avocations of business. It +was thought better to add these translations, such as they are; than to +let the Work come out unintelligible to those who do not possess the +learned languages. + +The Scheme for the Treatise upon the _Christian Religion_ was formed by +the Author, about the end of the late Queen's reign; at which time, he +carefully perused the ancient Writings, which furnish the materials for +it. His continual employment in business prevented him from executing it, +until he resigned his office of Secretary of State; and his death put a +period to it, when he had imperfectly performed only one half of the +design: he having proposed, as appears from the Introduction, to add the +Jewish to the Heathen testimonies for the truth of the Christian History. +He was more assiduous than his health would well allow, in the pursuit of +this Work: and had long determined to dedicate his Poetry also, for the +future, wholly to religious subjects. + +Soon after, he was, from being one of the Lords Commissioners of Trade, +advanced to the post of Secretary of State; he found his health impaired +by the return of that asthmatic indisposition; which continued often, to +afflict him during his exercise of that employment: and, at last, obliged +him to beg His Majesty's leave to resign. + +His freedom from the anxiety of business so far re-established his +health, that his friends began to hope he might last for many years: but +(whether it were from a life too sedentary; or from his natural +constitution, in which was one circumstance very remarkable, that, from +his cradle, he never had a regular pulse) a long and painful relapse into +an asthma and dropsy deprived the World of this great man, on the 17th of +June, 1719. + +He left behind him only one daughter, by the Countess of WARWICK; to whom +he was married in the year 1716. + +Not many days before his death, he gave me directions to collect his +Writings, and at the same time committed to my care the _Letter_ +addressed to _Mr. CRAGGS_, his successor as Secretary of State, wherein +he bequeaths them to him, as a token of friendship. + +Such a testimony, from the First Man of our Age, in such a point of time, +will be perhaps as great and lasting an honour to that Gentleman as any +even he could acquire to himself, and yet it is no more than was due from +an affection that justly increased towards him, through the intimacy of +several years. I cannot, save with the utmost tenderness, reflect on the +kind concern with which Mr. ADDISON left Me as a sort of incumbrance upon +this valuable legacy. Nor must I deny myself the honour to acknowlege that +the goodness of that Great Man to me, like many other of his amiable +qualities, seemed not so much to be renewed, as continued in his +successor; who made me an example, that nothing could be indifferent to +him which came recommended to Mr. ADDISON. + +Could any circumstance be more severe to me, while I was executing these +Last Commands of the Author, than to see the Person to whom his Works +were presented, cut off in the flower of his age, and carried from the +high Office wherein he had succeeded Mr. ADDISON, to be laid next him, in +the same grave? I might dwell upon such thoughts as naturally rise from +these minute resemblances in the fortune of two persons, whose names +probably will be seldom mentioned asunder while either our Language or +Story subsist; were I not afraid of making this _Preface_ too tedious: +especially since I shall want all the patience of the reader, for having +enlarged it with the following verses. + + + + +_To the_ EARL OF WARWICK + + +_On the Death of_ MR. ADDISON. + + If dumb too long, the drooping muse hath stay'd + And left her debt to Addison unpaid, + Blame not her silence, Warwick, but bemoan, + And judge, oh judge, my bosom by your own. + What mourner ever felt poetic fires! + Slow comes the verse that real woe inspires: + Grief unaffected suits but ill with art, + Or flowing numbers with a bleeding heart. + Can I forget the dismal night that gave + My soul's best part for ever to the grave! + How silent did his old companions tread + By midnight lamps, the mansions of the dead + Through breathing statues, then unheeded things, + Through rows of warriors, and through walks of kings! + What awe did the slow solemn knell inspire; + The pealing organ, and the pausing choir; + The duties by the lawn-rob'd prelate paid; + And the last words, that dust to dust convey'd! + While speechless o'er thy closing grave we bend, + Accept these tears, thou dear departed friend. + Oh gone for ever! take this long adieu; + And sleep in peace, next thy lov'd Montague. + To strew fresh laurels, let the task be mine, + A frequent pilgrim, at thy sacred shrine; + Mine with true sighs thy absence to bemoan, + And grave with faithful epitaphs thy stone. + If e'er from me thy lov'd memorial part, + May shame afflict this alienated heart; + Of thee forgetful if I form a song, + My lyre be broken, and untun'd my tongue. + My grief be doubled from thy image free, + And mirth a torment, unchastis'd by thee. + Oft let me range the gloomy aisles alone, + Sad luxury! to vulgar minds unknown, + Along the walls, where speaking marbles show + What worthies form the hallow'd mould below; + Proud names who once the reins of empire held; + In arms who triumphed; or in arts excelled; + Chiefs graced with scars and prodigal of blood; + Stern patriots who for sacred freedom stood; + Just men, by whom impartial laws were given; + And saints who taught and led the way to heaven; + Ne'er to these chambers, where the mighty rest + Since their foundation came a nobler guest; + Nor e'er was to the bowers of bliss convey'd + A fairer spirit or more welcome shade. + In what new region to the just assigned, + What new employments please th' unbody'd mind; + A wingèd virtue, through th' ethereal sky + From world to world unweary'd does he fly? + Or curious trace the long laborious maze + Of heaven's decrees where wondering angels gaze; + Does he delight to hear bold seraphs tell + How Michael battl'd and the dragon fell, + Or mixed with milder cherubim to glow + In hymns of love not ill-essay'd below? + Or dost thou warn poor mortals left behind + A task well suited to thy gentle mind? + Oh! if sometimes thy spotless form descend + To me thy aid, thou guardian genius lend + When rage misguides me or when fear alarms, + When pain distresses or when pleasure charms, + In silent whisperings purer thoughts impart, + And turn from ill a frail and feeble heart; + Lead through the paths thy virtue trod before, + Till bliss shall join nor death can part us more. + That awful form, which, so the heavens decree, + Must still be loved and still deplor'd by me + In nightly visions seldom fails to rise, + Or rous'd by fancy, meets my waking eyes. + If business calls, or crowded courts invite; + Th' unblemish'd statesman seems to strike my sight; + If in the stage I seek to soothe my care + I meet his soul which breathes in Cato there; + If pensive to the rural shades I rove, + His shape o'ertakes me in the lonely grove; + 'Twas there of just and good he reason'd strong, + Clear'd some great truth, or rais'd some serious song: + There patient show'd us the wise course to steer, + A candid censor, and a friend severe; + There taught us how to live; and (oh! too high + The price for knowledge) taught us how to die. + + + + +Sir RICHARD STEELE. + +_Dedicatory Epistle to_ WILLIAM CONGREVE. + +[This Dedication is prefixed to the Second Edition of ADDISON's +_Drummer_, 1722.] + + +To Mr. CONGREVE: occasioned by Mr. TICKELL's _Preface_ to the four +volumes of Mr. ADDISON's _Works_. + + Sir, + + This is the second time that I have, without your leave, taken the + liberty to make a public address to you. + + However uneasy you may be, for your own sake, in receiving + compliments of this nature, I depend upon your known humanity for + pardon; when I acknowledge that you have this present trouble, for + mine. When I take myself to be ill treated with regard to my + behaviour to the merit of other men; my conduct towards you is an + argument of my candour that way, as well as that your name and + authority will be my protection in it. You will give me leave + therefore, in a matter that concerns us in the Poetical World, to + make you my judge whether I am not injured in the highest manner! + for with men of your taste and delicacy, it is a high crime and + misdemeanour to be guilty of anything that is disingenuous. But I + will go into my matter. + + Upon my return from Scotland, I visited Mr. TONSON's shop, and + thanked him for his care in sending to my house, the Volumes of my + dear and honoured friend Mr. ADDISON; which are, at last, published + by his Secretary, Mr. TICKELL: but took occasion to observe, that I + had not seen the Work before it came out; which he did not think fit + to excuse any otherwise than by a recrimination, that I had put into + his hands, at a high price, a Comedy called _The Drummer_; which, by + my zeal for it, he took to be written by Mr. ADDISON, and of which, + after his [_ADDISON's_] death, he said, I directly acknowleged he + was the author. + + To urge this hardship still more home, he produced a receipt under + my hand, in these words-- + + _March 12, 1715 [-16]_. + + _Received then, the sum of Fifty Guineas for the Copy_ [copyright] + _of the Comedy called_, The Drummer or the Haunted House. _I say, + received by order of the Author of the said Comedy_, + + _RICHARD STEELE_. + +and added, at the same time, that since Mr. TICKELL had not thought fit +to make that play a part of Mr. ADDISON's _Works_; he would sell the Copy +to any bookseller that would give most for it [_i.e., TONSON threw the +onus of the authenticity of the_ Drummer _on STEELE_]. + +This is represented thus circumstantially, to shew how incumbent it is +upon me, as well in justice to the bookseller, as for many other +considerations, to produce this Comedy a second time [_It was first +printed in_ 1716]; and take this occasion to vindicate myself against +certain insinuations thrown out by the Publisher [_THOMAS TICKELL_] of +Mr. ADDISON's Writings, concerning my behaviour in the nicest +circumstance--that of doing justice to the Merit of my Friend. + +I shall take the liberty, before I have ended this Letter, to say why I +believe the _Drummer_ a performance of Mr. ADDISON: and after I have +declared this, any surviving writer may be at ease; if there be any one +who has hitherto been vain enough to hope, or silly enough to fear, it +may be given to himself. + +Before I go any further, I must make my Public Appeal to you and all the +Learned World, and humbly demand, Whether it was a decent and reasonable +thing, that Works written, as a great part of Mr. ADDISON's were, in +correspondence [_coadjutorship_] with me, ought to have been published +without my review of the Catalogue of them; or if there were any +exception to be made against any circumstance in my conduct, Whether an +opportunity to explain myself should not have been allowed me, before any +Reflections were made on me in print. + +When I had perused Mr. TICKELL's _Preface_, I had soon so many +objections, besides his omission to say anything of the _Drummer_, +against his long-expected performance: the chief intention of which (and +which it concerns me first to examine) seems to aim at doing the deceased +Author justice, against me! whom he insinuates to have assumed to myself, +part of the merit of my friend. + +He is pleased, Sir, to express himself concerning the present Writer, in +the following manner-- + +_The Comedy called_ The Tender Husband, _appeared much about the same +time; to which Mr. ADDISON wrote the _Prologue: _Sir RICHARD STEELE +surprised him with a very handsome_ Dedication _of this Play; and has +since acquainted the Public, that he owed some of the most taking scenes +of it, to Mr. ADDISON_. Mr. TICKELL's _Preface_. Pag. 11. + +_He was in that Kingdom_ [Ireland], _when he first discovered Sir RICHARD +STEELE to be the Author of the_ Tatler, _by an observation upon_ VIRGIL, +_which had been by him communicated to his friend. The assistance he +occasionally gave him afterwards, in the course of the Paper, did not a +little contribute to advance its reputation; and, upon the Change of the +Ministry_ [in the autumn of 1710], _he found leisure to engage more +constantly in that Work: which, however, was dropped at last, as it had +been taken up, without his participation_. + +_In the last Paper which closed those celebrated Performances, and in +the_ Preface _to the last Volume, Sir RICHARD STEELE has given to Mr. +ADDISON, the honour of the most applauded Pieces in that Collection. But +as that acknowledgement was delivered only in general terms, without +directing the Public to the several Papers; Mr. ADDISON (who was content +with the praise arising from his own Works, and too delicate to take any +part of that which belonged to others), afterwards thought fit to +distinguish his Writings in the_ Spectators _and_ Guardians _by such +marks as might remove the least possibility of mistake in the most +undiscerning readers. It was necessary that his share in the_ Tatlers +_should be adjusted in a complete Collection of his_ Works: _for which +reason, Sir RICHARD STEELE, in compliance with the request of his +deceased friend, delivered to him by the Editor, was pleased to mark with +his own hand, those_ Tatlers _which are inserted in this edition; and even +to point out several, in the writing of which, they both were concerned_. +Pag. 12. + +_The Plan of the_ Spectator, _as far as it related to the feigned Person +of the Author, and of the several Characters that compose his Club, was +projected in concert with Sir_ RICHARD STEELE: _and because many passages +in the course of the Work would otherwise be obscure, I have taken leave +to insert one Paper written by Sir_ RICHARD STEELE, _wherein those +Characters are drawn; which may serve as a_ Dramatis Personae, _or as so +many pictures for an ornament and explication of the whole. As for the +distinct Papers, they were never or seldom shewn to each other, by their +respective Authors, who fully answered the Promise they made, and far +outwent the Expectation they had raised, of pursuing their Labour in the +same Spirit and Strength with which it was begun_. Pag. 13. + +It need not be explained that it is here intimated, that I had not +sufficiently acknowledged what was due to Mr. ADDISON in these Writings. +I shall make a full Answer to what seems intended by the words, _He was +too delicate to take any part of that which belonged to others_; if I can +recite out of my own Papers, anything that may make it appear groundless. + +The subsequent [_following_] encomiums bestowed by me on Mr. ADDISON +will, I hope, be of service to me in this particular. + +_But I have only one Gentleman_, who will be nameless, _to thank for any +frequent assistance to me: which indeed it would have been barbarous in +him, to have denied in one with whom he has lived in an intimacy from +childhood; considering the great Ease with which he is able to despatch +the most entertaining Pieces of this nature. This good office he +performed with such force of Genius, Humour, Wit, and Learning, that I +fared like a distressed Prince who calls in a powerful neighbour to his +aid; I was undone by my auxiliary! When I had once called him in, I could +not subsist without dependence on him_. + +_The same Hand wrote the distinguishing Characters of Men and Women under +the names of_ Musical Instruments, _the_ Distress of the News-Writers, +_the_ Inventory of the Play House, _and the_ Description of the +Thermometer; _which I cannot but look upon, as the greatest +embellishments of this Work. Pref_. to the 4th Vol. of the _Tatlers_. + +_As to the Work itself, the acceptance it has met with is the best proof +of its value: but I should err against that candour which an honest man +should always carry about him, if I did not own that the most approved +Pieces in it were written by others; and those, which have been most +excepted against by myself. The Hand that has assisted me in those noble +Discourses upon the Immortality of the Soul, the Glorious Prospects of +another Life, and the most sublime ideas of Religion and Virtue, is a +person, who is too fondly my friend ever to own them: but I should little +deserve to be his, if I usurped the glory of them. I must acknowledge, at +the same time, that I think the finest strokes of Wit and Humour in all +Mr_. BICKERSTAFF's Lucubrations, _are those for which he is also beholden +to him. Tatler_, No. 271. + +_I hope the Apology I have made as to the license allowable to a feigned +Character may excuse anything which has been said in these Discourses of +the_ Spectator _and his Works. But the imputation of the grossest vanity +would still dwell upon me, if I did not give some account by what means I +was enabled to keep up the Spirit of so long and approved a performance. +All the Papers marked with _a C, L, I, _or_ O--_that is to say, all the +Papers which I have distinguished by any letter in the name of the Muse_ +CLIO--_were given me by the Gentleman, of whose assistance I formerly +boasted in the_ Preface _and concluding Leaf of the_ Tatler. _I am indeed +much more proud of his long-continued friendship, than I should be of the +fame of being thought the Author of any Writings which he himself is +capable of producing_. + +_I remember, when I finished the_ Tender Husband; _I told him, there was +nothing I so ardently wished as that we might, some time or other, +publish a Work written by us both; which should bear the name of the +Monument, in memory of our friendship. I heartily wish what I have done +here, were as honorary to that sacred name, as Learning, Wit, and +Humanity render those Pieces, which I have taught the reader how to +distinguish for his_. + +_When the Play above mentioned was last acted, there were so many +applauded strokes in it which I had from the same hand, that I thought +very meanly of myself that I had never publicly acknowledged them_. + +_After I have put other friends upon importuning him to publish Dramatic +as well as other Writings, he has by him; I shall end what I think I am +obliged to say on this head, by giving the reader this hint for the +better judgement of my productions: that the best Comment upon them would +be, an Account when the Patron_ [i.e., ADDISON] _to the_ Tender Husband +_was in England or abroad_ [i.e., Ireland]. _Spectator_, No. 555. + +_My purpose in this Application is only to shew the esteem I have for +you, and that I look upon my intimacy with you as one of the most +valuable enjoyments of my life. Dedication_ before the _Tender Husband_. + +I am sure, you have read my quotations with indignation against the +little [_petty_] zeal which prompted the Editor (who by the way, has +himself done nothing in applause of the Works which he prefaces) to the +mean endeavour of adding to Mr. ADDISON, by disparaging a man who had +(for the greatest part of his life) been his known bosom friend, and +shielded him from all the resentments which many of his own Works would +have brought upon him, at the time they were written. It is really a good +office to Society, to expose the indiscretion of Intermedlers in the +friendship and correspondence [_coadjutorship_] of men, whose sentiments, +passions, and resentments are too great for their proportion of soul! + +Could the Editor's indiscretion provoke me, even so far as (within the +rules of strictest honour) I could go; and I were not restrained by +supererogatory affection to dear Mr. ADDISON, I would ask this unskilful +Creature, What he means, when he speaks in an air of a reproach, _that +the_ Tatler _was laid down as it was taken up, without his +participation_? Let him speak out and say, why _without his knowledge_ +would not serve his purpose as well! + + +If, as he says, he restrains himself to "Mr. ADDISON's character as a +Writer;" while he attempts to lessen me, he exalts me! for he has +declared to all the World what I never have so explicitly done, that I +am, to all intents and purposes, _the Author of the_ Tatler! He very +justly says, the occasional assistance Mr. ADDISON gave me, in the course +of that Paper, "did not a little contribute to advance its reputation, +especially when, upon the Change of Ministry [_August, 1710_], he found +leisure to engage more constantly in it." It was advanced indeed! for it +was raised to a greater thing than I intended it! For the elegance, +purity, and correctness which appeared in his Writings were not so much +my purpose; as (in any intelligible manner, as I could) to rally all +those Singularities of human life, through the different Professions and +Characters in it, which obstruct anything that was truly good and great. + +After this Acknowledgement, you will see; that is, such a man as you will +see, that I rejoiced in being excelled! and made those little talents +(whatever they are) which I have, give way and be subservient to the +superior qualities of a Friend, whom I loved! and whose modesty would +never have admitted them to come into daylight, but under such a shelter. + +So that all which the Editor has said (either out of design, or +incapacity), Mr. CONGREVE! must end in this: that STEELE has been so +candid and upright, that he owes nothing to Mr. ADDISON as a Writer; but +whether he do, or does not, whatever STEELE owes to Mr. ADDISON, the +Public owe ADDISON to STEELE! + +But the Editor has such a fantastical and ignorant zeal for his Patron, +that he will not allow his correspondents [_coadjutors_] to conceal +anything of his; though in obedience to his commands! + +What I never did declare was Mr. ADDISON's, I had his direct injunctions +to hide; against the natural warmth and passion of my own temper towards +my friends. + +Many of the Writings now published as his, I have been very patiently +traduced and culminated for; as they were pleasantries and oblique +strokes upon certain of the wittiest men of the Age: who will now restore +me to their goodwill, in proportion to the abatement of [the] Wit which +they thought I employed against them. + +But I was saying, that the Editor won't allow us to obey his Patron's +commands in anything which he thinks would redound to his credit, if +discovered. And because I would shew a little Wit in my anger, I shall +have the discretion to shew you that he has been guilty, in this +particular, towards a much greater man than your humble servant, and one +whom you are much more obliged to vindicate. + +Mr. DRYDEN, in his _VIRGIL_, after having acknowledged that a "certain +excellent young man" [_i.e., W. CONGREVE himself_] had shewed him many +faults in his translation of _VIRGIL_, which he had endeavoured to +correct, goes on to say, "Two other worthy friends of mine, who desire to +have their names concealed, seeing me straightened in my time, took pity +on me, and gave me the _Life of VIRGIL_, the two _Prefaces_ to the +_Pastorals_ and the _Georgics_, and all the Arguments in prose to the +whole Translation." If Mr. ADDISON is one of the two friends, and the +_Preface_ to the _Georgics_ be what the Editor calls the _Essay upon the +Georgics_ as one may adventure to say they are, from their being word for +word the same, he has cast an inhuman reflection upon Mr. DRYDEN: who, +though tied down not to name Mr. ADDISON, pointed at him so as all +Mankind conservant in these matters knew him, with an eulogium equal to +the highest merit, considering who it was that bestowed it, I could not +avoid remarking upon this circumstance, out of justice to Mr. DRYDEN: but +confess, at the same time, I took a great pleasure in doing it; because I +knew, in exposing this outrage, I made my court to Mr. CONGREVE. + +I have observed that the Editor will not let me or any one else obey Mr. +ADDISON's commands, in hiding anything he desired to be concealed. + +I cannot but take further notice, that the circumstance of marking his +_Spectators_ [_with the letters C, L, I, O,_], which I did not know till +I had done with the Work; I made my own act! because I thought it too +great a sensibility in my friend; and thought it (since it was done) +better to be supposed marked by me than the Author himself. The real +state of which, this zealot rashly and injudiciously exposes! I ask the +reader, Whether anything but an earnestness to disparage me could provoke +the Editor, in behalf of Mr. ADDISON, to say that he marked it out of +caution against me: when I had taken upon me to say, it was I that did +it! out of tenderness to him. + +As the imputation of any the Least Attempt of arrogating to myself, or +detracting from Mr. ADDISON, is without any Colour of Truth: you will +give me leave to go on in the same ardour towards him, and resent the +cold, unaffectionate, dry, and barren manner, in which this Gentleman +gives an Account of as great a Benefactor as any one Learned Man ever had +of another. Would any man, who had been produced from a College life, and +pushed into one of the most considerable Employments of the Kingdom as to +its weight and trust, and greatly lucrative with respect to a Fellowship +[_i.e., of a College_]: and who had been daily and hourly with one of the +greatest men of the Age, be satisfied with himself, in saying _nothing_ of +such a Person besides what all the World knew! except a particularity (and +that to his disadvantage!) which I, his friend from a boy, don't know to +be true, to wit, that "he never had a regular pulse"! + +As for the facts, and considerable periods of his life, he either knew +nothing of them, or injudiciously places them in a worse light than that +in which they really stood. + +When he speaks of Mr. ADDISON's declining to go into Orders, his way of +doing it is to lament _his seriousness and modesty_, which might have +recommended him, _proved the chief obstacles to it, it seems these +qualities, by which the Priesthood is so much adorned, represented the +duties of it as too weighty for him, and rendered him still more worthy +of that honour which they made him decline_. These, you know very well! +were not the Reasons which made Mr. ADDISON turn his thoughts to the +civil World; and, as you were the instrument of his becoming acquainted +with my Lord HALIFAX, I doubt not but you remember the warm instances +that noble Lord made to the Head of the College, not to insist upon Mr. +ADDISON's going into Orders. His arguments were founded on the general +pravity [_depravity_] and corruption of men of business [_public men_] +who wanted liberal education. And I remember, as if I read the letter +yesterday, that my Lord ended with a compliment, that "however he might +be represented as no friend to the Church, he would never do it any other +injury than keeping Mr. ADDISON out of it!" + +The contention for this man in his early youth, among the people of +greatest power; Mr. Secretary TICKELL, the Executor for his Fame, is +pleased to ascribe to "a serious visage and modesty of behaviour." + +When a Writer is grossly and essentially faulty, it were a jest to take +notice of a false expression or a phrase, otherwise _Priesthood_ in that +place, might be observed upon; as a term not used by the real +well-wishers to Clergymen, except when they would express some solemn +act, and not when that Order is spoken of as a Profession among +Gentlemen. I will not therefore busy myself about the "unconcerning parts +of knowledge, but be content like a reader of plain sense without +politeness." And since Mr. Secretary will give us no account of this +Gentleman, I admit "the Alps and Apennines" instead of the Editor, to be +"Commentators of his Works," which, as the Editor says, "have raised a +demand for correctness." This "demand," by the way, ought to be more +strong upon those who were most about him, and had the greatest advantage +of his example. But as our Editor says, "that those who come nearest to +exactness are but too often fond of unnatural beauties, and aim at +something better than perfection." + +Believe me, Sir, Mr. ADDISON's example will carry no man further than +that height for which Nature capacitated him: and the affectation of +following great men in works above the genius of their imitators, will +never rise farther than the production of uncommon and unsuitable +ornaments in a barren discourse, like flowers upon a heath, such as the +Author's phrase of "something better than perfection." + +But in his _Preface_, if ever anything was, is that "something better:" +for it is so extraordinary, that we cannot say, it is too long or too +short, or deny but that it is both. I think I abstract myself from all +manner of prejudice when I aver that no man, though without any +obligation to Mr. ADDISON, would have represented him in his family and +in his friendships, or his personal character, so disadvantageously as +his Secretary (in preference of whom, he incurred the warmest resentments +of other Gentlemen) has been pleased to describe him in those particulars. + +Mr. Dean ADDISON, father of this memorable Man, left behind him four +children, each of whom, for excellent talents and singular preferments, +was as much above the ordinary World as their brother JOSEPH was above +them. Were things of this nature to be exposed to public view, I could +shew under the Dean's own hand, in the warmest terms, his blessing on the +friendship between his son and me; nor had he a child who did not prefer +me in the first place of kindness and esteem, as their father loved me +like one of them: and I can with pleasure say, I never omitted any +opportunity of shewing that zeal for their persons and Interests as +became a Gentleman and a Friend. + +Were I now to indulge myself, I could talk a great deal to you, which I +am sure would be entertaining: but as I am speaking at the same time to +all the World, I consider it would be impertinent. + +Let me then confine myself awhile to the following Play [_The Drummer_], +which I at first recommended to the Stage, and carried to the Press. + +No one who reads the _Preface_ which I published with it, will imagine I +could be induced to say so much, as I then did, had I not known the man I +best loved had had a part in it; or had I believed that any other +concerned had much more to do than as an amanuensis. + +But, indeed, had I not known at the time of the transaction concerning +the acting on the Stage and the sale of the Copy; I should, I think, have +seen Mr. ADDISON in every page of it! For he was above all men in that +talent we call Humour; and enjoyed it in such perfection, that I have +often reflected, after a night spent with him apart from the World, that +I had had the pleasure of conversing with an intimate acquaintance of +TERENCE and CATULLUS, who had all their Wit and Nature heightened with +Humour more exquisite and delightful than any other man ever possessed. + +They who shall read this Play, after being let into the secret that it +was written by Mr. ADDISON or under his direction, will probably be +attentive to those excellencies which they before overlooked, and wonder +they did not till now observe that there is not an expression in the +whole Piece which has not in it the most nice propriety and aptitude to +the Character which utters it. Here is that smiling Mirth, that delicate +Satire and genteel Raillery, which appeared in Mr. ADDISON when he was +free among intimates; I say, when he was free from his _remarkable_ +bashfulness, which is a cloak that hides and muffles merit: and his +abilities were covered only by modesty, which doubles the beauties which +are seen, and gives credit and esteem to all that are concealed. + +The _Drummer_ made no great figure on the Stage, though exquisitely well +acted: but when I observe this, I say a much harder thing of the Stage, +than of the Comedy. + +When I say the Stage in this place, I am understood to mean, in general, +the present Taste of theatrical representations: where nothing that is +not violent, and as I may say, grossly delightful, can come on, without +hazard of being condemned or slighted. + +It is here republished, and recommended as a closet piece [_i.e., for +private reading_], to recreate an intelligent mind in a vacant hour: for +vacant the reader must be, from every strong prepossession, in order to +relish an entertainment, _quod nequeo monstrare et sentio tantum_, which +cannot be enjoyed to the degree it deserves, but by those of the most +polite Taste among Scholars, the best Breeding among Gentlemen, and the +least acquainted with sensual Pleasure among the Ladies. + +The Editor [_THOMAS TICKELL_] is pleased to relate concerning _CATO_, +that a Play under that design was projected by the Author very early, and +wholly laid aside; in advanced years, he reassumed the same design; and +many years after Four acts were finished, he wrote the Fifth; and brought +it upon the Stage. + +All the Town knows, how officious I was in bringing it on, and you (that +know the Town, the Theatre, and Mankind very well) can judge how +necessary it was, to take measures for making a performance of that sort, +excellent as it is, run into popular applause. + +I promised before it was acted (and performed my duty accordingly to the +Author), that I would bring together so just an audience on the First +Days of it, it should be impossible for the vulgar to put its success or +due applause at any hazard: but I don't mention this, only to shew how +good an Aide-de-Camp I was to Mr. ADDISON; but to shew also that the +Editor does as much to cloud the merit of this Work, as I did to set it +forth. + +Mr. TICKELL's account of its being taken up, laid down, and at last +perfected, after such long intervals and pauses, would make any one +believe, who did not know Mr. ADDISON, that it was accomplished with the +greatest pain and labour; and the issue rather of Learning and Industry +than Capacity and Genius: but I do assure you, that never Play which +could bring the author any reputation for Wit and Conduct, +notwithstanding it was so long before it was finished, employed the +Author so little a time in writing. + +If I remember right, the Fifth Act was written in less than a week's +time! For this was particular in this Writer, that when he had taken his +resolution, or made his Plan for what he designed to write; he would walk +about the room and dictate it into Language, with as much freedom and ease +as any one could write it down: and attend to the Coherence and Grammar of +what he dictated. + +I have been often thus employed by him; and never took it into my head, +though he only spoke it and I took all the pains of throwing it upon +paper, that I ought to call myself the Writer of it. + +I will put all my credit among men of Wit for the truth of my averment, +when I presume to say that no one but Mr. ADDISON was, in any other way, +the Writer of the _Drummer_. + +At the same time, I will allow, that he sent for me (which he could +always do, from his natural power over me, as much as he could send for +any of his clerks when he was Secretary of State), and told me that a +Gentleman then in the room had written a play that he was sure I would +like; but it was to be a secret: and he knew I would take as much pains, +since he recommended it, as I would for him. + + +I hope nobody will be wronged or think himself aggrieved, that I give +this rejected Work [_the Comedy of_ The Drummer _not included by TICKELL +in his collected edition of ADDISON's Works_] where I do: and if a +certain Gentleman [_TICKELL_] is injured by it, I will allow I have +wronged him upon this issue; that if the reputed translator [_TICKELL_] +of the _First Book of HOMER_ shall please to give us another _Book_, +there shall appear another good Judge in poetry, besides Mr. ALEXANDER +POPE, who shall like it! + + +But I detain you too long upon things that are too personal to myself, +and will defer giving the World a true Notion of the Character and +Talents of Mr. ADDISON, till I can speak of that amiable Gentlemen on an +occasion void of controversy. + +I shall then perhaps say many things of him which will be new even to +you, with regard to him in all parts of his Character: for which I was so +zealous, that I could not be contented with praising and adorning him as +much as lay in my own power; but was ever soliciting and putting my +friends upon the same office. + +And since the Editor [_TICKELL_] has adorned his heavy Discourse with +Prose in rhyme at the end of it, upon Mr. ADDISON's death: give me leave +to atone for this long and tedious _Epistle_, by giving after it, what I +dare say you will esteem, an excellent Poem on his marriage [_by Mr. +WELSTED_]. + +I must conclude without satisfying as strong a desire, as every man had, +of saying something remarkably handsome to the Person to whom I am +writing: for you are so good a judge, that you would find out the +Endeavourer to be witty! and therefore, as I have tired you and myself, I +will be contented with assuring you, which I do very honestly, I would +rather have you satisfied with me on this subject, than any other man +living. + +You will please pardon me, that I have, thus, laid this nice affair +before a person who has the acknowledged superiority to all others; not +only in the most excellent talents; but possessing them with an +equanimity, candour, and benevolence which render those advantages a +pleasure as great to the rest of the World as they can be to the owner of +them. And since Fame consists in the Opinion of wise and good men: you +must not blame me for taking the readiest way to baffle any Attempt upon +my Reputation, by an Address to one, whom every wise and good man looks +upon, with the greatest affection and veneration. + +I am, Sir, + +Your most obliged, most obedient, and most humble servant, + +RICHARD STEELE. + + + + +EDWARD CHAMBERLAYNE. + +_The social position of the English Established Clergy, in 1669, A.D._ + + +[_Angliae Notitia_, or the Present State of England, 1st _Ed_. 1669.] + +At present, the revenues of the English Clergy are generally very small +and insufficient: above a third of the best benefices of England, having +been anciently, by the Pope's grant, appropriated to monasteries, were on +their dissolution, made _Lay fees_; besides what hath been taken by secret +and indirect means, through corrupt compositions and compacts and customs +in many other parishes. And also many estates being wholly exempt from +paying tithes, as the lands that belonged to the Cistercian Monks, and to +the Knights Templars and Hospitallers. + +And those benefices that are free from these things are yet (besides +First Fruits and Tenths to the King, and Procurations to the Bishop) +taxed towards the charges of their respective parishes, and towards the +public charges of the nation, above and beyond the proportion of the +Laity. + + +The Bishoprics of England have been also since the latter of HENRY +VIII.'s reign, to the coming in of King JAMES, most miserably robbed and +spoiled of the greatest part of their lands and revenues. So that, at +this day [1669], a mean gentleman of £200 from land yearly, will not +change his worldly estate and condition with divers Bishops: and an +Attorney, a shopkeeper, a common artisan will hardly change theirs, with +the ordinary Pastors of the Church. + +Some few Bishoprics do yet retain a competency. Amongst which, the +Bishopric of Durham is accounted one of the chief: the yearly revenues +whereof, before the late troubles [_i.e., the Civil Wars_] were above +£6,000 [= £25,000 _now_]: of which by the late _Act for abolishing Tenures +in capite_ [1660], was lost about £2,000 yearly. + +Out of this revenue, a yearly pension of £800 is paid to the Crown, ever +since the reign of Queen ELIZABETH; who promised, in lieu thereof, so +much in Impropriations: which was never performed. + +Above £340 yearly is paid to several officers of the County Palatine of +Durham. + +The Assizes and Sessions, also, are duly kept in the Bishop's House, at +the sole charges of the Bishop. + +Also the several expenses for keeping in repair certain banks of rivers +in that Bishopric, and of several Houses belonging to the Bishopric. + +Moreover, the yearly Tenths, public taxes, the charges of going to and +waiting at Parliament, being deducted; there will remain, in ordinary +years, to the Bishop to keep hospitality, which must be great, and to +provide for those of his family, but about £1,500 [= £4,500 _now_] yearly. + +The like might be said of some other principal Bishoprics. + +The great diminution of the revenues of the Clergy, and the little care +of augmenting and defending the patrimony of the Church, is the great +reproach and shame of the English Reformation; and will, one day, prove +the ruin of Church and State. + +"It is the last trick," saith St. GREGORY, "that the Devil hath in this +world. When he cannot bring the Word and Sacraments into disgrace by +errors and heresies; he invents this project, to bring the Clergy into +contempt and low esteem." + +As it is now in England, where they are accounted by many, the Dross and +Refuse of the nation. Men think it a stain to their blood to place their +sons in that function; and women are ashamed to marry with any of them. + +It hath been observed, even by strangers, that the iniquity of the +present Times in England is such, that the English Clergy are not only +hated by the Romanists on the one side, and maligned by the Presbyterians +on the other...; but also that, of all the Christian Clergy of Europe, +whether Romish, Lutheran, or Calvinistic, none are so little _respected, +beloved, obeyed_, or _rewarded_, as the present pious, learned, loyal +Clergy of England; even by those who have always professed themselves of +that Communion. + + + + +THE GROUNDS & OCCASIONS OF THE CONTEMPT +OF THE CLERGY AND RELIGION +Enquired into. + +_In a_ LETTER _written to_ R.L. + +LONDON, +Printed by W. GODBID for N. BROOKE +at the _Angel_ in Cornhill. 1670. + + +This work is dated August 8, 1670. ANTHONY A. WOOD in his _Life_ (_Ath. +Oxon._ I. lxx. Ed. 1813), gives the following account of our Author. + +_February_ 9 [1672] A.W. went to London, and the next day he was kindly +receiv'd by Sir LIOLIN JENKYNS, in his apartment in Exeter house in the +Strand, within the city of Westminster. + +Sunday 11 [Feb. 1672], Sir LIOLIN JENKYNS took with him, in the morning, +over the water to Lambeth, A. WOOD, and after prayers, he conducted him +up to the dining rome, where archb. SHELDON received him, and gave him +his blessing. There then dined among the company, JOHN ECHARD, the author +of _The Contempt of the Clergy_, who sate at the lower end of the table +between the archbishop's two chaplaynes SAMUEL PARKER and THOMAS +THOMKINS, being the first time that the said ECHARD was introduced into +the said archbishop's company. After dinner, the archbishop went into his +withdrawing roome, and ECHARD with the chaplaynes and RALPH SNOW to their +lodgings to drink and smoak. + +[JOHN EACHARD, S.T.P., was appointed Master of Catherine Hall, Cambridge, +in 1675.] + + +_THE PREFACE TO THE READER_. + +_I can very easily fancy that many, upon the very first sight of the +title, will presently imagine that the Author does either want the Great +Tithes, lying under the pressure of some pitiful vicarage; or that he is +much out of humour, and dissatisfied with the present condition of +affairs; or, lastly, that he writes to no purpose at all, there having +been an abundance of unprofitable advisers in this kind. + +As to my being under some low Church dispensation; you may know, I write +not out of a pinching necessity, or out of any rising design. You may +please to believe that, although I have a most solemn reverence for the +Clergy in general, and especially for that of England; yet, for my own +part, I must confess to you, I am not of that holy employment; and have +as little thought of being Dean or Bishop, as they that think so, have +hopes of being all Lord Keepers. + +Nor less mistaken will they be, that shall judge me in the least +discontented, or any ways disposed to disturb the peace of the present +settled Church: for, in good truth, I have neither lost King's, nor +Bishop's lands, that should incline me to a surly and quarrelsome +complaining; as many be, who would have been glad enough to see His +Majesty restored, and would have endured Bishops daintily well, had they +lost no money by their coming in. + +I am not, I will assure you, any of those Occasional Writers, that, +missing preferment in the University, can presently write you their new +ways of Education; or being a little tormented with an ill-chosen wife, +set forth the doctrine of Divorce to be truly evangelical. + +The cause of these few sheets was honest and innocent, and as free from +all passion as any design. + +As for the last thing which I supposed objected_, viz., _that this book +is altogether needless, there having been an infinite number of Church +and Clergy-menders, that have made many tedious and unsuccessful offers: +I must needs confess, that it were very unreasonable for me to expect a +better reward. + +Only thus much, I think, with modesty may be said; that I cannot at +present call to mind anything that is propounded but what is very +hopeful, and easily accomplished. For, indeed, should I go about to tell +you, that a child can never prove a profitable Instructor of the people, +unless born when the sun is in_ Aries; _or brought up in a school that +stands full South: that he can never be able to govern a parish, unless +he can ride the great horse; or that he can never go through the great +work of the Ministry, unless for three hundred years backward it can be +proved that none of his family ever had cough, ague, or grey hair; then I +should very patiently endure to be reckoned among the vainest that ever +made attempt. + +But believe me, Reader! I am not, as you will easily see, any contriver +of an incorruptible and pure crystaline Church, or any expecter of a +reign of nothing but Saints and Worthies: but only an honest and hearty +Wisher that the best of our Clergy might, for ever, continue as they are, +rich and learned! and that the rest might be very useful and well esteemed +in their Profession!_ + + + + +THE GROUNDS & OCCASIONS OF THE CONTEMPT +OF THE CLERGY AND RELIGION +Enquired into. + + +SIR, + +That short discourse which we lately had concerning the Clergy, continues +so fresh in your mind, that, I perceive by your last, you are more than a +little troubled to observe that Disesteem that lies upon several of those +holy men. Your good wishes for the Church, I know, are very strong and +unfeigned; and your hopes of the World receiving much more advantage and +better advice from some of the Clergy, than usually it is found by +experience to do, are neither needless nor impossible. + +And as I have always been a devout admirer as well as strict observer of +your actions; so I have constantly taken a great delight to concur with +you in your very thoughts. Whereupon it is, Sir, that I have spent some +few hours upon that which was the occasion of your last letter, and the +subject of our late discourse. + +And before, Sir, I enter upon telling you what are my apprehensions; I +must most heartily profess that, for my own part, I did never think, +since at all I understood the excellency and perfection of a Church, but +that Ours, now lately Restored, as formerly Established, does far outgo, +as to all Christian ends and purposes, either the pomp and bravery of +Rome herself, or the best of Free Spiritual States [_Nonconformists_]. + +But if so be, it be allowable (where we have so undoubtedly learned and +honourable a Clergy) to suppose that some of that sacred profession might +possibly have attained to a greater degree of esteem and usefulness to the +World: then I hope what has thus long hindered so great and desirable a +blessing to the nation, may be modestly guessed at! either without giving +any wilful offence to the present Church; or any great trouble, dear Sir, +to yourself. And, if I be not very much mistaken, whatever has +heretofore, or does at present, lessen the value of our Clergy, or render +it in any degree less serviceable to the World than might be reasonably +hoped; may be easily referred to two very plain things--the IGNORANCE of +some, and the POVERTY of others of the Clergy. + + +And first, as to _the IGNORANCE of some of our Clergy_. + +If we would make a search to purpose, we must go as deep as the very +Beginnings of Education; and, doubtless, may lay a great part of our +misfortunes to the old-fashioned methods and discipline of Schooling +itself: upon the well ordering of which, although much of the improvement +of our Clergy cannot be denied mainly to depend: yet by reason this is so +well known to yourself, as also that there have been many of undoubted +learning and experience, that have set out their several models for this +purpose; I shall therefore only mention such Loss of Time and Abuse of +Youth as is most remarkable and mischievous, and as could not be +conveniently omitted in a Discourse of this nature, though ever so short. + +And first of all, it were certainly worth the considering, Whether it be +unavoidably necessary to keep lads to 16 or 17 years of age, _in pure +slavery to a few Latin or Greek words_? or Whether it may not be more +convenient, especially if we call to mind their natural inclinations to +ease and idleness, and how hardly they are persuaded of the excellency of +the liberal Arts and Sciences (any further than the smart of the last +piece of discipline is fresh in their memories), Whether, I say, it be +not more proper and beneficial to mix with those unpleasant tasks and +drudgeries, something that, in probability, might not only take much +better with them, but might also be much easier obtained? + +As, suppose some part of time was allotted them, for the reading of some +innocent English Authors! where they need not go, every line, so +unwillingly to a tormenting Dictionary, and whereby they might come in a +short time, to apprehend common sense, and to begin to judge what is +true. For you shall have lads that are arch knaves at the Nominative +Case, and that have a notable quick eye at spying out of the Verb; who, +for want of reading such common and familiar books, shall understand no +more of what is very plain and easy, than a well educated dog or horse. + +Or suppose they were taught, as they might much easier be than what is +commonly offered to them, the principles of Arithmetic, Geometry, and +such alluring parts of Learning. As these things undoubtedly would be +much more useful, so much more delightful to them, than to be tormented +with a tedious story how PHAETON broke his neck, or how many nuts and +apples TITYRUS had for his supper. + +For, most certainly, youths, if handsomely dealt with, are much +inclinable to emulation, and to a very useful esteem of glory; and more +especially, if it be the reward of knowledge: and therefore, if such +things were carefully and discreetly propounded to them, wherein they +might not only earnestly contend amongst themselves, but might also see +how far they outskill the rest of the World, a lad hereby would think +himself high and mighty; and would certainly take great delight in +contemning the next unlearned mortal he meets withal. + +But if, instead hereof, you diet him with nothing but with Rules and +Exceptions, with tiresome repetitions of _Amo_ and [Greek: _Tupto_], +setting a day also apart also to recite _verbatim_ all the burdensome +task of the foregoing week (which I am confident is usually as dreadful +as an old Parliament Fast) we must needs believe that such a one, thus +managed, will scarce think to prove immortal, by such performances and +accomplishments as these. + +You know very well, Sir, that lads in general have but a kind of ugly and +odd conception of Learning; and look upon it as such a starving thing, and +unnecessary perfection, especially as it is usually dispensed out unto +them, that Nine-pins or Span-counter are judged much more heavenly +employments! And therefore what pleasure, do we think, can such a one +take in being bound to get against breakfast, two or three hundred +Rumblers out of HOMER, in commendation of ACHILLES's toes, or the +Grecians' boots; or to have measured out to him, very early in the +morning, fifteen or twenty well laid on lashes, for letting a syllable +slip too soon, or hanging too long on it? Doubtless instant execution +upon such grand miscarriages as these, will eternally engage him to a +most admirable opinion of the Muses! + +Lads, certainly, ought to be won by all possible arts and devices: and +though many have invented fine pictures and games, to cheat them into the +undertaking of unreasonable burdens; yet this, by no means, is such a +lasting temptation as the propounding of that which in itself is pleasant +and alluring. For we shall find very many, though of no excelling +quickness, will soon perceive the design of the landscape; and so, +looking through the veil, will then begin to take as little delight in +those pretty contrivances, as in getting by heart three or four leaves of +ungayed nonsense. + +Neither seems the stratagem of Money to be so prevailing and catching, as +a right down offer of such books which are ingenious and convenient: there +being but very few so intolerably careful of their bellies, as to look +upon the hopes of a cake or a few apples, to be a sufficient recompense, +for cracking their pates with a heap of independent words. + +I am not sensible that I have said anything in disparagement of those two +famous tongues, the Greek and Latin; there being much reason to value them +beyond others, because the best of Human Learning has been delivered unto +us in those languages. But he that worships them, purely out of honour to +Rome and Athens, having little or no respect to the usefulness and +excellency of the books themselves, as many do: it is a sign he has a +great esteem and reverence of antiquity; but I think him, by no means +comparable, for happiness, to him who catches frogs or hunts butterflies. + +That some languages therefore ought to be studied is in a manner +absolutely necessary: unless all were brought to one; which would be the +happiest thing that the World could wish for! + +But whether the beginning of them might not be more insensibly instilled, +and more advantageously obtained by reading philosophical as well as other +ingenious Authors, than _Janua linguarum_, crabbed poems, and +cross-grained prose, as it has been heretofore by others: so it ought to +be afresh considered by all well-wishers, either to the Clergy or +Learning. + +I know where it is the fashion of some schools, to prescribe to a lad, +for his evening refreshment, out of COMMENIUS, all the Terms of Art +[_technical terms_] belonging to Anatomy, Mathematics, or some such piece +of Learning. Now, is it not a very likely thing, that a lad should take +most absolute delight in conquering such a pleasant task; where, perhaps, +he has two or three hundred words to keep in mind, with a very small +proportion of sense thereunto belonging: whereas the use and full meaning +of all those difficult terms would have been most insensibly obtained, by +leisurely reading in particular, this or the other science? + +Is it not also likely to be very savoury, and of comfortable use to one +that can scarce distinguish between Virtue and Vice, to be tasked with +high and moral poems? It is usually said by those that are intimately +acquainted with him, that HOMER's _Iliad_ and _Odyssey_ contain, +mystically, all the Moral Law for certain, if not a great part of the +Gospel (I suppose much after that rate that RABELAIS said his _Gargantua_ +contained all the Ten Commandments!); but perceivable only to those that +have a poetical discerning spirit: with which gift, I suppose, few at +school are so early qualified. + +Those admirable verses, Sir, of yours, both English and others, which you +have sometimes favoured me with a sight of, will not suffer me to be so +sottish as to slight and undervalue so great and noble an accomplishment. +But the committing of such high and brave sensed poems to a schoolboy +(whose main business is to search out cunningly the Antecedent and the +Relative; to lie at catch for a spruce Phrase, a Proverb, or a quaint and +pithy Sentence) is not only to very little purpose, but that having +gargled only those elegant books at school, this serves them instead of +reading them afterwards; and does, in a manner, prevent their being +further looked into. So that all improvement, whatsoever it be, that may +be reaped out of the best and choicest poets, is for the most part +utterly lost, in that a time is usually chosen of reading them, when +discretion is much wanting to gain thence any true advantage. Thus that +admirable and highly useful morality, TULLY's _Offices_, because it is a +book commonly construed at school, is generally afterwards so contemned +by Academics, that it is a long hour's work to convince them that it is +worthy of being looked into again; because they reckon it as a book read +over at school, and, no question! notably digested. + +If, therefore the ill methods of schooling do not only occasion a great +loss of time there, but also do beget in lads a very odd opinion and +apprehension of Learning, and much disposes them to be idle when they are +got a little free from the usual severities; and that the hopes of more or +less improvement in the Universities very much depend hereupon: it is, +without all doubt, the great concernment of all that wish to the Church, +that such care and regard be had to the management of schools, that the +Clergy be not so much obstructed in their first attempts and preparations +to Learning. + +I cannot, Sir, possibly be so ignorant as not to consider that what has +been now offered upon this argument, has not only been largely insisted +on by others; but also refers not particularly to the Clergy (whose +welfare and esteem, I seem at present in a special manner solicitous +about), but in general to all learned professions, and therefore might +reasonably have been omitted: which certainly I had done, had not I +called to mind that of those many that propound to themselves Learning +for a profession, there is scarce one in ten but that his lot, choice, or +necessity determines him to the study of Divinity. + +Thus, Sir, I have given you my thoughts concerning the orders and customs +of common schools. A consideration, in my apprehension, not slightly to be +weighed: being that upon which to me seems very much to depend the +learning and wisdom of the Clergy, and the prosperity of the Church. + + +The next unhappiness that seems to have hindered some of our Clergy from +arriving to that degree of understanding that becomes such a holy office, +whereby their company and discourses might be much more, than they +commonly are, valued and desired, is the inconsiderate sending of all +kinds of lads to the Universities; let their parts be ever so low and +pitiful, the instructions they have lain under ever so mean and +contemptible, and the purses of their friends ever so short to maintain +them there. If they have but the commendation of some lamentable and +pitiful Construing Master, it passes for sufficient evidence that they +will prove persons very eminent in the Church. That is to say, if a lad +has but a lusty and well bearing memory, this being the usual and almost +only thing whereby they judge of their abilities; if he can sing over +very tunably three or four stanzas of LILLY's Poetry; be very quick and +ready to tell what is Latin for all the instruments belonging to his +father's shop; if presently [_at sight_], upon the first scanning, he +knows a Spondee from a Dactyl, and can fit a few of those same, without +any sense, to his fingers' ends; if, lastly, he can say perfectly by +heart his Academic Catechism, in pure and passing Latin, _i.e._, "What is +his Name?" "Where went he to School?" and "What author is he best and +chiefly skilled in?" "A forward boy!" cries the Schoolmaster: "a very +pregnant child! Ten thousand pities, but he should be a Scholar; he +proves a brave Clergyman, I'll warrant you!" + +Away to the University he must needs go! Then for a little Logic, a +little Ethics, and, GOD knows! a very little of everything else! And the +next time you meet him, he is in the pulpit! + +Neither ought the mischief which arises from small country schools to +pass unconsidered. The little mighty Governors whereof, having, for the +most part, not sucked in above six or seven mouthsful of University air, +must yet, by all means, suppose themselves so notably furnished with all +sorts of instructions, and are so ambitious of the glory of being counted +able to send forth, now and then, to Oxford or Cambridge, from the little +house by the Churchyard's side, one of their ill-educated disciples, that +to such as these ofttimes is committed the guidance and instruction of a +whole parish: whose parts and improvements duly considered, will scarce +render them fit Governors of a small Grammar Castle. + +Not that it is necessary to believe, that there never was a learned or +useful person in the Church, but such whose education had been at +Westminster or St. Paul's. But, whereas most of the small schools, being +by their first founders designed only for the advantage of poor parish +children, and also that the stipend is usually so small and discouraging +that very few who can do much more than teach to write and read, will +accept of such preferment: for these to pretend to rig out their small +ones for a University life, proves ofttimes a very great inconvenience +and damage to the Church. + +And as many such Dismal Things are sent forth thus, with very small +tackling; so not a few are predestinated thither by their friends, from +the foresight of a good benefice. If there be rich pasture, profitable +customs, and that HENRY VIII. has taken out no toll, the Holy Land is a +very good land, and affords abundance of milk and honey! Far be it from +their consciences, the considering whether the lad is likely to be +serviceable to the Church, or to make wiser and better any of his +parishioners! + +All this may seem, at first sight, to be easily avoided by a strict +examination at the Universities; and so returning by the next carrier, +all that was sent up not fit for their purpose. But because many of their +relations are ofttimes persons of an inferior condition; and who (either +by imprudent counsellors, or else out of a tickling conceit of their sons +being, forsooth, a University Scholar) have purposely omitted all other +opportunities of a livelihood; to return such, would seem a very sharp +and severe disappointment. + +Possibly, it might be much better, if parents themselves or their +friends, would be much more wary of determining their children to the +trade of Learning. And if some of undoubted knowledge and judgement, +would offer their advice; and speak their hopes of a lad, about 13 or 14 +years of age (which, I will assure you, Sir, may be done without +conjuring!); and never omit to inquire, Whether his relations are able +and willing to maintain him seven years at the University, or see some +certain way of being continued there so long, by the help of friends or +others, as also upon no such conditions as shall, in likelihood, deprive +him of the greatest parts of his studies? + +For it is a common fashion of a great many to compliment and invite +inferior people's children to the University, and there pretend to make +such an all bountiful provision for them, as they shall not fail of +coming to a very eminent degree of Learning; but when they come there, +they shall save a servant's wages. They took therefore, heretofore, a +very good method to prevent Sizars overheating their brains. Bed-making, +chamber-sweeping, and water-fetching were doubtless great preservatives +against too much vain philosophy. Now certainly such pretended favours +and kindnesses as these, are the most right down discourtesies in the +World. For it is ten times more happy, both for the lad and the Church, +to be a corn-cutter or tooth-drawer, to make or mend shoes, or to be of +any inferior profession; than to be invited to, and promised the +conveniences of, a learned education; and to have his name only stand +airing upon the College Tables [_Notice-boards_], and his chief business +shall be, to buy eggs and butter. + +Neither ought lads' parts, before they be determined to the University, +be only considered, and the likelihood of being disappointed in their +studies; but also abilities or hopes of being maintained until they be +Masters of Arts. For whereas 200, for the most part, yearly Commence +[_Matriculate_], scarce the fifth part of these continue after their +taking the First Degree [_B.A._]. As for the rest, having exactly +learned, _Quid est Logica_? and _Quot sunt Virtutes Morales_? down they +go, by the first carrier, on the top of the pack, into the West, or +North, or elsewhere, according as their estates lie; with BURGESDICIUS, +EUSTACHIUS, and such great helps of Divinity; and then, for propagation +of the Gospel! By that time they can say the _Predicaments_ and _Creed_; +they have their choice of preaching or starving! Now what a Champion of +Truth is such a thing likely to be! What a huge blaze he makes in the +Church! What a Raiser of Doctrines! What a Confounder of Heresies! What +an able Interpreter of hard Places! What a Resolver of Cases of +Conscience! and what a prudent guide must he needs be to all his parish! + +You may possibly think, Sir, that this so early preaching might be easily +avoided, by withholding Holy Orders; the Church having very prudently +constituted in her _Canons_, that none under twenty-three years of age, +which is the usual age after seven years being at the University, should +be admitted to that great employment. + +This indeed might seem to do some service, were it carefully observed; +and were there not a thing to be got, called a _Dispensation_, which will +presently [_at once_] make you as old as you please. + +But if you will, Sir, we will suppose that Orders were strictly denied to +all, unless qualified according to _Canon_, I cannot foresee any other +remedy but that most of those University youngsters must fall to the +parish, and become a town charge until they be of spiritual age. For +Philosophy is a very idle thing, when one is cold! and a small _System of +Divinity_, though it be WOLLEBIUS himself, is not sufficient when one is +hungry! + +What then shall we do with them? and where shall we dispose of them, +until they come to a holy ripeness? + +May we venture them into the Desk to read _Service_? That cannot be, +because not capable! Besides, the tempting Pulpit usually stands too +near. Or shall we trust them in some good Gentleman's house, there to +perform holy things? With all my heart! so that they may not be called +down from their studies to say Grace to every Health; that they may have +a little better wages than the Cook or Butler; as also that there be a +Groom in the house, besides the Chaplain (for sometimes to the £10 a +year, they crowd [in] the looking after couple of geldings): and that he +may not be sent from table, picking his teeth, and sighing with his hat +under his arm; whilst the Knight and my Lady eat up the tarts and +chickens! + +It may be also convenient, if he were suffered to speak now and then in +the Parlour, besides at Grace and Prayer time; and that my cousin ABIGAIL +and he sit not too near one another at meals, nor be presented together to +the little vicarage! + +All this, Sir, must be thought on! For, in good earnest, a person at all +thoughtful of himself and conscience, had much better choose to live with +nothing but beans and pease pottage, so that he might have the command of +his thoughts and time; than to have his Second and Third Courses, and to +obey the unreasonable humours of some families. + +And as some think two or three years' continuance in the University, to +be time sufficient for being very great Instruments in the Church: so +others we have, so moderate as to count that a solemn admission and a +formal paying of College Detriments, without the trouble of Philosophical +discourses, disputations, and the like, are virtues that will influence as +far as Newcastle, and improve though at ever such a distance. + +So strangely possessed are people in general, with the easiness and small +preparation that are requisite to the undertaking of the Ministry, that +whereas in other professions, they plainly see, what considerable time is +spent before they have any hopes of arriving to skill enough to practise +with any confidence what they have designed; yet to preach to ordinary +people, and govern a country parish, is usually judged such an easy +performance, that anybody counts himself fit for the employment. We find +very few so unreasonably confident of their parts, as to profess either +Law or Physic, without either a considerable continuance in some of the +Inns of Courts, or an industrious search in herbs, Anatomy, Chemistry, +and the like, unless it be only to make a bond [_bandage_] or give a +glyster [_an injection_]. But as for "the knack of Preaching" as they +call it, that is such a very easy attainment, that he is counted dull to +purpose, that is not able, at a very small warning, to fasten upon any +text of Scripture, and to tear and tumble it, till the glass [_the +hourglass on the pulpit_] be out. + +Many, I know very well, are forced to discontinue [_at College_], having +neither stock [_capital_] of their own, nor friends to maintain them in +the University. But whereas a man's profession and employment in this +world is very much in his own, or in the choice of such who are most +nearly concerned for him; he therefore, that foresees that he is not +likely to have the advantage of a continued education, he had much better +commit himself to an approved-of cobbler or tinker, wherein he may be duly +respected according to his office and condition of life; than to be only a +disesteemed pettifogger or empiric in Divinity. + +By this time, Sir, I hope you begin to consider what a great disadvantage +it has been to the Church and Religion, the mere venturous and +inconsiderate determining of Youths to the profession of Learning. + +There is still one thing, by very few, at all minded, that ought also not +to be overlooked: and that is, a good constitution and health of body. And +therefore discreet and wise physicians ought also to be consulted, before +an absolute resolve be made to live the Life of the Learned. For he that +has strength enough to buy and bargain, may be of a very unfit habit of +body to sit still so much, as, in general, is requisite to a competent +degree of Learning. For although reading and thinking break neither legs +nor arms; yet, certainly, there is nothing that flags the spirits, +disorders the blood, and enfeebles the whole body of Man, as intense +studies. + +As for him that rives blocks or carries packs, there is no great expense +of parts, no anxiety of mind, no great intellectual pensiveness. Let him +but wipe his forehead, and he is perfectly recovered! But he that has +many languages to remember, the nature of almost the whole world to +consult, many histories, Fathers, and Councils to search into; if the +fabric of his body be not strong and healthful, you will soon find him as +thin as a piece of metaphysics, and look as piercing as a School subtilty. + +This, Sir, could not be conveniently omitted; not only because many are +very careless in this point, and, at a venture, determine their young +relations to Learning: but because, for the most part, if, amongst many, +there be but one of all the family that is weak and sickly, that is +languishing and consumptive; this, of all the rest, as counted not fit +for any coarse employment, shall be picked out as a Choice Vessel for the +Church! Whereas, most evidently, he is much more able to dig daily in the +mines, than to set cross-legged, musing upon his book. + +I am very sensible, how obvious it might be, here, to hint that this so +curious and severe Inquiry would much hinder the practice, and abate the +flourishing of the Universities: as also, there have been several, and +are still, many Living Creatures in the world, who, whilst young, being +of a very slow and meek apprehension, have yet afterward cheered up into +a great briskness, and become masters of much reason. And others there +have been, who, although forced to a short continuance in the University, +and that ofttimes interrupted by unavoidable services, have yet, by +singular care and industry, proved very famous in their generation. And +lastly, some also, of very feeble and crazy constitutions in their +childhood, have out-studied their distempers, and have become very +healthful and serviceable in the Church. + +As for the flourishing, Sir, of the Universities--what has been before +said, aims not in the least at Gentlemen, whose coming thither is chiefly +for the hopes of single [_personal_] improvement; and whose estates do +free them from the necessity of making a gain of Arts and Sciences: but +only at such as intend to make Learning their profession, as well as +[their] accomplishment. So that our Schools may be still as full of +flourishings, of fine clothes, rich gowns, and future benefactors, as +ever. + +And suppose we do imagine, as it is necessary we should, that the number +should be a little lessened; this surely will not abate the true +splendour of a University in any man's opinion, but his who reckons the +flourishing thereof, rather from the multitude of mere gowns than from +the Ingenuity and Learning of those that wear them: no more than we have +reason to count the flourishing of the Church from that vast number of +people that crowd into Holy Orders, rather than from those learned and +useful persons that defend her Truths, and manifest her Ways. + +But I say, I do not see any perfect necessity that our Schools should +hereupon be thinned and less frequented: having said nothing against the +Multitude, but the _indiscreet choice_. If therefore, instead of such, +either of inferior parts or a feeble constitution, or of unable friends; +there were picked out those that were of a tolerable ingenuity [_natural +capacity_], of a study-bearing body, and had good hopes of being +continued; as hence there is nothing to hinder our Universities from +being full, so likewise from being of great credit and learning. + +Not to deny, then, but that, now and then, there has been a lad of very +submissive parts, and perhaps no great share of time allowed him for his +studies, who has proved, beyond all expectation, brave and glorious: yet, +surely, we are not to over-reckon this so rare a hit, as to think that one +such proving lad should make recompense and satisfaction for those many +"weak ones," as the common people love to phrase them, that are in the +Church. And that no care ought to be taken, no choice made, no +maintenance provided or considered; because (now and then in an Age) one, +miraculously, beyond all hopes, proves learned and useful; is a practice, +whereby never greater mischiefs and disesteem have been brought upon the +Clergy. + +I have, in short, Sir, run over what seemed to me, the First Occasions of +that Small Learning that is to be found amongst some of the Clergy. I +shall now pass from Schooling to the Universities. + +I am not so unmindful of that devotion which I owe to those places, nor +of that great esteem I profess to have of the Guides and Governors +thereof, as to go about to prescribe new Forms and Schemes of Education; +where Wisdom has laid her top-stone. Neither shall I here examine which +Philosophy, the Old or New, makes the best sermons. It is hard to say, +that exhortations can be to _no_ purpose, if the preacher believes that +the earth turns round! or that his reproofs can take _no_ effect, unless +he will suppose a vacuum! There have been good sermons, no question! made +in the days of _Materia Prima_ and Occult Qualities: and there are, +doubtless, still good discourses now, under the reign of Atoms. + +There are but two things, wherein I count the Clergy chiefly concerned, +as to University Improvements, that, at present, I shall make Inquiry +into. + +And the first is this: Whether or not it were not highly useful, +especially for the Clergy who are supposed to speak English to the +people, that _English Exercises were imposed upon lads_, if not in Public +Schools, yet at least privately. Not but that I am abundantly satisfied +that Latin (O Latin! it is the all in all! and the very cream of the +jest!); as also, that Oratory is the same in all languages, the same +rules being observed, the same method, the same arguments and arts of +persuasion: but yet, it seems somewhat beyond the reach of ordinary youth +so to apprehend those general Laws as to make a just and allowable use of +them in all languages, unless exercised particularly in them. + +Now we know the language that the very learned part of this nation must +trust to live by, unless It be to make a bond [_bandage_] or prescribe a +purge (which possibly may not oblige or work so well in any other +language as Latin) is the English: and after a lad has taken his leave of +Madame University, GOD bless him! he is not likely to deal afterwards with +much Latin; unless it be to checker [_variegate_] a sermon, or to say +_Salveto_! to some travelling _Dominatio vestra_. Neither is it enough to +say, that the English is the language with which we are swaddled and +rocked asleep; and therefore there needs none of this artificial and +superadded care. For there be those that speak very well, plainly, and to +the purpose; and yet write most pernicious and fantastical stuff: thinking +that whatsoever is written must be more than ordinary, must be beyond the +guise [_manner_] of common speech, must savour of reading and Learning, +though it be altogether needless, and perfectly ridiculous. + +Neither ought we to suppose it sufficient that English books be +frequently read, because there be of all sorts, good and bad; and the +worst are likely to be admired by Youth more than the best: unless +Exercises be required of lads; whereby it may be guessed what their +judgement is, where they be mistaken, and what authors they propound to +themselves for imitation. For by this means, they may be corrected and +advised early, according as occasion shall require: which, if not done, +their ill style will be so confirmed, their improprieties of speech will +become so natural, that it will be a very hard matter to stir or alter +their fashion of writing. + +It is very curious to observe what delicate letters, your young students +write! after they have got a little smack of University learning. In what +elaborate heights, and tossing nonsense, will they greet a right down +English father, or country friend! If there be a plain word in it, and +such as is used at home, this "tastes not," say they, "of education among +philosophers!" and is counted damnable duncery and want of fancy. Because +"Your loving friend" or "humble servant" is a common phrase in country +letters; therefore the young Epistler is "Yours, to the Antipodes!" or at +least "to the Centre of the earth!": and because ordinary folks "love" and +"respect" you; therefore you are to him, "a Pole Star!" "a Jacob's Staff!" +"a Loadstone!" and "a damask Rose!" + +And the misery of it is, that this pernicious accustomed way of +expression does not only, ofttimes, go along with them to their benefice, +but accompanies them to the very grave. + +And, for the most part, an ordinary cheesemonger or plum-seller, that +scarce[ly] ever heard of a University, shall write much better sense, and +more to the purpose than these young philosophers, who injudiciously +hunting only for great words, make themselves learnedly ridiculous. + +Neither can it be easily apprehended, how the use of English Exercises +should any ways hinder the improvement in the Latin tongue; but rather be +much to its advantage: and this may be easily believed, considering what +dainty stuff is usually produced for a Latin entertainment! Chicken broth +is not thinner than that which is commonly offered for a Piece of most +pleading and convincing Sense! + +For, I will but suppose an Academic youngster to be put upon a Latin +Oration. Away he goes presently to his magazine of collected phrases! He +picks out all the Glitterings he can find. He hauls in all Proverbs, +"Flowers," Poetical snaps [_snatches_], Tales out of the _Dictionary_, or +else ready Latined to his hand, out of LYCOSTHENES. + +This done, he comes to the end of the table, and having made a submissive +leg [_made a submissive bow_] and a little admired [_gazed at_] the +number, and understanding countenances of his auditors: let the subject +be what it will, he falls presently into a most lamentable complaint of +his insufficiency and tenuity [_slenderness_] that he, poor thing! "hath +no acquaintance with above a Muse and a half!" and "that he never drank +above six quarts of Helicon!" and you "have put him here upon such a +task" (perhaps the business is only, Which is the nobler creature, a Flea +or a Louse?) "that would much better fit some old soaker at Parnassus, +than his sipping unexperienced bibbership." Alas, poor child! he is +"sorry, at the very soul! that he has no better speech! and wonders in +his heart, that you will lose so much time as to hear him! for he has +neither squibs nor fireworks, stars nor glories! The cursed carrier lost +his best Book of Phrases; and the malicious mice and rats eat up all his +_Pearls_ and _Golden Sentences_." + +Then he tickles over, a little, the skirts of the business. By and by, +for similitude from the Sun and Moon, or if they be not at leisure, from +"the grey-eyed Morn," or "a shady grove," or "a purling stream." + +This done, he tells you that "_Barnaby Bright_ would be much too short, +for him to tell you all that he could say": and so, "fearing he should +break the thread of your patience," he concludes. + +Now it seems, Sir, very probable, that if lads did but first of all, +determine in English what they intended to say in Latin; they would, of +themselves, soon discern the triflingness of such Apologies, the +pitifulness of their Matter, and the impertinency of their Tales and +Fancies: and would (according to their subject, age, and parts) offer +that which would be much more manly, and towards tolerable sense. + +And if I may tell you, Sir, what I really think, most of that +ridiculousness, of those phantastical phrases, harsh and sometimes +blasphemous metaphors, abundantly foppish similitudes, childish and empty +transitions, and the like, so commonly uttered out of pulpits, and so +fatally redounding to the discredit of the Clergy, may, in a great +measure, be charged upon the want of that, which we have here so much +contended for. + +The second Inquiry that may be made is this: _Whether or not Punning, +Quibbling, and that which they call Joquing_ [joking], _and such +delicacies of Wit_, highly admired in some Academic Exercises, _might not +be very conveniently omitted_? + +For one may desire but to know this one thing: In what Profession shall +that sort of Wit prove of advantage? As for Law, where nothing but the +most reaching subtility and the closest arguing is allowed of; it is not +to be imagined that blending now and then a piece of a dry verse, and +wreathing here and there an odd Latin Saying into a dismal jingle, should +give Title to an estate, or clear out an obscure evidence! And as little +serviceable can it be to Physic, which is made up of severe Reason and +well tried Experiments! + +And as for Divinity, in this place I shall say no more, but that those +usually that have been Rope Dancers in the Schools, ofttimes prove Jack +Puddings in the Pulpit. + +For he that in his youth has allowed himself this liberty of Academic +Wit; by this means he has usually so thinned his judgement, becomes so +prejudiced against sober sense, and so altogether disposed to trifling +and jingling; that, so soon as he gets hold of a text, he presently +thinks he has catched one of his old School Questions; and so falls a +flinging it out of one hand into another! tossing it this way, and that! +lets it run a little upon the line, then "_tanutus_! high jingo! come +again!" here catching at a word! there lie nibbling and sucking at an +_and_, a _by_, a _quis_ or a _quid_, a _sic_ or a _sicut_! and thus +minces the Text so small that his parishioners, until he _rendezvous_ +[_reassemble_] it again, can scarce tell, what is become of it. + +But "Shall we debar Youth of such an innocent and harmless recreation, of +such a great quickener of Parts and promoter of sagacity?" + +As for the first, its innocency of being allowed of for a time; I am so +far from that persuasion that, from what has been before hinted, I count +it perfectly contagious! and as a thing that, for the most part, infects +the whole life, and influences most actions! For he that finds himself to +have the right knack of letting off a joque, and of pleasing the Humsters; +he is not only very hardly brought off from admiring those goodly +applauses, and heavenly shouts; but it is ten to one! if he directs not +the whole bent of his studies to such idle and contemptible books as +shall only furnish him with materials for a laugh; and so neglects all +that should inform his Judgement and Reason, and make him a man of sense +and reputation in this world. + +And as for the pretence of making people sagacious, and pestilently +witty; I shall only desire that the nature of that kind of Wit may be +considered! which will be found to depend upon some such fooleries as +these-- + + As, first of all, the lucky ambiguity of some word or sentence. + O, what a happiness is it! and how much does a youngster count + himself beholden to the stars! that should help him to such a + taking jest! And whereas there be so many thousand words in the + World, and that he should luck upon the right one! that was so + very much to his purpose, and that at the explosion, made such a + goodly report! + + Or else they rake LILLY's _Grammar_; and if they can but find two + or three letters of any name in any of the _Rules_ or _Examples_ + of that good man's Works; it is as very a piece of Wit as any has + passed in the Town since the King came in [1660]! + + O, how the Freshmen will skip, to hear one of those lines well + laughed at, that they have been so often yerked [_chided_] for! + +It is true, such things as these go for Wit so long as they continue in +Latin; but what dismally shrimped things would they appear, if turned +into English! And if we search into what was, or might be pretended; we +shall find the advantages of Latin-Wit to be very small and slender, when +it comes into the World. I mean not only among strict Philosophers and Men +of mere Notions, or amongst all-damning and illiterate HECTORS; but +amongst those that are truly ingenious and judicious Masters of Fancy. We +shall find that a quotation out of _Qui mihi_, an Axiom out of Logic, a +Saying of a Philosopher, or the like, though managed with some quickness +and applied with some seeming ingenuity, will not, in our days, pass, or +be accepted, for Wit. + +For we must know that, as we are now in an Age of great Philosophers and +Men of Reason, so of great quickness and fancy! and that Greek and Latin, +which heretofore (though never so impertinently fetched in) was counted +admirable, because it had a learned twang; yet, now, such stuff, being +out of fashion, is esteemed but very bad company! + +For the World is now, especially in discourse, for One Language! and he +that has somewhat in his mind of Greek and Latin, is requested, +now-a-days, "to be civil, and translate it into English, for the benefit +of the company!" And he that has made it his whole business to accomplish +himself for the applause of boys, schoolmasters, and the easiest of +Country Divines; and has been shouldered out of the Cockpit for his Wit: +when he comes into the World, is the most likely person to be kicked out +of the company, for his pedantry and overweening opinion of himself. + +And, were it necessary, it is an easy matter to appeal to Wits, both +ancient and modern, that (beyond all controversy) have been sufficiently +approved of, that never, I am confident! received their improvements by +employing their time in Puns and Quibbles. There is the prodigious +LUCIAN, the great Don [_QUIXOTE_] of Mancha; and there are many now +living, Wits of our own, who never, certainly, were at all inspired from +a _Tripus_'s, _Terras-filius_'s, or _Praevarecator_'s speech. + +I have ventured, Sir, thus far, not to find fault with; but only to +inquire into an ancient custom or two of the Universities; wherein the +Clergy seem to be a little concerned, as to their education there. + + +I shall now look on them as beneficed, and consider their preaching. +Wherein I pretend to give no rules, having neither any gift at it, nor +authority to do it: but only shall make some conjectures at those useless +and ridiculous things commonly uttered in pulpits, that are generally +disgusted [_disliked_], and are very apt to bring contempt upon the +preacher, and that religion which he professes. + +Amongst the first things that seem to be useless, may be reckoned _the +high tossing and swaggering preaching_, either mountingly eloquent, or +profoundly learned. For there be a sort of Divines, who, if they but +happen of an unlucky hard word all the week, they think themselves not +careful of their flock, if they lay it not up till Sunday, and bestow it +amongst them, in their next preachment. Or if they light upon some +difficult and obscure notion, which their curiosity inclines them to be +better acquainted with, how useless soever! nothing so frequent as for +them, for a month or two months together, to tear and tumble this +doctrine! and the poor people, once a week, shall come and gaze upon them +by the hour, until they preach themselves, as they think, into a right +understanding. + +Those that are inclinable to make these useless speeches to the people; +they do it, for the most part, upon one of these two considerations. +Either out of simple phantastic glory, and a great studiousness of being +wondered at; as if getting into the pulpit were a kind of Staging +[_acting_]; where nothing was to be considered but how much the sermon +takes! and how much stared at! Or else, they do this to gain a respect +and reverence from their people: "who," say they, "are to be puzzled now +and then, and carried into the clouds! For if the Minister's words be +such as the Constable uses; his matter plain and practical, such as comes +to the common market; he may pass possibly for an honest and well-meaning +man, but by no means for any scholar! Whereas if he springs forth, now +and then, in high raptures towards the uppermost heavens; dashing, here +and there, an all-confounding word! if he soars aloft in unintelligible +huffs! preaches points deep and mystical, and delivers them as darkly and +phantastically! this is the way," say they, "of being accounted a most +able and learned Instructor." + +Others there be, whose parts stand not so much towards Tall Words and +Lofty Notions, but consist in scattering up and down and besprinkling all +their sermons with plenty of Greek and Latin. And because St. PAUL, once +or so, was pleased to make use of a little heathen Greek; and that only, +when he had occasion to discourse with some of the learned ones that well +understood him: therefore must they needs bring in twenty Poets and +Philosophers, if they can catch them, into an hour's talk [_evidently the +ordinary length of a sermon at this time, see_ pp. 259, 313]; spreading +themselves in abundance of Greek and Latin, to a company, perhaps, of +farmers and shepherds. + +Neither will they rest there, but have at the Hebrew also! not contenting +themselves to tell the people in general, that they "have skill in the +Text, and the exposition they offer, agrees with the Original"; but must +swagger also over the poor parishioners, with the dreadful Hebrew itself! +with their BEN-ISRAELS! BEN-MANASSES! and many more BENS that they are +intimately acquainted with! whereas there is nothing in the church, or +near it by a mile, that understands them, but GOD Almighty! whom, it is +supposed, they go not about to inform or satisfy. + +This learned way of talking, though, for the most part, it is done merely +out of ostentation: yet, sometimes (which makes not the case much better), +it is done in compliment and civility to the all-wise Patron, or +all-understanding Justice of the Peace in the parish; who, by the common +farmers of the town, must be thought to understand the most intricate +notions, and the most difficult languages. + +Now, what an admirable thing this is! Suppose there should be one or so, +in the whole church, that understands somewhat besides English: shall I +not think that he understands that better? Must I (out of courtship to +his Worship and Understanding; and because, perhaps, I am to dine with +him) prate abundance of such stuff, which, I must needs know, nobody +understands, or that will be the better for it but himself, and perhaps +scarcely he? + +This, I say, because I certainly know several of that disposition: who, +if they chance to have a man of any learning or understanding more than +the rest in the parish, preach wholly at him! and level most of their +discourses at his supposed capacity; and the rest of the good people +shall have only a handsome gaze or view of the parson! As if plain words, +useful and intelligible instructions were not as good for an Esquire, or +one that is in Commission from the King, as for him that holds the plough +or mends hedges. + +Certainly he that considers the design of his Office, and has a +conscience answerable to that holy undertaking, must needs conceive +himself engaged, not only to mind this or that accomplished or +well-dressed person, but must have a universal care and regard of all his +parish. And as he must think himself bound, not only to visit down beds +and silken curtains, but also flocks and straw [_mattresses_], if there +be need: so ought his care to be as large to instruct the poor, the weak, +and despicable part of his parish, as those that sit in the best pews. He +that does otherwise, thinks not at all of a man's soul: but only +accommodates himself to fine clothes, an abundance of ribbons, and the +highest seat in the church; not thinking that it will be as much to his +reward in the next worlds by sober advice, care, and instruction, to have +saved one that takes collection [_alms_] as him that is able to relieve +half the town. It is very plain that neither our Saviour, when he was +upon earth and taught the World, made any such distinction in his +discourses. What is more intelligible to all mankind than his _Sermon +upon the Mount_! Neither did the Apostles think of any such way. I +wonder, whom they take for a pattern! + +I will suppose once again, that the design of these persons is to gain +glory: and I shall ask them, Can there be any greater in the world, than +doing general good? To omit future reward, Was it not always esteemed of +old, that correcting evil practices, reducing people that lived amiss, +was much better than making a high rant about a shuttlecock, and talking +_tara-tantara_ about a feather? Or if they would be only admired, then +would I gladly have them consider, What a thin and delicate kind of +admiration is likely to be produced, by that which is not at all +understood? Certainly, that man has a design of building up to himself +real fame in good earnest, by things well laid and spoken: his way to +effect it is not by talking staringly, and casting a mist before the +people's eyes; but by offering such things by which he may be esteemed, +with knowledge and understanding. + +Thus far concerning Hard Words, High Notions, and Unprofitable Quotations +out of learned languages. + +I shall now consider such things _as are ridiculous_, that serve for +chimney and market talk, after the sermon be done; and that do cause, +more immediately, the preacher to be scorned and undervalued. + +I have no reason, Sir, to go about to determine what style or method is +best for the improvement and advantage of _all_ people. For, I question +not but there have been as many several sorts of Preachers as Orators; +and though very different, yet useful and commendable in their kind. +TULLY takes very deservedly with many, SENECA with others, and CATO, no +question! said things wisely and well. So, doubtless, the same place of +Scripture may by several, be variously considered: and although their +method and style be altogether different, yet they may all speak things +very convenient for the people to know and be advised of. But yet, +certainly, what is most undoubtedly useless and empty, or what is judged +absolutely ridiculous, not by this or that curious or squeamish auditor, +but by every man in the Corporation that understands but plain English +and common sense, ought to be avoided. For all people are naturally born +with such a judgement of true and allowable Rhetoric, that is, of what is +decorous and convenient to be spoken, that whatever is grossly otherwise +is usually ungrateful, not only to the wise and skilful part of the +congregation, but shall seem also ridiculous to the very unlearned +tradesmen [_mechanics_] and their young apprentices. Amongst which, may +be chiefly reckoned these following, _harsh Metaphors, childish +Similitudes_, and _ill-applied Tales_. + +The first main thing, I say, that makes many sermons so ridicuous, and +the preachers of them so much disparaged and undervalued, is _an +inconsiderate use of frightful Metaphors_: which making such a remarkable +impression upon the ears, and leaving such a jarring twang behind them, +are oftentimes remembered to the discredit of the Minister as long as he +continues in the parish. + +I have heard the very children in the streets, and the little boys close +about the fire, refresh themselves strangely but with the repetition of a +few of such far-fetched and odd sounding expressions. TULLY, therefore, +and CAESAR, the two greatest masters of Roman eloquence, were very wary +and sparing of that sort of Rhetoric. We may read many a page in their +works before we meet with any of those bears; and if you do light upon +one or so, it shall not make your hair stand right up! or put you into a +fit of convulsions! but it shall be so soft, significant, and familiar, +as if it were made for the very purpose. + +But as for the common sort of people that are addicted to this sort of +expression in their discourses; away presently to both the Indies! rake +heaven and earth! down to the bottom of the sea! then tumble over all +Arts and Sciences! ransack all shops and warehouses! spare neither camp +nor city, but that they will have them! So fond are such deceived ones of +these same gay words, that they count all discourses empty, dull, and +cloudy; unless bespangled with these glitterings. Nay, so injudicious and +impudent together will they sometimes be, that the Almighty Himself is +often in danger of being dishonoured by these indiscreet and horrid +Metaphor-mongers. And when they thus blaspheme the God of Heaven by such +unhallowed expressions; to make amends, they will put you in an "As it +were" forsooth! or "As I may so say," that is, they will make bold to +speak what they please concerning GOD Himself, rather than omit what they +judge, though never so falsely, to be witty. And then they come in +hobbling with their lame submission, and with their "reverence be it +spoken": as if it were not much better to leave out what they foresee is +likely to be interpreted for blasphemy, or at least great extravagancy; +than to utter that, for which their own reason and conscience tell them, +they are bound to lay in beforehand an excuse. + +To which may be further subjoined, that Metaphors, though very apt and +allowable, are intelligible but to some sorts of men, of this or that +kind of life, of this or that profession. + +For example, perhaps one Gentleman's metaphorical knack of preaching +comes of the sea; and then we shall hear of nothing but "starboard" and +"larboard," of "stems," "sterns," and "forecastles," and such salt-water +language: so that one had need take a voyage to Smyrna or Aleppo, and +very warily attend to all the sailors' terms, before I shall in the least +understand my teacher. Now, though such a sermon may possibly do some good +in a coast town; yet upward into the country, in an inland parish, it will +do no more than Syriac or Arabic. + +Another, he falls a fighting with his text, and makes a pitched battle of +it, dividing it into the Right Wing and Left Wing; then he _rears_ it! +_flanks_ it! _intrenches_ it! _storms_ it! and then he _musters_ all +again! to see what word was lost or lamed in the skirmish: and so falling +on again, with fresh valour, he fights backward and forward! charges +through and through! routs! kills! takes! and then, "Gentlemen! as you +were!" Now to such of his parish as have been in the late wars, this is +not very formidable; for they do but suppose themselves at Edgehill or +Naseby, and they are not much scared at his doctrine: but as for others, +who have not had such fighting opportunities, it is very lamentable to +consider how shivering they sit without understanding, till the battle be +over! + +Like instance might be easily given of many more discourses, the +metaphorical phrasing whereof, depending upon peculiar arts, customs, +trades, and professions, makes them useful and intelligible only to such, +who have been very well busied in such like employments. + +Another thing, Sir, that brings great disrespect and mischief upon the +Clergy, and that differs not much from what went immediately before, is +their _packing their sermons so full of Similitudes_; which, all the +World knows, carry with them but very small force of argument, unless +there be _an exact agreement with that which is compared_, of which there +is very seldom any sufficient care taken. + +Besides, those that are addicted to this slender way of discourse, for +the most part, do so weaken and enfeeble their judgement, by contenting +themselves to understand by colours, features, and glimpses; that they +perfectly omit all the more profitable searching into the nature and +causes of things themselves. By which means, it necessarily comes to +pass, that what they undertake to prove and clear out to the +Congregation, must needs be so faintly done, and with such little force +of argument, that the conviction or persuasion will last no longer in the +parishioners' minds, than the warmth of those similitudes shall glow in +their fancy. So that he that has either been instructed in some part of +his duty, or excited to the performance of the same, not by any judicious +dependence of things, and lasting reason; but by such faint and toyish +evidence: his understanding, upon all occasions, will be as apt to be +misled as ever, and his affections as troublesome and ungovernable. + +But they are not so Unserviceable, as, usually, they are Ridiculous. For +people of the weakest parts are most commonly overborn with these +fooleries; which, together with the great difficulty of their being +prudently managed, must needs occasion them, for the most part, to be +very trifling and childish. + +Especially, if we consider the choiceness of the authors out of which +they are furnished. There is the never-to-be-commended-enough +LYCOSTHENES. There is also the admirable piece [by FRANCIS MERES] called +the _Second Part of Wits Commonwealth_ [1598]: I pray mind it! it is the +_Second Part_, and not the _First_! And there is, besides, a book wholly +consisting of Similitudes [? JOHN SPENCER's _Things New and Old, or a +Storehouse of Similies, Sentences, Allegories, &c._, 1658] applied and +ready fitted to most preaching subjects, for the help of young beginners, +who sometimes will not make them hit handsomely. + +It is very well known that such as are possessed with an admiration of +such eloquence, think that they are very much encouraged in their way by +the Scripture itself. "For," say they, "did not our blessed Saviour +himself use many metaphors and many parables? and did not his disciples, +following his so excellent an example, do the like? And is not this, not +only warrant enough, but near upon a command to us so to do?" + +If you please, therefore, we will see what our Saviour does in this case. +In _St. Matthew_ he tells his disciples, that "they are the salt of the +earth," that "they are the light of the world," that "they are a city set +on a hill." Furthermore, he tells his Apostles, that "he sends them forth +as sheep in the midst of wolves;" and bids them therefore "be as wise as +serpents, and harmless as doves." Now, are not all these things plain and +familiar, even almost to children themselves, that can but taste and see; +and to men of the lowest education and meanest capacities! + +I shall not here insist upon those special and admirable reasons for +which our Saviour made use of so many parables. Only thus much is needful +to be said, namely, that they are very much mistaken, that, from hence, +think themselves tolerated to turn all the world into frivolous and +abominable similitudes. + +As for our Saviour, when he spoke a parable, he was pleased to go no +further than the fields, the seashore, a garden, a vineyard, or the like; +which are things, without the knowledge whereof, scarcely any man can be +supposed to live in this world. + +But as for our Metaphorical- and Similitude-Men of the Pulpit, these +things to them, are too still and languid! they do not rattle and rumble! +These lie too near home, and within vulgar ken! There is little on this +side the moon that will content them! Up, presently, to the _Primum +Mobile_, and the Trepidation of the Firmament! Dive into the bowels and +hid treasures of the earth! Despatch forthwith, for Peru and Jamaica! A +town bred or country bred similitude is worth nothing! + + "It is reported of a tree growing upon the bank of Euphrates, the + great river Euphrates! that it brings forth an Apple, to the eye + very fair and tempting; but inwardly it is filled with nothing + but useless and deceiving dust. Even so, dust we are; and to dust + we must all go!" + +Now, what a lucky discovery was this, that a man's Body should be so +exactly like an Apple! And, I will assure you that this was not thought +on, till within these few years! + +And I am afraid, too, he had a kind of a hint of this, from another who +had formerly found out that a man's + + Soul was like an Oyster. For, says he in his prayer, "Our souls + are constantly gaping after thee, O LORD! yea, verily, our souls + do gape, even as an oyster gapeth!" + +It seems pretty hard, at first sight, to bring into a sermon all the +Circles of the Globe and all the frightful terms of Astronomy; but I will +assure you, Sir, it is to be done! because it has been. But not by every +bungler and ordinary text-divider; but by a man of great cunning and +experience. + + There is a place in the prophet _Malachi_, where it will do very + nicely, and that is chapter iv. ver. 2, "But unto you, that fear + my Name, shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in his + wings." From which words, in the first place, it plainly appears + that our Saviour passed through all the twelve signs of the + Zodiac; and more than that too, all proved by very apt and + familiar places of Scripture. + + First, then, our Saviour was in _Aries_. Or else, what means that + of the Psalmist, "The mountains skipped like rams, and the little + hills like lambs!"? And again, that in Second of the _Kings_, + chap. iii. ver. 4, "And MESHA, King of Moab, was a sheep master, + and rendered unto the King of Israel an hundred thousand lambs," + and what follows, "and an hundred thousand rams, with the wool!" + Mind it! it was the King of Israel! + + In like manner, was he in _Taurus. Psalm_ xxii. 12. "Many bulls + have compassed me! Strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round!" + They were not ordinary bulls. They were _compassing_ bulls! they + were _besetting_ bulls! they were _strong Bashan_ bulls! + + What need I speak of _Gemini_? Surely you cannot but remember + ESAU and JACOB! _Genesis_ xxv. 24. "And when her days to be + delivered were fulfilled, behold there were Twins in her womb!" + + Or of _Cancer_? when, as the Psalmist says so plainly, "What + ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan! that + thou wast driven back?" Nothing more plain! + + It were as easy to shew the like in all the rest of the Signs. + + But instead of that, I shall rather choose to make this one + practical Observation. That the mercy of GOD to mankind in + sending His Son into the world, was a very _signal_ mercy. It was + a _zodiacal_ mercy! I say it was truly zodiacal; for CHRIST keeps + within the Tropics! He goes not out of the Pale of the Church; + but yet he is not always at the same distance from a believer. + Sometimes he withdraws himself into the _apogaeum_ of doubt, + sorrow, and despair; but then he comes again into the _perigaeum_ + of joy, content, and assurance; but as for heathens and + unbelievers, they are all arctic and antarctic reprobates! + +Now when such stuff as this, as sometimes it is, is vented in a poor +parish, where people can scarce tell, what day of the month it is by the +Almanack? how seasonable and savoury it is likely to be! + +It seems also not very easy for a man in his sermon to learn [_teach_] +his parishioners how to dissolve gold, of what, and how the stuff is +made. Now, to ring the bells and call the people on purpose together, +would be but a blunt business; but to do it neatly, and when nobody +looked for it, that is the rarity and art of it! + +Suppose, then, that he takes for his text that of _St. Matthew_, + + "Repent ye, for the Kingdom of GOD is at hand." Now, tell me, + Sir, do you not perceive the gold to be in a dismal fear! to curl + and quiver at the first reading of these words! It must come in + thus, "The blots and blurs of our sins must be taken out by the + _aqua-fortis_ of our tears; to which _aqua-fortis_, if you put a + fifth part of _sal-ammoniac_, and set them in a gentle heat, it + makes _aqua-regia_ which dissolves gold." + +And now it is out! Wonderful are the things that are to be done by the +help of metaphors and similitudes! And I will undertake that, with a +little more pains and considerations, out of the very same words, he +could have taught the people how to make custards, or marmalade, or to +stew prunes! + +But, pray, why "the _aqua-fortis_ of tears?" For if it so falls out that +there should chance to be neither Apothecary, nor Druggist at church, +there is an excellent jest wholly lost! + +Now had he been so considerate as to have laid his wit in some more +common and intelligible material; for example, had he said the "blots of +sin" will be easily taken out "by the soap of sorrow, and the +fullers-earth of contrition," then possibly the Parson and the parish +might all have admired one another. For there be many a good-wife that +understands very well all the intrigues of pepper, salt, and vinegar, who +knows not anything of the all-powerfulness of _aqua-fortis_, how that it +is such a spot-removing liquor! + +I cannot but consider with what understanding the people sighed and +cried, when the Minister made for them this metaphysical confession: + + "Omnipotent All! Thou art only! Because Thou art all, and because + Thou only art! As for us, we are not; but we seem to be! and only + seem to be, because we are not! for we be but Mites of Entity, + and Crumbs of Something!" and so on. + +As if a company of country people were bound to understand SUAREZ, and +all the School Divines! + +And as some are very high and learned in their attempts; so others there +be, who are of somewhat too mean and dirty imagination. + +Such was he, who goes by the name of Parson SLIPSTOCKING. Who preaching +about the grace and assistance of GOD, and that of ourselves we are able +to do nothing, advised his "beloved" to take him this plain similitude. + + "A father calls his child to him, saying, 'Child, pull off this + stocking!' The child, mightily joyful that it should pull off + father's stocking, takes hold of the stocking, and tugs! and + pulls! and sweats! but to no purpose: for stocking stirs not, for + it is but a child that pulls! Then the father bids the child to + rest a little, and try again. So then the child sets on again, + tugs again; but no stocking comes: for child is but a child! Then + the father taking pity upon his child, puts his hand behind and + slips down the stocking; and off comes the stocking! Then how + does the child rejoice! for child hath pulled off father's + stocking, Alas, poor child! it was not child's strength, it was + not child's sweating that got off the stocking; but yet it was + the father's hand that slipped down the stocking. Even so--" + +Not much unlike to this, was he that, preaching about the Sacrament and +Faith, makes CHRIST a shopkeeper; telling you that "CHRIST is a Treasury +of all wares and commodities," and thereupon, opening his wide throat, +cries aloud, + + "Good people! what do you lack? What do you buy? Will you buy any + balm of Gilead? any eye salve? any myrrh, aloes, or cassia? Shall + I fit you with a robe of Righteousness, or with a white garment? + See here! What is it you want? Here is a choice armoury! Shall I + shew you a helmet of Salvation, a shield, or breastplate of + Faith? or will you please to walk in and see some precious + stones? a jasper, a sapphire, a chalcedony? Speak, what do you + buy?" + +Now, for my part, I must needs say (and I much fancy I speak the mind of +thousands) that it had been much better for such an imprudent and +ridiculous bawler as this, to have been condemned to have cried oysters +or brooms, than to discredit, after this unsanctified rate, his +Profession and our Religion. + +It would be an endless thing, Sir, to count up to you all the follies, +for a hundred years last past, that have been preached and printed of +this kind. But yet I cannot omit that of the famous Divine in his time, +who, advising the people in days of danger to run unto the LORD, tells +them that "they cannot go to the LORD, much less run, without feet;" that +"there be therefore two feet to run to the LORD, Faith and Prayer." + + "It is plain that Faith is a foot, for, 'by Faith we stand,' 2 + _Cor_. i. 24; therefore by Faith, we must run to the LORD who is + faithful. + + "The second is Prayer, a spiritual Leg to bear us thither. Now + that Prayer is a spiritual Leg appears from several places in + Scripture, as from that of JONAH speaking of _coming_, chap. ii. + ver. 7, 'And my prayer _came_ unto thy holy temple.' And likewise + from that of the Apostle who says, _Heb_. iv. 16, 'Let us + therefore _go_ unto the throne of grace.' Both intimating that + Prayer is a spiritual Leg: there being no _coming_ or _going_ to + the LORD without the Leg of Prayer." + + He further adds, "Now that these feet may be able to bear us + thither, we must put on the Hose [_stockings_] of Faith; for the + Apostle says, 'Our feet must be shod with the preparation of the + Gospel of Peace.'" + +The truth of it is, the Author is somewhat obscure: for, at first, Faith +was a Foot, and by-and-by it is a Hose, and at last it proves a Shoe! If +he had pleased, he could have made it anything! + +Neither can I let pass that of a later Author; who telling us, "It is +Goodness by which we must ascend to heaven," and that "Goodness is the +Milky Way to JUPITER's Palace"; could not rest there, but must tell us +further, that "to strengthen us in our journey, we must not take morning +milk, but some morning meditations:" fearing, I suppose, lest some people +should mistake, and think to go to heaven by eating now and then a mess of +morning milk, because the way was "milky." + +Neither ought that to be omitted, not long since printed upon those words +of St. JOHN, "These things write I unto you, that ye sin not." + + The Observation is that "it is the purpose of Scripture to drive + men from sin. These Scriptures contain Doctrines, Precepts, + Promises, Threatenings, and Histories. Now," says he, "take these + five smooth stones, and put them into the Scrip of the heart, and + throw them with the Sling of faith, by the Hand of a strong + resolution, against the Forehead of sin: and we shall see it, + like GOLIATH, fall before us." + +But I shall not trouble you any further upon this subject: but, if you +have a mind to hear any more of this stuff, I shall refer you to the +learned and judicious Author of the _Friendly Debates_ [_i.e._, SIMON +PATRICK, afterwards Bishop of ELY, who wrote _A Friendly Debate between a +Conformist and a Nonconformist_, in two parts, 1669]: who, particularly, +has at large discovered the intolerable fooleries of this way of talking. + +I shall only add thus much, that such as go about to fetch blood into +their pale and lean discourses, by the help of their brisk and sparkling +similitudes, ought well to consider, Whether their similitudes be true? + +I am confident, Sir, you have heard it, many and many a time, or, if need +be, I can shew you it in a book, that when the preacher happens to talk +how that the things here below will not satisfy the mind of man; then +comes in, "the round world which cannot fill the triangular heart of +man!" whereas every butcher knows that the heart is no more triangular +than an ordinary pear, or a child's top. But because _triangular_ is a +hard word, and perhaps a jest! therefore people have stolen it one from +another, these two or three hundred years; and, for aught I know, much +longer! for I cannot direct to the first inventor of the fancy. + +In like manner, they are to consider, What things, either in the heavens +or belonging to the earth, have been found out, by experience, to +contradict what has been formerly allowed of? + +Thus, because some ancient astronomers had observed that both the +distances as well as the revolutions of the planets were in some +proportion or harmony one to another: therefore people that abounded with +more imagination than skill, presently fancied the Moon, Mercury, and +Venus to be a kind of violins or trebles to Jupiter or Saturn; that the +Sun and Mars supplied the room of tenors, and the _Primum Mobile_ running +Division all the tune. So that one could scarce hear a sermon, but they +must give you a touch of "the Harmony of the Spheres." + +Thus, Sir, you shall have them take that of St. PAUL, about "faith, hope, +and charity." And instead of a sober instructing of the people in those +eminent and excellent graces, they shall only ring you over a few changes +upon the three words; crying, "Faith! Hope! and Charity!" "Hope! Faith! +and Charity!" and so on: and when they have done their peal, they shall +tell you that "this is much better than the Harmony of the Spheres!" + +At other times, I have heard a long chiming only between two words; as +suppose Divinity and Philosophy, or Revelation and Reason. Setting forth +with Revelation first. "Revelation is a Lady; Reason, an Handmaid! +Revelation is the Esquire; Reason, the Page! Revelation is the Sun; +Reason, but the Moon! Revelation is Manna; Reason is but an acorn! +Revelation, a wedge of gold; Reason, a small piece of silver!" + +Then, by and by, Reason gets it, and leads it away, "Reason indeed is +very good, but Revelation is much better! Reason is a Councillor, but +Revelation is the Lawgiver! Reason is a candle, but Revelation is the +snuffer!" + +Certainly, those people are possessed with a very great degree of +dulness, who living under the means of such enlightening preaching, +should not be mightily settled in the right notion and true bounds of +Faith and Reason. + +No less ably, methought, was the difference between the Old Covenant and +the New, lately determined. "The Old Covenant was of Works; the New +Covenant, of Faith. The Old Covenant was by MOSES; The New, by CHRIST. +The Old was heretofore; the New, afterwards. The Old was first; the New +was second. Old things are passed away: behold, all things are become +new." And so the business was very fundamentally done. + +I shall say no more upon this subject, but this one thing, which relates +to what was said a little before. He that has got a set of similitudes +calculated according to the old philosophy, and PTOLEMY's system of the +world, must burn his commonplace book, and go a-gleaning for new ones; it +being, nowadays, much more gentle and warrantable to take a similitude +from the Man in the Moon than from _solid_ orbs: for though few people do +absolutely believe that there is any such Eminent Person there; yet the +thing is possible, whereas the other is not. + + +I have now done, Sir, with that imprudent way of speaking by Metaphor and +Simile. There are many other things commonly spoken out of the pulpit, +that are much to the disadvantage and discredit of the Clergy; that ought +also to be briefly hinted. And that I may the better light upon them, I +shall observe their _common method of Preaching_. + +[1.] Before the text be divided, a _Preface_ is to be made. + +And it is a great chance if, first of all, the Minister does not make his +text to be _like something or other_. + +For example. One, he tells you, "And now, methinks, my Text, like an +ingenious [_clever_] Picture, looks upon all here present: in which, both +nobles and people, may behold their sin and danger represented." This was +a text out of _Hosea_. Now, had it been out of any other place of the +_Bible_; the gentleman was sufficiently resolved to make it like "an +ingenious Picture." + +Another taking, perhaps, the very same words, says, "I might compare my +Text to the mountains of Bether, where the LORD disports Himself like a +young hart or a pleasant roe among the spices." + +Another man's Text is "like the rod of MOSES, to divide the waves of +sorrow"; or "like the mantle of ELIJAH, to restrain the swelling floods +of grief." + +Another gets to his Text thus, "As SOLOMON went up six steps to come to +the great Throne of Ivory, so must I ascend six degrees to come to the +high top-meaning of my Text." + +Another thus, "As DEBORAH arose, and went with BARAK to Kadesh; so, if +you will go with him, and call in the third verse of the chapters he will +shew you the meaning of his Text." + +Another, he fancies his Text to be extraordinarily like to "an orchard of +pomegranates;" or like "St. MATTHEW sitting at the receipt of custom;" or +like "the dove that NOAH sent out of the Ark." + +I believe there are above forty places of Scripture, that have been "like +RACHEL and LEAH": and there is one in _Genesis_, as I well remember, that +is "like a pair of compasses stradling." And, if I be not much mistaken, +there is one, somewhere else, that is "like a man going to Jericho." + +Now, Sir, having thus made the way to the Text as smooth and plain as +anything, with a _Preface_, perhaps from ADAM, though his business lie at +the other end of the _Bible_: in the next place; [2] he comes to _divide +the Text_. + + _Hic labor, hoc opus + Per varios casus, per tot discrimina rerum, + Silvestrem tenui_. + +Now, come off the gloves! and the hands being well chafed [_rubbed +together_]; he shrinks up his shoulders, and stretches forth himself as +if he were going to cleave a bullock's head, or rive the body of an oak! + +But we must observe, that there is a great difference of Texts. For all +Texts come not asunder alike! For sometimes the words naturally _fall_ +asunder! sometimes they _drop_ asunder! sometimes they _melt_! sometimes +they _untwist_! and there be some words so willing to be parted that they +_divide themselves_! to the great ease and rejoicing of the Minister. + +But if they will not easily come to pieces, then he falls to hacking and +hewing! as if he would make all fly into shivers! The truth of it is, I +have known, now and then, some knotty Texts, that have been divided seven +or eight times over! before they could make them _split_ handsomely, +according to their mind. + +But then comes the Joy of Joys! when the Parts jingle! or begin with the +same Letter! and especially if in Latin. + +O how it tickled the Divider! when he got his Text into those two +excellent branches, _Accusatio vera: Comminatio severa_: "A Charge full +of Verity: A Discharge of Severity." And, I will warrant you! that did +not please a little, viz., "there are in the words, _duplex miraculum; +Miraculum in modo_ and _Miraculum in nodo_." + +But the luckiest I have met withal, both for Wit and Keeping of the +Letter, is upon these words of _St. Matthew_ xii. 43, 44, 45: "When the +unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, +seeking rest and finding none. Then he saith I will return," &c. + +In which words, all these strange things were found out. First, there was +a _Captain_ and a _Castle_. (Do you see. Sir, the same letter!) Then, +there was an _ingress_, an _egress_; and a _regress_ or _reingress_. +Then, there was _unroosting_ and _unresting_. Then, there were _number_ +and _name, manner_ and _measure, trouble_ and _trial, resolution_ and +_revolution, assaults_ and _assassination, voidness_ and _vacuity_. This +was done at the same time, by the same man! But, to confess the truth of +it! it was a good long Text; and so, he had the greater advantage. + +But for a short Text, that, certainly, was the greatest _break_ that ever +was! which was occasioned from those words of _St. Luke_ xxiii. 28, "Weep +not for me, weep for yourselves!" or as some read it, "but weep for +yourselves!" + +It is a plain case, Sir! Here are but eight words; and the business was +cunningly ordered, that there sprang out eight Parts. "Here are," says +the Doctor, "eight Words, and eight Parts! + +"1. Weep not! + 2. But weep! + 3. Weep not, but weep! + 4. Weep for me! + 5. For yourselves! + 6. For me, for yourselves! + 7. Weep not for me! + 8. But weep for yourselves! + +"That is to say, North, North-and-by-East, North-North-East, North-East +and by North, North-East, North-East and by East, East-North-East, East +and by North, East." + +Now, it seems not very easy to determine, who has obliged the world most; +he that found out the Compass, or he that divided the fore-mentioned Text? +But I suppose the cracks [_claps_] will go generally upon the Doctor's +side! by reason what he did, was done by undoubted Art and absolute +industry: but as for the other, the common report is that it was found +out by mere foolish fortune. Well, let it go how it will! questionless, +they will be both famous in their way, and honourably mentioned to +posterity. + +Neither ought he to be altogether slighted, who taking that of _Genesis_ +xlviii. 2 for his text; viz., "And one told JACOB, and said, 'Behold, thy +son JOSEPH cometh unto thee!'" presently perceived, and made it out to his +people, that his Text was "a spiritual Dial." + + "For," says he, "here be in my Text, twelve words, which do + plainly represent the twelve hours. _And one told JACOB, and + said, 'Thy son JOSEPH cometh unto thee!'_ And here is, besides, + _Behold_, which is the Hand of the Dial, that turns and points at + every word of the Text. _And one told JACOB, and said, 'Behold, + thy son JOSEPH cometh unto thee!'_ For it is not said, _Behold + JACOB!_ or _Behold JOSEPH!_ but it is, _And one told JACOB, and + said, Behold, thy son JOSEPH cometh unto thee_. That it is say, + Behold _And_, Behold _one_, Behold _told_, Behold _JACOB_. Again + Behold _and_, Behold _said_, and also Behold _Behold_, &c. Which + is the reason that this word _Behold_ is placed in the middle of + the other twelve words, indifferently pointing to each word. + + "Now, as it needs must be One of the Clock before it can be Two + or Three; so I shall handle this word _And_, the first word of + the Text, before I meddle with the following. + + "And _one told JACOB_. The word _And_ is but a particle, and a + small one: but small things are not to be despised. _St. Matthew_ + xviii. 10, _Take heed that you despise not one of these little + ones_. For this _And_ is as the tacks and loops amongst the + curtains of the Tabernacle. The tacks put into the loops did + couple the curtains of the Tent and sew the Tent together: so + this particle _And_ being put into the loops of the words + immediately before the Text, does couple the Text to the + foregoing verse, and sews them close together." + +I shall not trouble you, Sir, with the rest: being much after this witty +rate, and to as much purpose. + + +But we will go on, if you please, Sir! to [3] the cunning _Observations, +Doctrines, and Inferences_ that are commonly made and raised from places +of Scripture. + +One takes that for his Text, _Psalm_ lxviii. 3, _But let the righteous be +glad_. From whence, he raises this doctrine, that "there is a Spirit of +Singularity in the Saints of GOD: but let the righteous--" a doctrine, I +will warrant him! of his own raising; it being not very easy for anybody +to prevent him! + +Another, he takes that of _Isaiah_ xli. 14, 15, _Fear not, thou worm +JACOB_! &c.... _thou shalt thresh the mountains._ Whence he observes that +"the worm JACOB was a threshing worm!" + +Another, that of _Genesis_ xliv. 1. _And he commanded the Steward of the +house, saying, Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can +carry_: and makes this note from the words. + + That "great sacks and many sacks will hold more than few sacks + and little ones. For look," says he, "how they came prepared with + sacks and beasts, so they were sent back with corn! The greater, + and the more sacks they had prepared, the more corn they carry + away! if they had prepared but small sacks, and a few; they had + carried away the less!" + +Verily, and indeed extraordinarily true! + +Another, he falls upon that of _Isaiah_ lviii. 5, _Is it such a fast that +I have chosen? A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his +head like a bulrush?_ The Observation is that "Repentance for an hour, or +a day, is not worth a bulrush!" And, there, I think, he hit the business! + + +But of these, Sir, I can shew you a whole book full, in a treatise called +_Flames and Discoveries_, consisting of very notable and extraordinary +things which the inquisitive Author had privately observed and +discovered, upon reading the Evangelists; as for example: + + Upon reading that of _St. John_, chapter ii. verse 15, _And when + he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of + the Temple_; this prying Divine makes these discoveries, "I + discover," says he, "in the first place, that in the Church or + Temple, a scourge may be made, _And when he had made a scourge_. + Secondly, that it may be made use of, _he drove them all out of + the Temple_." And it was a great chance that he had not + discovered a third thing; and that is, that the scourge was made, + before it was made use of. + + Upon _Matthew_ iv. 25, _And there followed him great multitudes + of people from Galilee_, "I discover," says he, "when JESUS + prevails with us, we shall soon leave our Galilees! I discover + also," says he, "a great miracle, viz.: that the way after JESUS + being straight, that such a multitude should follow him." + + _Matthew_ v. 1. _And seeing the multitude, he went up into a + mountain_. Upon this, he discovers several very remarkable things. + First, he discovers that "CHRIST went _from the multitude_." + Secondly, that "it is safe to take warning at our eyes, for _seeing + the multitude, he went up_." Thirdly, "it is not fit to be always + upon the plains and flats with the multitude: but, _if we be risen + with CHRIST, to seek those things that are above_." + + He discovers also very strange things, from the latter part of + the fore-mentioned verse. _And when he was set, his disciples + came unto him_. 1. CHRIST is not always in motion, _And when he + was set_. 2. He walks not on the mountain, but sits, _And when he + was set_. From whence also, in the third place, he advises + people, that "when they are teaching they should not move too + much, for that is to be _carried to and fro with every wind of + doctrine_." Now, certainly, never was this place of Scripture + more seasonably brought in. + + Now, Sir, if you be for a very short and witty discovery, let it + be upon that of _St. Matthew_ vi. 27. _Which of you, by taking + thought, can add one cubit unto his stature?_ The discovery is + this, that "whilst the disciples were taking thought for a cubit; + CHRIST takes them down a cubit lower!" + + Notable also are two discoveries made upon _St. Matthew_ viii. 1. + 1. That "CHRIST went down, as well as went up. _When he came down + from the mountain_." 2. That "the multitude did not go 'hail + fellow well met!' with him, nor before him; _for great multitudes + followed him_." + +I love, with all my heart, when people can prove what they say. For there +be many that will talk of their Discoveries and spiritual Observations; +and when all comes to all, they are nothing but pitiful guesses and +slender conjectures. + + In like manner, that was no contemptible discovery that was made + upon _St. Matthew_ viii. 19. _And a certain Scribe came and, said, + "Master, I will follow thee wheresoever thou goest."_ "A _thou_ + shall be followed more than a _that_. _I will follow_ thee + _wheresoever thou goest_." + + And, in my opinion, that was not altogether amiss, upon _St. + Matthew_ xi. 2. _Now when JOHN had heard in prison the works of + CHRIST, he sent two of his disciples_. The discovery is this. That + "it is not good sending single to CHRIST, _he sent two of his + disciples_." + + Some also, possibly may not dislike that upon _St. Luke_ xii, 35. + _Let your loins be girded_. "I discover," says he, "there must be + a holy girding and trussing up for heaven." + + But I shall end all, with that very politic one that he makes upon + _St. Matthew_ xii. 47. _Then said one unto him "Behold thy mother + and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee." But + he answered and said, "Who is my mother? and who are my + brethren?"_ "I discover now," says he, "that JESUS is upon + business." + +Doubtless, this was one of the greatest Discoverers of Hidden Mysteries, +and one of the most Pryers into Spiritual Secrets that ever the world was +owner of. It was very well that he happened upon the godly calling, and no +secular employment: or else, in good truth! down had they all gone! Turk! +Pope! and Emperor! for he would have discovered them, one way or another, +every man! + + +Not much unlike to these wonderful Discoverers, are they who, choosing to +preach on some Point in Divinity, shall purposely avoid all such plain +Texts as might give them very just occasion to discourse upon their +intended subject, and shall pitch upon some other places of Scripture, +which no creature in the world but themselves, did ever imagine that +which they offer to be therein designed. My meaning, Sir, is this. + +Suppose you have a mind to make a sermon concerning Episcopacy, as in the +late times [_the Commonwealth_] there were several occasions for it, you +must, by no means, take any place of Scripture that proves or favours +that kind of Ecclesiastical Government! for then the plot will be +discovered; and the people will say to themselves, "We know where to find +you! You intend to preach about Episcopacy!" But you must take _Acts_, +chapter xvi. verse 30, _Sirs, what must I do to be saved?_ An absolute +place for Episcopacy! that all former Divines had idly overlooked! For +_Sirs_ being in the Greek [Greek: Kurioi], which is to say, in true and +strict translation, _Lords_, what is more plain than, that of old, +Episcopacy was not only the acknowledged Government; but that Bishops +were formerly Peers of the Realm, and so ought to sit in the House of +Lords! + +Or, suppose that you have a mind to commend to your people, Kingly +Government: you must not take any place that is plainly to the purpose! +but' that of the Evangelist, _Seek first the Kingdom of GOD_! From which +words, the doctrine will plainly be, that Monarchy or Kingly Government +is most according to the mind of GOD. For it is not said, "seek the +_Parliament_ of GOD!" "the _Army_ of GOD!" or "the _Committee of Safety_ +of GOD!" but it is "seek the _Kingdom_ of GOD!" And who could expect +less? Immediately after this [_i.e., this argument_], the King came in, +and the Bishops were restored [1660 A.D.]. + +Again, Sir (because I would willingly be understood), suppose you design +to preach about Election and Reprobation. As for the eighth chapter to +the _Romans_, that is too well known! but there is a little private place +in the _Psalms_ that will do the business as well! Psalm xc. 19, _In the +multitude of my thoughts within me, thy comforts delight my soul_. + +The doctrine, which naturally flows from the words, will be that amongst +_the multitude of thoughts_, there is a great thought of Election and +Reprobation; and then, away with the Point! according as the preacher is +inclined. + +Or suppose, lastly, that you were not fully satisfied that Pluralities +were lawful or convenient. May I be so bold, Sir? I pray, what Text would +you choose to preach up against non-residents? Certainly, nothing ever was +better picked than that of _St. Matthew_ i. 2. _ABRAHAM begat ISAAC_. A +clear place against non-residents! for "had ABRAHAM not resided, but had +discontinued from SARAH his wife, he could never have begotten ISAAC!" + + +But it is high time, Sir, to make an end of their preaching, lest you be +as much tired with the repetition of it, as the people were little +benefited when they heard it. + +I shall only mind you, Sir, of one thing more; and that is [4] the +ridiculous, senseless, and unintended use which many of them make of +_Concordances_. + +I shall give you but one instance of it, although I could furnish you +with a hundred printed ones. + +The Text, Sir, is this, _Galatians_ vi. 15, _For in CHRIST JESUS neither +Circumcision nor Uncircumcision avail anything; but a new creature_. Now, +all the world knows the meaning of this to be, that, let a man be of what +nation he will, Jew or Gentile, if he amends his life, and walks +according to the Gospel, he shall be accepted with GOD. + +But this is not the way that pleases them! They must bring into the +sermon, to no purpose at all! a vast heap of places of Scripture, which +the _Concordance_ will furnish them with, where the word _new_ is +mentioned. + + And the Observation must be that "GOD is for _new_ things. GOD is + for _a_ new _creature. St. John_ xix, 41, _Now in the place when + he was crucified, there was a garden; and in the garden a new + sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There they laid JESUS_. + And again _St. Mark_ xvi. 17. CHRIST tells his disciples that they + that are true believers, shall cast out devils, and speak _with_ + new _tongues_. And likewise, the prophet teaches us, _Isaiah_ + xlii. 10, _Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise to the + end of the earth_. + + "Whence it is plain that CHRIST is not for _old_ things. He is not + for an _old sepulchre_. He is not for _old tongues_. He is not for + an _old song_. He is not for an _old creature_. CHRIST is for a + _new creature! Circumcision and Uncircumcision availeth nothing, + but a new creature_. And what do we read concerning SAMSON? + _Judges_ xv, 15. Is it not that he slew a thousand of the + Philistines with one _new_ jawbone? An _old_ one might have killed + its tens, its twenties, its hundreds! but it must be a _new_ + jawbone that is able to kill a thousand! GOD is for the _new + creature_! + + "But may not some say, 'Is GOD altogether for new things?' How + comes it about then, that the prophet says, _Isaiah_ i. 13, 14, + _Bring no more vain oblations! &c. Your new Moons, and your + appointed Feasts, my soul hateth!_ And again, what means that, + _Deuteronomy_ xxxii. 17, 19, _They sacrificed unto devils, and to + new gods, whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up.... + And when the LORD saw it, He abhorred them!_ To which I answer, + that GOD indeed is not for _new moons_, nor for _new gods_; but, + excepting _moons_ and _gods_, He is for the _new creature_." + + +It is possible, Sir, that somebody besides yourself, may be so vain as to +read this _Letter_: and they may perhaps tell you, that there be no such +silly and useless people as I have described. And if there be, there be +not above two or three in a country [_county_]. Or should there be, it is +no such complaining matter: seeing that the same happens in other +professions, in Law and Physic: in both [of] which, there be many a +contemptible creature. + +Such therefore as these, may be pleased to know that, if there had been +need, I could have told them, either the book (and very page almost) of +all that has been spoken about Preaching, or else the When and Where, and +the Person that preached it. + +As to the second, viz.: that the Clergy are all mightily furnished with +Learning and Prudence; except ten, twenty, or so; I shall not say +anything myself, because a very great Scholar of our nation shall speak +for me: who tells us that "such Preaching as is usual, is a hindrance of +Salvation rather than the means to it." And what he intends by "usual," I +shall not here go about to explain. + +And as to the last, I shall also, in short, answer, That if the +Advancement of true Religion and the eternal Salvation of a Man were no +more considerable than the health of his body and the security of his +estate; we need not be more solicitous about the Learning and Prudence of +the Clergy, than of the Lawyers and Physicians. But we believing it to be +otherwise, surely, we ought to be more concerned for the reputation and +success of the one than of the other. + + +I come now, Sir, to the Second Part that was designed, viz.: _the Poverty +of some of the Clergy_. By whose mean condition, their Sacred Profession +is much disparaged, and their Doctrine undervalued. What large +provisions, of old, GOD was pleased to make for the Priesthood, and upon +what reasons, is easily seen to any one that but looks into the _Bible_. +The Levites, it is true, were left out, in the Division of the +Inheritance; not to their loss, but to their great temporal advantage. +For whereas, had they been common sharers with the rest, a Twelfth part +only would have been their just allowance; GOD was pleased to settle upon +them, a Tenth, and that without any trouble or charge of tillage: which +made their portion much more considerable than the rest. + +And as this provision was very bountiful, so the reasons, no question! +were very Divine and substantial: which seem chiefly to be these two. + +First, that the Priesthood might be altogether at leisure for the service +of GOD: and that they of that Holy Order might not be distracted with the +cares of the world; and interrupted by every neighbour's horse or cow +that breaks their hedges or shackles [_or hobbled, feeds among_] their +corn. But that living a kind of spiritual life, and being removed a +little from all worldly affairs; they might always be fit to receive holy +inspirations, and always ready to search out the Mind of GOD, and to +advise and direct the people therein. + +Not as if this Divine exemption of them from the common troubles and +cares of this life was intended as an opportunity of luxury and laziness: +for certainly, there is a labour besides digging! and there is a true +carefulness without following the plough, and looking after their cattle! + +And such was the employment of those holy men of old. Their care and +business was to please GOD, and to charge themselves with the welfare of +all His people: which thing, he that does it with a good and satisfied +conscience, I will assure he has a task upon him much beyond them that +have for their care, their hundreds of oxen and five hundreds of sheep. + +Another reason that this large allowance was made to the Priests, was +that they might be enabled to relieve the poor, to entertain strangers, +and thereby to encourage people in the ways of godliness. For they being, +in a peculiar manner, the servants of GOD, GOD was pleased to entrust in +their hands, a portion more than ordinary of the good things of the land, +as the safest Storehouse and Treasury for such as were in need. + +That, in all Ages therefore, there should be a continued tolerable +maintenance for the Clergy: the same reasons, as well as many others, +make us think to be very necessary. Unless they will count money and +victuals to be only Types and Shadows! and so, to cease with the +Ceremonial Law. + +For where the Minister is pinched as to the tolerable conveniences of +this life, the chief of his care and time must be spent, not in an +impertinent [_trifling_] considering what Text of Scripture will be most +useful for his parish; what instructions most seasonable; and what +authors, best to be consulted: but the chief of his thoughts and his main +business must be, How to live that week? Where he shall have bread for his +family? Whose sow has lately pigged? Whence will come the next rejoicing +goose, or the next cheerful basket of apples? how far to Lammas, or +[Easter] Offerings? When shall we have another christening and cakes? and +Who is likely to marry, or die? + +These are very seasonable considerations, and worthy of a man's thoughts. +For a family cannot be maintained by texts and contexts! and a child that +lies crying in the cradle, will not be satisfied without a little milk, +and perhaps sugar; though there be a small German _System_ [_of +Divinity_] in the house! + +But suppose he does get into a little hole over the oven, with a lock to +it, called his Study, towards the latter end of the week: for you must +know, Sir, there are very few Texts of Scripture that can be divided, at +soonest, before Friday night; and some there be, that will never be +divided but upon Sunday morning, and that not very early, but either a +little before they go, or in the going, to church. I say, suppose the +Gentleman gets thus into his Study, one may very nearly guess what is his +first thought, when he comes there--viz., that the last kilderkin of drink +is nearly departed! that he has but one poor single groat in the house, +and there is Judgement and Execution ready to come out against it, for +milk and eggs! + +Now, Sir, can any man think, that one thus racked and tortured, can be +seriously intent, half an hour, to contrive anything that might be of +real advantage to his people? + +Besides, perhaps, that week, he has met with some dismal crosses and most +undoing misfortunes. + +There was a scurvy-conditioned mole, that broke into his pasture, and +ploughed up the best part of his glebe. And, a little after that, came a +couple of spiteful ill-favoured crows, and trampled down the little +remaining grass. Another day, having but four chickens, sweep comes the +kite! and carries away the fattest and hopefullest of the brood. Then, +after all this, came the jackdaws and starlings (idle birds that they +are!), and they scattered and carried away from his thin thatched house, +forty or fifty of the best straws. And, to make him completely unhappy, +after all these afflictions, another day, that he had a pair of breeches +on, coming over a perverse stile, he suffered very much, in carelessly +lifting over his leg. + +Now, what parish can be so inconsiderate and unreasonable as to look for +anything from one, whose fancy is thus checked, and whose understanding +is thus ruffled and disordered? They may as soon expect comfort and +consolation from him that lies racked with the gout and the stone, as +from a Divine thus broken and shattered in his fortunes! + +But we will grant that he meets not with any of these such frightful +disasters; but that he goes into his study with a mind as calm as the +evening. For all that; upon Sunday, we must be content with what GOD +shall please to send us! For as for books, he is, for want of money, so +moderately furnished, that except it be a small Geneva _Bible_ (so small, +as it will not be desired to lie open of itself), together with a certain +_Concordance_ thereunto belonging; as also a Latin book for all kind of +Latin sentences, called _Polyanthaea_; with some _Exposition_ upon the +_Catechism_, a portion of which, is to be got by heart, and to be put off +for his own; and perhaps Mr. [JOSEPH] CARYL _upon_ [JOHN] PINEDA [_these +two authors wrote vast Commentaries on the Book of Job_]; Mr. [JOHN] DOD +upon the _Commandments_, Mr. [SAMUEL] CLARKE's Lives of famous men, both +in Church and State (such as Mr. CARTER of Norwich, that uses to eat such +abundance of pudding): besides, I say, these, there is scarcely anything +to be found, but a budget of old stitched sermons hung up behind the +door, with a few broken girths, two or three yards of whipcord; and, +perhaps, a saw and a hammer, to prevent dilapidations. + +Now, what may not a Divine do, though but of ordinary parts and unhappy +education, with such learned helps and assistances as these? No vice, +surely, durst stand before him! no heresy, affront him! + +And furthermore, Sir, it is to be considered, that he that is but thus +meanly provided for: it is not his only infelicity that he has neither +time, mind, nor books to improve himself for the inward benefit and +satisfaction of his people; but also that he is not capable of doing that +outward good amongst the needy, which is a great ornament to that holy +Profession, and a considerable advantage towards the having the doctrine +believed and practised in a degenerate world. + +And that which augments the misery; whether he be able or not, it is +expected from him, if there comes a _Brief_ to town, for the Minister to +cast in his mite will not satisfy! unless he can create sixpence or a +shilling to put into the box, for a stale [_lure_], to decoy in the rest +of the parish. Nay, he that hath but £20 or £30 [= £60 to £90 _now_] _per +annum_, if he bids not up as high as the best in the parish in all acts of +charity, he is counted carnal and earthly-minded; only because he durst +not coin! and cannot work miracles! + +And let there come ever so many beggars, half of these, I will secure +you! shall presently inquire for the Minister's house. "For GOD," say +they, "certainly dwells there, and has laid up for us, sufficient relief!" + + +I know many of the Laity are usually so extremely tender of the spiritual +welfare of the Clergy, that they are apt to wish them but very small +temporal goods, lest their inward state should be in danger! A thing, +they need not much fear, since that effectual humiliation by HENRY VIII. +"For," say they, "the great tithes, large glebes, good victuals and warm +clothes do but puff up the Priest! making him fat, foggy, and useless! +and fill him with pride, vainglory, and all kind of inward wickedness and +pernicious corruption! We see this plain," say they, "in the Whore of +Babylon [_Roman Catholic Church_]! To what a degree of luxury and +intemperance, besides a great deal of false doctrine, have riches and +honour raised up that strumpet! How does she strut it! and swagger it +over all the world! terrifying Princes, and despising Kings and Emperors! + +"The Clergy, if ever we would expect any edification from them, ought to +be dieted and kept low! to be meek and humble, quiet, and stand in need +of a pot of milk from their next neighbour! and always be very loth to +ask for their very right, for fear of making any disturbance in the +parish, or seeming to understand or have any respect for this vile and +outward world! + +"Under the Law, indeed, in those old times of Darkaess and Eating, the +Priests had their first and second dishes, their milk and honey, their +Manna and quails, also their outward and inward vestments: but now, under +the Gospel, and in times of Light and Fasting, a much more sparing diet is +fitter, and a single coat (though it be never so ancient and thin) is +fully sufficient!" + +"We must look," say they, "if we would be the better for them, for a +hardy and labouring Clergy, that is mortified to [the possession of] a +horse and all such pampering vanities! and that can foot it five or six +miles in the dirt, and preach till starlight, for as many [5 _or_ 6] +shillings! as also a sober and temperate Clergy, that will not eat so +much as the Laity, but that the least pig, the least sheaf, and the least +of everything, may satisfy their Spiritualship! And besides, a +money-renouncing Clergy, that can abstain from seeing a penny, a month +together! unless it be when the Collectors and Visitationers come. These +are all Gospel dispensations! and great instances of patience, +contentedness, and resignation of affections [in respect] to all the +emptinesses and fooleries of this life!" + +But cannot a Clergyman choose rather to lie upon feathers than a hurdle; +but he must be idle, soft, and effeminate! May he not desire wholesome +food and fresh drink; unless he be a cheat, a hypocrite, and an impostor! +And must he needs be void of all grace, though he has a shilling in his +purse, after the rates be crossed [off]! and full of pride and vanity +though his house stands not upon crutches; and though his chimney is to +be seen a foot above the thatch! + +O, how prettily and temperately may half a score of children be +maintained with _almost_ £20 [= £60 _now_] _per annum_! What a handsome +shift, a poor ingenious and frugal Divine will make, to take it by turns, +and wear a cassock [_a long cloak_] one year, and a pair of breeches +another! What a becoming thing is it for him that serves at the Altar, to +fill the dung cart in dry weather, and to heat the oven and pull [_strip_] +hemp in wet! And what a pleasant thing is it, to see the Man of GOD +fetching up his single melancholy cow from a small rib [_strip_] of land +that is scarcely to be found without a guide! or to be seated upon a soft +and well grinded pouch [_bag_] of meal! or to be planted upon a pannier, +with a pair of geese or turkeys bobbing out their heads from under his +canonical coat! as you cannot but remember the man, Sir, that was thus +accomplished. Or to find him raving about the yards or keeping his +chamber close, because the duck lately miscarried of an egg, or that the +never-failing hen has unhappily forsaken her wonted nest! + +And now, shall we think that such employments as these, can, any way, +consist with due reverence, or tolerable respect from a parish? + +And he speaks altogether at a venture that says that "this is false, or, +at least it need not be so; notwithstanding the mean condition of some of +the Clergy." For let any one make it out to me, which way is it possible +that a man shall be able to maintain perhaps eight or ten in his family, +with £20 or £30 _per annum_, without a intolerable dependence upon his +parish; and without committing himself to such vileness as will, in all +likelihood, render him contemptible to his people. + +Now where the income is so pitifully small (which, I will assure you, is +the portion of hundreds of the Clergy of this nation), which way shall he +manage it for the subsistence of himself and his family? + +If he keeps the glebe in his own hand (which he may easily do, almost in +the hollow of it!) what increase can he expect from a couple of apple +trees, a brood of ducklings, a hemp land, and as much pasture as is just +able to summer a cow? + +As for his tithes, he either rents them out to a layman; who will be very +unwilling to be his tenant, unless he may be sure to save by the bargain +at least a third part: or else, he compounds for them; and then, as for +his money, he shall have it when all the rest of the world be paid! + +But if he thinks fit to take his dues in kind, he then either demands his +true and utmost right; and if so, it is a great hazard if he be not +counted a caterpillar! a muck worm! a very earthly minded man! and too +much sighted into this lower world! which was made, as many of the Laity +think, altogether for themselves: or else, he must tamely commit himself +to that little dose of the creature that shall be pleased to be +proportioned out unto him; choosing rather to starve in peace and +quietness, than to gain his right by noise and disturbance. + +The best of all these ways that a Clergyman shall think fit for his +preferment, to be managed (where it is so small), are such as will +undoubtedly make him either to be hated and reviled, or else pitifully +poor and disesteemed. + + +But has it not gone very hard, in all Ages with the Men of GOD? Was not +our Lord and Master our great and high Priest? and was not his fare low, +and his life full of trouble? And was not the condition of most of his +disciples very mean? Were not they notably pinched and severely treated +after him? And is it not the duty of every Christian to imitate such holy +patterns? but especially of the Clergy, who are to be shining lights and +visible examples; and therefore to be satisfied with a very little +morsel, and to renounce ten times as much of the world as other people? + +And is not patience better than the Great Tithes, and contentedness to be +preferred before large fees and customs? Is there any comparison between +the expectation of a cringing bow or a low hat, and mortification to all +such vanities and fopperies; especially with those who, in a peculiar +manner, hope to receive their inheritance, and make their harvest in the +next life? + +This was well thought of indeed. But for all that, if you please, Sir, we +will consider a little, some of those remarkable Inconveniences that do, +most undoubtedly, attend upon the Ministers being so meanly provided for. + +First of all, the holy Men of GOD or the Ministry in general, hereby, is +disesteemed and rendered of small account. For though they be called Men +of GOD: yet when it is observed that GOD seems to take but little care of +them, in making them tolerable provision for this life, or that men are +suffered to take away that which GOD was pleased to provide for them; the +people are presently apt to think that they belong to GOD no more than +ordinary folks, if so much. + +And although it is not to be questioned but that the Laying on of Hands +is a most Divine institution: yet it is not all the Bishops' hands in the +world, laid upon a man, if he be either notoriously ignorant or dismally +poor, that can procure him any hearty and lasting respect. For though we +find that some of the disciples of CHRIST that carried on and established +the great designs of the Gospel, were persons of ordinary employments and +education: yet we see little reason to think that miracles should be +continued, to do that which natural endeavours, assisted by the Spirit of +GOD, are able to perform. And if CHRIST were still upon earth to make +bread for such as are his peculiar Servants and Declarers of his Mind and +Doctrine; the Laity, if they please, should eat up all the corn +themselves, as well the tenth sheaf as the others: but seeing it is +otherwise, and that that miraculous power was not left to the succeeding +Clergy; for them to beg their bread, or depend for their subsistence upon +the good pleasure and humour of their parish, is a thing that renders that +Holy Office, very much slighted and disregarded. + +That constitution therefore of our Church was a most prudent design, that +says that all who are ordained shall be ordained to somewhat, not ordained +at random, to preach in general to the whole world, as they travel up and +down the road; but to this or that particular parish. And, no question, +the reason was, to prevent spiritual peddling; and gadding up and down +the country with a bag of trifling and insignificant sermons, inquiring +"Who will buy any doctrine?" So that no more might be received into Holy +Orders than the Church had provision for. + +But so very little is this regarded, that if a young Divinity Intender +has but got a sermon of his own, or of his father's; although he knows +not where to get a meal's meat or one penny of money by his preaching: +yet he gets a Qualification from some beneficed man or other, who, +perhaps, is no more able to keep a curate than I am to keep ten footboys! +and so he is made a Preacher. And upon this account, I have known an +ordinary Divine, whose living would but just keep himself and his family +from melancholy and despair, shroud under his protection as many Curates +as the best Nobleman in the land hath Chaplains [_i.e., eight_]. + +Now, many such as these, go into Orders against the sky falls! foreseeing +no more likelihood of any preferment coming to them, than you or I do of +being Secretaries of State. Now, so often as any such as these, for want +of maintenance, are put to any unworthy and disgraceful shifts; this +reflects disparagement upon all that Order of holy men. + + +And we must have a great care of comparing our small preferred Clergy +with those but of the like fortune, in the Church of Rome: they having +many arts and devices of gaining respect and reverence to their Office, +which we count neither just nor warrantable. We design no more, than to +be in a likely capacity of doing good, and not discrediting our religion, +nor suffering the Gospel to be disesteemed: but their aim is clearly, not +only by cheats, contrived tales, and feigned miracles, to get money in +abundance; but to be worshipped, and almost deified, is as little as they +will content themselves withal. + +For how can it be, but that the people belonging to a Church, wherein the +Supreme Governor is believed never to err (either purely by virtue of his +own single wisdom, or by help of his inspiring Chair, or by the +assistance of his little infallible Cardinals; for it matters not, where +the root of not being mistaken lies): I say, how can it be, but that all +that are believers of such extraordinary knowledge, must needs stand in +most direful awe, not only of the aforesaid Supreme, but of all that +adhere to him, or are in any ghostly authority under him? + +And although it so happens that this same extraordinary knowing Person is +pleased to trouble himself with a good large proportion of this vile and +contemptible world; so that should he, now and then, upon some odd and +cloudy day, count himself _mortal_, and be a little mistaken; yet he has +chanced to make such a comfortable provision for himself and his +followers, that he must needs be sufficiently valued and honoured amongst +all. But had he but just enough to keep himself from catching cold and +starving, so long as he is invested with such spiritual sovereignty and +such a peculiar privilege of being infallible; most certainly, without +quarrelling, he takes the rode [?] of all mankind. + +And as for the most inferior priests of all, although they pretend not to +such perfection of knowledge: yet there be many extraordinary things which +they are believed to be able to do, which beget in people a most venerable +respect towards them: such is, the power of "making GOD" in the Sacrament, +a thing that must infallibly procure an infinite admiration of him that +can do it, though he scarce knows the _Ten Commandments_, and has not a +farthing to buy himself bread. And then, when "CHRIST is made," their +giving but half of him to the Laity, is a thing also, if it be minded, +that will very much help on the business, and make the people stand at a +greater distance from the Clergy. I might instance, likewise, in their +Auricular Confession, enjoining of Penance, forgiving sins, making of +Saints, freeing people from Purgatory, and many such useful tricks they +have, and wonders they can do, to draw in the forward believing Laity +into a most right worshipful opinion and honourable esteem of them. + +And therefore, seeing our holy Church of England counts it not just, nor +warrantable, thus to cheat the world by belying the _Scriptures_; and by +making use of such falsehood and stratagems to gain respect and +reverence: it behoves us, certainly, to wish for, and endeavour, all such +means as are useful and lawful for the obtaining of the same. + +I might here, I think, conveniently add that though many preferments +amongst the Clergy of Rome may possibly be as small as some of ours in +England; yet are we to be put in mind of one more excellent contrivance +of theirs: and that is, the denial of marriage to Priests, whereby they +are freed from the expenses of a family, and a train of young children, +that, upon my word! will soon suck up the milk of a cow or two, and grind +in pieces a few sheaves of corn. The Church of England therefore thinking +it not fit to oblige their Clergy to a single life (and I suppose are not +likely to alter their opinion, unless they receive better reasons for it +from Rome than have been as yet sent over): he makes a comparison very +wide from the purpose, that goes about to try the livings here in England +by those of the Church of Rome; there being nothing more frequent in our +Church than for a Clergyman to have three or four children to get bread +for, by that time, one, in theirs, shall be allowed to go into Holy +Orders. + +There is still one thing remaining, which ought not to be forgotten (a +thing that is sometimes urged, I know, by the Papist, for the single life +of the Priests) that does also much lessen the esteem of our Ministry; and +that is the poor and contemptible employment that many children of the +Clergy are forced upon, by reason of the meanness of their father's +revenue. + +It has happened, I know, sometimes, that whereas it has pleased GOD to +bestow upon the Clergyman a very sufficient income: yet such has been his +carelessness as that he hath made but pitiful provision for his children: +and, on the other side, notwithstanding all the good care and +thoughtfulness of the father, it has happened, at other times, that the +children, beyond the power of all advice, have seemed to be resolved for +debauchery. + +But to see Clergymen's children condemned to the walking [_holding_] of +horses! to wait upon a tapster! or the like; and that only because their +father was not able to allow them a more genteel education: these are +such employments that cannot but bring great disgrace and dishonour upon +the Clergy. + + +But this is not all the inconvenience that attends the small income that +is the portion of some Clergymen: for besides that the Clergy in general +is disesteemed, they are likely also to do but little good in their +parish. For it is a hard matter for the people to believe, that he talks +anything to the purpose, that wants ordinary food for his family; and +that his advice and exposition can come from above, that is scarcely +defended against the weather. I have heard a travelling poor man beg with +very good reason and a great stream of seasonable rhetoric; and yet it has +been very little minded, because his clothes were torn, or at least out of +fashion. And, on the other side, I have heard but an ordinary saying +proceeding from a fine suit and a good lusty title of honour, highly +admired; which would not possibly have been hearkened to, had it been +uttered by a meaner person: yet, by all means, because it was a fancy of +His Worship's, it must be counted high! and notably expressed! + +If, indeed, this world were made of sincere and pure beaten virtue, like +the gold of the first Age, then such idle and fond prejudices would be a +very vain supposal; and the doctrine that proceeded from the most +battered and contemptible habit [_clothes_] and the most sparing diet +would be as acceptable as that which flowed from a silken cassock +[_cloak_] and the best cheer. But seeing the world is not absolutely +perfect, it is to be questioned whether he that runs upon trust for every +ounce of provisions he spends in his family, can scarce look from his +pulpit into any seat in the church but that he spies somebody or other +that he is beholden to and depends upon; and, for want of money, has +scarce confidence to speak handsomely to his Sexton: it is to be +questioned, I say, whether one, thus destitute of all tolerable +subsistence, and thus shattered and distracted with most necessary cares, +can either invent with discretion, or utter with courage, anything that +may be beneficial to his people, whereby they may become his diligent +attenders and hearty respecters. + + +And as the people do almost resolve against being amended or bettered by +the Minister's preaching, whose circumstances as to this life are so bad, +and his condition so low: so likewise is their devotion very cool and +indifferent, in hearing from such a one the _Prayers_ of the Church. + +The _Divine Service_, all the world knows! is the same, if read in the +most magnificent Cathedral or in the most private parlour; or if +performed by the Archbishop himself, or by the meanest of his priests: +but as the solemnity of the place, besides the consecration of it to GOD +Almighty, does much influence the devotion of the people; so also the +quality and condition of the person that reads it. And though there be +not that acknowledged difference between a Priest comfortably provided +for, and him that is in the thorns and briars; as there is between one +placed in great dignity and authority and one that is in less: yet such a +difference the people will make, that they will scarce hearken to what is +read by the one, and yet be most religiously attentive to the other. Not, +surely, that any one can think that he whose countenance is cheerly and +his barns full, can petition heaven more effectually, or prevail with GOD +for the forgiveness of a greater sin, than he who is pitifully pale and is +not owner of an ear of corn; yet, most certainly, they do not delight to +confess their sins and sing praises to GOD with him who sighs, more for +want of money and victuals, than for his trespasses and offences. Thus it +is, and will be! do you or I, Sir, what we can to the contrary. + +Did our Church indeed believe, with the Papists, every person rightfully +ordained, to be a kind of GOD Almighty, working miracles and doing +wonders; then would people most readily prostrate themselves to +everything in Holy Orders, though it could but just creep! But as our +Church counts those of the Clergy to be but mortal men, though peculiarly +dedicated to GOD and His service; their behaviour, their condition and +circumstances of life, will necessarily come into our value and esteem of +them. And therefore it is no purpose for men to say "that this need not +be, it being but mere prejudice, humour, and fancy: and that if the man +be but truly in Holy Orders; that is the great matter! and from thence +come blessings, absolution and intercession through CHRIST with GOD. And +that it is not Philosophy, Languages, Ecclesiastical History, Prudence, +Discretion, and Reputation, by which the Minister can help us on towards +heaven." + +Notwithstanding this, I say again, that seeing men are men, and seeing +that we are of the Church of England and not of that of Rome, these +things ought to be weighed and considered; and for want of being so, our +Church of England has suffered much. + +And I am almost confident that, since the Reformation, nothing has more +hindered people from a just estimation of a _Form of Prayer_ and our holy +_Liturgy_ than employing a company of boys, or old illiterate mumblers, to +read the _Service_. And I do verily believe, that, at this very day, +especially in Cities and Corporations, which make up the third part of +our nation, there is nothing that does more keep back some dissatisfied +people from Church till _Service_ be over, than that it is read by some +£10 or £12 man, with whose parts and education they are so well +acquainted, as to have reason to know that he has but skill enough to +read the _Lessons_ with twice conning over. And though the office of the +Reader be only to read word for word, and neither to invent or expound: +yet people love he should be a person of such worth and knowledge, as it +may be supposed he understands what he reads. + +And although for some it were too burdensome a task to read the _Service_ +twice a day, and preach as often; yet certainly it were much better if the +people had but one sermon in a fortnight or month, so the _Service_ were +performed by a knowing and valuable person, than to run an unlearned rout +of contemptible people into Holy Orders, on purpose only to say the +_Prayers_ of the Church, who perhaps shall understand very little more +than a hollow pipe made of tin or wainscoat. + +Neither do I here at all reflect upon Cathedrals, where the _Prayers_ are +usually read by some grave and worthy person. And as for the unlearned +singers, whether boys or men, there is no complaint to be made, as to +this case, than that they have not an all understanding Organ, or a +prudent and discreet Cornet. + +Neither need people be afraid that the Minister for want of preaching +should grow stiff and rusty; supposing he came not into the pulpit every +week. For he can spend his time very honestly, either by taking better +care of what he preaches, and by considering what is most useful and +seasonable for the people: and not what subject he can preach upon with +most ease, or upon what text he can make a brave speech, for which nobody +shall be the better! or where he can best steal, without being discovered, +as is the practice of many Divines in private parishes. Or else, he may +spend it in visiting the sick, instructing the ignorant, and recovering +such as are gone astray. + +For though there be churches built for public assemblies, for public +instruction and exhortation; and though there be not many absolutely +plain places of Scripture that oblige the Minister to walk from house to +house: yet, certainly, people might receive much more advantage from such +charitable visits and friendly conferences, than from general discourses +levelled at the whole world, where perhaps the greatest part of the time +shall be spent in useless Prefaces, Dividings, and Flourishings. Which +thing is very practicable; excepting some vast parishes: in which, also, +it is much better to do good to some, than to none at all. + +There is but one calamity more that I shall mention, which though it need +not absolutely, yet it does too frequently, accompany the low condition of +many of the Clergy: and that is, it is a great hazard if they be not +_idle, intemperate_, and _scandalous_. + +I say, I cannot prove it strictly and undeniably that a man smally +beneficed, must of necessity be dissolute and debauched. But when we +consider how much he lies subject to the humour of all reprobates, and +how easily he is tempted from his own house of poverty and melancholy: it +is to be feared that he will be willing, too often to forsake his own +Study of a few scurvy books; and his own habitation of darkness where +there is seldom eating or drinking, for a good lightsome one where there +is a bountiful provision of both. + +And when he comes there, though he swears not at all; yet he must be sure +to say nothing to those that do it by all that they can think of. And +though he judges it not fit to lead the Forlorn in vice and profaneness: +yet, if he goes about to damp a frolic, there is great danger, not only +of losing his Sunday dinner, but also all opportunities of such future +refreshments, for his niceness and squeamishness! + +And such as are but at all disposed to this lewd kind of meetings; +besides the Devil, he shall have solicitors enough! who count all such +revelling occasion very unsavoury and unhallowed, unless they have the +presence of some Clergyman to sanctify the ordinance: who, if he sticks +at his glass, bless him! and call him but "Doctor!" and it slides +presently [_i.e., the Clergyman drinks_]. + +I take no delight, I must confess, to insist upon this: but only I could +very much wish that such of our Governors as go amongst our small +preferred Clergy, to take a view of the condition of the Church and +Chancel; that they would but make inquiry, Whether the Minister himself +be not much out of repair? + +I have now done, Sir, with the Grounds of that Disesteem that many of the +Clergy lie under, both by the _Ignorance_ of some, and the _extreme +Poverty_ of others. And I should have troubled you no further, but that I +thought it convenient not to omit the particular Occasions that do concur +to the making of many of our Clergy so pitifully poor and contemptible. + +The first thing that contributes much to the Poverty of the Clergy is +_the great scarcity of Livings_. + +Churches and Chapels we have enough, it is to be confessed, if compared +with the bigness of our nation: but, in respect of that infinite number +that are in Holy Orders, it is a very plain case, that there is a very +great want. And I am confident, that, in a very little time, I could +procure hundreds that should ride both sun and moon down, and be +everlastingly yours! if you could help them but to a Living of £25 or £30 +a year. + +And this, I suppose, to be chiefly occasioned upon these two accounts: +either from _the eagerness and ambition_ that some people have, of going +into Orders; or from the _refuge of others_ into the Church, who, being +otherwise disappointed of a livelihood, hope to make sure of one by that +means. + +First, I say, that which increases the unprovided-for number of the +Clergy, is people posting into Orders before they know their Message or +business, only out of a certain pride and ambition. Thus some are hugely +in love with the mere title of Priest or Deacon: never considering how +they shall live, or what good they are likely to do in their Office; but +only they have a fancy, that a cassock, if it be made long, is a very +handsome garment, though it be never paid for; that the Desk is clearly +the best, and the Pulpit, the highest seat in all the parish; that they +shall take place [_precedence_] of most Esquires and Right Worshipfuls; +that they shall have the honour of being spiritual guides and +counsellors; and they shall be supposed to understand more of the Mind of +GOD than ordinary, though perhaps they scarcely know the Old Law from the +New, nor the _Canon_ from the _Apocrypha_. Many, I say, such as these, +there be, who know not where to get two groats, nor what they have to say +to the people: but only because they have heard that the office of a +Minister is the most noble and honourable employment in the world; +therefore they (not knowing in the least what the meaning of that is), +Orders, by all means, must have! though it be to the disparagement of +that holy function. + +Others also there be who are not so highly possessed with the mere +dignity of the office and honourableness of the employment; but think, +had they but licence and authority to preach, O how they could pay it +away! and that they can tell the people such strange things, as they +never heard before, in all their lives! That they have got such a +commanding voice! such heart-breaking expressions! such a peculiar method +of Text-dividing! and such notable helps for the interpreting all +difficulties in Scripture! that they can shew the people a much shorter +way to heaven than has been, as yet, made known by any! + +Such a forwardness as this, of going in Holy Orders, either merely out of +an ambitious humour of being called a Priest; or of thinking they could do +such feats and wonders, if they might be but free of the Pulpit, has +filled the nation with many more Divines than there is any competent +maintenance for in the Church. + +Another great crowd that is made in the Church is by those that take in +there only as a place of shelter and refuge. Thus, we have many turn +Priests and Deacons, either for want of employment in their profession of +Law, Physic, or the like; or having been unfortunate in their trade, or +having broken a leg, or an arm, and so disabled from following their +former calling; or having had the pleasure of spending their estate, or +being (perhaps deservedly) disappointed of their inheritance. The Church +is a very large and good "Sanctuary"; and one Spiritual shilling is as +good as three Temporality shillings. Let the hardest come to the hardest! +if they can get by heart, _Quid est fides? Quid est Ecclesia? quot sunt +Concilia Generalia_? and gain Orders; they may prove Readers or +Preachers, according as their gifts and opportunities shall lie. Now +many, such as these, the Church being not able to provide for (as there +is no great reason that she should be solicitous about it) must needs +prove a very great disparagement to her; they coming hither, just as the +old heathens used to go to prayers. When nothing would stop the anger of +the gods, then for a touch of devotion! and if there be no way to get +victuals; rather than starve, let us Read or Preach! + +In short, Sir, we are perfectly overstocked with Professors of Divinity: +there being scarce employment for half of those who undertake that +office. And unless we had some of the Romish tricks, to ramble up and +down, and cry Pardons and Indulgences; or, for want of a living, have a +good store of clients in the business of Purgatory, or the like, and so +make such unrighteous gains of Religion: it were certainly much better if +many of them were otherwise determined. Or unless we have some vent +[_export_] for our Learned Ones, beyond the sea; and could transport so +many tons of Divines yearly, as we do other commodities with which the +nation is overstocked; we do certainly very unadvisedly, to breed up so +many to that Holy Calling, or to suffer so many to steal into Orders: +seeing there is not sufficient work and employment for them. + +The next thing that does as much to heighten the misery of our Church, as +to the _poverty_ of it, is the Gentry's designing, not only the weak, the +lame, and usually the most ill-favoured of their children for the office +of the Ministry; but also such as they intend to settle nothing upon for +their subsistence: leaving them wholly to the bare hopes of Church +preferment. For, as they think, let the Thing look how it will, it is +good enough for the Church! and that if it had but limbs enough to climb +the pulpit, and eyes enough to find the day of the month, it will serve +well enough to preach, and read _Service_! + +So, likewise, they think they have obliged the Clergy very much, if they +please to bestow two or three years' education upon a younger son at the +University: and then commend him to the grace of GOD, and the favour of +the Church; without one penny of money, or inch of land! + +You must not think, that he will spoil his eldest son's estate, or hazard +the lessening of the credit of the family, to do that which may, any way, +tend to the reputation and honour of the Clergy! + +And thus it comes to pass, that you may commonly ride ten miles, and +scarce meet with a Divine that is worth above two spoons and a pepper +box, besides his living or spiritual preferments. For, as for the Land, +that goes sweeping away with the eldest son, for the immortality of the +family! and, as for the Money, that is usually employed for to bind out +[_apprentice_] and set up other children! And thus, you shall have them +make no doubt of giving £500 or a £1,000 [= £1,500 _or_ £3,000 _now_] for +a stock [_capital_] to them: but for the poor Divinity son, if he gets but +enough to buy a broad hat at second-hand, and a small _System of Faith_ or +two, that is counted stock sufficient for him to set up withal. + +And, possibly, he might make some kind of shift in this world, if anybody +will engage that he shall have, neither wife nor children: but, if it so +fall out, that he leaves the world, and behind him either the one or the +others: in what a dismal condition are these likely to be! and how will +their sad calamities reflect upon the Clergy! So dismal a thing is this +commonly judged, that those that at their departure out of this life, are +piously and virtuously disposed, do usually reckon the taking care for the +relief of the poor Ministers' widows, to be an opportunity of as necessary +charity as the mending the highways, and the erecting of hospitals. + +But neither are spiritual preferments only scarce, by reason of that +great number that lie hovering over them; and that they that are thus on +the wing, are usually destitute of any other estate and livelihood: but +also, when they come into possession of them, they finding, for the most +part, nothing but a little sauce and Second Course (pigs, geese, and +apples), must needs be put upon great perplexities for the standing +necessaries of a family. + +So that if it be inquired by any one, How comes it to pass, that we have +so many in Holy Orders that understand so little, and are able to do so +little service in the Church? if we may answer plainly and truly, we may +say, "Because they are fit for nothing else!" + +For, shall we think that any man that is not cursed to uselessness, +poverty, and misery, will be content with £20 or £30 a year? For though, +in the bulk, it looks, at first, like a bountiful estate; yet, if we +think of it a little better, we shall find that an ordinary bricklayer or +carpenter (I mean not your great undertakers [_contractors_] and master +workmen) that earns constantly but his two shillings a day, has clearly a +better revenue, and has certainly the command of more money. For that the +one has no dilapidations and the like, to consume a great part of his +weekly wages; of which you know how much the other is subject unto. + +So that as long as we have so many small and contemptible livings +belonging to our Church, let the world do what it can! we must expect +that they should be supplied by very lamentable and unserviceable Things. +For that nobody else will meddle with them! unless, one in an Age +abounding with money, charity, and goodness, will preach for nothing! + +For if men of knowledge, prudence, and wealth have a fancy against a +Living of £20 or £30 a year; there is no way to get them into such an +undertaking, but by sending out a spiritual press [_press gang_]: for +that very few volunteers that are worth, unless better encouraged, will +go into that Holy Warfare! but it will be left to those who cannot devise +how otherwise to live! + +Neither must people say that, "besides Bishoprics, Prebendaries, and the +like, we have several brave benefices, suffice to invite those of the +best parts, education, and discretion." For, imagine one Living in forty +is worth £100 [= £300 _now_] a year, and supplied by a man of skill and +wholesome counsel: what are the other thirty-nine the better for that? +What are the people about Carlisle bettered by his instructions and +advice who lives at Dover? It was certainly our Saviour's mind, not only +that the Gospel should be preached to all nations at first; but that the +meaning and power of it should be preserved, and constantly declared to +all people, by such as had judgement to do it. + +Neither again must they say, that "Cities, Corporations, and the great +trading towns of this nation, which are the strength and glory of it, and +that contain the useful people of the world, are usually instructed by +very learned and judicious persons." For, I suppose that our Saviour's +design was not that Mayors, Aldermen, and merchants should be only saved: +but also that all plain country people should partake of the same means; +who (though they read not so many _Gazettes_ as citizens; nor concern +themselves where the Turk or King of France [_Louis XIV_.] sets on next) +yet the true knowledge of GOD is now so plainly delivered in Scripture, +that there wants nothing but sober and prudent Offerers of the same, to +make it saving to those of the meanest understandings. And therefore, in +all parishes, if possible, there ought to be such a fixed and settled +provision as might reasonably invite some careful and prudent person, for +the people's guide and instruction in holy matters. + +And furthermore, it might be added, that the revenue belonging to most of +the Corporation Livings is no such mighty business: for were it not for +the uncertain and humorsome contribution of the well-pleased +parishioners, the Parson and his family might be easily starved, for all +the lands and income that belong to the Church. Besides, the great +mischief that such kind of hired Preachers have done in the World--which +I shall not stay here, to insist upon. + +And as we have not churches enough, in respect of the great multitude +that are qualified for a Living: so, considering the smallness of the +revenue and the number of people that are to be the hearers, it is very +plain that we have too many. + +And we shall, many times, find two churches in the same yard, when as one +would hold double the people of both the parishes. If they were united for +the encouragement of some deserving person, he might easily make shift to +spend, very honestly and temperately, the revenue of both. + +And what though churches stand at a little further distance? People may +please to walk a mile, without distemperating themselves; when as they +shall go three or four to a market, to sell two pennyworth of eggs. + +But suppose they resolved to pretend that they shall catch cold (the +clouds being more than ordinarily thick upon the Sunday; as they usually +are, if there be religion in the case); and that they are absolutely bent +upon having instruction brought to their own town. Why might not one +sermon a day, or (rather than fail) one in a fortnight, from a prudent +and well-esteemed-of Preacher, do as well as two a day from him that +talks, all the year long, nothing to the purpose; and thereupon is +laughed at and despised? + +I know what people will presently say to this, viz., that "if, upon +Sunday, the Church doors be shut, the Alehouses will be open! and +therefore, there must be somebody (though never so weak and lamentable!) +to pass away the time in the Church, that the people may be kept sober +and peaceable." + +Truly, if religion and the worship of GOD consisted only in _negatives_, +and that the observation of the Sabbath, was only _not_ to be drunk! then +they speak much to the purpose; but if it be otherwise, very little. It +being not much unlike, as it is the fashion in many places, to the +sending of little children of two or three years old to a School Dame, +without any design of learning one letter, but only to keep them out of +the fire and water. + +Last of all, people must not say that "there needs no great store of +learning in a Minister; and therefore a small Living may answer his +deserts: for that there be _Homilies_ made on purpose by the Church for +young beginners and slow inventors. Whereupon it is, that such difference +is made between giving Orders, and License to Preach: the latter being +granted only to such, as the Bishop shall judge able to make sermons." + +But this does not seem to do the business. For though it be not necessary +for every Guide of a parish to understand all the Oriental languages, or +to make exactly elegant or profound discourses for the Pulpit; yet, most +certainly, it is very requisite that he should be so far learned and +judicious as prudently to advise, direct, inform, and satisfy the people +in holy matters; when they demand it, or beg it from him. Which to +perform readily and judiciously requires much more discretion and skill, +than, upon long deliberation, to make a continued talk of an hour, +without any great discernible failings. So that were a Minister tied up, +never to speak one sentence of his own invention out of the pulpit in his +whole lifetime; yet doubtless many other occasions there be, for which +neither wisdom nor reputation should be wanting in him that has the care +and government of a parish. + +I shall not here go about to please myself with the imagination of all +the Great Tithes being restored to the Church; having little reason to +hope to see such days of virtue. Nor shall I here question the +almightiness of former Kings and Parliaments, nor dispute whether all the +King HENRIES in the world, with ever such a powerful Parliament, were able +to determine to any other use, what was once solemnly dedicated to GOD, +and His service. By yet, when we look over the Prefaces to those _Acts of +Parliament_ whereby some Church revenues were granted to HENRY VIII., one +cannot but be much taken with the ingenuity of that Parliament; that when +the King wanted a supply of money and an augmentation to his revenue, how +handsomely, out of the Church they made provision for him, without doing +themselves any injury at all! + +_For_, say they, _seeing His Majesty is our joy and life; seeing that he +is so courageous and wise; seeing that he is so very tender of, and well +affected to, all his subjects; and that he has been at such large +expenses, for five and twenty whole years, to defend and protect this his +realm: therefore, in all duty and gratitude, and as a manifest token of +our unfeigned thankfulness, We do grant unto the king and his heirs for +ever, &c._ + +It follows as closely as can be, that because the king has been a good +and deserving king, and had been at much trouble and expense for the +safety and honour of the nation, that therefore all his wants shall be +supplied _out of the Church_! as if all the charges that he had been at, +were upon the account only of his Ecclesiastical subjects, and not in +relation to the rest. + +It is not, Sir, for you or I to guess, which way the whole Clergy in +general, might be better provided for. But, sure it is, and must not be +denied, that so long as many Livings continue as they now are, thus +impoverished; and that there be so few encouragements for men of +sobriety, wisdom, and learning: we have no reason to expect much better +Instructors and Governors of parishes, than at present we commonly find. + +There is a way, I know, that some people love marvellously to talk of; +and that is a just and equal levelling of Ecclesiastical preferments. + +"What a delicate refreshment," say they, "would it be, if £20,000 or +£30,000 a year were taken from the Bishops, and discreetly sprinkled +amongst the poorer and meaner sort of the Clergy! how would it rejoice +their hearts, and encourage them in their Office! What need those great +and sumptuous palaces, their city and their country houses, their parks +and spacious waters, their costly dishes and fashionable sauces? May not +he that lives in a small thatched house, that can scarcely walk four +strides in his own ground, that has only _read_ well concerning venison, +fish, and fowl: may not he, I say, preach as loud and to as much purpose +as one of those high and mighty Spiritualists? Go to, then! Seeing it +hath pleased GOD to make such a bountiful provision for His Church in +general, what need we be solicitous about the emending the low condition +of many of the Clergy, when as there is such a plain remedy at hand, had +we but grace to apply it?" + +This invention pleases some mainly well. But for all the great care they +pretend to have of the distressed part of the Clergy, I am confident, one +might easily guess what would please them much better! if (instead of +augmenting small benefices) the Bishops would be pleased to return to +them, those lands purchased in their absence [_i.e., during the +Commonwealth, which were restored to the Bishoprics at the Restoration_]: +and then, as for the relieving of the Clergy, they would try if they could +find out another way! + +But, art thou in good earnest? my excellent Contriver! Dost thou think +that if the greatest of our Church preferments were wisely parcelled out +amongst those that are in want, it would do such feats and courtesies? +And dost thou not likewise think, that if ten or twenty of the lustiest +Noblemen's estates of England were cleverly sliced among the indigent; +would it not strangely refresh some of the poor Laity that cry "Small +Coal!" or grind scissors! I do suppose if GOD should afterwards incline +thy mind (for I fancy it will not be as yet, a good while!) to be a +Benefactor to the Church; thy wisdom may possibly direct thee to disperse +thy goodness in smaller parcels, rather than to flow in upon two or three +with full happiness. + +But if it be my inclination to settle upon one Ecclesiastical person and +his successors for ever, a £1,000 a year [= £3,000 _now_] upon condition +only to read the _Service_ of the Church once in a week; and you take it +ill, and find fault with my prudence and the method of my munificence, +and say that "the stipend is much too large for such a small task": yet, +I am confident, that should I make thy Laityship heir of such an estate, +and oblige thee only to the trouble and expense of spending a single +chicken or half a dozen larks once a year, in commemoration of me; that +thou wouldst count me the wisest man that ever was, since the Creation! +and pray to GOD never to dispose thy mind, to part with one farthing of +it for any other use, than for the service of thyself and thy family. + +And yet so it is, that, because the Bishops, upon their first being +restored [in 1660], had the confidence to levy fines, according as they +were justly due; and desired to live in their own houses, if not pulled +down! and to receive their own rents: presently, they cry out, "The +Churchmen have got all the treasure and money of the nation into their +hands." + +If they have, let them thank GOD for it! and make a good use of it. Weep +not, Beloved! for there is very little hope that they will cast it all +into the sea, on purpose to stop the mouths of them, that say "they have +too much!" + +What other contrivances there may be, for the settling upon Ministers in +general, a sufficient revenue for their subsistence and encouragement in +their office; I shall leave to be considered of, by the Governors of +Learning and Religion. + +Only thus much is certain, that so long as the maintenance of many +Ministers is so very small, it is not to be avoided, but that a great +part of them will want learning, prudence, courage, and esteem to do any +good where they live. + +And what if we have (as by all must be acknowledged) as wise and learned +Bishops as be in the world, and many others of very great understanding +and wisdom; yet (as was before hinted) unless there be provided for most +towns and parishes some tolerable and sufficient Guides, the strength of +Religion, and the credit of the Clergy will daily languish more and more. + +Not that it is to be believed that every small country parish should be +altogether hopeless as to the next life, unless they have a HOOKER, a +CHILLINGWORTH, a HAMMOND, or a SANDERSON dwelling amongst them: but it is +requisite, and might be brought about, that somebody there should be, to +whom the people have reason to attend, and to be directed and guided by +him. + + +I have, Sir, no more to say, were it not that you find the word +_Religion_ in the Title: of which in particular I have spoken very +little. Neither need I! considering how nearly it depends, as to its +glory and strength, upon the reputation and mouth of the Priest. + +And I shall add no more but this, viz., that among those many things that +tend to the decay of Religion, and of a due reverence of the _Holy +Scriptures_, nothing has more occasioned it than the ridiculous and idle +discourses that are uttered out of pulpits. For when the Gallants of the +world do observe how the Ministers themselves do jingle, quibble, and +play the fool with the Texts: no wonder, if they, who are so inclinable +to Atheism, do not only deride and despise the Priests; but droll upon +the _Bible_! and make a mock of all that is sober and sacred! + +I am, Sir, Your most humble servant, + +T.B. + +_August_ 8, 1670. + +FINIS. + + + + +ISAAC BICKERSTAFF + +[_i.e._, RICHARD STEELE]. + +_The miseries of the Domestic Chaplain, in_ 1710. + +[_The Tatler_. No. 255. Thursday, 23 Nov. 1710.] + + +_To the Censor of Great Britain. + +Sir, + +I am at present, under very great difficulties; which is not in the power +of any one besides yourself, to redress. Whether or not, you shall think +it a proper Case to come before your Court of Honour, I cannot tell: but +thus it is. + +I am Chaplain to an honourable Family, very regular at the Hours of +Devotion, and I hope of an unblameable life: but, for not offering to +rise at the Second Course, I found my Patron and his Lady very sullen and +out of humour; though, at first, I did not know the reason of it. + +At length, when I happened to help myself to a jelly, the Lady of the +house, otherwise a devout woman, told me "It did not become a Man of my +Cloth, to delight in such frivolous food!" But as I still continued to +sit out the last course, I was yesterday informed by the butler, that +"His Lordship had no further occasion for my service." + +All which is humbly submitted to your consideration, by, + +Sir, + +Your most humble servant, &c._ + + +The case of this Gentleman deserves pity, especially if he loves +sweetmeats; to which, if I may guess by his letter, he is no enemy. + +In the meantime, I have often wondered at the indecency of discarding the +holiest man from the table, as soon as the most delicious parts of the +entertainment are served up: and could never conceive a reason for so +absurd a custom. + +Is it because a licorous palate, or a sweet tooth (as they call it), is +not consistent with the sanctity of his character? + +This is but a trifling pretence! No man of the most rigid virtue, gives +offence by any excesses in plum pudding or plum porridge; and that, +because they are the first parts of the dinner. Is there anything that +tends to _incitation_ in sweetmeats, more than in ordinary dishes? +Certainly not! Sugar-plums are a very innocent diet; and conserves of a +much colder nature than your common pickles. + +I have sometimes thought that the Ceremony of the _Chaplain flying away +from the Dessert_ was typical and figurative. To mark out to the company, +how they ought to retire from all the luscious baits of temptation, and +deny their appetites the gratifications that are most pleasing to them. + +Or, at least, to signify that we ought to stint ourselves in the most +lawful satisfactions; and not make our Pleasure, but our Support the end +of eating. + +But, most certainly, if such a lesson of temperance had been necessary at +a table: our Clergy would have recommended it to all the Lay masters of +families; and not have disturbed other men's tables with such +unreasonable examples of abstinence. + +The original therefore of this _barbarous custom_, I take to have been +merely accidental. + +The Chaplain retired, out of pure complaisance, to make room for the +removal of the dishes, or possibly for the ranging of the dessert. This, +by degrees, grew into a duty; till, at length, as the fashion improved, +the good man found himself cut off from the Third part of the +entertainment: and, if the arrogance of the Patron goes on, it is not +impossible but, in the next generation, he may see himself reduced to the +Tithe or Tenth Dish of the table. A sufficient caution not to part with +any privilege we are once possessed of! + +It was usual for the Priest, in old times, to feast upon the sacrifice, +nay the honey cake; while the hungry Laity looked upon him with great +devotion: or, as the late Lord ROCHESTER describes it in a very lively +manner, + + _And while the Priest did eat, the People stared_. + +At present, the custom is inverted. The Laity feast while the Priest +stands by as an humble spectator. + +This necessarily puts the good man upon making great ravages on all the +dishes that stand near him; and upon distinguishing himself by +voraciousness of appetite, as knowing that "his time is short." + +I would fain ask these stiff-necked Patrons, Whether they would not take +it ill of a Chaplain that, in his grace, after meat, should return thanks +for the whole entertainment, with an exception to the dessert? And yet I +cannot but think that in such a proceeding, he would but deal with them +as they deserved. + +What would a Roman Catholic priest think (who is always helped first, and +placed next the ladies), should he see a Clergyman giving his company the +slip at the first appearance of the tarts or sweetmeats? Would he not +believe that he had the same antipathy to a candid orange or a piece of +puff paste, as some have to a Cheshire cheese or a breast of mutton? + +Yet to so ridiculous a height is this foolish custom grown, that even the +Christmas Pie, which in its very nature is a kind of consecrated cake and +a badge of distinction, is often forbidden to the Druid of the family. + +Strange! that a sirloin of beef, whether boiled or roasted, when entire, +is exposed to his utmost depredations and incisions; but if minced into +small pieces and tossed up with plums and sugar, it changes its property; +and, forsooth, it is meat for his Master! + +In this Case, I know not which to censure [_blame_], the Patron or the +Chaplain! the insolence of power, or the abjectness of dependence! + +For my own part, I have often blushed to see a Gentleman, whom I knew to +have more Wit and Learning than myself, and who was bred up with me at +the University upon the same foot of a liberal education, treated in such +an ignominious manner; and sunk beneath those of his own rank, by reason +of that character which ought to bring him honour. + +This deters men of generous minds from placing themselves in such a +station of life; and by that means frequently excludes Persons of Quality +from the improving and agreeable conversation of a learned and obsequious +friend. + +Mr. OLDHAM lets us know that he was affrighted from the thought of such +an employment, by the scandalous sort of treatment, which often +accompanies it. + + _Some think themselves exalted to the sky, + If they light in some noble family: + Diet, a horse, and Thirty pounds a year; + Besides th' advantage of his Lordship's ear, + The credit of the business, and the State; + + Are things that in a youngster's sense sound_ great. + _Little the unexperienced wretch does know, + What slavery he oft must undergo! + Who, though in silken scarf and cassock drest, + Wears but a gayer_ livery, _at best. + When dinner calls, the Implement must wait, + With holy words to consecrate the meat: + But hold it, for a favour seldom known, + If he be deigned the honour to sit down! + Soon as the tarts appear, "Sir CRAPE, withdraw! + These dainties are not for a spiritual maw! + Observe your distance! and be sure to stand + Hard by the cistern with your cap in hand! + There, for diversion, you may pick your teeth + Till the kind Voider comes for your relief." + + Let others who, such meannesses can brook, + Strike countenance to every Great Man's look: + I rate my freedom higher!_ + +The author's raillery is the raillery of a friend, and does not turn the +Sacred Order into ridicule: but it is a just censure on such persons as +take advantages from the necessities of a Man of Merit, to impose upon +him hardships that are by no means suitable to the dignity of his +profession. + + + + +NESTOR IRONSIDE + +[_i.e., RICHARD STEELE_]. + +_Another description of the miseries of the Domestic Chaplain, in_ 1713, +A.D. + + +[_The Guardian_. No. 173. Thursday, 17 Sept. 1713.] + +When I am disposed to give myself a day's rest, I order the _Lion_ to be +opened [_i.e., a letter-box at BUTTON's Coffee-house_], and search into +that magazine of intelligence for such letters as are to my purpose. The +first I looked into, comes to me from one who is Chaplain to a great +family. + +He treats himself, in the beginning of it, after such a manner as I am +persuaded no Man of Sense would treat him. Even the Lawyer, and the +Physician to a Man of Quality, expect to be used like gentlemen; and much +more, may any one of so superior a profession! + +I am by no means encouraging that dispute, Whether the Chaplain, or the +Master of the house be the better man, and the more to be respected? The +two learned authors, Dr. HICKS and Mr. COLLIER (to whom I might add +several others) are to be excused, if they have carried the point a +little too high in favour of the Chaplain: since in so corrupt an Age as +that we live in, the popular opinion runs so far into the other extreme. + +The only controversy between the Patron and the Chaplain ought to be, +Which should promote the good designs and interests of each other most? +And, for my own part, I think it is the happiest circumstance in a great +Estate or Title, that it qualifies a man for choosing, out of such a +learned and valuable body of men as that of the English Clergy, a friend, +a spiritual guide, and a companion. + +The letter which I have received from one of this Order, is as follows: + + _Mr. Guardian, + + I hope you will not only indulge me in the liberty of two or three + questions; but also in the solution of them. + + I haw had the honour, many years, of being Chaplain in a noble + Family; and of being accounted the_ highest servant _in the house: + either out of respect to my Cloth, or because I lie in the + uppermost garret. + + Whilst my old Lord lived, his table was always adorned with useful + Learning and innocent Mirth, as well as covered with Plenty. I was + not looked upon as a piece of furniture, fit only to sanctify and + garnish a feast; but treated as a Gentleman, and generally desired + to fill up the conversation, an hour after I had done my duty_ + [i.e., said grace after dinner]. + + _But now my young Lord is come to the Estate, I find I am looked + upon as a_ Censor Morum, _an obstacle to mirth and talk: and + suffered to retire constantly with_ "Prosperity to the Church!" _in + my mouth_ [i.e., after drinking this toast]. + + _I declare, solemnly, Sir, that I have heard nothing from all the + fine Gentlemen who visit us, more remarkable, for half a year, than + that one young Lord was seven times drunk at Genoa. + + I have lately taken the liberty to stay three or four rounds_ + [i.e., of the bottle] _beyond [the toast of]_ The Church! _to see + what topics of discourse they went upon: but, to my great surprise, + have hardly heard a word all the time, besides the Toasts. Then + they all stared full in my face, and shewed all the actions of + uneasiness till I was gone. + + Immediately upon my departure, to use the words of an old Comedy, + "I find by the noise they make, that they had a mind to be + private." + + I am at a loss to imagine what conversation they have among one + another, which I may not be present at: since I love innocent Mirth + as much as any of them; and am shocked with no freedoms whatsoever, + which are inconsistent with Christianity. + + I have, with much ado, maintained my post hitherto at the dessert, + and every day eat a tart in the face of my Patron: but how long I + shall be invested with this privilege, I do not know. For the + servants, who do not see me supported as I was in my old Lord's + time, begin to brush very familiarly by me: and they thrust aside + my chair, when they set the sweetmeats on the table. + + I have been born and educated a Gentleman, and desire you will make + the public sensible that the Christian Priesthood was never + thought, in any Age or country, to debase the Man who is a member + of it. Among the great services which your useful Papers daily do + to Religion, this perhaps will not be the least: and it will lay a + very great obligation on + + Your unknown servant, + + G.W._ + + + + +BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. + +_Poor RICHARD improved, Being an Almanac, &c., for the year of our Lord_ +1758. + +RICHARD SAUNDERS. Philom. + +Philadelphia. + + +COURTEOUS READER. + +I have heard that nothing gives an author so great pleasure as to find +his works respectfully quoted by other learned authors. This pleasure I +have seldom enjoyed. For though I have been, if I may say it without +vanity, an _eminent_ author of _Almanacs_ annually, now a full quarter of +a century, my brother authors in the same way, for what reason I know not, +have ever been very sparing in their applauses; and no other author has +taken the least notice of me: so that did not my writings produce me some +solid Pudding, the great deficiency of Praise would have quite discouraged +me. + +I concluded at length, that the people were the best judges of my merit; +for they buy my works: and besides, in my rambles, where I am not +personally known, I have frequently heard one or other of my Adages +repeated, with "as _Poor RICHARD_ says!" at the end of it. This gave me +some satisfaction, as it shewed, not only that my Instructions were +regarded, but discovered likewise some respect for my Authority. And I +own, that to encourage the practice of remembering and repeating those +wise Sentences: I have sometimes _quoted myself_ with great gravity. + +Judge, then, how much I must have been gratified by an incident I am +going to relate to you! + +I stopped my horse lately, where a great number of people were collected +at a Vendue [_sale_] of Merchant's goods. The hour of sale not being +come, they were conversing on the badness of the Times: and one of the +company called to a clean old man, with white locks, "Pray, Father +ABRAHAM! what do you think of the Times? Won't these heavy taxes quite +ruin the country? How shall we be ever able to pay them? What would you +advise us to?" + +Father ABRAHAM stood up, and replied, "If you would have my advice; I +will give it you, in short; for _a word to the wise is enough_, and _many +words won't fill a bushel_, as _Poor RICHARD_ says." + +They all joined, desiring him to speak his mind; and gathering round him, +he proceeded as follows: + +"Friends" says he, "and neighbours! The taxes are indeed very heavy; and +if those laid on by the Government were the only ones we had to pay, we +might the more easily discharge them: but we have many others, and much +more grievous to some of us. We are taxed twice as much by our IDLENESS, +three times as much by our PRIDE, and four times as much by our FOLLY: +and from these taxes, the Commissioners cannot ease, or deliver us by +allowing an abatement. However let us hearken to good advice, and +something may be done for us. _GOD helps them that help themselves_, as +_Poor RICHARD_ says in his _Almanac_ of 1733." + +It would be thought a hard Government that should tax its people +One-tenth part of their TIME, to be employed in its service. But Idleness +taxes many of us much more; if we reckon all that is spent in absolute +sloth, or doing of nothing; with that which is spent in idle employments +or amusements that amount to nothing. Sloth, by bringing on diseases, +absolutely shortens life. _Sloth, like Rust, consumes faster than Labour +wears; while the used key is always bright, as Poor RICHARD says_. But +_dost thou love Life? Then do not squander time! for that's the stuff +Life is made of_, as _Poor RICHARD says_. + +How much more than is necessary do we spend in sleep? forgetting that +_the sleeping fox catches no poultry_; and that _there will be sleeping +enough in the grave_, as _Poor RICHARD_ says. If Time be of all things +the most precious, _Wasting of Time must be_ (as _Poor RICHARD_ says) +_the greatest prodigality;_ since, as he elsewhere tells us, _Lost time +is never found again_; and what we call _Time enough! always prows little +enough_. Let us then up and be doing, and doing to the purpose: so, by +diligence, shall we do more with less perplexity. _Sloth makes all things +difficult, but Industry all things easy_, as _Poor RICHARD_ says: and _He +that riseth late, must trot all day; and shall scarce overtake his +business at night_. While _Laziness travels so slowly, that Poverty soon +overtakes him_, as we read in _Poor RICHARD_; who adds, _Drive thy +business! Let not that drive thee!_ and + + _Early to bed, and early to rise, + Makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise_. + +So what signifies _wishing_ and _hoping_ for better Times! We may make +these Times better, if we bestir ourselves! _Industry need not wish!_ as +_Poor RICHARD_ says; and _He that lives on Hope, will die fasting. There +are no gains without pains_. Then _Help hands! for I have no lands_; or +if I have, they are smartly taxed. And as _Poor RICHARD_ likewise +observes, _He that hath a Trade, hath an Estate_, and He that _hath a +Calling, hath an Office of Profit and Honour_: but, then, the Trade must +be worked at, and the Calling well followed, or neither the Estate, nor +the Office, will enable us to pay our taxes. + +If we are industrious, we shall never starve, for, as _Poor RICHARD_ +says, _At the working man's houses Hunger looks in; but dares not enter_. +Nor will the Bailiff, or the Constable enter: for _Industry pays debts, +while, Despair increaseth them_, says _Poor RICHARD_. + +What though you have found no treasure, nor has any rich relation left +you a legacy. _Diligence is the Mother of Good-luck_, as _Poor RICHARD_ +says; and _GOD gives ail things to Industry_. Then + + _Plough deep, while sluggards sleep; + And you shall have corn to sell and to keep,_ + +says _Poor DICK_. Work while it is called to-day; for you know not, how +much you may be hindered to-morrow: which makes _Poor RICHARD_ say, _One +To-day is worth two To-morrows_, and farther, _Have you somewhat to do +to-morrow? do it to-day!_ + +If you were a servant, would you not be ashamed that a good master should +catch you idle? Are you then your own Master? _Be ashamed to catch +yourself idle!_ as _Poor DICK_ says. When there is so much to be done for +yourself, your family, your country, and your gracious King; be up by peep +of day! _Let not the sun look down, and say, "Inglorious, here he lies!"_ +Handle your tools, without mittens! Remember that _The cat in glove +catches no mice!_ as _Poor RICHARD_ says. + +'Tis true there is much to be done; and perhaps you are weak handed; but +stick to it steadily! and you will see great effects, For _Constant +dropping wears away stones_, and _By diligence and patience, the mouse +ate in two the cable_, and _little strokes fell great oaks_; as _Poor +RICHARD_ says in his _Almanac_, the year I cannot, just now, remember. + +Methinks, I hear some of you say, "Must a man afford himself no leisure?" + +I will tell thee, my friend! what _Poor RICHARD_ says. + + _Employ thy time well, if thou meanest to gain leisure! and + Since thou art not sure of a minute, throw not away an hour!_ + +Leisure is time for doing something useful. This leisure the diligent man +will obtain; but the lazy man never. So that, as _Poor RICHARD_ says, _A +life of leisure, and a life of laziness are two things_. Do you imagine +that Sloth will afford you more comfort than Labour? No! for as _Poor +RICHARD_ says, _Trouble springs from idleness, and grievous toil from +needless ease. Many without labour, would live by their Wits only; but +they'll break, for want of Stock_ [_i.e._, Capital]. Whereas Industry +gives comfort, and plenty, and respect. _Fly Pleasures! and they'll +follow you! The diligent spinner has a large shift_, and + + _Now I have a sheep and a cow + Everybody bids me "Good morrow."_ + +All which is well said by _Poor RICHARD_. + +But with our Industry; we must likewise be Steady, Settled, and Careful: +and oversee our own affairs _with our own eyes_, and not trust too much +to others. For, as _Poor RICHARD_ says, + + _I never saw an oft removed tree, + Nor yet an oft removed family, + That throve so well, as those that settled be_. + +And again, _Three Removes are as bad as a Fire;_ and again _Keep thy +shop! and thy shop will keep thee!_ and again, _If you would have your +business done, go! if not, send!_ and again, + + _He that by the plough would thrive; + Himself must either hold or drive_. + +And again, _The Eye of the master will do more work than both his Hands;_ +and again, _Want of Care does us more damage than Want of Knowledge;_ and +again, _Not to oversee workmen, is to leave them your purse open_. + +Trusting too much to others' care, is the ruin of many. For, as the +Almanac says, _In the affairs of this world, men are saved, not by faith, +but by the want of it_. But a man's own care is profitable; for, saith +_Poor DICK, Learning is to the Studious,_ and _Riches to the Careful;_ as +well as _Power to the Bold,_ and _Heaven to the Virtuous_. And further, +_If you would have a faithful servant, and one that you like; serve +yourself!_ + +And again, he adviseth to circumspection and care, even in the smallest +matters; because sometimes, _A little neglect may breed great mischief_; +adding, _For want of a nail, the shoe was lost; for want of a shoe, the +horse was lost; and for want of a horse, the rider was lost_; being +overtaken, and slain by the enemy. All for want of care about a +horse-shoe nail. + +So much for Industry, my friends! and attention to one's own business; +but to these we must add FRUGALITY, if we would make our industry more +certainly successful. _A man may_, if he knows not how to save as he +gets, _keep his nose, all his life, to the grindstone; and die not worth +a groat at last. A fat Kitchen makes a lean Will_, as _Poor RICHARD_ +says, and + + _Many estates are spent in the getting, + Since women, for Tea, forsook spinning and knitting; + And men, for Punch, forsook hewing and splitting_. + +_If you would be healthy_, says he in another _Almanac, think of Saving, +as well as of Getting! The Indies have not made Spain rich; because her +Outgoes are greater than her Incomes_. + +Away, then, with your expensive follies! and you will not have so much +cause to complain of hard Times, heavy taxes, and chargeable families. +For, as _Poor DICK_ says, + + _Women and Wine, Game and Deceit, + Make the Wealth small, and the Wants great_. + +And farther, _What maintains one vice, would bring up two children_. + +You may think perhaps, that, a _little_ tea, or a _little_ punch, now and +then; diet, a _little_ more costly; clothes, a _little_ finer; and a +_little_ entertainment, now and then; can be no great matter. But +remember what _Poor RICHARD_ says, _Many a Little makes a Mickle_; and +farther, _Beware of little expenses! a small leak will sink a great +ship_; and again, _Who dainties love; shall beggars prove!_ and moreover, +_Fools make feasts, and wise men eat them_. + +Here are you all got together at this Vendue of Fineries and knicknacks! +You call them Goods: but if you do not take care, they will prove Evils +to some of you! You expect they will be sold cheap, and perhaps they may, +for less than they cost; but if you have no occasion for them, they must +be _dear_ to you! Remember what _Poor RICHARD_ says! _Buy what thou hast +no need of, and, ere long, thou shalt sell thy necessaries!_ And again, +_At a great pennyworth, pause a while!_ He means, that perhaps the +cheapness is apparent only, and not real; or the bargain by straitening +thee in thy business, may do thee more harm than good. For in another +place, he says, _Many have been ruined by buying good pennyworths_. + +Again, _Poor RICHARD_ says, _'Tis foolish, to lay out money in a purchase +of Repentance_: and yet this folly is practised every day at Vendues, for +want of minding the _Almanac_. + +_Wise men_, as _Poor DICK_ says, _learn by others' harms; Fools, scarcely +by their own_: but _Felix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum_. Many a +one, for the sake of finery on the back, has gone with a hungry belly, +and half starved their families. _Silks and satins, scarlet and velvets_, +as _Poor RICHARD_ says, _put out the kitchen fire!_ These are not the +necessaries of life; they can scarcely be called the conveniences: and +yet only because they look pretty, how many _want_ to have them! The +artificial wants of mankind thus become more numerous than the natural; +and as _Poor DICK_ says, _For one poor person, there are a hundred_ +indigent. + +By these, and other extravagances, the genteel are reduced to poverty, +and forced to borrow of those whom they formerly despised; but who, +through Industry and Frugality, have maintained their standing. In which +case, it appears plainly that _A ploughman on his legs is higher than a +gentleman on his knees_, as _Poor RICHARD_ says. Perhaps they have had a +small estate left them, which they knew not the getting of. They think +_'tis day! and will never be night!_; that _a little to be spent out of +so much I is not worth minding_ (_A Child and a Fool_, as _Poor RICHARD_ +says, _imagine Twenty Shillings and Twenty Years can never be spent_): +but _always taking out of the meal tub, and never putting in, soon comes +to the bottom_. Then, as _Poor DICK says_, _When the well's dry, they +know the worth of water!_ but this they might have known before, if they +had taken his advice. _If you would know the value of money; go, and try +to borrow some!_ For, _he that goes a borrowing, goes a sorrowing!_ and +indeed, so does he that lends to such people, _when he goes to get it in +again!_ + +_Poor DICK_ further advises, and says + + _Fond Pride of Dress is, sure, a very curse! + Ere Fancy you consult; consult your purse!_ + +And again, _Pride is as loud a, beggar as Want, and a great deal more +saucy!_ When you have bought one fine thing, you must buy ten more, that +your appearance may be all of a piece; but _Poor DICK_ says, _'Tis easier +to suppress the First desire, than to satisfy All that follow it_. And +'tis as truly folly, for the poor to ape the rich; as for the frog to +swell, in order to equal the ox. + + _Great Estates may venture more; + But little boats should keep near shore!_ + +'Tis, however, a folly soon punished! for Pride that _dines on Vanity, +sups on Contempt_, as _Poor RICHARD_ says. And in another place. _Pride +breakfasted with Plenty, dined with Poverty, and supped with Infamy_. + +And, after all, of what use is this Pride of Appearance? for which so +much is risked, so much is suffered! It cannot promote health or ease +pain! It makes no increase of merit in the person! It creates envy! It +hastens misfortune! + + _What is a butterfly? At best + He's but a caterpillar drest! + The gaudy fop's his picture just_. + +as _Poor RICHARD_ says. + +But what madness must it be, to _run into debt_ for these superfluities? + +We are offered, by the terms of this Vendue, Six Months' Credit; and +that, perhaps, has induced some of us to attend it, because we cannot +spare the ready money, and hope now to be fine without it. But, ah, think +what you do, when you run in debt? _You give to another, power over your +liberty!_ If you cannot pay at the time, you will be ashamed to see your +creditor! You will be in fear, when you speak to him! You will make poor +pitiful sneaking excuses! and, by degrees, come to lose your veracity, +and sink into base downright lying! For, as _Poor RICHARD_ says, _The +second vice is Lying, the first is Running into Debt_: and again, to the +same purpose, _Lying rides upon Debt's back_. Whereas a free born +Englishman ought not to be ashamed or afraid to see, or speak to any man +living. But Poverty often deprives a man of all spirit and virtue. _'Tis +hard for an Empty Bag to stand upright!_ as _Poor RICHARD_ truly says. +What would you think of that Prince, or the Government, who should issue +an Edict forbidding you to dress like a Gentleman or Gentlewoman, on pain +of imprisonment or servitude. Would you not say that "You are free! have a +right to dress as you please! and that such an Edict would be a breach of +your privileges! and such a Government, tyrannical!" And yet you are +about to put yourself under that tyranny, when you run in debt for such +dress! Your creditor has authority, at his pleasure, to deprive you of +your liberty, by confining you in gaol for life! or to sell you for a +servant, if you should not be able to pay him! When you have got your +bargain; you may, perhaps, think little of payment, but _Creditors_ +(_Poor RICHARD_ tells us) _have better memories than Debtors_; and, in +another place, says, _Creditors are a superstitious sect! great observers +of set days and times_. The day comes round, before you are aware; and the +demand is made, before you are prepared to satisfy it: or, if you bear +your debt in mind, the term which, at first, seemed so long, will, as it +lessens, appear extremely short. TIME will seem to have added wings to +his heels, as well as shoulders. _Those have a short Lent_, saith _Poor +RICHARD, who owe money to be paid at Easter_. Then since, as he says, +_The Borrower is a slave to the Lender, and the Debtor to the Creditor_; +disdain the chain! preserve your freedom! and maintain your independency! +Be industrious and free! be frugal and free! At present, perhaps, you may +think yourself in thriving circumstances; and that you can bear a little +extravagance without injury: but + + _For Age and Want, save while you may! + No morning sun lasts a whole day,_ + +as _Poor RICHARD_ says. + +Gain may be temporary and uncertain; but, ever while you live, Expense is +constant and certain: and _'tis easier to build two chimneys than to keep +one in fuel_, as _Poor RICHARD_ says. So _rather go to bed supperless, +than rise in debt!_ + + _Get what you can! and what you get, hold! + 'Tis the Stone that will turn all your lead into gold!_ + +as _Poor RICHARD_ says. And when you have got the Philosopher's Stone, +sure, you will no longer complain of bad times, or the difficulty of +paying taxes. + +This doctrine, my friends! is Reason and Wisdom! But, after all, do not +depend too much upon your own Industry, and Frugality, and Prudence; +though excellent things! For they may all be blasted without the Blessing +of Heaven: and, therefore, ask that Blessing humbly! and be not +uncharitable to those that at present, seem to want it; but comfort and +help them! Remember, JOB suffered, and was afterwards prosperous. + +And now to conclude. _Experience keeps a dear school; but Fools will +learn in no other, and scarce in that!_ for it is true, _We may give +Advice, but we cannot give Conduct_, as _Poor RICHARD_ says. However, +remember this! _They that won't be counselled, can't be helped!_ as _Poor +RICHARD_ says: and farther, that, "_If you will not hear reason, she'll +surely rap your knuckles!"_ + +Thus the old gentleman ended his harangue. The people heard it, and +approved the doctrine; and immediately practised the contrary, just as if +it had been a common sermon! For the Vendue opened, and they began to buy +extravagantly; notwithstanding all his cautions, and their own fear of +taxes. + +I found the good man had thoroughly studied my _Almanacs_, and digested +all I had dropped on those topics during the course of five and twenty +years. The frequent mention he made of me, must have tired any one else; +but my vanity was wonderfully delighted with it: though I was conscious +that not a tenth part of the wisdom was my own, which he ascribed to me; +but rather the gleanings I had made of the Sense of all Ages and Nations. +However, I resolved to be the better for the Echo of it; and though I had, +at first, determined to buy stuff for a new coat; I went away resolved to +wear my old one a little longer. Reader! if thou wilt do the same, thy +profit will be as great as mine. + +I am, as ever, Thine, to serve thee! + +July 7, 1757. + +RICHARD SAUNDERS. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of An English Garner +Edited by Professor Arber and Thomas Seccombe + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10489 *** diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: An English Garner + Critical Essays & Literary Fragments + +Author: Edited by Professor Arber and Thomas Seccombe + +Release Date: December 18, 2003 [EBook #10489] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN ENGLISH GARNER *** + + + + +Produced by Charles Aldarondo, Keren Vergon, Beth Trapaga and PG +Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + +AN ENGLISH GARNER + + +CRITICAL ESSAYS +AND +LITERARY FRAGMENTS + + +WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY +J. CHURTON COLLINS + + +1903 + + +PUBLISHERS' NOTE + +The texts contained in the present volume are reprinted with very slight +alterations from the _English Garner_ issued in eight volumes (1877-1890, +London, 8vo.) by Professor Arber, whose name is sufficient guarantee for +the accurate collation of the texts with the rare originals, the old +spelling being in most cases carefully modernised. The contents of the +original _Garner_ have been rearranged and now for the first time +classified, under the general editorial supervision of Mr. Thomas +Seccombe. Certain lacunae have been filled by the interpolation of fresh +matter. The Introductions are wholly new and have been written specially +for this issue. The references to volumes of the _Garner_ (other than the +present volume) are for the most part to the editio princeps, 8 vols. +1877-90. + + + + +CONTENTS + + I. Extract from Thomas Wilson's _Art of Rhetoric_, 1554 + II. Sir Philip Sidney's _Letter to his brother Robert_, 1580 + III. Extract from Francis Meres's _Palladis Tamia_, 1598 + IV. Dryden's _Dedicatory Epistle to the Rival Ladies_, 1664 + V. Sir Robert Howard's _Preface to four new Plays_, 1665 + VI. Dryden's _Essay of Dramatic Poesy_, 1668 + VII. Extract from Thomas Ellwood's _History of Himself_, describing + his relations with Milton, 1713 +VIII. Bishop Copleston's Advice to a Young Reviewer, 1807 + IX. The Bickerstaff and Partridge Tracts, 1708 + X. Gay's _Present State of Wit_, 1711 + XI. Tickell's Life of Addison, 1721 + XII. Steele's Dedicatory Epistle to Congreve, 1722 +XIII. Extract from Chamberlayne's Angliae Notitia, 1669 + XIV. Eachard's Grounds and Occasions of the Contempt of the Clergy + and of Religion, 1670 + XV. Bickerstaff's Miseries of the Domestic Chaplain, 1710 + XVI. Franklin's Poor Richard Improved, 1757 + + + + +INTRODUCTION + +The miscellaneous pieces comprised in this volume are of interest and +value, as illustrating the history of English literature and of an +important side of English social life, namely, the character and status +of the clergy in the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. They +have been arranged chronologically under the subjects with which they are +respectively concerned. The first three--the excerpt from Wilson's _Art of +Rhetoric_, Sir Philip Sidney's _Letter_ to his brother Robert, and the +dissertation from Meres's _Palladis Tamia_--are, if minor, certainly +characteristic examples of pre-Elizabethan and Elizabethan literary +criticism. The next three--the _Dedicatory Epistle to the Rival Ladies_, +Howard's _Preface to Four New Plays_, and the _Essay of Dramatic +Poesy_--not only introduce us to one of the most interesting critical +controversies of the seventeenth century, but present us, in the last +work, with an epoch-marking masterpiece, both in English criticism and in +English prose composition. Bishop Copleston's brochure brings us to the +early days of the _Edinburgh Review_, and to the dawn of the criticism +with which we are, unhappily, only too familiar in our own time. From +criticism we pass, in the extract from Ellwood's life of himself, to +biography and social history, to the most vivid account we have of Milton +as a personality and in private life. Next comes a series of pamphlets +illustrating social and literary history in the reigns of Anne and George +I., opening with the pamphlets bearing on Swift's inimitable Partridge +hoax, now for the first time collected and reprinted, and preceding Gay's +_Present State of Wit_, which gives a lively account of the periodic +literature current in 1711. Next comes Tickell's valuable memoir of his +friend Addison, prefixed, as preface, to his edition of Addison's works, +published in 1721, with Steele's singularly interesting strictures on the +memoir, being the dedication of the second edition of the _Drummer_ to +Congreve. The reprint of Eachard's _Grounds and Occasions of the Contempt +of the Clergy and Religion Enquired into_, with the preceding extract from +Chamberlayne's _Angliae Notitia_ and the succeeding papers of Steele's in +the _Tatler_ and _Guardian_, throws light on a question which is not only +of great interest in itself, but which has been brought into prominence +through the controversies excited by Macaulay's famous picture of the +clergy of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Last comes what is by +general consent acknowledged to be one of the most valuable contributions +ever made to the literature of proverbs, Franklin's summary of the maxims +in _Poor Richard's Almanack_. + +Our first excerpt is the preface to a work which is entitled to the +distinction of being the first systematic contribution to literary +criticism written in the English language. It appeared in 1553, and was +entitled _The Art of Rhetorique, for the use of all suche as are studious +of eloquence, sette foorthe in Englishe by Thomas Wilson_, and it was +dedicated to John Dudley, Earl of Warwick. Thomas Wilson--erroneously +designated Sir Thomas Wilson, presumably because he has been confounded +with a knight of that name--was born about 1525, educated at Eton and +subsequently at King's College, Cambridge, whence he graduated B.A. in +1549. In life he played many parts, as tutor to distinguished pupils, +notably Henry and Charles Brandon, afterwards Dukes of Suffolk, as +diplomatist and ambassador to various countries, as a Secretary of State +and a Privy Councillor, as one of the Masters of Requests, and as Master +of St. Catherine's Hospital at the Tower, at which place and in which +capacity he terminated a very full and busy life on June 16th, 1581. The +pupil of Sir John Cheke and of Sir Thomas Smith, and the intimate friend +of Roger Ascham, Wilson was one of the most accomplished scholars in +England, being especially distinguished by his knowledge of Greek. He is +the author of a translation, of a singularly vigorous translation, of the +_Olynthiacs_ and _Philippics_ of Demosthenes, published in 1570. His most +popular work, judging at least from the quickly succeeding editions, +appears to have been his first, _The Rule of Reason, conteinynge the Art +of Logique set forth in Englishe_, published by Grafton in 1551, and +dedicated to Edward VI. _The Art of Rhetorique_ is said to have been +published at the same time, but the earliest known copy is dated January +1553. The interest of this Art of Rhetoric is threefold. It is the work +of a writer intelligently familiar with the Greek and Roman classics, and +it thus stands beside Elyot's _Governour_, which appeared two years +before, as one of the earliest illustrations of the influence of the +Renaissance on our vernacular literature. It is one of the earliest +examples, not only of the employment of the English language in the +treatment of scholastic subjects, but of the vindication of the use of +English in the treatment of such subjects; and, lastly, it is remarkable +for its sound and weighty good sense. His friend, Ascham, had already +said: 'He that wyll wryte well in any tongue muste folowe thys councel of +Aristotle, to speake as the common people do, to think as wise men do, and +so shoulde every man understande hym. Many English writers have not done +so, but usinge straunge words, as Latin, French, and Italian, do make all +thinges darke and harde.' And it is indeed by no means improbable that +this work, which is written to inculcate all that Ascham upheld, may have +been suggested by Ascham. It is in three books, and draws largely on +Quintilian, the first two books being substantially little more than a +compilation, but a very judicious one, from the _Institutes of Oratory_. +But Wilson is no pedant, and has many excellent remarks on the nature of +the influence which the classics should exercise on English composition. +One passage is worth transcribing-- + +'Among all other lessons, this should first be learned, that we never +affect any straunge ynkhorne termes, but to speake as is commonly +received, neither seeking to be over fine, nor yet being over carelesse, +using our speeche as most men doe, and ordering our wittes as the fewest +have done. Some seke so far outlandishe English, that thei forget +altogether their mothers language. And I dare sweare this, if some of +their mothers were alive, thei were not able to tell what thei saie; and +yet these fine English clerkes will saie thei speake in their mother +tongue--if a man should charge them for counterfeityng the kinges +Englishe.... The unlearned or foolish phantasicalle that smelles but of +learnyng (suche fellowes as have seen learned men in their daies) will so +Latin their tongues that the simple can not but wonder at their talke, and +thinke surely thei speake by some revelation. I know them that thinke +Rhetorique to stand wholie upon darke woordes; and he that can catche an +ynke horne terme by the taile him thei coumpt to bee a fine Englisheman +and a good Rhetorician.' + +In turning to Wilson's own style, we are reminded of Butler's sarcasm-- + + 'All a rhetorician's rules + Teach nothing but to name his tools.' + +He is not, indeed, deficient, as the excerpt given shows, in dignity and +weightiness, but neither there nor elsewhere has he any of the finer +qualities of style, his rhythm being harsh and unmusical, his diction +cumbrous and diffuse. + +The excerpt which comes next in this miscellany is by the author of that +treatise which is, with the exceptions, perhaps, of George Puttenham's +_Art of English Poesie_ and Ben Jonson's _Discoveries_, the most precious +contribution to criticism made in the Elizabethan age; but, indeed, the +_Defence of Poesie_ stands alone: alone in originality, alone in +inspiring eloquence. The letter we print is taken from Arthur Collins's +_Sydney Papers_, vol. i. pp. 283-5, and was written by Sir Philip Sidney +to his brother Robert, afterwards (August 1618) second Earl of Leicester, +then at Prague. From letters of Sir Henry Sidney in the same collection +(see letters dated March 25th and October 1578) we learn that Robert, +then in his eighteenth year, had been sent abroad to see the world and to +acquire foreign languages, that he was flighty and extravagant, and had in +consequence greatly annoyed his father, who had threatened to recall him +home. 'Follow,' Sir Henry had written, 'the direction of your most loving +brother. Imitate his virtues, exercyses, studyes and accyons, hee ys a +rare ornament of thys age.' This letter was written at a critical time in +Sidney's life. With great courage and with the noblest intentions, though +with extraordinary want of tact, for he was only in his twenty-sixth +year, he had presumed to dissuade Queen Elizabeth from marrying the Duke +of Anjou. The Queen had been greatly offended, and he had had to retire +from Court. The greater part of the year 1580 he spent at Wilton with his +sister Mary, busy with the _Arcadia_. In August he had, through the +influence of his uncle Leicester, become reconciled with the Queen, and a +little later took up his residence at Leicester House, from which this +letter is dated. It is a mere trifle, yet it illustrates very strikingly +and even touchingly Sidney's serious, sweet, and beautiful character. The +admirable remarks on the true use of the study of history, such as 'I +never require great study in Ciceronianism, the chief abuse of Oxford, +_qui dum verba sectantur, res ipsas negligunt_,' remind us of the author +of the _Defence_; while the 'great part of my comfort is in you,' 'be +careful of yourself, and I shall never have cares,' and the 'I write this +to you as one that for myself have given over the delight in the world,' +show that he had estimated royal reconciliations at their true value, and +anticipate the beautiful and pathetic words with which he is said to have +taken leave of the world. Short and hurried as this letter is, we feel it +is one of those trifles which, as Plutarch observes, throw far more light +on character than actions of importance often do. + +Between 1580 and the appearance of Meres's work in 1598 there was much +activity in critical literature. Five years before the date of Sidney's +letter George Gascogne had published his _Certayne Notes of Instruction +concerning the makyng of Verse in Rhyme_. This was succeeded in 1584 by +James I.'s _Ane Short Treatise conteining some rewles and cautelis to be +observit_. Then came William Webbe's _Discourse of English Poesie_, 1586, +which had been preceded by Sidney's charming _Defence of Poetry_, composed +in or about 1579, but not published till 1593. This and Puttenham's +elaborate treatise, _The Art of English Poesie contrived into three +books_ (1589), had indeed marked an epoch in the history of criticism. +Memorable, too, in this branch of literature is Harington's _Apologie for +Poetry_ (1591), prefixed to his translation of the _Orlando Furioso_. But +it was not criticism only which had been advancing. The publication of +the first part of Lyly's _Euphues_ and of Spenser's _Shepherd's Calendar_ +in 1579 may be said to have initiated the golden age of our literature. +The next twenty years saw Marlowe, Greene, Peele, Kyd, Shakespeare, +Chapman, Decker, and Ben Jonson at the head of our drama; Spenser, +Warner, Daniel, and Drayton leading narrative poetry; the contributors to +_England's Helicon_, published a year later, at the head of our sonneteers +and lyric poets; and Sidney, Lyly, Greene, and Hooker in the van of our +prose literature. The history of Meres's work, a dissertation from which +is here extracted, is curious. In or about 1596, Nicholas Ling and John +Bodenham conceived the idea of publishing a series of volumes containing +proverbs, maxims, and sententious reflections on religion, morals, and +life generally. Accordingly in 1597 appeared a small volume containing +various apothegms, extracted principally from the Classics and the +Fathers, compiled by Nicholas Ling and dedicated to Bodenham. It was +entitled _Politeuphuia_: _Wits Commonwealth_. In the following year +appeared '_Palladis Tamia, Wits Treasury_: _Being the Second Part of Wits +Commonwealth_. By Francis Meres, Maister of Arts in both Universities.' On +the title-page is the motto '_Vivitur ingenio, cetera mortis erunt_.' It +was printed by P. Short for Cuthbert Burbie. From the address to the +reader, which does not appear in the first edition, though it was +apparently intended for that edition, we learn that it had been +undertaken because of the extraordinary popularity of _Wits +Commonwealth_, which 'thrice within one year had runne thorough the +Presse.' Meres's work differs importantly from _Wits Commonwealth_. It is +not merely a compilation, but contains original matter, generally by way +of commentary. The extracts are much fuller, many being taken from modern +writers, notably Robert Greene, Lyly, Warner, and Sir Philip Sidney. In +1634 the work was re-issued under another title, _Wits Commonwealth, The +Second Part: A Treasurie of Divine, Moral, and Phylosophical Similes and +Sentences generally useful. But more particular published for the Use of +Schools_. In 1636 it was again reprinted. The only part of Meres's work +which is of interest now is what is here reprinted. It belongs to that +portion of his compilation which treats of studies and reading, the +preceding sections discussing respectively of 'books,' of 'reading of +books,' of 'choice to be had in reading of books,' of 'the use of reading +many books,' of 'philosophers,' of 'poetry,' of 'poets,' consisting for +the most part of remarks compiled from Plutarch, and in one or two +instances from Sir Philip Sidney's _Defence of Poetry. A portion of the +passage which immediately precedes the _Discourse_ may be transcribed +because of its plain speaking about the indifference of Elizabeth and her +ministers to the fortune of poets; though this, with curious +inconsistency, is flatly contradicted, probably for prudential reasons, +in the _Discourse_ itself-- + + 'As the Greeke and Latin Poets have wonne immortal credit to their + native speech, being encouraged and graced by liberal patrones and + bountiful benefactors; so our famous and learned Lawreate masters + of England would entitle our English to far greater admired + excellency, if either the Emperor Augustus or Octavia his sister + or noble Maecenas were alive to reward and countenance them; or if + witty Comedians and stately Tragedians (the glorious and goodlie + representers of all fine witte, glorified phrase and great action) + bee still supported and uphelde, by which meanes (O ingrateful and + damned age) our Poets are soly or chiefly maintained, countenanced + and patronized.' + +Of the author of this work, Francis Meres or Meers, comparatively little +is known. He sprang from an old and highly respectable family in +Lincolnshire, and was born in 1565, the son of Thomas Meres, of Kirton in +Holland in that county. After graduating from Pembroke College, Cambridge, +in 1587, proceeding M.A. in 1591 at his own University, and subsequently +by _ad eundem_ at Oxford, he settled in London, where in 1597, having +taken orders, he was living in Botolf Lane. He was presented in July 1602 +to the rectory of Wing in Rutland, keeping a school there. He remained at +Wing till his death, in his eighty-first year, January 29, 1646-7. As +Charles FitzGeoffrey, in a Latin poem in his _Affaniae_ addressed to +Meres, speaks of him as '_Theologus et poeta_', it is possible that the +'F.M.' who was a contributor to the _Paradise of Dainty Devices_ is to be +identified with Meres. In addition to the _Palladis Tamia_, Meres was the +author of a sermon published in 1597, a copy of which is in the Bodleian, +and of two translations from the Spanish, neither of which is of any +interest. + +Meres's _Discourse_ is, like the rest of his work, mainly a compilation, +with additions and remarks of his own. Much of it is derived from the +thirty-first chapter of the first book of Puttenham; with these +distinctions, that Meres's includes the poets who had come into +prominence between 1589 and 1598, and instituted parallels, biographical +and critical, between them and the ancient Classics. It is the notices of +these poets, and more particularly the references to Shakespeare's +writings, which make this treatise so invaluable to literary students. +Thus we are indebted to Meres for a list of the plays which Shakespeare +had produced by 1598, and for a striking testimony to his eminence at +that date as a dramatic poet, as a narrative poet, and as a writer of +sonnets. The perplexing reference to _Love's Labour's Won_ has never +been, and perhaps never will be, satisfactorily explained. To assume that +it is another title for _All's Well that Ends Well_ in an earlier form is +to cut rather than to solve the knot. It is quite possible that it refers +to a play that has perished. The references to the imprisonment of Nash +for writing the _Isle of Dogs_, to the unhappy deaths of Peele, Greene, +and Marlowe, and to the high personal character of Drayton are of great +interest. Meres was plainly a man of muddled and inaccurate learning, of +no judgment, and of no critical power, a sort of Elizabethan Boswell +without Boswell's virtues, and it is no paradox to say that it is this +which gives his _Discourse_ its chief interest. It probably represents +not his own but the judgments current on contemporary writers in +Elizabethan literary circles. And we cannot but be struck with their +general fairness. Full justice is done to Shakespeare, who is placed at +the head of the dramatists; full justice is done to Spenser, who is +styled divine, and placed at the head of narrative poets; to Sidney, both +as a prose writer and as a poet; to Drayton, to Daniel, and to Hall, +Lodge, and Marston, as satirists. We are surprised to find such a high +place assigned to Warner, 'styled by the best wits of both our +universities the English Homer,' and a modern critic would probably +substitute different names, notably those of Lodge and Campion, for those +of Daniel and Drayton in a list of the chief lyric poets then in activity. +In Meres's remarks on painters and musicians, there is nothing to detain +us. + +Of a very different order is the important critical treatise which comes +next, Dryden's _Essay of Dramatic Poesy_, to which are prefixed as +prolegomena Dryden's _Dedicatory Epistle to The Rival Ladies_, Sir Robert +Howard's _Preface to Four New Plays_, and, as supplementary, Howard's +_Preface to The Duke of Lerma_, and Dryden's _Defence of the Essay of +Dramatic Poesy_. As Dryden's _Essay_, like almost all his writings, both +in verse and prose, was of a more or less occasional character, it will +be necessary to explain at some length the origin of the controversy out +of which it sprang, as well as the immediate object with which it was +written. + +The Restoration found Dryden a literary adventurer, with a very slender +patrimony and with no prospects. Poetry was a drug in the market; +hack-work for the booksellers was not to his taste; and the only chance +of remunerative employment open to him was to write for the stage. To +this he accordingly betook himself. He began with comedy, and his comedy +was a failure. He then betook himself to a species of drama, for which +his parts and accomplishments were better fitted. Dryden had few or none +of the qualifications essential in a great dramatist; but as a +rhetorician, in the more comprehensive sense of the term, he was soon to +be unrivalled. In the rhymed heroic plays, as they were called, he found +just the sphere in which he was most qualified to excel. The taste for +these dramas, which owed most to France and something to Italy and Spain, +had come in with the Restoration. Their chief peculiarities were the +complete subordination of the dramatic to the rhetorical element, the +predominance of pageant, and the substitution of rhymed for blank verse. +Dryden's first experiment in this drama was the _Rival Ladies_, in which +the tragic portions are composed in rhyme, blank verse being reserved for +the parts approaching comedy. In his next play, the _Indian Queen_, +written in conjunction with Howard, blank verse is wholly discarded. The +dedication of the _Rival Ladies_ to Orrery is appropriate. Roger Boyle, +Baron Broghill, and first Earl of Orrery, was at this time Lord President +of Munster, and it was he who had revived these rhymed plays in his _Henry +V._, which was brought out in the same year as Dryden's comedy. Whoever +has read this drama and Orrery's subsequent experiments, _Mustapha_ +(1665), the _Black Prince_ (1667), _Tryphon_ (1668), will be able to +estimate Dryden's absurd flattery at its proper value. + +But these dramatic innovations were sure not to pass without protest, +though the protest came from a quarter where it might least have been +expected. Sir Robert Howard was the sixth son of Thomas, first Earl of +Berkshire. He had distinguished himself on the Royalist side in the Civil +War, and had paid the penalty for his loyalty by an imprisonment in +Windsor Castle during the Commonwealth. At the Restoration he had been +made an Auditor of the Exchequer. Dryden seems to have made his +acquaintance shortly after arriving in London. In 1660 Howard published a +collection of poems and translations, to which Dryden prefixed an address +'to his honoured friend' on 'his excellent poems.' Howard's rank and +position made him a useful friend to Dryden, and Dryden in his turn was +no doubt of much service to Howard. Howard introduced him to his family, +and in December 1663 Dryden married his friend's eldest sister, the Lady +Elizabeth Howard. In the following year Dryden assisted his +brother-in-law in the composition of the _Indian Queen_. There had +probably been some misunderstanding or dispute about the extent of the +assistance which Dryden had given, which accounts for what follows. In +any case Howard published in 1665, professedly under pressure from +Herringman, four plays, two comedies, _The Surprisal_ and _The +Committee_, and two tragedies, the _Vestal Virgin_ and _Indian Queen_; +and to the volume he prefixed the preface, which is here reprinted. It +will be seen that though he makes no reference to Dryden, he combats all +the doctrines laid down in the preface to the _Rival Ladies_. He exalts +the English drama above the French, the Italian, and the Spanish; and +vindicates blank verse against rhymed, making, however, a flattering +exception of Orrery's dramas. If Dryden was not pleased, he appears to +have had the grace to conceal his displeasure. For he passed the greater +part of 1666 at his father-in-law's house, and dedicated to Howard his +_Annus Mirabilis_. But Howard was to have his answer. In the _Essay of +Dramatic Poesy_ he is introduced in the person of Crites, and in his +mouth are placed all the arguments advanced in the _Preface_ that they +may be duly refuted and demolished by Dryden in the person of Neander. At +this mode of retorting Howard became really angry; and in the _Preface to +the Duke of Lerma_, published in the middle of 1668, he replied in a tone +so contemptuous and insolent that Dryden, in turn, completely lost his +temper. The sting of Howard's _Preface_ lies, it will be seen, in his +affecting the air of a person to whom as a statesman and public man the +points in dispute are mere trifles, hardly worth consideration, and in +the patronising condescension with which he descends to a discussion with +one to whom as a mere _litterateur_ such trifles are of importance. The +_Defence of the Essay of Dramatic Poesy_ Dryden prefixed to the second +edition of the _Indian Emperor_, one of the best of his heroic plays. The +seriously critical portion of this admirable little treatise deals with +Howard's attacks on the employment of rhyme in tragedy, on the observance +of strict rules in dramatic composition, and on the observance of the +unities. But irritated by the tone of Howard's tract, Dryden does not +confine himself to answering his friend's arguments. He ridicules, what +Shadwell had ridiculed before, Howard's coxcombical affectation of +universal knowledge, makes sarcastic reference to an absurdity of which +his opponent had been guilty in the House of Commons, mercilessly exposes +his ignorance of Latin, and the uncouthness and obscurity of his English. +The brothers-in-law afterwards became reconciled, and in token of that +reconciliation Dryden cancelled this tract. + +The _Essay of Dramatic Poesy_ was written at Charleton Park in the latter +part of 1665, and published by Herringman in 1668. It was afterwards +carefully revised, and republished with a dedication to Lord Buckhurst in +1684. Dryden spent more pains than was usual with him on the composition +of this essay, though he speaks modestly of it as 'rude and indigested,' +and it is indeed the most elaborate of his critical disquisitions. It +was, he said, written 'chiefly to vindicate the honour of our English +writers from the censure of those who unjustly prefer the French before +them.' Its more immediate and particular object was to regulate dramatic +composition by reducing it to critical principles, and these principles +he discerned in a judicious compromise between the licence of romantic +drama as represented by Shakespeare and his School, and the austere +restraints imposed by the canons of the classical drama. Assuming that a +drama should be 'a just and lively image of human nature, representing +its passions and humours, and the changes of fortune to which it is +subject, for the delight and instruction of mankind,' it is shown that +this end can only be attained in a drama founded on such a compromise; +that the ancient and modern classical drama fails in nature; that the +Shakespearian drama fails in art. At the conclusion of the essay he +vindicates the employment of rhyme, a contention which he afterwards +abandoned. The dramatic setting of the essay was no doubt suggested by +the Platonic _Dialogues_, or by Cicero, and the essay itself may have +been suggested by Flecknoe's short _Discourse of the English Stage_, +published in 1664. + +The _Essay of Dramatic Poesy_ may be said to make an era in the history +of English criticism, and to mark an era in the history of English prose +composition. It was incomparably the best purely critical treatise which +had hitherto appeared in our language, both synthetically in its +definition and application of principles, and particularly in its lucid, +exact, and purely discriminating analysis. It was also the most striking +and successful illustration of what may be called the new prose style, or +that style which, initiated by Hobbes and developed by Sprat, Cowley, and +Denham[1] blended the ease and plasticity of colloquy with the solidity +and dignity of rhetoric, of that style in which Dryden was soon to become +a consummate master. + +The _Advice to a Young Reviewer_ brings us into a very different sphere +of criticism, and has indeed a direct application to our own time. It was +written by Edward Copleston, afterwards Dean of St. Paul's and Bishop of +Llandaff. Born in February 1776 at Offwell, in Devonshire, Copleston +gained in his sixteenth year a scholarship at Corpus Christi College, +Oxford. After carrying off the prize for Latin verse, he was elected in +1795 Fellow of Oriel. In 1800, having been ordained priest, he became +Vicar of St. Mary's. In 1802 he was elected Professor of Poetry, in which +capacity he delivered the lectures subsequently published under the title +of _Praelectiones Academicae_--a favourite book of Cardinal Newman's. In +1814 he succeeded Dr. Eveleigh as Provost of Oriel. In 1826 he was made +Dean of Chester, in 1828 Bishop of Llandaff and Dean of St. Paul's. He +died at Llandaff, on October 14th, 1849. Copleston is one of the fathers +of modern Oxford, and from his provostship date many of the reforms which +transformed the University of Gibbon and Southey into the University of +Whateley, of Newman, of Keble, and of Pusey. The brochure which is +printed here was written when Copleston was Fellow and Tutor of Oriel. It +was immediately inspired, not, as is commonly supposed, by the critiques +in the _Edinburgh Review_, but by the critiques in the _British Critic_, +a periodical founded in 1793, and exceedingly influential between that +time and about 1812. Archbishop Whateley, correcting a statement in the +_Life_ of Copleston by W.J. Copleston, says that it was occasioned by a +review of Mant's poems in the _British Critic_[2]. But on referring to +the review of these poems, which appeared in the November number of 1806, +plainly the review referred to, we find nothing in it to support +Whateley's assertion. That the reviews in the _British Critic_ are, +however, what Copleston is parodying in the critique of _L'Allegro_ is +abundantly clear, but what he says about voyages and travels and about +science and recondite learning appear to have reference to articles +particularly characteristic of the _Edinburgh Review_. It was not, +however, till after the date of Copleston's parody that the _Edinburgh +Review_ began conspicuously to illustrate what Copleston here satirises; +it was not till a time more recent still that periodical literature +generally exemplified in literal seriousness what Copleston intended as +extravagant irony. It is interesting to compare with Copleston's remarks +what Thackeray says on the same subjects in the twenty-fourth chapter of +_Pendennis_, entitled 'The Pall Mall Gazette.' This brochure is evidently +modelled on Swift's 'Digression Concerning Critics' in the third section +of the _Tale of a Tub_, and owes something also to the _Treatise on the +Bathos_ in Pope's and Swift's _Miscellanies_, as the title may have been +suggested by Shaftesbury's _Advice to an Author_. The _Advice_ itself and +the supplementary critique of Milton are clever and have good points, but +they will not bear comparison with the satire of Swift and Pope. + +The excerpt which comes next in this Miscellany links with the name of +the author of the _Essay of Dramatic Poesy_ the name of the most +illustrious of his contemporaries. The difference, indeed, between Milton +and Dryden is a difference not in degree merely, but in kind, so +immeasurably distant and alien is the sphere in which they moved and +worked both as men and as writers. It has sometimes been questioned +whether Dryden is a poet. Few would dispute that Milton divides with +Shakespeare the supremacy in English poetry. In Dryden as a man there is +little to attract or interest us. In character and in private life he +appears to have been perfectly commonplace. We close his biography, and +our curiosity is satisfied. With Milton it is far otherwise. We feel +instinctively that he belongs to the demi-gods of our race. We have the +same curiosity about him as we have about Homer, Aeschylus, and +Shakespeare, so that the merest trifles which throw any light on his +personality assume an interest altogether out of proportion to their +intrinsic importance. Our debt to Ellwood is, it must be admitted, much +less than it might have been, if he had thought a little more of Milton +and a little less of his somewhat stupid self and the sect to which he +belonged. But, as the proverb says, we must not look a gift-horse in the +mouth, and we are the richer for the Quaker's reminiscences. With +Ellwood's work, the _History of Thomas Ellwood, written by Himself_, we +are only concerned so far as it bears on his relation with Milton. Born +in 1639, the son of a small squire and justice of the peace at Crowell in +Oxfordshire, Ellwood had, in 1659, been persuaded by Edward Burrough, one +of the most distinguished of Fox's followers, to join the Quakers. He was +in his twenty-fourth year when he first met Milton. Milton was then living +in Jewin Street, having removed from his former lodging in Holborn, most +probably in the autumn of 1661. The restoration had terminated his work +as a controversialist and politician. For a short time his life had been +in peril, but he had received a pardon, and could at least live in peace. +He could no longer be of service as a patriot, and was now occupied with +the composition of _Paradise Lost_. Since 1650 he had been blind, and for +study and recreation was dependent on assistance. Having little domestic +comfort as a widower, he had just married his third wife. + +Ellwood's narrative tells its own story. What especially strikes us in +it, and what makes it particularly interesting, is that it presents +Milton in a light in which he is not presented elsewhere. Ellwood seems +to have had the same attraction for him as Bonstetten had for Gray. No +doubt the simplicity, freshness, and enthusiasm of the young Quaker +touched and interested the lonely and world-wearied poet who, when +Ellwood first met him, had entered on his fifty-fifth year; he had no +doubt, too, the scholar's sympathy with a disinterested love of learning. +In any case, but for Ellwood, we should never have known the softer side +of Milton's character, never have known of what gentleness, patience, and +courtesy he was capable. And, indeed, when we remember Milton's position +at this time, as tragical as that of Demosthenes after Chaeronea, and of +Dante at the Court of Verona, there is something inexpressibly touching +in the picture here given with so much simplicity and with such evident +unconsciousness on the part of the painter of the effect produced. There +is one passage which is quite delicious, and yet its point may be, as it +commonly is, easily missed. It illustrates the density of Ellwood's +stupidity, and the delicate irony of the sadly courteous poet. Milton had +lent him, it will be seen, the manuscript of _Paradise Lost_; and on +Ellwood returning it to him, 'he asked me how I liked it, and what I +thought of it, which I modestly but freely told him, and after some +further discourse about it I pleasantly said to him, "Thou has said much +here of Paradise Lost, but what has thou to say of Paradise Found?"' Now +the whole point and scope of Paradise Lost is Paradise Found--the +redemption--the substitution of a spiritual Eden within man for a +physical Eden without man, a point emphasised in the invocation, and +elaborately worked out in the closing vision from the Specular Mount. It +is easy to understand the significance of what follows: 'He made me no +answer, but sat sometime in a muse; then broke off that discourse, and +fell upon another subject.' The result no doubt of that 'muse' was the +suspicion, or, perhaps, the conviction, that the rest of the world would, +in all probability, be as obtuse as Ellwood; and to that suspicion or +conviction we appear to owe _Paradise Regained_. The Plague over, Milton +returned to London, settling in Artillery Walk, Bunhill Fields. 'And when +afterwards I went to wait on him there ... he shewed me his second poem, +called _Paradise Regained_, and in a pleasant tone said to me, "This is +owing to you, for you put it into my head by the question you put to me +at Chalfont, which before I had not thought of."' In 'the pleasant tone' +more, and much more, is implied, of that we may be very sure, than meets +the ear. We should like to have seen the expression on Milton's face both +on this occasion and also when, on Dryden requesting his permission to +turn _Paradise Lost_ into an opera, he replied; 'Oh, certainly, you may +tug my verses if you please, Mr. Dryden.' It may be added that _Paradise +Lost_ was not published till 1667, and _Paradise Regained_ did not see +the light till 1671. Ellwood seems to imply that _Paradise Regained_ was +composed between the end of August or the beginning of September 1665, +and the end of the autumn of the same year, which is, of course, +incredible and quite at variance with what Phillips tells us. Ellwood is, +no doubt, expressing himself loosely, and his 'afterwards' need not +necessarily relate to his first, or to his second, or even to his third +visit to Milton after the poet's return to Artillery Walk, but refers +vaguely to one of those 'occasions which drew him to London.' When he +last saw Milton we have no means of knowing. He never refers to him +again. His autobiography closes with the year 1683. + +For the rest of his life Ellwood was engaged for the most part in +fighting the battles of the Quakers-esoterically in endeavouring to +compose their internal feuds, exoterically in defending them and their +tenets against their common enemies--and in writing poetry, which it is +to be hoped he did not communicate to his 'master.' After the death of +his father in 1684 he lived in retirement at Amersham. His most important +literary service was his edition of George Fox's _Journal_, the manuscript +of which he transcribed and published. He died at his house on Hunger +Hill, Amersham, in March 1714, and lies with Penn in the Quaker's +burying-ground at New Jordan, Chalfont St. Giles. + +We have now arrived at the pamphlets in our Miscellany bearing on the +reign of Queen Anne. First come the Partridge tracts. The history of the +inimitable hoax of which they are the record is full of interest. In +November 1707 Swift, then Vicar of Laracor, came over to England on a +commission from Archbishop King. His two satires, the _Battle of the +Books_ and the _Tale of a Tub_, published anonymously three years before, +had given him a foremost place among the wits, for their authorship was an +open secret. Though he was at this time principally engaged in the cause +of the Established Church, in active opposition to what he considered the +lax latitudinarianism of the Whigs on the one hand and the attacks of the +Freethinkers on the other, he found leisure for doing society another +service. Nothing was more detestable to Swift than charlatanry and +imposture. From time immemorial the commonest form which quackery has +assumed has been associated with astrology and prophecy. It was the +frequent theme or satire in the New Comedy of the Greeks and in the +Comedy of Rome; it has fallen under the lash of Horace and Juvenal; +nowhere is Lucian more amusing than when dealing with this species of +roguery. Chaucer with exquisite humour exposed it and its kindred alchemy +in the fourteenth century, and Ben Jonson and the author of _Albumazar_ in +the seventeenth. Nothing in _Hudibras_ is more rich in wit and humour than +the exposure of Sidrophel, and one of the best of Dryden's comedies is the +_Mock Astrologer_. But it was reserved for Swift to produce the most +amusing satire which has ever gibbeted these mischievous mountebanks. + +John Partridge, whose real name is said to have been Hewson, was born on +the 18th of January 1644. He began life, it appears, as a shoemaker; but +being a youth of some abilities and ambition, had acquired a fair +knowledge of Latin and a smattering of Greek and Hebrew. He had then +betaken himself to the study of astrology and of the occult sciences. +After publishing the _Nativity of Lewis XIV._ and an astrological essay +entitled _Prodromus_, he set up in 1680 a regular prophetic almanac, +under the title of _Merlinus Liberatus_. A Protestant alarmist, for such +he affected to be, was not likely to find favour under the government of +James II., and Partridge accordingly made his way to Holland. On his +return he resumed his Almanac, the character of which is exactly +described in the introduction to the _Predictions_, and it appears to +have had a wide sale. Partridge, however, was not the only impostor of +his kind, but had, as we gather from notices in his Almanac and from his +other pamphlets, many rivals. He was accordingly obliged to resort to +every method of bringing himself and his Almanac into prominence, which +he did by extensive and impudent advertisements in the newspapers and +elsewhere. In his Almanac for 1707 he issues a notice warning the public +against impostors usurping his name. It was this which probably attracted +Swift's attention and suggested his mischievous hoax. + +The pamphlets tell their own tale, and it is not necessary to tell it +here. The name, Isaac Bickerstaff, which has in sound the curious +propriety so characteristic of Dickens's names, was, like so many of the +names in Dickens, suggested by a name on a sign-board, the name of a +locksmith in Long Acre. The second tract, purporting to be written by a +revenue officer, and giving an account of Partridge's death, was, of +course, from the pen of Swift. The verses on Partridge's death appeared +anonymously on a separate sheet as a broadside. It is amusing to learn +that the tract announcing Partridge's death, and the approaching death of +the Duke of Noailles, was taken quite seriously, for Partridge's name was +struck off the rolls of Stationers' Hall, and the Inquisition in Portugal +ordered the tract containing the treasonable prediction to be burned. As +Stationers' Hall had assumed that Partridge was dead--a serious matter +for the prospects of his Almanac--it became necessary for him to +vindicate his title to being a living person. Whether the next tract, +_Squire Bickerstaff Detected_, was, as Scott asserts, the result of an +appeal to Rowe or Yalden by Partridge, and they, under the pretence of +assisting him, treacherously making a fool of him, or an independent +_j'eu d'esprit_, is not quite clear. Nor is it easy to settle with any +certainty the authorship. In the Dublin edition of Swift's works, it is +attributed to Nicholas Rowe; Scott assigns it to Thomas Yalden, the +preacher of Bridewell and a well-known poet. Congreve is also said to +have had a hand in it. It would have been well for Partridge had he +allowed matters to rest here, but unhappily he inserted in the November +issue of his Almanac another solemn assurance to the public that he was +still alive; and was fool enough to add, that he was not only alive at +the time he was writing, but was also alive on the day on which +Bickerstaff had asserted that he was dead. Swift saw his opportunity, and +in the most amusing of this series of tracts proceeded to prove that +Partridge, under whatever delusions as to his continued existence he +might be labouring, was most certainly dead and buried. + +The tracts here printed by no means exhaust the literature of the +Partridge hoax, but nothing else which appeared is worth reviving. It is +surprising that Scott should include in Swift's works a vapid and +pointless contribution attributed to a 'Person of Quality.' The effect of +all this on poor Partridge was most disastrous; for three years his +Almanac was discontinued. When it was revived, in 1714, he had discovered +that his enemy was Swift. What comments he made will be found at the end +of these tracts. Partridge did not long survive the resuscitation of his +Almanac. What had been fiction became fact on June 24th, 1715, and his +virtues and accomplishments, delineated by a hand more friendly than +Swift's, were long decipherable, in most respectable Latin, on his tomb +in Mortlake Churchyard. + +The Partridge hoax has left a permanent trace in our classical +literature. When, in the spring of 1709, Steele was about to start the +_Tatler_, he thought he could best secure the ear of the public by +adopting the name with which Englishmen were then as familiar as a +century and a half afterwards they became with the name of Pickwick. It +was under the title of the _Lucubrations of Isaac Bickerstaff_ that the +essays which initiated the most attractive and popular form of our +periodical literature appeared. + +The next tract, Gay's _Present State of Wit_, takes up the history of our +popular literature during the period which immediately succeeded the +discomfiture of poor Partridge. Its author, John Gay, who is, as we need +scarcely add, one of the most eminent of the minor poets of the Augustan +age, was at the time of its appearance almost entirely unknown. Born in +September 1685, at Barnstaple, of a respectable but decayed family, he +had received a good education at the free grammar school of that place. +On leaving school he had been apprenticed to a silk mercer in London. But +he had polite tastes, and employed his leisure time in scribbling verses +and in frequenting with his friend, Aaron Hill, the literary +coffee-houses. In 1708 he published a vapid and stupid parody, suggested +by John Philip's _Splendid Shilling_ and _Cider_, entitled _Wine_. His +next performance was the tract which is here printed, and which is dated +May 3rd, 1711. It is written with skill and sprightliness, and certainly +shows a very exact and extensive acquaintance with the journalistic world +of those times. And it is this which gives it its value. The best and most +useful form, perhaps, which our remarks on it can take will be to furnish +it with a running commentary explaining its allusions both to +publications and to persons. It begins with a reference to the unhappy +plight of Dr. King. This was Dr. William King, who is not to be +confounded with his contemporaries and namesakes, the Archbishop of +Dublin or the Principal of St. Mary Hall, Oxford, but who may be best, +perhaps, described as the Dr. William King 'who could write verses in a +tavern three hours after he could not speak.' He had long been a +prominent figure among wits and humorists. His most important recent +performances had been his _Art of Cookery_ and his _Art of Love_, +published respectively in 1708 and in 1709. In the latter year he had, +much to the disgust of Sir John Soames, issued some very amusing parodies +of the _Philosophical Transactions_, which he entitled _Useful +Transactions in Philosophy and other sorts of Learning_, to be continued +as long as it could find buyers. It ceased apparently to find buyers, and +after reaching three numbers had collapsed. When the _Examiner_ was +started in August 1710, King was one of the chief contributors. Latterly, +however, things had been going very badly with this 'poor starving wit,' +as Swift called him. He was either imprisoned or on the point of being +imprisoned in the Fleet, but death freed him from his troubles at the end +of 1712. John Ozell was, perhaps, the most ridiculous of the scribblers +then before the public, maturing steadily for the _Dunciad_, where, many +years afterwards, he found his proper place. He rarely aspired beyond +'translations,' and the _Monthly Amusement_ referred to is not, as might +be supposed, a periodical, but simply his frequent appearances as a +translator. Gay next passes to periodicals and newspapers. De Foe is +treated as he was always treated by the wits. Pope's lines are well +known, and the only reference to him in Swift is: 'The fellow who was +pilloried--I forget his name.' Posterity has done him more justice. The +'poor _Review_' is of course the _Weekly Review_, started by De Foe in +1704, the first number of which appeared on Saturday, February 19th of +that year. It had been continued weekly, and still continued, till 1712, +extending to nine volumes, eight of which are extant.[3] The +_Observator_, which is also described as in its decline, had been set up +by John Tutchin in imitation of the paper issued by Sir Roger L'Estrange +in 1681, its first number appearing April 1st, 1702. Tutchin, dying in +1707, the paper was continued for the benefit of his widow, under the +management of George Ridpath, the editor of the _Flying Post_, and it +continued to linger on till 1712, when it was extinguished by the Stamp +Tax. The first number of the _Examiner_ appeared on the 3rd of August +1710, and it was set up by the Tories to oppose the _Tatler_, the chief +contributors to it being Dr. King, Bolingbroke, then Henry St. John, +Prior, Atterbury, and Dr. Freind. With No. 14 (Thursday, October 26th, +1710), Swift assumed the management, and writing thirty-two papers +successively, made it the most influential political journal in the +kingdom. The 'Letter to Crassus' appeared on February 1st, 1711, and was +written by Swift. To oppose the _Examiner_, the Whigs set up what, after +the second number, they called the _Whig Examiner_, the first number of +which appeared on September 14th, 1710. It was continued weekly till +October 12th, five numbers appearing, all of which were, with one +exception, perhaps, written by Addison, so that Gay's conjecture--if +Bickerstaff may be extended to include Addison--was correct. The +_Medley_, to which Gay next passes, was another Whig organ. The first +number appeared on August 5th, 1710, and it was continued weekly till +August 6th, 1711. It was conducted by Arthur Mainwaring, a man of family +and fortune, and an ardent Whig, with the assistance of Steele, Anthony +Henley, and Oldmixon. + +With the reference to the _Tatler_, we pass from obscurity into daylight. +Since April 12th, 1709, that delightful periodical had regularly appeared +three times a week. With the two hundredth and seventy-first number on +January 2nd, 1711, it suddenly ceased. Of the great surprise and +disappointment caused by its cessation, of the causes assigned for it, +and of the high appreciation of all it had effected for moral and +intellectual improvement and pleasure, Gay gives a vivid picture. What he +says conjecturally about the reasons for its discontinuance is so near the +truth that we may suspect he had had some light on the subject from Steele +himself. It was, of course, from the preface to the edition of the first +three volumes of the collected _Tatlers_, published in 1710, that Gay +derived what he says about the contributions of Addison (though Steele +had not mentioned him by name, in accordance, no doubt, with Addison's +request) and about the verses of Swift. In all probability this was the +first public association of Addison's name with the _Tatler_. The Mr. +Henley referred to was Anthony Henley, a man of family and fortune, and +one of the most distinguished of the wits of that age, to whom Garth +dedicated _The Dispensary_. In politics he was a rabid Whig, and it was +he who described Swift as 'a beast for ever after the order of +Melchisedec.' Gay had not been misinformed, for Henley was the author of +the first letter in No. 26 and of the letter in No. 193, under the +character of Downes. + +The cessation of the _Tatler_ had been the signal for the appearance of +several spurious papers purporting to be new numbers. One entitling +itself No. 272 was published by one John Baker; another, purporting to be +No. 273, was by 'Isaac Bickerstaff, Junior.' Then, on January 6th, +appeared what purported to be Nos. 272 and 273 of the original issue, +with a letter from Charles Lillie, one of the publishers of the original +_Tatler_. Later in January, William Harrison, a _protégé_ of Swift, a +young man whose name will be familiar to all who are acquainted with +Swift's _Journal to Stella_, was encouraged by Swift to start a new +_Tatler_, Swift liberally assisting him with notes, and not only +contributing himself but inducing Congreve also to contribute a paper. +And this new _Tatler_ actually ran to fifty-two numbers, appearing twice +a week between January 13th and May 19th, 1711, but, feeble from the +first, it then collapsed. Nor had the _Tatler_ been without rivals. In +the two hundred and twenty-ninth number of the _Tatler_, Addison, +enumerating his antagonists, says, 'I was threatened to be answered +weekly _Tit for Tat_, I was undermined by the _Whisperer_, scolded at by +a _Female Tatler_, and slandered by another of the same character under +the title of _Atalantis_.' To confine ourselves, however, to the +publications mentioned by Gay. The _Growler_ appeared on the 27th of +January 1711, on the discontinuance of the _Tatler_. The _Whisperer_ was +first published on October 11th, 1709, under the character of 'Mrs. Jenny +Distaff, half-sister to Isaac Bickerstaff.' The _Tell Tale_ appears to be +a facetious title for the _Female Tatler_, the first number of which +appeared on July 8th, 1709, and was continued for a hundred and eleven +numbers, under the editorship of Thomas Baker, till March 3rd, 1710. The +allusion in the postscript to the _British Apollo_ is to a paper entitled +_The British Apollo: or Curious Amusements for the Ingenious_, the first +number of which appeared on Friday, March 13th, 1708, the paper regularly +continuing on Wednesdays and Fridays till March 16th, 1711. Selections +from this curious miscellany were afterwards printed in three volumes, +and ran into three editions. Gay does not appear to be aware that this +periodical had ceased. The reference in 'the two statesmen of the last +reign whose characters are well expressed in their mottoes' are to Lord +Somers and the Earl of Halifax, as what follows refers respectively to +Addison and Steele. The tract closes with a reference to the _Spectator_, +the first number of which had appeared on the first of the preceding March. + +Gay's brochure attracted the attention of Swift, who thus refers to it in +his _Journal to Stella_, May 14th, 1711: 'Dr. Freind was with me and +pulled out a two-penny pamphlet just published called _The State of Wit_. +The author seems to be a Whig, yet he speaks very highly of a paper called +the _Examiner_, and says the supposed author of it is Dr. Swift, but above +all he praises the _Tatler_ and _Spectator_.' + +The two tracts which follow consist of the Life of Addison, which forms +the preface to Addison's collected works, published by Tickell in 1721, +and of the Dedicatory Epistle prefixed by Steele to an edition of +Addison's _Drummer_ in 1722. To the student of the literary history of +those times they are of great interest and importance. Of all Addison's +friends, Steele had long been the most intimate of the younger men whom +he had taken under his patronage. Tickell was the most loyal and the most +attached. While still at Oxford he had expressed his admiration of Addison +in extravagant terms: on arriving in London he made his acquaintance. +Tickell was an accomplished poet and man of letters, and though not a +profound a graceful scholar. Addison was pleased with a homage which was +worth accepting. As he rose, his _protégé_ rose with him. On his +appointment as Chief Secretary in Ireland he took Tickell with him. When +he was appointed Secretary of State he chose him as Under Secretary, and +shortly before his death made him his literary executor, instructing him +to collect his writings in a final and authentic edition. This, for +reasons which will be explained directly, was a task of no small +difficulty, but to this task Tickell loyally addressed himself. In the +spring of 1721 appeared, in four sumptuous quartos, the collected edition +of Addison's works. It was prefaced by the biography which is here +reprinted, and to the biography was appended that noble and pathetic +elegy which will make Tickell's name as immortal as Addison's. + +There can be very little doubt that Steele had been greatly distressed +and hurt by the rupture of the friendship which had so long existed +between himself and Addison, but that Tickell should have taken his place +in Addison's affections must have been inexpressibly galling to him. +Naturally irritated, his irritation had no doubt been intensified by +Addison appointing Tickell Under Secretary of State, and still more by +his making him his literary executor--offices which Steel might naturally +have expected, had all gone well, to fill himself. It would not have been +in human nature that he could regard Tickell with any other feelings than +hostility and jealousy. Tickell's omission of the _Drummer_ from Addison's +works was, in all probability--such at least is the impression which the +letter makes on me--a mere pretext for the gratification of personal +spite. There is nothing to justify the interpretation which he puts on +Tickell's words. All that Steele here says about Addison he had said +publicly and quite as emphatically before, as Tickell had recorded. As +Steele had, in Tickell's own words, given to Addison 'the honour of the +most applauded pieces,' it is absurd to accuse Tickell of insinuating +that Addison wished his papers to be marked because he was afraid Steele +would assume the credit of these pieces. In one important particular he +flatly contradicts himself. At the beginning he asks 'whether it was a +decent and reasonable thing that works written, as a great part of Mr. +Addison's were, in correspondence with me, ought to have been published +without my review of the catalogue of them.' Three pages afterward, it +appears that, in compliance with the request of Addison delivered to him +by Tickell, he did mark with his own hand those _Tatlers_ which were +inserted in Addison's works--a statement of Tickell's, but a statement to +which Steele takes no exception. So far from attempting to disparage +Steele, Tickell does ample justice to him; and to accuse him of +insensibility to Addison's virtues, and of cold indifference to him +personally, is a charge refuted not only by all we know of Tickell, but +by every page in the tract itself. Many of the objections which he makes +to Tickell's remarks are too absurd to discuss. From nothing indeed which +Tickell says, but from one of Steele's own admissions, it is impossible +not to draw a conclusion very derogatory to Steele's honesty, and to make +us suspect that his sensitiveness was caused by his own uneasy conscience: +'What I never did declare was Mr. Addison's I had his direct injunctions +to hide.' This certainly seems to imply that Steele had allowed himself +to be credited with what really belonged to his friend. A month after +Addison's death he had written in great alarm to Tonson, on hearing that +it had been proposed to separate Addison's papers in the _Tatler_ from +his own. He bases his objection, it is true, on the pecuniary injury +which he and his family would suffer, but this is plainly mere +subterfuge. The truth probably is, that Steele wished to leave as +undefined as possible what belonged to Addison and what belonged to +himself; that he was greatly annoyed when he found that their respective +shares were by Addison's own, or at least his alleged, request to be +defined; that in his assignation of the papers he had not been quite +honest; and that, knowing this, he suspected that Tickell knew it too. +There is nothing to support Steele's assertion that it was at his +instigation that Addison distinguished his contributions to the +_Spectator_ and the _Guardian_. Addison, as his last injunctions showed, +must have contemplated a collective edition of his works, and must have +desired therefore that they should be identified. Steele's ambition, no +doubt, was that he and his friend should go down to posterity together, +but the appointment of Tickell instead of himself as Addison's literary +executor dashed this hope to the ground. + +Few things in literary biography are more pathetic than the estrangement +between Addison and Steele. They had played as boys together; they had, +for nearly a quarter of a century, shared each other's burdens, and the +burdens had not been light; in misfortune and in prosperity, in business +and in pleasure, they had never been parted. The wisdom and prudence of +Addison had more than once been the salvation of Steele; what he knew of +books and learning had been almost entirely derived from Addison's +conversation; what moral virtue he had, from Addison's influence. And he +had repaid this with an admiration and affection which bordered on +idolatry. A more generous and genial, a more kindly, a more warm-hearted +man than Steele never lived, and it is easy to conceive what his feelings +must have been when he found his friend estranged from him and a rival in +his place. There is much to excuse what this letter to Congreve plainly +betrays; but excuse is not justification. Tickell had a delicate and +difficult task to perform: a duty to his dead friend, which was +paramount, a duty to Steele, and a duty to himself, and he succeeded in +performing each with admirable tact. Whether Tickell ever made any reply +to Steele's strictures, I have not been able to discover. + +We pass now from the literary pamphlets to the extract and excerpts +illustrating the condition of the Church and the clergy at the end of the +seventeenth and about the first half of the eighteenth century. They are +of particular interest, not only in themselves, but in their relation to +Swift and Macaulay--to Swift as a Church reformer, to Macaulay as a +social historian. Few historical questions in our own time provoked more +controversy than the famous pages delineating the clergy who, according +to Macaulay, were typical of their order about the time of the +Restoration. The first excerpt is from Chamberlayne's _Angliae Notitia_. +The author of that work, Edward Chamberlayne, was born on the 13th of +December 1616. He was educated at Oxford, where he graduated as B.A. in +April 1638. For a short time he was Reader in Rhetoric to the University, +but on the breaking out of the Civil War he left for the Continent, where +he visited nearly every country in Europe. At the Restoration he +returned; and about 1675, after having been secretary to the Earl of +Carlisle, he became tutor to the King's natural son, Henry Fitzroy, +afterwards Duke of Grafton, and subsequently instructor in English to +Prince George of Denmark. He was also one of the earliest Fellows of the +Royal Society. He died at Chelsea in May 1703. In 1669 he published +anonymously _Angliae Notitia, or the Present State of England with Divers +Reflection upon the Ancient State therefor_, a work no doubt suggested by +and apparently modelled on the well-known _L'Estat Nouveau de la France_. +The work contains more statistics than reflections, and is exactly what +its title implies--a succinct account of England, beginning with its +name, its climate, its topography, and giving information, now +invaluable, about everything included in its constitution and in its +economy. The extract printed here is, as is indicated, from pp. 383-389 +and p. 401. The work passed through two editions in the year of its +appearance, the second bearing the author's name, and at the time of +Chamberlayne's death it had, with successive amplifications, reached its +twentieth edition. + +Of a very different order to Chamberlayne's work is the remarkable tract +which follows. The author, John Eachard, was born about 1636, at what +date is doubtful, but he was admitted into Catherine Hall, Cambridge, in +May 1653. Becoming Fellow of the Hall in 1658, he was chosen, on the +death of Dr. Lightfoot, Master. His perfectly uneventful life closed on +the 7th of July 1697. Personally he was a facetious and agreeable man, +and had the reputation of being rather a wit and humorist than a divine +and scholar. Baker complained of his inferiority as a preacher; and +Swift, observing 'that men who are happy enough at ridicule are +sometimes perfectly stupid upon grave subjects,' gives Eachard as an +instance. _The Grounds and Occasions of the Contempt of the Clergy and +Religion enquired into, In a letter written to R.L._, appeared +anonymously in 1670. This anonymity Eachard carefully preserved during +the controversies which it occasioned. It is difficult to understand how +any one after reading the preface could have misunderstood the purpose of +the book. But Eachard's fate was Swift's fate afterwards, though there was +more excuse for the High Church party missing the point of the _Tale of a +Tub_ than for the clergy generally missing that of Eachard's plea for +them. Ridicule is always a dangerous ally, especially when directed +against an institution or community, for men naturally identify +themselves with the body of which they are members, and resent as +individuals what reflects on them collectively. When one of the opponents +of Barnabus Oley in his preface to Herbert's _Country Parson_ observed: +'The pretence of your book was to _show_ the occasions, your book is +_become_ the occasion of the contempt of God's ministers,' he expressed +what the majority of the clergy felt. The storm burst at once, and the +storm raged for months. 'I have had,' wrote Eachard in one of his many +rejoinders, 'as many several names as the Grand Seignior has titles of +honour; for setting aside the vulgar and familiar ones of Rogue, Rascal, +Dog, and Thief (which may be taken by way of endearment as well as out of +prejudice and offence), as also those of more certain signification, as +Malicious Rogue, Ill-Natured Rascal, Lay Dog, and Spiteful Thief.' He had +also, he said, been called Rebel, Traitor, Scot, Sadducee, and Socinian. +Among the most elaborate replies to his work were: _An Answer to a Letter +of Enquiry into the Ground, _etc.. 1671; _A Vindication of the Clergy from +the Contempt imposed upon them, By the author of the Grounds_ etc., 1672; +_Hieragonisticon, or Corah's Doom, being an Answer to_, etc., 1672; _An +Answer to two Letters of T.B._, etc., 1673. The occasional references to +it in the theological literature of these times are indeed innumerable. +Many affected to treat him as a mere buffoon--the concoctor, as one +bitterly put it, of 'a pretty fardle of tales bundled together, and they +have had the hap to fall into such hands as had rather lose a friend, not +to say their country, than a jest.' Anthony Wood, writing at the time of +its appearance, classes it with 'the fooleries, playes, poems, and +drolling books,' with which, as he bitterly complains, people were 'taken +with' coupling with it Marvell's _Rehearsal Transposed_ and Butler's +_Hudibras_.[4] + +To some of his opponents Eachard replied. Of his method of conducting +controversy, in which it is clear that he perfectly revelled, I +give a short specimen. It is from his letter to the author of +_Hieragonisticon_:-- + +'You may possibly think, sir, that I have read your book, but if you do +you are most mistaken. For as long as I can get Tolambu's _History of +Mustard_, Frederigo _Devastation of Pepper, The Dragon_, with cuts, +Mandringo's _Pismires rebuffeted_ and _retro-confounded, Is qui me +dubitat, or a flap against the Maggot of Heresie, Efflorescentina +Flosculorum_, or a choice collection of F. (_sic_) Withers _Poems_ or the +like, I do not intend to meddle with it. Alas, sir, I am as unlikely to +read your book that I can't get down the title no more than a duck can +swallow a yoked heifer'--and then follows an imitation of gulps straining +at the divided syllables of Hieragonisticon. + +There is no reason to suspect the sincerity of Eachard, or to doubt that +he was, in his own words, an honest and hearty wisher that 'the best of +the clergy might for ever continue, as they are, rich and learned, and +that the rest might be very useful and well esteemed in their +profession.' To describe the work as 'a series of jocose caricatures--as +Churchill Babington in his animadversions on Macaulay's _History_ +does--is absurd. Eachard was evidently a man of strong common sense, of +much shrewdness, a close observer, and one who had acquainted himself +exactly and extensively with the subject which he treats. But he was a +humorist, and, like Swift, sometimes gave the reins to his humour. It +must be remembered that his remarks apply only to the inferior clergy, +and there can be no doubt that since the Reformation they had, as a body, +sunk very low. Chamberlayne had no motive for exaggeration, but the +language he uses in describing them is stronger even than Eachard's. +Swift had no motive for exaggeration, and yet his pictures of Corusodes +and Eugenio in his _Essay on the Fates of Clergymen_, and what we gather +from his _Project for the Advancement of Religion_, his _Letter to a +Young Clergyman_, and what may be gathered generally from his writings, +very exactly corroborate Eachard's account. The lighter literature of the +later seventeenth and of the first half of the eighteenth century teems +with proofs of the contempt to which their ignorance and poverty exposed +them. To the testimonies of Oldham and Steele, and to the authorities +quoted by Macaulay and Mr. Lecky, may be added innumerable passages from +the _Observator_, from De Foe's _Review_, from Pepys,[5] from Baxter's +_Life_ of himself, from Archbishop Sharp's _Life_, from Burnet, and many +others. + +It is remarkable that Eachard says nothing about two causes which +undoubtedly contributed to degrade the Church in the eyes of the laity: +its close association with party politics, and the spread of +latitudinarianism, a conspicuous epoch in which was marked some +twenty-six years later in the Bangorian controversy. + +The appearance of the first volume of Macaulay's _History_ in 1848 again +brought Eachard's work into prominence. Macaulay's famous description of +the clergy of the seventeenth century in his third chapter was based +mainly on Eachard's account. The clergy and orthodox laity of our own day +were as angry with Eachard's interpreter as their predecessors, nearly two +centuries before, had been with Eachard himself. The controversy began +seriously, after some preliminary skirmishing in the newspapers and +lighter reviews, with Mr. Churchill Babington's _Mr. Macaulay's +Characters of the Clergy in the Latter Part of the Seventeenth Century +Considered_, published shortly after the appearance of the _History_. +What Mr. Babington and those whom he represented forgot was precisely +what Eachard's opponents had forgotten, that it was not the clergy +universally who had been described, for Macaulay, like Eachard, had +distinguished, but the clergy as represented by its proletariat. + +If Eachard had occasionally given the reins to humour, Macaulay had +occasionally perhaps given them to rhetoric. But of the substantial +accuracy of both there can be no doubt at all. + +On the intelligent, discriminating friends of the Church, Eachard's work +had something of the same effect, as Jeremy Collier's _Short View of the +Profaneness and Immorality of the English Stage_ had in another sphere. +It directed serious attention to what all thoughtful and right-feeling +people must have felt to be a national scandal. It was an appeal to +sentiment and reason on matters with respect to which, in this country at +least, such appeals are seldom made in vain. It did not, indeed, lead +immediately to practical reform, but it advanced the cause of reform by +inspiring and bringing other initiators into the field. And pre-eminent +among these was Swift. Swift was evidently well acquainted with Eachard's +work. In the apology prefixed to the fourth edition of the _Tale of a Tub_ +in 1710, he speaks of Eachard with great respect. Contemptuously +explaining that he has no intention of answering the attacks which had +been made on the _Tale_, he observes: 'When Dr. Eachard wrote his book +about the _Contempt of the Clergy_, numbers of these answerers +immediately started up, whose memory, if he had not kept alive by his +replies, it would now be utterly unknown that he were ever answered at +all.' No one who is familiar with Swift's tracts on Church reform can +doubt that he had read Eachard's work with minute attention, and was +greatly influenced by it. In his _Project for the Advancement of +Religion_, he largely attributed the scandalous immorality everywhere +prevalent to the insufficiency of religious instruction, and to the low +character of the clergy, the result mainly of their ignorance and +poverty. His _Letter to a Young Clergyman_ is little more than a didactic +adaptation of that portion of Eachard's work which deals with the +character and education of the clergy. The _Essay on the Fates of +Clergymen_ is another study from the _Contempt_, while the fragment of +the tract which he had begun, _Concerning that Universal Hatred which +prevails against the Clergy_, brings us still more closely to Eachard. +The likeness between them cannot be traced further; they were both, it is +true, humorists, but there is little in common between the austere and +bitter, yet, at the same time, delicious flavour of the one, and the +trenchant and graphic, but coarse and rollicking, humour of the other. + +The essays reprinted from the _Tatler_ give humorous expression to a +grievance which not only wounded the pride of the clergy, but touched +them on an equally sensitive part--the stomach. It was not usual for the +chaplain in great houses to remain at table for the second course. When +the sweets were brought in, he was expected to retire. As Macaulay puts +it: 'He might fill himself with the corned beef and carrots; but as soon +as the tarts and cheese-cakes made their appearance, he quitted his seat +and stood aloof till he was summoned to return thanks for the repast, +from a great part of which he had been excluded.' Gay refers to this +churlish custom in the second book of _Trivia_:-- + + 'Cheese that the table's closing rites denies. + And bids me with th' unwilling chaplain rise.' + +Possibly the custom originally arose, not from any wish to mark the +social inferiority of the chaplain, but because his presence was a check +on conversation. It must be owned, however, that this would have been +more intelligible had he retired, not with the corned beef and carrots, +but with the ladies. The passage quoted by Steele from Oldham is from his +_Satire, addressed to a Friend that is about to Leave the University and +come Abroad in the World_, not the only poem in which Oldham has thrown +light on the degraded profession of the clergy. See the end of his +_Satire, spoken in the person of Spenser_. + +The last piece in this Miscellany has no connection with what precedes +it, but it has an interest of its own. Among the many services of one of +the purest and most indefatigable of philanthropists to his +fellow-citizens was the establishment of what is commonly known as _Poor +Richard's Almanack_. Of this periodical, and of the particular number of +it which is here reprinted, Franklin gives the following account in his +autobiography:-- + +'In 1732 I first published an Almanack, under the name of _Richard +Saunders_; it was continued by me about twenty-five years, and commonly +called _Poor Richard's Almanack_. I endeavoured to make it both +entertaining and useful, and it accordingly came to be in such demand +that I reaped considerable profit from it, vending annually near ten +thousand. And observing that it was generally read (scarce any +neighbourhood in the province being without it), I considered it as a +proper vehicle for conveying instruction among the common people, who +bought scarcely any other books. I therefore filled all the little spaces +that occurred between the remarkable days in the calendar with proverbial +sentences, chiefly such as inculcated industry and frugality as the means +of procuring wealth and thereby securing virtue, it being more difficult +for a man in want to act always honestly, as, to use here one of these +proverbs, "it is hard for an empty sack to stand upright." These +proverbs, which contained the wisdom of many ages and nations, I +assembled and formed into a connected discourse prefixed to the +_Almanack_ of 1757, as the harangue of a wise old man to the people +attending an auction. The bringing all these scattered counsels thus into +a focus enabled them to make a greater impression. The piece being +universally approved, was copied in all the newspapers of the American +Continent, reprinted in Britain on a large sheet of paper to be stuck up +in houses; two translations were made of it in France, and great numbers +bought by the clergy to distribute gratis among their poor parishioners +and tenants. In Pennsylvania, as it discouraged useless expense in +foreign superfluities, some thought it had its share of influence in +producing that growing plenty of money which was observable for several +years after its publication.'--_Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin_, Part II, +Works Edit. 1833, vol. ii. pp. 146-148. + +Reprinted innumerable times while Franklin was alive, this paper has, +since his death, passed through seventy editions in English, fifty-six In +French, eleven in German, and nine in Italian. It has been translated into +nearly every language in Europe: into French, German, and Italian, as we +have seen; into Spanish, Danish, Swedish, Polish, Bohemian, Dutch, Welsh, +and modern Greek; it has also been translated into Chinese.[6] In the +edition of _Franklin's Works_, printed in London in 1806, it appears +under the title of _The Way to Wealth, as clearly shown in the Preface to +an old Pennsylvanian Almanack, entitled Poor Richard Improved_, and under +this title it was usually printed when detached from the Almanack. + +As Franklin himself owns, the maxims have little pretension to +originality. It is evident that he had laid under contribution such +collections as Clerk's _Adagio Latino-Anglica_, Herbert's _Jacula +Prudentum_, James Howell's collection of proverbs, David Fergtison's +_Scotch Proverbs_ (with the successively increasing editions between 1641 +and 1706), Ray's famous _Collection of English Proverbs_, William Penn's +_Maxims_, and the like. A few are probably original, and many have been +re-minted and owe their form to him. + +The first number of the famous _Almanack_ from which they are extracted +was published at the end of 1732, just after Franklin had set up as a +printer and stationer for himself, its publication being announced in the +_Pennsylvania Gazette_ of December 9th, 1732; and for twenty-five years it +continued regularly to appear, the last number being that for the year +1758, and having for preface the discourse which became so +extraordinarily popular. The name assumed by Franklin was no doubt +borrowed from that of Richard Saunders, a well-known astrologer of the +seventeenth century, of whom there is a notice in the _Dictionary of +National Biography_. But Mr. Leicester Ford[7] says that it was the name +of 'a chyrurgeon' of the eighteenth century who for many years issued a +popular almanac entitled _The Apollo Anglicanus__. Of this publication I +know nothing, and can discover nothing. The probability is that its +compiler, whoever he was, anticipated Franklin in assuming the name of +John Saunders. He is most certainly not to be identified with Saunders +the astrologer, who died in, or not much later than, 1687. + +It remains to add that no pains have been spared to make the texts of the +excerpts and tracts in this Miscellany as accurate as possible--indeed, +Mr. Arber's name is a sufficient guarantee of the efficiency with which +this important part of the work has been done. For the modernisation of +the spelling, which some readers may perhaps be inclined to regret, and +for the punctuation, as well as for the elucidatory notes within +brackets, Mr. Arber is solely responsible. + +J. CHURTON COLLINS. + + +[1] See his Preface to his version of part of Virgil's second _Aeneid_. + +[2] Whateley's _Reminiscences of Bishop Copleston_, p. 6. + +[3] See _Late Stuart Tracts_. + +[4] Wood's _Life and Times_, Clark's Ed. vol. ii. p. 240. + +[5] See, for example, _Diary_, February 16th, 1668: 'Much discourse + about the bad state of the Church, and how the clergy are come to + be men of no worth in the world, and, as the world do now generally + discourse, they must be reformed.' + +[6] For this information I am indebted to Mr. Paul Leicester Ford's + interesting monograph on the sayings of Poor Richard, prefixed to + his selections from the _Almanack_, privately printed at Brooklyn + in 1890. + +[7] Introduction to his selections from the _Almanack_. + + + + +THOMAS WILSON. + + _Eloquence first given by GOD, after lost by man, and last repaired + by GOD again_. + + [_The Art of Rhetoric_.] + + +Man in whom is poured the breath of life, was made at his first being an +everlasting creature, unto the likeness of GOD; endued with reason, and +appointed lord over all other things living. But after the fail of our +first father, sin so crept in that our knowledge was much darkened, and +by corruption of this our flesh, man's reason and entendment +[_intellect_] were both overwhelmed. At what time, GOD being sore grieved +with the folly of one man; pitied, of His mere goodness, the whole state +and posterity of mankind. And therefore whereas through the wicked +suggestion of our ghostly enemy, the joyful fruition of GOD's glory was +altogether lost; it pleased our heavenly Father to repair mankind of his +free mercy and to grant an everlasting inheritance unto such as would by +constant faith seek earnestly thereafter. + +Long it was, ere that man knew; himself being destitute of GOD's grace, +so that all things waxed savage, the earth untilled, society neglected, +GOD's will not known, man against man, one against another, and all +against order. Some lived by spoil, some like brute beasts grazed upon +the ground, some went naked, some roamed like woodwoses [_mad wild men_], +none did anything by reason, but most did what they could by manhood. None +almost considered the everliving GOD; but all lived most commonly after +their own lust. By death, they thought that all things ended; by life, +they looked for none other living. None remembered the true observation +of wedlock, none tendered the education of their children; laws were note +regarded, true dealing was not once used. For virtue, vice bare place; for +right and equity, might used authority. And therefore whereas man through +reason might have used order, man through folly fell into error. And thus +for lack of skill and want of grace, evil so prevailed that the devil was +most esteemed; and GOD either almost unknown among them all or else +nothing feared among so many. Therefore--even now when man was thus past +all hope of amendment--GOD still tendering his own workmanship; stirred +up his faithful and elect, to persuade with reason all men to society; +and gave his appointed ministers knowledge both to see the natures of +men; and also granted to them the gift of utterance, that they might with +ease win folk at their will, and frame them by reason to all good order. + +And therefore whereas men lived brutishly in open fields having neither +house to shroud [_cover_] them in, nor attire to clothe their backs; nor +yet any regard to seek their best avail [_interest_]; these appointed of +GOD, called them together by utterance of speech; and persuaded with them +what was good, what was bad, and what was gainful for mankind. And +although at first the rude could hardly learn, and either for the +strangeness of the thing would not gladly receive the offer or else for +lack of knowledge could not perceive the goodness; yet being somewhat +drawn and delighted with the pleasantness of reason and the sweetness of +utterance, after a certain space, they became through nurture and good +advisement, of wild, sober; of cruel, gentle; of fools, wise; and of +beasts, men. Such force hath the tongue, and such is the power of +Eloquence and Reason that most men are forced, even to yield in that +which most standeth against their will. And therefore the poets do feign +that HERCULES, being a man of great wisdom, had all men linked together +by the ears in a chain, to draw them and lead them even as he listed. For +his wit so great, his tongue so eloquent, and his experience such that no +man was able to withstand his reason; but every one was rather driven to +do that which he would, and to will that which he did; agreeing to his +advice both in word and work, in all that ever they were able. + +Neither can I see that men could have been brought by any other means to +live together in fellowship of life, to maintain cities, to deal truly, +and willingly to obey one another; if men, at the first, had not by art +and eloquence persuaded that which they full oft found out by reason. For +what man, I pray you, being better able to maintain himself by valiant +courage than by living in base subjection, would not rather look to rule +like a lord, than to live like an underling; If by reason he were not +persuaded that it behoveth every man to live in his own vocation, and not +to seek any higher room than that whereunto he was at the first, +appointed? Who would dig and delve from morn till evening? Who would +travail and toil with the sweat of his brows? Yea, who would, for his +King's pleasure, adventure and hazard his life, if wit had not so won men +that they thought nothing more needful in this world nor anything +whereunto they were more bounden than here to live in their duty and to +train their whole life, according to their calling. Therefore whereas men +are in many things weakly by nature, and subject to much infirmity; I +think in this one point they pass all other creatures living, that they +have the gift of speech and reason. + +And among all other, I think him of most worthy fame, and amongst men to +be taken for half a god that therein doth chiefly and above all other +excel men; wherein men do excel beasts. For he that is among the +reasonable of all the most reasonable; and among the witty, of all the +most witty; and among the eloquent, of all the most eloquent: him, think +I, among all men, not only to be taken for a singular man, but rather to +be counted for half a god. For in seeking the excellency hereof, the +sooner he draweth to perfection the nigher he corneth to GOD, who is the +chief Wisdom: and therefore called GOD because He is the most wise, or +rather wisdom itself. + +Now then seeing that GOD giveth heavenly grace unto such as called unto +him with outstretched hands and humble heart; never wanting to those that +want not to themselves; I purpose by His grace and especial assistance, to +set forth such precepts of eloquence, and to show what observation the +wise have used in handling of their matters; that the unlearned by seeing +the practice of others, may have some knowledge themselves; and learn by +their neighbours' device what is necessary for themselves in their own +case. + + + + +Sir PHILIP SIDNEY. + +_Letter to his brother ROBERT, then in Germany, 18 October_ 1580. + +Sir PHILIP SIDNEY to his brother, ROBERT SIDNEY, who was the first Earl +of LEICESTER of that familiar name. + + +My Dear Brother, + +For the money you have received, assure yourself (for it is true) there +is nothing I spend so pleaseth me; as that which is for you. If ever I +have ability, you shall find it so: if not, yet shall not any brother +living be better beloved than you, of me. + +I cannot write now to N. WHITE. Do you excuse me! For his nephew, they +are but passions in my father; which we must bear with reverence: but I +am sorry he should return till he had the circuit of his travel; for you +shall never have such a servant, as he would prove. Use your own +discretion! + +For your countenance, I would (for no cause) have it diminished in +Germany. In Italy, your greatest expense must be upon worthy men, and not +upon householding. Look to your diet, sweet ROBIN! and hold up your heart +in courage and virtue. Truly, great part of my comfort is in you! I know +not myself what I meant by bravery in you; so greatly you may see I +condemn you. Be careful of yourself, and I shall never have cares. + +I have written to Master SAVELL. I wish you kept still together. He is an +excellent man. And there may, if you list, pass good exercises betwixt you +and Master NEVELL. There is great expectation of you both. + +For method of writing history, BODEN hath written at large. You may read +him, and gather out of many words, some matter. + +This I think, in haste. A Story is either to be considered as a Story; or +as a Treatise, which, besides that, addeth many things for profit and +ornament. As a Story, he is nothing, but a narration of things done, with +the beginnings, causes, and appendices thereof. In that kind, your method +must be to have _seriem temporum_ very exactly, which the chronologies of +MELANCTHON, TARCHAGNORA, LANGUET and such others will help you to. + +Then to consider by that... as you note yourself, XENOPHON to follow +THUCYDIDES, so doth THUCYDIDES follow HERODOTUS, and DIODORUS SICULUS +follow XENOPHON. So generally, do the Roman stories follow the Greek; and +the particular stories of the present monarchies follow the Roman. + +In that kind, you have principally to note the examples of virtue and +vice, with their good or evil success; the establishment or rains of +great Estates, with the causes, the time, and circumstances of the laws +then written of; the enterings and endings of wars; and therein, the +stratagems against the enemy, and the discipline upon the soldier. + +And thus much as a very historiographer. + +Besides this, the Historian makes himself a Discourser for profit; and an +Orator, yea, a Poet sometimes, for ornament. An Orator; in making +excellent orations, _è re nata_, which are to be marked, but marked with +the note of rhetorical remembrances: a Poet; in painting for the effects, +the motions, the whisperings of the people, which though in disputation, +one might say were true--yet who will mark them well shall find them +taste of a poetical vein, and in that kind are gallantly to be +marked--for though perchance, they were not so, yet it is enough they +might be so. The last point which tends to teach profit, is of a +Discourser; which name I give to whosoever speaks _non simpliciter de +facto, sed de qualitatibus et circumstantiis facti_: and that is it which +makes me and many others, rather note much with our pen than with our mind. + +Because we leave all these discourses to the confused trust of our +memory; because they be not tied to the tenour of a question: as +Philosophers use sometimes, places; the Divine, in telling his opinion +and reasons in religion; sometimes the Lawyer, in showing the causes and +benefits of laws; sometimes a Natural Philosopher, in setting down the +causes of any strange thing which the Story binds him to speak of; but +most commonly a Moral Philosopher, either in the ethic part, where he +sets forth virtues or vices and the natures of passions; or in the +politic, when he doth (as often he doth) meddle sententiously with +matters of Estate. Again, sometimes he gives precept of war, both +offensive and defensive. And so, lastly, not professing any art as his +matter leads him, he deals with all arts; which--because it carrieth the +life of a lively example--it is wonderful what light it gives to the arts +themselves; so as the great Civilians help themselves with the discourses +of the Historians. So do Soldiers; and even Philosophers and Astronomers. + +But that I wish herein is this, that when you read any such thing, you +straight bring it to his head, not only of what art; but by your logical +subdivisions to the next member and parcel of the art. And so--as in a +table--be it witty words, of which TACITUS is full; sentences, of which +LIVY; or similitudes, whereof PLUTARCH: straight to lay it up in the +right place of his storehouse--as either military, or more specially +defensive military, or more particularly, defensive by fortification--and +so lay it up. So likewise in politic matters. And such a little table you +may easily make wherewith I would have you ever join the historical part; +which is only the example of some stratagem, or good counsel, or such like. + +This write I to you, in great haste, of method, without method: but, with +more leisure and study--if I do not find some book that satisfies--I will +venture to write more largely of it unto you. + +Master SAVELL will, with ease, help you to set down such a table of +remembrance to yourself; and for your sake I perceive he will do much; +and if ever I be able, I will deserve it of him. One only thing, as it +comes into my mind, let me remember you of, that you consider wherein the +Historian excelleth, and that to note: as DION NICAEUS in the searching +the secrets of government; TACITUS, in the pithy opening of the venom of +wickedness; and so of the rest. + +My time--exceedingly short--will suffer me to write no more leisurely. +STEPHEN can tell you who stands with me, while I am writing. + +Now, dear brother! take delight likewise in the mathematicals. Master +SAVELL is excellent in them. I think you understand the sphere. If you +do, I care little for any more astronomy in you. Arithmetic and Geometry, +I would wish you well seen in: so as both in matter of number and measure, +you might have a feeling and active judgment, I would you did bear the +mechanical instruments, wherein the Dutch excel. + +I write this to you as one, that for myself have given over the delight +in the world; but wish to you as much, if not more, than to myself. + +So you can speak and write Latin, not barbarously; I never require great +study in Ciceronianism, the chief abuse of Oxford, _qui dum verba +sectantur, res ipsas negligunt_. + +My toyful books I will send--with GOD's help--by February [1581]; at +which time you shall have your money. And for £200 [_nearly £2,000 at the +present day_] a year, assure yourself! If the estates of England remain, +you shall not fail of it. Use it to your best profit! + +My Lord of LEICESTER sends you £40 as I understand, by STEPHEN; and +promiseth he will continue that stipend yearly at the least. Then that is +above commons. In any case, write largely and diligently unto him: for, in +truth, I have good proof that he means to be every way good unto you. The +odd £30 shall come with the £100, or else my father and I will jarle. + +Now, sweet Brother, take a delight to keep and increase your music. You +will not believe what a want I find of it, in my melancholy times. + +At horsemanship; when you exercise it, read CRISON CLAUDIO, and a book +that is called _La Gloria de l'Cavallo_ withal: that you may join the +thorough contemplation of it with the exercise: and so shall you profit +more in a month, than others in a year. And mark the bitting, saddling, +and cur[ry]ing of horses. + +I would, by the way, your Worship would learn a better hand. You write +worse than I: and I write evil enough. Once again, have a care of your +diet; and consequently of your complexion. Remember _gratior est veniens +in pulchro corpore virtus_. + +Now, Sir, for news; I refer myself to this bearer. He can tell you how +idly we look on our neighbour's fires: and nothing is happened notable at +home; save only DRAKE's return. Of which yet, I know not the secret +points: but about the world he hath been, and rich he is returned. +Portugal, we say, is lost. And to conclude, my eyes are almost closed up, +overwatched with tedious business. + +God bless you, sweet Boy! and accomplish the joyful hope I conceive of +you. Once again commend me to Master NEVELL, Master SAVELL, and honest +HARRY WHITE, and bid him be merry. + +When you play at weapons; I would have you get thick caps and bracers +[_gloves_], and play out your play lustily; for indeed, ticks and +dalliances are nothing in earnest: for the time of the one and the other +greatly differs. And use as well the blow as the thrust. It is good in +itself; and besides increaseth your breath and strength, and will make +you a strong man at the tourney and barriers. First, in any case, +practise the single sword; and then, with the dagger. Let no day pass +without an hour or two of such exercise. The rest, study; or confer +diligently: and so shall you come home to my comfort and credit. + +Lord! how I have babbled! Once again, farewell, dearest Brother! + +Your most loving and careful brother + +PHILIP SIDNEY. + +At Leicester House +this 18th of October 1580. + + + + +Francis Meres, M.A. + +_Sketch of English Literature, Painting, and Music, up to September_ 1598. + +_A comparative Discourse of our English Poets [Painters and Musicians] +with the Greek, Latin, and Italian Poets [Painters and Musicians]_. + + +As Greece had three poets of great antiquity, ORPHEUS, LINUS, and +MUSAEUS; and Italy, other three ancient poets, LIVIUS ANDRONICUS, ENNIUS, +and PLAUTUS: so hath England three ancient poets, CHAUCER, GOWER, and +LYDGATE. + +As HOMER is reputed the Prince of Greek poets; and PETRARCH of Italian +poets: so CHAUCER is accounted the god of English poets. + +As HOMER was the first that adorned the Greek tongue with true quantity: +so [WILLIAM LANGLAND, the author of] _PIERS PLOWMAN_ was the first that +observed the true quantity of our verse without the curiosity of rhyme. + +OVID writ a Chronicle from the beginning of the world to his own time; +that is, to the reign of AUGUSTUS the Emperor: so hath HARDING the +Chronicler (after his manner of old harsh rhyming) from ADAM to his time; +that is, to the reign of King EDWARD IV. + +As SOTADES Maronites, the Iambic poet, gave himself wholly to write +impure and lascivious things: so SKELTON (I know not for what great +worthiness, surnamed the Poet Laureate) applied his wit to scurrilities +and ridiculous matters; such [as] among the Greeks were called +_Pantomimi_, with us, buffoons. + +As CONSALVO PEREZ, that excellent learned man, and secretary to King +PHILIP [II.] of Spain, in translating the "Ulysses" [_Odyssey_] of HOMER +out of Greek into Spanish, hath, by good judgement, avoided the fault of +rhyming, although [he hath] not fully hit perfect and true versifying: so +hath HENRY HOWARD, that true and noble Earl of SURREY, in translating the +fourth book of VIRGIL's _AEneas_: whom MICHAEL DRAYTON in his _England's +Heroical Epistles_ hath eternized for an _Epistle to his fair GERALDINE_. + +As these Neoterics, JOVIANUS PONTANUS, POLITIANUS, MARULLUS TARCHANIOTA, +the two STROZAE the father and the son, PALINGENIUS, MANTUANUS, +PHILELPHUS, QUINTIANUS STOA, and GERMANUS BRIXIUS have obtained renown, +and good place among the ancient Latin poets: so also these Englishmen, +being Latin poets; WALTER HADDON, NICHOLAS CARR, GABRIEL HARVEY, +CHRISTOPHER OCKLAND, THOMAS NEWTON, with his _LELAND_, THOMAS WATSON, +THOMAS CAMPION, [JOHN] BRUNSWERD, and WILLEY have attained [a] good +report and honourable advancement in the Latin empire [of letters]. + +As the Greek tongue is made famous and eloquent by HOMER, HESIOD, +EURIPIDES, AESCHYLUS, SOPHOCLES, PINDARUS, PHOCYLIDES, and ARISTOPHANES; +and the Latin tongue by VIRGIL, OVID, HORACE, SILIUS ITALICUS, LUCANUS, +LUCRETIUS, AUSONIUS, and CLAUDIANUS: so the English tongue is mightily +enriched, and gorgeously invested in rare ornaments and resplendent +habiliments by Sir PHILIP SYDNEY, SPENSER, DANIEL, DRAYTON, WARNER, +SHAKESPEARE, MARLOW, and CHAPMAN. + +As XENOPHON, who did imitate so excellently as to give us _effigiem justi +imperii_, "the portraiture of a just empire" under the name of _CYRUS_, +(as CICERO saith of him) made therein an absolute heroical poem; and as +HELIODORUS wrote in prose, his sugared invention of that picture of love +in _THEAGINES and CARICLEA_; and yet both excellent admired poets: so Sir +PHILIP SIDNEY writ his immortal poem, _The Countess of PEMBROKE's +"Arcadia"_ in prose; and yet our rarest poet. + +As SEXTOS PROPERTIUS said, _Nescio quid magis nascitur Iliade_: so I say +of SPENSER's _Fairy Queen_; I know not what more excellent or exquisite +poem may be written. + +As ACHILLES had the advantage of HECTOR, because it was his fortune to be +extolled and renowned by the heavenly verse of HOMER: so SPENSER's _ELIZA, +the Fairy Queen_, hath the advantage of all the Queens in the world, to be +eternized by so divine a poet. + +As THEOCRITUS is famoused for his _Idyllia_ in Greek, and VIRGIL for his +_Eclogues_ in Latin: so SPENSER their imitator in his _Shepherds +Calendar_ is renowned for the like argument; and honoured for fine +poetical invention, and most exquisite wit. + +As PARTHENIUS Nicaeus excellently sang the praises of _ARETE_: so DANIEL +hath divinely sonnetted the matchless beauty of _DELIA_. + +As every one mourneth, when he heareth of the lamentable plangors +[plaints] of [the] Thracian ORPHEUS for his dearest _EURYDICE_: so every +one passionateth, when he readeth the afflicted death of DANIEL's +distressed _ROSAMOND_. + +As LUCAN hath mournfully depainted the Civil Wars of POMPEY and CAESAR: +so hath DANIEL, the Civil Wars of York and Lancaster; and DRAYTON, the +Civil Wars of EDWARD II. and the Barons. + +As VIRGIL doth imitate CATULLUS in the like matter of _ARIADNE_, for his +story of Queen _DIDO_: so MICHAEL DRAYTON doth imitate OVID in his +_England's Heroical Epistles_. + +As SOPHOCLES was called a Bee for the sweetness of his tongue: so in +CHARLES FITZ-GEFFRY's _DRAKE_, DRAYTON is termed "golden-mouthed," for +the purity and preciousness of his style and phrase. + +As ACCIUS, MARCUS ATILIUS, and MILITHUS were called _Tragaediographi_; +because they writ tragedies: so we may truly term MICHAEL DRAYTON, +_Tragaediographus_: for his passionate penning [_the poem of_] the +downfalls of valiant ROBERT of NORMANDY, chaste MATILDA, and great +GAVESTON. + +As JOANNES HONTERUS, in Latin verse, wrote three books of Cosmography, +with geographical tables; so MICHAEL DRAYTON is now in penning in English +verse, a poem called _Poly-olbion_ [which is] geographical and +hydrographical of all the forests, woods, mountains, fountains, rivers, +lakes, floods, baths [_spas_], and springs that be in England. + +As AULUS PERSIUS FLACCUS is reported, among all writers to [have] been of +an honest life and upright conversation: so MICHAEL DRAYTON, _quem toties +honoris et amoris causa nomino_, among scholars, soldiers, poets, and all +sorts of people, is held for a man of virtuous disposition, honest +conversation, and well governed carriage: which is almost miraculous +among good wits in these declining and corrupt times; when there is +nothing but roguery in villainous man, and when cheating and craftiness +are counted the cleanest wit and soundest wisdom. + +As DECIUS AUSONIUS Gallus, _in libris Fastorum_, penned the occurrences +of the world from the first creation of it to this time; that is, to the +reign of the Emperor GRATIAN: so WARNER, in his absolute _Albion's +England_, hath most admirably penned the history of his own country from +NOAH to his time, that is, to the reign of Queen ELIZABETH. I have heard +him termed of the best wits of both our Universities, our English HOMER. + +As EURIPIDES is the most sententious among the Greek poets: so is WARNER +among our English poets. + +As the soul of EUPHORBUS was thought to live in PYTHAGORAS: so the sweet +witty soul of OVID lives in mellifluous and honey-tongued SHAKESPEARE. +Witness his _VENUS and ADONIS_; his _LUCRECE_; his sugared _Sonnets_, +among his private friends; &c. + +As PLAUTUS and SENECA are accounted the best for Comedy and Tragedy among +the Latins: so SHAKESPEARE among the English is the most excellent in both +kinds for the stage. For Comedy: witness his _Gentlemen of Verona_; his +[_Comedy of_] _Errors_; his _Love's Labour's Lost_; his _Love's Labour's +Won_ [? _All's Well that Ends Well_] his _Midsummer Night's Dream_; and +his _Merchant of Venice_. + +For Tragedy: his _RICHARD II., RICHARD III., HENRY IV., King JOHN, TITUS +ANDRONICUS_, and his _ROMEO and JULIET_. + +As EPIUS STOLO said that the Muses would speak with PLAUTUS's tongue, if +they would speak Latin: so I say that the Muses would speak with +SHAKESPEARE's fine filed phrase; if they would speak English. + +As MUSAEUS, who wrote the love of HERO and LEANDER, had two excellent +scholars, THAMYRAS and HERCULES; so hath he [MUSAEUS] in England, two +excellent, poets, imitators of him in the same argument and subject, +CHRISTOPHER MARLOW and GEORGE CHAPMAN. + +As OVID saith of his work, + + _Famque opus exegi, quod nec FOVIS ira, nec ignis, + Nec poterit ferrum, nec edax abolere vetustas_; + +And as HORACE saith of his, + + _Exegi monumentum oere perennius + Regalique situ pyramidum altius, + Quod non imber edax, non Aquilo impotens + Possit disruere, aut innumerabilis + Annorum series, et fuga temporum_: + +So I say, severally, of Sir PHILIP SIDNEY's, SPENSER's, DANIEL's, +DRAYTON's, SHAKESPEARE's, and WARNER's works, + + _Non FOVIS ira: imbres: MARS: ferrum: flamma: senectus: + Hoc opus unda: lues: turbo: venena ruent. + Et quanquam ad pulcherrimum hoc opus evertendum, tres illi Dii + conspirabunt, CHRONUS, VULCANUS, et PATER ipse gentis. + Non tamen annorum series, non flamma, nec ensis; + AEternum potuit hoc abolere Decus_. + +As Italy had DANTE, BOCCACE [BOCCACIO], PETRARCH, TASSO, CELIANO, and +ARIOSTO: so England had MATTHEW ROYDON, THOMAS ATCHELOW, THOMAS WATSON, +THOMAS KYD, ROBERT GREENE, and GEORGE PEELE. + +As there are eight famous and chief languages; Hebrew, Greek, Latin, +Syriac, Arabic, Italian, Spanish, and French; so there are eight notable +several kinds of poets, [1] Heroic, [2] Lyric, [3] Tragic, [4] Comic, [5] +Satiric, [6] Iambic, [7] Elegiac, and [8] Pastoral. + +[1] As HOMER and VIRGIL among the Greeks and Latins are the chief Heroic +poets: so SPENSER and WARNER be our chief heroical "makers." + +[2] As PINDARUS, ANACREON, and CALLIMACHUS, among the Greeks; and HORACE +and CUTALLUS among the Latins are the best Lyric poets: so in this +faculty, the best among our poets are SPENSER, who excelleth in all +kinds; DANIEL, DRAYTON, SHAKESPEARE, BRETON. + +[3] As these Tragic poets flourished in Greece: AESCHYLUS, EURIPIDES, +SOPHOCLES, ALEXANDER AEtolus; ACHAEUS ERITHRIOEUS, ASTYDAMAS Atheniensis, +APOLLODORUS Tarsensis, NICOMACHUS Phrygius, THESPIS Atticus, and TIMON +APOLLONIATES; and these among the Latins, ACCIUS, MARCUS ATILIUS, +POMPONUS SECUNDUS, and SENECA: so these are our best for Tragedy; The +Lord BUCKHURST, Doctor LEG, of Cambridge, Doctor EDES, of Oxford, Master +EDWARD FERRIS, the author[s] of the _Mirror for Magistrates_, MARLOW, +PEELE, WATSON, KYD, SHAKESPEARE, DRAYTON, CHAPMAN, DECKER, and BENJAMIN +JOHNSON. + +As MARCUS ANNEUS LUCANUS writ two excellent tragedies; one called +_MEDEA_, the other _De incendio Trojoe cum PRIAMI calamitate_: so Doctor +LEG hath penned two famous tragedies; the one of _RICHARD III._, the +other of _The Destruction of Jerusalem_. + +[4] The best poets for Comedy among the Greeks are these: MENANDER, +ARISTOPHANES, EUPOLIS Atheniensis, ALEXIS Terius, NICOSTRATUS, AMIPSIAS +Atheniensis, ANAXANDRIDES Rhodeus, ARISTONYMUS, ARCHIPPUS Atheniensis, +and CALLIAS Atheniensis; and among the Latins, PLAUTUS, TERENCE, NAEVIUS, +SEXTUS TURPILIUS, LICINIUS IMBREX, and VIRGILIUS Romanus: so the best for +Comedy amongst us be EDWARD [VERE], Earl of OXFORD; Doctor GAGER, of +Oxford; Master ROWLEY, once a rare scholar of learned Pembroke Hall in +Cambridge; Master EDWARDES, one of Her Majesty's Chapel; eloquent and +witty JOHN LILLY, LODGE, GASCOIGNE, GREENE, SHAKESPEARE, THOMAS NASH, +THOMAS HEYWOOD, ANTHONY MUNDAY, our best plotter; CHAPMAN, PORTER, +WILSON, HATHWAY, and HENRY CHETTLE. + +[5] As HORACE, LUCILIUS, JUVENAL, PERSIUS, and LUCULLUS are the best for +Satire among the Latins: so with us, in the same faculty, these are chief +[WILLIAM LANGLAND, the author of] _PIERS PLOWMAN_, [T.] LODGE, [JOSEPH] +HALL of Emmanuel College in Cambridge [_afterwards Bishop of NORWICH_]; +[JOHN MARSTON] the Author of _PYGMALION's Image, and certain Satires_; +the Author of _Skialetheia_. + +[6] Among the Greeks, I will name but two for Iambics, ARCHILOCHUS Parius +and HIPPONAX Ephesius: so amongst us, I name but two Iambical poets; +GABRIEL HARVEY and RICHARD STANYHURST, because I have seen no more in +this kind. + +[7] As these are famous among the Greeks for Elegies, MELANTHUS, MYMNERUS +Colophonius, OLYMPIUS Mysius, PARTHENIUS Nicoeus, PHILETAS Cous, THEOGENES +Megarensis, and PIGRES Halicarnassoeus; and these among the Latins, +MAECENAS, OVID, TIBULLUS, PROPERTIUS, C. VALGIUS, CASSIUS SEVERUS, and +CLODIUS Sabinus: so these are the most passionate among us to bewail and +bemoan the perplexities of love, HENRY HOWARD, Earl of SURREY, Sir THOMAS +WYATT the Elder, Sir FRANCIS BRYAN, Sir PHILIP SIDNEY, Sir WALTER RALEIGH, +Sir EDWARD DYER, SPENSER, DANIEL, DRAYTON, SHAKESPEARE, WHETSTONE, +GASCOIGNE, SAMUEL PAGE sometime Fellow of Corpus Christi College in +Oxford, CHURCHYARD, BRETON. + +[8] As THEOCRITUS in Greek; VIRGIL and MANTUAN in Latin, SANNAZAR in +Italian, and [THOMAS WATSON] the Author of _AMINTAE Gaudia_ and +_WALSINGHAM's MELIBOEUS_ are the best for Pastoral: so amongst us the +best in this kind are Sir PHILIP SIDNEY, Master CHALLONER, SPENSER, +STEPHEN GOSSON, ABRAHAM FRAUNCE, and BARNFIELD. + +These and many other Epigrammatists, the Latin tongue hath; Q. CATULLUS, +PORCIUS LICINIUS, QUINTUS CORNIFICIUS, MARTIAL, CNOEUS GETULICUS, and +witty Sir THOMAS MORE: so in English we have these, HEYWOOD, DRANT, +KENDAL, BASTARD, DAVIES. + +As noble MAECENAS, that sprang from the Etruscan Kings, not only graced +poets by his bounty, but also by being a poet himself; and as JAMES VI., +now King of Scotland, is not only a favourer of poets, but a poet; as my +friend Master RICHARD BARNFELD hath in this distich passing well recorded, + + The King of Scots now living is a poet, + As his _Lepanto_ and his _Furies_ show it: + +so ELIZABETH, our dread Sovereign and gracious Queen, is not only a +liberal Patron unto poets, but an excellent poet herself; whose learned, +delicate and noble Muse surmounteth, be it in Ode, Elegy, Epigram; or in +any other kind of poem, Heroic or Lyric. + +OCTAVIA, sister unto AUGUSTUS the Emperor, was exceeding[ly] bountiful +unto VIRGIL, who gave him for making twenty-six verses, £1,137, to wit, +ten _sestertiae_ for every verse (which amounted to above £43 for every +verse): so learned MARY, the honourable Countess of PEMBROKE [and] the +noble sister of the immortal Sir PHILIP SIDNEY, is very liberal unto +poets. Besides, she is a most delicate poet, of whom I may say, as +ANTIPATER Sidonius writeth of SAPPHO: + + _Dulcia Mnemosyne demirans carmina Sapphus, + Quaesivit decima Pieris unde foret_. + +Among others, in times past, poets had these favourers; AUGUSTUS, +MAECENAS, SOPHOCLES, GERMANICUS; an Emperor, a Nobleman, a Senator, and a +Captain: so of later times, poets have [had] these patrons; ROBERT, King +of Sicily, the great King FRANCIS [I.] of France, King JAMES of Scotland, +and Queen ELIZABETH of England. + +As in former times, two great Cardinals, BEMBA and BIENA did countenance +poets: so of late years, two great Preachers, have given them their right +hands in fellowship; BEZA and MELANCTHON. + +As the learned philosophers FRACASTORIUS and SCALIGER have highly prized +them: so have the eloquent orators, PONTANUS and MURETUS very gloriously +estimated them. + +As GEORGIUS BUCHANANUS' _JEPTHAE_, amongst all modern tragedies, is able +to abide the touch of ARISTOTLE's precepts and EURIPIDES's examples: so +is Bishop WATSON's _ABSALOM_. + +As TERENCE for his translations out of APOLLODORUS and MENANDER, and +AQUILIUS for his translation out of MENANDER, and C. GERMANICUS AUGUSTUS +for his out of ARATUS, and AUSONIUS for his translated _Epigrams_ out of +[the] Greek, and Doctor JOHNSON for his _Frog-fight_ out of HOMER, and +WATSON for his _ANTIGONE_ out of SOPHOCLES, have got good commendations: +so these versifiers for their learned translations, are of good note +among us; PHAER foi VIRGIL's _AEneid_, GOLDING for OVID's +_Metamorphosis_, HARINGTON for his _ORLANDO Furioso_, the Translators of +SENECA's _Tragedies_, BARNABE GOOGE for PALINGENIUS's [_Zodiac of Life_], +TURBERVILLE for OVID's _Epistles_ and MANTUAN, and CHAPMAN for his +inchoate HOMER. + +As the Latins have these Emblematists, ANDREAS ALCIATUS, REUSNERUS, and +SAMBUCUS: so we have these, GEFFREY WHITNEY, ANDREW WILLET, and THOMAS +COMBE. + +As NONNUS PANAPOLYTA wrote the _Gospel_ of Saint JOHN in Greek +hexameters: so GERVASE MARKHAM hath written SOLOMON's _Canticles_ in +English verse. + +As CORNELIUS PLINIUS writ the life of POMPONUS SECUNDUS; so young CHARLES +FITZ-GEFFERY, that high towering falcon, hath most gloriously penned _The +honourable Life and Death of worthy Sir FRANCIS DRAKE_. + +As HESIOD wrote learnedly of husbandry in Greek: so TUSSER [hath] very +wittily and experimentally written of it in English. + +As ANTIPATER Sidonius was famous for extemporal verse in Greek, and OVID +for his + + _Quicquid conabar dicere versus erat_: + +so was our TARLETON, of whom Doctor CASE, that learned physician, thus +speaketh in the Seventh Book and 17th chapter of his _Politics_. + +_ARISTOTLES suum THEODORETUM laudavit quendam peritum Tragaediarum +actorem, CICERO suum ROSCIUM: nos Angli TARLETONUM, in cujus voce et +vultu omnes jocosi affectus, in cujus cerebroso capite lepidae facetiae +habitant_. + +And so is now our witty [THOMAS] WILSON, who, for learning and extemporal +wit in this faculty, is without compare or compeer; as to his great and +eternal commendations, he manifested in his challenge at the _Swan_, on +the Bank Side. + +As ACHILLES tortured the dead body of HECTOR; and as ANTONIUS and his +wife FULVIA tormented the lifeless corpse of CICERO; so GABRIEL HARVEY +hath showed the same inhumanity to GREENE, that lies full low in his +grave. + +As EUPOLIS of Athens used great liberty in taxing the vices of men: so +doth THOMAS NASH. Witness the brood of the HARVEYS! + +As ACTAEON was worried of his own hounds: so is TOM NASH of his _Isle of +Dogs_. Dogs were the death of EURIPIDES; but be not disconsolate, gallant +young JUVENAL! LINUS, the son of APOLLO, died the same death. Yet GOD +forbid that so brave a wit should so basely perish! Thine are but paper +dogs, neither is thy banishment like OVID's, eternally to converse with +the barbarous _Getae_. Therefore comfort thyself, sweet TOM! with +CICERO's glorious return to Rome; and with the counsel AENEAS gives to +his seabeaten soldiers, _Lib_ 1, _AEneid_. + + Pluck up thine heart! and drive from thence both fear and care away! + To think on this, may pleasure be perhaps another day. + _Durato, et temet rebus servato secundis_. + +As ANACREON died by the pot: so GEORGE PEELE, by the pox. + +As ARCHESILAUS PRYTANOEUS perished by wine at a drunken feast, as +HERMIPPUS testifieth in DIOGENES: so ROBERT GREENE died by a surfeit +taken of pickled herrings and Rhenish wine; as witnesseth THOMAS NASH, +who was at the fatal banquet. + +As JODELLE, a French tragical poet, being an epicure and an atheist, made +a pitiful end: so our tragical poet MARLOW, for his Epicurism and Atheism, +had a tragical death; as you may read of this MARLOW more at large, in the +_Theatre of GOD's judgments_, in the 25th chapter, entreating of _Epicures +and Atheists_. + +As the poet LYCOPHRON was shot to death by a certain rival of his: so +CHRISTOPHER MARLOW was stabbed to death by a baudy Servingman, a rival of +his, in his lewd love. + +_PAINTERS_. + +APELLES painted a mare and a dog so lively [_lifelike_], that horses and +dogs passing by would neigh and bark at them. He grew so famous for his +excellent art, that great ALEXANDER came often to his shop to visit him, +and commanded that none other should paint him. At his death, he left +VENUS unfinished; neither was any [one] ever found, that durst perfect +what he had begun. + +ZEUXIS was so excellent in painting, that it was easier for any man to +view his pictures than to imitate them; who, to make an excellent table +[_picture_], had five Agrigentine virgins naked by him. He painted grapes +so lively, that birds did fly to eat them. + +PARRHASIUS painted a sheet [_curtain_] so artificially, that ZEUXIS took +it for a sheet indeed; and commanded it to be taken away, to see the +picture that he thought it had veiled. + +As learned and skilful Greece had these excellently renowned for their +limning; so England hath these: HILIARD, ISAAC OLIVER, and JOHN DE +CREETES, very famous for their painting. + +As Greece moreover had these painters, TIMANTES, PHIDIAS, POLIGNOTUS, +PANEUS, BULARCHUS, EUMARUS, CIMON CLEONCEUS, PYTHIS, APPOLLODORUS +Atheniensis, ARISTIDES Thebanus, NICOPHANES, PERSEUS, ANTIPHILUS, and +NICEARCHUS: so in England, we have also these; WILLIAM and FRANCIS SEGAR, +brethren; THOMAS and JOHN BETTES; LOCKEY, LYNE, PEAKE, PETER COLE, +ARNOLDE, MARCUS, JACQUES DE BRAY, CORNELIUS, PETER GOLCHIS, HIERONIMO and +PETER VAN DE VELDE. + +As LYSIPPUS, PRAXITELES, and PYRGOTELES were excellent engravers: so we +have these engravers; ROGERS, CHRISTOPHER SWITSER, and CURE. + +_MUSIC_. + +The loadstone draweth iron unto it, but the stone of Ethiopia called +_Theamedes_ driveth it away: so there is a kind of music that doth +assuage and appease the affections, and a kind that doth kindle and +provoke the passions. + +As there is no law that hath sovereignty over love; so there is no heart +that hath rule over music, but music subdues it. + +As one day takes from us the credit of another: so one strain of music +extincts [_extinguishes_] the pleasure of another. + +As the heart ruleth over all the members: so music overcometh the heart. + +As beauty is not beauty without virtue: so music is not music without art. + +As all things love their likes: so the more curious ear, the delicatest +music. + +As too much speaking hurts, too much galling smarts; so too much music +gluts and distempereth. + +As PLATO and ARISTOTLE are accounted Princes in philosophy and logic; +HIPPOCRATES and GALEN, in physic; PTOLOMY in astromony; EUCLID in +geometry; and CICERO in eloquence: so BOETIUS is esteemed a Prince and +captain in music. + +As Priests were famous among the Egyptians; Magi among the Chaldeans, and +Gymnosophists among the Indians; so Musicians flourished among the +Grecians: and therefore EPAMINONDAS was accounted more unlearned than +THEMISTOCLES, because he had no skill in music. + +As MERCURY, by his eloquence, reclaimed men from their barbarousness and +cruelty: so ORPHEUS, by his music, subdued fierce beasts and wild birds. + +As DEMOSTHENES, ISOCRATES, and CICERO, excelled in oratory: so ORPHEUS, +AMPHION, and LINUS surpassed in music. + +As Greece had these excellent musicians, ARION, DORCEUS, TIMOTHEUS +Milesius, CHRYSOGONUS, TERPANDER, LESBIUS, SIMON Magnesius, PHILAMON, +LINUS, STRATONICUS, ARISTONUS, CHIRON, ACHILLES, CLINIAS, EUMONIUS, +DEMODOCHUS, and RUFFINUS: so England hath these, Master COOPER, Master +FAIRFAX, Master TALLIS, Master TAVERNER, Master BLITHMAN, Master BYRD, +Doctor TIE, Doctor DALLIS, Doctor BULL, Master THOMAS MUD, sometime +Fellow of Pembroke Hall in Cambridge, Master EDWARD JOHNSON, Master +BLANKES, Master RANDALL, Master PHILIPS, Master DOWLAND, and Master +MORLEY. + +_A Choice is to be had in Reading of Books_. + +As the Lord DE LA NOUE in the sixth Discourse of his _Politic and +Military Discourses_, censureth the books of _AMADIS de Gaul_; which, he +saith, are no less hurtful to youth than the works of MACHIAVELLI to age: +so these books are accordingly to be censured of, whose names follow. + +_BEVIS of Hampton. +GUY of Warwick. +ARTHUR of the Round Table. +HUON of Bordeaux. +OLIVER of Castile. +The Four Sons of AYMON. +GARGANTUA. +GIRELEON. +The Honour of Chivalry. +PRIMALEON of Greece. +PALERMIN DE OLIVA. +The Seven Champions [of Christendom]. +The Mirror of Knighthood. +BLANCHARDINE. +MERVIN. +OWLGLASS. +The Stories of PALLADIN and PALMENDOS. +The Black Knight. +The Maiden Knight. +The History of CAELESTINA. +The Castle of Fame. +GALLIAN of France. +ORNATUS and ARTESIA. +&c_. + +_Poets_. + +As that ship is endangered where ail lean to one side; but is in safety, +one leaning one way and another another way: so the dissensions of Poets +among themselves, doth make them, that they less infect their readers. +And for this purpose, our Satirists [JOSEPH] HALL [_afterwards Bishop of +NORWICH_], [JOHN MARSTON] the Author of _PYGMALION's Image and Certain +Satires_, [JOHN] RANKINS, and such others, are very profitable. + + + + +JOHN DRYDEN. + +Dedicatory Epistle to _The Rival Ladies_. + +[Printed in 1664.] + + +To THE RIGHT HONOURABLE ROGER, EARL OF ORRERY. + +MY LORD, + +This worthless present was designed you, long before it was a Play; when +it was only a confused mass of thoughts tumbling over one another in the +dark: when the Fancy was yet in its first work, moving the sleeping +Images of Things towards the light, there to be distinguished; and then, +either chosen or rejected by the Judgement. It was yours, my Lord! before +I could call it mine. + +And I confess, in that first tumult of my thoughts, there appeared a +disorderly kind of beauty in some of them; which gave me hope, something +worthy of my Lord of ORRERY might be drawn from them: but I was then, in +that eagerness of Imagination, which, by over pleasing Fanciful Men, +flatters them into the danger of writing; so that, when I had moulded it +to that shape it now bears, I looked with such disgust upon it, that the +censures of our severest critics are charitable to what I thought, and +still think of it myself. + +'Tis so far from me, to believe this perfect; that I am apt to conclude +our best plays are scarcely so. For the Stage being the Representation of +the World and the actions in it; how can it be imagined that the Picture +of Human Life can be more exact than Life itself is? + +He may be allowed sometimes to err, who undertakes to move so many +Characters and Humours (as are requisite in a Play) in those narrow +channels, which are proper to each of them; to conduct his Imaginary +Persons through so many various intrigues and chances, as the labouring +Audience shall think them lost under every billow: and then, at length, +to work them so naturally out of their distresses, that when the whole +Plot is laid open, the Spectators may rest satisfied that every Cause was +powerful enough to produce the Effect it had; and that the whole Chain of +them was, with such due order, linked together, that the first Accident +[_Incident_], would, naturally, beget the second, till they All rendered +the Conclusion necessary. + +These difficulties, my Lord! may reasonably excuse the errors of my +Undertaking: but for this confidence of my Dedication, I have an +argument, which is too advantageous for me not to publish it to the +World. 'Tis the kindness your Lordship has continually shown to all my +writings. You have been pleased, my Lord! they should sometimes cross the +Irish seas, to kiss your hands; which passage, contrary to the experience +of others, I have found the least dangerous in the world. Your favour has +shone upon me, at a remote distance, without the least knowledge of my +person: and, like the influence of the heavenly bodies, you have done +good, without knowing to whom you did it, 'Tis this virtue in your +Lordship, which emboldens me to this attempt. For did I not consider you +as my Patron, I have little reason to desire you for my Judge: and should +appear, with as much awe before you, in the Reading; as I had, when the +full theatre sate upon the Action. + +For who so severely judge of faults, as he who has given testimony he +commits none? Your excellent _Poems_ having afforded that knowledge of it +to the World, that your enemies are ready to upbraid you with it as a +crime, for a Man of Business to write so well. Neither durst I have +justified your Lordship in it, if examples of it had not been in the +world before you: If XENOPHON had not written a Romance; and a certain +Roman, called AUGUSTUS CAESAR, a Tragedy and Epigrams. But their writing +was the entertainment of their pleasure; yours is only a diversion of +your pain. The Muses have seldom employed your thoughts, but when some +violent fit of the gout has snatched you from Affairs of State: and, like +the priestess of APOLLO, you never come to deliver his oracles, but +unwillingly, and in torment. So that we are obliged to your Lordship's +misery, for our delight. You treat us with the cruel pleasure of a +Turkish triumph, where those who cut and wound their bodies, sing songs +of victory as they pass; and divert others with their own sufferings. +Other men endure their diseases, your Lordship only can enjoy them! + +Plotting and Writing in this kind, are, certainly, more troublesome +employments than many which signify more, and are of greater moment in +the world. The Fancy, Memory, and Judgement are then extended, like so +many limbs, upon the rack; all of them reaching, with their utmost +stress, at Nature: a thing so almost infinite and boundless, as can never +fully be comprehended but where the Images of all things are always +present. + +Yet I wonder not your Lordship succeeds so well in this attempt. The +knowledge of men is your daily practice in the world. To work and bend +their stubborn minds; which go not all after the same grain, but, each of +them so particular a way, that the same common humours, in several +persons, must be wrought upon by several means. + +Thus, my Lord! your sickness is but the imitation of your health; the +Poet but subordinate to the Statesman in you. You still govern men with +the same address, and manage business with the same prudence: allowing it +here, as in the world, the due increase and growth till it comes to the +just height; and then turning it, when it is fully ripe, and Nature calls +out (as it were) to be delivered. With this only advantage of ease to you, +in your Poetry: that you have Fortune, here, at your command: with which, +Wisdom does often unsuccessfully struggle in the world. Here is no +Chance, which you have not foreseen. All your heroes are more than your +subjects, they are your creatures: and, though they seem to move freely, +in all the sallies of their passions; yet, you make destinies for them, +which they cannot shun. They are moved, if I may dare to say so, like the +rational creatures of the Almighty Poet; who walk at liberty, in their own +opinion, because their fetters are invincible: when, indeed, the Prison of +their Will is the more sure, for being large; and instead of an Absolute +Power over their actions, they have only a Wretched Desire of doing that, +which they cannot choose but do. + +I have dwelt, my Lord! thus long, upon your Writing; not because you +deserve not greater and more noble commendations, but because I am not +equally able to express them in other subjects. Like an ill swimmer, I +have willingly stayed long in my own depth; and though I am eager of +performing more, yet I am loath to venture out beyond my knowledge. For +beyond your Poetry, my Lord! all is Ocean to me. + +To speak of you as a Soldier, or a Statesman, were only to betray my own +ignorance: and I could hope no better success from it, than that +miserable Rhetorician had, who solemnly declaimed before HANNIBAL "of the +Conduct of Armies, and the Art of War." I can only say, in general, that +the Souls of other men shine out at little cranies; they understand some +one thing, perhaps, to admiration, while they are darkened on all the +other parts: but your Lordship's Soul is an entire Globe of Light, +breaking out on every side; and if I have only discovered one beam of it, +'tis not that the light falls unequally, but because the body which +receives it, is of unequal parts. + + +The acknowledgement of which, is a fair occasion offered me, to retire +from the consideration of your Lordship to that of myself. I here present +you, my Lord! with that in Print, which you had the goodness not to +dislike upon the Stage; and account it happy to have met you here in +England: it being, at best, like small wines, to be drunk out upon the +place [i.e., _of vintage, where produced_]; and has not body enough to +endure the sea. + +I know not, whether I have been so careful of the Plot and Language, as I +ought: but for the latter, I have endeavoured to write English, as near as +I could distinguish it from the tongue of pedants, and that of affected +travellers. Only, I am sorry that, speaking so noble a language as we do, +we have not a more certain Measure of it, as they have in France: where +they have an "Academy" erected for that purpose, and endowed with large +privileges by the present King [_LOUIS XIV._]. I wish, we might, at +length, leave to borrow words from other nations; which is now a +wantonness in us, not a necessity: but so long as some affect to speak +them, there will not want others who will have the boldness to write them. + +But I fear, lest defending the received words; I shall be accused for +following the New Way: I mean, of writing Scenes in Verse; though, to +speak properly, 'tis no so much a New Way amongst us, as an Old Way new +revived. For, many years [i.e., 1561] before SHAKESPEARE's Plays, was the +Tragedy of _Queen_ [or rather _King_] _GORBODUC_ [_of which, however, the +authentic title is "FERREX and PORREX"_] in English Verse; written by +that famous Lord BUCKHURST, afterwards Earl of DORSET, and progenitor to +that excellent Person, [_Lord BUCKHURST, see_ p. 503] who, as he inherits +his Soul and Title, I wish may inherit his good fortune! + +But supposing our countrymen had not received this Writing, till of late! +Shall we oppose ourselves to the most polished and civilised nations of +Europe? Shall we, with the same singularity, oppose the World in this, as +most of us do in pronouncing Latin? Or do we desire, that the brand which +BARCLAY has, I hope unjustly, laid upon the English, should still +continue? _Angli suos ac sua omnia impense mirantur; coeteras nationes +despectui habent_. All the Spanish and Italian Tragedies I have yet seen, +are writ in Rhyme. For the French, I do not name them: because it is the +fate of our countrymen, to admit little of theirs among us, but the +basest of their men, the extravagancies of their fashions, and the +frippery of their merchandise. + +SHAKESPEARE, who (with some errors, not to be avoided in that Age) had, +undoubtedly, a larger Soul of Poesy than ever any of our nation, was the +First, who (to shun the pains of continual rhyming) invented that kind of +writing which we call Blank Verse [_DRYDEN is here wrong as to fact, Lord +SURREY wrote the earliest_ printed _English Blank Verse in his Fourth +Book of the_ AEneid, _printed in_ 1548]; but the French, more properly +_Prose Mesurée_: into which, the English Tongue so naturally slides, that +in writing Prose, 'tis hardly to be avoided. And, therefore, I admire +[_marvel that_] some men should perpetually stumble in a way so easy: +and, inverting the order of their words, constantly close their lines +with verbs. Which, though commended, sometimes, in writing Latin; yet, we +were whipt at Westminster, if we used it twice together. + +I know some, who, if they were to write in Blank Verse _Sir, I ask your +pardon!_ would think it sounded more heroically to write + + _Sir, I, your pardon ask!_ + +I should judge him to have little command of English, whom the necessity +of a _rhyme_ should force upon this rock; though, sometimes, it cannot be +easily avoided. + +And, indeed, this is the only inconvenience with which Rhyme can be +charged. This is that, which makes them say, "Rhyme is not natural. It +being only so, when the Poet either makes a vicious choice of words; or +places them, for Rhyme's sake so unnaturally, as no man would, in +ordinary speaking." But when 'tis so judiciously ordered, that the first +word in the verse seems to beget the second; and that, the next; till +that becomes the last word in the line, which, in the negligence of +Prose, would be so: it must, then, be granted, Rhyme has all advantages +of Prose, besides its own. + +But the excellence and dignity of it, were never fully known, till Mr. +WALLER taught it. He, first, made writing easily, an Art: first, showed +us to conclude the Sense, most commonly in distiches; which in the Verse +of those before him, runs on for so many lines together, that the reader +is out of breath, to overtake it. + +This sweetness of Mr. WALLER's Lyric Poesy was, afterwards, followed in +the Epic, by Sir JOHN DENHAM, in his _Cooper's Hill_; a Poem which, your +Lordship knows! for the majesty of the style, is, and ever will be the +Exact Standard of Good Writing. + +But if we owe the invention of it to Mr. WALLER; we are acknowledging for +the noblest use of it, to Sir WILLIAM D'AVENANT; who, at once, brought it +upon the Stage, and made it perfect in _The Siege of Rhodes_. + + +The advantages which Rhyme has over Blank Verse, are so many that it were +lost time to name them. + +Sir PHILIP SIDNEY, in his _Defence of Poesy_, gives us one, which, in my +opinion, is not the least considerable: I mean, _the Help it brings to +Memory_; which Rhyme so knits up by the Affinity of Sounds, that by +remembering the last word in one line, we often call to mind both the +verses. + +Then, in the Quickness of Repartees, which in Discoursive Scenes fall +very often: it has so particular a grace, and is so aptly suited to them, +that _the Sudden Smartness of the Answer, and the Sweetness of the Rhyme +set off the beauty of each other_. + +But that benefit, which I consider most in it, because I have not seldom +found it, is that _it Bounds and Circumscribes the Fancy_. For +Imagination in a Poet, is a faculty so wild and lawless, that, like a +high ranging spaniel, it must have clogs tied to it, lest it outrun the +Judgement. The great easiness of Blank Verse renders the Poet too +luxuriant. He is tempted to say many things, which might better be +omitted, or, at least, shut up in fewer words. + +But when the difficulty of artful Rhyming is interposed, where the Poet +commonly confines his Sense to his Couplet; and must contrive that Sense +into such words that the Rhyme shall naturally follow them, not they the +Rhyme [pp. 571 581]: the Fancy then gives leisure to the Judgement to +come in; which, seeing so heavy a tax imposed, is ready to cut off all +unnecessary expenses. + +This last consideration has already answered an objection, which some +have made, that "Rhyme is only an Embroidery of Sense; to make that which +is ordinary in itself, pass for excellent with less examination." But, +certainly, that which most regulates the Fancy, and gives the Judgement +its busiest employment, is like[ly] to bring forth the richest and +clearest thoughts. The Poet examines that most which he produceth with +the greatest leisure, and which, he knows, must pass the severest test of +the audience, because they are aptest to have it ever in their memory: as +the stomach makes the best concoction when it strictly embraces the +nourishment, and takes account of every little particle as it passes +through. + + +But, as the best medicines may lose their virtue, by being ill applied; +so is it with Verse, if a fit Subject be not chosen for it. Neither must +the Argument alone, but the Characters and Persons be great and noble: +otherwise, as SCALIGER says of CLAUDIAN, the Poet will be _Ignobiliore +materia depressus_. The Scenes which (in my opinion) most commend it, are +those of Argumentation and Discourse, on the result of which, the doing or +not doing [of] some considerable Action should depend. + + +But, my Lord! though I have more to say upon this subject; yet, I must +remember, 'tis your Lordship, to whom I speak: who have much better +commended this Way by your writing _in_ it; than I can do, by writing +_for_ it. Where my Reasons cannot prevail, I am sure your Lordship's +Example must. Your Rhetoric has gained my cause; as least, the greatest +part of my design has already succeeded to my wish: which was, to +interest so noble a Person in the Quarrel; and withal, to testify to the +World, how happy I esteem myself in the honour of being, My Lord, + +Your Lordship's most humble, and most obedient servant, + +JOHN DRYDEN. + + + + +The Honourable Sir ROBERT HOWARD, Auditor of the Exchequer. + +Preface to _Four new Plays_. + +[Licensed 7 March 1665, Printed the same year.] + + +_TO THE READER_. + +There is none more sensible than I am, how great a charity the most +Ingenious may need, that expose their private wit to a public judgement; +since the same Phancy from whence the thoughts proceed, must probably be +kind to its own issue. This renders men no perfecter judges of their own +writings, than fathers are of their own children: who find out that wit +in them, which another discerns not; and see not those errors, which are +evident to the unconcerned. Nor is this Self Kindness more fatal to men +in their writings, than in their actions; every man being a greater +flatterer to himself, than he knows how to be to another: otherwise, it +were impossible that things of such distant natures, should find their +own authors so equally kind in their affections to them; and men so +different in parts and virtues, should rest equally contented in their +own opinions. + +This apprehension, added to that greater [one] which I have of my own +weakness, may, I hope, incline the Reader to believe me, when I assure +him that these follies were made public, as much against my inclination +as judgement. But, being pursued with so many solicitations of Mr. +HERRINGMAN's [_the Publisher_], and having received civilities from him, +if it were possible, exceeding his importunities: I, at last, yielded to +prefer that which he believed his interest; before that, which I +apprehended my own disadvantage. Considering withal, that he might +pretend, It would be a real loss to him: and could be but an imaginary +prejudice to me: since things of this nature, though never so excellent, +or never so mean, have seldom proved the foundation of men's new built +fortunes, or the ruin of their old. It being the fate of Poetry, though +of no other good parts, to be wholly separated from Interest: and there +are few that know me but will easily believe, I am not much concerned in +an unprofitable Reputation. + +This clear account I have given the Reader, of this seeming +contradiction, to offer that to the World which I dislike myself: and, in +all things, I have no greater an ambition than to be believed [to be] a +Person, that would rather be unkind to myself, than ungrateful to others. + +I have made this excuse for myself. I offer none for my writings; but +freely leave the Reader to condemn that which has received my sentence +already. + + +Yet, I shall presume to say something in the justification of our +nation's Plays, though not of my own: since, in my judgement, without +being partial to my country, I do really prefer our Plays as much before +any other nation's; as I do the best of ours before my own. + +The manner of the Stage Entertainments has differed in all Ages; and, as +it has increased in use, it has enlarged itself in business. The general +manner of Plays among the Ancients we find in SENECA's Tragedies, for +serious subjects; and in TERENCE and PLAUTUS, for the comical. In which +latter, we see some pretences to Plots; though certainly short of what we +have seen in some of Mr. [BEN.] JOHNSON's Plays. And for their Wit, +especially PLAUTUS, I suppose it suited much better in those days, than +it would do in ours. For were their Plays strictly translated, and +presented on our Stage; they would hardly bring as many audiences as they +have now admirers. + +The serious Plays were anciently composed of Speeches and Choruses; where +all things are Related, but no matter of _fact_ Presented on the Stage. +This pattern, the French do, at this time, nearly follow: only leaving +out the Chorus, making up their Plays with almost Entire and Discoursive +Scenes; presenting the business in Relations [p. 535]. This way has very +much affected some of our nation, who possibly believe well of it, more +upon the account that what the French do ought to be a fashion, than upon +the reason of the thing. + +It is first necessary to consider, Why, probably, the compositions of the +Ancients, especially in their serious Plays were after this manner? And it +will be found, that the subjects they commonly chose, drave them upon the +necessity; which were usually the most known stories and Fables [p. 522]. +Accordingly, SENECA, making choice of MEDEA, HYPPOLITUS, and HERCULES +_OEtaeus_, it was impossible to _show_ MEDEA throwing old mangled AESON +into her age-renewing caldron, or to _present_ the scattered limbs of +HYPPOLITUS upon the Stage, and _show_ HERCULES burning upon his own +funeral pile. + +And this, the judicious HORACE clearly speaks of, in his _Arte Poetica_; +where he says + + _Non tamen intus + Digna geri, promes in scenam: multaque tolles + Ex oculis, quae mox narret facundia praesens. + Nec pueros coram populo MEDEA trucidet[8] + Aut humana palam coquat extra nefarius ATREUS, + Aut in avem PROGNE vertatur, CADMUS in anguem. + Quodcunque ostendit mihi sic, incredulus odi_. + +So that it appears a fault to chose such Subjects for the Stage; but much +greater, to affect that Method which those subjects enforce: and therefore +the French seem much mistaken, who, without the necessity, sometimes +commit the error. And this is as plainly decided by the same author, in +his preceding word + + _Aut agitur res in Scenis aut acta refertur: + Segnius irritant animos demissa per aurem; + Quam quae sunt oculis subjecta fidelibus, et quae + Ipse sibi tradit spectator_. + +By which, he directly declares his judgement, "That every thing makes +more impression Presented, than Related." Nor, indeed, can any one +rationally assert the contrary. For, if they affirm otherwise, they do, +by consequence, maintain, That a whole Play might as well be Related, as +Acted. + +Therefore whoever chooses a subject, that enforces him to RELATIONS, is +to blame; and he that does it without the necessity of the subject, is +much more. + +If these premisses be granted, 'tis no partiality to conclude, That our +English Plays justly challenge the pre-eminence. + + +Yet, I shall as candidly acknowledge, that our best Poets have differed +from other nations, though not so happily [_felicitously_], in usually +mingling and interweaving Mirth and Sadness, through the whole course of +their Plays. BEN. JOHNSON only excepted; who keeps himself entire to one +Argument. And I confess I am now convinced in my own judgement, that it +is most proper to keep the audience in one entire disposition both of +Concern and Attention: for when Scenes of so different natures, +immediately succeed one another; 'tis probable, the audience may not so +suddenly recollect themselves, as to start into an enjoyment of Mirth, or +into the concern for the Sadness. Yet I dispute not but the variety of +this world may afford pursuing accidents of such different natures; but +yet, though possible in themselves to be, they may not be so proper to be +Presented. An Entire Connection being the natural beauty of all Plays: and +Language, the Ornament to dress them in; which, in serious Subjects, ought +to be great and easy, like a high born Person that expresses greatness +without pride or affection. + +The easier dictates of Nature ought to flow in Comedy; yet separated from +obsceneness. There being nothing more impudent than the immodesty of +words. Wit should be chaste; and those that have it, can only write well: + + _Si modo + Scimus in urbanum Lepido se ponere dicto_. + +Another way of the Ancients, which the French follow, and our Stage has, +now lately, practised; is to write in Rhyme. And this is the dispute +betwixt many ingenious persons, _Whether Verse in Rhyme; or Verse without +the Sound, which may be called Blank Verse_ (though a hard expression) _is +to be preferred_? + +But take the question, largely, and it is never to be decided [p. 512]; +but, by right application, I suppose it may. For, in the general, they +are both proper: that is, one for a Play; the other for a Poem or Copy of +Verses: as Blank Verse being as much too low for one [_i.e., a. Poem or +Verses_]; as Rhyme is unnatural for the other [_i.e., a Play_]. + +A Poem, being a premeditated Form of thoughts, upon designed occasions: +ought not to be unfurnished of any Harmony in Words or Sound. The other +[_a Play_] is presented as the _present effect_ of accidents not thought +of. So that, 'tis impossible, it should be equally proper to both these; +unless it were possible that all persons were born so much more than +Poets, that verses were not to be composed by them, but already made in +them. + +Some may object "That this argument is trivial; because, whatever is +showed, 'tis known still to be but a Play." But such may as well excuse +an ill scene, that is not naturally painted; because they know 'tis only +a scene, and not really a city or country. + + +But there is yet another thing which makes Verse upon the Stage appear +more unnatural, that is, when a piece of a verse is made up by one that +knew not what the other meant to say; and the former verse answered as +perfectly in Sound as the last is supplied in Measure. So that the +smartness of a Reply, which has its beauty by coming from sudden +thoughts, seems lost by that which rather looks like a Design of two, +than the Answer of one. + +It may be said, that "Rhyme is such a confinement to a quick and +luxuriant Phancy, that it gives a stop to its speed, till slow Judgement +comes in to assist it [p. 492];" but this is no argument for the question +in hand. For the dispute is not which way a man may write best in; but +which is most proper for the subject he writes upon. And if this were let +pass, the argument is yet unsolved in itself; for he that wants Judgement +in the liberty of his Phancy, may as well shew the defect of it in its +confinement: and, to say truth, he that has judgement will avoid the +errors, and he that wants it, will commit them both. + +It may be objected, "'Tis Improbable that any should speak _ex tempore_, +as well as Beaumont and Fletcher makes them; though in Blank Verse." I do +not only acknowledge that, but that 'tis also improbable any will write so +well that way. But if that may be allowed improbable; I believe it may be +concluded impossible that any should speak as good Verses in Rhyme, as +the best Poets have writ: and therefore, that which seems _nearest_ to +what he intends is ever to be preferred. + +Nor are great thoughts more adorned by Verse; than Verse unbeautified by +mean ones. So that Verse seems not only unfit in the best use of it, but +much more in the worst, when "a servant is called," or "a door bid to be +shut" in Rhyme [p. 569]. Verses, I mean good ones, do, in their height of +Phancy, declare the labour that brought them forth! like Majesty that +grows with care: and Nature, that made the Poet capable, seems to retire, +and leave its offers to be made perfect by pains and judgement. + +Against this, I can raise no argument, but my Lord of Orrery's writings. +In whose Verse, the greatness of the Majesty seems unsullied with the +cares, and his inimitable Phancy descends to us in such easy expressions, +that they seem as if neither had ever been added to the other: but both +together flowing from a height; like birds got so high that use no +labouring wings, but only, with an easy care, preserve a steadiness in +motion. But this particular happiness, among those multitudes which that +excellent Person is owner of, does not convince my reason, but employ my +wonder. Yet, I am glad such Verse has been written for our Stage; since +it has so happily exceeded those whom we seemed to imitate. + + +But while I give these arguments against Verse, I may seem faulty, that I +have not only writ ill ones, but writ any. But since it was the fashion; I +was resolved, as in all indifferent things, not to appear singular: the +danger of the vanity being greater than the error. And therefore, I +followed it as a fashion; though very far off. + +For the Italian plays; I have seen some of them, which have been given me +as the best: but they are so inconsiderable that the particulars of them +are not at all worthy to entertain the Reader. But, as much as they are +short of others, in this; they exceed in their other performances on the +Stage. I mean their Operas: which, consisting of Music and Painting; +there's none but will believe it as much harder to equal them in that +way, than 'tis to excel them in the other. + +The Spanish Plays pretend to more; but, indeed, are not much: being +nothing but so many novels put into Acts and scenes, without the least +attempt or design of making the Reader more concerned than a well-told +tale might do. Whereas, a Poet that endeavours not to heighten the +accidents which Fortune seems to scatter in a well-knit Design, had +better have told his tale by a fireside, than presented it on a Stage. + + +For these times, wherein we write. I admire to hear the Poets so often +cry out upon, and wittily (as they believe) threaten their judges; since +the effects of their mercy has so much exceeded their justice, that +others with me, cannot but remember how many favourable audiences, some +of our ill plays have had: and, when I consider how severe the former Age +has been to some of the best of Mr. Johnson's never to be equalled +Comedies; I cannot but wonder why any Poet should speak of former Times, +but rather acknowledge that the want of abilities in this Age are largely +supplied with the mercies of it. + +I deny not, but there are some who resolve to like nothing, and such, +perhaps, are not unwise; since, by that general resolution, they may be +certainly in the right sometimes: which, perhaps, they would seldom be, +if they should venture their understandings in different censures; and, +being forced to a general liking or disliking (lest they should discover +too much their own weakness), 'tis to be expected they would rather +choose to pretend to Judgement than Good Nature, though I wish they could +find better ways to shew either. + + +But I forget myself; not considering that while I entertain the Reader, +in the entrance, with what a good play should be: when he is come beyond +the entrance, he must be treated with what ill plays are. But in this, I +resemble the greatest part of the World, that better know how to talk of +many things, than to perform them; and live short of their own discourses. + +And now, I seem like an eager hunter, that has long pursued a chase after +an inconsiderable quarry; and gives over, weary; as I do. + + +[8] p. 537 + + + + +OF DRAMATIC POESY, AN ESSAY. + +By JOHN DRYDEN Esq.; + + _Fungar vice cotis, acutum + Reddere quae ferrum valet, exors ipsa secandi_. + Horat. De Arte Poet. + +1668 + + +To the Right Honourable CHARLES LORD BUCKHURST. + +My Lord, + +_As I was lately reviewing my loose papers, amongst the rest I found this +Essay, the writing of which, in this rude and indigested manner wherein +your Lordship now sees it, served as an amusement to me in the country +[in 1665], when the violence of the last Plague had driven me from the +town. Seeing, then, our theatres shut up; I was engaged in these kind[s] +of thoughts with the same delight with which men think upon their absent +mistresses. + +I confess I find many things in this Discourse, which I do not now +approve; my judgement being a little altered since the writing of it: but +whether for the better or worse, I know not. Neither indeed is it much +material in an_ Essay, _where all I have said is problematical. + +For the way of writing Plays in Verse, which I have seemed to favour [p. +561]; I have, since that time, laid the practice of it aside till I have +more leisure, because I find it troublesome and slow. But I am no way +altered from my opinion of it, at least, with any reasons which have +opposed it. For your Lordship may easily observe that none are very +violent against it; but those who either have not attempted it, or who +have succeeded ill in their attempt. 'Tis enough for me, to have your +Lordship's example for my excuse in that little which I have done in it: +and I am sure my adversaries can bring no such arguments against Verse, +as the Fourth Act of_ POMPEY _will furnish me with in its defence. + +Yet, my Lord! you must suffer me a little to complain of you! that you +too soon withdraw from us a contentment, of which we expected the +continuance, because you gave it us so early. 'Tis a revolt without +occasion from your Party! where your merits had already raised you to the +highest commands: and where you have not the excuse of other men that you +have been ill used and therefore laid down arms. I know no other quarrel +you can have to Verse, than that which_ SPURINA _had to his beauty; when +he tore and mangled the features of his face, only because they pleased +too well the lookers on. It was an honour which seemed to wait for you, +to lead out a New Colony of Writers from the Mother Nation; and, upon the +first spreading of your ensigns, there had been many in a readiness to +have followed so fortunate a Leader; if not all, yet the better part of +writers._ + + Pars, indocili melior grege, mollis et expes + Inominata perprimat cubilia. + +_I am almost of opinion that we should force you to accept of the +command; as sometimes the Praetorian Bands have compelled their Captains +to receive the Empire. The Court, which is the best and surest judge of +writing, has generally allowed of Verse; and in the Town, it has found +favourers of Wit and Quality. + +As for your own particular, my Lord! you have yet youth and time enough +to give part of it to the Divertisement of the of the Public, before you +enter into the serious and more unpleasant Business of the World. + +That which the French Poet said of the Temple of Love, may be as well +applied to the Temple of Muses. The words, as near[ly] as I can remember +them, were these--_ + + La jeunesse a mauvaise grace + N'ayant pas adoré dans le Temple d'Amour; + Il faut qu'il entre: et pour le sage; + Si ce n'est son vrai sejour, + Ce'st un gîte sur son passage. + +_I leave the words to work their effect upon your Lordship, in their own +language; because no other can so well express the nobleness of the +thought: and wish you may be soon called to bear a part in the affaires +of the Nation, where I know the World expects you, and wonders why you +have been so long forgotten; there being no person amongst our young +nobility, on whom the eyes of all men are so much bent. But, in the +meantime, your Lordship may imitate the Course of Nature, which gives us +the flower before the fruit; that I may speak to you in the language of +the Muses, which I have taken from an excellent Poem to the King [i.e.,_ +CHARLES II.] + + _As Nature, when she fruit designs, thinks fit + By beauteous blossoms to proceed to it, + And while she does accomplish all the Spring, + Birds, to her secret operations sing. + +I confess I have no greater reason in addressing this Essay to your +Lordship, than that it might awaken in you the desire of writing +something, in whatever kind it be, which might be an honour to our Age +and country. And, methinks, it might have the same effect upon you, +which, HOMER tells us, the fight of the Greeks and Trojans before the +fleet had on the spirit of ACHILLES; who, though he had resolved not to +engage, yet found a martial warmth to steal upon him at the sight of +blows, the sound of trumpets, and the cries of fighting men. + +For my own part, if in treating of this subject, I sometimes dissent from +the opinion of better Wits, I declare it is not so much to combat their +opinions as to defend mine own, which were first made public. Sometimes, +like a scholar in a fencing school, I put forth myself, and show my own +ill play, on purpose to be better taught. Sometimes, I stand desperately +to my arms, like the Foot, when deserted by their Horse; not in hope to +overcome, but only to yield on more honourable terms. + +And yet, my Lord! this War of Opinions, you well know, has fallen out +among the Writers of all Ages, and sometimes betwixt friends: only it has +been persecuted by some, like pedants, with violence of words; and +managed, by others, like gentlemen, with candour and civility. Even TULLY +had a controversy with his dear ATTICUS; and in one of his_ Dialogues, +_makes him sustain the part of an enemy in Philosophy, who, in his_ +Letters, _is his confident of State, and made privy to the most weighty +affairs of the Roman Senate: and the same respect, which was paid by +TULLY to ATTICUS; we find returned to him, afterwards, by CAESAR, on a +like occasion: who, answering his book in praise of CATO, made it not so +much his business to condemn CATO, as to praise CICERO. + +But that I may decline some part of the encounter with my adversaries, +whom I am neither willing to combat, nor well able to resist; I will give +your Lordship the relation of a dispute betwixt some of our wits upon this +subject: in which, they did not only speak of Plays in Verse, but mingled, +in the freedom of discourse, some things of the Ancient, many of the +Modern Ways of Writing; comparing those with these, and the Wits of our +Nation with those of others. 'Tis true, they differed in their opinions, +as 'tis probable they would; neither do I take upon me to reconcile, but +to relate them, and that, as TACITUS professes of himself_, sine studio +partium aut ira_, "without passion or interest": leaving your Lordship to +decide it in favour of which part, you shall judge most reasonable! And +withal, to pardon the many errors of_ + +Your Lordship's most obedient humble servant, + +JOHN DRYDEN. + + + + +TO THE READER. + +_The drift of the ensuing Discourse was chiefly to vindicate the honour +of our English Writers from the censure of those who unjustly prefer the +French before them. This I intimate, lest any should think me so +exceeding vain, as to teach others an Art which they understand much +better than myself. But if this incorrect Essay, written in the country, +without the help of books or advice of friends, shall find any acceptance +in the World: I promise to myself a better success of the Second Part, +wherein the virtues and faults of the English Poets who have written, +either in this, the Epic, or the Lyric way, will be more fully treated +of; and their several styles impartially imitated._ + +AN ESSAY OF Dramatic Poesy. + +It was that memorable day [_3rd of June_ 1665] in the first summer of the +late war, when our Navy engaged the Dutch; a day, wherein the two most +mighty and best appointed Fleets which any Age had ever seen, disputed +the command of the greater half of the Globe, the commerce of Nations, +and the riches of the Universe. While these vast floating bodies, on +either side, moved against each other in parallel lines; and our +countrymen, under the happy conduct of His Royal Highness [_the Duke of +YORK_], went breaking by little and little, into the line of the enemies: +the noise of the cannon from both navies reached our ears about the City; +so that all men being alarmed with it, and in a dreadful suspense of the +event which we knew was then deciding, every one went following the sound +as his fancy [_imagination_] led him. And leaving the Town almost empty, +some took towards the Park; some cross the river, others down it: all +seeking the noise in the depth of silence. + +Among the rest, it was the fortune of EUGENIUS, CRITES, LISIDEIUS and +NEANDER to be in company together: three of them persons whom their Wit +and Quality have made known to all the Town; and whom I have chosen to +hide under these borrowed names, that they may not suffer by so ill a +Relation as I am going to make, of their discourse. + +Taking then, a barge, which a servant of LISIDEIUS had provided for them, +they made haste to shoot the Bridge [_i.e., London Bridge_]: and [so] left +behind them that great fall of waters, which hindered them from hearing +what they desired. + +After which, having disengaged themselves from many vessels which rode at +anchor in the Thames, and almost blocked up the passage towards Greenwich: +they ordered the watermen to let fall their oars more gently; and then, +every one favouring his own curiosity with a strict silence, it was not +long ere they perceived the air break about them, like the noise of +distant thunder, or of swallows in a chimney. Those little undulations of +sound, though almost vanishing before they reached them; yet still seeming +to retain somewhat of their first horror, which they had betwixt the +fleets. + +After they had attentively listened till such time, as the sound, by +little and little, went from them; EUGENIUS [_i.e., Lord BUCKHURST_] +lifting up his head, and taking notice of it, was the first to +congratulate to the rest, that happy Omen of our nation's victory: +adding, "we had but this to desire, in confirmation of it, that we might +hear no more of that noise, which was now leaving the English coast." + +When the rest had concurred in the same opinion, CRITES [_i.e., Sir +ROBERT HOWARD_] (a person of a sharp judgment, and somewhat a too +delicate a taste in wit, which the World have mistaken in him for ill +nature) said, smiling, to us, "That if the concernment of this battle had +not been so exceeding[ly] great, he could scarce have wished the victory +at the price, he knew, must pay for it; in being subject to the reading +and hearing of so many ill verses, he was sure would be made upon it." +Adding, "That no argument could 'scape some of those eternal rhymers, who +watch a battle with more diligence than the ravens and birds of prey; and +the worst of them surest to be first in upon the quarry: while the better +able, either, out of modesty, writ not at all; or set that due value upon +their poems, as to let them be often called for, and long expected." + +"There are some of those impertinent people you speak of," answered +LISIDEIUS [_i.e., Sir CHARLES SEDLEY_], "who, to my knowledge, are +already so provided, either way, that they can produce not only a +Panegyric upon the Victory: but, if need be, a Funeral Elegy upon the +Duke, and, after they have crowned his valour with many laurels, at last, +deplore the odds under which he fell; concluding that his courage deserved +a better destiny." All the company smiled at the conceit of LISIDEIUS. + +But CRITES, more eager than before, began to make particular exceptions +against some writers, and said, "The Public Magistrate ought to send, +betimes, to forbid them: and that it concerned the peace and quiet of all +honest people, that ill poets should be as well silenced as seditious +preachers." + +"In my opinion" replied EUGENIUS, "you pursue your point too far! For, as +to my own particular, I am so great a lover of Poesy, that I could wish +them all rewarded, who attempt but to do well. At least, I would not have +them worse used than SYLLA the Dictator did one of their brethren +heretofore. _Quem in concione vidimus_ (says TULLY, speaking of him) _cum +ei libellum malus poeta de populo subjecisset, quod epigramma in eum +fecisset tantummodo alternis versibus longiuculis, statim ex iis rebus +quae tunc vendebat jubere ei praemium tribui, sub ea conditione ne quid +postea scriberet_." + +"I could wish, with all my heart," replied CRITES, "that many whom we +know, were as bountifully thanked, upon the same condition, that they +would never trouble us again. For amongst others, I have a mortal +apprehension of two poets, whom this Victory, with the help of both her +wings, will never be able to escape." + +"'Tis easy to guess, whom you intend," said LISIDEIUS, "and without +naming them, I ask you if one [_i.e., GEORGE WITHER_] of them does not +perpetually pay us with clenches upon words, and a certain clownish kind +of raillery? If, now and then, he does not offer at a catachresis [_which +COTGRAVE defines as 'the abuse, or necessary use of one word, for lack of +another more proper'_] or Clevelandism, wresting and torturing a word +into another meaning? In fine, if be not one of those whom the French +would call _un mauvais buffon_; one that is so much a well willer to the +Satire, that he spares no man: and though he cannot strike a blow to hurt +any, yet ought to be punished for the malice of the action; as our witches +are justly hanged, because they think themselves so, and suffer deservedly +for believing they did mischief, because they meant it." + +"You have described him," said CRITES, "so exactly, that I am afraid to +come after you, with my other Extremity of Poetry. He [_i.e., FRANCIS +QUARLES_] is one of those, who, having had some advantage of education +and converse [_i.e., conversation, in the sense of Culture through +mixture with society_], knows better than the other, what a Poet should +be; but puts it into practice more unluckily than any man. His style and +matter are everywhere alike. He is the most calm, peaceable writer you +ever read. He never disquiets your passions with the least concernment; +but still leaves you in as even a temper as he found you. He is a very +Leveller in poetry; he creeps along, with ten little words in every line, +and helps out his numbers with _For to_, and _Unto_, and all the pretty +expletives he can find, till he drags them to the end of another line: +while the Sense is left, tired, halfway behind it. He doubly starves all +his verses; first, for want of Thought, and then, of Expression, His +poetry neither has wit in it, nor seems to have it; like him, in MARTIAL, + + "_Pauper videri CINNA vult, et est pauper_. + +"He affects plainness, to cover his Want of Imagination. When he writes +in the serious way; the highest flight of his Fancy is some miserable +_antithesis_ or seeming contradiction: and in the comic; he is still +reaching at some thin conceit, the ghost of a jest, and that too flies +before him, never to be caught. These swallows, which we see before us on +the Thames, are the just resemblance of his Wit. You may observe how near +the water they stoop! how many proffers they make to dip, and yet how +seldom they touch it! and when they do, 'tis but the surface! they skim +over it, but to catch a gnat, and then mount in the air and leave it!" + +"Well, gentlemen!" said EUGENICS, "you may speak your pleasure of these +authors; but though. I and some few more about the Town, may give you a +peaceable hearing: yet, assure yourselves! there are multitudes who would +think you malicious, and them injured; especially him whom you first +described, he is the very _Withers_ of the City. They have bought more +Editions of his works, than would serve to lay under all their pies at +the Lord Mayor's Christmas. When his famous poem [_i.e., Speculum +Speculativium; Or, A Considering Glass, Being an Inspection into the +present and late sad condition of these Nations.... London. Written June +xiii. XDCLX, and there imprinted the same year_] first came out in the +year 1660, I have seen them read it in the midst of Change time. Nay, so +vehement were they at it, that they lost their bargain by the candles' +ends! But what will you say, if he has been received among the Great +Ones? I can assure you, he is, this day, the envy of a Great Person, who +is Lord in the Art of Quibbling; and who does not take it well, than any +man should intrude so far into his province." + +"All I would wish," replied CRITES, "is that they who love his writings, +may still admire him and his fellow poet. _Qui Bavium non odit &c._, is +curse sufficient." + +"And farther," added LISIDEIUS; "I believe there is no man who writes +well; but would think himself very hardly dealt with, if their admirers +should praise anything of his. _Nam quos contemnimus eorum quoque laudes +contemnimus_." + +"There are so few who write well, in this Age," said CRITES, "that +methinks any praises should be welcome. They neither rise to the dignity +of the last Age, nor to any of the Ancients: and we may cry out of the +Writers of this Time, with more reason than PETRONIUS of his, _Pace +vestra liceat dixisse, primi omnium eloquentiam perdidistis_! 'You have +debauched the true old Poetry so far, that Nature (which is the Soul of +it) is not in any of your writings!'" + +"If your quarrel," said EUGENIUS, "to those who now write, be grounded +only upon your reverence to Antiquity; there is no man more ready to +adore those great Greeks and Romans than I am: but, on the other side, I +cannot think so contemptibly of the Age I live in, or so dishonourably of +my own Country as not to judge [that] we equal the Ancients in most kinds +of Poesy, and in some, surpass them; neither know I any reason why I may +not be as zealous for the reputation of our Age, as we find the Ancients +themselves, in reference to those who lived before them. For you hear +HORACE saying + + "_Indignor quidquam reprehendi, non quia crasse + Compositum, ille pide've putetur, sed quia nuper._ + +"And, after, + + "Si meliora dies, ut vina, poemata reddit, + Scire velim pretium chartis quotus arroget annus?_ + +"But I see I am engaging in a wide dispute, where the arguments are not +like[ly] to reach close, on either side [p. 497]: for Poesy is of so +large extent, and so many (both of the Ancients and Moderns) have done +well in all kinds of it, that, in citing one against the other, we shall +take up more time this evening, than each man's occasions will allow him. +Therefore, I would ask CRITES to what part of Poesy, he would confine his +arguments? and whether he would defend the general cause of the Ancients +against the Moderns; or oppose any Age of the Moderns against this of +ours?" + +CRITES, a little while considering upon this demand, told EUGENIUS, he +approved of his propositions; and, if he pleased, he would limit their +dispute to Dramatic Poesy: in which, he thought it not difficult to +prove, either that the Ancients were superior to the Moderns; or the last +Age to this of ours. + +EUGENIUS was somewhat surprised, when he heard CRITES make choice of that +subject. "For ought I see," said he, "I have undertaken a harder province +than I imagined. For though I never judged the plays of the Greek and +Roman poets comparable to ours: yet, on the other side, those we now see +acted, come short of many which were written in the last Age. But my +comfort is, if we were o'ercome, it will be only by our own countrymen; +and if we yield to them in this one part of Poesy, we [the] more surpass +them in all the other[s]. + +"For in the Epic, or Lyric way, it will be hard for them to shew us one +such amongst them, as we have many now living, or who lately were so. +They can produce nothing so Courtly writ, or which expresses so much the +conversation of a gentleman, as Sir JOHN SUCKLING; nothing so even, +sweet, and flowing, as Mr. WALLER; nothing so majestic, so correct, as +Sir JOHN DENHAM; nothing so elevated, so copious, and full of spirit, as +Mr. COWLEY. As for the Italian, French, and Spanish plays, I can make it +evident, that those who now write, surpass them; and that the Drama is +wholly ours." + +All of them were thus far of EUGENIUS his opinion, that "the sweetness of +English Verse was never understood or practised by our fathers"; even +CRITES himself did not much oppose it: and every one was willing to +acknowledge how much our Poesy is improved by the happiness of some +writers yet living, who first taught us to mould our thoughts into easy +and significant words; to retrench the superfluities of expression; and +to make our Rhyme so properly a part of the Verse, that it should never +mislead the Sense, but itself be led and governed by it. + + +EUGENIUS was going to continue this discourse, when LISIDEIUS told him, +that "it was necessary, before they proceeded further, to take a Standing +Measure of their controversy. For how was it possible to be decided who +writ the best plays, before we know what a Play should be? but this once +agreed on by both parties, each might have recourse to it; either to +prove his own advantages, or discover the failings of his adversary." + +He had no sooner said this; but all desired the favour of him to give the +definition of a Play: and they were the more importunate, because neither +ARISTOTLE, nor HORACE, nor any other who writ of that subject, had ever +done it. + +LISIDEIUS, after some modest denials, at last, confessed he had a rude +notion of it; indeed, rather a Description than a Definition; but which +served to guide him in his private thoughts, when he was to make a +judgment of what others writ. That he conceived a Play ought to be A JUST +AND LIVELY IMAGE OF HUMAN NATURE, REPRESENTING ITS PASSIONS AND HUMOURS; +AND THE CHANGES OF FORTUNE, TO WHICH IT IS SUBJECT: FOR THE DELIGHT AND +INSTRUCTION OF MANKIND. + +This Definition, though CRITES raised a logical objection against it +(that "it was only _a genere et fine_," and so not altogether perfect), +was yet well received by the rest. + +And, after they had given order to the watermen to turn their barge, and +row softly, that they might take the cool of the evening in their return: +CRITES, being desired by the company to begin, spoke on behalf of the +Ancients, in this manner. + + +"If confidence presage a victory; EUGENIUS, in his own opinion, has +already triumphed over the Ancients. Nothing seems more easy to him, than +to overcome those whom it is our greatest praise to have imitated well: +for we do not only build upon their foundation, but by their models. + +"Dramatic Poesy had time enough, reckoning from THESPIS who first +invented it, to ARISTOPHANES; to be born, to grow up, and to flourish in +maturity. + +"_It has been observed of Arts and Sciences, that in one and the same +century, they have arrived to a great perfection_ [p. 520]. And, no +wonder! since every Age has a kind of Universal Genius, which inclines +those that live in it to some particular studies. The work then being +pushed on by many hands, must, of necessity, go forward. + +"Is it not evident, in these last hundred years, when the study of +Philosophy has been the business of all the _Virtuosi_ in Christendom, +that almost a new Nature has been revealed to us? that more errors of the +School have been detected, more useful experiments in Philosophy have been +made, more noble secrets in Optics, Medicine, Anatomy, Astronomy, +discovered; than, in all those credulous and doting Ages, from ARISTOTLE +to us [p. 520]? So true it is, that nothing spreads more fast than +Science, when rightly and generally cultivated. + +"Add to this, _the more than common Emulation that was, in those times, +of writing well_: which, though it be found in all Ages and all persons +that pretend to the same reputation: yet _Poesy, being then in more +esteem than now it is, had greater honours decreed to the Professors of +it, and consequently the rivalship was more high between them_. They had +Judges ordained to decide their merit, and prizes to reward it: and +historians have been diligent to record of AESCHYLUS, EURIPIDES, +SOPHOCLES, LYCOPHRON, and the rest of them, both who they were that +vanquished in these Wars of the Theatre, and how often they were crowned: +while the Asian Kings and Grecian Commonwealths scarce[ly] afforded them a +nobler subject than the unmanly luxuries of a debauched Court, or giddy +intrigues of a factious city. _Alit oemulatio ingenia_, says PATERCULUS, +_et nunc invidia, nunc admiratio incitationem accendit_: 'Emulation is +the spur of wit; and sometimes envy, sometimes admiration quickens our +endeavours.' + +"But now, since the rewards of honour are taken away: that Virtuous +Emulation is turned into direct Malice; yet so slothful, that it contents +itself to condemn and cry down others, without attempting to do better. +'Tis a reputation too unprofitable, to take the necessary pains for it; +yet wishing they had it, is incitement enough to hinder others from it. +And this, in short, EUGENIUS, is the reason why you have now so few good +poets, and so many severe judges. Certainly, to imitate the Ancients +well, much labour and long study is required: which pains, I have already +shown, our poets would want encouragement to take; if yet they had ability +to go through with it. + +"Those Ancients have been faithful Imitators and wise Observers of that +Nature, which is so torn and ill-represented in our Plays. They have +handed down to us a perfect Resemblance of Her, which we, like ill +copyers, _neglecting to look on_, have rendered monstrous and disfigured. + +"But that you may know, how much you are indebted to your Masters! and be +ashamed to have so ill-requited them! I must remember you, that all the +Rules by which we practise the Drama at this day (either such as relate +to the Justness and Symmetry of the Plot; or the episodical ornaments, +such as Descriptions, Narrations, and other beauties which are not +essential to the play), were delivered to us from the Observations that +ARISTOTLE made of those Poets, which either lived before him, or were his +contemporaries. We have added nothing of our own, except we have the +confidence to say, 'Our wit is better!' which none boast of in our Age, +but such as understand not theirs. Of that book, which ARISTOTLE has left +us, [Greek: peri taes Poietikaes]; HORACE his _Art of Poetry_ is an +excellent _Comment_, and, I believe, restores to us, that Second Book of +his [_i.e., ARISTOTLE_] concerning _Comedy_, which is wanting in him. + +"Out of these two [Authors], have been extracted the Famous Rules, which +the French call, _Des trois Unités_, or 'The Three Unities,' which ought +to be observed in every _regular_ Play; namely, of TIME, PLACE, and +ACTION. + +"The UNITY OF TIME, they comprehend in Twenty-four hours, _the compass of +a natural Day_; or, as near it, as can be contrived. And the reason of it +is obvious to every one. That _the Time_ of the feigned Action or Fable +of the Play _should be proportioned_, as near as can be, _to the duration +of that Time in which it is REPRESENTED_. Since therefore all plays are +acted on the Theatre in a space of time _much within_ the compass of +Twenty-four hours; that Play is to be thought the _nearest Imitation_ of +Nature, whose Plot or Action is confined within that time. + +"And, by the same Rule which concludes this General Proportion of Time, +it follows, _That all the parts of it are to be equally subdivided_. As, +namely, that one Act take not up the supposed time of Half a day, which +is out of proportion to the rest; since the other four are then to be +straitened within the compass of the remaining half: for it is unnatural +that one Act which, being spoken or written, is not longer than the rest; +should be supposed longer by the audience. 'Tis therefore the Poet's duty +to take care _that no Act_ should be imagined to _exceed the Time in +which it is Represented on the Stage_; and that the intervals and +inequalities of time, be supposed to fall out _between_ the Acts. + +"This Rule of TIME, how well it has been observed by the Ancients, most +of their plays will witness. You see them, in their Tragedies (wherein to +follow this Rule is certainly most difficult), from the very beginning of +their Plays, falling close into that part of the Story, which they intend +for the Action or principal Object of it: leaving the former part to be +delivered by Narration. So that they set the audience, as it were, at the +post where the race is to be concluded: and, saving them the tedious +expectation of seeing the Poet set out and ride the beginning of the +course; you behold him not, till he is in sight of the goal, and just +upon you. + +"For the Second Unity, which is that of PLACE; the Ancients meant by it, +_That the scene_ [locality] _ought to be continued_, through the Play, +_in the same place, where it was laid in the beginning_. For _the Stage_, +on which it is represented, _being but one, and the same place; it +isunnatural to conceive it many, and those far distant from one another_. +I will not deny but by the Variation of Painted scenes [_scenery was +introduced about this time into the English theatres, by Sir WILLIAM +D'AVENANT and BETTERTON the Actor: see Vol. II. p. 278_] the Fancy which, +in these casts, will contribute to its own deceit, may sometimes imagine +it several places, upon some appearance of probability: yet it still +carries _the greater likelihood of truth_, if those places be supposed so +near each other as in the same town or city, which may all be comprehended +under the larger denomination of One Place; for a greater distance will +bear no proportion to the _shortness of time which is allotted in the +acting_, to pass from one of them to another. + +"For the observation of this; next to the Ancients, the French are most +to be commended. They tie themselves so strictly to the Unity of Place, +that you never see in any of their plays, a scene [_locality_] changed in +the middle of an Act. If the Act begins in a garden, a street, or [a] +chamber; 'tis ended in the same place. And that you may know it to be the +same, the Stage is so supplied with persons, that it is never empty all +the time. He that enters the second has business with him, who was on +before; and before the second quits the stage, a third appears, who has +business with him. This CORNEILLE calls _La Liaison des Scenes_,'the +Continuity or Joining of the Scenes': and it is a good mark of a well +contrived Play, when all the persons are known to each other, and every +one of them has some affairs with all the rest. + +"As for the third Unity, which is that of ACTION, the Ancients meant no +other by it, than what the Logicians do by their _Finis_; the End or +Scope of any Action, that which is the First in intention, and Last in +execution. + +"Now the Poet is to aim at _one great and complete Action_; to the +carrying on of which, all things in the Play, even the very obstacles, +are to be subservient. And the reason of this, is as evident as any of +the former. For two Actions, equally laboured and driven on by the +Writer, would destroy the Unity of the Poem. It would be no longer one +Play, but two. Not but that there may be many actions in a Play (as BEN. +JOHNSON has observed in his _Discoveries_), but they must be all +subservient to the great one; which our language happily expresses, in +the name of Under Plots. Such as, in TERENCE's _Eunuch_, is the deference +and reconcilement of _THAIS_ and _PHAEDRIA_; which is not the chief +business of the Play, but promotes the marriage of _CHOEREA_ and +_CHREMES's sister_, principally intended by the Poet. + +"'There ought to be but one Action,' says CORNEILLE, 'that is, one +complete Action, which leaves the mind of the audience in a full repose.' +But this cannot be brought to pass, but by many other imperfect ones, +which conduce to it, and hold the audience in a delightful suspense of +what will be. + +"If by these Rules (to omit many others drawn from the Precepts and +Practice of the Ancients), we should judge our modern plays, 'tis +probable that few of them would endure the trial. That which should be +the business of a Day, takes up, in some of them, an Age. Instead of One +Action, they are the Epitome of a man's life. And for one spot of ground, +which the Stage should represent; we are sometimes in more countries than +the map can show us. + +"But if we will allow the Ancients to have _contrived_ well; we must +acknowledge them to have _writ_ better. Questionless, we are deprived of +a great stock of wit, in the loss of MENANDER among the Greek poets, and +of COECILIUS, AFFRANIUS, and VARIUS among the Romans. We may guess of +MENANDER's excellency by the Plays of TERENCE; who translated some of +his, and yet wanted so much of him, that he was called by C. CAESAR, the +Half-MENANDER: and of VARIUS, by the testimonies of HORACE, MARTIAL, and +VELLEIUS PATERCULUS. 'Tis probable that these, could they be recovered, +would decide the controversy. + +"But so long as ARISTOPHANES in the Old Comedy, and PLAUTUS in the New +are extant; while the Tragedies of EURIPIDES, SOPHOCLES, and SENECA are +to be had: I can never see one of those Plays which are now written, but +it increases my admiration of the Ancients. And yet I must acknowledge +further, that to admire them as we ought, we should understand them +better than we do. Doubtless, many things appear flat to us, whose wit +depended upon some custom or story, which never came to our knowledge; or +perhaps upon some criticism in their language, which, being so long dead, +and only remaining in their books, it is not possible they should make us +know it perfectly. + +"To read MACROBIUS explaining the propriety and elegancy of many words in +VIRGIL, which I had before passed over without consideration as common +things, is enough to assure me that I ought to think the same of TERENCE; +and that, in the purity of his style, which TULLY so much valued that he +ever carried his _Works_ about him, there is yet left in him great room +for admiration, if I knew but where to place it. + +"In the meantime, I must desire you to take notice that the greatest man +of the last Age, BEN. JOHNSON, was willing to give place to them in all +things. He was not only a professed imitator of HORACE, but a learned +plagiary of all the others. You track him everywhere in their snow. If +HORACE, LUCAN, PETRONIUS _Arbiter_, SENECA, and JUVENAL had their own +from him; there are few serious thoughts that are new in him. You will +pardon me, therefore, if I presume, he loved their fashion; when he wore +their clothes. + +"But since I have otherwise a great veneration for him, and you, +EUGENIUS! prefer him above all other poets: I will use no farther +argument to you than his example. I will produce Father BEN. to you, +dressed in all the ornaments and colours of the Ancients. You will need +no other guide to our party, if you follow him: and whether you consider +the bad plays of our Age, or regard the good ones of the last: both the +best and worst of the Modern poets will equally instruct you to esteem +the Ancients." + + +CRITES had no sooner left speaking; but EUGENIUS, who waited with some +impatience for it, thus began: + +"I have observed in your speech, that the former part of it is +convincing, as to what the Moderns have profited by the Rules of the +Ancients: but, in the latter, you are careful to conceal, how much they +have excelled them. + +"We own all the helps we have from them; and want neither veneration nor +gratitude, while we acknowledge that, to overcome them, we must make use +of all the advantages we have received from them. But to these +assistances, we have joined our own industry: for had we sate down with a +dull imitation of them; we might then have lost somewhat of the old +perfection, but never acquired any that was new. We draw not, therefore, +after their lines; but those of Nature: and having the Life before us, +besides the experience of all they knew, it is no wonder if we hit some +airs and features, which they have missed. + +"I deny not what you urge of Arts and Sciences [p. 514]; that they have +flourished in some ages more than others: but your instance in Philosophy +[p. 514] makes for me. + +"For if Natural Causes be more known now, than in the time of ARISTOTLE, +because more studied; it follows that Poesy and other Arts may, with the +same pains, arrive still nearer to perfection. And that granted, it will +rest for you to prove, that they wrought more perfect Images of Human +Life than we. + +"Which, seeing, in your discourse, you have avoided to make good; it +shall now be my task to show you some of their Defects, and some few +Excellencies of the Moderns. And I think, there is none amongst us can +imagine I do it enviously; or with purpose to detract from them: for what +interest of Fame, or Profit, can the Living lose by the reputation of the +Dead? On the other side, it is a great truth, which VELLEIUS PATERCULUS +affirms, _Audita visis libentius laudamus; et proesentia invidia, +proeterita, admiratione prosequimur, et his nos obrui, illis instrui +credimus_, 'That Praise or Censure is certainly the most sincere, which +unbribed Posterity shall give us.' + +"Be pleased, then, in the first place, to take notice that the Greek +Poesy, which CRITES has affirmed to have arrived to perfection in the +reign of the Old Comedy [p. 514], was so far from it, that _the +distinction of it into Acts was not known to them_; or if it were, it is +yet so darkly delivered to us, that we cannot make it out. + +"All we know of it is, from the singing of their Chorus: and that too, is +so uncertain, that in some of their Plays, we have reason to conjecture +they sang more than five times. + +"ARISTOTLE, indeed, divides the integral parts of a Play into four. + + "Firstly. The _Protasis_ or Entrance, which gives light only to the + Characters of the persons; and proceeds very little into any part + of the Action. + + "Secondly. The _Epitasis_ or Working up of the Plot, where the Play + grows warmer; the Design or Action of it is drawing on, and you see + something promising, that it will come to pass. + + "Thirdly. The _Catastasis_ or Counter-turn, which destroys that + expectation, embroils the action in new difficulties, and leaves + you far distant from that hope in which it found you: as you may + have observed in a violent stream, resisted by a narrow passage; it + turns round to an eddy, and carries back the waters with more + swiftness than it brought them on. + + "Lastly. The _Catastrophe_, which the Grecians call [Greek: desis]; + the French, _Le denoument_; and we, the Discovery or Unravelling of + the Plot. There, you see all things settling again upon the first + foundations; and the obstacles, which hindered the Design or Action + of the Play, once removed, it ends with that Resemblance of Truth + or Nature, that the audience are satisfied with the conduct of it. + +"Thus this great man delivered to us the Image of a Play; and I must +confess it is so lively, that, from thence, much light has been derived +to the forming it more perfectly, into Acts and Scenes. But what Poet +first limited to Five, the number of the Acts, I know not: only we see it +so firmly established in the time of HORACE, that he gives it for a rule +in Comedy. + + "_Neu brevier quinto, neu sit productior actu:_ + +"So that you see, the Grecians cannot be said to have consumated this +Art: writing rather by Entrances than by Acts; and having rather a +general indigested notion of a Play, than knowing how and where to bestow +the particular graces of it. + +"But since the Spaniards, at this day, allow but three Acts, which they +call _Jornadas_, to a Play; and the Italians, in many of theirs, follow +them: when I condemn the Ancients, I declare it _is not altogether +because they have not five Acts to every Play; but because they have not +confined themselves to one certain number_. 'Tis building a house, +without a model: and when they succeeded in such undertakings, they ought +to have sacrificed to Fortune, not to the Muses. + +"Next, for the Plot, which ARISTOTLE called [Greek: to muthos], and often +[Greek: ton pragmaton sunthesis]; and from him, the Romans, _Fabula_. It +has already been judiciously observed by a late Writer that 'in their +_TRADGEDIES_, it was only some tale derived from Thebes or Troy; or, at +least, something that happened in those two Ages: which was worn so +threadbare by the pens of all the Epic Poets; and even, by tradition +itself of the _talkative Greeklings_, as BEN. JOHNSON calls them, that +before it came upon the Stage, it was already known to all the audience. +And the people, as soon as ever they heard the name of _OEDIPUS_, knew as +well as the Poet, that he had killed his father by a mistake, and +committed incest with his mother, before the Play; that they were now to +hear of a great plague, an oracle, and the ghost of _LAIUS_: so that they +sate, with a yawning kind of expectation, till he was to come, with his +eyes pulled out, and speak a hundred or two of verses, in a tragic tone, +in complaint of his misfortunes.' + +"But one _OEDIPUS_, _HERCULES_, or _MEDEA_ had been tolerable. Poor +people! They scaped not so good cheap. They had still the _chapon +bouillé_ set before them, till their appetites were cloyed with the same +dish; and the Novelty being gone, the Pleasure vanished. So that one main +end of Dramatic Poesy, in its definition [p. 513] (which was, to cause +_Delight_) was, of consequence, destroyed. + +"In their _COMEDIES_, the Romans generally borrowed their Plots from the +Greek poets: and theirs were commonly a little girl stolen or wandered +from her parents, brought back unknown to the same city, there got with +child by some lewd young fellow, who (by the help of his servant) cheats +his father. And when her time comes to cry _JUNO Lucina fer opem!_ one or +other sees a little box or cabinet, which was carried away with her, and +so discovers her to her friends: if some god do not prevent +[_anticipate_] it, by coming down in a machine [_i.e., supernaturally_], +and take the thanks of it to himself. + +"By the Plot, you may guess much [_many_] of the characters of the +Persons. An old Father that would willingly, before he dies, see his son +well married. His debauched Son, kind in his nature to his wench, but +miserably in want of money. A Servant or Slave, who has so much wit [as] +to strike in with him, and help to dupe his father, A braggadochio +Captain, a Parasite, and a Lady of Pleasure. + +"As for the poor honest maid, upon whom all the story is built, and who +ought to be one of the principal Actors in the Play; she is commonly a +Mute in it. She has the breeding of the old ELIZABETH [_Elizabethan_] +way, for 'maids to be seen, and not to be heard': and it is enough, you +know she is willing to be married, when the Fifth Act requires it. + +"These are plots built after the Italian mode of houses. You see through +them all at once. The Characters, indeed, are Imitations of Nature: but +so narrow as if they had imitated only an eye or an hand, and did not +dare to venture on the lines of a face, or the proportion of a body. + +"But in how strait a compass sorever, they have bounded their Plots and +Characters, we will pass it by, if they have regularly pursued them, and +perfectly observed those three Unities, of TIME, PLACE, and ACTION; the +knowledge of which, you say! is derived to us from them. + +"But, in the first place, give me leave to tell you! that the Unity of +PLACE, however it might be practised by them, was never any of their +Rules. We neither find it in ARISTOTLE, HORACE, or any who have written +of it; till, in our Age, the French poets first made it a Precept of the +Stage. + +"The Unity of TIME, even TERENCE himself, who was the best and most +regular of them, has neglected. His _Heautontimoroumenos_ or 'Self +Punisher' takes up, visibly, two days. 'Therefore,' says SCALIGER, 'the +two first Acts concluding the first day, were acted overnight; the last +three on the ensuing day.' + +"And EURIPIDES, in tying himself to one day, has committed an absurdity +never to be forgiven him. For, in one of his Tragedies, he has made +THESEUS go from Athens to Thebes, which was about forty English miles; +under the walls of it, to give battle; and appear victorious in the next +Act: and yet, from the time of his departure, to the return of the +_Nuntius_, who gives relation of his victory; _AETHRA_ and the _Chorus_ +have but thirty-six verses, that is, not for every mile, a verse. + +"The like error is evident in TERENCE his _Eunuch_; when _LACHES_ the old +man, enters, in a mistake, the house of _THAIS_; where, between his _Exit_ +and the Entrance of _PYTHIAS_ (who comes to give an ample relation of the +garboils he has raised within), _PARMENO_ who was left upon the stage, +has not above five lines to speak. _C'est bien employé, un temps si +court!_ says the French poet, who furnished me with one of the[se] +observations. + +"And almost all their Tragedies will afford us examples of the like +nature. + +"'Tis true, they have kept the Continuity, or as you called it, _Liaison +des Scenes_, somewhat better. Two do not perpetually come in together, +talk, and go out together; and other two succeeded them, and do the same, +throughout the Act: which the English call by the name of 'Single Scenes.' +But the reason is, because they have seldom above two or three Scenes, +properly so called, in every Act. For it is to be accounted a _new_ +Scene, not every time the Stage is empty: but every person _who enters_, +though to others, makes it so; because he introduces a new business. + +"Now the Plots of their Plays being narrow, and the persons few: one of +their Acts was written in a less compass than one of our well-wrought +Scenes; and yet they are often deficient even in this. + +"To go no further than TERENCE. You find in the _Eunuch_, _ANTIPHO_ +entering, single, in the midst of the Third Act, after _CHREMES_ and +_PYTHIAS_ were gone off. In the same play, you have likewise _DORIAS_ +beginning the Fourth Act alone; and after she has made a relation of what +was done at the soldier's entertainment (which, by the way, was very +inartificial to do; because she was presumed to speak directly to the +Audience, and to acquaint them with what was necessary to be known: but +yet should have been so contrived by the Poet as to have been told by +persons of the Drama to one another, and so by them, to have come to the +knowledge of the people), she quits the Stage: and _PHAEDRIA_ enters +next, alone likewise. He also gives you an account of himself, and of his +returning from the country, in monologue: to which unnatural way of +Narration, TERENCE is subject in all his Plays. + +"In his _Adelphi_ or 'Brothers,' _SYRUS_ and _DEMEA_ enter after the +Scene was broken by the departure of _SOSTRATA_, _GETA_, and _CANTHARA_; +and, indeed, you can scarce look into any of his Comedies, where you will +not presently discover the same interruption. + +"And as they have failed both in [the] laying of the Plots, and managing +of them, swerving from the Rules of their own Art, by misrepresenting +Nature to us, in which they have ill satisfied one intention of a Play, +which was Delight: so in the Instructive part [pp. 513, 582-4], they have +erred worse. Instead of punishing vice, and rewarding virtue; they have +often shown a prosperous wickedness, and an unhappy piety. They have set +before us a bloody Image of Revenge, in _MEDEA_; and given her dragons to +convey her safe from punishment. A _PRIAM_ and _ASTYANAX_ murdered, and +_CASSANDRA_ ravished; and Lust and Murder ending in the victory of him +that acted them. In short, there is no indecorum in any of our modern +Plays; which, if I would excuse, I could not shadow with some Authority +from the Ancients. + +"And one farther note of them, let me leave you! Tragedies and Comedies +were not writ then, as they are now, promiscuously, by the same person: +but he who found his genius bending to the one, never attempted the other +way. This is so plain, that I need not instance to you, that ARISTOPHANES, +PLAUTUS, TERENCE never, any of them, writ a Tragedy; AESCHYLUS, EURIPIDES, +SOPHOCLES, and SENECA never meddled with Comedy. The Sock and Buskin were +not worn by the same Poet. Having then so much care to excel in one kind; +very little is to be pardoned them, if they miscarried in it. + +"And this would lead me to the consideration of their Wit, had not CRITES +given me sufficient warning, not to be too bold in my judgement of it; +because (the languages being dead, and many of the customs and little +accidents on which it depended lost to us [p. 518]) we are not competent +judges of it. But though I grant that, here and there, we may miss the +application of a proverb or a custom; yet, a thing well said, will be Wit +in all languages: and, though it may lose something in the translation; +yet, to him who reads it in the original, 'tis still the same. He has an +Idea of its excellency; though it cannot pass from his mind into any +other expression or words than those in which he finds it. + +"When _PHAEDRIA_, in the _Eunuch_, had a command from his mistress to be +absent two days; and encouraging himself to go through with it, said, +_Tandem ego non illa caream, si opus sit, vel totum triduum? PARMENO_ to +mock the softness of his master, lifting up his hands and eyes, cries +out, as it were in admiration, _Hui! universum triduum!_ The elegancy of +which _universum_, though it cannot be rendered in our language; yet +leaves an impression of the Wit on our souls. + +"But this happens seldom in him [_i.e., TERENCE_]; in PLAUTUS oftner, who +is infinitely too bold in his metaphors and coining words; out of which, +many times, his Wit is nothing. Which, questionless, was one reason why +HORACE falls upon him so severely in those verses. + + "_Sed Proavi nostri Plautinos el numeros et + Laudavere sales, nimium patienter utrumque + Ne dicam stolidè_. + +"For HORACE himself was cautious to obtrude [_in obtruding_] a new word +upon his readers: and makes custom and common use, the best measure of +receiving it into our writings, + + "_Multa renascentur quae nunc cecidere, cadentque + Quae nunc sunt in honore vocabula, si volet usus + Quem penes, arbitrium est, et jus, et norma loquendi_. + +"The not observing of this Rule, is that which the World has blamed in +our satirist CLEVELAND. To express a thing hard and unnaturally is his +New Way of Elocution. Tis true, no poet but may sometimes use a +_catachresis_. VIRGIL, does it, + + "_Mistaque ridenti Colocasia fundet Acaniho_-- + +"in his Eclogue of _POLLIO_. + +"And in his Seventh AEneid-- + + "_Mirantur et unda, + Miratur nemus, insuetam fulgentia longe, + Scuta virum fluvio, pictaque innare carinas_. + +"And OVID once; so modestly, that he asks leave to do it. + + "_Si verbo audacia, detur + Haud metuam summi dixisse Palatia coeli_ + +"calling the Court of JUPITER, by the name of AUGUSTUS his palace. +Though, in another place, he is more bold; where he says, _Et longas +visent Capitolia pompas_. + +"But to do this always, and never be able to write a line without it, +though it may be admired by some few pedants, will not pass upon those +who know that _Wit is best conveyed to us in the most easy language: and +is most to be admired, when a great thought comes dressed in words so +commonly received, that it is understood by the meanest apprehensions; as +the best meat is the most easily digested_. But we cannot read a verse of +CLEVELAND's, without making a face at it; as if every word were a pill to +swallow. He gives us, many times, a hard nut to break our teeth, without a +kernel for our pains. So that there is this difference between his +_Satires_ and Doctor DONNE's: that the one [_DONNE_] gives us deep +thoughts in common language, though rough cadence; the other +[_CLEVELAND_] gives us common thoughts in abtruse words. 'Tis true, in +some places, his wit is independent of his words, as in that of the +_Rebel Scot_-- + + "Had CAIN been Scot, GOD would have changed his doom, + Not forced him wander, but confined him home. + +"_Si sic, omnia dixisset!_ This is Wit in all languages. 'Tis like +MERCURY, never to be lost or killed. And so that other, + + "For beauty, like white powder, makes no noise, + And yet the silent hypocrite destroys. + +"You see the last line is highly metaphorical; but it is so soft and +gentle, that it does not shock us as we read it. + +"But to return from whence I have digressed, to the consideration of the +Ancients' Writing and Wit; of which, by this time, you will grant us, in +some measure, to be fit judges. + +"Though I see many excellent thoughts in SENECA: yet he, of them, who had +a genius most proper for the Stage, was OVID. He [_i.e., OVID_] had a way +of writing so fit to stir up a pleasing admiration and concernment, which +are the objects of a Tragedy; and to show the various movements of a soul +combating betwixt different passions: that, had he lived in our Age, or +(in his own) could have writ with our advantages, no man but must have +yielded to him; and therefore, I am confident the _MEDEA_ is none of his. +For, though I esteem it, for the gravity and sentiousness of it (which he +himself concludes to be suitable to a Tragedy, _Omne genus scripti +gravitate Tragadia, vincit_); yet it moves not my soul enough, to judge +that he, who, in the Epic way, wrote things so near the Drama (as the +stories of _MYRRHA,_ of _CAUNUS and BIBLIS,_ and the rest) should stir up +no more concernment, where he most endeavoured it. + +"The masterpiece of SENECA, I hold to be that Scene in the _Troades_, +where _ULYSSES_ is seeking for _ASTYANAX,_ to kill him. There, you see +the tenderness of a mother so represented in _ANDROMACHE_, that it raises +compassion to a high degree in the reader; and bears the nearest +resemblance, of anything in their Tragedies, to the excellent Scenes of +Passion in SHAKESPEARE or in FLETCHER. + +"For Love Scenes, you will find but few among them. Their Tragic poets +dealt not with that soft passion; but with Lust, Cruelty, Revenge, +Ambition, and those bloody actions they produced, which were more capable +of raising horror than compassion in an audience: leaving Love untouched, +whose gentleness would have tempered them; which is the most frequent of +all the passions, and which (being the private concernment of every +person) is soothed by viewing its own Image [p. 549] in a public +entertainment. + +"Among their Comedies, we find a Scene or two of tenderness: and that, +where you would least expect it, in PLAUTUS. But to speak generally, +their lovers say little, when they see each others but anima mea! vita +mea! [Greek: zoae kai psuchae!] as the women, in JUVENAL's time, used to +cry out, in the fury of their kindness. + +"Then indeed, to speak sense were an offence. Any sudden gust of passion, +as an ecstasy of love in an unexpected meeting, cannot better be expressed +than in a word and a sigh, breaking one another. Nature is dumb on such +occasions; and to make her speak, would be to represent her unlike +herself. But there are a thousand other concernments of lovers as +jealousies, complaints, contrivances, and the like; where, not to open +their minds at large to each other, were to be wanting to their own love, +and to the expectation of the audience: who watch the Movements of their +Minds, as much as the Changes of their Fortunes. For the Imaging of the +first [p. 549], is properly the work of a Poet; the latter, he borrows of +the Historian." + + +EUGENIUS was proceeding in that part of his discourse, when CRITES +interrupted him. + +"I see," said he, "EUGENIUS and I are never likely to have this question +decided betwixt us: for he maintains the Moderns have acquired a _new +perfection_ in writing; I only grant, they have _altered the mode_ of it. + +"HOMER describes his heroes, [as] men of great appetites; lovers of beef +broiled upon the coals, and good fellows: contrary to the practice of the +French romances, whose heroes neither eat, nor drink, nor sleep for love. + +"VIRGIL makes _AENEAS_, a bold avower of his own virtues, + + "_Sum pius AENEAS fama super aethera notus_; + +"which, in the civility of our Poets, is the character of a _Fanfaron_ or +Hector. For with us, the Knight takes occasion to walk out, or sleep, to +avoid the vanity of telling his own story; which the trusty Squire is +ever to perform for him [p. 535]. + +"So, in their Love Scenes, of which EUGENIUS spoke last, the Ancients +were more hearty; we, the more talkative. They writ love, as it was then +the mode to make it. + +"And I will grant thus much to EUGENIUS, that, perhaps, one of their +Poets, had he lived in our Age, + + "_Si foret hoc nostrum fato delupsus in aevum_, + +"as HORACE says of LUCILIUS, he had altered many things: not that they +were not natural before; but that he might accommodate himself to the Age +he lived in. Yet, in the meantime, we are not to conclude anything rashly +against those great men; but preserve to them, the dignity of Masters: +and give that honour to their memories, _quos libitina sacravit_; part of +which, we expect may be paid to us in future times." + + +This moderation of CRITES, as it was pleasing to all the company, so it +put an end to that dispute: which EUGENIUS, who seemed to have the better +of the argument, would urge no further. + +But LISIDEIUS, after he had acknowledged himself of EUGENIUS his opinion, +concerning the Ancients; yet told him, "He had forborne till his discourse +was ended, to ask him, Why he preferred the English Plays above those of +other nations? and whether we ought not to submit our Stage to the +exactness of our next neighbours?" + + +"Though," said EUGENIUS, "I am, at all times, ready to defend the honour +of my country against the French; and to maintain, we are as well able to +vanquish them with our pens, as our ancestors have been with their swords: +yet, if you please!" added he, looking upon NEANDER, "I will commit this +cause to my friend's management. His opinion of our plays is the same +with mine. And besides, there is no reason that CRITES and I, who have +now left the Stage, should re-enter so suddenly upon it: which is against +the laws of Comedy." + + +"If the question had been stated," replied LISIDEIUS, "Who had writ best, +the French or English, forty years ago [_i.e., in_ 1625]? I should have +been of your opinion; and adjudged the honour to our own nation: but, +since that time," said he, turning towards NEANDER, "we have been so long +bad Englishmen, that we had not leisure to be good Poets. BEAUMONT [_d._ +1615], FLETCHER [_d._ 1625], and JOHNSON [_d._ 1637], who were only +[_alone_] capable of bringing us to that degree of perfection which we +have, were just then leaving the world; as if, in an Age of so much +horror, Wit and those milder studies of humanity had no farther business +among us. But the Muses, who ever follow peace, went to plant in another +country. It was then, that the great Cardinal DE RICHELIEU began to take +them into his protection; and that, by his encouragement, CORNEILLE and +some other Frenchmen reformed their _Theatre_: which, before, was so much +below ours, as it now surpasses it, and the rest of Europe. But because +CRITES, in his discourse for the Ancients, has prevented [_anticipated_] +me by touching on many Rules of the Stage, which the Moderns have +borrowed from them; I shall only, in short, demand of you, 'Whether you +are not convinced that, of all nations, the French have best observed +them?' + +"In the Unity of TIME, you find them so scrupulous, that it yet remains a +dispute among their Poets, 'Whether the artificial day, of twelve hours +more or less, be not meant by ARISTOTLE, rather that the natural one of +twenty-four?' and consequently, 'Whether all Plays ought not to be +reduced into that compass?' This I can testify, that in all their dramas +writ within these last twenty years [1645-1665] and upwards, I have not +observed any, that have extended the time to thirty hours. + +"In the Unity of PLACE, they are full[y] as scrupulous. For many of their +critics limit it to that spot of ground, where the Play is supposed to +begin. None of them exceed the compass of the same town or city. + +"The Unity of ACTION in all their plays, is yet more conspicuous. For +they do not burden them with Under Plots, as the English do; which is the +reason why many Scenes of our Tragi-Comedies carry on a Design that is +nothing of kin to the main Plot: and that we see two distincts webs in a +Play, like those in ill-wrought stuffs; and two Actions (that is, two +Plays carried on together) to the confounding of the audience: who, +before they are warm in their concernments for one part, are diverted to +another; and, by that means, expouse the interest of neither. + +"From hence likewise, it arises that one half of our Actors [_i.e., the +Characters in a Play_] are not known to the other. They keep their +distances, as if they were _MONTAGUES_ and _CAPULETS_; and seldom begin +an acquaintance till the last Scene of the fifth Act, when they are all +to meet on the Stage. + +"There is no _Theatre_ in the world has anything so absurd as the English +Tragi-Comedy. 'Tis a Drama of our own invention; and the fashion of it is +enough to proclaim it so. Here, a course of mirth; there, another of +sadness and passion; a third of honour; and the fourth, a duel. Thus, in +two hours and a half, we run through all the fits of Bedlam. + +"The French afford you as much variety, on the same day; but they do it +not so unseasonably, or _mal apropos_ as we. Our Poets present you the +Play and the Farce together; and our Stages still retain somewhat of the +original civility of the 'Red Bull.' + + "_Atque ursum et pugiles media inter carmina poscunt._ + +"'The end of Tragedies or serious Plays,' says ARISTOTLE, 'is to beget +Admiration [_wonderment_], Compassion, or Concernment.' But are not mirth +and compassion things incompatible? and is it not evident, that the Poet +must, of necessity, destroy the former, by intermingling the latter? that +is, he must ruin the sole end and object of his Tragedy, to introduce +somewhat that is forced in, and is not of the body of it! Would you not +think that physician mad! who having prescribed a purge, should +immediately order you to take restringents upon it? + +"But to leave our Plays, and return to theirs. I have noted one great +advantage they have had in the Plotting of their Tragedies, that is, they +are always grounded upon some known History, according to that of HORACE, +_Ex noto fictum carm n sequar_: and in that, they have so imitated the +Ancients, that they have surpassed them. For the Ancients, as was +observed before [p. 522], took for the foundation of their Plays some +poetical fiction; such as, under that consideration, could move but +little concernment in the audience, because they already knew the event +of it. But the French[man] goes farther. + + "_Atque ita mentitur, sic veris falso remiscet, + Primo ne medium, media ne discrepet imum._ + +"He so interweaves Truth with probable Fiction, that he puts a pleasing +fallacy upon us; mends the intrigues of Fate; and dispenses with the +severity of History, to reward that virtue, which has been rendered to +us, there, unfortunate. Sometimes the Story has left the success so +doubtful, that the writer is free, by the privilege of a Poet, to take +that which, of two or more relations, will best suit his Design. As, for +example, the death of CYRUS; whom JUSTIN and some others report to have +perished in the Scythian War; but XENOPHON affirms to have died in his +bed of extreme old age. + +"Nay more, when the event is past dispute, even then, we are willing to +be deceived: and the Poet, if he contrives it with appearance of truth, +has all the audience of his party [_on his side_], at least, during the +time his Play is acting. So naturally, we are kind to virtue (when our +own interest is not in question) that we take It up, as the general +concernment of mankind. + +"On the other side, if you consider the Historical Plays of SHAKESPEARE; +they are rather so many Chronicles of Kings, or the business, many times, +of thirty or forty years crampt into a Representation of two hours and a +half: which is not to imitate or paint Nature, but rather to draw her in +miniature, to take her in little; to look upon her, through the wrong of +a perspective [_telescope_], and receive her Images [pp. 528, 549], not +only much less, but infinitely more imperfect than the Life. This, +instead of making a Play delightful, renders it ridiculous. + + "_Quodeunque ostendis mihi sic, incredulus odi._ + +"For the Spirit of Man cannot be satisfied but with Truth, or, at least, +Verisimilitude: and a Poem is to contain, if not [Greek ta hetuma], yet +[Greek: hetmoisiu homia]; as one of the Greek poets has expressed it +[_See_ p. 589.]. + +"Another thing, in which the French differ from us and from the +Spaniards, is that they do not embarrass or cumber themselves with too +much Plot. They only represent so much of a Story as will constitute One +whole and great Action sufficient for a Play. We, who undertake more, do +but multiply _Adventures [pp. 541, 552]; which (not being produced from +one another, as Effects from Causes, but, barely, following) constitute +many Actions in the Drama, and consequently make it many Plays. + +"But, by pursuing close[ly] one Argument, which is not cloyed with many +Turns; the French have gained more liberty for Verse, in which they +write. They have leisure to dwell upon a subject which deserves it; and +to represent the passions [p. 542] (which we have acknowledged to be the +Poet's work) without being hurried from one thing to another, as we are +in the plays of CALDERON; which we have seen lately upon our theatres, +under the name of Spanish Plots. + +"I have taken notice but of one Tragedy of ours; whose Plot has that +uniformity and unity of Design in it, which I have commended in the +French; and that is, ROLLO, or rather under the name of ROLLO, the story +of BASSANIUS _and_ GOETA, in HERODIAN. There, indeed, the plot is neither +large nor intricate; but just enough to fill the minds of the audience, +not to cloy them. Besides, you see it founded on the truth of History; +only the time of the Action is not reduceable to the strictness of the +Rules. And you see, in some places, a little farce mingled, which is +below the dignity of the other parts. And in this, all our Poets are +extremely peccant; even BEN. JOHNSON himself, in _SEFANUS_ and +_CATILINE,_ has given this Oleo [_hodge-podge_] of a Play, this unnatural +mixture of Comedy and Tragedy; which, to me, sounds just as ridiculous as +_The History of DAVID, with the merry humours of GOLIAS_. In _SEFANUS_, +you may take notice of the Scene between _LIVIA_ and the _Physician;_ +which is a pleasant satire upon the artificial helps of beauty. In +_CATILINE_, you may see the Parliament of Women; the little envies of +them to one another; and all that passes betwixt _CURIO_ and _FULVIA_. +Scenes, admirable in their kind, but of an ill mingle with the rest. + +"But I return again to the French Writers: who, as I have said, do not +burden themselves too much with Plot; which has been reproached to them +by an Ingenious Person of our nation, as a fault. For he says, 'They +commonly make but one person considerable in a Play. They dwell upon him +and his concernments; while the rest of the persons are only subservient +to set him off.' If he intends this by it, that there is one person in +the Play who is of greater dignity than the rest; he must tax not only +theirs, but those of the Ancients, and (which he would be loath to do) +the best of ours. For it 'tis impossible but that one person must be more +conspicuous in it than any other; and consequently the greatest share in +the Action must devolve on him. We see it so in the management of all +affairs. Even in the most equal aristocracy, the balance cannot be so +justly poised, but some one will be superior to the rest, either in +parts, fortune, interest, or the consideration of some glorious exploit; +which will reduce [_lead_] the greatest part of business into his hands. + +"But if he would have us to imagine, that in exalting of one character, +the rest of them are neglected; and that all of them have not some share +or other in the Action of the Play: I desire him to produce any of +CORNEILLE's Tragedies, wherein every person, like so many servants in a +well governed family, has _not_ some employment; and who is _not_ +necessary to the carrying on of the Plot, or, at least, to your +understanding it. + +"There are, indeed, some protactic persons [_precursors_] in the +Ancients; whom they make use of in their Plays, either to hear or give +the Relation; but the French avoid this with great address; making their +Narrations only to, or by such, who are some way interessed +[_interested_] in the main Design. + +"And now I am speaking of RELATIONS; I cannot take a fitter opportunity +to add this, in favour of the French, that they often use them with +better judgement, more _apropos_ than the English do. + +"Not that I commend NARRATIONS in general; but there are two sorts of +them: + +"One, of those things which are antecedent to the Play, and are related +to make the Conduct of it more clear to us. But 'tis a fault to choose +such subjects for the Stage, as will inforce us upon that rock: because +we see that they are seldom listened to by the audience; and that it is, +many times, the ruin of the play. For, being once let pass without +attention, the audience can never recover themselves to understand the +Plot; and, indeed, it is somewhat unreasonable that they should be put to +so much trouble, as that, to comprehend what passes in their sight, they +must have recourse to what was done, perhaps ten or twenty years ago. + +"But there is another sort of RELATIONS, that is, of things happening in +the Action of a Play, and supposed to be done behind the scenes: and this +is, many times, both convenient and beautiful. For by it, the French avoid +the tumult, which we are subject to in England, by representing duels, +battles, and such like; which renders our Stage too like the theatres +where they fight for prizes [_i.e., theatres used as Fencing Schools, for +Assaults of Arms, &c._]. For what is more ridiculous than to represent an +army, with a drum and five men behind it? All which, the hero on the +other side, is to drive in before him. Or to see a duel fought, and one +slain with two or three thrusts of the foils? which we know are so +blunted, that we might give a man an hour to kill another, in good +earnest, with them. + +"I have observed that in all our Tragedies, the audience cannot forbear +laughing, when the Actors are to die. 'Tis the most comic part of the +whole Play. + +"All Passions may be lively Represented on the Stage, if, to the well +writing of them, the Actor supplies a good commanded voice, and limbs +that move easily, and without stiffness: but there are many Actions, +which can never be Imitated to a just height. + +"Dying, especially, is a thing, which none but a Roman gladiator could +naturally perform upon the Stage, when he did not Imitate or Represent +it, but naturally Do it. And, therefore, it is better to omit the +Representation of it. The words of a good writer, which describe it +lively, will make a deeper impression of belief in us, than all the Actor +can persuade us to, when he seems to fall dead before us: as the Poet, in +the description of a beautiful garden, or meadow, will please our +Imagination more than the place itself will please our sight. When we see +death Represented, we are convinced it is but fiction; but when we hear it +Related, our eyes (the strongest witnesses) are wanting, which might have +undeceived us: and we are all willing to favour the sleight, when the +Poet does not too grossly impose upon us. + +"They, therefore, who imagine these Relations would make no concernment +in the audience, are deceived, by confounding them with the other; which +are of things antecedent to the Play. Those are made often, in cold +blood, as I may say, to the audience; but these are warmed with our +concernments, which are, before, awakened in the Play. + +"What the philosophers say of Motion, that 'when it is once begun, it +continues of itself; and will do so, to Eternity, without some stop be +put to it,' is clearly true, on this occasion. The Soul, being moved with +the Characters and Fortunes of those Imaginary Persons, continues going of +its own accord; and we are no more weary to hear what becomes of them, +when they are not on the Stage, than we are to listen to the news of an +absent mistress. + +"But it is objected, 'That if one part of the Play may be related; then, +why not all?' + +"I answer. Some parts of the Action are more fit to be Represented; some, +to be Related. CORNEILLE says judiciously, 'That the Poet is not obliged +to expose to view all particular actions, which conduce to the principal. +He ought to select such of them to be Seen, which will appear with the +greatest beauty, either by the magnificence of the shew, or the vehemence +of the passions which they produce, or some other charm which they have in +them: and let the rest arrive to the audience, by Narration.' + +"'Tis a great mistake in us, to believe the French present no part of the +Action upon the Stage. Every alteration, or crossing of a Design; every +new sprung passion, and turn of it, is a part of the Action, and much the +noblest: except we conceive nothing to be Action, till they come to blows; +as if the painting of the Hero's Mind were not more properly the Poet's +work, than, the strength of his Body. + +"Nor does this anything contradict the opinion of HORACE, where he tells +us + + "_Segnius irritant animos demissa per aurem + Quam quae sunt occulis subjecta fidelibus._ + +"For he says, immediately after, + + "_Non tamen intus + Digna, geri promes in scenam, Multaque tolles + Ex occulis, quae mox narret facundia praesens._ + +"Among which 'many,' he recounts some, + + "_Nec pueros coram populo MEDEA trucidet, + Aut in avem PROGNE mutetur, CADMUS in anguem, &c._ + +"that is, 'Those actions, which, by reason of their cruelty, will cause +aversion in us; or (by reason of their impossibility) unbelief [pp. 496, +545], ought either wholly to be avoided by a Poet, or only delivered by +Narration.' To which, we may have leave to add, such as 'to avoid +tumult,' as was before hinted [pp. 535, 544]; or 'to reduce the Plot into +a more reasonable compass of time,' or 'for defect of beauty in them,' are +rather to be Related than presented to the eye. + +"Examples of all these kinds, are frequent; not only among all the +Ancients, but in the best received of our English poets. + +"We find BEN. JOHNSON using them in his _Magnetic Lady_, where one comes +out from dinner, and Relates the quarrels and disorders of it; to save +the indecent appearing of them on the Stage, and to abbreviate the story: +and this, in express imitation of TERENCE, who had done the same before +him, in his _Eunuch_; where _PYTHIAS_ makes the like Relation of what had +happened within, at the soldiers' entertainment. + +"The Relations, likewise, of _SEFANUS_'s death and the prodigies before +it, are remarkable. The one of which, was hid from sight, to avoid the +horror and tumult of the Representation: the other, to shun the +introducing of things impossible to be believed. + +"In that excellent Play, the _King and no King_, FLETCHER goes yet +farther. For the whole unravelling of the Plot is done by Narration in +the Fifth Act, after the manner of the Ancients: and it moves great +concernment in the audience; though it be only a Relation of what was +done many years before the Play. + +"I could multiply other instances; but these are sufficient to prove, +that there is no error in chosing a subject which requires this sort of +Narration. In the ill managing of them, they may. + +"But I find, I have been too long in this discourse; since the French +have many other excellencies, not common to us. + +"As that, _you never see any of their Plays end with a Conversion, or +simple Change of Will_: which is the ordinary way our Poets use [_are +accustomed_] to end theirs. + +"It shows little art in the conclusion of a Dramatic Poem, when they who +have hindered the felicity during the Four Acts, desist from it in the +Fifth, without some powerful cause to take them off: and though I deny +not but such reasons may be found; yet it is a path that is cautiously to +be trod, and the Poet is to be sure he convinces the audience, that the +motive is strong enough. + +"As, for example, the conversion of the _Usurer_ in the _Scornful Lady_, +seems to me, a little forced. For, being a Usurer, which implies a Lover +of Money in the highest degree of covetousness (and such, the Poet has +represented him); the account he gives for the sudden change, is, that he +has been duped by the wild young fellow: which, in reason, might render +him more wary another time, and make him punish himself with harder fare +and coarser clothes, to get it up again. But that he should look upon it +as a judgement, and so repent; we may expect to hear of in a Sermon, but +I should never endure it in a Play. + +"I pass by this. Neither will I insist upon _the care they take, that no +person, after his first entrance, shall ever appear; but the business +which brings upon the Stage, shall be evident_. Which, if observed, must +needs render all the events of the Play more natural. For there, you see +the probability of every accident, in the cause that produced it; and +that which appears chance in the Play, will seem so reasonable to you, +that you will there find it almost necessary: so that in the Exits of +their Actors, you have a clear account of their purpose and design in the +next Entrance; though, if the Scene be well wrought, the event will +commonly deceive you. 'For there is nothing so absurd,' says CORNEILLE, +'as for an Actor to leave the Stage, only because he has no more to say!' + +"I should now speak of _the beauty of their Rhyme_, and the just reason I +have to prefer _that way of writing_, in Tragedies, _before ours, in Blank +Verse_. But, because it is partly received by us, and therefore, not +altogether peculiar to them; I will say no more of it, in relation to +their Plays. For our own; I doubt not but it will exceedingly beautify +them: and I can see but one reason why it should not generally obtain; +that is, because our Poets write so ill in it [pp. 503, 578, 598]. This, +indeed, may prove a more prevailing argument, than all others which are +used to destroy it: and, therefore, I am only troubled when great and +judicious Poets, and those who are acknowledged such, have writ or spoke +against it. As for others, they are to be answered by that one sentence +of an ancient author. _Sed ut primo ad consequendos eos quos priores +ducimus accendimur, ita ubi aut praeteriri, aut aequari eos posse +desperavimus, studium cum spe senescit: quod, scilicet, assequi non +potest, sequi desinit; praeteritoque eo in quo eminere non possumus, +aliquid in quo nitamur conquirimus_." + + +LISIDEIUS concluded, in this manner; and NEANDER, after a little pause, +thus answered him. + + +"I shall grant LISIDEIUS, without much dispute, a great part of what he +has urged against us. + +"For I acknowledge _the French contrive their Plots more regularly; +observe the laws of Comedy, and decorum of the Stage_, to speak +generally, _with more exactness_ _than the English_. Farther, I deny not +but he has taxed us justly, in some irregularities of ours; which he has +mentioned. Yet, after all, I am of opinion, that neither our faults, nor +their virtues are considerable enough to place them above us. + +"For _the lively Imitation of Nature_ being the Definition of a Play [p. +513]; those which best fulfil that law, ought to be esteemed superior to +the others, 'Tis true those beauties of the French Poesy are such as will +raise perfection higher where it is; but are not sufficient to give it +where it is not. They are, indeed, the beauties of a Statue, not of a +Man; because not animated with the Soul of Poesy, which is _Imitation of +Humour and Passions_. + +"And this, LISIDEIUS himself, or any other, however biased to their +party, cannot but acknowledge; if he will either compare the Humours of +our Comedies, or the Characters of our serious Plays with theirs. + +"He that will look upon theirs, which have been written till [within] +these last ten years [_i.e._, 1655, _when MOLIERE began to write_], or +thereabouts, will find it a hard matter to pick out two or three passable +Humours amongst them. CORNEILLE himself, their Arch Poet; what has he +produced, except the _Liar_? and you know how it was cried up in France. +But when it came upon the English Stage, though well translated, and that +part of _DORANT_ acted to so much advantage by Mr. HART, as, I am +confident, it never received in its own country; the most favourable to +it, would not put it in competition with many of FLETCHER's or BEN. +JOHNSON's. In the rest of CORNEILLE's Comedies you have little humour. He +tells you, himself, his way is first to show two lovers in good +intelligence with each other; in the working up of the Play, to embroil +them by some mistake; and in the latter end, to clear it up. + +"But, of late years, DE MOLIERE, the younger CORNEILLE, QUINAULT, and +some others, have been imitating, afar off, the quick turns and graces of +the English Stage. They have mixed their serious Plays with mirth, like +our Tragi-Comedies, since the death of Cardinal RICHELIEU [_in_ 1642]: +which LISIDEIUS and many others not observing, have commended that in +them for a virtue [p. 531], which they themselves no longer practise. + +"Most of their new Plays are, like some of ours, derived from the Spanish +novels. There is scarce one of them, without a veil; and a trusty _DIEGO_, +who drolls, much after the rate of the _Adventures_ [pp. 533, 553]. But +their humours, if I may grace them with that name, are so thin sown; that +never above One of them comes up in a Play. I dare take upon me, to find +more variety of them, in one play of BEN. JOHNSON's, than in all theirs +together: as he who has seen the _Alchemist_, the _Silent Woman_, or +_Bartholomew Fair_, cannot but acknowledge with me. I grant the French +have performed what was possible on the ground work of the Spanish plays. +What was pleasant before, they have made regular. But there is not above +one good play to be writ upon all those Plots. They are too much alike, +to please often; which we need not [adduce] the experience of our own +Stage to justify. + +"As for their New Way of mingling Mirth with serious Plot, I do not, with +LISIDEIUS, condemn the thing; though I cannot approve their manner of +doing it. He tells us, we cannot so speedily re-collect ourselves, after +a Scene of great Passion and Concernment, as to pass to another of Mirth +and Humour, and to enjoy it with any relish. But why should he imagine +the Soul of Man more heavy than his Senses? Does not the eye pass from an +unpleasant object, to a pleasant, in a much shorter time than is required +to this? and does not the unpleasantness of the first commend the beauty +of the latter? The old rule of Logic might have convinced him, that +'Contraries when placed near, set off each other.' A continued gravity +keeps the spirit too much bent. We must refresh it sometimes; as we bait +[_lunch_] upon a journey, that we may go on with greater ease. A Scene of +Mirth mixed with Tragedy, has the same effect upon us, which our music has +betwixt the Acts; and that, we find a relief to us from the best Plots and +Language of the Stage, if the discourses have been long. + +"I must, therefore, have stronger arguments, ere I am convinced that +Compassion and Mirth, in the same subject, destroy each other: and, in +the meantime, cannot but conclude to the honour of our Nation, that we +have invented, increased, and perfected a more pleasant way of writing +for the Stage than was ever known to the Ancients or Moderns of any +nation; which is, Tragi-Comedy. + +"And this leads me to wonder why LISIDEIUS [p. 533], and many others, +should cry up _the barrenness of the French Plots_ above _the variety and +copiousness of the English_? + +"Their Plots are single. They carry on one Design, which is push forward +by all the Actors; every scene in the Play contributing and moving +towards it. Ours, besides the main Design, have Under Plots or +By-Concernments of less considerable persons and intrigues; which are +carried on, with the motion of the main Plot: just as they say the orb +[?_orbits_] of the fixed stars, and those of the planets (though they +have motions of their own), are whirled about, by the motion of the +_Primum Mobile_ in which they are contained. That similitude expresses +much of the English Stage. For, if contrary motions may be found in +Nature to agree, if a planet can go East and West at the same time; one +way, by virtue of his own motion, the other, by the force of the First +Mover: it will not be difficult to imagine how the Under Plot, which is +only different [from], not contrary to the great Design, may naturally be +conducted along with it. + +"EUGENIUS [?_LISIDEIUS_] has already shown us [p. 534], from the +confession of the French poets, that the Unity of Action is sufficiently +preserved, if all the imperfect actions of the Play are conducing to the +main Design: but when those petty intrigues of a Play are so ill ordered, +that they have no coherence with the other; I must grant, that LISIDEIUS +has reason to tax that Want of due Connection. For Co-ordination in a +Play is as dangerous and unnatural as in a State. In the meantime, he +must acknowledge, our Variety (if well ordered) will afford a greater +pleasure to the audience. + +"As for his other argument, that _by pursuing one single Theme, they gain +an advantage to express, and work up the passions_ [p. 533]; I wish any +example he could bring from them, would make it good. For I confess their +verses are, to me, the coldest I have ever read. + +"Neither, indeed, is It possible for them, in the way they take, so to +express Passion as that the effects of it should appear in the +concernment of an audience; their speeches being so many declamations, +which tire us with the length: so that, instead of persuading us to +grieve for their imaginary heroes, we are concerned for our own trouble, +as we are, in the tedious visits of bad [_dull_] company; we are in pain +till they are gone. + +"When the French Stage came to be reformed by Cardinal RICHELIEU, those +long harangues were introduced, to comply with the gravity of a +Churchman. Look upon the _CINNA_ and _POMPEY_! They are not so properly +to be called Plays, as long Discourses of Reason[s] of State: and +_POLIEUCTE_, in matters of Religion, is as solemn as the long stops upon +our organs. Since that time, it has grown into a custom; and their Actors +speak by the hour glass, as our Parsons do. Nay, they account it the grace +of their parts! and think themselves disparaged by the Poet, if they may +not twice or thrice in a Play, entertain the audience, with a speech of a +hundred or two hundred lines. + +"I deny not but this may suit well enough with the French: for as we, who +are a more sullen people, come to be diverted at our Plays; they, who are +of an airy and gay temper, come thither to make themselves more serious. +And this I conceive to be one reason why Comedy is more pleasing to us, +and Tragedy to them. + +"But, to speak generally, it cannot be denied that _short_ Speeches and +Replies are more apt to move the passions, and beget concernment in us; +than the other. For it is unnatural for any one in a gust of passion, to +speak long together; or for another, in the same condition, to suffer him +without interruption. + +"Grief and Passion are like floods raised in little brooks, by a sudden +rain. They are quickly up; and if the Concernment be poured unexpectedly +in upon us, it overflows us: but a long sober shower gives them leisure +to run out as they came in, without troubling the ordinary current. + +"As for Comedy, Repartee is one of its chiefest graces. The greatest +pleasure of the audience is a Chase of Wit, kept up on both sides, and +swiftly managed. And this, our forefathers (if not we) have had, in +FLETCHER's _Plays_, to a much higher degree of perfection, than the +French Poets can arrive at. + +"There is another part of LISIDEIUS his discourse, in which he has rather +excused our neighbours, than commended them; that is, _for aiming only_ +[simply] _to make one person considerable in their Plays_. + +"'Tis very true what he has urged, that one Character in all Plays, even +without the Poet's care, will have the advantage of all the others; and +that the Design of the whole Drama will chiefly depend on it. But this +hinders not, that there may be more shining Characters in the Play; many +persons of a second magnitude, nay, some so very near, so almost equal to +the first, that greatness may be opposed to greatness: and all the persons +be made considerable, not only by their Quality, but their Action. + +"'Tis evident that the more the persons are; the greater will be the +variety of the Plot. If then, the parts are managed so regularly, that +the beauty of the whole be kept entire; and that the variety become not a +perplexed and confused mass of accidents: you will find it infinitely +pleasing, to be led in a labyrinth of Design; where you see some of your +way before you, yet discern not the end, till you arrive at it. + +"And that all this is practicable; I can produce, for examples, many of +our English plays, as the _Maid's Tragedy_, the _Alchemist_, the _Silent +Woman_. + +"I was going to have named the _Fox_; but that the Unity of Design seems +not exactly observed in it. For there appear two Actions in the Play; the +first naturally ending with the Fourth Act, the second forced from it, in +the Fifth. Which yet, is the less to be condemned in him, because the +disguise of _VOLPONE_ (though, it suited not with his character as a +crafty or covetous person) agreed well enough with that of a voluptuary: +and, by it, the Poet gained the end he aimed at, the punishment of vice, +and reward of virtue; which that disguise produced. So that, to judge +equally of it, it was an excellent Fifth Act; but not so naturally +proceeding from the former. + +"But to leave this, and to pass to the latter part of LISIDEIUS his +discourse; which concerns RELATIONS. I must acknowledge, with him, that +the French have reason, _when they hide that part of the Action, which +would occasion too much tumult on the Stage_; and choose rather to have +it made known by Narration to the audience [p. 535]. Farther; I think it +very convenient, for the reasons he has given, that _all incredible +Actions were removed_ [p. 537]: but, whether custom has so insinuated +itself into our countrymen, or Nature has so formed them to fierceness, I +know not; but they will scarcely suffer combats or other objects of horror +to be taken from them. And indeed the _indecency_ of tumults is all which +can be objected against fighting. For why may not our imagination as well +suffer itself to be deluded with the _probability_ of it, as any other +thing in the Play. For my part, I can, with as great ease, persuade +myself that the blows, which are struck, are given in good earnest; as I +can, that they who strike them, are Kings, or Princes, or those persons +which they represent. + +"For _objects of incredibility_ [p. 537], I would be satisfied from +LISIDEIUS, whether we have any so removed from all appearance of truth, +as are those in CORNEILLE's _ANDROMEDE_? A Play that has been frequented +[_repeated_] the most, of any he has writ. If the _PERSEUS_ or the son of +the heathen god, the _Pegasus_, and the Monster, were not capable to choke +a strong belief? let him blame any representation of ours hereafter! +Those, indeed, were objects of delight; yet the reason is the same as to +the probability: for he makes it not a Ballette [_Ballet_] or Masque; but +a Play, which is, _to resemble truth_. + +"As for _Death_, that _it ought not to be represented_ [p. 536]: I have, +besides the arguments alleged by LISIDEIUS, the authority of BEN. +JOHNSON, who has foreborne it in his Tragedies: for both the death of +SEJANUS and CATILINE are Related. Though, in the latter, I cannot but +observe one irregularity of that great poet. He has removed the Scene in +the same Act, from Rome to _CATILINE_'s army; and from thence, again to +Rome: and, besides, has allowed a very inconsiderable time after +_CATILINE_'s speech, for the striking of the battle, and the return of +_PETREIUS_, who is to relate the event of it to the Senate. Which I +should not animadvert upon him, who was otherwise a painful observer of +[Greek: to prepon] or the Decorum of the Stage: if he had not used +extreme severity in his judgement [_in his 'Discoveries'_] upon the +incomparable SHAKESPEARE, for the same fault. + +"To conclude on this subject of Relations, if we are to be blamed for +showing too much of the Action; the French are as faulty for discovering +too little of it. A mean betwixt both, should be observed by every +judicious writer, so as the audience may neither be left unsatisfied, by +not seeing what is beautiful; or shocked, by beholding what is either +incredible or indecent. + +"I hope I have already proved in this discourse, that though we are not +altogether so punctual as the French, in observing the laws of Comedy: +yet our errors are so few, and [so] little; and those things wherein we +excel them so considerable, that we ought, of right, to be preferred +before them. + +"But what will LISIDEIUS say? if they themselves acknowledge they are too +strictly tied up by those laws: for the breaking which, he has blamed the +English? I will allege CORNEILLE's words, as I find them in the end of +this _Discourse_ of _The three Unities_. _Il est facile aux speculatifs +d'être severe, &c_. ''Tis easy, for speculative people to judge severely: +but if they would produce to public view, ten or twelve pieces of this +nature; they would, perhaps, give more latitude to the Rules, than I have +done: when, by experience, they had known how much we are bound up, and +constrained by them, and how many beauties of the Stage they banished +from it.' + +"To illustrate, a little, what he has said. By their servile imitations +of the UNITIES of TIME and PLACE, and INTEGRITY OF SCENES they have +brought upon themselves the Dearth of Plot and Narrowness of Imagination +which may be observed in all their Plays. + +"How many beautiful accidents might naturally happen in two or three +days; which cannot arrive, with any probability, in the compass of +twenty-four hours? There is time to be allowed, also, for maturity of +design: which, amongst great and prudent persons, such as are often +represented in Tragedy, cannot, with any likelihood of truth, be brought +to pass at so short a warning. + +"Farther, by tying themselves strictly to the UNITY OF PLACE and UNBROKEN +SCENES; they are forced, many times, to omit some beauties which cannot be +shown where the Act began: but might, if the Scene were interrupted, and +the Stage cleared, for the persons to enter in another place. And +therefore, the French Poets are often forced upon absurdities. For if the +Act begins in a Chamber, all the persons in the Play must have some +business or other to come thither; or else they are not to be shown in +that Act: and sometimes their characters are very unfitting to appear +there. As, suppose it were the King's Bedchamber; yet the meanest man in +the Tragedy, must come and despatch his business there, rather than in +the Lobby or Courtyard (which is [_were_] fitter for him), for fear the +Stage should be cleared, and the Scenes broken. + +"Many times, they fall, by it, into a greater inconvenience: for they +keep their Scenes Unbroken; and yet Change the Place. As, in one of their +newest Plays [_i.e., before 1665_]. Where the Act begins in a Street: +there, a gentleman is to meet his friend; he sees him, with his man, +coming out from his father's house; they talk together, and the first +goes out. The second, who is a lover, has made an appointment with his +mistress: she appears at the Window; and then, we are to imagine the +Scene lies under it. This gentleman is called away, and leaves his +servant with his mistress. Presently, her father is heard from within. +The young lady is afraid the servingman should be discovered; and thrusts +him through a door, which is supposed to be her Closet [_Boudoir_]. After +this, the father enters to the daughter; and now the Scene is in a House: +for he is seeking, from one room to another, for his poor _PHILIPIN_ or +French _DIEGO_: who is heard from within, drolling, and breaking many a +miserable conceit upon his sad condition. In this ridiculous manner, the +Play goes on; the Stage being never empty all the while. So that the +Street, the Window, the two Houses, and the Closet are made to walk +about, and the Persons to stand still! + +"Now, what, I beseech you! is more easy than to write a regular French +Play? or more difficult than to write an irregular English one, like +those of FLETCHER, or of SHAKESPEARE? + +"If they content themselves, as CORNEILLE did, with some flat design, +which (like an ill riddle) is found out ere it be half proposed; such +Plots, we can make every way regular, as easily as they: but whene'er +they endeavour to rise up to any quick Turns or Counter-turns of Plot, as +some of them have attempted, since CORNEILLE's _Plays_ have been less in +vogue; you see they write as irregularly as we! though they cover it more +speciously. Hence the reason is perspicuous, why no French plays, when +translated, have, or ever can succeed upon the English Stage. For, if you +consider the Plots, our own are fuller of variety; if the Writing, ours +are more quick, and fuller of spirit: and therefore 'tis a strange +mistake in those who decry the way of writing Plays in Verse; as if the +English therein imitated the French. + +"We have borrowed nothing from them. Our Plots are weaved in English +looms. We endeavour, therein, to follow the variety and greatness of +Characters, which are derived to us from SHAKESPEARE and FLETCHER, The +copiousness and well knitting of the Intrigues, we have from JOHNSON. And +for the Verse itself, we have English precedents, of elder date than any +of CORNEILLE's plays. Not to name our old Comedies before SHAKESPEARE, +which are all writ in verse of six feet or Alexandrines, such as the +French now use: I can show in SHAKESPEARE, many Scenes of Rhyme together; +and the like in BEN. JOHNSON's tragedies. In _CATILINE_ and _SEJANUS_, +sometimes, thirty or forty lines. I mean, besides the Chorus or the +Monologues; which, by the way, showed BEN. no enemy to this way of +writing: especially if you look upon his _Sad Shepherd_, which goes +sometimes upon rhyme, sometimes upon blank verse; like a horse, who eases +himself upon trot and amble. You find him, likewise, commending FLETCHER's +pastoral of the _Faithful Shepherdess_: which is, for the most part, [in] +Rhyme; though not refined to that purity, to which it hath since been +brought. And these examples are enough to clear us from, a servile +imitation of the French. + +"But to return, from whence I have digressed. I dare boldly affirm these +two things of the English Drama, + + "First. That we have many Plays of ours as regular as any of theirs; + and which, besides, have more variety of Plot and Characters. And + + "Secondly. That in most of the irregular Plays of SHAKESPEARE or + FLETCHER (for BEN. JOHNSON's are for the most part regular), there + is a more masculine Fancy, and greater Spirit in all the Writing, + than there is in any of the French. + +"I could produce, even in SHAKESPEARE's and FLETCHER's _Works_, some +Plays which are almost exactly formed; as the _Merry Wives of Windsor_ +and the _Scornful Lady_. But because, generally speaking, SHAKESPEARE, +who writ first, did not perfectly observe the laws of Comedy; and +FLETCHER, who came nearer to perfection [_in this respect_], yet, through +carelessness, made many faults: I will take the pattern of a perfect Play +from BEN. JOHNSON, who was a careful and learned observer of the Dramatic +Laws; and, from all his Comedies, I shall select the _Silent Woman_ [p. +597], of which I will make a short examen [_examination_], according to +those Rules which the French observe." + + +As NEANDER was beginning to examine the _Silent Woman_: EUGENIUS, looking +earnestly upon him, "I beseech you, NEANDER!" said he, "gratify the +company, and me in particular, so far, as, before you speak of the Play, +to give us a Character of the Author: and tell us, frankly, your opinion! +whether you do not think all writers, both French and English, ought to +give place to him?" + + +"I fear," replied NEANDER, "that in obeying your commands, I shall draw a +little envy upon myself. Besides, in performing them, it will be first +necessary to speak somewhat of SHAKESPEARE and FLETCHER his Rivals in +Poesy; and one of them, in my opinion, at least his Equal, perhaps his +Superior. + +"To begin then with SHAKESPEARE. He was the man, who, of all Modern and +perhaps Ancient poets, had the largest and most comprehensive Soul [p. +540]. All the Images of Nature [pp. 528, 533] were still present +[_apparent_] to him [p. 489]: and he drew them not laboriously, but +luckily [_felicitously_]. When he describes anything; you more than see +it, you feel it too. Those who accuse him to have wanted learning; give +him the greater commendation. He was naturally learned. He needed not the +spectacles of books, to read Nature; he looked inwards, and found her +there. I cannot say, he is everywhere alike. Were he so; I should do him +injury to compare him [_even_] with the greatest of mankind. He is many +times flat, insipid: his comic wit degenerating into clenches; his +serious swelling, into bombast. + +"But he is always great, when some great occasion is presented to him. No +man can say, he ever had a fit subject for his wit, and did not then raise +himself as high above the rest of poets, + + "_Quantum lenta solent, inter viberna cupressi._ + +"The consideration of this, made Mr. HALES, of Eton, say, 'That there was +no subject of which any poet ever writ; but he would produce it much +better treated of in SHAKESPEARE.' And however others are, now, generally +preferred before him; yet the Age wherein he lived (which had +contemporaries with him, FLETCHER and JOHNSON) never equalled them to +him, in their esteem. And in the last King's [_CHARLES I._] Court, when +BEN.'s reputation was at [the] highest; Sir JOHN SUCKLING, and with him, +the greater part of the Courtiers, set our SHAKESPEARE far above him. + +"BEAUMONT and FLETCHER (of whom I am next to speak), had, with the +advantage of SHAKESPEARE's wit, which was their precedent, great natural +gifts improved by study. BEAUMONT, especially, being so accurate a judge +of plays, that BEN. JOHNSON, while he [_i.e., BEAUMONT_] lived, submitted +all his writings to his censure; and,'tis thought, used his judgement in +correcting, if not contriving all his plots. What value he had for +[_i.e., attached to_] him, appears by the verses he writ to him: and +therefore I need speak no farther of it. + +"The first Play which brought FLETCHER and him in esteem, was their +_PHILASTER_. For, before that, they had written two or three very +unsuccessfully: as the like is reported of BEN. JOHNSON, before he writ +_Every Man in his Humour_ [_acted in_ 1598]. Their Plots were generally +more regular than SHAKESPEARE's, especially those which were made before +BEAUMONT's death: and they understood, and imitated the conversation of +gentlemen [_in the conventional sense in which it was understood in +DRYDEN's time_], much better [_i.e., than SHAKESPEARE_]; whose wild +debaucheries, and quickness of wit in repartees, no Poet can ever paint +as they have done. + +"This Humour, which BEN. JOHNSON derived from particular persons; they +made it not their business to describe. They represented all the passions +very lively; but, above all, Love. + +"I am apt to believe the English language, in them, arrived to its +highest perfection. What words have since been taken in, are rather +superfluous than necessary. + +"Their Plays are now the most pleasant and frequent entertainments of the +Stage; two of theirs being acted through the year, for one of +SHAKESPEARE's or JOHNSON's. The reason is because there is a certain +Gaiety in their Comedies, and Pathos in their more serious Plays, which +suit generally with all men's humours, SHAKESPEARE's Language is likewise +a little obsolete; and BEN. JOHNSON's Wit comes short of theirs. + +"As for JOHNSON, to whose character I am now arrived; if we look upon +him, while he was himself (for his last Plays were but his dotages) I +think him the most learned and judicious Writer which any _Theatre_ ever +had. He was a most severe judge of himself, as well as others. One cannot +say he wanted Wit; but rather, that he was frugal of it [p. 572]. In his +works, you find little to retrench or alter. + +"Wit and Language, and Humour also in some measure, we had before him; +but something of Art was wanting to the Drama, till he came. He managed +his strength to more advantage than any who preceded him. You seldom find +him making love in any of his Scenes, or endeavouring to move the +passions: his genius was too sullen and saturnine to do it gracefully; +especially when he knew, he came after those who had performed both to +such a height. Humour was his proper sphere; and in that, he delighted +most to represent mechanic [_uncultivated_] people. + +"He was deeply conversant in the Ancients, both Greek and Latin; and he +borrowed boldly from them. There is scarce a Poet or Historian, among the +Roman authors of those times, whom he has not translated in _SEJANUS_ and +_CATILINE_: but he has done his robberies so openly, that one may see he +fears not to be taxed by any law. He invades authors, like a Monarch; and +what would be Theft in other Poets, is only Victory in him. With the +spoils of these Writers, he so represents old Rome to us, in its rites, +ceremonies, and customs; that if one of their own poets had written +either of his Tragedies, we had seen less of it than in him. + +"If there was any fault in his Language, 'twas that he weaved it too +closely and laboriously in his serious Plays. Perhaps, too, he did a +little too much Romanize our tongue; leaving the words which he +translated, almost as much Latin as he found them: wherein, though he +learnedly followed the idiom of their language, he did not enough comply +with ours. + +"If I would compare him with SHAKESPEARE, I must acknowledge him, the +more correct Poet; but SHAKESPEARE, the greater Wit. SHAKESPEARE was the +HOMER, or Father of our Dramatic Poets; JOHNSON was the VIRGIL, the +pattern of elaborate writing. I admire him; but I love SHAKESPEARE. + +"To conclude of him. As he has given us the most correct Plays; so in the +Precepts which he has laid down in his _Discoveries_, we have as many and +profitable Rules as any wherewith the French can furnish us. + +"Having thus spoken of this author; I proceed to the examination of his +Comedy, the _Silent Woman_. + +"_Examen of the Silent Woman._ + +"To begin, first, with the Length of the Action. It is so far from +exceeding the compass of a natural day, that it takes not up an +artificial one. 'Tis all included in the limits of three hours and a +half; which is no more than is required for the presentment +[_representation of it_] on the Stage. A beauty, perhaps, not much +observed. If it had [been]; we should not have looked upon the Spanish +Translation [_i.e., the adaptation from the Spanish_] of _Five Hours_ +[pp. 533, 541], with so much wonder. + +"The Scene of it is laid in London. The Latitude of Place is almost as +little as you can imagine: for it lies all within the compass of two +houses; and, after the First Act, in one. + +"The Continuity of Scenes is observed more than in any of our Plays, +excepting his own _Fox_ and _Alchemist_, They are not broken above twice, +or thrice at the most, in the whole Comedy: and in the two best of +CORNEILLE's Plays, the _CID_ and _CINNA_, they are interrupted once a +piece. + +"The Action of the Play is entirely One: the end or aim of which, is the +settling _MQROSE's_ estate on _DAUPHINE_. + +"The Intrigue of it is the greatest and most noble of any pure unmixed +Comedy in any language. You see in it, many persons of various Characters +and Humours; and all delightful. + +"As first, _MOROSE_, an old man, to whom all noise, but his own talking, +is offensive. Some, who would be thought critics, say, 'This humour of +his is forced.' But, to remove that objection, we may consider him, +first, to be naturally of a delicate hearing, as many are, to whom all +sharp sounds are unpleasant: and, secondly, we may attribute much of it +to the peevishness of his age, or the wayward authority of an old man in +his own house, where he may make himself obeyed; and this the Poet seems +to allude to, in his name _MOROSE_. Besides this, I am assured from +divers persons, that BEN. JOHNSON was actually acquainted with such a +man, one altogether as ridiculous as he is here represented. + +"Others say, 'It is not enough, to find one man of such an humour. It +must he common to more; and the more common, the more natural.' To prove +this, they instance in the best of comical characters, _FALSTAFF_. There +are many men resembling him; Old, Fat, Merry, Cowardly, Drunken, Amorous, +Vain, and Lying. But to convince these people; I need but [to] tell them, +that _Humour is the ridiculous extravagance of conversation, wherein one +man differs from all others_. If then it be common, or communicated to +any; how differs it from other men's? or what indeed causes it to be +ridiculous, so much as the singularity of it. As for _FALSTAFF_, he is +not properly one Humour; but a Miscellany of Humours or Images drawn from +so many several men. That wherein he is singular is his Wit, or those +things he says, _praeter expectatum_, 'unexpected by the audience'; his +quick evasions, when you imagine him surprised: which, as they are +extremely diverting of themselves, so receive a great addition from his +person; for the very sight of such an unwieldy old debauched fellow is a +Comedy alone. + +"And here, having a place so proper for it, I cannot but enlarge somewhat +upon this subject of Humour, into which I am fallen. + +"The Ancients had little of it in their Comedies: for the [Greek: no +geloiou] [_facetious absurdities_] of the Old Comedy, of which +ARISTOPHANES was chief, was not so much to imitate a man; as to make the +people laugh at some odd conceit, which had commonly somewhat of +unnatural or obscene in it. Thus, when you see _SOCRATES_ brought upon +the Stage, you are not to imagine him made ridiculous by the imitation of +his actions: but rather, by making him perform something very unlike +himself; something so childish and absurd, as, by comparing it with the +gravity of the true SOCRATES, makes a ridiculous object for the +spectators. + +"In the New Comedy which succeeded, the Poets sought, indeed, to express +the [Greek: aethos] [_manners and habits_]; as in their Tragedies, the +[Greek: pathos] [_sufferings_] of mankind. But this [Greek: aethos] +contained only the general characters of men and manners; as [of] Old +Men, Lovers, Servingmen, Courtizans, Parasites, and such other persons as +we see in their Comedies. All which, they made alike: that is, one Old Man +or Father, one Lover, one Courtizan so like another, as if the first of +them had begot the rest of every [_each_] sort. _Ex homine hunc natum +dicas_. The same custom they observed likewise in their Tragedies. + +"As for the French. Though they have the word _humeur_ among them: yet +they have small use of it in their Comedies or Farces: they being but ill +imitations of the _ridiculum_ or that which stirred up laughter in the Old +Comedy. But among the English, 'tis otherwise. Where, by Humour is meant +_some extravagant habit, passion, or affection, particular_, as I said +before, _to some one person, by the oddness of which, he is immediately +distinguished from the rest of men_: which, being lively and naturally +represented, most frequently begets that malicious pleasure in the +audience, which is testified by laughter: as all things which are +deviations from common customs, are ever the aptest to produce it. +Though, by the way, this Laughter is only accidental, as the person +represented is fantastic or bizarre; but Pleasure is essential to it, as +the Imitation of what is natural. This description of these Humours[9], +drawn from the knowledge and observation of particular persons, was the +peculiar genius and talent of BEN. JOHNSON. To whose Play, I now return. + +"Besides _MOROSE_, there are, at least, nine or ten different Characters +and Humours in the _Silent Woman_: all which persons have several +concernments of their own; yet are all used by the Poet to the conducting +of the main Design to perfection. + +"I shall not waste time in commending the Writing of this Play: but I +will give you my opinion, that there is more Wit and Acuteness of Fancy +in it, than in any of BEN. JOHNSON's. Besides that, he has here described +the conversation of gentlemen, in the persons of _TRUE WIT_ and his +friends, with more gaiety, air, and freedom than in the rest of his +Comedies. + +"For the Contrivance of the Plot: tis extreme[ly] elaborate; and yet, +withal, easy. For the [Greek: _desis_], or Untying of it: 'tis so +admirable, that, when it is done, no one of the audience would think the +Poet could have missed it; and yet, it was concealed so much before the +last Scene, that any other way would sooner have entered into your +thoughts. + +"But I dare not take upon me, to commend the Fabric of it; because it is +altogether so full of Art, that I must unravel every Scene in it, to +commend it as I ought. And this excellent contrivance is still the more +to be admired; because 'tis [a] Comedy where the persons are only of +common rank; and their business, private; not elevated by passions or +high concernments as in serious Plays. Here, every one is a proper judge +of what he sees. Nothing is represented but that with which he daily +converses: so that, by consequence, all faults lie open to discovery; and +few are pardonable. 'Tis this, which HORACE has judiciously observed-- + + "_Creditur ex medio quia res arcessit habere + Sudoris minimum, sed habet Comedia tanto + Plus oneris, quanto venice minus._ + +"But our Poet, who was not ignorant of these difficulties, had prevailed +[? _availed_] himself of all advantages; as he who designs a large leap, +takes his rise from the highest ground. + +"One of these Advantages is that, which CORNEILLE has laid down as _the +greatest which can arrive_ [happen] _to any Poem_; and which he, himself, +could never compass, above thrice, in all his plays, viz., _the making +choice of some signal and long expected day; whereon the action of the +Play is to depend_. This day was that designed by _DAUPHINE_, for the +settling of his uncle's estate upon him: which to compass, he contrives +to marry him. That the marriage had been plotted by him, long beforehand, +is made evident, by what he tells _TRUE WIT_, in the Second Act, that 'in +one moment, he [_TRUE WIT_] had destroyed what he had been raising many +months.' + +"There is another artifice of the Poet, which I cannot here omit; +because, by the frequent practice of it in his Comedies, he has left it +to us, almost as a Rule: that is, _when he has any Character or Humour, +wherein he would show a_ coup de maître _or his highest skill; he +recommends it to your observation by a pleasant description of it, before +the person first appears_. Thus, in _Bartholomew Fair_, he gives you the +picture of _NUMPS and COKES_; and in this, those of _DAW, LAFOOLE, +MOROSE_, and the _Collegiate Ladies_: all which you hear described, +before you, see them. So that, before they come upon the Stage, you have +a longing expectation of them; which prepares you to receive them +favourably: and when they are there, even from their first appearance, +you are so far acquainted with them, that nothing of their humour is lost +to you. + +"I will observe yet one thing further of this admirable Plot. The +business of it rises in every Act. The Second is greater than the First; +the Third, than the Second: and so forward, to the Fifth. There, too, you +see, till the very last Scene, new difficulties arising to obstruct the +Action of the Play: and when the audience is brought into despair that +the business can naturally be effected; then, and not before, the +Discovery is made. + +"But that the Poet might entertain you with more variety, all this while; +he reserves some new Characters to show you, which he opens not till the +Second and Third Acts, In the Second, _MOROSE, DAW, the Barber_, and +_OTTER_; in the Third, the _Collegiate Ladies_, All which, he moves, +afterwards, in by-walks or under-plots, as diversions to the main Design, +least it grow tedious: though they are still naturally joined with it; +and, somewhere or other, subservient to it. Thus, like a skilful chess +player, by little and little, he draws out his men; and makes his pawns +of use to his greater persons. + +"If this Comedy and some others of his, were translated into French prose +(which would now be no wonder to them, since MOLIERE has lately given them +Plays out of Verse; which have not displeased them), I believe the +controversy would soon be decided betwixt the two nations: even making +them, the judges. + +"But we need not call our heroes to our aid. Be it spoken to the honour +of the English! our nation can never want, in any age, such, who are able +to dispute the Empire of Wit with any people in the universe. And though +the fury of a Civil War, and power (for twenty years together [1640-1660 +A.D.]) abandoned to a barbarous race of men, enemies of all good +learning[10], had buried the Muses under the ruins of Monarchy: yet, with +the Restoration of our happiness [1660], we see revived Poesy lifting up +its head, and already shaking off the rubbish, which lay so heavy upon it. + +"We have seen, since His Majesty's return, many Dramatic Poems which +yield not to those of any foreign nation, and which deserve all laurels +but the English. I will set aside flattery and envy. It cannot be denied +but we have had some little blemish, either in the Plot or Writing of all +those plays which have been made within these seven years; and, perhaps, +there is no nation in the world so quick to discern them, or so difficult +to pardon them, as ours: yet, if we can persuade ourselves to use the +candour of that Poet [_HORACE_], who, though the most severe of critics, +has left us this caution, by which to moderate our censures. + + "_Ubi plum nitent in carmine non ego paucis offendar maculis._ + +"If, in consideration of their many and great beauties, we can wink at +some slight and little imperfections; if we, I say, can be thus equal to +ourselves: I ask no favour from the French. + +"And if I do not venture upon any particular judgement of our late Plays: +'tis out of the consideration which an ancient writer gives me. _Vivorum, +ut magna admiratio ita censura difficilis_; 'betwixt the extremes of +admiration and malice, 'tis hard to judge uprightly of the living.' Only, +I think it may be permitted me to say, that as it is no lessening to us, +to yield to some Plays (and those not many) of our nation, in the last +Age: so can it be no addition, to pronounce of our present Poets, that +_they have far surpassed all the Ancients, and the Modern Writers of +other countries_." + +This, my Lord! [_i.e., the Dedicatee, the Lord BUCKHURST, p. 503] was the +substance of what was then spoke, on that occasion: and LISIDEIUS, I +think, was going to reply; when he was prevented thus by CRITES. + +"I am confident," said he, "the most material things that can be said, +have been already urged, on either side. If they have not; I must beg of +LISIDEIUS, that he will defer his answer till another time. For I confess +I have a joint quarrel to you both: because you have concluded [pp. 539, +548], without any reason given for it, that _Rhyme is proper for the +Stage._ + +"I will not dispute how ancient it hath been among us to write this way. +Perhaps our ancestors knew no better, till SHAKESPEARE's time, I will +grant, it was not altogether left by him; and that PLETCHER and BEN +JOHNSON used it frequently in their Pastorals, and sometimes in other +Plays. + +"Farther; I will not argue, whether we received it originally from our +own countrymen, or from the French. For that is an inquiry of as little +benefit as theirs, who, in the midst of the Great Plague [1665], were not +so solicitous to provide against it; as to know whether we had it from the +malignity of our own air, or by transportation from Holland. + +"I have therefore only to affirm that _it is not allowable in serious +Plays._ For Comedies, I find you are already concluding with me. + +"To prove this, I might satisfy myself to tell you, _how much in vain it +is, for you, to strive against the stream of the People's inclination!_ +the greatest part of whom, are prepossessed so much with those excellent +plays of SHAKESPEARE, FLETCHER, and BEN. JOHNSON, which have been written +_out_ of Rhyme, that (except you could bring them such as were written +better _in_ it; and those, too, by persons of equal reputation with them) +it will be impossible for you to gain your cause with them: who will +(still) be judges. This it is to which, in fine, all your reasons must +submit. The unanimous consent of an audience is so powerful, that even +JULIUS CAESAR (as MACROBIOS reports of him), when he, was Perpetual +Dictator, was not able to balance it, on the other side: but when +LABERIUS, a Roman knight, at his request, contended in the _Mime_ with +another poet; he was forced to cry out, _Etiam favente me victus es +Liberi_. + +"But I will not, on this occasion, take the advantage of the greater +number; but only urge such reasons against Rhyme, as I find in the +writings of those who have argued for the other way. + +"First, then, I am of opinion, that Rhyme is unnatural in a Play, because +_Dialogue,_ there, _is presented as the effect of sudden thought._ For a +Play is the Imitation of Nature: and since no man, without premeditation, +speaks in rhyme; neither ought he to do it on the Stage. This hinders not +but the Fancy may be, there, elevated to a higher pitch of thought than +it is in ordinary discourse; for there is a probability that men of +excellent and quick parts, may speak noble things _ex tempore_: but those +thoughts are never fettered with the numbers and sound of Verse, without +study; and therefore it cannot be but unnatural, _to present the most +free way of speaking, in that which is the most constrained_. + +"'For this reason,' says ARISTOTLE, ''tis best, to write Tragedy in that +kind of Verse, which is the least such, or which is nearest Prose': and +this, among the Ancients, was the _Iambic_; and with us, is _Blank Verse, +or the Measure of Verse kept exactly, without rhyme_. These numbers, +therefore, are fittest for a Play: the others [_i.e., Rhymed Verse_] for +a paper of Verses, or a Poem [p. 566]. Blank Verse being as much below +them, as Rhyme is improper for the Drama: and, if it be objected that +neither are Blank Verses made _ex tempore_; yet, as nearest Nature, they +are still to be preferred. + +"But there are two particular exceptions [_objections_], which many, +beside myself, have had to Verse [_i.e., in rhyme_]; by which it will +appear yet more plainly, how improper it is in Plays. And the first of +them is grounded upon that very reason, for which some have commended +Rhyme. They say, 'The quickness of Repartees in argumentative scenes, +receives an ornament from Verse [pp. 492, 498].' Now, _what is more +unreasonable than to imagine that a man should not only light upon the +Wit, but the Rhyme too; upon the sudden_? This nicking of him, who spoke +before, both in Sound and Measure, is so great a happiness [_felicity_], +that you must, at least, suppose the persons of your Play to be poets, +_Arcades omnes et cantare pares et respondere parati_. They must have +arrived to the degree of _quicquid conabar dicere_, to make verses, +almost whether they will or not. + +"If they are anything below this, it will look rather like the design of +two, than the answer of one. It will appear that your Actors hold +intelligence together; that they perform their tricks, like fortune +tellers, by confederacy. The hand of Art will be too visible in it, +against that maxim of all professions, _Ars est celare artem_; 'that it +is the greatest perfection of Art, to keep itself undiscovered.' + +"Nor will it serve you to object, that however you manage it, 'tis still +known to be a Play; and consequently the dialogue of two persons, +understood to be the labour of one Poet. For a Play is still an Imitation +of Nature. We know we are to be deceived, and we desire to be so; but no +man ever was deceived, but with a _probability of Truth_; for who will +suffer a gross lie to be fastened upon him? Thus, we sufficiently +understand that the scenes [_i.e., the scenery which was just now coming +into use on the English Stage_], which represent cities and countries to +us, are not really such, but only painted on boards and canvas. But shall +that excuse the ill painture [_painting_] or designment of them? Nay +rather, ought they not to be laboured with so much the more diligence and +exactness, to help the Imagination? since the Mind of Man doth naturally +bend to, and seek after Truth; and therefore the nearer anything comes to +the Imitation of it, the more it pleases. + +"Thus, you see! your Rhyme is incapable of expressing the greatest +thoughts, naturally; and the lowest, it cannot, with any grace. For what +is more unbefitting the majesty of Verse, than 'to call a servant,' or +'bid a door be shut' in Rhyme? And yet, this miserable necessity you are +forced upon! + +"'But Verse,' you say, 'circumscribes a quick and luxuriant Fancy, which +would extend itself too far, on every subject; did not the labour which +is required to well-turned and polished Rhyme, set bounds to it [pp. +492-493]. Yet this argument, if granted, would only prove, that _we may +write better in Verse_, but not _more naturally_. + +"Neither is it able to evince that. For he who _wants_ judgement to +confine his Fancy, in Blank Verse; may want it as well, in Rhyme: and he +who has it, will avoid errors in both kinds [pp. 498, 571], Latin Verse +was as great a confinement to the imagination of those poets, as Rhyme to +ours: and yet, you find OVID saying too much on every subject. + +"_Nescivit_, says SENECA, _quod bene cessit relinquere_: of which he +[OVID] gives you one famous instance in his description of the Deluge. + + "_Omnia pontus erat, deerant quoque litora ponto._ + Now all was sea; nor had that sea a shore. + +"Thus OVID's Fancy was not limited by Verse; and VIRGIL needed not Verse +to have bounded his. + +"In our own language, we see BEN. JOHNSON confining himself to what ought +to be said, even in the liberty of Blank Verse; and yet CORNEILLE, the +most judicious of the French poets, is still varying the same Sense a +hundred ways, and dwelling eternally upon the same subject, though +confined by Rhyme. + +"Some other exceptions, I have to Verse; but these I have named, being, +for the most part, already public: I conceive it reasonable they should, +first, be answered." + +"It concerns me less than any," said NEANDER, seeing he had ended, "to +reply to this discourse, because when I should have proved that Verse may +be _natural_ in Plays; yet I should always be ready to confess that those +which I [_i.e., DRYDEN, see_ pp. 503, 566] have written in this kind, +come short of that perfection which is required. Yet since you are +pleased I should undertake this province, I will do it: though, with all +imaginable respect and deference both to that Person [_i.e., SIR ROBERT +HOWARD, see_ p. 494] from whom you have borrowed your strongest +arguments; and to whose judgement, when I have said all, I finally submit. + +"But before I proceed to answer your objections; I must first remember +you, that I exclude all Comedy from my defence; and next, that I deny not +but Blank Verse may be also used: and content myself only to assert that +_in serious Plays_, where the Subject and Characters are great, and the +Plot unmixed with mirth (which might allay or divert these concernments +which are produced), _Rhyme is there, as natural, and more effectual than +Blank Verse_. + +"And now having laid down this as a foundation: to begin with CRITES, I +must crave leave to tell him, that some of his arguments against Rhyme, +reach no farther that from _the faults or defects of ill Rhyme_ to +conclude against _the use of it in general_ [p. 598]. May not I conclude +against Blank Verse, by the same reason? If the words of some Poets, who +write in it, are either ill-chosen or ill-placed; which makes not only +Rhyme, but all kinds of Verse, in any language, unnatural: shall I, for +their virtuous affectation, condemn those excellent lines of FLETCHER, +which are written in that kind? Is there anything in Rhyme more +constrained, than this line in Blank Verse? + + "I, heaven invoke! and strong resistance make. + +"Where you see both the clauses are placed unnaturally; that is, contrary +to the common way of speaking, and that, without the excuse of a rhyme to +cause it: yet you would think me very ridiculous, if I should accuse the +stubbornness of Blank Verse for this; and not rather, the stiffness of +the Poet. Therefore, CRITES! you must either prove that _words, though +well chosen and duly placed, yet render not Rhyme natural in itself_; or +that, _however natural and easy the Rhyme may be, yet it is not proper +for a Play_. + +"If you insist on the former part; I would ask you what other conditions +are required to make Rhyme natural in itself, besides an election of apt +words, and a right disposing of them? For the due _choice_ of your words +expresses your Sense naturally, and the due _placing_ them adapts the +Rhyme to it. + +"If you object that _one verse may be made for the sake of another, +though both the words and rhyme be apt_, I answer it cannot possibly so +fall out. For either there is a dependence of sense betwixt the first +line and the second; or there is none. If there be that connection, then, +in the natural position of the words, the latter line must, of necessity, +flow from the former: if there be no dependence, yet, still, the due +ordering of words makes the last line as natural in itself as the other. +So that the necessity of a rhyme never forces any but bad or lazy +writers, to say what they would not otherwise. + +"'Tis true, there is both care and art required to write in Verse. A good +Poet never concludes upon the first line, till he has sought out such a +rhyme as may fit the Sense already prepared, to heighten the second. Many +times, the Close of the Sense falls into the middle of the next verse, or +farther off; and he may often prevail [_avail_] himself of the same +advantages in English, which VIRGIL had in Latin; he may break off in the +hemistich, and begin another line. + +"Indeed, the not observing these two last things, makes Plays that are +writ in Verse so tedious: for though, most commonly, the Sense is to be +confined to the Couplet; yet, nothing that does _perpetuo tenore fluere_, +'run in the same channel,' can please always. 'Tis like the murmuring of a +stream: which, not varying in the fall, causes at first attention; at +last, drowsiness. VARIETY OF CADENCES is the best Rule; the greatest help +to the Actors, and refreshment to the Audience. + +"If, then, Verse may be made _natural in itself; how becomes it improper +to a Play_? You say, 'The Stage is the Representation of Nature, and no +man, in ordinary conversation, speaks in Rhyme': but you foresaw, when +you said this, that it might be answered, 'Neither does any man speak in +Blank Verse, or in measure without Rhyme!' therefore you concluded, 'That +which is nearest Nature is still to be preferred.' But you took no notice +that Rhyme might be made as natural as Blank Verse, by the well placing +of the words, &c. All the difference between them, when they are both +correct, is the sound in one, which the other wants: and if so, the +sweetness of it, and all the advantages resulting from it which are +handled in the _Preface_ to the _Rival Ladies_ [pp. 487-493], will yet +stand good. + +"As for that place of ARISTOTLE, where he says, 'Plays should be writ in +that kind of Verse which is nearest Prose': it makes little for you, +Blank Verse being, properly, but Measured Prose. + +"Now Measure, alone, in any modern language, does not constitute Verse. +Those of the Ancients, in Greek and Latin, consisted in Quantity of +Words, and a determinate number of Feet. But when, by the inundations of +the Goths and Vandals, into Italy, new languages were brought in, and +barbarously mingled with the Latin, of which, the Italian, Spanish, +French, and ours (made out of them, and the Teutonic) are dialects: a New +Way of Poesy was practised, new, I say, in those countries; for, in all +probability, it was that of the conquerors in their own nations. The New +Way consisted of Measure or Number of Feet, _and_ Rhyme. The sweetness of +Rhyme and observation of Accent, supplying the place of Quantity in Words: +which could neither exactly be observed by those Barbarians who knew not +the Rules of it; neither was it suitable to their tongues, as it had been +to the Greek and Latin. + +"No man is tied in Modern Poesy, to observe any farther Rules in the Feet +of his Verse, but that they be dissyllables (whether Spondee, Trochee, or +Iambic, it matters not); only he is obliged to Rhyme. Neither do the +Spanish, French, Italians, or Germans acknowledge at all, or very rarely, +any such kind of Poesy as Blank Verse among them. Therefore, at most, 'tis +but a Poetic Prose, _a sermo pedestris_; and, as such, most fit for +Comedies: where I acknowledge Rhyme to be improper. + +"Farther, as to that quotation of ARISTOTLE, our Couplet Verses may be +rendered _as near_ Prose, as Blank Verse itself; by using those +advantages I lately named, as Breaks in the Hemistich, or Running the +Sense into another line: thereby, making Art and Order appear as loose +and free as Nature. Or, not tying ourselves to Couplets strictly, we may +use the benefit of the Pindaric way, practised in the _Siege of Rhodes_; +where the numbers vary, and the rhyme is disposed carelessly, and far +from often chiming. + +"Neither is that other advantage of the Ancients to be despised, of +changing the Kind of Verse, when they please, with the change of the +Scene, or some new Entrance. For they confine not themselves always to +Iambics; but extend their liberty to all Lyric Numbers; and sometimes, +even, to Hexameter. + +"But I need not go so far, to prove that Rhyme, as it succeeds to all +other offices of Greek and Latin Verse, so especially to this of Plays; +since the custom of all nations, at this day, confirms it. All the +French, Italian, and Spanish Tragedies are generally writ in it; and, +sure[ly], the Universal Consent of the most civilised parts of the world +ought in this, as it doth in other customs, [to] include the rest. + +"But perhaps, you may tell me, I have proposed such a way to make Rhyme +_natural_; and, consequently, proper to Plays, as is impracticable; and +that I shall scarce find six or eight lines together in a Play, where the +words are so placed and chosen, as is required to make it _natural_. + +"I answer, no Poet need constrain himself, at all times, to it. It is +enough, he makes it his general rule. For I deny not but sometimes there +may be a greatness in placing the words otherwise; and sometimes they may +sound better. Sometimes also, the variety itself is excuse enough. But if, +for the most part, the words be placed, as they are in the negligence of +Prose; it is sufficient to denominate the way _practicable_: for we +esteem that to be such, which, in the trial, oftener succeeds than +misses. And thus far, you may find the practice made good in many Plays: +where, you do not remember still! that if you cannot find six natural +Rhymes together; it will be as hard for you to produce as many lines in +Blank Verse, even among the greatest of our poets, against which I cannot +make some reasonable exception. + +"And this, Sir, calls to my remembrance the beginning of your discourse, +where you told us _we should never find the audience favourable to this +kind of writing_, till we could produce as good plays _in_ Rhyme, as BEN. +JOHNSON, FLETCHER, and SHAKESPEARE had writ _out_ of it [p. 558]. But it +is to raise envy to the Living, to compare them with the Dead. They are +honoured, and almost adored by us, as they deserve; neither do I know any +so presumptuous of themselves, as to contend with them. Yet give me leave +to say thus much, without injury to their ashes, that not only we shall +never equal them; but they could never equal themselves, were they to +rise, and write again. We acknowledge them our Fathers in Wit: but they +have ruined their estates themselves before they came to their children's +hands. There is scarce a Humour, a Character, or any kind of Plot; which +they have not blown upon. All comes sullied or wasted to us: and were +they to entertain this Age, they could not make so plenteous treatments +out of such decayed fortunes. This, therefore, will be a good argument to +us, either not to write at all; or to attempt some other way. There are no +Bays to be expected in their walks, _Tentanda via est qua me quoque possum +tollere humo_. + +"This way of Writing in Verse, they have only left free to us. Our Age is +arrived to a perfection in it, which they never knew: and which (if we may +guess by what of theirs we have seen in Verse, as the _Faithful +Shepherdess_ and _Sad Shepherd_) 'tis probable they never could have +reached. For the Genius of every Age is different: and though ours excel +in this; I deny not but that to imitate Nature in that perfection which +they did in Prose [_i.e., Blank Verse_] is a greater commendation than to +write in Verse exactly. + +"As for what you have added, _that the people are not generally inclined +to like this way_: if it were true, it would be no wonder but betwixt the +shaking off of an old habit, and the introducing of a new, there should be +difficulty. Do we not see them stick to HOPKINS and STERNHOLD's Psalms; +and forsake those of DAVID, I mean SANDYS his Translation of them? If, by +the _people_, you understand the Multitude, the [Greek: _oi polloi_]; 'tis +no matter, what they think! They are sometimes in the right, sometimes in +the wrong. Their judgement is a mere lottery. _Est ubi plebs recte putat, +est ubi peccat_. HORACE says it of the Vulgar, judging Poesy. But if you +mean, the mixed Audience of the Populace and the Noblesse: I dare +confidently affirm, that a great part of the latter sort are already +favourable to Verse; and that no serious Plays, written since the King's +return [_May_ 1660], have been more kindly received by them, than the +_Siege of Rhodes_, the _MUSTAPHA_, the _Indian Queen_ and _Indian +Emperor_. [_See_ p. 503.] + +"But I come now to the Inference of your first argument. You said, 'The +dialogue of Plays is presented as the effect of sudden thought; but no +one speaks suddenly or, _ex tempore_, in Rhyme' [p. 498]: and you +inferred from thence, _that Rhyme_, which you acknowledge to be proper to +Epic Poesy [p. 559], _cannot equally be proper to Dramatic; unless we +could suppose all men born so much more than poets, that verses should be +made_ in _them, not_ by _them_. + +"It has been formerly urged by you [p. 499] and confessed by me [p. 563] +that 'since no man spoke any kind of verse _ex tempore_; that which was +_nearest_ Nature was to be preferred.' I answer you, therefore, by +distinguishing betwixt what is _nearest_ to the nature of Comedy: which +is the Imitation of common persons and Ordinary Speaking: and, what is +_nearest_ the nature of a serious Play. This last is, indeed, the +Representation of Nature; but 'tis Nature wrought up to an higher pitch. +The Plot, the Characters, the Wit, the Passions, the Descriptions are all +exalted above the level of common converse [_conversation_], as high as +the Imagination of the Poet can carry them, with proportion to +verisimility [_verisimilitude_]. + +"Tragedy, we know, is wont to Image to us the minds and fortunes of noble +persons: and to pourtray these exactly, Heroic Rhyme is _nearest_ Nature; +as being the noblest kind of Modern Verse. + + "_Indignatur enim privatis, et prope socco, + Dignis carminibus narrari coena THYESTOE._ + +"says HORACE. And in another place, + + "_Effutire leveis indigna tragoedia versus._ + +"Blank Verse is acknowledged to be too low for a Poem, nay more, for a +paper of Verses [pp. 473, 498, 559]; but if too low for an ordinary +Sonnet, how much more for Tragedy! which is, by ARISTOTLE, in the dispute +between the Epic Poesy and the Dramatic, (for many reasons he there +alleges) ranked above it. + +"But setting this defence aside, your argument is almost as strong +against the use of Rhyme in Poems, as in Plays. For the Epic way is +everywhere interlaced with Dialogue or Discoursive Scenes: and, +therefore, you must either grant Rhyme to be improper there, which is +contrary to your assertion; or admit it into Plays, by the same title +which you have given it to Poems. + +"For though Tragedy be justly preferred above the other, yet there is a +great affinity between them; as may easily be discovered in that +Definition of a Play, which LISIDEIUS gave us [p. 513]. The genus of them +is the same, A JUST AND LIVELY IMAGE OF HUMAN NATURE, IN ITS ACTIONS, +PASSIONS, AND TRAVERSES OF FORTUNE: so is the End, namely, FOR THE +DELIGHT AND BENEFIT OF MANKIND. The Characters and Persons are still the +same, viz., the greatest of both sorts: only the _manner of acquainting +us_ with those actions, passions, and fortunes is different. Tragedy +performs it, _viva voce_, or by Action in Dialogue: wherein it excels the +Epic Poem; which does it, chiefly, by Narration, and therefore is not so +lively an Image of Human Nature. However, the agreement betwixt them is +such, that if Rhyme be proper for one, it must be for the other. + +"Verse, 'tis true, is not 'the effect of Sudden Thought.' But this +hinders not, that Sudden Thought may be represented in Verse: since those +thoughts are such, as must be higher than Nature can raise them without +premeditation, especially, to a continuance of them, even out of Verse: +and, consequently, you cannot imagine them, to have been sudden, either +in the Poet or the Actors. + +"A Play, as I have said, to be like Nature, is to be set above it; as +statues which are placed on high, are made greater than the life, that +they may descend to the sight, in their just proportion. + +"Perhaps, I have insisted too long upon this objection; but the clearing +of it, will make my stay shorter on the rest. + +"You tell us, CRITES! that 'Rhyme is most unnatural in Repartees or Short +Replies: when he who answers, it being presumed he knew not what the other +would say, yet makes up that part of the Verse which was left incomplete; +and supplies both the sound and the measure of it. This,' you say, 'looks +rather like the Confederacy of two, than the Answer of one.' + +"This, I confess, is an objection which is in every one's mouth, who +loves not Rhyme; but suppose, I beseech you! the Repartee were made only +in Blank Verse; might not part of the same argument be turned against +you? For the measure is as often supplied there, as it is in Rhyme: the +latter half of the hemistich as commonly made up, or a second line +subjoined as a reply to the former; which any one leaf in JOHNSON's Plays +will sufficiently make clear to you. + +"You will often find in the Greek Tragedians, and in SENECA; that when a +Scene grows up into the warmth of Repartees, which is the close fighting +of it, the latter part of the trimeter is supplied by him who answers: +and yet it was never observed as a fault in them, by any of the Ancient +or Modern critics. The case is the same in our verse, as it was in +theirs: Rhyme to us, being in lieu of Quantity to them. But if no +latitude is to be allowed a Poet; you take from him, not only his license +of _quidlibet audendi_: but you tie him up in a straighter compass than +you would a Philosopher. + +"This is, indeed, _Musas colere severiores_. You would have him follow +Nature, but he must follow her on foot. You have dismounted him from his +_Pegasus_! + +"But you tell us 'this supplying the last half of a verse, or adjoining a +whole second to the former, looks more like the Design of two, than the +Answer of one [pp. 498, 559].' Suppose we acknowledge it. How comes this +Confederacy to be more displeasing to you, than a dance which is well +contrived? You see there, the united Design of many persons to make up +one Figure. After they have separated themselves in many petty divisions; +they rejoin, one by one, into the gross. The Confederacy is plain amongst +them; for Chance could never produce anything so beautiful, and yet there +is nothing in it that shocks your sight. + +"I acknowledge that the hand of Art appears in Repartee, as, of +necessity, it must in all kind[s] of Verse. But there is, also, the quick +and poignant brevity of it (which is a high Imitation of Nature, in those +sudden gusts of passion) to mingle with it: and this joined with the +cadency and sweetness of the Rhyme, leaves nothing in the Soul of the +Hearer to desire. 'Tis an Art which _appears_; but it _appears_ only like +the shadowings of painture [_painting_], which, being to cause the +rounding of it, cannot be absent: but while that is considered, they are +lost. So while we attend to the other beauties of the Matter, the care +and labour of the Rhyme is carried from us; or, at least, drowned in its +own sweetness, as bees are some times buried in their honey. + +"When a Poet has found the Repartee; the last perfection he can add to +it, is to put it into Verse. However good the Thought may be, however apt +the Words in which 'tis couched; yet he finds himself at a little unrest, +while Rhyme is wanting. He cannot leave it, till that comes naturally; +and then is at ease, and sits down contented. + +"From Replies, which are the most _elevated_ thoughts of Verse, you pass +to the most _mean_ ones, those which are common with the lowest of +household conversation. In these you say, the majesty of the Verse +suffers. You instance in 'the calling of a servant' or 'commanding a door +to be shut' in Rhyme. This, CRITES! is a good observation of yours; but no +argument. For it proves no more, but that such thoughts should be waved, +as often as may be, by the address of the Poet. But suppose they _are_ +necessary in the places where he uses them; yet there is no need to put +them into rhyme. He may place them in the beginning of a verse and break +it off, as unfit (when so debased) for any other use: or granting the +worst, that they require more room than the hemistich will allow; yet +still, there is a choice to be made of best words and least vulgar +(provided they be apt) to express such thoughts. + +"Many have blamed Rhyme in general for this fault, when the Poet, with a +little care, might have redressed it: but they do it, with no more +justice, than if English Poesy should be made ridiculous, for the sake of +[JOHN TAYLOR] the Water Poet's rhymes. + +"Our language is noble, full, and significant; and I know not why he who +is master of it, may not clothe ordinary things in it, as decently as the +Latin; if he use the same diligence in his choice of words. + +"_Delectus verborum origo est eloquentiae_ was the saying of JULIUS +CAESAR; one so curious in his, that none of them can be changed but for +the worse. + +"One would think 'Unlock the door!' was a thing as vulgar as could be +spoken; and yet SENECA could make it sound high and lofty, in his Latin-- + + "_Reserate clusos regii postes Laris._ + +"But I turn from this exception, both because it happens not above twice +or thrice in any Play, that those vulgar thoughts are used: and then too, +were there no other apology to be made, yet the necessity of them (which +is, alike, in all kind[s] of writing) may excuse them. Besides that, the +great eagerness and precipitation with which they are spoken, makes us +rather mind the substance than the dress; that for which they are spoken, +rather than what is spoke[n]. For they are always the effect of some hasty +concernment; and something of consequence depends upon them. + +"Thus, CRITES! I have endeavoured to answer your objections. It remains +only that I should vindicate an argument for Verse, which you have gone +about to overthrow. + +"It had formerly been said [p. 492] that, 'The easiness of Blank Verse +renders the Poet too luxuriant; but that the labour of Rhyme bounds and +circumscribes an over fruitful fancy: the Sense there being commonly +confined to the Couplet; and the words so ordered that the Rhyme +naturally follows them, not they, the Rhyme.' + +"To this, you answered, that 'It was no argument to the question in hand: +for the dispute was not which way _a man may write best_; but which is +_most proper for the subject on which he writes_.' + +"First. Give me leave, Sir, to remember you! that the argument on which +you raised this objection was only secondary. It was built upon the +hypothesis, that to write in Verse was proper for serious Plays. Which +supposition being granted (as it was briefly made out in that discourse, +by shewing how Verse might be made _natural_): it asserted that this way +of writing was a help to the Poet's judgement, by putting bounds to a +wild, overflowing Fancy. I think therefore it will not be hard for me to +make good what it was to prove. + +"But you add, that, 'Were this let pass; yet he who wants judgement in +the liberty of the Fancy, may as well shew the defect of it, when he is +confined to Verse: for he who has judgement, will avoid errors; and he +who has it not will commit them in all kinds of writing.' + +"This argument, as you have taken it from a most acute person, so I +confess it carries much weight in it. But by using the word Judgement +here indefinitely, you seem to have put a fallacy upon us. I grant he who +has judgement, that is, so profound, so strong, so infallible a judgement +that he needs no helps to keep it always poised and upright, will commit +no faults; either in Rhyme, or out of it: and, on the other extreme, he +who has a judgement so weak and crazed, that no helps can correct or +amend it, shall write scurvily out of Rhyme; and worse in it. But the +first of these Judgements, is nowhere to be found; and the latter is not +fit to write at all. + +"To speak, therefore, of Judgement as it is in the best Poets; they who +have the greatest proportion of it, want other helps than from it within: +as, for example, you would be loath to say that he who was endued with a +sound judgement, had no need of history, geography, or moral philosophy, +to write correctly. + +"Judgement is, indeed, the Master Workman in a Play; but he requires many +subordinate hands, many tools to his assistance. And Verse, I affirm to be +one of these. 'Tis a 'Rule and Line' by which he keeps his building +compact and even; which, otherwise, lawless Imagination would raise, +either irregularly or loosely. At least, if the Poet commits errors with +this help; he would make greater and more without it. 'Tis, in short, a +slow and painful, but the surest kind of working. + +"OVID, whom you accuse [p. 561] for luxuriancy in Verse, had, perhaps, +been farther guilty of it, had he writ in Prose. And for your instance of +BEN. JOHNSON [p. 561]; who, you say, writ exactly, without the help of +Rhyme: you are to remember, 'tis only an aid to a _luxuriant_ Fancy; +which his was not [p. 551]. As he did not want Imagination; so, none ever +said he had much to spare. Neither was Verse then refined so much, to be a +help to that Age as it is to ours. + +"Thus then, the second thoughts being usually the best, as receiving the +maturest digestion from judgement; and the last and most mature product +of those thoughts, being artfull and laboured Verse: it may well be +inferred, that Verse is a great help to a luxuriant Fancy. And this is +what that argument, which you opposed, was to evince." + +NEANDER was pursuing this discourse so eagerly that EUGENIUS had called +to him twice or thrice, ere he took notice that the barge stood still; +and that they were at the foot of Somerset Stairs, where they had +appointed it to land. + +The company were all sorry to separate so soon, though a great part of +the evening was already spent: and stood a while, looking back upon the +water; which the moonbeams played upon, and made it appear like floating +quicksilver. + +At last, they went up, through a crowd of French people, who were merrily +dancing in the open air, and nothing concerned for the noise of the guns, +which had alarmed the Town that afternoon. + +Walking thence together to the Piazza, they parted there, EUGENIUS and +LISIDEIUS, to some pleasant appointment they had made; and CRITES and +NEANDER to their several lodgings. + +FINIS. + + + [9] Compare DRYDEN's definition of Humour, with that of Lord MACAULAY, + in his review of _Diary and Letters of Madame D'ARBLAY (Edinburgh + Review_, Jan. 1843). E.A. 1880. + +[10] Glorious JOHN DRYDEN! thee liest! CROMWELL and his Court were + no "enemies of all good learning," though they utterly rejected the + Dramatic branch of it. E.A. 1880. + + + + +The Honourable Sir ROBERT HOWARD Auditor of the Exchequer. + +Preface to _The great Favourite, or the Duke of LERMA_. + +[Published in 1668.] + + +_TO THE READER._ + +I cannot plead the usual excuse for publishing this trifle, which is +commonly the subject of most Prefaces, by charging it upon the +importunity of friends; for I confess I was myself willing, at the first +desire of Mr. HERRINGMAN [_the Publisher_], to print it: not for any +great opinion that I had entertained; but for the opinion that others +were pleased to express. Which, being told me by some friends, I was +concerned to let the World judge what subject matter of offence was +contained in it. Some were pleased to believe little of it mine; but they +are both obliging to me, though perhaps not intentionally: the last, by +thinking there was anything in it that was worth so ill designed an envy, +as to place it to another author; the others, perhaps the best bred +Informers, by continuing their displeasure towards me, since I most +gratefully acknowledge to have received some advantage in the opinion of +the sober part of the World, by the loss of theirs. + +For the subject, I came accidentally to write upon it. For a gentleman +brought a Play to the King's Company, called, _The Duke of LERMA_; and, +by them, I was desired to peruse it, and return my opinion, "Whether I +thought it fit for the Stage!" After I had read it, I acquainted them +that, "In my judgement, it would not be of much use for such a design, +since the Contrivance scarce would merit the name of a Plot; and some of +that, assisted by a disguise: and it ended abruptly. And on the person of +PHILIP III., there was fixed such a mean Character; and on the daughter of +the Duke of LERMA, such a vicious one: that I could not but judge it unfit +to be presented by any that had a respect, not only to Princes, but +indeed, to either Man or Woman." + +And, about that time, being to go in the country, I was persuaded by Mr. +HART to make it my diversion there, that so great a hint might not be +lost, as the Duke of LERMA saving himself, in his last extremity, by his +unexpected disguise: which is as well in the true Story [_history_], as +the old Play. And besides that and the Names; my altering the most part +of the Characters, and the whole Design, made me uncapable to use much +more, though, perhaps, written with higher Style and Thoughts than I +could attain to. + +I intend not to trouble myself nor the World any more in such subjects; +but take my leave of these my too long acquaintances: since that little +Fancy and Liberty I once enjoyed, is now fettered in business of more +unpleasant natures. Yet, were I free to apply my thoughts, as my own +choice directed them; I should hardly again venture into the Civil Wars +of Censures. + + _Ubi ... Nullos habitura triumphos_. + +In the next place. I must ingeniously confess that the manner of Plays, +which now are in most esteem, is beyond my power to perform [p. 587]; nor +do I condemn, in the least, anything, of what nature soever, that pleases; +since nothing could appear to me a ruder folly, than to censure the +satisfaction of others. I rather blame the unnecessary understanding of +some, that have laboured to give strict Rules to things that are not +mathematical; and, with such eagerness, pursuing their own seeming +reasons, that, at last, we are to apprehend such Argumentative Poets will +grow as strict as SANCHO PANZA's Doctor was, to our very appetites: for in +the difference of Tragedy and Comedy, and of Fars [_farce_] itself, there +can be no determination, but by the taste; nor in the manner of their +composure. And, whoever would endeavour to like or dislike, by the Rules +of others; he will be as unsuccessful, as if he should try to be +persuaded into a power of believing, not what he must, but what others +direct him to believe. + +But I confess, 'tis not necessary for Poets to study strict Reason: since +they are so used to a greater latitude [pp. 568, 588], than is allowed by +that severe Inquisition, that they must infringe their own Jurisdiction, +to profess themselves obliged to argue well. I will not, therefore, +pretend to say, why I writ this Play, some Scenes in Blank Verse, others +in Rhyme; since I have no better a reason to give than Chance, which +waited upon my present Fancy: and I expect no better reason from any +Ingenious Person, than his Fancy, for which he best relishes. + +I cannot, therefore, but beg leave of the Reader, to take a little notice +of the great pains the author of an _Essay of Dramatic Poesy_ has taken, +to prove "Rhyme as _natural_ in a serious Play, and more _effectual_ than +Blank Verse" [pp. 561, 581]. Thus he states the question, but pursues that +which he calls natural, in a wrong application: for 'tis not the question, +whether Rhyme or not Rhyme be best or most natural for a grave or serious +Subject: but what is _nearest the nature_ of that which it presents. + +Now, after all the endeavours of that Ingenious Person, a Play will still +be supposed to be a Composition of several persons speaking _ex tempore_ +and 'tis as certain, that good verses are the hardest things that can be +imagined, to be so spoken [p. 582]. So that if any will be pleased to +impose the rule of measuring things to be the best, by _being nearest_ +Nature; it is granted, by consequence, that which is most remote from the +thing supposed, must needs be most improper: and, therefore, I may justly +say, that both I and the question were equally mistaken. For I do own I +had rather read good verses, than either Blank Verse or Prose; and +therefore the author did himself injury, if he like Verse so well in +Plays, to lay down Rules to raise arguments, only unanswerable against +himself. + +But the same author, being filled with the precedents of the Ancients +writing their Plays in Verse, commends the thing; and assures us that +"our language is noble, full, and significant," charging all defects upon +the ill placing of words; and proves it, by quoting SENECA loftily +expressing such an ordinary thing, as "shutting a door." + + _Reserate clusos regii postes Laris_. + +I suppose he was himself highly affected with the sound of these words. +But to have completed his Dictates [_injunctions_]; together with his +arguments, he should have obliged us by charming our ears with such an +art of placing words, as, in an English verse, to express so loftily "the +shutting of a door": that we might have been as much affected with the +sound of his words. + +This, instead of being an argument upon the question, rightly stated, is +an attempt to prove, that Nothing may seem Something by the help of a +verse; which I easily grant to be the ill fortune of it: and therefore, +the question being so much mistaken, I wonder to see that author trouble +himself twice about it, with such an absolute Triumph declared by his own +imagination. But I have heard that a gentleman in Parliament, going to +speak twice, and being interrupted by another member, as against the +Orders of the House: he was excused, by a third [member] assuring the +House he had not yet spoken to the question. + +But, if we examine the General Rules laid down for Plays by strict +Reason; we shall find the errors equally gross: for the great Foundation +that is laid to build upon, is Nothing, as it is generally stated; which +will appear on the examination of the particulars. + +First. We are told the Plot should not be so ridiculously contrived, as +to crowd several Countries into one Stage. Secondly, to cramp the +accidents of many years or days, into the Representation of two hours and +a half. And, lastly, a conclusion drawn that the only remaining dispute, +is concerning Time; whether it should be contained in twelve or four and +twenty hours; and the Place to be limited to the spot of ground, either +in town or city, where the Play is supposed to begin [p. 531]. And this +is called _nearest_ to Nature. For that is concluded most natural, which +is most _probable_, and _nearest_ to that which it presents. + +I am so well pleased with any ingenious offers, as all these are, that I +should not examine this strictly, did not the confidence of others force +me to it: there being not anything more unreasonable to my judgement, +than the attempts to infringe the Liberty of Opinion by Rules so little +demonstrative. + +To shew, therefore, upon what ill grounds, they dictate Laws for Dramatic +Poesy; I shall endeavour to make it evident that there's no such thing, as +what they All pretend [p. 592]. For, if strictly and duly weighed, 'tis as +impossible for one Stage to represent two houses or two rooms truly, as +two countries or kingdoms; and as impossible that five hours or four and +twenty hours should be two hours and a half, as that a thousand hours or +years should be less than what they are, or the greatest part of time to +be comprehended in the less. For _all_ being impossible; they are none of +them nearest the Truth, or nature of what they present. For +impossibilities are all equal, and admit no degrees. And, then, if all +those Poets that have so fervently laboured to give Rules as Maxims, +would but be pleased to abbreviate; or endure to hear their Reasons +reduced into one strict Definition; it must be, That there are _degrees_ +in impossibilities, and that many things, which are not possible, may yet +be more or less impossible; and from this, proceed to give Rules to +observe the least absurdity in things, which are not at all. + +I suppose, I need not trouble the Reader, with so impertinent a delay, to +attempt a further confutation of such ill grounded Reasons, than, thus, by +opening the true state of the case. Nor do I design to make any further +use of it, than from hence, to draw this modest conclusion: + +That I would have all attempts of this nature, be submitted to the Fancy +of others; and bear the name of Propositions [p. 590], not of confident +Laws, or Rules made by demonstration. + +And, then, I shall not discommend any Poet that dresses his Play in such +a fashion as his Fancy best approves: and fairly leave it for others to +follow, if it appears to them most convenient and fullest of ornament. + +But, writing this _Epistle_, in much haste; I had almost forgot one +argument or observation, which that author has most good fortune in. It +is in his _Epistle Dedicatory_, before his _Essay of Dramatic Poesy_, +where, speaking of Rhymes in Plays, he desires it may be observed, "That +none are violent against it; but such as have not attempted it; or who +have succeeded ill in the attempt [pp. 503, 539, 598]," which, as to +myself and him, I easily acknowledge: for I confess none has written, in +that way, better than himself; nor few worse than I. Yet, I hope he is so +ingenious, that he would not wish this argument should extend further than +to him and me. For if it should be received as a good one: all Divines and +Philosophers would find a readier way of confutation than they yet have +done, of any that should oppose the least Thesis or Definition, by +saying, "They were denied by none but such as never attempted to write, +or succeeded ill in the attempt." + +Thus, as I am one, that am extremely well pleased with most of the +_Propositions_, which are ingeniously laid down in that _Essay_, for +regulating the Stage: so I am also always concerned for the true honour +of Reason, and would have no spurious issue fathered upon her Fancy, may +be allowed her wantonness. + +But Reason is always pure and chaste: and, as it resembles the sun, in +making all things clear; it also resembles it, in its several positions. +When it shines in full height, and directly ascendant over any subject, +it leaves but little shadow: but, when descended and grown low, its +oblique shining renders the shadow larger than the substance; and gives +the deceived person [_i.e., DRYDEN_] a wrong measure of his own +proportion. + +Thus, begging the Reader's excuse, for this seeming impertinency; I +submit what I have written to the liberty of his unconfined opinion: +which is all the favour I ask of others, to afford me. + + + + +JOHN DRYDEN. + +_A Defence of_ An Essay of Dramatic Poesy. + +Being an Answer to the Preface of _The great Favourite or the Duke of +LERMA_. + + +[Prefaced to the Second Edition of _The Indian Emperor_. 1668.] + +The former Edition of the _Indian Emperor_, being full of faults, which +had escaped the printer; I have been willing to overlook this Second with +more care: and, though I could not allow myself so much time as was +necessary, yet, by that little I have done, the press is freed from some +gross errors which it had to answer for before. + +As for the more material faults of writing, which are properly mine; +though I see many of them, I want leisure to amend them. 'Tis enough for +those, who make one Poem the business of their lives, to leave that +correct; yet, excepting VIRGIL, I never met with any which was so, in any +language. + +But while I was thus employed about this impression, there came to my +hands, a new printed Play, called, _The great Favourite, or the Duke of +LERMA_. The author of which, a noble and most ingenious Person, has done +me the favour to make some observations and animadversions upon my +_Dramatic Essay_. + +I must confess he might have better consulted his reputation, than by +matching himself with so weak an adversary. But if his honour be +diminished in the choice of his antagonist, it is sufficiently +recompensed in the election of his cause: which being the weaker, in all +appearance (as combating the received opinions of the best Ancient and +Modern authors), will add to his glory, if he overcome; and to the +opinion of his generosity, if he be vanquished, since he engages at so +great odds, and so (like a Cavalier) undertakes the protection of the +weaker party. + +I have only to fear, on my own behalf, that so good a cause as mine, may +not suffer by my ill management or weak defence; yet I cannot, in honour, +but take the glove, when 'tis offered me: though I am only a Champion, by +succession; and, no more able to defend the right of ARISTOTLE and +HORACE, than an infant DYMOCK, to maintain the title of a King. + +For my own concernment in the controversy, it is so small, that I can +easily be contented to be driven from a few Notions of Dramatic Poesy, +especially by one who has the reputation of understanding all things [!]: +and I might justly make that excuse for my yielding to him, which the +Philosopher made to the Emperor, "Why should I offer to contend with him, +who is Master of more than twenty Legions of Arts and Sciences!" But I am +forced to fight, and therefore it will be no shame to be overcome. + +Yet, I am so much his servant as not to meddle with anything which does +not concern _me_ in his Preface. Therefore, I leave the good sense, and +other excellencies of the first twenty lines [_i.e., of the Preface, see_ +p. 573] to be considered by the critics. + +As for the Play of _The Duke of LERMA_; having so much altered and +beautified it, as he has done, it can be justly belong to none but him. +Indeed, they must be extreme[ly] ignorant as well as envious, who would +rob him of that honour: for you see him putting in his claim to it, even +in the first two lines. + + _Repulse upon repulse, like waves thrown back, + That slide to hang upon obdurate rocks_. + +After this, let Detraction do its worst! for if this be not his, it +deserves to be. For my part, I declare for Distributive Justice! and from +this, and what follows, he certainly deserves _those advantages_, which he +acknowledges, to _have received from the opinion of sober men_. + +In the next place, I must beg leave to observe his great address in +courting the Reader to his party. For, intending to assault all Poets +both Ancient and Modern, he discovers not his whole Design at once; but +seems only to aim at me, and attack me on my weakest side, my Defence of +Verse. + +To begin with me. He gives me the compellation of "The Author of a +_Dramatic Essay_"; which is a little Discourse in dialogue, for the most +part borrowed from the observations of others. Therefore, that I may not +be wanting to him in civility, I return his compliment, by calling him, +"The Author of _The Duke of LERMA_." + +But, that I may pass over his salute, he takes notice [p. 575] of my +great pains to prove "Rhyme as _natural_ in a serious Play; and more +_effectual_ than Blank Verse" [p. 561]. Thus, indeed, I did state the +question, but he tells me, _I pursue that which I call_ natural, _in a +wrong application; for 'tis not the question whether_ Rhyme _or_ not +Rhyme _be best or most natural for a serious Subject; but what is nearest +the nature of that it represents_. + +If I have formerly mistaken the question; I must confess my ignorance so +far, as to say I continue still in my mistake. But he ought to have +proved that I mistook it; for 'tis yet but _gratis dictum_. I still shall +think I have gained my point, if I can prove that "Rhyme is best or most +_natural_ for a serious Subject." + +As for the question, as he states it, "Whether Rhyme be nearest the +nature of what it represents"; I wonder he should think me so ridiculous +as to dispute whether Prose or Verse be nearest to ordinary conversation? + +It still remains for him, to prove his Inference, that, Since Verse is +granted to be more remote than Prose from ordinary conversation; +therefore no serious Plays ought to be writ in Verse: and when he clearly +makes that good, I will acknowledge his victory as absolute as he can +desire it. + +The question now is, which of us two has mistaken it? And if it appear I +have not, the World will suspect _what gentleman that was, who was +allowed to speak twice in Parliament, because he had not yet spoken to +the question_ [p. 576]: and, perhaps, conclude it to be the same, who (as +'tis reported) maintained a contradiction _in terminis_, in the face of +three hundred persons. + +But to return to Verse. Whether it be natural or not in Plays, is a +problem which is not demonstrable, of either side. 'Tis enough for me, +that he acknowledges that he had rather read good Verse than Prose [p. +575]: for if all the enemies of Verse will confess as much, I shall not +need to prove that it is _natural_. I am satisfied, if it cause Delight; +for Delight is the chief, if not the only end of Poesy. Instruction can +be admitted but in the second place; for Poesy only instructs as it +delights. + +'Tis true, that to Imitate Well is a Poet's work: but to affect the soul, +and excite the passions, and, above all, to move Admiration [_wondering +astonishment_] (which is the Delight of serious Plays), a bare Imitation +will not serve. The converse [_conversation_] therefore, which a Poet is +to _imitate_, must be _heightened_ with all the arts and ornaments of +Poesy; and must be such as, _strictly considered_, could never be +supposed [to be] spoken by any, without premeditation. + +As for what he urges, that, _A Play will still be supposed to be a +composition of several persons speaking_ ex tempore; and that good verses +are the hardest things, which can be imagined, to be so spoken_ [p. 575]: +I must crave leave to dissent from his opinion, as to the former part of +it. For, if I am not deceived, A Play is supposed to be the work of the +Poet, _imitating_ or _representing_ the conversation of several persons: +and this I think to be as clear, as he thinks the contrary. + +But I will be bolder, and do not doubt to make it good, though a paradox, +that, One great reason why Prose is not to be used in serious Plays is +because it is too near the nature of converse [_conversation_]. There may +be too great a likeness. As the most skilful painters affirm there may be +too near a resemblance in a picture. To take every lineament and feature +is not to make an excellent piece, but to take so much only as will make +a beautiful resemblance of the whole; and, with an ingenious flattery of +Nature, to heighten the beauties of some parts, and hide the deformities +of the rest. For so, says HORACE-- + + _Ut pictura Poesis erit + Haec amat obscurum; vult haec sub luce videri, + Judicis argutum quae non formidat acumen. + Et quae + Desperat, tractata nitescere posse, relinquit_. + +In _Bartholomew Fair_, or the lowest kind of Comedy, that degree of +heightening is used which is proper to set off that subject. 'Tis true, +the author was not there to go out of Prose, as he does in his higher +arguments of Comedy, the _Fox_ and _Alchemist_; yet he does so raise his +matter in that Prose, as to render it delightful: which he could never +have performed had he only said or done those very things that are daily +spoken or practised in the Fair. For then, the Fair itself would be as +full of pleasure to an Ingenious Person, as the Play; which we manifestly +see it is not: but he hath made an excellent Lazar of it. The copy is of +price, though the origin be vile. + +You see in _CATILINE_ and _SEJANUS_; where the argument is great, he +sometimes ascends to Verse, which shews he thought it not unnatural in +serious Plays: and had his genius been as proper for Rhyme as it was for +Humour, or had the Age in which he lived, attained to as much knowledge +in Verse, as ours; 'tis probable he would have adorned those Subjects +with that kind of writing. + +Thus PROSE, though the rightful Prince, yet is, by common consent, +deposed; as too weak for the Government of serious Plays: and he failing, +there now start up two competitors! one, the nearer in blood, which is +BLANK VERSE; the other, more fit for the ends of Government, which is +RHYME. BLANK VERSE is, indeed, the nearer PROSE; but he is blemished with +the weakness of his predecessor. RHYME (for I will deal clearly!) has +somewhat of the Usurper in him; but he is brave and generous, and his +dominion pleasing. For this reason of Delight, the Ancients (whom I will +still believe as wise as those who so confidently correct them) wrote all +their Tragedies in Verse; though they knew it most remote from +conversation. + +But I perceive I am falling into the danger of another rebuke from my +opponent: for when I plead that "the Ancients used Verse," I prove not +that, They would have admitted Rhyme, had it then been written. + +All I can say, is, That it seems to have succeeded Verse, by the general +consent of Poets in all modern languages. For almost all their serious +Plays are written in it: which, though it be no Demonstration that +therefore it ought to be so; yet, at least, the Practice first, and then +the Continuation of it shews that it attained the end, which was, to +Please. And if that cannot be compassed here, I will be the first who +shall lay it down. + +For I confess my chief endeavours are _to delight the Age in which I +live_ [p. 582]. If the Humour of this, be for Low Comedy, small Accidents +[_Incidents_], and Raillery; I will force my genius to obey it: though, +with more reputation, I could write in Verse. I know, I am not so fitted, +by nature, to write Comedy. I want that gaiety of Humour which is required +to it. My conversation is dull and slow. My Humour is saturnine and +reserved. In short, I am none of those, who endeavour to break jests in +company, or make repartees. So that those who decry my Comedies, do me no +injury, except it be in point of profit. Reputation in _them_ is the last +thing to which I shall pretend. + +I beg pardon for entertaining the reader with so ill a subject: but +before I quit that argument, which was the cause of this digression; I +cannot but take notice how I am corrected for my quotation of SENECA, in +my defence of Plays in Verse. + +My words were these [p. 570]: "Our language is noble, full, and +significant; and I know not why he, who is master of it, may not clothe +ordinary things in it, as decently as the Latin; if he use the same +diligence in his _choice of words_." + +One would think, "Unlock the door," was a thing as vulgar as could be +spoken: yet SENECA could make it sound high and lofty in his Latin. + + _Reserate clusos regii postes Laris_. + +But he says of me, _That being filled with the precedents of the Ancients +who Writ their Plays in Verse, I commend the thing; declaring our language +to be full, noble, and significant, and charging all the defects upon the_ +ill placing of words; _which I prove by quoting SENECA's loftily +expressing such an ordinary thing as_ shutting the door. + +Here he manifestly mistakes. For I spoke not of the Placing, but the +Choice of words: for which I quoted that aphorism of JULIUS CAESAR, +_Delectus verborum est origo eloquentiae_. But _delectus verborum_ is no +more Latin for the "Placing of words;" than _Reserate_ is Latin for +"_Shut_ the door!" as he interprets it; which I, ignorantly, construed +"_Unlock_ or _open_ it!" + +He supposes I was highly affected with the Sound of these words; and I +suppose I may more justly imagine it of him: for if he had not been +extremely satisfied with the Sound, he would have minded the Sense a +little better. + +But these are, now, to be no faults. For, ten days after his book was +published, and that his mistakes are grown so famous that they are come +back to him, he sends his _Errata_ to be printed, and annexed to his +Play; and desires that instead of _Shutting_, you should read _Opening_, +which, it seems, was the printer's fault. I wonder at his modesty! that +he did not rather say it was SENECA's or mine: and that in some authors, +_Reserate_ was to _Shut_ as well as to _Open_, as the word _Barach_, say +the learned, is [_in Hebrew_] both to _Bless_ and _Curse_. + +Well, since it was the printer['s fault]; he was a naughty man, to commit +the same mistake twice in six lines. + +I warrant you! _Delectus verborum_ for _Placing_ of words, was his +mistake too; though the author forgot to tell him of it. If it were my +book, I assure you it should [be]. For those rascals ought to be the +proxies of every Gentleman-Author; and to be chastised for him, when he +is not pleased to own an error. + +Yet, since he has given the _Errata_, I wish he would have enlarged them +only a few sheets more; and then he would have spared me the labour of an +answer. For this cursed printer is so given to mistakes, that there is +scarce a sentence in the Preface without some false grammar, or hard +sense [_i.e., difficulty in gathering the meaning_] in it; which will all +be charged upon the Poet: because he is so good natured as to lay but +three errors to the Printer's account, and to take the rest upon himself; +who is better able to support them. But he needs not [to] apprehend that I +should strictly examine those little faults; except I am called upon to do +it. I shall return, therefore, to that quotation of SENECA; and answer not +to what he _writes_, but to what he _means_. + +I never intended it as an Argument, but only as an Illustration of what I +had said before [p. 570] concerning the Election of words. And all he can +charge me with, is only this, That if SENECA could make an ordinary thing +sound well in Latin by the choice of words; the same, with like care, +might be performed in English. If it cannot, I have committed an error on +the right hand, by commending too much, the copiousness and well sounding +of our language: which I hope my countrymen will pardon me. At least, the +words which follow in my _Dramatic Essay_ will plead somewhat in my +behalf. For I say there [p. 570], That this objection happens but seldom +in a Play; and then too, either the meanness of the expression may be +avoided, or shut out from the verse by breaking it in the midst. + +But I have said too much in the Defence of Verse. For, after all, 'tis a +very indifferent thing to me, whether it obtain or not. I am content, +hereafter to be ordered by his rule, that is, "to write it, sometimes, +because it pleases me" [p. 575]; and so much the rather, because "he has +declared that it pleases him." + +But, he has taken his last farewell of the Muses; and he has done it +civilly, by honouring them with the name of _his long acquaintances_ [p. +574]: which is a compliment they have scarce deserved from him. + +For my own part, I bear a share in the public loss; and how emulous +soever I may be, of his Fame and Reputation, I cannot but give this +testimony of his Style, that it is extreme[ly] poetical, even in Oratory; +his Thoughts elevated, sometimes above common apprehension; his Notions +politic and grave, and tending to the instruction of Princes and +reformation of State: that they are abundantly interlaced with variety of +fancies, tropes, and figures, which the Critics have enviously branded +with the name of Obscurity and False Grammar. + +Well, _he is now fettered in business of more unpleasant nature_ [p. +574]. The Muses have lost him, but the Commonwealth gains by it. The +corruption of a Poet is the generation of a Statesman. + +_He will not venture again into the Civil Wars of Censure_ [Criticism]. + + _Ubi ... nullos habitura triumphos_. + +If he had not told us, he had left the Muses; we might have half +suspected it by that word, _ubi_, which does not any way belong to +_them_, in that place. The rest of the verse is indeed LUCAN's: but that +_ubi_, I will answer for it, is his own. + +Yet he has another reason for this disgust of Poesy. For he says, +immediately after, that _the manner of Plays which are now in most +esteem, is beyond his power to perform_ [p. 574]. To _perform_ the +_manner_ of a thing, is new English to me. + +_However he condemns not the satisfaction of others, but rather their +unnecessary understanding; who, like SANCHO PANZA's Doctor, prescribe too +strictly to our appetites. For_, says he, _in the difference of Tragedy +and Comedy and of Farce itself; there can be no determination but by the +taste; nor in the manner of their composure_. + +We shall see him, now, as great a Critic as he was a Poet: and the reason +why he excelled so much in Poetry will be evident; for it will have +proceeded from the exactness of his Judgement. + +_In the difference of Tragedy, Comedy, and Farce itself; there can be no +determination but by the taste_. I will not quarrel with the obscurity of +this phrase, though I justly might: but beg his pardon, if I do not +rightly understand him. If he means that there is no essential difference +betwixt Comedy, Tragedy, and Farce; but only what is made by people's +taste, which distinguishes one of them from the other: that is so +manifest an error, that I need lose no time to contradict it. + +Were there neither Judge, Taste, or Opinion in the world; yet they would +differ in their natures. For the Action, Character, and Language of +Tragedy would still be great and high: that of Comedy, lower and more +familiar. Admiration would be the Delight of the one: Satire, of the +other. + +I have but briefly touched upon these things; because, whatever his words +are, I can scarce[ly] imagine that _he who is always concerned for the +true honour of Reason, and would have no spurious issue fathered upon +her_ [p. 578], should mean anything so absurd, as to affirm _that there +is no difference between Comedy and Tragedy, but what is made by taste +only_: unless he would have us understand the Comedies of my Lord L. [?]; +where the First Act should be _Potages_, the Second, _Fricasses &c._, and +the Fifth, a _chère entière_ of women. + +I rather guess, he means that betwixt one Comedy or Tragedy and another; +there is no other difference but what is made by the liking or disliking +of the audience. This is, indeed, a less error than the former; but yet +it is a great one. + +The liking or disliking of the people gives the Play the _denomination_ +of "good" or "bad"; but does not really make or constitute it such. To +please the people ought to be the Poet's aim [pp. 513, 582, 584]; because +Plays are made for their delight: but it does not follow, that they are +always pleased with good plays; or that the plays which please them, are +always good. + +The Humour of the people is now for Comedy; therefore, in hope to please +them, I write Comedies rather than serious Plays; and, so far, their +taste prescribes to me. But it does not follow from that reason, that +Comedy is to be preferred before Tragedy, in its own nature. For that +which is so, in its own nature, cannot be otherwise; as a man cannot but +be a rational creature: but the opinion of the people may alter; and in +another Age, or perhaps in this, serious Plays may be set up above +Comedies. + +This I think a sufficient answer. If it be not, he has provided me of +[_with_] an excuse. It seems, in his wisdom, he foresaw my weakness; and +has found out this expedient for me, _That it is not necessary for Poets +to study strict Reason; since they are so used to a greater latitude than +is allowed by that severe inquisition; that they must infringe their own +jurisdiction to profess themselves obliged to argue well_. + +I am obliged to him, for discovering to me this back door; but I am not +yet resolved on my retreat. For I am of opinion, that they cannot be good +Poets, who are not accustomed to argue well. False Reasonings and Colours +of Speech are the certain marks of one who does not understand the Stage. +For Moral Truth is the Mistress of the Poet as much as of the Philosopher. +Poesy must _resemble_ Natural Truth; but it must _be_ Ethical. Indeed the +Poet dresses Truth, and adorns Nature; but does not alter them. + + _Ficta voluptatis causa sint proxima veris_. + +Therefore that is not the best Poesy which resembles notions of _things, +which are not_, to _things which are_: though the Fancy may be great, and +the Words flowing; yet the Soul is but half satisfied, when there is not +Truth in the foundation [p. 560]. + +This is that which makes VIRGIL [to] be preferred before the rest of +poets. In Variety of Fancy, and Sweetness of Expression, you see OVID far +above him; for VIRGIL rejected many of those things which OVID wrote. "A +great Wit's great work, is to refuse," as my worthy friend, Sir JOHN +BIRKENHEAD has ingeniously expressed it. You rarely meet with anything in +VIRGIL but Truth; which therefore leaves the strongest impression of +Pleasure in the Soul. This I thought myself obliged to say in behalf of +Poesy: and to declare (though it be against myself) that when poets do +not argue well, the defect is in the Workmen, not in the Art. + +And, now, I come to the boldest part of his Discourse, wherein he attacks +not me, but all the Ancient and Moderns; and undermines, as he thinks, the +very foundations on which Dramatic Poesy is built. I could wish he would +have declined that envy, which must, of necessity, follow such an +undertaking: and contented himself with triumphing over me, in my +opinions of Verse; which I will never, hereafter, dispute with him. But +he must pardon me, if I have that veneration for ARISTOTLE, HORACE, BEN. +JOHNSON, and CORNEILLE, that I dare not serve him in such a cause, and +against such heroes: but rather fight under their protection; as HOMER +reports of little TEUCER, who shot the Trojans from under the large +buckler of AJAX Telamon-- + + [Greek: _Stae d'ar hap Aiautos sakei Telamoniadao_], &c. + + He stood beneath his brother's ample shield; + And, covered there, shot death through all the field. + +The words of my noble adversary are these-- + +_But if we examine the general Rules laid down for Plays, by strict +Reason, we shall find the errors equally gross: for the great Foundation +which is laid to build upon, is Nothing, as it is generally stated: as +will appear upon the examination of the particulars_. + +These particulars, in due time, shall be examined. In the meanwhile, let +us consider, what this great Foundation is; which, he says, is "Nothing, +as it is generally stated." + +I never heard of any other Foundation of Dramatic Poesy, than the +Imitation of Nature: neither was there ever pretended any other, by the +Ancients or Moderns, or me who endeavoured to follow them in that Rule. +This I have plainly said, in my Definition of a Play, that IT IS A JUST +AND LIVELY IMAGE OF HUMAN NATURE, &c. + +Thus 'the Foundation, as it is generally stated,' will stand sure, if +this Definition of a Play be true. If it be not, he ought to have made +his exception against it; by proving that a Play is _not_ an Imitation of +Nature, but somewhat else, which he is pleased to think it. + +But 'tis very plain, that he has mistaken the Foundation, for that which +is built upon it; though not immediately. For the direct and immediate +consequence is this. If Nature be to be imitated, then there is a Rule +for imitating Nature rightly; otherwise, there may be an End, and no +Means conducing to it. + +Hitherto, I have proceeded by demonstration. But as our Divines, when +they have proved a Deity (because there is Order), and have inferred that +this Deity ought to be worshipped, differ, afterwards, in the Manner of +the Worship: so, having laid down, that "Nature is to be imitated;" and +that Proposition [p. 577] proving the next, that, then, "there are means, +which conduce to the imitating of Nature"; I dare proceed no farther, +positively, but have only laid down some opinions of the Ancients and +Moderns, and of my own, as Means which they used, and which I thought +probable, for the attaining of that End. + +Those Means are the same, which my antagonist calls the Foundations: how +properly the World may judge! And to prove that this is his meaning, he +clears it immediately to you, by enumerating those Rules or Propositions, +against which he makes his particular exceptions, as namely, those of TIME +and PLACE, in these words. + +_First, we are told the Plot should not be so ridiculously contrived, as +to crowd several Countries into one Stage. Secondly, to cramp the +accidents of many years or days, into the Representation of two hours and +a half. And, lastly, a conclusion drawn that the only remaining dispute, +is concerning Time; whether it should be contained in Twelve or Four and +twenty hours; and the Place to be limited to the spot of ground, [either +in town or city] where the Play is supposed to begin. And this is called, +nearest to Nature. For that is concluded most natural; which is most +probable and nearest to that which it presents_. + +Thus he has, only, made a small Mistake of the Means conducing to the +end, for the End itself; and of the Superstructure for the Foundation. +But he proceeds, + +_To show, therefore, upon what ill grounds, they dictate Laws for +Dramatic Poesy &c._ + +He is, here, pleased to charge me with being Magisterial; as he has done +in many other places of his Preface. + +Therefore, in vindication of myself, I must crave leave to say, that my +whole Discourse was sceptical, according to that way of reasoning which +was used by SOCRATES, PLATO, and all the Academics of old; which TULLY +and the best of the Ancients followed, and which is imitated by the +modest Inquisitions of the Royal Society. + +That it is so, not only the name will show, which is _An Essay_; but the +frame and composition of the work. You see it is a dialogue sustained by +persons of several opinions, all of them left doubtful, to be determined +by the readers in general; and more particularly deferred to the accurate +judgement of my Lord BUCKHURST, to whom I made a dedication of my book. +These are my words, in my Epistle, speaking of the persons, whom I +introduced in my dialogue, "'Tis true, they differed in their opinions, +as 'tis probable they would; neither do I take upon me to reconcile, but +to relate them: leaving your Lordship to decide it, in favour of that +part, which you shall judge most reasonable." + +And, after that, in my _Advertisements to the Reader_, I said this, "The +drift of the ensuing Discourse was chiefly to vindicate the honour of our +English Writers, from the censure of those who injustly prefer the French +before them. This I intimate, lest any should think me so exceeding vain, +as to teach others an Art, which they understand much better than myself." + +But this is more than [is] necessary to clear my modesty in that point: +and I am very confident that there is scarce any man, who has lost so +much time as to read that trifle, but will be my compurgator as to that +arrogance whereof I am accused. The truth is, if I had been naturally +guilty of so much vanity, as to dictate my opinions; yet I do not find +that the Character of a Positive or Self Conceited Person is of such +advantage to any in this Age, that I should labour to be Publicly +Admitted of that Order. + +But I am not, now, to defend my own cause, when that of all the Ancients +and Moderns is in question. For this gentleman, who accuses me of +arrogance, has taken a course not to be taxed with the other extreme of +modesty. Those Propositions which are laid down in my Discourse, as Helps +to the better Imitation of Nature, are _not_ mine, as I have said; nor +were ever pretended so to be: but were derived from the authority of +ARISTOTLE and HORACE, and from the rules and examples of BEN. JOHNSON and +CORNEILLE. These are the men, with whom be properly he contends: and +against _whom he will endeavour to make it evident, that then is no such +thing as what they All pretend_. + +His argument against the Unities of PLACE and TIME is this. + +_That 'tis as impossible for one Stage to present two Rooms or Houses +truly, as two Countries or Kingdoms; and as impossible that Five hours or +Twenty-four hours should be Two hours as that a Thousand years or hours +should be less than what they are, or the greatest part of time to be +comprehended in the less: for all of them being impossible they are none +of them nearest the Truth or Nature of what they present, for +impossibilities are all equal, and admit of no degrees_. + +This argument is so scattered into parts, that it can scarce be united +into a Syllogism: yet, in obedience to him, _I will abbreviate_, and +comprehend as much of it, as I can, in few words; that my Answer to it, +may be more perspicuous. + +I conceive his meaning to be what follows, as to the Unity of PLACE. If I +mistake, I beg his pardon! professing it is not out of any design to play +the _argumentative Poet_. "If one Stage cannot properly present two Rooms +or Houses, much less two Countries or Kingdoms; then there can be no Unity +of Place: but one Stage cannot properly perform this; therefore, there can +be no Unity of Place." + +I plainly deny his Minor Proposition: the force of which if I mistake +not, depends on this; that "the Stage being one place, cannot be two." +This, indeed, is as great a secret as that, "we are all mortal." But, to +requite it with another, I must crave leave to tell him, that "though the +Stage cannot be two places, yet it may properly Represent them, +successively or at several times." + +His argument is, indeed, no more than a mere fallacy: which will +evidently appear, when we distinguished Place as it relates to Plays, +into Real and Imaginary. The Real place is that theatre or piece of +ground, on which the Play is acted. The Imaginary, that house, town, or +country, where the action of the Drama is supposed to be; or, more +plainly, where the Scene of the Play is laid. + +Let us now apply this to that Herculean argument, _which if strictly and +duly weighed, is to make it evident, that there is no such thing as what +they All pretend. 'Tis impossible_, he says, _for one Stage to present +two Rooms or Houses_. I answer, "Tis neither impossible, nor improper, +for one _real_ place to represent two or more _imaginary_ places: so it +be done successively," which, in other words, is no more than this, "That +the Imagination of the Audience, aided by the words of the Poet, and +painted scenes [_scenery_], nay _suppose_ the Stage to be sometimes one +place, sometimes another; now a garden or wood, and immediately a camp;" +which I appeal to every man's imagination, if it be not true! + +Neither the Ancients nor Moderns (as much fools as he is pleased to think +them) ever asserted that they could make one place, two: but they might +hope, by the good leave of this author! that the change of a Scene might +lead the Imagination to suppose the place altered. So that he cannot +fasten those absurdities upon this Scene of a Play or Imaginary Place of +Action; that it is one place, and yet two. + +And this being so clearly proved, that 'tis past any shew of a reasonable +denial; it will not be hard to destroy that other part of his argument, +which depends upon it; that _'tis as impossible for a Stage to represent +two Rooms or Houses, as two Countries or Kingdoms_: for his reason is +already overthrown, which was, _because both were alike impossible_. This +is manifestly otherwise: for 'tis proved that a stage may properly +Represent two Rooms or Houses. For the Imagination, being judge of what +is represented, will, in reason, be less chocqued [shocked] with the +appearance of two rooms in the same house, or two houses in the same +city; than with two distant cities in the same country, or two remote +countries in the same universe. + +Imagination in a man or reasonable creature is supposed to participate of +Reason; and, when that governs (as it does in the belief of fiction) +reason is not destroyed, but misled or blinded. That can prescribe to the +Reason, during the time of the representation, somewhat like a weak belief +of what it sees and hears; and Reason suffers itself to be so hoodwinked, +that it may better enjoy the pleasures of the fiction: but it is never so +wholly made a captive as to be drawn headlong into a persuasion of those +things which are most remote from probability. 'Tis, in that case, a free +born subject, not a slave. It will contribute willingly its assent, as far +as it sees convenient: but will not be forced. + +Now, there is a greater Vicinity, in Nature, betwixt two rooms than +betwixt two houses; betwixt two houses, than betwixt two cities; and so, +of the rest. Reason, therefore, can sooner be led by Imagination, to step +from one room to another, than to walk to two distant houses: and yet, +rather to go thither, than to fly like a witch through the air, and be +hurried from one region to another. Fancy and Reason go hand in hand. The +first cannot leave the last behind: and though Fancy, when it sees the +wide gulf, would venture over, as the nimbler; yet, it is withheld by +Reason, which will refuse to take the leap, when the distance, over it, +appears too large. If BEN. JOHNSON himself, will remove the scene from +Rome into Tuscany, in the same Act; and from thence, return to Rome, in +the Scene which immediate follows; Reason will consider there is no +proportionable allowance of time to perform the journey; and therefore, +will choose to stay at home. + +So then, the less change of place there is, the less time is taken up in +transporting the persons of the Drama, with Analogy to Reason: and in +that Analogy or Resemblance of Fiction to Truth consists the excellency +of the Play. + +For what else concerns the Unity of PLACE; I have already given my +opinion of it in my _Essay_, that "there is a latitude to be allowed to +it, as several places in the same town or city; or places adjacent to +each other, in the same country; which may all be comprehended under the +larger denomination of One Place; yet, with this restriction, the nearer +and fewer those imaginary places are, the greater resemblance they will +have to Truth: and Reason which cannot _make_ them One, will be more +easily led to _suppose_ them so." + +What has been said of the Unity of PLACE, may easily be applied to that +of TIME. I grant it to be impossible that _the greater part of time +should be comprehended in the less_, that _Twenty-four hours should be +crowded into three_. But there is no necessity of that supposition. + +For as Place, so TIME relating to a Play, is either Imaginary or Real. +The Real is comprehended in those three hours, more or less, in the space +of which the Play is Represented. The Imaginary is that which is Supposed +to be taken up in the representation; as twenty-four hours, more or less. +Now, no man ever could suppose that twenty-four _real_ hours could be +included in the space of three: but where is the absurdity of affirming, +that the feigned business of twenty-four _imagined_ hours, may not more +naturally be represented in the compass of three _real_ hours, than the +like feigned business of twenty-four years in the same proportion of real +time? For the _proportions_ are always real; and much nearer, by his +permission! of twenty-four to three, than of 4000 to it. + +I am almost fearful of illustrating _anything_ by Similitude; lest he +should confute it for an Argument: yet, I think the comparison of a Glass +will discover, very aptly, the fallacy of his argument, both concerning +Time and Place. The strength of his Reason depends on this, "That the +less cannot comprehend the greater." I have already answered that we need +not suppose it does. I say not, that the less can _comprehend_ the +greater; but only that it may _represent_ it; as in a mirror, of half a +yard [in] diameter, a whole room, and many persons in it, may be seen at +once: not that it can _comprehend_ that room or those persons, but that +it _represents them to the sight_. + +But the Author of _The Duke of LERMA_ is to be excused for his declaring +against the Unity of TIME. For, if I be not much mistaken, he is an +interessed [_interested_] person; the time of that Play taking up so many +years as the favour of the Duke of LERMA continued: nay, the Second and +Third Acts including all the time of his prosperity, which was a great +part of the reign of PHILIP III.; for in the beginning of the Second Act, +he was not yet a favourite, and before the end of the Third, was in +disgrace. + +I say not this, with the least design of limiting the Stage too servilely +to twenty-four hours: however he be pleased to tax me with dogmatizing in +that point. In my Dialogue, as I before hinted, several persons +maintained their several opinions. One of them, indeed, who supported the +cause of the French Poesy, said, how strict they were in that particular +[p. 531]; but he who answered in behalf of our nation, was willing to +give more latitude to the Rule; and cites the words of CORNEILLE himself, +complaining against the severity of it, and observing what beauties it +banished from the Stage, page 44, of my _Essay_. + +In few words, my own opinion is this; and I willingly submit it to my +adversary, when he will please impartially to consider it. That the +Imaginary Time of every Play ought to be contrived into as narrow a +compass, as the nature of the Plot, the quality of the Persons, and +variety of Accidents will allow. In Comedy, I would not exceed +twenty-four or thirty hours; for the Plot, Accidents, and Persons of +Comedy are small, and may be naturally turned in a little compass. But in +Tragedy, the Design is weighty, and the Persons great; therefore there +will, naturally, be required a greater space of time, in which to move +them. + +And this, though BEN. JOHNSON has not told us, yet 'tis, manifestly, his +opinion. For you see, that, to his Comedies, he allows generally but +twenty-four hours: to his two Tragedies _SEJANUS_ and _CATILINE_, a much +larger time; though he draws both of them into as narrow a compass as he +can. For he shows you only the latter end of _SEJANUS_ his favour; and +the conspiracy of _CATILINE_ already ripe, and just breaking out into +action. + +But as it is an error on the one side, to make too great a disproportion +betwixt the _imaginary_ time of the Play, and the _real_ time of its +representation: so, on the other side, 'tis an oversight to compress the +Accidents of a Play into a narrower compass than that in which they could +naturally be produced. + +Of this last error, the French are seldom guilty, because the thinness of +their Plots prevents them from it: but few Englishmen, except BEN. +JOHNSON, have ever made a Plot, with variety of Design in it, included in +twenty-four hours; which was altogether natural. For this reason, I prefer +the _Silent Woman_ before all other plays; I think, justly: as I do its +author, in judgement, above all other poets. Yet of the two, I think that +error the most pardonable, which, in too straight a compass, crowds +together many accidents: since it produces more variety, and consequently +more pleasure to the audience; and because the nearness of proportion +betwixt the imaginary and real time does speciously cover the compression +of the Accidents. + +Thus I have endeavoured to answer the _meaning_ of his argument. For, as +he drew it, I humbly conceive, it was none. As will appear by his +Proposition, and the proof of it. His Proposition was this, _If strictly +and duly weighed, 'tis as impossible for one Stage to present two Rooms +or Houses, as two countries or kingdoms, &c_. And his Proof this, _For +all being impossible, they are none of them, nearest the Truth or Nature +of what they present_. + +Here you see, instead of a Proof or Reason, there is only a _petitio +principii_. For, in plain words, his sense is this, "Two things are as +impossible as one another: because they are both equally impossible." But +he takes those two things to be _granted_ as impossible; which he ought to +have _proved_ such, before he had proceeded to prove them equally +impossible. He should have made out, first, that it was impossible for +one Stage to represent two Houses; and then have gone forward, to prove +that it was as equally impossible for a Stage to present two Houses, as +two Countries. + +After all this, the very absurdity to which he would reduce me, is none +at all. For his only drives at this. That if his argument be true, I must +then acknowledge that there are degrees in impossibilities. Which I easily +grant him, without dispute. And if I mistake not, ARISTOTLE and the School +are of my opinion. For there are some things which are absolutely +impossible, and others which are only so, _ex parte_. As, 'tis absolutely +impossible for a thing _to be_ and _not to be_, at the same time: but, for +a stone to move naturally upward, is only impossible _ex parte materiae_; +but it is not impossible for the First Mover to alter the nature of it. + +His last assault, like that of a Frenchman, is most feeble. For where I +have observed that "None have been violent against Verse; but such only +as have not attempted it, or have succeeded ill in their attempt" [pp. +503, 539, 561, 578], he will needs, according to his usual custom, +improve my Observation into an Argument, that he might have the glory to +confute it. + +But I lay my observation at his feet: as I do my pen, which I have often +employed, willingly, in his deserved commendations; and, now, most +unwillingly, against his judgement. For his person and parts, I honour +them, as much as any man living: and have had so many particular +obligations to him, that I should be very ungrateful, if I did not +acknowledge them to the World. + +But I gave not the first occasion of this Difference in Opinions. In my +_Epistle Dedicatory_, before my _Rival Ladies_ [pp. 487-493], I said +somewhat in behalf of Verse: which he was pleased to answer in his +_Preface_ to his _Plays_ [pp. 494-500]. That occasioned my reply in my +_Essay_ [pp. 501-572]: and that reply begot his rejoinder in his +_Preface_ to _The Duke of LERMA_ [pp. 573-578]. But, as I was the last +who took up arms; I will be the first to lay them down. For what I have +here written, I submit it wholly to him [p. 561]; and, if I do not +hereafter answer what may be objected to this paper, I hope the World +will not impute it to any other reason, than only the due respect which I +have for so noble an opponent. + + + + +THOMAS ELLWOOD. + + +_Relations with JOHN MILTON_. + +I mentioned, before, that, when I was a boy, I made some good progress in +learning; and lost it all again before I came to be a man: nor was I +rightly sensible of my loss therein, until I came amongst the Quakers. +But then, I both saw my loss, and lamented it; and applied myself with +the utmost diligence, at all leisure times, to recover it: so false I +found that charge to be, which, in those times, was cast as a reproach +upon the Quakers, that "they despised and decried all human learning" +because they denied it to be _essentially necessary_ to a Gospel +Ministry; which was one of the controversies of those times. + +But though I toiled hard, and spared no pains, to regain what once I had +been master of; yet I found it a matter of so great difficulty, that I +was ready to say as the noble eunuch to PHILIP, in another case, "How can +I! unless I had some man to guide me?" + +This, I had formerly complained of to my especial friend ISAAC PENINGTON, +but now more earnestly; which put him upon considering and contriving a +means for my assistance. + +He had an intimate acquaintance with Dr. PAGET, a physician of note in +London; and he, with JOHN MILTON, a gentleman of great note in learning, +throughout the learned world, for the accurate pieces he had written on +various subjects and occasions. + +This person, having filled a public station in the former times, lived +now a private and retired life in London: and, having wholly lost his +sight, kept a man to read to him; which, usually, was the son of some +gentleman of his acquaintance, whom, in kindness, he took to improve in +his learning. + +Thus, by the mediation of my friend ISAAC PENINGTON, with Dr. PAGET; and +of Dr. PAGET with JOHN MILTON, was I admitted to come to him: not as a +servant to him (which, at that time, he needed not), nor to be in the +house with him; but only to have the liberty of coming to his house, at +certain hours, when I would, and to read to him, what books he should +appoint me, which was all the favour I desired. + +But this being a matter which would require some time to bring it about, +I, in the meanwhile, returned to my father's house [at Crowell] in +Oxfordshire. + +I had, before, received direction by letters from my eldest sister, +written by my father's command, to put off [_dispose of_] what cattle he +had left about his house, and to discharge his servants; which I had done +at the time called Michaelmas [1661] before. + +So that, all that winter when I was at home, I lived like a hermit, all +alone; having a pretty large house, and nobody in it but myself, at +nights especially. But an elderly woman, whose father had been an old +servant to the family, came every morning, and made my bed; and did what +else I had occasion for her to do: till I fell ill of the small-pox, and +then I had her with me, and the nurse. + +But now, understanding by letter from my sister, that my father did not +intend to return and settle there; I made off [_sold_] those provisions +which were in the house, that they might not be spoiled when I was gone: +and because they were what I should have spent, if I had tarried there, I +took the money made of them, to myself, for my support at London; if the +project succeeded for my going thither. This done, I committed the care +of the house to a tenant of my father's, who lived in the town; and +taking my leave of Crowell, went up to my sure friend ISAAC PENINGTON +again. Where, understanding that the mediation used for my admittance to +JOHN MILTON had succeeded so well, that I might come when I would: I +hastened to London [_in the Spring of 1662_], and, in the first place, +went to wait upon him. + +He received me courteously, as well for the sake of Dr. PAGET, who +introduced me; as of ISAAC PENINGTON, who recommended me: to both of +whom, he bore a good respect. And having inquired divers things of me, +with respect to my former progression in learning, he dismissed me, to +provide myself of such accommodation as might be most suitable to my +future studies. + +I went, therefore, and took myself a lodging as near to his house, which +was then in Jewin Street, as conveniently as I could; and from +thenceforward, went every day in the afternoon, except on the First Days +of the week; and, sitting by him in his dining-room, read to him, in such +books in the Latin tongue as he pleased to hear me read. + +At my first sitting to read to him, observing that I used the English +pronounciation; he told me, "If I would have the benefit of the Latin +tongue, not only to read and understand Latin authors, but to converse +with foreigners, either abroad or at home; I must learn the foreign +pronounciation." + +To this, I consenting, he instructed me how to sound the vowels so +different[ly] from the common pronounciation used by the English, who +speak _Anglice_ their Latin, that (with some few other variations, in +sounding some consonants: in particular case[s], as _c_ before _e_ or +_i_, like _ch_; _sc_ before _i_, like _sh_, &c.) the Latin, thus spoken, +seemed as different from that which was delivered as the English +generally speak it, as if it were another language. + +I had, before, during my retired life at my father's, by unwearied +diligence and industry, so far recovered the Rules of Grammar (in which, +I had, once, been very ready) that I could both read a Latin author; and, +after a sort, hammer out his meaning. But this change of pronounciation +proved a new difficulty to me. It was now harder for me to read; than it +was, before, to understand, when read. But + + _Labor omnia vincit + Improbus._ + + Incessant pains, + The end obtains. + +And so, did I: which made my reading the more acceptable to my Master. +He, on the other hand, perceiving with what earnest desire, I pursued +learning, gave me not only all the encouragement, but all the help he +could. For, having a curious ear, he understood by my tone, when I +understood what I read, and when I did not; and, accordingly, would stop +me, examine me, and open the most difficult passages. + +Thus I went on, for about six weeks' time, reading to him in the +afternoons; and exercising myself with my own books, in my chamber, in +the forenoons. I was sensible of an improvement. + +But, alas, I had fixed my studies in a wrong place. London and I could +never agree, for health. My lungs, as I suppose, were too tender, to bear +the sulphurous air of that city; so that, I soon began to droop, and in +less than two months' time, I was fain to leave both my studies and the +city; and return into the country to preserve life, and much ado I had to +get thither. + +I chose to go down to Wiccombe, and to JOHN RANCE's house there: both as +he was a physician, and his wife a honest, hearty, discreet, and grave +matron, whom I had a very good esteem of; and who, I knew, had a good +regard for me. + +There, I lay ill a considerable time; and to that degree of weakness, +that scarcely any who saw me, expected my life [_that I should live_]: +but the LORD was both gracious to me, in my illness; and was pleased to +raise me up again, that I might serve Him in my generation. + +As soon as I had recovered so much strength, as to be fit to travel; I +obtained of my father (who was then at his house in Crowell, to dispose +of some things he had there; and who, in my illness, had come to see me) +so much money as would clear all charges in the house, for physic, food, +and attendance: and having fully discharged all, I took leave of my +friends in that family, and town; and returned [_? in October 1662_] to +my studies at London. + +I was very kindly received by my Master, who had conceived so good an +opinion of me, that my conversation, I found, was acceptable to him; and +he seemed heartily glad of my recovery and return: and into our old +method of study, we fell again; I reading to him, and he explaining to me +as occasion required. + +But as if learning had been a forbidden fruit to me; scarce was I well +settled in my work; before I met with another diversion [_hindrance_], +which turned me quite out of my work. + +For a sudden storm arising (from, I know not what surmise of a plot; and +thereby danger to the Government); the meetings of Dissenters, such, I +mean, as could be found (which, perhaps, were not many besides the +Quakers) were broken up throughout the City: and the prisons mostly +filled with our Friends. + +I was, that morning, which was the 26th day of the 8th month [_which, +according to the reckoning of the Society of Friends, was October. Their +First month down to 1752, was March_], 1662, at the Meeting, at the _Bull +and Mouth_, by Alders Gate: when, on a sudden, a party of soldiers, of the +Trained Bands of the City, rushed in with noise and clamour: being led by +one, who was called Major ROSEWELL: an apothecary if I misremember not; +and, at that time, under the ill name of a Papist. + +[So the Friends there, with ELLWOOD, are taken; and sent to Bridewell +till the 19th December following: when they were taken to Newgate, +expecting to be called at the Old Bailey sessions: but, not being called, +were sent back to Bridewell again. On the 29th December, they were brought +up at the Sessions, and, refusing to swear, were all committed to the +"Common Side" of Newgate; but that prison being so full, they were sent +back to Bridewell again. Then we have the following extraordinary +circumstance.] + +Having made up our packs, and taken our leave of our Friends, whom we +were to leave behind; we took our bundles on our shoulders, and walked, +two and two a breast, through the Old Bailey into Fleet Street, and so to +Old Bridewell. And it being about the middle of the afternoon, and the +streets pretty full of people; both the shopkeepers at their doors, and +passengers in the way would stop us, and ask us, "What we were? and +whither we were going?" + +And when we had told them, "We were prisoners, going from one prison to +another (from Newgate to Bridewell)." + +"What," said they, "without a keeper?" + +"No," said we, "for our Word, which we have given, is our keeper." + +Some thereupon would advise us, not to go to prison; but to go home. But +we told them, "We could not do so. We could suffer for our testimony; but +could not fly from it." + +I do not remember we had any abuse offered us; but were generally pitied +by the people. + +When we were come to Bridewell, we were not put up into the great room in +which we had been before; but into a low room, in another fair court, +which had a pump in the middle of it. And, here, we were not shut up as +before; but had the liberty of the court, to walk in; and of the pump, to +wash and drink at. And, indeed, we might easily have gone quite away, if +we would; there was a passage through the court into the street: but we +were true and steady prisoners, and looked upon this liberty arising from +their confidence in us, to be a kind of _parole_ upon us; so that both +Conscience and Honour stood now engaged for our true imprisonment. + +And this privilege we enjoyed by the indulgence of our Keeper, whose +heart GOD disposed to favour us; so that both the Master and his porter +were very civil and kind to us, and had been so, indeed, all along. For +when we were shut up before; the porter would readily let some of us go +home in an evening, and stay at home till next morning, which was a great +conveniency to men of trade and business; which I, being free from, +forbore asking for myself, that I might not hinder others. + +Under this easy restraint, we lay till the Court sate at the Old Bailey +again; and, then (whether it was that the heat of the storm was somewhat +abated, or by what other means Providence wrought it, I know not), we +were called to the bar; and without further question, discharged. + +Whereupon we returned to Bridewell again; and having raised some monies +among us, and therewith gratified both the Master and his porter, for +their kindness to us; we spent some time in a solemn meeting, to return +our thankful acknowledgment to the LORD; both for His preservation of us +in prison, and deliverance of us out of it. And then, taking a solemn +farewell of each other; we departed with bag and baggage [_at the end of +January 1663_]. + +[Thus, by such magnificent patience under arbitrary injustice, these +invincible Quakers shamed the reckless Crime which, in those days, went +by the name of The Law; and such stories as ELLWOOD's _Life_ and GEORGE +FOX's _Journal_ abound with like splendid victories of patience, by men +who were incapable of telling a lie or of intentionally breaking their +word. + +JOHN BUNYAN's imprisonment at this time was much of the same kind as +ELLWOOD's, as soon as the Keeper of Bedford gaol found he could trust +him.] + +Being now at liberty, I visited more generally my friends, that were +still in prison: and, more particularly, my friend and benefactor, +WILLIAM PENINGTON, at his house; and then, went to wait upon my Master, +MILTON. With whom, yet, I could not propose to enter upon my intermitted +studies, until I had been in Buckinghamshire, to visit my worthy friends, +ISAAC PENINGTON and his virtuous wife, with other friends in that country +[_district or county_]. + +Thither, therefore, I betook myself; and the weather being frosty, and +the ways by that means clean and good; I walked it through in a day: and +was received by my friends there, with such demonstration of hearty +kindness, as made my journey very easy to me. + +I intended only a visit hither, not a continuance; and therefore +purposed, after I had stayed a few days, to return to my lodging and +former course [_i.e., of reading to MILTON_] in London. But Providence +ordered otherwise. + +ISAAC PENINGTON had, at that time, two sons and one daughter, all then +very young: of whom, the eldest son, JOHN PENINGTON, and the daughter, +MARY (the wife of DANIEL WHARLEY), are yet living at the writing of this +[_? 1713_]. And being himself both skilful and curious in pronounciation; +he was very desirous to have them well grounded in the rudiments of the +English tongue. To which end, he had sent for a man, out of Lancashire, +whom, upon inquiry, he had heard of; who was, undoubtedly, the most +accurate English teacher, that ever I met with or have heard of. His name +was RICHARD BRADLEY. But as he pretended no higher than the English +tongue, and had led them, by grammar rules, to the highest improvement +they were capable of, in that; he had then taken his leave, and was gone +up to London, to teach an English school of Friends' children there. + +This put my friend to a fresh strait. He had sought for a new teacher to +instruct his children in the Latin tongue, as the old had done in the +English: but had not yet found one. Wherefore, one evening, as we sate +together by the fire, in his bedchamber, which, for want of health, he +kept: he asked me, his wife being by, "If I would be so kind to him, as +to stay a while with him; till he could hear of such a man as he aimed +at; and, in the meantime, enter his children in the rudiments of the +Latin tongue?" + +This question was not more unexpected, than surprising to me; and the +more, because it seemed directly to thwart my former purpose and +undertaking, of endeavouring to improve myself, by following my studies +with my Master, MILTON; which this would give, at least, a present +diversion from; and, for how long, I could not foresee. + +But the sense I had, of the manifold obligations I lay under to these +worthy friends of mine, shut out all reasonings; and disposed my mind to +an absolute resignation to their desire, that I might testify my +gratitude by a willingness to do them any friendly service, that I could +be capable of. + +And though I questioned my ability to carry on that work to its due +height and proportion; yet, as that was not proposed, but an initiation +only by Accidence into Grammar, I consented to the proposal, as a present +expedient, till a more qualified person should be found; without further +treaty or mention of terms between us, than that of mutual friendship. + +And to render this digression from my own studies, the less uneasy to my +mind; I recollected, and often thought of, that Rule of LILLY-- + + _Qui docet indoctos, licet indoctissimus esset, + Ipse brevi reliquis, doctior esse queat._ + + He that th'unlearned doth teach, may quickly be + More learned than they, though most unlearned he. + +With this consideration, I undertook this province; and left it not until +I married; which was not till [_the 28th October in_] the year 1669, +near[ly] seven years from the time I came thither. + +In which time, having the use of my friend's books, as well as of my own, +I spent my leisure hours much in reading; not without some improvement to +myself in my private studies: which (with the good success of my labours +bestowed on the children, and the agreeableness of conversation which I +found in the family) rendered my undertaking more satisfactory; and my +stay there more easy to me. + +Although the storm raised by the _Act for Banishment [16 Car. II. c. 4. +1664_], fell with the greatest weight and force upon some other parts, as +at London, Hertford, &c.: yet were we, in Buckinghamshire, not wholly +exempted therefrom. For a part of that shower reached us also. + +For a Friend, of Amersham, whose name was EDWARD PEROT or PARRET, +departing this life; and notice being given, that his body would be +buried there on such a day (which was the First Day of the Fifth Month +[_July_], 1665): the Friends of the adjacent parts of the country, +resorted pretty generally to the burial. So that there was a fair +appearance of Friends and neighbours; the deceased having been well +beloved by both. + +After we had spent some time together, in the house (MORGAN WATKINS, who, +at that time, happened to be at ISAAC PENINGTON's, being with us); the +body was taken up, and borne on Friends' shoulders, along the street, in +order to be carried to the burying-ground: which was at the town's end; +being part of an orchard belonging to the deceased, which he, in his +lifetime, had appointed for that service. + +It so happened, that one AMBROSE BENNET, a Barrister at Law, and a +Justice of the Peace for that county, was riding through the town [of +Amersham] that morning, in his way to Aylesbury: and was, by some +ill-disposed person or other, informed that there was a Quaker to be +buried there that day; and that most of the Quakers in the country +[_county_] were come thither to the burial. + +Upon this, he set up his horses, and stayed. And when we, not knowing +anything of his design against us, went innocently forward to perform our +Christian duty, for the interment of our Friend; he rushed out of his Inn +upon us, with the Constables and a rabble of rude fellows whom he had +gathered together: and, having his drawn sword in his hand, struck one of +the foremost of the bearers, with it; commanding them "To set down the +coffin!" But the Friend, who was so stricken, whose name was THOMAS DELL +(being more concerned for the safety of the dead body than his own, lest +it should fall from his shoulder, and any indecency thereupon follow) +held the coffin fast. Which the Justice observing, and being enraged that +his word (how unjust soever) was not forthwith obeyed, set his hand to the +coffin; and, with a forcible thrust, threw it off the bearers' shoulders, +so that it fell to the ground, in the midst of the street: and there, we +were forced to leave it. + +For, immediately thereupon, the Justice giving command for the +apprehending us; the Constables with the rabble fell on us, and drew +some, and drove others in the Inn: giving thereby an opportunity to the +rest, to walk away. + +Of those that were thus taken, I was one. And being, with many more, put +into a room, under a guard; we were kept there, till another Justice, +called Sir THOMAS CLAYTON, whom Justice BENNET had sent for, to join with +him in committing us, was come. + +And then, being called forth severally before them, they picked out ten +of us; and committed us to Aylesbury gaol: for what, neither we, nor +_they_ knew. For we were not convicted of having either done or said +anything, which the law could take hold of. + +For they took us up in the open street, the King's highway, not doing any +unlawful act; but peaceably carrying and accompanying the corpse of our +deceased Friend, to bury it. Which they would not suffer us to do; but +caused the body to lie in the open street, and in the cartway: so that +all the travellers that passed by (whether horsemen, coaches, carts, or +waggons) were fain to break out of the way, to go by it, that they might +not drive over it; until it was almost night. And then, having caused a +grave to be made in the unconsecrated part, as it is accounted, of that +which is called the Church Yard: they forcibly took the body from the +widow (whose right and property it was), and buried it there. + +When the Justices had delivered us prisoners to the Constable, it being +then late in the day, which was the seventh day of the week: he (not +willing to go so far as Aylesbury, nine long miles, with us, that night; +nor to put the town [of Amersham] to the charge of keeping us, there, +that night and the First day and night following) dismissed us, upon our +_parole_, to come to him again at a set hour, on the Second day morning. + +Whereupon, we all went home to our respective habitations; and coming to +him punctually [_on Monday, 3rd July_, 1665] according to promise, were +by him, without guard, conducted to the Prison. + +The Gaoler, whose name was NATHANIEL BIRCH, had, not long before, behaved +himself very wickedly, with great rudeness and cruelty, to some of our +Friends of the lower side of the country [_i.e., Buckinghamshire_]; whom +he, combining with the Clerk of the Peace, whose name was HENRY WELLS, +had contrived to get into his gaol: and after they were legally +discharged in Court, detained them in prison, using great violence, and +shutting them up close in the Common Gaol among the felons; because they +would not give him his unrighteous demand of Fees, which they were the +more straitened in, from his treacherous dealing with them. And they +having, through suffering, maintained their freedom, and obtained their +liberty: we were the more concerned to keep what they had so hardly +gained; and therefore resolved not to make any contract or terms for +either Chamber Rent or Fees, but to demand a Free Prison. Which we did. + +When we came in, the gaoler was ridden out to wait on the Judges, who +came in, that day [_3rd July, 1665_], to begin the Assize; and his wife +was somewhat at a loss, how to deal with us. But being a cunning woman, +she treated us with a great appearance of courtesy, offering us the +choice of all her rooms; and when we asked, "Upon what terms?" she still +referred us to her husband; telling us, she "did not doubt, but that he +would be very reasonable and civil to us." Thus, she endeavoured to have +drawn us to take possession of some of her chambers, at a venture; and +trust to her husband's kind usage: but, we, who, at the cost of our +Friends, had a proof of his kindness, were too wary to be drawn in by the +fair words of a woman: and therefore told her, "We would not settle +anywhere till her husband came home; and then would have a Free Prison, +wheresoever he put us." + +Accordingly, walking all together into the court of the prison, in which +was a well of very good water; and having, beforehand, sent to a Friend +in the town, a widow woman, whose name was SARAH LAMBARN, to bring us +some bread and cheese: we sate down upon the ground round about the well; +and when we had eaten, we drank of the water out of the well. + +Our great concern was for our Friend, ISAAC PENINGTON, because of the +tenderness of his constitution: but he was so lively in his spirit, and +so cheerfully given up to suffer; that he rather encouraged us, than +needed any encouragement from us. + +In this posture, the gaoler, when he came home, found us. And having, +before he came to us, consulted his wife; and by her, understood on what +terms we stood: when he came to us, he hid his teeth, and putting on a +shew of kindness, seemed much troubled that we should sit there abroad +[_in the open air_], especially his old friend, Mr. PENINGTON; and +thereupon, invited us to come in, and take what rooms in his house we +pleased. We asked, "Upon what terms?" letting him know, withal, that we +were determined to have a Free Prison. + +He (like the Sun and the Wind, in the fable, that strove which of them +should take from the traveller, his cloak) having, like the wind, tried +rough, boisterous, violent means to our Friends before, but in vain; +resolved now to imitate the Sun, and shine as pleasantly as he could upon +us. Wherefore, he told us, "We should make the terms ourselves; and be as +free as we desired. If we thought fit, when we were released, to give him +anything; he would thank us for it: and if not, he would demand nothing." + +Upon these terms, we went in: and dispose ourselves, some in the +dwelling-house, others in the malt-house: where they chose to be. + +During the Assize, we were brought before Judge MORTON [_Sir WILLIAM +MORTON, Recorder of Gloucester_], a sour angry man, who [_being an old +Cavalier Officer, naturally_,] very rudely reviled us, but would not hear +either us or the cause; referring the matter to the two Justices, who had +committed us. + +They, when the Assize was ended, sent for us, to be brought before them, +at their Inn [at Aylesbury]; and fined us, as I remember, 6s. 8d. a +piece: which we not consenting to pay, they committed us to prison again, +for one month from that time; on the _Act for Banishment_. + +When we had lain there that month [_i.e., not later than the middle of +August, 1665_], I, with another, went to the gaoler, to demand our +liberty: which he readily granted, telling us, "The door should be +opened, when we pleased to go." + +This answer of his, I reported to the rest of my Friends there; and, +thereupon, we raised among us a small sum of money, which they put into +my hand, for the gaoler. Whereupon, I, taking another with me, went to +the gaoler, with the money in my hand; and reminding him of the terms, +upon which we accepted the use of his rooms, I told him, "That though we +could not pay Chamber Rent nor Fees, yet inasmuch as he had now been +civil to us, we were willing to acknowledge it by a small token": and +thereupon, gave him the money. He, putting it into his pocket, said, "I +thank you, and your Friends for it! and to let you see that I take it as +a gift, not a debt; I will not look on it, to see how much it is." + +The prison door being then set open for us; we went out, and departed to +our respective homes. + +Some little time before I went to Aylesbury prison [_on 3rd July, 1665_], +I was desired by my quondam Master, MILTON, to take a house for him in the +neighbourhood where I dwelt; that he might get out of the City, for the +safety of himself and his family: the Pestilence then growing hot in +London. + +I took a pretty box for him [_i.e., in June, 1665_] in Giles-Chalfont +[_Chalfont St. Giles_], a mile from me [_ELLWOOD was then living in ISAAC +PENINGTON's house, called The Grange, at Chalfont St. Peter; or Peter's +Chalfont, as he calls it_], of which, I gave him notice: and intended to +have waited on him, and seen him well settled in it; but was prevented by +that imprisonment. [_Therefore MILTON did not come into Buckinghamshire at +this time, till after the 3rd July, 1665_.] + +But, now [_i.e., not later than the middle of August, 1665_], being +released, and returned home; I soon made a visit to him, to welcome him +into the country [_county_]. + +After some common discourses had passed between us [_evidently at +ELLWOOD's first visit_], called for a manuscript of his: which being +brought, he delivered to me; bidding me, "Take it home with me, and read +it at my leisure; and, when I had so done, return it to him, with my +judgement thereupon!" + +When I came home [_i.e., The Grange; from which ISAAC PBNINGTON, with his +family (including THOMAS ELLWOOD) was,_ by military force, _expelled about +a month after their first return from Aylesbury gaol (i.e., about the +middle of September); and he again sent to the same prison_], and had set +myself to read it; I found it was that excellent poem, which he entitled, +_Paradise Lost_. + +After I had, with the best attention, read it through: I made him another +visit, and returned him his book; with due acknowledgment of the favour he +had done me, in communicating it to me. + +He asked me, "How I liked it? And what I thought of it?" Which I, +modestly but freely, told him. + +And, after some further discourse about it, I pleasantly said to him, +"Thou hast said much, here, of _Paradise lost_: but what hast thou to say +of _Paradise found_?" + +He made me no answer; but sate some time in a muse: then brake off that +discourse, and fell upon another subject. + +After the sickness [_Plague_] was over; and the City well cleansed, and +become safely habitable again: he returned thither. + +And when, afterwards [_probably in 1668 or 1669_], I went to wait on him +there (which I seldom failed of doing, whenever my occasions drew me to +London), he showed me his second poem, called _Paradise Regained_: and, +in a pleasant tone, said to me, "This is owing to you! For you put it +into my head, by the question you put to me at Chalfont! which, before, I +had not thought of." + +[_Paradise Regained_ was licensed for publication on 2nd July, 1670.] + + + + +ADVICE TO A YOUNG REVIEWER, WITH A SPECIMEN OF THE ART. + +1807. + + +ADVICE TO A YOUNG REVIEWER, &c. + +You are now about to enter on a Profession which has the means of doing +much good to society, and scarcely any temptation to do harm. You may +encourage Genius, you may chastise superficial Arrogance, expose +Falsehood, correct Error, and guide the Taste and Opinions of the Age in +no small degree by the books you praise and recommend. And this too may +be done without running the risk of making any enemies; or subjecting +yourself to be called to account for your criticism, however severe. +While your name is unknown, your person is invulnerable: at the same time +your aim is sure, for you may take it at your leisure; and your blows fall +heavier than those of any Writer whose name is given, or who is simply +anonymous. There is a mysterious authority in the plural, _We_, which no +single name, whatever may be its reputation, can acquire; and, under the +sanction of this imposing style, your strictures, your praises, and your +dogmas, will command universal attention; and be received as the fruit of +united talents, acting on one common principle--as the judgments of a +tribunal who decide only on mature deliberation, and who protect the +interests of Literature with unceasing vigilance. + +Such being the high importance of that Office, and such its +opportunities; I cannot bestow a few hours of leisure better than in +furnishing you with some hints for the more easy and effectual discharge +of it: hints which are, I confess, loosely thrown together; but which are +the result of long experience, and of frequent reflection and comparison. +And if anything should strike you, at first sight, as rather equivocal in +point of morality, or deficient in liberality and feeling; I beg you will +suppress all such scruples, and consider them as the offspring of a +contracted education and narrow way of thinking, which a little +intercourse with the World and sober reasoning will speedily overcome. + +Now as in the conduct of life nothing is more to be desired than some +Governing Principle of action, to which all other principles and motives +must be made subservient; so in the Art of Reviewing I would lay down as +a fundamental position, which you must never lose sight of, and which +must be the mainspring of all your criticisms--_Write what will sell!_ To +this Golden Rule every minor canon must be subordinate; and must be either +immediately deducible from it, or at least be made consistent with it. + +Be not staggered at the sound of a precept which, upon examination, will +be found as honest and virtuous as it is discreet. I have already +sketched out the great services which it is in your power to render +mankind; but all your efforts will be unavailing if men did not read what +you write. Your utility therefore, it is plain, depends upon your +popularity; and popularity cannot be attained without humouring the taste +and inclinations of men. + +Be assured that, by a similar train of sound and judicious reasoning, the +consciences of thousands in public life are daily quieted. It is better +for the State that their Party should govern than any other. The good +which they can effect by the exercise of power is infinitely greater than +any which could arise from a rigid adherence to certain subordinate moral +precepts; which therefore should be violated without scruple whenever +they stand in the way of their leading purpose. He who sticks at these +can never act a great part in the World, and is not fit to act it if he +could. Such maxims may be very useful in ordinary affairs, and for the +guidance of ordinary men: but when we mount into the sphere of public +utility, we must adopt more enlarged principles; and not suffer ourselves +to be cramped and fettered by petty notions of Right and Moral Duty. + +When you have reconciled yourself to this liberal way of thinking; you +will find many inferior advantages resulting from it, which at first did +not enter into your consideration. In particular, it will greatly lighten +your labours, to _follow_ the public taste, instead of taking upon you to +_direct_ it. The task of Pleasing is at all times easier than that of +Instructing: at least it does not stand in need of painful research and +preparation; and may be effected in general by a little vivacity of +manner, and a dexterous morigeration [_compliance, or obsequiousness_], +as Lord BACON calls it, to the humours and frailties of men. Your +responsibility too is thereby much lessened. Justice and Candour can only +be required of you so far as they coincide with this Main Principle: and a +little experience will convince you that these are not the happiest means +of accomplishing your purpose. + +It has been idly said, That a Reviewer acts in a judicial capacity, and +that his conduct should be regulated by the same rules by which the Judge +of a Civil Court is governed: that he should rid himself of every bias; be +patient, cautious, sedate, and rigidly impartial; that he should not seek +to shew off himself, and should check every disposition to enter into the +case as a partizan. + +Such is the language of superficial thinkers; but in reality there is no +analogy between the two cases. A Judge is promoted to that office by the +authority of the State; a Reviewer by his own. The former is independent +of control, and may therefore freely follow the dictates of his own +conscience: the latter depends for his very bread upon the breath of +public opinion; the great law of self-preservation therefore points out +to him a different line of action. Besides, as we have already observed, +if he ceases to please, he is no longer read; and consequently is no +longer useful. In a Court of Justice, too, the part of amusing the +bystanders rests with the Counsel: in the case of criticism, if the +Reviewer himself does not undertake it, who will? + +Instead of vainly aspiring to the gravity of a Magistrate; I would advise +him, when he sits down to write, to place himself in the imaginary +situation of a cross-examining Pleader. He may comment, in a vein of +agreeable irony, upon the profession, the manner of life, the look, +dress, or even the name, of the witness he is examining: when he has +raised a contemptuous opinion of him in the minds of the Court, he may +proceed to draw answers from him capable of a ludicrous turn; and he may +carve and garble these to his own liking. + +This mode of proceeding you will find most practicable in Poetry, where +the boldness of the image or the delicacy of thought (for which the +Reader's mind was prepared in the original) will easily be made to appear +extravagant, or affected, if judiciously singled out, and detached from +the group to which it belongs. Again, since much depends upon the rhythm +and the terseness of expression (both of which are sometimes destroyed by +dropping a single word, or transposing a phrase), I have known much +advantage arise from _not_ quoting in the form of a literal extract: but +giving a brief summary in prose, of the contents of a poetical passage; +and interlarding your own language, with occasional phrases of the Poem +marked with inverted commas. + +These, and a thousand other little expedients, by which the arts of +Quizzing and Banter flourish, practice will soon teach you. If it should +be necessary to transcribe a dull passage, not very fertile in topics of +humour and raillery; you may introduce it as a "favourable specimen of +the Author's manner." + +Few people are aware of the powerful effects of what is philosophically +termed Association. Without any positive violation of truth, the whole +dignity of a passage may be undermined by contriving to raise some vulgar +and ridiculous notions in the mind of the reader: and language teems with +examples of words by which the same idea is expressed, with the +difference only that one excites a feeling of respect, the other of +contempt. Thus you may call a fit of melancholy, "the sulks"; resentment, +"a pet"; a steed, "a nag"; a feast, "a junketing"; sorrow and affliction, +"whining and blubbering". By transferring the terms peculiar to one state +of society, to analogous situations and characters in another, the same +object is attained. "A Drill Serjeant" or "a Cat and Nine Tails" in the +Trojan War, "a Lesbos smack putting into the Piraeus," "the Penny Post of +Jerusalem," and other combinations of the like nature which, when you have +a little indulged in that vein of thought, will readily suggest +themselves, never fail to raise a smile, if not immediately at the +expense of the Author, yet entirely destructive of that frame of mind +which his Poem requires in order to be relished. + +I have dwelt the longer on this branch of Literature, because you are +chiefly to look here for materials of fun and irony. + +Voyages and Travels indeed are no barren ground; and you must seldom let +a Number of your _Review_ go abroad without an Article of this +description. The charm of this species of writing, so universally felt, +arises chiefly from its uniting Narrative with Information. The interest +we take in the story can only be kept alive by minute incident and +occasional detail; which puts us in possession of the traveller's +feelings, his hopes, his fears, his disappointments, and his pleasures. +At the same time the thirst for knowledge and love of novelty is +gratified by continual information respecting the people and countries he +visits. + +If you wish therefore to run down the book, you have only to play off +these two parts against each other. When the Writer's object is to +satisfy the first inclination, you are to thank him for communicating to +the World such valuable facts as, whether he lost his way in the night, +or sprained his ankle, or had no appetite for his dinner. If he is busied +about describing the Mineralogy, Natural History, Agriculture, Trade, etc. +of a country: you may mention a hundred books from whence the same +information may be obtained; and deprecate the practice of emptying old +musty Folios into new Quartos, to gratify that sickly taste for a +smattering about everything which distinguishes the present Age. + +In Works of Science and recondite Learning, the task you have undertaken +will not be so difficult as you may imagine. Tables of Contents and +Indexes are blessed helps in the hands of a Reviewer; but, more than all, +the Preface is the field from which his richest harvest is to be gathered. + +In the Preface, the Author usually gives a summary of what has been +written on the same subject before; he acknowledges the assistance he has +received from different sources, and the reasons of his dissent from +former Writers; he confesses that certain parts have been less +attentively considered than others, and that information has come to his +hands too late to be made use of; he points out many things in the +composition of his Work which he thinks may provoke animadversion, and +endeavours to defend or palliate his own practice. + +Here then is a fund of wealth for the Reviewer, lying upon the very +surface. If he knows anything of his business, he will turn all these +materials against the Author: carefully suppressing the source of his +information; and as if drawing from the stores of his own mind long ago +laid up for this very purpose. If the Author's references are correct, a +great point is gained; for by consulting a few passages of the original +Works, it will be easy to discuss the subject with the air of having a +previous knowledge of the whole. + +Your chief vantage ground is, That you may fasten upon any position in +the book you are reviewing, and treat it as principal and essential; when +perhaps it is of little weight in the main argument: but, by allotting a +large share of your criticism to it, the reader will naturally be led to +give it a proportionate importance, and to consider the merit of the +Treatise at issue upon that single question. + +If anybody complains that the greater and more valuable parts remain +unnoticed; your answer is, That it is impossible to pay attention to all; +and that your duty is rather to prevent the propagation of error, than to +lavish praises upon that which, if really excellent, will work its way in +the World without your help. + +Indeed, if the plan of your _Review_ admits of selection, you had better +not meddle with Works of deep research and original speculation; such as +have already attracted much notice, and cannot be treated superficially +without fear of being found out. The time required for making yourself +thoroughly master of the subject is so great, that you may depend upon it +they will never pay for the reviewing. They are generally the fruit of +long study, and of talents concentrated in the steady pursuit of one +object: it is not likely therefore that you can throw much new light on a +question of this nature, or even plausibly combat the Author's +propositions; in the course of a few hours, which is all you can well +afford to devote to them. And without accomplishing one or the other of +these points; your _Review_ will gain no celebrity, and of course no good +will be done. + +Enough has been said to give you some insight into the facilities with +which your new employment abounds. I will only mention one more, because +of its extensive and almost universal application to all Branches of +Literature; the topic, I mean, which by the old Rhetoricians was called +[Greek: _ex enantion_], That is, when a Work excels in one quality; you +may blame it for not having the opposite. + +For instance, if the biographical sketch of a Literary Character is +minute and full of anecdote; you may enlarge on the advantages of +philosophical reflection, and the superior mind required to give a +judicious analysis of the Opinions and Works of deceased Authors. On the +contrary, if the latter method is pursued by the Biographer; you can, +with equal ease, extol the lively colouring, and truth, and interest, of +exact delineation and detail. + +This topic, you will perceive, enters into Style as well as Matter; where +many virtues might be named _which are incompatible_: and whichever the +Author has preferred, it will be the signal for you to launch forth on +the praises of its opposite; and continually to hold up that to your +Reader as the model of excellence in this species of Writing. + +You will perhaps wonder why all my instructions are pointed towards the +Censure, and not the Praise, of Books; but many reasons might be given +why it should be so. The chief are, that this part is both easier, and +will sell better. + +Let us hear the words of Mr BURKE on a subject not very dissimilar: + +"In such cases," says he, "the Writer has a certain fire and alacrity +inspired into him by a consciousness that (let it fare how it will with +the subject) his ingenuity will be sure of applause: and this alacrity +becomes much greater, if he acts upon the offensive; by the impetuosity +that always accompanies an attack, and the unfortunate propensity which +mankind have to finding and exaggerating faults." Pref., _Vindic. Nat. +Soc_., p. 6. + +You will perceive that I have on no occasion sanctioned the baser motives +of private pique, envy, revenge, and love of detraction. At least I have +not recommended harsh treatment upon any of these grounds. I have argued +simply on the abstract moral principle which a Reviewer should ever have +present to his mind: but if any of these motives insinuate themselves as +secondary springs of action, I would not condemn them. They may come in +aid of the grand Leading Principle, and powerfully second its operation. + +But it is time to close these tedious precepts, and to furnish you with, +what speaks plainer than any precept, a Specimen of the Art itself, in +which several of them are embodied. It is hastily done: but it +exemplifies well enough what I have said of the Poetical department; and +exhibits most of those qualities which disappointed Authors are fond of +railing at, under the names of Flippancy, Arrogance, Conceit, +Misrepresentation, and Malevolence: reproaches which you will only regard +as so many acknowledgments of success in your undertaking; and infallible +tests of an established fame, and [a] rapidly increasing circulation. + + + + +_L'Allegro_. A Poem. + +By JOHN MILTON. + +No Printer's name. + + +It has become a practice of late with a certain description of people, +who have no visible means of subsistence, to string together a few trite +images of rural scenery, interspersed with vulgarisms in dialect, and +traits of vulgar manners; to dress up these materials in a Sing-Song +jingle; and to offer them for sale as a Poem. According to the most +approved recipes, something about the heathen gods and goddesses; and the +schoolboy topics of Styx and Cerberus, and Elysium; are occasionally +thrown in, and the composition is complete. The stock in trade of these +Adventurers is in general scanty enough; and their Art therefore consists +in disposing it to the best advantage. But if such be the aim of the +Writer, it is the Critic's business to detect and defeat the imposture; +to warn the public against the purchase of shop-worn goods and tinsel +wares; to protect the fair trader, by exposing the tricks of needy Quacks +and Mountebanks; and to chastise that forward and noisy importunity with +which they present themselves to the public notice. + +How far Mr. MILTON is amenable to this discipline, will best appear from +a brief analysis of the Poem before us. + +In the very opening he assumes a tone of authority which might better +suit some veteran Bard than a raw candidate for the Delphic bays: for, +before he proceeds to the regular process of Invocation, he clears the +way, by driving from his presence (with sundry hard names; and bitter +reproaches on her father, mother, and all the family) a venerable +Personage, whose age at least and staid matron-like appearance, might +have entitled her to more civil language. + + Hence, loathèd Melancholy! + Of CERBERUS and blackest Midnight born, + In Stygian cave forlorn, &c. + +There is no giving rules, however, in these matters, without a knowledge +of the case. Perhaps the old lady had been frequently warned off before; +and provoked this violence by continuing still to lurk about the Poet's +dwelling. And, to say the truth, the Reader will have but too good reason +to remark, before he gets through the Poem, that it is one thing to tell +the Spirit of Dulness to depart; and another to get rid of her in +reality. Like GLENDOWER's Spirits, any one may order them away; "but will +they go, when you do order them?" + +But let us suppose for a moment that the Parnassian decree is obeyed; +and, according to the letter of the _Order_ (which is as precise and +wordy as if Justice SHALLOW himself had drawn it) that the obnoxious +female is sent back to the place of her birth, + + 'Mongst horrid shapes, shrieks, sights, &c. + +At which we beg our fair readers not to be alarmed; for we can assure +them they are only words of course in all poetical Instruments of this +nature, and mean no more than the "force and arms" and "instigation of +the Devil" in a common Indictment. + +This nuisance then being abated; we are left at liberty to contemplate a +character of a different complexion, "buxom, blithe, and debonair": one +who, although evidently a great favourite of the Poet's and therefore to +be received with all due courtesy, is notwithstanding introduced under +the suspicious description of an _alias_. + + In heaven, ycleped EUPHROSYNE; + And by men, heart-easing Mirth. + +Judging indeed from the light and easy deportment of this gay Nymph; one +might guess there were good reasons for a change of name as she changed +her residence. + +But of all vices there is none we abhor more than that of slanderous +insinuation. We shall therefore confine our moral strictures to the +Nymph's mother; in whose defence the Poet has little to say himself. Here +too, as in the case of the _name_, there is some doubt. For the +uncertainty of descent on the Father's side having become trite to a +proverb; the Author, scorning that beaten track, has left us to choose +between two mothers for his favourite and without much to guide our +choice; for, whichever we fix upon, it is plain she was no better than +she should be. As he seems however himself inclined to the latter of the +two, we will even suppose it so to be. + + Or whether (as some sager say) + The frolic _wind that breathes the Spring_, + ZEPHYR with AURORA playing, + _As he met her once a Maying_; + There on beds of violets blue, + And fresh-blown roses washed in dew, _&c._ + +Some dull people might imagine that _the wind_ was more like _the breath +of Spring_; than _Spring, the breath of the wind_: but we are more +disposed to question the Author's Ethics than his Physics; and +accordingly cannot dismiss these May gambols without some observations. + +In the first place, Mr. M. seems to have higher notions of the antiquity +of the May Pole than we have been accustomed to attach to it. Or perhaps +he sought to shelter the equivocal nature of this affair under that +sanction. To us, however, who can hardly subscribe to the doctrine that +"Vice loses half its evil by losing all its grossness"; neither the +remoteness of time, nor the gaiety of the season, furnishes a sufficient +palliation. "Violets blue" and "fresh-blown roses" are, to be sure, more +agreeable objects of the Imagination than a gin shop in Wapping or a +booth in Bartholomew Fair; but, in point of morality, these are +distinctions without a difference: or it may be the cultivation of mind +(which teaches us to reject and nauseate these latter objects) aggravates +the case, if our improvement in taste be not accompanied by a +proportionate improvement of morals. + +If the Reader can reconcile himself to this latitude of principle, the +anachronism will not long stand in his way. Much indeed may be said in +favour of this union of ancient Mythology with modern notions and +manners. It is a sort of chronological metaphor--an artificial analogy, +by which ideas, widely remote and heterogeneous, are brought into +contact; and the mind is delighted by this unexpected assemblage, as it +is by the combinations of figurative language. + +Thus in that elegant Interlude, which the pen of BEN JONSON has +transmitted to us, of the loves of HERO and LEANDER: + + Gentles, that no longer your expectations may wander, + Behold our chief actor, amorous LEANDER! + With a great deal of cloth, lapped about him like a scarf: + For he yet serves his father, a Dyer in Puddle Wharf: + Which place we'll make bold with, to call it our Abydus; + As the Bankside is our Sestos, and _let it not be denied us_. + +And far be it from us to deny the use of so reasonable a liberty; +especially if the request be backed (as it is in the case of Mr. M.) by +the craving and imperious necessities of rhyme. What man who has ever +bestrode Pegasus for an hour, will be insensible to such a claim? + + _Haud ignara mali miseris succurrere disco_. + +We are next favoured with an enumeration of the Attendants of this +"debonair" Nymph, in all the minuteness of a German _Dramatis Personae_, +or a Ropedancer's Handbill. + + Haste thee, Nymph; and bring with thee + Jest and youthful Jollity, + Quips and cranks and wanton wiles, + Nods and becks and wreathèd smiles + Such as hang on HEBE's cheek + And love to live in dimple sleek; + Sport that wrinkled Care derides, + And Laughter holding both his sides. + +The Author, to prove himself worthy of being admitted of the crew, skips +and capers about upon "the light fantastic toe," that there is no +following him. He scampers through all the Categories, in search of his +imaginary beings, from Substance to Quality, and back again; from thence +to Action, Passion, Habit, &c. with incredible celerity. Who, for +instance, would have expected _cranks, nods, becks_, and _wreathèd +smiles_ as part of a group in which Jest, Jollity, Sport, and Laughter +figure away as full-formed entire Personages? The family likeness is +certainly very strong in the two last; and if we had not been told, we +should perhaps have thought the act of _deriding_ as appropriate to +Laughter as to Sport. + +But how are we to understand the stage directions? + + _Come_, and trip it as you _go_. + +Are the words used synonymously? Or is it meant that this airy gentry +shall come in a Minuet step, and go off in a Jig? The phenomenon of a +_tripping crank_ is indeed novel, and would doubtless attract numerous +spectators. + +But it is difficult to guess to whom, among this jolly company, the Poet +addresses himself: for immediately after the Plural appellative _you_, he +proceeds, + + And in _thy_ right hand lead with _thee_ + The mountain Nymph, sweet Liberty. + +No sooner is this fair damsel introduced; but Mr M., with most unbecoming +levity, falls in love with her: and makes a request of her companion which +is rather greedy, that he may live with both of them. + + To live with her, and live with thee. + +Even the gay libertine who sang "How happy could I be with either!" did +not go so far as this. But we have already had occasion to remark on the +laxity of Mr M.'s amatory notions. + +The Poet, intoxicated with the charms of his Mistress, now rapidly runs +over the pleasures which he proposes to himself in the enjoyment of her +society. But though he has the advantage of being his own caterer, either +his palate is of a peculiar structure, or he has not made the most +judicious selection. + + To begin the day well, he will have the _sky-lark_ + to come _in spite of sorrow_ + And at his window bid "Good Morrow!" + +The sky-lark, if we know anything of the nature of that bird, must come +"in spite" of something else as well as "of sorrow," to the performance +of this office. + +In the next image, the Natural History is better preserved; and, as the +thoughts are appropriate to the time of day, we will venture to +transcribe the passage, as a favourable specimen of the Author's manner: + + While the Cock, with lively din, + Scatters the rear of darkness thin, + And to the stack, or the barn door, + Stoutly struts his dames before; + Oft listening how the hounds and horns + Cheerly rouse the slumbering morn, + From the side of some hoar hill, + Through the high wood echoing still. + +Is it not lamentable that, after all, whether it is the Cock, or the +Poet, that listens, should be left entirely to the Reader's conjectures? +Perhaps also his embarrassment may be increased by a slight resemblance +of character in these two illustrious Personages, at least as far as +relates to the extent and numbers of their seraglio. + +After a _flaming_ description of sunrise, on which the clouds attend in +their very best liveries; the Bill of Fare for the day proceeds in the +usual manner. Whistling Ploughmen, singing Milkmaids, and sentimental +Shepherds are always to be had at a moment's notice; and, if well +grouped, serve to fill up the landscape agreeably enough. + +On this part of the Poem we have only to remark, that if Mr JOHN MILTON +proposeth to make himself merry with + + Russet lawns, and fallows grey + Where the nibbling flocks _do_ stray; + Mountains on whose barren breast + The labouring clouds _do_ often rest, + Meadows trim with daisies pied, + Shallow brooks, and rivers wide, + Towers and battlements, &c. &c. &c. + +he will either find himself egregiously disappointed; or he must possess +a disposition to merriment which even DEMOCRITUS himself might envy. To +such a pitch indeed does this solemn indication of joy sometimes rise, +that we are inclined to give him credit for a literal adherence to the +Apostolic precept, "Is any merry, let him sing Psalms!" + +At length, however, he hies away at the sound of bell-ringing, and seems +for some time to enjoy the tippling and fiddling and dancing of a village +wake: but his fancy is soon haunted again by spectres and goblins, a set +of beings not, in general, esteemed the companions or inspirers of mirth. + + With stories told of many a feat, + How fairy MAB the junkets eat. + She was pinched, and pulled, she said: + And he, by friar's lanthern led, + Tells how the drudging Goblin sweat + To earn his cream-bowl duly set; + When, in one night, ere glimpse of morn, + His shadowy Flail hath threshed the corn + That ten day-labourers could not end. + Then lies him down the lubbar Fiend; + And, stretched out all the chimney's length, + Basks at the fire his hairy strength: + And, crop-full, out of door he flings + Ere the first cock his Matins rings. + +Mr. M. seems indeed to have a turn for this species of Nursery Tales and +prattling Lullabies; and, if he will studiously cultivate his talent, he +need not despair of figuring in a conspicuous corner of Mr NEWBERY's shop +window: unless indeed Mrs. TRIMMER should think fit to proscribe those +empty levities and idle superstitions, by which the World has been too +long abused. + +From these rustic fictions, we are transported to another species of +_hum_. + + Towered cities please us then, + And the busy hum of men; + Where throngs of Knights and Barons bold, + In weeds of peace, high triumphs hold: + With _store of Ladies_, whose bright eyes + _Rain influence_, and judge the Prize + Of Wit or Arms; while both contend + To win her grace, whom all commend. + +To talk of the bright eyes of Ladies judging the Prize of Wit is indeed +with the Poets a legitimate species of humming: but would not, we may +ask, the _rain_ from these Ladies' bright eyes rather tend to dim their +lustre? Or is there any quality in a shower of _influence_; which, +instead of deadening, serves only to brighten and exhilarate? + +Whatever the case may be, we would advise Mr. M. by all means to keep out +of the way of these "Knights and Barons bold": for, if he has nothing but +his Wit to trust to, we will venture to predict that, without a large +share of most undue influence, he must be content to see the Prize +adjudged to his competitors. + +Of the latter part of the Poem little need be said. + +The Author does seem somewhat more at home when he gets among the Actors +and Musicians: though his head is still running upon ORPHEUS and EURYDICE +and PLUTO, and other sombre personages; who are ever thrusting themselves +in where we least expect them, and who chill every rising emotion of +mirth and gaiety. + +He appears however to be so ravished with this sketch of festive +pleasures, or perhaps with himself for having sketched them so well, that +he closes with a couplet which would not have disgraced a STERNHOLD. + + These delights if thou canst give, + Mirth, with thee I _mean_ to live. + +Of Mr. M.'s good _intentions_ there can be no doubt; but we beg leave to +remind him that there are two opinions to be consulted. He presumes +perhaps upon the poetical powers he has displayed, and considers them as +irresistible: for every one must observe in how different a strain he +avows his attachment now, and at the opening of the Poem. Then it was + + If I give thee honour due, + Mirth, admit me of thy crew! + +But having, it should seem, established his pretensions; he now thinks it +sufficient to give notice that he means to live with her, because he likes +her. + +Upon the whole, Mr. MILTON seems to be possessed of some fancy and talent +for rhyming; two most dangerous endowments which often unfit men for +acting a useful part in life without qualifying them for that which is +great and brilliant. If it be true, as we have heard, that he has +declined advantageous prospects in business, for the sake of indulging +his poetical humour; we hope it is not yet too late to prevail upon him +to retract his resolution. With the help of COCKER and common industry, +he may become a respectable Scrivener: but it is not all the ZEPHYRS, and +AURORAS, and CORYDONS, and THYRSIS's; aye, nor his "junketing Queen MAB" +and "drudging Goblins," that will ever make him a Poet. + + + + +PREDICTIONS FOR THE YEAR 1708. + +Wherein the Month and Day of the Month are set down, the Persons named, +and the great Actions and Events of next Year particularly related, as +they will come to pass. + +_Written to prevent the People of England from being further imposed on +by vulgar_ Almanack _Makers_. + +By ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esq. + +MDCCVIII. + + +PREDICTIONS for the Year 1708, &c. + +I have long considered the gross abuse of Astrology in this Kingdom; and +upon debating the matter with myself, I could not possibly lay the fault +upon the Art, but upon those gross Impostors who set up to be the Artists. + +I know several Learned Men have contended that the whole is a cheat; that +it is absurd and ridiculous to imagine the stars can have any influence at +all on human actions, thoughts, or inclinations: and whoever has not bent +his studies that way, may be excused for thinking so, when he sees in how +wretched a manner this noble Art is treated by a few mean illiterate +traders between us and the stars; who import a yearly stock of nonsense, +lies, folly, and impertinence, which they offer to the world as genuine +from the planets, although they descend from no greater height than their +own brains. + +I intend, in a short time, to publish a large and rational Defence of +this Art; and therefore shall say no more in its justification at present +than that it hath been, in all Ages, defended by many Learned Men; and, +among the rest, by SOCRATES himself, whom I look upon as undoubtedly the +wisest of uninspired mortals. To which if we add, that those who have +condemned this Art, although otherwise learned, having been such as +either did not apply their studies this way, or at least did not succeed +in their applications; their testimonies will not be of much weight to +its disadvantage, since they are liable to the common objection of +condemning what they did not understand. + +Nor am I at all offended, or think it an injury to the Art, when I see +the common dealers in it, the _Students in Astronomy_, the _Philomaths_, +and the rest of that tribe, treated by wise men with the utmost scorn and +contempt: but I rather wonder, when I observe Gentlemen in the country, +rich enough to serve the nation in Parliament, poring in PARTRIDGE's +_Almanack_ to find out the events of the year, at home and abroad; not +daring to propose a hunting match, unless GADBURY or he have fixed the +weather. + +I will allow either of the two I have mentioned, or any others of the +fraternity, to be not only Astrologers, but Conjurers too, if I do not +produce a hundred instances in all their _Almanacks_, to convince any +reasonable man that they do not so much as understand Grammar and Syntax; +that they are not able to spell any word out of the usual road, nor even, +in their _Prefaces_, to write common sense, or intelligible English. + +Then as their Observations or Predictions, they are such as will suit any +Age or country in the world. + +_This month, a certain great Person will be threatened with death or +sickness_. This the News Paper will tell them. For there we find at the +end of the year, that no month passeth without the death of some Person +of Note: and it would be hard if it should be otherwise, where there are +at least two thousand Persons of Note in this kingdom, many of them old; +and the _Almanack_ maker has the liberty of choosing the sickliest season +of the year, where he may fix his prediction. + +Again, _This month, an eminent Clergyman will be preferred_. Of which, +there may be some hundreds, half of them with one foot in the grave. + +Then, _Such a Planet in such a House shews great machinations, plots, and +conspiracies, that may, in time, be brought to light_. After which, if we +hear of any discovery, the Astrologer gets the honour; if not, his +prediction still stands good. + +And, at last, _God preserve King WILLIAM from all his open and secret +enemies, Amen_. When, if the King should happen to have died, the +Astrologer plainly foretold it! otherwise it passeth but for the pious +ejaculation of a loyal subject: although it unluckily happened in some of +their _Almanacks_, that poor King WILLIAM was prayed for, many months +after he was dead; because it fell out, that he died about the beginning +of the year. + +To mention no more of their impertinent Predictions, What have we to do +with their advertisements about pills, or their mutual quarrels in verse +and prose of Whig and Tory? wherewith the stars have little to do. + +Having long observed and lamented these, and a hundred other abuses of +this Art too tedious to repeat; I resolved to proceed in a New Way; +which, I doubt not, will be to the general satisfaction of the Kingdom. I +can, this year, produce but a specimen of what I design for the future: +having employed the most part of my time in adjusting and correcting the +calculations I made for some years past; because I would offer nothing to +the World, of which I am not as fully satisfied as that I am now alive. + +For these last two years, I have not failed in above one or two +particulars, and those of no very great moment. I exactly foretold the +miscarriage at Toulon [_fruitlessly besieged by Prince EUGENE, between +26th July, and 21st August_, 1707] with all its particulars: and the loss +of Admiral [Sir CLOUDESLY] SHOVEL [_at the Scilly isles, on 22nd October_, +1707]; although I was mistaken as to the day, placing that accident about +thirty-six hours sooner than it happened; but upon reviewing my Schemes, +I quickly found the cause of that error. I likewise foretold the battle +of Almanza [_25th April_, 1707] to the very day and hour, with the loss +on both sides, and the consequences thereof. All which I shewed to some +friends many months before they happened: that is, I gave them papers +sealed up, to open in such a time, after which they were at liberty to +read them; and there they found my Predictions true in every Article, +except one or two very minute. + +As for the few following Predictions I now offer the World, I forbore to +publish them until I had perused the several _Almanacks_ for the year we +are now entered upon. I found them all in the usual strain; and I beg the +reader will compare their manner with mine. + +And here I make bold to tell the World that I lay the whole credit of my +Art upon the truth of these Predictions; and I will be content that +PARTRIDGE and the rest of his clan may hoot me for a cheat and impostor, +if I fail in any single particular of moment. I believe any man who reads +this Paper [_pamphlet_], will look upon me to be at least a person of as +much honesty and understanding as the common maker of _Almanacks_. I do +not lurk in the dark, I am not wholly unknown to the World. I have set my +name at length, to be a mark of infamy to mankind, if they shall find I +deceive them. + +In one thing, I must desire to be forgiven: that I talk more sparingly of +home affairs. As it would be imprudence to discover Secrets of State, so +it would be dangerous to my person: but in smaller matters, and that as +are not of public consequence, I shall be very free: and the truth of my +conjectures will as much appear from these, as the other. + +As for the most signal events abroad, in France, Flanders, Italy, and +Spain: I shall make no scruple to predict them in plain terms. Some of +them are of importance; and I hope I shall seldom mistake the day they +will happen. Therefore I think good to inform the reader, that I, all +along, make use of the Old Style observed in England; which I desire he +will compare with that of the News Papers at the time they relate the +actions I mention. + +I must add one word more. I know it hath been, the opinion of several +Learned [Persons], who think well enough of the true Art of Astrology, +that the stars do only _incline_ and not _force_ the actions or wills of +men: and therefore, however I may proceed by right rules; yet I cannot, +in prudence, so confidently assure that the events will follow exactly as +I predict them. + +I hope I have maturely considered this objection, which, in some cases, +is of no little weight. For example, a man may, by the influence of an +overruling planet, be disposed or inclined to lust, rage, or avarice; and +yet, by the force of reason, overcome that evil influence. And this was +the case of SOCRATES. But the great events of the World usually depending +upon numbers of men; it cannot be expected they should _all_ unite to +cross their inclinations, from pursuing a general design wherein they +unanimously agree. Besides, the influence of the stars reacheth to many +actions and events which are not, in any way, in the power of Reason, as +sickness, death, and what we commonly call accidents; with many more, +needless to repeat. + +But now it is time to proceed to my Predictions: which I have begun to +calculate from the time that the sun entereth into _Aries [April]_; and +this I take to be properly the beginning of the natural year. I pursue +them to the time that he entereth _Libra [September]_ or somewhat more; +which is the busy period of the year. The remainder I have not yet +adjusted, upon account of several impediments needless here to mention. +Besides, I must remind the reader again, that this is but a specimen of +what I design, in succeeding years, to treat more at large; if I may have +liberty and encouragement. + +My first Prediction is but a trifle; yet I will mention it to shew how +ignorant those sottish pretenders to Astrology are in their own concerns. +It relateth to PARTRIDGE the _Almanack_ maker. I have consulted the star +of his nativity by my own rules; and find he will infallibly die upon the +29th of March [1708] next, about eleven at night, of a raging fever. +Therefore I advise him to consider of it, and settle his affairs in time. + +The month of APRIL will be observable for the death of many Great Persons. + +On the 4th will die the Cardinal DE NOAILLES, Archbishop of Paris. + +On the 11th, the young Prince of the ASTURIAS, son to the Duke of ANJOU. + +On the 14th, a great Peer of this realm will die at his country house. + +On the 19th, an old Layman of great fame and learning; and on the 23rd, +an eminent goldsmith in Lombard street. + +I could mention others, both at home and abroad, if I did not consider it +is of very little use or instruction to the Reader, or to the World. + +As to Public Affairs. On the 7th of this month, there will be an +insurrection in Dauphiny, occasioned by the oppressions of the people; +which will not be quieted in some months. + +On the 15th, there will be a violent storm on the southeast coast of +France; which will destroy many of their ships, and some in the very +harbours. + +The 19th will be famous for the revolt of a whole Province or Kingdom, +excepting one city: by which the affairs of a certain Prince in the +Alliance will take a better face. + +MAY, against common conjectures, will be no very busy month in Europe; +but very signal for the death of the Dauphin [_Note, how SWIFT is killing +off all the Great Men on the French side, one after another: became that +would jump with the inclination of the nation just at the moment_]; which +will happen on the 7th, after a short fit of sickness, and grievous +torments with the stranguary. He dies less lamented by the Court than the +Kingdom. + +On the 9th, a Marshal of France will break his leg by a fall from his +horse. I have not been able to discover whether he will then die or not. + +On the 11th, will begin a most important siege, which the eyes of all +Europe will be upon. I cannot be more particular; for in relating affairs +that so nearly concern the Confederates, and consequently this Kingdom; I +am forced to confine myself, for several reasons very obvious to the +reader. + +On the 15th, news will arrive of a _very surprising_ event; than which, +nothing could be more unexpected. + +On the 19th, three noble Ladies of this Kingdom, will, against all +expectation, prove with child; to the great joy of their husbands. + +On the 23rd, a famous buffoon of the Play House will die a ridiculous +death, suitable to his vocation. + +JUNE. This month will be distinguished at home by the utter dispersing of +those ridiculous deluded enthusiasts, commonly called Prophets [_Scotch +and English Jesuits affecting inspiration, under the name of the French +Prophets_], occasioned chiefly by seeing the time come when many of their +prophecies were to be fulfilled; and then finding themselves deceived by +the contrary events. It is indeed to be admired [_astonished at_] how any +deceiver can be so weak to foretell things near at hand; when a very few +months must, of necessity, discover the imposture to all the world: in +this point, less prudent than common _Almanack_ makers, who are so wise +[as] to wander in generals, talk dubiously, and leave to the reader the +business of interpreting. + +On the 1st of this month, a French General will be killed by a random +shot of a cannon ball. + +On the 6th, a fire will break out in all the suburbs of Paris, which will +destroy above a thousand houses; and seems to be the foreboding of what +will happen, to the surprise of all Europe, about the end of the +following month. + +On the 10th, a great battle will be fought, which will begin at four of +the clock in the afternoon, and last until nine at night, with great +obstinacy, but no very decisive event. I shall not name the place, for +the reasons aforesaid; but the Commanders of each left wing will be +killed.... I see bonfires, and hear the noise of guns for a victory. + +On the 14th, there will be a false report of the French King's death. + +On the 20th, Cardinal PORTOCARRERO will die of a dysentery, with great +suspicion of poison: but the report of his intentions to revolt to King +CHARLES will prove false. + +JULY. The 6th of this month, a certain General will, by a glorious +action, recover the reputation he lost by former misfortunes. + +On the 12th, a great Commander will die a prisoner in the hands of his +enemies. + +On the 14th, a shameful discovery will be made of a French Jesuit giving +poison to a great foreign General; and, when he is put to the torture, +[he] will make wonderful discoveries. + +In short, this will prove a month of great action, if I might have +liberty to relate the particulars. + +At home, the death of an old famous Senator will happen on the 15th, at +his country house, worn [out] with age and diseases. + +But that which will make this month memorable to all posterity, is the +death of the French King LEWIS XIV., after a week's sickness at Marli; +which will happen on the 29th, about six o'clock in the evening. It +seemeth to be an effect of the gout in his stomach followed by a flux. +And in three days after, Monsieur CHAMILLARD will follow his master; +dying suddenly of an apoplexy. + +In this month likewise, an Ambassador will die in London; but I cannot +assign the day. + +AUGUST. The affairs of France will seem to suffer no change for a while, +under the Duke of BURGUNDY's administration. But the Genius that animated +the whole machine being gone, will be the cause of mighty turns and +revolutions in the following year. The new King maketh yet little change, +either in the army or the Ministry; but the libels against his +[grand]father that fly about his very Court, give him uneasiness. + +I see an Express in mighty haste, with joy and wonder in his looks, +arriving by the break of day on the 26th of this month, having travelled, +in three days, a prodigious journey by land and sea. In the evening, I +hear bells and guns, and see the blazing of a thousand bonfires. + +A young Admiral, of noble birth, doth likewise, this month, gain immortal +honour by a great achievement. + +The affairs of Poland are, this month, entirely settled. AUGUSTUS resigns +his pretensions, which he had again taken up for some time. STANISLAUS is +peaceably possessed of the throne: and the King of SWEDEN declares for +the Emperor. + +I cannot omit one particular accident here at home: that, near the end of +this month, much mischief will be done at Bartholomew Fair [_held on +August 24th_], by the fall of a booth. + +SEPTEMBER. This month begins with a very surprising fit of frosty +weather, which will last near[ly] twelve days. + +The Pope having long languished last month, the swellings in his legs +breaking, and the flesh mortifying; he will die on the 11th instant. And, +in three weeks' time, after a mighty contest, he will be succeeded by a +Cardinal of the Imperial faction, but a native of Tuscany, who is now +about 61 years old. + +The French army acts now wholly on the defensive, strongly fortified in +their trenches: and the young French King sendeth overtures for a treaty +of peace, by the Duke of MANTUA; which, because it is a matter of State +that concerneth us here at home, I shall speak no further of. + +I shall add but one Prediction more, and that in mystical terms, which +shall be included in a verse out of VIRGIL, + + _Alter erit jam TETHYS, et altera quae vehat ARGO + Dilectos Heroas_. + +Upon the 25th day of this month, the fulfilling of this Prediction will +be manifest to everybody. + +This is the furthest I have proceeded in my calculations for the present +year. I do not pretend that these are all the great events which will +happen in this period; but that those I have set down will infallibly +come to pass. + +It may perhaps, still be objected, why I have not spoken more +particularly of affairs at home, or of the success of our armies abroad; +which I might, and could very largely have done. But those in Power have +wisely discouraged men from meddling in public concerns: and I was +resolved, by no means, to give the least offence. This I _will_ venture +to say, that it will be a glorious campaign for the Allies, wherein the +English forces, both by sea and land, will have their full share of +honour; that Her Majesty Queen ANNE will continue in health and +prosperity; and that no ill accident will arrive to any in the chief +Ministry. + +As to the particular events I have mentioned, the readers may judge by +the fulfilling of them, whether I am of the level with common +Astrologers, who, with an old paltry cant, and a few Pothooks for Planets +to amuse the vulgar, have, in my opinion, too long been suffered to abuse +the World. But an honest Physician ought not to be despised because there +are such things as mountebanks. + +I hope I have some share of reputation; which I would not willingly +forfeit for a frolic, or humour: and I believe no Gentleman, who reads +this Paper, will look upon it to be of the same last and mould with the +common scribbles that are every day hawked about. My fortune hath placed +me above the little regard of writing for a few pence, which I neither +value nor want. Therefore, let not any wise man too hastily condemn this +Essay, intended for a good design, to cultivate and improve an ancient +Art, long in disgrace by having fallen into mean unskilful hands. A +little time will determine whether I have deceived others, or myself: and +I think it is no very unreasonable request, that men would please to +suspend their judgements till then. + +I was once of the opinion with those who despise all Predictions from the +stars, till, in the year 1686, a Man of Quality shewed me written in his +album, that the most learned astronomer, Captain H[ALLEY], assured him he +would never believe anything of the stars' influence, if there were not a +great Revolution in England in the year 1688. Since that time, I began to +have other thoughts [SWIFT _does not say on what subject_]; and, after +eighteen years' [1690-1708] diligent study and application [_in what?_], +I think I have no reason to repent of my pains. + +I shall detain the reader no longer than to let him know, that the +account I design to give of next year's events shall take in the +principal affairs that happen in Europe. And if I be denied the liberty +of offering it to my own country; I shall appeal to the Learned World, by +publishing it in Latin, and giving order to have it printed in Holland. + +FINIS. + + + + +A Revenue Officer + +[_JONATHAN SWIFT_.] + +_A Letter to a Lord_. + +[30 March 1708.] + + +MY LORD, + +In obedience to your Lordship's commands, as well as to satisfy my own +curiosity; I have, for some days past, inquired constantly after +PARTRIDGE the _Almanack_ maker: of whom, it was foretold in Mr. +BICKERSTAFF's _Predictions_, published about a month ago, that he should +die, the 29th instant, about eleven at night, of a raging fever. + +I had some sort of knowledge of him, when I was employed in the Revenue; +because he used, every year, to present me with his _Almanack_, as he did +other Gentlemen, upon the score of some little gratuity we gave him. + +I saw him accidentally once or twice, about ten days before he died: and +observed he began very much to droop and languish; although I hear his +friends did not seem to apprehend him in any danger. + +About two or three days ago, he grew ill; was confined first to his +chamber, and in a few hours after, to his bed: where Dr. CASE and Mrs. +KIRLEUS [_two London quacks_] were sent for, to visit, and to prescribe +to him. + +Upon this intelligence, I sent thrice every day a servant or other, to +inquire after his health: and yesterday, about four in the afternoon, +word was brought me, that he was past hopes. + +Upon which, I prevailed with myself to go and see him: partly, out of +commiseration: and, I confess, partly out of curiosity. He knew me very +well, seemed surprised at my condescension, and made me compliments upon +it, as well as he could in the condition he was. The people about him, +said he had been delirious: but, when I saw him, he had his understanding +as well as ever I knew, and spoke strong and hearty, without any seeming +uneasiness or constraint. + +After I had told him, I was sorry to see him in those melancholy +circumstances, and said some other civilities suitable to the occasion; I +desired him to tell me freely and ingenuously, whether the _Predictions_, +Mr. BICKERSTAFF had published relating to his death, had not too much +affected and worked on his imagination? + +He confessed he often had it in his head, but never with much +apprehension till about a fortnight before: since which time, it had the +perpetual possession of his mind and thoughts, and he did verily believe +was the true natural cause of his present distemper. "For," said he, "I +am thoroughly persuaded, and I think I have very good reasons, that Mr. +BICKERSTAFF spoke altogether by guess, and knew no more what will happen +this year than I did myself." + +I told him, "His discourse surprised me, and I would be glad he were in a +state of health to be able to tell me, what reason he had, to be convinced +of Mr. BICKERSTAFF's ignorance." + +He replied, "I am a poor ignorant fellow, bred to a mean trade; yet I +have sense enough to know that all pretences of foretelling by Astrology +are deceits: for this manifest reason, because the wise and learned (who +can only judge whether there be any truth in this science), do all +unanimously agree to laugh at and despise it; and none but the poor +ignorant vulgar give it any credit, and that only upon the word of such +silly wretches as I and my fellows, who can hardly write or read." I then +asked him, "Why he had not calculated his own nativity, to see whether it +agreed with BICKERSTAFF's Predictions?" + +At which, he shook his head, and said, "O, Sir! this is no time for +jesting, but for repenting those fooleries, as I do now from the very +bottom of my heart." + +"By what I can gather from you," said I, "the Observations and +Predictions you printed with your _Almanacks_, were mere impositions upon +the people." + +He replied, "If it were otherwise, I should have the less to answer for. +We have a common form for all those things. As to foretelling the +weather, we never meddle with that! but leave it to the printer, who +taketh it out of any old _Almanack_, as he thinketh fit. The rest was my +own invention, to make my _Almanack_ sell; having a wife to maintain, and +no other way to get my bread: for mending old shoes is a poor livelihood! +And," added he, sighing, "I wish I may not have done more mischief by my +physic than by astrology! although I had some good receipts from my +grandmother, and my own compositions were such as I thought could, at +least, do no hurt." + +I had some other discourse with him, which now I cannot call to mind: and +I fear I have already tired your Lordship. I shall only add one +circumstance. That on his deathbed, he declared himself a Nonconformist, +and had a Fanatic [_the political designation of Dissenters_] preacher to +be his spiritual guide. + +After half an hour's conversation, I took my leave; being almost stifled +by the closeness of the room. + +I imagined he could not hold out long; and therefore withdrew to a little +coffee-house hard by, leaving a servant at the house, with orders to come +immediately, and tell me as near as he could the minute when PARTRIGE +should expire: which was not above two hours after, when, looking upon my +watch, I found it to be above Five minutes after Seven. By which it is +clear that Mr. BICKERSTAFF was mistaken almost four hours in his +calculation [_see_ p. 173]. In the other circumstances he was exact +enough. + +But whether he hath not been the cause of this poor man's death as well +as the Predictor may be very reasonably disputed. However, it must be +confessed the matter is odd enough, whether we should endeavour to +account for it by chance or the effect of imagination. + +For my own part, although I believe no man has less faith in these +matters, yet I shall wait with some impatience, and not without +expectation, the fulfilling of Mr. BICKERSTAFF's second prediction, that +the Cardinal De NOAILLES is to die upon the 4th of April [1708]; and if +that should be verified as exactly as this of poor PARTRIDGE, I must own +I shall be wholly surprised, and at a loss, and infallibly expect the +accomplishment of all the rest. + + +[In the original broadside, there are Deaths with darts, winged +hour-glasses, crossed marrow-bones, &c.] + +[JONATHAN SWIFT.] + +_An Elegy on Mr. PATRIGE, the_ Almanack _maker, who died on the 29th of +this instant March_, 1708. + +[Original broadside in the British Museum, C. 39. k./74.] + + Well, 'tis as BICKERSTAFF has guest; + Though we all took it for a jest; + PATRIGE is dead! nay more, he died + Ere he could prove the good Squire lied! + Strange, an Astrologer should die + Without one wonder in the sky + Not one of all his crony stars + To pay their duty at his hearse! + No meteor, no eclipse appeared, + No comet with a flaming beard! + The sun has rose and gone to bed + Just as if PATRIGE were not dead; + Nor hid himself behind the moon + To make a dreadful night at noon. + He at fit periods walks through _Aries_, + Howe'er our earthly motion varies; + And twice a year he'll cut th'Equator, + As if there had been no such matter. + + Some Wits have wondered what analogy + There is 'twixt[11] Cobbling and Astrology? + How PATRIGE made his optics rise + From a shoe-sole, to reach the skies? + A list, the cobblers' temples ties, + To keep the hair out of their eyes; + From whence, 'tis plain, the diadem + That Princes wear, derives from them: + And therefore crowns are now-a-days + Adorned with golden stars and rays; + Which plainly shews the near alliance + 'Twixt Cobbling and the Planet science. + + Besides, that slow-paced sign _Bo-otes_ + As 'tis miscalled; we know not who 'tis? + But PATRIGE ended all disputes; + He knew his trade! and called it _Boots_![12] + The Horned Moon which heretofore + Upon their shoes, the Romans wore, + Whose wideness kept their toes from corns, + And whence we claim our Shoeing Horns, + Shews how the art of Cobbling bears + A near resemblance to the Spheres. + + A scrap of parchment hung by Geometry, + A great refinement in Barometry, + Can, like the stars, foretell the weather: + And what is parchment else, but leather? + Which an Astrologer might use + Either for _Almanacks_ or shoes. + + Thus PATRIGE, by his Wit and parts, + At once, did practise both these Arts; + And as the boding owl (or rather + The bat, because her wings are leather) + Steals from her private cell by night, + And flies about the candle light: + So learned PATRIGE could as well + Creep in the dark, from leathern cell; + And in his fancy, fly as far, + To peep upon a twinkling star! + Besides, he could confound the Spheres + And set the Planets by the ears, + To shew his skill, he, Mars would join + To Venus, in _aspect malign_, + Then call in Mercury for aid, + And cure the wounds that Venus made. + + Great scholars have in LUCIAN read + When PHILIP, King of Greece was dead, + His soul and spirit did divide, + And each part took a different side: + One rose a Star; the other fell + Beneath, and mended shoes in hell. + + Thus PATRIGE still shines in each Art, + The Cobbling, and Star-gazing Part; + And is installed as good a star + As any of the CAESARS are. + + Thou, high exalted in thy sphere, + May'st follow still thy calling there! + To thee, the _Bull_ will lend his hide, + By _Phoebus_ newly tanned and dried! + For thee, they _Argo_'s hulk will tax, + And scrape her pitchy sides for wax! + Then _Ariadne_ kindly lends + Her braided hair, to make thee ends! + The point of Sagittarius' dart + Turns to an awl, by heavenly art! + And Vulcan, wheedled by his wife, + Will forge for thee, a paring-knife! + + Triumphant Star! some pity shew + On Cobblers militant below! + [13] But do not shed thy influence down + Upon St. James's end o' the Town! + Consider where the moon and stars + Have their devoutest worshippers! + Astrologers and lunatics + Have in Moorfields their stations fixt: + Hither, thy gentle aspect bend, + [14] Nor look asquint on an old friend! + + +[11] PATRIGE was a cobbler. + +[12] See his _Almanack_. + +[13] _Sed nec in Arctoo sede tibi legeris Orbe, &c._ + +[14] _Neve tuam videas obliquo idere Romam_. + + + + +THE EPITAPH. + + _Here five foot deep, lies on his back, + A Cobbler, Starmonger, and Quack; + Who to the stars, in pure good will, + Does to his best, look upward still. + Weep all you customers, that use + His Pills, his_ Almanacks, _or Shoes! + And you that did your fortunes seek, + Step to this grave, but once a week! + This earth which bears his body's print + You'll find has so much virtue in it; + That I durst pawn my ears, 'twill tell + Whate'er concerns you, full as well + (In physic, stolen goods, or love) + As he himself could, when above!_ + +LONDON: Printed in the Year 1708. + + + + +Squire BICKERSTAFF detected; +OR THE _Astrological Impostor convicted_. + +BY JOHN PARTRIDGE, + +Student in Physic and Astrology. + + +[This was written for PARTRIDGE, either by NICHOLAS ROWE or Dr. YALDEN, +and put forth by him, in good faith, in proof of his continued existence.] + +It is hard, my dear countrymen of these United Nations! it is very hard, +that a Britain born, a Protestant Astrologer, a man of Revolution +Principles, an assertor of the Liberty and Property of the people, should +cry out in vain, for justice against a Frenchman, a Papist, and an +illiterate pretender to Science, that would blast my reputation, most +inhumanly bury me alive, and defraud my native country of those services +which, in my double capacity [_Physician and Astrologer_], I daily offer +the public. + +What great provocations I have received, let the impartial reader judge! +and how unwillingly, even in my own defence, I now enter the lists +against Falsehood, Ignorance, and Envy! But I am exasperated at length, +to drag out this CACUS from the den of obscurity, where he lurketh, to +detect him by the light of those stars he hath so impudently traduced, +and to shew there is not a Monster in the skies so pernicious and +malevolent to mankind as an ignorant pretender to Physic and Astrology. + +I shall not directly fall on the many gross errors, nor expose the +notorious absurdities of this prostituted libeller, until I have let the +Learned World fairly into the controversy depending; and then leave the +unprejudiced to judge of the merits and justice of my cause. + +It was towards the conclusion of the year 1707 [_according to the old way +of reckoning the year from March 25th. The precise date is February, 1708, +see_ p. 469], when an impudent Pamphlet crept into the world, intituled +_Predictions &c. by ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esquire_. Among the many arrogant +assertions laid down by that lying Spirit of Divination; he was pleased +to pitch on the Cardinal DE NOAILLES and myself, among many other eminent +and illustrious persons that were to die within the confines of the +ensuing year, and peremptorily fixed the month, day, and hours of our +deaths. + +This, I think, is sporting with Great Men, and Public Spirits, to the +scandal of Religion, and reproach of Power: and if Sovereign Princes and +Astrologers must make diversion for the vulgar, why then, Farewell, say +I, to all Governments, Ecclesiastical and Civil! But, I thank my better +stars! I am alive to confront this false and audacious Predictor, and to +make him rue the hour he ever affronted a Man of Science and Resentment. + +The Cardinal may take what measures he pleases, with him: as His +Excellency is a foreigner and a Papist, he hath no reason to rely on me +for his justification. I shall only assure the World that he is alive! +but as he was bred to Letters, and is master of a pen, let him use it in +his own defence! + +In the meantime, I shall present the Public with a faithful Narrative of +the ungenerous treatment and hard usage I have received from the virulent +Papers and malicious practices of this pretended Astrologer. + + +A true and impartial ACCOUNT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, +Esq., against Me. + +The 29th of March, _Anno Dom_., 1708, being the night this Sham Prophet +had so impudently fixed for my last; which made little impression on +myself, but I cannot answer for my whole family. For my wife, with a +concern more than usual, prevailed on me to take somewhat to sweat for a +cold; and between the hours of 8 and 9, to go to bed. + +The maid as she was warming my bed, with the curiosity natural to young +women, runs to the window, and asks of one passing the street, "Who the +bell tolled for?" + +"Dr. PARTRIDGE," says he, "the famous _Almanack_ maker, who died suddenly +this evening." + +The poor girl provoked, told him, "He lied like a rascal!" + +The other very sedately replied, "The sexton had so informed him; and if +false, he was to blame for imposing on a stranger." + +She asked a second, and a third as they passed; and every one was in the +same tone. + +Now I don't say these were accomplices to a certain astrological Squire, +and that one BICKERSTAFF might be sauntering thereabouts; because I will +assert nothing here but what I dare attest, and plain matter of fact. + +My wife, at this, fell into a violent disorder; and I must own I was a +little discomposed at the oddness of the accident. + +In the meantime, one knocks at the door. BETTY runneth down and opening, +finds a sober grave person, who modestly inquires "If this was Dr. +PARTRIDGE's?" + +She, taking him for some cautious City patient, that came at that time +for privacy, shews him into the dining-room. + +As soon as I could compose myself, I went to him; and was surprised to +find my gentleman mounted on a table with a two-foot rule in his hand, +measuring my walls, and taking the dimensions of the room. + +"Pray, Sir," says I, "not to interrupt you, have you any business with +me?" + +"Only, Sir," replies he, "to order the girl to bring me a better light: +for this is but a dim one." + +"Sir," sayeth I, "my name is PARTRIDGE!" + +"Oh! the Doctor's brother, belike," cries he. "The staircase, I believe, +and these two apartments hung in close mourning will be sufficient; and +only a strip of Bays [cloth] round the other rooms. The Doctor must needs +die rich. He had great dealings in his way, for many years. If he had no +family Coat [of arms], you had as good use the scutcheons of the Company. +They are as showish and will look as magnificent as if he were descended +from the Blood-Royal." + +With that, I assumed a greater air of authority, and demanded, "Who +employed him? and how he came there?" + +"Why, I was sent, Sir, by the Company of Undertakers," saith he, "and +they were employed by the honest gentleman who is the executor to the +good Doctor departed: and our rascally porter, I believe is fallen fast +asleep with the black cloth and sconces or he had been here; and we might +have been tacking up by this time." + +"Sir," says I, "pray be advised by a friend, and make the best of your +speed out of my doors; for I hear my wife's voice," which, by the way, is +pretty distinguishable! "and in that corner of the room stands a good +cudgel which somebody [_i.e., himself_] has felt ere now. If that light +in her hands, and she knew the business you came about; without +consulting the stars, I can assure you it will be employed very much to +the detriment of your person." + +"Sir," cries he, bowing with great civility, "I perceive extreme grief +for the loss of the Doctor disorders you a little at present: but early +in the morning, I'll wait on you, with all necessary materials." + +Now I mention no Mr. BICKERSTAFF, nor do I say that a certain star-gazing +Squire has been a playing my executor before his time: but I leave the +World to judge, and if it puts things to things fairly together, it won't +be much wide of the mark. + +Well, once more I get my doors closed, and prepare for bed, in hopes of a +little repose, after so many ruffling adventures. Just as I was putting +out my light in order to it, another bounceth as hard as he can knock. + +I open the window and ask, "Who is there, and what he wants?" + +"I am NED the Sexton," replies he, "and come to know whether the Doctor +left any orders for a Funeral Sermon? and where he is to be laid? and +whether his grave is to be plain or bricked?" + +"Why, Sirrah!" says I, "you know me well enough. You know I am not dead; +and how dare you affront me after this manner!" + +"Alack a day, Sir," replies the fellow, "why it is in print, and the +whole Town knows you are dead. Why, there's Mr. WHITE the joiner is but +fitting screws to your coffin! He'll be here with it in an instant. He +was afraid you would have wanted it before this time." + +"Sirrah! sirrah!" saith I, "you shall know to-morrow to your cost that I +am alive! and alive like to be!" + +"Why, 'tis strange, Sir," says he, "you should make such a secret of your +death to us that are your neighbours. It looks as if you had a design to +defraud the Church of its dues: and let me tell you, for one who has +lived so long by the heavens, that is unhandsomely done!" + +"Hist! hist!" says another rogue that stood by him, "away, Doctor! into +your flannel gear as fast as you can! for here is a whole pack of dismals +coming to you with their black equipage; how indecent will it look for you +to stand frightening folks at your window, when you should have been in +your coffin this three hours!" + +In short, what with Undertakers, Embalmers, Joiners, Sextons, and your +_Elegy_ hawkers _upon a late practitioner in Physic and Astrology_; I got +not one wink of sleep that night, nor scarce a moment's rest ever since. + +Now, I doubt not but this villanous Squire has the impudence to assert +that these are entirely strangers to him; he, good man! knoweth nothing +of the matter! and honest ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, I warrant you! is more a man +of honour than to be an accomplice with a pack of rascals that walk the +streets on nights, and disturb good people in their beds. But he is out, +if he thinks the whole World is blind! for there is one JOHN PARTRIDGE +can smell a knave as far as Grub street, although he lies in the most +exalted garret, and writeth himself "Squire"! But I will keep my temper! +and proceed in the Narration. + +I could not stir out of doors for the space of three months after this; +but presently one comes up to me in the street: "Mr. PARTRIDGE, that +coffin you were last buried in, I have not yet been paid for." + +"Doctor!" cries another dog, "How do you think people can live by making +graves for nothing? Next time you die, you may even toll out the bell +yourself, for NED!" + +A third rogue tips me by the elbow, and wonders "how I have the +conscience to sneak abroad, without paying my funeral expenses." + +"Lord!" says one, "I durst have sworn that was honest Dr. PARTRIDGE, my +old friend; but, poor man, he is gone!" + +"I beg your pardon," says another, "you look so like my old acquaintance +that I used to consult on some private occasions: but, alack, he is gone +the way of all flesh." + +"Look, look!" cries a third, after a competent space of staring at me; +"would not one think our neighbour the _Almanack_ maker was crept out of +his grave, to take another peep at the stars in this world, and shew how +much he is improved in fortune telling by having taken a journey to the +other." + +Nay, the very Reader of our parish (a good sober discreet person) has +sent two or three times for me to come and be buried decently, or send +him sufficient reasons to the contrary: or if I have been interred in any +other parish, to produce my certificate as the _Act_ requires. + +My poor wife is almost run distracted with being called Widow PARTRIDGE, +when she knows it's false: and once a Term, she is cited into the Court, +to take out Letters of Administration. + +But the greatest grievance is a paltry Quack that takes up my calling +just under my nose; and in his printed directions with a, _N.B._, says: +_He lives in the house of the late ingenious Mr. JOHN PARTRIDGE, an +eminent Practitioner in Leather, Physic, and Astrology_. + +But to shew how far the wicked spirit of envy, malice, and resentment can +hurry some men, my nameless old persecutor had provided a monument at the +stone-cutter's, and would have it erected in the parish church: and this +piece of notorious and expensive villany had actually succeeded, if I had +not used my utmost interest with the Vestry; where it was carried at last +but by two voices, that I am alive. + +That stratagem failing, out cometh a long sable _Elegy_ bedecked with +hour-glasses, mattocks, skulls, spades, and skeletons, with an _Epitaph_ +[_see_ p. 486] as confidently written to abuse me and my profession, as +if I had been under ground these twenty years. + +And, after such barbarous treatment as this, can the World blame me, when +I ask, What is become of the freedom of an Englishman? and, Where is the +Liberty and Property that my old glorious Friend [_WILLIAM III_.] came +over to assert? We have driven Popery out of the nation! and sent Slavery +to foreign climes! The Arts only remain in bondage, when a Man of Science +and Character shall be openly insulted! in the midst of the many useful +services he is daily paying the public. Was it ever heard, even in Turkey +or Algiers, that a State Astrologer was bantered out of his life, by an +ignorant impostor? or bawled out of the world, by a pack of villanous +deep-mouthed hawkers? + +Though I print _Almanacks_, and publish _Advertisements_; although I +produce certificates under the Minister's and Churchwardens' hands, that +I am alive: and attest the same, on oath, at Quarter Sessions: out comes +_A full and true Relation of the death and interment of JOHN PARTRIDGE_. +Truth is borne down; Attestations, neglected; the testimony of sober +persons, despised: and a man is looked upon by his neighbours as if he +had been seven years dead, and is buried alive in the midst of his +friends and acquaintance. + +Now can any man of common sense think it consistent with the honour of my +profession, and not much beneath the dignity of a philosopher, to stand +bawling, before his own door, "Alive! Alive! Ho! the famous Doctor +PARTRIDGE! no counterfeit, but all alive!" as if I had the twelve +celestial Monsters of the Zodiac to shew within, or was forced for a +livelihood, to turn retailer to May and Bartholomew Fairs. + +Therefore, if Her Majesty would but graciously be pleased to think a +hardship of this nature worthy her royal consideration; and the next +Parl[ia]m[en]t, in their great wisdom, cast but an eye towards the +deplorable case of their old _Philomath_ that annually bestoweth his +poetical good wishes on them: I am sure there is one ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, +Esquire, would soon be trussed up! for his bloody persecution, and +putting good subjects in terror of their lives. And that henceforward, to +murder a man by way of Prophecy, and bury him in a printed _Letter_, +either _to a Lord_ or Commoner, shall as legally entitle him to the +present possession of Tyburn, as if he robbed on the highway, or cut your +throat in bed. + + + +_Advertisement_. + +N.B.: _There is now in the Press, my Appeal to the Learned; Or my general +Invitation to all Astrologers, Divines, Physicians, Lawyers, +Mathematicians, Philologers, and to the_ Literati _of the whole World, to +come and take their Places in the Common Court of Knowledge, and receive +the Charge given in by me, against ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esq., that most +notorious Impostor in Science and illiterate Pretender to the Stars; +where I shall openly convict him of ignorance in his profession, +impudence and falsehood in every assertion, to the great detriment and +scandal of Astrology. I shall further demonstrate to the Judicious, that +France and Rome are at the bottom of this horrid conspiracy against me; +and that the Culprit aforesaid is a Popish emissary, has paid his visits +to St. Germains, and is now in the Measures of LEWIS XIV.; that in +attempting my reputation, there is a general Massacre of Learning +designed in these realms; and, through my sides, there is a wound given +to all the Protestant_ Almanack _makers in the universe_. + +Vivat Regina! + + +Not satisfied with this _Impartial Account_, when next Almanack time came +(in the following November, 1708), PARTRIDGE's _Almanack_ for 1709 [P.P. +2465/8] contained the following: + +You may remember that there was a Paper published predicting my death +upon the 29th March at night, 1708, and after the day was past, the same +villain told the World I was dead, and how I died, and that he was with +me at the time of my death. + +I thank GOD, by whose mercy I have my Being, that I am still alive, and +(excepting my age) as well as ever I was in my life: as I was also at +that 29th of March. And that Paper was said to be done by one +BICKERSTAFF, Esq. But that was a sham name, it was done by an impudent +lying fellow. + +But his Prediction did not prove true! What will he say to that? For the +fool had considered the "Star of my Nativity" as he said. Why the truth +is, he will be hard put to it to find a _salvo_ for his Honour. It was a +bold touch! and he did not know but it might prove true. + +One hardly knows whether to wonder most at the self-delusion or credulity +of this last paragraph by the old quack. + +This called forth from SWIFT: + + + +A VINDICATION OF ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esq., &c. + +MR. PARTRIDGE hath been lately pleased to treat me after a very rough +manner, in that which is called his _Almanack_ for the present year. Such +usage is very undecent from one Gentleman to another, and does not at all +contribute to the discovery of Truth, which ought to be the great End in +all disputes of the Learned. To call a man, _fool_, and _villain_, and +_impudent fellow_, only for differing from him in a point merely +speculative, is, in my humble opinion, a very improper style for a person +of his Education. + +I appeal to the Learned World, whether, in my last year's _Predictions_, +I gave him the least provocation for such unworthy treatment. +Philosophers have differed in all Ages; but the discreetest among them, +have always differed as became Philosophers. Scurrility and Passion in a +Controversy among Scholars, is just so much of nothing to the purpose; +and, at best, a tacit confession of a weak cause. + +My concern is not so much for my own reputation, as that of the Republic +of Letters; which Mr. PARTRIDGE hath endeavoured to wound through my +sides. If men of public spirit must be superciliously treated for their +ingenious attempts; how will true useful knowledge be ever advanced? I +wish Mr. PARTRIDGE knew the thoughts which foreign Universities have +conceived of his ungenerous proceeding with me: but I am too tender of +his reputation to publish them to the World. That spirit of envy and +pride, which blasts so many rising Geniuses in our nation, is yet unknown +among Professors abroad. The necessity of justifying myself will excuse my +vanity, when I tell the reader that I have received nearly a hundred +Honorary Letters from several part of Europe, some as far as Muscovey, in +praise of my performance: besides several others, which (as I have been +credibly informed) were opened in the P[ost] Office, and never sent me. + +It is true, the Inquisition in P[ortuga]l was pleased to burn my +_Predictions_ [_A fact, as Sir PAUL METHUEN, the English Ambassador +there, informed SWIFT_], and condemned the Author and the readers of +them: but, I hope at the same time, it will be considered in how +deplorable a state Learning lieth at present in that Kingdom. And, with +the profoundest reverence for crowned heads, I will presume to add, that +it a little concerned His Majesty of Portugal to interpose his authority +in behalf of a Scholar and a Gentleman, the subject of a nation with +which he is now in so strict an alliance. + +But the other Kingdoms and States of Europe have treated me with more +candour and generosity. If I had leave to print the Latin letters +transmitted to me from foreign parts, they would fill a Volume! and be a +full defence against all that Mr. PARTRIDGE, or his accomplices of the +P[ortuga]l Inquisition, will be ever able to object: who, by the way, are +the only enemies my _Predictions_ have ever met with, at home or abroad. +But I hope I know better what is due to the honour of a Learned +Correspondence in so tender a point. + +Yet some of those illustrious Persons will, perhaps, excuse me for +transcribing a passage or two, in my own vindication. + +[15]The most learned Monsieur LEIBNITZ thus addresseth to me his third +Letter, _Illustrissimo BICKERSTAFFIO Astrologico Instauratori, &c._ +Monsieur LE CLERC, quoting my _Predictions_ in a treatise he published +last year, is pleased to say, _Ita, nuperrime BICKERSTAFFIUS, magnum +illud Angliae sidus_. Another great Professor writing of me, has these +words, _BICKERSTAFFIUS nobilis Anglus, Astrologarum hujusce seculi facile +Princeps_. Signior MAGLIABECCHI, the Great Duke's famous Library Keeper, +spendeth almost his whole Letter in compliments and praises. It is true +the renowned Professor of Astronomy at Utrecht seemeth to differ from me +in one article; but it is after the modest manner that becometh a +Philosopher, as _Pace tanti viri dixerim_: and, page 55, he seemeth to +lay the error upon the printer, as, indeed it ought, and sayeth, _vel +forsan error typographi, cum alioquin BICKERSTAFFIUS vir doctissimus, &c_. + +If Mr. PARTRIDGE had followed these examples in the controversy between +us, he might have spared me the trouble of justifying myself in so public +a manner. I believe few men are readier to own their error than I, or more +thankful to those who will please to inform him of them. But it seems this +Gentleman, instead of encouraging the progress of his own Art, is pleased +to look upon all Attempts of this kind as an invasion of his Province. + +He has been indeed so wise, as to make no objection against the truth of +my _Predictions_, except in one single point, relating to himself. And to +demonstrate how much men are blinded by their own partiality, I do +solemnly assure the reader, that he is the _only_ person from whom I ever +heard that objection offered! which consideration alone, I think, will +take off its weight. + +With my utmost endeavours, I have not been able to trace above two +Objections ever made against the truth of my last year's _Prophecies_. + +The first was of a Frenchman, who was pleased to publish to the World, +that _the Cardinal DE NOAILLES was still alive, notwithstanding the +pretended Prophecy of Monsieur BIQUERSTAFFE_. But how far a Frenchman, a +Papist, and an enemy is to be believed, in his own cause, against an +English Protestant, who is _true to the Government_, I shall leave to the +candid and impartial reader! + +The other objection is the unhappy occasion of this Discourse, and +relateth to an article in my _Predictions_, which foretold the death of +Mr. PARTRIDGE to happen on March 29, 1708. _This_, he is pleased to +contradict absolutely, in the _Almanack_ he has published for the present +year; and in that ungentlemanly manner (pardon the expression!) as I have +above related. + +In that Work, he very roundly asserts that _he is not only now alive, but +was likewise alive upon that very 29th of March, when I had foretold he +should die_. + +This is the subject of the present Controversy between us, which I design +to handle with all brevity, perspicuity, and calmness. In this dispute, I +am sensible the eyes, not only of England, but of all Europe will be upon +us: and the Learned in every country will, I doubt not, take part on that +side where they find most appearance of Reason and Truth. + +Without entering into criticisms of Chronology about the hour of his +death, I shall only prove that _Mr. PARTRIDGE is not alive_. + +And my first argument is thus. Above a thousand Gentlemen having bought +his _Almanack_ for this year, merely to find what he said against me: at +every line they read, they would lift up their eyes, and cry out, between +rage and laughter, _They were sure, no man alive ever wrote such stuff as +this!_ Neither did I ever hear that opinion disputed. So that Mr. +PARTRIDGE lieth under a dilemma, either of disowning his _Almanack_, or +allowing himself to be _no man alive_. + +Death is defined by all Philosophers [as] a separation of the soul and +body. Now it is certain that the poor woman [_Mrs. PARTRIDGE_] who has +best reason to know, has gone about, for some time, to every alley in the +neighbourhood, and swore to her gossips that _her husband had neither life +nor soul in him_. Therefore, if an _uninformed_ Carcass walks still about +and is pleased to call itself PARTRIDGE; Mr. BICKERSTAFF doth not think +himself any way answerable for that! Neither had the said Carcass any +right to beat the poor boy, who happened to pass by it in the street, +crying _A full and true Account of Dr. PARTRIDGE's death, &c_. + +SECONDLY. Mr. PARTRIDGE pretendeth to tell fortunes and recover stolen +goods, which all the parish says, he must do by conversing with the Devil +and other evil spirits: and no wise man will ever allow, he could converse +personally with either, until after he was dead. + +THIRDLY. I will plainly prove him to be dead out of his own _Almanack_ +for this year; and from the very passage which he produceth to make us +think him alive. He there sayeth, _He is not only_ now _alive, but was +also alive upon that very 29th of March, which I foretold he should die +on_. By this, he declareth his opinion that a man may be alive _now_, who +was not alive a twelve month ago. And, indeed, here lies the sophistry of +his argument. He dareth not assert he was alive _ever since the 29th of +March_! but that he is _now alive_, and _was so on that day_. I grant the +latter, for he did not die until night, as appeareth in a printed account +of his death, in a _Letter to a Lord_; and whether he be since revived, I +leave the World to judge! This indeed is perfect cavilling; and I am +ashamed to dwell any longer upon it. + +FOURTHLY. I will appeal to Mr. PARTRIDGE himself, whether it be probable +I could have been so indiscreet as to begin my _Predictions_ with the +_only_ falsehood that ever was pretended to be in them! and this in an +affair at home, where I had so many opportunities to be exact, and must +have given such advantages against me, to a person of Mr. PARTRIDGE's Wit +and Learning: who, if he could possibly have raised one single objection +more against the truth of my Prophecies, would hardly have spared me! + +And here I must take occasion to reprove the above-mentioned Writer +[i.e., SWIFT _himself, see_ p. 482] of the Relation of Mr. PARTRIDGE's +death, in a _Letter to a Lord_, who was pleased to tax me with a mistake +of _four whole hours_ in my calculation of that event. I must confess, +this censure, pronounced with an air of certainty, in a matter that so +nearly concerned me, and by a grave _judicious_ author, moved me not a +little. But though I was at that time out of Town, yet several of my +friends, whose curiosity had led them to be exactly informed (as for my +own part; having no doubt at all of the matter, I never once thought of +it!) assured me, I computed to something under half an hour: which (I +speak my private opinion!) is an error of no very great magnitude, that +men should raise clamour about it! + +I shall only say, it would not be amiss, if that Author would henceforth +be more tender of other men's reputation, as well as of his own! It is +well there were no more mistakes of that kind: if there had been, I +presume he would have told me of them, with as little ceremony. + +There is one objection against Mr. PARTRIDGE's death, which I have +sometimes met with, although indeed very slightly offered, That he still +continueth to write _Almanacks_. But this is no more than what is common +to all of that Profession. _GADBURY, Poor Robin, DOVE, WING_, and several +others, do yearly publish their _Almanacks_, though several of them have +been dead since before the Revolution. Now the natural reason of this I +take to be, that whereas it is the privilege of other Authors, _to live_ +after their deaths; _Almanack_ makers are only excluded, because their +Dissertations, treating only upon the Minutes as they pass, become +useless as those go off: in consideration of which, Time, whose Registers +they are, gives them a lease in reversion, to continue their Works after +their death. Or, perhaps, a _Name_ can _make_ an _Almanack_ as well as +_sell_ one. And to strengthen this conjecture, I have heard the +booksellers affirm, that they have desired Mr. PARTRIDGE to spare himself +further trouble, and only to lend his Name; which could make _Almanacks_ +much better than himself. + +I should not have given the Public or myself, the trouble of this +_Vindication_, if my name had not been made use of by several persons, to +whom I never lent it: one of which, a few days ago, was pleased to father +on me, a new set of _Predictions_. But I think these are things too +serious to be trifled with. It grieved me to the heart, when I saw my +Labours, which had cost me so much thought and watching, bawled about by +the common hawkers of Grub street, which I only intended for the weighty +consideration of the gravest persons. This prejudiced the World so much +at first, that several of my friends had the assurance to ask me, +"Whether I were in jest?" To which I only answered coldly, that "the +event will shew!" But it is the talent of our Age and nation to turn +things of the greatest importance into ridicule. When the end of the year +had _verified all_ my _Predictions_; out cometh Mr. PARTRIDGE's +_Almanack!_ disputing the point of his death. So that I am employed, like +the General who was forced to kill his enemies twice over, whom a +necromancer had raised to life. If Mr. PARTRIDGE has practised the same +experiment upon himself, and be again alive; long may he continue so! But +that doth not, in the least, contradict my veracity! For I think I have +clearly proved, _by invincible demonstration_, that he died, at farthest, +within half an hour of the time I foretold [; and not four hours sooner, +as the above-mentioned Author, in his _Letter to a Lord_ hath maliciously +suggested, with a design to blast my credit, by charging me with so gross +a mistake]. + +FINIS. + + +Under the combined assault of the Wits, PARTRIDGE ceased to publish his +_Almanack_ for a while; but afterwards took heart again, publishing his +"_Merlinus Redivivus_, being an Almanack for the year 1714, by JOHN +PARTRIDGE, a Lover of Truth [P.P. 2465/6];" at p. 2 of which is the +following epistle. + + +To ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esq. + +SIR, + +There seems to be a kind of fantastical propriety in a dead man's +addressing himself to a person not in Being. ISAAC BICKERSTAFF [_i.e., +RICHARD STEELE_] is no more [_the_ Tatler _having come to an end_], and I +have now nothing to dispute with on the subject of his fictions concerning +me, _sed magni nominis umbra_, "a shadow only, and a mighty name." + +I have indeed been for some years silent, or, in the language of Mr. +BICKERSTAFF, "dead"; yet like many an old man that is reported so by his +heirs, I have lived long enough to bury my successor [_the_ Tatler +_having been discontinued_]. In short, I am returned to Being after you +have left it; and since you were once pleased to call yourself my +brother-astrologer, the world may be apt to compare our story to that of +the twin-stars CASTOR and POLLUX, and say it was our destiny, not to +appear together, but according to the fable, to live and die by turns. + +Now, Sir, my intention in this Epistle is to let you know that I shall +behave myself in my new Being with as much moderation as possible, and +that I have no longer any quarrel with you [_i.e., STEELE_], for the +accounts you inserted in your writings [_the joke was continued in the_ +Tatler] concerning my death, being sensible that you were no less abused +in that particular than myself. + +The person from whom you took up that report, I know, was your namesake, +the author of BICKERSTAFF's _Predictions_, a notorious cheat.[16] And if +you had been indeed as much an Astrologer as you pretended, you might +have known that his word was no more to be taken than that of an Irish +evidence [_SWIFT was now Dean of St. Patrick's_]: that not being the only +_Tale of a Tub_ he had vented. The only satisfaction therefore, I expect +is, that your bookseller in the next edition of your Works [_The +Tatler_], do strike out my name and insert his in the room of it. I have +some thoughts of obliging the World with his nativity, but shall defer +that till another opportunity. + +I have nothing to add further, but only that when you think fit to return +to life again in whatever shape, of Censor [_the designation of the +supposed Writer of the_ Tatler], a _Guardian_, an _Englishman_, or any +other figure, I shall hope you will do justice to + +Your revived friend and servant, + +JOHN PARTRIDGE. + + +On the last leaf of this _Almanack_ is the following notice:-- + +This is to give notice to all people, that all those _Prophecies, +Predictions, Almanacks_, and other pamphlets, that had my name either +true, or shammed with the want of a Letter [_i.e., spelling his name +PARTRIGE instead of PARTRIDGE_]: I say, they are all impudent forgeries, +by a breed of villains, and wholly without my knowledge or consent. And I +doubt not but those beggarly villains that have scarce bread to eat +without being rogues, two or three poor printers and a bookbinder, with +honest BEN, will be at their old Trade again of Prophesying in my name. +This is therefore to give notice, that if there is anything in print in +my name beside this _Almanack_, you may depend on it that it is a lie, +and he is a villain that writes and prints it. + + +In his _Almanack_ for 1715 [P.P. 2465/7], PARTRIDGE says-- + +It is very probable, that the beggarly knavish Crew will be this year +also printing _Prophecies_ and _Predictions_ in my name, to cheat the +country as they used to do. This is therefore to give notice, that if +there is anything of that kind done in my name besides this _Almanack_ +printed by the Company of Stationers, you may be certain it is not mine, +but a cheat, and therefore refuse it. + + +[15] The quotations here, are said to be a parody of those of BENTLEY + in his controversy with BOYLE. + +[16] _Vide_ Dr. S[WI]FT. + + + + +THE PRESENT STATE OF WIT, +IN A LETTER TO A +Friend in the Country. + +_LONDON_: + +Printed in the Year, MDCCXI. +(Price 3_d_.) + + +THE Present State OF WIT, &c. + +SIR, + +You acquaint me in your last, that you are still so busy building at +----, that your friends must not hope to see you in Town this year: at +the same time, you desire me, that you may not be quite at a loss in +conversation among the _beau monde_ next winter, to send you an account +of the present State of Wit in Town: which, without further preface, I +shall endeavour to perform; and give you the histories and characters of +all our Periodical Papers, whether monthly, weekly, or diurnal, with the +same freedom I used to send you our other Town news. + +I shall only premise, that, as you know, I never cared one farthing, +either for Whig or Tory: so I shall consider our Writers purely as they +are such, without any respect to which Party they belong. + +Dr. KING has, for some time, lain down his monthly _Philosophical +Transactions_, which the title-page informed us at first, were only to be +continued as they sold; and though that gentleman has a world of Wit, yet +as it lies in one particular way of raillery, the Town soon grew weary of +his Writings: though I cannot but think that their author deserves a much +better fate than to languish out the small remainder of his life in the +Fleet prison. + +About the same time that the Doctor left off writing, one Mr. OZELL put +out his _Monthly Amusement_; which is still continued: and as it is +generally some French novel or play indifferently translated, it is more +or less taken notice of, as the original piece is more or less agreeable. + +As to our Weekly Papers, the poor _Review_ [_by DANIEL DEFOE_] is quite +exhausted, and grown so very contemptible, that though he has provoked +all his Brothers of the Quill round, none of them will enter into a +controversy with him. This fellow, who had excellent natural parts, but +wanted a small foundation of learning, is a lively instance of those Wits +who, as an ingenious author says, "will endure but one skimming"[!]. + +The _Observator_ was almost in the same condition; but since our party +struggles have run so high, he is much mended for the better: which is +imputed to the charitable assistance of some outlying friends. + +These two authors might however have flourished some time longer, had not +the controversy been taken up by abler hands. + +The _Examiner_ is a paper which all men, who speak without prejudice, +allow to be well written. Though his subject will admit of no great +variety; he is continually placing it in so many different lights, and +endeavouring to inculcate the same thing by so many beautiful changes of +expression, that men who are concerned in no Party, may read him with +pleasure. His way of assuming the Question in debate is extremely artful; +and his _Letter to Crassus_ is, I think, a masterpiece. As these Papers +are supposed to have been written by several hands, the critics will tell +you that they can discern a difference in their styles and beauties; and +pretend to observe that the first _Examiners_ abound chiefly in Wit, the +last in Humour. + +Soon after their first appearance, came out a Paper from the other side, +called the _Whig Examiner_, written with so much fire, and in so +excellent a style, as put the Tories in no small pain for their favourite +hero. Every one cried, "_BICKERSTAFF_ must be the author!" and people were +the more confirmed in this opinion, upon its being so soon laid down: +which seemed to shew that it was only written to bind the _Examiners_ to +their good behaviour, and was never designed to be a Weekly Paper. + +The _Examiners_, therefore, have no one to combat with, at present, but +their friend the _Medley_: the author of which Paper, though he seems to +be a man of good sense, and expresses it luckily now and then, is, I +think, for the most part, perfectly a stranger to fine writing. + +I presume I need not tell you that the _Examiner_ carries much the more +sail, as it is supposed to be written by the direction, and under the eye +of some Great Persons who sit at the helm of affairs, and is consequently +looked on as a sort of Public Notice which way they are steering us. + +The reputed author is Dr. S[WIF]T, with the assistance, sometimes, of Dr. +ATT[ERBUR]Y and Mr. P[RIO]R. + +The _Medley_ is said to be written by Mr. OLD[MIXO]N; and supervised by +Mr. MAYN[WARIN]G, who perhaps might entirely write those few Papers which +are so much better than the rest. + +Before I proceed further in the account of our Weekly Papers, it will be +necessary to inform you that at the beginning of the winter [_on Jan. 2_, +1711], to the infinite surprise of all men, Mr. STEELE flang up his +_Tatler_; and instead of _ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esquire_, subscribed himself +RICHARD STEELE to the last of those Papers, after a handsome compliment to +the Town for their kind acceptance of his endeavours to divert them. + +The chief reason he thought fit to give for his leaving off writing was, +that having been so long looked on in all public places and companies as +the Author of those papers, he found that his most intimate friends and +acquaintance were in pain to speak or act before him. + +The Town was very far from being satisfied with this reason, and most +people judged the true cause to be, either + + That he was quite spent, and wanted matter to continue his + undertaking any longer; or + + That he laid it down as a sort of submission to, and composition + with, the Government, for some past offences; + + or, lastly, + + That he had a mind to vary his Shape, and appear again in some new + light. + +However that were, his disappearance seemed to be bewailed as some +general calamity. Every one wanted so agreeable an amusement, and the +Coffee-houses began to be sensible that the _Esquire's Lucubrations_ +alone had brought them more customers, than all their other News Papers +put together. + +It must indeed be confessed that never man threw up his pen, under +stronger temptations to have employed it longer. His reputation was at a +greater height, than I believe ever any living author's was before him. +It is reasonable to suppose that his gains were proportionably +considerable. Every one read him with pleasure and good-will; and the +Tories, in respect to his other good qualities, had almost forgiven his +unaccountable imprudence in declaring against them. + +Lastly, it was highly improbable that, if he threw off a Character the +ideas of which were so strongly impressed in every one's mind, however +finely he might write in any new form, that he should meet with the same +reception. + +To give you my own thoughts of this Gentleman's Writings, I shall, in the +first place, observe, that there is a noble difference between him and all +the rest of our Polite and Gallant Authors. The latter have endeavoured to +please the Age by falling in with them, and encouraging them in their +fashionable vices and false notions of things. It would have been a jest, +some time since, for a man to have asserted that anything witty could be +said in praise of a married state, or that Devotion and Virtue were any +way necessary to the character of a Fine Gentleman. _BICKERSTAFF_ +ventured to tell the Town that they were a parcel of fops, fools, and +coquettes; but in such a manner as even pleased them, and made them more +than half inclined to believe that he spoke truth. + +Instead of complying with the false sentiments or vicious tastes of the +Age--either in morality, criticism, or good breeding--he has boldly +assured them, that they were altogether in the wrong; and commanded them, +with an authority which perfectly well became him, to surrender themselves +to his arguments for Virtue and Good Sense. + +It is incredible to conceive the effect his writings have had on the +Town; how many thousand follies they have either quite banished or given +a very great check to! how much countenance, they have added to Virtue +and Religion! how many people they have rendered happy, by shewing them +it was their own fault if they were not so! and, lastly, how entirely +they have convinced our young fops and young fellows of the value and +advantages of Learning! + +He has indeed rescued it out of the hands of pedants and fools, and +discovered the true method of making it amiable and lovely to all +mankind. In the dress he gives it, it is a most welcome guest at +tea-tables and assemblies, and is relished and caressed by the merchants +on the Change. Accordingly there is not a Lady at Court, nor a Banker in +Lombard Street, who is not verily persuaded that Captain STEELE is the +greatest Scholar and best Casuist of any man in England. + +Lastly, his writings have set all our Wits and Men of Letters on a new +way of Thinking, of which they had little or no notion before: and, +although we cannot say that any of them have come up to the beauties of +the original, I think we may venture to affirm, that every one of them +writes and thinks much more justly than they did some time since. + +The vast variety of subjects which Mr. STEELE has treated of, in so +different manners, and yet ALL so perfectly well, made the World believe +that it was impossible they should all come from the same hand. This set +every one upon guessing who was the _Esquire's_ friend? and most people +at first fancied it must be Doctor SWIFT; but it is now no longer a +secret, that his only great and constant assistant was Mr. ADDISON. + +This is that excellent friend to whom Mr. STEELE owes so much; and who +refuses to have his name set before those Pieces which the greatest pens +in England would be proud to own. Indeed, they could hardly add to this +Gentleman's reputation: whose works in Latin and English Poetry long +since convinced the World, that he was the greatest Master in Europe of +those two languages. + +I am assured, from good hands, that all the visions, and other tracts of +that way of writing, with a very great number of the most exquisite +pieces of wit and raillery throughout the _Lucubrations_ are entirely of +this Gentleman's composing: which may, in some measure, account for that +different Genius, which appears In the winter papers, from those of the +summer; at which time, as the _Examiner_ often hinted, this friend of Mr. +STEELE was in Ireland. + +Mr. STEELE confesses in his last Volume of the _Tatlers_ that he is +obliged to Dr. SWIFT for his _Town Shower_, and the _Description of the +Morn_, with some other hints received from him in private conversation. + +I have also heard that several of those _Letters_, which came as from +unknown hands, were written by Mr. HENLEY: which is an answer to your +query, "Who those friends are, whom Mr. STEELE speaks of in his last +_Tatler_?" + +But to proceed with my account of our other papers. The expiration of +_BICKERSTAFF's Lucubrations_ was attended with much the same consequences +as the death of _MELIBOEUS's Ox_ in VIRGIL: as the latter engendered +swarms of bees, the former immediately produced whole swarms of little +satirical scribblers. + +One of these authors called himself the _Growler_, and assured us that, +to make amends for Mr. STEELE's silence, he was resolved to _growl_ at us +weekly, as long as we should think fit to give him any encouragement. +Another Gentleman, with more modesty, called his paper, the _Whisperer_; +and a third, to please the Ladies, christened his, the _Telltale_. + + +At the same time came out several _Tatlers_; each of which, with equal +truth and wit, assured us that he was the genuine _ISAAC BICKERSTAFF_. + +It may be observed that when the _Esquire_ laid down his pen; though he +could not but foresee that several scribblers would soon snatch it up, +which he might (one would think) easily have prevented: he scorned to +take any further care about it, but left the field fairly open to any +worthy successor. Immediately, some of our Wits were for forming +themselves into a Club, headed by one Mr. HARRISON, and trying how they +could shoot in this BOW of ULYSSES; but soon found that this sort of +writing requires so fine and particular a manner of Thinking, with so +exact a Knowledge of the World, as must make them utterly despair of +success. + +They seemed indeed at first to think, that what was only the garnish of +the former _Tatlers_, was that which recommended them; and not those +Substantial Entertainments which they everywhere abound in. According +they were continually talking of their _Maid, Night Cap, Spectacles_, and +CHARLES LILLIE. However there were, now and then, some faint endeavours at +Humour and sparks of Wit: which the Town, for want of better +entertainment, was content to hunt after, through a heap of +impertinences; but even those are, at present, become wholly invisible +and quite swallowed up in the blaze of the _Spectator_. + +You may remember, I told you before, that one cause assigned for the +laying down the _Tatler_ was, Want of Matter; and, indeed, this was the +prevailing opinion in Town: when we were surprised all at once by a paper +called the _Spectator_, which was promised to be continued every day; and +was written in so excellent a style, with so nice a judgment, and such a +noble profusion of Wit and Humour, that it was not difficult to determine +it could come from no other hands but those which had penned the +_Lucubrations_. + +This immediately alarmed these gentlemen, who, as it is said Mr. STEELE +phrases it, had "the Censorship in Commission." They found the new +_Spectator_ came on like a torrent, and swept away all before him. They +despaired ever to equal him in Wit, Humour, or Learning; which had been +their true and certain way of opposing him: and therefore rather chose to +fall on the Author; and to call out for help to all good Christians, by +assuring them again and again that they were the First, Original, True, +and Undisputed _ISAAC BICKERSTAFF_. + +Meanwhile, the _Spectator_, whom we regard as our Shelter from that flood +of false wit and impertinence which was breaking in upon us, is in every +one's hands; and a constant topic for our morning conversation at +tea-tables and coffee-houses. We had at first, indeed, no manner of +notion how a diurnal paper could be continued in the spirit and style of +our present _Spectators_: but, to our no small surprise, we find them +still rising upon us, and can only wonder from whence so prodigious a run +of Wit and Learning can proceed; since some of our best judges seem to +think that they have hitherto, in general, outshone even the _Esquire_'s +first _Tatlers_. + +Most people fancy, from their frequency, that they must be composed by a +Society: I withal assign the first places to Mr. STEELE and his Friend. + +I have often thought that the conjunction of those two great Geniuses, +who seem to stand in a class by themselves, so high above all our other +Wits, resembled that of two statesmen in a late reign, whose characters +are very well expressed in their two mottoes, viz., _Prodesse quam +conspici_ [LORD SOMERS], and _Otium cum dignitate_ [CHARLES MONTAGU, Earl +of HALIFAX]. Accordingly the first [_ADDISON_] was continually at work +behind the curtain, drew up and prepared all those schemes, which the +latter still drove on, and stood out exposed to the World, to receive its +praises or censures. + +Meantime, all our unbiassed well-wishers to Learning are in hopes that +the known Temper and prudence of one of these Gentlemen will hinder the +other from ever lashing out into Party, and rendering that Wit, which is +at present a common good, odious and ungrateful to the better part of the +Nation [_by which, of course, GAY meant the Tories_]. + +If this piece of imprudence does not spoil so excellent a Paper, I +propose to myself the highest satisfaction in reading it with you, over a +dish of tea, every morning next winter. + +As we have yet had nothing new since the _Spectator_, it only remains for +me to assure you, that I am + +Yours, &c., J[OHN] G[AY]. + +_Westminster, May_ 3, 1711. + +_POSTCRIPT_. + +Upon a review of my letter, I find I have quite forgotten the _British +Apollo_; which might possibly have happened, from its having, of late, +retreated out of this end of the Town into the country: where, I am +informed however, that it still recommends itself by deciding wagers at +cards, and giving good advice to shopkeepers and their apprentices. + +_FINIS_. + + + + +THOMAS TICKELL. + +_Life of JOSEPH ADDISON_. + + +[_Preface_ to first edition of ADDISON's _Works_ 1721.] + +JOSEPH ADDISON, the son of LANCELOT ADDISON, D.D., and of JANE, the +daughter of NATHANIEL GULSTON, D.D., and sister of Dr. WILLIAM GULSTON, +Bishop of BRISTOL, was born at Milston, near Ambrosebury, in the county +of Wilts, in the year 1671. + +His father, who was of the county of Westmoreland, and educated at +Queen's College in Oxford, passed many years in his travels through +Europe and Africa; where he joined to the uncommon and excellent talents +of Nature, a great knowledge of Letters and Things: of which, several +books published by him, are ample testimonies. He was Rector of Milston, +above mentioned, when Mr. ADDISON, his eldest son, was born: and +afterwards became Archdeacon of Coventry, and Dean of Lichfield. + +Mr. ADDISON received his first education at the _Chartreuse_ +[_Charterhouse School in London_]; from whence he was removed very early +to Queen's College, in Oxford. He had been there about two years, when +the accidental sight of a Paper of his verses, in the hands of Dr. +LANCASTER, then Dean of that House, occasioned his being elected into +Magdalen College. + +He employed his first years in the study of the old Greek and Roman +Writers; whose language and manner he caught, at that time of life, as +strongly as other young people gain a French accent, or a genteel air. + +An early acquaintance with the Classics is what may be called the Good +Breeding of Poetry, as it gives a certain gracefulness which never +forsakes a mind that contracted it in youth; but is seldom, or never, hit +by those who would learn it too late. + +He first distinguished himself by his Latin compositions, published in +the _Musae Anglicanae_: and was admired as one of the best Authors since +the Augustan Age, in the two universities and the greatest part of +Europe, before he was talked of as a Poet in Town. + +There is not, perhaps, any harder task than to tame the natural wildness +of Wit, and to civilize the Fancy. The generality of our old English +Poets abound in forced conceits and affected phrases; and even those who +are said to come the nearest to exactness, are but too often fond of +unnatural beauties, and aim at something better than perfection. If Mr. +ADDISON's example and precepts be the occasion that there now begins to +be a great demand for Correctness, we may justly attribute it to his +being first fashioned by the ancient Models, and familiarized to +Propriety of Thought and Chastity of Style. + +Our country owes it to him, that the famous Monsieur BOILEAU first +conceived an opinion of the English Genius for Poetry, by perusing the +present he made him of the _Musae Anglicanae_. It has been currently +reported, that this famous French poet, among the civilities he shewed +Mr. ADDISON on that occasion, affirmed that he would not have written +against PERRAULT, had he before seen such excellent Pieces by a modern +hand. Such a saying would have been impertinent, and unworthy [of] +BOILEAU! whose dispute with PERRAULT turned chiefly upon some passages in +the Ancients, which he rescued from the misinterpretations of his +adversary. The true and natural compliment made by him, was that those +books had given him a very new Idea of the English Politeness, and that +he did not question but there were excellent compositions in the native +language of a country, that professed the Roman Genius in so eminent a +degree. + +The first English performance made public by him, is a short copy of +verses _To Mr. DRYDEN_, with a view particularly to his Translations. + +This was soon followed by a Version of the fourth _Georgic_ of VIRGIL; of +which Mr. DRYDEN makes very honourable mention in the _Postscript_ to his +own Translation of VIRGIL's _Works_: wherein, I have often wondered that +he did not, at the same time, acknowledge his obligation to Mr. ADDISON, +for giving the _Essay upon the Georgics_, prefixed to Mr. DRYDEN's +Translation. Lest the honour of so exquisite a piece of criticism should +hereafter be transferred to a wrong Author, I have taken care to insert +it in this Collection of his _Works_. + +Of some other copies of Verses, printed in the _Miscellanies_ while he +was young, the largest is _An Account of the greatest English Poets_; in +the close of which, he insinuates a design he then had of going into Holy +Orders, to which he was strongly importuned by his father. His remarkable +seriousness and modesty, which might have been urged as powerful reasons +for his choosing that life, proved the chief obstacles to it. These +qualities, by which the Priesthood is so much adorned, represented the +duties of it as too weighty for him, and rendered him still the more +worthy of that honour, which they made him decline. It is happy that this +very circumstance has since turned so much to the advantage of Virtue and +Religion; in the cause of which, he has bestowed his labours the more +successfully, as they were his voluntary, not his necessary employment. +The World became insensibly reconciled to Wisdom and Goodness, when they +saw them recommended by him, with at least as much Spirit and Elegance as +they had been ridiculed [with] for half a century. + +He was in his twenty-eighth year [1699], when his inclination to see +France and Italy was encouraged by the great Lord Chancellor SOMERS, one +of that kind of patriots who think it no waste of the Public Treasure, to +purchase Politeness to their country. His Poem upon one of King WILLIAM's +Campaigns, addressed to his Lordship, was received with great humanity; +and occasioned a message from him to the Author, to desire his +acquaintance. + +He soon after obtained, by his Interest, a yearly pension of three +hundred pounds from the Crown, to support him in his travels. If the +uncommonness of a favour, and the distinction of the person who confers +it, enhance its value; nothing could be more honourable to a young Man of +Learning, than such a bounty from so eminent a Patron. + +How well Mr. ADDISON answered the expectations of my Lord SOMERS, cannot +appear better than from the book of _Travels_, he dedicated to his +Lordship at his return. It is not hard to conceive why that performance +was at first but indifferently relished by the bulk of readers; who +expected an Account, in a common way, of the customs and policies of the +several Governments In Italy, reflections upon the Genius of the people, +a Map [_description_] of the Provinces, or a measure of their buildings. +How were they disappointed! when, instead of such particulars, they were +presented only with a Journal of Poetical Travels, with Remarks on the +present picture of the country compared with the landskips [_landscapes_] +drawn by Classic Authors, and others the like unconcerning parts of +knowledge! One may easily imagine a reader of plain sense but without a +fine taste, turning over these parts of the Volume which make more than +half of it, and wondering how an Author who seems to have so solid an +understanding when he treats of more weighty subjects in the other pages, +should dwell upon such trifles, and give up so much room to matters of +mere amusement. There are indeed but few men so fond of the Ancients, as +to be transported with every little accident which introduces to their +intimate acquaintance. Persons of that cast may here have the +satisfaction of seeing Annotations upon an old Roman Poem, gathered from +the hills and valleys where it was written. The Tiber and the Po serve to +explain the verses which were made upon their banks; and the Alps and +Apennines are made Commentators on those Authors, to whom they were +subjects, so many centuries ago. + +Next to personal conversation with the Writers themselves, this is the +surest way of coming at their sense; a compendious and engaging kind of +Criticism which convinces at first sight, and shews the vanity of +conjectures made by Antiquaries at a distance. If the knowledge of Polite +Literature has its use, there is certainly a merit in illustrating the +Perfect Models of it; and the Learned World will think some years of a +man's life not misspent in so elegant an employment. I shall conclude +what I had to say on this Performance, by observing that the fame of it +increased from year to year; and the demand for copies was so urgent, +that their price rose to four or five times the original value, before it +came out in a second edition. + +The _Letter from Italy_ to my Lord HALIFAX may be considered as the Text, +upon which the book of _Travels_ is a large Comment; and has been esteemed +by those who have a relish for Antiquity, as the most exquisite of his +poetical performances. A Translation of it, by Signor SALVINI, Professor +of the Greek tongue, at Florence, is inserted in this edition; not only +on account of its merit, but because it is the language of the country, +which is the subject of the Poem. + +The materials for the _Dialogues upon Medals_, now first printed from a +manuscript of the Author, were collected in the native country of those +coins. The book itself was begun to be cast in form, at Vienna; as +appears from a letter to Mr. STEPNEY, then Minister at that Court, dated +in November, 1702. + +Some time before the date of this letter, Mr. ADDISON had designed to +return to England; when he received advice from his friends that he was +pitched upon to attend the army under Prince EUGENE, who had just begun +the war in Italy, as Secretary from His Majesty. But an account of the +death of King WILLIAM, which he met with at Geneva, put an end to that +thought: and, as his hopes of advancement in his own country, were fallen +with the credit of his friends, who were out of power at the beginning of +her late Majesty's reign, he had leisure to make the tour of Germany, in +his way home. + +He remained, for some time after his return to England, without any +public employment: which he did not obtain till the year 1704, when the +Duke of MARLBOROUGH arrived at the highest pitch of glory, by delivering +all Europe from slavery; and furnished Mr. ADDISON with a subject worthy +of that Genius which appears in his Poem, called _The Campaign_. + +Lord Treasurer GODOLPHIN, who was a fine judge of poetry, had a sight of +this Work when it was only carried on as far as the applauded simile of +the Angel; and approved of the Poem, by bestowing on the Author, in a few +days after, the place of Commissioner of Appeals, vacant by the removal of +the famous Mr. [JOHN] LOCKE to the Council of Trade. + +His next advancement was to the place of Under Secretary, which he held +under Sir CHARLES HEDGES, and the present Earl of SUNDERLAND. The opera +of _Rosamond_ was written while he possessed that employment. What doubts +soever have been raised about the merit of the Music, which, as the +Italian taste at that time began wholly to prevail, was thought +sufficient inexcusable, because it was the composition of an Englishman; +the Poetry of this Piece has given as much pleasure in the closet, as +others have afforded from the Stage, with all the assistance of voices +and instruments. + +The Comedy called _The Tender Husband_ appeared much about the same time; +to which Mr. ADDISON wrote the _Prologue_. Sir RICHARD STEELE surprised +him with a very handsome _Dedication_ of his Play; and has since +acquainted the Public, that he owed some of the most taking scenes of it, +to Mr. ADDISON. + +His next step in his fortune, was to the post of Secretary under the late +Marquis of WHARTON, who was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, in the +year 1709. As I have proposed to touch but very lightly on those parts of +his life, which do not regard him as an Author; I shall not enlarge upon +the great reputation he acquired, by his turn for business, and his +unblemished integrity, in this and other employments. + + +It must not be omitted here, that the salary of Keeper of the Records in +Ireland was considerably raised, and that post bestowed upon him at this +time, as a mark of the Queen's favour. + +He was in that Kingdom, when he first discovered Sir RICHARD STEELE to be +the Author of the _Tatler_, by an observation upon _VIRGIL_, which had +been by him communicated to his friend. The assistance he occasionally +gave him afterwards, in the course of the Paper, did not a little +contribute to advance its reputation; and, upon the Change of the +Ministry, he found leisure to engage more constantly in that Work: which, +however, was dropped at last, as it had been taken up, without his +participation. + +In the last Paper, which closed those celebrated Performances, and in the +_Preface_ to the last Volume, Sir RICHARD STEELE has given to Mr. ADDISON, +the honour of the most applauded Pieces in that Collection. But as that +acknowledgement was delivered only in general terms, without directing +the Public to the several Papers; Mr. ADDISON (who was content with the +praise arising from his own Works, and too delicate to take any part of +that which belonged to others), afterwards, thought fit to distinguish +his Writings in the _Spectators_ and _Guardians_, by such marks as might +remove the least possibility of mistake in the most undiscerning readers. + +It was necessary that his share in the _Tatlers_ should be adjusted in a +complete Collection of his _Works_: for which reason, Sir RICHARD STEELE, +in compliance with the request of his deceased friend, delivered to him by +the Editor, was pleased to mark with his own hand, those _Tatlers_, which +are inserted in this edition; and even to point out several, in the +writing of which, they were both concerned. + +The Plan of the _Spectator_, as far as regards the feigned Person of +the Author, and of the several Characters that compose his Club, was +projected in concert with Sir RICHARD STEELE. And because many passages +in the course of the Work would otherwise be obscure, I have taken leave +to insert one single Paper written by Sir RICHARD STEELE, wherein those +Characters are drawn; which may serve as a _Dramatis Personae_, or as so +many pictures for an ornament and explication of the whole. + +As for the distinct Papers, they were never or seldom shewn to each +other, by their respective Authors; who fully answered the Promise they +had made, and far outwent the Expectation they had raised, of pursuing +their Labour in the same Spirit and Strength with which it was begun. + +It would have been impossible for Mr. ADDISON (who made little or no use +of letters sent in, by the numerous correspondents of the _Spectator_) to +have executed his large share of his task in so exquisite a manner; if he +had not engrafted into it many Pieces that had lain by him, in little +hints and minutes, which he from time to time collected and ranged in +order, and moulded into the form in which they now appear. Such are the +Essays upon _Wit_, the _Pleasures of the Imagination_, the _Critique upon +MILTON_, and some others: which I thought to have connected in a continued +Series in this Edition, though they were at first published with the +interruption of writings on different subjects. But as such a scheme +would have obliged me to cut off several graceful introductions and +circumstances peculiarly adapted to the time and occasion of printing +then; I durst not pursue that attempt. + +The Tragedy of CATO appeared in public in the year 1713; when the +greatest part of the last _Act_ was added by the Author, to the foregoing +which he had kept by him for many years. He took up a design of writing a +play upon this subject, when he was very young at the University; and +even attempted something in it there, though not a line as it now stands. +The work was performed by him in his travels, and retouched in England, +without any formed resolution of bringing it upon the Stage, until his +friends of the first Quality and Distinction prevailed on him, to put the +last finishing to it, at a time when they thought the Doctrine of Liberty +very seasonable. + +It is in everybody's memory, with what applause it was received by the +Public; that the first run of it lasted for a month, and then stopped +only because one of the performers became incapable of acting a principal +part. + +The Author received a message that the Queen would be pleased to have it +dedicated to her: but as he had designed that compliment elsewhere, he +found himself obliged, by his duty on the one side, and his honour on the +other, to send it into the World without any _Dedication_. + +The fame of this tragedy soon spread through Europe; and it has not only +been translated, but acted in most of the languages of Christendom. The +Translation of it into Italian by Signor SALVINI is very well known: but +I have not been able to learn, whether that of Signor VALETTA, a young +Neapolitan Nobleman, has ever been made public. + +If he had found time for the writing of another tragedy, the Death of +SOCRATES would have been the story. And, however unpromising that subject +may appear; it would be presumptuous to censure his choice, who was so +famous for raising the noblest plants from the most barren soil. It +serves to shew that he thought the whole labour of such a Performance +unworthy to be thrown away upon those Intrigues and Adventures, to which +the romantic taste has confined Modern Tragedy: and, after the example of +his predecessors in Greece, would have employed the Drama _to wear out of +our minds everything that is mean or little, to cherish and cultivate +that Humanity which is the ornament of our nature, to soften Insolence, +to soothe Affliction, and to subdue our minds to the dispensations of +Providence_. (_Spectator_, No. 39.) + +Upon the death of the late Queen, the Lords Justices, in whom the +Administration was lodged, appointed him their Secretary. + +Soon after His Majesty's arrival in Great Britain, the Earl of +SUNDERLAND, being constituted Lord Lieutenant of Ireland; Mr. ADDISON +became, a second time, Secretary for the Affairs of that Kingdom: and was +made one of the Lords Commissioners of Trade, a little after his Lordship +resigned the post of Lord Lieutenant. + +The Paper called the _Freeholder_, was undertaken at the time when the +Rebellion broke out in Scotland. + +The only Works he left behind for the Public, are the _Dialogues upon +medals_, and the Treatise upon the _Christian Religion_. Some account has +been already given of the former: to which nothing is now to be added, +except that a great part of the Latin quotations were rendered into +English in a very hasty manner by the Editor and one of his friends who +had the good nature to assist him, during his avocations of business. It +was thought better to add these translations, such as they are; than to +let the Work come out unintelligible to those who do not possess the +learned languages. + +The Scheme for the Treatise upon the _Christian Religion_ was formed by +the Author, about the end of the late Queen's reign; at which time, he +carefully perused the ancient Writings, which furnish the materials for +it. His continual employment in business prevented him from executing it, +until he resigned his office of Secretary of State; and his death put a +period to it, when he had imperfectly performed only one half of the +design: he having proposed, as appears from the Introduction, to add the +Jewish to the Heathen testimonies for the truth of the Christian History. +He was more assiduous than his health would well allow, in the pursuit of +this Work: and had long determined to dedicate his Poetry also, for the +future, wholly to religious subjects. + +Soon after, he was, from being one of the Lords Commissioners of Trade, +advanced to the post of Secretary of State; he found his health impaired +by the return of that asthmatic indisposition; which continued often, to +afflict him during his exercise of that employment: and, at last, obliged +him to beg His Majesty's leave to resign. + +His freedom from the anxiety of business so far re-established his +health, that his friends began to hope he might last for many years: but +(whether it were from a life too sedentary; or from his natural +constitution, in which was one circumstance very remarkable, that, from +his cradle, he never had a regular pulse) a long and painful relapse into +an asthma and dropsy deprived the World of this great man, on the 17th of +June, 1719. + +He left behind him only one daughter, by the Countess of WARWICK; to whom +he was married in the year 1716. + +Not many days before his death, he gave me directions to collect his +Writings, and at the same time committed to my care the _Letter_ +addressed to _Mr. CRAGGS_, his successor as Secretary of State, wherein +he bequeaths them to him, as a token of friendship. + +Such a testimony, from the First Man of our Age, in such a point of time, +will be perhaps as great and lasting an honour to that Gentleman as any +even he could acquire to himself, and yet it is no more than was due from +an affection that justly increased towards him, through the intimacy of +several years. I cannot, save with the utmost tenderness, reflect on the +kind concern with which Mr. ADDISON left Me as a sort of incumbrance upon +this valuable legacy. Nor must I deny myself the honour to acknowlege that +the goodness of that Great Man to me, like many other of his amiable +qualities, seemed not so much to be renewed, as continued in his +successor; who made me an example, that nothing could be indifferent to +him which came recommended to Mr. ADDISON. + +Could any circumstance be more severe to me, while I was executing these +Last Commands of the Author, than to see the Person to whom his Works +were presented, cut off in the flower of his age, and carried from the +high Office wherein he had succeeded Mr. ADDISON, to be laid next him, in +the same grave? I might dwell upon such thoughts as naturally rise from +these minute resemblances in the fortune of two persons, whose names +probably will be seldom mentioned asunder while either our Language or +Story subsist; were I not afraid of making this _Preface_ too tedious: +especially since I shall want all the patience of the reader, for having +enlarged it with the following verses. + + + + +_To the_ EARL OF WARWICK + + +_On the Death of_ MR. ADDISON. + + If dumb too long, the drooping muse hath stay'd + And left her debt to Addison unpaid, + Blame not her silence, Warwick, but bemoan, + And judge, oh judge, my bosom by your own. + What mourner ever felt poetic fires! + Slow comes the verse that real woe inspires: + Grief unaffected suits but ill with art, + Or flowing numbers with a bleeding heart. + Can I forget the dismal night that gave + My soul's best part for ever to the grave! + How silent did his old companions tread + By midnight lamps, the mansions of the dead + Through breathing statues, then unheeded things, + Through rows of warriors, and through walks of kings! + What awe did the slow solemn knell inspire; + The pealing organ, and the pausing choir; + The duties by the lawn-rob'd prelate paid; + And the last words, that dust to dust convey'd! + While speechless o'er thy closing grave we bend, + Accept these tears, thou dear departed friend. + Oh gone for ever! take this long adieu; + And sleep in peace, next thy lov'd Montague. + To strew fresh laurels, let the task be mine, + A frequent pilgrim, at thy sacred shrine; + Mine with true sighs thy absence to bemoan, + And grave with faithful epitaphs thy stone. + If e'er from me thy lov'd memorial part, + May shame afflict this alienated heart; + Of thee forgetful if I form a song, + My lyre be broken, and untun'd my tongue. + My grief be doubled from thy image free, + And mirth a torment, unchastis'd by thee. + Oft let me range the gloomy aisles alone, + Sad luxury! to vulgar minds unknown, + Along the walls, where speaking marbles show + What worthies form the hallow'd mould below; + Proud names who once the reins of empire held; + In arms who triumphed; or in arts excelled; + Chiefs graced with scars and prodigal of blood; + Stern patriots who for sacred freedom stood; + Just men, by whom impartial laws were given; + And saints who taught and led the way to heaven; + Ne'er to these chambers, where the mighty rest + Since their foundation came a nobler guest; + Nor e'er was to the bowers of bliss convey'd + A fairer spirit or more welcome shade. + In what new region to the just assigned, + What new employments please th' unbody'd mind; + A wingèd virtue, through th' ethereal sky + From world to world unweary'd does he fly? + Or curious trace the long laborious maze + Of heaven's decrees where wondering angels gaze; + Does he delight to hear bold seraphs tell + How Michael battl'd and the dragon fell, + Or mixed with milder cherubim to glow + In hymns of love not ill-essay'd below? + Or dost thou warn poor mortals left behind + A task well suited to thy gentle mind? + Oh! if sometimes thy spotless form descend + To me thy aid, thou guardian genius lend + When rage misguides me or when fear alarms, + When pain distresses or when pleasure charms, + In silent whisperings purer thoughts impart, + And turn from ill a frail and feeble heart; + Lead through the paths thy virtue trod before, + Till bliss shall join nor death can part us more. + That awful form, which, so the heavens decree, + Must still be loved and still deplor'd by me + In nightly visions seldom fails to rise, + Or rous'd by fancy, meets my waking eyes. + If business calls, or crowded courts invite; + Th' unblemish'd statesman seems to strike my sight; + If in the stage I seek to soothe my care + I meet his soul which breathes in Cato there; + If pensive to the rural shades I rove, + His shape o'ertakes me in the lonely grove; + 'Twas there of just and good he reason'd strong, + Clear'd some great truth, or rais'd some serious song: + There patient show'd us the wise course to steer, + A candid censor, and a friend severe; + There taught us how to live; and (oh! too high + The price for knowledge) taught us how to die. + + + + +Sir RICHARD STEELE. + +_Dedicatory Epistle to_ WILLIAM CONGREVE. + +[This Dedication is prefixed to the Second Edition of ADDISON's +_Drummer_, 1722.] + + +To Mr. CONGREVE: occasioned by Mr. TICKELL's _Preface_ to the four +volumes of Mr. ADDISON's _Works_. + + Sir, + + This is the second time that I have, without your leave, taken the + liberty to make a public address to you. + + However uneasy you may be, for your own sake, in receiving + compliments of this nature, I depend upon your known humanity for + pardon; when I acknowledge that you have this present trouble, for + mine. When I take myself to be ill treated with regard to my + behaviour to the merit of other men; my conduct towards you is an + argument of my candour that way, as well as that your name and + authority will be my protection in it. You will give me leave + therefore, in a matter that concerns us in the Poetical World, to + make you my judge whether I am not injured in the highest manner! + for with men of your taste and delicacy, it is a high crime and + misdemeanour to be guilty of anything that is disingenuous. But I + will go into my matter. + + Upon my return from Scotland, I visited Mr. TONSON's shop, and + thanked him for his care in sending to my house, the Volumes of my + dear and honoured friend Mr. ADDISON; which are, at last, published + by his Secretary, Mr. TICKELL: but took occasion to observe, that I + had not seen the Work before it came out; which he did not think fit + to excuse any otherwise than by a recrimination, that I had put into + his hands, at a high price, a Comedy called _The Drummer_; which, by + my zeal for it, he took to be written by Mr. ADDISON, and of which, + after his [_ADDISON's_] death, he said, I directly acknowleged he + was the author. + + To urge this hardship still more home, he produced a receipt under + my hand, in these words-- + + _March 12, 1715 [-16]_. + + _Received then, the sum of Fifty Guineas for the Copy_ [copyright] + _of the Comedy called_, The Drummer or the Haunted House. _I say, + received by order of the Author of the said Comedy_, + + _RICHARD STEELE_. + +and added, at the same time, that since Mr. TICKELL had not thought fit +to make that play a part of Mr. ADDISON's _Works_; he would sell the Copy +to any bookseller that would give most for it [_i.e., TONSON threw the +onus of the authenticity of the_ Drummer _on STEELE_]. + +This is represented thus circumstantially, to shew how incumbent it is +upon me, as well in justice to the bookseller, as for many other +considerations, to produce this Comedy a second time [_It was first +printed in_ 1716]; and take this occasion to vindicate myself against +certain insinuations thrown out by the Publisher [_THOMAS TICKELL_] of +Mr. ADDISON's Writings, concerning my behaviour in the nicest +circumstance--that of doing justice to the Merit of my Friend. + +I shall take the liberty, before I have ended this Letter, to say why I +believe the _Drummer_ a performance of Mr. ADDISON: and after I have +declared this, any surviving writer may be at ease; if there be any one +who has hitherto been vain enough to hope, or silly enough to fear, it +may be given to himself. + +Before I go any further, I must make my Public Appeal to you and all the +Learned World, and humbly demand, Whether it was a decent and reasonable +thing, that Works written, as a great part of Mr. ADDISON's were, in +correspondence [_coadjutorship_] with me, ought to have been published +without my review of the Catalogue of them; or if there were any +exception to be made against any circumstance in my conduct, Whether an +opportunity to explain myself should not have been allowed me, before any +Reflections were made on me in print. + +When I had perused Mr. TICKELL's _Preface_, I had soon so many +objections, besides his omission to say anything of the _Drummer_, +against his long-expected performance: the chief intention of which (and +which it concerns me first to examine) seems to aim at doing the deceased +Author justice, against me! whom he insinuates to have assumed to myself, +part of the merit of my friend. + +He is pleased, Sir, to express himself concerning the present Writer, in +the following manner-- + +_The Comedy called_ The Tender Husband, _appeared much about the same +time; to which Mr. ADDISON wrote the _Prologue: _Sir RICHARD STEELE +surprised him with a very handsome_ Dedication _of this Play; and has +since acquainted the Public, that he owed some of the most taking scenes +of it, to Mr. ADDISON_. Mr. TICKELL's _Preface_. Pag. 11. + +_He was in that Kingdom_ [Ireland], _when he first discovered Sir RICHARD +STEELE to be the Author of the_ Tatler, _by an observation upon_ VIRGIL, +_which had been by him communicated to his friend. The assistance he +occasionally gave him afterwards, in the course of the Paper, did not a +little contribute to advance its reputation; and, upon the Change of the +Ministry_ [in the autumn of 1710], _he found leisure to engage more +constantly in that Work: which, however, was dropped at last, as it had +been taken up, without his participation_. + +_In the last Paper which closed those celebrated Performances, and in +the_ Preface _to the last Volume, Sir RICHARD STEELE has given to Mr. +ADDISON, the honour of the most applauded Pieces in that Collection. But +as that acknowledgement was delivered only in general terms, without +directing the Public to the several Papers; Mr. ADDISON (who was content +with the praise arising from his own Works, and too delicate to take any +part of that which belonged to others), afterwards thought fit to +distinguish his Writings in the_ Spectators _and_ Guardians _by such +marks as might remove the least possibility of mistake in the most +undiscerning readers. It was necessary that his share in the_ Tatlers +_should be adjusted in a complete Collection of his_ Works: _for which +reason, Sir RICHARD STEELE, in compliance with the request of his +deceased friend, delivered to him by the Editor, was pleased to mark with +his own hand, those_ Tatlers _which are inserted in this edition; and even +to point out several, in the writing of which, they both were concerned_. +Pag. 12. + +_The Plan of the_ Spectator, _as far as it related to the feigned Person +of the Author, and of the several Characters that compose his Club, was +projected in concert with Sir_ RICHARD STEELE: _and because many passages +in the course of the Work would otherwise be obscure, I have taken leave +to insert one Paper written by Sir_ RICHARD STEELE, _wherein those +Characters are drawn; which may serve as a_ Dramatis Personae, _or as so +many pictures for an ornament and explication of the whole. As for the +distinct Papers, they were never or seldom shewn to each other, by their +respective Authors, who fully answered the Promise they made, and far +outwent the Expectation they had raised, of pursuing their Labour in the +same Spirit and Strength with which it was begun_. Pag. 13. + +It need not be explained that it is here intimated, that I had not +sufficiently acknowledged what was due to Mr. ADDISON in these Writings. +I shall make a full Answer to what seems intended by the words, _He was +too delicate to take any part of that which belonged to others_; if I can +recite out of my own Papers, anything that may make it appear groundless. + +The subsequent [_following_] encomiums bestowed by me on Mr. ADDISON +will, I hope, be of service to me in this particular. + +_But I have only one Gentleman_, who will be nameless, _to thank for any +frequent assistance to me: which indeed it would have been barbarous in +him, to have denied in one with whom he has lived in an intimacy from +childhood; considering the great Ease with which he is able to despatch +the most entertaining Pieces of this nature. This good office he +performed with such force of Genius, Humour, Wit, and Learning, that I +fared like a distressed Prince who calls in a powerful neighbour to his +aid; I was undone by my auxiliary! When I had once called him in, I could +not subsist without dependence on him_. + +_The same Hand wrote the distinguishing Characters of Men and Women under +the names of_ Musical Instruments, _the_ Distress of the News-Writers, +_the_ Inventory of the Play House, _and the_ Description of the +Thermometer; _which I cannot but look upon, as the greatest +embellishments of this Work. Pref_. to the 4th Vol. of the _Tatlers_. + +_As to the Work itself, the acceptance it has met with is the best proof +of its value: but I should err against that candour which an honest man +should always carry about him, if I did not own that the most approved +Pieces in it were written by others; and those, which have been most +excepted against by myself. The Hand that has assisted me in those noble +Discourses upon the Immortality of the Soul, the Glorious Prospects of +another Life, and the most sublime ideas of Religion and Virtue, is a +person, who is too fondly my friend ever to own them: but I should little +deserve to be his, if I usurped the glory of them. I must acknowledge, at +the same time, that I think the finest strokes of Wit and Humour in all +Mr_. BICKERSTAFF's Lucubrations, _are those for which he is also beholden +to him. Tatler_, No. 271. + +_I hope the Apology I have made as to the license allowable to a feigned +Character may excuse anything which has been said in these Discourses of +the_ Spectator _and his Works. But the imputation of the grossest vanity +would still dwell upon me, if I did not give some account by what means I +was enabled to keep up the Spirit of so long and approved a performance. +All the Papers marked with _a C, L, I, _or_ O--_that is to say, all the +Papers which I have distinguished by any letter in the name of the Muse_ +CLIO--_were given me by the Gentleman, of whose assistance I formerly +boasted in the_ Preface _and concluding Leaf of the_ Tatler. _I am indeed +much more proud of his long-continued friendship, than I should be of the +fame of being thought the Author of any Writings which he himself is +capable of producing_. + +_I remember, when I finished the_ Tender Husband; _I told him, there was +nothing I so ardently wished as that we might, some time or other, +publish a Work written by us both; which should bear the name of the +Monument, in memory of our friendship. I heartily wish what I have done +here, were as honorary to that sacred name, as Learning, Wit, and +Humanity render those Pieces, which I have taught the reader how to +distinguish for his_. + +_When the Play above mentioned was last acted, there were so many +applauded strokes in it which I had from the same hand, that I thought +very meanly of myself that I had never publicly acknowledged them_. + +_After I have put other friends upon importuning him to publish Dramatic +as well as other Writings, he has by him; I shall end what I think I am +obliged to say on this head, by giving the reader this hint for the +better judgement of my productions: that the best Comment upon them would +be, an Account when the Patron_ [i.e., ADDISON] _to the_ Tender Husband +_was in England or abroad_ [i.e., Ireland]. _Spectator_, No. 555. + +_My purpose in this Application is only to shew the esteem I have for +you, and that I look upon my intimacy with you as one of the most +valuable enjoyments of my life. Dedication_ before the _Tender Husband_. + +I am sure, you have read my quotations with indignation against the +little [_petty_] zeal which prompted the Editor (who by the way, has +himself done nothing in applause of the Works which he prefaces) to the +mean endeavour of adding to Mr. ADDISON, by disparaging a man who had +(for the greatest part of his life) been his known bosom friend, and +shielded him from all the resentments which many of his own Works would +have brought upon him, at the time they were written. It is really a good +office to Society, to expose the indiscretion of Intermedlers in the +friendship and correspondence [_coadjutorship_] of men, whose sentiments, +passions, and resentments are too great for their proportion of soul! + +Could the Editor's indiscretion provoke me, even so far as (within the +rules of strictest honour) I could go; and I were not restrained by +supererogatory affection to dear Mr. ADDISON, I would ask this unskilful +Creature, What he means, when he speaks in an air of a reproach, _that +the_ Tatler _was laid down as it was taken up, without his +participation_? Let him speak out and say, why _without his knowledge_ +would not serve his purpose as well! + + +If, as he says, he restrains himself to "Mr. ADDISON's character as a +Writer;" while he attempts to lessen me, he exalts me! for he has +declared to all the World what I never have so explicitly done, that I +am, to all intents and purposes, _the Author of the_ Tatler! He very +justly says, the occasional assistance Mr. ADDISON gave me, in the course +of that Paper, "did not a little contribute to advance its reputation, +especially when, upon the Change of Ministry [_August, 1710_], he found +leisure to engage more constantly in it." It was advanced indeed! for it +was raised to a greater thing than I intended it! For the elegance, +purity, and correctness which appeared in his Writings were not so much +my purpose; as (in any intelligible manner, as I could) to rally all +those Singularities of human life, through the different Professions and +Characters in it, which obstruct anything that was truly good and great. + +After this Acknowledgement, you will see; that is, such a man as you will +see, that I rejoiced in being excelled! and made those little talents +(whatever they are) which I have, give way and be subservient to the +superior qualities of a Friend, whom I loved! and whose modesty would +never have admitted them to come into daylight, but under such a shelter. + +So that all which the Editor has said (either out of design, or +incapacity), Mr. CONGREVE! must end in this: that STEELE has been so +candid and upright, that he owes nothing to Mr. ADDISON as a Writer; but +whether he do, or does not, whatever STEELE owes to Mr. ADDISON, the +Public owe ADDISON to STEELE! + +But the Editor has such a fantastical and ignorant zeal for his Patron, +that he will not allow his correspondents [_coadjutors_] to conceal +anything of his; though in obedience to his commands! + +What I never did declare was Mr. ADDISON's, I had his direct injunctions +to hide; against the natural warmth and passion of my own temper towards +my friends. + +Many of the Writings now published as his, I have been very patiently +traduced and culminated for; as they were pleasantries and oblique +strokes upon certain of the wittiest men of the Age: who will now restore +me to their goodwill, in proportion to the abatement of [the] Wit which +they thought I employed against them. + +But I was saying, that the Editor won't allow us to obey his Patron's +commands in anything which he thinks would redound to his credit, if +discovered. And because I would shew a little Wit in my anger, I shall +have the discretion to shew you that he has been guilty, in this +particular, towards a much greater man than your humble servant, and one +whom you are much more obliged to vindicate. + +Mr. DRYDEN, in his _VIRGIL_, after having acknowledged that a "certain +excellent young man" [_i.e., W. CONGREVE himself_] had shewed him many +faults in his translation of _VIRGIL_, which he had endeavoured to +correct, goes on to say, "Two other worthy friends of mine, who desire to +have their names concealed, seeing me straightened in my time, took pity +on me, and gave me the _Life of VIRGIL_, the two _Prefaces_ to the +_Pastorals_ and the _Georgics_, and all the Arguments in prose to the +whole Translation." If Mr. ADDISON is one of the two friends, and the +_Preface_ to the _Georgics_ be what the Editor calls the _Essay upon the +Georgics_ as one may adventure to say they are, from their being word for +word the same, he has cast an inhuman reflection upon Mr. DRYDEN: who, +though tied down not to name Mr. ADDISON, pointed at him so as all +Mankind conservant in these matters knew him, with an eulogium equal to +the highest merit, considering who it was that bestowed it, I could not +avoid remarking upon this circumstance, out of justice to Mr. DRYDEN: but +confess, at the same time, I took a great pleasure in doing it; because I +knew, in exposing this outrage, I made my court to Mr. CONGREVE. + +I have observed that the Editor will not let me or any one else obey Mr. +ADDISON's commands, in hiding anything he desired to be concealed. + +I cannot but take further notice, that the circumstance of marking his +_Spectators_ [_with the letters C, L, I, O,_], which I did not know till +I had done with the Work; I made my own act! because I thought it too +great a sensibility in my friend; and thought it (since it was done) +better to be supposed marked by me than the Author himself. The real +state of which, this zealot rashly and injudiciously exposes! I ask the +reader, Whether anything but an earnestness to disparage me could provoke +the Editor, in behalf of Mr. ADDISON, to say that he marked it out of +caution against me: when I had taken upon me to say, it was I that did +it! out of tenderness to him. + +As the imputation of any the Least Attempt of arrogating to myself, or +detracting from Mr. ADDISON, is without any Colour of Truth: you will +give me leave to go on in the same ardour towards him, and resent the +cold, unaffectionate, dry, and barren manner, in which this Gentleman +gives an Account of as great a Benefactor as any one Learned Man ever had +of another. Would any man, who had been produced from a College life, and +pushed into one of the most considerable Employments of the Kingdom as to +its weight and trust, and greatly lucrative with respect to a Fellowship +[_i.e., of a College_]: and who had been daily and hourly with one of the +greatest men of the Age, be satisfied with himself, in saying _nothing_ of +such a Person besides what all the World knew! except a particularity (and +that to his disadvantage!) which I, his friend from a boy, don't know to +be true, to wit, that "he never had a regular pulse"! + +As for the facts, and considerable periods of his life, he either knew +nothing of them, or injudiciously places them in a worse light than that +in which they really stood. + +When he speaks of Mr. ADDISON's declining to go into Orders, his way of +doing it is to lament _his seriousness and modesty_, which might have +recommended him, _proved the chief obstacles to it, it seems these +qualities, by which the Priesthood is so much adorned, represented the +duties of it as too weighty for him, and rendered him still more worthy +of that honour which they made him decline_. These, you know very well! +were not the Reasons which made Mr. ADDISON turn his thoughts to the +civil World; and, as you were the instrument of his becoming acquainted +with my Lord HALIFAX, I doubt not but you remember the warm instances +that noble Lord made to the Head of the College, not to insist upon Mr. +ADDISON's going into Orders. His arguments were founded on the general +pravity [_depravity_] and corruption of men of business [_public men_] +who wanted liberal education. And I remember, as if I read the letter +yesterday, that my Lord ended with a compliment, that "however he might +be represented as no friend to the Church, he would never do it any other +injury than keeping Mr. ADDISON out of it!" + +The contention for this man in his early youth, among the people of +greatest power; Mr. Secretary TICKELL, the Executor for his Fame, is +pleased to ascribe to "a serious visage and modesty of behaviour." + +When a Writer is grossly and essentially faulty, it were a jest to take +notice of a false expression or a phrase, otherwise _Priesthood_ in that +place, might be observed upon; as a term not used by the real +well-wishers to Clergymen, except when they would express some solemn +act, and not when that Order is spoken of as a Profession among +Gentlemen. I will not therefore busy myself about the "unconcerning parts +of knowledge, but be content like a reader of plain sense without +politeness." And since Mr. Secretary will give us no account of this +Gentleman, I admit "the Alps and Apennines" instead of the Editor, to be +"Commentators of his Works," which, as the Editor says, "have raised a +demand for correctness." This "demand," by the way, ought to be more +strong upon those who were most about him, and had the greatest advantage +of his example. But as our Editor says, "that those who come nearest to +exactness are but too often fond of unnatural beauties, and aim at +something better than perfection." + +Believe me, Sir, Mr. ADDISON's example will carry no man further than +that height for which Nature capacitated him: and the affectation of +following great men in works above the genius of their imitators, will +never rise farther than the production of uncommon and unsuitable +ornaments in a barren discourse, like flowers upon a heath, such as the +Author's phrase of "something better than perfection." + +But in his _Preface_, if ever anything was, is that "something better:" +for it is so extraordinary, that we cannot say, it is too long or too +short, or deny but that it is both. I think I abstract myself from all +manner of prejudice when I aver that no man, though without any +obligation to Mr. ADDISON, would have represented him in his family and +in his friendships, or his personal character, so disadvantageously as +his Secretary (in preference of whom, he incurred the warmest resentments +of other Gentlemen) has been pleased to describe him in those particulars. + +Mr. Dean ADDISON, father of this memorable Man, left behind him four +children, each of whom, for excellent talents and singular preferments, +was as much above the ordinary World as their brother JOSEPH was above +them. Were things of this nature to be exposed to public view, I could +shew under the Dean's own hand, in the warmest terms, his blessing on the +friendship between his son and me; nor had he a child who did not prefer +me in the first place of kindness and esteem, as their father loved me +like one of them: and I can with pleasure say, I never omitted any +opportunity of shewing that zeal for their persons and Interests as +became a Gentleman and a Friend. + +Were I now to indulge myself, I could talk a great deal to you, which I +am sure would be entertaining: but as I am speaking at the same time to +all the World, I consider it would be impertinent. + +Let me then confine myself awhile to the following Play [_The Drummer_], +which I at first recommended to the Stage, and carried to the Press. + +No one who reads the _Preface_ which I published with it, will imagine I +could be induced to say so much, as I then did, had I not known the man I +best loved had had a part in it; or had I believed that any other +concerned had much more to do than as an amanuensis. + +But, indeed, had I not known at the time of the transaction concerning +the acting on the Stage and the sale of the Copy; I should, I think, have +seen Mr. ADDISON in every page of it! For he was above all men in that +talent we call Humour; and enjoyed it in such perfection, that I have +often reflected, after a night spent with him apart from the World, that +I had had the pleasure of conversing with an intimate acquaintance of +TERENCE and CATULLUS, who had all their Wit and Nature heightened with +Humour more exquisite and delightful than any other man ever possessed. + +They who shall read this Play, after being let into the secret that it +was written by Mr. ADDISON or under his direction, will probably be +attentive to those excellencies which they before overlooked, and wonder +they did not till now observe that there is not an expression in the +whole Piece which has not in it the most nice propriety and aptitude to +the Character which utters it. Here is that smiling Mirth, that delicate +Satire and genteel Raillery, which appeared in Mr. ADDISON when he was +free among intimates; I say, when he was free from his _remarkable_ +bashfulness, which is a cloak that hides and muffles merit: and his +abilities were covered only by modesty, which doubles the beauties which +are seen, and gives credit and esteem to all that are concealed. + +The _Drummer_ made no great figure on the Stage, though exquisitely well +acted: but when I observe this, I say a much harder thing of the Stage, +than of the Comedy. + +When I say the Stage in this place, I am understood to mean, in general, +the present Taste of theatrical representations: where nothing that is +not violent, and as I may say, grossly delightful, can come on, without +hazard of being condemned or slighted. + +It is here republished, and recommended as a closet piece [_i.e., for +private reading_], to recreate an intelligent mind in a vacant hour: for +vacant the reader must be, from every strong prepossession, in order to +relish an entertainment, _quod nequeo monstrare et sentio tantum_, which +cannot be enjoyed to the degree it deserves, but by those of the most +polite Taste among Scholars, the best Breeding among Gentlemen, and the +least acquainted with sensual Pleasure among the Ladies. + +The Editor [_THOMAS TICKELL_] is pleased to relate concerning _CATO_, +that a Play under that design was projected by the Author very early, and +wholly laid aside; in advanced years, he reassumed the same design; and +many years after Four acts were finished, he wrote the Fifth; and brought +it upon the Stage. + +All the Town knows, how officious I was in bringing it on, and you (that +know the Town, the Theatre, and Mankind very well) can judge how +necessary it was, to take measures for making a performance of that sort, +excellent as it is, run into popular applause. + +I promised before it was acted (and performed my duty accordingly to the +Author), that I would bring together so just an audience on the First +Days of it, it should be impossible for the vulgar to put its success or +due applause at any hazard: but I don't mention this, only to shew how +good an Aide-de-Camp I was to Mr. ADDISON; but to shew also that the +Editor does as much to cloud the merit of this Work, as I did to set it +forth. + +Mr. TICKELL's account of its being taken up, laid down, and at last +perfected, after such long intervals and pauses, would make any one +believe, who did not know Mr. ADDISON, that it was accomplished with the +greatest pain and labour; and the issue rather of Learning and Industry +than Capacity and Genius: but I do assure you, that never Play which +could bring the author any reputation for Wit and Conduct, +notwithstanding it was so long before it was finished, employed the +Author so little a time in writing. + +If I remember right, the Fifth Act was written in less than a week's +time! For this was particular in this Writer, that when he had taken his +resolution, or made his Plan for what he designed to write; he would walk +about the room and dictate it into Language, with as much freedom and ease +as any one could write it down: and attend to the Coherence and Grammar of +what he dictated. + +I have been often thus employed by him; and never took it into my head, +though he only spoke it and I took all the pains of throwing it upon +paper, that I ought to call myself the Writer of it. + +I will put all my credit among men of Wit for the truth of my averment, +when I presume to say that no one but Mr. ADDISON was, in any other way, +the Writer of the _Drummer_. + +At the same time, I will allow, that he sent for me (which he could +always do, from his natural power over me, as much as he could send for +any of his clerks when he was Secretary of State), and told me that a +Gentleman then in the room had written a play that he was sure I would +like; but it was to be a secret: and he knew I would take as much pains, +since he recommended it, as I would for him. + + +I hope nobody will be wronged or think himself aggrieved, that I give +this rejected Work [_the Comedy of_ The Drummer _not included by TICKELL +in his collected edition of ADDISON's Works_] where I do: and if a +certain Gentleman [_TICKELL_] is injured by it, I will allow I have +wronged him upon this issue; that if the reputed translator [_TICKELL_] +of the _First Book of HOMER_ shall please to give us another _Book_, +there shall appear another good Judge in poetry, besides Mr. ALEXANDER +POPE, who shall like it! + + +But I detain you too long upon things that are too personal to myself, +and will defer giving the World a true Notion of the Character and +Talents of Mr. ADDISON, till I can speak of that amiable Gentlemen on an +occasion void of controversy. + +I shall then perhaps say many things of him which will be new even to +you, with regard to him in all parts of his Character: for which I was so +zealous, that I could not be contented with praising and adorning him as +much as lay in my own power; but was ever soliciting and putting my +friends upon the same office. + +And since the Editor [_TICKELL_] has adorned his heavy Discourse with +Prose in rhyme at the end of it, upon Mr. ADDISON's death: give me leave +to atone for this long and tedious _Epistle_, by giving after it, what I +dare say you will esteem, an excellent Poem on his marriage [_by Mr. +WELSTED_]. + +I must conclude without satisfying as strong a desire, as every man had, +of saying something remarkably handsome to the Person to whom I am +writing: for you are so good a judge, that you would find out the +Endeavourer to be witty! and therefore, as I have tired you and myself, I +will be contented with assuring you, which I do very honestly, I would +rather have you satisfied with me on this subject, than any other man +living. + +You will please pardon me, that I have, thus, laid this nice affair +before a person who has the acknowledged superiority to all others; not +only in the most excellent talents; but possessing them with an +equanimity, candour, and benevolence which render those advantages a +pleasure as great to the rest of the World as they can be to the owner of +them. And since Fame consists in the Opinion of wise and good men: you +must not blame me for taking the readiest way to baffle any Attempt upon +my Reputation, by an Address to one, whom every wise and good man looks +upon, with the greatest affection and veneration. + +I am, Sir, + +Your most obliged, most obedient, and most humble servant, + +RICHARD STEELE. + + + + +EDWARD CHAMBERLAYNE. + +_The social position of the English Established Clergy, in 1669, A.D._ + + +[_Angliae Notitia_, or the Present State of England, 1st _Ed_. 1669.] + +At present, the revenues of the English Clergy are generally very small +and insufficient: above a third of the best benefices of England, having +been anciently, by the Pope's grant, appropriated to monasteries, were on +their dissolution, made _Lay fees_; besides what hath been taken by secret +and indirect means, through corrupt compositions and compacts and customs +in many other parishes. And also many estates being wholly exempt from +paying tithes, as the lands that belonged to the Cistercian Monks, and to +the Knights Templars and Hospitallers. + +And those benefices that are free from these things are yet (besides +First Fruits and Tenths to the King, and Procurations to the Bishop) +taxed towards the charges of their respective parishes, and towards the +public charges of the nation, above and beyond the proportion of the +Laity. + + +The Bishoprics of England have been also since the latter of HENRY +VIII.'s reign, to the coming in of King JAMES, most miserably robbed and +spoiled of the greatest part of their lands and revenues. So that, at +this day [1669], a mean gentleman of £200 from land yearly, will not +change his worldly estate and condition with divers Bishops: and an +Attorney, a shopkeeper, a common artisan will hardly change theirs, with +the ordinary Pastors of the Church. + +Some few Bishoprics do yet retain a competency. Amongst which, the +Bishopric of Durham is accounted one of the chief: the yearly revenues +whereof, before the late troubles [_i.e., the Civil Wars_] were above +£6,000 [= £25,000 _now_]: of which by the late _Act for abolishing Tenures +in capite_ [1660], was lost about £2,000 yearly. + +Out of this revenue, a yearly pension of £800 is paid to the Crown, ever +since the reign of Queen ELIZABETH; who promised, in lieu thereof, so +much in Impropriations: which was never performed. + +Above £340 yearly is paid to several officers of the County Palatine of +Durham. + +The Assizes and Sessions, also, are duly kept in the Bishop's House, at +the sole charges of the Bishop. + +Also the several expenses for keeping in repair certain banks of rivers +in that Bishopric, and of several Houses belonging to the Bishopric. + +Moreover, the yearly Tenths, public taxes, the charges of going to and +waiting at Parliament, being deducted; there will remain, in ordinary +years, to the Bishop to keep hospitality, which must be great, and to +provide for those of his family, but about £1,500 [= £4,500 _now_] yearly. + +The like might be said of some other principal Bishoprics. + +The great diminution of the revenues of the Clergy, and the little care +of augmenting and defending the patrimony of the Church, is the great +reproach and shame of the English Reformation; and will, one day, prove +the ruin of Church and State. + +"It is the last trick," saith St. GREGORY, "that the Devil hath in this +world. When he cannot bring the Word and Sacraments into disgrace by +errors and heresies; he invents this project, to bring the Clergy into +contempt and low esteem." + +As it is now in England, where they are accounted by many, the Dross and +Refuse of the nation. Men think it a stain to their blood to place their +sons in that function; and women are ashamed to marry with any of them. + +It hath been observed, even by strangers, that the iniquity of the +present Times in England is such, that the English Clergy are not only +hated by the Romanists on the one side, and maligned by the Presbyterians +on the other...; but also that, of all the Christian Clergy of Europe, +whether Romish, Lutheran, or Calvinistic, none are so little _respected, +beloved, obeyed_, or _rewarded_, as the present pious, learned, loyal +Clergy of England; even by those who have always professed themselves of +that Communion. + + + + +THE GROUNDS & OCCASIONS OF THE CONTEMPT +OF THE CLERGY AND RELIGION +Enquired into. + +_In a_ LETTER _written to_ R.L. + +LONDON, +Printed by W. GODBID for N. BROOKE +at the _Angel_ in Cornhill. 1670. + + +This work is dated August 8, 1670. ANTHONY A. WOOD in his _Life_ (_Ath. +Oxon._ I. lxx. Ed. 1813), gives the following account of our Author. + +_February_ 9 [1672] A.W. went to London, and the next day he was kindly +receiv'd by Sir LIOLIN JENKYNS, in his apartment in Exeter house in the +Strand, within the city of Westminster. + +Sunday 11 [Feb. 1672], Sir LIOLIN JENKYNS took with him, in the morning, +over the water to Lambeth, A. WOOD, and after prayers, he conducted him +up to the dining rome, where archb. SHELDON received him, and gave him +his blessing. There then dined among the company, JOHN ECHARD, the author +of _The Contempt of the Clergy_, who sate at the lower end of the table +between the archbishop's two chaplaynes SAMUEL PARKER and THOMAS +THOMKINS, being the first time that the said ECHARD was introduced into +the said archbishop's company. After dinner, the archbishop went into his +withdrawing roome, and ECHARD with the chaplaynes and RALPH SNOW to their +lodgings to drink and smoak. + +[JOHN EACHARD, S.T.P., was appointed Master of Catherine Hall, Cambridge, +in 1675.] + + +_THE PREFACE TO THE READER_. + +_I can very easily fancy that many, upon the very first sight of the +title, will presently imagine that the Author does either want the Great +Tithes, lying under the pressure of some pitiful vicarage; or that he is +much out of humour, and dissatisfied with the present condition of +affairs; or, lastly, that he writes to no purpose at all, there having +been an abundance of unprofitable advisers in this kind. + +As to my being under some low Church dispensation; you may know, I write +not out of a pinching necessity, or out of any rising design. You may +please to believe that, although I have a most solemn reverence for the +Clergy in general, and especially for that of England; yet, for my own +part, I must confess to you, I am not of that holy employment; and have +as little thought of being Dean or Bishop, as they that think so, have +hopes of being all Lord Keepers. + +Nor less mistaken will they be, that shall judge me in the least +discontented, or any ways disposed to disturb the peace of the present +settled Church: for, in good truth, I have neither lost King's, nor +Bishop's lands, that should incline me to a surly and quarrelsome +complaining; as many be, who would have been glad enough to see His +Majesty restored, and would have endured Bishops daintily well, had they +lost no money by their coming in. + +I am not, I will assure you, any of those Occasional Writers, that, +missing preferment in the University, can presently write you their new +ways of Education; or being a little tormented with an ill-chosen wife, +set forth the doctrine of Divorce to be truly evangelical. + +The cause of these few sheets was honest and innocent, and as free from +all passion as any design. + +As for the last thing which I supposed objected_, viz., _that this book +is altogether needless, there having been an infinite number of Church +and Clergy-menders, that have made many tedious and unsuccessful offers: +I must needs confess, that it were very unreasonable for me to expect a +better reward. + +Only thus much, I think, with modesty may be said; that I cannot at +present call to mind anything that is propounded but what is very +hopeful, and easily accomplished. For, indeed, should I go about to tell +you, that a child can never prove a profitable Instructor of the people, +unless born when the sun is in_ Aries; _or brought up in a school that +stands full South: that he can never be able to govern a parish, unless +he can ride the great horse; or that he can never go through the great +work of the Ministry, unless for three hundred years backward it can be +proved that none of his family ever had cough, ague, or grey hair; then I +should very patiently endure to be reckoned among the vainest that ever +made attempt. + +But believe me, Reader! I am not, as you will easily see, any contriver +of an incorruptible and pure crystaline Church, or any expecter of a +reign of nothing but Saints and Worthies: but only an honest and hearty +Wisher that the best of our Clergy might, for ever, continue as they are, +rich and learned! and that the rest might be very useful and well esteemed +in their Profession!_ + + + + +THE GROUNDS & OCCASIONS OF THE CONTEMPT +OF THE CLERGY AND RELIGION +Enquired into. + + +SIR, + +That short discourse which we lately had concerning the Clergy, continues +so fresh in your mind, that, I perceive by your last, you are more than a +little troubled to observe that Disesteem that lies upon several of those +holy men. Your good wishes for the Church, I know, are very strong and +unfeigned; and your hopes of the World receiving much more advantage and +better advice from some of the Clergy, than usually it is found by +experience to do, are neither needless nor impossible. + +And as I have always been a devout admirer as well as strict observer of +your actions; so I have constantly taken a great delight to concur with +you in your very thoughts. Whereupon it is, Sir, that I have spent some +few hours upon that which was the occasion of your last letter, and the +subject of our late discourse. + +And before, Sir, I enter upon telling you what are my apprehensions; I +must most heartily profess that, for my own part, I did never think, +since at all I understood the excellency and perfection of a Church, but +that Ours, now lately Restored, as formerly Established, does far outgo, +as to all Christian ends and purposes, either the pomp and bravery of +Rome herself, or the best of Free Spiritual States [_Nonconformists_]. + +But if so be, it be allowable (where we have so undoubtedly learned and +honourable a Clergy) to suppose that some of that sacred profession might +possibly have attained to a greater degree of esteem and usefulness to the +World: then I hope what has thus long hindered so great and desirable a +blessing to the nation, may be modestly guessed at! either without giving +any wilful offence to the present Church; or any great trouble, dear Sir, +to yourself. And, if I be not very much mistaken, whatever has +heretofore, or does at present, lessen the value of our Clergy, or render +it in any degree less serviceable to the World than might be reasonably +hoped; may be easily referred to two very plain things--the IGNORANCE of +some, and the POVERTY of others of the Clergy. + + +And first, as to _the IGNORANCE of some of our Clergy_. + +If we would make a search to purpose, we must go as deep as the very +Beginnings of Education; and, doubtless, may lay a great part of our +misfortunes to the old-fashioned methods and discipline of Schooling +itself: upon the well ordering of which, although much of the improvement +of our Clergy cannot be denied mainly to depend: yet by reason this is so +well known to yourself, as also that there have been many of undoubted +learning and experience, that have set out their several models for this +purpose; I shall therefore only mention such Loss of Time and Abuse of +Youth as is most remarkable and mischievous, and as could not be +conveniently omitted in a Discourse of this nature, though ever so short. + +And first of all, it were certainly worth the considering, Whether it be +unavoidably necessary to keep lads to 16 or 17 years of age, _in pure +slavery to a few Latin or Greek words_? or Whether it may not be more +convenient, especially if we call to mind their natural inclinations to +ease and idleness, and how hardly they are persuaded of the excellency of +the liberal Arts and Sciences (any further than the smart of the last +piece of discipline is fresh in their memories), Whether, I say, it be +not more proper and beneficial to mix with those unpleasant tasks and +drudgeries, something that, in probability, might not only take much +better with them, but might also be much easier obtained? + +As, suppose some part of time was allotted them, for the reading of some +innocent English Authors! where they need not go, every line, so +unwillingly to a tormenting Dictionary, and whereby they might come in a +short time, to apprehend common sense, and to begin to judge what is +true. For you shall have lads that are arch knaves at the Nominative +Case, and that have a notable quick eye at spying out of the Verb; who, +for want of reading such common and familiar books, shall understand no +more of what is very plain and easy, than a well educated dog or horse. + +Or suppose they were taught, as they might much easier be than what is +commonly offered to them, the principles of Arithmetic, Geometry, and +such alluring parts of Learning. As these things undoubtedly would be +much more useful, so much more delightful to them, than to be tormented +with a tedious story how PHAETON broke his neck, or how many nuts and +apples TITYRUS had for his supper. + +For, most certainly, youths, if handsomely dealt with, are much +inclinable to emulation, and to a very useful esteem of glory; and more +especially, if it be the reward of knowledge: and therefore, if such +things were carefully and discreetly propounded to them, wherein they +might not only earnestly contend amongst themselves, but might also see +how far they outskill the rest of the World, a lad hereby would think +himself high and mighty; and would certainly take great delight in +contemning the next unlearned mortal he meets withal. + +But if, instead hereof, you diet him with nothing but with Rules and +Exceptions, with tiresome repetitions of _Amo_ and [Greek: _Tupto_], +setting a day also apart also to recite _verbatim_ all the burdensome +task of the foregoing week (which I am confident is usually as dreadful +as an old Parliament Fast) we must needs believe that such a one, thus +managed, will scarce think to prove immortal, by such performances and +accomplishments as these. + +You know very well, Sir, that lads in general have but a kind of ugly and +odd conception of Learning; and look upon it as such a starving thing, and +unnecessary perfection, especially as it is usually dispensed out unto +them, that Nine-pins or Span-counter are judged much more heavenly +employments! And therefore what pleasure, do we think, can such a one +take in being bound to get against breakfast, two or three hundred +Rumblers out of HOMER, in commendation of ACHILLES's toes, or the +Grecians' boots; or to have measured out to him, very early in the +morning, fifteen or twenty well laid on lashes, for letting a syllable +slip too soon, or hanging too long on it? Doubtless instant execution +upon such grand miscarriages as these, will eternally engage him to a +most admirable opinion of the Muses! + +Lads, certainly, ought to be won by all possible arts and devices: and +though many have invented fine pictures and games, to cheat them into the +undertaking of unreasonable burdens; yet this, by no means, is such a +lasting temptation as the propounding of that which in itself is pleasant +and alluring. For we shall find very many, though of no excelling +quickness, will soon perceive the design of the landscape; and so, +looking through the veil, will then begin to take as little delight in +those pretty contrivances, as in getting by heart three or four leaves of +ungayed nonsense. + +Neither seems the stratagem of Money to be so prevailing and catching, as +a right down offer of such books which are ingenious and convenient: there +being but very few so intolerably careful of their bellies, as to look +upon the hopes of a cake or a few apples, to be a sufficient recompense, +for cracking their pates with a heap of independent words. + +I am not sensible that I have said anything in disparagement of those two +famous tongues, the Greek and Latin; there being much reason to value them +beyond others, because the best of Human Learning has been delivered unto +us in those languages. But he that worships them, purely out of honour to +Rome and Athens, having little or no respect to the usefulness and +excellency of the books themselves, as many do: it is a sign he has a +great esteem and reverence of antiquity; but I think him, by no means +comparable, for happiness, to him who catches frogs or hunts butterflies. + +That some languages therefore ought to be studied is in a manner +absolutely necessary: unless all were brought to one; which would be the +happiest thing that the World could wish for! + +But whether the beginning of them might not be more insensibly instilled, +and more advantageously obtained by reading philosophical as well as other +ingenious Authors, than _Janua linguarum_, crabbed poems, and +cross-grained prose, as it has been heretofore by others: so it ought to +be afresh considered by all well-wishers, either to the Clergy or +Learning. + +I know where it is the fashion of some schools, to prescribe to a lad, +for his evening refreshment, out of COMMENIUS, all the Terms of Art +[_technical terms_] belonging to Anatomy, Mathematics, or some such piece +of Learning. Now, is it not a very likely thing, that a lad should take +most absolute delight in conquering such a pleasant task; where, perhaps, +he has two or three hundred words to keep in mind, with a very small +proportion of sense thereunto belonging: whereas the use and full meaning +of all those difficult terms would have been most insensibly obtained, by +leisurely reading in particular, this or the other science? + +Is it not also likely to be very savoury, and of comfortable use to one +that can scarce distinguish between Virtue and Vice, to be tasked with +high and moral poems? It is usually said by those that are intimately +acquainted with him, that HOMER's _Iliad_ and _Odyssey_ contain, +mystically, all the Moral Law for certain, if not a great part of the +Gospel (I suppose much after that rate that RABELAIS said his _Gargantua_ +contained all the Ten Commandments!); but perceivable only to those that +have a poetical discerning spirit: with which gift, I suppose, few at +school are so early qualified. + +Those admirable verses, Sir, of yours, both English and others, which you +have sometimes favoured me with a sight of, will not suffer me to be so +sottish as to slight and undervalue so great and noble an accomplishment. +But the committing of such high and brave sensed poems to a schoolboy +(whose main business is to search out cunningly the Antecedent and the +Relative; to lie at catch for a spruce Phrase, a Proverb, or a quaint and +pithy Sentence) is not only to very little purpose, but that having +gargled only those elegant books at school, this serves them instead of +reading them afterwards; and does, in a manner, prevent their being +further looked into. So that all improvement, whatsoever it be, that may +be reaped out of the best and choicest poets, is for the most part +utterly lost, in that a time is usually chosen of reading them, when +discretion is much wanting to gain thence any true advantage. Thus that +admirable and highly useful morality, TULLY's _Offices_, because it is a +book commonly construed at school, is generally afterwards so contemned +by Academics, that it is a long hour's work to convince them that it is +worthy of being looked into again; because they reckon it as a book read +over at school, and, no question! notably digested. + +If, therefore the ill methods of schooling do not only occasion a great +loss of time there, but also do beget in lads a very odd opinion and +apprehension of Learning, and much disposes them to be idle when they are +got a little free from the usual severities; and that the hopes of more or +less improvement in the Universities very much depend hereupon: it is, +without all doubt, the great concernment of all that wish to the Church, +that such care and regard be had to the management of schools, that the +Clergy be not so much obstructed in their first attempts and preparations +to Learning. + +I cannot, Sir, possibly be so ignorant as not to consider that what has +been now offered upon this argument, has not only been largely insisted +on by others; but also refers not particularly to the Clergy (whose +welfare and esteem, I seem at present in a special manner solicitous +about), but in general to all learned professions, and therefore might +reasonably have been omitted: which certainly I had done, had not I +called to mind that of those many that propound to themselves Learning +for a profession, there is scarce one in ten but that his lot, choice, or +necessity determines him to the study of Divinity. + +Thus, Sir, I have given you my thoughts concerning the orders and customs +of common schools. A consideration, in my apprehension, not slightly to be +weighed: being that upon which to me seems very much to depend the +learning and wisdom of the Clergy, and the prosperity of the Church. + + +The next unhappiness that seems to have hindered some of our Clergy from +arriving to that degree of understanding that becomes such a holy office, +whereby their company and discourses might be much more, than they +commonly are, valued and desired, is the inconsiderate sending of all +kinds of lads to the Universities; let their parts be ever so low and +pitiful, the instructions they have lain under ever so mean and +contemptible, and the purses of their friends ever so short to maintain +them there. If they have but the commendation of some lamentable and +pitiful Construing Master, it passes for sufficient evidence that they +will prove persons very eminent in the Church. That is to say, if a lad +has but a lusty and well bearing memory, this being the usual and almost +only thing whereby they judge of their abilities; if he can sing over +very tunably three or four stanzas of LILLY's Poetry; be very quick and +ready to tell what is Latin for all the instruments belonging to his +father's shop; if presently [_at sight_], upon the first scanning, he +knows a Spondee from a Dactyl, and can fit a few of those same, without +any sense, to his fingers' ends; if, lastly, he can say perfectly by +heart his Academic Catechism, in pure and passing Latin, _i.e._, "What is +his Name?" "Where went he to School?" and "What author is he best and +chiefly skilled in?" "A forward boy!" cries the Schoolmaster: "a very +pregnant child! Ten thousand pities, but he should be a Scholar; he +proves a brave Clergyman, I'll warrant you!" + +Away to the University he must needs go! Then for a little Logic, a +little Ethics, and, GOD knows! a very little of everything else! And the +next time you meet him, he is in the pulpit! + +Neither ought the mischief which arises from small country schools to +pass unconsidered. The little mighty Governors whereof, having, for the +most part, not sucked in above six or seven mouthsful of University air, +must yet, by all means, suppose themselves so notably furnished with all +sorts of instructions, and are so ambitious of the glory of being counted +able to send forth, now and then, to Oxford or Cambridge, from the little +house by the Churchyard's side, one of their ill-educated disciples, that +to such as these ofttimes is committed the guidance and instruction of a +whole parish: whose parts and improvements duly considered, will scarce +render them fit Governors of a small Grammar Castle. + +Not that it is necessary to believe, that there never was a learned or +useful person in the Church, but such whose education had been at +Westminster or St. Paul's. But, whereas most of the small schools, being +by their first founders designed only for the advantage of poor parish +children, and also that the stipend is usually so small and discouraging +that very few who can do much more than teach to write and read, will +accept of such preferment: for these to pretend to rig out their small +ones for a University life, proves ofttimes a very great inconvenience +and damage to the Church. + +And as many such Dismal Things are sent forth thus, with very small +tackling; so not a few are predestinated thither by their friends, from +the foresight of a good benefice. If there be rich pasture, profitable +customs, and that HENRY VIII. has taken out no toll, the Holy Land is a +very good land, and affords abundance of milk and honey! Far be it from +their consciences, the considering whether the lad is likely to be +serviceable to the Church, or to make wiser and better any of his +parishioners! + +All this may seem, at first sight, to be easily avoided by a strict +examination at the Universities; and so returning by the next carrier, +all that was sent up not fit for their purpose. But because many of their +relations are ofttimes persons of an inferior condition; and who (either +by imprudent counsellors, or else out of a tickling conceit of their sons +being, forsooth, a University Scholar) have purposely omitted all other +opportunities of a livelihood; to return such, would seem a very sharp +and severe disappointment. + +Possibly, it might be much better, if parents themselves or their +friends, would be much more wary of determining their children to the +trade of Learning. And if some of undoubted knowledge and judgement, +would offer their advice; and speak their hopes of a lad, about 13 or 14 +years of age (which, I will assure you, Sir, may be done without +conjuring!); and never omit to inquire, Whether his relations are able +and willing to maintain him seven years at the University, or see some +certain way of being continued there so long, by the help of friends or +others, as also upon no such conditions as shall, in likelihood, deprive +him of the greatest parts of his studies? + +For it is a common fashion of a great many to compliment and invite +inferior people's children to the University, and there pretend to make +such an all bountiful provision for them, as they shall not fail of +coming to a very eminent degree of Learning; but when they come there, +they shall save a servant's wages. They took therefore, heretofore, a +very good method to prevent Sizars overheating their brains. Bed-making, +chamber-sweeping, and water-fetching were doubtless great preservatives +against too much vain philosophy. Now certainly such pretended favours +and kindnesses as these, are the most right down discourtesies in the +World. For it is ten times more happy, both for the lad and the Church, +to be a corn-cutter or tooth-drawer, to make or mend shoes, or to be of +any inferior profession; than to be invited to, and promised the +conveniences of, a learned education; and to have his name only stand +airing upon the College Tables [_Notice-boards_], and his chief business +shall be, to buy eggs and butter. + +Neither ought lads' parts, before they be determined to the University, +be only considered, and the likelihood of being disappointed in their +studies; but also abilities or hopes of being maintained until they be +Masters of Arts. For whereas 200, for the most part, yearly Commence +[_Matriculate_], scarce the fifth part of these continue after their +taking the First Degree [_B.A._]. As for the rest, having exactly +learned, _Quid est Logica_? and _Quot sunt Virtutes Morales_? down they +go, by the first carrier, on the top of the pack, into the West, or +North, or elsewhere, according as their estates lie; with BURGESDICIUS, +EUSTACHIUS, and such great helps of Divinity; and then, for propagation +of the Gospel! By that time they can say the _Predicaments_ and _Creed_; +they have their choice of preaching or starving! Now what a Champion of +Truth is such a thing likely to be! What a huge blaze he makes in the +Church! What a Raiser of Doctrines! What a Confounder of Heresies! What +an able Interpreter of hard Places! What a Resolver of Cases of +Conscience! and what a prudent guide must he needs be to all his parish! + +You may possibly think, Sir, that this so early preaching might be easily +avoided, by withholding Holy Orders; the Church having very prudently +constituted in her _Canons_, that none under twenty-three years of age, +which is the usual age after seven years being at the University, should +be admitted to that great employment. + +This indeed might seem to do some service, were it carefully observed; +and were there not a thing to be got, called a _Dispensation_, which will +presently [_at once_] make you as old as you please. + +But if you will, Sir, we will suppose that Orders were strictly denied to +all, unless qualified according to _Canon_, I cannot foresee any other +remedy but that most of those University youngsters must fall to the +parish, and become a town charge until they be of spiritual age. For +Philosophy is a very idle thing, when one is cold! and a small _System of +Divinity_, though it be WOLLEBIUS himself, is not sufficient when one is +hungry! + +What then shall we do with them? and where shall we dispose of them, +until they come to a holy ripeness? + +May we venture them into the Desk to read _Service_? That cannot be, +because not capable! Besides, the tempting Pulpit usually stands too +near. Or shall we trust them in some good Gentleman's house, there to +perform holy things? With all my heart! so that they may not be called +down from their studies to say Grace to every Health; that they may have +a little better wages than the Cook or Butler; as also that there be a +Groom in the house, besides the Chaplain (for sometimes to the £10 a +year, they crowd [in] the looking after couple of geldings): and that he +may not be sent from table, picking his teeth, and sighing with his hat +under his arm; whilst the Knight and my Lady eat up the tarts and +chickens! + +It may be also convenient, if he were suffered to speak now and then in +the Parlour, besides at Grace and Prayer time; and that my cousin ABIGAIL +and he sit not too near one another at meals, nor be presented together to +the little vicarage! + +All this, Sir, must be thought on! For, in good earnest, a person at all +thoughtful of himself and conscience, had much better choose to live with +nothing but beans and pease pottage, so that he might have the command of +his thoughts and time; than to have his Second and Third Courses, and to +obey the unreasonable humours of some families. + +And as some think two or three years' continuance in the University, to +be time sufficient for being very great Instruments in the Church: so +others we have, so moderate as to count that a solemn admission and a +formal paying of College Detriments, without the trouble of Philosophical +discourses, disputations, and the like, are virtues that will influence as +far as Newcastle, and improve though at ever such a distance. + +So strangely possessed are people in general, with the easiness and small +preparation that are requisite to the undertaking of the Ministry, that +whereas in other professions, they plainly see, what considerable time is +spent before they have any hopes of arriving to skill enough to practise +with any confidence what they have designed; yet to preach to ordinary +people, and govern a country parish, is usually judged such an easy +performance, that anybody counts himself fit for the employment. We find +very few so unreasonably confident of their parts, as to profess either +Law or Physic, without either a considerable continuance in some of the +Inns of Courts, or an industrious search in herbs, Anatomy, Chemistry, +and the like, unless it be only to make a bond [_bandage_] or give a +glyster [_an injection_]. But as for "the knack of Preaching" as they +call it, that is such a very easy attainment, that he is counted dull to +purpose, that is not able, at a very small warning, to fasten upon any +text of Scripture, and to tear and tumble it, till the glass [_the +hourglass on the pulpit_] be out. + +Many, I know very well, are forced to discontinue [_at College_], having +neither stock [_capital_] of their own, nor friends to maintain them in +the University. But whereas a man's profession and employment in this +world is very much in his own, or in the choice of such who are most +nearly concerned for him; he therefore, that foresees that he is not +likely to have the advantage of a continued education, he had much better +commit himself to an approved-of cobbler or tinker, wherein he may be duly +respected according to his office and condition of life; than to be only a +disesteemed pettifogger or empiric in Divinity. + +By this time, Sir, I hope you begin to consider what a great disadvantage +it has been to the Church and Religion, the mere venturous and +inconsiderate determining of Youths to the profession of Learning. + +There is still one thing, by very few, at all minded, that ought also not +to be overlooked: and that is, a good constitution and health of body. And +therefore discreet and wise physicians ought also to be consulted, before +an absolute resolve be made to live the Life of the Learned. For he that +has strength enough to buy and bargain, may be of a very unfit habit of +body to sit still so much, as, in general, is requisite to a competent +degree of Learning. For although reading and thinking break neither legs +nor arms; yet, certainly, there is nothing that flags the spirits, +disorders the blood, and enfeebles the whole body of Man, as intense +studies. + +As for him that rives blocks or carries packs, there is no great expense +of parts, no anxiety of mind, no great intellectual pensiveness. Let him +but wipe his forehead, and he is perfectly recovered! But he that has +many languages to remember, the nature of almost the whole world to +consult, many histories, Fathers, and Councils to search into; if the +fabric of his body be not strong and healthful, you will soon find him as +thin as a piece of metaphysics, and look as piercing as a School subtilty. + +This, Sir, could not be conveniently omitted; not only because many are +very careless in this point, and, at a venture, determine their young +relations to Learning: but because, for the most part, if, amongst many, +there be but one of all the family that is weak and sickly, that is +languishing and consumptive; this, of all the rest, as counted not fit +for any coarse employment, shall be picked out as a Choice Vessel for the +Church! Whereas, most evidently, he is much more able to dig daily in the +mines, than to set cross-legged, musing upon his book. + +I am very sensible, how obvious it might be, here, to hint that this so +curious and severe Inquiry would much hinder the practice, and abate the +flourishing of the Universities: as also, there have been several, and +are still, many Living Creatures in the world, who, whilst young, being +of a very slow and meek apprehension, have yet afterward cheered up into +a great briskness, and become masters of much reason. And others there +have been, who, although forced to a short continuance in the University, +and that ofttimes interrupted by unavoidable services, have yet, by +singular care and industry, proved very famous in their generation. And +lastly, some also, of very feeble and crazy constitutions in their +childhood, have out-studied their distempers, and have become very +healthful and serviceable in the Church. + +As for the flourishing, Sir, of the Universities--what has been before +said, aims not in the least at Gentlemen, whose coming thither is chiefly +for the hopes of single [_personal_] improvement; and whose estates do +free them from the necessity of making a gain of Arts and Sciences: but +only at such as intend to make Learning their profession, as well as +[their] accomplishment. So that our Schools may be still as full of +flourishings, of fine clothes, rich gowns, and future benefactors, as +ever. + +And suppose we do imagine, as it is necessary we should, that the number +should be a little lessened; this surely will not abate the true +splendour of a University in any man's opinion, but his who reckons the +flourishing thereof, rather from the multitude of mere gowns than from +the Ingenuity and Learning of those that wear them: no more than we have +reason to count the flourishing of the Church from that vast number of +people that crowd into Holy Orders, rather than from those learned and +useful persons that defend her Truths, and manifest her Ways. + +But I say, I do not see any perfect necessity that our Schools should +hereupon be thinned and less frequented: having said nothing against the +Multitude, but the _indiscreet choice_. If therefore, instead of such, +either of inferior parts or a feeble constitution, or of unable friends; +there were picked out those that were of a tolerable ingenuity [_natural +capacity_], of a study-bearing body, and had good hopes of being +continued; as hence there is nothing to hinder our Universities from +being full, so likewise from being of great credit and learning. + +Not to deny, then, but that, now and then, there has been a lad of very +submissive parts, and perhaps no great share of time allowed him for his +studies, who has proved, beyond all expectation, brave and glorious: yet, +surely, we are not to over-reckon this so rare a hit, as to think that one +such proving lad should make recompense and satisfaction for those many +"weak ones," as the common people love to phrase them, that are in the +Church. And that no care ought to be taken, no choice made, no +maintenance provided or considered; because (now and then in an Age) one, +miraculously, beyond all hopes, proves learned and useful; is a practice, +whereby never greater mischiefs and disesteem have been brought upon the +Clergy. + +I have, in short, Sir, run over what seemed to me, the First Occasions of +that Small Learning that is to be found amongst some of the Clergy. I +shall now pass from Schooling to the Universities. + +I am not so unmindful of that devotion which I owe to those places, nor +of that great esteem I profess to have of the Guides and Governors +thereof, as to go about to prescribe new Forms and Schemes of Education; +where Wisdom has laid her top-stone. Neither shall I here examine which +Philosophy, the Old or New, makes the best sermons. It is hard to say, +that exhortations can be to _no_ purpose, if the preacher believes that +the earth turns round! or that his reproofs can take _no_ effect, unless +he will suppose a vacuum! There have been good sermons, no question! made +in the days of _Materia Prima_ and Occult Qualities: and there are, +doubtless, still good discourses now, under the reign of Atoms. + +There are but two things, wherein I count the Clergy chiefly concerned, +as to University Improvements, that, at present, I shall make Inquiry +into. + +And the first is this: Whether or not it were not highly useful, +especially for the Clergy who are supposed to speak English to the +people, that _English Exercises were imposed upon lads_, if not in Public +Schools, yet at least privately. Not but that I am abundantly satisfied +that Latin (O Latin! it is the all in all! and the very cream of the +jest!); as also, that Oratory is the same in all languages, the same +rules being observed, the same method, the same arguments and arts of +persuasion: but yet, it seems somewhat beyond the reach of ordinary youth +so to apprehend those general Laws as to make a just and allowable use of +them in all languages, unless exercised particularly in them. + +Now we know the language that the very learned part of this nation must +trust to live by, unless It be to make a bond [_bandage_] or prescribe a +purge (which possibly may not oblige or work so well in any other +language as Latin) is the English: and after a lad has taken his leave of +Madame University, GOD bless him! he is not likely to deal afterwards with +much Latin; unless it be to checker [_variegate_] a sermon, or to say +_Salveto_! to some travelling _Dominatio vestra_. Neither is it enough to +say, that the English is the language with which we are swaddled and +rocked asleep; and therefore there needs none of this artificial and +superadded care. For there be those that speak very well, plainly, and to +the purpose; and yet write most pernicious and fantastical stuff: thinking +that whatsoever is written must be more than ordinary, must be beyond the +guise [_manner_] of common speech, must savour of reading and Learning, +though it be altogether needless, and perfectly ridiculous. + +Neither ought we to suppose it sufficient that English books be +frequently read, because there be of all sorts, good and bad; and the +worst are likely to be admired by Youth more than the best: unless +Exercises be required of lads; whereby it may be guessed what their +judgement is, where they be mistaken, and what authors they propound to +themselves for imitation. For by this means, they may be corrected and +advised early, according as occasion shall require: which, if not done, +their ill style will be so confirmed, their improprieties of speech will +become so natural, that it will be a very hard matter to stir or alter +their fashion of writing. + +It is very curious to observe what delicate letters, your young students +write! after they have got a little smack of University learning. In what +elaborate heights, and tossing nonsense, will they greet a right down +English father, or country friend! If there be a plain word in it, and +such as is used at home, this "tastes not," say they, "of education among +philosophers!" and is counted damnable duncery and want of fancy. Because +"Your loving friend" or "humble servant" is a common phrase in country +letters; therefore the young Epistler is "Yours, to the Antipodes!" or at +least "to the Centre of the earth!": and because ordinary folks "love" and +"respect" you; therefore you are to him, "a Pole Star!" "a Jacob's Staff!" +"a Loadstone!" and "a damask Rose!" + +And the misery of it is, that this pernicious accustomed way of +expression does not only, ofttimes, go along with them to their benefice, +but accompanies them to the very grave. + +And, for the most part, an ordinary cheesemonger or plum-seller, that +scarce[ly] ever heard of a University, shall write much better sense, and +more to the purpose than these young philosophers, who injudiciously +hunting only for great words, make themselves learnedly ridiculous. + +Neither can it be easily apprehended, how the use of English Exercises +should any ways hinder the improvement in the Latin tongue; but rather be +much to its advantage: and this may be easily believed, considering what +dainty stuff is usually produced for a Latin entertainment! Chicken broth +is not thinner than that which is commonly offered for a Piece of most +pleading and convincing Sense! + +For, I will but suppose an Academic youngster to be put upon a Latin +Oration. Away he goes presently to his magazine of collected phrases! He +picks out all the Glitterings he can find. He hauls in all Proverbs, +"Flowers," Poetical snaps [_snatches_], Tales out of the _Dictionary_, or +else ready Latined to his hand, out of LYCOSTHENES. + +This done, he comes to the end of the table, and having made a submissive +leg [_made a submissive bow_] and a little admired [_gazed at_] the +number, and understanding countenances of his auditors: let the subject +be what it will, he falls presently into a most lamentable complaint of +his insufficiency and tenuity [_slenderness_] that he, poor thing! "hath +no acquaintance with above a Muse and a half!" and "that he never drank +above six quarts of Helicon!" and you "have put him here upon such a +task" (perhaps the business is only, Which is the nobler creature, a Flea +or a Louse?) "that would much better fit some old soaker at Parnassus, +than his sipping unexperienced bibbership." Alas, poor child! he is +"sorry, at the very soul! that he has no better speech! and wonders in +his heart, that you will lose so much time as to hear him! for he has +neither squibs nor fireworks, stars nor glories! The cursed carrier lost +his best Book of Phrases; and the malicious mice and rats eat up all his +_Pearls_ and _Golden Sentences_." + +Then he tickles over, a little, the skirts of the business. By and by, +for similitude from the Sun and Moon, or if they be not at leisure, from +"the grey-eyed Morn," or "a shady grove," or "a purling stream." + +This done, he tells you that "_Barnaby Bright_ would be much too short, +for him to tell you all that he could say": and so, "fearing he should +break the thread of your patience," he concludes. + +Now it seems, Sir, very probable, that if lads did but first of all, +determine in English what they intended to say in Latin; they would, of +themselves, soon discern the triflingness of such Apologies, the +pitifulness of their Matter, and the impertinency of their Tales and +Fancies: and would (according to their subject, age, and parts) offer +that which would be much more manly, and towards tolerable sense. + +And if I may tell you, Sir, what I really think, most of that +ridiculousness, of those phantastical phrases, harsh and sometimes +blasphemous metaphors, abundantly foppish similitudes, childish and empty +transitions, and the like, so commonly uttered out of pulpits, and so +fatally redounding to the discredit of the Clergy, may, in a great +measure, be charged upon the want of that, which we have here so much +contended for. + +The second Inquiry that may be made is this: _Whether or not Punning, +Quibbling, and that which they call Joquing_ [joking], _and such +delicacies of Wit_, highly admired in some Academic Exercises, _might not +be very conveniently omitted_? + +For one may desire but to know this one thing: In what Profession shall +that sort of Wit prove of advantage? As for Law, where nothing but the +most reaching subtility and the closest arguing is allowed of; it is not +to be imagined that blending now and then a piece of a dry verse, and +wreathing here and there an odd Latin Saying into a dismal jingle, should +give Title to an estate, or clear out an obscure evidence! And as little +serviceable can it be to Physic, which is made up of severe Reason and +well tried Experiments! + +And as for Divinity, in this place I shall say no more, but that those +usually that have been Rope Dancers in the Schools, ofttimes prove Jack +Puddings in the Pulpit. + +For he that in his youth has allowed himself this liberty of Academic +Wit; by this means he has usually so thinned his judgement, becomes so +prejudiced against sober sense, and so altogether disposed to trifling +and jingling; that, so soon as he gets hold of a text, he presently +thinks he has catched one of his old School Questions; and so falls a +flinging it out of one hand into another! tossing it this way, and that! +lets it run a little upon the line, then "_tanutus_! high jingo! come +again!" here catching at a word! there lie nibbling and sucking at an +_and_, a _by_, a _quis_ or a _quid_, a _sic_ or a _sicut_! and thus +minces the Text so small that his parishioners, until he _rendezvous_ +[_reassemble_] it again, can scarce tell, what is become of it. + +But "Shall we debar Youth of such an innocent and harmless recreation, of +such a great quickener of Parts and promoter of sagacity?" + +As for the first, its innocency of being allowed of for a time; I am so +far from that persuasion that, from what has been before hinted, I count +it perfectly contagious! and as a thing that, for the most part, infects +the whole life, and influences most actions! For he that finds himself to +have the right knack of letting off a joque, and of pleasing the Humsters; +he is not only very hardly brought off from admiring those goodly +applauses, and heavenly shouts; but it is ten to one! if he directs not +the whole bent of his studies to such idle and contemptible books as +shall only furnish him with materials for a laugh; and so neglects all +that should inform his Judgement and Reason, and make him a man of sense +and reputation in this world. + +And as for the pretence of making people sagacious, and pestilently +witty; I shall only desire that the nature of that kind of Wit may be +considered! which will be found to depend upon some such fooleries as +these-- + + As, first of all, the lucky ambiguity of some word or sentence. + O, what a happiness is it! and how much does a youngster count + himself beholden to the stars! that should help him to such a + taking jest! And whereas there be so many thousand words in the + World, and that he should luck upon the right one! that was so + very much to his purpose, and that at the explosion, made such a + goodly report! + + Or else they rake LILLY's _Grammar_; and if they can but find two + or three letters of any name in any of the _Rules_ or _Examples_ + of that good man's Works; it is as very a piece of Wit as any has + passed in the Town since the King came in [1660]! + + O, how the Freshmen will skip, to hear one of those lines well + laughed at, that they have been so often yerked [_chided_] for! + +It is true, such things as these go for Wit so long as they continue in +Latin; but what dismally shrimped things would they appear, if turned +into English! And if we search into what was, or might be pretended; we +shall find the advantages of Latin-Wit to be very small and slender, when +it comes into the World. I mean not only among strict Philosophers and Men +of mere Notions, or amongst all-damning and illiterate HECTORS; but +amongst those that are truly ingenious and judicious Masters of Fancy. We +shall find that a quotation out of _Qui mihi_, an Axiom out of Logic, a +Saying of a Philosopher, or the like, though managed with some quickness +and applied with some seeming ingenuity, will not, in our days, pass, or +be accepted, for Wit. + +For we must know that, as we are now in an Age of great Philosophers and +Men of Reason, so of great quickness and fancy! and that Greek and Latin, +which heretofore (though never so impertinently fetched in) was counted +admirable, because it had a learned twang; yet, now, such stuff, being +out of fashion, is esteemed but very bad company! + +For the World is now, especially in discourse, for One Language! and he +that has somewhat in his mind of Greek and Latin, is requested, +now-a-days, "to be civil, and translate it into English, for the benefit +of the company!" And he that has made it his whole business to accomplish +himself for the applause of boys, schoolmasters, and the easiest of +Country Divines; and has been shouldered out of the Cockpit for his Wit: +when he comes into the World, is the most likely person to be kicked out +of the company, for his pedantry and overweening opinion of himself. + +And, were it necessary, it is an easy matter to appeal to Wits, both +ancient and modern, that (beyond all controversy) have been sufficiently +approved of, that never, I am confident! received their improvements by +employing their time in Puns and Quibbles. There is the prodigious +LUCIAN, the great Don [_QUIXOTE_] of Mancha; and there are many now +living, Wits of our own, who never, certainly, were at all inspired from +a _Tripus_'s, _Terras-filius_'s, or _Praevarecator_'s speech. + +I have ventured, Sir, thus far, not to find fault with; but only to +inquire into an ancient custom or two of the Universities; wherein the +Clergy seem to be a little concerned, as to their education there. + + +I shall now look on them as beneficed, and consider their preaching. +Wherein I pretend to give no rules, having neither any gift at it, nor +authority to do it: but only shall make some conjectures at those useless +and ridiculous things commonly uttered in pulpits, that are generally +disgusted [_disliked_], and are very apt to bring contempt upon the +preacher, and that religion which he professes. + +Amongst the first things that seem to be useless, may be reckoned _the +high tossing and swaggering preaching_, either mountingly eloquent, or +profoundly learned. For there be a sort of Divines, who, if they but +happen of an unlucky hard word all the week, they think themselves not +careful of their flock, if they lay it not up till Sunday, and bestow it +amongst them, in their next preachment. Or if they light upon some +difficult and obscure notion, which their curiosity inclines them to be +better acquainted with, how useless soever! nothing so frequent as for +them, for a month or two months together, to tear and tumble this +doctrine! and the poor people, once a week, shall come and gaze upon them +by the hour, until they preach themselves, as they think, into a right +understanding. + +Those that are inclinable to make these useless speeches to the people; +they do it, for the most part, upon one of these two considerations. +Either out of simple phantastic glory, and a great studiousness of being +wondered at; as if getting into the pulpit were a kind of Staging +[_acting_]; where nothing was to be considered but how much the sermon +takes! and how much stared at! Or else, they do this to gain a respect +and reverence from their people: "who," say they, "are to be puzzled now +and then, and carried into the clouds! For if the Minister's words be +such as the Constable uses; his matter plain and practical, such as comes +to the common market; he may pass possibly for an honest and well-meaning +man, but by no means for any scholar! Whereas if he springs forth, now +and then, in high raptures towards the uppermost heavens; dashing, here +and there, an all-confounding word! if he soars aloft in unintelligible +huffs! preaches points deep and mystical, and delivers them as darkly and +phantastically! this is the way," say they, "of being accounted a most +able and learned Instructor." + +Others there be, whose parts stand not so much towards Tall Words and +Lofty Notions, but consist in scattering up and down and besprinkling all +their sermons with plenty of Greek and Latin. And because St. PAUL, once +or so, was pleased to make use of a little heathen Greek; and that only, +when he had occasion to discourse with some of the learned ones that well +understood him: therefore must they needs bring in twenty Poets and +Philosophers, if they can catch them, into an hour's talk [_evidently the +ordinary length of a sermon at this time, see_ pp. 259, 313]; spreading +themselves in abundance of Greek and Latin, to a company, perhaps, of +farmers and shepherds. + +Neither will they rest there, but have at the Hebrew also! not contenting +themselves to tell the people in general, that they "have skill in the +Text, and the exposition they offer, agrees with the Original"; but must +swagger also over the poor parishioners, with the dreadful Hebrew itself! +with their BEN-ISRAELS! BEN-MANASSES! and many more BENS that they are +intimately acquainted with! whereas there is nothing in the church, or +near it by a mile, that understands them, but GOD Almighty! whom, it is +supposed, they go not about to inform or satisfy. + +This learned way of talking, though, for the most part, it is done merely +out of ostentation: yet, sometimes (which makes not the case much better), +it is done in compliment and civility to the all-wise Patron, or +all-understanding Justice of the Peace in the parish; who, by the common +farmers of the town, must be thought to understand the most intricate +notions, and the most difficult languages. + +Now, what an admirable thing this is! Suppose there should be one or so, +in the whole church, that understands somewhat besides English: shall I +not think that he understands that better? Must I (out of courtship to +his Worship and Understanding; and because, perhaps, I am to dine with +him) prate abundance of such stuff, which, I must needs know, nobody +understands, or that will be the better for it but himself, and perhaps +scarcely he? + +This, I say, because I certainly know several of that disposition: who, +if they chance to have a man of any learning or understanding more than +the rest in the parish, preach wholly at him! and level most of their +discourses at his supposed capacity; and the rest of the good people +shall have only a handsome gaze or view of the parson! As if plain words, +useful and intelligible instructions were not as good for an Esquire, or +one that is in Commission from the King, as for him that holds the plough +or mends hedges. + +Certainly he that considers the design of his Office, and has a +conscience answerable to that holy undertaking, must needs conceive +himself engaged, not only to mind this or that accomplished or +well-dressed person, but must have a universal care and regard of all his +parish. And as he must think himself bound, not only to visit down beds +and silken curtains, but also flocks and straw [_mattresses_], if there +be need: so ought his care to be as large to instruct the poor, the weak, +and despicable part of his parish, as those that sit in the best pews. He +that does otherwise, thinks not at all of a man's soul: but only +accommodates himself to fine clothes, an abundance of ribbons, and the +highest seat in the church; not thinking that it will be as much to his +reward in the next worlds by sober advice, care, and instruction, to have +saved one that takes collection [_alms_] as him that is able to relieve +half the town. It is very plain that neither our Saviour, when he was +upon earth and taught the World, made any such distinction in his +discourses. What is more intelligible to all mankind than his _Sermon +upon the Mount_! Neither did the Apostles think of any such way. I +wonder, whom they take for a pattern! + +I will suppose once again, that the design of these persons is to gain +glory: and I shall ask them, Can there be any greater in the world, than +doing general good? To omit future reward, Was it not always esteemed of +old, that correcting evil practices, reducing people that lived amiss, +was much better than making a high rant about a shuttlecock, and talking +_tara-tantara_ about a feather? Or if they would be only admired, then +would I gladly have them consider, What a thin and delicate kind of +admiration is likely to be produced, by that which is not at all +understood? Certainly, that man has a design of building up to himself +real fame in good earnest, by things well laid and spoken: his way to +effect it is not by talking staringly, and casting a mist before the +people's eyes; but by offering such things by which he may be esteemed, +with knowledge and understanding. + +Thus far concerning Hard Words, High Notions, and Unprofitable Quotations +out of learned languages. + +I shall now consider such things _as are ridiculous_, that serve for +chimney and market talk, after the sermon be done; and that do cause, +more immediately, the preacher to be scorned and undervalued. + +I have no reason, Sir, to go about to determine what style or method is +best for the improvement and advantage of _all_ people. For, I question +not but there have been as many several sorts of Preachers as Orators; +and though very different, yet useful and commendable in their kind. +TULLY takes very deservedly with many, SENECA with others, and CATO, no +question! said things wisely and well. So, doubtless, the same place of +Scripture may by several, be variously considered: and although their +method and style be altogether different, yet they may all speak things +very convenient for the people to know and be advised of. But yet, +certainly, what is most undoubtedly useless and empty, or what is judged +absolutely ridiculous, not by this or that curious or squeamish auditor, +but by every man in the Corporation that understands but plain English +and common sense, ought to be avoided. For all people are naturally born +with such a judgement of true and allowable Rhetoric, that is, of what is +decorous and convenient to be spoken, that whatever is grossly otherwise +is usually ungrateful, not only to the wise and skilful part of the +congregation, but shall seem also ridiculous to the very unlearned +tradesmen [_mechanics_] and their young apprentices. Amongst which, may +be chiefly reckoned these following, _harsh Metaphors, childish +Similitudes_, and _ill-applied Tales_. + +The first main thing, I say, that makes many sermons so ridicuous, and +the preachers of them so much disparaged and undervalued, is _an +inconsiderate use of frightful Metaphors_: which making such a remarkable +impression upon the ears, and leaving such a jarring twang behind them, +are oftentimes remembered to the discredit of the Minister as long as he +continues in the parish. + +I have heard the very children in the streets, and the little boys close +about the fire, refresh themselves strangely but with the repetition of a +few of such far-fetched and odd sounding expressions. TULLY, therefore, +and CAESAR, the two greatest masters of Roman eloquence, were very wary +and sparing of that sort of Rhetoric. We may read many a page in their +works before we meet with any of those bears; and if you do light upon +one or so, it shall not make your hair stand right up! or put you into a +fit of convulsions! but it shall be so soft, significant, and familiar, +as if it were made for the very purpose. + +But as for the common sort of people that are addicted to this sort of +expression in their discourses; away presently to both the Indies! rake +heaven and earth! down to the bottom of the sea! then tumble over all +Arts and Sciences! ransack all shops and warehouses! spare neither camp +nor city, but that they will have them! So fond are such deceived ones of +these same gay words, that they count all discourses empty, dull, and +cloudy; unless bespangled with these glitterings. Nay, so injudicious and +impudent together will they sometimes be, that the Almighty Himself is +often in danger of being dishonoured by these indiscreet and horrid +Metaphor-mongers. And when they thus blaspheme the God of Heaven by such +unhallowed expressions; to make amends, they will put you in an "As it +were" forsooth! or "As I may so say," that is, they will make bold to +speak what they please concerning GOD Himself, rather than omit what they +judge, though never so falsely, to be witty. And then they come in +hobbling with their lame submission, and with their "reverence be it +spoken": as if it were not much better to leave out what they foresee is +likely to be interpreted for blasphemy, or at least great extravagancy; +than to utter that, for which their own reason and conscience tell them, +they are bound to lay in beforehand an excuse. + +To which may be further subjoined, that Metaphors, though very apt and +allowable, are intelligible but to some sorts of men, of this or that +kind of life, of this or that profession. + +For example, perhaps one Gentleman's metaphorical knack of preaching +comes of the sea; and then we shall hear of nothing but "starboard" and +"larboard," of "stems," "sterns," and "forecastles," and such salt-water +language: so that one had need take a voyage to Smyrna or Aleppo, and +very warily attend to all the sailors' terms, before I shall in the least +understand my teacher. Now, though such a sermon may possibly do some good +in a coast town; yet upward into the country, in an inland parish, it will +do no more than Syriac or Arabic. + +Another, he falls a fighting with his text, and makes a pitched battle of +it, dividing it into the Right Wing and Left Wing; then he _rears_ it! +_flanks_ it! _intrenches_ it! _storms_ it! and then he _musters_ all +again! to see what word was lost or lamed in the skirmish: and so falling +on again, with fresh valour, he fights backward and forward! charges +through and through! routs! kills! takes! and then, "Gentlemen! as you +were!" Now to such of his parish as have been in the late wars, this is +not very formidable; for they do but suppose themselves at Edgehill or +Naseby, and they are not much scared at his doctrine: but as for others, +who have not had such fighting opportunities, it is very lamentable to +consider how shivering they sit without understanding, till the battle be +over! + +Like instance might be easily given of many more discourses, the +metaphorical phrasing whereof, depending upon peculiar arts, customs, +trades, and professions, makes them useful and intelligible only to such, +who have been very well busied in such like employments. + +Another thing, Sir, that brings great disrespect and mischief upon the +Clergy, and that differs not much from what went immediately before, is +their _packing their sermons so full of Similitudes_; which, all the +World knows, carry with them but very small force of argument, unless +there be _an exact agreement with that which is compared_, of which there +is very seldom any sufficient care taken. + +Besides, those that are addicted to this slender way of discourse, for +the most part, do so weaken and enfeeble their judgement, by contenting +themselves to understand by colours, features, and glimpses; that they +perfectly omit all the more profitable searching into the nature and +causes of things themselves. By which means, it necessarily comes to +pass, that what they undertake to prove and clear out to the +Congregation, must needs be so faintly done, and with such little force +of argument, that the conviction or persuasion will last no longer in the +parishioners' minds, than the warmth of those similitudes shall glow in +their fancy. So that he that has either been instructed in some part of +his duty, or excited to the performance of the same, not by any judicious +dependence of things, and lasting reason; but by such faint and toyish +evidence: his understanding, upon all occasions, will be as apt to be +misled as ever, and his affections as troublesome and ungovernable. + +But they are not so Unserviceable, as, usually, they are Ridiculous. For +people of the weakest parts are most commonly overborn with these +fooleries; which, together with the great difficulty of their being +prudently managed, must needs occasion them, for the most part, to be +very trifling and childish. + +Especially, if we consider the choiceness of the authors out of which +they are furnished. There is the never-to-be-commended-enough +LYCOSTHENES. There is also the admirable piece [by FRANCIS MERES] called +the _Second Part of Wits Commonwealth_ [1598]: I pray mind it! it is the +_Second Part_, and not the _First_! And there is, besides, a book wholly +consisting of Similitudes [? JOHN SPENCER's _Things New and Old, or a +Storehouse of Similies, Sentences, Allegories, &c._, 1658] applied and +ready fitted to most preaching subjects, for the help of young beginners, +who sometimes will not make them hit handsomely. + +It is very well known that such as are possessed with an admiration of +such eloquence, think that they are very much encouraged in their way by +the Scripture itself. "For," say they, "did not our blessed Saviour +himself use many metaphors and many parables? and did not his disciples, +following his so excellent an example, do the like? And is not this, not +only warrant enough, but near upon a command to us so to do?" + +If you please, therefore, we will see what our Saviour does in this case. +In _St. Matthew_ he tells his disciples, that "they are the salt of the +earth," that "they are the light of the world," that "they are a city set +on a hill." Furthermore, he tells his Apostles, that "he sends them forth +as sheep in the midst of wolves;" and bids them therefore "be as wise as +serpents, and harmless as doves." Now, are not all these things plain and +familiar, even almost to children themselves, that can but taste and see; +and to men of the lowest education and meanest capacities! + +I shall not here insist upon those special and admirable reasons for +which our Saviour made use of so many parables. Only thus much is needful +to be said, namely, that they are very much mistaken, that, from hence, +think themselves tolerated to turn all the world into frivolous and +abominable similitudes. + +As for our Saviour, when he spoke a parable, he was pleased to go no +further than the fields, the seashore, a garden, a vineyard, or the like; +which are things, without the knowledge whereof, scarcely any man can be +supposed to live in this world. + +But as for our Metaphorical- and Similitude-Men of the Pulpit, these +things to them, are too still and languid! they do not rattle and rumble! +These lie too near home, and within vulgar ken! There is little on this +side the moon that will content them! Up, presently, to the _Primum +Mobile_, and the Trepidation of the Firmament! Dive into the bowels and +hid treasures of the earth! Despatch forthwith, for Peru and Jamaica! A +town bred or country bred similitude is worth nothing! + + "It is reported of a tree growing upon the bank of Euphrates, the + great river Euphrates! that it brings forth an Apple, to the eye + very fair and tempting; but inwardly it is filled with nothing + but useless and deceiving dust. Even so, dust we are; and to dust + we must all go!" + +Now, what a lucky discovery was this, that a man's Body should be so +exactly like an Apple! And, I will assure you that this was not thought +on, till within these few years! + +And I am afraid, too, he had a kind of a hint of this, from another who +had formerly found out that a man's + + Soul was like an Oyster. For, says he in his prayer, "Our souls + are constantly gaping after thee, O LORD! yea, verily, our souls + do gape, even as an oyster gapeth!" + +It seems pretty hard, at first sight, to bring into a sermon all the +Circles of the Globe and all the frightful terms of Astronomy; but I will +assure you, Sir, it is to be done! because it has been. But not by every +bungler and ordinary text-divider; but by a man of great cunning and +experience. + + There is a place in the prophet _Malachi_, where it will do very + nicely, and that is chapter iv. ver. 2, "But unto you, that fear + my Name, shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in his + wings." From which words, in the first place, it plainly appears + that our Saviour passed through all the twelve signs of the + Zodiac; and more than that too, all proved by very apt and + familiar places of Scripture. + + First, then, our Saviour was in _Aries_. Or else, what means that + of the Psalmist, "The mountains skipped like rams, and the little + hills like lambs!"? And again, that in Second of the _Kings_, + chap. iii. ver. 4, "And MESHA, King of Moab, was a sheep master, + and rendered unto the King of Israel an hundred thousand lambs," + and what follows, "and an hundred thousand rams, with the wool!" + Mind it! it was the King of Israel! + + In like manner, was he in _Taurus. Psalm_ xxii. 12. "Many bulls + have compassed me! Strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round!" + They were not ordinary bulls. They were _compassing_ bulls! they + were _besetting_ bulls! they were _strong Bashan_ bulls! + + What need I speak of _Gemini_? Surely you cannot but remember + ESAU and JACOB! _Genesis_ xxv. 24. "And when her days to be + delivered were fulfilled, behold there were Twins in her womb!" + + Or of _Cancer_? when, as the Psalmist says so plainly, "What + ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan! that + thou wast driven back?" Nothing more plain! + + It were as easy to shew the like in all the rest of the Signs. + + But instead of that, I shall rather choose to make this one + practical Observation. That the mercy of GOD to mankind in + sending His Son into the world, was a very _signal_ mercy. It was + a _zodiacal_ mercy! I say it was truly zodiacal; for CHRIST keeps + within the Tropics! He goes not out of the Pale of the Church; + but yet he is not always at the same distance from a believer. + Sometimes he withdraws himself into the _apogaeum_ of doubt, + sorrow, and despair; but then he comes again into the _perigaeum_ + of joy, content, and assurance; but as for heathens and + unbelievers, they are all arctic and antarctic reprobates! + +Now when such stuff as this, as sometimes it is, is vented in a poor +parish, where people can scarce tell, what day of the month it is by the +Almanack? how seasonable and savoury it is likely to be! + +It seems also not very easy for a man in his sermon to learn [_teach_] +his parishioners how to dissolve gold, of what, and how the stuff is +made. Now, to ring the bells and call the people on purpose together, +would be but a blunt business; but to do it neatly, and when nobody +looked for it, that is the rarity and art of it! + +Suppose, then, that he takes for his text that of _St. Matthew_, + + "Repent ye, for the Kingdom of GOD is at hand." Now, tell me, + Sir, do you not perceive the gold to be in a dismal fear! to curl + and quiver at the first reading of these words! It must come in + thus, "The blots and blurs of our sins must be taken out by the + _aqua-fortis_ of our tears; to which _aqua-fortis_, if you put a + fifth part of _sal-ammoniac_, and set them in a gentle heat, it + makes _aqua-regia_ which dissolves gold." + +And now it is out! Wonderful are the things that are to be done by the +help of metaphors and similitudes! And I will undertake that, with a +little more pains and considerations, out of the very same words, he +could have taught the people how to make custards, or marmalade, or to +stew prunes! + +But, pray, why "the _aqua-fortis_ of tears?" For if it so falls out that +there should chance to be neither Apothecary, nor Druggist at church, +there is an excellent jest wholly lost! + +Now had he been so considerate as to have laid his wit in some more +common and intelligible material; for example, had he said the "blots of +sin" will be easily taken out "by the soap of sorrow, and the +fullers-earth of contrition," then possibly the Parson and the parish +might all have admired one another. For there be many a good-wife that +understands very well all the intrigues of pepper, salt, and vinegar, who +knows not anything of the all-powerfulness of _aqua-fortis_, how that it +is such a spot-removing liquor! + +I cannot but consider with what understanding the people sighed and +cried, when the Minister made for them this metaphysical confession: + + "Omnipotent All! Thou art only! Because Thou art all, and because + Thou only art! As for us, we are not; but we seem to be! and only + seem to be, because we are not! for we be but Mites of Entity, + and Crumbs of Something!" and so on. + +As if a company of country people were bound to understand SUAREZ, and +all the School Divines! + +And as some are very high and learned in their attempts; so others there +be, who are of somewhat too mean and dirty imagination. + +Such was he, who goes by the name of Parson SLIPSTOCKING. Who preaching +about the grace and assistance of GOD, and that of ourselves we are able +to do nothing, advised his "beloved" to take him this plain similitude. + + "A father calls his child to him, saying, 'Child, pull off this + stocking!' The child, mightily joyful that it should pull off + father's stocking, takes hold of the stocking, and tugs! and + pulls! and sweats! but to no purpose: for stocking stirs not, for + it is but a child that pulls! Then the father bids the child to + rest a little, and try again. So then the child sets on again, + tugs again; but no stocking comes: for child is but a child! Then + the father taking pity upon his child, puts his hand behind and + slips down the stocking; and off comes the stocking! Then how + does the child rejoice! for child hath pulled off father's + stocking, Alas, poor child! it was not child's strength, it was + not child's sweating that got off the stocking; but yet it was + the father's hand that slipped down the stocking. Even so--" + +Not much unlike to this, was he that, preaching about the Sacrament and +Faith, makes CHRIST a shopkeeper; telling you that "CHRIST is a Treasury +of all wares and commodities," and thereupon, opening his wide throat, +cries aloud, + + "Good people! what do you lack? What do you buy? Will you buy any + balm of Gilead? any eye salve? any myrrh, aloes, or cassia? Shall + I fit you with a robe of Righteousness, or with a white garment? + See here! What is it you want? Here is a choice armoury! Shall I + shew you a helmet of Salvation, a shield, or breastplate of + Faith? or will you please to walk in and see some precious + stones? a jasper, a sapphire, a chalcedony? Speak, what do you + buy?" + +Now, for my part, I must needs say (and I much fancy I speak the mind of +thousands) that it had been much better for such an imprudent and +ridiculous bawler as this, to have been condemned to have cried oysters +or brooms, than to discredit, after this unsanctified rate, his +Profession and our Religion. + +It would be an endless thing, Sir, to count up to you all the follies, +for a hundred years last past, that have been preached and printed of +this kind. But yet I cannot omit that of the famous Divine in his time, +who, advising the people in days of danger to run unto the LORD, tells +them that "they cannot go to the LORD, much less run, without feet;" that +"there be therefore two feet to run to the LORD, Faith and Prayer." + + "It is plain that Faith is a foot, for, 'by Faith we stand,' 2 + _Cor_. i. 24; therefore by Faith, we must run to the LORD who is + faithful. + + "The second is Prayer, a spiritual Leg to bear us thither. Now + that Prayer is a spiritual Leg appears from several places in + Scripture, as from that of JONAH speaking of _coming_, chap. ii. + ver. 7, 'And my prayer _came_ unto thy holy temple.' And likewise + from that of the Apostle who says, _Heb_. iv. 16, 'Let us + therefore _go_ unto the throne of grace.' Both intimating that + Prayer is a spiritual Leg: there being no _coming_ or _going_ to + the LORD without the Leg of Prayer." + + He further adds, "Now that these feet may be able to bear us + thither, we must put on the Hose [_stockings_] of Faith; for the + Apostle says, 'Our feet must be shod with the preparation of the + Gospel of Peace.'" + +The truth of it is, the Author is somewhat obscure: for, at first, Faith +was a Foot, and by-and-by it is a Hose, and at last it proves a Shoe! If +he had pleased, he could have made it anything! + +Neither can I let pass that of a later Author; who telling us, "It is +Goodness by which we must ascend to heaven," and that "Goodness is the +Milky Way to JUPITER's Palace"; could not rest there, but must tell us +further, that "to strengthen us in our journey, we must not take morning +milk, but some morning meditations:" fearing, I suppose, lest some people +should mistake, and think to go to heaven by eating now and then a mess of +morning milk, because the way was "milky." + +Neither ought that to be omitted, not long since printed upon those words +of St. JOHN, "These things write I unto you, that ye sin not." + + The Observation is that "it is the purpose of Scripture to drive + men from sin. These Scriptures contain Doctrines, Precepts, + Promises, Threatenings, and Histories. Now," says he, "take these + five smooth stones, and put them into the Scrip of the heart, and + throw them with the Sling of faith, by the Hand of a strong + resolution, against the Forehead of sin: and we shall see it, + like GOLIATH, fall before us." + +But I shall not trouble you any further upon this subject: but, if you +have a mind to hear any more of this stuff, I shall refer you to the +learned and judicious Author of the _Friendly Debates_ [_i.e._, SIMON +PATRICK, afterwards Bishop of ELY, who wrote _A Friendly Debate between a +Conformist and a Nonconformist_, in two parts, 1669]: who, particularly, +has at large discovered the intolerable fooleries of this way of talking. + +I shall only add thus much, that such as go about to fetch blood into +their pale and lean discourses, by the help of their brisk and sparkling +similitudes, ought well to consider, Whether their similitudes be true? + +I am confident, Sir, you have heard it, many and many a time, or, if need +be, I can shew you it in a book, that when the preacher happens to talk +how that the things here below will not satisfy the mind of man; then +comes in, "the round world which cannot fill the triangular heart of +man!" whereas every butcher knows that the heart is no more triangular +than an ordinary pear, or a child's top. But because _triangular_ is a +hard word, and perhaps a jest! therefore people have stolen it one from +another, these two or three hundred years; and, for aught I know, much +longer! for I cannot direct to the first inventor of the fancy. + +In like manner, they are to consider, What things, either in the heavens +or belonging to the earth, have been found out, by experience, to +contradict what has been formerly allowed of? + +Thus, because some ancient astronomers had observed that both the +distances as well as the revolutions of the planets were in some +proportion or harmony one to another: therefore people that abounded with +more imagination than skill, presently fancied the Moon, Mercury, and +Venus to be a kind of violins or trebles to Jupiter or Saturn; that the +Sun and Mars supplied the room of tenors, and the _Primum Mobile_ running +Division all the tune. So that one could scarce hear a sermon, but they +must give you a touch of "the Harmony of the Spheres." + +Thus, Sir, you shall have them take that of St. PAUL, about "faith, hope, +and charity." And instead of a sober instructing of the people in those +eminent and excellent graces, they shall only ring you over a few changes +upon the three words; crying, "Faith! Hope! and Charity!" "Hope! Faith! +and Charity!" and so on: and when they have done their peal, they shall +tell you that "this is much better than the Harmony of the Spheres!" + +At other times, I have heard a long chiming only between two words; as +suppose Divinity and Philosophy, or Revelation and Reason. Setting forth +with Revelation first. "Revelation is a Lady; Reason, an Handmaid! +Revelation is the Esquire; Reason, the Page! Revelation is the Sun; +Reason, but the Moon! Revelation is Manna; Reason is but an acorn! +Revelation, a wedge of gold; Reason, a small piece of silver!" + +Then, by and by, Reason gets it, and leads it away, "Reason indeed is +very good, but Revelation is much better! Reason is a Councillor, but +Revelation is the Lawgiver! Reason is a candle, but Revelation is the +snuffer!" + +Certainly, those people are possessed with a very great degree of +dulness, who living under the means of such enlightening preaching, +should not be mightily settled in the right notion and true bounds of +Faith and Reason. + +No less ably, methought, was the difference between the Old Covenant and +the New, lately determined. "The Old Covenant was of Works; the New +Covenant, of Faith. The Old Covenant was by MOSES; The New, by CHRIST. +The Old was heretofore; the New, afterwards. The Old was first; the New +was second. Old things are passed away: behold, all things are become +new." And so the business was very fundamentally done. + +I shall say no more upon this subject, but this one thing, which relates +to what was said a little before. He that has got a set of similitudes +calculated according to the old philosophy, and PTOLEMY's system of the +world, must burn his commonplace book, and go a-gleaning for new ones; it +being, nowadays, much more gentle and warrantable to take a similitude +from the Man in the Moon than from _solid_ orbs: for though few people do +absolutely believe that there is any such Eminent Person there; yet the +thing is possible, whereas the other is not. + + +I have now done, Sir, with that imprudent way of speaking by Metaphor and +Simile. There are many other things commonly spoken out of the pulpit, +that are much to the disadvantage and discredit of the Clergy; that ought +also to be briefly hinted. And that I may the better light upon them, I +shall observe their _common method of Preaching_. + +[1.] Before the text be divided, a _Preface_ is to be made. + +And it is a great chance if, first of all, the Minister does not make his +text to be _like something or other_. + +For example. One, he tells you, "And now, methinks, my Text, like an +ingenious [_clever_] Picture, looks upon all here present: in which, both +nobles and people, may behold their sin and danger represented." This was +a text out of _Hosea_. Now, had it been out of any other place of the +_Bible_; the gentleman was sufficiently resolved to make it like "an +ingenious Picture." + +Another taking, perhaps, the very same words, says, "I might compare my +Text to the mountains of Bether, where the LORD disports Himself like a +young hart or a pleasant roe among the spices." + +Another man's Text is "like the rod of MOSES, to divide the waves of +sorrow"; or "like the mantle of ELIJAH, to restrain the swelling floods +of grief." + +Another gets to his Text thus, "As SOLOMON went up six steps to come to +the great Throne of Ivory, so must I ascend six degrees to come to the +high top-meaning of my Text." + +Another thus, "As DEBORAH arose, and went with BARAK to Kadesh; so, if +you will go with him, and call in the third verse of the chapters he will +shew you the meaning of his Text." + +Another, he fancies his Text to be extraordinarily like to "an orchard of +pomegranates;" or like "St. MATTHEW sitting at the receipt of custom;" or +like "the dove that NOAH sent out of the Ark." + +I believe there are above forty places of Scripture, that have been "like +RACHEL and LEAH": and there is one in _Genesis_, as I well remember, that +is "like a pair of compasses stradling." And, if I be not much mistaken, +there is one, somewhere else, that is "like a man going to Jericho." + +Now, Sir, having thus made the way to the Text as smooth and plain as +anything, with a _Preface_, perhaps from ADAM, though his business lie at +the other end of the _Bible_: in the next place; [2] he comes to _divide +the Text_. + + _Hic labor, hoc opus + Per varios casus, per tot discrimina rerum, + Silvestrem tenui_. + +Now, come off the gloves! and the hands being well chafed [_rubbed +together_]; he shrinks up his shoulders, and stretches forth himself as +if he were going to cleave a bullock's head, or rive the body of an oak! + +But we must observe, that there is a great difference of Texts. For all +Texts come not asunder alike! For sometimes the words naturally _fall_ +asunder! sometimes they _drop_ asunder! sometimes they _melt_! sometimes +they _untwist_! and there be some words so willing to be parted that they +_divide themselves_! to the great ease and rejoicing of the Minister. + +But if they will not easily come to pieces, then he falls to hacking and +hewing! as if he would make all fly into shivers! The truth of it is, I +have known, now and then, some knotty Texts, that have been divided seven +or eight times over! before they could make them _split_ handsomely, +according to their mind. + +But then comes the Joy of Joys! when the Parts jingle! or begin with the +same Letter! and especially if in Latin. + +O how it tickled the Divider! when he got his Text into those two +excellent branches, _Accusatio vera: Comminatio severa_: "A Charge full +of Verity: A Discharge of Severity." And, I will warrant you! that did +not please a little, viz., "there are in the words, _duplex miraculum; +Miraculum in modo_ and _Miraculum in nodo_." + +But the luckiest I have met withal, both for Wit and Keeping of the +Letter, is upon these words of _St. Matthew_ xii. 43, 44, 45: "When the +unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, +seeking rest and finding none. Then he saith I will return," &c. + +In which words, all these strange things were found out. First, there was +a _Captain_ and a _Castle_. (Do you see. Sir, the same letter!) Then, +there was an _ingress_, an _egress_; and a _regress_ or _reingress_. +Then, there was _unroosting_ and _unresting_. Then, there were _number_ +and _name, manner_ and _measure, trouble_ and _trial, resolution_ and +_revolution, assaults_ and _assassination, voidness_ and _vacuity_. This +was done at the same time, by the same man! But, to confess the truth of +it! it was a good long Text; and so, he had the greater advantage. + +But for a short Text, that, certainly, was the greatest _break_ that ever +was! which was occasioned from those words of _St. Luke_ xxiii. 28, "Weep +not for me, weep for yourselves!" or as some read it, "but weep for +yourselves!" + +It is a plain case, Sir! Here are but eight words; and the business was +cunningly ordered, that there sprang out eight Parts. "Here are," says +the Doctor, "eight Words, and eight Parts! + +"1. Weep not! + 2. But weep! + 3. Weep not, but weep! + 4. Weep for me! + 5. For yourselves! + 6. For me, for yourselves! + 7. Weep not for me! + 8. But weep for yourselves! + +"That is to say, North, North-and-by-East, North-North-East, North-East +and by North, North-East, North-East and by East, East-North-East, East +and by North, East." + +Now, it seems not very easy to determine, who has obliged the world most; +he that found out the Compass, or he that divided the fore-mentioned Text? +But I suppose the cracks [_claps_] will go generally upon the Doctor's +side! by reason what he did, was done by undoubted Art and absolute +industry: but as for the other, the common report is that it was found +out by mere foolish fortune. Well, let it go how it will! questionless, +they will be both famous in their way, and honourably mentioned to +posterity. + +Neither ought he to be altogether slighted, who taking that of _Genesis_ +xlviii. 2 for his text; viz., "And one told JACOB, and said, 'Behold, thy +son JOSEPH cometh unto thee!'" presently perceived, and made it out to his +people, that his Text was "a spiritual Dial." + + "For," says he, "here be in my Text, twelve words, which do + plainly represent the twelve hours. _And one told JACOB, and + said, 'Thy son JOSEPH cometh unto thee!'_ And here is, besides, + _Behold_, which is the Hand of the Dial, that turns and points at + every word of the Text. _And one told JACOB, and said, 'Behold, + thy son JOSEPH cometh unto thee!'_ For it is not said, _Behold + JACOB!_ or _Behold JOSEPH!_ but it is, _And one told JACOB, and + said, Behold, thy son JOSEPH cometh unto thee_. That it is say, + Behold _And_, Behold _one_, Behold _told_, Behold _JACOB_. Again + Behold _and_, Behold _said_, and also Behold _Behold_, &c. Which + is the reason that this word _Behold_ is placed in the middle of + the other twelve words, indifferently pointing to each word. + + "Now, as it needs must be One of the Clock before it can be Two + or Three; so I shall handle this word _And_, the first word of + the Text, before I meddle with the following. + + "And _one told JACOB_. The word _And_ is but a particle, and a + small one: but small things are not to be despised. _St. Matthew_ + xviii. 10, _Take heed that you despise not one of these little + ones_. For this _And_ is as the tacks and loops amongst the + curtains of the Tabernacle. The tacks put into the loops did + couple the curtains of the Tent and sew the Tent together: so + this particle _And_ being put into the loops of the words + immediately before the Text, does couple the Text to the + foregoing verse, and sews them close together." + +I shall not trouble you, Sir, with the rest: being much after this witty +rate, and to as much purpose. + + +But we will go on, if you please, Sir! to [3] the cunning _Observations, +Doctrines, and Inferences_ that are commonly made and raised from places +of Scripture. + +One takes that for his Text, _Psalm_ lxviii. 3, _But let the righteous be +glad_. From whence, he raises this doctrine, that "there is a Spirit of +Singularity in the Saints of GOD: but let the righteous--" a doctrine, I +will warrant him! of his own raising; it being not very easy for anybody +to prevent him! + +Another, he takes that of _Isaiah_ xli. 14, 15, _Fear not, thou worm +JACOB_! &c.... _thou shalt thresh the mountains._ Whence he observes that +"the worm JACOB was a threshing worm!" + +Another, that of _Genesis_ xliv. 1. _And he commanded the Steward of the +house, saying, Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can +carry_: and makes this note from the words. + + That "great sacks and many sacks will hold more than few sacks + and little ones. For look," says he, "how they came prepared with + sacks and beasts, so they were sent back with corn! The greater, + and the more sacks they had prepared, the more corn they carry + away! if they had prepared but small sacks, and a few; they had + carried away the less!" + +Verily, and indeed extraordinarily true! + +Another, he falls upon that of _Isaiah_ lviii. 5, _Is it such a fast that +I have chosen? A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his +head like a bulrush?_ The Observation is that "Repentance for an hour, or +a day, is not worth a bulrush!" And, there, I think, he hit the business! + + +But of these, Sir, I can shew you a whole book full, in a treatise called +_Flames and Discoveries_, consisting of very notable and extraordinary +things which the inquisitive Author had privately observed and +discovered, upon reading the Evangelists; as for example: + + Upon reading that of _St. John_, chapter ii. verse 15, _And when + he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of + the Temple_; this prying Divine makes these discoveries, "I + discover," says he, "in the first place, that in the Church or + Temple, a scourge may be made, _And when he had made a scourge_. + Secondly, that it may be made use of, _he drove them all out of + the Temple_." And it was a great chance that he had not + discovered a third thing; and that is, that the scourge was made, + before it was made use of. + + Upon _Matthew_ iv. 25, _And there followed him great multitudes + of people from Galilee_, "I discover," says he, "when JESUS + prevails with us, we shall soon leave our Galilees! I discover + also," says he, "a great miracle, viz.: that the way after JESUS + being straight, that such a multitude should follow him." + + _Matthew_ v. 1. _And seeing the multitude, he went up into a + mountain_. Upon this, he discovers several very remarkable things. + First, he discovers that "CHRIST went _from the multitude_." + Secondly, that "it is safe to take warning at our eyes, for _seeing + the multitude, he went up_." Thirdly, "it is not fit to be always + upon the plains and flats with the multitude: but, _if we be risen + with CHRIST, to seek those things that are above_." + + He discovers also very strange things, from the latter part of + the fore-mentioned verse. _And when he was set, his disciples + came unto him_. 1. CHRIST is not always in motion, _And when he + was set_. 2. He walks not on the mountain, but sits, _And when he + was set_. From whence also, in the third place, he advises + people, that "when they are teaching they should not move too + much, for that is to be _carried to and fro with every wind of + doctrine_." Now, certainly, never was this place of Scripture + more seasonably brought in. + + Now, Sir, if you be for a very short and witty discovery, let it + be upon that of _St. Matthew_ vi. 27. _Which of you, by taking + thought, can add one cubit unto his stature?_ The discovery is + this, that "whilst the disciples were taking thought for a cubit; + CHRIST takes them down a cubit lower!" + + Notable also are two discoveries made upon _St. Matthew_ viii. 1. + 1. That "CHRIST went down, as well as went up. _When he came down + from the mountain_." 2. That "the multitude did not go 'hail + fellow well met!' with him, nor before him; _for great multitudes + followed him_." + +I love, with all my heart, when people can prove what they say. For there +be many that will talk of their Discoveries and spiritual Observations; +and when all comes to all, they are nothing but pitiful guesses and +slender conjectures. + + In like manner, that was no contemptible discovery that was made + upon _St. Matthew_ viii. 19. _And a certain Scribe came and, said, + "Master, I will follow thee wheresoever thou goest."_ "A _thou_ + shall be followed more than a _that_. _I will follow_ thee + _wheresoever thou goest_." + + And, in my opinion, that was not altogether amiss, upon _St. + Matthew_ xi. 2. _Now when JOHN had heard in prison the works of + CHRIST, he sent two of his disciples_. The discovery is this. That + "it is not good sending single to CHRIST, _he sent two of his + disciples_." + + Some also, possibly may not dislike that upon _St. Luke_ xii, 35. + _Let your loins be girded_. "I discover," says he, "there must be + a holy girding and trussing up for heaven." + + But I shall end all, with that very politic one that he makes upon + _St. Matthew_ xii. 47. _Then said one unto him "Behold thy mother + and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee." But + he answered and said, "Who is my mother? and who are my + brethren?"_ "I discover now," says he, "that JESUS is upon + business." + +Doubtless, this was one of the greatest Discoverers of Hidden Mysteries, +and one of the most Pryers into Spiritual Secrets that ever the world was +owner of. It was very well that he happened upon the godly calling, and no +secular employment: or else, in good truth! down had they all gone! Turk! +Pope! and Emperor! for he would have discovered them, one way or another, +every man! + + +Not much unlike to these wonderful Discoverers, are they who, choosing to +preach on some Point in Divinity, shall purposely avoid all such plain +Texts as might give them very just occasion to discourse upon their +intended subject, and shall pitch upon some other places of Scripture, +which no creature in the world but themselves, did ever imagine that +which they offer to be therein designed. My meaning, Sir, is this. + +Suppose you have a mind to make a sermon concerning Episcopacy, as in the +late times [_the Commonwealth_] there were several occasions for it, you +must, by no means, take any place of Scripture that proves or favours +that kind of Ecclesiastical Government! for then the plot will be +discovered; and the people will say to themselves, "We know where to find +you! You intend to preach about Episcopacy!" But you must take _Acts_, +chapter xvi. verse 30, _Sirs, what must I do to be saved?_ An absolute +place for Episcopacy! that all former Divines had idly overlooked! For +_Sirs_ being in the Greek [Greek: Kurioi], which is to say, in true and +strict translation, _Lords_, what is more plain than, that of old, +Episcopacy was not only the acknowledged Government; but that Bishops +were formerly Peers of the Realm, and so ought to sit in the House of +Lords! + +Or, suppose that you have a mind to commend to your people, Kingly +Government: you must not take any place that is plainly to the purpose! +but' that of the Evangelist, _Seek first the Kingdom of GOD_! From which +words, the doctrine will plainly be, that Monarchy or Kingly Government +is most according to the mind of GOD. For it is not said, "seek the +_Parliament_ of GOD!" "the _Army_ of GOD!" or "the _Committee of Safety_ +of GOD!" but it is "seek the _Kingdom_ of GOD!" And who could expect +less? Immediately after this [_i.e., this argument_], the King came in, +and the Bishops were restored [1660 A.D.]. + +Again, Sir (because I would willingly be understood), suppose you design +to preach about Election and Reprobation. As for the eighth chapter to +the _Romans_, that is too well known! but there is a little private place +in the _Psalms_ that will do the business as well! Psalm xc. 19, _In the +multitude of my thoughts within me, thy comforts delight my soul_. + +The doctrine, which naturally flows from the words, will be that amongst +_the multitude of thoughts_, there is a great thought of Election and +Reprobation; and then, away with the Point! according as the preacher is +inclined. + +Or suppose, lastly, that you were not fully satisfied that Pluralities +were lawful or convenient. May I be so bold, Sir? I pray, what Text would +you choose to preach up against non-residents? Certainly, nothing ever was +better picked than that of _St. Matthew_ i. 2. _ABRAHAM begat ISAAC_. A +clear place against non-residents! for "had ABRAHAM not resided, but had +discontinued from SARAH his wife, he could never have begotten ISAAC!" + + +But it is high time, Sir, to make an end of their preaching, lest you be +as much tired with the repetition of it, as the people were little +benefited when they heard it. + +I shall only mind you, Sir, of one thing more; and that is [4] the +ridiculous, senseless, and unintended use which many of them make of +_Concordances_. + +I shall give you but one instance of it, although I could furnish you +with a hundred printed ones. + +The Text, Sir, is this, _Galatians_ vi. 15, _For in CHRIST JESUS neither +Circumcision nor Uncircumcision avail anything; but a new creature_. Now, +all the world knows the meaning of this to be, that, let a man be of what +nation he will, Jew or Gentile, if he amends his life, and walks +according to the Gospel, he shall be accepted with GOD. + +But this is not the way that pleases them! They must bring into the +sermon, to no purpose at all! a vast heap of places of Scripture, which +the _Concordance_ will furnish them with, where the word _new_ is +mentioned. + + And the Observation must be that "GOD is for _new_ things. GOD is + for _a_ new _creature. St. John_ xix, 41, _Now in the place when + he was crucified, there was a garden; and in the garden a new + sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There they laid JESUS_. + And again _St. Mark_ xvi. 17. CHRIST tells his disciples that they + that are true believers, shall cast out devils, and speak _with_ + new _tongues_. And likewise, the prophet teaches us, _Isaiah_ + xlii. 10, _Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise to the + end of the earth_. + + "Whence it is plain that CHRIST is not for _old_ things. He is not + for an _old sepulchre_. He is not for _old tongues_. He is not for + an _old song_. He is not for an _old creature_. CHRIST is for a + _new creature! Circumcision and Uncircumcision availeth nothing, + but a new creature_. And what do we read concerning SAMSON? + _Judges_ xv, 15. Is it not that he slew a thousand of the + Philistines with one _new_ jawbone? An _old_ one might have killed + its tens, its twenties, its hundreds! but it must be a _new_ + jawbone that is able to kill a thousand! GOD is for the _new + creature_! + + "But may not some say, 'Is GOD altogether for new things?' How + comes it about then, that the prophet says, _Isaiah_ i. 13, 14, + _Bring no more vain oblations! &c. Your new Moons, and your + appointed Feasts, my soul hateth!_ And again, what means that, + _Deuteronomy_ xxxii. 17, 19, _They sacrificed unto devils, and to + new gods, whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up.... + And when the LORD saw it, He abhorred them!_ To which I answer, + that GOD indeed is not for _new moons_, nor for _new gods_; but, + excepting _moons_ and _gods_, He is for the _new creature_." + + +It is possible, Sir, that somebody besides yourself, may be so vain as to +read this _Letter_: and they may perhaps tell you, that there be no such +silly and useless people as I have described. And if there be, there be +not above two or three in a country [_county_]. Or should there be, it is +no such complaining matter: seeing that the same happens in other +professions, in Law and Physic: in both [of] which, there be many a +contemptible creature. + +Such therefore as these, may be pleased to know that, if there had been +need, I could have told them, either the book (and very page almost) of +all that has been spoken about Preaching, or else the When and Where, and +the Person that preached it. + +As to the second, viz.: that the Clergy are all mightily furnished with +Learning and Prudence; except ten, twenty, or so; I shall not say +anything myself, because a very great Scholar of our nation shall speak +for me: who tells us that "such Preaching as is usual, is a hindrance of +Salvation rather than the means to it." And what he intends by "usual," I +shall not here go about to explain. + +And as to the last, I shall also, in short, answer, That if the +Advancement of true Religion and the eternal Salvation of a Man were no +more considerable than the health of his body and the security of his +estate; we need not be more solicitous about the Learning and Prudence of +the Clergy, than of the Lawyers and Physicians. But we believing it to be +otherwise, surely, we ought to be more concerned for the reputation and +success of the one than of the other. + + +I come now, Sir, to the Second Part that was designed, viz.: _the Poverty +of some of the Clergy_. By whose mean condition, their Sacred Profession +is much disparaged, and their Doctrine undervalued. What large +provisions, of old, GOD was pleased to make for the Priesthood, and upon +what reasons, is easily seen to any one that but looks into the _Bible_. +The Levites, it is true, were left out, in the Division of the +Inheritance; not to their loss, but to their great temporal advantage. +For whereas, had they been common sharers with the rest, a Twelfth part +only would have been their just allowance; GOD was pleased to settle upon +them, a Tenth, and that without any trouble or charge of tillage: which +made their portion much more considerable than the rest. + +And as this provision was very bountiful, so the reasons, no question! +were very Divine and substantial: which seem chiefly to be these two. + +First, that the Priesthood might be altogether at leisure for the service +of GOD: and that they of that Holy Order might not be distracted with the +cares of the world; and interrupted by every neighbour's horse or cow +that breaks their hedges or shackles [_or hobbled, feeds among_] their +corn. But that living a kind of spiritual life, and being removed a +little from all worldly affairs; they might always be fit to receive holy +inspirations, and always ready to search out the Mind of GOD, and to +advise and direct the people therein. + +Not as if this Divine exemption of them from the common troubles and +cares of this life was intended as an opportunity of luxury and laziness: +for certainly, there is a labour besides digging! and there is a true +carefulness without following the plough, and looking after their cattle! + +And such was the employment of those holy men of old. Their care and +business was to please GOD, and to charge themselves with the welfare of +all His people: which thing, he that does it with a good and satisfied +conscience, I will assure he has a task upon him much beyond them that +have for their care, their hundreds of oxen and five hundreds of sheep. + +Another reason that this large allowance was made to the Priests, was +that they might be enabled to relieve the poor, to entertain strangers, +and thereby to encourage people in the ways of godliness. For they being, +in a peculiar manner, the servants of GOD, GOD was pleased to entrust in +their hands, a portion more than ordinary of the good things of the land, +as the safest Storehouse and Treasury for such as were in need. + +That, in all Ages therefore, there should be a continued tolerable +maintenance for the Clergy: the same reasons, as well as many others, +make us think to be very necessary. Unless they will count money and +victuals to be only Types and Shadows! and so, to cease with the +Ceremonial Law. + +For where the Minister is pinched as to the tolerable conveniences of +this life, the chief of his care and time must be spent, not in an +impertinent [_trifling_] considering what Text of Scripture will be most +useful for his parish; what instructions most seasonable; and what +authors, best to be consulted: but the chief of his thoughts and his main +business must be, How to live that week? Where he shall have bread for his +family? Whose sow has lately pigged? Whence will come the next rejoicing +goose, or the next cheerful basket of apples? how far to Lammas, or +[Easter] Offerings? When shall we have another christening and cakes? and +Who is likely to marry, or die? + +These are very seasonable considerations, and worthy of a man's thoughts. +For a family cannot be maintained by texts and contexts! and a child that +lies crying in the cradle, will not be satisfied without a little milk, +and perhaps sugar; though there be a small German _System_ [_of +Divinity_] in the house! + +But suppose he does get into a little hole over the oven, with a lock to +it, called his Study, towards the latter end of the week: for you must +know, Sir, there are very few Texts of Scripture that can be divided, at +soonest, before Friday night; and some there be, that will never be +divided but upon Sunday morning, and that not very early, but either a +little before they go, or in the going, to church. I say, suppose the +Gentleman gets thus into his Study, one may very nearly guess what is his +first thought, when he comes there--viz., that the last kilderkin of drink +is nearly departed! that he has but one poor single groat in the house, +and there is Judgement and Execution ready to come out against it, for +milk and eggs! + +Now, Sir, can any man think, that one thus racked and tortured, can be +seriously intent, half an hour, to contrive anything that might be of +real advantage to his people? + +Besides, perhaps, that week, he has met with some dismal crosses and most +undoing misfortunes. + +There was a scurvy-conditioned mole, that broke into his pasture, and +ploughed up the best part of his glebe. And, a little after that, came a +couple of spiteful ill-favoured crows, and trampled down the little +remaining grass. Another day, having but four chickens, sweep comes the +kite! and carries away the fattest and hopefullest of the brood. Then, +after all this, came the jackdaws and starlings (idle birds that they +are!), and they scattered and carried away from his thin thatched house, +forty or fifty of the best straws. And, to make him completely unhappy, +after all these afflictions, another day, that he had a pair of breeches +on, coming over a perverse stile, he suffered very much, in carelessly +lifting over his leg. + +Now, what parish can be so inconsiderate and unreasonable as to look for +anything from one, whose fancy is thus checked, and whose understanding +is thus ruffled and disordered? They may as soon expect comfort and +consolation from him that lies racked with the gout and the stone, as +from a Divine thus broken and shattered in his fortunes! + +But we will grant that he meets not with any of these such frightful +disasters; but that he goes into his study with a mind as calm as the +evening. For all that; upon Sunday, we must be content with what GOD +shall please to send us! For as for books, he is, for want of money, so +moderately furnished, that except it be a small Geneva _Bible_ (so small, +as it will not be desired to lie open of itself), together with a certain +_Concordance_ thereunto belonging; as also a Latin book for all kind of +Latin sentences, called _Polyanthaea_; with some _Exposition_ upon the +_Catechism_, a portion of which, is to be got by heart, and to be put off +for his own; and perhaps Mr. [JOSEPH] CARYL _upon_ [JOHN] PINEDA [_these +two authors wrote vast Commentaries on the Book of Job_]; Mr. [JOHN] DOD +upon the _Commandments_, Mr. [SAMUEL] CLARKE's Lives of famous men, both +in Church and State (such as Mr. CARTER of Norwich, that uses to eat such +abundance of pudding): besides, I say, these, there is scarcely anything +to be found, but a budget of old stitched sermons hung up behind the +door, with a few broken girths, two or three yards of whipcord; and, +perhaps, a saw and a hammer, to prevent dilapidations. + +Now, what may not a Divine do, though but of ordinary parts and unhappy +education, with such learned helps and assistances as these? No vice, +surely, durst stand before him! no heresy, affront him! + +And furthermore, Sir, it is to be considered, that he that is but thus +meanly provided for: it is not his only infelicity that he has neither +time, mind, nor books to improve himself for the inward benefit and +satisfaction of his people; but also that he is not capable of doing that +outward good amongst the needy, which is a great ornament to that holy +Profession, and a considerable advantage towards the having the doctrine +believed and practised in a degenerate world. + +And that which augments the misery; whether he be able or not, it is +expected from him, if there comes a _Brief_ to town, for the Minister to +cast in his mite will not satisfy! unless he can create sixpence or a +shilling to put into the box, for a stale [_lure_], to decoy in the rest +of the parish. Nay, he that hath but £20 or £30 [= £60 to £90 _now_] _per +annum_, if he bids not up as high as the best in the parish in all acts of +charity, he is counted carnal and earthly-minded; only because he durst +not coin! and cannot work miracles! + +And let there come ever so many beggars, half of these, I will secure +you! shall presently inquire for the Minister's house. "For GOD," say +they, "certainly dwells there, and has laid up for us, sufficient relief!" + + +I know many of the Laity are usually so extremely tender of the spiritual +welfare of the Clergy, that they are apt to wish them but very small +temporal goods, lest their inward state should be in danger! A thing, +they need not much fear, since that effectual humiliation by HENRY VIII. +"For," say they, "the great tithes, large glebes, good victuals and warm +clothes do but puff up the Priest! making him fat, foggy, and useless! +and fill him with pride, vainglory, and all kind of inward wickedness and +pernicious corruption! We see this plain," say they, "in the Whore of +Babylon [_Roman Catholic Church_]! To what a degree of luxury and +intemperance, besides a great deal of false doctrine, have riches and +honour raised up that strumpet! How does she strut it! and swagger it +over all the world! terrifying Princes, and despising Kings and Emperors! + +"The Clergy, if ever we would expect any edification from them, ought to +be dieted and kept low! to be meek and humble, quiet, and stand in need +of a pot of milk from their next neighbour! and always be very loth to +ask for their very right, for fear of making any disturbance in the +parish, or seeming to understand or have any respect for this vile and +outward world! + +"Under the Law, indeed, in those old times of Darkaess and Eating, the +Priests had their first and second dishes, their milk and honey, their +Manna and quails, also their outward and inward vestments: but now, under +the Gospel, and in times of Light and Fasting, a much more sparing diet is +fitter, and a single coat (though it be never so ancient and thin) is +fully sufficient!" + +"We must look," say they, "if we would be the better for them, for a +hardy and labouring Clergy, that is mortified to [the possession of] a +horse and all such pampering vanities! and that can foot it five or six +miles in the dirt, and preach till starlight, for as many [5 _or_ 6] +shillings! as also a sober and temperate Clergy, that will not eat so +much as the Laity, but that the least pig, the least sheaf, and the least +of everything, may satisfy their Spiritualship! And besides, a +money-renouncing Clergy, that can abstain from seeing a penny, a month +together! unless it be when the Collectors and Visitationers come. These +are all Gospel dispensations! and great instances of patience, +contentedness, and resignation of affections [in respect] to all the +emptinesses and fooleries of this life!" + +But cannot a Clergyman choose rather to lie upon feathers than a hurdle; +but he must be idle, soft, and effeminate! May he not desire wholesome +food and fresh drink; unless he be a cheat, a hypocrite, and an impostor! +And must he needs be void of all grace, though he has a shilling in his +purse, after the rates be crossed [off]! and full of pride and vanity +though his house stands not upon crutches; and though his chimney is to +be seen a foot above the thatch! + +O, how prettily and temperately may half a score of children be +maintained with _almost_ £20 [= £60 _now_] _per annum_! What a handsome +shift, a poor ingenious and frugal Divine will make, to take it by turns, +and wear a cassock [_a long cloak_] one year, and a pair of breeches +another! What a becoming thing is it for him that serves at the Altar, to +fill the dung cart in dry weather, and to heat the oven and pull [_strip_] +hemp in wet! And what a pleasant thing is it, to see the Man of GOD +fetching up his single melancholy cow from a small rib [_strip_] of land +that is scarcely to be found without a guide! or to be seated upon a soft +and well grinded pouch [_bag_] of meal! or to be planted upon a pannier, +with a pair of geese or turkeys bobbing out their heads from under his +canonical coat! as you cannot but remember the man, Sir, that was thus +accomplished. Or to find him raving about the yards or keeping his +chamber close, because the duck lately miscarried of an egg, or that the +never-failing hen has unhappily forsaken her wonted nest! + +And now, shall we think that such employments as these, can, any way, +consist with due reverence, or tolerable respect from a parish? + +And he speaks altogether at a venture that says that "this is false, or, +at least it need not be so; notwithstanding the mean condition of some of +the Clergy." For let any one make it out to me, which way is it possible +that a man shall be able to maintain perhaps eight or ten in his family, +with £20 or £30 _per annum_, without a intolerable dependence upon his +parish; and without committing himself to such vileness as will, in all +likelihood, render him contemptible to his people. + +Now where the income is so pitifully small (which, I will assure you, is +the portion of hundreds of the Clergy of this nation), which way shall he +manage it for the subsistence of himself and his family? + +If he keeps the glebe in his own hand (which he may easily do, almost in +the hollow of it!) what increase can he expect from a couple of apple +trees, a brood of ducklings, a hemp land, and as much pasture as is just +able to summer a cow? + +As for his tithes, he either rents them out to a layman; who will be very +unwilling to be his tenant, unless he may be sure to save by the bargain +at least a third part: or else, he compounds for them; and then, as for +his money, he shall have it when all the rest of the world be paid! + +But if he thinks fit to take his dues in kind, he then either demands his +true and utmost right; and if so, it is a great hazard if he be not +counted a caterpillar! a muck worm! a very earthly minded man! and too +much sighted into this lower world! which was made, as many of the Laity +think, altogether for themselves: or else, he must tamely commit himself +to that little dose of the creature that shall be pleased to be +proportioned out unto him; choosing rather to starve in peace and +quietness, than to gain his right by noise and disturbance. + +The best of all these ways that a Clergyman shall think fit for his +preferment, to be managed (where it is so small), are such as will +undoubtedly make him either to be hated and reviled, or else pitifully +poor and disesteemed. + + +But has it not gone very hard, in all Ages with the Men of GOD? Was not +our Lord and Master our great and high Priest? and was not his fare low, +and his life full of trouble? And was not the condition of most of his +disciples very mean? Were not they notably pinched and severely treated +after him? And is it not the duty of every Christian to imitate such holy +patterns? but especially of the Clergy, who are to be shining lights and +visible examples; and therefore to be satisfied with a very little +morsel, and to renounce ten times as much of the world as other people? + +And is not patience better than the Great Tithes, and contentedness to be +preferred before large fees and customs? Is there any comparison between +the expectation of a cringing bow or a low hat, and mortification to all +such vanities and fopperies; especially with those who, in a peculiar +manner, hope to receive their inheritance, and make their harvest in the +next life? + +This was well thought of indeed. But for all that, if you please, Sir, we +will consider a little, some of those remarkable Inconveniences that do, +most undoubtedly, attend upon the Ministers being so meanly provided for. + +First of all, the holy Men of GOD or the Ministry in general, hereby, is +disesteemed and rendered of small account. For though they be called Men +of GOD: yet when it is observed that GOD seems to take but little care of +them, in making them tolerable provision for this life, or that men are +suffered to take away that which GOD was pleased to provide for them; the +people are presently apt to think that they belong to GOD no more than +ordinary folks, if so much. + +And although it is not to be questioned but that the Laying on of Hands +is a most Divine institution: yet it is not all the Bishops' hands in the +world, laid upon a man, if he be either notoriously ignorant or dismally +poor, that can procure him any hearty and lasting respect. For though we +find that some of the disciples of CHRIST that carried on and established +the great designs of the Gospel, were persons of ordinary employments and +education: yet we see little reason to think that miracles should be +continued, to do that which natural endeavours, assisted by the Spirit of +GOD, are able to perform. And if CHRIST were still upon earth to make +bread for such as are his peculiar Servants and Declarers of his Mind and +Doctrine; the Laity, if they please, should eat up all the corn +themselves, as well the tenth sheaf as the others: but seeing it is +otherwise, and that that miraculous power was not left to the succeeding +Clergy; for them to beg their bread, or depend for their subsistence upon +the good pleasure and humour of their parish, is a thing that renders that +Holy Office, very much slighted and disregarded. + +That constitution therefore of our Church was a most prudent design, that +says that all who are ordained shall be ordained to somewhat, not ordained +at random, to preach in general to the whole world, as they travel up and +down the road; but to this or that particular parish. And, no question, +the reason was, to prevent spiritual peddling; and gadding up and down +the country with a bag of trifling and insignificant sermons, inquiring +"Who will buy any doctrine?" So that no more might be received into Holy +Orders than the Church had provision for. + +But so very little is this regarded, that if a young Divinity Intender +has but got a sermon of his own, or of his father's; although he knows +not where to get a meal's meat or one penny of money by his preaching: +yet he gets a Qualification from some beneficed man or other, who, +perhaps, is no more able to keep a curate than I am to keep ten footboys! +and so he is made a Preacher. And upon this account, I have known an +ordinary Divine, whose living would but just keep himself and his family +from melancholy and despair, shroud under his protection as many Curates +as the best Nobleman in the land hath Chaplains [_i.e., eight_]. + +Now, many such as these, go into Orders against the sky falls! foreseeing +no more likelihood of any preferment coming to them, than you or I do of +being Secretaries of State. Now, so often as any such as these, for want +of maintenance, are put to any unworthy and disgraceful shifts; this +reflects disparagement upon all that Order of holy men. + + +And we must have a great care of comparing our small preferred Clergy +with those but of the like fortune, in the Church of Rome: they having +many arts and devices of gaining respect and reverence to their Office, +which we count neither just nor warrantable. We design no more, than to +be in a likely capacity of doing good, and not discrediting our religion, +nor suffering the Gospel to be disesteemed: but their aim is clearly, not +only by cheats, contrived tales, and feigned miracles, to get money in +abundance; but to be worshipped, and almost deified, is as little as they +will content themselves withal. + +For how can it be, but that the people belonging to a Church, wherein the +Supreme Governor is believed never to err (either purely by virtue of his +own single wisdom, or by help of his inspiring Chair, or by the +assistance of his little infallible Cardinals; for it matters not, where +the root of not being mistaken lies): I say, how can it be, but that all +that are believers of such extraordinary knowledge, must needs stand in +most direful awe, not only of the aforesaid Supreme, but of all that +adhere to him, or are in any ghostly authority under him? + +And although it so happens that this same extraordinary knowing Person is +pleased to trouble himself with a good large proportion of this vile and +contemptible world; so that should he, now and then, upon some odd and +cloudy day, count himself _mortal_, and be a little mistaken; yet he has +chanced to make such a comfortable provision for himself and his +followers, that he must needs be sufficiently valued and honoured amongst +all. But had he but just enough to keep himself from catching cold and +starving, so long as he is invested with such spiritual sovereignty and +such a peculiar privilege of being infallible; most certainly, without +quarrelling, he takes the rode [?] of all mankind. + +And as for the most inferior priests of all, although they pretend not to +such perfection of knowledge: yet there be many extraordinary things which +they are believed to be able to do, which beget in people a most venerable +respect towards them: such is, the power of "making GOD" in the Sacrament, +a thing that must infallibly procure an infinite admiration of him that +can do it, though he scarce knows the _Ten Commandments_, and has not a +farthing to buy himself bread. And then, when "CHRIST is made," their +giving but half of him to the Laity, is a thing also, if it be minded, +that will very much help on the business, and make the people stand at a +greater distance from the Clergy. I might instance, likewise, in their +Auricular Confession, enjoining of Penance, forgiving sins, making of +Saints, freeing people from Purgatory, and many such useful tricks they +have, and wonders they can do, to draw in the forward believing Laity +into a most right worshipful opinion and honourable esteem of them. + +And therefore, seeing our holy Church of England counts it not just, nor +warrantable, thus to cheat the world by belying the _Scriptures_; and by +making use of such falsehood and stratagems to gain respect and +reverence: it behoves us, certainly, to wish for, and endeavour, all such +means as are useful and lawful for the obtaining of the same. + +I might here, I think, conveniently add that though many preferments +amongst the Clergy of Rome may possibly be as small as some of ours in +England; yet are we to be put in mind of one more excellent contrivance +of theirs: and that is, the denial of marriage to Priests, whereby they +are freed from the expenses of a family, and a train of young children, +that, upon my word! will soon suck up the milk of a cow or two, and grind +in pieces a few sheaves of corn. The Church of England therefore thinking +it not fit to oblige their Clergy to a single life (and I suppose are not +likely to alter their opinion, unless they receive better reasons for it +from Rome than have been as yet sent over): he makes a comparison very +wide from the purpose, that goes about to try the livings here in England +by those of the Church of Rome; there being nothing more frequent in our +Church than for a Clergyman to have three or four children to get bread +for, by that time, one, in theirs, shall be allowed to go into Holy +Orders. + +There is still one thing remaining, which ought not to be forgotten (a +thing that is sometimes urged, I know, by the Papist, for the single life +of the Priests) that does also much lessen the esteem of our Ministry; and +that is the poor and contemptible employment that many children of the +Clergy are forced upon, by reason of the meanness of their father's +revenue. + +It has happened, I know, sometimes, that whereas it has pleased GOD to +bestow upon the Clergyman a very sufficient income: yet such has been his +carelessness as that he hath made but pitiful provision for his children: +and, on the other side, notwithstanding all the good care and +thoughtfulness of the father, it has happened, at other times, that the +children, beyond the power of all advice, have seemed to be resolved for +debauchery. + +But to see Clergymen's children condemned to the walking [_holding_] of +horses! to wait upon a tapster! or the like; and that only because their +father was not able to allow them a more genteel education: these are +such employments that cannot but bring great disgrace and dishonour upon +the Clergy. + + +But this is not all the inconvenience that attends the small income that +is the portion of some Clergymen: for besides that the Clergy in general +is disesteemed, they are likely also to do but little good in their +parish. For it is a hard matter for the people to believe, that he talks +anything to the purpose, that wants ordinary food for his family; and +that his advice and exposition can come from above, that is scarcely +defended against the weather. I have heard a travelling poor man beg with +very good reason and a great stream of seasonable rhetoric; and yet it has +been very little minded, because his clothes were torn, or at least out of +fashion. And, on the other side, I have heard but an ordinary saying +proceeding from a fine suit and a good lusty title of honour, highly +admired; which would not possibly have been hearkened to, had it been +uttered by a meaner person: yet, by all means, because it was a fancy of +His Worship's, it must be counted high! and notably expressed! + +If, indeed, this world were made of sincere and pure beaten virtue, like +the gold of the first Age, then such idle and fond prejudices would be a +very vain supposal; and the doctrine that proceeded from the most +battered and contemptible habit [_clothes_] and the most sparing diet +would be as acceptable as that which flowed from a silken cassock +[_cloak_] and the best cheer. But seeing the world is not absolutely +perfect, it is to be questioned whether he that runs upon trust for every +ounce of provisions he spends in his family, can scarce look from his +pulpit into any seat in the church but that he spies somebody or other +that he is beholden to and depends upon; and, for want of money, has +scarce confidence to speak handsomely to his Sexton: it is to be +questioned, I say, whether one, thus destitute of all tolerable +subsistence, and thus shattered and distracted with most necessary cares, +can either invent with discretion, or utter with courage, anything that +may be beneficial to his people, whereby they may become his diligent +attenders and hearty respecters. + + +And as the people do almost resolve against being amended or bettered by +the Minister's preaching, whose circumstances as to this life are so bad, +and his condition so low: so likewise is their devotion very cool and +indifferent, in hearing from such a one the _Prayers_ of the Church. + +The _Divine Service_, all the world knows! is the same, if read in the +most magnificent Cathedral or in the most private parlour; or if +performed by the Archbishop himself, or by the meanest of his priests: +but as the solemnity of the place, besides the consecration of it to GOD +Almighty, does much influence the devotion of the people; so also the +quality and condition of the person that reads it. And though there be +not that acknowledged difference between a Priest comfortably provided +for, and him that is in the thorns and briars; as there is between one +placed in great dignity and authority and one that is in less: yet such a +difference the people will make, that they will scarce hearken to what is +read by the one, and yet be most religiously attentive to the other. Not, +surely, that any one can think that he whose countenance is cheerly and +his barns full, can petition heaven more effectually, or prevail with GOD +for the forgiveness of a greater sin, than he who is pitifully pale and is +not owner of an ear of corn; yet, most certainly, they do not delight to +confess their sins and sing praises to GOD with him who sighs, more for +want of money and victuals, than for his trespasses and offences. Thus it +is, and will be! do you or I, Sir, what we can to the contrary. + +Did our Church indeed believe, with the Papists, every person rightfully +ordained, to be a kind of GOD Almighty, working miracles and doing +wonders; then would people most readily prostrate themselves to +everything in Holy Orders, though it could but just creep! But as our +Church counts those of the Clergy to be but mortal men, though peculiarly +dedicated to GOD and His service; their behaviour, their condition and +circumstances of life, will necessarily come into our value and esteem of +them. And therefore it is no purpose for men to say "that this need not +be, it being but mere prejudice, humour, and fancy: and that if the man +be but truly in Holy Orders; that is the great matter! and from thence +come blessings, absolution and intercession through CHRIST with GOD. And +that it is not Philosophy, Languages, Ecclesiastical History, Prudence, +Discretion, and Reputation, by which the Minister can help us on towards +heaven." + +Notwithstanding this, I say again, that seeing men are men, and seeing +that we are of the Church of England and not of that of Rome, these +things ought to be weighed and considered; and for want of being so, our +Church of England has suffered much. + +And I am almost confident that, since the Reformation, nothing has more +hindered people from a just estimation of a _Form of Prayer_ and our holy +_Liturgy_ than employing a company of boys, or old illiterate mumblers, to +read the _Service_. And I do verily believe, that, at this very day, +especially in Cities and Corporations, which make up the third part of +our nation, there is nothing that does more keep back some dissatisfied +people from Church till _Service_ be over, than that it is read by some +£10 or £12 man, with whose parts and education they are so well +acquainted, as to have reason to know that he has but skill enough to +read the _Lessons_ with twice conning over. And though the office of the +Reader be only to read word for word, and neither to invent or expound: +yet people love he should be a person of such worth and knowledge, as it +may be supposed he understands what he reads. + +And although for some it were too burdensome a task to read the _Service_ +twice a day, and preach as often; yet certainly it were much better if the +people had but one sermon in a fortnight or month, so the _Service_ were +performed by a knowing and valuable person, than to run an unlearned rout +of contemptible people into Holy Orders, on purpose only to say the +_Prayers_ of the Church, who perhaps shall understand very little more +than a hollow pipe made of tin or wainscoat. + +Neither do I here at all reflect upon Cathedrals, where the _Prayers_ are +usually read by some grave and worthy person. And as for the unlearned +singers, whether boys or men, there is no complaint to be made, as to +this case, than that they have not an all understanding Organ, or a +prudent and discreet Cornet. + +Neither need people be afraid that the Minister for want of preaching +should grow stiff and rusty; supposing he came not into the pulpit every +week. For he can spend his time very honestly, either by taking better +care of what he preaches, and by considering what is most useful and +seasonable for the people: and not what subject he can preach upon with +most ease, or upon what text he can make a brave speech, for which nobody +shall be the better! or where he can best steal, without being discovered, +as is the practice of many Divines in private parishes. Or else, he may +spend it in visiting the sick, instructing the ignorant, and recovering +such as are gone astray. + +For though there be churches built for public assemblies, for public +instruction and exhortation; and though there be not many absolutely +plain places of Scripture that oblige the Minister to walk from house to +house: yet, certainly, people might receive much more advantage from such +charitable visits and friendly conferences, than from general discourses +levelled at the whole world, where perhaps the greatest part of the time +shall be spent in useless Prefaces, Dividings, and Flourishings. Which +thing is very practicable; excepting some vast parishes: in which, also, +it is much better to do good to some, than to none at all. + +There is but one calamity more that I shall mention, which though it need +not absolutely, yet it does too frequently, accompany the low condition of +many of the Clergy: and that is, it is a great hazard if they be not +_idle, intemperate_, and _scandalous_. + +I say, I cannot prove it strictly and undeniably that a man smally +beneficed, must of necessity be dissolute and debauched. But when we +consider how much he lies subject to the humour of all reprobates, and +how easily he is tempted from his own house of poverty and melancholy: it +is to be feared that he will be willing, too often to forsake his own +Study of a few scurvy books; and his own habitation of darkness where +there is seldom eating or drinking, for a good lightsome one where there +is a bountiful provision of both. + +And when he comes there, though he swears not at all; yet he must be sure +to say nothing to those that do it by all that they can think of. And +though he judges it not fit to lead the Forlorn in vice and profaneness: +yet, if he goes about to damp a frolic, there is great danger, not only +of losing his Sunday dinner, but also all opportunities of such future +refreshments, for his niceness and squeamishness! + +And such as are but at all disposed to this lewd kind of meetings; +besides the Devil, he shall have solicitors enough! who count all such +revelling occasion very unsavoury and unhallowed, unless they have the +presence of some Clergyman to sanctify the ordinance: who, if he sticks +at his glass, bless him! and call him but "Doctor!" and it slides +presently [_i.e., the Clergyman drinks_]. + +I take no delight, I must confess, to insist upon this: but only I could +very much wish that such of our Governors as go amongst our small +preferred Clergy, to take a view of the condition of the Church and +Chancel; that they would but make inquiry, Whether the Minister himself +be not much out of repair? + +I have now done, Sir, with the Grounds of that Disesteem that many of the +Clergy lie under, both by the _Ignorance_ of some, and the _extreme +Poverty_ of others. And I should have troubled you no further, but that I +thought it convenient not to omit the particular Occasions that do concur +to the making of many of our Clergy so pitifully poor and contemptible. + +The first thing that contributes much to the Poverty of the Clergy is +_the great scarcity of Livings_. + +Churches and Chapels we have enough, it is to be confessed, if compared +with the bigness of our nation: but, in respect of that infinite number +that are in Holy Orders, it is a very plain case, that there is a very +great want. And I am confident, that, in a very little time, I could +procure hundreds that should ride both sun and moon down, and be +everlastingly yours! if you could help them but to a Living of £25 or £30 +a year. + +And this, I suppose, to be chiefly occasioned upon these two accounts: +either from _the eagerness and ambition_ that some people have, of going +into Orders; or from the _refuge of others_ into the Church, who, being +otherwise disappointed of a livelihood, hope to make sure of one by that +means. + +First, I say, that which increases the unprovided-for number of the +Clergy, is people posting into Orders before they know their Message or +business, only out of a certain pride and ambition. Thus some are hugely +in love with the mere title of Priest or Deacon: never considering how +they shall live, or what good they are likely to do in their Office; but +only they have a fancy, that a cassock, if it be made long, is a very +handsome garment, though it be never paid for; that the Desk is clearly +the best, and the Pulpit, the highest seat in all the parish; that they +shall take place [_precedence_] of most Esquires and Right Worshipfuls; +that they shall have the honour of being spiritual guides and +counsellors; and they shall be supposed to understand more of the Mind of +GOD than ordinary, though perhaps they scarcely know the Old Law from the +New, nor the _Canon_ from the _Apocrypha_. Many, I say, such as these, +there be, who know not where to get two groats, nor what they have to say +to the people: but only because they have heard that the office of a +Minister is the most noble and honourable employment in the world; +therefore they (not knowing in the least what the meaning of that is), +Orders, by all means, must have! though it be to the disparagement of +that holy function. + +Others also there be who are not so highly possessed with the mere +dignity of the office and honourableness of the employment; but think, +had they but licence and authority to preach, O how they could pay it +away! and that they can tell the people such strange things, as they +never heard before, in all their lives! That they have got such a +commanding voice! such heart-breaking expressions! such a peculiar method +of Text-dividing! and such notable helps for the interpreting all +difficulties in Scripture! that they can shew the people a much shorter +way to heaven than has been, as yet, made known by any! + +Such a forwardness as this, of going in Holy Orders, either merely out of +an ambitious humour of being called a Priest; or of thinking they could do +such feats and wonders, if they might be but free of the Pulpit, has +filled the nation with many more Divines than there is any competent +maintenance for in the Church. + +Another great crowd that is made in the Church is by those that take in +there only as a place of shelter and refuge. Thus, we have many turn +Priests and Deacons, either for want of employment in their profession of +Law, Physic, or the like; or having been unfortunate in their trade, or +having broken a leg, or an arm, and so disabled from following their +former calling; or having had the pleasure of spending their estate, or +being (perhaps deservedly) disappointed of their inheritance. The Church +is a very large and good "Sanctuary"; and one Spiritual shilling is as +good as three Temporality shillings. Let the hardest come to the hardest! +if they can get by heart, _Quid est fides? Quid est Ecclesia? quot sunt +Concilia Generalia_? and gain Orders; they may prove Readers or +Preachers, according as their gifts and opportunities shall lie. Now +many, such as these, the Church being not able to provide for (as there +is no great reason that she should be solicitous about it) must needs +prove a very great disparagement to her; they coming hither, just as the +old heathens used to go to prayers. When nothing would stop the anger of +the gods, then for a touch of devotion! and if there be no way to get +victuals; rather than starve, let us Read or Preach! + +In short, Sir, we are perfectly overstocked with Professors of Divinity: +there being scarce employment for half of those who undertake that +office. And unless we had some of the Romish tricks, to ramble up and +down, and cry Pardons and Indulgences; or, for want of a living, have a +good store of clients in the business of Purgatory, or the like, and so +make such unrighteous gains of Religion: it were certainly much better if +many of them were otherwise determined. Or unless we have some vent +[_export_] for our Learned Ones, beyond the sea; and could transport so +many tons of Divines yearly, as we do other commodities with which the +nation is overstocked; we do certainly very unadvisedly, to breed up so +many to that Holy Calling, or to suffer so many to steal into Orders: +seeing there is not sufficient work and employment for them. + +The next thing that does as much to heighten the misery of our Church, as +to the _poverty_ of it, is the Gentry's designing, not only the weak, the +lame, and usually the most ill-favoured of their children for the office +of the Ministry; but also such as they intend to settle nothing upon for +their subsistence: leaving them wholly to the bare hopes of Church +preferment. For, as they think, let the Thing look how it will, it is +good enough for the Church! and that if it had but limbs enough to climb +the pulpit, and eyes enough to find the day of the month, it will serve +well enough to preach, and read _Service_! + +So, likewise, they think they have obliged the Clergy very much, if they +please to bestow two or three years' education upon a younger son at the +University: and then commend him to the grace of GOD, and the favour of +the Church; without one penny of money, or inch of land! + +You must not think, that he will spoil his eldest son's estate, or hazard +the lessening of the credit of the family, to do that which may, any way, +tend to the reputation and honour of the Clergy! + +And thus it comes to pass, that you may commonly ride ten miles, and +scarce meet with a Divine that is worth above two spoons and a pepper +box, besides his living or spiritual preferments. For, as for the Land, +that goes sweeping away with the eldest son, for the immortality of the +family! and, as for the Money, that is usually employed for to bind out +[_apprentice_] and set up other children! And thus, you shall have them +make no doubt of giving £500 or a £1,000 [= £1,500 _or_ £3,000 _now_] for +a stock [_capital_] to them: but for the poor Divinity son, if he gets but +enough to buy a broad hat at second-hand, and a small _System of Faith_ or +two, that is counted stock sufficient for him to set up withal. + +And, possibly, he might make some kind of shift in this world, if anybody +will engage that he shall have, neither wife nor children: but, if it so +fall out, that he leaves the world, and behind him either the one or the +others: in what a dismal condition are these likely to be! and how will +their sad calamities reflect upon the Clergy! So dismal a thing is this +commonly judged, that those that at their departure out of this life, are +piously and virtuously disposed, do usually reckon the taking care for the +relief of the poor Ministers' widows, to be an opportunity of as necessary +charity as the mending the highways, and the erecting of hospitals. + +But neither are spiritual preferments only scarce, by reason of that +great number that lie hovering over them; and that they that are thus on +the wing, are usually destitute of any other estate and livelihood: but +also, when they come into possession of them, they finding, for the most +part, nothing but a little sauce and Second Course (pigs, geese, and +apples), must needs be put upon great perplexities for the standing +necessaries of a family. + +So that if it be inquired by any one, How comes it to pass, that we have +so many in Holy Orders that understand so little, and are able to do so +little service in the Church? if we may answer plainly and truly, we may +say, "Because they are fit for nothing else!" + +For, shall we think that any man that is not cursed to uselessness, +poverty, and misery, will be content with £20 or £30 a year? For though, +in the bulk, it looks, at first, like a bountiful estate; yet, if we +think of it a little better, we shall find that an ordinary bricklayer or +carpenter (I mean not your great undertakers [_contractors_] and master +workmen) that earns constantly but his two shillings a day, has clearly a +better revenue, and has certainly the command of more money. For that the +one has no dilapidations and the like, to consume a great part of his +weekly wages; of which you know how much the other is subject unto. + +So that as long as we have so many small and contemptible livings +belonging to our Church, let the world do what it can! we must expect +that they should be supplied by very lamentable and unserviceable Things. +For that nobody else will meddle with them! unless, one in an Age +abounding with money, charity, and goodness, will preach for nothing! + +For if men of knowledge, prudence, and wealth have a fancy against a +Living of £20 or £30 a year; there is no way to get them into such an +undertaking, but by sending out a spiritual press [_press gang_]: for +that very few volunteers that are worth, unless better encouraged, will +go into that Holy Warfare! but it will be left to those who cannot devise +how otherwise to live! + +Neither must people say that, "besides Bishoprics, Prebendaries, and the +like, we have several brave benefices, suffice to invite those of the +best parts, education, and discretion." For, imagine one Living in forty +is worth £100 [= £300 _now_] a year, and supplied by a man of skill and +wholesome counsel: what are the other thirty-nine the better for that? +What are the people about Carlisle bettered by his instructions and +advice who lives at Dover? It was certainly our Saviour's mind, not only +that the Gospel should be preached to all nations at first; but that the +meaning and power of it should be preserved, and constantly declared to +all people, by such as had judgement to do it. + +Neither again must they say, that "Cities, Corporations, and the great +trading towns of this nation, which are the strength and glory of it, and +that contain the useful people of the world, are usually instructed by +very learned and judicious persons." For, I suppose that our Saviour's +design was not that Mayors, Aldermen, and merchants should be only saved: +but also that all plain country people should partake of the same means; +who (though they read not so many _Gazettes_ as citizens; nor concern +themselves where the Turk or King of France [_Louis XIV_.] sets on next) +yet the true knowledge of GOD is now so plainly delivered in Scripture, +that there wants nothing but sober and prudent Offerers of the same, to +make it saving to those of the meanest understandings. And therefore, in +all parishes, if possible, there ought to be such a fixed and settled +provision as might reasonably invite some careful and prudent person, for +the people's guide and instruction in holy matters. + +And furthermore, it might be added, that the revenue belonging to most of +the Corporation Livings is no such mighty business: for were it not for +the uncertain and humorsome contribution of the well-pleased +parishioners, the Parson and his family might be easily starved, for all +the lands and income that belong to the Church. Besides, the great +mischief that such kind of hired Preachers have done in the World--which +I shall not stay here, to insist upon. + +And as we have not churches enough, in respect of the great multitude +that are qualified for a Living: so, considering the smallness of the +revenue and the number of people that are to be the hearers, it is very +plain that we have too many. + +And we shall, many times, find two churches in the same yard, when as one +would hold double the people of both the parishes. If they were united for +the encouragement of some deserving person, he might easily make shift to +spend, very honestly and temperately, the revenue of both. + +And what though churches stand at a little further distance? People may +please to walk a mile, without distemperating themselves; when as they +shall go three or four to a market, to sell two pennyworth of eggs. + +But suppose they resolved to pretend that they shall catch cold (the +clouds being more than ordinarily thick upon the Sunday; as they usually +are, if there be religion in the case); and that they are absolutely bent +upon having instruction brought to their own town. Why might not one +sermon a day, or (rather than fail) one in a fortnight, from a prudent +and well-esteemed-of Preacher, do as well as two a day from him that +talks, all the year long, nothing to the purpose; and thereupon is +laughed at and despised? + +I know what people will presently say to this, viz., that "if, upon +Sunday, the Church doors be shut, the Alehouses will be open! and +therefore, there must be somebody (though never so weak and lamentable!) +to pass away the time in the Church, that the people may be kept sober +and peaceable." + +Truly, if religion and the worship of GOD consisted only in _negatives_, +and that the observation of the Sabbath, was only _not_ to be drunk! then +they speak much to the purpose; but if it be otherwise, very little. It +being not much unlike, as it is the fashion in many places, to the +sending of little children of two or three years old to a School Dame, +without any design of learning one letter, but only to keep them out of +the fire and water. + +Last of all, people must not say that "there needs no great store of +learning in a Minister; and therefore a small Living may answer his +deserts: for that there be _Homilies_ made on purpose by the Church for +young beginners and slow inventors. Whereupon it is, that such difference +is made between giving Orders, and License to Preach: the latter being +granted only to such, as the Bishop shall judge able to make sermons." + +But this does not seem to do the business. For though it be not necessary +for every Guide of a parish to understand all the Oriental languages, or +to make exactly elegant or profound discourses for the Pulpit; yet, most +certainly, it is very requisite that he should be so far learned and +judicious as prudently to advise, direct, inform, and satisfy the people +in holy matters; when they demand it, or beg it from him. Which to +perform readily and judiciously requires much more discretion and skill, +than, upon long deliberation, to make a continued talk of an hour, +without any great discernible failings. So that were a Minister tied up, +never to speak one sentence of his own invention out of the pulpit in his +whole lifetime; yet doubtless many other occasions there be, for which +neither wisdom nor reputation should be wanting in him that has the care +and government of a parish. + +I shall not here go about to please myself with the imagination of all +the Great Tithes being restored to the Church; having little reason to +hope to see such days of virtue. Nor shall I here question the +almightiness of former Kings and Parliaments, nor dispute whether all the +King HENRIES in the world, with ever such a powerful Parliament, were able +to determine to any other use, what was once solemnly dedicated to GOD, +and His service. By yet, when we look over the Prefaces to those _Acts of +Parliament_ whereby some Church revenues were granted to HENRY VIII., one +cannot but be much taken with the ingenuity of that Parliament; that when +the King wanted a supply of money and an augmentation to his revenue, how +handsomely, out of the Church they made provision for him, without doing +themselves any injury at all! + +_For_, say they, _seeing His Majesty is our joy and life; seeing that he +is so courageous and wise; seeing that he is so very tender of, and well +affected to, all his subjects; and that he has been at such large +expenses, for five and twenty whole years, to defend and protect this his +realm: therefore, in all duty and gratitude, and as a manifest token of +our unfeigned thankfulness, We do grant unto the king and his heirs for +ever, &c._ + +It follows as closely as can be, that because the king has been a good +and deserving king, and had been at much trouble and expense for the +safety and honour of the nation, that therefore all his wants shall be +supplied _out of the Church_! as if all the charges that he had been at, +were upon the account only of his Ecclesiastical subjects, and not in +relation to the rest. + +It is not, Sir, for you or I to guess, which way the whole Clergy in +general, might be better provided for. But, sure it is, and must not be +denied, that so long as many Livings continue as they now are, thus +impoverished; and that there be so few encouragements for men of +sobriety, wisdom, and learning: we have no reason to expect much better +Instructors and Governors of parishes, than at present we commonly find. + +There is a way, I know, that some people love marvellously to talk of; +and that is a just and equal levelling of Ecclesiastical preferments. + +"What a delicate refreshment," say they, "would it be, if £20,000 or +£30,000 a year were taken from the Bishops, and discreetly sprinkled +amongst the poorer and meaner sort of the Clergy! how would it rejoice +their hearts, and encourage them in their Office! What need those great +and sumptuous palaces, their city and their country houses, their parks +and spacious waters, their costly dishes and fashionable sauces? May not +he that lives in a small thatched house, that can scarcely walk four +strides in his own ground, that has only _read_ well concerning venison, +fish, and fowl: may not he, I say, preach as loud and to as much purpose +as one of those high and mighty Spiritualists? Go to, then! Seeing it +hath pleased GOD to make such a bountiful provision for His Church in +general, what need we be solicitous about the emending the low condition +of many of the Clergy, when as there is such a plain remedy at hand, had +we but grace to apply it?" + +This invention pleases some mainly well. But for all the great care they +pretend to have of the distressed part of the Clergy, I am confident, one +might easily guess what would please them much better! if (instead of +augmenting small benefices) the Bishops would be pleased to return to +them, those lands purchased in their absence [_i.e., during the +Commonwealth, which were restored to the Bishoprics at the Restoration_]: +and then, as for the relieving of the Clergy, they would try if they could +find out another way! + +But, art thou in good earnest? my excellent Contriver! Dost thou think +that if the greatest of our Church preferments were wisely parcelled out +amongst those that are in want, it would do such feats and courtesies? +And dost thou not likewise think, that if ten or twenty of the lustiest +Noblemen's estates of England were cleverly sliced among the indigent; +would it not strangely refresh some of the poor Laity that cry "Small +Coal!" or grind scissors! I do suppose if GOD should afterwards incline +thy mind (for I fancy it will not be as yet, a good while!) to be a +Benefactor to the Church; thy wisdom may possibly direct thee to disperse +thy goodness in smaller parcels, rather than to flow in upon two or three +with full happiness. + +But if it be my inclination to settle upon one Ecclesiastical person and +his successors for ever, a £1,000 a year [= £3,000 _now_] upon condition +only to read the _Service_ of the Church once in a week; and you take it +ill, and find fault with my prudence and the method of my munificence, +and say that "the stipend is much too large for such a small task": yet, +I am confident, that should I make thy Laityship heir of such an estate, +and oblige thee only to the trouble and expense of spending a single +chicken or half a dozen larks once a year, in commemoration of me; that +thou wouldst count me the wisest man that ever was, since the Creation! +and pray to GOD never to dispose thy mind, to part with one farthing of +it for any other use, than for the service of thyself and thy family. + +And yet so it is, that, because the Bishops, upon their first being +restored [in 1660], had the confidence to levy fines, according as they +were justly due; and desired to live in their own houses, if not pulled +down! and to receive their own rents: presently, they cry out, "The +Churchmen have got all the treasure and money of the nation into their +hands." + +If they have, let them thank GOD for it! and make a good use of it. Weep +not, Beloved! for there is very little hope that they will cast it all +into the sea, on purpose to stop the mouths of them, that say "they have +too much!" + +What other contrivances there may be, for the settling upon Ministers in +general, a sufficient revenue for their subsistence and encouragement in +their office; I shall leave to be considered of, by the Governors of +Learning and Religion. + +Only thus much is certain, that so long as the maintenance of many +Ministers is so very small, it is not to be avoided, but that a great +part of them will want learning, prudence, courage, and esteem to do any +good where they live. + +And what if we have (as by all must be acknowledged) as wise and learned +Bishops as be in the world, and many others of very great understanding +and wisdom; yet (as was before hinted) unless there be provided for most +towns and parishes some tolerable and sufficient Guides, the strength of +Religion, and the credit of the Clergy will daily languish more and more. + +Not that it is to be believed that every small country parish should be +altogether hopeless as to the next life, unless they have a HOOKER, a +CHILLINGWORTH, a HAMMOND, or a SANDERSON dwelling amongst them: but it is +requisite, and might be brought about, that somebody there should be, to +whom the people have reason to attend, and to be directed and guided by +him. + + +I have, Sir, no more to say, were it not that you find the word +_Religion_ in the Title: of which in particular I have spoken very +little. Neither need I! considering how nearly it depends, as to its +glory and strength, upon the reputation and mouth of the Priest. + +And I shall add no more but this, viz., that among those many things that +tend to the decay of Religion, and of a due reverence of the _Holy +Scriptures_, nothing has more occasioned it than the ridiculous and idle +discourses that are uttered out of pulpits. For when the Gallants of the +world do observe how the Ministers themselves do jingle, quibble, and +play the fool with the Texts: no wonder, if they, who are so inclinable +to Atheism, do not only deride and despise the Priests; but droll upon +the _Bible_! and make a mock of all that is sober and sacred! + +I am, Sir, Your most humble servant, + +T.B. + +_August_ 8, 1670. + +FINIS. + + + + +ISAAC BICKERSTAFF + +[_i.e._, RICHARD STEELE]. + +_The miseries of the Domestic Chaplain, in_ 1710. + +[_The Tatler_. No. 255. Thursday, 23 Nov. 1710.] + + +_To the Censor of Great Britain. + +Sir, + +I am at present, under very great difficulties; which is not in the power +of any one besides yourself, to redress. Whether or not, you shall think +it a proper Case to come before your Court of Honour, I cannot tell: but +thus it is. + +I am Chaplain to an honourable Family, very regular at the Hours of +Devotion, and I hope of an unblameable life: but, for not offering to +rise at the Second Course, I found my Patron and his Lady very sullen and +out of humour; though, at first, I did not know the reason of it. + +At length, when I happened to help myself to a jelly, the Lady of the +house, otherwise a devout woman, told me "It did not become a Man of my +Cloth, to delight in such frivolous food!" But as I still continued to +sit out the last course, I was yesterday informed by the butler, that +"His Lordship had no further occasion for my service." + +All which is humbly submitted to your consideration, by, + +Sir, + +Your most humble servant, &c._ + + +The case of this Gentleman deserves pity, especially if he loves +sweetmeats; to which, if I may guess by his letter, he is no enemy. + +In the meantime, I have often wondered at the indecency of discarding the +holiest man from the table, as soon as the most delicious parts of the +entertainment are served up: and could never conceive a reason for so +absurd a custom. + +Is it because a licorous palate, or a sweet tooth (as they call it), is +not consistent with the sanctity of his character? + +This is but a trifling pretence! No man of the most rigid virtue, gives +offence by any excesses in plum pudding or plum porridge; and that, +because they are the first parts of the dinner. Is there anything that +tends to _incitation_ in sweetmeats, more than in ordinary dishes? +Certainly not! Sugar-plums are a very innocent diet; and conserves of a +much colder nature than your common pickles. + +I have sometimes thought that the Ceremony of the _Chaplain flying away +from the Dessert_ was typical and figurative. To mark out to the company, +how they ought to retire from all the luscious baits of temptation, and +deny their appetites the gratifications that are most pleasing to them. + +Or, at least, to signify that we ought to stint ourselves in the most +lawful satisfactions; and not make our Pleasure, but our Support the end +of eating. + +But, most certainly, if such a lesson of temperance had been necessary at +a table: our Clergy would have recommended it to all the Lay masters of +families; and not have disturbed other men's tables with such +unreasonable examples of abstinence. + +The original therefore of this _barbarous custom_, I take to have been +merely accidental. + +The Chaplain retired, out of pure complaisance, to make room for the +removal of the dishes, or possibly for the ranging of the dessert. This, +by degrees, grew into a duty; till, at length, as the fashion improved, +the good man found himself cut off from the Third part of the +entertainment: and, if the arrogance of the Patron goes on, it is not +impossible but, in the next generation, he may see himself reduced to the +Tithe or Tenth Dish of the table. A sufficient caution not to part with +any privilege we are once possessed of! + +It was usual for the Priest, in old times, to feast upon the sacrifice, +nay the honey cake; while the hungry Laity looked upon him with great +devotion: or, as the late Lord ROCHESTER describes it in a very lively +manner, + + _And while the Priest did eat, the People stared_. + +At present, the custom is inverted. The Laity feast while the Priest +stands by as an humble spectator. + +This necessarily puts the good man upon making great ravages on all the +dishes that stand near him; and upon distinguishing himself by +voraciousness of appetite, as knowing that "his time is short." + +I would fain ask these stiff-necked Patrons, Whether they would not take +it ill of a Chaplain that, in his grace, after meat, should return thanks +for the whole entertainment, with an exception to the dessert? And yet I +cannot but think that in such a proceeding, he would but deal with them +as they deserved. + +What would a Roman Catholic priest think (who is always helped first, and +placed next the ladies), should he see a Clergyman giving his company the +slip at the first appearance of the tarts or sweetmeats? Would he not +believe that he had the same antipathy to a candid orange or a piece of +puff paste, as some have to a Cheshire cheese or a breast of mutton? + +Yet to so ridiculous a height is this foolish custom grown, that even the +Christmas Pie, which in its very nature is a kind of consecrated cake and +a badge of distinction, is often forbidden to the Druid of the family. + +Strange! that a sirloin of beef, whether boiled or roasted, when entire, +is exposed to his utmost depredations and incisions; but if minced into +small pieces and tossed up with plums and sugar, it changes its property; +and, forsooth, it is meat for his Master! + +In this Case, I know not which to censure [_blame_], the Patron or the +Chaplain! the insolence of power, or the abjectness of dependence! + +For my own part, I have often blushed to see a Gentleman, whom I knew to +have more Wit and Learning than myself, and who was bred up with me at +the University upon the same foot of a liberal education, treated in such +an ignominious manner; and sunk beneath those of his own rank, by reason +of that character which ought to bring him honour. + +This deters men of generous minds from placing themselves in such a +station of life; and by that means frequently excludes Persons of Quality +from the improving and agreeable conversation of a learned and obsequious +friend. + +Mr. OLDHAM lets us know that he was affrighted from the thought of such +an employment, by the scandalous sort of treatment, which often +accompanies it. + + _Some think themselves exalted to the sky, + If they light in some noble family: + Diet, a horse, and Thirty pounds a year; + Besides th' advantage of his Lordship's ear, + The credit of the business, and the State; + + Are things that in a youngster's sense sound_ great. + _Little the unexperienced wretch does know, + What slavery he oft must undergo! + Who, though in silken scarf and cassock drest, + Wears but a gayer_ livery, _at best. + When dinner calls, the Implement must wait, + With holy words to consecrate the meat: + But hold it, for a favour seldom known, + If he be deigned the honour to sit down! + Soon as the tarts appear, "Sir CRAPE, withdraw! + These dainties are not for a spiritual maw! + Observe your distance! and be sure to stand + Hard by the cistern with your cap in hand! + There, for diversion, you may pick your teeth + Till the kind Voider comes for your relief." + + Let others who, such meannesses can brook, + Strike countenance to every Great Man's look: + I rate my freedom higher!_ + +The author's raillery is the raillery of a friend, and does not turn the +Sacred Order into ridicule: but it is a just censure on such persons as +take advantages from the necessities of a Man of Merit, to impose upon +him hardships that are by no means suitable to the dignity of his +profession. + + + + +NESTOR IRONSIDE + +[_i.e., RICHARD STEELE_]. + +_Another description of the miseries of the Domestic Chaplain, in_ 1713, +A.D. + + +[_The Guardian_. No. 173. Thursday, 17 Sept. 1713.] + +When I am disposed to give myself a day's rest, I order the _Lion_ to be +opened [_i.e., a letter-box at BUTTON's Coffee-house_], and search into +that magazine of intelligence for such letters as are to my purpose. The +first I looked into, comes to me from one who is Chaplain to a great +family. + +He treats himself, in the beginning of it, after such a manner as I am +persuaded no Man of Sense would treat him. Even the Lawyer, and the +Physician to a Man of Quality, expect to be used like gentlemen; and much +more, may any one of so superior a profession! + +I am by no means encouraging that dispute, Whether the Chaplain, or the +Master of the house be the better man, and the more to be respected? The +two learned authors, Dr. HICKS and Mr. COLLIER (to whom I might add +several others) are to be excused, if they have carried the point a +little too high in favour of the Chaplain: since in so corrupt an Age as +that we live in, the popular opinion runs so far into the other extreme. + +The only controversy between the Patron and the Chaplain ought to be, +Which should promote the good designs and interests of each other most? +And, for my own part, I think it is the happiest circumstance in a great +Estate or Title, that it qualifies a man for choosing, out of such a +learned and valuable body of men as that of the English Clergy, a friend, +a spiritual guide, and a companion. + +The letter which I have received from one of this Order, is as follows: + + _Mr. Guardian, + + I hope you will not only indulge me in the liberty of two or three + questions; but also in the solution of them. + + I haw had the honour, many years, of being Chaplain in a noble + Family; and of being accounted the_ highest servant _in the house: + either out of respect to my Cloth, or because I lie in the + uppermost garret. + + Whilst my old Lord lived, his table was always adorned with useful + Learning and innocent Mirth, as well as covered with Plenty. I was + not looked upon as a piece of furniture, fit only to sanctify and + garnish a feast; but treated as a Gentleman, and generally desired + to fill up the conversation, an hour after I had done my duty_ + [i.e., said grace after dinner]. + + _But now my young Lord is come to the Estate, I find I am looked + upon as a_ Censor Morum, _an obstacle to mirth and talk: and + suffered to retire constantly with_ "Prosperity to the Church!" _in + my mouth_ [i.e., after drinking this toast]. + + _I declare, solemnly, Sir, that I have heard nothing from all the + fine Gentlemen who visit us, more remarkable, for half a year, than + that one young Lord was seven times drunk at Genoa. + + I have lately taken the liberty to stay three or four rounds_ + [i.e., of the bottle] _beyond [the toast of]_ The Church! _to see + what topics of discourse they went upon: but, to my great surprise, + have hardly heard a word all the time, besides the Toasts. Then + they all stared full in my face, and shewed all the actions of + uneasiness till I was gone. + + Immediately upon my departure, to use the words of an old Comedy, + "I find by the noise they make, that they had a mind to be + private." + + I am at a loss to imagine what conversation they have among one + another, which I may not be present at: since I love innocent Mirth + as much as any of them; and am shocked with no freedoms whatsoever, + which are inconsistent with Christianity. + + I have, with much ado, maintained my post hitherto at the dessert, + and every day eat a tart in the face of my Patron: but how long I + shall be invested with this privilege, I do not know. For the + servants, who do not see me supported as I was in my old Lord's + time, begin to brush very familiarly by me: and they thrust aside + my chair, when they set the sweetmeats on the table. + + I have been born and educated a Gentleman, and desire you will make + the public sensible that the Christian Priesthood was never + thought, in any Age or country, to debase the Man who is a member + of it. Among the great services which your useful Papers daily do + to Religion, this perhaps will not be the least: and it will lay a + very great obligation on + + Your unknown servant, + + G.W._ + + + + +BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. + +_Poor RICHARD improved, Being an Almanac, &c., for the year of our Lord_ +1758. + +RICHARD SAUNDERS. Philom. + +Philadelphia. + + +COURTEOUS READER. + +I have heard that nothing gives an author so great pleasure as to find +his works respectfully quoted by other learned authors. This pleasure I +have seldom enjoyed. For though I have been, if I may say it without +vanity, an _eminent_ author of _Almanacs_ annually, now a full quarter of +a century, my brother authors in the same way, for what reason I know not, +have ever been very sparing in their applauses; and no other author has +taken the least notice of me: so that did not my writings produce me some +solid Pudding, the great deficiency of Praise would have quite discouraged +me. + +I concluded at length, that the people were the best judges of my merit; +for they buy my works: and besides, in my rambles, where I am not +personally known, I have frequently heard one or other of my Adages +repeated, with "as _Poor RICHARD_ says!" at the end of it. This gave me +some satisfaction, as it shewed, not only that my Instructions were +regarded, but discovered likewise some respect for my Authority. And I +own, that to encourage the practice of remembering and repeating those +wise Sentences: I have sometimes _quoted myself_ with great gravity. + +Judge, then, how much I must have been gratified by an incident I am +going to relate to you! + +I stopped my horse lately, where a great number of people were collected +at a Vendue [_sale_] of Merchant's goods. The hour of sale not being +come, they were conversing on the badness of the Times: and one of the +company called to a clean old man, with white locks, "Pray, Father +ABRAHAM! what do you think of the Times? Won't these heavy taxes quite +ruin the country? How shall we be ever able to pay them? What would you +advise us to?" + +Father ABRAHAM stood up, and replied, "If you would have my advice; I +will give it you, in short; for _a word to the wise is enough_, and _many +words won't fill a bushel_, as _Poor RICHARD_ says." + +They all joined, desiring him to speak his mind; and gathering round him, +he proceeded as follows: + +"Friends" says he, "and neighbours! The taxes are indeed very heavy; and +if those laid on by the Government were the only ones we had to pay, we +might the more easily discharge them: but we have many others, and much +more grievous to some of us. We are taxed twice as much by our IDLENESS, +three times as much by our PRIDE, and four times as much by our FOLLY: +and from these taxes, the Commissioners cannot ease, or deliver us by +allowing an abatement. However let us hearken to good advice, and +something may be done for us. _GOD helps them that help themselves_, as +_Poor RICHARD_ says in his _Almanac_ of 1733." + +It would be thought a hard Government that should tax its people +One-tenth part of their TIME, to be employed in its service. But Idleness +taxes many of us much more; if we reckon all that is spent in absolute +sloth, or doing of nothing; with that which is spent in idle employments +or amusements that amount to nothing. Sloth, by bringing on diseases, +absolutely shortens life. _Sloth, like Rust, consumes faster than Labour +wears; while the used key is always bright, as Poor RICHARD says_. But +_dost thou love Life? Then do not squander time! for that's the stuff +Life is made of_, as _Poor RICHARD says_. + +How much more than is necessary do we spend in sleep? forgetting that +_the sleeping fox catches no poultry_; and that _there will be sleeping +enough in the grave_, as _Poor RICHARD_ says. If Time be of all things +the most precious, _Wasting of Time must be_ (as _Poor RICHARD_ says) +_the greatest prodigality;_ since, as he elsewhere tells us, _Lost time +is never found again_; and what we call _Time enough! always prows little +enough_. Let us then up and be doing, and doing to the purpose: so, by +diligence, shall we do more with less perplexity. _Sloth makes all things +difficult, but Industry all things easy_, as _Poor RICHARD_ says: and _He +that riseth late, must trot all day; and shall scarce overtake his +business at night_. While _Laziness travels so slowly, that Poverty soon +overtakes him_, as we read in _Poor RICHARD_; who adds, _Drive thy +business! Let not that drive thee!_ and + + _Early to bed, and early to rise, + Makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise_. + +So what signifies _wishing_ and _hoping_ for better Times! We may make +these Times better, if we bestir ourselves! _Industry need not wish!_ as +_Poor RICHARD_ says; and _He that lives on Hope, will die fasting. There +are no gains without pains_. Then _Help hands! for I have no lands_; or +if I have, they are smartly taxed. And as _Poor RICHARD_ likewise +observes, _He that hath a Trade, hath an Estate_, and He that _hath a +Calling, hath an Office of Profit and Honour_: but, then, the Trade must +be worked at, and the Calling well followed, or neither the Estate, nor +the Office, will enable us to pay our taxes. + +If we are industrious, we shall never starve, for, as _Poor RICHARD_ +says, _At the working man's houses Hunger looks in; but dares not enter_. +Nor will the Bailiff, or the Constable enter: for _Industry pays debts, +while, Despair increaseth them_, says _Poor RICHARD_. + +What though you have found no treasure, nor has any rich relation left +you a legacy. _Diligence is the Mother of Good-luck_, as _Poor RICHARD_ +says; and _GOD gives ail things to Industry_. Then + + _Plough deep, while sluggards sleep; + And you shall have corn to sell and to keep,_ + +says _Poor DICK_. Work while it is called to-day; for you know not, how +much you may be hindered to-morrow: which makes _Poor RICHARD_ say, _One +To-day is worth two To-morrows_, and farther, _Have you somewhat to do +to-morrow? do it to-day!_ + +If you were a servant, would you not be ashamed that a good master should +catch you idle? Are you then your own Master? _Be ashamed to catch +yourself idle!_ as _Poor DICK_ says. When there is so much to be done for +yourself, your family, your country, and your gracious King; be up by peep +of day! _Let not the sun look down, and say, "Inglorious, here he lies!"_ +Handle your tools, without mittens! Remember that _The cat in glove +catches no mice!_ as _Poor RICHARD_ says. + +'Tis true there is much to be done; and perhaps you are weak handed; but +stick to it steadily! and you will see great effects, For _Constant +dropping wears away stones_, and _By diligence and patience, the mouse +ate in two the cable_, and _little strokes fell great oaks_; as _Poor +RICHARD_ says in his _Almanac_, the year I cannot, just now, remember. + +Methinks, I hear some of you say, "Must a man afford himself no leisure?" + +I will tell thee, my friend! what _Poor RICHARD_ says. + + _Employ thy time well, if thou meanest to gain leisure! and + Since thou art not sure of a minute, throw not away an hour!_ + +Leisure is time for doing something useful. This leisure the diligent man +will obtain; but the lazy man never. So that, as _Poor RICHARD_ says, _A +life of leisure, and a life of laziness are two things_. Do you imagine +that Sloth will afford you more comfort than Labour? No! for as _Poor +RICHARD_ says, _Trouble springs from idleness, and grievous toil from +needless ease. Many without labour, would live by their Wits only; but +they'll break, for want of Stock_ [_i.e._, Capital]. Whereas Industry +gives comfort, and plenty, and respect. _Fly Pleasures! and they'll +follow you! The diligent spinner has a large shift_, and + + _Now I have a sheep and a cow + Everybody bids me "Good morrow."_ + +All which is well said by _Poor RICHARD_. + +But with our Industry; we must likewise be Steady, Settled, and Careful: +and oversee our own affairs _with our own eyes_, and not trust too much +to others. For, as _Poor RICHARD_ says, + + _I never saw an oft removed tree, + Nor yet an oft removed family, + That throve so well, as those that settled be_. + +And again, _Three Removes are as bad as a Fire;_ and again _Keep thy +shop! and thy shop will keep thee!_ and again, _If you would have your +business done, go! if not, send!_ and again, + + _He that by the plough would thrive; + Himself must either hold or drive_. + +And again, _The Eye of the master will do more work than both his Hands;_ +and again, _Want of Care does us more damage than Want of Knowledge;_ and +again, _Not to oversee workmen, is to leave them your purse open_. + +Trusting too much to others' care, is the ruin of many. For, as the +Almanac says, _In the affairs of this world, men are saved, not by faith, +but by the want of it_. But a man's own care is profitable; for, saith +_Poor DICK, Learning is to the Studious,_ and _Riches to the Careful;_ as +well as _Power to the Bold,_ and _Heaven to the Virtuous_. And further, +_If you would have a faithful servant, and one that you like; serve +yourself!_ + +And again, he adviseth to circumspection and care, even in the smallest +matters; because sometimes, _A little neglect may breed great mischief_; +adding, _For want of a nail, the shoe was lost; for want of a shoe, the +horse was lost; and for want of a horse, the rider was lost_; being +overtaken, and slain by the enemy. All for want of care about a +horse-shoe nail. + +So much for Industry, my friends! and attention to one's own business; +but to these we must add FRUGALITY, if we would make our industry more +certainly successful. _A man may_, if he knows not how to save as he +gets, _keep his nose, all his life, to the grindstone; and die not worth +a groat at last. A fat Kitchen makes a lean Will_, as _Poor RICHARD_ +says, and + + _Many estates are spent in the getting, + Since women, for Tea, forsook spinning and knitting; + And men, for Punch, forsook hewing and splitting_. + +_If you would be healthy_, says he in another _Almanac, think of Saving, +as well as of Getting! The Indies have not made Spain rich; because her +Outgoes are greater than her Incomes_. + +Away, then, with your expensive follies! and you will not have so much +cause to complain of hard Times, heavy taxes, and chargeable families. +For, as _Poor DICK_ says, + + _Women and Wine, Game and Deceit, + Make the Wealth small, and the Wants great_. + +And farther, _What maintains one vice, would bring up two children_. + +You may think perhaps, that, a _little_ tea, or a _little_ punch, now and +then; diet, a _little_ more costly; clothes, a _little_ finer; and a +_little_ entertainment, now and then; can be no great matter. But +remember what _Poor RICHARD_ says, _Many a Little makes a Mickle_; and +farther, _Beware of little expenses! a small leak will sink a great +ship_; and again, _Who dainties love; shall beggars prove!_ and moreover, +_Fools make feasts, and wise men eat them_. + +Here are you all got together at this Vendue of Fineries and knicknacks! +You call them Goods: but if you do not take care, they will prove Evils +to some of you! You expect they will be sold cheap, and perhaps they may, +for less than they cost; but if you have no occasion for them, they must +be _dear_ to you! Remember what _Poor RICHARD_ says! _Buy what thou hast +no need of, and, ere long, thou shalt sell thy necessaries!_ And again, +_At a great pennyworth, pause a while!_ He means, that perhaps the +cheapness is apparent only, and not real; or the bargain by straitening +thee in thy business, may do thee more harm than good. For in another +place, he says, _Many have been ruined by buying good pennyworths_. + +Again, _Poor RICHARD_ says, _'Tis foolish, to lay out money in a purchase +of Repentance_: and yet this folly is practised every day at Vendues, for +want of minding the _Almanac_. + +_Wise men_, as _Poor DICK_ says, _learn by others' harms; Fools, scarcely +by their own_: but _Felix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum_. Many a +one, for the sake of finery on the back, has gone with a hungry belly, +and half starved their families. _Silks and satins, scarlet and velvets_, +as _Poor RICHARD_ says, _put out the kitchen fire!_ These are not the +necessaries of life; they can scarcely be called the conveniences: and +yet only because they look pretty, how many _want_ to have them! The +artificial wants of mankind thus become more numerous than the natural; +and as _Poor DICK_ says, _For one poor person, there are a hundred_ +indigent. + +By these, and other extravagances, the genteel are reduced to poverty, +and forced to borrow of those whom they formerly despised; but who, +through Industry and Frugality, have maintained their standing. In which +case, it appears plainly that _A ploughman on his legs is higher than a +gentleman on his knees_, as _Poor RICHARD_ says. Perhaps they have had a +small estate left them, which they knew not the getting of. They think +_'tis day! and will never be night!_; that _a little to be spent out of +so much I is not worth minding_ (_A Child and a Fool_, as _Poor RICHARD_ +says, _imagine Twenty Shillings and Twenty Years can never be spent_): +but _always taking out of the meal tub, and never putting in, soon comes +to the bottom_. Then, as _Poor DICK says_, _When the well's dry, they +know the worth of water!_ but this they might have known before, if they +had taken his advice. _If you would know the value of money; go, and try +to borrow some!_ For, _he that goes a borrowing, goes a sorrowing!_ and +indeed, so does he that lends to such people, _when he goes to get it in +again!_ + +_Poor DICK_ further advises, and says + + _Fond Pride of Dress is, sure, a very curse! + Ere Fancy you consult; consult your purse!_ + +And again, _Pride is as loud a, beggar as Want, and a great deal more +saucy!_ When you have bought one fine thing, you must buy ten more, that +your appearance may be all of a piece; but _Poor DICK_ says, _'Tis easier +to suppress the First desire, than to satisfy All that follow it_. And +'tis as truly folly, for the poor to ape the rich; as for the frog to +swell, in order to equal the ox. + + _Great Estates may venture more; + But little boats should keep near shore!_ + +'Tis, however, a folly soon punished! for Pride that _dines on Vanity, +sups on Contempt_, as _Poor RICHARD_ says. And in another place. _Pride +breakfasted with Plenty, dined with Poverty, and supped with Infamy_. + +And, after all, of what use is this Pride of Appearance? for which so +much is risked, so much is suffered! It cannot promote health or ease +pain! It makes no increase of merit in the person! It creates envy! It +hastens misfortune! + + _What is a butterfly? At best + He's but a caterpillar drest! + The gaudy fop's his picture just_. + +as _Poor RICHARD_ says. + +But what madness must it be, to _run into debt_ for these superfluities? + +We are offered, by the terms of this Vendue, Six Months' Credit; and +that, perhaps, has induced some of us to attend it, because we cannot +spare the ready money, and hope now to be fine without it. But, ah, think +what you do, when you run in debt? _You give to another, power over your +liberty!_ If you cannot pay at the time, you will be ashamed to see your +creditor! You will be in fear, when you speak to him! You will make poor +pitiful sneaking excuses! and, by degrees, come to lose your veracity, +and sink into base downright lying! For, as _Poor RICHARD_ says, _The +second vice is Lying, the first is Running into Debt_: and again, to the +same purpose, _Lying rides upon Debt's back_. Whereas a free born +Englishman ought not to be ashamed or afraid to see, or speak to any man +living. But Poverty often deprives a man of all spirit and virtue. _'Tis +hard for an Empty Bag to stand upright!_ as _Poor RICHARD_ truly says. +What would you think of that Prince, or the Government, who should issue +an Edict forbidding you to dress like a Gentleman or Gentlewoman, on pain +of imprisonment or servitude. Would you not say that "You are free! have a +right to dress as you please! and that such an Edict would be a breach of +your privileges! and such a Government, tyrannical!" And yet you are +about to put yourself under that tyranny, when you run in debt for such +dress! Your creditor has authority, at his pleasure, to deprive you of +your liberty, by confining you in gaol for life! or to sell you for a +servant, if you should not be able to pay him! When you have got your +bargain; you may, perhaps, think little of payment, but _Creditors_ +(_Poor RICHARD_ tells us) _have better memories than Debtors_; and, in +another place, says, _Creditors are a superstitious sect! great observers +of set days and times_. The day comes round, before you are aware; and the +demand is made, before you are prepared to satisfy it: or, if you bear +your debt in mind, the term which, at first, seemed so long, will, as it +lessens, appear extremely short. TIME will seem to have added wings to +his heels, as well as shoulders. _Those have a short Lent_, saith _Poor +RICHARD, who owe money to be paid at Easter_. Then since, as he says, +_The Borrower is a slave to the Lender, and the Debtor to the Creditor_; +disdain the chain! preserve your freedom! and maintain your independency! +Be industrious and free! be frugal and free! At present, perhaps, you may +think yourself in thriving circumstances; and that you can bear a little +extravagance without injury: but + + _For Age and Want, save while you may! + No morning sun lasts a whole day,_ + +as _Poor RICHARD_ says. + +Gain may be temporary and uncertain; but, ever while you live, Expense is +constant and certain: and _'tis easier to build two chimneys than to keep +one in fuel_, as _Poor RICHARD_ says. So _rather go to bed supperless, +than rise in debt!_ + + _Get what you can! and what you get, hold! + 'Tis the Stone that will turn all your lead into gold!_ + +as _Poor RICHARD_ says. And when you have got the Philosopher's Stone, +sure, you will no longer complain of bad times, or the difficulty of +paying taxes. + +This doctrine, my friends! is Reason and Wisdom! But, after all, do not +depend too much upon your own Industry, and Frugality, and Prudence; +though excellent things! For they may all be blasted without the Blessing +of Heaven: and, therefore, ask that Blessing humbly! and be not +uncharitable to those that at present, seem to want it; but comfort and +help them! Remember, JOB suffered, and was afterwards prosperous. + +And now to conclude. _Experience keeps a dear school; but Fools will +learn in no other, and scarce in that!_ for it is true, _We may give +Advice, but we cannot give Conduct_, as _Poor RICHARD_ says. However, +remember this! _They that won't be counselled, can't be helped!_ as _Poor +RICHARD_ says: and farther, that, "_If you will not hear reason, she'll +surely rap your knuckles!"_ + +Thus the old gentleman ended his harangue. The people heard it, and +approved the doctrine; and immediately practised the contrary, just as if +it had been a common sermon! For the Vendue opened, and they began to buy +extravagantly; notwithstanding all his cautions, and their own fear of +taxes. + +I found the good man had thoroughly studied my _Almanacs_, and digested +all I had dropped on those topics during the course of five and twenty +years. The frequent mention he made of me, must have tired any one else; +but my vanity was wonderfully delighted with it: though I was conscious +that not a tenth part of the wisdom was my own, which he ascribed to me; +but rather the gleanings I had made of the Sense of all Ages and Nations. +However, I resolved to be the better for the Echo of it; and though I had, +at first, determined to buy stuff for a new coat; I went away resolved to +wear my old one a little longer. Reader! if thou wilt do the same, thy +profit will be as great as mine. + +I am, as ever, Thine, to serve thee! + +July 7, 1757. + +RICHARD SAUNDERS. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of An English Garner +Edited by Professor Arber and Thomas Seccombe + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN ENGLISH GARNER *** + +***** This file should be named 10489-8.txt or 10489-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/4/8/10489/ + +Produced by Charles Aldarondo, Keren Vergon, Beth Trapaga and PG +Distributed Proofreaders + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: An English Garner + Critical Essays & Literary Fragments + +Author: Edited by Professor Arber and Thomas Seccombe + +Release Date: December 18, 2003 [EBook #10489] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN ENGLISH GARNER *** + + + + +Produced by Charles Aldarondo, Keren Vergon, Beth Trapaga and PG +Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + +AN ENGLISH GARNER + + +CRITICAL ESSAYS +AND +LITERARY FRAGMENTS + + +WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY +J. CHURTON COLLINS + + +1903 + + +PUBLISHERS' NOTE + +The texts contained in the present volume are reprinted with very slight +alterations from the _English Garner_ issued in eight volumes (1877-1890, +London, 8vo.) by Professor Arber, whose name is sufficient guarantee for +the accurate collation of the texts with the rare originals, the old +spelling being in most cases carefully modernised. The contents of the +original _Garner_ have been rearranged and now for the first time +classified, under the general editorial supervision of Mr. Thomas +Seccombe. Certain lacunae have been filled by the interpolation of fresh +matter. The Introductions are wholly new and have been written specially +for this issue. The references to volumes of the _Garner_ (other than the +present volume) are for the most part to the editio princeps, 8 vols. +1877-90. + + + + +CONTENTS + + I. Extract from Thomas Wilson's _Art of Rhetoric_, 1554 + II. Sir Philip Sidney's _Letter to his brother Robert_, 1580 + III. Extract from Francis Meres's _Palladis Tamia_, 1598 + IV. Dryden's _Dedicatory Epistle to the Rival Ladies_, 1664 + V. Sir Robert Howard's _Preface to four new Plays_, 1665 + VI. Dryden's _Essay of Dramatic Poesy_, 1668 + VII. Extract from Thomas Ellwood's _History of Himself_, describing + his relations with Milton, 1713 +VIII. Bishop Copleston's Advice to a Young Reviewer, 1807 + IX. The Bickerstaff and Partridge Tracts, 1708 + X. Gay's _Present State of Wit_, 1711 + XI. Tickell's Life of Addison, 1721 + XII. Steele's Dedicatory Epistle to Congreve, 1722 +XIII. Extract from Chamberlayne's Angliae Notitia, 1669 + XIV. Eachard's Grounds and Occasions of the Contempt of the Clergy + and of Religion, 1670 + XV. Bickerstaff's Miseries of the Domestic Chaplain, 1710 + XVI. Franklin's Poor Richard Improved, 1757 + + + + +INTRODUCTION + +The miscellaneous pieces comprised in this volume are of interest and +value, as illustrating the history of English literature and of an +important side of English social life, namely, the character and status +of the clergy in the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. They +have been arranged chronologically under the subjects with which they are +respectively concerned. The first three--the excerpt from Wilson's _Art of +Rhetoric_, Sir Philip Sidney's _Letter_ to his brother Robert, and the +dissertation from Meres's _Palladis Tamia_--are, if minor, certainly +characteristic examples of pre-Elizabethan and Elizabethan literary +criticism. The next three--the _Dedicatory Epistle to the Rival Ladies_, +Howard's _Preface to Four New Plays_, and the _Essay of Dramatic +Poesy_--not only introduce us to one of the most interesting critical +controversies of the seventeenth century, but present us, in the last +work, with an epoch-marking masterpiece, both in English criticism and in +English prose composition. Bishop Copleston's brochure brings us to the +early days of the _Edinburgh Review_, and to the dawn of the criticism +with which we are, unhappily, only too familiar in our own time. From +criticism we pass, in the extract from Ellwood's life of himself, to +biography and social history, to the most vivid account we have of Milton +as a personality and in private life. Next comes a series of pamphlets +illustrating social and literary history in the reigns of Anne and George +I., opening with the pamphlets bearing on Swift's inimitable Partridge +hoax, now for the first time collected and reprinted, and preceding Gay's +_Present State of Wit_, which gives a lively account of the periodic +literature current in 1711. Next comes Tickell's valuable memoir of his +friend Addison, prefixed, as preface, to his edition of Addison's works, +published in 1721, with Steele's singularly interesting strictures on the +memoir, being the dedication of the second edition of the _Drummer_ to +Congreve. The reprint of Eachard's _Grounds and Occasions of the Contempt +of the Clergy and Religion Enquired into_, with the preceding extract from +Chamberlayne's _Angliae Notitia_ and the succeeding papers of Steele's in +the _Tatler_ and _Guardian_, throws light on a question which is not only +of great interest in itself, but which has been brought into prominence +through the controversies excited by Macaulay's famous picture of the +clergy of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Last comes what is by +general consent acknowledged to be one of the most valuable contributions +ever made to the literature of proverbs, Franklin's summary of the maxims +in _Poor Richard's Almanack_. + +Our first excerpt is the preface to a work which is entitled to the +distinction of being the first systematic contribution to literary +criticism written in the English language. It appeared in 1553, and was +entitled _The Art of Rhetorique, for the use of all suche as are studious +of eloquence, sette foorthe in Englishe by Thomas Wilson_, and it was +dedicated to John Dudley, Earl of Warwick. Thomas Wilson--erroneously +designated Sir Thomas Wilson, presumably because he has been confounded +with a knight of that name--was born about 1525, educated at Eton and +subsequently at King's College, Cambridge, whence he graduated B.A. in +1549. In life he played many parts, as tutor to distinguished pupils, +notably Henry and Charles Brandon, afterwards Dukes of Suffolk, as +diplomatist and ambassador to various countries, as a Secretary of State +and a Privy Councillor, as one of the Masters of Requests, and as Master +of St. Catherine's Hospital at the Tower, at which place and in which +capacity he terminated a very full and busy life on June 16th, 1581. The +pupil of Sir John Cheke and of Sir Thomas Smith, and the intimate friend +of Roger Ascham, Wilson was one of the most accomplished scholars in +England, being especially distinguished by his knowledge of Greek. He is +the author of a translation, of a singularly vigorous translation, of the +_Olynthiacs_ and _Philippics_ of Demosthenes, published in 1570. His most +popular work, judging at least from the quickly succeeding editions, +appears to have been his first, _The Rule of Reason, conteinynge the Art +of Logique set forth in Englishe_, published by Grafton in 1551, and +dedicated to Edward VI. _The Art of Rhetorique_ is said to have been +published at the same time, but the earliest known copy is dated January +1553. The interest of this Art of Rhetoric is threefold. It is the work +of a writer intelligently familiar with the Greek and Roman classics, and +it thus stands beside Elyot's _Governour_, which appeared two years +before, as one of the earliest illustrations of the influence of the +Renaissance on our vernacular literature. It is one of the earliest +examples, not only of the employment of the English language in the +treatment of scholastic subjects, but of the vindication of the use of +English in the treatment of such subjects; and, lastly, it is remarkable +for its sound and weighty good sense. His friend, Ascham, had already +said: 'He that wyll wryte well in any tongue muste folowe thys councel of +Aristotle, to speake as the common people do, to think as wise men do, and +so shoulde every man understande hym. Many English writers have not done +so, but usinge straunge words, as Latin, French, and Italian, do make all +thinges darke and harde.' And it is indeed by no means improbable that +this work, which is written to inculcate all that Ascham upheld, may have +been suggested by Ascham. It is in three books, and draws largely on +Quintilian, the first two books being substantially little more than a +compilation, but a very judicious one, from the _Institutes of Oratory_. +But Wilson is no pedant, and has many excellent remarks on the nature of +the influence which the classics should exercise on English composition. +One passage is worth transcribing-- + +'Among all other lessons, this should first be learned, that we never +affect any straunge ynkhorne termes, but to speake as is commonly +received, neither seeking to be over fine, nor yet being over carelesse, +using our speeche as most men doe, and ordering our wittes as the fewest +have done. Some seke so far outlandishe English, that thei forget +altogether their mothers language. And I dare sweare this, if some of +their mothers were alive, thei were not able to tell what thei saie; and +yet these fine English clerkes will saie thei speake in their mother +tongue--if a man should charge them for counterfeityng the kinges +Englishe.... The unlearned or foolish phantasicalle that smelles but of +learnyng (suche fellowes as have seen learned men in their daies) will so +Latin their tongues that the simple can not but wonder at their talke, and +thinke surely thei speake by some revelation. I know them that thinke +Rhetorique to stand wholie upon darke woordes; and he that can catche an +ynke horne terme by the taile him thei coumpt to bee a fine Englisheman +and a good Rhetorician.' + +In turning to Wilson's own style, we are reminded of Butler's sarcasm-- + + 'All a rhetorician's rules + Teach nothing but to name his tools.' + +He is not, indeed, deficient, as the excerpt given shows, in dignity and +weightiness, but neither there nor elsewhere has he any of the finer +qualities of style, his rhythm being harsh and unmusical, his diction +cumbrous and diffuse. + +The excerpt which comes next in this miscellany is by the author of that +treatise which is, with the exceptions, perhaps, of George Puttenham's +_Art of English Poesie_ and Ben Jonson's _Discoveries_, the most precious +contribution to criticism made in the Elizabethan age; but, indeed, the +_Defence of Poesie_ stands alone: alone in originality, alone in +inspiring eloquence. The letter we print is taken from Arthur Collins's +_Sydney Papers_, vol. i. pp. 283-5, and was written by Sir Philip Sidney +to his brother Robert, afterwards (August 1618) second Earl of Leicester, +then at Prague. From letters of Sir Henry Sidney in the same collection +(see letters dated March 25th and October 1578) we learn that Robert, +then in his eighteenth year, had been sent abroad to see the world and to +acquire foreign languages, that he was flighty and extravagant, and had in +consequence greatly annoyed his father, who had threatened to recall him +home. 'Follow,' Sir Henry had written, 'the direction of your most loving +brother. Imitate his virtues, exercyses, studyes and accyons, hee ys a +rare ornament of thys age.' This letter was written at a critical time in +Sidney's life. With great courage and with the noblest intentions, though +with extraordinary want of tact, for he was only in his twenty-sixth +year, he had presumed to dissuade Queen Elizabeth from marrying the Duke +of Anjou. The Queen had been greatly offended, and he had had to retire +from Court. The greater part of the year 1580 he spent at Wilton with his +sister Mary, busy with the _Arcadia_. In August he had, through the +influence of his uncle Leicester, become reconciled with the Queen, and a +little later took up his residence at Leicester House, from which this +letter is dated. It is a mere trifle, yet it illustrates very strikingly +and even touchingly Sidney's serious, sweet, and beautiful character. The +admirable remarks on the true use of the study of history, such as 'I +never require great study in Ciceronianism, the chief abuse of Oxford, +_qui dum verba sectantur, res ipsas negligunt_,' remind us of the author +of the _Defence_; while the 'great part of my comfort is in you,' 'be +careful of yourself, and I shall never have cares,' and the 'I write this +to you as one that for myself have given over the delight in the world,' +show that he had estimated royal reconciliations at their true value, and +anticipate the beautiful and pathetic words with which he is said to have +taken leave of the world. Short and hurried as this letter is, we feel it +is one of those trifles which, as Plutarch observes, throw far more light +on character than actions of importance often do. + +Between 1580 and the appearance of Meres's work in 1598 there was much +activity in critical literature. Five years before the date of Sidney's +letter George Gascogne had published his _Certayne Notes of Instruction +concerning the makyng of Verse in Rhyme_. This was succeeded in 1584 by +James I.'s _Ane Short Treatise conteining some rewles and cautelis to be +observit_. Then came William Webbe's _Discourse of English Poesie_, 1586, +which had been preceded by Sidney's charming _Defence of Poetry_, composed +in or about 1579, but not published till 1593. This and Puttenham's +elaborate treatise, _The Art of English Poesie contrived into three +books_ (1589), had indeed marked an epoch in the history of criticism. +Memorable, too, in this branch of literature is Harington's _Apologie for +Poetry_ (1591), prefixed to his translation of the _Orlando Furioso_. But +it was not criticism only which had been advancing. The publication of +the first part of Lyly's _Euphues_ and of Spenser's _Shepherd's Calendar_ +in 1579 may be said to have initiated the golden age of our literature. +The next twenty years saw Marlowe, Greene, Peele, Kyd, Shakespeare, +Chapman, Decker, and Ben Jonson at the head of our drama; Spenser, +Warner, Daniel, and Drayton leading narrative poetry; the contributors to +_England's Helicon_, published a year later, at the head of our sonneteers +and lyric poets; and Sidney, Lyly, Greene, and Hooker in the van of our +prose literature. The history of Meres's work, a dissertation from which +is here extracted, is curious. In or about 1596, Nicholas Ling and John +Bodenham conceived the idea of publishing a series of volumes containing +proverbs, maxims, and sententious reflections on religion, morals, and +life generally. Accordingly in 1597 appeared a small volume containing +various apothegms, extracted principally from the Classics and the +Fathers, compiled by Nicholas Ling and dedicated to Bodenham. It was +entitled _Politeuphuia_: _Wits Commonwealth_. In the following year +appeared '_Palladis Tamia, Wits Treasury_: _Being the Second Part of Wits +Commonwealth_. By Francis Meres, Maister of Arts in both Universities.' On +the title-page is the motto '_Vivitur ingenio, cetera mortis erunt_.' It +was printed by P. Short for Cuthbert Burbie. From the address to the +reader, which does not appear in the first edition, though it was +apparently intended for that edition, we learn that it had been +undertaken because of the extraordinary popularity of _Wits +Commonwealth_, which 'thrice within one year had runne thorough the +Presse.' Meres's work differs importantly from _Wits Commonwealth_. It is +not merely a compilation, but contains original matter, generally by way +of commentary. The extracts are much fuller, many being taken from modern +writers, notably Robert Greene, Lyly, Warner, and Sir Philip Sidney. In +1634 the work was re-issued under another title, _Wits Commonwealth, The +Second Part: A Treasurie of Divine, Moral, and Phylosophical Similes and +Sentences generally useful. But more particular published for the Use of +Schools_. In 1636 it was again reprinted. The only part of Meres's work +which is of interest now is what is here reprinted. It belongs to that +portion of his compilation which treats of studies and reading, the +preceding sections discussing respectively of 'books,' of 'reading of +books,' of 'choice to be had in reading of books,' of 'the use of reading +many books,' of 'philosophers,' of 'poetry,' of 'poets,' consisting for +the most part of remarks compiled from Plutarch, and in one or two +instances from Sir Philip Sidney's _Defence of Poetry. A portion of the +passage which immediately precedes the _Discourse_ may be transcribed +because of its plain speaking about the indifference of Elizabeth and her +ministers to the fortune of poets; though this, with curious +inconsistency, is flatly contradicted, probably for prudential reasons, +in the _Discourse_ itself-- + + 'As the Greeke and Latin Poets have wonne immortal credit to their + native speech, being encouraged and graced by liberal patrones and + bountiful benefactors; so our famous and learned Lawreate masters + of England would entitle our English to far greater admired + excellency, if either the Emperor Augustus or Octavia his sister + or noble Maecenas were alive to reward and countenance them; or if + witty Comedians and stately Tragedians (the glorious and goodlie + representers of all fine witte, glorified phrase and great action) + bee still supported and uphelde, by which meanes (O ingrateful and + damned age) our Poets are soly or chiefly maintained, countenanced + and patronized.' + +Of the author of this work, Francis Meres or Meers, comparatively little +is known. He sprang from an old and highly respectable family in +Lincolnshire, and was born in 1565, the son of Thomas Meres, of Kirton in +Holland in that county. After graduating from Pembroke College, Cambridge, +in 1587, proceeding M.A. in 1591 at his own University, and subsequently +by _ad eundem_ at Oxford, he settled in London, where in 1597, having +taken orders, he was living in Botolf Lane. He was presented in July 1602 +to the rectory of Wing in Rutland, keeping a school there. He remained at +Wing till his death, in his eighty-first year, January 29, 1646-7. As +Charles FitzGeoffrey, in a Latin poem in his _Affaniae_ addressed to +Meres, speaks of him as '_Theologus et poeta_', it is possible that the +'F.M.' who was a contributor to the _Paradise of Dainty Devices_ is to be +identified with Meres. In addition to the _Palladis Tamia_, Meres was the +author of a sermon published in 1597, a copy of which is in the Bodleian, +and of two translations from the Spanish, neither of which is of any +interest. + +Meres's _Discourse_ is, like the rest of his work, mainly a compilation, +with additions and remarks of his own. Much of it is derived from the +thirty-first chapter of the first book of Puttenham; with these +distinctions, that Meres's includes the poets who had come into +prominence between 1589 and 1598, and instituted parallels, biographical +and critical, between them and the ancient Classics. It is the notices of +these poets, and more particularly the references to Shakespeare's +writings, which make this treatise so invaluable to literary students. +Thus we are indebted to Meres for a list of the plays which Shakespeare +had produced by 1598, and for a striking testimony to his eminence at +that date as a dramatic poet, as a narrative poet, and as a writer of +sonnets. The perplexing reference to _Love's Labour's Won_ has never +been, and perhaps never will be, satisfactorily explained. To assume that +it is another title for _All's Well that Ends Well_ in an earlier form is +to cut rather than to solve the knot. It is quite possible that it refers +to a play that has perished. The references to the imprisonment of Nash +for writing the _Isle of Dogs_, to the unhappy deaths of Peele, Greene, +and Marlowe, and to the high personal character of Drayton are of great +interest. Meres was plainly a man of muddled and inaccurate learning, of +no judgment, and of no critical power, a sort of Elizabethan Boswell +without Boswell's virtues, and it is no paradox to say that it is this +which gives his _Discourse_ its chief interest. It probably represents +not his own but the judgments current on contemporary writers in +Elizabethan literary circles. And we cannot but be struck with their +general fairness. Full justice is done to Shakespeare, who is placed at +the head of the dramatists; full justice is done to Spenser, who is +styled divine, and placed at the head of narrative poets; to Sidney, both +as a prose writer and as a poet; to Drayton, to Daniel, and to Hall, +Lodge, and Marston, as satirists. We are surprised to find such a high +place assigned to Warner, 'styled by the best wits of both our +universities the English Homer,' and a modern critic would probably +substitute different names, notably those of Lodge and Campion, for those +of Daniel and Drayton in a list of the chief lyric poets then in activity. +In Meres's remarks on painters and musicians, there is nothing to detain +us. + +Of a very different order is the important critical treatise which comes +next, Dryden's _Essay of Dramatic Poesy_, to which are prefixed as +prolegomena Dryden's _Dedicatory Epistle to The Rival Ladies_, Sir Robert +Howard's _Preface to Four New Plays_, and, as supplementary, Howard's +_Preface to The Duke of Lerma_, and Dryden's _Defence of the Essay of +Dramatic Poesy_. As Dryden's _Essay_, like almost all his writings, both +in verse and prose, was of a more or less occasional character, it will +be necessary to explain at some length the origin of the controversy out +of which it sprang, as well as the immediate object with which it was +written. + +The Restoration found Dryden a literary adventurer, with a very slender +patrimony and with no prospects. Poetry was a drug in the market; +hack-work for the booksellers was not to his taste; and the only chance +of remunerative employment open to him was to write for the stage. To +this he accordingly betook himself. He began with comedy, and his comedy +was a failure. He then betook himself to a species of drama, for which +his parts and accomplishments were better fitted. Dryden had few or none +of the qualifications essential in a great dramatist; but as a +rhetorician, in the more comprehensive sense of the term, he was soon to +be unrivalled. In the rhymed heroic plays, as they were called, he found +just the sphere in which he was most qualified to excel. The taste for +these dramas, which owed most to France and something to Italy and Spain, +had come in with the Restoration. Their chief peculiarities were the +complete subordination of the dramatic to the rhetorical element, the +predominance of pageant, and the substitution of rhymed for blank verse. +Dryden's first experiment in this drama was the _Rival Ladies_, in which +the tragic portions are composed in rhyme, blank verse being reserved for +the parts approaching comedy. In his next play, the _Indian Queen_, +written in conjunction with Howard, blank verse is wholly discarded. The +dedication of the _Rival Ladies_ to Orrery is appropriate. Roger Boyle, +Baron Broghill, and first Earl of Orrery, was at this time Lord President +of Munster, and it was he who had revived these rhymed plays in his _Henry +V._, which was brought out in the same year as Dryden's comedy. Whoever +has read this drama and Orrery's subsequent experiments, _Mustapha_ +(1665), the _Black Prince_ (1667), _Tryphon_ (1668), will be able to +estimate Dryden's absurd flattery at its proper value. + +But these dramatic innovations were sure not to pass without protest, +though the protest came from a quarter where it might least have been +expected. Sir Robert Howard was the sixth son of Thomas, first Earl of +Berkshire. He had distinguished himself on the Royalist side in the Civil +War, and had paid the penalty for his loyalty by an imprisonment in +Windsor Castle during the Commonwealth. At the Restoration he had been +made an Auditor of the Exchequer. Dryden seems to have made his +acquaintance shortly after arriving in London. In 1660 Howard published a +collection of poems and translations, to which Dryden prefixed an address +'to his honoured friend' on 'his excellent poems.' Howard's rank and +position made him a useful friend to Dryden, and Dryden in his turn was +no doubt of much service to Howard. Howard introduced him to his family, +and in December 1663 Dryden married his friend's eldest sister, the Lady +Elizabeth Howard. In the following year Dryden assisted his +brother-in-law in the composition of the _Indian Queen_. There had +probably been some misunderstanding or dispute about the extent of the +assistance which Dryden had given, which accounts for what follows. In +any case Howard published in 1665, professedly under pressure from +Herringman, four plays, two comedies, _The Surprisal_ and _The +Committee_, and two tragedies, the _Vestal Virgin_ and _Indian Queen_; +and to the volume he prefixed the preface, which is here reprinted. It +will be seen that though he makes no reference to Dryden, he combats all +the doctrines laid down in the preface to the _Rival Ladies_. He exalts +the English drama above the French, the Italian, and the Spanish; and +vindicates blank verse against rhymed, making, however, a flattering +exception of Orrery's dramas. If Dryden was not pleased, he appears to +have had the grace to conceal his displeasure. For he passed the greater +part of 1666 at his father-in-law's house, and dedicated to Howard his +_Annus Mirabilis_. But Howard was to have his answer. In the _Essay of +Dramatic Poesy_ he is introduced in the person of Crites, and in his +mouth are placed all the arguments advanced in the _Preface_ that they +may be duly refuted and demolished by Dryden in the person of Neander. At +this mode of retorting Howard became really angry; and in the _Preface to +the Duke of Lerma_, published in the middle of 1668, he replied in a tone +so contemptuous and insolent that Dryden, in turn, completely lost his +temper. The sting of Howard's _Preface_ lies, it will be seen, in his +affecting the air of a person to whom as a statesman and public man the +points in dispute are mere trifles, hardly worth consideration, and in +the patronising condescension with which he descends to a discussion with +one to whom as a mere _litterateur_ such trifles are of importance. The +_Defence of the Essay of Dramatic Poesy_ Dryden prefixed to the second +edition of the _Indian Emperor_, one of the best of his heroic plays. The +seriously critical portion of this admirable little treatise deals with +Howard's attacks on the employment of rhyme in tragedy, on the observance +of strict rules in dramatic composition, and on the observance of the +unities. But irritated by the tone of Howard's tract, Dryden does not +confine himself to answering his friend's arguments. He ridicules, what +Shadwell had ridiculed before, Howard's coxcombical affectation of +universal knowledge, makes sarcastic reference to an absurdity of which +his opponent had been guilty in the House of Commons, mercilessly exposes +his ignorance of Latin, and the uncouthness and obscurity of his English. +The brothers-in-law afterwards became reconciled, and in token of that +reconciliation Dryden cancelled this tract. + +The _Essay of Dramatic Poesy_ was written at Charleton Park in the latter +part of 1665, and published by Herringman in 1668. It was afterwards +carefully revised, and republished with a dedication to Lord Buckhurst in +1684. Dryden spent more pains than was usual with him on the composition +of this essay, though he speaks modestly of it as 'rude and indigested,' +and it is indeed the most elaborate of his critical disquisitions. It +was, he said, written 'chiefly to vindicate the honour of our English +writers from the censure of those who unjustly prefer the French before +them.' Its more immediate and particular object was to regulate dramatic +composition by reducing it to critical principles, and these principles +he discerned in a judicious compromise between the licence of romantic +drama as represented by Shakespeare and his School, and the austere +restraints imposed by the canons of the classical drama. Assuming that a +drama should be 'a just and lively image of human nature, representing +its passions and humours, and the changes of fortune to which it is +subject, for the delight and instruction of mankind,' it is shown that +this end can only be attained in a drama founded on such a compromise; +that the ancient and modern classical drama fails in nature; that the +Shakespearian drama fails in art. At the conclusion of the essay he +vindicates the employment of rhyme, a contention which he afterwards +abandoned. The dramatic setting of the essay was no doubt suggested by +the Platonic _Dialogues_, or by Cicero, and the essay itself may have +been suggested by Flecknoe's short _Discourse of the English Stage_, +published in 1664. + +The _Essay of Dramatic Poesy_ may be said to make an era in the history +of English criticism, and to mark an era in the history of English prose +composition. It was incomparably the best purely critical treatise which +had hitherto appeared in our language, both synthetically in its +definition and application of principles, and particularly in its lucid, +exact, and purely discriminating analysis. It was also the most striking +and successful illustration of what may be called the new prose style, or +that style which, initiated by Hobbes and developed by Sprat, Cowley, and +Denham[1] blended the ease and plasticity of colloquy with the solidity +and dignity of rhetoric, of that style in which Dryden was soon to become +a consummate master. + +The _Advice to a Young Reviewer_ brings us into a very different sphere +of criticism, and has indeed a direct application to our own time. It was +written by Edward Copleston, afterwards Dean of St. Paul's and Bishop of +Llandaff. Born in February 1776 at Offwell, in Devonshire, Copleston +gained in his sixteenth year a scholarship at Corpus Christi College, +Oxford. After carrying off the prize for Latin verse, he was elected in +1795 Fellow of Oriel. In 1800, having been ordained priest, he became +Vicar of St. Mary's. In 1802 he was elected Professor of Poetry, in which +capacity he delivered the lectures subsequently published under the title +of _Praelectiones Academicae_--a favourite book of Cardinal Newman's. In +1814 he succeeded Dr. Eveleigh as Provost of Oriel. In 1826 he was made +Dean of Chester, in 1828 Bishop of Llandaff and Dean of St. Paul's. He +died at Llandaff, on October 14th, 1849. Copleston is one of the fathers +of modern Oxford, and from his provostship date many of the reforms which +transformed the University of Gibbon and Southey into the University of +Whateley, of Newman, of Keble, and of Pusey. The brochure which is +printed here was written when Copleston was Fellow and Tutor of Oriel. It +was immediately inspired, not, as is commonly supposed, by the critiques +in the _Edinburgh Review_, but by the critiques in the _British Critic_, +a periodical founded in 1793, and exceedingly influential between that +time and about 1812. Archbishop Whateley, correcting a statement in the +_Life_ of Copleston by W.J. Copleston, says that it was occasioned by a +review of Mant's poems in the _British Critic_[2]. But on referring to +the review of these poems, which appeared in the November number of 1806, +plainly the review referred to, we find nothing in it to support +Whateley's assertion. That the reviews in the _British Critic_ are, +however, what Copleston is parodying in the critique of _L'Allegro_ is +abundantly clear, but what he says about voyages and travels and about +science and recondite learning appear to have reference to articles +particularly characteristic of the _Edinburgh Review_. It was not, +however, till after the date of Copleston's parody that the _Edinburgh +Review_ began conspicuously to illustrate what Copleston here satirises; +it was not till a time more recent still that periodical literature +generally exemplified in literal seriousness what Copleston intended as +extravagant irony. It is interesting to compare with Copleston's remarks +what Thackeray says on the same subjects in the twenty-fourth chapter of +_Pendennis_, entitled 'The Pall Mall Gazette.' This brochure is evidently +modelled on Swift's 'Digression Concerning Critics' in the third section +of the _Tale of a Tub_, and owes something also to the _Treatise on the +Bathos_ in Pope's and Swift's _Miscellanies_, as the title may have been +suggested by Shaftesbury's _Advice to an Author_. The _Advice_ itself and +the supplementary critique of Milton are clever and have good points, but +they will not bear comparison with the satire of Swift and Pope. + +The excerpt which comes next in this Miscellany links with the name of +the author of the _Essay of Dramatic Poesy_ the name of the most +illustrious of his contemporaries. The difference, indeed, between Milton +and Dryden is a difference not in degree merely, but in kind, so +immeasurably distant and alien is the sphere in which they moved and +worked both as men and as writers. It has sometimes been questioned +whether Dryden is a poet. Few would dispute that Milton divides with +Shakespeare the supremacy in English poetry. In Dryden as a man there is +little to attract or interest us. In character and in private life he +appears to have been perfectly commonplace. We close his biography, and +our curiosity is satisfied. With Milton it is far otherwise. We feel +instinctively that he belongs to the demi-gods of our race. We have the +same curiosity about him as we have about Homer, Aeschylus, and +Shakespeare, so that the merest trifles which throw any light on his +personality assume an interest altogether out of proportion to their +intrinsic importance. Our debt to Ellwood is, it must be admitted, much +less than it might have been, if he had thought a little more of Milton +and a little less of his somewhat stupid self and the sect to which he +belonged. But, as the proverb says, we must not look a gift-horse in the +mouth, and we are the richer for the Quaker's reminiscences. With +Ellwood's work, the _History of Thomas Ellwood, written by Himself_, we +are only concerned so far as it bears on his relation with Milton. Born +in 1639, the son of a small squire and justice of the peace at Crowell in +Oxfordshire, Ellwood had, in 1659, been persuaded by Edward Burrough, one +of the most distinguished of Fox's followers, to join the Quakers. He was +in his twenty-fourth year when he first met Milton. Milton was then living +in Jewin Street, having removed from his former lodging in Holborn, most +probably in the autumn of 1661. The restoration had terminated his work +as a controversialist and politician. For a short time his life had been +in peril, but he had received a pardon, and could at least live in peace. +He could no longer be of service as a patriot, and was now occupied with +the composition of _Paradise Lost_. Since 1650 he had been blind, and for +study and recreation was dependent on assistance. Having little domestic +comfort as a widower, he had just married his third wife. + +Ellwood's narrative tells its own story. What especially strikes us in +it, and what makes it particularly interesting, is that it presents +Milton in a light in which he is not presented elsewhere. Ellwood seems +to have had the same attraction for him as Bonstetten had for Gray. No +doubt the simplicity, freshness, and enthusiasm of the young Quaker +touched and interested the lonely and world-wearied poet who, when +Ellwood first met him, had entered on his fifty-fifth year; he had no +doubt, too, the scholar's sympathy with a disinterested love of learning. +In any case, but for Ellwood, we should never have known the softer side +of Milton's character, never have known of what gentleness, patience, and +courtesy he was capable. And, indeed, when we remember Milton's position +at this time, as tragical as that of Demosthenes after Chaeronea, and of +Dante at the Court of Verona, there is something inexpressibly touching +in the picture here given with so much simplicity and with such evident +unconsciousness on the part of the painter of the effect produced. There +is one passage which is quite delicious, and yet its point may be, as it +commonly is, easily missed. It illustrates the density of Ellwood's +stupidity, and the delicate irony of the sadly courteous poet. Milton had +lent him, it will be seen, the manuscript of _Paradise Lost_; and on +Ellwood returning it to him, 'he asked me how I liked it, and what I +thought of it, which I modestly but freely told him, and after some +further discourse about it I pleasantly said to him, "Thou has said much +here of Paradise Lost, but what has thou to say of Paradise Found?"' Now +the whole point and scope of Paradise Lost is Paradise Found--the +redemption--the substitution of a spiritual Eden within man for a +physical Eden without man, a point emphasised in the invocation, and +elaborately worked out in the closing vision from the Specular Mount. It +is easy to understand the significance of what follows: 'He made me no +answer, but sat sometime in a muse; then broke off that discourse, and +fell upon another subject.' The result no doubt of that 'muse' was the +suspicion, or, perhaps, the conviction, that the rest of the world would, +in all probability, be as obtuse as Ellwood; and to that suspicion or +conviction we appear to owe _Paradise Regained_. The Plague over, Milton +returned to London, settling in Artillery Walk, Bunhill Fields. 'And when +afterwards I went to wait on him there ... he shewed me his second poem, +called _Paradise Regained_, and in a pleasant tone said to me, "This is +owing to you, for you put it into my head by the question you put to me +at Chalfont, which before I had not thought of."' In 'the pleasant tone' +more, and much more, is implied, of that we may be very sure, than meets +the ear. We should like to have seen the expression on Milton's face both +on this occasion and also when, on Dryden requesting his permission to +turn _Paradise Lost_ into an opera, he replied; 'Oh, certainly, you may +tug my verses if you please, Mr. Dryden.' It may be added that _Paradise +Lost_ was not published till 1667, and _Paradise Regained_ did not see +the light till 1671. Ellwood seems to imply that _Paradise Regained_ was +composed between the end of August or the beginning of September 1665, +and the end of the autumn of the same year, which is, of course, +incredible and quite at variance with what Phillips tells us. Ellwood is, +no doubt, expressing himself loosely, and his 'afterwards' need not +necessarily relate to his first, or to his second, or even to his third +visit to Milton after the poet's return to Artillery Walk, but refers +vaguely to one of those 'occasions which drew him to London.' When he +last saw Milton we have no means of knowing. He never refers to him +again. His autobiography closes with the year 1683. + +For the rest of his life Ellwood was engaged for the most part in +fighting the battles of the Quakers-esoterically in endeavouring to +compose their internal feuds, exoterically in defending them and their +tenets against their common enemies--and in writing poetry, which it is +to be hoped he did not communicate to his 'master.' After the death of +his father in 1684 he lived in retirement at Amersham. His most important +literary service was his edition of George Fox's _Journal_, the manuscript +of which he transcribed and published. He died at his house on Hunger +Hill, Amersham, in March 1714, and lies with Penn in the Quaker's +burying-ground at New Jordan, Chalfont St. Giles. + +We have now arrived at the pamphlets in our Miscellany bearing on the +reign of Queen Anne. First come the Partridge tracts. The history of the +inimitable hoax of which they are the record is full of interest. In +November 1707 Swift, then Vicar of Laracor, came over to England on a +commission from Archbishop King. His two satires, the _Battle of the +Books_ and the _Tale of a Tub_, published anonymously three years before, +had given him a foremost place among the wits, for their authorship was an +open secret. Though he was at this time principally engaged in the cause +of the Established Church, in active opposition to what he considered the +lax latitudinarianism of the Whigs on the one hand and the attacks of the +Freethinkers on the other, he found leisure for doing society another +service. Nothing was more detestable to Swift than charlatanry and +imposture. From time immemorial the commonest form which quackery has +assumed has been associated with astrology and prophecy. It was the +frequent theme or satire in the New Comedy of the Greeks and in the +Comedy of Rome; it has fallen under the lash of Horace and Juvenal; +nowhere is Lucian more amusing than when dealing with this species of +roguery. Chaucer with exquisite humour exposed it and its kindred alchemy +in the fourteenth century, and Ben Jonson and the author of _Albumazar_ in +the seventeenth. Nothing in _Hudibras_ is more rich in wit and humour than +the exposure of Sidrophel, and one of the best of Dryden's comedies is the +_Mock Astrologer_. But it was reserved for Swift to produce the most +amusing satire which has ever gibbeted these mischievous mountebanks. + +John Partridge, whose real name is said to have been Hewson, was born on +the 18th of January 1644. He began life, it appears, as a shoemaker; but +being a youth of some abilities and ambition, had acquired a fair +knowledge of Latin and a smattering of Greek and Hebrew. He had then +betaken himself to the study of astrology and of the occult sciences. +After publishing the _Nativity of Lewis XIV._ and an astrological essay +entitled _Prodromus_, he set up in 1680 a regular prophetic almanac, +under the title of _Merlinus Liberatus_. A Protestant alarmist, for such +he affected to be, was not likely to find favour under the government of +James II., and Partridge accordingly made his way to Holland. On his +return he resumed his Almanac, the character of which is exactly +described in the introduction to the _Predictions_, and it appears to +have had a wide sale. Partridge, however, was not the only impostor of +his kind, but had, as we gather from notices in his Almanac and from his +other pamphlets, many rivals. He was accordingly obliged to resort to +every method of bringing himself and his Almanac into prominence, which +he did by extensive and impudent advertisements in the newspapers and +elsewhere. In his Almanac for 1707 he issues a notice warning the public +against impostors usurping his name. It was this which probably attracted +Swift's attention and suggested his mischievous hoax. + +The pamphlets tell their own tale, and it is not necessary to tell it +here. The name, Isaac Bickerstaff, which has in sound the curious +propriety so characteristic of Dickens's names, was, like so many of the +names in Dickens, suggested by a name on a sign-board, the name of a +locksmith in Long Acre. The second tract, purporting to be written by a +revenue officer, and giving an account of Partridge's death, was, of +course, from the pen of Swift. The verses on Partridge's death appeared +anonymously on a separate sheet as a broadside. It is amusing to learn +that the tract announcing Partridge's death, and the approaching death of +the Duke of Noailles, was taken quite seriously, for Partridge's name was +struck off the rolls of Stationers' Hall, and the Inquisition in Portugal +ordered the tract containing the treasonable prediction to be burned. As +Stationers' Hall had assumed that Partridge was dead--a serious matter +for the prospects of his Almanac--it became necessary for him to +vindicate his title to being a living person. Whether the next tract, +_Squire Bickerstaff Detected_, was, as Scott asserts, the result of an +appeal to Rowe or Yalden by Partridge, and they, under the pretence of +assisting him, treacherously making a fool of him, or an independent +_j'eu d'esprit_, is not quite clear. Nor is it easy to settle with any +certainty the authorship. In the Dublin edition of Swift's works, it is +attributed to Nicholas Rowe; Scott assigns it to Thomas Yalden, the +preacher of Bridewell and a well-known poet. Congreve is also said to +have had a hand in it. It would have been well for Partridge had he +allowed matters to rest here, but unhappily he inserted in the November +issue of his Almanac another solemn assurance to the public that he was +still alive; and was fool enough to add, that he was not only alive at +the time he was writing, but was also alive on the day on which +Bickerstaff had asserted that he was dead. Swift saw his opportunity, and +in the most amusing of this series of tracts proceeded to prove that +Partridge, under whatever delusions as to his continued existence he +might be labouring, was most certainly dead and buried. + +The tracts here printed by no means exhaust the literature of the +Partridge hoax, but nothing else which appeared is worth reviving. It is +surprising that Scott should include in Swift's works a vapid and +pointless contribution attributed to a 'Person of Quality.' The effect of +all this on poor Partridge was most disastrous; for three years his +Almanac was discontinued. When it was revived, in 1714, he had discovered +that his enemy was Swift. What comments he made will be found at the end +of these tracts. Partridge did not long survive the resuscitation of his +Almanac. What had been fiction became fact on June 24th, 1715, and his +virtues and accomplishments, delineated by a hand more friendly than +Swift's, were long decipherable, in most respectable Latin, on his tomb +in Mortlake Churchyard. + +The Partridge hoax has left a permanent trace in our classical +literature. When, in the spring of 1709, Steele was about to start the +_Tatler_, he thought he could best secure the ear of the public by +adopting the name with which Englishmen were then as familiar as a +century and a half afterwards they became with the name of Pickwick. It +was under the title of the _Lucubrations of Isaac Bickerstaff_ that the +essays which initiated the most attractive and popular form of our +periodical literature appeared. + +The next tract, Gay's _Present State of Wit_, takes up the history of our +popular literature during the period which immediately succeeded the +discomfiture of poor Partridge. Its author, John Gay, who is, as we need +scarcely add, one of the most eminent of the minor poets of the Augustan +age, was at the time of its appearance almost entirely unknown. Born in +September 1685, at Barnstaple, of a respectable but decayed family, he +had received a good education at the free grammar school of that place. +On leaving school he had been apprenticed to a silk mercer in London. But +he had polite tastes, and employed his leisure time in scribbling verses +and in frequenting with his friend, Aaron Hill, the literary +coffee-houses. In 1708 he published a vapid and stupid parody, suggested +by John Philip's _Splendid Shilling_ and _Cider_, entitled _Wine_. His +next performance was the tract which is here printed, and which is dated +May 3rd, 1711. It is written with skill and sprightliness, and certainly +shows a very exact and extensive acquaintance with the journalistic world +of those times. And it is this which gives it its value. The best and most +useful form, perhaps, which our remarks on it can take will be to furnish +it with a running commentary explaining its allusions both to +publications and to persons. It begins with a reference to the unhappy +plight of Dr. King. This was Dr. William King, who is not to be +confounded with his contemporaries and namesakes, the Archbishop of +Dublin or the Principal of St. Mary Hall, Oxford, but who may be best, +perhaps, described as the Dr. William King 'who could write verses in a +tavern three hours after he could not speak.' He had long been a +prominent figure among wits and humorists. His most important recent +performances had been his _Art of Cookery_ and his _Art of Love_, +published respectively in 1708 and in 1709. In the latter year he had, +much to the disgust of Sir John Soames, issued some very amusing parodies +of the _Philosophical Transactions_, which he entitled _Useful +Transactions in Philosophy and other sorts of Learning_, to be continued +as long as it could find buyers. It ceased apparently to find buyers, and +after reaching three numbers had collapsed. When the _Examiner_ was +started in August 1710, King was one of the chief contributors. Latterly, +however, things had been going very badly with this 'poor starving wit,' +as Swift called him. He was either imprisoned or on the point of being +imprisoned in the Fleet, but death freed him from his troubles at the end +of 1712. John Ozell was, perhaps, the most ridiculous of the scribblers +then before the public, maturing steadily for the _Dunciad_, where, many +years afterwards, he found his proper place. He rarely aspired beyond +'translations,' and the _Monthly Amusement_ referred to is not, as might +be supposed, a periodical, but simply his frequent appearances as a +translator. Gay next passes to periodicals and newspapers. De Foe is +treated as he was always treated by the wits. Pope's lines are well +known, and the only reference to him in Swift is: 'The fellow who was +pilloried--I forget his name.' Posterity has done him more justice. The +'poor _Review_' is of course the _Weekly Review_, started by De Foe in +1704, the first number of which appeared on Saturday, February 19th of +that year. It had been continued weekly, and still continued, till 1712, +extending to nine volumes, eight of which are extant.[3] The +_Observator_, which is also described as in its decline, had been set up +by John Tutchin in imitation of the paper issued by Sir Roger L'Estrange +in 1681, its first number appearing April 1st, 1702. Tutchin, dying in +1707, the paper was continued for the benefit of his widow, under the +management of George Ridpath, the editor of the _Flying Post_, and it +continued to linger on till 1712, when it was extinguished by the Stamp +Tax. The first number of the _Examiner_ appeared on the 3rd of August +1710, and it was set up by the Tories to oppose the _Tatler_, the chief +contributors to it being Dr. King, Bolingbroke, then Henry St. John, +Prior, Atterbury, and Dr. Freind. With No. 14 (Thursday, October 26th, +1710), Swift assumed the management, and writing thirty-two papers +successively, made it the most influential political journal in the +kingdom. The 'Letter to Crassus' appeared on February 1st, 1711, and was +written by Swift. To oppose the _Examiner_, the Whigs set up what, after +the second number, they called the _Whig Examiner_, the first number of +which appeared on September 14th, 1710. It was continued weekly till +October 12th, five numbers appearing, all of which were, with one +exception, perhaps, written by Addison, so that Gay's conjecture--if +Bickerstaff may be extended to include Addison--was correct. The +_Medley_, to which Gay next passes, was another Whig organ. The first +number appeared on August 5th, 1710, and it was continued weekly till +August 6th, 1711. It was conducted by Arthur Mainwaring, a man of family +and fortune, and an ardent Whig, with the assistance of Steele, Anthony +Henley, and Oldmixon. + +With the reference to the _Tatler_, we pass from obscurity into daylight. +Since April 12th, 1709, that delightful periodical had regularly appeared +three times a week. With the two hundredth and seventy-first number on +January 2nd, 1711, it suddenly ceased. Of the great surprise and +disappointment caused by its cessation, of the causes assigned for it, +and of the high appreciation of all it had effected for moral and +intellectual improvement and pleasure, Gay gives a vivid picture. What he +says conjecturally about the reasons for its discontinuance is so near the +truth that we may suspect he had had some light on the subject from Steele +himself. It was, of course, from the preface to the edition of the first +three volumes of the collected _Tatlers_, published in 1710, that Gay +derived what he says about the contributions of Addison (though Steele +had not mentioned him by name, in accordance, no doubt, with Addison's +request) and about the verses of Swift. In all probability this was the +first public association of Addison's name with the _Tatler_. The Mr. +Henley referred to was Anthony Henley, a man of family and fortune, and +one of the most distinguished of the wits of that age, to whom Garth +dedicated _The Dispensary_. In politics he was a rabid Whig, and it was +he who described Swift as 'a beast for ever after the order of +Melchisedec.' Gay had not been misinformed, for Henley was the author of +the first letter in No. 26 and of the letter in No. 193, under the +character of Downes. + +The cessation of the _Tatler_ had been the signal for the appearance of +several spurious papers purporting to be new numbers. One entitling +itself No. 272 was published by one John Baker; another, purporting to be +No. 273, was by 'Isaac Bickerstaff, Junior.' Then, on January 6th, +appeared what purported to be Nos. 272 and 273 of the original issue, +with a letter from Charles Lillie, one of the publishers of the original +_Tatler_. Later in January, William Harrison, a _protege_ of Swift, a +young man whose name will be familiar to all who are acquainted with +Swift's _Journal to Stella_, was encouraged by Swift to start a new +_Tatler_, Swift liberally assisting him with notes, and not only +contributing himself but inducing Congreve also to contribute a paper. +And this new _Tatler_ actually ran to fifty-two numbers, appearing twice +a week between January 13th and May 19th, 1711, but, feeble from the +first, it then collapsed. Nor had the _Tatler_ been without rivals. In +the two hundred and twenty-ninth number of the _Tatler_, Addison, +enumerating his antagonists, says, 'I was threatened to be answered +weekly _Tit for Tat_, I was undermined by the _Whisperer_, scolded at by +a _Female Tatler_, and slandered by another of the same character under +the title of _Atalantis_.' To confine ourselves, however, to the +publications mentioned by Gay. The _Growler_ appeared on the 27th of +January 1711, on the discontinuance of the _Tatler_. The _Whisperer_ was +first published on October 11th, 1709, under the character of 'Mrs. Jenny +Distaff, half-sister to Isaac Bickerstaff.' The _Tell Tale_ appears to be +a facetious title for the _Female Tatler_, the first number of which +appeared on July 8th, 1709, and was continued for a hundred and eleven +numbers, under the editorship of Thomas Baker, till March 3rd, 1710. The +allusion in the postscript to the _British Apollo_ is to a paper entitled +_The British Apollo: or Curious Amusements for the Ingenious_, the first +number of which appeared on Friday, March 13th, 1708, the paper regularly +continuing on Wednesdays and Fridays till March 16th, 1711. Selections +from this curious miscellany were afterwards printed in three volumes, +and ran into three editions. Gay does not appear to be aware that this +periodical had ceased. The reference in 'the two statesmen of the last +reign whose characters are well expressed in their mottoes' are to Lord +Somers and the Earl of Halifax, as what follows refers respectively to +Addison and Steele. The tract closes with a reference to the _Spectator_, +the first number of which had appeared on the first of the preceding March. + +Gay's brochure attracted the attention of Swift, who thus refers to it in +his _Journal to Stella_, May 14th, 1711: 'Dr. Freind was with me and +pulled out a two-penny pamphlet just published called _The State of Wit_. +The author seems to be a Whig, yet he speaks very highly of a paper called +the _Examiner_, and says the supposed author of it is Dr. Swift, but above +all he praises the _Tatler_ and _Spectator_.' + +The two tracts which follow consist of the Life of Addison, which forms +the preface to Addison's collected works, published by Tickell in 1721, +and of the Dedicatory Epistle prefixed by Steele to an edition of +Addison's _Drummer_ in 1722. To the student of the literary history of +those times they are of great interest and importance. Of all Addison's +friends, Steele had long been the most intimate of the younger men whom +he had taken under his patronage. Tickell was the most loyal and the most +attached. While still at Oxford he had expressed his admiration of Addison +in extravagant terms: on arriving in London he made his acquaintance. +Tickell was an accomplished poet and man of letters, and though not a +profound a graceful scholar. Addison was pleased with a homage which was +worth accepting. As he rose, his _protege_ rose with him. On his +appointment as Chief Secretary in Ireland he took Tickell with him. When +he was appointed Secretary of State he chose him as Under Secretary, and +shortly before his death made him his literary executor, instructing him +to collect his writings in a final and authentic edition. This, for +reasons which will be explained directly, was a task of no small +difficulty, but to this task Tickell loyally addressed himself. In the +spring of 1721 appeared, in four sumptuous quartos, the collected edition +of Addison's works. It was prefaced by the biography which is here +reprinted, and to the biography was appended that noble and pathetic +elegy which will make Tickell's name as immortal as Addison's. + +There can be very little doubt that Steele had been greatly distressed +and hurt by the rupture of the friendship which had so long existed +between himself and Addison, but that Tickell should have taken his place +in Addison's affections must have been inexpressibly galling to him. +Naturally irritated, his irritation had no doubt been intensified by +Addison appointing Tickell Under Secretary of State, and still more by +his making him his literary executor--offices which Steel might naturally +have expected, had all gone well, to fill himself. It would not have been +in human nature that he could regard Tickell with any other feelings than +hostility and jealousy. Tickell's omission of the _Drummer_ from Addison's +works was, in all probability--such at least is the impression which the +letter makes on me--a mere pretext for the gratification of personal +spite. There is nothing to justify the interpretation which he puts on +Tickell's words. All that Steele here says about Addison he had said +publicly and quite as emphatically before, as Tickell had recorded. As +Steele had, in Tickell's own words, given to Addison 'the honour of the +most applauded pieces,' it is absurd to accuse Tickell of insinuating +that Addison wished his papers to be marked because he was afraid Steele +would assume the credit of these pieces. In one important particular he +flatly contradicts himself. At the beginning he asks 'whether it was a +decent and reasonable thing that works written, as a great part of Mr. +Addison's were, in correspondence with me, ought to have been published +without my review of the catalogue of them.' Three pages afterward, it +appears that, in compliance with the request of Addison delivered to him +by Tickell, he did mark with his own hand those _Tatlers_ which were +inserted in Addison's works--a statement of Tickell's, but a statement to +which Steele takes no exception. So far from attempting to disparage +Steele, Tickell does ample justice to him; and to accuse him of +insensibility to Addison's virtues, and of cold indifference to him +personally, is a charge refuted not only by all we know of Tickell, but +by every page in the tract itself. Many of the objections which he makes +to Tickell's remarks are too absurd to discuss. From nothing indeed which +Tickell says, but from one of Steele's own admissions, it is impossible +not to draw a conclusion very derogatory to Steele's honesty, and to make +us suspect that his sensitiveness was caused by his own uneasy conscience: +'What I never did declare was Mr. Addison's I had his direct injunctions +to hide.' This certainly seems to imply that Steele had allowed himself +to be credited with what really belonged to his friend. A month after +Addison's death he had written in great alarm to Tonson, on hearing that +it had been proposed to separate Addison's papers in the _Tatler_ from +his own. He bases his objection, it is true, on the pecuniary injury +which he and his family would suffer, but this is plainly mere +subterfuge. The truth probably is, that Steele wished to leave as +undefined as possible what belonged to Addison and what belonged to +himself; that he was greatly annoyed when he found that their respective +shares were by Addison's own, or at least his alleged, request to be +defined; that in his assignation of the papers he had not been quite +honest; and that, knowing this, he suspected that Tickell knew it too. +There is nothing to support Steele's assertion that it was at his +instigation that Addison distinguished his contributions to the +_Spectator_ and the _Guardian_. Addison, as his last injunctions showed, +must have contemplated a collective edition of his works, and must have +desired therefore that they should be identified. Steele's ambition, no +doubt, was that he and his friend should go down to posterity together, +but the appointment of Tickell instead of himself as Addison's literary +executor dashed this hope to the ground. + +Few things in literary biography are more pathetic than the estrangement +between Addison and Steele. They had played as boys together; they had, +for nearly a quarter of a century, shared each other's burdens, and the +burdens had not been light; in misfortune and in prosperity, in business +and in pleasure, they had never been parted. The wisdom and prudence of +Addison had more than once been the salvation of Steele; what he knew of +books and learning had been almost entirely derived from Addison's +conversation; what moral virtue he had, from Addison's influence. And he +had repaid this with an admiration and affection which bordered on +idolatry. A more generous and genial, a more kindly, a more warm-hearted +man than Steele never lived, and it is easy to conceive what his feelings +must have been when he found his friend estranged from him and a rival in +his place. There is much to excuse what this letter to Congreve plainly +betrays; but excuse is not justification. Tickell had a delicate and +difficult task to perform: a duty to his dead friend, which was +paramount, a duty to Steele, and a duty to himself, and he succeeded in +performing each with admirable tact. Whether Tickell ever made any reply +to Steele's strictures, I have not been able to discover. + +We pass now from the literary pamphlets to the extract and excerpts +illustrating the condition of the Church and the clergy at the end of the +seventeenth and about the first half of the eighteenth century. They are +of particular interest, not only in themselves, but in their relation to +Swift and Macaulay--to Swift as a Church reformer, to Macaulay as a +social historian. Few historical questions in our own time provoked more +controversy than the famous pages delineating the clergy who, according +to Macaulay, were typical of their order about the time of the +Restoration. The first excerpt is from Chamberlayne's _Angliae Notitia_. +The author of that work, Edward Chamberlayne, was born on the 13th of +December 1616. He was educated at Oxford, where he graduated as B.A. in +April 1638. For a short time he was Reader in Rhetoric to the University, +but on the breaking out of the Civil War he left for the Continent, where +he visited nearly every country in Europe. At the Restoration he +returned; and about 1675, after having been secretary to the Earl of +Carlisle, he became tutor to the King's natural son, Henry Fitzroy, +afterwards Duke of Grafton, and subsequently instructor in English to +Prince George of Denmark. He was also one of the earliest Fellows of the +Royal Society. He died at Chelsea in May 1703. In 1669 he published +anonymously _Angliae Notitia, or the Present State of England with Divers +Reflection upon the Ancient State therefor_, a work no doubt suggested by +and apparently modelled on the well-known _L'Estat Nouveau de la France_. +The work contains more statistics than reflections, and is exactly what +its title implies--a succinct account of England, beginning with its +name, its climate, its topography, and giving information, now +invaluable, about everything included in its constitution and in its +economy. The extract printed here is, as is indicated, from pp. 383-389 +and p. 401. The work passed through two editions in the year of its +appearance, the second bearing the author's name, and at the time of +Chamberlayne's death it had, with successive amplifications, reached its +twentieth edition. + +Of a very different order to Chamberlayne's work is the remarkable tract +which follows. The author, John Eachard, was born about 1636, at what +date is doubtful, but he was admitted into Catherine Hall, Cambridge, in +May 1653. Becoming Fellow of the Hall in 1658, he was chosen, on the +death of Dr. Lightfoot, Master. His perfectly uneventful life closed on +the 7th of July 1697. Personally he was a facetious and agreeable man, +and had the reputation of being rather a wit and humorist than a divine +and scholar. Baker complained of his inferiority as a preacher; and +Swift, observing 'that men who are happy enough at ridicule are +sometimes perfectly stupid upon grave subjects,' gives Eachard as an +instance. _The Grounds and Occasions of the Contempt of the Clergy and +Religion enquired into, In a letter written to R.L._, appeared +anonymously in 1670. This anonymity Eachard carefully preserved during +the controversies which it occasioned. It is difficult to understand how +any one after reading the preface could have misunderstood the purpose of +the book. But Eachard's fate was Swift's fate afterwards, though there was +more excuse for the High Church party missing the point of the _Tale of a +Tub_ than for the clergy generally missing that of Eachard's plea for +them. Ridicule is always a dangerous ally, especially when directed +against an institution or community, for men naturally identify +themselves with the body of which they are members, and resent as +individuals what reflects on them collectively. When one of the opponents +of Barnabus Oley in his preface to Herbert's _Country Parson_ observed: +'The pretence of your book was to _show_ the occasions, your book is +_become_ the occasion of the contempt of God's ministers,' he expressed +what the majority of the clergy felt. The storm burst at once, and the +storm raged for months. 'I have had,' wrote Eachard in one of his many +rejoinders, 'as many several names as the Grand Seignior has titles of +honour; for setting aside the vulgar and familiar ones of Rogue, Rascal, +Dog, and Thief (which may be taken by way of endearment as well as out of +prejudice and offence), as also those of more certain signification, as +Malicious Rogue, Ill-Natured Rascal, Lay Dog, and Spiteful Thief.' He had +also, he said, been called Rebel, Traitor, Scot, Sadducee, and Socinian. +Among the most elaborate replies to his work were: _An Answer to a Letter +of Enquiry into the Ground, _etc.. 1671; _A Vindication of the Clergy from +the Contempt imposed upon them, By the author of the Grounds_ etc., 1672; +_Hieragonisticon, or Corah's Doom, being an Answer to_, etc., 1672; _An +Answer to two Letters of T.B._, etc., 1673. The occasional references to +it in the theological literature of these times are indeed innumerable. +Many affected to treat him as a mere buffoon--the concoctor, as one +bitterly put it, of 'a pretty fardle of tales bundled together, and they +have had the hap to fall into such hands as had rather lose a friend, not +to say their country, than a jest.' Anthony Wood, writing at the time of +its appearance, classes it with 'the fooleries, playes, poems, and +drolling books,' with which, as he bitterly complains, people were 'taken +with' coupling with it Marvell's _Rehearsal Transposed_ and Butler's +_Hudibras_.[4] + +To some of his opponents Eachard replied. Of his method of conducting +controversy, in which it is clear that he perfectly revelled, I +give a short specimen. It is from his letter to the author of +_Hieragonisticon_:-- + +'You may possibly think, sir, that I have read your book, but if you do +you are most mistaken. For as long as I can get Tolambu's _History of +Mustard_, Frederigo _Devastation of Pepper, The Dragon_, with cuts, +Mandringo's _Pismires rebuffeted_ and _retro-confounded, Is qui me +dubitat, or a flap against the Maggot of Heresie, Efflorescentina +Flosculorum_, or a choice collection of F. (_sic_) Withers _Poems_ or the +like, I do not intend to meddle with it. Alas, sir, I am as unlikely to +read your book that I can't get down the title no more than a duck can +swallow a yoked heifer'--and then follows an imitation of gulps straining +at the divided syllables of Hieragonisticon. + +There is no reason to suspect the sincerity of Eachard, or to doubt that +he was, in his own words, an honest and hearty wisher that 'the best of +the clergy might for ever continue, as they are, rich and learned, and +that the rest might be very useful and well esteemed in their +profession.' To describe the work as 'a series of jocose caricatures--as +Churchill Babington in his animadversions on Macaulay's _History_ +does--is absurd. Eachard was evidently a man of strong common sense, of +much shrewdness, a close observer, and one who had acquainted himself +exactly and extensively with the subject which he treats. But he was a +humorist, and, like Swift, sometimes gave the reins to his humour. It +must be remembered that his remarks apply only to the inferior clergy, +and there can be no doubt that since the Reformation they had, as a body, +sunk very low. Chamberlayne had no motive for exaggeration, but the +language he uses in describing them is stronger even than Eachard's. +Swift had no motive for exaggeration, and yet his pictures of Corusodes +and Eugenio in his _Essay on the Fates of Clergymen_, and what we gather +from his _Project for the Advancement of Religion_, his _Letter to a +Young Clergyman_, and what may be gathered generally from his writings, +very exactly corroborate Eachard's account. The lighter literature of the +later seventeenth and of the first half of the eighteenth century teems +with proofs of the contempt to which their ignorance and poverty exposed +them. To the testimonies of Oldham and Steele, and to the authorities +quoted by Macaulay and Mr. Lecky, may be added innumerable passages from +the _Observator_, from De Foe's _Review_, from Pepys,[5] from Baxter's +_Life_ of himself, from Archbishop Sharp's _Life_, from Burnet, and many +others. + +It is remarkable that Eachard says nothing about two causes which +undoubtedly contributed to degrade the Church in the eyes of the laity: +its close association with party politics, and the spread of +latitudinarianism, a conspicuous epoch in which was marked some +twenty-six years later in the Bangorian controversy. + +The appearance of the first volume of Macaulay's _History_ in 1848 again +brought Eachard's work into prominence. Macaulay's famous description of +the clergy of the seventeenth century in his third chapter was based +mainly on Eachard's account. The clergy and orthodox laity of our own day +were as angry with Eachard's interpreter as their predecessors, nearly two +centuries before, had been with Eachard himself. The controversy began +seriously, after some preliminary skirmishing in the newspapers and +lighter reviews, with Mr. Churchill Babington's _Mr. Macaulay's +Characters of the Clergy in the Latter Part of the Seventeenth Century +Considered_, published shortly after the appearance of the _History_. +What Mr. Babington and those whom he represented forgot was precisely +what Eachard's opponents had forgotten, that it was not the clergy +universally who had been described, for Macaulay, like Eachard, had +distinguished, but the clergy as represented by its proletariat. + +If Eachard had occasionally given the reins to humour, Macaulay had +occasionally perhaps given them to rhetoric. But of the substantial +accuracy of both there can be no doubt at all. + +On the intelligent, discriminating friends of the Church, Eachard's work +had something of the same effect, as Jeremy Collier's _Short View of the +Profaneness and Immorality of the English Stage_ had in another sphere. +It directed serious attention to what all thoughtful and right-feeling +people must have felt to be a national scandal. It was an appeal to +sentiment and reason on matters with respect to which, in this country at +least, such appeals are seldom made in vain. It did not, indeed, lead +immediately to practical reform, but it advanced the cause of reform by +inspiring and bringing other initiators into the field. And pre-eminent +among these was Swift. Swift was evidently well acquainted with Eachard's +work. In the apology prefixed to the fourth edition of the _Tale of a Tub_ +in 1710, he speaks of Eachard with great respect. Contemptuously +explaining that he has no intention of answering the attacks which had +been made on the _Tale_, he observes: 'When Dr. Eachard wrote his book +about the _Contempt of the Clergy_, numbers of these answerers +immediately started up, whose memory, if he had not kept alive by his +replies, it would now be utterly unknown that he were ever answered at +all.' No one who is familiar with Swift's tracts on Church reform can +doubt that he had read Eachard's work with minute attention, and was +greatly influenced by it. In his _Project for the Advancement of +Religion_, he largely attributed the scandalous immorality everywhere +prevalent to the insufficiency of religious instruction, and to the low +character of the clergy, the result mainly of their ignorance and +poverty. His _Letter to a Young Clergyman_ is little more than a didactic +adaptation of that portion of Eachard's work which deals with the +character and education of the clergy. The _Essay on the Fates of +Clergymen_ is another study from the _Contempt_, while the fragment of +the tract which he had begun, _Concerning that Universal Hatred which +prevails against the Clergy_, brings us still more closely to Eachard. +The likeness between them cannot be traced further; they were both, it is +true, humorists, but there is little in common between the austere and +bitter, yet, at the same time, delicious flavour of the one, and the +trenchant and graphic, but coarse and rollicking, humour of the other. + +The essays reprinted from the _Tatler_ give humorous expression to a +grievance which not only wounded the pride of the clergy, but touched +them on an equally sensitive part--the stomach. It was not usual for the +chaplain in great houses to remain at table for the second course. When +the sweets were brought in, he was expected to retire. As Macaulay puts +it: 'He might fill himself with the corned beef and carrots; but as soon +as the tarts and cheese-cakes made their appearance, he quitted his seat +and stood aloof till he was summoned to return thanks for the repast, +from a great part of which he had been excluded.' Gay refers to this +churlish custom in the second book of _Trivia_:-- + + 'Cheese that the table's closing rites denies. + And bids me with th' unwilling chaplain rise.' + +Possibly the custom originally arose, not from any wish to mark the +social inferiority of the chaplain, but because his presence was a check +on conversation. It must be owned, however, that this would have been +more intelligible had he retired, not with the corned beef and carrots, +but with the ladies. The passage quoted by Steele from Oldham is from his +_Satire, addressed to a Friend that is about to Leave the University and +come Abroad in the World_, not the only poem in which Oldham has thrown +light on the degraded profession of the clergy. See the end of his +_Satire, spoken in the person of Spenser_. + +The last piece in this Miscellany has no connection with what precedes +it, but it has an interest of its own. Among the many services of one of +the purest and most indefatigable of philanthropists to his +fellow-citizens was the establishment of what is commonly known as _Poor +Richard's Almanack_. Of this periodical, and of the particular number of +it which is here reprinted, Franklin gives the following account in his +autobiography:-- + +'In 1732 I first published an Almanack, under the name of _Richard +Saunders_; it was continued by me about twenty-five years, and commonly +called _Poor Richard's Almanack_. I endeavoured to make it both +entertaining and useful, and it accordingly came to be in such demand +that I reaped considerable profit from it, vending annually near ten +thousand. And observing that it was generally read (scarce any +neighbourhood in the province being without it), I considered it as a +proper vehicle for conveying instruction among the common people, who +bought scarcely any other books. I therefore filled all the little spaces +that occurred between the remarkable days in the calendar with proverbial +sentences, chiefly such as inculcated industry and frugality as the means +of procuring wealth and thereby securing virtue, it being more difficult +for a man in want to act always honestly, as, to use here one of these +proverbs, "it is hard for an empty sack to stand upright." These +proverbs, which contained the wisdom of many ages and nations, I +assembled and formed into a connected discourse prefixed to the +_Almanack_ of 1757, as the harangue of a wise old man to the people +attending an auction. The bringing all these scattered counsels thus into +a focus enabled them to make a greater impression. The piece being +universally approved, was copied in all the newspapers of the American +Continent, reprinted in Britain on a large sheet of paper to be stuck up +in houses; two translations were made of it in France, and great numbers +bought by the clergy to distribute gratis among their poor parishioners +and tenants. In Pennsylvania, as it discouraged useless expense in +foreign superfluities, some thought it had its share of influence in +producing that growing plenty of money which was observable for several +years after its publication.'--_Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin_, Part II, +Works Edit. 1833, vol. ii. pp. 146-148. + +Reprinted innumerable times while Franklin was alive, this paper has, +since his death, passed through seventy editions in English, fifty-six In +French, eleven in German, and nine in Italian. It has been translated into +nearly every language in Europe: into French, German, and Italian, as we +have seen; into Spanish, Danish, Swedish, Polish, Bohemian, Dutch, Welsh, +and modern Greek; it has also been translated into Chinese.[6] In the +edition of _Franklin's Works_, printed in London in 1806, it appears +under the title of _The Way to Wealth, as clearly shown in the Preface to +an old Pennsylvanian Almanack, entitled Poor Richard Improved_, and under +this title it was usually printed when detached from the Almanack. + +As Franklin himself owns, the maxims have little pretension to +originality. It is evident that he had laid under contribution such +collections as Clerk's _Adagio Latino-Anglica_, Herbert's _Jacula +Prudentum_, James Howell's collection of proverbs, David Fergtison's +_Scotch Proverbs_ (with the successively increasing editions between 1641 +and 1706), Ray's famous _Collection of English Proverbs_, William Penn's +_Maxims_, and the like. A few are probably original, and many have been +re-minted and owe their form to him. + +The first number of the famous _Almanack_ from which they are extracted +was published at the end of 1732, just after Franklin had set up as a +printer and stationer for himself, its publication being announced in the +_Pennsylvania Gazette_ of December 9th, 1732; and for twenty-five years it +continued regularly to appear, the last number being that for the year +1758, and having for preface the discourse which became so +extraordinarily popular. The name assumed by Franklin was no doubt +borrowed from that of Richard Saunders, a well-known astrologer of the +seventeenth century, of whom there is a notice in the _Dictionary of +National Biography_. But Mr. Leicester Ford[7] says that it was the name +of 'a chyrurgeon' of the eighteenth century who for many years issued a +popular almanac entitled _The Apollo Anglicanus__. Of this publication I +know nothing, and can discover nothing. The probability is that its +compiler, whoever he was, anticipated Franklin in assuming the name of +John Saunders. He is most certainly not to be identified with Saunders +the astrologer, who died in, or not much later than, 1687. + +It remains to add that no pains have been spared to make the texts of the +excerpts and tracts in this Miscellany as accurate as possible--indeed, +Mr. Arber's name is a sufficient guarantee of the efficiency with which +this important part of the work has been done. For the modernisation of +the spelling, which some readers may perhaps be inclined to regret, and +for the punctuation, as well as for the elucidatory notes within +brackets, Mr. Arber is solely responsible. + +J. CHURTON COLLINS. + + +[1] See his Preface to his version of part of Virgil's second _Aeneid_. + +[2] Whateley's _Reminiscences of Bishop Copleston_, p. 6. + +[3] See _Late Stuart Tracts_. + +[4] Wood's _Life and Times_, Clark's Ed. vol. ii. p. 240. + +[5] See, for example, _Diary_, February 16th, 1668: 'Much discourse + about the bad state of the Church, and how the clergy are come to + be men of no worth in the world, and, as the world do now generally + discourse, they must be reformed.' + +[6] For this information I am indebted to Mr. Paul Leicester Ford's + interesting monograph on the sayings of Poor Richard, prefixed to + his selections from the _Almanack_, privately printed at Brooklyn + in 1890. + +[7] Introduction to his selections from the _Almanack_. + + + + +THOMAS WILSON. + + _Eloquence first given by GOD, after lost by man, and last repaired + by GOD again_. + + [_The Art of Rhetoric_.] + + +Man in whom is poured the breath of life, was made at his first being an +everlasting creature, unto the likeness of GOD; endued with reason, and +appointed lord over all other things living. But after the fail of our +first father, sin so crept in that our knowledge was much darkened, and +by corruption of this our flesh, man's reason and entendment +[_intellect_] were both overwhelmed. At what time, GOD being sore grieved +with the folly of one man; pitied, of His mere goodness, the whole state +and posterity of mankind. And therefore whereas through the wicked +suggestion of our ghostly enemy, the joyful fruition of GOD's glory was +altogether lost; it pleased our heavenly Father to repair mankind of his +free mercy and to grant an everlasting inheritance unto such as would by +constant faith seek earnestly thereafter. + +Long it was, ere that man knew; himself being destitute of GOD's grace, +so that all things waxed savage, the earth untilled, society neglected, +GOD's will not known, man against man, one against another, and all +against order. Some lived by spoil, some like brute beasts grazed upon +the ground, some went naked, some roamed like woodwoses [_mad wild men_], +none did anything by reason, but most did what they could by manhood. None +almost considered the everliving GOD; but all lived most commonly after +their own lust. By death, they thought that all things ended; by life, +they looked for none other living. None remembered the true observation +of wedlock, none tendered the education of their children; laws were note +regarded, true dealing was not once used. For virtue, vice bare place; for +right and equity, might used authority. And therefore whereas man through +reason might have used order, man through folly fell into error. And thus +for lack of skill and want of grace, evil so prevailed that the devil was +most esteemed; and GOD either almost unknown among them all or else +nothing feared among so many. Therefore--even now when man was thus past +all hope of amendment--GOD still tendering his own workmanship; stirred +up his faithful and elect, to persuade with reason all men to society; +and gave his appointed ministers knowledge both to see the natures of +men; and also granted to them the gift of utterance, that they might with +ease win folk at their will, and frame them by reason to all good order. + +And therefore whereas men lived brutishly in open fields having neither +house to shroud [_cover_] them in, nor attire to clothe their backs; nor +yet any regard to seek their best avail [_interest_]; these appointed of +GOD, called them together by utterance of speech; and persuaded with them +what was good, what was bad, and what was gainful for mankind. And +although at first the rude could hardly learn, and either for the +strangeness of the thing would not gladly receive the offer or else for +lack of knowledge could not perceive the goodness; yet being somewhat +drawn and delighted with the pleasantness of reason and the sweetness of +utterance, after a certain space, they became through nurture and good +advisement, of wild, sober; of cruel, gentle; of fools, wise; and of +beasts, men. Such force hath the tongue, and such is the power of +Eloquence and Reason that most men are forced, even to yield in that +which most standeth against their will. And therefore the poets do feign +that HERCULES, being a man of great wisdom, had all men linked together +by the ears in a chain, to draw them and lead them even as he listed. For +his wit so great, his tongue so eloquent, and his experience such that no +man was able to withstand his reason; but every one was rather driven to +do that which he would, and to will that which he did; agreeing to his +advice both in word and work, in all that ever they were able. + +Neither can I see that men could have been brought by any other means to +live together in fellowship of life, to maintain cities, to deal truly, +and willingly to obey one another; if men, at the first, had not by art +and eloquence persuaded that which they full oft found out by reason. For +what man, I pray you, being better able to maintain himself by valiant +courage than by living in base subjection, would not rather look to rule +like a lord, than to live like an underling; If by reason he were not +persuaded that it behoveth every man to live in his own vocation, and not +to seek any higher room than that whereunto he was at the first, +appointed? Who would dig and delve from morn till evening? Who would +travail and toil with the sweat of his brows? Yea, who would, for his +King's pleasure, adventure and hazard his life, if wit had not so won men +that they thought nothing more needful in this world nor anything +whereunto they were more bounden than here to live in their duty and to +train their whole life, according to their calling. Therefore whereas men +are in many things weakly by nature, and subject to much infirmity; I +think in this one point they pass all other creatures living, that they +have the gift of speech and reason. + +And among all other, I think him of most worthy fame, and amongst men to +be taken for half a god that therein doth chiefly and above all other +excel men; wherein men do excel beasts. For he that is among the +reasonable of all the most reasonable; and among the witty, of all the +most witty; and among the eloquent, of all the most eloquent: him, think +I, among all men, not only to be taken for a singular man, but rather to +be counted for half a god. For in seeking the excellency hereof, the +sooner he draweth to perfection the nigher he corneth to GOD, who is the +chief Wisdom: and therefore called GOD because He is the most wise, or +rather wisdom itself. + +Now then seeing that GOD giveth heavenly grace unto such as called unto +him with outstretched hands and humble heart; never wanting to those that +want not to themselves; I purpose by His grace and especial assistance, to +set forth such precepts of eloquence, and to show what observation the +wise have used in handling of their matters; that the unlearned by seeing +the practice of others, may have some knowledge themselves; and learn by +their neighbours' device what is necessary for themselves in their own +case. + + + + +Sir PHILIP SIDNEY. + +_Letter to his brother ROBERT, then in Germany, 18 October_ 1580. + +Sir PHILIP SIDNEY to his brother, ROBERT SIDNEY, who was the first Earl +of LEICESTER of that familiar name. + + +My Dear Brother, + +For the money you have received, assure yourself (for it is true) there +is nothing I spend so pleaseth me; as that which is for you. If ever I +have ability, you shall find it so: if not, yet shall not any brother +living be better beloved than you, of me. + +I cannot write now to N. WHITE. Do you excuse me! For his nephew, they +are but passions in my father; which we must bear with reverence: but I +am sorry he should return till he had the circuit of his travel; for you +shall never have such a servant, as he would prove. Use your own +discretion! + +For your countenance, I would (for no cause) have it diminished in +Germany. In Italy, your greatest expense must be upon worthy men, and not +upon householding. Look to your diet, sweet ROBIN! and hold up your heart +in courage and virtue. Truly, great part of my comfort is in you! I know +not myself what I meant by bravery in you; so greatly you may see I +condemn you. Be careful of yourself, and I shall never have cares. + +I have written to Master SAVELL. I wish you kept still together. He is an +excellent man. And there may, if you list, pass good exercises betwixt you +and Master NEVELL. There is great expectation of you both. + +For method of writing history, BODEN hath written at large. You may read +him, and gather out of many words, some matter. + +This I think, in haste. A Story is either to be considered as a Story; or +as a Treatise, which, besides that, addeth many things for profit and +ornament. As a Story, he is nothing, but a narration of things done, with +the beginnings, causes, and appendices thereof. In that kind, your method +must be to have _seriem temporum_ very exactly, which the chronologies of +MELANCTHON, TARCHAGNORA, LANGUET and such others will help you to. + +Then to consider by that... as you note yourself, XENOPHON to follow +THUCYDIDES, so doth THUCYDIDES follow HERODOTUS, and DIODORUS SICULUS +follow XENOPHON. So generally, do the Roman stories follow the Greek; and +the particular stories of the present monarchies follow the Roman. + +In that kind, you have principally to note the examples of virtue and +vice, with their good or evil success; the establishment or rains of +great Estates, with the causes, the time, and circumstances of the laws +then written of; the enterings and endings of wars; and therein, the +stratagems against the enemy, and the discipline upon the soldier. + +And thus much as a very historiographer. + +Besides this, the Historian makes himself a Discourser for profit; and an +Orator, yea, a Poet sometimes, for ornament. An Orator; in making +excellent orations, _e re nata_, which are to be marked, but marked with +the note of rhetorical remembrances: a Poet; in painting for the effects, +the motions, the whisperings of the people, which though in disputation, +one might say were true--yet who will mark them well shall find them +taste of a poetical vein, and in that kind are gallantly to be +marked--for though perchance, they were not so, yet it is enough they +might be so. The last point which tends to teach profit, is of a +Discourser; which name I give to whosoever speaks _non simpliciter de +facto, sed de qualitatibus et circumstantiis facti_: and that is it which +makes me and many others, rather note much with our pen than with our mind. + +Because we leave all these discourses to the confused trust of our +memory; because they be not tied to the tenour of a question: as +Philosophers use sometimes, places; the Divine, in telling his opinion +and reasons in religion; sometimes the Lawyer, in showing the causes and +benefits of laws; sometimes a Natural Philosopher, in setting down the +causes of any strange thing which the Story binds him to speak of; but +most commonly a Moral Philosopher, either in the ethic part, where he +sets forth virtues or vices and the natures of passions; or in the +politic, when he doth (as often he doth) meddle sententiously with +matters of Estate. Again, sometimes he gives precept of war, both +offensive and defensive. And so, lastly, not professing any art as his +matter leads him, he deals with all arts; which--because it carrieth the +life of a lively example--it is wonderful what light it gives to the arts +themselves; so as the great Civilians help themselves with the discourses +of the Historians. So do Soldiers; and even Philosophers and Astronomers. + +But that I wish herein is this, that when you read any such thing, you +straight bring it to his head, not only of what art; but by your logical +subdivisions to the next member and parcel of the art. And so--as in a +table--be it witty words, of which TACITUS is full; sentences, of which +LIVY; or similitudes, whereof PLUTARCH: straight to lay it up in the +right place of his storehouse--as either military, or more specially +defensive military, or more particularly, defensive by fortification--and +so lay it up. So likewise in politic matters. And such a little table you +may easily make wherewith I would have you ever join the historical part; +which is only the example of some stratagem, or good counsel, or such like. + +This write I to you, in great haste, of method, without method: but, with +more leisure and study--if I do not find some book that satisfies--I will +venture to write more largely of it unto you. + +Master SAVELL will, with ease, help you to set down such a table of +remembrance to yourself; and for your sake I perceive he will do much; +and if ever I be able, I will deserve it of him. One only thing, as it +comes into my mind, let me remember you of, that you consider wherein the +Historian excelleth, and that to note: as DION NICAEUS in the searching +the secrets of government; TACITUS, in the pithy opening of the venom of +wickedness; and so of the rest. + +My time--exceedingly short--will suffer me to write no more leisurely. +STEPHEN can tell you who stands with me, while I am writing. + +Now, dear brother! take delight likewise in the mathematicals. Master +SAVELL is excellent in them. I think you understand the sphere. If you +do, I care little for any more astronomy in you. Arithmetic and Geometry, +I would wish you well seen in: so as both in matter of number and measure, +you might have a feeling and active judgment, I would you did bear the +mechanical instruments, wherein the Dutch excel. + +I write this to you as one, that for myself have given over the delight +in the world; but wish to you as much, if not more, than to myself. + +So you can speak and write Latin, not barbarously; I never require great +study in Ciceronianism, the chief abuse of Oxford, _qui dum verba +sectantur, res ipsas negligunt_. + +My toyful books I will send--with GOD's help--by February [1581]; at +which time you shall have your money. And for L200 [_nearly L2,000 at the +present day_] a year, assure yourself! If the estates of England remain, +you shall not fail of it. Use it to your best profit! + +My Lord of LEICESTER sends you L40 as I understand, by STEPHEN; and +promiseth he will continue that stipend yearly at the least. Then that is +above commons. In any case, write largely and diligently unto him: for, in +truth, I have good proof that he means to be every way good unto you. The +odd L30 shall come with the L100, or else my father and I will jarle. + +Now, sweet Brother, take a delight to keep and increase your music. You +will not believe what a want I find of it, in my melancholy times. + +At horsemanship; when you exercise it, read CRISON CLAUDIO, and a book +that is called _La Gloria de l'Cavallo_ withal: that you may join the +thorough contemplation of it with the exercise: and so shall you profit +more in a month, than others in a year. And mark the bitting, saddling, +and cur[ry]ing of horses. + +I would, by the way, your Worship would learn a better hand. You write +worse than I: and I write evil enough. Once again, have a care of your +diet; and consequently of your complexion. Remember _gratior est veniens +in pulchro corpore virtus_. + +Now, Sir, for news; I refer myself to this bearer. He can tell you how +idly we look on our neighbour's fires: and nothing is happened notable at +home; save only DRAKE's return. Of which yet, I know not the secret +points: but about the world he hath been, and rich he is returned. +Portugal, we say, is lost. And to conclude, my eyes are almost closed up, +overwatched with tedious business. + +God bless you, sweet Boy! and accomplish the joyful hope I conceive of +you. Once again commend me to Master NEVELL, Master SAVELL, and honest +HARRY WHITE, and bid him be merry. + +When you play at weapons; I would have you get thick caps and bracers +[_gloves_], and play out your play lustily; for indeed, ticks and +dalliances are nothing in earnest: for the time of the one and the other +greatly differs. And use as well the blow as the thrust. It is good in +itself; and besides increaseth your breath and strength, and will make +you a strong man at the tourney and barriers. First, in any case, +practise the single sword; and then, with the dagger. Let no day pass +without an hour or two of such exercise. The rest, study; or confer +diligently: and so shall you come home to my comfort and credit. + +Lord! how I have babbled! Once again, farewell, dearest Brother! + +Your most loving and careful brother + +PHILIP SIDNEY. + +At Leicester House +this 18th of October 1580. + + + + +Francis Meres, M.A. + +_Sketch of English Literature, Painting, and Music, up to September_ 1598. + +_A comparative Discourse of our English Poets [Painters and Musicians] +with the Greek, Latin, and Italian Poets [Painters and Musicians]_. + + +As Greece had three poets of great antiquity, ORPHEUS, LINUS, and +MUSAEUS; and Italy, other three ancient poets, LIVIUS ANDRONICUS, ENNIUS, +and PLAUTUS: so hath England three ancient poets, CHAUCER, GOWER, and +LYDGATE. + +As HOMER is reputed the Prince of Greek poets; and PETRARCH of Italian +poets: so CHAUCER is accounted the god of English poets. + +As HOMER was the first that adorned the Greek tongue with true quantity: +so [WILLIAM LANGLAND, the author of] _PIERS PLOWMAN_ was the first that +observed the true quantity of our verse without the curiosity of rhyme. + +OVID writ a Chronicle from the beginning of the world to his own time; +that is, to the reign of AUGUSTUS the Emperor: so hath HARDING the +Chronicler (after his manner of old harsh rhyming) from ADAM to his time; +that is, to the reign of King EDWARD IV. + +As SOTADES Maronites, the Iambic poet, gave himself wholly to write +impure and lascivious things: so SKELTON (I know not for what great +worthiness, surnamed the Poet Laureate) applied his wit to scurrilities +and ridiculous matters; such [as] among the Greeks were called +_Pantomimi_, with us, buffoons. + +As CONSALVO PEREZ, that excellent learned man, and secretary to King +PHILIP [II.] of Spain, in translating the "Ulysses" [_Odyssey_] of HOMER +out of Greek into Spanish, hath, by good judgement, avoided the fault of +rhyming, although [he hath] not fully hit perfect and true versifying: so +hath HENRY HOWARD, that true and noble Earl of SURREY, in translating the +fourth book of VIRGIL's _AEneas_: whom MICHAEL DRAYTON in his _England's +Heroical Epistles_ hath eternized for an _Epistle to his fair GERALDINE_. + +As these Neoterics, JOVIANUS PONTANUS, POLITIANUS, MARULLUS TARCHANIOTA, +the two STROZAE the father and the son, PALINGENIUS, MANTUANUS, +PHILELPHUS, QUINTIANUS STOA, and GERMANUS BRIXIUS have obtained renown, +and good place among the ancient Latin poets: so also these Englishmen, +being Latin poets; WALTER HADDON, NICHOLAS CARR, GABRIEL HARVEY, +CHRISTOPHER OCKLAND, THOMAS NEWTON, with his _LELAND_, THOMAS WATSON, +THOMAS CAMPION, [JOHN] BRUNSWERD, and WILLEY have attained [a] good +report and honourable advancement in the Latin empire [of letters]. + +As the Greek tongue is made famous and eloquent by HOMER, HESIOD, +EURIPIDES, AESCHYLUS, SOPHOCLES, PINDARUS, PHOCYLIDES, and ARISTOPHANES; +and the Latin tongue by VIRGIL, OVID, HORACE, SILIUS ITALICUS, LUCANUS, +LUCRETIUS, AUSONIUS, and CLAUDIANUS: so the English tongue is mightily +enriched, and gorgeously invested in rare ornaments and resplendent +habiliments by Sir PHILIP SYDNEY, SPENSER, DANIEL, DRAYTON, WARNER, +SHAKESPEARE, MARLOW, and CHAPMAN. + +As XENOPHON, who did imitate so excellently as to give us _effigiem justi +imperii_, "the portraiture of a just empire" under the name of _CYRUS_, +(as CICERO saith of him) made therein an absolute heroical poem; and as +HELIODORUS wrote in prose, his sugared invention of that picture of love +in _THEAGINES and CARICLEA_; and yet both excellent admired poets: so Sir +PHILIP SIDNEY writ his immortal poem, _The Countess of PEMBROKE's +"Arcadia"_ in prose; and yet our rarest poet. + +As SEXTOS PROPERTIUS said, _Nescio quid magis nascitur Iliade_: so I say +of SPENSER's _Fairy Queen_; I know not what more excellent or exquisite +poem may be written. + +As ACHILLES had the advantage of HECTOR, because it was his fortune to be +extolled and renowned by the heavenly verse of HOMER: so SPENSER's _ELIZA, +the Fairy Queen_, hath the advantage of all the Queens in the world, to be +eternized by so divine a poet. + +As THEOCRITUS is famoused for his _Idyllia_ in Greek, and VIRGIL for his +_Eclogues_ in Latin: so SPENSER their imitator in his _Shepherds +Calendar_ is renowned for the like argument; and honoured for fine +poetical invention, and most exquisite wit. + +As PARTHENIUS Nicaeus excellently sang the praises of _ARETE_: so DANIEL +hath divinely sonnetted the matchless beauty of _DELIA_. + +As every one mourneth, when he heareth of the lamentable plangors +[plaints] of [the] Thracian ORPHEUS for his dearest _EURYDICE_: so every +one passionateth, when he readeth the afflicted death of DANIEL's +distressed _ROSAMOND_. + +As LUCAN hath mournfully depainted the Civil Wars of POMPEY and CAESAR: +so hath DANIEL, the Civil Wars of York and Lancaster; and DRAYTON, the +Civil Wars of EDWARD II. and the Barons. + +As VIRGIL doth imitate CATULLUS in the like matter of _ARIADNE_, for his +story of Queen _DIDO_: so MICHAEL DRAYTON doth imitate OVID in his +_England's Heroical Epistles_. + +As SOPHOCLES was called a Bee for the sweetness of his tongue: so in +CHARLES FITZ-GEFFRY's _DRAKE_, DRAYTON is termed "golden-mouthed," for +the purity and preciousness of his style and phrase. + +As ACCIUS, MARCUS ATILIUS, and MILITHUS were called _Tragaediographi_; +because they writ tragedies: so we may truly term MICHAEL DRAYTON, +_Tragaediographus_: for his passionate penning [_the poem of_] the +downfalls of valiant ROBERT of NORMANDY, chaste MATILDA, and great +GAVESTON. + +As JOANNES HONTERUS, in Latin verse, wrote three books of Cosmography, +with geographical tables; so MICHAEL DRAYTON is now in penning in English +verse, a poem called _Poly-olbion_ [which is] geographical and +hydrographical of all the forests, woods, mountains, fountains, rivers, +lakes, floods, baths [_spas_], and springs that be in England. + +As AULUS PERSIUS FLACCUS is reported, among all writers to [have] been of +an honest life and upright conversation: so MICHAEL DRAYTON, _quem toties +honoris et amoris causa nomino_, among scholars, soldiers, poets, and all +sorts of people, is held for a man of virtuous disposition, honest +conversation, and well governed carriage: which is almost miraculous +among good wits in these declining and corrupt times; when there is +nothing but roguery in villainous man, and when cheating and craftiness +are counted the cleanest wit and soundest wisdom. + +As DECIUS AUSONIUS Gallus, _in libris Fastorum_, penned the occurrences +of the world from the first creation of it to this time; that is, to the +reign of the Emperor GRATIAN: so WARNER, in his absolute _Albion's +England_, hath most admirably penned the history of his own country from +NOAH to his time, that is, to the reign of Queen ELIZABETH. I have heard +him termed of the best wits of both our Universities, our English HOMER. + +As EURIPIDES is the most sententious among the Greek poets: so is WARNER +among our English poets. + +As the soul of EUPHORBUS was thought to live in PYTHAGORAS: so the sweet +witty soul of OVID lives in mellifluous and honey-tongued SHAKESPEARE. +Witness his _VENUS and ADONIS_; his _LUCRECE_; his sugared _Sonnets_, +among his private friends; &c. + +As PLAUTUS and SENECA are accounted the best for Comedy and Tragedy among +the Latins: so SHAKESPEARE among the English is the most excellent in both +kinds for the stage. For Comedy: witness his _Gentlemen of Verona_; his +[_Comedy of_] _Errors_; his _Love's Labour's Lost_; his _Love's Labour's +Won_ [? _All's Well that Ends Well_] his _Midsummer Night's Dream_; and +his _Merchant of Venice_. + +For Tragedy: his _RICHARD II., RICHARD III., HENRY IV., King JOHN, TITUS +ANDRONICUS_, and his _ROMEO and JULIET_. + +As EPIUS STOLO said that the Muses would speak with PLAUTUS's tongue, if +they would speak Latin: so I say that the Muses would speak with +SHAKESPEARE's fine filed phrase; if they would speak English. + +As MUSAEUS, who wrote the love of HERO and LEANDER, had two excellent +scholars, THAMYRAS and HERCULES; so hath he [MUSAEUS] in England, two +excellent, poets, imitators of him in the same argument and subject, +CHRISTOPHER MARLOW and GEORGE CHAPMAN. + +As OVID saith of his work, + + _Famque opus exegi, quod nec FOVIS ira, nec ignis, + Nec poterit ferrum, nec edax abolere vetustas_; + +And as HORACE saith of his, + + _Exegi monumentum oere perennius + Regalique situ pyramidum altius, + Quod non imber edax, non Aquilo impotens + Possit disruere, aut innumerabilis + Annorum series, et fuga temporum_: + +So I say, severally, of Sir PHILIP SIDNEY's, SPENSER's, DANIEL's, +DRAYTON's, SHAKESPEARE's, and WARNER's works, + + _Non FOVIS ira: imbres: MARS: ferrum: flamma: senectus: + Hoc opus unda: lues: turbo: venena ruent. + Et quanquam ad pulcherrimum hoc opus evertendum, tres illi Dii + conspirabunt, CHRONUS, VULCANUS, et PATER ipse gentis. + Non tamen annorum series, non flamma, nec ensis; + AEternum potuit hoc abolere Decus_. + +As Italy had DANTE, BOCCACE [BOCCACIO], PETRARCH, TASSO, CELIANO, and +ARIOSTO: so England had MATTHEW ROYDON, THOMAS ATCHELOW, THOMAS WATSON, +THOMAS KYD, ROBERT GREENE, and GEORGE PEELE. + +As there are eight famous and chief languages; Hebrew, Greek, Latin, +Syriac, Arabic, Italian, Spanish, and French; so there are eight notable +several kinds of poets, [1] Heroic, [2] Lyric, [3] Tragic, [4] Comic, [5] +Satiric, [6] Iambic, [7] Elegiac, and [8] Pastoral. + +[1] As HOMER and VIRGIL among the Greeks and Latins are the chief Heroic +poets: so SPENSER and WARNER be our chief heroical "makers." + +[2] As PINDARUS, ANACREON, and CALLIMACHUS, among the Greeks; and HORACE +and CUTALLUS among the Latins are the best Lyric poets: so in this +faculty, the best among our poets are SPENSER, who excelleth in all +kinds; DANIEL, DRAYTON, SHAKESPEARE, BRETON. + +[3] As these Tragic poets flourished in Greece: AESCHYLUS, EURIPIDES, +SOPHOCLES, ALEXANDER AEtolus; ACHAEUS ERITHRIOEUS, ASTYDAMAS Atheniensis, +APOLLODORUS Tarsensis, NICOMACHUS Phrygius, THESPIS Atticus, and TIMON +APOLLONIATES; and these among the Latins, ACCIUS, MARCUS ATILIUS, +POMPONUS SECUNDUS, and SENECA: so these are our best for Tragedy; The +Lord BUCKHURST, Doctor LEG, of Cambridge, Doctor EDES, of Oxford, Master +EDWARD FERRIS, the author[s] of the _Mirror for Magistrates_, MARLOW, +PEELE, WATSON, KYD, SHAKESPEARE, DRAYTON, CHAPMAN, DECKER, and BENJAMIN +JOHNSON. + +As MARCUS ANNEUS LUCANUS writ two excellent tragedies; one called +_MEDEA_, the other _De incendio Trojoe cum PRIAMI calamitate_: so Doctor +LEG hath penned two famous tragedies; the one of _RICHARD III._, the +other of _The Destruction of Jerusalem_. + +[4] The best poets for Comedy among the Greeks are these: MENANDER, +ARISTOPHANES, EUPOLIS Atheniensis, ALEXIS Terius, NICOSTRATUS, AMIPSIAS +Atheniensis, ANAXANDRIDES Rhodeus, ARISTONYMUS, ARCHIPPUS Atheniensis, +and CALLIAS Atheniensis; and among the Latins, PLAUTUS, TERENCE, NAEVIUS, +SEXTUS TURPILIUS, LICINIUS IMBREX, and VIRGILIUS Romanus: so the best for +Comedy amongst us be EDWARD [VERE], Earl of OXFORD; Doctor GAGER, of +Oxford; Master ROWLEY, once a rare scholar of learned Pembroke Hall in +Cambridge; Master EDWARDES, one of Her Majesty's Chapel; eloquent and +witty JOHN LILLY, LODGE, GASCOIGNE, GREENE, SHAKESPEARE, THOMAS NASH, +THOMAS HEYWOOD, ANTHONY MUNDAY, our best plotter; CHAPMAN, PORTER, +WILSON, HATHWAY, and HENRY CHETTLE. + +[5] As HORACE, LUCILIUS, JUVENAL, PERSIUS, and LUCULLUS are the best for +Satire among the Latins: so with us, in the same faculty, these are chief +[WILLIAM LANGLAND, the author of] _PIERS PLOWMAN_, [T.] LODGE, [JOSEPH] +HALL of Emmanuel College in Cambridge [_afterwards Bishop of NORWICH_]; +[JOHN MARSTON] the Author of _PYGMALION's Image, and certain Satires_; +the Author of _Skialetheia_. + +[6] Among the Greeks, I will name but two for Iambics, ARCHILOCHUS Parius +and HIPPONAX Ephesius: so amongst us, I name but two Iambical poets; +GABRIEL HARVEY and RICHARD STANYHURST, because I have seen no more in +this kind. + +[7] As these are famous among the Greeks for Elegies, MELANTHUS, MYMNERUS +Colophonius, OLYMPIUS Mysius, PARTHENIUS Nicoeus, PHILETAS Cous, THEOGENES +Megarensis, and PIGRES Halicarnassoeus; and these among the Latins, +MAECENAS, OVID, TIBULLUS, PROPERTIUS, C. VALGIUS, CASSIUS SEVERUS, and +CLODIUS Sabinus: so these are the most passionate among us to bewail and +bemoan the perplexities of love, HENRY HOWARD, Earl of SURREY, Sir THOMAS +WYATT the Elder, Sir FRANCIS BRYAN, Sir PHILIP SIDNEY, Sir WALTER RALEIGH, +Sir EDWARD DYER, SPENSER, DANIEL, DRAYTON, SHAKESPEARE, WHETSTONE, +GASCOIGNE, SAMUEL PAGE sometime Fellow of Corpus Christi College in +Oxford, CHURCHYARD, BRETON. + +[8] As THEOCRITUS in Greek; VIRGIL and MANTUAN in Latin, SANNAZAR in +Italian, and [THOMAS WATSON] the Author of _AMINTAE Gaudia_ and +_WALSINGHAM's MELIBOEUS_ are the best for Pastoral: so amongst us the +best in this kind are Sir PHILIP SIDNEY, Master CHALLONER, SPENSER, +STEPHEN GOSSON, ABRAHAM FRAUNCE, and BARNFIELD. + +These and many other Epigrammatists, the Latin tongue hath; Q. CATULLUS, +PORCIUS LICINIUS, QUINTUS CORNIFICIUS, MARTIAL, CNOEUS GETULICUS, and +witty Sir THOMAS MORE: so in English we have these, HEYWOOD, DRANT, +KENDAL, BASTARD, DAVIES. + +As noble MAECENAS, that sprang from the Etruscan Kings, not only graced +poets by his bounty, but also by being a poet himself; and as JAMES VI., +now King of Scotland, is not only a favourer of poets, but a poet; as my +friend Master RICHARD BARNFELD hath in this distich passing well recorded, + + The King of Scots now living is a poet, + As his _Lepanto_ and his _Furies_ show it: + +so ELIZABETH, our dread Sovereign and gracious Queen, is not only a +liberal Patron unto poets, but an excellent poet herself; whose learned, +delicate and noble Muse surmounteth, be it in Ode, Elegy, Epigram; or in +any other kind of poem, Heroic or Lyric. + +OCTAVIA, sister unto AUGUSTUS the Emperor, was exceeding[ly] bountiful +unto VIRGIL, who gave him for making twenty-six verses, L1,137, to wit, +ten _sestertiae_ for every verse (which amounted to above L43 for every +verse): so learned MARY, the honourable Countess of PEMBROKE [and] the +noble sister of the immortal Sir PHILIP SIDNEY, is very liberal unto +poets. Besides, she is a most delicate poet, of whom I may say, as +ANTIPATER Sidonius writeth of SAPPHO: + + _Dulcia Mnemosyne demirans carmina Sapphus, + Quaesivit decima Pieris unde foret_. + +Among others, in times past, poets had these favourers; AUGUSTUS, +MAECENAS, SOPHOCLES, GERMANICUS; an Emperor, a Nobleman, a Senator, and a +Captain: so of later times, poets have [had] these patrons; ROBERT, King +of Sicily, the great King FRANCIS [I.] of France, King JAMES of Scotland, +and Queen ELIZABETH of England. + +As in former times, two great Cardinals, BEMBA and BIENA did countenance +poets: so of late years, two great Preachers, have given them their right +hands in fellowship; BEZA and MELANCTHON. + +As the learned philosophers FRACASTORIUS and SCALIGER have highly prized +them: so have the eloquent orators, PONTANUS and MURETUS very gloriously +estimated them. + +As GEORGIUS BUCHANANUS' _JEPTHAE_, amongst all modern tragedies, is able +to abide the touch of ARISTOTLE's precepts and EURIPIDES's examples: so +is Bishop WATSON's _ABSALOM_. + +As TERENCE for his translations out of APOLLODORUS and MENANDER, and +AQUILIUS for his translation out of MENANDER, and C. GERMANICUS AUGUSTUS +for his out of ARATUS, and AUSONIUS for his translated _Epigrams_ out of +[the] Greek, and Doctor JOHNSON for his _Frog-fight_ out of HOMER, and +WATSON for his _ANTIGONE_ out of SOPHOCLES, have got good commendations: +so these versifiers for their learned translations, are of good note +among us; PHAER foi VIRGIL's _AEneid_, GOLDING for OVID's +_Metamorphosis_, HARINGTON for his _ORLANDO Furioso_, the Translators of +SENECA's _Tragedies_, BARNABE GOOGE for PALINGENIUS's [_Zodiac of Life_], +TURBERVILLE for OVID's _Epistles_ and MANTUAN, and CHAPMAN for his +inchoate HOMER. + +As the Latins have these Emblematists, ANDREAS ALCIATUS, REUSNERUS, and +SAMBUCUS: so we have these, GEFFREY WHITNEY, ANDREW WILLET, and THOMAS +COMBE. + +As NONNUS PANAPOLYTA wrote the _Gospel_ of Saint JOHN in Greek +hexameters: so GERVASE MARKHAM hath written SOLOMON's _Canticles_ in +English verse. + +As CORNELIUS PLINIUS writ the life of POMPONUS SECUNDUS; so young CHARLES +FITZ-GEFFERY, that high towering falcon, hath most gloriously penned _The +honourable Life and Death of worthy Sir FRANCIS DRAKE_. + +As HESIOD wrote learnedly of husbandry in Greek: so TUSSER [hath] very +wittily and experimentally written of it in English. + +As ANTIPATER Sidonius was famous for extemporal verse in Greek, and OVID +for his + + _Quicquid conabar dicere versus erat_: + +so was our TARLETON, of whom Doctor CASE, that learned physician, thus +speaketh in the Seventh Book and 17th chapter of his _Politics_. + +_ARISTOTLES suum THEODORETUM laudavit quendam peritum Tragaediarum +actorem, CICERO suum ROSCIUM: nos Angli TARLETONUM, in cujus voce et +vultu omnes jocosi affectus, in cujus cerebroso capite lepidae facetiae +habitant_. + +And so is now our witty [THOMAS] WILSON, who, for learning and extemporal +wit in this faculty, is without compare or compeer; as to his great and +eternal commendations, he manifested in his challenge at the _Swan_, on +the Bank Side. + +As ACHILLES tortured the dead body of HECTOR; and as ANTONIUS and his +wife FULVIA tormented the lifeless corpse of CICERO; so GABRIEL HARVEY +hath showed the same inhumanity to GREENE, that lies full low in his +grave. + +As EUPOLIS of Athens used great liberty in taxing the vices of men: so +doth THOMAS NASH. Witness the brood of the HARVEYS! + +As ACTAEON was worried of his own hounds: so is TOM NASH of his _Isle of +Dogs_. Dogs were the death of EURIPIDES; but be not disconsolate, gallant +young JUVENAL! LINUS, the son of APOLLO, died the same death. Yet GOD +forbid that so brave a wit should so basely perish! Thine are but paper +dogs, neither is thy banishment like OVID's, eternally to converse with +the barbarous _Getae_. Therefore comfort thyself, sweet TOM! with +CICERO's glorious return to Rome; and with the counsel AENEAS gives to +his seabeaten soldiers, _Lib_ 1, _AEneid_. + + Pluck up thine heart! and drive from thence both fear and care away! + To think on this, may pleasure be perhaps another day. + _Durato, et temet rebus servato secundis_. + +As ANACREON died by the pot: so GEORGE PEELE, by the pox. + +As ARCHESILAUS PRYTANOEUS perished by wine at a drunken feast, as +HERMIPPUS testifieth in DIOGENES: so ROBERT GREENE died by a surfeit +taken of pickled herrings and Rhenish wine; as witnesseth THOMAS NASH, +who was at the fatal banquet. + +As JODELLE, a French tragical poet, being an epicure and an atheist, made +a pitiful end: so our tragical poet MARLOW, for his Epicurism and Atheism, +had a tragical death; as you may read of this MARLOW more at large, in the +_Theatre of GOD's judgments_, in the 25th chapter, entreating of _Epicures +and Atheists_. + +As the poet LYCOPHRON was shot to death by a certain rival of his: so +CHRISTOPHER MARLOW was stabbed to death by a baudy Servingman, a rival of +his, in his lewd love. + +_PAINTERS_. + +APELLES painted a mare and a dog so lively [_lifelike_], that horses and +dogs passing by would neigh and bark at them. He grew so famous for his +excellent art, that great ALEXANDER came often to his shop to visit him, +and commanded that none other should paint him. At his death, he left +VENUS unfinished; neither was any [one] ever found, that durst perfect +what he had begun. + +ZEUXIS was so excellent in painting, that it was easier for any man to +view his pictures than to imitate them; who, to make an excellent table +[_picture_], had five Agrigentine virgins naked by him. He painted grapes +so lively, that birds did fly to eat them. + +PARRHASIUS painted a sheet [_curtain_] so artificially, that ZEUXIS took +it for a sheet indeed; and commanded it to be taken away, to see the +picture that he thought it had veiled. + +As learned and skilful Greece had these excellently renowned for their +limning; so England hath these: HILIARD, ISAAC OLIVER, and JOHN DE +CREETES, very famous for their painting. + +As Greece moreover had these painters, TIMANTES, PHIDIAS, POLIGNOTUS, +PANEUS, BULARCHUS, EUMARUS, CIMON CLEONCEUS, PYTHIS, APPOLLODORUS +Atheniensis, ARISTIDES Thebanus, NICOPHANES, PERSEUS, ANTIPHILUS, and +NICEARCHUS: so in England, we have also these; WILLIAM and FRANCIS SEGAR, +brethren; THOMAS and JOHN BETTES; LOCKEY, LYNE, PEAKE, PETER COLE, +ARNOLDE, MARCUS, JACQUES DE BRAY, CORNELIUS, PETER GOLCHIS, HIERONIMO and +PETER VAN DE VELDE. + +As LYSIPPUS, PRAXITELES, and PYRGOTELES were excellent engravers: so we +have these engravers; ROGERS, CHRISTOPHER SWITSER, and CURE. + +_MUSIC_. + +The loadstone draweth iron unto it, but the stone of Ethiopia called +_Theamedes_ driveth it away: so there is a kind of music that doth +assuage and appease the affections, and a kind that doth kindle and +provoke the passions. + +As there is no law that hath sovereignty over love; so there is no heart +that hath rule over music, but music subdues it. + +As one day takes from us the credit of another: so one strain of music +extincts [_extinguishes_] the pleasure of another. + +As the heart ruleth over all the members: so music overcometh the heart. + +As beauty is not beauty without virtue: so music is not music without art. + +As all things love their likes: so the more curious ear, the delicatest +music. + +As too much speaking hurts, too much galling smarts; so too much music +gluts and distempereth. + +As PLATO and ARISTOTLE are accounted Princes in philosophy and logic; +HIPPOCRATES and GALEN, in physic; PTOLOMY in astromony; EUCLID in +geometry; and CICERO in eloquence: so BOETIUS is esteemed a Prince and +captain in music. + +As Priests were famous among the Egyptians; Magi among the Chaldeans, and +Gymnosophists among the Indians; so Musicians flourished among the +Grecians: and therefore EPAMINONDAS was accounted more unlearned than +THEMISTOCLES, because he had no skill in music. + +As MERCURY, by his eloquence, reclaimed men from their barbarousness and +cruelty: so ORPHEUS, by his music, subdued fierce beasts and wild birds. + +As DEMOSTHENES, ISOCRATES, and CICERO, excelled in oratory: so ORPHEUS, +AMPHION, and LINUS surpassed in music. + +As Greece had these excellent musicians, ARION, DORCEUS, TIMOTHEUS +Milesius, CHRYSOGONUS, TERPANDER, LESBIUS, SIMON Magnesius, PHILAMON, +LINUS, STRATONICUS, ARISTONUS, CHIRON, ACHILLES, CLINIAS, EUMONIUS, +DEMODOCHUS, and RUFFINUS: so England hath these, Master COOPER, Master +FAIRFAX, Master TALLIS, Master TAVERNER, Master BLITHMAN, Master BYRD, +Doctor TIE, Doctor DALLIS, Doctor BULL, Master THOMAS MUD, sometime +Fellow of Pembroke Hall in Cambridge, Master EDWARD JOHNSON, Master +BLANKES, Master RANDALL, Master PHILIPS, Master DOWLAND, and Master +MORLEY. + +_A Choice is to be had in Reading of Books_. + +As the Lord DE LA NOUE in the sixth Discourse of his _Politic and +Military Discourses_, censureth the books of _AMADIS de Gaul_; which, he +saith, are no less hurtful to youth than the works of MACHIAVELLI to age: +so these books are accordingly to be censured of, whose names follow. + +_BEVIS of Hampton. +GUY of Warwick. +ARTHUR of the Round Table. +HUON of Bordeaux. +OLIVER of Castile. +The Four Sons of AYMON. +GARGANTUA. +GIRELEON. +The Honour of Chivalry. +PRIMALEON of Greece. +PALERMIN DE OLIVA. +The Seven Champions [of Christendom]. +The Mirror of Knighthood. +BLANCHARDINE. +MERVIN. +OWLGLASS. +The Stories of PALLADIN and PALMENDOS. +The Black Knight. +The Maiden Knight. +The History of CAELESTINA. +The Castle of Fame. +GALLIAN of France. +ORNATUS and ARTESIA. +&c_. + +_Poets_. + +As that ship is endangered where ail lean to one side; but is in safety, +one leaning one way and another another way: so the dissensions of Poets +among themselves, doth make them, that they less infect their readers. +And for this purpose, our Satirists [JOSEPH] HALL [_afterwards Bishop of +NORWICH_], [JOHN MARSTON] the Author of _PYGMALION's Image and Certain +Satires_, [JOHN] RANKINS, and such others, are very profitable. + + + + +JOHN DRYDEN. + +Dedicatory Epistle to _The Rival Ladies_. + +[Printed in 1664.] + + +To THE RIGHT HONOURABLE ROGER, EARL OF ORRERY. + +MY LORD, + +This worthless present was designed you, long before it was a Play; when +it was only a confused mass of thoughts tumbling over one another in the +dark: when the Fancy was yet in its first work, moving the sleeping +Images of Things towards the light, there to be distinguished; and then, +either chosen or rejected by the Judgement. It was yours, my Lord! before +I could call it mine. + +And I confess, in that first tumult of my thoughts, there appeared a +disorderly kind of beauty in some of them; which gave me hope, something +worthy of my Lord of ORRERY might be drawn from them: but I was then, in +that eagerness of Imagination, which, by over pleasing Fanciful Men, +flatters them into the danger of writing; so that, when I had moulded it +to that shape it now bears, I looked with such disgust upon it, that the +censures of our severest critics are charitable to what I thought, and +still think of it myself. + +'Tis so far from me, to believe this perfect; that I am apt to conclude +our best plays are scarcely so. For the Stage being the Representation of +the World and the actions in it; how can it be imagined that the Picture +of Human Life can be more exact than Life itself is? + +He may be allowed sometimes to err, who undertakes to move so many +Characters and Humours (as are requisite in a Play) in those narrow +channels, which are proper to each of them; to conduct his Imaginary +Persons through so many various intrigues and chances, as the labouring +Audience shall think them lost under every billow: and then, at length, +to work them so naturally out of their distresses, that when the whole +Plot is laid open, the Spectators may rest satisfied that every Cause was +powerful enough to produce the Effect it had; and that the whole Chain of +them was, with such due order, linked together, that the first Accident +[_Incident_], would, naturally, beget the second, till they All rendered +the Conclusion necessary. + +These difficulties, my Lord! may reasonably excuse the errors of my +Undertaking: but for this confidence of my Dedication, I have an +argument, which is too advantageous for me not to publish it to the +World. 'Tis the kindness your Lordship has continually shown to all my +writings. You have been pleased, my Lord! they should sometimes cross the +Irish seas, to kiss your hands; which passage, contrary to the experience +of others, I have found the least dangerous in the world. Your favour has +shone upon me, at a remote distance, without the least knowledge of my +person: and, like the influence of the heavenly bodies, you have done +good, without knowing to whom you did it, 'Tis this virtue in your +Lordship, which emboldens me to this attempt. For did I not consider you +as my Patron, I have little reason to desire you for my Judge: and should +appear, with as much awe before you, in the Reading; as I had, when the +full theatre sate upon the Action. + +For who so severely judge of faults, as he who has given testimony he +commits none? Your excellent _Poems_ having afforded that knowledge of it +to the World, that your enemies are ready to upbraid you with it as a +crime, for a Man of Business to write so well. Neither durst I have +justified your Lordship in it, if examples of it had not been in the +world before you: If XENOPHON had not written a Romance; and a certain +Roman, called AUGUSTUS CAESAR, a Tragedy and Epigrams. But their writing +was the entertainment of their pleasure; yours is only a diversion of +your pain. The Muses have seldom employed your thoughts, but when some +violent fit of the gout has snatched you from Affairs of State: and, like +the priestess of APOLLO, you never come to deliver his oracles, but +unwillingly, and in torment. So that we are obliged to your Lordship's +misery, for our delight. You treat us with the cruel pleasure of a +Turkish triumph, where those who cut and wound their bodies, sing songs +of victory as they pass; and divert others with their own sufferings. +Other men endure their diseases, your Lordship only can enjoy them! + +Plotting and Writing in this kind, are, certainly, more troublesome +employments than many which signify more, and are of greater moment in +the world. The Fancy, Memory, and Judgement are then extended, like so +many limbs, upon the rack; all of them reaching, with their utmost +stress, at Nature: a thing so almost infinite and boundless, as can never +fully be comprehended but where the Images of all things are always +present. + +Yet I wonder not your Lordship succeeds so well in this attempt. The +knowledge of men is your daily practice in the world. To work and bend +their stubborn minds; which go not all after the same grain, but, each of +them so particular a way, that the same common humours, in several +persons, must be wrought upon by several means. + +Thus, my Lord! your sickness is but the imitation of your health; the +Poet but subordinate to the Statesman in you. You still govern men with +the same address, and manage business with the same prudence: allowing it +here, as in the world, the due increase and growth till it comes to the +just height; and then turning it, when it is fully ripe, and Nature calls +out (as it were) to be delivered. With this only advantage of ease to you, +in your Poetry: that you have Fortune, here, at your command: with which, +Wisdom does often unsuccessfully struggle in the world. Here is no +Chance, which you have not foreseen. All your heroes are more than your +subjects, they are your creatures: and, though they seem to move freely, +in all the sallies of their passions; yet, you make destinies for them, +which they cannot shun. They are moved, if I may dare to say so, like the +rational creatures of the Almighty Poet; who walk at liberty, in their own +opinion, because their fetters are invincible: when, indeed, the Prison of +their Will is the more sure, for being large; and instead of an Absolute +Power over their actions, they have only a Wretched Desire of doing that, +which they cannot choose but do. + +I have dwelt, my Lord! thus long, upon your Writing; not because you +deserve not greater and more noble commendations, but because I am not +equally able to express them in other subjects. Like an ill swimmer, I +have willingly stayed long in my own depth; and though I am eager of +performing more, yet I am loath to venture out beyond my knowledge. For +beyond your Poetry, my Lord! all is Ocean to me. + +To speak of you as a Soldier, or a Statesman, were only to betray my own +ignorance: and I could hope no better success from it, than that +miserable Rhetorician had, who solemnly declaimed before HANNIBAL "of the +Conduct of Armies, and the Art of War." I can only say, in general, that +the Souls of other men shine out at little cranies; they understand some +one thing, perhaps, to admiration, while they are darkened on all the +other parts: but your Lordship's Soul is an entire Globe of Light, +breaking out on every side; and if I have only discovered one beam of it, +'tis not that the light falls unequally, but because the body which +receives it, is of unequal parts. + + +The acknowledgement of which, is a fair occasion offered me, to retire +from the consideration of your Lordship to that of myself. I here present +you, my Lord! with that in Print, which you had the goodness not to +dislike upon the Stage; and account it happy to have met you here in +England: it being, at best, like small wines, to be drunk out upon the +place [i.e., _of vintage, where produced_]; and has not body enough to +endure the sea. + +I know not, whether I have been so careful of the Plot and Language, as I +ought: but for the latter, I have endeavoured to write English, as near as +I could distinguish it from the tongue of pedants, and that of affected +travellers. Only, I am sorry that, speaking so noble a language as we do, +we have not a more certain Measure of it, as they have in France: where +they have an "Academy" erected for that purpose, and endowed with large +privileges by the present King [_LOUIS XIV._]. I wish, we might, at +length, leave to borrow words from other nations; which is now a +wantonness in us, not a necessity: but so long as some affect to speak +them, there will not want others who will have the boldness to write them. + +But I fear, lest defending the received words; I shall be accused for +following the New Way: I mean, of writing Scenes in Verse; though, to +speak properly, 'tis no so much a New Way amongst us, as an Old Way new +revived. For, many years [i.e., 1561] before SHAKESPEARE's Plays, was the +Tragedy of _Queen_ [or rather _King_] _GORBODUC_ [_of which, however, the +authentic title is "FERREX and PORREX"_] in English Verse; written by +that famous Lord BUCKHURST, afterwards Earl of DORSET, and progenitor to +that excellent Person, [_Lord BUCKHURST, see_ p. 503] who, as he inherits +his Soul and Title, I wish may inherit his good fortune! + +But supposing our countrymen had not received this Writing, till of late! +Shall we oppose ourselves to the most polished and civilised nations of +Europe? Shall we, with the same singularity, oppose the World in this, as +most of us do in pronouncing Latin? Or do we desire, that the brand which +BARCLAY has, I hope unjustly, laid upon the English, should still +continue? _Angli suos ac sua omnia impense mirantur; coeteras nationes +despectui habent_. All the Spanish and Italian Tragedies I have yet seen, +are writ in Rhyme. For the French, I do not name them: because it is the +fate of our countrymen, to admit little of theirs among us, but the +basest of their men, the extravagancies of their fashions, and the +frippery of their merchandise. + +SHAKESPEARE, who (with some errors, not to be avoided in that Age) had, +undoubtedly, a larger Soul of Poesy than ever any of our nation, was the +First, who (to shun the pains of continual rhyming) invented that kind of +writing which we call Blank Verse [_DRYDEN is here wrong as to fact, Lord +SURREY wrote the earliest_ printed _English Blank Verse in his Fourth +Book of the_ AEneid, _printed in_ 1548]; but the French, more properly +_Prose Mesuree_: into which, the English Tongue so naturally slides, that +in writing Prose, 'tis hardly to be avoided. And, therefore, I admire +[_marvel that_] some men should perpetually stumble in a way so easy: +and, inverting the order of their words, constantly close their lines +with verbs. Which, though commended, sometimes, in writing Latin; yet, we +were whipt at Westminster, if we used it twice together. + +I know some, who, if they were to write in Blank Verse _Sir, I ask your +pardon!_ would think it sounded more heroically to write + + _Sir, I, your pardon ask!_ + +I should judge him to have little command of English, whom the necessity +of a _rhyme_ should force upon this rock; though, sometimes, it cannot be +easily avoided. + +And, indeed, this is the only inconvenience with which Rhyme can be +charged. This is that, which makes them say, "Rhyme is not natural. It +being only so, when the Poet either makes a vicious choice of words; or +places them, for Rhyme's sake so unnaturally, as no man would, in +ordinary speaking." But when 'tis so judiciously ordered, that the first +word in the verse seems to beget the second; and that, the next; till +that becomes the last word in the line, which, in the negligence of +Prose, would be so: it must, then, be granted, Rhyme has all advantages +of Prose, besides its own. + +But the excellence and dignity of it, were never fully known, till Mr. +WALLER taught it. He, first, made writing easily, an Art: first, showed +us to conclude the Sense, most commonly in distiches; which in the Verse +of those before him, runs on for so many lines together, that the reader +is out of breath, to overtake it. + +This sweetness of Mr. WALLER's Lyric Poesy was, afterwards, followed in +the Epic, by Sir JOHN DENHAM, in his _Cooper's Hill_; a Poem which, your +Lordship knows! for the majesty of the style, is, and ever will be the +Exact Standard of Good Writing. + +But if we owe the invention of it to Mr. WALLER; we are acknowledging for +the noblest use of it, to Sir WILLIAM D'AVENANT; who, at once, brought it +upon the Stage, and made it perfect in _The Siege of Rhodes_. + + +The advantages which Rhyme has over Blank Verse, are so many that it were +lost time to name them. + +Sir PHILIP SIDNEY, in his _Defence of Poesy_, gives us one, which, in my +opinion, is not the least considerable: I mean, _the Help it brings to +Memory_; which Rhyme so knits up by the Affinity of Sounds, that by +remembering the last word in one line, we often call to mind both the +verses. + +Then, in the Quickness of Repartees, which in Discoursive Scenes fall +very often: it has so particular a grace, and is so aptly suited to them, +that _the Sudden Smartness of the Answer, and the Sweetness of the Rhyme +set off the beauty of each other_. + +But that benefit, which I consider most in it, because I have not seldom +found it, is that _it Bounds and Circumscribes the Fancy_. For +Imagination in a Poet, is a faculty so wild and lawless, that, like a +high ranging spaniel, it must have clogs tied to it, lest it outrun the +Judgement. The great easiness of Blank Verse renders the Poet too +luxuriant. He is tempted to say many things, which might better be +omitted, or, at least, shut up in fewer words. + +But when the difficulty of artful Rhyming is interposed, where the Poet +commonly confines his Sense to his Couplet; and must contrive that Sense +into such words that the Rhyme shall naturally follow them, not they the +Rhyme [pp. 571 581]: the Fancy then gives leisure to the Judgement to +come in; which, seeing so heavy a tax imposed, is ready to cut off all +unnecessary expenses. + +This last consideration has already answered an objection, which some +have made, that "Rhyme is only an Embroidery of Sense; to make that which +is ordinary in itself, pass for excellent with less examination." But, +certainly, that which most regulates the Fancy, and gives the Judgement +its busiest employment, is like[ly] to bring forth the richest and +clearest thoughts. The Poet examines that most which he produceth with +the greatest leisure, and which, he knows, must pass the severest test of +the audience, because they are aptest to have it ever in their memory: as +the stomach makes the best concoction when it strictly embraces the +nourishment, and takes account of every little particle as it passes +through. + + +But, as the best medicines may lose their virtue, by being ill applied; +so is it with Verse, if a fit Subject be not chosen for it. Neither must +the Argument alone, but the Characters and Persons be great and noble: +otherwise, as SCALIGER says of CLAUDIAN, the Poet will be _Ignobiliore +materia depressus_. The Scenes which (in my opinion) most commend it, are +those of Argumentation and Discourse, on the result of which, the doing or +not doing [of] some considerable Action should depend. + + +But, my Lord! though I have more to say upon this subject; yet, I must +remember, 'tis your Lordship, to whom I speak: who have much better +commended this Way by your writing _in_ it; than I can do, by writing +_for_ it. Where my Reasons cannot prevail, I am sure your Lordship's +Example must. Your Rhetoric has gained my cause; as least, the greatest +part of my design has already succeeded to my wish: which was, to +interest so noble a Person in the Quarrel; and withal, to testify to the +World, how happy I esteem myself in the honour of being, My Lord, + +Your Lordship's most humble, and most obedient servant, + +JOHN DRYDEN. + + + + +The Honourable Sir ROBERT HOWARD, Auditor of the Exchequer. + +Preface to _Four new Plays_. + +[Licensed 7 March 1665, Printed the same year.] + + +_TO THE READER_. + +There is none more sensible than I am, how great a charity the most +Ingenious may need, that expose their private wit to a public judgement; +since the same Phancy from whence the thoughts proceed, must probably be +kind to its own issue. This renders men no perfecter judges of their own +writings, than fathers are of their own children: who find out that wit +in them, which another discerns not; and see not those errors, which are +evident to the unconcerned. Nor is this Self Kindness more fatal to men +in their writings, than in their actions; every man being a greater +flatterer to himself, than he knows how to be to another: otherwise, it +were impossible that things of such distant natures, should find their +own authors so equally kind in their affections to them; and men so +different in parts and virtues, should rest equally contented in their +own opinions. + +This apprehension, added to that greater [one] which I have of my own +weakness, may, I hope, incline the Reader to believe me, when I assure +him that these follies were made public, as much against my inclination +as judgement. But, being pursued with so many solicitations of Mr. +HERRINGMAN's [_the Publisher_], and having received civilities from him, +if it were possible, exceeding his importunities: I, at last, yielded to +prefer that which he believed his interest; before that, which I +apprehended my own disadvantage. Considering withal, that he might +pretend, It would be a real loss to him: and could be but an imaginary +prejudice to me: since things of this nature, though never so excellent, +or never so mean, have seldom proved the foundation of men's new built +fortunes, or the ruin of their old. It being the fate of Poetry, though +of no other good parts, to be wholly separated from Interest: and there +are few that know me but will easily believe, I am not much concerned in +an unprofitable Reputation. + +This clear account I have given the Reader, of this seeming +contradiction, to offer that to the World which I dislike myself: and, in +all things, I have no greater an ambition than to be believed [to be] a +Person, that would rather be unkind to myself, than ungrateful to others. + +I have made this excuse for myself. I offer none for my writings; but +freely leave the Reader to condemn that which has received my sentence +already. + + +Yet, I shall presume to say something in the justification of our +nation's Plays, though not of my own: since, in my judgement, without +being partial to my country, I do really prefer our Plays as much before +any other nation's; as I do the best of ours before my own. + +The manner of the Stage Entertainments has differed in all Ages; and, as +it has increased in use, it has enlarged itself in business. The general +manner of Plays among the Ancients we find in SENECA's Tragedies, for +serious subjects; and in TERENCE and PLAUTUS, for the comical. In which +latter, we see some pretences to Plots; though certainly short of what we +have seen in some of Mr. [BEN.] JOHNSON's Plays. And for their Wit, +especially PLAUTUS, I suppose it suited much better in those days, than +it would do in ours. For were their Plays strictly translated, and +presented on our Stage; they would hardly bring as many audiences as they +have now admirers. + +The serious Plays were anciently composed of Speeches and Choruses; where +all things are Related, but no matter of _fact_ Presented on the Stage. +This pattern, the French do, at this time, nearly follow: only leaving +out the Chorus, making up their Plays with almost Entire and Discoursive +Scenes; presenting the business in Relations [p. 535]. This way has very +much affected some of our nation, who possibly believe well of it, more +upon the account that what the French do ought to be a fashion, than upon +the reason of the thing. + +It is first necessary to consider, Why, probably, the compositions of the +Ancients, especially in their serious Plays were after this manner? And it +will be found, that the subjects they commonly chose, drave them upon the +necessity; which were usually the most known stories and Fables [p. 522]. +Accordingly, SENECA, making choice of MEDEA, HYPPOLITUS, and HERCULES +_OEtaeus_, it was impossible to _show_ MEDEA throwing old mangled AESON +into her age-renewing caldron, or to _present_ the scattered limbs of +HYPPOLITUS upon the Stage, and _show_ HERCULES burning upon his own +funeral pile. + +And this, the judicious HORACE clearly speaks of, in his _Arte Poetica_; +where he says + + _Non tamen intus + Digna geri, promes in scenam: multaque tolles + Ex oculis, quae mox narret facundia praesens. + Nec pueros coram populo MEDEA trucidet[8] + Aut humana palam coquat extra nefarius ATREUS, + Aut in avem PROGNE vertatur, CADMUS in anguem. + Quodcunque ostendit mihi sic, incredulus odi_. + +So that it appears a fault to chose such Subjects for the Stage; but much +greater, to affect that Method which those subjects enforce: and therefore +the French seem much mistaken, who, without the necessity, sometimes +commit the error. And this is as plainly decided by the same author, in +his preceding word + + _Aut agitur res in Scenis aut acta refertur: + Segnius irritant animos demissa per aurem; + Quam quae sunt oculis subjecta fidelibus, et quae + Ipse sibi tradit spectator_. + +By which, he directly declares his judgement, "That every thing makes +more impression Presented, than Related." Nor, indeed, can any one +rationally assert the contrary. For, if they affirm otherwise, they do, +by consequence, maintain, That a whole Play might as well be Related, as +Acted. + +Therefore whoever chooses a subject, that enforces him to RELATIONS, is +to blame; and he that does it without the necessity of the subject, is +much more. + +If these premisses be granted, 'tis no partiality to conclude, That our +English Plays justly challenge the pre-eminence. + + +Yet, I shall as candidly acknowledge, that our best Poets have differed +from other nations, though not so happily [_felicitously_], in usually +mingling and interweaving Mirth and Sadness, through the whole course of +their Plays. BEN. JOHNSON only excepted; who keeps himself entire to one +Argument. And I confess I am now convinced in my own judgement, that it +is most proper to keep the audience in one entire disposition both of +Concern and Attention: for when Scenes of so different natures, +immediately succeed one another; 'tis probable, the audience may not so +suddenly recollect themselves, as to start into an enjoyment of Mirth, or +into the concern for the Sadness. Yet I dispute not but the variety of +this world may afford pursuing accidents of such different natures; but +yet, though possible in themselves to be, they may not be so proper to be +Presented. An Entire Connection being the natural beauty of all Plays: and +Language, the Ornament to dress them in; which, in serious Subjects, ought +to be great and easy, like a high born Person that expresses greatness +without pride or affection. + +The easier dictates of Nature ought to flow in Comedy; yet separated from +obsceneness. There being nothing more impudent than the immodesty of +words. Wit should be chaste; and those that have it, can only write well: + + _Si modo + Scimus in urbanum Lepido se ponere dicto_. + +Another way of the Ancients, which the French follow, and our Stage has, +now lately, practised; is to write in Rhyme. And this is the dispute +betwixt many ingenious persons, _Whether Verse in Rhyme; or Verse without +the Sound, which may be called Blank Verse_ (though a hard expression) _is +to be preferred_? + +But take the question, largely, and it is never to be decided [p. 512]; +but, by right application, I suppose it may. For, in the general, they +are both proper: that is, one for a Play; the other for a Poem or Copy of +Verses: as Blank Verse being as much too low for one [_i.e., a. Poem or +Verses_]; as Rhyme is unnatural for the other [_i.e., a Play_]. + +A Poem, being a premeditated Form of thoughts, upon designed occasions: +ought not to be unfurnished of any Harmony in Words or Sound. The other +[_a Play_] is presented as the _present effect_ of accidents not thought +of. So that, 'tis impossible, it should be equally proper to both these; +unless it were possible that all persons were born so much more than +Poets, that verses were not to be composed by them, but already made in +them. + +Some may object "That this argument is trivial; because, whatever is +showed, 'tis known still to be but a Play." But such may as well excuse +an ill scene, that is not naturally painted; because they know 'tis only +a scene, and not really a city or country. + + +But there is yet another thing which makes Verse upon the Stage appear +more unnatural, that is, when a piece of a verse is made up by one that +knew not what the other meant to say; and the former verse answered as +perfectly in Sound as the last is supplied in Measure. So that the +smartness of a Reply, which has its beauty by coming from sudden +thoughts, seems lost by that which rather looks like a Design of two, +than the Answer of one. + +It may be said, that "Rhyme is such a confinement to a quick and +luxuriant Phancy, that it gives a stop to its speed, till slow Judgement +comes in to assist it [p. 492];" but this is no argument for the question +in hand. For the dispute is not which way a man may write best in; but +which is most proper for the subject he writes upon. And if this were let +pass, the argument is yet unsolved in itself; for he that wants Judgement +in the liberty of his Phancy, may as well shew the defect of it in its +confinement: and, to say truth, he that has judgement will avoid the +errors, and he that wants it, will commit them both. + +It may be objected, "'Tis Improbable that any should speak _ex tempore_, +as well as Beaumont and Fletcher makes them; though in Blank Verse." I do +not only acknowledge that, but that 'tis also improbable any will write so +well that way. But if that may be allowed improbable; I believe it may be +concluded impossible that any should speak as good Verses in Rhyme, as +the best Poets have writ: and therefore, that which seems _nearest_ to +what he intends is ever to be preferred. + +Nor are great thoughts more adorned by Verse; than Verse unbeautified by +mean ones. So that Verse seems not only unfit in the best use of it, but +much more in the worst, when "a servant is called," or "a door bid to be +shut" in Rhyme [p. 569]. Verses, I mean good ones, do, in their height of +Phancy, declare the labour that brought them forth! like Majesty that +grows with care: and Nature, that made the Poet capable, seems to retire, +and leave its offers to be made perfect by pains and judgement. + +Against this, I can raise no argument, but my Lord of Orrery's writings. +In whose Verse, the greatness of the Majesty seems unsullied with the +cares, and his inimitable Phancy descends to us in such easy expressions, +that they seem as if neither had ever been added to the other: but both +together flowing from a height; like birds got so high that use no +labouring wings, but only, with an easy care, preserve a steadiness in +motion. But this particular happiness, among those multitudes which that +excellent Person is owner of, does not convince my reason, but employ my +wonder. Yet, I am glad such Verse has been written for our Stage; since +it has so happily exceeded those whom we seemed to imitate. + + +But while I give these arguments against Verse, I may seem faulty, that I +have not only writ ill ones, but writ any. But since it was the fashion; I +was resolved, as in all indifferent things, not to appear singular: the +danger of the vanity being greater than the error. And therefore, I +followed it as a fashion; though very far off. + +For the Italian plays; I have seen some of them, which have been given me +as the best: but they are so inconsiderable that the particulars of them +are not at all worthy to entertain the Reader. But, as much as they are +short of others, in this; they exceed in their other performances on the +Stage. I mean their Operas: which, consisting of Music and Painting; +there's none but will believe it as much harder to equal them in that +way, than 'tis to excel them in the other. + +The Spanish Plays pretend to more; but, indeed, are not much: being +nothing but so many novels put into Acts and scenes, without the least +attempt or design of making the Reader more concerned than a well-told +tale might do. Whereas, a Poet that endeavours not to heighten the +accidents which Fortune seems to scatter in a well-knit Design, had +better have told his tale by a fireside, than presented it on a Stage. + + +For these times, wherein we write. I admire to hear the Poets so often +cry out upon, and wittily (as they believe) threaten their judges; since +the effects of their mercy has so much exceeded their justice, that +others with me, cannot but remember how many favourable audiences, some +of our ill plays have had: and, when I consider how severe the former Age +has been to some of the best of Mr. Johnson's never to be equalled +Comedies; I cannot but wonder why any Poet should speak of former Times, +but rather acknowledge that the want of abilities in this Age are largely +supplied with the mercies of it. + +I deny not, but there are some who resolve to like nothing, and such, +perhaps, are not unwise; since, by that general resolution, they may be +certainly in the right sometimes: which, perhaps, they would seldom be, +if they should venture their understandings in different censures; and, +being forced to a general liking or disliking (lest they should discover +too much their own weakness), 'tis to be expected they would rather +choose to pretend to Judgement than Good Nature, though I wish they could +find better ways to shew either. + + +But I forget myself; not considering that while I entertain the Reader, +in the entrance, with what a good play should be: when he is come beyond +the entrance, he must be treated with what ill plays are. But in this, I +resemble the greatest part of the World, that better know how to talk of +many things, than to perform them; and live short of their own discourses. + +And now, I seem like an eager hunter, that has long pursued a chase after +an inconsiderable quarry; and gives over, weary; as I do. + + +[8] p. 537 + + + + +OF DRAMATIC POESY, AN ESSAY. + +By JOHN DRYDEN Esq.; + + _Fungar vice cotis, acutum + Reddere quae ferrum valet, exors ipsa secandi_. + Horat. De Arte Poet. + +1668 + + +To the Right Honourable CHARLES LORD BUCKHURST. + +My Lord, + +_As I was lately reviewing my loose papers, amongst the rest I found this +Essay, the writing of which, in this rude and indigested manner wherein +your Lordship now sees it, served as an amusement to me in the country +[in 1665], when the violence of the last Plague had driven me from the +town. Seeing, then, our theatres shut up; I was engaged in these kind[s] +of thoughts with the same delight with which men think upon their absent +mistresses. + +I confess I find many things in this Discourse, which I do not now +approve; my judgement being a little altered since the writing of it: but +whether for the better or worse, I know not. Neither indeed is it much +material in an_ Essay, _where all I have said is problematical. + +For the way of writing Plays in Verse, which I have seemed to favour [p. +561]; I have, since that time, laid the practice of it aside till I have +more leisure, because I find it troublesome and slow. But I am no way +altered from my opinion of it, at least, with any reasons which have +opposed it. For your Lordship may easily observe that none are very +violent against it; but those who either have not attempted it, or who +have succeeded ill in their attempt. 'Tis enough for me, to have your +Lordship's example for my excuse in that little which I have done in it: +and I am sure my adversaries can bring no such arguments against Verse, +as the Fourth Act of_ POMPEY _will furnish me with in its defence. + +Yet, my Lord! you must suffer me a little to complain of you! that you +too soon withdraw from us a contentment, of which we expected the +continuance, because you gave it us so early. 'Tis a revolt without +occasion from your Party! where your merits had already raised you to the +highest commands: and where you have not the excuse of other men that you +have been ill used and therefore laid down arms. I know no other quarrel +you can have to Verse, than that which_ SPURINA _had to his beauty; when +he tore and mangled the features of his face, only because they pleased +too well the lookers on. It was an honour which seemed to wait for you, +to lead out a New Colony of Writers from the Mother Nation; and, upon the +first spreading of your ensigns, there had been many in a readiness to +have followed so fortunate a Leader; if not all, yet the better part of +writers._ + + Pars, indocili melior grege, mollis et expes + Inominata perprimat cubilia. + +_I am almost of opinion that we should force you to accept of the +command; as sometimes the Praetorian Bands have compelled their Captains +to receive the Empire. The Court, which is the best and surest judge of +writing, has generally allowed of Verse; and in the Town, it has found +favourers of Wit and Quality. + +As for your own particular, my Lord! you have yet youth and time enough +to give part of it to the Divertisement of the of the Public, before you +enter into the serious and more unpleasant Business of the World. + +That which the French Poet said of the Temple of Love, may be as well +applied to the Temple of Muses. The words, as near[ly] as I can remember +them, were these--_ + + La jeunesse a mauvaise grace + N'ayant pas adore dans le Temple d'Amour; + Il faut qu'il entre: et pour le sage; + Si ce n'est son vrai sejour, + Ce'st un gite sur son passage. + +_I leave the words to work their effect upon your Lordship, in their own +language; because no other can so well express the nobleness of the +thought: and wish you may be soon called to bear a part in the affaires +of the Nation, where I know the World expects you, and wonders why you +have been so long forgotten; there being no person amongst our young +nobility, on whom the eyes of all men are so much bent. But, in the +meantime, your Lordship may imitate the Course of Nature, which gives us +the flower before the fruit; that I may speak to you in the language of +the Muses, which I have taken from an excellent Poem to the King [i.e.,_ +CHARLES II.] + + _As Nature, when she fruit designs, thinks fit + By beauteous blossoms to proceed to it, + And while she does accomplish all the Spring, + Birds, to her secret operations sing. + +I confess I have no greater reason in addressing this Essay to your +Lordship, than that it might awaken in you the desire of writing +something, in whatever kind it be, which might be an honour to our Age +and country. And, methinks, it might have the same effect upon you, +which, HOMER tells us, the fight of the Greeks and Trojans before the +fleet had on the spirit of ACHILLES; who, though he had resolved not to +engage, yet found a martial warmth to steal upon him at the sight of +blows, the sound of trumpets, and the cries of fighting men. + +For my own part, if in treating of this subject, I sometimes dissent from +the opinion of better Wits, I declare it is not so much to combat their +opinions as to defend mine own, which were first made public. Sometimes, +like a scholar in a fencing school, I put forth myself, and show my own +ill play, on purpose to be better taught. Sometimes, I stand desperately +to my arms, like the Foot, when deserted by their Horse; not in hope to +overcome, but only to yield on more honourable terms. + +And yet, my Lord! this War of Opinions, you well know, has fallen out +among the Writers of all Ages, and sometimes betwixt friends: only it has +been persecuted by some, like pedants, with violence of words; and +managed, by others, like gentlemen, with candour and civility. Even TULLY +had a controversy with his dear ATTICUS; and in one of his_ Dialogues, +_makes him sustain the part of an enemy in Philosophy, who, in his_ +Letters, _is his confident of State, and made privy to the most weighty +affairs of the Roman Senate: and the same respect, which was paid by +TULLY to ATTICUS; we find returned to him, afterwards, by CAESAR, on a +like occasion: who, answering his book in praise of CATO, made it not so +much his business to condemn CATO, as to praise CICERO. + +But that I may decline some part of the encounter with my adversaries, +whom I am neither willing to combat, nor well able to resist; I will give +your Lordship the relation of a dispute betwixt some of our wits upon this +subject: in which, they did not only speak of Plays in Verse, but mingled, +in the freedom of discourse, some things of the Ancient, many of the +Modern Ways of Writing; comparing those with these, and the Wits of our +Nation with those of others. 'Tis true, they differed in their opinions, +as 'tis probable they would; neither do I take upon me to reconcile, but +to relate them, and that, as TACITUS professes of himself_, sine studio +partium aut ira_, "without passion or interest": leaving your Lordship to +decide it in favour of which part, you shall judge most reasonable! And +withal, to pardon the many errors of_ + +Your Lordship's most obedient humble servant, + +JOHN DRYDEN. + + + + +TO THE READER. + +_The drift of the ensuing Discourse was chiefly to vindicate the honour +of our English Writers from the censure of those who unjustly prefer the +French before them. This I intimate, lest any should think me so +exceeding vain, as to teach others an Art which they understand much +better than myself. But if this incorrect Essay, written in the country, +without the help of books or advice of friends, shall find any acceptance +in the World: I promise to myself a better success of the Second Part, +wherein the virtues and faults of the English Poets who have written, +either in this, the Epic, or the Lyric way, will be more fully treated +of; and their several styles impartially imitated._ + +AN ESSAY OF Dramatic Poesy. + +It was that memorable day [_3rd of June_ 1665] in the first summer of the +late war, when our Navy engaged the Dutch; a day, wherein the two most +mighty and best appointed Fleets which any Age had ever seen, disputed +the command of the greater half of the Globe, the commerce of Nations, +and the riches of the Universe. While these vast floating bodies, on +either side, moved against each other in parallel lines; and our +countrymen, under the happy conduct of His Royal Highness [_the Duke of +YORK_], went breaking by little and little, into the line of the enemies: +the noise of the cannon from both navies reached our ears about the City; +so that all men being alarmed with it, and in a dreadful suspense of the +event which we knew was then deciding, every one went following the sound +as his fancy [_imagination_] led him. And leaving the Town almost empty, +some took towards the Park; some cross the river, others down it: all +seeking the noise in the depth of silence. + +Among the rest, it was the fortune of EUGENIUS, CRITES, LISIDEIUS and +NEANDER to be in company together: three of them persons whom their Wit +and Quality have made known to all the Town; and whom I have chosen to +hide under these borrowed names, that they may not suffer by so ill a +Relation as I am going to make, of their discourse. + +Taking then, a barge, which a servant of LISIDEIUS had provided for them, +they made haste to shoot the Bridge [_i.e., London Bridge_]: and [so] left +behind them that great fall of waters, which hindered them from hearing +what they desired. + +After which, having disengaged themselves from many vessels which rode at +anchor in the Thames, and almost blocked up the passage towards Greenwich: +they ordered the watermen to let fall their oars more gently; and then, +every one favouring his own curiosity with a strict silence, it was not +long ere they perceived the air break about them, like the noise of +distant thunder, or of swallows in a chimney. Those little undulations of +sound, though almost vanishing before they reached them; yet still seeming +to retain somewhat of their first horror, which they had betwixt the +fleets. + +After they had attentively listened till such time, as the sound, by +little and little, went from them; EUGENIUS [_i.e., Lord BUCKHURST_] +lifting up his head, and taking notice of it, was the first to +congratulate to the rest, that happy Omen of our nation's victory: +adding, "we had but this to desire, in confirmation of it, that we might +hear no more of that noise, which was now leaving the English coast." + +When the rest had concurred in the same opinion, CRITES [_i.e., Sir +ROBERT HOWARD_] (a person of a sharp judgment, and somewhat a too +delicate a taste in wit, which the World have mistaken in him for ill +nature) said, smiling, to us, "That if the concernment of this battle had +not been so exceeding[ly] great, he could scarce have wished the victory +at the price, he knew, must pay for it; in being subject to the reading +and hearing of so many ill verses, he was sure would be made upon it." +Adding, "That no argument could 'scape some of those eternal rhymers, who +watch a battle with more diligence than the ravens and birds of prey; and +the worst of them surest to be first in upon the quarry: while the better +able, either, out of modesty, writ not at all; or set that due value upon +their poems, as to let them be often called for, and long expected." + +"There are some of those impertinent people you speak of," answered +LISIDEIUS [_i.e., Sir CHARLES SEDLEY_], "who, to my knowledge, are +already so provided, either way, that they can produce not only a +Panegyric upon the Victory: but, if need be, a Funeral Elegy upon the +Duke, and, after they have crowned his valour with many laurels, at last, +deplore the odds under which he fell; concluding that his courage deserved +a better destiny." All the company smiled at the conceit of LISIDEIUS. + +But CRITES, more eager than before, began to make particular exceptions +against some writers, and said, "The Public Magistrate ought to send, +betimes, to forbid them: and that it concerned the peace and quiet of all +honest people, that ill poets should be as well silenced as seditious +preachers." + +"In my opinion" replied EUGENIUS, "you pursue your point too far! For, as +to my own particular, I am so great a lover of Poesy, that I could wish +them all rewarded, who attempt but to do well. At least, I would not have +them worse used than SYLLA the Dictator did one of their brethren +heretofore. _Quem in concione vidimus_ (says TULLY, speaking of him) _cum +ei libellum malus poeta de populo subjecisset, quod epigramma in eum +fecisset tantummodo alternis versibus longiuculis, statim ex iis rebus +quae tunc vendebat jubere ei praemium tribui, sub ea conditione ne quid +postea scriberet_." + +"I could wish, with all my heart," replied CRITES, "that many whom we +know, were as bountifully thanked, upon the same condition, that they +would never trouble us again. For amongst others, I have a mortal +apprehension of two poets, whom this Victory, with the help of both her +wings, will never be able to escape." + +"'Tis easy to guess, whom you intend," said LISIDEIUS, "and without +naming them, I ask you if one [_i.e., GEORGE WITHER_] of them does not +perpetually pay us with clenches upon words, and a certain clownish kind +of raillery? If, now and then, he does not offer at a catachresis [_which +COTGRAVE defines as 'the abuse, or necessary use of one word, for lack of +another more proper'_] or Clevelandism, wresting and torturing a word +into another meaning? In fine, if be not one of those whom the French +would call _un mauvais buffon_; one that is so much a well willer to the +Satire, that he spares no man: and though he cannot strike a blow to hurt +any, yet ought to be punished for the malice of the action; as our witches +are justly hanged, because they think themselves so, and suffer deservedly +for believing they did mischief, because they meant it." + +"You have described him," said CRITES, "so exactly, that I am afraid to +come after you, with my other Extremity of Poetry. He [_i.e., FRANCIS +QUARLES_] is one of those, who, having had some advantage of education +and converse [_i.e., conversation, in the sense of Culture through +mixture with society_], knows better than the other, what a Poet should +be; but puts it into practice more unluckily than any man. His style and +matter are everywhere alike. He is the most calm, peaceable writer you +ever read. He never disquiets your passions with the least concernment; +but still leaves you in as even a temper as he found you. He is a very +Leveller in poetry; he creeps along, with ten little words in every line, +and helps out his numbers with _For to_, and _Unto_, and all the pretty +expletives he can find, till he drags them to the end of another line: +while the Sense is left, tired, halfway behind it. He doubly starves all +his verses; first, for want of Thought, and then, of Expression, His +poetry neither has wit in it, nor seems to have it; like him, in MARTIAL, + + "_Pauper videri CINNA vult, et est pauper_. + +"He affects plainness, to cover his Want of Imagination. When he writes +in the serious way; the highest flight of his Fancy is some miserable +_antithesis_ or seeming contradiction: and in the comic; he is still +reaching at some thin conceit, the ghost of a jest, and that too flies +before him, never to be caught. These swallows, which we see before us on +the Thames, are the just resemblance of his Wit. You may observe how near +the water they stoop! how many proffers they make to dip, and yet how +seldom they touch it! and when they do, 'tis but the surface! they skim +over it, but to catch a gnat, and then mount in the air and leave it!" + +"Well, gentlemen!" said EUGENICS, "you may speak your pleasure of these +authors; but though. I and some few more about the Town, may give you a +peaceable hearing: yet, assure yourselves! there are multitudes who would +think you malicious, and them injured; especially him whom you first +described, he is the very _Withers_ of the City. They have bought more +Editions of his works, than would serve to lay under all their pies at +the Lord Mayor's Christmas. When his famous poem [_i.e., Speculum +Speculativium; Or, A Considering Glass, Being an Inspection into the +present and late sad condition of these Nations.... London. Written June +xiii. XDCLX, and there imprinted the same year_] first came out in the +year 1660, I have seen them read it in the midst of Change time. Nay, so +vehement were they at it, that they lost their bargain by the candles' +ends! But what will you say, if he has been received among the Great +Ones? I can assure you, he is, this day, the envy of a Great Person, who +is Lord in the Art of Quibbling; and who does not take it well, than any +man should intrude so far into his province." + +"All I would wish," replied CRITES, "is that they who love his writings, +may still admire him and his fellow poet. _Qui Bavium non odit &c._, is +curse sufficient." + +"And farther," added LISIDEIUS; "I believe there is no man who writes +well; but would think himself very hardly dealt with, if their admirers +should praise anything of his. _Nam quos contemnimus eorum quoque laudes +contemnimus_." + +"There are so few who write well, in this Age," said CRITES, "that +methinks any praises should be welcome. They neither rise to the dignity +of the last Age, nor to any of the Ancients: and we may cry out of the +Writers of this Time, with more reason than PETRONIUS of his, _Pace +vestra liceat dixisse, primi omnium eloquentiam perdidistis_! 'You have +debauched the true old Poetry so far, that Nature (which is the Soul of +it) is not in any of your writings!'" + +"If your quarrel," said EUGENIUS, "to those who now write, be grounded +only upon your reverence to Antiquity; there is no man more ready to +adore those great Greeks and Romans than I am: but, on the other side, I +cannot think so contemptibly of the Age I live in, or so dishonourably of +my own Country as not to judge [that] we equal the Ancients in most kinds +of Poesy, and in some, surpass them; neither know I any reason why I may +not be as zealous for the reputation of our Age, as we find the Ancients +themselves, in reference to those who lived before them. For you hear +HORACE saying + + "_Indignor quidquam reprehendi, non quia crasse + Compositum, ille pide've putetur, sed quia nuper._ + +"And, after, + + "Si meliora dies, ut vina, poemata reddit, + Scire velim pretium chartis quotus arroget annus?_ + +"But I see I am engaging in a wide dispute, where the arguments are not +like[ly] to reach close, on either side [p. 497]: for Poesy is of so +large extent, and so many (both of the Ancients and Moderns) have done +well in all kinds of it, that, in citing one against the other, we shall +take up more time this evening, than each man's occasions will allow him. +Therefore, I would ask CRITES to what part of Poesy, he would confine his +arguments? and whether he would defend the general cause of the Ancients +against the Moderns; or oppose any Age of the Moderns against this of +ours?" + +CRITES, a little while considering upon this demand, told EUGENIUS, he +approved of his propositions; and, if he pleased, he would limit their +dispute to Dramatic Poesy: in which, he thought it not difficult to +prove, either that the Ancients were superior to the Moderns; or the last +Age to this of ours. + +EUGENIUS was somewhat surprised, when he heard CRITES make choice of that +subject. "For ought I see," said he, "I have undertaken a harder province +than I imagined. For though I never judged the plays of the Greek and +Roman poets comparable to ours: yet, on the other side, those we now see +acted, come short of many which were written in the last Age. But my +comfort is, if we were o'ercome, it will be only by our own countrymen; +and if we yield to them in this one part of Poesy, we [the] more surpass +them in all the other[s]. + +"For in the Epic, or Lyric way, it will be hard for them to shew us one +such amongst them, as we have many now living, or who lately were so. +They can produce nothing so Courtly writ, or which expresses so much the +conversation of a gentleman, as Sir JOHN SUCKLING; nothing so even, +sweet, and flowing, as Mr. WALLER; nothing so majestic, so correct, as +Sir JOHN DENHAM; nothing so elevated, so copious, and full of spirit, as +Mr. COWLEY. As for the Italian, French, and Spanish plays, I can make it +evident, that those who now write, surpass them; and that the Drama is +wholly ours." + +All of them were thus far of EUGENIUS his opinion, that "the sweetness of +English Verse was never understood or practised by our fathers"; even +CRITES himself did not much oppose it: and every one was willing to +acknowledge how much our Poesy is improved by the happiness of some +writers yet living, who first taught us to mould our thoughts into easy +and significant words; to retrench the superfluities of expression; and +to make our Rhyme so properly a part of the Verse, that it should never +mislead the Sense, but itself be led and governed by it. + + +EUGENIUS was going to continue this discourse, when LISIDEIUS told him, +that "it was necessary, before they proceeded further, to take a Standing +Measure of their controversy. For how was it possible to be decided who +writ the best plays, before we know what a Play should be? but this once +agreed on by both parties, each might have recourse to it; either to +prove his own advantages, or discover the failings of his adversary." + +He had no sooner said this; but all desired the favour of him to give the +definition of a Play: and they were the more importunate, because neither +ARISTOTLE, nor HORACE, nor any other who writ of that subject, had ever +done it. + +LISIDEIUS, after some modest denials, at last, confessed he had a rude +notion of it; indeed, rather a Description than a Definition; but which +served to guide him in his private thoughts, when he was to make a +judgment of what others writ. That he conceived a Play ought to be A JUST +AND LIVELY IMAGE OF HUMAN NATURE, REPRESENTING ITS PASSIONS AND HUMOURS; +AND THE CHANGES OF FORTUNE, TO WHICH IT IS SUBJECT: FOR THE DELIGHT AND +INSTRUCTION OF MANKIND. + +This Definition, though CRITES raised a logical objection against it +(that "it was only _a genere et fine_," and so not altogether perfect), +was yet well received by the rest. + +And, after they had given order to the watermen to turn their barge, and +row softly, that they might take the cool of the evening in their return: +CRITES, being desired by the company to begin, spoke on behalf of the +Ancients, in this manner. + + +"If confidence presage a victory; EUGENIUS, in his own opinion, has +already triumphed over the Ancients. Nothing seems more easy to him, than +to overcome those whom it is our greatest praise to have imitated well: +for we do not only build upon their foundation, but by their models. + +"Dramatic Poesy had time enough, reckoning from THESPIS who first +invented it, to ARISTOPHANES; to be born, to grow up, and to flourish in +maturity. + +"_It has been observed of Arts and Sciences, that in one and the same +century, they have arrived to a great perfection_ [p. 520]. And, no +wonder! since every Age has a kind of Universal Genius, which inclines +those that live in it to some particular studies. The work then being +pushed on by many hands, must, of necessity, go forward. + +"Is it not evident, in these last hundred years, when the study of +Philosophy has been the business of all the _Virtuosi_ in Christendom, +that almost a new Nature has been revealed to us? that more errors of the +School have been detected, more useful experiments in Philosophy have been +made, more noble secrets in Optics, Medicine, Anatomy, Astronomy, +discovered; than, in all those credulous and doting Ages, from ARISTOTLE +to us [p. 520]? So true it is, that nothing spreads more fast than +Science, when rightly and generally cultivated. + +"Add to this, _the more than common Emulation that was, in those times, +of writing well_: which, though it be found in all Ages and all persons +that pretend to the same reputation: yet _Poesy, being then in more +esteem than now it is, had greater honours decreed to the Professors of +it, and consequently the rivalship was more high between them_. They had +Judges ordained to decide their merit, and prizes to reward it: and +historians have been diligent to record of AESCHYLUS, EURIPIDES, +SOPHOCLES, LYCOPHRON, and the rest of them, both who they were that +vanquished in these Wars of the Theatre, and how often they were crowned: +while the Asian Kings and Grecian Commonwealths scarce[ly] afforded them a +nobler subject than the unmanly luxuries of a debauched Court, or giddy +intrigues of a factious city. _Alit oemulatio ingenia_, says PATERCULUS, +_et nunc invidia, nunc admiratio incitationem accendit_: 'Emulation is +the spur of wit; and sometimes envy, sometimes admiration quickens our +endeavours.' + +"But now, since the rewards of honour are taken away: that Virtuous +Emulation is turned into direct Malice; yet so slothful, that it contents +itself to condemn and cry down others, without attempting to do better. +'Tis a reputation too unprofitable, to take the necessary pains for it; +yet wishing they had it, is incitement enough to hinder others from it. +And this, in short, EUGENIUS, is the reason why you have now so few good +poets, and so many severe judges. Certainly, to imitate the Ancients +well, much labour and long study is required: which pains, I have already +shown, our poets would want encouragement to take; if yet they had ability +to go through with it. + +"Those Ancients have been faithful Imitators and wise Observers of that +Nature, which is so torn and ill-represented in our Plays. They have +handed down to us a perfect Resemblance of Her, which we, like ill +copyers, _neglecting to look on_, have rendered monstrous and disfigured. + +"But that you may know, how much you are indebted to your Masters! and be +ashamed to have so ill-requited them! I must remember you, that all the +Rules by which we practise the Drama at this day (either such as relate +to the Justness and Symmetry of the Plot; or the episodical ornaments, +such as Descriptions, Narrations, and other beauties which are not +essential to the play), were delivered to us from the Observations that +ARISTOTLE made of those Poets, which either lived before him, or were his +contemporaries. We have added nothing of our own, except we have the +confidence to say, 'Our wit is better!' which none boast of in our Age, +but such as understand not theirs. Of that book, which ARISTOTLE has left +us, [Greek: peri taes Poietikaes]; HORACE his _Art of Poetry_ is an +excellent _Comment_, and, I believe, restores to us, that Second Book of +his [_i.e., ARISTOTLE_] concerning _Comedy_, which is wanting in him. + +"Out of these two [Authors], have been extracted the Famous Rules, which +the French call, _Des trois Unites_, or 'The Three Unities,' which ought +to be observed in every _regular_ Play; namely, of TIME, PLACE, and +ACTION. + +"The UNITY OF TIME, they comprehend in Twenty-four hours, _the compass of +a natural Day_; or, as near it, as can be contrived. And the reason of it +is obvious to every one. That _the Time_ of the feigned Action or Fable +of the Play _should be proportioned_, as near as can be, _to the duration +of that Time in which it is REPRESENTED_. Since therefore all plays are +acted on the Theatre in a space of time _much within_ the compass of +Twenty-four hours; that Play is to be thought the _nearest Imitation_ of +Nature, whose Plot or Action is confined within that time. + +"And, by the same Rule which concludes this General Proportion of Time, +it follows, _That all the parts of it are to be equally subdivided_. As, +namely, that one Act take not up the supposed time of Half a day, which +is out of proportion to the rest; since the other four are then to be +straitened within the compass of the remaining half: for it is unnatural +that one Act which, being spoken or written, is not longer than the rest; +should be supposed longer by the audience. 'Tis therefore the Poet's duty +to take care _that no Act_ should be imagined to _exceed the Time in +which it is Represented on the Stage_; and that the intervals and +inequalities of time, be supposed to fall out _between_ the Acts. + +"This Rule of TIME, how well it has been observed by the Ancients, most +of their plays will witness. You see them, in their Tragedies (wherein to +follow this Rule is certainly most difficult), from the very beginning of +their Plays, falling close into that part of the Story, which they intend +for the Action or principal Object of it: leaving the former part to be +delivered by Narration. So that they set the audience, as it were, at the +post where the race is to be concluded: and, saving them the tedious +expectation of seeing the Poet set out and ride the beginning of the +course; you behold him not, till he is in sight of the goal, and just +upon you. + +"For the Second Unity, which is that of PLACE; the Ancients meant by it, +_That the scene_ [locality] _ought to be continued_, through the Play, +_in the same place, where it was laid in the beginning_. For _the Stage_, +on which it is represented, _being but one, and the same place; it +isunnatural to conceive it many, and those far distant from one another_. +I will not deny but by the Variation of Painted scenes [_scenery was +introduced about this time into the English theatres, by Sir WILLIAM +D'AVENANT and BETTERTON the Actor: see Vol. II. p. 278_] the Fancy which, +in these casts, will contribute to its own deceit, may sometimes imagine +it several places, upon some appearance of probability: yet it still +carries _the greater likelihood of truth_, if those places be supposed so +near each other as in the same town or city, which may all be comprehended +under the larger denomination of One Place; for a greater distance will +bear no proportion to the _shortness of time which is allotted in the +acting_, to pass from one of them to another. + +"For the observation of this; next to the Ancients, the French are most +to be commended. They tie themselves so strictly to the Unity of Place, +that you never see in any of their plays, a scene [_locality_] changed in +the middle of an Act. If the Act begins in a garden, a street, or [a] +chamber; 'tis ended in the same place. And that you may know it to be the +same, the Stage is so supplied with persons, that it is never empty all +the time. He that enters the second has business with him, who was on +before; and before the second quits the stage, a third appears, who has +business with him. This CORNEILLE calls _La Liaison des Scenes_,'the +Continuity or Joining of the Scenes': and it is a good mark of a well +contrived Play, when all the persons are known to each other, and every +one of them has some affairs with all the rest. + +"As for the third Unity, which is that of ACTION, the Ancients meant no +other by it, than what the Logicians do by their _Finis_; the End or +Scope of any Action, that which is the First in intention, and Last in +execution. + +"Now the Poet is to aim at _one great and complete Action_; to the +carrying on of which, all things in the Play, even the very obstacles, +are to be subservient. And the reason of this, is as evident as any of +the former. For two Actions, equally laboured and driven on by the +Writer, would destroy the Unity of the Poem. It would be no longer one +Play, but two. Not but that there may be many actions in a Play (as BEN. +JOHNSON has observed in his _Discoveries_), but they must be all +subservient to the great one; which our language happily expresses, in +the name of Under Plots. Such as, in TERENCE's _Eunuch_, is the deference +and reconcilement of _THAIS_ and _PHAEDRIA_; which is not the chief +business of the Play, but promotes the marriage of _CHOEREA_ and +_CHREMES's sister_, principally intended by the Poet. + +"'There ought to be but one Action,' says CORNEILLE, 'that is, one +complete Action, which leaves the mind of the audience in a full repose.' +But this cannot be brought to pass, but by many other imperfect ones, +which conduce to it, and hold the audience in a delightful suspense of +what will be. + +"If by these Rules (to omit many others drawn from the Precepts and +Practice of the Ancients), we should judge our modern plays, 'tis +probable that few of them would endure the trial. That which should be +the business of a Day, takes up, in some of them, an Age. Instead of One +Action, they are the Epitome of a man's life. And for one spot of ground, +which the Stage should represent; we are sometimes in more countries than +the map can show us. + +"But if we will allow the Ancients to have _contrived_ well; we must +acknowledge them to have _writ_ better. Questionless, we are deprived of +a great stock of wit, in the loss of MENANDER among the Greek poets, and +of COECILIUS, AFFRANIUS, and VARIUS among the Romans. We may guess of +MENANDER's excellency by the Plays of TERENCE; who translated some of +his, and yet wanted so much of him, that he was called by C. CAESAR, the +Half-MENANDER: and of VARIUS, by the testimonies of HORACE, MARTIAL, and +VELLEIUS PATERCULUS. 'Tis probable that these, could they be recovered, +would decide the controversy. + +"But so long as ARISTOPHANES in the Old Comedy, and PLAUTUS in the New +are extant; while the Tragedies of EURIPIDES, SOPHOCLES, and SENECA are +to be had: I can never see one of those Plays which are now written, but +it increases my admiration of the Ancients. And yet I must acknowledge +further, that to admire them as we ought, we should understand them +better than we do. Doubtless, many things appear flat to us, whose wit +depended upon some custom or story, which never came to our knowledge; or +perhaps upon some criticism in their language, which, being so long dead, +and only remaining in their books, it is not possible they should make us +know it perfectly. + +"To read MACROBIUS explaining the propriety and elegancy of many words in +VIRGIL, which I had before passed over without consideration as common +things, is enough to assure me that I ought to think the same of TERENCE; +and that, in the purity of his style, which TULLY so much valued that he +ever carried his _Works_ about him, there is yet left in him great room +for admiration, if I knew but where to place it. + +"In the meantime, I must desire you to take notice that the greatest man +of the last Age, BEN. JOHNSON, was willing to give place to them in all +things. He was not only a professed imitator of HORACE, but a learned +plagiary of all the others. You track him everywhere in their snow. If +HORACE, LUCAN, PETRONIUS _Arbiter_, SENECA, and JUVENAL had their own +from him; there are few serious thoughts that are new in him. You will +pardon me, therefore, if I presume, he loved their fashion; when he wore +their clothes. + +"But since I have otherwise a great veneration for him, and you, +EUGENIUS! prefer him above all other poets: I will use no farther +argument to you than his example. I will produce Father BEN. to you, +dressed in all the ornaments and colours of the Ancients. You will need +no other guide to our party, if you follow him: and whether you consider +the bad plays of our Age, or regard the good ones of the last: both the +best and worst of the Modern poets will equally instruct you to esteem +the Ancients." + + +CRITES had no sooner left speaking; but EUGENIUS, who waited with some +impatience for it, thus began: + +"I have observed in your speech, that the former part of it is +convincing, as to what the Moderns have profited by the Rules of the +Ancients: but, in the latter, you are careful to conceal, how much they +have excelled them. + +"We own all the helps we have from them; and want neither veneration nor +gratitude, while we acknowledge that, to overcome them, we must make use +of all the advantages we have received from them. But to these +assistances, we have joined our own industry: for had we sate down with a +dull imitation of them; we might then have lost somewhat of the old +perfection, but never acquired any that was new. We draw not, therefore, +after their lines; but those of Nature: and having the Life before us, +besides the experience of all they knew, it is no wonder if we hit some +airs and features, which they have missed. + +"I deny not what you urge of Arts and Sciences [p. 514]; that they have +flourished in some ages more than others: but your instance in Philosophy +[p. 514] makes for me. + +"For if Natural Causes be more known now, than in the time of ARISTOTLE, +because more studied; it follows that Poesy and other Arts may, with the +same pains, arrive still nearer to perfection. And that granted, it will +rest for you to prove, that they wrought more perfect Images of Human +Life than we. + +"Which, seeing, in your discourse, you have avoided to make good; it +shall now be my task to show you some of their Defects, and some few +Excellencies of the Moderns. And I think, there is none amongst us can +imagine I do it enviously; or with purpose to detract from them: for what +interest of Fame, or Profit, can the Living lose by the reputation of the +Dead? On the other side, it is a great truth, which VELLEIUS PATERCULUS +affirms, _Audita visis libentius laudamus; et proesentia invidia, +proeterita, admiratione prosequimur, et his nos obrui, illis instrui +credimus_, 'That Praise or Censure is certainly the most sincere, which +unbribed Posterity shall give us.' + +"Be pleased, then, in the first place, to take notice that the Greek +Poesy, which CRITES has affirmed to have arrived to perfection in the +reign of the Old Comedy [p. 514], was so far from it, that _the +distinction of it into Acts was not known to them_; or if it were, it is +yet so darkly delivered to us, that we cannot make it out. + +"All we know of it is, from the singing of their Chorus: and that too, is +so uncertain, that in some of their Plays, we have reason to conjecture +they sang more than five times. + +"ARISTOTLE, indeed, divides the integral parts of a Play into four. + + "Firstly. The _Protasis_ or Entrance, which gives light only to the + Characters of the persons; and proceeds very little into any part + of the Action. + + "Secondly. The _Epitasis_ or Working up of the Plot, where the Play + grows warmer; the Design or Action of it is drawing on, and you see + something promising, that it will come to pass. + + "Thirdly. The _Catastasis_ or Counter-turn, which destroys that + expectation, embroils the action in new difficulties, and leaves + you far distant from that hope in which it found you: as you may + have observed in a violent stream, resisted by a narrow passage; it + turns round to an eddy, and carries back the waters with more + swiftness than it brought them on. + + "Lastly. The _Catastrophe_, which the Grecians call [Greek: desis]; + the French, _Le denoument_; and we, the Discovery or Unravelling of + the Plot. There, you see all things settling again upon the first + foundations; and the obstacles, which hindered the Design or Action + of the Play, once removed, it ends with that Resemblance of Truth + or Nature, that the audience are satisfied with the conduct of it. + +"Thus this great man delivered to us the Image of a Play; and I must +confess it is so lively, that, from thence, much light has been derived +to the forming it more perfectly, into Acts and Scenes. But what Poet +first limited to Five, the number of the Acts, I know not: only we see it +so firmly established in the time of HORACE, that he gives it for a rule +in Comedy. + + "_Neu brevier quinto, neu sit productior actu:_ + +"So that you see, the Grecians cannot be said to have consumated this +Art: writing rather by Entrances than by Acts; and having rather a +general indigested notion of a Play, than knowing how and where to bestow +the particular graces of it. + +"But since the Spaniards, at this day, allow but three Acts, which they +call _Jornadas_, to a Play; and the Italians, in many of theirs, follow +them: when I condemn the Ancients, I declare it _is not altogether +because they have not five Acts to every Play; but because they have not +confined themselves to one certain number_. 'Tis building a house, +without a model: and when they succeeded in such undertakings, they ought +to have sacrificed to Fortune, not to the Muses. + +"Next, for the Plot, which ARISTOTLE called [Greek: to muthos], and often +[Greek: ton pragmaton sunthesis]; and from him, the Romans, _Fabula_. It +has already been judiciously observed by a late Writer that 'in their +_TRADGEDIES_, it was only some tale derived from Thebes or Troy; or, at +least, something that happened in those two Ages: which was worn so +threadbare by the pens of all the Epic Poets; and even, by tradition +itself of the _talkative Greeklings_, as BEN. JOHNSON calls them, that +before it came upon the Stage, it was already known to all the audience. +And the people, as soon as ever they heard the name of _OEDIPUS_, knew as +well as the Poet, that he had killed his father by a mistake, and +committed incest with his mother, before the Play; that they were now to +hear of a great plague, an oracle, and the ghost of _LAIUS_: so that they +sate, with a yawning kind of expectation, till he was to come, with his +eyes pulled out, and speak a hundred or two of verses, in a tragic tone, +in complaint of his misfortunes.' + +"But one _OEDIPUS_, _HERCULES_, or _MEDEA_ had been tolerable. Poor +people! They scaped not so good cheap. They had still the _chapon +bouille_ set before them, till their appetites were cloyed with the same +dish; and the Novelty being gone, the Pleasure vanished. So that one main +end of Dramatic Poesy, in its definition [p. 513] (which was, to cause +_Delight_) was, of consequence, destroyed. + +"In their _COMEDIES_, the Romans generally borrowed their Plots from the +Greek poets: and theirs were commonly a little girl stolen or wandered +from her parents, brought back unknown to the same city, there got with +child by some lewd young fellow, who (by the help of his servant) cheats +his father. And when her time comes to cry _JUNO Lucina fer opem!_ one or +other sees a little box or cabinet, which was carried away with her, and +so discovers her to her friends: if some god do not prevent +[_anticipate_] it, by coming down in a machine [_i.e., supernaturally_], +and take the thanks of it to himself. + +"By the Plot, you may guess much [_many_] of the characters of the +Persons. An old Father that would willingly, before he dies, see his son +well married. His debauched Son, kind in his nature to his wench, but +miserably in want of money. A Servant or Slave, who has so much wit [as] +to strike in with him, and help to dupe his father, A braggadochio +Captain, a Parasite, and a Lady of Pleasure. + +"As for the poor honest maid, upon whom all the story is built, and who +ought to be one of the principal Actors in the Play; she is commonly a +Mute in it. She has the breeding of the old ELIZABETH [_Elizabethan_] +way, for 'maids to be seen, and not to be heard': and it is enough, you +know she is willing to be married, when the Fifth Act requires it. + +"These are plots built after the Italian mode of houses. You see through +them all at once. The Characters, indeed, are Imitations of Nature: but +so narrow as if they had imitated only an eye or an hand, and did not +dare to venture on the lines of a face, or the proportion of a body. + +"But in how strait a compass sorever, they have bounded their Plots and +Characters, we will pass it by, if they have regularly pursued them, and +perfectly observed those three Unities, of TIME, PLACE, and ACTION; the +knowledge of which, you say! is derived to us from them. + +"But, in the first place, give me leave to tell you! that the Unity of +PLACE, however it might be practised by them, was never any of their +Rules. We neither find it in ARISTOTLE, HORACE, or any who have written +of it; till, in our Age, the French poets first made it a Precept of the +Stage. + +"The Unity of TIME, even TERENCE himself, who was the best and most +regular of them, has neglected. His _Heautontimoroumenos_ or 'Self +Punisher' takes up, visibly, two days. 'Therefore,' says SCALIGER, 'the +two first Acts concluding the first day, were acted overnight; the last +three on the ensuing day.' + +"And EURIPIDES, in tying himself to one day, has committed an absurdity +never to be forgiven him. For, in one of his Tragedies, he has made +THESEUS go from Athens to Thebes, which was about forty English miles; +under the walls of it, to give battle; and appear victorious in the next +Act: and yet, from the time of his departure, to the return of the +_Nuntius_, who gives relation of his victory; _AETHRA_ and the _Chorus_ +have but thirty-six verses, that is, not for every mile, a verse. + +"The like error is evident in TERENCE his _Eunuch_; when _LACHES_ the old +man, enters, in a mistake, the house of _THAIS_; where, between his _Exit_ +and the Entrance of _PYTHIAS_ (who comes to give an ample relation of the +garboils he has raised within), _PARMENO_ who was left upon the stage, +has not above five lines to speak. _C'est bien employe, un temps si +court!_ says the French poet, who furnished me with one of the[se] +observations. + +"And almost all their Tragedies will afford us examples of the like +nature. + +"'Tis true, they have kept the Continuity, or as you called it, _Liaison +des Scenes_, somewhat better. Two do not perpetually come in together, +talk, and go out together; and other two succeeded them, and do the same, +throughout the Act: which the English call by the name of 'Single Scenes.' +But the reason is, because they have seldom above two or three Scenes, +properly so called, in every Act. For it is to be accounted a _new_ +Scene, not every time the Stage is empty: but every person _who enters_, +though to others, makes it so; because he introduces a new business. + +"Now the Plots of their Plays being narrow, and the persons few: one of +their Acts was written in a less compass than one of our well-wrought +Scenes; and yet they are often deficient even in this. + +"To go no further than TERENCE. You find in the _Eunuch_, _ANTIPHO_ +entering, single, in the midst of the Third Act, after _CHREMES_ and +_PYTHIAS_ were gone off. In the same play, you have likewise _DORIAS_ +beginning the Fourth Act alone; and after she has made a relation of what +was done at the soldier's entertainment (which, by the way, was very +inartificial to do; because she was presumed to speak directly to the +Audience, and to acquaint them with what was necessary to be known: but +yet should have been so contrived by the Poet as to have been told by +persons of the Drama to one another, and so by them, to have come to the +knowledge of the people), she quits the Stage: and _PHAEDRIA_ enters +next, alone likewise. He also gives you an account of himself, and of his +returning from the country, in monologue: to which unnatural way of +Narration, TERENCE is subject in all his Plays. + +"In his _Adelphi_ or 'Brothers,' _SYRUS_ and _DEMEA_ enter after the +Scene was broken by the departure of _SOSTRATA_, _GETA_, and _CANTHARA_; +and, indeed, you can scarce look into any of his Comedies, where you will +not presently discover the same interruption. + +"And as they have failed both in [the] laying of the Plots, and managing +of them, swerving from the Rules of their own Art, by misrepresenting +Nature to us, in which they have ill satisfied one intention of a Play, +which was Delight: so in the Instructive part [pp. 513, 582-4], they have +erred worse. Instead of punishing vice, and rewarding virtue; they have +often shown a prosperous wickedness, and an unhappy piety. They have set +before us a bloody Image of Revenge, in _MEDEA_; and given her dragons to +convey her safe from punishment. A _PRIAM_ and _ASTYANAX_ murdered, and +_CASSANDRA_ ravished; and Lust and Murder ending in the victory of him +that acted them. In short, there is no indecorum in any of our modern +Plays; which, if I would excuse, I could not shadow with some Authority +from the Ancients. + +"And one farther note of them, let me leave you! Tragedies and Comedies +were not writ then, as they are now, promiscuously, by the same person: +but he who found his genius bending to the one, never attempted the other +way. This is so plain, that I need not instance to you, that ARISTOPHANES, +PLAUTUS, TERENCE never, any of them, writ a Tragedy; AESCHYLUS, EURIPIDES, +SOPHOCLES, and SENECA never meddled with Comedy. The Sock and Buskin were +not worn by the same Poet. Having then so much care to excel in one kind; +very little is to be pardoned them, if they miscarried in it. + +"And this would lead me to the consideration of their Wit, had not CRITES +given me sufficient warning, not to be too bold in my judgement of it; +because (the languages being dead, and many of the customs and little +accidents on which it depended lost to us [p. 518]) we are not competent +judges of it. But though I grant that, here and there, we may miss the +application of a proverb or a custom; yet, a thing well said, will be Wit +in all languages: and, though it may lose something in the translation; +yet, to him who reads it in the original, 'tis still the same. He has an +Idea of its excellency; though it cannot pass from his mind into any +other expression or words than those in which he finds it. + +"When _PHAEDRIA_, in the _Eunuch_, had a command from his mistress to be +absent two days; and encouraging himself to go through with it, said, +_Tandem ego non illa caream, si opus sit, vel totum triduum? PARMENO_ to +mock the softness of his master, lifting up his hands and eyes, cries +out, as it were in admiration, _Hui! universum triduum!_ The elegancy of +which _universum_, though it cannot be rendered in our language; yet +leaves an impression of the Wit on our souls. + +"But this happens seldom in him [_i.e., TERENCE_]; in PLAUTUS oftner, who +is infinitely too bold in his metaphors and coining words; out of which, +many times, his Wit is nothing. Which, questionless, was one reason why +HORACE falls upon him so severely in those verses. + + "_Sed Proavi nostri Plautinos el numeros et + Laudavere sales, nimium patienter utrumque + Ne dicam stolide_. + +"For HORACE himself was cautious to obtrude [_in obtruding_] a new word +upon his readers: and makes custom and common use, the best measure of +receiving it into our writings, + + "_Multa renascentur quae nunc cecidere, cadentque + Quae nunc sunt in honore vocabula, si volet usus + Quem penes, arbitrium est, et jus, et norma loquendi_. + +"The not observing of this Rule, is that which the World has blamed in +our satirist CLEVELAND. To express a thing hard and unnaturally is his +New Way of Elocution. Tis true, no poet but may sometimes use a +_catachresis_. VIRGIL, does it, + + "_Mistaque ridenti Colocasia fundet Acaniho_-- + +"in his Eclogue of _POLLIO_. + +"And in his Seventh AEneid-- + + "_Mirantur et unda, + Miratur nemus, insuetam fulgentia longe, + Scuta virum fluvio, pictaque innare carinas_. + +"And OVID once; so modestly, that he asks leave to do it. + + "_Si verbo audacia, detur + Haud metuam summi dixisse Palatia coeli_ + +"calling the Court of JUPITER, by the name of AUGUSTUS his palace. +Though, in another place, he is more bold; where he says, _Et longas +visent Capitolia pompas_. + +"But to do this always, and never be able to write a line without it, +though it may be admired by some few pedants, will not pass upon those +who know that _Wit is best conveyed to us in the most easy language: and +is most to be admired, when a great thought comes dressed in words so +commonly received, that it is understood by the meanest apprehensions; as +the best meat is the most easily digested_. But we cannot read a verse of +CLEVELAND's, without making a face at it; as if every word were a pill to +swallow. He gives us, many times, a hard nut to break our teeth, without a +kernel for our pains. So that there is this difference between his +_Satires_ and Doctor DONNE's: that the one [_DONNE_] gives us deep +thoughts in common language, though rough cadence; the other +[_CLEVELAND_] gives us common thoughts in abtruse words. 'Tis true, in +some places, his wit is independent of his words, as in that of the +_Rebel Scot_-- + + "Had CAIN been Scot, GOD would have changed his doom, + Not forced him wander, but confined him home. + +"_Si sic, omnia dixisset!_ This is Wit in all languages. 'Tis like +MERCURY, never to be lost or killed. And so that other, + + "For beauty, like white powder, makes no noise, + And yet the silent hypocrite destroys. + +"You see the last line is highly metaphorical; but it is so soft and +gentle, that it does not shock us as we read it. + +"But to return from whence I have digressed, to the consideration of the +Ancients' Writing and Wit; of which, by this time, you will grant us, in +some measure, to be fit judges. + +"Though I see many excellent thoughts in SENECA: yet he, of them, who had +a genius most proper for the Stage, was OVID. He [_i.e., OVID_] had a way +of writing so fit to stir up a pleasing admiration and concernment, which +are the objects of a Tragedy; and to show the various movements of a soul +combating betwixt different passions: that, had he lived in our Age, or +(in his own) could have writ with our advantages, no man but must have +yielded to him; and therefore, I am confident the _MEDEA_ is none of his. +For, though I esteem it, for the gravity and sentiousness of it (which he +himself concludes to be suitable to a Tragedy, _Omne genus scripti +gravitate Tragadia, vincit_); yet it moves not my soul enough, to judge +that he, who, in the Epic way, wrote things so near the Drama (as the +stories of _MYRRHA,_ of _CAUNUS and BIBLIS,_ and the rest) should stir up +no more concernment, where he most endeavoured it. + +"The masterpiece of SENECA, I hold to be that Scene in the _Troades_, +where _ULYSSES_ is seeking for _ASTYANAX,_ to kill him. There, you see +the tenderness of a mother so represented in _ANDROMACHE_, that it raises +compassion to a high degree in the reader; and bears the nearest +resemblance, of anything in their Tragedies, to the excellent Scenes of +Passion in SHAKESPEARE or in FLETCHER. + +"For Love Scenes, you will find but few among them. Their Tragic poets +dealt not with that soft passion; but with Lust, Cruelty, Revenge, +Ambition, and those bloody actions they produced, which were more capable +of raising horror than compassion in an audience: leaving Love untouched, +whose gentleness would have tempered them; which is the most frequent of +all the passions, and which (being the private concernment of every +person) is soothed by viewing its own Image [p. 549] in a public +entertainment. + +"Among their Comedies, we find a Scene or two of tenderness: and that, +where you would least expect it, in PLAUTUS. But to speak generally, +their lovers say little, when they see each others but anima mea! vita +mea! [Greek: zoae kai psuchae!] as the women, in JUVENAL's time, used to +cry out, in the fury of their kindness. + +"Then indeed, to speak sense were an offence. Any sudden gust of passion, +as an ecstasy of love in an unexpected meeting, cannot better be expressed +than in a word and a sigh, breaking one another. Nature is dumb on such +occasions; and to make her speak, would be to represent her unlike +herself. But there are a thousand other concernments of lovers as +jealousies, complaints, contrivances, and the like; where, not to open +their minds at large to each other, were to be wanting to their own love, +and to the expectation of the audience: who watch the Movements of their +Minds, as much as the Changes of their Fortunes. For the Imaging of the +first [p. 549], is properly the work of a Poet; the latter, he borrows of +the Historian." + + +EUGENIUS was proceeding in that part of his discourse, when CRITES +interrupted him. + +"I see," said he, "EUGENIUS and I are never likely to have this question +decided betwixt us: for he maintains the Moderns have acquired a _new +perfection_ in writing; I only grant, they have _altered the mode_ of it. + +"HOMER describes his heroes, [as] men of great appetites; lovers of beef +broiled upon the coals, and good fellows: contrary to the practice of the +French romances, whose heroes neither eat, nor drink, nor sleep for love. + +"VIRGIL makes _AENEAS_, a bold avower of his own virtues, + + "_Sum pius AENEAS fama super aethera notus_; + +"which, in the civility of our Poets, is the character of a _Fanfaron_ or +Hector. For with us, the Knight takes occasion to walk out, or sleep, to +avoid the vanity of telling his own story; which the trusty Squire is +ever to perform for him [p. 535]. + +"So, in their Love Scenes, of which EUGENIUS spoke last, the Ancients +were more hearty; we, the more talkative. They writ love, as it was then +the mode to make it. + +"And I will grant thus much to EUGENIUS, that, perhaps, one of their +Poets, had he lived in our Age, + + "_Si foret hoc nostrum fato delupsus in aevum_, + +"as HORACE says of LUCILIUS, he had altered many things: not that they +were not natural before; but that he might accommodate himself to the Age +he lived in. Yet, in the meantime, we are not to conclude anything rashly +against those great men; but preserve to them, the dignity of Masters: +and give that honour to their memories, _quos libitina sacravit_; part of +which, we expect may be paid to us in future times." + + +This moderation of CRITES, as it was pleasing to all the company, so it +put an end to that dispute: which EUGENIUS, who seemed to have the better +of the argument, would urge no further. + +But LISIDEIUS, after he had acknowledged himself of EUGENIUS his opinion, +concerning the Ancients; yet told him, "He had forborne till his discourse +was ended, to ask him, Why he preferred the English Plays above those of +other nations? and whether we ought not to submit our Stage to the +exactness of our next neighbours?" + + +"Though," said EUGENIUS, "I am, at all times, ready to defend the honour +of my country against the French; and to maintain, we are as well able to +vanquish them with our pens, as our ancestors have been with their swords: +yet, if you please!" added he, looking upon NEANDER, "I will commit this +cause to my friend's management. His opinion of our plays is the same +with mine. And besides, there is no reason that CRITES and I, who have +now left the Stage, should re-enter so suddenly upon it: which is against +the laws of Comedy." + + +"If the question had been stated," replied LISIDEIUS, "Who had writ best, +the French or English, forty years ago [_i.e., in_ 1625]? I should have +been of your opinion; and adjudged the honour to our own nation: but, +since that time," said he, turning towards NEANDER, "we have been so long +bad Englishmen, that we had not leisure to be good Poets. BEAUMONT [_d._ +1615], FLETCHER [_d._ 1625], and JOHNSON [_d._ 1637], who were only +[_alone_] capable of bringing us to that degree of perfection which we +have, were just then leaving the world; as if, in an Age of so much +horror, Wit and those milder studies of humanity had no farther business +among us. But the Muses, who ever follow peace, went to plant in another +country. It was then, that the great Cardinal DE RICHELIEU began to take +them into his protection; and that, by his encouragement, CORNEILLE and +some other Frenchmen reformed their _Theatre_: which, before, was so much +below ours, as it now surpasses it, and the rest of Europe. But because +CRITES, in his discourse for the Ancients, has prevented [_anticipated_] +me by touching on many Rules of the Stage, which the Moderns have +borrowed from them; I shall only, in short, demand of you, 'Whether you +are not convinced that, of all nations, the French have best observed +them?' + +"In the Unity of TIME, you find them so scrupulous, that it yet remains a +dispute among their Poets, 'Whether the artificial day, of twelve hours +more or less, be not meant by ARISTOTLE, rather that the natural one of +twenty-four?' and consequently, 'Whether all Plays ought not to be +reduced into that compass?' This I can testify, that in all their dramas +writ within these last twenty years [1645-1665] and upwards, I have not +observed any, that have extended the time to thirty hours. + +"In the Unity of PLACE, they are full[y] as scrupulous. For many of their +critics limit it to that spot of ground, where the Play is supposed to +begin. None of them exceed the compass of the same town or city. + +"The Unity of ACTION in all their plays, is yet more conspicuous. For +they do not burden them with Under Plots, as the English do; which is the +reason why many Scenes of our Tragi-Comedies carry on a Design that is +nothing of kin to the main Plot: and that we see two distincts webs in a +Play, like those in ill-wrought stuffs; and two Actions (that is, two +Plays carried on together) to the confounding of the audience: who, +before they are warm in their concernments for one part, are diverted to +another; and, by that means, expouse the interest of neither. + +"From hence likewise, it arises that one half of our Actors [_i.e., the +Characters in a Play_] are not known to the other. They keep their +distances, as if they were _MONTAGUES_ and _CAPULETS_; and seldom begin +an acquaintance till the last Scene of the fifth Act, when they are all +to meet on the Stage. + +"There is no _Theatre_ in the world has anything so absurd as the English +Tragi-Comedy. 'Tis a Drama of our own invention; and the fashion of it is +enough to proclaim it so. Here, a course of mirth; there, another of +sadness and passion; a third of honour; and the fourth, a duel. Thus, in +two hours and a half, we run through all the fits of Bedlam. + +"The French afford you as much variety, on the same day; but they do it +not so unseasonably, or _mal apropos_ as we. Our Poets present you the +Play and the Farce together; and our Stages still retain somewhat of the +original civility of the 'Red Bull.' + + "_Atque ursum et pugiles media inter carmina poscunt._ + +"'The end of Tragedies or serious Plays,' says ARISTOTLE, 'is to beget +Admiration [_wonderment_], Compassion, or Concernment.' But are not mirth +and compassion things incompatible? and is it not evident, that the Poet +must, of necessity, destroy the former, by intermingling the latter? that +is, he must ruin the sole end and object of his Tragedy, to introduce +somewhat that is forced in, and is not of the body of it! Would you not +think that physician mad! who having prescribed a purge, should +immediately order you to take restringents upon it? + +"But to leave our Plays, and return to theirs. I have noted one great +advantage they have had in the Plotting of their Tragedies, that is, they +are always grounded upon some known History, according to that of HORACE, +_Ex noto fictum carm n sequar_: and in that, they have so imitated the +Ancients, that they have surpassed them. For the Ancients, as was +observed before [p. 522], took for the foundation of their Plays some +poetical fiction; such as, under that consideration, could move but +little concernment in the audience, because they already knew the event +of it. But the French[man] goes farther. + + "_Atque ita mentitur, sic veris falso remiscet, + Primo ne medium, media ne discrepet imum._ + +"He so interweaves Truth with probable Fiction, that he puts a pleasing +fallacy upon us; mends the intrigues of Fate; and dispenses with the +severity of History, to reward that virtue, which has been rendered to +us, there, unfortunate. Sometimes the Story has left the success so +doubtful, that the writer is free, by the privilege of a Poet, to take +that which, of two or more relations, will best suit his Design. As, for +example, the death of CYRUS; whom JUSTIN and some others report to have +perished in the Scythian War; but XENOPHON affirms to have died in his +bed of extreme old age. + +"Nay more, when the event is past dispute, even then, we are willing to +be deceived: and the Poet, if he contrives it with appearance of truth, +has all the audience of his party [_on his side_], at least, during the +time his Play is acting. So naturally, we are kind to virtue (when our +own interest is not in question) that we take It up, as the general +concernment of mankind. + +"On the other side, if you consider the Historical Plays of SHAKESPEARE; +they are rather so many Chronicles of Kings, or the business, many times, +of thirty or forty years crampt into a Representation of two hours and a +half: which is not to imitate or paint Nature, but rather to draw her in +miniature, to take her in little; to look upon her, through the wrong of +a perspective [_telescope_], and receive her Images [pp. 528, 549], not +only much less, but infinitely more imperfect than the Life. This, +instead of making a Play delightful, renders it ridiculous. + + "_Quodeunque ostendis mihi sic, incredulus odi._ + +"For the Spirit of Man cannot be satisfied but with Truth, or, at least, +Verisimilitude: and a Poem is to contain, if not [Greek ta hetuma], yet +[Greek: hetmoisiu homia]; as one of the Greek poets has expressed it +[_See_ p. 589.]. + +"Another thing, in which the French differ from us and from the +Spaniards, is that they do not embarrass or cumber themselves with too +much Plot. They only represent so much of a Story as will constitute One +whole and great Action sufficient for a Play. We, who undertake more, do +but multiply _Adventures [pp. 541, 552]; which (not being produced from +one another, as Effects from Causes, but, barely, following) constitute +many Actions in the Drama, and consequently make it many Plays. + +"But, by pursuing close[ly] one Argument, which is not cloyed with many +Turns; the French have gained more liberty for Verse, in which they +write. They have leisure to dwell upon a subject which deserves it; and +to represent the passions [p. 542] (which we have acknowledged to be the +Poet's work) without being hurried from one thing to another, as we are +in the plays of CALDERON; which we have seen lately upon our theatres, +under the name of Spanish Plots. + +"I have taken notice but of one Tragedy of ours; whose Plot has that +uniformity and unity of Design in it, which I have commended in the +French; and that is, ROLLO, or rather under the name of ROLLO, the story +of BASSANIUS _and_ GOETA, in HERODIAN. There, indeed, the plot is neither +large nor intricate; but just enough to fill the minds of the audience, +not to cloy them. Besides, you see it founded on the truth of History; +only the time of the Action is not reduceable to the strictness of the +Rules. And you see, in some places, a little farce mingled, which is +below the dignity of the other parts. And in this, all our Poets are +extremely peccant; even BEN. JOHNSON himself, in _SEFANUS_ and +_CATILINE,_ has given this Oleo [_hodge-podge_] of a Play, this unnatural +mixture of Comedy and Tragedy; which, to me, sounds just as ridiculous as +_The History of DAVID, with the merry humours of GOLIAS_. In _SEFANUS_, +you may take notice of the Scene between _LIVIA_ and the _Physician;_ +which is a pleasant satire upon the artificial helps of beauty. In +_CATILINE_, you may see the Parliament of Women; the little envies of +them to one another; and all that passes betwixt _CURIO_ and _FULVIA_. +Scenes, admirable in their kind, but of an ill mingle with the rest. + +"But I return again to the French Writers: who, as I have said, do not +burden themselves too much with Plot; which has been reproached to them +by an Ingenious Person of our nation, as a fault. For he says, 'They +commonly make but one person considerable in a Play. They dwell upon him +and his concernments; while the rest of the persons are only subservient +to set him off.' If he intends this by it, that there is one person in +the Play who is of greater dignity than the rest; he must tax not only +theirs, but those of the Ancients, and (which he would be loath to do) +the best of ours. For it 'tis impossible but that one person must be more +conspicuous in it than any other; and consequently the greatest share in +the Action must devolve on him. We see it so in the management of all +affairs. Even in the most equal aristocracy, the balance cannot be so +justly poised, but some one will be superior to the rest, either in +parts, fortune, interest, or the consideration of some glorious exploit; +which will reduce [_lead_] the greatest part of business into his hands. + +"But if he would have us to imagine, that in exalting of one character, +the rest of them are neglected; and that all of them have not some share +or other in the Action of the Play: I desire him to produce any of +CORNEILLE's Tragedies, wherein every person, like so many servants in a +well governed family, has _not_ some employment; and who is _not_ +necessary to the carrying on of the Plot, or, at least, to your +understanding it. + +"There are, indeed, some protactic persons [_precursors_] in the +Ancients; whom they make use of in their Plays, either to hear or give +the Relation; but the French avoid this with great address; making their +Narrations only to, or by such, who are some way interessed +[_interested_] in the main Design. + +"And now I am speaking of RELATIONS; I cannot take a fitter opportunity +to add this, in favour of the French, that they often use them with +better judgement, more _apropos_ than the English do. + +"Not that I commend NARRATIONS in general; but there are two sorts of +them: + +"One, of those things which are antecedent to the Play, and are related +to make the Conduct of it more clear to us. But 'tis a fault to choose +such subjects for the Stage, as will inforce us upon that rock: because +we see that they are seldom listened to by the audience; and that it is, +many times, the ruin of the play. For, being once let pass without +attention, the audience can never recover themselves to understand the +Plot; and, indeed, it is somewhat unreasonable that they should be put to +so much trouble, as that, to comprehend what passes in their sight, they +must have recourse to what was done, perhaps ten or twenty years ago. + +"But there is another sort of RELATIONS, that is, of things happening in +the Action of a Play, and supposed to be done behind the scenes: and this +is, many times, both convenient and beautiful. For by it, the French avoid +the tumult, which we are subject to in England, by representing duels, +battles, and such like; which renders our Stage too like the theatres +where they fight for prizes [_i.e., theatres used as Fencing Schools, for +Assaults of Arms, &c._]. For what is more ridiculous than to represent an +army, with a drum and five men behind it? All which, the hero on the +other side, is to drive in before him. Or to see a duel fought, and one +slain with two or three thrusts of the foils? which we know are so +blunted, that we might give a man an hour to kill another, in good +earnest, with them. + +"I have observed that in all our Tragedies, the audience cannot forbear +laughing, when the Actors are to die. 'Tis the most comic part of the +whole Play. + +"All Passions may be lively Represented on the Stage, if, to the well +writing of them, the Actor supplies a good commanded voice, and limbs +that move easily, and without stiffness: but there are many Actions, +which can never be Imitated to a just height. + +"Dying, especially, is a thing, which none but a Roman gladiator could +naturally perform upon the Stage, when he did not Imitate or Represent +it, but naturally Do it. And, therefore, it is better to omit the +Representation of it. The words of a good writer, which describe it +lively, will make a deeper impression of belief in us, than all the Actor +can persuade us to, when he seems to fall dead before us: as the Poet, in +the description of a beautiful garden, or meadow, will please our +Imagination more than the place itself will please our sight. When we see +death Represented, we are convinced it is but fiction; but when we hear it +Related, our eyes (the strongest witnesses) are wanting, which might have +undeceived us: and we are all willing to favour the sleight, when the +Poet does not too grossly impose upon us. + +"They, therefore, who imagine these Relations would make no concernment +in the audience, are deceived, by confounding them with the other; which +are of things antecedent to the Play. Those are made often, in cold +blood, as I may say, to the audience; but these are warmed with our +concernments, which are, before, awakened in the Play. + +"What the philosophers say of Motion, that 'when it is once begun, it +continues of itself; and will do so, to Eternity, without some stop be +put to it,' is clearly true, on this occasion. The Soul, being moved with +the Characters and Fortunes of those Imaginary Persons, continues going of +its own accord; and we are no more weary to hear what becomes of them, +when they are not on the Stage, than we are to listen to the news of an +absent mistress. + +"But it is objected, 'That if one part of the Play may be related; then, +why not all?' + +"I answer. Some parts of the Action are more fit to be Represented; some, +to be Related. CORNEILLE says judiciously, 'That the Poet is not obliged +to expose to view all particular actions, which conduce to the principal. +He ought to select such of them to be Seen, which will appear with the +greatest beauty, either by the magnificence of the shew, or the vehemence +of the passions which they produce, or some other charm which they have in +them: and let the rest arrive to the audience, by Narration.' + +"'Tis a great mistake in us, to believe the French present no part of the +Action upon the Stage. Every alteration, or crossing of a Design; every +new sprung passion, and turn of it, is a part of the Action, and much the +noblest: except we conceive nothing to be Action, till they come to blows; +as if the painting of the Hero's Mind were not more properly the Poet's +work, than, the strength of his Body. + +"Nor does this anything contradict the opinion of HORACE, where he tells +us + + "_Segnius irritant animos demissa per aurem + Quam quae sunt occulis subjecta fidelibus._ + +"For he says, immediately after, + + "_Non tamen intus + Digna, geri promes in scenam, Multaque tolles + Ex occulis, quae mox narret facundia praesens._ + +"Among which 'many,' he recounts some, + + "_Nec pueros coram populo MEDEA trucidet, + Aut in avem PROGNE mutetur, CADMUS in anguem, &c._ + +"that is, 'Those actions, which, by reason of their cruelty, will cause +aversion in us; or (by reason of their impossibility) unbelief [pp. 496, +545], ought either wholly to be avoided by a Poet, or only delivered by +Narration.' To which, we may have leave to add, such as 'to avoid +tumult,' as was before hinted [pp. 535, 544]; or 'to reduce the Plot into +a more reasonable compass of time,' or 'for defect of beauty in them,' are +rather to be Related than presented to the eye. + +"Examples of all these kinds, are frequent; not only among all the +Ancients, but in the best received of our English poets. + +"We find BEN. JOHNSON using them in his _Magnetic Lady_, where one comes +out from dinner, and Relates the quarrels and disorders of it; to save +the indecent appearing of them on the Stage, and to abbreviate the story: +and this, in express imitation of TERENCE, who had done the same before +him, in his _Eunuch_; where _PYTHIAS_ makes the like Relation of what had +happened within, at the soldiers' entertainment. + +"The Relations, likewise, of _SEFANUS_'s death and the prodigies before +it, are remarkable. The one of which, was hid from sight, to avoid the +horror and tumult of the Representation: the other, to shun the +introducing of things impossible to be believed. + +"In that excellent Play, the _King and no King_, FLETCHER goes yet +farther. For the whole unravelling of the Plot is done by Narration in +the Fifth Act, after the manner of the Ancients: and it moves great +concernment in the audience; though it be only a Relation of what was +done many years before the Play. + +"I could multiply other instances; but these are sufficient to prove, +that there is no error in chosing a subject which requires this sort of +Narration. In the ill managing of them, they may. + +"But I find, I have been too long in this discourse; since the French +have many other excellencies, not common to us. + +"As that, _you never see any of their Plays end with a Conversion, or +simple Change of Will_: which is the ordinary way our Poets use [_are +accustomed_] to end theirs. + +"It shows little art in the conclusion of a Dramatic Poem, when they who +have hindered the felicity during the Four Acts, desist from it in the +Fifth, without some powerful cause to take them off: and though I deny +not but such reasons may be found; yet it is a path that is cautiously to +be trod, and the Poet is to be sure he convinces the audience, that the +motive is strong enough. + +"As, for example, the conversion of the _Usurer_ in the _Scornful Lady_, +seems to me, a little forced. For, being a Usurer, which implies a Lover +of Money in the highest degree of covetousness (and such, the Poet has +represented him); the account he gives for the sudden change, is, that he +has been duped by the wild young fellow: which, in reason, might render +him more wary another time, and make him punish himself with harder fare +and coarser clothes, to get it up again. But that he should look upon it +as a judgement, and so repent; we may expect to hear of in a Sermon, but +I should never endure it in a Play. + +"I pass by this. Neither will I insist upon _the care they take, that no +person, after his first entrance, shall ever appear; but the business +which brings upon the Stage, shall be evident_. Which, if observed, must +needs render all the events of the Play more natural. For there, you see +the probability of every accident, in the cause that produced it; and +that which appears chance in the Play, will seem so reasonable to you, +that you will there find it almost necessary: so that in the Exits of +their Actors, you have a clear account of their purpose and design in the +next Entrance; though, if the Scene be well wrought, the event will +commonly deceive you. 'For there is nothing so absurd,' says CORNEILLE, +'as for an Actor to leave the Stage, only because he has no more to say!' + +"I should now speak of _the beauty of their Rhyme_, and the just reason I +have to prefer _that way of writing_, in Tragedies, _before ours, in Blank +Verse_. But, because it is partly received by us, and therefore, not +altogether peculiar to them; I will say no more of it, in relation to +their Plays. For our own; I doubt not but it will exceedingly beautify +them: and I can see but one reason why it should not generally obtain; +that is, because our Poets write so ill in it [pp. 503, 578, 598]. This, +indeed, may prove a more prevailing argument, than all others which are +used to destroy it: and, therefore, I am only troubled when great and +judicious Poets, and those who are acknowledged such, have writ or spoke +against it. As for others, they are to be answered by that one sentence +of an ancient author. _Sed ut primo ad consequendos eos quos priores +ducimus accendimur, ita ubi aut praeteriri, aut aequari eos posse +desperavimus, studium cum spe senescit: quod, scilicet, assequi non +potest, sequi desinit; praeteritoque eo in quo eminere non possumus, +aliquid in quo nitamur conquirimus_." + + +LISIDEIUS concluded, in this manner; and NEANDER, after a little pause, +thus answered him. + + +"I shall grant LISIDEIUS, without much dispute, a great part of what he +has urged against us. + +"For I acknowledge _the French contrive their Plots more regularly; +observe the laws of Comedy, and decorum of the Stage_, to speak +generally, _with more exactness_ _than the English_. Farther, I deny not +but he has taxed us justly, in some irregularities of ours; which he has +mentioned. Yet, after all, I am of opinion, that neither our faults, nor +their virtues are considerable enough to place them above us. + +"For _the lively Imitation of Nature_ being the Definition of a Play [p. +513]; those which best fulfil that law, ought to be esteemed superior to +the others, 'Tis true those beauties of the French Poesy are such as will +raise perfection higher where it is; but are not sufficient to give it +where it is not. They are, indeed, the beauties of a Statue, not of a +Man; because not animated with the Soul of Poesy, which is _Imitation of +Humour and Passions_. + +"And this, LISIDEIUS himself, or any other, however biased to their +party, cannot but acknowledge; if he will either compare the Humours of +our Comedies, or the Characters of our serious Plays with theirs. + +"He that will look upon theirs, which have been written till [within] +these last ten years [_i.e._, 1655, _when MOLIERE began to write_], or +thereabouts, will find it a hard matter to pick out two or three passable +Humours amongst them. CORNEILLE himself, their Arch Poet; what has he +produced, except the _Liar_? and you know how it was cried up in France. +But when it came upon the English Stage, though well translated, and that +part of _DORANT_ acted to so much advantage by Mr. HART, as, I am +confident, it never received in its own country; the most favourable to +it, would not put it in competition with many of FLETCHER's or BEN. +JOHNSON's. In the rest of CORNEILLE's Comedies you have little humour. He +tells you, himself, his way is first to show two lovers in good +intelligence with each other; in the working up of the Play, to embroil +them by some mistake; and in the latter end, to clear it up. + +"But, of late years, DE MOLIERE, the younger CORNEILLE, QUINAULT, and +some others, have been imitating, afar off, the quick turns and graces of +the English Stage. They have mixed their serious Plays with mirth, like +our Tragi-Comedies, since the death of Cardinal RICHELIEU [_in_ 1642]: +which LISIDEIUS and many others not observing, have commended that in +them for a virtue [p. 531], which they themselves no longer practise. + +"Most of their new Plays are, like some of ours, derived from the Spanish +novels. There is scarce one of them, without a veil; and a trusty _DIEGO_, +who drolls, much after the rate of the _Adventures_ [pp. 533, 553]. But +their humours, if I may grace them with that name, are so thin sown; that +never above One of them comes up in a Play. I dare take upon me, to find +more variety of them, in one play of BEN. JOHNSON's, than in all theirs +together: as he who has seen the _Alchemist_, the _Silent Woman_, or +_Bartholomew Fair_, cannot but acknowledge with me. I grant the French +have performed what was possible on the ground work of the Spanish plays. +What was pleasant before, they have made regular. But there is not above +one good play to be writ upon all those Plots. They are too much alike, +to please often; which we need not [adduce] the experience of our own +Stage to justify. + +"As for their New Way of mingling Mirth with serious Plot, I do not, with +LISIDEIUS, condemn the thing; though I cannot approve their manner of +doing it. He tells us, we cannot so speedily re-collect ourselves, after +a Scene of great Passion and Concernment, as to pass to another of Mirth +and Humour, and to enjoy it with any relish. But why should he imagine +the Soul of Man more heavy than his Senses? Does not the eye pass from an +unpleasant object, to a pleasant, in a much shorter time than is required +to this? and does not the unpleasantness of the first commend the beauty +of the latter? The old rule of Logic might have convinced him, that +'Contraries when placed near, set off each other.' A continued gravity +keeps the spirit too much bent. We must refresh it sometimes; as we bait +[_lunch_] upon a journey, that we may go on with greater ease. A Scene of +Mirth mixed with Tragedy, has the same effect upon us, which our music has +betwixt the Acts; and that, we find a relief to us from the best Plots and +Language of the Stage, if the discourses have been long. + +"I must, therefore, have stronger arguments, ere I am convinced that +Compassion and Mirth, in the same subject, destroy each other: and, in +the meantime, cannot but conclude to the honour of our Nation, that we +have invented, increased, and perfected a more pleasant way of writing +for the Stage than was ever known to the Ancients or Moderns of any +nation; which is, Tragi-Comedy. + +"And this leads me to wonder why LISIDEIUS [p. 533], and many others, +should cry up _the barrenness of the French Plots_ above _the variety and +copiousness of the English_? + +"Their Plots are single. They carry on one Design, which is push forward +by all the Actors; every scene in the Play contributing and moving +towards it. Ours, besides the main Design, have Under Plots or +By-Concernments of less considerable persons and intrigues; which are +carried on, with the motion of the main Plot: just as they say the orb +[?_orbits_] of the fixed stars, and those of the planets (though they +have motions of their own), are whirled about, by the motion of the +_Primum Mobile_ in which they are contained. That similitude expresses +much of the English Stage. For, if contrary motions may be found in +Nature to agree, if a planet can go East and West at the same time; one +way, by virtue of his own motion, the other, by the force of the First +Mover: it will not be difficult to imagine how the Under Plot, which is +only different [from], not contrary to the great Design, may naturally be +conducted along with it. + +"EUGENIUS [?_LISIDEIUS_] has already shown us [p. 534], from the +confession of the French poets, that the Unity of Action is sufficiently +preserved, if all the imperfect actions of the Play are conducing to the +main Design: but when those petty intrigues of a Play are so ill ordered, +that they have no coherence with the other; I must grant, that LISIDEIUS +has reason to tax that Want of due Connection. For Co-ordination in a +Play is as dangerous and unnatural as in a State. In the meantime, he +must acknowledge, our Variety (if well ordered) will afford a greater +pleasure to the audience. + +"As for his other argument, that _by pursuing one single Theme, they gain +an advantage to express, and work up the passions_ [p. 533]; I wish any +example he could bring from them, would make it good. For I confess their +verses are, to me, the coldest I have ever read. + +"Neither, indeed, is It possible for them, in the way they take, so to +express Passion as that the effects of it should appear in the +concernment of an audience; their speeches being so many declamations, +which tire us with the length: so that, instead of persuading us to +grieve for their imaginary heroes, we are concerned for our own trouble, +as we are, in the tedious visits of bad [_dull_] company; we are in pain +till they are gone. + +"When the French Stage came to be reformed by Cardinal RICHELIEU, those +long harangues were introduced, to comply with the gravity of a +Churchman. Look upon the _CINNA_ and _POMPEY_! They are not so properly +to be called Plays, as long Discourses of Reason[s] of State: and +_POLIEUCTE_, in matters of Religion, is as solemn as the long stops upon +our organs. Since that time, it has grown into a custom; and their Actors +speak by the hour glass, as our Parsons do. Nay, they account it the grace +of their parts! and think themselves disparaged by the Poet, if they may +not twice or thrice in a Play, entertain the audience, with a speech of a +hundred or two hundred lines. + +"I deny not but this may suit well enough with the French: for as we, who +are a more sullen people, come to be diverted at our Plays; they, who are +of an airy and gay temper, come thither to make themselves more serious. +And this I conceive to be one reason why Comedy is more pleasing to us, +and Tragedy to them. + +"But, to speak generally, it cannot be denied that _short_ Speeches and +Replies are more apt to move the passions, and beget concernment in us; +than the other. For it is unnatural for any one in a gust of passion, to +speak long together; or for another, in the same condition, to suffer him +without interruption. + +"Grief and Passion are like floods raised in little brooks, by a sudden +rain. They are quickly up; and if the Concernment be poured unexpectedly +in upon us, it overflows us: but a long sober shower gives them leisure +to run out as they came in, without troubling the ordinary current. + +"As for Comedy, Repartee is one of its chiefest graces. The greatest +pleasure of the audience is a Chase of Wit, kept up on both sides, and +swiftly managed. And this, our forefathers (if not we) have had, in +FLETCHER's _Plays_, to a much higher degree of perfection, than the +French Poets can arrive at. + +"There is another part of LISIDEIUS his discourse, in which he has rather +excused our neighbours, than commended them; that is, _for aiming only_ +[simply] _to make one person considerable in their Plays_. + +"'Tis very true what he has urged, that one Character in all Plays, even +without the Poet's care, will have the advantage of all the others; and +that the Design of the whole Drama will chiefly depend on it. But this +hinders not, that there may be more shining Characters in the Play; many +persons of a second magnitude, nay, some so very near, so almost equal to +the first, that greatness may be opposed to greatness: and all the persons +be made considerable, not only by their Quality, but their Action. + +"'Tis evident that the more the persons are; the greater will be the +variety of the Plot. If then, the parts are managed so regularly, that +the beauty of the whole be kept entire; and that the variety become not a +perplexed and confused mass of accidents: you will find it infinitely +pleasing, to be led in a labyrinth of Design; where you see some of your +way before you, yet discern not the end, till you arrive at it. + +"And that all this is practicable; I can produce, for examples, many of +our English plays, as the _Maid's Tragedy_, the _Alchemist_, the _Silent +Woman_. + +"I was going to have named the _Fox_; but that the Unity of Design seems +not exactly observed in it. For there appear two Actions in the Play; the +first naturally ending with the Fourth Act, the second forced from it, in +the Fifth. Which yet, is the less to be condemned in him, because the +disguise of _VOLPONE_ (though, it suited not with his character as a +crafty or covetous person) agreed well enough with that of a voluptuary: +and, by it, the Poet gained the end he aimed at, the punishment of vice, +and reward of virtue; which that disguise produced. So that, to judge +equally of it, it was an excellent Fifth Act; but not so naturally +proceeding from the former. + +"But to leave this, and to pass to the latter part of LISIDEIUS his +discourse; which concerns RELATIONS. I must acknowledge, with him, that +the French have reason, _when they hide that part of the Action, which +would occasion too much tumult on the Stage_; and choose rather to have +it made known by Narration to the audience [p. 535]. Farther; I think it +very convenient, for the reasons he has given, that _all incredible +Actions were removed_ [p. 537]: but, whether custom has so insinuated +itself into our countrymen, or Nature has so formed them to fierceness, I +know not; but they will scarcely suffer combats or other objects of horror +to be taken from them. And indeed the _indecency_ of tumults is all which +can be objected against fighting. For why may not our imagination as well +suffer itself to be deluded with the _probability_ of it, as any other +thing in the Play. For my part, I can, with as great ease, persuade +myself that the blows, which are struck, are given in good earnest; as I +can, that they who strike them, are Kings, or Princes, or those persons +which they represent. + +"For _objects of incredibility_ [p. 537], I would be satisfied from +LISIDEIUS, whether we have any so removed from all appearance of truth, +as are those in CORNEILLE's _ANDROMEDE_? A Play that has been frequented +[_repeated_] the most, of any he has writ. If the _PERSEUS_ or the son of +the heathen god, the _Pegasus_, and the Monster, were not capable to choke +a strong belief? let him blame any representation of ours hereafter! +Those, indeed, were objects of delight; yet the reason is the same as to +the probability: for he makes it not a Ballette [_Ballet_] or Masque; but +a Play, which is, _to resemble truth_. + +"As for _Death_, that _it ought not to be represented_ [p. 536]: I have, +besides the arguments alleged by LISIDEIUS, the authority of BEN. +JOHNSON, who has foreborne it in his Tragedies: for both the death of +SEJANUS and CATILINE are Related. Though, in the latter, I cannot but +observe one irregularity of that great poet. He has removed the Scene in +the same Act, from Rome to _CATILINE_'s army; and from thence, again to +Rome: and, besides, has allowed a very inconsiderable time after +_CATILINE_'s speech, for the striking of the battle, and the return of +_PETREIUS_, who is to relate the event of it to the Senate. Which I +should not animadvert upon him, who was otherwise a painful observer of +[Greek: to prepon] or the Decorum of the Stage: if he had not used +extreme severity in his judgement [_in his 'Discoveries'_] upon the +incomparable SHAKESPEARE, for the same fault. + +"To conclude on this subject of Relations, if we are to be blamed for +showing too much of the Action; the French are as faulty for discovering +too little of it. A mean betwixt both, should be observed by every +judicious writer, so as the audience may neither be left unsatisfied, by +not seeing what is beautiful; or shocked, by beholding what is either +incredible or indecent. + +"I hope I have already proved in this discourse, that though we are not +altogether so punctual as the French, in observing the laws of Comedy: +yet our errors are so few, and [so] little; and those things wherein we +excel them so considerable, that we ought, of right, to be preferred +before them. + +"But what will LISIDEIUS say? if they themselves acknowledge they are too +strictly tied up by those laws: for the breaking which, he has blamed the +English? I will allege CORNEILLE's words, as I find them in the end of +this _Discourse_ of _The three Unities_. _Il est facile aux speculatifs +d'etre severe, &c_. ''Tis easy, for speculative people to judge severely: +but if they would produce to public view, ten or twelve pieces of this +nature; they would, perhaps, give more latitude to the Rules, than I have +done: when, by experience, they had known how much we are bound up, and +constrained by them, and how many beauties of the Stage they banished +from it.' + +"To illustrate, a little, what he has said. By their servile imitations +of the UNITIES of TIME and PLACE, and INTEGRITY OF SCENES they have +brought upon themselves the Dearth of Plot and Narrowness of Imagination +which may be observed in all their Plays. + +"How many beautiful accidents might naturally happen in two or three +days; which cannot arrive, with any probability, in the compass of +twenty-four hours? There is time to be allowed, also, for maturity of +design: which, amongst great and prudent persons, such as are often +represented in Tragedy, cannot, with any likelihood of truth, be brought +to pass at so short a warning. + +"Farther, by tying themselves strictly to the UNITY OF PLACE and UNBROKEN +SCENES; they are forced, many times, to omit some beauties which cannot be +shown where the Act began: but might, if the Scene were interrupted, and +the Stage cleared, for the persons to enter in another place. And +therefore, the French Poets are often forced upon absurdities. For if the +Act begins in a Chamber, all the persons in the Play must have some +business or other to come thither; or else they are not to be shown in +that Act: and sometimes their characters are very unfitting to appear +there. As, suppose it were the King's Bedchamber; yet the meanest man in +the Tragedy, must come and despatch his business there, rather than in +the Lobby or Courtyard (which is [_were_] fitter for him), for fear the +Stage should be cleared, and the Scenes broken. + +"Many times, they fall, by it, into a greater inconvenience: for they +keep their Scenes Unbroken; and yet Change the Place. As, in one of their +newest Plays [_i.e., before 1665_]. Where the Act begins in a Street: +there, a gentleman is to meet his friend; he sees him, with his man, +coming out from his father's house; they talk together, and the first +goes out. The second, who is a lover, has made an appointment with his +mistress: she appears at the Window; and then, we are to imagine the +Scene lies under it. This gentleman is called away, and leaves his +servant with his mistress. Presently, her father is heard from within. +The young lady is afraid the servingman should be discovered; and thrusts +him through a door, which is supposed to be her Closet [_Boudoir_]. After +this, the father enters to the daughter; and now the Scene is in a House: +for he is seeking, from one room to another, for his poor _PHILIPIN_ or +French _DIEGO_: who is heard from within, drolling, and breaking many a +miserable conceit upon his sad condition. In this ridiculous manner, the +Play goes on; the Stage being never empty all the while. So that the +Street, the Window, the two Houses, and the Closet are made to walk +about, and the Persons to stand still! + +"Now, what, I beseech you! is more easy than to write a regular French +Play? or more difficult than to write an irregular English one, like +those of FLETCHER, or of SHAKESPEARE? + +"If they content themselves, as CORNEILLE did, with some flat design, +which (like an ill riddle) is found out ere it be half proposed; such +Plots, we can make every way regular, as easily as they: but whene'er +they endeavour to rise up to any quick Turns or Counter-turns of Plot, as +some of them have attempted, since CORNEILLE's _Plays_ have been less in +vogue; you see they write as irregularly as we! though they cover it more +speciously. Hence the reason is perspicuous, why no French plays, when +translated, have, or ever can succeed upon the English Stage. For, if you +consider the Plots, our own are fuller of variety; if the Writing, ours +are more quick, and fuller of spirit: and therefore 'tis a strange +mistake in those who decry the way of writing Plays in Verse; as if the +English therein imitated the French. + +"We have borrowed nothing from them. Our Plots are weaved in English +looms. We endeavour, therein, to follow the variety and greatness of +Characters, which are derived to us from SHAKESPEARE and FLETCHER, The +copiousness and well knitting of the Intrigues, we have from JOHNSON. And +for the Verse itself, we have English precedents, of elder date than any +of CORNEILLE's plays. Not to name our old Comedies before SHAKESPEARE, +which are all writ in verse of six feet or Alexandrines, such as the +French now use: I can show in SHAKESPEARE, many Scenes of Rhyme together; +and the like in BEN. JOHNSON's tragedies. In _CATILINE_ and _SEJANUS_, +sometimes, thirty or forty lines. I mean, besides the Chorus or the +Monologues; which, by the way, showed BEN. no enemy to this way of +writing: especially if you look upon his _Sad Shepherd_, which goes +sometimes upon rhyme, sometimes upon blank verse; like a horse, who eases +himself upon trot and amble. You find him, likewise, commending FLETCHER's +pastoral of the _Faithful Shepherdess_: which is, for the most part, [in] +Rhyme; though not refined to that purity, to which it hath since been +brought. And these examples are enough to clear us from, a servile +imitation of the French. + +"But to return, from whence I have digressed. I dare boldly affirm these +two things of the English Drama, + + "First. That we have many Plays of ours as regular as any of theirs; + and which, besides, have more variety of Plot and Characters. And + + "Secondly. That in most of the irregular Plays of SHAKESPEARE or + FLETCHER (for BEN. JOHNSON's are for the most part regular), there + is a more masculine Fancy, and greater Spirit in all the Writing, + than there is in any of the French. + +"I could produce, even in SHAKESPEARE's and FLETCHER's _Works_, some +Plays which are almost exactly formed; as the _Merry Wives of Windsor_ +and the _Scornful Lady_. But because, generally speaking, SHAKESPEARE, +who writ first, did not perfectly observe the laws of Comedy; and +FLETCHER, who came nearer to perfection [_in this respect_], yet, through +carelessness, made many faults: I will take the pattern of a perfect Play +from BEN. JOHNSON, who was a careful and learned observer of the Dramatic +Laws; and, from all his Comedies, I shall select the _Silent Woman_ [p. +597], of which I will make a short examen [_examination_], according to +those Rules which the French observe." + + +As NEANDER was beginning to examine the _Silent Woman_: EUGENIUS, looking +earnestly upon him, "I beseech you, NEANDER!" said he, "gratify the +company, and me in particular, so far, as, before you speak of the Play, +to give us a Character of the Author: and tell us, frankly, your opinion! +whether you do not think all writers, both French and English, ought to +give place to him?" + + +"I fear," replied NEANDER, "that in obeying your commands, I shall draw a +little envy upon myself. Besides, in performing them, it will be first +necessary to speak somewhat of SHAKESPEARE and FLETCHER his Rivals in +Poesy; and one of them, in my opinion, at least his Equal, perhaps his +Superior. + +"To begin then with SHAKESPEARE. He was the man, who, of all Modern and +perhaps Ancient poets, had the largest and most comprehensive Soul [p. +540]. All the Images of Nature [pp. 528, 533] were still present +[_apparent_] to him [p. 489]: and he drew them not laboriously, but +luckily [_felicitously_]. When he describes anything; you more than see +it, you feel it too. Those who accuse him to have wanted learning; give +him the greater commendation. He was naturally learned. He needed not the +spectacles of books, to read Nature; he looked inwards, and found her +there. I cannot say, he is everywhere alike. Were he so; I should do him +injury to compare him [_even_] with the greatest of mankind. He is many +times flat, insipid: his comic wit degenerating into clenches; his +serious swelling, into bombast. + +"But he is always great, when some great occasion is presented to him. No +man can say, he ever had a fit subject for his wit, and did not then raise +himself as high above the rest of poets, + + "_Quantum lenta solent, inter viberna cupressi._ + +"The consideration of this, made Mr. HALES, of Eton, say, 'That there was +no subject of which any poet ever writ; but he would produce it much +better treated of in SHAKESPEARE.' And however others are, now, generally +preferred before him; yet the Age wherein he lived (which had +contemporaries with him, FLETCHER and JOHNSON) never equalled them to +him, in their esteem. And in the last King's [_CHARLES I._] Court, when +BEN.'s reputation was at [the] highest; Sir JOHN SUCKLING, and with him, +the greater part of the Courtiers, set our SHAKESPEARE far above him. + +"BEAUMONT and FLETCHER (of whom I am next to speak), had, with the +advantage of SHAKESPEARE's wit, which was their precedent, great natural +gifts improved by study. BEAUMONT, especially, being so accurate a judge +of plays, that BEN. JOHNSON, while he [_i.e., BEAUMONT_] lived, submitted +all his writings to his censure; and,'tis thought, used his judgement in +correcting, if not contriving all his plots. What value he had for +[_i.e., attached to_] him, appears by the verses he writ to him: and +therefore I need speak no farther of it. + +"The first Play which brought FLETCHER and him in esteem, was their +_PHILASTER_. For, before that, they had written two or three very +unsuccessfully: as the like is reported of BEN. JOHNSON, before he writ +_Every Man in his Humour_ [_acted in_ 1598]. Their Plots were generally +more regular than SHAKESPEARE's, especially those which were made before +BEAUMONT's death: and they understood, and imitated the conversation of +gentlemen [_in the conventional sense in which it was understood in +DRYDEN's time_], much better [_i.e., than SHAKESPEARE_]; whose wild +debaucheries, and quickness of wit in repartees, no Poet can ever paint +as they have done. + +"This Humour, which BEN. JOHNSON derived from particular persons; they +made it not their business to describe. They represented all the passions +very lively; but, above all, Love. + +"I am apt to believe the English language, in them, arrived to its +highest perfection. What words have since been taken in, are rather +superfluous than necessary. + +"Their Plays are now the most pleasant and frequent entertainments of the +Stage; two of theirs being acted through the year, for one of +SHAKESPEARE's or JOHNSON's. The reason is because there is a certain +Gaiety in their Comedies, and Pathos in their more serious Plays, which +suit generally with all men's humours, SHAKESPEARE's Language is likewise +a little obsolete; and BEN. JOHNSON's Wit comes short of theirs. + +"As for JOHNSON, to whose character I am now arrived; if we look upon +him, while he was himself (for his last Plays were but his dotages) I +think him the most learned and judicious Writer which any _Theatre_ ever +had. He was a most severe judge of himself, as well as others. One cannot +say he wanted Wit; but rather, that he was frugal of it [p. 572]. In his +works, you find little to retrench or alter. + +"Wit and Language, and Humour also in some measure, we had before him; +but something of Art was wanting to the Drama, till he came. He managed +his strength to more advantage than any who preceded him. You seldom find +him making love in any of his Scenes, or endeavouring to move the +passions: his genius was too sullen and saturnine to do it gracefully; +especially when he knew, he came after those who had performed both to +such a height. Humour was his proper sphere; and in that, he delighted +most to represent mechanic [_uncultivated_] people. + +"He was deeply conversant in the Ancients, both Greek and Latin; and he +borrowed boldly from them. There is scarce a Poet or Historian, among the +Roman authors of those times, whom he has not translated in _SEJANUS_ and +_CATILINE_: but he has done his robberies so openly, that one may see he +fears not to be taxed by any law. He invades authors, like a Monarch; and +what would be Theft in other Poets, is only Victory in him. With the +spoils of these Writers, he so represents old Rome to us, in its rites, +ceremonies, and customs; that if one of their own poets had written +either of his Tragedies, we had seen less of it than in him. + +"If there was any fault in his Language, 'twas that he weaved it too +closely and laboriously in his serious Plays. Perhaps, too, he did a +little too much Romanize our tongue; leaving the words which he +translated, almost as much Latin as he found them: wherein, though he +learnedly followed the idiom of their language, he did not enough comply +with ours. + +"If I would compare him with SHAKESPEARE, I must acknowledge him, the +more correct Poet; but SHAKESPEARE, the greater Wit. SHAKESPEARE was the +HOMER, or Father of our Dramatic Poets; JOHNSON was the VIRGIL, the +pattern of elaborate writing. I admire him; but I love SHAKESPEARE. + +"To conclude of him. As he has given us the most correct Plays; so in the +Precepts which he has laid down in his _Discoveries_, we have as many and +profitable Rules as any wherewith the French can furnish us. + +"Having thus spoken of this author; I proceed to the examination of his +Comedy, the _Silent Woman_. + +"_Examen of the Silent Woman._ + +"To begin, first, with the Length of the Action. It is so far from +exceeding the compass of a natural day, that it takes not up an +artificial one. 'Tis all included in the limits of three hours and a +half; which is no more than is required for the presentment +[_representation of it_] on the Stage. A beauty, perhaps, not much +observed. If it had [been]; we should not have looked upon the Spanish +Translation [_i.e., the adaptation from the Spanish_] of _Five Hours_ +[pp. 533, 541], with so much wonder. + +"The Scene of it is laid in London. The Latitude of Place is almost as +little as you can imagine: for it lies all within the compass of two +houses; and, after the First Act, in one. + +"The Continuity of Scenes is observed more than in any of our Plays, +excepting his own _Fox_ and _Alchemist_, They are not broken above twice, +or thrice at the most, in the whole Comedy: and in the two best of +CORNEILLE's Plays, the _CID_ and _CINNA_, they are interrupted once a +piece. + +"The Action of the Play is entirely One: the end or aim of which, is the +settling _MQROSE's_ estate on _DAUPHINE_. + +"The Intrigue of it is the greatest and most noble of any pure unmixed +Comedy in any language. You see in it, many persons of various Characters +and Humours; and all delightful. + +"As first, _MOROSE_, an old man, to whom all noise, but his own talking, +is offensive. Some, who would be thought critics, say, 'This humour of +his is forced.' But, to remove that objection, we may consider him, +first, to be naturally of a delicate hearing, as many are, to whom all +sharp sounds are unpleasant: and, secondly, we may attribute much of it +to the peevishness of his age, or the wayward authority of an old man in +his own house, where he may make himself obeyed; and this the Poet seems +to allude to, in his name _MOROSE_. Besides this, I am assured from +divers persons, that BEN. JOHNSON was actually acquainted with such a +man, one altogether as ridiculous as he is here represented. + +"Others say, 'It is not enough, to find one man of such an humour. It +must he common to more; and the more common, the more natural.' To prove +this, they instance in the best of comical characters, _FALSTAFF_. There +are many men resembling him; Old, Fat, Merry, Cowardly, Drunken, Amorous, +Vain, and Lying. But to convince these people; I need but [to] tell them, +that _Humour is the ridiculous extravagance of conversation, wherein one +man differs from all others_. If then it be common, or communicated to +any; how differs it from other men's? or what indeed causes it to be +ridiculous, so much as the singularity of it. As for _FALSTAFF_, he is +not properly one Humour; but a Miscellany of Humours or Images drawn from +so many several men. That wherein he is singular is his Wit, or those +things he says, _praeter expectatum_, 'unexpected by the audience'; his +quick evasions, when you imagine him surprised: which, as they are +extremely diverting of themselves, so receive a great addition from his +person; for the very sight of such an unwieldy old debauched fellow is a +Comedy alone. + +"And here, having a place so proper for it, I cannot but enlarge somewhat +upon this subject of Humour, into which I am fallen. + +"The Ancients had little of it in their Comedies: for the [Greek: no +geloiou] [_facetious absurdities_] of the Old Comedy, of which +ARISTOPHANES was chief, was not so much to imitate a man; as to make the +people laugh at some odd conceit, which had commonly somewhat of +unnatural or obscene in it. Thus, when you see _SOCRATES_ brought upon +the Stage, you are not to imagine him made ridiculous by the imitation of +his actions: but rather, by making him perform something very unlike +himself; something so childish and absurd, as, by comparing it with the +gravity of the true SOCRATES, makes a ridiculous object for the +spectators. + +"In the New Comedy which succeeded, the Poets sought, indeed, to express +the [Greek: aethos] [_manners and habits_]; as in their Tragedies, the +[Greek: pathos] [_sufferings_] of mankind. But this [Greek: aethos] +contained only the general characters of men and manners; as [of] Old +Men, Lovers, Servingmen, Courtizans, Parasites, and such other persons as +we see in their Comedies. All which, they made alike: that is, one Old Man +or Father, one Lover, one Courtizan so like another, as if the first of +them had begot the rest of every [_each_] sort. _Ex homine hunc natum +dicas_. The same custom they observed likewise in their Tragedies. + +"As for the French. Though they have the word _humeur_ among them: yet +they have small use of it in their Comedies or Farces: they being but ill +imitations of the _ridiculum_ or that which stirred up laughter in the Old +Comedy. But among the English, 'tis otherwise. Where, by Humour is meant +_some extravagant habit, passion, or affection, particular_, as I said +before, _to some one person, by the oddness of which, he is immediately +distinguished from the rest of men_: which, being lively and naturally +represented, most frequently begets that malicious pleasure in the +audience, which is testified by laughter: as all things which are +deviations from common customs, are ever the aptest to produce it. +Though, by the way, this Laughter is only accidental, as the person +represented is fantastic or bizarre; but Pleasure is essential to it, as +the Imitation of what is natural. This description of these Humours[9], +drawn from the knowledge and observation of particular persons, was the +peculiar genius and talent of BEN. JOHNSON. To whose Play, I now return. + +"Besides _MOROSE_, there are, at least, nine or ten different Characters +and Humours in the _Silent Woman_: all which persons have several +concernments of their own; yet are all used by the Poet to the conducting +of the main Design to perfection. + +"I shall not waste time in commending the Writing of this Play: but I +will give you my opinion, that there is more Wit and Acuteness of Fancy +in it, than in any of BEN. JOHNSON's. Besides that, he has here described +the conversation of gentlemen, in the persons of _TRUE WIT_ and his +friends, with more gaiety, air, and freedom than in the rest of his +Comedies. + +"For the Contrivance of the Plot: tis extreme[ly] elaborate; and yet, +withal, easy. For the [Greek: _desis_], or Untying of it: 'tis so +admirable, that, when it is done, no one of the audience would think the +Poet could have missed it; and yet, it was concealed so much before the +last Scene, that any other way would sooner have entered into your +thoughts. + +"But I dare not take upon me, to commend the Fabric of it; because it is +altogether so full of Art, that I must unravel every Scene in it, to +commend it as I ought. And this excellent contrivance is still the more +to be admired; because 'tis [a] Comedy where the persons are only of +common rank; and their business, private; not elevated by passions or +high concernments as in serious Plays. Here, every one is a proper judge +of what he sees. Nothing is represented but that with which he daily +converses: so that, by consequence, all faults lie open to discovery; and +few are pardonable. 'Tis this, which HORACE has judiciously observed-- + + "_Creditur ex medio quia res arcessit habere + Sudoris minimum, sed habet Comedia tanto + Plus oneris, quanto venice minus._ + +"But our Poet, who was not ignorant of these difficulties, had prevailed +[? _availed_] himself of all advantages; as he who designs a large leap, +takes his rise from the highest ground. + +"One of these Advantages is that, which CORNEILLE has laid down as _the +greatest which can arrive_ [happen] _to any Poem_; and which he, himself, +could never compass, above thrice, in all his plays, viz., _the making +choice of some signal and long expected day; whereon the action of the +Play is to depend_. This day was that designed by _DAUPHINE_, for the +settling of his uncle's estate upon him: which to compass, he contrives +to marry him. That the marriage had been plotted by him, long beforehand, +is made evident, by what he tells _TRUE WIT_, in the Second Act, that 'in +one moment, he [_TRUE WIT_] had destroyed what he had been raising many +months.' + +"There is another artifice of the Poet, which I cannot here omit; +because, by the frequent practice of it in his Comedies, he has left it +to us, almost as a Rule: that is, _when he has any Character or Humour, +wherein he would show a_ coup de maitre _or his highest skill; he +recommends it to your observation by a pleasant description of it, before +the person first appears_. Thus, in _Bartholomew Fair_, he gives you the +picture of _NUMPS and COKES_; and in this, those of _DAW, LAFOOLE, +MOROSE_, and the _Collegiate Ladies_: all which you hear described, +before you, see them. So that, before they come upon the Stage, you have +a longing expectation of them; which prepares you to receive them +favourably: and when they are there, even from their first appearance, +you are so far acquainted with them, that nothing of their humour is lost +to you. + +"I will observe yet one thing further of this admirable Plot. The +business of it rises in every Act. The Second is greater than the First; +the Third, than the Second: and so forward, to the Fifth. There, too, you +see, till the very last Scene, new difficulties arising to obstruct the +Action of the Play: and when the audience is brought into despair that +the business can naturally be effected; then, and not before, the +Discovery is made. + +"But that the Poet might entertain you with more variety, all this while; +he reserves some new Characters to show you, which he opens not till the +Second and Third Acts, In the Second, _MOROSE, DAW, the Barber_, and +_OTTER_; in the Third, the _Collegiate Ladies_, All which, he moves, +afterwards, in by-walks or under-plots, as diversions to the main Design, +least it grow tedious: though they are still naturally joined with it; +and, somewhere or other, subservient to it. Thus, like a skilful chess +player, by little and little, he draws out his men; and makes his pawns +of use to his greater persons. + +"If this Comedy and some others of his, were translated into French prose +(which would now be no wonder to them, since MOLIERE has lately given them +Plays out of Verse; which have not displeased them), I believe the +controversy would soon be decided betwixt the two nations: even making +them, the judges. + +"But we need not call our heroes to our aid. Be it spoken to the honour +of the English! our nation can never want, in any age, such, who are able +to dispute the Empire of Wit with any people in the universe. And though +the fury of a Civil War, and power (for twenty years together [1640-1660 +A.D.]) abandoned to a barbarous race of men, enemies of all good +learning[10], had buried the Muses under the ruins of Monarchy: yet, with +the Restoration of our happiness [1660], we see revived Poesy lifting up +its head, and already shaking off the rubbish, which lay so heavy upon it. + +"We have seen, since His Majesty's return, many Dramatic Poems which +yield not to those of any foreign nation, and which deserve all laurels +but the English. I will set aside flattery and envy. It cannot be denied +but we have had some little blemish, either in the Plot or Writing of all +those plays which have been made within these seven years; and, perhaps, +there is no nation in the world so quick to discern them, or so difficult +to pardon them, as ours: yet, if we can persuade ourselves to use the +candour of that Poet [_HORACE_], who, though the most severe of critics, +has left us this caution, by which to moderate our censures. + + "_Ubi plum nitent in carmine non ego paucis offendar maculis._ + +"If, in consideration of their many and great beauties, we can wink at +some slight and little imperfections; if we, I say, can be thus equal to +ourselves: I ask no favour from the French. + +"And if I do not venture upon any particular judgement of our late Plays: +'tis out of the consideration which an ancient writer gives me. _Vivorum, +ut magna admiratio ita censura difficilis_; 'betwixt the extremes of +admiration and malice, 'tis hard to judge uprightly of the living.' Only, +I think it may be permitted me to say, that as it is no lessening to us, +to yield to some Plays (and those not many) of our nation, in the last +Age: so can it be no addition, to pronounce of our present Poets, that +_they have far surpassed all the Ancients, and the Modern Writers of +other countries_." + +This, my Lord! [_i.e., the Dedicatee, the Lord BUCKHURST, p. 503] was the +substance of what was then spoke, on that occasion: and LISIDEIUS, I +think, was going to reply; when he was prevented thus by CRITES. + +"I am confident," said he, "the most material things that can be said, +have been already urged, on either side. If they have not; I must beg of +LISIDEIUS, that he will defer his answer till another time. For I confess +I have a joint quarrel to you both: because you have concluded [pp. 539, +548], without any reason given for it, that _Rhyme is proper for the +Stage._ + +"I will not dispute how ancient it hath been among us to write this way. +Perhaps our ancestors knew no better, till SHAKESPEARE's time, I will +grant, it was not altogether left by him; and that PLETCHER and BEN +JOHNSON used it frequently in their Pastorals, and sometimes in other +Plays. + +"Farther; I will not argue, whether we received it originally from our +own countrymen, or from the French. For that is an inquiry of as little +benefit as theirs, who, in the midst of the Great Plague [1665], were not +so solicitous to provide against it; as to know whether we had it from the +malignity of our own air, or by transportation from Holland. + +"I have therefore only to affirm that _it is not allowable in serious +Plays._ For Comedies, I find you are already concluding with me. + +"To prove this, I might satisfy myself to tell you, _how much in vain it +is, for you, to strive against the stream of the People's inclination!_ +the greatest part of whom, are prepossessed so much with those excellent +plays of SHAKESPEARE, FLETCHER, and BEN. JOHNSON, which have been written +_out_ of Rhyme, that (except you could bring them such as were written +better _in_ it; and those, too, by persons of equal reputation with them) +it will be impossible for you to gain your cause with them: who will +(still) be judges. This it is to which, in fine, all your reasons must +submit. The unanimous consent of an audience is so powerful, that even +JULIUS CAESAR (as MACROBIOS reports of him), when he, was Perpetual +Dictator, was not able to balance it, on the other side: but when +LABERIUS, a Roman knight, at his request, contended in the _Mime_ with +another poet; he was forced to cry out, _Etiam favente me victus es +Liberi_. + +"But I will not, on this occasion, take the advantage of the greater +number; but only urge such reasons against Rhyme, as I find in the +writings of those who have argued for the other way. + +"First, then, I am of opinion, that Rhyme is unnatural in a Play, because +_Dialogue,_ there, _is presented as the effect of sudden thought._ For a +Play is the Imitation of Nature: and since no man, without premeditation, +speaks in rhyme; neither ought he to do it on the Stage. This hinders not +but the Fancy may be, there, elevated to a higher pitch of thought than +it is in ordinary discourse; for there is a probability that men of +excellent and quick parts, may speak noble things _ex tempore_: but those +thoughts are never fettered with the numbers and sound of Verse, without +study; and therefore it cannot be but unnatural, _to present the most +free way of speaking, in that which is the most constrained_. + +"'For this reason,' says ARISTOTLE, ''tis best, to write Tragedy in that +kind of Verse, which is the least such, or which is nearest Prose': and +this, among the Ancients, was the _Iambic_; and with us, is _Blank Verse, +or the Measure of Verse kept exactly, without rhyme_. These numbers, +therefore, are fittest for a Play: the others [_i.e., Rhymed Verse_] for +a paper of Verses, or a Poem [p. 566]. Blank Verse being as much below +them, as Rhyme is improper for the Drama: and, if it be objected that +neither are Blank Verses made _ex tempore_; yet, as nearest Nature, they +are still to be preferred. + +"But there are two particular exceptions [_objections_], which many, +beside myself, have had to Verse [_i.e., in rhyme_]; by which it will +appear yet more plainly, how improper it is in Plays. And the first of +them is grounded upon that very reason, for which some have commended +Rhyme. They say, 'The quickness of Repartees in argumentative scenes, +receives an ornament from Verse [pp. 492, 498].' Now, _what is more +unreasonable than to imagine that a man should not only light upon the +Wit, but the Rhyme too; upon the sudden_? This nicking of him, who spoke +before, both in Sound and Measure, is so great a happiness [_felicity_], +that you must, at least, suppose the persons of your Play to be poets, +_Arcades omnes et cantare pares et respondere parati_. They must have +arrived to the degree of _quicquid conabar dicere_, to make verses, +almost whether they will or not. + +"If they are anything below this, it will look rather like the design of +two, than the answer of one. It will appear that your Actors hold +intelligence together; that they perform their tricks, like fortune +tellers, by confederacy. The hand of Art will be too visible in it, +against that maxim of all professions, _Ars est celare artem_; 'that it +is the greatest perfection of Art, to keep itself undiscovered.' + +"Nor will it serve you to object, that however you manage it, 'tis still +known to be a Play; and consequently the dialogue of two persons, +understood to be the labour of one Poet. For a Play is still an Imitation +of Nature. We know we are to be deceived, and we desire to be so; but no +man ever was deceived, but with a _probability of Truth_; for who will +suffer a gross lie to be fastened upon him? Thus, we sufficiently +understand that the scenes [_i.e., the scenery which was just now coming +into use on the English Stage_], which represent cities and countries to +us, are not really such, but only painted on boards and canvas. But shall +that excuse the ill painture [_painting_] or designment of them? Nay +rather, ought they not to be laboured with so much the more diligence and +exactness, to help the Imagination? since the Mind of Man doth naturally +bend to, and seek after Truth; and therefore the nearer anything comes to +the Imitation of it, the more it pleases. + +"Thus, you see! your Rhyme is incapable of expressing the greatest +thoughts, naturally; and the lowest, it cannot, with any grace. For what +is more unbefitting the majesty of Verse, than 'to call a servant,' or +'bid a door be shut' in Rhyme? And yet, this miserable necessity you are +forced upon! + +"'But Verse,' you say, 'circumscribes a quick and luxuriant Fancy, which +would extend itself too far, on every subject; did not the labour which +is required to well-turned and polished Rhyme, set bounds to it [pp. +492-493]. Yet this argument, if granted, would only prove, that _we may +write better in Verse_, but not _more naturally_. + +"Neither is it able to evince that. For he who _wants_ judgement to +confine his Fancy, in Blank Verse; may want it as well, in Rhyme: and he +who has it, will avoid errors in both kinds [pp. 498, 571], Latin Verse +was as great a confinement to the imagination of those poets, as Rhyme to +ours: and yet, you find OVID saying too much on every subject. + +"_Nescivit_, says SENECA, _quod bene cessit relinquere_: of which he +[OVID] gives you one famous instance in his description of the Deluge. + + "_Omnia pontus erat, deerant quoque litora ponto._ + Now all was sea; nor had that sea a shore. + +"Thus OVID's Fancy was not limited by Verse; and VIRGIL needed not Verse +to have bounded his. + +"In our own language, we see BEN. JOHNSON confining himself to what ought +to be said, even in the liberty of Blank Verse; and yet CORNEILLE, the +most judicious of the French poets, is still varying the same Sense a +hundred ways, and dwelling eternally upon the same subject, though +confined by Rhyme. + +"Some other exceptions, I have to Verse; but these I have named, being, +for the most part, already public: I conceive it reasonable they should, +first, be answered." + +"It concerns me less than any," said NEANDER, seeing he had ended, "to +reply to this discourse, because when I should have proved that Verse may +be _natural_ in Plays; yet I should always be ready to confess that those +which I [_i.e., DRYDEN, see_ pp. 503, 566] have written in this kind, +come short of that perfection which is required. Yet since you are +pleased I should undertake this province, I will do it: though, with all +imaginable respect and deference both to that Person [_i.e., SIR ROBERT +HOWARD, see_ p. 494] from whom you have borrowed your strongest +arguments; and to whose judgement, when I have said all, I finally submit. + +"But before I proceed to answer your objections; I must first remember +you, that I exclude all Comedy from my defence; and next, that I deny not +but Blank Verse may be also used: and content myself only to assert that +_in serious Plays_, where the Subject and Characters are great, and the +Plot unmixed with mirth (which might allay or divert these concernments +which are produced), _Rhyme is there, as natural, and more effectual than +Blank Verse_. + +"And now having laid down this as a foundation: to begin with CRITES, I +must crave leave to tell him, that some of his arguments against Rhyme, +reach no farther that from _the faults or defects of ill Rhyme_ to +conclude against _the use of it in general_ [p. 598]. May not I conclude +against Blank Verse, by the same reason? If the words of some Poets, who +write in it, are either ill-chosen or ill-placed; which makes not only +Rhyme, but all kinds of Verse, in any language, unnatural: shall I, for +their virtuous affectation, condemn those excellent lines of FLETCHER, +which are written in that kind? Is there anything in Rhyme more +constrained, than this line in Blank Verse? + + "I, heaven invoke! and strong resistance make. + +"Where you see both the clauses are placed unnaturally; that is, contrary +to the common way of speaking, and that, without the excuse of a rhyme to +cause it: yet you would think me very ridiculous, if I should accuse the +stubbornness of Blank Verse for this; and not rather, the stiffness of +the Poet. Therefore, CRITES! you must either prove that _words, though +well chosen and duly placed, yet render not Rhyme natural in itself_; or +that, _however natural and easy the Rhyme may be, yet it is not proper +for a Play_. + +"If you insist on the former part; I would ask you what other conditions +are required to make Rhyme natural in itself, besides an election of apt +words, and a right disposing of them? For the due _choice_ of your words +expresses your Sense naturally, and the due _placing_ them adapts the +Rhyme to it. + +"If you object that _one verse may be made for the sake of another, +though both the words and rhyme be apt_, I answer it cannot possibly so +fall out. For either there is a dependence of sense betwixt the first +line and the second; or there is none. If there be that connection, then, +in the natural position of the words, the latter line must, of necessity, +flow from the former: if there be no dependence, yet, still, the due +ordering of words makes the last line as natural in itself as the other. +So that the necessity of a rhyme never forces any but bad or lazy +writers, to say what they would not otherwise. + +"'Tis true, there is both care and art required to write in Verse. A good +Poet never concludes upon the first line, till he has sought out such a +rhyme as may fit the Sense already prepared, to heighten the second. Many +times, the Close of the Sense falls into the middle of the next verse, or +farther off; and he may often prevail [_avail_] himself of the same +advantages in English, which VIRGIL had in Latin; he may break off in the +hemistich, and begin another line. + +"Indeed, the not observing these two last things, makes Plays that are +writ in Verse so tedious: for though, most commonly, the Sense is to be +confined to the Couplet; yet, nothing that does _perpetuo tenore fluere_, +'run in the same channel,' can please always. 'Tis like the murmuring of a +stream: which, not varying in the fall, causes at first attention; at +last, drowsiness. VARIETY OF CADENCES is the best Rule; the greatest help +to the Actors, and refreshment to the Audience. + +"If, then, Verse may be made _natural in itself; how becomes it improper +to a Play_? You say, 'The Stage is the Representation of Nature, and no +man, in ordinary conversation, speaks in Rhyme': but you foresaw, when +you said this, that it might be answered, 'Neither does any man speak in +Blank Verse, or in measure without Rhyme!' therefore you concluded, 'That +which is nearest Nature is still to be preferred.' But you took no notice +that Rhyme might be made as natural as Blank Verse, by the well placing +of the words, &c. All the difference between them, when they are both +correct, is the sound in one, which the other wants: and if so, the +sweetness of it, and all the advantages resulting from it which are +handled in the _Preface_ to the _Rival Ladies_ [pp. 487-493], will yet +stand good. + +"As for that place of ARISTOTLE, where he says, 'Plays should be writ in +that kind of Verse which is nearest Prose': it makes little for you, +Blank Verse being, properly, but Measured Prose. + +"Now Measure, alone, in any modern language, does not constitute Verse. +Those of the Ancients, in Greek and Latin, consisted in Quantity of +Words, and a determinate number of Feet. But when, by the inundations of +the Goths and Vandals, into Italy, new languages were brought in, and +barbarously mingled with the Latin, of which, the Italian, Spanish, +French, and ours (made out of them, and the Teutonic) are dialects: a New +Way of Poesy was practised, new, I say, in those countries; for, in all +probability, it was that of the conquerors in their own nations. The New +Way consisted of Measure or Number of Feet, _and_ Rhyme. The sweetness of +Rhyme and observation of Accent, supplying the place of Quantity in Words: +which could neither exactly be observed by those Barbarians who knew not +the Rules of it; neither was it suitable to their tongues, as it had been +to the Greek and Latin. + +"No man is tied in Modern Poesy, to observe any farther Rules in the Feet +of his Verse, but that they be dissyllables (whether Spondee, Trochee, or +Iambic, it matters not); only he is obliged to Rhyme. Neither do the +Spanish, French, Italians, or Germans acknowledge at all, or very rarely, +any such kind of Poesy as Blank Verse among them. Therefore, at most, 'tis +but a Poetic Prose, _a sermo pedestris_; and, as such, most fit for +Comedies: where I acknowledge Rhyme to be improper. + +"Farther, as to that quotation of ARISTOTLE, our Couplet Verses may be +rendered _as near_ Prose, as Blank Verse itself; by using those +advantages I lately named, as Breaks in the Hemistich, or Running the +Sense into another line: thereby, making Art and Order appear as loose +and free as Nature. Or, not tying ourselves to Couplets strictly, we may +use the benefit of the Pindaric way, practised in the _Siege of Rhodes_; +where the numbers vary, and the rhyme is disposed carelessly, and far +from often chiming. + +"Neither is that other advantage of the Ancients to be despised, of +changing the Kind of Verse, when they please, with the change of the +Scene, or some new Entrance. For they confine not themselves always to +Iambics; but extend their liberty to all Lyric Numbers; and sometimes, +even, to Hexameter. + +"But I need not go so far, to prove that Rhyme, as it succeeds to all +other offices of Greek and Latin Verse, so especially to this of Plays; +since the custom of all nations, at this day, confirms it. All the +French, Italian, and Spanish Tragedies are generally writ in it; and, +sure[ly], the Universal Consent of the most civilised parts of the world +ought in this, as it doth in other customs, [to] include the rest. + +"But perhaps, you may tell me, I have proposed such a way to make Rhyme +_natural_; and, consequently, proper to Plays, as is impracticable; and +that I shall scarce find six or eight lines together in a Play, where the +words are so placed and chosen, as is required to make it _natural_. + +"I answer, no Poet need constrain himself, at all times, to it. It is +enough, he makes it his general rule. For I deny not but sometimes there +may be a greatness in placing the words otherwise; and sometimes they may +sound better. Sometimes also, the variety itself is excuse enough. But if, +for the most part, the words be placed, as they are in the negligence of +Prose; it is sufficient to denominate the way _practicable_: for we +esteem that to be such, which, in the trial, oftener succeeds than +misses. And thus far, you may find the practice made good in many Plays: +where, you do not remember still! that if you cannot find six natural +Rhymes together; it will be as hard for you to produce as many lines in +Blank Verse, even among the greatest of our poets, against which I cannot +make some reasonable exception. + +"And this, Sir, calls to my remembrance the beginning of your discourse, +where you told us _we should never find the audience favourable to this +kind of writing_, till we could produce as good plays _in_ Rhyme, as BEN. +JOHNSON, FLETCHER, and SHAKESPEARE had writ _out_ of it [p. 558]. But it +is to raise envy to the Living, to compare them with the Dead. They are +honoured, and almost adored by us, as they deserve; neither do I know any +so presumptuous of themselves, as to contend with them. Yet give me leave +to say thus much, without injury to their ashes, that not only we shall +never equal them; but they could never equal themselves, were they to +rise, and write again. We acknowledge them our Fathers in Wit: but they +have ruined their estates themselves before they came to their children's +hands. There is scarce a Humour, a Character, or any kind of Plot; which +they have not blown upon. All comes sullied or wasted to us: and were +they to entertain this Age, they could not make so plenteous treatments +out of such decayed fortunes. This, therefore, will be a good argument to +us, either not to write at all; or to attempt some other way. There are no +Bays to be expected in their walks, _Tentanda via est qua me quoque possum +tollere humo_. + +"This way of Writing in Verse, they have only left free to us. Our Age is +arrived to a perfection in it, which they never knew: and which (if we may +guess by what of theirs we have seen in Verse, as the _Faithful +Shepherdess_ and _Sad Shepherd_) 'tis probable they never could have +reached. For the Genius of every Age is different: and though ours excel +in this; I deny not but that to imitate Nature in that perfection which +they did in Prose [_i.e., Blank Verse_] is a greater commendation than to +write in Verse exactly. + +"As for what you have added, _that the people are not generally inclined +to like this way_: if it were true, it would be no wonder but betwixt the +shaking off of an old habit, and the introducing of a new, there should be +difficulty. Do we not see them stick to HOPKINS and STERNHOLD's Psalms; +and forsake those of DAVID, I mean SANDYS his Translation of them? If, by +the _people_, you understand the Multitude, the [Greek: _oi polloi_]; 'tis +no matter, what they think! They are sometimes in the right, sometimes in +the wrong. Their judgement is a mere lottery. _Est ubi plebs recte putat, +est ubi peccat_. HORACE says it of the Vulgar, judging Poesy. But if you +mean, the mixed Audience of the Populace and the Noblesse: I dare +confidently affirm, that a great part of the latter sort are already +favourable to Verse; and that no serious Plays, written since the King's +return [_May_ 1660], have been more kindly received by them, than the +_Siege of Rhodes_, the _MUSTAPHA_, the _Indian Queen_ and _Indian +Emperor_. [_See_ p. 503.] + +"But I come now to the Inference of your first argument. You said, 'The +dialogue of Plays is presented as the effect of sudden thought; but no +one speaks suddenly or, _ex tempore_, in Rhyme' [p. 498]: and you +inferred from thence, _that Rhyme_, which you acknowledge to be proper to +Epic Poesy [p. 559], _cannot equally be proper to Dramatic; unless we +could suppose all men born so much more than poets, that verses should be +made_ in _them, not_ by _them_. + +"It has been formerly urged by you [p. 499] and confessed by me [p. 563] +that 'since no man spoke any kind of verse _ex tempore_; that which was +_nearest_ Nature was to be preferred.' I answer you, therefore, by +distinguishing betwixt what is _nearest_ to the nature of Comedy: which +is the Imitation of common persons and Ordinary Speaking: and, what is +_nearest_ the nature of a serious Play. This last is, indeed, the +Representation of Nature; but 'tis Nature wrought up to an higher pitch. +The Plot, the Characters, the Wit, the Passions, the Descriptions are all +exalted above the level of common converse [_conversation_], as high as +the Imagination of the Poet can carry them, with proportion to +verisimility [_verisimilitude_]. + +"Tragedy, we know, is wont to Image to us the minds and fortunes of noble +persons: and to pourtray these exactly, Heroic Rhyme is _nearest_ Nature; +as being the noblest kind of Modern Verse. + + "_Indignatur enim privatis, et prope socco, + Dignis carminibus narrari coena THYESTOE._ + +"says HORACE. And in another place, + + "_Effutire leveis indigna tragoedia versus._ + +"Blank Verse is acknowledged to be too low for a Poem, nay more, for a +paper of Verses [pp. 473, 498, 559]; but if too low for an ordinary +Sonnet, how much more for Tragedy! which is, by ARISTOTLE, in the dispute +between the Epic Poesy and the Dramatic, (for many reasons he there +alleges) ranked above it. + +"But setting this defence aside, your argument is almost as strong +against the use of Rhyme in Poems, as in Plays. For the Epic way is +everywhere interlaced with Dialogue or Discoursive Scenes: and, +therefore, you must either grant Rhyme to be improper there, which is +contrary to your assertion; or admit it into Plays, by the same title +which you have given it to Poems. + +"For though Tragedy be justly preferred above the other, yet there is a +great affinity between them; as may easily be discovered in that +Definition of a Play, which LISIDEIUS gave us [p. 513]. The genus of them +is the same, A JUST AND LIVELY IMAGE OF HUMAN NATURE, IN ITS ACTIONS, +PASSIONS, AND TRAVERSES OF FORTUNE: so is the End, namely, FOR THE +DELIGHT AND BENEFIT OF MANKIND. The Characters and Persons are still the +same, viz., the greatest of both sorts: only the _manner of acquainting +us_ with those actions, passions, and fortunes is different. Tragedy +performs it, _viva voce_, or by Action in Dialogue: wherein it excels the +Epic Poem; which does it, chiefly, by Narration, and therefore is not so +lively an Image of Human Nature. However, the agreement betwixt them is +such, that if Rhyme be proper for one, it must be for the other. + +"Verse, 'tis true, is not 'the effect of Sudden Thought.' But this +hinders not, that Sudden Thought may be represented in Verse: since those +thoughts are such, as must be higher than Nature can raise them without +premeditation, especially, to a continuance of them, even out of Verse: +and, consequently, you cannot imagine them, to have been sudden, either +in the Poet or the Actors. + +"A Play, as I have said, to be like Nature, is to be set above it; as +statues which are placed on high, are made greater than the life, that +they may descend to the sight, in their just proportion. + +"Perhaps, I have insisted too long upon this objection; but the clearing +of it, will make my stay shorter on the rest. + +"You tell us, CRITES! that 'Rhyme is most unnatural in Repartees or Short +Replies: when he who answers, it being presumed he knew not what the other +would say, yet makes up that part of the Verse which was left incomplete; +and supplies both the sound and the measure of it. This,' you say, 'looks +rather like the Confederacy of two, than the Answer of one.' + +"This, I confess, is an objection which is in every one's mouth, who +loves not Rhyme; but suppose, I beseech you! the Repartee were made only +in Blank Verse; might not part of the same argument be turned against +you? For the measure is as often supplied there, as it is in Rhyme: the +latter half of the hemistich as commonly made up, or a second line +subjoined as a reply to the former; which any one leaf in JOHNSON's Plays +will sufficiently make clear to you. + +"You will often find in the Greek Tragedians, and in SENECA; that when a +Scene grows up into the warmth of Repartees, which is the close fighting +of it, the latter part of the trimeter is supplied by him who answers: +and yet it was never observed as a fault in them, by any of the Ancient +or Modern critics. The case is the same in our verse, as it was in +theirs: Rhyme to us, being in lieu of Quantity to them. But if no +latitude is to be allowed a Poet; you take from him, not only his license +of _quidlibet audendi_: but you tie him up in a straighter compass than +you would a Philosopher. + +"This is, indeed, _Musas colere severiores_. You would have him follow +Nature, but he must follow her on foot. You have dismounted him from his +_Pegasus_! + +"But you tell us 'this supplying the last half of a verse, or adjoining a +whole second to the former, looks more like the Design of two, than the +Answer of one [pp. 498, 559].' Suppose we acknowledge it. How comes this +Confederacy to be more displeasing to you, than a dance which is well +contrived? You see there, the united Design of many persons to make up +one Figure. After they have separated themselves in many petty divisions; +they rejoin, one by one, into the gross. The Confederacy is plain amongst +them; for Chance could never produce anything so beautiful, and yet there +is nothing in it that shocks your sight. + +"I acknowledge that the hand of Art appears in Repartee, as, of +necessity, it must in all kind[s] of Verse. But there is, also, the quick +and poignant brevity of it (which is a high Imitation of Nature, in those +sudden gusts of passion) to mingle with it: and this joined with the +cadency and sweetness of the Rhyme, leaves nothing in the Soul of the +Hearer to desire. 'Tis an Art which _appears_; but it _appears_ only like +the shadowings of painture [_painting_], which, being to cause the +rounding of it, cannot be absent: but while that is considered, they are +lost. So while we attend to the other beauties of the Matter, the care +and labour of the Rhyme is carried from us; or, at least, drowned in its +own sweetness, as bees are some times buried in their honey. + +"When a Poet has found the Repartee; the last perfection he can add to +it, is to put it into Verse. However good the Thought may be, however apt +the Words in which 'tis couched; yet he finds himself at a little unrest, +while Rhyme is wanting. He cannot leave it, till that comes naturally; +and then is at ease, and sits down contented. + +"From Replies, which are the most _elevated_ thoughts of Verse, you pass +to the most _mean_ ones, those which are common with the lowest of +household conversation. In these you say, the majesty of the Verse +suffers. You instance in 'the calling of a servant' or 'commanding a door +to be shut' in Rhyme. This, CRITES! is a good observation of yours; but no +argument. For it proves no more, but that such thoughts should be waved, +as often as may be, by the address of the Poet. But suppose they _are_ +necessary in the places where he uses them; yet there is no need to put +them into rhyme. He may place them in the beginning of a verse and break +it off, as unfit (when so debased) for any other use: or granting the +worst, that they require more room than the hemistich will allow; yet +still, there is a choice to be made of best words and least vulgar +(provided they be apt) to express such thoughts. + +"Many have blamed Rhyme in general for this fault, when the Poet, with a +little care, might have redressed it: but they do it, with no more +justice, than if English Poesy should be made ridiculous, for the sake of +[JOHN TAYLOR] the Water Poet's rhymes. + +"Our language is noble, full, and significant; and I know not why he who +is master of it, may not clothe ordinary things in it, as decently as the +Latin; if he use the same diligence in his choice of words. + +"_Delectus verborum origo est eloquentiae_ was the saying of JULIUS +CAESAR; one so curious in his, that none of them can be changed but for +the worse. + +"One would think 'Unlock the door!' was a thing as vulgar as could be +spoken; and yet SENECA could make it sound high and lofty, in his Latin-- + + "_Reserate clusos regii postes Laris._ + +"But I turn from this exception, both because it happens not above twice +or thrice in any Play, that those vulgar thoughts are used: and then too, +were there no other apology to be made, yet the necessity of them (which +is, alike, in all kind[s] of writing) may excuse them. Besides that, the +great eagerness and precipitation with which they are spoken, makes us +rather mind the substance than the dress; that for which they are spoken, +rather than what is spoke[n]. For they are always the effect of some hasty +concernment; and something of consequence depends upon them. + +"Thus, CRITES! I have endeavoured to answer your objections. It remains +only that I should vindicate an argument for Verse, which you have gone +about to overthrow. + +"It had formerly been said [p. 492] that, 'The easiness of Blank Verse +renders the Poet too luxuriant; but that the labour of Rhyme bounds and +circumscribes an over fruitful fancy: the Sense there being commonly +confined to the Couplet; and the words so ordered that the Rhyme +naturally follows them, not they, the Rhyme.' + +"To this, you answered, that 'It was no argument to the question in hand: +for the dispute was not which way _a man may write best_; but which is +_most proper for the subject on which he writes_.' + +"First. Give me leave, Sir, to remember you! that the argument on which +you raised this objection was only secondary. It was built upon the +hypothesis, that to write in Verse was proper for serious Plays. Which +supposition being granted (as it was briefly made out in that discourse, +by shewing how Verse might be made _natural_): it asserted that this way +of writing was a help to the Poet's judgement, by putting bounds to a +wild, overflowing Fancy. I think therefore it will not be hard for me to +make good what it was to prove. + +"But you add, that, 'Were this let pass; yet he who wants judgement in +the liberty of the Fancy, may as well shew the defect of it, when he is +confined to Verse: for he who has judgement, will avoid errors; and he +who has it not will commit them in all kinds of writing.' + +"This argument, as you have taken it from a most acute person, so I +confess it carries much weight in it. But by using the word Judgement +here indefinitely, you seem to have put a fallacy upon us. I grant he who +has judgement, that is, so profound, so strong, so infallible a judgement +that he needs no helps to keep it always poised and upright, will commit +no faults; either in Rhyme, or out of it: and, on the other extreme, he +who has a judgement so weak and crazed, that no helps can correct or +amend it, shall write scurvily out of Rhyme; and worse in it. But the +first of these Judgements, is nowhere to be found; and the latter is not +fit to write at all. + +"To speak, therefore, of Judgement as it is in the best Poets; they who +have the greatest proportion of it, want other helps than from it within: +as, for example, you would be loath to say that he who was endued with a +sound judgement, had no need of history, geography, or moral philosophy, +to write correctly. + +"Judgement is, indeed, the Master Workman in a Play; but he requires many +subordinate hands, many tools to his assistance. And Verse, I affirm to be +one of these. 'Tis a 'Rule and Line' by which he keeps his building +compact and even; which, otherwise, lawless Imagination would raise, +either irregularly or loosely. At least, if the Poet commits errors with +this help; he would make greater and more without it. 'Tis, in short, a +slow and painful, but the surest kind of working. + +"OVID, whom you accuse [p. 561] for luxuriancy in Verse, had, perhaps, +been farther guilty of it, had he writ in Prose. And for your instance of +BEN. JOHNSON [p. 561]; who, you say, writ exactly, without the help of +Rhyme: you are to remember, 'tis only an aid to a _luxuriant_ Fancy; +which his was not [p. 551]. As he did not want Imagination; so, none ever +said he had much to spare. Neither was Verse then refined so much, to be a +help to that Age as it is to ours. + +"Thus then, the second thoughts being usually the best, as receiving the +maturest digestion from judgement; and the last and most mature product +of those thoughts, being artfull and laboured Verse: it may well be +inferred, that Verse is a great help to a luxuriant Fancy. And this is +what that argument, which you opposed, was to evince." + +NEANDER was pursuing this discourse so eagerly that EUGENIUS had called +to him twice or thrice, ere he took notice that the barge stood still; +and that they were at the foot of Somerset Stairs, where they had +appointed it to land. + +The company were all sorry to separate so soon, though a great part of +the evening was already spent: and stood a while, looking back upon the +water; which the moonbeams played upon, and made it appear like floating +quicksilver. + +At last, they went up, through a crowd of French people, who were merrily +dancing in the open air, and nothing concerned for the noise of the guns, +which had alarmed the Town that afternoon. + +Walking thence together to the Piazza, they parted there, EUGENIUS and +LISIDEIUS, to some pleasant appointment they had made; and CRITES and +NEANDER to their several lodgings. + +FINIS. + + + [9] Compare DRYDEN's definition of Humour, with that of Lord MACAULAY, + in his review of _Diary and Letters of Madame D'ARBLAY (Edinburgh + Review_, Jan. 1843). E.A. 1880. + +[10] Glorious JOHN DRYDEN! thee liest! CROMWELL and his Court were + no "enemies of all good learning," though they utterly rejected the + Dramatic branch of it. E.A. 1880. + + + + +The Honourable Sir ROBERT HOWARD Auditor of the Exchequer. + +Preface to _The great Favourite, or the Duke of LERMA_. + +[Published in 1668.] + + +_TO THE READER._ + +I cannot plead the usual excuse for publishing this trifle, which is +commonly the subject of most Prefaces, by charging it upon the +importunity of friends; for I confess I was myself willing, at the first +desire of Mr. HERRINGMAN [_the Publisher_], to print it: not for any +great opinion that I had entertained; but for the opinion that others +were pleased to express. Which, being told me by some friends, I was +concerned to let the World judge what subject matter of offence was +contained in it. Some were pleased to believe little of it mine; but they +are both obliging to me, though perhaps not intentionally: the last, by +thinking there was anything in it that was worth so ill designed an envy, +as to place it to another author; the others, perhaps the best bred +Informers, by continuing their displeasure towards me, since I most +gratefully acknowledge to have received some advantage in the opinion of +the sober part of the World, by the loss of theirs. + +For the subject, I came accidentally to write upon it. For a gentleman +brought a Play to the King's Company, called, _The Duke of LERMA_; and, +by them, I was desired to peruse it, and return my opinion, "Whether I +thought it fit for the Stage!" After I had read it, I acquainted them +that, "In my judgement, it would not be of much use for such a design, +since the Contrivance scarce would merit the name of a Plot; and some of +that, assisted by a disguise: and it ended abruptly. And on the person of +PHILIP III., there was fixed such a mean Character; and on the daughter of +the Duke of LERMA, such a vicious one: that I could not but judge it unfit +to be presented by any that had a respect, not only to Princes, but +indeed, to either Man or Woman." + +And, about that time, being to go in the country, I was persuaded by Mr. +HART to make it my diversion there, that so great a hint might not be +lost, as the Duke of LERMA saving himself, in his last extremity, by his +unexpected disguise: which is as well in the true Story [_history_], as +the old Play. And besides that and the Names; my altering the most part +of the Characters, and the whole Design, made me uncapable to use much +more, though, perhaps, written with higher Style and Thoughts than I +could attain to. + +I intend not to trouble myself nor the World any more in such subjects; +but take my leave of these my too long acquaintances: since that little +Fancy and Liberty I once enjoyed, is now fettered in business of more +unpleasant natures. Yet, were I free to apply my thoughts, as my own +choice directed them; I should hardly again venture into the Civil Wars +of Censures. + + _Ubi ... Nullos habitura triumphos_. + +In the next place. I must ingeniously confess that the manner of Plays, +which now are in most esteem, is beyond my power to perform [p. 587]; nor +do I condemn, in the least, anything, of what nature soever, that pleases; +since nothing could appear to me a ruder folly, than to censure the +satisfaction of others. I rather blame the unnecessary understanding of +some, that have laboured to give strict Rules to things that are not +mathematical; and, with such eagerness, pursuing their own seeming +reasons, that, at last, we are to apprehend such Argumentative Poets will +grow as strict as SANCHO PANZA's Doctor was, to our very appetites: for in +the difference of Tragedy and Comedy, and of Fars [_farce_] itself, there +can be no determination, but by the taste; nor in the manner of their +composure. And, whoever would endeavour to like or dislike, by the Rules +of others; he will be as unsuccessful, as if he should try to be +persuaded into a power of believing, not what he must, but what others +direct him to believe. + +But I confess, 'tis not necessary for Poets to study strict Reason: since +they are so used to a greater latitude [pp. 568, 588], than is allowed by +that severe Inquisition, that they must infringe their own Jurisdiction, +to profess themselves obliged to argue well. I will not, therefore, +pretend to say, why I writ this Play, some Scenes in Blank Verse, others +in Rhyme; since I have no better a reason to give than Chance, which +waited upon my present Fancy: and I expect no better reason from any +Ingenious Person, than his Fancy, for which he best relishes. + +I cannot, therefore, but beg leave of the Reader, to take a little notice +of the great pains the author of an _Essay of Dramatic Poesy_ has taken, +to prove "Rhyme as _natural_ in a serious Play, and more _effectual_ than +Blank Verse" [pp. 561, 581]. Thus he states the question, but pursues that +which he calls natural, in a wrong application: for 'tis not the question, +whether Rhyme or not Rhyme be best or most natural for a grave or serious +Subject: but what is _nearest the nature_ of that which it presents. + +Now, after all the endeavours of that Ingenious Person, a Play will still +be supposed to be a Composition of several persons speaking _ex tempore_ +and 'tis as certain, that good verses are the hardest things that can be +imagined, to be so spoken [p. 582]. So that if any will be pleased to +impose the rule of measuring things to be the best, by _being nearest_ +Nature; it is granted, by consequence, that which is most remote from the +thing supposed, must needs be most improper: and, therefore, I may justly +say, that both I and the question were equally mistaken. For I do own I +had rather read good verses, than either Blank Verse or Prose; and +therefore the author did himself injury, if he like Verse so well in +Plays, to lay down Rules to raise arguments, only unanswerable against +himself. + +But the same author, being filled with the precedents of the Ancients +writing their Plays in Verse, commends the thing; and assures us that +"our language is noble, full, and significant," charging all defects upon +the ill placing of words; and proves it, by quoting SENECA loftily +expressing such an ordinary thing, as "shutting a door." + + _Reserate clusos regii postes Laris_. + +I suppose he was himself highly affected with the sound of these words. +But to have completed his Dictates [_injunctions_]; together with his +arguments, he should have obliged us by charming our ears with such an +art of placing words, as, in an English verse, to express so loftily "the +shutting of a door": that we might have been as much affected with the +sound of his words. + +This, instead of being an argument upon the question, rightly stated, is +an attempt to prove, that Nothing may seem Something by the help of a +verse; which I easily grant to be the ill fortune of it: and therefore, +the question being so much mistaken, I wonder to see that author trouble +himself twice about it, with such an absolute Triumph declared by his own +imagination. But I have heard that a gentleman in Parliament, going to +speak twice, and being interrupted by another member, as against the +Orders of the House: he was excused, by a third [member] assuring the +House he had not yet spoken to the question. + +But, if we examine the General Rules laid down for Plays by strict +Reason; we shall find the errors equally gross: for the great Foundation +that is laid to build upon, is Nothing, as it is generally stated; which +will appear on the examination of the particulars. + +First. We are told the Plot should not be so ridiculously contrived, as +to crowd several Countries into one Stage. Secondly, to cramp the +accidents of many years or days, into the Representation of two hours and +a half. And, lastly, a conclusion drawn that the only remaining dispute, +is concerning Time; whether it should be contained in twelve or four and +twenty hours; and the Place to be limited to the spot of ground, either +in town or city, where the Play is supposed to begin [p. 531]. And this +is called _nearest_ to Nature. For that is concluded most natural, which +is most _probable_, and _nearest_ to that which it presents. + +I am so well pleased with any ingenious offers, as all these are, that I +should not examine this strictly, did not the confidence of others force +me to it: there being not anything more unreasonable to my judgement, +than the attempts to infringe the Liberty of Opinion by Rules so little +demonstrative. + +To shew, therefore, upon what ill grounds, they dictate Laws for Dramatic +Poesy; I shall endeavour to make it evident that there's no such thing, as +what they All pretend [p. 592]. For, if strictly and duly weighed, 'tis as +impossible for one Stage to represent two houses or two rooms truly, as +two countries or kingdoms; and as impossible that five hours or four and +twenty hours should be two hours and a half, as that a thousand hours or +years should be less than what they are, or the greatest part of time to +be comprehended in the less. For _all_ being impossible; they are none of +them nearest the Truth, or nature of what they present. For +impossibilities are all equal, and admit no degrees. And, then, if all +those Poets that have so fervently laboured to give Rules as Maxims, +would but be pleased to abbreviate; or endure to hear their Reasons +reduced into one strict Definition; it must be, That there are _degrees_ +in impossibilities, and that many things, which are not possible, may yet +be more or less impossible; and from this, proceed to give Rules to +observe the least absurdity in things, which are not at all. + +I suppose, I need not trouble the Reader, with so impertinent a delay, to +attempt a further confutation of such ill grounded Reasons, than, thus, by +opening the true state of the case. Nor do I design to make any further +use of it, than from hence, to draw this modest conclusion: + +That I would have all attempts of this nature, be submitted to the Fancy +of others; and bear the name of Propositions [p. 590], not of confident +Laws, or Rules made by demonstration. + +And, then, I shall not discommend any Poet that dresses his Play in such +a fashion as his Fancy best approves: and fairly leave it for others to +follow, if it appears to them most convenient and fullest of ornament. + +But, writing this _Epistle_, in much haste; I had almost forgot one +argument or observation, which that author has most good fortune in. It +is in his _Epistle Dedicatory_, before his _Essay of Dramatic Poesy_, +where, speaking of Rhymes in Plays, he desires it may be observed, "That +none are violent against it; but such as have not attempted it; or who +have succeeded ill in the attempt [pp. 503, 539, 598]," which, as to +myself and him, I easily acknowledge: for I confess none has written, in +that way, better than himself; nor few worse than I. Yet, I hope he is so +ingenious, that he would not wish this argument should extend further than +to him and me. For if it should be received as a good one: all Divines and +Philosophers would find a readier way of confutation than they yet have +done, of any that should oppose the least Thesis or Definition, by +saying, "They were denied by none but such as never attempted to write, +or succeeded ill in the attempt." + +Thus, as I am one, that am extremely well pleased with most of the +_Propositions_, which are ingeniously laid down in that _Essay_, for +regulating the Stage: so I am also always concerned for the true honour +of Reason, and would have no spurious issue fathered upon her Fancy, may +be allowed her wantonness. + +But Reason is always pure and chaste: and, as it resembles the sun, in +making all things clear; it also resembles it, in its several positions. +When it shines in full height, and directly ascendant over any subject, +it leaves but little shadow: but, when descended and grown low, its +oblique shining renders the shadow larger than the substance; and gives +the deceived person [_i.e., DRYDEN_] a wrong measure of his own +proportion. + +Thus, begging the Reader's excuse, for this seeming impertinency; I +submit what I have written to the liberty of his unconfined opinion: +which is all the favour I ask of others, to afford me. + + + + +JOHN DRYDEN. + +_A Defence of_ An Essay of Dramatic Poesy. + +Being an Answer to the Preface of _The great Favourite or the Duke of +LERMA_. + + +[Prefaced to the Second Edition of _The Indian Emperor_. 1668.] + +The former Edition of the _Indian Emperor_, being full of faults, which +had escaped the printer; I have been willing to overlook this Second with +more care: and, though I could not allow myself so much time as was +necessary, yet, by that little I have done, the press is freed from some +gross errors which it had to answer for before. + +As for the more material faults of writing, which are properly mine; +though I see many of them, I want leisure to amend them. 'Tis enough for +those, who make one Poem the business of their lives, to leave that +correct; yet, excepting VIRGIL, I never met with any which was so, in any +language. + +But while I was thus employed about this impression, there came to my +hands, a new printed Play, called, _The great Favourite, or the Duke of +LERMA_. The author of which, a noble and most ingenious Person, has done +me the favour to make some observations and animadversions upon my +_Dramatic Essay_. + +I must confess he might have better consulted his reputation, than by +matching himself with so weak an adversary. But if his honour be +diminished in the choice of his antagonist, it is sufficiently +recompensed in the election of his cause: which being the weaker, in all +appearance (as combating the received opinions of the best Ancient and +Modern authors), will add to his glory, if he overcome; and to the +opinion of his generosity, if he be vanquished, since he engages at so +great odds, and so (like a Cavalier) undertakes the protection of the +weaker party. + +I have only to fear, on my own behalf, that so good a cause as mine, may +not suffer by my ill management or weak defence; yet I cannot, in honour, +but take the glove, when 'tis offered me: though I am only a Champion, by +succession; and, no more able to defend the right of ARISTOTLE and +HORACE, than an infant DYMOCK, to maintain the title of a King. + +For my own concernment in the controversy, it is so small, that I can +easily be contented to be driven from a few Notions of Dramatic Poesy, +especially by one who has the reputation of understanding all things [!]: +and I might justly make that excuse for my yielding to him, which the +Philosopher made to the Emperor, "Why should I offer to contend with him, +who is Master of more than twenty Legions of Arts and Sciences!" But I am +forced to fight, and therefore it will be no shame to be overcome. + +Yet, I am so much his servant as not to meddle with anything which does +not concern _me_ in his Preface. Therefore, I leave the good sense, and +other excellencies of the first twenty lines [_i.e., of the Preface, see_ +p. 573] to be considered by the critics. + +As for the Play of _The Duke of LERMA_; having so much altered and +beautified it, as he has done, it can be justly belong to none but him. +Indeed, they must be extreme[ly] ignorant as well as envious, who would +rob him of that honour: for you see him putting in his claim to it, even +in the first two lines. + + _Repulse upon repulse, like waves thrown back, + That slide to hang upon obdurate rocks_. + +After this, let Detraction do its worst! for if this be not his, it +deserves to be. For my part, I declare for Distributive Justice! and from +this, and what follows, he certainly deserves _those advantages_, which he +acknowledges, to _have received from the opinion of sober men_. + +In the next place, I must beg leave to observe his great address in +courting the Reader to his party. For, intending to assault all Poets +both Ancient and Modern, he discovers not his whole Design at once; but +seems only to aim at me, and attack me on my weakest side, my Defence of +Verse. + +To begin with me. He gives me the compellation of "The Author of a +_Dramatic Essay_"; which is a little Discourse in dialogue, for the most +part borrowed from the observations of others. Therefore, that I may not +be wanting to him in civility, I return his compliment, by calling him, +"The Author of _The Duke of LERMA_." + +But, that I may pass over his salute, he takes notice [p. 575] of my +great pains to prove "Rhyme as _natural_ in a serious Play; and more +_effectual_ than Blank Verse" [p. 561]. Thus, indeed, I did state the +question, but he tells me, _I pursue that which I call_ natural, _in a +wrong application; for 'tis not the question whether_ Rhyme _or_ not +Rhyme _be best or most natural for a serious Subject; but what is nearest +the nature of that it represents_. + +If I have formerly mistaken the question; I must confess my ignorance so +far, as to say I continue still in my mistake. But he ought to have +proved that I mistook it; for 'tis yet but _gratis dictum_. I still shall +think I have gained my point, if I can prove that "Rhyme is best or most +_natural_ for a serious Subject." + +As for the question, as he states it, "Whether Rhyme be nearest the +nature of what it represents"; I wonder he should think me so ridiculous +as to dispute whether Prose or Verse be nearest to ordinary conversation? + +It still remains for him, to prove his Inference, that, Since Verse is +granted to be more remote than Prose from ordinary conversation; +therefore no serious Plays ought to be writ in Verse: and when he clearly +makes that good, I will acknowledge his victory as absolute as he can +desire it. + +The question now is, which of us two has mistaken it? And if it appear I +have not, the World will suspect _what gentleman that was, who was +allowed to speak twice in Parliament, because he had not yet spoken to +the question_ [p. 576]: and, perhaps, conclude it to be the same, who (as +'tis reported) maintained a contradiction _in terminis_, in the face of +three hundred persons. + +But to return to Verse. Whether it be natural or not in Plays, is a +problem which is not demonstrable, of either side. 'Tis enough for me, +that he acknowledges that he had rather read good Verse than Prose [p. +575]: for if all the enemies of Verse will confess as much, I shall not +need to prove that it is _natural_. I am satisfied, if it cause Delight; +for Delight is the chief, if not the only end of Poesy. Instruction can +be admitted but in the second place; for Poesy only instructs as it +delights. + +'Tis true, that to Imitate Well is a Poet's work: but to affect the soul, +and excite the passions, and, above all, to move Admiration [_wondering +astonishment_] (which is the Delight of serious Plays), a bare Imitation +will not serve. The converse [_conversation_] therefore, which a Poet is +to _imitate_, must be _heightened_ with all the arts and ornaments of +Poesy; and must be such as, _strictly considered_, could never be +supposed [to be] spoken by any, without premeditation. + +As for what he urges, that, _A Play will still be supposed to be a +composition of several persons speaking_ ex tempore; and that good verses +are the hardest things, which can be imagined, to be so spoken_ [p. 575]: +I must crave leave to dissent from his opinion, as to the former part of +it. For, if I am not deceived, A Play is supposed to be the work of the +Poet, _imitating_ or _representing_ the conversation of several persons: +and this I think to be as clear, as he thinks the contrary. + +But I will be bolder, and do not doubt to make it good, though a paradox, +that, One great reason why Prose is not to be used in serious Plays is +because it is too near the nature of converse [_conversation_]. There may +be too great a likeness. As the most skilful painters affirm there may be +too near a resemblance in a picture. To take every lineament and feature +is not to make an excellent piece, but to take so much only as will make +a beautiful resemblance of the whole; and, with an ingenious flattery of +Nature, to heighten the beauties of some parts, and hide the deformities +of the rest. For so, says HORACE-- + + _Ut pictura Poesis erit + Haec amat obscurum; vult haec sub luce videri, + Judicis argutum quae non formidat acumen. + Et quae + Desperat, tractata nitescere posse, relinquit_. + +In _Bartholomew Fair_, or the lowest kind of Comedy, that degree of +heightening is used which is proper to set off that subject. 'Tis true, +the author was not there to go out of Prose, as he does in his higher +arguments of Comedy, the _Fox_ and _Alchemist_; yet he does so raise his +matter in that Prose, as to render it delightful: which he could never +have performed had he only said or done those very things that are daily +spoken or practised in the Fair. For then, the Fair itself would be as +full of pleasure to an Ingenious Person, as the Play; which we manifestly +see it is not: but he hath made an excellent Lazar of it. The copy is of +price, though the origin be vile. + +You see in _CATILINE_ and _SEJANUS_; where the argument is great, he +sometimes ascends to Verse, which shews he thought it not unnatural in +serious Plays: and had his genius been as proper for Rhyme as it was for +Humour, or had the Age in which he lived, attained to as much knowledge +in Verse, as ours; 'tis probable he would have adorned those Subjects +with that kind of writing. + +Thus PROSE, though the rightful Prince, yet is, by common consent, +deposed; as too weak for the Government of serious Plays: and he failing, +there now start up two competitors! one, the nearer in blood, which is +BLANK VERSE; the other, more fit for the ends of Government, which is +RHYME. BLANK VERSE is, indeed, the nearer PROSE; but he is blemished with +the weakness of his predecessor. RHYME (for I will deal clearly!) has +somewhat of the Usurper in him; but he is brave and generous, and his +dominion pleasing. For this reason of Delight, the Ancients (whom I will +still believe as wise as those who so confidently correct them) wrote all +their Tragedies in Verse; though they knew it most remote from +conversation. + +But I perceive I am falling into the danger of another rebuke from my +opponent: for when I plead that "the Ancients used Verse," I prove not +that, They would have admitted Rhyme, had it then been written. + +All I can say, is, That it seems to have succeeded Verse, by the general +consent of Poets in all modern languages. For almost all their serious +Plays are written in it: which, though it be no Demonstration that +therefore it ought to be so; yet, at least, the Practice first, and then +the Continuation of it shews that it attained the end, which was, to +Please. And if that cannot be compassed here, I will be the first who +shall lay it down. + +For I confess my chief endeavours are _to delight the Age in which I +live_ [p. 582]. If the Humour of this, be for Low Comedy, small Accidents +[_Incidents_], and Raillery; I will force my genius to obey it: though, +with more reputation, I could write in Verse. I know, I am not so fitted, +by nature, to write Comedy. I want that gaiety of Humour which is required +to it. My conversation is dull and slow. My Humour is saturnine and +reserved. In short, I am none of those, who endeavour to break jests in +company, or make repartees. So that those who decry my Comedies, do me no +injury, except it be in point of profit. Reputation in _them_ is the last +thing to which I shall pretend. + +I beg pardon for entertaining the reader with so ill a subject: but +before I quit that argument, which was the cause of this digression; I +cannot but take notice how I am corrected for my quotation of SENECA, in +my defence of Plays in Verse. + +My words were these [p. 570]: "Our language is noble, full, and +significant; and I know not why he, who is master of it, may not clothe +ordinary things in it, as decently as the Latin; if he use the same +diligence in his _choice of words_." + +One would think, "Unlock the door," was a thing as vulgar as could be +spoken: yet SENECA could make it sound high and lofty in his Latin. + + _Reserate clusos regii postes Laris_. + +But he says of me, _That being filled with the precedents of the Ancients +who Writ their Plays in Verse, I commend the thing; declaring our language +to be full, noble, and significant, and charging all the defects upon the_ +ill placing of words; _which I prove by quoting SENECA's loftily +expressing such an ordinary thing as_ shutting the door. + +Here he manifestly mistakes. For I spoke not of the Placing, but the +Choice of words: for which I quoted that aphorism of JULIUS CAESAR, +_Delectus verborum est origo eloquentiae_. But _delectus verborum_ is no +more Latin for the "Placing of words;" than _Reserate_ is Latin for +"_Shut_ the door!" as he interprets it; which I, ignorantly, construed +"_Unlock_ or _open_ it!" + +He supposes I was highly affected with the Sound of these words; and I +suppose I may more justly imagine it of him: for if he had not been +extremely satisfied with the Sound, he would have minded the Sense a +little better. + +But these are, now, to be no faults. For, ten days after his book was +published, and that his mistakes are grown so famous that they are come +back to him, he sends his _Errata_ to be printed, and annexed to his +Play; and desires that instead of _Shutting_, you should read _Opening_, +which, it seems, was the printer's fault. I wonder at his modesty! that +he did not rather say it was SENECA's or mine: and that in some authors, +_Reserate_ was to _Shut_ as well as to _Open_, as the word _Barach_, say +the learned, is [_in Hebrew_] both to _Bless_ and _Curse_. + +Well, since it was the printer['s fault]; he was a naughty man, to commit +the same mistake twice in six lines. + +I warrant you! _Delectus verborum_ for _Placing_ of words, was his +mistake too; though the author forgot to tell him of it. If it were my +book, I assure you it should [be]. For those rascals ought to be the +proxies of every Gentleman-Author; and to be chastised for him, when he +is not pleased to own an error. + +Yet, since he has given the _Errata_, I wish he would have enlarged them +only a few sheets more; and then he would have spared me the labour of an +answer. For this cursed printer is so given to mistakes, that there is +scarce a sentence in the Preface without some false grammar, or hard +sense [_i.e., difficulty in gathering the meaning_] in it; which will all +be charged upon the Poet: because he is so good natured as to lay but +three errors to the Printer's account, and to take the rest upon himself; +who is better able to support them. But he needs not [to] apprehend that I +should strictly examine those little faults; except I am called upon to do +it. I shall return, therefore, to that quotation of SENECA; and answer not +to what he _writes_, but to what he _means_. + +I never intended it as an Argument, but only as an Illustration of what I +had said before [p. 570] concerning the Election of words. And all he can +charge me with, is only this, That if SENECA could make an ordinary thing +sound well in Latin by the choice of words; the same, with like care, +might be performed in English. If it cannot, I have committed an error on +the right hand, by commending too much, the copiousness and well sounding +of our language: which I hope my countrymen will pardon me. At least, the +words which follow in my _Dramatic Essay_ will plead somewhat in my +behalf. For I say there [p. 570], That this objection happens but seldom +in a Play; and then too, either the meanness of the expression may be +avoided, or shut out from the verse by breaking it in the midst. + +But I have said too much in the Defence of Verse. For, after all, 'tis a +very indifferent thing to me, whether it obtain or not. I am content, +hereafter to be ordered by his rule, that is, "to write it, sometimes, +because it pleases me" [p. 575]; and so much the rather, because "he has +declared that it pleases him." + +But, he has taken his last farewell of the Muses; and he has done it +civilly, by honouring them with the name of _his long acquaintances_ [p. +574]: which is a compliment they have scarce deserved from him. + +For my own part, I bear a share in the public loss; and how emulous +soever I may be, of his Fame and Reputation, I cannot but give this +testimony of his Style, that it is extreme[ly] poetical, even in Oratory; +his Thoughts elevated, sometimes above common apprehension; his Notions +politic and grave, and tending to the instruction of Princes and +reformation of State: that they are abundantly interlaced with variety of +fancies, tropes, and figures, which the Critics have enviously branded +with the name of Obscurity and False Grammar. + +Well, _he is now fettered in business of more unpleasant nature_ [p. +574]. The Muses have lost him, but the Commonwealth gains by it. The +corruption of a Poet is the generation of a Statesman. + +_He will not venture again into the Civil Wars of Censure_ [Criticism]. + + _Ubi ... nullos habitura triumphos_. + +If he had not told us, he had left the Muses; we might have half +suspected it by that word, _ubi_, which does not any way belong to +_them_, in that place. The rest of the verse is indeed LUCAN's: but that +_ubi_, I will answer for it, is his own. + +Yet he has another reason for this disgust of Poesy. For he says, +immediately after, that _the manner of Plays which are now in most +esteem, is beyond his power to perform_ [p. 574]. To _perform_ the +_manner_ of a thing, is new English to me. + +_However he condemns not the satisfaction of others, but rather their +unnecessary understanding; who, like SANCHO PANZA's Doctor, prescribe too +strictly to our appetites. For_, says he, _in the difference of Tragedy +and Comedy and of Farce itself; there can be no determination but by the +taste; nor in the manner of their composure_. + +We shall see him, now, as great a Critic as he was a Poet: and the reason +why he excelled so much in Poetry will be evident; for it will have +proceeded from the exactness of his Judgement. + +_In the difference of Tragedy, Comedy, and Farce itself; there can be no +determination but by the taste_. I will not quarrel with the obscurity of +this phrase, though I justly might: but beg his pardon, if I do not +rightly understand him. If he means that there is no essential difference +betwixt Comedy, Tragedy, and Farce; but only what is made by people's +taste, which distinguishes one of them from the other: that is so +manifest an error, that I need lose no time to contradict it. + +Were there neither Judge, Taste, or Opinion in the world; yet they would +differ in their natures. For the Action, Character, and Language of +Tragedy would still be great and high: that of Comedy, lower and more +familiar. Admiration would be the Delight of the one: Satire, of the +other. + +I have but briefly touched upon these things; because, whatever his words +are, I can scarce[ly] imagine that _he who is always concerned for the +true honour of Reason, and would have no spurious issue fathered upon +her_ [p. 578], should mean anything so absurd, as to affirm _that there +is no difference between Comedy and Tragedy, but what is made by taste +only_: unless he would have us understand the Comedies of my Lord L. [?]; +where the First Act should be _Potages_, the Second, _Fricasses &c._, and +the Fifth, a _chere entiere_ of women. + +I rather guess, he means that betwixt one Comedy or Tragedy and another; +there is no other difference but what is made by the liking or disliking +of the audience. This is, indeed, a less error than the former; but yet +it is a great one. + +The liking or disliking of the people gives the Play the _denomination_ +of "good" or "bad"; but does not really make or constitute it such. To +please the people ought to be the Poet's aim [pp. 513, 582, 584]; because +Plays are made for their delight: but it does not follow, that they are +always pleased with good plays; or that the plays which please them, are +always good. + +The Humour of the people is now for Comedy; therefore, in hope to please +them, I write Comedies rather than serious Plays; and, so far, their +taste prescribes to me. But it does not follow from that reason, that +Comedy is to be preferred before Tragedy, in its own nature. For that +which is so, in its own nature, cannot be otherwise; as a man cannot but +be a rational creature: but the opinion of the people may alter; and in +another Age, or perhaps in this, serious Plays may be set up above +Comedies. + +This I think a sufficient answer. If it be not, he has provided me of +[_with_] an excuse. It seems, in his wisdom, he foresaw my weakness; and +has found out this expedient for me, _That it is not necessary for Poets +to study strict Reason; since they are so used to a greater latitude than +is allowed by that severe inquisition; that they must infringe their own +jurisdiction to profess themselves obliged to argue well_. + +I am obliged to him, for discovering to me this back door; but I am not +yet resolved on my retreat. For I am of opinion, that they cannot be good +Poets, who are not accustomed to argue well. False Reasonings and Colours +of Speech are the certain marks of one who does not understand the Stage. +For Moral Truth is the Mistress of the Poet as much as of the Philosopher. +Poesy must _resemble_ Natural Truth; but it must _be_ Ethical. Indeed the +Poet dresses Truth, and adorns Nature; but does not alter them. + + _Ficta voluptatis causa sint proxima veris_. + +Therefore that is not the best Poesy which resembles notions of _things, +which are not_, to _things which are_: though the Fancy may be great, and +the Words flowing; yet the Soul is but half satisfied, when there is not +Truth in the foundation [p. 560]. + +This is that which makes VIRGIL [to] be preferred before the rest of +poets. In Variety of Fancy, and Sweetness of Expression, you see OVID far +above him; for VIRGIL rejected many of those things which OVID wrote. "A +great Wit's great work, is to refuse," as my worthy friend, Sir JOHN +BIRKENHEAD has ingeniously expressed it. You rarely meet with anything in +VIRGIL but Truth; which therefore leaves the strongest impression of +Pleasure in the Soul. This I thought myself obliged to say in behalf of +Poesy: and to declare (though it be against myself) that when poets do +not argue well, the defect is in the Workmen, not in the Art. + +And, now, I come to the boldest part of his Discourse, wherein he attacks +not me, but all the Ancient and Moderns; and undermines, as he thinks, the +very foundations on which Dramatic Poesy is built. I could wish he would +have declined that envy, which must, of necessity, follow such an +undertaking: and contented himself with triumphing over me, in my +opinions of Verse; which I will never, hereafter, dispute with him. But +he must pardon me, if I have that veneration for ARISTOTLE, HORACE, BEN. +JOHNSON, and CORNEILLE, that I dare not serve him in such a cause, and +against such heroes: but rather fight under their protection; as HOMER +reports of little TEUCER, who shot the Trojans from under the large +buckler of AJAX Telamon-- + + [Greek: _Stae d'ar hap Aiautos sakei Telamoniadao_], &c. + + He stood beneath his brother's ample shield; + And, covered there, shot death through all the field. + +The words of my noble adversary are these-- + +_But if we examine the general Rules laid down for Plays, by strict +Reason, we shall find the errors equally gross: for the great Foundation +which is laid to build upon, is Nothing, as it is generally stated: as +will appear upon the examination of the particulars_. + +These particulars, in due time, shall be examined. In the meanwhile, let +us consider, what this great Foundation is; which, he says, is "Nothing, +as it is generally stated." + +I never heard of any other Foundation of Dramatic Poesy, than the +Imitation of Nature: neither was there ever pretended any other, by the +Ancients or Moderns, or me who endeavoured to follow them in that Rule. +This I have plainly said, in my Definition of a Play, that IT IS A JUST +AND LIVELY IMAGE OF HUMAN NATURE, &c. + +Thus 'the Foundation, as it is generally stated,' will stand sure, if +this Definition of a Play be true. If it be not, he ought to have made +his exception against it; by proving that a Play is _not_ an Imitation of +Nature, but somewhat else, which he is pleased to think it. + +But 'tis very plain, that he has mistaken the Foundation, for that which +is built upon it; though not immediately. For the direct and immediate +consequence is this. If Nature be to be imitated, then there is a Rule +for imitating Nature rightly; otherwise, there may be an End, and no +Means conducing to it. + +Hitherto, I have proceeded by demonstration. But as our Divines, when +they have proved a Deity (because there is Order), and have inferred that +this Deity ought to be worshipped, differ, afterwards, in the Manner of +the Worship: so, having laid down, that "Nature is to be imitated;" and +that Proposition [p. 577] proving the next, that, then, "there are means, +which conduce to the imitating of Nature"; I dare proceed no farther, +positively, but have only laid down some opinions of the Ancients and +Moderns, and of my own, as Means which they used, and which I thought +probable, for the attaining of that End. + +Those Means are the same, which my antagonist calls the Foundations: how +properly the World may judge! And to prove that this is his meaning, he +clears it immediately to you, by enumerating those Rules or Propositions, +against which he makes his particular exceptions, as namely, those of TIME +and PLACE, in these words. + +_First, we are told the Plot should not be so ridiculously contrived, as +to crowd several Countries into one Stage. Secondly, to cramp the +accidents of many years or days, into the Representation of two hours and +a half. And, lastly, a conclusion drawn that the only remaining dispute, +is concerning Time; whether it should be contained in Twelve or Four and +twenty hours; and the Place to be limited to the spot of ground, [either +in town or city] where the Play is supposed to begin. And this is called, +nearest to Nature. For that is concluded most natural; which is most +probable and nearest to that which it presents_. + +Thus he has, only, made a small Mistake of the Means conducing to the +end, for the End itself; and of the Superstructure for the Foundation. +But he proceeds, + +_To show, therefore, upon what ill grounds, they dictate Laws for +Dramatic Poesy &c._ + +He is, here, pleased to charge me with being Magisterial; as he has done +in many other places of his Preface. + +Therefore, in vindication of myself, I must crave leave to say, that my +whole Discourse was sceptical, according to that way of reasoning which +was used by SOCRATES, PLATO, and all the Academics of old; which TULLY +and the best of the Ancients followed, and which is imitated by the +modest Inquisitions of the Royal Society. + +That it is so, not only the name will show, which is _An Essay_; but the +frame and composition of the work. You see it is a dialogue sustained by +persons of several opinions, all of them left doubtful, to be determined +by the readers in general; and more particularly deferred to the accurate +judgement of my Lord BUCKHURST, to whom I made a dedication of my book. +These are my words, in my Epistle, speaking of the persons, whom I +introduced in my dialogue, "'Tis true, they differed in their opinions, +as 'tis probable they would; neither do I take upon me to reconcile, but +to relate them: leaving your Lordship to decide it, in favour of that +part, which you shall judge most reasonable." + +And, after that, in my _Advertisements to the Reader_, I said this, "The +drift of the ensuing Discourse was chiefly to vindicate the honour of our +English Writers, from the censure of those who injustly prefer the French +before them. This I intimate, lest any should think me so exceeding vain, +as to teach others an Art, which they understand much better than myself." + +But this is more than [is] necessary to clear my modesty in that point: +and I am very confident that there is scarce any man, who has lost so +much time as to read that trifle, but will be my compurgator as to that +arrogance whereof I am accused. The truth is, if I had been naturally +guilty of so much vanity, as to dictate my opinions; yet I do not find +that the Character of a Positive or Self Conceited Person is of such +advantage to any in this Age, that I should labour to be Publicly +Admitted of that Order. + +But I am not, now, to defend my own cause, when that of all the Ancients +and Moderns is in question. For this gentleman, who accuses me of +arrogance, has taken a course not to be taxed with the other extreme of +modesty. Those Propositions which are laid down in my Discourse, as Helps +to the better Imitation of Nature, are _not_ mine, as I have said; nor +were ever pretended so to be: but were derived from the authority of +ARISTOTLE and HORACE, and from the rules and examples of BEN. JOHNSON and +CORNEILLE. These are the men, with whom be properly he contends: and +against _whom he will endeavour to make it evident, that then is no such +thing as what they All pretend_. + +His argument against the Unities of PLACE and TIME is this. + +_That 'tis as impossible for one Stage to present two Rooms or Houses +truly, as two Countries or Kingdoms; and as impossible that Five hours or +Twenty-four hours should be Two hours as that a Thousand years or hours +should be less than what they are, or the greatest part of time to be +comprehended in the less: for all of them being impossible they are none +of them nearest the Truth or Nature of what they present, for +impossibilities are all equal, and admit of no degrees_. + +This argument is so scattered into parts, that it can scarce be united +into a Syllogism: yet, in obedience to him, _I will abbreviate_, and +comprehend as much of it, as I can, in few words; that my Answer to it, +may be more perspicuous. + +I conceive his meaning to be what follows, as to the Unity of PLACE. If I +mistake, I beg his pardon! professing it is not out of any design to play +the _argumentative Poet_. "If one Stage cannot properly present two Rooms +or Houses, much less two Countries or Kingdoms; then there can be no Unity +of Place: but one Stage cannot properly perform this; therefore, there can +be no Unity of Place." + +I plainly deny his Minor Proposition: the force of which if I mistake +not, depends on this; that "the Stage being one place, cannot be two." +This, indeed, is as great a secret as that, "we are all mortal." But, to +requite it with another, I must crave leave to tell him, that "though the +Stage cannot be two places, yet it may properly Represent them, +successively or at several times." + +His argument is, indeed, no more than a mere fallacy: which will +evidently appear, when we distinguished Place as it relates to Plays, +into Real and Imaginary. The Real place is that theatre or piece of +ground, on which the Play is acted. The Imaginary, that house, town, or +country, where the action of the Drama is supposed to be; or, more +plainly, where the Scene of the Play is laid. + +Let us now apply this to that Herculean argument, _which if strictly and +duly weighed, is to make it evident, that there is no such thing as what +they All pretend. 'Tis impossible_, he says, _for one Stage to present +two Rooms or Houses_. I answer, "Tis neither impossible, nor improper, +for one _real_ place to represent two or more _imaginary_ places: so it +be done successively," which, in other words, is no more than this, "That +the Imagination of the Audience, aided by the words of the Poet, and +painted scenes [_scenery_], nay _suppose_ the Stage to be sometimes one +place, sometimes another; now a garden or wood, and immediately a camp;" +which I appeal to every man's imagination, if it be not true! + +Neither the Ancients nor Moderns (as much fools as he is pleased to think +them) ever asserted that they could make one place, two: but they might +hope, by the good leave of this author! that the change of a Scene might +lead the Imagination to suppose the place altered. So that he cannot +fasten those absurdities upon this Scene of a Play or Imaginary Place of +Action; that it is one place, and yet two. + +And this being so clearly proved, that 'tis past any shew of a reasonable +denial; it will not be hard to destroy that other part of his argument, +which depends upon it; that _'tis as impossible for a Stage to represent +two Rooms or Houses, as two Countries or Kingdoms_: for his reason is +already overthrown, which was, _because both were alike impossible_. This +is manifestly otherwise: for 'tis proved that a stage may properly +Represent two Rooms or Houses. For the Imagination, being judge of what +is represented, will, in reason, be less chocqued [shocked] with the +appearance of two rooms in the same house, or two houses in the same +city; than with two distant cities in the same country, or two remote +countries in the same universe. + +Imagination in a man or reasonable creature is supposed to participate of +Reason; and, when that governs (as it does in the belief of fiction) +reason is not destroyed, but misled or blinded. That can prescribe to the +Reason, during the time of the representation, somewhat like a weak belief +of what it sees and hears; and Reason suffers itself to be so hoodwinked, +that it may better enjoy the pleasures of the fiction: but it is never so +wholly made a captive as to be drawn headlong into a persuasion of those +things which are most remote from probability. 'Tis, in that case, a free +born subject, not a slave. It will contribute willingly its assent, as far +as it sees convenient: but will not be forced. + +Now, there is a greater Vicinity, in Nature, betwixt two rooms than +betwixt two houses; betwixt two houses, than betwixt two cities; and so, +of the rest. Reason, therefore, can sooner be led by Imagination, to step +from one room to another, than to walk to two distant houses: and yet, +rather to go thither, than to fly like a witch through the air, and be +hurried from one region to another. Fancy and Reason go hand in hand. The +first cannot leave the last behind: and though Fancy, when it sees the +wide gulf, would venture over, as the nimbler; yet, it is withheld by +Reason, which will refuse to take the leap, when the distance, over it, +appears too large. If BEN. JOHNSON himself, will remove the scene from +Rome into Tuscany, in the same Act; and from thence, return to Rome, in +the Scene which immediate follows; Reason will consider there is no +proportionable allowance of time to perform the journey; and therefore, +will choose to stay at home. + +So then, the less change of place there is, the less time is taken up in +transporting the persons of the Drama, with Analogy to Reason: and in +that Analogy or Resemblance of Fiction to Truth consists the excellency +of the Play. + +For what else concerns the Unity of PLACE; I have already given my +opinion of it in my _Essay_, that "there is a latitude to be allowed to +it, as several places in the same town or city; or places adjacent to +each other, in the same country; which may all be comprehended under the +larger denomination of One Place; yet, with this restriction, the nearer +and fewer those imaginary places are, the greater resemblance they will +have to Truth: and Reason which cannot _make_ them One, will be more +easily led to _suppose_ them so." + +What has been said of the Unity of PLACE, may easily be applied to that +of TIME. I grant it to be impossible that _the greater part of time +should be comprehended in the less_, that _Twenty-four hours should be +crowded into three_. But there is no necessity of that supposition. + +For as Place, so TIME relating to a Play, is either Imaginary or Real. +The Real is comprehended in those three hours, more or less, in the space +of which the Play is Represented. The Imaginary is that which is Supposed +to be taken up in the representation; as twenty-four hours, more or less. +Now, no man ever could suppose that twenty-four _real_ hours could be +included in the space of three: but where is the absurdity of affirming, +that the feigned business of twenty-four _imagined_ hours, may not more +naturally be represented in the compass of three _real_ hours, than the +like feigned business of twenty-four years in the same proportion of real +time? For the _proportions_ are always real; and much nearer, by his +permission! of twenty-four to three, than of 4000 to it. + +I am almost fearful of illustrating _anything_ by Similitude; lest he +should confute it for an Argument: yet, I think the comparison of a Glass +will discover, very aptly, the fallacy of his argument, both concerning +Time and Place. The strength of his Reason depends on this, "That the +less cannot comprehend the greater." I have already answered that we need +not suppose it does. I say not, that the less can _comprehend_ the +greater; but only that it may _represent_ it; as in a mirror, of half a +yard [in] diameter, a whole room, and many persons in it, may be seen at +once: not that it can _comprehend_ that room or those persons, but that +it _represents them to the sight_. + +But the Author of _The Duke of LERMA_ is to be excused for his declaring +against the Unity of TIME. For, if I be not much mistaken, he is an +interessed [_interested_] person; the time of that Play taking up so many +years as the favour of the Duke of LERMA continued: nay, the Second and +Third Acts including all the time of his prosperity, which was a great +part of the reign of PHILIP III.; for in the beginning of the Second Act, +he was not yet a favourite, and before the end of the Third, was in +disgrace. + +I say not this, with the least design of limiting the Stage too servilely +to twenty-four hours: however he be pleased to tax me with dogmatizing in +that point. In my Dialogue, as I before hinted, several persons +maintained their several opinions. One of them, indeed, who supported the +cause of the French Poesy, said, how strict they were in that particular +[p. 531]; but he who answered in behalf of our nation, was willing to +give more latitude to the Rule; and cites the words of CORNEILLE himself, +complaining against the severity of it, and observing what beauties it +banished from the Stage, page 44, of my _Essay_. + +In few words, my own opinion is this; and I willingly submit it to my +adversary, when he will please impartially to consider it. That the +Imaginary Time of every Play ought to be contrived into as narrow a +compass, as the nature of the Plot, the quality of the Persons, and +variety of Accidents will allow. In Comedy, I would not exceed +twenty-four or thirty hours; for the Plot, Accidents, and Persons of +Comedy are small, and may be naturally turned in a little compass. But in +Tragedy, the Design is weighty, and the Persons great; therefore there +will, naturally, be required a greater space of time, in which to move +them. + +And this, though BEN. JOHNSON has not told us, yet 'tis, manifestly, his +opinion. For you see, that, to his Comedies, he allows generally but +twenty-four hours: to his two Tragedies _SEJANUS_ and _CATILINE_, a much +larger time; though he draws both of them into as narrow a compass as he +can. For he shows you only the latter end of _SEJANUS_ his favour; and +the conspiracy of _CATILINE_ already ripe, and just breaking out into +action. + +But as it is an error on the one side, to make too great a disproportion +betwixt the _imaginary_ time of the Play, and the _real_ time of its +representation: so, on the other side, 'tis an oversight to compress the +Accidents of a Play into a narrower compass than that in which they could +naturally be produced. + +Of this last error, the French are seldom guilty, because the thinness of +their Plots prevents them from it: but few Englishmen, except BEN. +JOHNSON, have ever made a Plot, with variety of Design in it, included in +twenty-four hours; which was altogether natural. For this reason, I prefer +the _Silent Woman_ before all other plays; I think, justly: as I do its +author, in judgement, above all other poets. Yet of the two, I think that +error the most pardonable, which, in too straight a compass, crowds +together many accidents: since it produces more variety, and consequently +more pleasure to the audience; and because the nearness of proportion +betwixt the imaginary and real time does speciously cover the compression +of the Accidents. + +Thus I have endeavoured to answer the _meaning_ of his argument. For, as +he drew it, I humbly conceive, it was none. As will appear by his +Proposition, and the proof of it. His Proposition was this, _If strictly +and duly weighed, 'tis as impossible for one Stage to present two Rooms +or Houses, as two countries or kingdoms, &c_. And his Proof this, _For +all being impossible, they are none of them, nearest the Truth or Nature +of what they present_. + +Here you see, instead of a Proof or Reason, there is only a _petitio +principii_. For, in plain words, his sense is this, "Two things are as +impossible as one another: because they are both equally impossible." But +he takes those two things to be _granted_ as impossible; which he ought to +have _proved_ such, before he had proceeded to prove them equally +impossible. He should have made out, first, that it was impossible for +one Stage to represent two Houses; and then have gone forward, to prove +that it was as equally impossible for a Stage to present two Houses, as +two Countries. + +After all this, the very absurdity to which he would reduce me, is none +at all. For his only drives at this. That if his argument be true, I must +then acknowledge that there are degrees in impossibilities. Which I easily +grant him, without dispute. And if I mistake not, ARISTOTLE and the School +are of my opinion. For there are some things which are absolutely +impossible, and others which are only so, _ex parte_. As, 'tis absolutely +impossible for a thing _to be_ and _not to be_, at the same time: but, for +a stone to move naturally upward, is only impossible _ex parte materiae_; +but it is not impossible for the First Mover to alter the nature of it. + +His last assault, like that of a Frenchman, is most feeble. For where I +have observed that "None have been violent against Verse; but such only +as have not attempted it, or have succeeded ill in their attempt" [pp. +503, 539, 561, 578], he will needs, according to his usual custom, +improve my Observation into an Argument, that he might have the glory to +confute it. + +But I lay my observation at his feet: as I do my pen, which I have often +employed, willingly, in his deserved commendations; and, now, most +unwillingly, against his judgement. For his person and parts, I honour +them, as much as any man living: and have had so many particular +obligations to him, that I should be very ungrateful, if I did not +acknowledge them to the World. + +But I gave not the first occasion of this Difference in Opinions. In my +_Epistle Dedicatory_, before my _Rival Ladies_ [pp. 487-493], I said +somewhat in behalf of Verse: which he was pleased to answer in his +_Preface_ to his _Plays_ [pp. 494-500]. That occasioned my reply in my +_Essay_ [pp. 501-572]: and that reply begot his rejoinder in his +_Preface_ to _The Duke of LERMA_ [pp. 573-578]. But, as I was the last +who took up arms; I will be the first to lay them down. For what I have +here written, I submit it wholly to him [p. 561]; and, if I do not +hereafter answer what may be objected to this paper, I hope the World +will not impute it to any other reason, than only the due respect which I +have for so noble an opponent. + + + + +THOMAS ELLWOOD. + + +_Relations with JOHN MILTON_. + +I mentioned, before, that, when I was a boy, I made some good progress in +learning; and lost it all again before I came to be a man: nor was I +rightly sensible of my loss therein, until I came amongst the Quakers. +But then, I both saw my loss, and lamented it; and applied myself with +the utmost diligence, at all leisure times, to recover it: so false I +found that charge to be, which, in those times, was cast as a reproach +upon the Quakers, that "they despised and decried all human learning" +because they denied it to be _essentially necessary_ to a Gospel +Ministry; which was one of the controversies of those times. + +But though I toiled hard, and spared no pains, to regain what once I had +been master of; yet I found it a matter of so great difficulty, that I +was ready to say as the noble eunuch to PHILIP, in another case, "How can +I! unless I had some man to guide me?" + +This, I had formerly complained of to my especial friend ISAAC PENINGTON, +but now more earnestly; which put him upon considering and contriving a +means for my assistance. + +He had an intimate acquaintance with Dr. PAGET, a physician of note in +London; and he, with JOHN MILTON, a gentleman of great note in learning, +throughout the learned world, for the accurate pieces he had written on +various subjects and occasions. + +This person, having filled a public station in the former times, lived +now a private and retired life in London: and, having wholly lost his +sight, kept a man to read to him; which, usually, was the son of some +gentleman of his acquaintance, whom, in kindness, he took to improve in +his learning. + +Thus, by the mediation of my friend ISAAC PENINGTON, with Dr. PAGET; and +of Dr. PAGET with JOHN MILTON, was I admitted to come to him: not as a +servant to him (which, at that time, he needed not), nor to be in the +house with him; but only to have the liberty of coming to his house, at +certain hours, when I would, and to read to him, what books he should +appoint me, which was all the favour I desired. + +But this being a matter which would require some time to bring it about, +I, in the meanwhile, returned to my father's house [at Crowell] in +Oxfordshire. + +I had, before, received direction by letters from my eldest sister, +written by my father's command, to put off [_dispose of_] what cattle he +had left about his house, and to discharge his servants; which I had done +at the time called Michaelmas [1661] before. + +So that, all that winter when I was at home, I lived like a hermit, all +alone; having a pretty large house, and nobody in it but myself, at +nights especially. But an elderly woman, whose father had been an old +servant to the family, came every morning, and made my bed; and did what +else I had occasion for her to do: till I fell ill of the small-pox, and +then I had her with me, and the nurse. + +But now, understanding by letter from my sister, that my father did not +intend to return and settle there; I made off [_sold_] those provisions +which were in the house, that they might not be spoiled when I was gone: +and because they were what I should have spent, if I had tarried there, I +took the money made of them, to myself, for my support at London; if the +project succeeded for my going thither. This done, I committed the care +of the house to a tenant of my father's, who lived in the town; and +taking my leave of Crowell, went up to my sure friend ISAAC PENINGTON +again. Where, understanding that the mediation used for my admittance to +JOHN MILTON had succeeded so well, that I might come when I would: I +hastened to London [_in the Spring of 1662_], and, in the first place, +went to wait upon him. + +He received me courteously, as well for the sake of Dr. PAGET, who +introduced me; as of ISAAC PENINGTON, who recommended me: to both of +whom, he bore a good respect. And having inquired divers things of me, +with respect to my former progression in learning, he dismissed me, to +provide myself of such accommodation as might be most suitable to my +future studies. + +I went, therefore, and took myself a lodging as near to his house, which +was then in Jewin Street, as conveniently as I could; and from +thenceforward, went every day in the afternoon, except on the First Days +of the week; and, sitting by him in his dining-room, read to him, in such +books in the Latin tongue as he pleased to hear me read. + +At my first sitting to read to him, observing that I used the English +pronounciation; he told me, "If I would have the benefit of the Latin +tongue, not only to read and understand Latin authors, but to converse +with foreigners, either abroad or at home; I must learn the foreign +pronounciation." + +To this, I consenting, he instructed me how to sound the vowels so +different[ly] from the common pronounciation used by the English, who +speak _Anglice_ their Latin, that (with some few other variations, in +sounding some consonants: in particular case[s], as _c_ before _e_ or +_i_, like _ch_; _sc_ before _i_, like _sh_, &c.) the Latin, thus spoken, +seemed as different from that which was delivered as the English +generally speak it, as if it were another language. + +I had, before, during my retired life at my father's, by unwearied +diligence and industry, so far recovered the Rules of Grammar (in which, +I had, once, been very ready) that I could both read a Latin author; and, +after a sort, hammer out his meaning. But this change of pronounciation +proved a new difficulty to me. It was now harder for me to read; than it +was, before, to understand, when read. But + + _Labor omnia vincit + Improbus._ + + Incessant pains, + The end obtains. + +And so, did I: which made my reading the more acceptable to my Master. +He, on the other hand, perceiving with what earnest desire, I pursued +learning, gave me not only all the encouragement, but all the help he +could. For, having a curious ear, he understood by my tone, when I +understood what I read, and when I did not; and, accordingly, would stop +me, examine me, and open the most difficult passages. + +Thus I went on, for about six weeks' time, reading to him in the +afternoons; and exercising myself with my own books, in my chamber, in +the forenoons. I was sensible of an improvement. + +But, alas, I had fixed my studies in a wrong place. London and I could +never agree, for health. My lungs, as I suppose, were too tender, to bear +the sulphurous air of that city; so that, I soon began to droop, and in +less than two months' time, I was fain to leave both my studies and the +city; and return into the country to preserve life, and much ado I had to +get thither. + +I chose to go down to Wiccombe, and to JOHN RANCE's house there: both as +he was a physician, and his wife a honest, hearty, discreet, and grave +matron, whom I had a very good esteem of; and who, I knew, had a good +regard for me. + +There, I lay ill a considerable time; and to that degree of weakness, +that scarcely any who saw me, expected my life [_that I should live_]: +but the LORD was both gracious to me, in my illness; and was pleased to +raise me up again, that I might serve Him in my generation. + +As soon as I had recovered so much strength, as to be fit to travel; I +obtained of my father (who was then at his house in Crowell, to dispose +of some things he had there; and who, in my illness, had come to see me) +so much money as would clear all charges in the house, for physic, food, +and attendance: and having fully discharged all, I took leave of my +friends in that family, and town; and returned [_? in October 1662_] to +my studies at London. + +I was very kindly received by my Master, who had conceived so good an +opinion of me, that my conversation, I found, was acceptable to him; and +he seemed heartily glad of my recovery and return: and into our old +method of study, we fell again; I reading to him, and he explaining to me +as occasion required. + +But as if learning had been a forbidden fruit to me; scarce was I well +settled in my work; before I met with another diversion [_hindrance_], +which turned me quite out of my work. + +For a sudden storm arising (from, I know not what surmise of a plot; and +thereby danger to the Government); the meetings of Dissenters, such, I +mean, as could be found (which, perhaps, were not many besides the +Quakers) were broken up throughout the City: and the prisons mostly +filled with our Friends. + +I was, that morning, which was the 26th day of the 8th month [_which, +according to the reckoning of the Society of Friends, was October. Their +First month down to 1752, was March_], 1662, at the Meeting, at the _Bull +and Mouth_, by Alders Gate: when, on a sudden, a party of soldiers, of the +Trained Bands of the City, rushed in with noise and clamour: being led by +one, who was called Major ROSEWELL: an apothecary if I misremember not; +and, at that time, under the ill name of a Papist. + +[So the Friends there, with ELLWOOD, are taken; and sent to Bridewell +till the 19th December following: when they were taken to Newgate, +expecting to be called at the Old Bailey sessions: but, not being called, +were sent back to Bridewell again. On the 29th December, they were brought +up at the Sessions, and, refusing to swear, were all committed to the +"Common Side" of Newgate; but that prison being so full, they were sent +back to Bridewell again. Then we have the following extraordinary +circumstance.] + +Having made up our packs, and taken our leave of our Friends, whom we +were to leave behind; we took our bundles on our shoulders, and walked, +two and two a breast, through the Old Bailey into Fleet Street, and so to +Old Bridewell. And it being about the middle of the afternoon, and the +streets pretty full of people; both the shopkeepers at their doors, and +passengers in the way would stop us, and ask us, "What we were? and +whither we were going?" + +And when we had told them, "We were prisoners, going from one prison to +another (from Newgate to Bridewell)." + +"What," said they, "without a keeper?" + +"No," said we, "for our Word, which we have given, is our keeper." + +Some thereupon would advise us, not to go to prison; but to go home. But +we told them, "We could not do so. We could suffer for our testimony; but +could not fly from it." + +I do not remember we had any abuse offered us; but were generally pitied +by the people. + +When we were come to Bridewell, we were not put up into the great room in +which we had been before; but into a low room, in another fair court, +which had a pump in the middle of it. And, here, we were not shut up as +before; but had the liberty of the court, to walk in; and of the pump, to +wash and drink at. And, indeed, we might easily have gone quite away, if +we would; there was a passage through the court into the street: but we +were true and steady prisoners, and looked upon this liberty arising from +their confidence in us, to be a kind of _parole_ upon us; so that both +Conscience and Honour stood now engaged for our true imprisonment. + +And this privilege we enjoyed by the indulgence of our Keeper, whose +heart GOD disposed to favour us; so that both the Master and his porter +were very civil and kind to us, and had been so, indeed, all along. For +when we were shut up before; the porter would readily let some of us go +home in an evening, and stay at home till next morning, which was a great +conveniency to men of trade and business; which I, being free from, +forbore asking for myself, that I might not hinder others. + +Under this easy restraint, we lay till the Court sate at the Old Bailey +again; and, then (whether it was that the heat of the storm was somewhat +abated, or by what other means Providence wrought it, I know not), we +were called to the bar; and without further question, discharged. + +Whereupon we returned to Bridewell again; and having raised some monies +among us, and therewith gratified both the Master and his porter, for +their kindness to us; we spent some time in a solemn meeting, to return +our thankful acknowledgment to the LORD; both for His preservation of us +in prison, and deliverance of us out of it. And then, taking a solemn +farewell of each other; we departed with bag and baggage [_at the end of +January 1663_]. + +[Thus, by such magnificent patience under arbitrary injustice, these +invincible Quakers shamed the reckless Crime which, in those days, went +by the name of The Law; and such stories as ELLWOOD's _Life_ and GEORGE +FOX's _Journal_ abound with like splendid victories of patience, by men +who were incapable of telling a lie or of intentionally breaking their +word. + +JOHN BUNYAN's imprisonment at this time was much of the same kind as +ELLWOOD's, as soon as the Keeper of Bedford gaol found he could trust +him.] + +Being now at liberty, I visited more generally my friends, that were +still in prison: and, more particularly, my friend and benefactor, +WILLIAM PENINGTON, at his house; and then, went to wait upon my Master, +MILTON. With whom, yet, I could not propose to enter upon my intermitted +studies, until I had been in Buckinghamshire, to visit my worthy friends, +ISAAC PENINGTON and his virtuous wife, with other friends in that country +[_district or county_]. + +Thither, therefore, I betook myself; and the weather being frosty, and +the ways by that means clean and good; I walked it through in a day: and +was received by my friends there, with such demonstration of hearty +kindness, as made my journey very easy to me. + +I intended only a visit hither, not a continuance; and therefore +purposed, after I had stayed a few days, to return to my lodging and +former course [_i.e., of reading to MILTON_] in London. But Providence +ordered otherwise. + +ISAAC PENINGTON had, at that time, two sons and one daughter, all then +very young: of whom, the eldest son, JOHN PENINGTON, and the daughter, +MARY (the wife of DANIEL WHARLEY), are yet living at the writing of this +[_? 1713_]. And being himself both skilful and curious in pronounciation; +he was very desirous to have them well grounded in the rudiments of the +English tongue. To which end, he had sent for a man, out of Lancashire, +whom, upon inquiry, he had heard of; who was, undoubtedly, the most +accurate English teacher, that ever I met with or have heard of. His name +was RICHARD BRADLEY. But as he pretended no higher than the English +tongue, and had led them, by grammar rules, to the highest improvement +they were capable of, in that; he had then taken his leave, and was gone +up to London, to teach an English school of Friends' children there. + +This put my friend to a fresh strait. He had sought for a new teacher to +instruct his children in the Latin tongue, as the old had done in the +English: but had not yet found one. Wherefore, one evening, as we sate +together by the fire, in his bedchamber, which, for want of health, he +kept: he asked me, his wife being by, "If I would be so kind to him, as +to stay a while with him; till he could hear of such a man as he aimed +at; and, in the meantime, enter his children in the rudiments of the +Latin tongue?" + +This question was not more unexpected, than surprising to me; and the +more, because it seemed directly to thwart my former purpose and +undertaking, of endeavouring to improve myself, by following my studies +with my Master, MILTON; which this would give, at least, a present +diversion from; and, for how long, I could not foresee. + +But the sense I had, of the manifold obligations I lay under to these +worthy friends of mine, shut out all reasonings; and disposed my mind to +an absolute resignation to their desire, that I might testify my +gratitude by a willingness to do them any friendly service, that I could +be capable of. + +And though I questioned my ability to carry on that work to its due +height and proportion; yet, as that was not proposed, but an initiation +only by Accidence into Grammar, I consented to the proposal, as a present +expedient, till a more qualified person should be found; without further +treaty or mention of terms between us, than that of mutual friendship. + +And to render this digression from my own studies, the less uneasy to my +mind; I recollected, and often thought of, that Rule of LILLY-- + + _Qui docet indoctos, licet indoctissimus esset, + Ipse brevi reliquis, doctior esse queat._ + + He that th'unlearned doth teach, may quickly be + More learned than they, though most unlearned he. + +With this consideration, I undertook this province; and left it not until +I married; which was not till [_the 28th October in_] the year 1669, +near[ly] seven years from the time I came thither. + +In which time, having the use of my friend's books, as well as of my own, +I spent my leisure hours much in reading; not without some improvement to +myself in my private studies: which (with the good success of my labours +bestowed on the children, and the agreeableness of conversation which I +found in the family) rendered my undertaking more satisfactory; and my +stay there more easy to me. + +Although the storm raised by the _Act for Banishment [16 Car. II. c. 4. +1664_], fell with the greatest weight and force upon some other parts, as +at London, Hertford, &c.: yet were we, in Buckinghamshire, not wholly +exempted therefrom. For a part of that shower reached us also. + +For a Friend, of Amersham, whose name was EDWARD PEROT or PARRET, +departing this life; and notice being given, that his body would be +buried there on such a day (which was the First Day of the Fifth Month +[_July_], 1665): the Friends of the adjacent parts of the country, +resorted pretty generally to the burial. So that there was a fair +appearance of Friends and neighbours; the deceased having been well +beloved by both. + +After we had spent some time together, in the house (MORGAN WATKINS, who, +at that time, happened to be at ISAAC PENINGTON's, being with us); the +body was taken up, and borne on Friends' shoulders, along the street, in +order to be carried to the burying-ground: which was at the town's end; +being part of an orchard belonging to the deceased, which he, in his +lifetime, had appointed for that service. + +It so happened, that one AMBROSE BENNET, a Barrister at Law, and a +Justice of the Peace for that county, was riding through the town [of +Amersham] that morning, in his way to Aylesbury: and was, by some +ill-disposed person or other, informed that there was a Quaker to be +buried there that day; and that most of the Quakers in the country +[_county_] were come thither to the burial. + +Upon this, he set up his horses, and stayed. And when we, not knowing +anything of his design against us, went innocently forward to perform our +Christian duty, for the interment of our Friend; he rushed out of his Inn +upon us, with the Constables and a rabble of rude fellows whom he had +gathered together: and, having his drawn sword in his hand, struck one of +the foremost of the bearers, with it; commanding them "To set down the +coffin!" But the Friend, who was so stricken, whose name was THOMAS DELL +(being more concerned for the safety of the dead body than his own, lest +it should fall from his shoulder, and any indecency thereupon follow) +held the coffin fast. Which the Justice observing, and being enraged that +his word (how unjust soever) was not forthwith obeyed, set his hand to the +coffin; and, with a forcible thrust, threw it off the bearers' shoulders, +so that it fell to the ground, in the midst of the street: and there, we +were forced to leave it. + +For, immediately thereupon, the Justice giving command for the +apprehending us; the Constables with the rabble fell on us, and drew +some, and drove others in the Inn: giving thereby an opportunity to the +rest, to walk away. + +Of those that were thus taken, I was one. And being, with many more, put +into a room, under a guard; we were kept there, till another Justice, +called Sir THOMAS CLAYTON, whom Justice BENNET had sent for, to join with +him in committing us, was come. + +And then, being called forth severally before them, they picked out ten +of us; and committed us to Aylesbury gaol: for what, neither we, nor +_they_ knew. For we were not convicted of having either done or said +anything, which the law could take hold of. + +For they took us up in the open street, the King's highway, not doing any +unlawful act; but peaceably carrying and accompanying the corpse of our +deceased Friend, to bury it. Which they would not suffer us to do; but +caused the body to lie in the open street, and in the cartway: so that +all the travellers that passed by (whether horsemen, coaches, carts, or +waggons) were fain to break out of the way, to go by it, that they might +not drive over it; until it was almost night. And then, having caused a +grave to be made in the unconsecrated part, as it is accounted, of that +which is called the Church Yard: they forcibly took the body from the +widow (whose right and property it was), and buried it there. + +When the Justices had delivered us prisoners to the Constable, it being +then late in the day, which was the seventh day of the week: he (not +willing to go so far as Aylesbury, nine long miles, with us, that night; +nor to put the town [of Amersham] to the charge of keeping us, there, +that night and the First day and night following) dismissed us, upon our +_parole_, to come to him again at a set hour, on the Second day morning. + +Whereupon, we all went home to our respective habitations; and coming to +him punctually [_on Monday, 3rd July_, 1665] according to promise, were +by him, without guard, conducted to the Prison. + +The Gaoler, whose name was NATHANIEL BIRCH, had, not long before, behaved +himself very wickedly, with great rudeness and cruelty, to some of our +Friends of the lower side of the country [_i.e., Buckinghamshire_]; whom +he, combining with the Clerk of the Peace, whose name was HENRY WELLS, +had contrived to get into his gaol: and after they were legally +discharged in Court, detained them in prison, using great violence, and +shutting them up close in the Common Gaol among the felons; because they +would not give him his unrighteous demand of Fees, which they were the +more straitened in, from his treacherous dealing with them. And they +having, through suffering, maintained their freedom, and obtained their +liberty: we were the more concerned to keep what they had so hardly +gained; and therefore resolved not to make any contract or terms for +either Chamber Rent or Fees, but to demand a Free Prison. Which we did. + +When we came in, the gaoler was ridden out to wait on the Judges, who +came in, that day [_3rd July, 1665_], to begin the Assize; and his wife +was somewhat at a loss, how to deal with us. But being a cunning woman, +she treated us with a great appearance of courtesy, offering us the +choice of all her rooms; and when we asked, "Upon what terms?" she still +referred us to her husband; telling us, she "did not doubt, but that he +would be very reasonable and civil to us." Thus, she endeavoured to have +drawn us to take possession of some of her chambers, at a venture; and +trust to her husband's kind usage: but, we, who, at the cost of our +Friends, had a proof of his kindness, were too wary to be drawn in by the +fair words of a woman: and therefore told her, "We would not settle +anywhere till her husband came home; and then would have a Free Prison, +wheresoever he put us." + +Accordingly, walking all together into the court of the prison, in which +was a well of very good water; and having, beforehand, sent to a Friend +in the town, a widow woman, whose name was SARAH LAMBARN, to bring us +some bread and cheese: we sate down upon the ground round about the well; +and when we had eaten, we drank of the water out of the well. + +Our great concern was for our Friend, ISAAC PENINGTON, because of the +tenderness of his constitution: but he was so lively in his spirit, and +so cheerfully given up to suffer; that he rather encouraged us, than +needed any encouragement from us. + +In this posture, the gaoler, when he came home, found us. And having, +before he came to us, consulted his wife; and by her, understood on what +terms we stood: when he came to us, he hid his teeth, and putting on a +shew of kindness, seemed much troubled that we should sit there abroad +[_in the open air_], especially his old friend, Mr. PENINGTON; and +thereupon, invited us to come in, and take what rooms in his house we +pleased. We asked, "Upon what terms?" letting him know, withal, that we +were determined to have a Free Prison. + +He (like the Sun and the Wind, in the fable, that strove which of them +should take from the traveller, his cloak) having, like the wind, tried +rough, boisterous, violent means to our Friends before, but in vain; +resolved now to imitate the Sun, and shine as pleasantly as he could upon +us. Wherefore, he told us, "We should make the terms ourselves; and be as +free as we desired. If we thought fit, when we were released, to give him +anything; he would thank us for it: and if not, he would demand nothing." + +Upon these terms, we went in: and dispose ourselves, some in the +dwelling-house, others in the malt-house: where they chose to be. + +During the Assize, we were brought before Judge MORTON [_Sir WILLIAM +MORTON, Recorder of Gloucester_], a sour angry man, who [_being an old +Cavalier Officer, naturally_,] very rudely reviled us, but would not hear +either us or the cause; referring the matter to the two Justices, who had +committed us. + +They, when the Assize was ended, sent for us, to be brought before them, +at their Inn [at Aylesbury]; and fined us, as I remember, 6s. 8d. a +piece: which we not consenting to pay, they committed us to prison again, +for one month from that time; on the _Act for Banishment_. + +When we had lain there that month [_i.e., not later than the middle of +August, 1665_], I, with another, went to the gaoler, to demand our +liberty: which he readily granted, telling us, "The door should be +opened, when we pleased to go." + +This answer of his, I reported to the rest of my Friends there; and, +thereupon, we raised among us a small sum of money, which they put into +my hand, for the gaoler. Whereupon, I, taking another with me, went to +the gaoler, with the money in my hand; and reminding him of the terms, +upon which we accepted the use of his rooms, I told him, "That though we +could not pay Chamber Rent nor Fees, yet inasmuch as he had now been +civil to us, we were willing to acknowledge it by a small token": and +thereupon, gave him the money. He, putting it into his pocket, said, "I +thank you, and your Friends for it! and to let you see that I take it as +a gift, not a debt; I will not look on it, to see how much it is." + +The prison door being then set open for us; we went out, and departed to +our respective homes. + +Some little time before I went to Aylesbury prison [_on 3rd July, 1665_], +I was desired by my quondam Master, MILTON, to take a house for him in the +neighbourhood where I dwelt; that he might get out of the City, for the +safety of himself and his family: the Pestilence then growing hot in +London. + +I took a pretty box for him [_i.e., in June, 1665_] in Giles-Chalfont +[_Chalfont St. Giles_], a mile from me [_ELLWOOD was then living in ISAAC +PENINGTON's house, called The Grange, at Chalfont St. Peter; or Peter's +Chalfont, as he calls it_], of which, I gave him notice: and intended to +have waited on him, and seen him well settled in it; but was prevented by +that imprisonment. [_Therefore MILTON did not come into Buckinghamshire at +this time, till after the 3rd July, 1665_.] + +But, now [_i.e., not later than the middle of August, 1665_], being +released, and returned home; I soon made a visit to him, to welcome him +into the country [_county_]. + +After some common discourses had passed between us [_evidently at +ELLWOOD's first visit_], called for a manuscript of his: which being +brought, he delivered to me; bidding me, "Take it home with me, and read +it at my leisure; and, when I had so done, return it to him, with my +judgement thereupon!" + +When I came home [_i.e., The Grange; from which ISAAC PBNINGTON, with his +family (including THOMAS ELLWOOD) was,_ by military force, _expelled about +a month after their first return from Aylesbury gaol (i.e., about the +middle of September); and he again sent to the same prison_], and had set +myself to read it; I found it was that excellent poem, which he entitled, +_Paradise Lost_. + +After I had, with the best attention, read it through: I made him another +visit, and returned him his book; with due acknowledgment of the favour he +had done me, in communicating it to me. + +He asked me, "How I liked it? And what I thought of it?" Which I, +modestly but freely, told him. + +And, after some further discourse about it, I pleasantly said to him, +"Thou hast said much, here, of _Paradise lost_: but what hast thou to say +of _Paradise found_?" + +He made me no answer; but sate some time in a muse: then brake off that +discourse, and fell upon another subject. + +After the sickness [_Plague_] was over; and the City well cleansed, and +become safely habitable again: he returned thither. + +And when, afterwards [_probably in 1668 or 1669_], I went to wait on him +there (which I seldom failed of doing, whenever my occasions drew me to +London), he showed me his second poem, called _Paradise Regained_: and, +in a pleasant tone, said to me, "This is owing to you! For you put it +into my head, by the question you put to me at Chalfont! which, before, I +had not thought of." + +[_Paradise Regained_ was licensed for publication on 2nd July, 1670.] + + + + +ADVICE TO A YOUNG REVIEWER, WITH A SPECIMEN OF THE ART. + +1807. + + +ADVICE TO A YOUNG REVIEWER, &c. + +You are now about to enter on a Profession which has the means of doing +much good to society, and scarcely any temptation to do harm. You may +encourage Genius, you may chastise superficial Arrogance, expose +Falsehood, correct Error, and guide the Taste and Opinions of the Age in +no small degree by the books you praise and recommend. And this too may +be done without running the risk of making any enemies; or subjecting +yourself to be called to account for your criticism, however severe. +While your name is unknown, your person is invulnerable: at the same time +your aim is sure, for you may take it at your leisure; and your blows fall +heavier than those of any Writer whose name is given, or who is simply +anonymous. There is a mysterious authority in the plural, _We_, which no +single name, whatever may be its reputation, can acquire; and, under the +sanction of this imposing style, your strictures, your praises, and your +dogmas, will command universal attention; and be received as the fruit of +united talents, acting on one common principle--as the judgments of a +tribunal who decide only on mature deliberation, and who protect the +interests of Literature with unceasing vigilance. + +Such being the high importance of that Office, and such its +opportunities; I cannot bestow a few hours of leisure better than in +furnishing you with some hints for the more easy and effectual discharge +of it: hints which are, I confess, loosely thrown together; but which are +the result of long experience, and of frequent reflection and comparison. +And if anything should strike you, at first sight, as rather equivocal in +point of morality, or deficient in liberality and feeling; I beg you will +suppress all such scruples, and consider them as the offspring of a +contracted education and narrow way of thinking, which a little +intercourse with the World and sober reasoning will speedily overcome. + +Now as in the conduct of life nothing is more to be desired than some +Governing Principle of action, to which all other principles and motives +must be made subservient; so in the Art of Reviewing I would lay down as +a fundamental position, which you must never lose sight of, and which +must be the mainspring of all your criticisms--_Write what will sell!_ To +this Golden Rule every minor canon must be subordinate; and must be either +immediately deducible from it, or at least be made consistent with it. + +Be not staggered at the sound of a precept which, upon examination, will +be found as honest and virtuous as it is discreet. I have already +sketched out the great services which it is in your power to render +mankind; but all your efforts will be unavailing if men did not read what +you write. Your utility therefore, it is plain, depends upon your +popularity; and popularity cannot be attained without humouring the taste +and inclinations of men. + +Be assured that, by a similar train of sound and judicious reasoning, the +consciences of thousands in public life are daily quieted. It is better +for the State that their Party should govern than any other. The good +which they can effect by the exercise of power is infinitely greater than +any which could arise from a rigid adherence to certain subordinate moral +precepts; which therefore should be violated without scruple whenever +they stand in the way of their leading purpose. He who sticks at these +can never act a great part in the World, and is not fit to act it if he +could. Such maxims may be very useful in ordinary affairs, and for the +guidance of ordinary men: but when we mount into the sphere of public +utility, we must adopt more enlarged principles; and not suffer ourselves +to be cramped and fettered by petty notions of Right and Moral Duty. + +When you have reconciled yourself to this liberal way of thinking; you +will find many inferior advantages resulting from it, which at first did +not enter into your consideration. In particular, it will greatly lighten +your labours, to _follow_ the public taste, instead of taking upon you to +_direct_ it. The task of Pleasing is at all times easier than that of +Instructing: at least it does not stand in need of painful research and +preparation; and may be effected in general by a little vivacity of +manner, and a dexterous morigeration [_compliance, or obsequiousness_], +as Lord BACON calls it, to the humours and frailties of men. Your +responsibility too is thereby much lessened. Justice and Candour can only +be required of you so far as they coincide with this Main Principle: and a +little experience will convince you that these are not the happiest means +of accomplishing your purpose. + +It has been idly said, That a Reviewer acts in a judicial capacity, and +that his conduct should be regulated by the same rules by which the Judge +of a Civil Court is governed: that he should rid himself of every bias; be +patient, cautious, sedate, and rigidly impartial; that he should not seek +to shew off himself, and should check every disposition to enter into the +case as a partizan. + +Such is the language of superficial thinkers; but in reality there is no +analogy between the two cases. A Judge is promoted to that office by the +authority of the State; a Reviewer by his own. The former is independent +of control, and may therefore freely follow the dictates of his own +conscience: the latter depends for his very bread upon the breath of +public opinion; the great law of self-preservation therefore points out +to him a different line of action. Besides, as we have already observed, +if he ceases to please, he is no longer read; and consequently is no +longer useful. In a Court of Justice, too, the part of amusing the +bystanders rests with the Counsel: in the case of criticism, if the +Reviewer himself does not undertake it, who will? + +Instead of vainly aspiring to the gravity of a Magistrate; I would advise +him, when he sits down to write, to place himself in the imaginary +situation of a cross-examining Pleader. He may comment, in a vein of +agreeable irony, upon the profession, the manner of life, the look, +dress, or even the name, of the witness he is examining: when he has +raised a contemptuous opinion of him in the minds of the Court, he may +proceed to draw answers from him capable of a ludicrous turn; and he may +carve and garble these to his own liking. + +This mode of proceeding you will find most practicable in Poetry, where +the boldness of the image or the delicacy of thought (for which the +Reader's mind was prepared in the original) will easily be made to appear +extravagant, or affected, if judiciously singled out, and detached from +the group to which it belongs. Again, since much depends upon the rhythm +and the terseness of expression (both of which are sometimes destroyed by +dropping a single word, or transposing a phrase), I have known much +advantage arise from _not_ quoting in the form of a literal extract: but +giving a brief summary in prose, of the contents of a poetical passage; +and interlarding your own language, with occasional phrases of the Poem +marked with inverted commas. + +These, and a thousand other little expedients, by which the arts of +Quizzing and Banter flourish, practice will soon teach you. If it should +be necessary to transcribe a dull passage, not very fertile in topics of +humour and raillery; you may introduce it as a "favourable specimen of +the Author's manner." + +Few people are aware of the powerful effects of what is philosophically +termed Association. Without any positive violation of truth, the whole +dignity of a passage may be undermined by contriving to raise some vulgar +and ridiculous notions in the mind of the reader: and language teems with +examples of words by which the same idea is expressed, with the +difference only that one excites a feeling of respect, the other of +contempt. Thus you may call a fit of melancholy, "the sulks"; resentment, +"a pet"; a steed, "a nag"; a feast, "a junketing"; sorrow and affliction, +"whining and blubbering". By transferring the terms peculiar to one state +of society, to analogous situations and characters in another, the same +object is attained. "A Drill Serjeant" or "a Cat and Nine Tails" in the +Trojan War, "a Lesbos smack putting into the Piraeus," "the Penny Post of +Jerusalem," and other combinations of the like nature which, when you have +a little indulged in that vein of thought, will readily suggest +themselves, never fail to raise a smile, if not immediately at the +expense of the Author, yet entirely destructive of that frame of mind +which his Poem requires in order to be relished. + +I have dwelt the longer on this branch of Literature, because you are +chiefly to look here for materials of fun and irony. + +Voyages and Travels indeed are no barren ground; and you must seldom let +a Number of your _Review_ go abroad without an Article of this +description. The charm of this species of writing, so universally felt, +arises chiefly from its uniting Narrative with Information. The interest +we take in the story can only be kept alive by minute incident and +occasional detail; which puts us in possession of the traveller's +feelings, his hopes, his fears, his disappointments, and his pleasures. +At the same time the thirst for knowledge and love of novelty is +gratified by continual information respecting the people and countries he +visits. + +If you wish therefore to run down the book, you have only to play off +these two parts against each other. When the Writer's object is to +satisfy the first inclination, you are to thank him for communicating to +the World such valuable facts as, whether he lost his way in the night, +or sprained his ankle, or had no appetite for his dinner. If he is busied +about describing the Mineralogy, Natural History, Agriculture, Trade, etc. +of a country: you may mention a hundred books from whence the same +information may be obtained; and deprecate the practice of emptying old +musty Folios into new Quartos, to gratify that sickly taste for a +smattering about everything which distinguishes the present Age. + +In Works of Science and recondite Learning, the task you have undertaken +will not be so difficult as you may imagine. Tables of Contents and +Indexes are blessed helps in the hands of a Reviewer; but, more than all, +the Preface is the field from which his richest harvest is to be gathered. + +In the Preface, the Author usually gives a summary of what has been +written on the same subject before; he acknowledges the assistance he has +received from different sources, and the reasons of his dissent from +former Writers; he confesses that certain parts have been less +attentively considered than others, and that information has come to his +hands too late to be made use of; he points out many things in the +composition of his Work which he thinks may provoke animadversion, and +endeavours to defend or palliate his own practice. + +Here then is a fund of wealth for the Reviewer, lying upon the very +surface. If he knows anything of his business, he will turn all these +materials against the Author: carefully suppressing the source of his +information; and as if drawing from the stores of his own mind long ago +laid up for this very purpose. If the Author's references are correct, a +great point is gained; for by consulting a few passages of the original +Works, it will be easy to discuss the subject with the air of having a +previous knowledge of the whole. + +Your chief vantage ground is, That you may fasten upon any position in +the book you are reviewing, and treat it as principal and essential; when +perhaps it is of little weight in the main argument: but, by allotting a +large share of your criticism to it, the reader will naturally be led to +give it a proportionate importance, and to consider the merit of the +Treatise at issue upon that single question. + +If anybody complains that the greater and more valuable parts remain +unnoticed; your answer is, That it is impossible to pay attention to all; +and that your duty is rather to prevent the propagation of error, than to +lavish praises upon that which, if really excellent, will work its way in +the World without your help. + +Indeed, if the plan of your _Review_ admits of selection, you had better +not meddle with Works of deep research and original speculation; such as +have already attracted much notice, and cannot be treated superficially +without fear of being found out. The time required for making yourself +thoroughly master of the subject is so great, that you may depend upon it +they will never pay for the reviewing. They are generally the fruit of +long study, and of talents concentrated in the steady pursuit of one +object: it is not likely therefore that you can throw much new light on a +question of this nature, or even plausibly combat the Author's +propositions; in the course of a few hours, which is all you can well +afford to devote to them. And without accomplishing one or the other of +these points; your _Review_ will gain no celebrity, and of course no good +will be done. + +Enough has been said to give you some insight into the facilities with +which your new employment abounds. I will only mention one more, because +of its extensive and almost universal application to all Branches of +Literature; the topic, I mean, which by the old Rhetoricians was called +[Greek: _ex enantion_], That is, when a Work excels in one quality; you +may blame it for not having the opposite. + +For instance, if the biographical sketch of a Literary Character is +minute and full of anecdote; you may enlarge on the advantages of +philosophical reflection, and the superior mind required to give a +judicious analysis of the Opinions and Works of deceased Authors. On the +contrary, if the latter method is pursued by the Biographer; you can, +with equal ease, extol the lively colouring, and truth, and interest, of +exact delineation and detail. + +This topic, you will perceive, enters into Style as well as Matter; where +many virtues might be named _which are incompatible_: and whichever the +Author has preferred, it will be the signal for you to launch forth on +the praises of its opposite; and continually to hold up that to your +Reader as the model of excellence in this species of Writing. + +You will perhaps wonder why all my instructions are pointed towards the +Censure, and not the Praise, of Books; but many reasons might be given +why it should be so. The chief are, that this part is both easier, and +will sell better. + +Let us hear the words of Mr BURKE on a subject not very dissimilar: + +"In such cases," says he, "the Writer has a certain fire and alacrity +inspired into him by a consciousness that (let it fare how it will with +the subject) his ingenuity will be sure of applause: and this alacrity +becomes much greater, if he acts upon the offensive; by the impetuosity +that always accompanies an attack, and the unfortunate propensity which +mankind have to finding and exaggerating faults." Pref., _Vindic. Nat. +Soc_., p. 6. + +You will perceive that I have on no occasion sanctioned the baser motives +of private pique, envy, revenge, and love of detraction. At least I have +not recommended harsh treatment upon any of these grounds. I have argued +simply on the abstract moral principle which a Reviewer should ever have +present to his mind: but if any of these motives insinuate themselves as +secondary springs of action, I would not condemn them. They may come in +aid of the grand Leading Principle, and powerfully second its operation. + +But it is time to close these tedious precepts, and to furnish you with, +what speaks plainer than any precept, a Specimen of the Art itself, in +which several of them are embodied. It is hastily done: but it +exemplifies well enough what I have said of the Poetical department; and +exhibits most of those qualities which disappointed Authors are fond of +railing at, under the names of Flippancy, Arrogance, Conceit, +Misrepresentation, and Malevolence: reproaches which you will only regard +as so many acknowledgments of success in your undertaking; and infallible +tests of an established fame, and [a] rapidly increasing circulation. + + + + +_L'Allegro_. A Poem. + +By JOHN MILTON. + +No Printer's name. + + +It has become a practice of late with a certain description of people, +who have no visible means of subsistence, to string together a few trite +images of rural scenery, interspersed with vulgarisms in dialect, and +traits of vulgar manners; to dress up these materials in a Sing-Song +jingle; and to offer them for sale as a Poem. According to the most +approved recipes, something about the heathen gods and goddesses; and the +schoolboy topics of Styx and Cerberus, and Elysium; are occasionally +thrown in, and the composition is complete. The stock in trade of these +Adventurers is in general scanty enough; and their Art therefore consists +in disposing it to the best advantage. But if such be the aim of the +Writer, it is the Critic's business to detect and defeat the imposture; +to warn the public against the purchase of shop-worn goods and tinsel +wares; to protect the fair trader, by exposing the tricks of needy Quacks +and Mountebanks; and to chastise that forward and noisy importunity with +which they present themselves to the public notice. + +How far Mr. MILTON is amenable to this discipline, will best appear from +a brief analysis of the Poem before us. + +In the very opening he assumes a tone of authority which might better +suit some veteran Bard than a raw candidate for the Delphic bays: for, +before he proceeds to the regular process of Invocation, he clears the +way, by driving from his presence (with sundry hard names; and bitter +reproaches on her father, mother, and all the family) a venerable +Personage, whose age at least and staid matron-like appearance, might +have entitled her to more civil language. + + Hence, loathed Melancholy! + Of CERBERUS and blackest Midnight born, + In Stygian cave forlorn, &c. + +There is no giving rules, however, in these matters, without a knowledge +of the case. Perhaps the old lady had been frequently warned off before; +and provoked this violence by continuing still to lurk about the Poet's +dwelling. And, to say the truth, the Reader will have but too good reason +to remark, before he gets through the Poem, that it is one thing to tell +the Spirit of Dulness to depart; and another to get rid of her in +reality. Like GLENDOWER's Spirits, any one may order them away; "but will +they go, when you do order them?" + +But let us suppose for a moment that the Parnassian decree is obeyed; +and, according to the letter of the _Order_ (which is as precise and +wordy as if Justice SHALLOW himself had drawn it) that the obnoxious +female is sent back to the place of her birth, + + 'Mongst horrid shapes, shrieks, sights, &c. + +At which we beg our fair readers not to be alarmed; for we can assure +them they are only words of course in all poetical Instruments of this +nature, and mean no more than the "force and arms" and "instigation of +the Devil" in a common Indictment. + +This nuisance then being abated; we are left at liberty to contemplate a +character of a different complexion, "buxom, blithe, and debonair": one +who, although evidently a great favourite of the Poet's and therefore to +be received with all due courtesy, is notwithstanding introduced under +the suspicious description of an _alias_. + + In heaven, ycleped EUPHROSYNE; + And by men, heart-easing Mirth. + +Judging indeed from the light and easy deportment of this gay Nymph; one +might guess there were good reasons for a change of name as she changed +her residence. + +But of all vices there is none we abhor more than that of slanderous +insinuation. We shall therefore confine our moral strictures to the +Nymph's mother; in whose defence the Poet has little to say himself. Here +too, as in the case of the _name_, there is some doubt. For the +uncertainty of descent on the Father's side having become trite to a +proverb; the Author, scorning that beaten track, has left us to choose +between two mothers for his favourite and without much to guide our +choice; for, whichever we fix upon, it is plain she was no better than +she should be. As he seems however himself inclined to the latter of the +two, we will even suppose it so to be. + + Or whether (as some sager say) + The frolic _wind that breathes the Spring_, + ZEPHYR with AURORA playing, + _As he met her once a Maying_; + There on beds of violets blue, + And fresh-blown roses washed in dew, _&c._ + +Some dull people might imagine that _the wind_ was more like _the breath +of Spring_; than _Spring, the breath of the wind_: but we are more +disposed to question the Author's Ethics than his Physics; and +accordingly cannot dismiss these May gambols without some observations. + +In the first place, Mr. M. seems to have higher notions of the antiquity +of the May Pole than we have been accustomed to attach to it. Or perhaps +he sought to shelter the equivocal nature of this affair under that +sanction. To us, however, who can hardly subscribe to the doctrine that +"Vice loses half its evil by losing all its grossness"; neither the +remoteness of time, nor the gaiety of the season, furnishes a sufficient +palliation. "Violets blue" and "fresh-blown roses" are, to be sure, more +agreeable objects of the Imagination than a gin shop in Wapping or a +booth in Bartholomew Fair; but, in point of morality, these are +distinctions without a difference: or it may be the cultivation of mind +(which teaches us to reject and nauseate these latter objects) aggravates +the case, if our improvement in taste be not accompanied by a +proportionate improvement of morals. + +If the Reader can reconcile himself to this latitude of principle, the +anachronism will not long stand in his way. Much indeed may be said in +favour of this union of ancient Mythology with modern notions and +manners. It is a sort of chronological metaphor--an artificial analogy, +by which ideas, widely remote and heterogeneous, are brought into +contact; and the mind is delighted by this unexpected assemblage, as it +is by the combinations of figurative language. + +Thus in that elegant Interlude, which the pen of BEN JONSON has +transmitted to us, of the loves of HERO and LEANDER: + + Gentles, that no longer your expectations may wander, + Behold our chief actor, amorous LEANDER! + With a great deal of cloth, lapped about him like a scarf: + For he yet serves his father, a Dyer in Puddle Wharf: + Which place we'll make bold with, to call it our Abydus; + As the Bankside is our Sestos, and _let it not be denied us_. + +And far be it from us to deny the use of so reasonable a liberty; +especially if the request be backed (as it is in the case of Mr. M.) by +the craving and imperious necessities of rhyme. What man who has ever +bestrode Pegasus for an hour, will be insensible to such a claim? + + _Haud ignara mali miseris succurrere disco_. + +We are next favoured with an enumeration of the Attendants of this +"debonair" Nymph, in all the minuteness of a German _Dramatis Personae_, +or a Ropedancer's Handbill. + + Haste thee, Nymph; and bring with thee + Jest and youthful Jollity, + Quips and cranks and wanton wiles, + Nods and becks and wreathed smiles + Such as hang on HEBE's cheek + And love to live in dimple sleek; + Sport that wrinkled Care derides, + And Laughter holding both his sides. + +The Author, to prove himself worthy of being admitted of the crew, skips +and capers about upon "the light fantastic toe," that there is no +following him. He scampers through all the Categories, in search of his +imaginary beings, from Substance to Quality, and back again; from thence +to Action, Passion, Habit, &c. with incredible celerity. Who, for +instance, would have expected _cranks, nods, becks_, and _wreathed +smiles_ as part of a group in which Jest, Jollity, Sport, and Laughter +figure away as full-formed entire Personages? The family likeness is +certainly very strong in the two last; and if we had not been told, we +should perhaps have thought the act of _deriding_ as appropriate to +Laughter as to Sport. + +But how are we to understand the stage directions? + + _Come_, and trip it as you _go_. + +Are the words used synonymously? Or is it meant that this airy gentry +shall come in a Minuet step, and go off in a Jig? The phenomenon of a +_tripping crank_ is indeed novel, and would doubtless attract numerous +spectators. + +But it is difficult to guess to whom, among this jolly company, the Poet +addresses himself: for immediately after the Plural appellative _you_, he +proceeds, + + And in _thy_ right hand lead with _thee_ + The mountain Nymph, sweet Liberty. + +No sooner is this fair damsel introduced; but Mr M., with most unbecoming +levity, falls in love with her: and makes a request of her companion which +is rather greedy, that he may live with both of them. + + To live with her, and live with thee. + +Even the gay libertine who sang "How happy could I be with either!" did +not go so far as this. But we have already had occasion to remark on the +laxity of Mr M.'s amatory notions. + +The Poet, intoxicated with the charms of his Mistress, now rapidly runs +over the pleasures which he proposes to himself in the enjoyment of her +society. But though he has the advantage of being his own caterer, either +his palate is of a peculiar structure, or he has not made the most +judicious selection. + + To begin the day well, he will have the _sky-lark_ + to come _in spite of sorrow_ + And at his window bid "Good Morrow!" + +The sky-lark, if we know anything of the nature of that bird, must come +"in spite" of something else as well as "of sorrow," to the performance +of this office. + +In the next image, the Natural History is better preserved; and, as the +thoughts are appropriate to the time of day, we will venture to +transcribe the passage, as a favourable specimen of the Author's manner: + + While the Cock, with lively din, + Scatters the rear of darkness thin, + And to the stack, or the barn door, + Stoutly struts his dames before; + Oft listening how the hounds and horns + Cheerly rouse the slumbering morn, + From the side of some hoar hill, + Through the high wood echoing still. + +Is it not lamentable that, after all, whether it is the Cock, or the +Poet, that listens, should be left entirely to the Reader's conjectures? +Perhaps also his embarrassment may be increased by a slight resemblance +of character in these two illustrious Personages, at least as far as +relates to the extent and numbers of their seraglio. + +After a _flaming_ description of sunrise, on which the clouds attend in +their very best liveries; the Bill of Fare for the day proceeds in the +usual manner. Whistling Ploughmen, singing Milkmaids, and sentimental +Shepherds are always to be had at a moment's notice; and, if well +grouped, serve to fill up the landscape agreeably enough. + +On this part of the Poem we have only to remark, that if Mr JOHN MILTON +proposeth to make himself merry with + + Russet lawns, and fallows grey + Where the nibbling flocks _do_ stray; + Mountains on whose barren breast + The labouring clouds _do_ often rest, + Meadows trim with daisies pied, + Shallow brooks, and rivers wide, + Towers and battlements, &c. &c. &c. + +he will either find himself egregiously disappointed; or he must possess +a disposition to merriment which even DEMOCRITUS himself might envy. To +such a pitch indeed does this solemn indication of joy sometimes rise, +that we are inclined to give him credit for a literal adherence to the +Apostolic precept, "Is any merry, let him sing Psalms!" + +At length, however, he hies away at the sound of bell-ringing, and seems +for some time to enjoy the tippling and fiddling and dancing of a village +wake: but his fancy is soon haunted again by spectres and goblins, a set +of beings not, in general, esteemed the companions or inspirers of mirth. + + With stories told of many a feat, + How fairy MAB the junkets eat. + She was pinched, and pulled, she said: + And he, by friar's lanthern led, + Tells how the drudging Goblin sweat + To earn his cream-bowl duly set; + When, in one night, ere glimpse of morn, + His shadowy Flail hath threshed the corn + That ten day-labourers could not end. + Then lies him down the lubbar Fiend; + And, stretched out all the chimney's length, + Basks at the fire his hairy strength: + And, crop-full, out of door he flings + Ere the first cock his Matins rings. + +Mr. M. seems indeed to have a turn for this species of Nursery Tales and +prattling Lullabies; and, if he will studiously cultivate his talent, he +need not despair of figuring in a conspicuous corner of Mr NEWBERY's shop +window: unless indeed Mrs. TRIMMER should think fit to proscribe those +empty levities and idle superstitions, by which the World has been too +long abused. + +From these rustic fictions, we are transported to another species of +_hum_. + + Towered cities please us then, + And the busy hum of men; + Where throngs of Knights and Barons bold, + In weeds of peace, high triumphs hold: + With _store of Ladies_, whose bright eyes + _Rain influence_, and judge the Prize + Of Wit or Arms; while both contend + To win her grace, whom all commend. + +To talk of the bright eyes of Ladies judging the Prize of Wit is indeed +with the Poets a legitimate species of humming: but would not, we may +ask, the _rain_ from these Ladies' bright eyes rather tend to dim their +lustre? Or is there any quality in a shower of _influence_; which, +instead of deadening, serves only to brighten and exhilarate? + +Whatever the case may be, we would advise Mr. M. by all means to keep out +of the way of these "Knights and Barons bold": for, if he has nothing but +his Wit to trust to, we will venture to predict that, without a large +share of most undue influence, he must be content to see the Prize +adjudged to his competitors. + +Of the latter part of the Poem little need be said. + +The Author does seem somewhat more at home when he gets among the Actors +and Musicians: though his head is still running upon ORPHEUS and EURYDICE +and PLUTO, and other sombre personages; who are ever thrusting themselves +in where we least expect them, and who chill every rising emotion of +mirth and gaiety. + +He appears however to be so ravished with this sketch of festive +pleasures, or perhaps with himself for having sketched them so well, that +he closes with a couplet which would not have disgraced a STERNHOLD. + + These delights if thou canst give, + Mirth, with thee I _mean_ to live. + +Of Mr. M.'s good _intentions_ there can be no doubt; but we beg leave to +remind him that there are two opinions to be consulted. He presumes +perhaps upon the poetical powers he has displayed, and considers them as +irresistible: for every one must observe in how different a strain he +avows his attachment now, and at the opening of the Poem. Then it was + + If I give thee honour due, + Mirth, admit me of thy crew! + +But having, it should seem, established his pretensions; he now thinks it +sufficient to give notice that he means to live with her, because he likes +her. + +Upon the whole, Mr. MILTON seems to be possessed of some fancy and talent +for rhyming; two most dangerous endowments which often unfit men for +acting a useful part in life without qualifying them for that which is +great and brilliant. If it be true, as we have heard, that he has +declined advantageous prospects in business, for the sake of indulging +his poetical humour; we hope it is not yet too late to prevail upon him +to retract his resolution. With the help of COCKER and common industry, +he may become a respectable Scrivener: but it is not all the ZEPHYRS, and +AURORAS, and CORYDONS, and THYRSIS's; aye, nor his "junketing Queen MAB" +and "drudging Goblins," that will ever make him a Poet. + + + + +PREDICTIONS FOR THE YEAR 1708. + +Wherein the Month and Day of the Month are set down, the Persons named, +and the great Actions and Events of next Year particularly related, as +they will come to pass. + +_Written to prevent the People of England from being further imposed on +by vulgar_ Almanack _Makers_. + +By ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esq. + +MDCCVIII. + + +PREDICTIONS for the Year 1708, &c. + +I have long considered the gross abuse of Astrology in this Kingdom; and +upon debating the matter with myself, I could not possibly lay the fault +upon the Art, but upon those gross Impostors who set up to be the Artists. + +I know several Learned Men have contended that the whole is a cheat; that +it is absurd and ridiculous to imagine the stars can have any influence at +all on human actions, thoughts, or inclinations: and whoever has not bent +his studies that way, may be excused for thinking so, when he sees in how +wretched a manner this noble Art is treated by a few mean illiterate +traders between us and the stars; who import a yearly stock of nonsense, +lies, folly, and impertinence, which they offer to the world as genuine +from the planets, although they descend from no greater height than their +own brains. + +I intend, in a short time, to publish a large and rational Defence of +this Art; and therefore shall say no more in its justification at present +than that it hath been, in all Ages, defended by many Learned Men; and, +among the rest, by SOCRATES himself, whom I look upon as undoubtedly the +wisest of uninspired mortals. To which if we add, that those who have +condemned this Art, although otherwise learned, having been such as +either did not apply their studies this way, or at least did not succeed +in their applications; their testimonies will not be of much weight to +its disadvantage, since they are liable to the common objection of +condemning what they did not understand. + +Nor am I at all offended, or think it an injury to the Art, when I see +the common dealers in it, the _Students in Astronomy_, the _Philomaths_, +and the rest of that tribe, treated by wise men with the utmost scorn and +contempt: but I rather wonder, when I observe Gentlemen in the country, +rich enough to serve the nation in Parliament, poring in PARTRIDGE's +_Almanack_ to find out the events of the year, at home and abroad; not +daring to propose a hunting match, unless GADBURY or he have fixed the +weather. + +I will allow either of the two I have mentioned, or any others of the +fraternity, to be not only Astrologers, but Conjurers too, if I do not +produce a hundred instances in all their _Almanacks_, to convince any +reasonable man that they do not so much as understand Grammar and Syntax; +that they are not able to spell any word out of the usual road, nor even, +in their _Prefaces_, to write common sense, or intelligible English. + +Then as their Observations or Predictions, they are such as will suit any +Age or country in the world. + +_This month, a certain great Person will be threatened with death or +sickness_. This the News Paper will tell them. For there we find at the +end of the year, that no month passeth without the death of some Person +of Note: and it would be hard if it should be otherwise, where there are +at least two thousand Persons of Note in this kingdom, many of them old; +and the _Almanack_ maker has the liberty of choosing the sickliest season +of the year, where he may fix his prediction. + +Again, _This month, an eminent Clergyman will be preferred_. Of which, +there may be some hundreds, half of them with one foot in the grave. + +Then, _Such a Planet in such a House shews great machinations, plots, and +conspiracies, that may, in time, be brought to light_. After which, if we +hear of any discovery, the Astrologer gets the honour; if not, his +prediction still stands good. + +And, at last, _God preserve King WILLIAM from all his open and secret +enemies, Amen_. When, if the King should happen to have died, the +Astrologer plainly foretold it! otherwise it passeth but for the pious +ejaculation of a loyal subject: although it unluckily happened in some of +their _Almanacks_, that poor King WILLIAM was prayed for, many months +after he was dead; because it fell out, that he died about the beginning +of the year. + +To mention no more of their impertinent Predictions, What have we to do +with their advertisements about pills, or their mutual quarrels in verse +and prose of Whig and Tory? wherewith the stars have little to do. + +Having long observed and lamented these, and a hundred other abuses of +this Art too tedious to repeat; I resolved to proceed in a New Way; +which, I doubt not, will be to the general satisfaction of the Kingdom. I +can, this year, produce but a specimen of what I design for the future: +having employed the most part of my time in adjusting and correcting the +calculations I made for some years past; because I would offer nothing to +the World, of which I am not as fully satisfied as that I am now alive. + +For these last two years, I have not failed in above one or two +particulars, and those of no very great moment. I exactly foretold the +miscarriage at Toulon [_fruitlessly besieged by Prince EUGENE, between +26th July, and 21st August_, 1707] with all its particulars: and the loss +of Admiral [Sir CLOUDESLY] SHOVEL [_at the Scilly isles, on 22nd October_, +1707]; although I was mistaken as to the day, placing that accident about +thirty-six hours sooner than it happened; but upon reviewing my Schemes, +I quickly found the cause of that error. I likewise foretold the battle +of Almanza [_25th April_, 1707] to the very day and hour, with the loss +on both sides, and the consequences thereof. All which I shewed to some +friends many months before they happened: that is, I gave them papers +sealed up, to open in such a time, after which they were at liberty to +read them; and there they found my Predictions true in every Article, +except one or two very minute. + +As for the few following Predictions I now offer the World, I forbore to +publish them until I had perused the several _Almanacks_ for the year we +are now entered upon. I found them all in the usual strain; and I beg the +reader will compare their manner with mine. + +And here I make bold to tell the World that I lay the whole credit of my +Art upon the truth of these Predictions; and I will be content that +PARTRIDGE and the rest of his clan may hoot me for a cheat and impostor, +if I fail in any single particular of moment. I believe any man who reads +this Paper [_pamphlet_], will look upon me to be at least a person of as +much honesty and understanding as the common maker of _Almanacks_. I do +not lurk in the dark, I am not wholly unknown to the World. I have set my +name at length, to be a mark of infamy to mankind, if they shall find I +deceive them. + +In one thing, I must desire to be forgiven: that I talk more sparingly of +home affairs. As it would be imprudence to discover Secrets of State, so +it would be dangerous to my person: but in smaller matters, and that as +are not of public consequence, I shall be very free: and the truth of my +conjectures will as much appear from these, as the other. + +As for the most signal events abroad, in France, Flanders, Italy, and +Spain: I shall make no scruple to predict them in plain terms. Some of +them are of importance; and I hope I shall seldom mistake the day they +will happen. Therefore I think good to inform the reader, that I, all +along, make use of the Old Style observed in England; which I desire he +will compare with that of the News Papers at the time they relate the +actions I mention. + +I must add one word more. I know it hath been, the opinion of several +Learned [Persons], who think well enough of the true Art of Astrology, +that the stars do only _incline_ and not _force_ the actions or wills of +men: and therefore, however I may proceed by right rules; yet I cannot, +in prudence, so confidently assure that the events will follow exactly as +I predict them. + +I hope I have maturely considered this objection, which, in some cases, +is of no little weight. For example, a man may, by the influence of an +overruling planet, be disposed or inclined to lust, rage, or avarice; and +yet, by the force of reason, overcome that evil influence. And this was +the case of SOCRATES. But the great events of the World usually depending +upon numbers of men; it cannot be expected they should _all_ unite to +cross their inclinations, from pursuing a general design wherein they +unanimously agree. Besides, the influence of the stars reacheth to many +actions and events which are not, in any way, in the power of Reason, as +sickness, death, and what we commonly call accidents; with many more, +needless to repeat. + +But now it is time to proceed to my Predictions: which I have begun to +calculate from the time that the sun entereth into _Aries [April]_; and +this I take to be properly the beginning of the natural year. I pursue +them to the time that he entereth _Libra [September]_ or somewhat more; +which is the busy period of the year. The remainder I have not yet +adjusted, upon account of several impediments needless here to mention. +Besides, I must remind the reader again, that this is but a specimen of +what I design, in succeeding years, to treat more at large; if I may have +liberty and encouragement. + +My first Prediction is but a trifle; yet I will mention it to shew how +ignorant those sottish pretenders to Astrology are in their own concerns. +It relateth to PARTRIDGE the _Almanack_ maker. I have consulted the star +of his nativity by my own rules; and find he will infallibly die upon the +29th of March [1708] next, about eleven at night, of a raging fever. +Therefore I advise him to consider of it, and settle his affairs in time. + +The month of APRIL will be observable for the death of many Great Persons. + +On the 4th will die the Cardinal DE NOAILLES, Archbishop of Paris. + +On the 11th, the young Prince of the ASTURIAS, son to the Duke of ANJOU. + +On the 14th, a great Peer of this realm will die at his country house. + +On the 19th, an old Layman of great fame and learning; and on the 23rd, +an eminent goldsmith in Lombard street. + +I could mention others, both at home and abroad, if I did not consider it +is of very little use or instruction to the Reader, or to the World. + +As to Public Affairs. On the 7th of this month, there will be an +insurrection in Dauphiny, occasioned by the oppressions of the people; +which will not be quieted in some months. + +On the 15th, there will be a violent storm on the southeast coast of +France; which will destroy many of their ships, and some in the very +harbours. + +The 19th will be famous for the revolt of a whole Province or Kingdom, +excepting one city: by which the affairs of a certain Prince in the +Alliance will take a better face. + +MAY, against common conjectures, will be no very busy month in Europe; +but very signal for the death of the Dauphin [_Note, how SWIFT is killing +off all the Great Men on the French side, one after another: became that +would jump with the inclination of the nation just at the moment_]; which +will happen on the 7th, after a short fit of sickness, and grievous +torments with the stranguary. He dies less lamented by the Court than the +Kingdom. + +On the 9th, a Marshal of France will break his leg by a fall from his +horse. I have not been able to discover whether he will then die or not. + +On the 11th, will begin a most important siege, which the eyes of all +Europe will be upon. I cannot be more particular; for in relating affairs +that so nearly concern the Confederates, and consequently this Kingdom; I +am forced to confine myself, for several reasons very obvious to the +reader. + +On the 15th, news will arrive of a _very surprising_ event; than which, +nothing could be more unexpected. + +On the 19th, three noble Ladies of this Kingdom, will, against all +expectation, prove with child; to the great joy of their husbands. + +On the 23rd, a famous buffoon of the Play House will die a ridiculous +death, suitable to his vocation. + +JUNE. This month will be distinguished at home by the utter dispersing of +those ridiculous deluded enthusiasts, commonly called Prophets [_Scotch +and English Jesuits affecting inspiration, under the name of the French +Prophets_], occasioned chiefly by seeing the time come when many of their +prophecies were to be fulfilled; and then finding themselves deceived by +the contrary events. It is indeed to be admired [_astonished at_] how any +deceiver can be so weak to foretell things near at hand; when a very few +months must, of necessity, discover the imposture to all the world: in +this point, less prudent than common _Almanack_ makers, who are so wise +[as] to wander in generals, talk dubiously, and leave to the reader the +business of interpreting. + +On the 1st of this month, a French General will be killed by a random +shot of a cannon ball. + +On the 6th, a fire will break out in all the suburbs of Paris, which will +destroy above a thousand houses; and seems to be the foreboding of what +will happen, to the surprise of all Europe, about the end of the +following month. + +On the 10th, a great battle will be fought, which will begin at four of +the clock in the afternoon, and last until nine at night, with great +obstinacy, but no very decisive event. I shall not name the place, for +the reasons aforesaid; but the Commanders of each left wing will be +killed.... I see bonfires, and hear the noise of guns for a victory. + +On the 14th, there will be a false report of the French King's death. + +On the 20th, Cardinal PORTOCARRERO will die of a dysentery, with great +suspicion of poison: but the report of his intentions to revolt to King +CHARLES will prove false. + +JULY. The 6th of this month, a certain General will, by a glorious +action, recover the reputation he lost by former misfortunes. + +On the 12th, a great Commander will die a prisoner in the hands of his +enemies. + +On the 14th, a shameful discovery will be made of a French Jesuit giving +poison to a great foreign General; and, when he is put to the torture, +[he] will make wonderful discoveries. + +In short, this will prove a month of great action, if I might have +liberty to relate the particulars. + +At home, the death of an old famous Senator will happen on the 15th, at +his country house, worn [out] with age and diseases. + +But that which will make this month memorable to all posterity, is the +death of the French King LEWIS XIV., after a week's sickness at Marli; +which will happen on the 29th, about six o'clock in the evening. It +seemeth to be an effect of the gout in his stomach followed by a flux. +And in three days after, Monsieur CHAMILLARD will follow his master; +dying suddenly of an apoplexy. + +In this month likewise, an Ambassador will die in London; but I cannot +assign the day. + +AUGUST. The affairs of France will seem to suffer no change for a while, +under the Duke of BURGUNDY's administration. But the Genius that animated +the whole machine being gone, will be the cause of mighty turns and +revolutions in the following year. The new King maketh yet little change, +either in the army or the Ministry; but the libels against his +[grand]father that fly about his very Court, give him uneasiness. + +I see an Express in mighty haste, with joy and wonder in his looks, +arriving by the break of day on the 26th of this month, having travelled, +in three days, a prodigious journey by land and sea. In the evening, I +hear bells and guns, and see the blazing of a thousand bonfires. + +A young Admiral, of noble birth, doth likewise, this month, gain immortal +honour by a great achievement. + +The affairs of Poland are, this month, entirely settled. AUGUSTUS resigns +his pretensions, which he had again taken up for some time. STANISLAUS is +peaceably possessed of the throne: and the King of SWEDEN declares for +the Emperor. + +I cannot omit one particular accident here at home: that, near the end of +this month, much mischief will be done at Bartholomew Fair [_held on +August 24th_], by the fall of a booth. + +SEPTEMBER. This month begins with a very surprising fit of frosty +weather, which will last near[ly] twelve days. + +The Pope having long languished last month, the swellings in his legs +breaking, and the flesh mortifying; he will die on the 11th instant. And, +in three weeks' time, after a mighty contest, he will be succeeded by a +Cardinal of the Imperial faction, but a native of Tuscany, who is now +about 61 years old. + +The French army acts now wholly on the defensive, strongly fortified in +their trenches: and the young French King sendeth overtures for a treaty +of peace, by the Duke of MANTUA; which, because it is a matter of State +that concerneth us here at home, I shall speak no further of. + +I shall add but one Prediction more, and that in mystical terms, which +shall be included in a verse out of VIRGIL, + + _Alter erit jam TETHYS, et altera quae vehat ARGO + Dilectos Heroas_. + +Upon the 25th day of this month, the fulfilling of this Prediction will +be manifest to everybody. + +This is the furthest I have proceeded in my calculations for the present +year. I do not pretend that these are all the great events which will +happen in this period; but that those I have set down will infallibly +come to pass. + +It may perhaps, still be objected, why I have not spoken more +particularly of affairs at home, or of the success of our armies abroad; +which I might, and could very largely have done. But those in Power have +wisely discouraged men from meddling in public concerns: and I was +resolved, by no means, to give the least offence. This I _will_ venture +to say, that it will be a glorious campaign for the Allies, wherein the +English forces, both by sea and land, will have their full share of +honour; that Her Majesty Queen ANNE will continue in health and +prosperity; and that no ill accident will arrive to any in the chief +Ministry. + +As to the particular events I have mentioned, the readers may judge by +the fulfilling of them, whether I am of the level with common +Astrologers, who, with an old paltry cant, and a few Pothooks for Planets +to amuse the vulgar, have, in my opinion, too long been suffered to abuse +the World. But an honest Physician ought not to be despised because there +are such things as mountebanks. + +I hope I have some share of reputation; which I would not willingly +forfeit for a frolic, or humour: and I believe no Gentleman, who reads +this Paper, will look upon it to be of the same last and mould with the +common scribbles that are every day hawked about. My fortune hath placed +me above the little regard of writing for a few pence, which I neither +value nor want. Therefore, let not any wise man too hastily condemn this +Essay, intended for a good design, to cultivate and improve an ancient +Art, long in disgrace by having fallen into mean unskilful hands. A +little time will determine whether I have deceived others, or myself: and +I think it is no very unreasonable request, that men would please to +suspend their judgements till then. + +I was once of the opinion with those who despise all Predictions from the +stars, till, in the year 1686, a Man of Quality shewed me written in his +album, that the most learned astronomer, Captain H[ALLEY], assured him he +would never believe anything of the stars' influence, if there were not a +great Revolution in England in the year 1688. Since that time, I began to +have other thoughts [SWIFT _does not say on what subject_]; and, after +eighteen years' [1690-1708] diligent study and application [_in what?_], +I think I have no reason to repent of my pains. + +I shall detain the reader no longer than to let him know, that the +account I design to give of next year's events shall take in the +principal affairs that happen in Europe. And if I be denied the liberty +of offering it to my own country; I shall appeal to the Learned World, by +publishing it in Latin, and giving order to have it printed in Holland. + +FINIS. + + + + +A Revenue Officer + +[_JONATHAN SWIFT_.] + +_A Letter to a Lord_. + +[30 March 1708.] + + +MY LORD, + +In obedience to your Lordship's commands, as well as to satisfy my own +curiosity; I have, for some days past, inquired constantly after +PARTRIDGE the _Almanack_ maker: of whom, it was foretold in Mr. +BICKERSTAFF's _Predictions_, published about a month ago, that he should +die, the 29th instant, about eleven at night, of a raging fever. + +I had some sort of knowledge of him, when I was employed in the Revenue; +because he used, every year, to present me with his _Almanack_, as he did +other Gentlemen, upon the score of some little gratuity we gave him. + +I saw him accidentally once or twice, about ten days before he died: and +observed he began very much to droop and languish; although I hear his +friends did not seem to apprehend him in any danger. + +About two or three days ago, he grew ill; was confined first to his +chamber, and in a few hours after, to his bed: where Dr. CASE and Mrs. +KIRLEUS [_two London quacks_] were sent for, to visit, and to prescribe +to him. + +Upon this intelligence, I sent thrice every day a servant or other, to +inquire after his health: and yesterday, about four in the afternoon, +word was brought me, that he was past hopes. + +Upon which, I prevailed with myself to go and see him: partly, out of +commiseration: and, I confess, partly out of curiosity. He knew me very +well, seemed surprised at my condescension, and made me compliments upon +it, as well as he could in the condition he was. The people about him, +said he had been delirious: but, when I saw him, he had his understanding +as well as ever I knew, and spoke strong and hearty, without any seeming +uneasiness or constraint. + +After I had told him, I was sorry to see him in those melancholy +circumstances, and said some other civilities suitable to the occasion; I +desired him to tell me freely and ingenuously, whether the _Predictions_, +Mr. BICKERSTAFF had published relating to his death, had not too much +affected and worked on his imagination? + +He confessed he often had it in his head, but never with much +apprehension till about a fortnight before: since which time, it had the +perpetual possession of his mind and thoughts, and he did verily believe +was the true natural cause of his present distemper. "For," said he, "I +am thoroughly persuaded, and I think I have very good reasons, that Mr. +BICKERSTAFF spoke altogether by guess, and knew no more what will happen +this year than I did myself." + +I told him, "His discourse surprised me, and I would be glad he were in a +state of health to be able to tell me, what reason he had, to be convinced +of Mr. BICKERSTAFF's ignorance." + +He replied, "I am a poor ignorant fellow, bred to a mean trade; yet I +have sense enough to know that all pretences of foretelling by Astrology +are deceits: for this manifest reason, because the wise and learned (who +can only judge whether there be any truth in this science), do all +unanimously agree to laugh at and despise it; and none but the poor +ignorant vulgar give it any credit, and that only upon the word of such +silly wretches as I and my fellows, who can hardly write or read." I then +asked him, "Why he had not calculated his own nativity, to see whether it +agreed with BICKERSTAFF's Predictions?" + +At which, he shook his head, and said, "O, Sir! this is no time for +jesting, but for repenting those fooleries, as I do now from the very +bottom of my heart." + +"By what I can gather from you," said I, "the Observations and +Predictions you printed with your _Almanacks_, were mere impositions upon +the people." + +He replied, "If it were otherwise, I should have the less to answer for. +We have a common form for all those things. As to foretelling the +weather, we never meddle with that! but leave it to the printer, who +taketh it out of any old _Almanack_, as he thinketh fit. The rest was my +own invention, to make my _Almanack_ sell; having a wife to maintain, and +no other way to get my bread: for mending old shoes is a poor livelihood! +And," added he, sighing, "I wish I may not have done more mischief by my +physic than by astrology! although I had some good receipts from my +grandmother, and my own compositions were such as I thought could, at +least, do no hurt." + +I had some other discourse with him, which now I cannot call to mind: and +I fear I have already tired your Lordship. I shall only add one +circumstance. That on his deathbed, he declared himself a Nonconformist, +and had a Fanatic [_the political designation of Dissenters_] preacher to +be his spiritual guide. + +After half an hour's conversation, I took my leave; being almost stifled +by the closeness of the room. + +I imagined he could not hold out long; and therefore withdrew to a little +coffee-house hard by, leaving a servant at the house, with orders to come +immediately, and tell me as near as he could the minute when PARTRIGE +should expire: which was not above two hours after, when, looking upon my +watch, I found it to be above Five minutes after Seven. By which it is +clear that Mr. BICKERSTAFF was mistaken almost four hours in his +calculation [_see_ p. 173]. In the other circumstances he was exact +enough. + +But whether he hath not been the cause of this poor man's death as well +as the Predictor may be very reasonably disputed. However, it must be +confessed the matter is odd enough, whether we should endeavour to +account for it by chance or the effect of imagination. + +For my own part, although I believe no man has less faith in these +matters, yet I shall wait with some impatience, and not without +expectation, the fulfilling of Mr. BICKERSTAFF's second prediction, that +the Cardinal De NOAILLES is to die upon the 4th of April [1708]; and if +that should be verified as exactly as this of poor PARTRIDGE, I must own +I shall be wholly surprised, and at a loss, and infallibly expect the +accomplishment of all the rest. + + +[In the original broadside, there are Deaths with darts, winged +hour-glasses, crossed marrow-bones, &c.] + +[JONATHAN SWIFT.] + +_An Elegy on Mr. PATRIGE, the_ Almanack _maker, who died on the 29th of +this instant March_, 1708. + +[Original broadside in the British Museum, C. 39. k./74.] + + Well, 'tis as BICKERSTAFF has guest; + Though we all took it for a jest; + PATRIGE is dead! nay more, he died + Ere he could prove the good Squire lied! + Strange, an Astrologer should die + Without one wonder in the sky + Not one of all his crony stars + To pay their duty at his hearse! + No meteor, no eclipse appeared, + No comet with a flaming beard! + The sun has rose and gone to bed + Just as if PATRIGE were not dead; + Nor hid himself behind the moon + To make a dreadful night at noon. + He at fit periods walks through _Aries_, + Howe'er our earthly motion varies; + And twice a year he'll cut th'Equator, + As if there had been no such matter. + + Some Wits have wondered what analogy + There is 'twixt[11] Cobbling and Astrology? + How PATRIGE made his optics rise + From a shoe-sole, to reach the skies? + A list, the cobblers' temples ties, + To keep the hair out of their eyes; + From whence, 'tis plain, the diadem + That Princes wear, derives from them: + And therefore crowns are now-a-days + Adorned with golden stars and rays; + Which plainly shews the near alliance + 'Twixt Cobbling and the Planet science. + + Besides, that slow-paced sign _Bo-otes_ + As 'tis miscalled; we know not who 'tis? + But PATRIGE ended all disputes; + He knew his trade! and called it _Boots_![12] + The Horned Moon which heretofore + Upon their shoes, the Romans wore, + Whose wideness kept their toes from corns, + And whence we claim our Shoeing Horns, + Shews how the art of Cobbling bears + A near resemblance to the Spheres. + + A scrap of parchment hung by Geometry, + A great refinement in Barometry, + Can, like the stars, foretell the weather: + And what is parchment else, but leather? + Which an Astrologer might use + Either for _Almanacks_ or shoes. + + Thus PATRIGE, by his Wit and parts, + At once, did practise both these Arts; + And as the boding owl (or rather + The bat, because her wings are leather) + Steals from her private cell by night, + And flies about the candle light: + So learned PATRIGE could as well + Creep in the dark, from leathern cell; + And in his fancy, fly as far, + To peep upon a twinkling star! + Besides, he could confound the Spheres + And set the Planets by the ears, + To shew his skill, he, Mars would join + To Venus, in _aspect malign_, + Then call in Mercury for aid, + And cure the wounds that Venus made. + + Great scholars have in LUCIAN read + When PHILIP, King of Greece was dead, + His soul and spirit did divide, + And each part took a different side: + One rose a Star; the other fell + Beneath, and mended shoes in hell. + + Thus PATRIGE still shines in each Art, + The Cobbling, and Star-gazing Part; + And is installed as good a star + As any of the CAESARS are. + + Thou, high exalted in thy sphere, + May'st follow still thy calling there! + To thee, the _Bull_ will lend his hide, + By _Phoebus_ newly tanned and dried! + For thee, they _Argo_'s hulk will tax, + And scrape her pitchy sides for wax! + Then _Ariadne_ kindly lends + Her braided hair, to make thee ends! + The point of Sagittarius' dart + Turns to an awl, by heavenly art! + And Vulcan, wheedled by his wife, + Will forge for thee, a paring-knife! + + Triumphant Star! some pity shew + On Cobblers militant below! + [13] But do not shed thy influence down + Upon St. James's end o' the Town! + Consider where the moon and stars + Have their devoutest worshippers! + Astrologers and lunatics + Have in Moorfields their stations fixt: + Hither, thy gentle aspect bend, + [14] Nor look asquint on an old friend! + + +[11] PATRIGE was a cobbler. + +[12] See his _Almanack_. + +[13] _Sed nec in Arctoo sede tibi legeris Orbe, &c._ + +[14] _Neve tuam videas obliquo idere Romam_. + + + + +THE EPITAPH. + + _Here five foot deep, lies on his back, + A Cobbler, Starmonger, and Quack; + Who to the stars, in pure good will, + Does to his best, look upward still. + Weep all you customers, that use + His Pills, his_ Almanacks, _or Shoes! + And you that did your fortunes seek, + Step to this grave, but once a week! + This earth which bears his body's print + You'll find has so much virtue in it; + That I durst pawn my ears, 'twill tell + Whate'er concerns you, full as well + (In physic, stolen goods, or love) + As he himself could, when above!_ + +LONDON: Printed in the Year 1708. + + + + +Squire BICKERSTAFF detected; +OR THE _Astrological Impostor convicted_. + +BY JOHN PARTRIDGE, + +Student in Physic and Astrology. + + +[This was written for PARTRIDGE, either by NICHOLAS ROWE or Dr. YALDEN, +and put forth by him, in good faith, in proof of his continued existence.] + +It is hard, my dear countrymen of these United Nations! it is very hard, +that a Britain born, a Protestant Astrologer, a man of Revolution +Principles, an assertor of the Liberty and Property of the people, should +cry out in vain, for justice against a Frenchman, a Papist, and an +illiterate pretender to Science, that would blast my reputation, most +inhumanly bury me alive, and defraud my native country of those services +which, in my double capacity [_Physician and Astrologer_], I daily offer +the public. + +What great provocations I have received, let the impartial reader judge! +and how unwillingly, even in my own defence, I now enter the lists +against Falsehood, Ignorance, and Envy! But I am exasperated at length, +to drag out this CACUS from the den of obscurity, where he lurketh, to +detect him by the light of those stars he hath so impudently traduced, +and to shew there is not a Monster in the skies so pernicious and +malevolent to mankind as an ignorant pretender to Physic and Astrology. + +I shall not directly fall on the many gross errors, nor expose the +notorious absurdities of this prostituted libeller, until I have let the +Learned World fairly into the controversy depending; and then leave the +unprejudiced to judge of the merits and justice of my cause. + +It was towards the conclusion of the year 1707 [_according to the old way +of reckoning the year from March 25th. The precise date is February, 1708, +see_ p. 469], when an impudent Pamphlet crept into the world, intituled +_Predictions &c. by ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esquire_. Among the many arrogant +assertions laid down by that lying Spirit of Divination; he was pleased +to pitch on the Cardinal DE NOAILLES and myself, among many other eminent +and illustrious persons that were to die within the confines of the +ensuing year, and peremptorily fixed the month, day, and hours of our +deaths. + +This, I think, is sporting with Great Men, and Public Spirits, to the +scandal of Religion, and reproach of Power: and if Sovereign Princes and +Astrologers must make diversion for the vulgar, why then, Farewell, say +I, to all Governments, Ecclesiastical and Civil! But, I thank my better +stars! I am alive to confront this false and audacious Predictor, and to +make him rue the hour he ever affronted a Man of Science and Resentment. + +The Cardinal may take what measures he pleases, with him: as His +Excellency is a foreigner and a Papist, he hath no reason to rely on me +for his justification. I shall only assure the World that he is alive! +but as he was bred to Letters, and is master of a pen, let him use it in +his own defence! + +In the meantime, I shall present the Public with a faithful Narrative of +the ungenerous treatment and hard usage I have received from the virulent +Papers and malicious practices of this pretended Astrologer. + + +A true and impartial ACCOUNT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, +Esq., against Me. + +The 29th of March, _Anno Dom_., 1708, being the night this Sham Prophet +had so impudently fixed for my last; which made little impression on +myself, but I cannot answer for my whole family. For my wife, with a +concern more than usual, prevailed on me to take somewhat to sweat for a +cold; and between the hours of 8 and 9, to go to bed. + +The maid as she was warming my bed, with the curiosity natural to young +women, runs to the window, and asks of one passing the street, "Who the +bell tolled for?" + +"Dr. PARTRIDGE," says he, "the famous _Almanack_ maker, who died suddenly +this evening." + +The poor girl provoked, told him, "He lied like a rascal!" + +The other very sedately replied, "The sexton had so informed him; and if +false, he was to blame for imposing on a stranger." + +She asked a second, and a third as they passed; and every one was in the +same tone. + +Now I don't say these were accomplices to a certain astrological Squire, +and that one BICKERSTAFF might be sauntering thereabouts; because I will +assert nothing here but what I dare attest, and plain matter of fact. + +My wife, at this, fell into a violent disorder; and I must own I was a +little discomposed at the oddness of the accident. + +In the meantime, one knocks at the door. BETTY runneth down and opening, +finds a sober grave person, who modestly inquires "If this was Dr. +PARTRIDGE's?" + +She, taking him for some cautious City patient, that came at that time +for privacy, shews him into the dining-room. + +As soon as I could compose myself, I went to him; and was surprised to +find my gentleman mounted on a table with a two-foot rule in his hand, +measuring my walls, and taking the dimensions of the room. + +"Pray, Sir," says I, "not to interrupt you, have you any business with +me?" + +"Only, Sir," replies he, "to order the girl to bring me a better light: +for this is but a dim one." + +"Sir," sayeth I, "my name is PARTRIDGE!" + +"Oh! the Doctor's brother, belike," cries he. "The staircase, I believe, +and these two apartments hung in close mourning will be sufficient; and +only a strip of Bays [cloth] round the other rooms. The Doctor must needs +die rich. He had great dealings in his way, for many years. If he had no +family Coat [of arms], you had as good use the scutcheons of the Company. +They are as showish and will look as magnificent as if he were descended +from the Blood-Royal." + +With that, I assumed a greater air of authority, and demanded, "Who +employed him? and how he came there?" + +"Why, I was sent, Sir, by the Company of Undertakers," saith he, "and +they were employed by the honest gentleman who is the executor to the +good Doctor departed: and our rascally porter, I believe is fallen fast +asleep with the black cloth and sconces or he had been here; and we might +have been tacking up by this time." + +"Sir," says I, "pray be advised by a friend, and make the best of your +speed out of my doors; for I hear my wife's voice," which, by the way, is +pretty distinguishable! "and in that corner of the room stands a good +cudgel which somebody [_i.e., himself_] has felt ere now. If that light +in her hands, and she knew the business you came about; without +consulting the stars, I can assure you it will be employed very much to +the detriment of your person." + +"Sir," cries he, bowing with great civility, "I perceive extreme grief +for the loss of the Doctor disorders you a little at present: but early +in the morning, I'll wait on you, with all necessary materials." + +Now I mention no Mr. BICKERSTAFF, nor do I say that a certain star-gazing +Squire has been a playing my executor before his time: but I leave the +World to judge, and if it puts things to things fairly together, it won't +be much wide of the mark. + +Well, once more I get my doors closed, and prepare for bed, in hopes of a +little repose, after so many ruffling adventures. Just as I was putting +out my light in order to it, another bounceth as hard as he can knock. + +I open the window and ask, "Who is there, and what he wants?" + +"I am NED the Sexton," replies he, "and come to know whether the Doctor +left any orders for a Funeral Sermon? and where he is to be laid? and +whether his grave is to be plain or bricked?" + +"Why, Sirrah!" says I, "you know me well enough. You know I am not dead; +and how dare you affront me after this manner!" + +"Alack a day, Sir," replies the fellow, "why it is in print, and the +whole Town knows you are dead. Why, there's Mr. WHITE the joiner is but +fitting screws to your coffin! He'll be here with it in an instant. He +was afraid you would have wanted it before this time." + +"Sirrah! sirrah!" saith I, "you shall know to-morrow to your cost that I +am alive! and alive like to be!" + +"Why, 'tis strange, Sir," says he, "you should make such a secret of your +death to us that are your neighbours. It looks as if you had a design to +defraud the Church of its dues: and let me tell you, for one who has +lived so long by the heavens, that is unhandsomely done!" + +"Hist! hist!" says another rogue that stood by him, "away, Doctor! into +your flannel gear as fast as you can! for here is a whole pack of dismals +coming to you with their black equipage; how indecent will it look for you +to stand frightening folks at your window, when you should have been in +your coffin this three hours!" + +In short, what with Undertakers, Embalmers, Joiners, Sextons, and your +_Elegy_ hawkers _upon a late practitioner in Physic and Astrology_; I got +not one wink of sleep that night, nor scarce a moment's rest ever since. + +Now, I doubt not but this villanous Squire has the impudence to assert +that these are entirely strangers to him; he, good man! knoweth nothing +of the matter! and honest ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, I warrant you! is more a man +of honour than to be an accomplice with a pack of rascals that walk the +streets on nights, and disturb good people in their beds. But he is out, +if he thinks the whole World is blind! for there is one JOHN PARTRIDGE +can smell a knave as far as Grub street, although he lies in the most +exalted garret, and writeth himself "Squire"! But I will keep my temper! +and proceed in the Narration. + +I could not stir out of doors for the space of three months after this; +but presently one comes up to me in the street: "Mr. PARTRIDGE, that +coffin you were last buried in, I have not yet been paid for." + +"Doctor!" cries another dog, "How do you think people can live by making +graves for nothing? Next time you die, you may even toll out the bell +yourself, for NED!" + +A third rogue tips me by the elbow, and wonders "how I have the +conscience to sneak abroad, without paying my funeral expenses." + +"Lord!" says one, "I durst have sworn that was honest Dr. PARTRIDGE, my +old friend; but, poor man, he is gone!" + +"I beg your pardon," says another, "you look so like my old acquaintance +that I used to consult on some private occasions: but, alack, he is gone +the way of all flesh." + +"Look, look!" cries a third, after a competent space of staring at me; +"would not one think our neighbour the _Almanack_ maker was crept out of +his grave, to take another peep at the stars in this world, and shew how +much he is improved in fortune telling by having taken a journey to the +other." + +Nay, the very Reader of our parish (a good sober discreet person) has +sent two or three times for me to come and be buried decently, or send +him sufficient reasons to the contrary: or if I have been interred in any +other parish, to produce my certificate as the _Act_ requires. + +My poor wife is almost run distracted with being called Widow PARTRIDGE, +when she knows it's false: and once a Term, she is cited into the Court, +to take out Letters of Administration. + +But the greatest grievance is a paltry Quack that takes up my calling +just under my nose; and in his printed directions with a, _N.B._, says: +_He lives in the house of the late ingenious Mr. JOHN PARTRIDGE, an +eminent Practitioner in Leather, Physic, and Astrology_. + +But to shew how far the wicked spirit of envy, malice, and resentment can +hurry some men, my nameless old persecutor had provided a monument at the +stone-cutter's, and would have it erected in the parish church: and this +piece of notorious and expensive villany had actually succeeded, if I had +not used my utmost interest with the Vestry; where it was carried at last +but by two voices, that I am alive. + +That stratagem failing, out cometh a long sable _Elegy_ bedecked with +hour-glasses, mattocks, skulls, spades, and skeletons, with an _Epitaph_ +[_see_ p. 486] as confidently written to abuse me and my profession, as +if I had been under ground these twenty years. + +And, after such barbarous treatment as this, can the World blame me, when +I ask, What is become of the freedom of an Englishman? and, Where is the +Liberty and Property that my old glorious Friend [_WILLIAM III_.] came +over to assert? We have driven Popery out of the nation! and sent Slavery +to foreign climes! The Arts only remain in bondage, when a Man of Science +and Character shall be openly insulted! in the midst of the many useful +services he is daily paying the public. Was it ever heard, even in Turkey +or Algiers, that a State Astrologer was bantered out of his life, by an +ignorant impostor? or bawled out of the world, by a pack of villanous +deep-mouthed hawkers? + +Though I print _Almanacks_, and publish _Advertisements_; although I +produce certificates under the Minister's and Churchwardens' hands, that +I am alive: and attest the same, on oath, at Quarter Sessions: out comes +_A full and true Relation of the death and interment of JOHN PARTRIDGE_. +Truth is borne down; Attestations, neglected; the testimony of sober +persons, despised: and a man is looked upon by his neighbours as if he +had been seven years dead, and is buried alive in the midst of his +friends and acquaintance. + +Now can any man of common sense think it consistent with the honour of my +profession, and not much beneath the dignity of a philosopher, to stand +bawling, before his own door, "Alive! Alive! Ho! the famous Doctor +PARTRIDGE! no counterfeit, but all alive!" as if I had the twelve +celestial Monsters of the Zodiac to shew within, or was forced for a +livelihood, to turn retailer to May and Bartholomew Fairs. + +Therefore, if Her Majesty would but graciously be pleased to think a +hardship of this nature worthy her royal consideration; and the next +Parl[ia]m[en]t, in their great wisdom, cast but an eye towards the +deplorable case of their old _Philomath_ that annually bestoweth his +poetical good wishes on them: I am sure there is one ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, +Esquire, would soon be trussed up! for his bloody persecution, and +putting good subjects in terror of their lives. And that henceforward, to +murder a man by way of Prophecy, and bury him in a printed _Letter_, +either _to a Lord_ or Commoner, shall as legally entitle him to the +present possession of Tyburn, as if he robbed on the highway, or cut your +throat in bed. + + + +_Advertisement_. + +N.B.: _There is now in the Press, my Appeal to the Learned; Or my general +Invitation to all Astrologers, Divines, Physicians, Lawyers, +Mathematicians, Philologers, and to the_ Literati _of the whole World, to +come and take their Places in the Common Court of Knowledge, and receive +the Charge given in by me, against ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esq., that most +notorious Impostor in Science and illiterate Pretender to the Stars; +where I shall openly convict him of ignorance in his profession, +impudence and falsehood in every assertion, to the great detriment and +scandal of Astrology. I shall further demonstrate to the Judicious, that +France and Rome are at the bottom of this horrid conspiracy against me; +and that the Culprit aforesaid is a Popish emissary, has paid his visits +to St. Germains, and is now in the Measures of LEWIS XIV.; that in +attempting my reputation, there is a general Massacre of Learning +designed in these realms; and, through my sides, there is a wound given +to all the Protestant_ Almanack _makers in the universe_. + +Vivat Regina! + + +Not satisfied with this _Impartial Account_, when next Almanack time came +(in the following November, 1708), PARTRIDGE's _Almanack_ for 1709 [P.P. +2465/8] contained the following: + +You may remember that there was a Paper published predicting my death +upon the 29th March at night, 1708, and after the day was past, the same +villain told the World I was dead, and how I died, and that he was with +me at the time of my death. + +I thank GOD, by whose mercy I have my Being, that I am still alive, and +(excepting my age) as well as ever I was in my life: as I was also at +that 29th of March. And that Paper was said to be done by one +BICKERSTAFF, Esq. But that was a sham name, it was done by an impudent +lying fellow. + +But his Prediction did not prove true! What will he say to that? For the +fool had considered the "Star of my Nativity" as he said. Why the truth +is, he will be hard put to it to find a _salvo_ for his Honour. It was a +bold touch! and he did not know but it might prove true. + +One hardly knows whether to wonder most at the self-delusion or credulity +of this last paragraph by the old quack. + +This called forth from SWIFT: + + + +A VINDICATION OF ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esq., &c. + +MR. PARTRIDGE hath been lately pleased to treat me after a very rough +manner, in that which is called his _Almanack_ for the present year. Such +usage is very undecent from one Gentleman to another, and does not at all +contribute to the discovery of Truth, which ought to be the great End in +all disputes of the Learned. To call a man, _fool_, and _villain_, and +_impudent fellow_, only for differing from him in a point merely +speculative, is, in my humble opinion, a very improper style for a person +of his Education. + +I appeal to the Learned World, whether, in my last year's _Predictions_, +I gave him the least provocation for such unworthy treatment. +Philosophers have differed in all Ages; but the discreetest among them, +have always differed as became Philosophers. Scurrility and Passion in a +Controversy among Scholars, is just so much of nothing to the purpose; +and, at best, a tacit confession of a weak cause. + +My concern is not so much for my own reputation, as that of the Republic +of Letters; which Mr. PARTRIDGE hath endeavoured to wound through my +sides. If men of public spirit must be superciliously treated for their +ingenious attempts; how will true useful knowledge be ever advanced? I +wish Mr. PARTRIDGE knew the thoughts which foreign Universities have +conceived of his ungenerous proceeding with me: but I am too tender of +his reputation to publish them to the World. That spirit of envy and +pride, which blasts so many rising Geniuses in our nation, is yet unknown +among Professors abroad. The necessity of justifying myself will excuse my +vanity, when I tell the reader that I have received nearly a hundred +Honorary Letters from several part of Europe, some as far as Muscovey, in +praise of my performance: besides several others, which (as I have been +credibly informed) were opened in the P[ost] Office, and never sent me. + +It is true, the Inquisition in P[ortuga]l was pleased to burn my +_Predictions_ [_A fact, as Sir PAUL METHUEN, the English Ambassador +there, informed SWIFT_], and condemned the Author and the readers of +them: but, I hope at the same time, it will be considered in how +deplorable a state Learning lieth at present in that Kingdom. And, with +the profoundest reverence for crowned heads, I will presume to add, that +it a little concerned His Majesty of Portugal to interpose his authority +in behalf of a Scholar and a Gentleman, the subject of a nation with +which he is now in so strict an alliance. + +But the other Kingdoms and States of Europe have treated me with more +candour and generosity. If I had leave to print the Latin letters +transmitted to me from foreign parts, they would fill a Volume! and be a +full defence against all that Mr. PARTRIDGE, or his accomplices of the +P[ortuga]l Inquisition, will be ever able to object: who, by the way, are +the only enemies my _Predictions_ have ever met with, at home or abroad. +But I hope I know better what is due to the honour of a Learned +Correspondence in so tender a point. + +Yet some of those illustrious Persons will, perhaps, excuse me for +transcribing a passage or two, in my own vindication. + +[15]The most learned Monsieur LEIBNITZ thus addresseth to me his third +Letter, _Illustrissimo BICKERSTAFFIO Astrologico Instauratori, &c._ +Monsieur LE CLERC, quoting my _Predictions_ in a treatise he published +last year, is pleased to say, _Ita, nuperrime BICKERSTAFFIUS, magnum +illud Angliae sidus_. Another great Professor writing of me, has these +words, _BICKERSTAFFIUS nobilis Anglus, Astrologarum hujusce seculi facile +Princeps_. Signior MAGLIABECCHI, the Great Duke's famous Library Keeper, +spendeth almost his whole Letter in compliments and praises. It is true +the renowned Professor of Astronomy at Utrecht seemeth to differ from me +in one article; but it is after the modest manner that becometh a +Philosopher, as _Pace tanti viri dixerim_: and, page 55, he seemeth to +lay the error upon the printer, as, indeed it ought, and sayeth, _vel +forsan error typographi, cum alioquin BICKERSTAFFIUS vir doctissimus, &c_. + +If Mr. PARTRIDGE had followed these examples in the controversy between +us, he might have spared me the trouble of justifying myself in so public +a manner. I believe few men are readier to own their error than I, or more +thankful to those who will please to inform him of them. But it seems this +Gentleman, instead of encouraging the progress of his own Art, is pleased +to look upon all Attempts of this kind as an invasion of his Province. + +He has been indeed so wise, as to make no objection against the truth of +my _Predictions_, except in one single point, relating to himself. And to +demonstrate how much men are blinded by their own partiality, I do +solemnly assure the reader, that he is the _only_ person from whom I ever +heard that objection offered! which consideration alone, I think, will +take off its weight. + +With my utmost endeavours, I have not been able to trace above two +Objections ever made against the truth of my last year's _Prophecies_. + +The first was of a Frenchman, who was pleased to publish to the World, +that _the Cardinal DE NOAILLES was still alive, notwithstanding the +pretended Prophecy of Monsieur BIQUERSTAFFE_. But how far a Frenchman, a +Papist, and an enemy is to be believed, in his own cause, against an +English Protestant, who is _true to the Government_, I shall leave to the +candid and impartial reader! + +The other objection is the unhappy occasion of this Discourse, and +relateth to an article in my _Predictions_, which foretold the death of +Mr. PARTRIDGE to happen on March 29, 1708. _This_, he is pleased to +contradict absolutely, in the _Almanack_ he has published for the present +year; and in that ungentlemanly manner (pardon the expression!) as I have +above related. + +In that Work, he very roundly asserts that _he is not only now alive, but +was likewise alive upon that very 29th of March, when I had foretold he +should die_. + +This is the subject of the present Controversy between us, which I design +to handle with all brevity, perspicuity, and calmness. In this dispute, I +am sensible the eyes, not only of England, but of all Europe will be upon +us: and the Learned in every country will, I doubt not, take part on that +side where they find most appearance of Reason and Truth. + +Without entering into criticisms of Chronology about the hour of his +death, I shall only prove that _Mr. PARTRIDGE is not alive_. + +And my first argument is thus. Above a thousand Gentlemen having bought +his _Almanack_ for this year, merely to find what he said against me: at +every line they read, they would lift up their eyes, and cry out, between +rage and laughter, _They were sure, no man alive ever wrote such stuff as +this!_ Neither did I ever hear that opinion disputed. So that Mr. +PARTRIDGE lieth under a dilemma, either of disowning his _Almanack_, or +allowing himself to be _no man alive_. + +Death is defined by all Philosophers [as] a separation of the soul and +body. Now it is certain that the poor woman [_Mrs. PARTRIDGE_] who has +best reason to know, has gone about, for some time, to every alley in the +neighbourhood, and swore to her gossips that _her husband had neither life +nor soul in him_. Therefore, if an _uninformed_ Carcass walks still about +and is pleased to call itself PARTRIDGE; Mr. BICKERSTAFF doth not think +himself any way answerable for that! Neither had the said Carcass any +right to beat the poor boy, who happened to pass by it in the street, +crying _A full and true Account of Dr. PARTRIDGE's death, &c_. + +SECONDLY. Mr. PARTRIDGE pretendeth to tell fortunes and recover stolen +goods, which all the parish says, he must do by conversing with the Devil +and other evil spirits: and no wise man will ever allow, he could converse +personally with either, until after he was dead. + +THIRDLY. I will plainly prove him to be dead out of his own _Almanack_ +for this year; and from the very passage which he produceth to make us +think him alive. He there sayeth, _He is not only_ now _alive, but was +also alive upon that very 29th of March, which I foretold he should die +on_. By this, he declareth his opinion that a man may be alive _now_, who +was not alive a twelve month ago. And, indeed, here lies the sophistry of +his argument. He dareth not assert he was alive _ever since the 29th of +March_! but that he is _now alive_, and _was so on that day_. I grant the +latter, for he did not die until night, as appeareth in a printed account +of his death, in a _Letter to a Lord_; and whether he be since revived, I +leave the World to judge! This indeed is perfect cavilling; and I am +ashamed to dwell any longer upon it. + +FOURTHLY. I will appeal to Mr. PARTRIDGE himself, whether it be probable +I could have been so indiscreet as to begin my _Predictions_ with the +_only_ falsehood that ever was pretended to be in them! and this in an +affair at home, where I had so many opportunities to be exact, and must +have given such advantages against me, to a person of Mr. PARTRIDGE's Wit +and Learning: who, if he could possibly have raised one single objection +more against the truth of my Prophecies, would hardly have spared me! + +And here I must take occasion to reprove the above-mentioned Writer +[i.e., SWIFT _himself, see_ p. 482] of the Relation of Mr. PARTRIDGE's +death, in a _Letter to a Lord_, who was pleased to tax me with a mistake +of _four whole hours_ in my calculation of that event. I must confess, +this censure, pronounced with an air of certainty, in a matter that so +nearly concerned me, and by a grave _judicious_ author, moved me not a +little. But though I was at that time out of Town, yet several of my +friends, whose curiosity had led them to be exactly informed (as for my +own part; having no doubt at all of the matter, I never once thought of +it!) assured me, I computed to something under half an hour: which (I +speak my private opinion!) is an error of no very great magnitude, that +men should raise clamour about it! + +I shall only say, it would not be amiss, if that Author would henceforth +be more tender of other men's reputation, as well as of his own! It is +well there were no more mistakes of that kind: if there had been, I +presume he would have told me of them, with as little ceremony. + +There is one objection against Mr. PARTRIDGE's death, which I have +sometimes met with, although indeed very slightly offered, That he still +continueth to write _Almanacks_. But this is no more than what is common +to all of that Profession. _GADBURY, Poor Robin, DOVE, WING_, and several +others, do yearly publish their _Almanacks_, though several of them have +been dead since before the Revolution. Now the natural reason of this I +take to be, that whereas it is the privilege of other Authors, _to live_ +after their deaths; _Almanack_ makers are only excluded, because their +Dissertations, treating only upon the Minutes as they pass, become +useless as those go off: in consideration of which, Time, whose Registers +they are, gives them a lease in reversion, to continue their Works after +their death. Or, perhaps, a _Name_ can _make_ an _Almanack_ as well as +_sell_ one. And to strengthen this conjecture, I have heard the +booksellers affirm, that they have desired Mr. PARTRIDGE to spare himself +further trouble, and only to lend his Name; which could make _Almanacks_ +much better than himself. + +I should not have given the Public or myself, the trouble of this +_Vindication_, if my name had not been made use of by several persons, to +whom I never lent it: one of which, a few days ago, was pleased to father +on me, a new set of _Predictions_. But I think these are things too +serious to be trifled with. It grieved me to the heart, when I saw my +Labours, which had cost me so much thought and watching, bawled about by +the common hawkers of Grub street, which I only intended for the weighty +consideration of the gravest persons. This prejudiced the World so much +at first, that several of my friends had the assurance to ask me, +"Whether I were in jest?" To which I only answered coldly, that "the +event will shew!" But it is the talent of our Age and nation to turn +things of the greatest importance into ridicule. When the end of the year +had _verified all_ my _Predictions_; out cometh Mr. PARTRIDGE's +_Almanack!_ disputing the point of his death. So that I am employed, like +the General who was forced to kill his enemies twice over, whom a +necromancer had raised to life. If Mr. PARTRIDGE has practised the same +experiment upon himself, and be again alive; long may he continue so! But +that doth not, in the least, contradict my veracity! For I think I have +clearly proved, _by invincible demonstration_, that he died, at farthest, +within half an hour of the time I foretold [; and not four hours sooner, +as the above-mentioned Author, in his _Letter to a Lord_ hath maliciously +suggested, with a design to blast my credit, by charging me with so gross +a mistake]. + +FINIS. + + +Under the combined assault of the Wits, PARTRIDGE ceased to publish his +_Almanack_ for a while; but afterwards took heart again, publishing his +"_Merlinus Redivivus_, being an Almanack for the year 1714, by JOHN +PARTRIDGE, a Lover of Truth [P.P. 2465/6];" at p. 2 of which is the +following epistle. + + +To ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esq. + +SIR, + +There seems to be a kind of fantastical propriety in a dead man's +addressing himself to a person not in Being. ISAAC BICKERSTAFF [_i.e., +RICHARD STEELE_] is no more [_the_ Tatler _having come to an end_], and I +have now nothing to dispute with on the subject of his fictions concerning +me, _sed magni nominis umbra_, "a shadow only, and a mighty name." + +I have indeed been for some years silent, or, in the language of Mr. +BICKERSTAFF, "dead"; yet like many an old man that is reported so by his +heirs, I have lived long enough to bury my successor [_the_ Tatler +_having been discontinued_]. In short, I am returned to Being after you +have left it; and since you were once pleased to call yourself my +brother-astrologer, the world may be apt to compare our story to that of +the twin-stars CASTOR and POLLUX, and say it was our destiny, not to +appear together, but according to the fable, to live and die by turns. + +Now, Sir, my intention in this Epistle is to let you know that I shall +behave myself in my new Being with as much moderation as possible, and +that I have no longer any quarrel with you [_i.e., STEELE_], for the +accounts you inserted in your writings [_the joke was continued in the_ +Tatler] concerning my death, being sensible that you were no less abused +in that particular than myself. + +The person from whom you took up that report, I know, was your namesake, +the author of BICKERSTAFF's _Predictions_, a notorious cheat.[16] And if +you had been indeed as much an Astrologer as you pretended, you might +have known that his word was no more to be taken than that of an Irish +evidence [_SWIFT was now Dean of St. Patrick's_]: that not being the only +_Tale of a Tub_ he had vented. The only satisfaction therefore, I expect +is, that your bookseller in the next edition of your Works [_The +Tatler_], do strike out my name and insert his in the room of it. I have +some thoughts of obliging the World with his nativity, but shall defer +that till another opportunity. + +I have nothing to add further, but only that when you think fit to return +to life again in whatever shape, of Censor [_the designation of the +supposed Writer of the_ Tatler], a _Guardian_, an _Englishman_, or any +other figure, I shall hope you will do justice to + +Your revived friend and servant, + +JOHN PARTRIDGE. + + +On the last leaf of this _Almanack_ is the following notice:-- + +This is to give notice to all people, that all those _Prophecies, +Predictions, Almanacks_, and other pamphlets, that had my name either +true, or shammed with the want of a Letter [_i.e., spelling his name +PARTRIGE instead of PARTRIDGE_]: I say, they are all impudent forgeries, +by a breed of villains, and wholly without my knowledge or consent. And I +doubt not but those beggarly villains that have scarce bread to eat +without being rogues, two or three poor printers and a bookbinder, with +honest BEN, will be at their old Trade again of Prophesying in my name. +This is therefore to give notice, that if there is anything in print in +my name beside this _Almanack_, you may depend on it that it is a lie, +and he is a villain that writes and prints it. + + +In his _Almanack_ for 1715 [P.P. 2465/7], PARTRIDGE says-- + +It is very probable, that the beggarly knavish Crew will be this year +also printing _Prophecies_ and _Predictions_ in my name, to cheat the +country as they used to do. This is therefore to give notice, that if +there is anything of that kind done in my name besides this _Almanack_ +printed by the Company of Stationers, you may be certain it is not mine, +but a cheat, and therefore refuse it. + + +[15] The quotations here, are said to be a parody of those of BENTLEY + in his controversy with BOYLE. + +[16] _Vide_ Dr. S[WI]FT. + + + + +THE PRESENT STATE OF WIT, +IN A LETTER TO A +Friend in the Country. + +_LONDON_: + +Printed in the Year, MDCCXI. +(Price 3_d_.) + + +THE Present State OF WIT, &c. + +SIR, + +You acquaint me in your last, that you are still so busy building at +----, that your friends must not hope to see you in Town this year: at +the same time, you desire me, that you may not be quite at a loss in +conversation among the _beau monde_ next winter, to send you an account +of the present State of Wit in Town: which, without further preface, I +shall endeavour to perform; and give you the histories and characters of +all our Periodical Papers, whether monthly, weekly, or diurnal, with the +same freedom I used to send you our other Town news. + +I shall only premise, that, as you know, I never cared one farthing, +either for Whig or Tory: so I shall consider our Writers purely as they +are such, without any respect to which Party they belong. + +Dr. KING has, for some time, lain down his monthly _Philosophical +Transactions_, which the title-page informed us at first, were only to be +continued as they sold; and though that gentleman has a world of Wit, yet +as it lies in one particular way of raillery, the Town soon grew weary of +his Writings: though I cannot but think that their author deserves a much +better fate than to languish out the small remainder of his life in the +Fleet prison. + +About the same time that the Doctor left off writing, one Mr. OZELL put +out his _Monthly Amusement_; which is still continued: and as it is +generally some French novel or play indifferently translated, it is more +or less taken notice of, as the original piece is more or less agreeable. + +As to our Weekly Papers, the poor _Review_ [_by DANIEL DEFOE_] is quite +exhausted, and grown so very contemptible, that though he has provoked +all his Brothers of the Quill round, none of them will enter into a +controversy with him. This fellow, who had excellent natural parts, but +wanted a small foundation of learning, is a lively instance of those Wits +who, as an ingenious author says, "will endure but one skimming"[!]. + +The _Observator_ was almost in the same condition; but since our party +struggles have run so high, he is much mended for the better: which is +imputed to the charitable assistance of some outlying friends. + +These two authors might however have flourished some time longer, had not +the controversy been taken up by abler hands. + +The _Examiner_ is a paper which all men, who speak without prejudice, +allow to be well written. Though his subject will admit of no great +variety; he is continually placing it in so many different lights, and +endeavouring to inculcate the same thing by so many beautiful changes of +expression, that men who are concerned in no Party, may read him with +pleasure. His way of assuming the Question in debate is extremely artful; +and his _Letter to Crassus_ is, I think, a masterpiece. As these Papers +are supposed to have been written by several hands, the critics will tell +you that they can discern a difference in their styles and beauties; and +pretend to observe that the first _Examiners_ abound chiefly in Wit, the +last in Humour. + +Soon after their first appearance, came out a Paper from the other side, +called the _Whig Examiner_, written with so much fire, and in so +excellent a style, as put the Tories in no small pain for their favourite +hero. Every one cried, "_BICKERSTAFF_ must be the author!" and people were +the more confirmed in this opinion, upon its being so soon laid down: +which seemed to shew that it was only written to bind the _Examiners_ to +their good behaviour, and was never designed to be a Weekly Paper. + +The _Examiners_, therefore, have no one to combat with, at present, but +their friend the _Medley_: the author of which Paper, though he seems to +be a man of good sense, and expresses it luckily now and then, is, I +think, for the most part, perfectly a stranger to fine writing. + +I presume I need not tell you that the _Examiner_ carries much the more +sail, as it is supposed to be written by the direction, and under the eye +of some Great Persons who sit at the helm of affairs, and is consequently +looked on as a sort of Public Notice which way they are steering us. + +The reputed author is Dr. S[WIF]T, with the assistance, sometimes, of Dr. +ATT[ERBUR]Y and Mr. P[RIO]R. + +The _Medley_ is said to be written by Mr. OLD[MIXO]N; and supervised by +Mr. MAYN[WARIN]G, who perhaps might entirely write those few Papers which +are so much better than the rest. + +Before I proceed further in the account of our Weekly Papers, it will be +necessary to inform you that at the beginning of the winter [_on Jan. 2_, +1711], to the infinite surprise of all men, Mr. STEELE flang up his +_Tatler_; and instead of _ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esquire_, subscribed himself +RICHARD STEELE to the last of those Papers, after a handsome compliment to +the Town for their kind acceptance of his endeavours to divert them. + +The chief reason he thought fit to give for his leaving off writing was, +that having been so long looked on in all public places and companies as +the Author of those papers, he found that his most intimate friends and +acquaintance were in pain to speak or act before him. + +The Town was very far from being satisfied with this reason, and most +people judged the true cause to be, either + + That he was quite spent, and wanted matter to continue his + undertaking any longer; or + + That he laid it down as a sort of submission to, and composition + with, the Government, for some past offences; + + or, lastly, + + That he had a mind to vary his Shape, and appear again in some new + light. + +However that were, his disappearance seemed to be bewailed as some +general calamity. Every one wanted so agreeable an amusement, and the +Coffee-houses began to be sensible that the _Esquire's Lucubrations_ +alone had brought them more customers, than all their other News Papers +put together. + +It must indeed be confessed that never man threw up his pen, under +stronger temptations to have employed it longer. His reputation was at a +greater height, than I believe ever any living author's was before him. +It is reasonable to suppose that his gains were proportionably +considerable. Every one read him with pleasure and good-will; and the +Tories, in respect to his other good qualities, had almost forgiven his +unaccountable imprudence in declaring against them. + +Lastly, it was highly improbable that, if he threw off a Character the +ideas of which were so strongly impressed in every one's mind, however +finely he might write in any new form, that he should meet with the same +reception. + +To give you my own thoughts of this Gentleman's Writings, I shall, in the +first place, observe, that there is a noble difference between him and all +the rest of our Polite and Gallant Authors. The latter have endeavoured to +please the Age by falling in with them, and encouraging them in their +fashionable vices and false notions of things. It would have been a jest, +some time since, for a man to have asserted that anything witty could be +said in praise of a married state, or that Devotion and Virtue were any +way necessary to the character of a Fine Gentleman. _BICKERSTAFF_ +ventured to tell the Town that they were a parcel of fops, fools, and +coquettes; but in such a manner as even pleased them, and made them more +than half inclined to believe that he spoke truth. + +Instead of complying with the false sentiments or vicious tastes of the +Age--either in morality, criticism, or good breeding--he has boldly +assured them, that they were altogether in the wrong; and commanded them, +with an authority which perfectly well became him, to surrender themselves +to his arguments for Virtue and Good Sense. + +It is incredible to conceive the effect his writings have had on the +Town; how many thousand follies they have either quite banished or given +a very great check to! how much countenance, they have added to Virtue +and Religion! how many people they have rendered happy, by shewing them +it was their own fault if they were not so! and, lastly, how entirely +they have convinced our young fops and young fellows of the value and +advantages of Learning! + +He has indeed rescued it out of the hands of pedants and fools, and +discovered the true method of making it amiable and lovely to all +mankind. In the dress he gives it, it is a most welcome guest at +tea-tables and assemblies, and is relished and caressed by the merchants +on the Change. Accordingly there is not a Lady at Court, nor a Banker in +Lombard Street, who is not verily persuaded that Captain STEELE is the +greatest Scholar and best Casuist of any man in England. + +Lastly, his writings have set all our Wits and Men of Letters on a new +way of Thinking, of which they had little or no notion before: and, +although we cannot say that any of them have come up to the beauties of +the original, I think we may venture to affirm, that every one of them +writes and thinks much more justly than they did some time since. + +The vast variety of subjects which Mr. STEELE has treated of, in so +different manners, and yet ALL so perfectly well, made the World believe +that it was impossible they should all come from the same hand. This set +every one upon guessing who was the _Esquire's_ friend? and most people +at first fancied it must be Doctor SWIFT; but it is now no longer a +secret, that his only great and constant assistant was Mr. ADDISON. + +This is that excellent friend to whom Mr. STEELE owes so much; and who +refuses to have his name set before those Pieces which the greatest pens +in England would be proud to own. Indeed, they could hardly add to this +Gentleman's reputation: whose works in Latin and English Poetry long +since convinced the World, that he was the greatest Master in Europe of +those two languages. + +I am assured, from good hands, that all the visions, and other tracts of +that way of writing, with a very great number of the most exquisite +pieces of wit and raillery throughout the _Lucubrations_ are entirely of +this Gentleman's composing: which may, in some measure, account for that +different Genius, which appears In the winter papers, from those of the +summer; at which time, as the _Examiner_ often hinted, this friend of Mr. +STEELE was in Ireland. + +Mr. STEELE confesses in his last Volume of the _Tatlers_ that he is +obliged to Dr. SWIFT for his _Town Shower_, and the _Description of the +Morn_, with some other hints received from him in private conversation. + +I have also heard that several of those _Letters_, which came as from +unknown hands, were written by Mr. HENLEY: which is an answer to your +query, "Who those friends are, whom Mr. STEELE speaks of in his last +_Tatler_?" + +But to proceed with my account of our other papers. The expiration of +_BICKERSTAFF's Lucubrations_ was attended with much the same consequences +as the death of _MELIBOEUS's Ox_ in VIRGIL: as the latter engendered +swarms of bees, the former immediately produced whole swarms of little +satirical scribblers. + +One of these authors called himself the _Growler_, and assured us that, +to make amends for Mr. STEELE's silence, he was resolved to _growl_ at us +weekly, as long as we should think fit to give him any encouragement. +Another Gentleman, with more modesty, called his paper, the _Whisperer_; +and a third, to please the Ladies, christened his, the _Telltale_. + + +At the same time came out several _Tatlers_; each of which, with equal +truth and wit, assured us that he was the genuine _ISAAC BICKERSTAFF_. + +It may be observed that when the _Esquire_ laid down his pen; though he +could not but foresee that several scribblers would soon snatch it up, +which he might (one would think) easily have prevented: he scorned to +take any further care about it, but left the field fairly open to any +worthy successor. Immediately, some of our Wits were for forming +themselves into a Club, headed by one Mr. HARRISON, and trying how they +could shoot in this BOW of ULYSSES; but soon found that this sort of +writing requires so fine and particular a manner of Thinking, with so +exact a Knowledge of the World, as must make them utterly despair of +success. + +They seemed indeed at first to think, that what was only the garnish of +the former _Tatlers_, was that which recommended them; and not those +Substantial Entertainments which they everywhere abound in. According +they were continually talking of their _Maid, Night Cap, Spectacles_, and +CHARLES LILLIE. However there were, now and then, some faint endeavours at +Humour and sparks of Wit: which the Town, for want of better +entertainment, was content to hunt after, through a heap of +impertinences; but even those are, at present, become wholly invisible +and quite swallowed up in the blaze of the _Spectator_. + +You may remember, I told you before, that one cause assigned for the +laying down the _Tatler_ was, Want of Matter; and, indeed, this was the +prevailing opinion in Town: when we were surprised all at once by a paper +called the _Spectator_, which was promised to be continued every day; and +was written in so excellent a style, with so nice a judgment, and such a +noble profusion of Wit and Humour, that it was not difficult to determine +it could come from no other hands but those which had penned the +_Lucubrations_. + +This immediately alarmed these gentlemen, who, as it is said Mr. STEELE +phrases it, had "the Censorship in Commission." They found the new +_Spectator_ came on like a torrent, and swept away all before him. They +despaired ever to equal him in Wit, Humour, or Learning; which had been +their true and certain way of opposing him: and therefore rather chose to +fall on the Author; and to call out for help to all good Christians, by +assuring them again and again that they were the First, Original, True, +and Undisputed _ISAAC BICKERSTAFF_. + +Meanwhile, the _Spectator_, whom we regard as our Shelter from that flood +of false wit and impertinence which was breaking in upon us, is in every +one's hands; and a constant topic for our morning conversation at +tea-tables and coffee-houses. We had at first, indeed, no manner of +notion how a diurnal paper could be continued in the spirit and style of +our present _Spectators_: but, to our no small surprise, we find them +still rising upon us, and can only wonder from whence so prodigious a run +of Wit and Learning can proceed; since some of our best judges seem to +think that they have hitherto, in general, outshone even the _Esquire_'s +first _Tatlers_. + +Most people fancy, from their frequency, that they must be composed by a +Society: I withal assign the first places to Mr. STEELE and his Friend. + +I have often thought that the conjunction of those two great Geniuses, +who seem to stand in a class by themselves, so high above all our other +Wits, resembled that of two statesmen in a late reign, whose characters +are very well expressed in their two mottoes, viz., _Prodesse quam +conspici_ [LORD SOMERS], and _Otium cum dignitate_ [CHARLES MONTAGU, Earl +of HALIFAX]. Accordingly the first [_ADDISON_] was continually at work +behind the curtain, drew up and prepared all those schemes, which the +latter still drove on, and stood out exposed to the World, to receive its +praises or censures. + +Meantime, all our unbiassed well-wishers to Learning are in hopes that +the known Temper and prudence of one of these Gentlemen will hinder the +other from ever lashing out into Party, and rendering that Wit, which is +at present a common good, odious and ungrateful to the better part of the +Nation [_by which, of course, GAY meant the Tories_]. + +If this piece of imprudence does not spoil so excellent a Paper, I +propose to myself the highest satisfaction in reading it with you, over a +dish of tea, every morning next winter. + +As we have yet had nothing new since the _Spectator_, it only remains for +me to assure you, that I am + +Yours, &c., J[OHN] G[AY]. + +_Westminster, May_ 3, 1711. + +_POSTCRIPT_. + +Upon a review of my letter, I find I have quite forgotten the _British +Apollo_; which might possibly have happened, from its having, of late, +retreated out of this end of the Town into the country: where, I am +informed however, that it still recommends itself by deciding wagers at +cards, and giving good advice to shopkeepers and their apprentices. + +_FINIS_. + + + + +THOMAS TICKELL. + +_Life of JOSEPH ADDISON_. + + +[_Preface_ to first edition of ADDISON's _Works_ 1721.] + +JOSEPH ADDISON, the son of LANCELOT ADDISON, D.D., and of JANE, the +daughter of NATHANIEL GULSTON, D.D., and sister of Dr. WILLIAM GULSTON, +Bishop of BRISTOL, was born at Milston, near Ambrosebury, in the county +of Wilts, in the year 1671. + +His father, who was of the county of Westmoreland, and educated at +Queen's College in Oxford, passed many years in his travels through +Europe and Africa; where he joined to the uncommon and excellent talents +of Nature, a great knowledge of Letters and Things: of which, several +books published by him, are ample testimonies. He was Rector of Milston, +above mentioned, when Mr. ADDISON, his eldest son, was born: and +afterwards became Archdeacon of Coventry, and Dean of Lichfield. + +Mr. ADDISON received his first education at the _Chartreuse_ +[_Charterhouse School in London_]; from whence he was removed very early +to Queen's College, in Oxford. He had been there about two years, when +the accidental sight of a Paper of his verses, in the hands of Dr. +LANCASTER, then Dean of that House, occasioned his being elected into +Magdalen College. + +He employed his first years in the study of the old Greek and Roman +Writers; whose language and manner he caught, at that time of life, as +strongly as other young people gain a French accent, or a genteel air. + +An early acquaintance with the Classics is what may be called the Good +Breeding of Poetry, as it gives a certain gracefulness which never +forsakes a mind that contracted it in youth; but is seldom, or never, hit +by those who would learn it too late. + +He first distinguished himself by his Latin compositions, published in +the _Musae Anglicanae_: and was admired as one of the best Authors since +the Augustan Age, in the two universities and the greatest part of +Europe, before he was talked of as a Poet in Town. + +There is not, perhaps, any harder task than to tame the natural wildness +of Wit, and to civilize the Fancy. The generality of our old English +Poets abound in forced conceits and affected phrases; and even those who +are said to come the nearest to exactness, are but too often fond of +unnatural beauties, and aim at something better than perfection. If Mr. +ADDISON's example and precepts be the occasion that there now begins to +be a great demand for Correctness, we may justly attribute it to his +being first fashioned by the ancient Models, and familiarized to +Propriety of Thought and Chastity of Style. + +Our country owes it to him, that the famous Monsieur BOILEAU first +conceived an opinion of the English Genius for Poetry, by perusing the +present he made him of the _Musae Anglicanae_. It has been currently +reported, that this famous French poet, among the civilities he shewed +Mr. ADDISON on that occasion, affirmed that he would not have written +against PERRAULT, had he before seen such excellent Pieces by a modern +hand. Such a saying would have been impertinent, and unworthy [of] +BOILEAU! whose dispute with PERRAULT turned chiefly upon some passages in +the Ancients, which he rescued from the misinterpretations of his +adversary. The true and natural compliment made by him, was that those +books had given him a very new Idea of the English Politeness, and that +he did not question but there were excellent compositions in the native +language of a country, that professed the Roman Genius in so eminent a +degree. + +The first English performance made public by him, is a short copy of +verses _To Mr. DRYDEN_, with a view particularly to his Translations. + +This was soon followed by a Version of the fourth _Georgic_ of VIRGIL; of +which Mr. DRYDEN makes very honourable mention in the _Postscript_ to his +own Translation of VIRGIL's _Works_: wherein, I have often wondered that +he did not, at the same time, acknowledge his obligation to Mr. ADDISON, +for giving the _Essay upon the Georgics_, prefixed to Mr. DRYDEN's +Translation. Lest the honour of so exquisite a piece of criticism should +hereafter be transferred to a wrong Author, I have taken care to insert +it in this Collection of his _Works_. + +Of some other copies of Verses, printed in the _Miscellanies_ while he +was young, the largest is _An Account of the greatest English Poets_; in +the close of which, he insinuates a design he then had of going into Holy +Orders, to which he was strongly importuned by his father. His remarkable +seriousness and modesty, which might have been urged as powerful reasons +for his choosing that life, proved the chief obstacles to it. These +qualities, by which the Priesthood is so much adorned, represented the +duties of it as too weighty for him, and rendered him still the more +worthy of that honour, which they made him decline. It is happy that this +very circumstance has since turned so much to the advantage of Virtue and +Religion; in the cause of which, he has bestowed his labours the more +successfully, as they were his voluntary, not his necessary employment. +The World became insensibly reconciled to Wisdom and Goodness, when they +saw them recommended by him, with at least as much Spirit and Elegance as +they had been ridiculed [with] for half a century. + +He was in his twenty-eighth year [1699], when his inclination to see +France and Italy was encouraged by the great Lord Chancellor SOMERS, one +of that kind of patriots who think it no waste of the Public Treasure, to +purchase Politeness to their country. His Poem upon one of King WILLIAM's +Campaigns, addressed to his Lordship, was received with great humanity; +and occasioned a message from him to the Author, to desire his +acquaintance. + +He soon after obtained, by his Interest, a yearly pension of three +hundred pounds from the Crown, to support him in his travels. If the +uncommonness of a favour, and the distinction of the person who confers +it, enhance its value; nothing could be more honourable to a young Man of +Learning, than such a bounty from so eminent a Patron. + +How well Mr. ADDISON answered the expectations of my Lord SOMERS, cannot +appear better than from the book of _Travels_, he dedicated to his +Lordship at his return. It is not hard to conceive why that performance +was at first but indifferently relished by the bulk of readers; who +expected an Account, in a common way, of the customs and policies of the +several Governments In Italy, reflections upon the Genius of the people, +a Map [_description_] of the Provinces, or a measure of their buildings. +How were they disappointed! when, instead of such particulars, they were +presented only with a Journal of Poetical Travels, with Remarks on the +present picture of the country compared with the landskips [_landscapes_] +drawn by Classic Authors, and others the like unconcerning parts of +knowledge! One may easily imagine a reader of plain sense but without a +fine taste, turning over these parts of the Volume which make more than +half of it, and wondering how an Author who seems to have so solid an +understanding when he treats of more weighty subjects in the other pages, +should dwell upon such trifles, and give up so much room to matters of +mere amusement. There are indeed but few men so fond of the Ancients, as +to be transported with every little accident which introduces to their +intimate acquaintance. Persons of that cast may here have the +satisfaction of seeing Annotations upon an old Roman Poem, gathered from +the hills and valleys where it was written. The Tiber and the Po serve to +explain the verses which were made upon their banks; and the Alps and +Apennines are made Commentators on those Authors, to whom they were +subjects, so many centuries ago. + +Next to personal conversation with the Writers themselves, this is the +surest way of coming at their sense; a compendious and engaging kind of +Criticism which convinces at first sight, and shews the vanity of +conjectures made by Antiquaries at a distance. If the knowledge of Polite +Literature has its use, there is certainly a merit in illustrating the +Perfect Models of it; and the Learned World will think some years of a +man's life not misspent in so elegant an employment. I shall conclude +what I had to say on this Performance, by observing that the fame of it +increased from year to year; and the demand for copies was so urgent, +that their price rose to four or five times the original value, before it +came out in a second edition. + +The _Letter from Italy_ to my Lord HALIFAX may be considered as the Text, +upon which the book of _Travels_ is a large Comment; and has been esteemed +by those who have a relish for Antiquity, as the most exquisite of his +poetical performances. A Translation of it, by Signor SALVINI, Professor +of the Greek tongue, at Florence, is inserted in this edition; not only +on account of its merit, but because it is the language of the country, +which is the subject of the Poem. + +The materials for the _Dialogues upon Medals_, now first printed from a +manuscript of the Author, were collected in the native country of those +coins. The book itself was begun to be cast in form, at Vienna; as +appears from a letter to Mr. STEPNEY, then Minister at that Court, dated +in November, 1702. + +Some time before the date of this letter, Mr. ADDISON had designed to +return to England; when he received advice from his friends that he was +pitched upon to attend the army under Prince EUGENE, who had just begun +the war in Italy, as Secretary from His Majesty. But an account of the +death of King WILLIAM, which he met with at Geneva, put an end to that +thought: and, as his hopes of advancement in his own country, were fallen +with the credit of his friends, who were out of power at the beginning of +her late Majesty's reign, he had leisure to make the tour of Germany, in +his way home. + +He remained, for some time after his return to England, without any +public employment: which he did not obtain till the year 1704, when the +Duke of MARLBOROUGH arrived at the highest pitch of glory, by delivering +all Europe from slavery; and furnished Mr. ADDISON with a subject worthy +of that Genius which appears in his Poem, called _The Campaign_. + +Lord Treasurer GODOLPHIN, who was a fine judge of poetry, had a sight of +this Work when it was only carried on as far as the applauded simile of +the Angel; and approved of the Poem, by bestowing on the Author, in a few +days after, the place of Commissioner of Appeals, vacant by the removal of +the famous Mr. [JOHN] LOCKE to the Council of Trade. + +His next advancement was to the place of Under Secretary, which he held +under Sir CHARLES HEDGES, and the present Earl of SUNDERLAND. The opera +of _Rosamond_ was written while he possessed that employment. What doubts +soever have been raised about the merit of the Music, which, as the +Italian taste at that time began wholly to prevail, was thought +sufficient inexcusable, because it was the composition of an Englishman; +the Poetry of this Piece has given as much pleasure in the closet, as +others have afforded from the Stage, with all the assistance of voices +and instruments. + +The Comedy called _The Tender Husband_ appeared much about the same time; +to which Mr. ADDISON wrote the _Prologue_. Sir RICHARD STEELE surprised +him with a very handsome _Dedication_ of his Play; and has since +acquainted the Public, that he owed some of the most taking scenes of it, +to Mr. ADDISON. + +His next step in his fortune, was to the post of Secretary under the late +Marquis of WHARTON, who was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, in the +year 1709. As I have proposed to touch but very lightly on those parts of +his life, which do not regard him as an Author; I shall not enlarge upon +the great reputation he acquired, by his turn for business, and his +unblemished integrity, in this and other employments. + + +It must not be omitted here, that the salary of Keeper of the Records in +Ireland was considerably raised, and that post bestowed upon him at this +time, as a mark of the Queen's favour. + +He was in that Kingdom, when he first discovered Sir RICHARD STEELE to be +the Author of the _Tatler_, by an observation upon _VIRGIL_, which had +been by him communicated to his friend. The assistance he occasionally +gave him afterwards, in the course of the Paper, did not a little +contribute to advance its reputation; and, upon the Change of the +Ministry, he found leisure to engage more constantly in that Work: which, +however, was dropped at last, as it had been taken up, without his +participation. + +In the last Paper, which closed those celebrated Performances, and in the +_Preface_ to the last Volume, Sir RICHARD STEELE has given to Mr. ADDISON, +the honour of the most applauded Pieces in that Collection. But as that +acknowledgement was delivered only in general terms, without directing +the Public to the several Papers; Mr. ADDISON (who was content with the +praise arising from his own Works, and too delicate to take any part of +that which belonged to others), afterwards, thought fit to distinguish +his Writings in the _Spectators_ and _Guardians_, by such marks as might +remove the least possibility of mistake in the most undiscerning readers. + +It was necessary that his share in the _Tatlers_ should be adjusted in a +complete Collection of his _Works_: for which reason, Sir RICHARD STEELE, +in compliance with the request of his deceased friend, delivered to him by +the Editor, was pleased to mark with his own hand, those _Tatlers_, which +are inserted in this edition; and even to point out several, in the +writing of which, they were both concerned. + +The Plan of the _Spectator_, as far as regards the feigned Person of +the Author, and of the several Characters that compose his Club, was +projected in concert with Sir RICHARD STEELE. And because many passages +in the course of the Work would otherwise be obscure, I have taken leave +to insert one single Paper written by Sir RICHARD STEELE, wherein those +Characters are drawn; which may serve as a _Dramatis Personae_, or as so +many pictures for an ornament and explication of the whole. + +As for the distinct Papers, they were never or seldom shewn to each +other, by their respective Authors; who fully answered the Promise they +had made, and far outwent the Expectation they had raised, of pursuing +their Labour in the same Spirit and Strength with which it was begun. + +It would have been impossible for Mr. ADDISON (who made little or no use +of letters sent in, by the numerous correspondents of the _Spectator_) to +have executed his large share of his task in so exquisite a manner; if he +had not engrafted into it many Pieces that had lain by him, in little +hints and minutes, which he from time to time collected and ranged in +order, and moulded into the form in which they now appear. Such are the +Essays upon _Wit_, the _Pleasures of the Imagination_, the _Critique upon +MILTON_, and some others: which I thought to have connected in a continued +Series in this Edition, though they were at first published with the +interruption of writings on different subjects. But as such a scheme +would have obliged me to cut off several graceful introductions and +circumstances peculiarly adapted to the time and occasion of printing +then; I durst not pursue that attempt. + +The Tragedy of CATO appeared in public in the year 1713; when the +greatest part of the last _Act_ was added by the Author, to the foregoing +which he had kept by him for many years. He took up a design of writing a +play upon this subject, when he was very young at the University; and +even attempted something in it there, though not a line as it now stands. +The work was performed by him in his travels, and retouched in England, +without any formed resolution of bringing it upon the Stage, until his +friends of the first Quality and Distinction prevailed on him, to put the +last finishing to it, at a time when they thought the Doctrine of Liberty +very seasonable. + +It is in everybody's memory, with what applause it was received by the +Public; that the first run of it lasted for a month, and then stopped +only because one of the performers became incapable of acting a principal +part. + +The Author received a message that the Queen would be pleased to have it +dedicated to her: but as he had designed that compliment elsewhere, he +found himself obliged, by his duty on the one side, and his honour on the +other, to send it into the World without any _Dedication_. + +The fame of this tragedy soon spread through Europe; and it has not only +been translated, but acted in most of the languages of Christendom. The +Translation of it into Italian by Signor SALVINI is very well known: but +I have not been able to learn, whether that of Signor VALETTA, a young +Neapolitan Nobleman, has ever been made public. + +If he had found time for the writing of another tragedy, the Death of +SOCRATES would have been the story. And, however unpromising that subject +may appear; it would be presumptuous to censure his choice, who was so +famous for raising the noblest plants from the most barren soil. It +serves to shew that he thought the whole labour of such a Performance +unworthy to be thrown away upon those Intrigues and Adventures, to which +the romantic taste has confined Modern Tragedy: and, after the example of +his predecessors in Greece, would have employed the Drama _to wear out of +our minds everything that is mean or little, to cherish and cultivate +that Humanity which is the ornament of our nature, to soften Insolence, +to soothe Affliction, and to subdue our minds to the dispensations of +Providence_. (_Spectator_, No. 39.) + +Upon the death of the late Queen, the Lords Justices, in whom the +Administration was lodged, appointed him their Secretary. + +Soon after His Majesty's arrival in Great Britain, the Earl of +SUNDERLAND, being constituted Lord Lieutenant of Ireland; Mr. ADDISON +became, a second time, Secretary for the Affairs of that Kingdom: and was +made one of the Lords Commissioners of Trade, a little after his Lordship +resigned the post of Lord Lieutenant. + +The Paper called the _Freeholder_, was undertaken at the time when the +Rebellion broke out in Scotland. + +The only Works he left behind for the Public, are the _Dialogues upon +medals_, and the Treatise upon the _Christian Religion_. Some account has +been already given of the former: to which nothing is now to be added, +except that a great part of the Latin quotations were rendered into +English in a very hasty manner by the Editor and one of his friends who +had the good nature to assist him, during his avocations of business. It +was thought better to add these translations, such as they are; than to +let the Work come out unintelligible to those who do not possess the +learned languages. + +The Scheme for the Treatise upon the _Christian Religion_ was formed by +the Author, about the end of the late Queen's reign; at which time, he +carefully perused the ancient Writings, which furnish the materials for +it. His continual employment in business prevented him from executing it, +until he resigned his office of Secretary of State; and his death put a +period to it, when he had imperfectly performed only one half of the +design: he having proposed, as appears from the Introduction, to add the +Jewish to the Heathen testimonies for the truth of the Christian History. +He was more assiduous than his health would well allow, in the pursuit of +this Work: and had long determined to dedicate his Poetry also, for the +future, wholly to religious subjects. + +Soon after, he was, from being one of the Lords Commissioners of Trade, +advanced to the post of Secretary of State; he found his health impaired +by the return of that asthmatic indisposition; which continued often, to +afflict him during his exercise of that employment: and, at last, obliged +him to beg His Majesty's leave to resign. + +His freedom from the anxiety of business so far re-established his +health, that his friends began to hope he might last for many years: but +(whether it were from a life too sedentary; or from his natural +constitution, in which was one circumstance very remarkable, that, from +his cradle, he never had a regular pulse) a long and painful relapse into +an asthma and dropsy deprived the World of this great man, on the 17th of +June, 1719. + +He left behind him only one daughter, by the Countess of WARWICK; to whom +he was married in the year 1716. + +Not many days before his death, he gave me directions to collect his +Writings, and at the same time committed to my care the _Letter_ +addressed to _Mr. CRAGGS_, his successor as Secretary of State, wherein +he bequeaths them to him, as a token of friendship. + +Such a testimony, from the First Man of our Age, in such a point of time, +will be perhaps as great and lasting an honour to that Gentleman as any +even he could acquire to himself, and yet it is no more than was due from +an affection that justly increased towards him, through the intimacy of +several years. I cannot, save with the utmost tenderness, reflect on the +kind concern with which Mr. ADDISON left Me as a sort of incumbrance upon +this valuable legacy. Nor must I deny myself the honour to acknowlege that +the goodness of that Great Man to me, like many other of his amiable +qualities, seemed not so much to be renewed, as continued in his +successor; who made me an example, that nothing could be indifferent to +him which came recommended to Mr. ADDISON. + +Could any circumstance be more severe to me, while I was executing these +Last Commands of the Author, than to see the Person to whom his Works +were presented, cut off in the flower of his age, and carried from the +high Office wherein he had succeeded Mr. ADDISON, to be laid next him, in +the same grave? I might dwell upon such thoughts as naturally rise from +these minute resemblances in the fortune of two persons, whose names +probably will be seldom mentioned asunder while either our Language or +Story subsist; were I not afraid of making this _Preface_ too tedious: +especially since I shall want all the patience of the reader, for having +enlarged it with the following verses. + + + + +_To the_ EARL OF WARWICK + + +_On the Death of_ MR. ADDISON. + + If dumb too long, the drooping muse hath stay'd + And left her debt to Addison unpaid, + Blame not her silence, Warwick, but bemoan, + And judge, oh judge, my bosom by your own. + What mourner ever felt poetic fires! + Slow comes the verse that real woe inspires: + Grief unaffected suits but ill with art, + Or flowing numbers with a bleeding heart. + Can I forget the dismal night that gave + My soul's best part for ever to the grave! + How silent did his old companions tread + By midnight lamps, the mansions of the dead + Through breathing statues, then unheeded things, + Through rows of warriors, and through walks of kings! + What awe did the slow solemn knell inspire; + The pealing organ, and the pausing choir; + The duties by the lawn-rob'd prelate paid; + And the last words, that dust to dust convey'd! + While speechless o'er thy closing grave we bend, + Accept these tears, thou dear departed friend. + Oh gone for ever! take this long adieu; + And sleep in peace, next thy lov'd Montague. + To strew fresh laurels, let the task be mine, + A frequent pilgrim, at thy sacred shrine; + Mine with true sighs thy absence to bemoan, + And grave with faithful epitaphs thy stone. + If e'er from me thy lov'd memorial part, + May shame afflict this alienated heart; + Of thee forgetful if I form a song, + My lyre be broken, and untun'd my tongue. + My grief be doubled from thy image free, + And mirth a torment, unchastis'd by thee. + Oft let me range the gloomy aisles alone, + Sad luxury! to vulgar minds unknown, + Along the walls, where speaking marbles show + What worthies form the hallow'd mould below; + Proud names who once the reins of empire held; + In arms who triumphed; or in arts excelled; + Chiefs graced with scars and prodigal of blood; + Stern patriots who for sacred freedom stood; + Just men, by whom impartial laws were given; + And saints who taught and led the way to heaven; + Ne'er to these chambers, where the mighty rest + Since their foundation came a nobler guest; + Nor e'er was to the bowers of bliss convey'd + A fairer spirit or more welcome shade. + In what new region to the just assigned, + What new employments please th' unbody'd mind; + A winged virtue, through th' ethereal sky + From world to world unweary'd does he fly? + Or curious trace the long laborious maze + Of heaven's decrees where wondering angels gaze; + Does he delight to hear bold seraphs tell + How Michael battl'd and the dragon fell, + Or mixed with milder cherubim to glow + In hymns of love not ill-essay'd below? + Or dost thou warn poor mortals left behind + A task well suited to thy gentle mind? + Oh! if sometimes thy spotless form descend + To me thy aid, thou guardian genius lend + When rage misguides me or when fear alarms, + When pain distresses or when pleasure charms, + In silent whisperings purer thoughts impart, + And turn from ill a frail and feeble heart; + Lead through the paths thy virtue trod before, + Till bliss shall join nor death can part us more. + That awful form, which, so the heavens decree, + Must still be loved and still deplor'd by me + In nightly visions seldom fails to rise, + Or rous'd by fancy, meets my waking eyes. + If business calls, or crowded courts invite; + Th' unblemish'd statesman seems to strike my sight; + If in the stage I seek to soothe my care + I meet his soul which breathes in Cato there; + If pensive to the rural shades I rove, + His shape o'ertakes me in the lonely grove; + 'Twas there of just and good he reason'd strong, + Clear'd some great truth, or rais'd some serious song: + There patient show'd us the wise course to steer, + A candid censor, and a friend severe; + There taught us how to live; and (oh! too high + The price for knowledge) taught us how to die. + + + + +Sir RICHARD STEELE. + +_Dedicatory Epistle to_ WILLIAM CONGREVE. + +[This Dedication is prefixed to the Second Edition of ADDISON's +_Drummer_, 1722.] + + +To Mr. CONGREVE: occasioned by Mr. TICKELL's _Preface_ to the four +volumes of Mr. ADDISON's _Works_. + + Sir, + + This is the second time that I have, without your leave, taken the + liberty to make a public address to you. + + However uneasy you may be, for your own sake, in receiving + compliments of this nature, I depend upon your known humanity for + pardon; when I acknowledge that you have this present trouble, for + mine. When I take myself to be ill treated with regard to my + behaviour to the merit of other men; my conduct towards you is an + argument of my candour that way, as well as that your name and + authority will be my protection in it. You will give me leave + therefore, in a matter that concerns us in the Poetical World, to + make you my judge whether I am not injured in the highest manner! + for with men of your taste and delicacy, it is a high crime and + misdemeanour to be guilty of anything that is disingenuous. But I + will go into my matter. + + Upon my return from Scotland, I visited Mr. TONSON's shop, and + thanked him for his care in sending to my house, the Volumes of my + dear and honoured friend Mr. ADDISON; which are, at last, published + by his Secretary, Mr. TICKELL: but took occasion to observe, that I + had not seen the Work before it came out; which he did not think fit + to excuse any otherwise than by a recrimination, that I had put into + his hands, at a high price, a Comedy called _The Drummer_; which, by + my zeal for it, he took to be written by Mr. ADDISON, and of which, + after his [_ADDISON's_] death, he said, I directly acknowleged he + was the author. + + To urge this hardship still more home, he produced a receipt under + my hand, in these words-- + + _March 12, 1715 [-16]_. + + _Received then, the sum of Fifty Guineas for the Copy_ [copyright] + _of the Comedy called_, The Drummer or the Haunted House. _I say, + received by order of the Author of the said Comedy_, + + _RICHARD STEELE_. + +and added, at the same time, that since Mr. TICKELL had not thought fit +to make that play a part of Mr. ADDISON's _Works_; he would sell the Copy +to any bookseller that would give most for it [_i.e., TONSON threw the +onus of the authenticity of the_ Drummer _on STEELE_]. + +This is represented thus circumstantially, to shew how incumbent it is +upon me, as well in justice to the bookseller, as for many other +considerations, to produce this Comedy a second time [_It was first +printed in_ 1716]; and take this occasion to vindicate myself against +certain insinuations thrown out by the Publisher [_THOMAS TICKELL_] of +Mr. ADDISON's Writings, concerning my behaviour in the nicest +circumstance--that of doing justice to the Merit of my Friend. + +I shall take the liberty, before I have ended this Letter, to say why I +believe the _Drummer_ a performance of Mr. ADDISON: and after I have +declared this, any surviving writer may be at ease; if there be any one +who has hitherto been vain enough to hope, or silly enough to fear, it +may be given to himself. + +Before I go any further, I must make my Public Appeal to you and all the +Learned World, and humbly demand, Whether it was a decent and reasonable +thing, that Works written, as a great part of Mr. ADDISON's were, in +correspondence [_coadjutorship_] with me, ought to have been published +without my review of the Catalogue of them; or if there were any +exception to be made against any circumstance in my conduct, Whether an +opportunity to explain myself should not have been allowed me, before any +Reflections were made on me in print. + +When I had perused Mr. TICKELL's _Preface_, I had soon so many +objections, besides his omission to say anything of the _Drummer_, +against his long-expected performance: the chief intention of which (and +which it concerns me first to examine) seems to aim at doing the deceased +Author justice, against me! whom he insinuates to have assumed to myself, +part of the merit of my friend. + +He is pleased, Sir, to express himself concerning the present Writer, in +the following manner-- + +_The Comedy called_ The Tender Husband, _appeared much about the same +time; to which Mr. ADDISON wrote the _Prologue: _Sir RICHARD STEELE +surprised him with a very handsome_ Dedication _of this Play; and has +since acquainted the Public, that he owed some of the most taking scenes +of it, to Mr. ADDISON_. Mr. TICKELL's _Preface_. Pag. 11. + +_He was in that Kingdom_ [Ireland], _when he first discovered Sir RICHARD +STEELE to be the Author of the_ Tatler, _by an observation upon_ VIRGIL, +_which had been by him communicated to his friend. The assistance he +occasionally gave him afterwards, in the course of the Paper, did not a +little contribute to advance its reputation; and, upon the Change of the +Ministry_ [in the autumn of 1710], _he found leisure to engage more +constantly in that Work: which, however, was dropped at last, as it had +been taken up, without his participation_. + +_In the last Paper which closed those celebrated Performances, and in +the_ Preface _to the last Volume, Sir RICHARD STEELE has given to Mr. +ADDISON, the honour of the most applauded Pieces in that Collection. But +as that acknowledgement was delivered only in general terms, without +directing the Public to the several Papers; Mr. ADDISON (who was content +with the praise arising from his own Works, and too delicate to take any +part of that which belonged to others), afterwards thought fit to +distinguish his Writings in the_ Spectators _and_ Guardians _by such +marks as might remove the least possibility of mistake in the most +undiscerning readers. It was necessary that his share in the_ Tatlers +_should be adjusted in a complete Collection of his_ Works: _for which +reason, Sir RICHARD STEELE, in compliance with the request of his +deceased friend, delivered to him by the Editor, was pleased to mark with +his own hand, those_ Tatlers _which are inserted in this edition; and even +to point out several, in the writing of which, they both were concerned_. +Pag. 12. + +_The Plan of the_ Spectator, _as far as it related to the feigned Person +of the Author, and of the several Characters that compose his Club, was +projected in concert with Sir_ RICHARD STEELE: _and because many passages +in the course of the Work would otherwise be obscure, I have taken leave +to insert one Paper written by Sir_ RICHARD STEELE, _wherein those +Characters are drawn; which may serve as a_ Dramatis Personae, _or as so +many pictures for an ornament and explication of the whole. As for the +distinct Papers, they were never or seldom shewn to each other, by their +respective Authors, who fully answered the Promise they made, and far +outwent the Expectation they had raised, of pursuing their Labour in the +same Spirit and Strength with which it was begun_. Pag. 13. + +It need not be explained that it is here intimated, that I had not +sufficiently acknowledged what was due to Mr. ADDISON in these Writings. +I shall make a full Answer to what seems intended by the words, _He was +too delicate to take any part of that which belonged to others_; if I can +recite out of my own Papers, anything that may make it appear groundless. + +The subsequent [_following_] encomiums bestowed by me on Mr. ADDISON +will, I hope, be of service to me in this particular. + +_But I have only one Gentleman_, who will be nameless, _to thank for any +frequent assistance to me: which indeed it would have been barbarous in +him, to have denied in one with whom he has lived in an intimacy from +childhood; considering the great Ease with which he is able to despatch +the most entertaining Pieces of this nature. This good office he +performed with such force of Genius, Humour, Wit, and Learning, that I +fared like a distressed Prince who calls in a powerful neighbour to his +aid; I was undone by my auxiliary! When I had once called him in, I could +not subsist without dependence on him_. + +_The same Hand wrote the distinguishing Characters of Men and Women under +the names of_ Musical Instruments, _the_ Distress of the News-Writers, +_the_ Inventory of the Play House, _and the_ Description of the +Thermometer; _which I cannot but look upon, as the greatest +embellishments of this Work. Pref_. to the 4th Vol. of the _Tatlers_. + +_As to the Work itself, the acceptance it has met with is the best proof +of its value: but I should err against that candour which an honest man +should always carry about him, if I did not own that the most approved +Pieces in it were written by others; and those, which have been most +excepted against by myself. The Hand that has assisted me in those noble +Discourses upon the Immortality of the Soul, the Glorious Prospects of +another Life, and the most sublime ideas of Religion and Virtue, is a +person, who is too fondly my friend ever to own them: but I should little +deserve to be his, if I usurped the glory of them. I must acknowledge, at +the same time, that I think the finest strokes of Wit and Humour in all +Mr_. BICKERSTAFF's Lucubrations, _are those for which he is also beholden +to him. Tatler_, No. 271. + +_I hope the Apology I have made as to the license allowable to a feigned +Character may excuse anything which has been said in these Discourses of +the_ Spectator _and his Works. But the imputation of the grossest vanity +would still dwell upon me, if I did not give some account by what means I +was enabled to keep up the Spirit of so long and approved a performance. +All the Papers marked with _a C, L, I, _or_ O--_that is to say, all the +Papers which I have distinguished by any letter in the name of the Muse_ +CLIO--_were given me by the Gentleman, of whose assistance I formerly +boasted in the_ Preface _and concluding Leaf of the_ Tatler. _I am indeed +much more proud of his long-continued friendship, than I should be of the +fame of being thought the Author of any Writings which he himself is +capable of producing_. + +_I remember, when I finished the_ Tender Husband; _I told him, there was +nothing I so ardently wished as that we might, some time or other, +publish a Work written by us both; which should bear the name of the +Monument, in memory of our friendship. I heartily wish what I have done +here, were as honorary to that sacred name, as Learning, Wit, and +Humanity render those Pieces, which I have taught the reader how to +distinguish for his_. + +_When the Play above mentioned was last acted, there were so many +applauded strokes in it which I had from the same hand, that I thought +very meanly of myself that I had never publicly acknowledged them_. + +_After I have put other friends upon importuning him to publish Dramatic +as well as other Writings, he has by him; I shall end what I think I am +obliged to say on this head, by giving the reader this hint for the +better judgement of my productions: that the best Comment upon them would +be, an Account when the Patron_ [i.e., ADDISON] _to the_ Tender Husband +_was in England or abroad_ [i.e., Ireland]. _Spectator_, No. 555. + +_My purpose in this Application is only to shew the esteem I have for +you, and that I look upon my intimacy with you as one of the most +valuable enjoyments of my life. Dedication_ before the _Tender Husband_. + +I am sure, you have read my quotations with indignation against the +little [_petty_] zeal which prompted the Editor (who by the way, has +himself done nothing in applause of the Works which he prefaces) to the +mean endeavour of adding to Mr. ADDISON, by disparaging a man who had +(for the greatest part of his life) been his known bosom friend, and +shielded him from all the resentments which many of his own Works would +have brought upon him, at the time they were written. It is really a good +office to Society, to expose the indiscretion of Intermedlers in the +friendship and correspondence [_coadjutorship_] of men, whose sentiments, +passions, and resentments are too great for their proportion of soul! + +Could the Editor's indiscretion provoke me, even so far as (within the +rules of strictest honour) I could go; and I were not restrained by +supererogatory affection to dear Mr. ADDISON, I would ask this unskilful +Creature, What he means, when he speaks in an air of a reproach, _that +the_ Tatler _was laid down as it was taken up, without his +participation_? Let him speak out and say, why _without his knowledge_ +would not serve his purpose as well! + + +If, as he says, he restrains himself to "Mr. ADDISON's character as a +Writer;" while he attempts to lessen me, he exalts me! for he has +declared to all the World what I never have so explicitly done, that I +am, to all intents and purposes, _the Author of the_ Tatler! He very +justly says, the occasional assistance Mr. ADDISON gave me, in the course +of that Paper, "did not a little contribute to advance its reputation, +especially when, upon the Change of Ministry [_August, 1710_], he found +leisure to engage more constantly in it." It was advanced indeed! for it +was raised to a greater thing than I intended it! For the elegance, +purity, and correctness which appeared in his Writings were not so much +my purpose; as (in any intelligible manner, as I could) to rally all +those Singularities of human life, through the different Professions and +Characters in it, which obstruct anything that was truly good and great. + +After this Acknowledgement, you will see; that is, such a man as you will +see, that I rejoiced in being excelled! and made those little talents +(whatever they are) which I have, give way and be subservient to the +superior qualities of a Friend, whom I loved! and whose modesty would +never have admitted them to come into daylight, but under such a shelter. + +So that all which the Editor has said (either out of design, or +incapacity), Mr. CONGREVE! must end in this: that STEELE has been so +candid and upright, that he owes nothing to Mr. ADDISON as a Writer; but +whether he do, or does not, whatever STEELE owes to Mr. ADDISON, the +Public owe ADDISON to STEELE! + +But the Editor has such a fantastical and ignorant zeal for his Patron, +that he will not allow his correspondents [_coadjutors_] to conceal +anything of his; though in obedience to his commands! + +What I never did declare was Mr. ADDISON's, I had his direct injunctions +to hide; against the natural warmth and passion of my own temper towards +my friends. + +Many of the Writings now published as his, I have been very patiently +traduced and culminated for; as they were pleasantries and oblique +strokes upon certain of the wittiest men of the Age: who will now restore +me to their goodwill, in proportion to the abatement of [the] Wit which +they thought I employed against them. + +But I was saying, that the Editor won't allow us to obey his Patron's +commands in anything which he thinks would redound to his credit, if +discovered. And because I would shew a little Wit in my anger, I shall +have the discretion to shew you that he has been guilty, in this +particular, towards a much greater man than your humble servant, and one +whom you are much more obliged to vindicate. + +Mr. DRYDEN, in his _VIRGIL_, after having acknowledged that a "certain +excellent young man" [_i.e., W. CONGREVE himself_] had shewed him many +faults in his translation of _VIRGIL_, which he had endeavoured to +correct, goes on to say, "Two other worthy friends of mine, who desire to +have their names concealed, seeing me straightened in my time, took pity +on me, and gave me the _Life of VIRGIL_, the two _Prefaces_ to the +_Pastorals_ and the _Georgics_, and all the Arguments in prose to the +whole Translation." If Mr. ADDISON is one of the two friends, and the +_Preface_ to the _Georgics_ be what the Editor calls the _Essay upon the +Georgics_ as one may adventure to say they are, from their being word for +word the same, he has cast an inhuman reflection upon Mr. DRYDEN: who, +though tied down not to name Mr. ADDISON, pointed at him so as all +Mankind conservant in these matters knew him, with an eulogium equal to +the highest merit, considering who it was that bestowed it, I could not +avoid remarking upon this circumstance, out of justice to Mr. DRYDEN: but +confess, at the same time, I took a great pleasure in doing it; because I +knew, in exposing this outrage, I made my court to Mr. CONGREVE. + +I have observed that the Editor will not let me or any one else obey Mr. +ADDISON's commands, in hiding anything he desired to be concealed. + +I cannot but take further notice, that the circumstance of marking his +_Spectators_ [_with the letters C, L, I, O,_], which I did not know till +I had done with the Work; I made my own act! because I thought it too +great a sensibility in my friend; and thought it (since it was done) +better to be supposed marked by me than the Author himself. The real +state of which, this zealot rashly and injudiciously exposes! I ask the +reader, Whether anything but an earnestness to disparage me could provoke +the Editor, in behalf of Mr. ADDISON, to say that he marked it out of +caution against me: when I had taken upon me to say, it was I that did +it! out of tenderness to him. + +As the imputation of any the Least Attempt of arrogating to myself, or +detracting from Mr. ADDISON, is without any Colour of Truth: you will +give me leave to go on in the same ardour towards him, and resent the +cold, unaffectionate, dry, and barren manner, in which this Gentleman +gives an Account of as great a Benefactor as any one Learned Man ever had +of another. Would any man, who had been produced from a College life, and +pushed into one of the most considerable Employments of the Kingdom as to +its weight and trust, and greatly lucrative with respect to a Fellowship +[_i.e., of a College_]: and who had been daily and hourly with one of the +greatest men of the Age, be satisfied with himself, in saying _nothing_ of +such a Person besides what all the World knew! except a particularity (and +that to his disadvantage!) which I, his friend from a boy, don't know to +be true, to wit, that "he never had a regular pulse"! + +As for the facts, and considerable periods of his life, he either knew +nothing of them, or injudiciously places them in a worse light than that +in which they really stood. + +When he speaks of Mr. ADDISON's declining to go into Orders, his way of +doing it is to lament _his seriousness and modesty_, which might have +recommended him, _proved the chief obstacles to it, it seems these +qualities, by which the Priesthood is so much adorned, represented the +duties of it as too weighty for him, and rendered him still more worthy +of that honour which they made him decline_. These, you know very well! +were not the Reasons which made Mr. ADDISON turn his thoughts to the +civil World; and, as you were the instrument of his becoming acquainted +with my Lord HALIFAX, I doubt not but you remember the warm instances +that noble Lord made to the Head of the College, not to insist upon Mr. +ADDISON's going into Orders. His arguments were founded on the general +pravity [_depravity_] and corruption of men of business [_public men_] +who wanted liberal education. And I remember, as if I read the letter +yesterday, that my Lord ended with a compliment, that "however he might +be represented as no friend to the Church, he would never do it any other +injury than keeping Mr. ADDISON out of it!" + +The contention for this man in his early youth, among the people of +greatest power; Mr. Secretary TICKELL, the Executor for his Fame, is +pleased to ascribe to "a serious visage and modesty of behaviour." + +When a Writer is grossly and essentially faulty, it were a jest to take +notice of a false expression or a phrase, otherwise _Priesthood_ in that +place, might be observed upon; as a term not used by the real +well-wishers to Clergymen, except when they would express some solemn +act, and not when that Order is spoken of as a Profession among +Gentlemen. I will not therefore busy myself about the "unconcerning parts +of knowledge, but be content like a reader of plain sense without +politeness." And since Mr. Secretary will give us no account of this +Gentleman, I admit "the Alps and Apennines" instead of the Editor, to be +"Commentators of his Works," which, as the Editor says, "have raised a +demand for correctness." This "demand," by the way, ought to be more +strong upon those who were most about him, and had the greatest advantage +of his example. But as our Editor says, "that those who come nearest to +exactness are but too often fond of unnatural beauties, and aim at +something better than perfection." + +Believe me, Sir, Mr. ADDISON's example will carry no man further than +that height for which Nature capacitated him: and the affectation of +following great men in works above the genius of their imitators, will +never rise farther than the production of uncommon and unsuitable +ornaments in a barren discourse, like flowers upon a heath, such as the +Author's phrase of "something better than perfection." + +But in his _Preface_, if ever anything was, is that "something better:" +for it is so extraordinary, that we cannot say, it is too long or too +short, or deny but that it is both. I think I abstract myself from all +manner of prejudice when I aver that no man, though without any +obligation to Mr. ADDISON, would have represented him in his family and +in his friendships, or his personal character, so disadvantageously as +his Secretary (in preference of whom, he incurred the warmest resentments +of other Gentlemen) has been pleased to describe him in those particulars. + +Mr. Dean ADDISON, father of this memorable Man, left behind him four +children, each of whom, for excellent talents and singular preferments, +was as much above the ordinary World as their brother JOSEPH was above +them. Were things of this nature to be exposed to public view, I could +shew under the Dean's own hand, in the warmest terms, his blessing on the +friendship between his son and me; nor had he a child who did not prefer +me in the first place of kindness and esteem, as their father loved me +like one of them: and I can with pleasure say, I never omitted any +opportunity of shewing that zeal for their persons and Interests as +became a Gentleman and a Friend. + +Were I now to indulge myself, I could talk a great deal to you, which I +am sure would be entertaining: but as I am speaking at the same time to +all the World, I consider it would be impertinent. + +Let me then confine myself awhile to the following Play [_The Drummer_], +which I at first recommended to the Stage, and carried to the Press. + +No one who reads the _Preface_ which I published with it, will imagine I +could be induced to say so much, as I then did, had I not known the man I +best loved had had a part in it; or had I believed that any other +concerned had much more to do than as an amanuensis. + +But, indeed, had I not known at the time of the transaction concerning +the acting on the Stage and the sale of the Copy; I should, I think, have +seen Mr. ADDISON in every page of it! For he was above all men in that +talent we call Humour; and enjoyed it in such perfection, that I have +often reflected, after a night spent with him apart from the World, that +I had had the pleasure of conversing with an intimate acquaintance of +TERENCE and CATULLUS, who had all their Wit and Nature heightened with +Humour more exquisite and delightful than any other man ever possessed. + +They who shall read this Play, after being let into the secret that it +was written by Mr. ADDISON or under his direction, will probably be +attentive to those excellencies which they before overlooked, and wonder +they did not till now observe that there is not an expression in the +whole Piece which has not in it the most nice propriety and aptitude to +the Character which utters it. Here is that smiling Mirth, that delicate +Satire and genteel Raillery, which appeared in Mr. ADDISON when he was +free among intimates; I say, when he was free from his _remarkable_ +bashfulness, which is a cloak that hides and muffles merit: and his +abilities were covered only by modesty, which doubles the beauties which +are seen, and gives credit and esteem to all that are concealed. + +The _Drummer_ made no great figure on the Stage, though exquisitely well +acted: but when I observe this, I say a much harder thing of the Stage, +than of the Comedy. + +When I say the Stage in this place, I am understood to mean, in general, +the present Taste of theatrical representations: where nothing that is +not violent, and as I may say, grossly delightful, can come on, without +hazard of being condemned or slighted. + +It is here republished, and recommended as a closet piece [_i.e., for +private reading_], to recreate an intelligent mind in a vacant hour: for +vacant the reader must be, from every strong prepossession, in order to +relish an entertainment, _quod nequeo monstrare et sentio tantum_, which +cannot be enjoyed to the degree it deserves, but by those of the most +polite Taste among Scholars, the best Breeding among Gentlemen, and the +least acquainted with sensual Pleasure among the Ladies. + +The Editor [_THOMAS TICKELL_] is pleased to relate concerning _CATO_, +that a Play under that design was projected by the Author very early, and +wholly laid aside; in advanced years, he reassumed the same design; and +many years after Four acts were finished, he wrote the Fifth; and brought +it upon the Stage. + +All the Town knows, how officious I was in bringing it on, and you (that +know the Town, the Theatre, and Mankind very well) can judge how +necessary it was, to take measures for making a performance of that sort, +excellent as it is, run into popular applause. + +I promised before it was acted (and performed my duty accordingly to the +Author), that I would bring together so just an audience on the First +Days of it, it should be impossible for the vulgar to put its success or +due applause at any hazard: but I don't mention this, only to shew how +good an Aide-de-Camp I was to Mr. ADDISON; but to shew also that the +Editor does as much to cloud the merit of this Work, as I did to set it +forth. + +Mr. TICKELL's account of its being taken up, laid down, and at last +perfected, after such long intervals and pauses, would make any one +believe, who did not know Mr. ADDISON, that it was accomplished with the +greatest pain and labour; and the issue rather of Learning and Industry +than Capacity and Genius: but I do assure you, that never Play which +could bring the author any reputation for Wit and Conduct, +notwithstanding it was so long before it was finished, employed the +Author so little a time in writing. + +If I remember right, the Fifth Act was written in less than a week's +time! For this was particular in this Writer, that when he had taken his +resolution, or made his Plan for what he designed to write; he would walk +about the room and dictate it into Language, with as much freedom and ease +as any one could write it down: and attend to the Coherence and Grammar of +what he dictated. + +I have been often thus employed by him; and never took it into my head, +though he only spoke it and I took all the pains of throwing it upon +paper, that I ought to call myself the Writer of it. + +I will put all my credit among men of Wit for the truth of my averment, +when I presume to say that no one but Mr. ADDISON was, in any other way, +the Writer of the _Drummer_. + +At the same time, I will allow, that he sent for me (which he could +always do, from his natural power over me, as much as he could send for +any of his clerks when he was Secretary of State), and told me that a +Gentleman then in the room had written a play that he was sure I would +like; but it was to be a secret: and he knew I would take as much pains, +since he recommended it, as I would for him. + + +I hope nobody will be wronged or think himself aggrieved, that I give +this rejected Work [_the Comedy of_ The Drummer _not included by TICKELL +in his collected edition of ADDISON's Works_] where I do: and if a +certain Gentleman [_TICKELL_] is injured by it, I will allow I have +wronged him upon this issue; that if the reputed translator [_TICKELL_] +of the _First Book of HOMER_ shall please to give us another _Book_, +there shall appear another good Judge in poetry, besides Mr. ALEXANDER +POPE, who shall like it! + + +But I detain you too long upon things that are too personal to myself, +and will defer giving the World a true Notion of the Character and +Talents of Mr. ADDISON, till I can speak of that amiable Gentlemen on an +occasion void of controversy. + +I shall then perhaps say many things of him which will be new even to +you, with regard to him in all parts of his Character: for which I was so +zealous, that I could not be contented with praising and adorning him as +much as lay in my own power; but was ever soliciting and putting my +friends upon the same office. + +And since the Editor [_TICKELL_] has adorned his heavy Discourse with +Prose in rhyme at the end of it, upon Mr. ADDISON's death: give me leave +to atone for this long and tedious _Epistle_, by giving after it, what I +dare say you will esteem, an excellent Poem on his marriage [_by Mr. +WELSTED_]. + +I must conclude without satisfying as strong a desire, as every man had, +of saying something remarkably handsome to the Person to whom I am +writing: for you are so good a judge, that you would find out the +Endeavourer to be witty! and therefore, as I have tired you and myself, I +will be contented with assuring you, which I do very honestly, I would +rather have you satisfied with me on this subject, than any other man +living. + +You will please pardon me, that I have, thus, laid this nice affair +before a person who has the acknowledged superiority to all others; not +only in the most excellent talents; but possessing them with an +equanimity, candour, and benevolence which render those advantages a +pleasure as great to the rest of the World as they can be to the owner of +them. And since Fame consists in the Opinion of wise and good men: you +must not blame me for taking the readiest way to baffle any Attempt upon +my Reputation, by an Address to one, whom every wise and good man looks +upon, with the greatest affection and veneration. + +I am, Sir, + +Your most obliged, most obedient, and most humble servant, + +RICHARD STEELE. + + + + +EDWARD CHAMBERLAYNE. + +_The social position of the English Established Clergy, in 1669, A.D._ + + +[_Angliae Notitia_, or the Present State of England, 1st _Ed_. 1669.] + +At present, the revenues of the English Clergy are generally very small +and insufficient: above a third of the best benefices of England, having +been anciently, by the Pope's grant, appropriated to monasteries, were on +their dissolution, made _Lay fees_; besides what hath been taken by secret +and indirect means, through corrupt compositions and compacts and customs +in many other parishes. And also many estates being wholly exempt from +paying tithes, as the lands that belonged to the Cistercian Monks, and to +the Knights Templars and Hospitallers. + +And those benefices that are free from these things are yet (besides +First Fruits and Tenths to the King, and Procurations to the Bishop) +taxed towards the charges of their respective parishes, and towards the +public charges of the nation, above and beyond the proportion of the +Laity. + + +The Bishoprics of England have been also since the latter of HENRY +VIII.'s reign, to the coming in of King JAMES, most miserably robbed and +spoiled of the greatest part of their lands and revenues. So that, at +this day [1669], a mean gentleman of L200 from land yearly, will not +change his worldly estate and condition with divers Bishops: and an +Attorney, a shopkeeper, a common artisan will hardly change theirs, with +the ordinary Pastors of the Church. + +Some few Bishoprics do yet retain a competency. Amongst which, the +Bishopric of Durham is accounted one of the chief: the yearly revenues +whereof, before the late troubles [_i.e., the Civil Wars_] were above +L6,000 [= L25,000 _now_]: of which by the late _Act for abolishing Tenures +in capite_ [1660], was lost about L2,000 yearly. + +Out of this revenue, a yearly pension of L800 is paid to the Crown, ever +since the reign of Queen ELIZABETH; who promised, in lieu thereof, so +much in Impropriations: which was never performed. + +Above L340 yearly is paid to several officers of the County Palatine of +Durham. + +The Assizes and Sessions, also, are duly kept in the Bishop's House, at +the sole charges of the Bishop. + +Also the several expenses for keeping in repair certain banks of rivers +in that Bishopric, and of several Houses belonging to the Bishopric. + +Moreover, the yearly Tenths, public taxes, the charges of going to and +waiting at Parliament, being deducted; there will remain, in ordinary +years, to the Bishop to keep hospitality, which must be great, and to +provide for those of his family, but about L1,500 [= L4,500 _now_] yearly. + +The like might be said of some other principal Bishoprics. + +The great diminution of the revenues of the Clergy, and the little care +of augmenting and defending the patrimony of the Church, is the great +reproach and shame of the English Reformation; and will, one day, prove +the ruin of Church and State. + +"It is the last trick," saith St. GREGORY, "that the Devil hath in this +world. When he cannot bring the Word and Sacraments into disgrace by +errors and heresies; he invents this project, to bring the Clergy into +contempt and low esteem." + +As it is now in England, where they are accounted by many, the Dross and +Refuse of the nation. Men think it a stain to their blood to place their +sons in that function; and women are ashamed to marry with any of them. + +It hath been observed, even by strangers, that the iniquity of the +present Times in England is such, that the English Clergy are not only +hated by the Romanists on the one side, and maligned by the Presbyterians +on the other...; but also that, of all the Christian Clergy of Europe, +whether Romish, Lutheran, or Calvinistic, none are so little _respected, +beloved, obeyed_, or _rewarded_, as the present pious, learned, loyal +Clergy of England; even by those who have always professed themselves of +that Communion. + + + + +THE GROUNDS & OCCASIONS OF THE CONTEMPT +OF THE CLERGY AND RELIGION +Enquired into. + +_In a_ LETTER _written to_ R.L. + +LONDON, +Printed by W. GODBID for N. BROOKE +at the _Angel_ in Cornhill. 1670. + + +This work is dated August 8, 1670. ANTHONY A. WOOD in his _Life_ (_Ath. +Oxon._ I. lxx. Ed. 1813), gives the following account of our Author. + +_February_ 9 [1672] A.W. went to London, and the next day he was kindly +receiv'd by Sir LIOLIN JENKYNS, in his apartment in Exeter house in the +Strand, within the city of Westminster. + +Sunday 11 [Feb. 1672], Sir LIOLIN JENKYNS took with him, in the morning, +over the water to Lambeth, A. WOOD, and after prayers, he conducted him +up to the dining rome, where archb. SHELDON received him, and gave him +his blessing. There then dined among the company, JOHN ECHARD, the author +of _The Contempt of the Clergy_, who sate at the lower end of the table +between the archbishop's two chaplaynes SAMUEL PARKER and THOMAS +THOMKINS, being the first time that the said ECHARD was introduced into +the said archbishop's company. After dinner, the archbishop went into his +withdrawing roome, and ECHARD with the chaplaynes and RALPH SNOW to their +lodgings to drink and smoak. + +[JOHN EACHARD, S.T.P., was appointed Master of Catherine Hall, Cambridge, +in 1675.] + + +_THE PREFACE TO THE READER_. + +_I can very easily fancy that many, upon the very first sight of the +title, will presently imagine that the Author does either want the Great +Tithes, lying under the pressure of some pitiful vicarage; or that he is +much out of humour, and dissatisfied with the present condition of +affairs; or, lastly, that he writes to no purpose at all, there having +been an abundance of unprofitable advisers in this kind. + +As to my being under some low Church dispensation; you may know, I write +not out of a pinching necessity, or out of any rising design. You may +please to believe that, although I have a most solemn reverence for the +Clergy in general, and especially for that of England; yet, for my own +part, I must confess to you, I am not of that holy employment; and have +as little thought of being Dean or Bishop, as they that think so, have +hopes of being all Lord Keepers. + +Nor less mistaken will they be, that shall judge me in the least +discontented, or any ways disposed to disturb the peace of the present +settled Church: for, in good truth, I have neither lost King's, nor +Bishop's lands, that should incline me to a surly and quarrelsome +complaining; as many be, who would have been glad enough to see His +Majesty restored, and would have endured Bishops daintily well, had they +lost no money by their coming in. + +I am not, I will assure you, any of those Occasional Writers, that, +missing preferment in the University, can presently write you their new +ways of Education; or being a little tormented with an ill-chosen wife, +set forth the doctrine of Divorce to be truly evangelical. + +The cause of these few sheets was honest and innocent, and as free from +all passion as any design. + +As for the last thing which I supposed objected_, viz., _that this book +is altogether needless, there having been an infinite number of Church +and Clergy-menders, that have made many tedious and unsuccessful offers: +I must needs confess, that it were very unreasonable for me to expect a +better reward. + +Only thus much, I think, with modesty may be said; that I cannot at +present call to mind anything that is propounded but what is very +hopeful, and easily accomplished. For, indeed, should I go about to tell +you, that a child can never prove a profitable Instructor of the people, +unless born when the sun is in_ Aries; _or brought up in a school that +stands full South: that he can never be able to govern a parish, unless +he can ride the great horse; or that he can never go through the great +work of the Ministry, unless for three hundred years backward it can be +proved that none of his family ever had cough, ague, or grey hair; then I +should very patiently endure to be reckoned among the vainest that ever +made attempt. + +But believe me, Reader! I am not, as you will easily see, any contriver +of an incorruptible and pure crystaline Church, or any expecter of a +reign of nothing but Saints and Worthies: but only an honest and hearty +Wisher that the best of our Clergy might, for ever, continue as they are, +rich and learned! and that the rest might be very useful and well esteemed +in their Profession!_ + + + + +THE GROUNDS & OCCASIONS OF THE CONTEMPT +OF THE CLERGY AND RELIGION +Enquired into. + + +SIR, + +That short discourse which we lately had concerning the Clergy, continues +so fresh in your mind, that, I perceive by your last, you are more than a +little troubled to observe that Disesteem that lies upon several of those +holy men. Your good wishes for the Church, I know, are very strong and +unfeigned; and your hopes of the World receiving much more advantage and +better advice from some of the Clergy, than usually it is found by +experience to do, are neither needless nor impossible. + +And as I have always been a devout admirer as well as strict observer of +your actions; so I have constantly taken a great delight to concur with +you in your very thoughts. Whereupon it is, Sir, that I have spent some +few hours upon that which was the occasion of your last letter, and the +subject of our late discourse. + +And before, Sir, I enter upon telling you what are my apprehensions; I +must most heartily profess that, for my own part, I did never think, +since at all I understood the excellency and perfection of a Church, but +that Ours, now lately Restored, as formerly Established, does far outgo, +as to all Christian ends and purposes, either the pomp and bravery of +Rome herself, or the best of Free Spiritual States [_Nonconformists_]. + +But if so be, it be allowable (where we have so undoubtedly learned and +honourable a Clergy) to suppose that some of that sacred profession might +possibly have attained to a greater degree of esteem and usefulness to the +World: then I hope what has thus long hindered so great and desirable a +blessing to the nation, may be modestly guessed at! either without giving +any wilful offence to the present Church; or any great trouble, dear Sir, +to yourself. And, if I be not very much mistaken, whatever has +heretofore, or does at present, lessen the value of our Clergy, or render +it in any degree less serviceable to the World than might be reasonably +hoped; may be easily referred to two very plain things--the IGNORANCE of +some, and the POVERTY of others of the Clergy. + + +And first, as to _the IGNORANCE of some of our Clergy_. + +If we would make a search to purpose, we must go as deep as the very +Beginnings of Education; and, doubtless, may lay a great part of our +misfortunes to the old-fashioned methods and discipline of Schooling +itself: upon the well ordering of which, although much of the improvement +of our Clergy cannot be denied mainly to depend: yet by reason this is so +well known to yourself, as also that there have been many of undoubted +learning and experience, that have set out their several models for this +purpose; I shall therefore only mention such Loss of Time and Abuse of +Youth as is most remarkable and mischievous, and as could not be +conveniently omitted in a Discourse of this nature, though ever so short. + +And first of all, it were certainly worth the considering, Whether it be +unavoidably necessary to keep lads to 16 or 17 years of age, _in pure +slavery to a few Latin or Greek words_? or Whether it may not be more +convenient, especially if we call to mind their natural inclinations to +ease and idleness, and how hardly they are persuaded of the excellency of +the liberal Arts and Sciences (any further than the smart of the last +piece of discipline is fresh in their memories), Whether, I say, it be +not more proper and beneficial to mix with those unpleasant tasks and +drudgeries, something that, in probability, might not only take much +better with them, but might also be much easier obtained? + +As, suppose some part of time was allotted them, for the reading of some +innocent English Authors! where they need not go, every line, so +unwillingly to a tormenting Dictionary, and whereby they might come in a +short time, to apprehend common sense, and to begin to judge what is +true. For you shall have lads that are arch knaves at the Nominative +Case, and that have a notable quick eye at spying out of the Verb; who, +for want of reading such common and familiar books, shall understand no +more of what is very plain and easy, than a well educated dog or horse. + +Or suppose they were taught, as they might much easier be than what is +commonly offered to them, the principles of Arithmetic, Geometry, and +such alluring parts of Learning. As these things undoubtedly would be +much more useful, so much more delightful to them, than to be tormented +with a tedious story how PHAETON broke his neck, or how many nuts and +apples TITYRUS had for his supper. + +For, most certainly, youths, if handsomely dealt with, are much +inclinable to emulation, and to a very useful esteem of glory; and more +especially, if it be the reward of knowledge: and therefore, if such +things were carefully and discreetly propounded to them, wherein they +might not only earnestly contend amongst themselves, but might also see +how far they outskill the rest of the World, a lad hereby would think +himself high and mighty; and would certainly take great delight in +contemning the next unlearned mortal he meets withal. + +But if, instead hereof, you diet him with nothing but with Rules and +Exceptions, with tiresome repetitions of _Amo_ and [Greek: _Tupto_], +setting a day also apart also to recite _verbatim_ all the burdensome +task of the foregoing week (which I am confident is usually as dreadful +as an old Parliament Fast) we must needs believe that such a one, thus +managed, will scarce think to prove immortal, by such performances and +accomplishments as these. + +You know very well, Sir, that lads in general have but a kind of ugly and +odd conception of Learning; and look upon it as such a starving thing, and +unnecessary perfection, especially as it is usually dispensed out unto +them, that Nine-pins or Span-counter are judged much more heavenly +employments! And therefore what pleasure, do we think, can such a one +take in being bound to get against breakfast, two or three hundred +Rumblers out of HOMER, in commendation of ACHILLES's toes, or the +Grecians' boots; or to have measured out to him, very early in the +morning, fifteen or twenty well laid on lashes, for letting a syllable +slip too soon, or hanging too long on it? Doubtless instant execution +upon such grand miscarriages as these, will eternally engage him to a +most admirable opinion of the Muses! + +Lads, certainly, ought to be won by all possible arts and devices: and +though many have invented fine pictures and games, to cheat them into the +undertaking of unreasonable burdens; yet this, by no means, is such a +lasting temptation as the propounding of that which in itself is pleasant +and alluring. For we shall find very many, though of no excelling +quickness, will soon perceive the design of the landscape; and so, +looking through the veil, will then begin to take as little delight in +those pretty contrivances, as in getting by heart three or four leaves of +ungayed nonsense. + +Neither seems the stratagem of Money to be so prevailing and catching, as +a right down offer of such books which are ingenious and convenient: there +being but very few so intolerably careful of their bellies, as to look +upon the hopes of a cake or a few apples, to be a sufficient recompense, +for cracking their pates with a heap of independent words. + +I am not sensible that I have said anything in disparagement of those two +famous tongues, the Greek and Latin; there being much reason to value them +beyond others, because the best of Human Learning has been delivered unto +us in those languages. But he that worships them, purely out of honour to +Rome and Athens, having little or no respect to the usefulness and +excellency of the books themselves, as many do: it is a sign he has a +great esteem and reverence of antiquity; but I think him, by no means +comparable, for happiness, to him who catches frogs or hunts butterflies. + +That some languages therefore ought to be studied is in a manner +absolutely necessary: unless all were brought to one; which would be the +happiest thing that the World could wish for! + +But whether the beginning of them might not be more insensibly instilled, +and more advantageously obtained by reading philosophical as well as other +ingenious Authors, than _Janua linguarum_, crabbed poems, and +cross-grained prose, as it has been heretofore by others: so it ought to +be afresh considered by all well-wishers, either to the Clergy or +Learning. + +I know where it is the fashion of some schools, to prescribe to a lad, +for his evening refreshment, out of COMMENIUS, all the Terms of Art +[_technical terms_] belonging to Anatomy, Mathematics, or some such piece +of Learning. Now, is it not a very likely thing, that a lad should take +most absolute delight in conquering such a pleasant task; where, perhaps, +he has two or three hundred words to keep in mind, with a very small +proportion of sense thereunto belonging: whereas the use and full meaning +of all those difficult terms would have been most insensibly obtained, by +leisurely reading in particular, this or the other science? + +Is it not also likely to be very savoury, and of comfortable use to one +that can scarce distinguish between Virtue and Vice, to be tasked with +high and moral poems? It is usually said by those that are intimately +acquainted with him, that HOMER's _Iliad_ and _Odyssey_ contain, +mystically, all the Moral Law for certain, if not a great part of the +Gospel (I suppose much after that rate that RABELAIS said his _Gargantua_ +contained all the Ten Commandments!); but perceivable only to those that +have a poetical discerning spirit: with which gift, I suppose, few at +school are so early qualified. + +Those admirable verses, Sir, of yours, both English and others, which you +have sometimes favoured me with a sight of, will not suffer me to be so +sottish as to slight and undervalue so great and noble an accomplishment. +But the committing of such high and brave sensed poems to a schoolboy +(whose main business is to search out cunningly the Antecedent and the +Relative; to lie at catch for a spruce Phrase, a Proverb, or a quaint and +pithy Sentence) is not only to very little purpose, but that having +gargled only those elegant books at school, this serves them instead of +reading them afterwards; and does, in a manner, prevent their being +further looked into. So that all improvement, whatsoever it be, that may +be reaped out of the best and choicest poets, is for the most part +utterly lost, in that a time is usually chosen of reading them, when +discretion is much wanting to gain thence any true advantage. Thus that +admirable and highly useful morality, TULLY's _Offices_, because it is a +book commonly construed at school, is generally afterwards so contemned +by Academics, that it is a long hour's work to convince them that it is +worthy of being looked into again; because they reckon it as a book read +over at school, and, no question! notably digested. + +If, therefore the ill methods of schooling do not only occasion a great +loss of time there, but also do beget in lads a very odd opinion and +apprehension of Learning, and much disposes them to be idle when they are +got a little free from the usual severities; and that the hopes of more or +less improvement in the Universities very much depend hereupon: it is, +without all doubt, the great concernment of all that wish to the Church, +that such care and regard be had to the management of schools, that the +Clergy be not so much obstructed in their first attempts and preparations +to Learning. + +I cannot, Sir, possibly be so ignorant as not to consider that what has +been now offered upon this argument, has not only been largely insisted +on by others; but also refers not particularly to the Clergy (whose +welfare and esteem, I seem at present in a special manner solicitous +about), but in general to all learned professions, and therefore might +reasonably have been omitted: which certainly I had done, had not I +called to mind that of those many that propound to themselves Learning +for a profession, there is scarce one in ten but that his lot, choice, or +necessity determines him to the study of Divinity. + +Thus, Sir, I have given you my thoughts concerning the orders and customs +of common schools. A consideration, in my apprehension, not slightly to be +weighed: being that upon which to me seems very much to depend the +learning and wisdom of the Clergy, and the prosperity of the Church. + + +The next unhappiness that seems to have hindered some of our Clergy from +arriving to that degree of understanding that becomes such a holy office, +whereby their company and discourses might be much more, than they +commonly are, valued and desired, is the inconsiderate sending of all +kinds of lads to the Universities; let their parts be ever so low and +pitiful, the instructions they have lain under ever so mean and +contemptible, and the purses of their friends ever so short to maintain +them there. If they have but the commendation of some lamentable and +pitiful Construing Master, it passes for sufficient evidence that they +will prove persons very eminent in the Church. That is to say, if a lad +has but a lusty and well bearing memory, this being the usual and almost +only thing whereby they judge of their abilities; if he can sing over +very tunably three or four stanzas of LILLY's Poetry; be very quick and +ready to tell what is Latin for all the instruments belonging to his +father's shop; if presently [_at sight_], upon the first scanning, he +knows a Spondee from a Dactyl, and can fit a few of those same, without +any sense, to his fingers' ends; if, lastly, he can say perfectly by +heart his Academic Catechism, in pure and passing Latin, _i.e._, "What is +his Name?" "Where went he to School?" and "What author is he best and +chiefly skilled in?" "A forward boy!" cries the Schoolmaster: "a very +pregnant child! Ten thousand pities, but he should be a Scholar; he +proves a brave Clergyman, I'll warrant you!" + +Away to the University he must needs go! Then for a little Logic, a +little Ethics, and, GOD knows! a very little of everything else! And the +next time you meet him, he is in the pulpit! + +Neither ought the mischief which arises from small country schools to +pass unconsidered. The little mighty Governors whereof, having, for the +most part, not sucked in above six or seven mouthsful of University air, +must yet, by all means, suppose themselves so notably furnished with all +sorts of instructions, and are so ambitious of the glory of being counted +able to send forth, now and then, to Oxford or Cambridge, from the little +house by the Churchyard's side, one of their ill-educated disciples, that +to such as these ofttimes is committed the guidance and instruction of a +whole parish: whose parts and improvements duly considered, will scarce +render them fit Governors of a small Grammar Castle. + +Not that it is necessary to believe, that there never was a learned or +useful person in the Church, but such whose education had been at +Westminster or St. Paul's. But, whereas most of the small schools, being +by their first founders designed only for the advantage of poor parish +children, and also that the stipend is usually so small and discouraging +that very few who can do much more than teach to write and read, will +accept of such preferment: for these to pretend to rig out their small +ones for a University life, proves ofttimes a very great inconvenience +and damage to the Church. + +And as many such Dismal Things are sent forth thus, with very small +tackling; so not a few are predestinated thither by their friends, from +the foresight of a good benefice. If there be rich pasture, profitable +customs, and that HENRY VIII. has taken out no toll, the Holy Land is a +very good land, and affords abundance of milk and honey! Far be it from +their consciences, the considering whether the lad is likely to be +serviceable to the Church, or to make wiser and better any of his +parishioners! + +All this may seem, at first sight, to be easily avoided by a strict +examination at the Universities; and so returning by the next carrier, +all that was sent up not fit for their purpose. But because many of their +relations are ofttimes persons of an inferior condition; and who (either +by imprudent counsellors, or else out of a tickling conceit of their sons +being, forsooth, a University Scholar) have purposely omitted all other +opportunities of a livelihood; to return such, would seem a very sharp +and severe disappointment. + +Possibly, it might be much better, if parents themselves or their +friends, would be much more wary of determining their children to the +trade of Learning. And if some of undoubted knowledge and judgement, +would offer their advice; and speak their hopes of a lad, about 13 or 14 +years of age (which, I will assure you, Sir, may be done without +conjuring!); and never omit to inquire, Whether his relations are able +and willing to maintain him seven years at the University, or see some +certain way of being continued there so long, by the help of friends or +others, as also upon no such conditions as shall, in likelihood, deprive +him of the greatest parts of his studies? + +For it is a common fashion of a great many to compliment and invite +inferior people's children to the University, and there pretend to make +such an all bountiful provision for them, as they shall not fail of +coming to a very eminent degree of Learning; but when they come there, +they shall save a servant's wages. They took therefore, heretofore, a +very good method to prevent Sizars overheating their brains. Bed-making, +chamber-sweeping, and water-fetching were doubtless great preservatives +against too much vain philosophy. Now certainly such pretended favours +and kindnesses as these, are the most right down discourtesies in the +World. For it is ten times more happy, both for the lad and the Church, +to be a corn-cutter or tooth-drawer, to make or mend shoes, or to be of +any inferior profession; than to be invited to, and promised the +conveniences of, a learned education; and to have his name only stand +airing upon the College Tables [_Notice-boards_], and his chief business +shall be, to buy eggs and butter. + +Neither ought lads' parts, before they be determined to the University, +be only considered, and the likelihood of being disappointed in their +studies; but also abilities or hopes of being maintained until they be +Masters of Arts. For whereas 200, for the most part, yearly Commence +[_Matriculate_], scarce the fifth part of these continue after their +taking the First Degree [_B.A._]. As for the rest, having exactly +learned, _Quid est Logica_? and _Quot sunt Virtutes Morales_? down they +go, by the first carrier, on the top of the pack, into the West, or +North, or elsewhere, according as their estates lie; with BURGESDICIUS, +EUSTACHIUS, and such great helps of Divinity; and then, for propagation +of the Gospel! By that time they can say the _Predicaments_ and _Creed_; +they have their choice of preaching or starving! Now what a Champion of +Truth is such a thing likely to be! What a huge blaze he makes in the +Church! What a Raiser of Doctrines! What a Confounder of Heresies! What +an able Interpreter of hard Places! What a Resolver of Cases of +Conscience! and what a prudent guide must he needs be to all his parish! + +You may possibly think, Sir, that this so early preaching might be easily +avoided, by withholding Holy Orders; the Church having very prudently +constituted in her _Canons_, that none under twenty-three years of age, +which is the usual age after seven years being at the University, should +be admitted to that great employment. + +This indeed might seem to do some service, were it carefully observed; +and were there not a thing to be got, called a _Dispensation_, which will +presently [_at once_] make you as old as you please. + +But if you will, Sir, we will suppose that Orders were strictly denied to +all, unless qualified according to _Canon_, I cannot foresee any other +remedy but that most of those University youngsters must fall to the +parish, and become a town charge until they be of spiritual age. For +Philosophy is a very idle thing, when one is cold! and a small _System of +Divinity_, though it be WOLLEBIUS himself, is not sufficient when one is +hungry! + +What then shall we do with them? and where shall we dispose of them, +until they come to a holy ripeness? + +May we venture them into the Desk to read _Service_? That cannot be, +because not capable! Besides, the tempting Pulpit usually stands too +near. Or shall we trust them in some good Gentleman's house, there to +perform holy things? With all my heart! so that they may not be called +down from their studies to say Grace to every Health; that they may have +a little better wages than the Cook or Butler; as also that there be a +Groom in the house, besides the Chaplain (for sometimes to the L10 a +year, they crowd [in] the looking after couple of geldings): and that he +may not be sent from table, picking his teeth, and sighing with his hat +under his arm; whilst the Knight and my Lady eat up the tarts and +chickens! + +It may be also convenient, if he were suffered to speak now and then in +the Parlour, besides at Grace and Prayer time; and that my cousin ABIGAIL +and he sit not too near one another at meals, nor be presented together to +the little vicarage! + +All this, Sir, must be thought on! For, in good earnest, a person at all +thoughtful of himself and conscience, had much better choose to live with +nothing but beans and pease pottage, so that he might have the command of +his thoughts and time; than to have his Second and Third Courses, and to +obey the unreasonable humours of some families. + +And as some think two or three years' continuance in the University, to +be time sufficient for being very great Instruments in the Church: so +others we have, so moderate as to count that a solemn admission and a +formal paying of College Detriments, without the trouble of Philosophical +discourses, disputations, and the like, are virtues that will influence as +far as Newcastle, and improve though at ever such a distance. + +So strangely possessed are people in general, with the easiness and small +preparation that are requisite to the undertaking of the Ministry, that +whereas in other professions, they plainly see, what considerable time is +spent before they have any hopes of arriving to skill enough to practise +with any confidence what they have designed; yet to preach to ordinary +people, and govern a country parish, is usually judged such an easy +performance, that anybody counts himself fit for the employment. We find +very few so unreasonably confident of their parts, as to profess either +Law or Physic, without either a considerable continuance in some of the +Inns of Courts, or an industrious search in herbs, Anatomy, Chemistry, +and the like, unless it be only to make a bond [_bandage_] or give a +glyster [_an injection_]. But as for "the knack of Preaching" as they +call it, that is such a very easy attainment, that he is counted dull to +purpose, that is not able, at a very small warning, to fasten upon any +text of Scripture, and to tear and tumble it, till the glass [_the +hourglass on the pulpit_] be out. + +Many, I know very well, are forced to discontinue [_at College_], having +neither stock [_capital_] of their own, nor friends to maintain them in +the University. But whereas a man's profession and employment in this +world is very much in his own, or in the choice of such who are most +nearly concerned for him; he therefore, that foresees that he is not +likely to have the advantage of a continued education, he had much better +commit himself to an approved-of cobbler or tinker, wherein he may be duly +respected according to his office and condition of life; than to be only a +disesteemed pettifogger or empiric in Divinity. + +By this time, Sir, I hope you begin to consider what a great disadvantage +it has been to the Church and Religion, the mere venturous and +inconsiderate determining of Youths to the profession of Learning. + +There is still one thing, by very few, at all minded, that ought also not +to be overlooked: and that is, a good constitution and health of body. And +therefore discreet and wise physicians ought also to be consulted, before +an absolute resolve be made to live the Life of the Learned. For he that +has strength enough to buy and bargain, may be of a very unfit habit of +body to sit still so much, as, in general, is requisite to a competent +degree of Learning. For although reading and thinking break neither legs +nor arms; yet, certainly, there is nothing that flags the spirits, +disorders the blood, and enfeebles the whole body of Man, as intense +studies. + +As for him that rives blocks or carries packs, there is no great expense +of parts, no anxiety of mind, no great intellectual pensiveness. Let him +but wipe his forehead, and he is perfectly recovered! But he that has +many languages to remember, the nature of almost the whole world to +consult, many histories, Fathers, and Councils to search into; if the +fabric of his body be not strong and healthful, you will soon find him as +thin as a piece of metaphysics, and look as piercing as a School subtilty. + +This, Sir, could not be conveniently omitted; not only because many are +very careless in this point, and, at a venture, determine their young +relations to Learning: but because, for the most part, if, amongst many, +there be but one of all the family that is weak and sickly, that is +languishing and consumptive; this, of all the rest, as counted not fit +for any coarse employment, shall be picked out as a Choice Vessel for the +Church! Whereas, most evidently, he is much more able to dig daily in the +mines, than to set cross-legged, musing upon his book. + +I am very sensible, how obvious it might be, here, to hint that this so +curious and severe Inquiry would much hinder the practice, and abate the +flourishing of the Universities: as also, there have been several, and +are still, many Living Creatures in the world, who, whilst young, being +of a very slow and meek apprehension, have yet afterward cheered up into +a great briskness, and become masters of much reason. And others there +have been, who, although forced to a short continuance in the University, +and that ofttimes interrupted by unavoidable services, have yet, by +singular care and industry, proved very famous in their generation. And +lastly, some also, of very feeble and crazy constitutions in their +childhood, have out-studied their distempers, and have become very +healthful and serviceable in the Church. + +As for the flourishing, Sir, of the Universities--what has been before +said, aims not in the least at Gentlemen, whose coming thither is chiefly +for the hopes of single [_personal_] improvement; and whose estates do +free them from the necessity of making a gain of Arts and Sciences: but +only at such as intend to make Learning their profession, as well as +[their] accomplishment. So that our Schools may be still as full of +flourishings, of fine clothes, rich gowns, and future benefactors, as +ever. + +And suppose we do imagine, as it is necessary we should, that the number +should be a little lessened; this surely will not abate the true +splendour of a University in any man's opinion, but his who reckons the +flourishing thereof, rather from the multitude of mere gowns than from +the Ingenuity and Learning of those that wear them: no more than we have +reason to count the flourishing of the Church from that vast number of +people that crowd into Holy Orders, rather than from those learned and +useful persons that defend her Truths, and manifest her Ways. + +But I say, I do not see any perfect necessity that our Schools should +hereupon be thinned and less frequented: having said nothing against the +Multitude, but the _indiscreet choice_. If therefore, instead of such, +either of inferior parts or a feeble constitution, or of unable friends; +there were picked out those that were of a tolerable ingenuity [_natural +capacity_], of a study-bearing body, and had good hopes of being +continued; as hence there is nothing to hinder our Universities from +being full, so likewise from being of great credit and learning. + +Not to deny, then, but that, now and then, there has been a lad of very +submissive parts, and perhaps no great share of time allowed him for his +studies, who has proved, beyond all expectation, brave and glorious: yet, +surely, we are not to over-reckon this so rare a hit, as to think that one +such proving lad should make recompense and satisfaction for those many +"weak ones," as the common people love to phrase them, that are in the +Church. And that no care ought to be taken, no choice made, no +maintenance provided or considered; because (now and then in an Age) one, +miraculously, beyond all hopes, proves learned and useful; is a practice, +whereby never greater mischiefs and disesteem have been brought upon the +Clergy. + +I have, in short, Sir, run over what seemed to me, the First Occasions of +that Small Learning that is to be found amongst some of the Clergy. I +shall now pass from Schooling to the Universities. + +I am not so unmindful of that devotion which I owe to those places, nor +of that great esteem I profess to have of the Guides and Governors +thereof, as to go about to prescribe new Forms and Schemes of Education; +where Wisdom has laid her top-stone. Neither shall I here examine which +Philosophy, the Old or New, makes the best sermons. It is hard to say, +that exhortations can be to _no_ purpose, if the preacher believes that +the earth turns round! or that his reproofs can take _no_ effect, unless +he will suppose a vacuum! There have been good sermons, no question! made +in the days of _Materia Prima_ and Occult Qualities: and there are, +doubtless, still good discourses now, under the reign of Atoms. + +There are but two things, wherein I count the Clergy chiefly concerned, +as to University Improvements, that, at present, I shall make Inquiry +into. + +And the first is this: Whether or not it were not highly useful, +especially for the Clergy who are supposed to speak English to the +people, that _English Exercises were imposed upon lads_, if not in Public +Schools, yet at least privately. Not but that I am abundantly satisfied +that Latin (O Latin! it is the all in all! and the very cream of the +jest!); as also, that Oratory is the same in all languages, the same +rules being observed, the same method, the same arguments and arts of +persuasion: but yet, it seems somewhat beyond the reach of ordinary youth +so to apprehend those general Laws as to make a just and allowable use of +them in all languages, unless exercised particularly in them. + +Now we know the language that the very learned part of this nation must +trust to live by, unless It be to make a bond [_bandage_] or prescribe a +purge (which possibly may not oblige or work so well in any other +language as Latin) is the English: and after a lad has taken his leave of +Madame University, GOD bless him! he is not likely to deal afterwards with +much Latin; unless it be to checker [_variegate_] a sermon, or to say +_Salveto_! to some travelling _Dominatio vestra_. Neither is it enough to +say, that the English is the language with which we are swaddled and +rocked asleep; and therefore there needs none of this artificial and +superadded care. For there be those that speak very well, plainly, and to +the purpose; and yet write most pernicious and fantastical stuff: thinking +that whatsoever is written must be more than ordinary, must be beyond the +guise [_manner_] of common speech, must savour of reading and Learning, +though it be altogether needless, and perfectly ridiculous. + +Neither ought we to suppose it sufficient that English books be +frequently read, because there be of all sorts, good and bad; and the +worst are likely to be admired by Youth more than the best: unless +Exercises be required of lads; whereby it may be guessed what their +judgement is, where they be mistaken, and what authors they propound to +themselves for imitation. For by this means, they may be corrected and +advised early, according as occasion shall require: which, if not done, +their ill style will be so confirmed, their improprieties of speech will +become so natural, that it will be a very hard matter to stir or alter +their fashion of writing. + +It is very curious to observe what delicate letters, your young students +write! after they have got a little smack of University learning. In what +elaborate heights, and tossing nonsense, will they greet a right down +English father, or country friend! If there be a plain word in it, and +such as is used at home, this "tastes not," say they, "of education among +philosophers!" and is counted damnable duncery and want of fancy. Because +"Your loving friend" or "humble servant" is a common phrase in country +letters; therefore the young Epistler is "Yours, to the Antipodes!" or at +least "to the Centre of the earth!": and because ordinary folks "love" and +"respect" you; therefore you are to him, "a Pole Star!" "a Jacob's Staff!" +"a Loadstone!" and "a damask Rose!" + +And the misery of it is, that this pernicious accustomed way of +expression does not only, ofttimes, go along with them to their benefice, +but accompanies them to the very grave. + +And, for the most part, an ordinary cheesemonger or plum-seller, that +scarce[ly] ever heard of a University, shall write much better sense, and +more to the purpose than these young philosophers, who injudiciously +hunting only for great words, make themselves learnedly ridiculous. + +Neither can it be easily apprehended, how the use of English Exercises +should any ways hinder the improvement in the Latin tongue; but rather be +much to its advantage: and this may be easily believed, considering what +dainty stuff is usually produced for a Latin entertainment! Chicken broth +is not thinner than that which is commonly offered for a Piece of most +pleading and convincing Sense! + +For, I will but suppose an Academic youngster to be put upon a Latin +Oration. Away he goes presently to his magazine of collected phrases! He +picks out all the Glitterings he can find. He hauls in all Proverbs, +"Flowers," Poetical snaps [_snatches_], Tales out of the _Dictionary_, or +else ready Latined to his hand, out of LYCOSTHENES. + +This done, he comes to the end of the table, and having made a submissive +leg [_made a submissive bow_] and a little admired [_gazed at_] the +number, and understanding countenances of his auditors: let the subject +be what it will, he falls presently into a most lamentable complaint of +his insufficiency and tenuity [_slenderness_] that he, poor thing! "hath +no acquaintance with above a Muse and a half!" and "that he never drank +above six quarts of Helicon!" and you "have put him here upon such a +task" (perhaps the business is only, Which is the nobler creature, a Flea +or a Louse?) "that would much better fit some old soaker at Parnassus, +than his sipping unexperienced bibbership." Alas, poor child! he is +"sorry, at the very soul! that he has no better speech! and wonders in +his heart, that you will lose so much time as to hear him! for he has +neither squibs nor fireworks, stars nor glories! The cursed carrier lost +his best Book of Phrases; and the malicious mice and rats eat up all his +_Pearls_ and _Golden Sentences_." + +Then he tickles over, a little, the skirts of the business. By and by, +for similitude from the Sun and Moon, or if they be not at leisure, from +"the grey-eyed Morn," or "a shady grove," or "a purling stream." + +This done, he tells you that "_Barnaby Bright_ would be much too short, +for him to tell you all that he could say": and so, "fearing he should +break the thread of your patience," he concludes. + +Now it seems, Sir, very probable, that if lads did but first of all, +determine in English what they intended to say in Latin; they would, of +themselves, soon discern the triflingness of such Apologies, the +pitifulness of their Matter, and the impertinency of their Tales and +Fancies: and would (according to their subject, age, and parts) offer +that which would be much more manly, and towards tolerable sense. + +And if I may tell you, Sir, what I really think, most of that +ridiculousness, of those phantastical phrases, harsh and sometimes +blasphemous metaphors, abundantly foppish similitudes, childish and empty +transitions, and the like, so commonly uttered out of pulpits, and so +fatally redounding to the discredit of the Clergy, may, in a great +measure, be charged upon the want of that, which we have here so much +contended for. + +The second Inquiry that may be made is this: _Whether or not Punning, +Quibbling, and that which they call Joquing_ [joking], _and such +delicacies of Wit_, highly admired in some Academic Exercises, _might not +be very conveniently omitted_? + +For one may desire but to know this one thing: In what Profession shall +that sort of Wit prove of advantage? As for Law, where nothing but the +most reaching subtility and the closest arguing is allowed of; it is not +to be imagined that blending now and then a piece of a dry verse, and +wreathing here and there an odd Latin Saying into a dismal jingle, should +give Title to an estate, or clear out an obscure evidence! And as little +serviceable can it be to Physic, which is made up of severe Reason and +well tried Experiments! + +And as for Divinity, in this place I shall say no more, but that those +usually that have been Rope Dancers in the Schools, ofttimes prove Jack +Puddings in the Pulpit. + +For he that in his youth has allowed himself this liberty of Academic +Wit; by this means he has usually so thinned his judgement, becomes so +prejudiced against sober sense, and so altogether disposed to trifling +and jingling; that, so soon as he gets hold of a text, he presently +thinks he has catched one of his old School Questions; and so falls a +flinging it out of one hand into another! tossing it this way, and that! +lets it run a little upon the line, then "_tanutus_! high jingo! come +again!" here catching at a word! there lie nibbling and sucking at an +_and_, a _by_, a _quis_ or a _quid_, a _sic_ or a _sicut_! and thus +minces the Text so small that his parishioners, until he _rendezvous_ +[_reassemble_] it again, can scarce tell, what is become of it. + +But "Shall we debar Youth of such an innocent and harmless recreation, of +such a great quickener of Parts and promoter of sagacity?" + +As for the first, its innocency of being allowed of for a time; I am so +far from that persuasion that, from what has been before hinted, I count +it perfectly contagious! and as a thing that, for the most part, infects +the whole life, and influences most actions! For he that finds himself to +have the right knack of letting off a joque, and of pleasing the Humsters; +he is not only very hardly brought off from admiring those goodly +applauses, and heavenly shouts; but it is ten to one! if he directs not +the whole bent of his studies to such idle and contemptible books as +shall only furnish him with materials for a laugh; and so neglects all +that should inform his Judgement and Reason, and make him a man of sense +and reputation in this world. + +And as for the pretence of making people sagacious, and pestilently +witty; I shall only desire that the nature of that kind of Wit may be +considered! which will be found to depend upon some such fooleries as +these-- + + As, first of all, the lucky ambiguity of some word or sentence. + O, what a happiness is it! and how much does a youngster count + himself beholden to the stars! that should help him to such a + taking jest! And whereas there be so many thousand words in the + World, and that he should luck upon the right one! that was so + very much to his purpose, and that at the explosion, made such a + goodly report! + + Or else they rake LILLY's _Grammar_; and if they can but find two + or three letters of any name in any of the _Rules_ or _Examples_ + of that good man's Works; it is as very a piece of Wit as any has + passed in the Town since the King came in [1660]! + + O, how the Freshmen will skip, to hear one of those lines well + laughed at, that they have been so often yerked [_chided_] for! + +It is true, such things as these go for Wit so long as they continue in +Latin; but what dismally shrimped things would they appear, if turned +into English! And if we search into what was, or might be pretended; we +shall find the advantages of Latin-Wit to be very small and slender, when +it comes into the World. I mean not only among strict Philosophers and Men +of mere Notions, or amongst all-damning and illiterate HECTORS; but +amongst those that are truly ingenious and judicious Masters of Fancy. We +shall find that a quotation out of _Qui mihi_, an Axiom out of Logic, a +Saying of a Philosopher, or the like, though managed with some quickness +and applied with some seeming ingenuity, will not, in our days, pass, or +be accepted, for Wit. + +For we must know that, as we are now in an Age of great Philosophers and +Men of Reason, so of great quickness and fancy! and that Greek and Latin, +which heretofore (though never so impertinently fetched in) was counted +admirable, because it had a learned twang; yet, now, such stuff, being +out of fashion, is esteemed but very bad company! + +For the World is now, especially in discourse, for One Language! and he +that has somewhat in his mind of Greek and Latin, is requested, +now-a-days, "to be civil, and translate it into English, for the benefit +of the company!" And he that has made it his whole business to accomplish +himself for the applause of boys, schoolmasters, and the easiest of +Country Divines; and has been shouldered out of the Cockpit for his Wit: +when he comes into the World, is the most likely person to be kicked out +of the company, for his pedantry and overweening opinion of himself. + +And, were it necessary, it is an easy matter to appeal to Wits, both +ancient and modern, that (beyond all controversy) have been sufficiently +approved of, that never, I am confident! received their improvements by +employing their time in Puns and Quibbles. There is the prodigious +LUCIAN, the great Don [_QUIXOTE_] of Mancha; and there are many now +living, Wits of our own, who never, certainly, were at all inspired from +a _Tripus_'s, _Terras-filius_'s, or _Praevarecator_'s speech. + +I have ventured, Sir, thus far, not to find fault with; but only to +inquire into an ancient custom or two of the Universities; wherein the +Clergy seem to be a little concerned, as to their education there. + + +I shall now look on them as beneficed, and consider their preaching. +Wherein I pretend to give no rules, having neither any gift at it, nor +authority to do it: but only shall make some conjectures at those useless +and ridiculous things commonly uttered in pulpits, that are generally +disgusted [_disliked_], and are very apt to bring contempt upon the +preacher, and that religion which he professes. + +Amongst the first things that seem to be useless, may be reckoned _the +high tossing and swaggering preaching_, either mountingly eloquent, or +profoundly learned. For there be a sort of Divines, who, if they but +happen of an unlucky hard word all the week, they think themselves not +careful of their flock, if they lay it not up till Sunday, and bestow it +amongst them, in their next preachment. Or if they light upon some +difficult and obscure notion, which their curiosity inclines them to be +better acquainted with, how useless soever! nothing so frequent as for +them, for a month or two months together, to tear and tumble this +doctrine! and the poor people, once a week, shall come and gaze upon them +by the hour, until they preach themselves, as they think, into a right +understanding. + +Those that are inclinable to make these useless speeches to the people; +they do it, for the most part, upon one of these two considerations. +Either out of simple phantastic glory, and a great studiousness of being +wondered at; as if getting into the pulpit were a kind of Staging +[_acting_]; where nothing was to be considered but how much the sermon +takes! and how much stared at! Or else, they do this to gain a respect +and reverence from their people: "who," say they, "are to be puzzled now +and then, and carried into the clouds! For if the Minister's words be +such as the Constable uses; his matter plain and practical, such as comes +to the common market; he may pass possibly for an honest and well-meaning +man, but by no means for any scholar! Whereas if he springs forth, now +and then, in high raptures towards the uppermost heavens; dashing, here +and there, an all-confounding word! if he soars aloft in unintelligible +huffs! preaches points deep and mystical, and delivers them as darkly and +phantastically! this is the way," say they, "of being accounted a most +able and learned Instructor." + +Others there be, whose parts stand not so much towards Tall Words and +Lofty Notions, but consist in scattering up and down and besprinkling all +their sermons with plenty of Greek and Latin. And because St. PAUL, once +or so, was pleased to make use of a little heathen Greek; and that only, +when he had occasion to discourse with some of the learned ones that well +understood him: therefore must they needs bring in twenty Poets and +Philosophers, if they can catch them, into an hour's talk [_evidently the +ordinary length of a sermon at this time, see_ pp. 259, 313]; spreading +themselves in abundance of Greek and Latin, to a company, perhaps, of +farmers and shepherds. + +Neither will they rest there, but have at the Hebrew also! not contenting +themselves to tell the people in general, that they "have skill in the +Text, and the exposition they offer, agrees with the Original"; but must +swagger also over the poor parishioners, with the dreadful Hebrew itself! +with their BEN-ISRAELS! BEN-MANASSES! and many more BENS that they are +intimately acquainted with! whereas there is nothing in the church, or +near it by a mile, that understands them, but GOD Almighty! whom, it is +supposed, they go not about to inform or satisfy. + +This learned way of talking, though, for the most part, it is done merely +out of ostentation: yet, sometimes (which makes not the case much better), +it is done in compliment and civility to the all-wise Patron, or +all-understanding Justice of the Peace in the parish; who, by the common +farmers of the town, must be thought to understand the most intricate +notions, and the most difficult languages. + +Now, what an admirable thing this is! Suppose there should be one or so, +in the whole church, that understands somewhat besides English: shall I +not think that he understands that better? Must I (out of courtship to +his Worship and Understanding; and because, perhaps, I am to dine with +him) prate abundance of such stuff, which, I must needs know, nobody +understands, or that will be the better for it but himself, and perhaps +scarcely he? + +This, I say, because I certainly know several of that disposition: who, +if they chance to have a man of any learning or understanding more than +the rest in the parish, preach wholly at him! and level most of their +discourses at his supposed capacity; and the rest of the good people +shall have only a handsome gaze or view of the parson! As if plain words, +useful and intelligible instructions were not as good for an Esquire, or +one that is in Commission from the King, as for him that holds the plough +or mends hedges. + +Certainly he that considers the design of his Office, and has a +conscience answerable to that holy undertaking, must needs conceive +himself engaged, not only to mind this or that accomplished or +well-dressed person, but must have a universal care and regard of all his +parish. And as he must think himself bound, not only to visit down beds +and silken curtains, but also flocks and straw [_mattresses_], if there +be need: so ought his care to be as large to instruct the poor, the weak, +and despicable part of his parish, as those that sit in the best pews. He +that does otherwise, thinks not at all of a man's soul: but only +accommodates himself to fine clothes, an abundance of ribbons, and the +highest seat in the church; not thinking that it will be as much to his +reward in the next worlds by sober advice, care, and instruction, to have +saved one that takes collection [_alms_] as him that is able to relieve +half the town. It is very plain that neither our Saviour, when he was +upon earth and taught the World, made any such distinction in his +discourses. What is more intelligible to all mankind than his _Sermon +upon the Mount_! Neither did the Apostles think of any such way. I +wonder, whom they take for a pattern! + +I will suppose once again, that the design of these persons is to gain +glory: and I shall ask them, Can there be any greater in the world, than +doing general good? To omit future reward, Was it not always esteemed of +old, that correcting evil practices, reducing people that lived amiss, +was much better than making a high rant about a shuttlecock, and talking +_tara-tantara_ about a feather? Or if they would be only admired, then +would I gladly have them consider, What a thin and delicate kind of +admiration is likely to be produced, by that which is not at all +understood? Certainly, that man has a design of building up to himself +real fame in good earnest, by things well laid and spoken: his way to +effect it is not by talking staringly, and casting a mist before the +people's eyes; but by offering such things by which he may be esteemed, +with knowledge and understanding. + +Thus far concerning Hard Words, High Notions, and Unprofitable Quotations +out of learned languages. + +I shall now consider such things _as are ridiculous_, that serve for +chimney and market talk, after the sermon be done; and that do cause, +more immediately, the preacher to be scorned and undervalued. + +I have no reason, Sir, to go about to determine what style or method is +best for the improvement and advantage of _all_ people. For, I question +not but there have been as many several sorts of Preachers as Orators; +and though very different, yet useful and commendable in their kind. +TULLY takes very deservedly with many, SENECA with others, and CATO, no +question! said things wisely and well. So, doubtless, the same place of +Scripture may by several, be variously considered: and although their +method and style be altogether different, yet they may all speak things +very convenient for the people to know and be advised of. But yet, +certainly, what is most undoubtedly useless and empty, or what is judged +absolutely ridiculous, not by this or that curious or squeamish auditor, +but by every man in the Corporation that understands but plain English +and common sense, ought to be avoided. For all people are naturally born +with such a judgement of true and allowable Rhetoric, that is, of what is +decorous and convenient to be spoken, that whatever is grossly otherwise +is usually ungrateful, not only to the wise and skilful part of the +congregation, but shall seem also ridiculous to the very unlearned +tradesmen [_mechanics_] and their young apprentices. Amongst which, may +be chiefly reckoned these following, _harsh Metaphors, childish +Similitudes_, and _ill-applied Tales_. + +The first main thing, I say, that makes many sermons so ridicuous, and +the preachers of them so much disparaged and undervalued, is _an +inconsiderate use of frightful Metaphors_: which making such a remarkable +impression upon the ears, and leaving such a jarring twang behind them, +are oftentimes remembered to the discredit of the Minister as long as he +continues in the parish. + +I have heard the very children in the streets, and the little boys close +about the fire, refresh themselves strangely but with the repetition of a +few of such far-fetched and odd sounding expressions. TULLY, therefore, +and CAESAR, the two greatest masters of Roman eloquence, were very wary +and sparing of that sort of Rhetoric. We may read many a page in their +works before we meet with any of those bears; and if you do light upon +one or so, it shall not make your hair stand right up! or put you into a +fit of convulsions! but it shall be so soft, significant, and familiar, +as if it were made for the very purpose. + +But as for the common sort of people that are addicted to this sort of +expression in their discourses; away presently to both the Indies! rake +heaven and earth! down to the bottom of the sea! then tumble over all +Arts and Sciences! ransack all shops and warehouses! spare neither camp +nor city, but that they will have them! So fond are such deceived ones of +these same gay words, that they count all discourses empty, dull, and +cloudy; unless bespangled with these glitterings. Nay, so injudicious and +impudent together will they sometimes be, that the Almighty Himself is +often in danger of being dishonoured by these indiscreet and horrid +Metaphor-mongers. And when they thus blaspheme the God of Heaven by such +unhallowed expressions; to make amends, they will put you in an "As it +were" forsooth! or "As I may so say," that is, they will make bold to +speak what they please concerning GOD Himself, rather than omit what they +judge, though never so falsely, to be witty. And then they come in +hobbling with their lame submission, and with their "reverence be it +spoken": as if it were not much better to leave out what they foresee is +likely to be interpreted for blasphemy, or at least great extravagancy; +than to utter that, for which their own reason and conscience tell them, +they are bound to lay in beforehand an excuse. + +To which may be further subjoined, that Metaphors, though very apt and +allowable, are intelligible but to some sorts of men, of this or that +kind of life, of this or that profession. + +For example, perhaps one Gentleman's metaphorical knack of preaching +comes of the sea; and then we shall hear of nothing but "starboard" and +"larboard," of "stems," "sterns," and "forecastles," and such salt-water +language: so that one had need take a voyage to Smyrna or Aleppo, and +very warily attend to all the sailors' terms, before I shall in the least +understand my teacher. Now, though such a sermon may possibly do some good +in a coast town; yet upward into the country, in an inland parish, it will +do no more than Syriac or Arabic. + +Another, he falls a fighting with his text, and makes a pitched battle of +it, dividing it into the Right Wing and Left Wing; then he _rears_ it! +_flanks_ it! _intrenches_ it! _storms_ it! and then he _musters_ all +again! to see what word was lost or lamed in the skirmish: and so falling +on again, with fresh valour, he fights backward and forward! charges +through and through! routs! kills! takes! and then, "Gentlemen! as you +were!" Now to such of his parish as have been in the late wars, this is +not very formidable; for they do but suppose themselves at Edgehill or +Naseby, and they are not much scared at his doctrine: but as for others, +who have not had such fighting opportunities, it is very lamentable to +consider how shivering they sit without understanding, till the battle be +over! + +Like instance might be easily given of many more discourses, the +metaphorical phrasing whereof, depending upon peculiar arts, customs, +trades, and professions, makes them useful and intelligible only to such, +who have been very well busied in such like employments. + +Another thing, Sir, that brings great disrespect and mischief upon the +Clergy, and that differs not much from what went immediately before, is +their _packing their sermons so full of Similitudes_; which, all the +World knows, carry with them but very small force of argument, unless +there be _an exact agreement with that which is compared_, of which there +is very seldom any sufficient care taken. + +Besides, those that are addicted to this slender way of discourse, for +the most part, do so weaken and enfeeble their judgement, by contenting +themselves to understand by colours, features, and glimpses; that they +perfectly omit all the more profitable searching into the nature and +causes of things themselves. By which means, it necessarily comes to +pass, that what they undertake to prove and clear out to the +Congregation, must needs be so faintly done, and with such little force +of argument, that the conviction or persuasion will last no longer in the +parishioners' minds, than the warmth of those similitudes shall glow in +their fancy. So that he that has either been instructed in some part of +his duty, or excited to the performance of the same, not by any judicious +dependence of things, and lasting reason; but by such faint and toyish +evidence: his understanding, upon all occasions, will be as apt to be +misled as ever, and his affections as troublesome and ungovernable. + +But they are not so Unserviceable, as, usually, they are Ridiculous. For +people of the weakest parts are most commonly overborn with these +fooleries; which, together with the great difficulty of their being +prudently managed, must needs occasion them, for the most part, to be +very trifling and childish. + +Especially, if we consider the choiceness of the authors out of which +they are furnished. There is the never-to-be-commended-enough +LYCOSTHENES. There is also the admirable piece [by FRANCIS MERES] called +the _Second Part of Wits Commonwealth_ [1598]: I pray mind it! it is the +_Second Part_, and not the _First_! And there is, besides, a book wholly +consisting of Similitudes [? JOHN SPENCER's _Things New and Old, or a +Storehouse of Similies, Sentences, Allegories, &c._, 1658] applied and +ready fitted to most preaching subjects, for the help of young beginners, +who sometimes will not make them hit handsomely. + +It is very well known that such as are possessed with an admiration of +such eloquence, think that they are very much encouraged in their way by +the Scripture itself. "For," say they, "did not our blessed Saviour +himself use many metaphors and many parables? and did not his disciples, +following his so excellent an example, do the like? And is not this, not +only warrant enough, but near upon a command to us so to do?" + +If you please, therefore, we will see what our Saviour does in this case. +In _St. Matthew_ he tells his disciples, that "they are the salt of the +earth," that "they are the light of the world," that "they are a city set +on a hill." Furthermore, he tells his Apostles, that "he sends them forth +as sheep in the midst of wolves;" and bids them therefore "be as wise as +serpents, and harmless as doves." Now, are not all these things plain and +familiar, even almost to children themselves, that can but taste and see; +and to men of the lowest education and meanest capacities! + +I shall not here insist upon those special and admirable reasons for +which our Saviour made use of so many parables. Only thus much is needful +to be said, namely, that they are very much mistaken, that, from hence, +think themselves tolerated to turn all the world into frivolous and +abominable similitudes. + +As for our Saviour, when he spoke a parable, he was pleased to go no +further than the fields, the seashore, a garden, a vineyard, or the like; +which are things, without the knowledge whereof, scarcely any man can be +supposed to live in this world. + +But as for our Metaphorical- and Similitude-Men of the Pulpit, these +things to them, are too still and languid! they do not rattle and rumble! +These lie too near home, and within vulgar ken! There is little on this +side the moon that will content them! Up, presently, to the _Primum +Mobile_, and the Trepidation of the Firmament! Dive into the bowels and +hid treasures of the earth! Despatch forthwith, for Peru and Jamaica! A +town bred or country bred similitude is worth nothing! + + "It is reported of a tree growing upon the bank of Euphrates, the + great river Euphrates! that it brings forth an Apple, to the eye + very fair and tempting; but inwardly it is filled with nothing + but useless and deceiving dust. Even so, dust we are; and to dust + we must all go!" + +Now, what a lucky discovery was this, that a man's Body should be so +exactly like an Apple! And, I will assure you that this was not thought +on, till within these few years! + +And I am afraid, too, he had a kind of a hint of this, from another who +had formerly found out that a man's + + Soul was like an Oyster. For, says he in his prayer, "Our souls + are constantly gaping after thee, O LORD! yea, verily, our souls + do gape, even as an oyster gapeth!" + +It seems pretty hard, at first sight, to bring into a sermon all the +Circles of the Globe and all the frightful terms of Astronomy; but I will +assure you, Sir, it is to be done! because it has been. But not by every +bungler and ordinary text-divider; but by a man of great cunning and +experience. + + There is a place in the prophet _Malachi_, where it will do very + nicely, and that is chapter iv. ver. 2, "But unto you, that fear + my Name, shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in his + wings." From which words, in the first place, it plainly appears + that our Saviour passed through all the twelve signs of the + Zodiac; and more than that too, all proved by very apt and + familiar places of Scripture. + + First, then, our Saviour was in _Aries_. Or else, what means that + of the Psalmist, "The mountains skipped like rams, and the little + hills like lambs!"? And again, that in Second of the _Kings_, + chap. iii. ver. 4, "And MESHA, King of Moab, was a sheep master, + and rendered unto the King of Israel an hundred thousand lambs," + and what follows, "and an hundred thousand rams, with the wool!" + Mind it! it was the King of Israel! + + In like manner, was he in _Taurus. Psalm_ xxii. 12. "Many bulls + have compassed me! Strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round!" + They were not ordinary bulls. They were _compassing_ bulls! they + were _besetting_ bulls! they were _strong Bashan_ bulls! + + What need I speak of _Gemini_? Surely you cannot but remember + ESAU and JACOB! _Genesis_ xxv. 24. "And when her days to be + delivered were fulfilled, behold there were Twins in her womb!" + + Or of _Cancer_? when, as the Psalmist says so plainly, "What + ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan! that + thou wast driven back?" Nothing more plain! + + It were as easy to shew the like in all the rest of the Signs. + + But instead of that, I shall rather choose to make this one + practical Observation. That the mercy of GOD to mankind in + sending His Son into the world, was a very _signal_ mercy. It was + a _zodiacal_ mercy! I say it was truly zodiacal; for CHRIST keeps + within the Tropics! He goes not out of the Pale of the Church; + but yet he is not always at the same distance from a believer. + Sometimes he withdraws himself into the _apogaeum_ of doubt, + sorrow, and despair; but then he comes again into the _perigaeum_ + of joy, content, and assurance; but as for heathens and + unbelievers, they are all arctic and antarctic reprobates! + +Now when such stuff as this, as sometimes it is, is vented in a poor +parish, where people can scarce tell, what day of the month it is by the +Almanack? how seasonable and savoury it is likely to be! + +It seems also not very easy for a man in his sermon to learn [_teach_] +his parishioners how to dissolve gold, of what, and how the stuff is +made. Now, to ring the bells and call the people on purpose together, +would be but a blunt business; but to do it neatly, and when nobody +looked for it, that is the rarity and art of it! + +Suppose, then, that he takes for his text that of _St. Matthew_, + + "Repent ye, for the Kingdom of GOD is at hand." Now, tell me, + Sir, do you not perceive the gold to be in a dismal fear! to curl + and quiver at the first reading of these words! It must come in + thus, "The blots and blurs of our sins must be taken out by the + _aqua-fortis_ of our tears; to which _aqua-fortis_, if you put a + fifth part of _sal-ammoniac_, and set them in a gentle heat, it + makes _aqua-regia_ which dissolves gold." + +And now it is out! Wonderful are the things that are to be done by the +help of metaphors and similitudes! And I will undertake that, with a +little more pains and considerations, out of the very same words, he +could have taught the people how to make custards, or marmalade, or to +stew prunes! + +But, pray, why "the _aqua-fortis_ of tears?" For if it so falls out that +there should chance to be neither Apothecary, nor Druggist at church, +there is an excellent jest wholly lost! + +Now had he been so considerate as to have laid his wit in some more +common and intelligible material; for example, had he said the "blots of +sin" will be easily taken out "by the soap of sorrow, and the +fullers-earth of contrition," then possibly the Parson and the parish +might all have admired one another. For there be many a good-wife that +understands very well all the intrigues of pepper, salt, and vinegar, who +knows not anything of the all-powerfulness of _aqua-fortis_, how that it +is such a spot-removing liquor! + +I cannot but consider with what understanding the people sighed and +cried, when the Minister made for them this metaphysical confession: + + "Omnipotent All! Thou art only! Because Thou art all, and because + Thou only art! As for us, we are not; but we seem to be! and only + seem to be, because we are not! for we be but Mites of Entity, + and Crumbs of Something!" and so on. + +As if a company of country people were bound to understand SUAREZ, and +all the School Divines! + +And as some are very high and learned in their attempts; so others there +be, who are of somewhat too mean and dirty imagination. + +Such was he, who goes by the name of Parson SLIPSTOCKING. Who preaching +about the grace and assistance of GOD, and that of ourselves we are able +to do nothing, advised his "beloved" to take him this plain similitude. + + "A father calls his child to him, saying, 'Child, pull off this + stocking!' The child, mightily joyful that it should pull off + father's stocking, takes hold of the stocking, and tugs! and + pulls! and sweats! but to no purpose: for stocking stirs not, for + it is but a child that pulls! Then the father bids the child to + rest a little, and try again. So then the child sets on again, + tugs again; but no stocking comes: for child is but a child! Then + the father taking pity upon his child, puts his hand behind and + slips down the stocking; and off comes the stocking! Then how + does the child rejoice! for child hath pulled off father's + stocking, Alas, poor child! it was not child's strength, it was + not child's sweating that got off the stocking; but yet it was + the father's hand that slipped down the stocking. Even so--" + +Not much unlike to this, was he that, preaching about the Sacrament and +Faith, makes CHRIST a shopkeeper; telling you that "CHRIST is a Treasury +of all wares and commodities," and thereupon, opening his wide throat, +cries aloud, + + "Good people! what do you lack? What do you buy? Will you buy any + balm of Gilead? any eye salve? any myrrh, aloes, or cassia? Shall + I fit you with a robe of Righteousness, or with a white garment? + See here! What is it you want? Here is a choice armoury! Shall I + shew you a helmet of Salvation, a shield, or breastplate of + Faith? or will you please to walk in and see some precious + stones? a jasper, a sapphire, a chalcedony? Speak, what do you + buy?" + +Now, for my part, I must needs say (and I much fancy I speak the mind of +thousands) that it had been much better for such an imprudent and +ridiculous bawler as this, to have been condemned to have cried oysters +or brooms, than to discredit, after this unsanctified rate, his +Profession and our Religion. + +It would be an endless thing, Sir, to count up to you all the follies, +for a hundred years last past, that have been preached and printed of +this kind. But yet I cannot omit that of the famous Divine in his time, +who, advising the people in days of danger to run unto the LORD, tells +them that "they cannot go to the LORD, much less run, without feet;" that +"there be therefore two feet to run to the LORD, Faith and Prayer." + + "It is plain that Faith is a foot, for, 'by Faith we stand,' 2 + _Cor_. i. 24; therefore by Faith, we must run to the LORD who is + faithful. + + "The second is Prayer, a spiritual Leg to bear us thither. Now + that Prayer is a spiritual Leg appears from several places in + Scripture, as from that of JONAH speaking of _coming_, chap. ii. + ver. 7, 'And my prayer _came_ unto thy holy temple.' And likewise + from that of the Apostle who says, _Heb_. iv. 16, 'Let us + therefore _go_ unto the throne of grace.' Both intimating that + Prayer is a spiritual Leg: there being no _coming_ or _going_ to + the LORD without the Leg of Prayer." + + He further adds, "Now that these feet may be able to bear us + thither, we must put on the Hose [_stockings_] of Faith; for the + Apostle says, 'Our feet must be shod with the preparation of the + Gospel of Peace.'" + +The truth of it is, the Author is somewhat obscure: for, at first, Faith +was a Foot, and by-and-by it is a Hose, and at last it proves a Shoe! If +he had pleased, he could have made it anything! + +Neither can I let pass that of a later Author; who telling us, "It is +Goodness by which we must ascend to heaven," and that "Goodness is the +Milky Way to JUPITER's Palace"; could not rest there, but must tell us +further, that "to strengthen us in our journey, we must not take morning +milk, but some morning meditations:" fearing, I suppose, lest some people +should mistake, and think to go to heaven by eating now and then a mess of +morning milk, because the way was "milky." + +Neither ought that to be omitted, not long since printed upon those words +of St. JOHN, "These things write I unto you, that ye sin not." + + The Observation is that "it is the purpose of Scripture to drive + men from sin. These Scriptures contain Doctrines, Precepts, + Promises, Threatenings, and Histories. Now," says he, "take these + five smooth stones, and put them into the Scrip of the heart, and + throw them with the Sling of faith, by the Hand of a strong + resolution, against the Forehead of sin: and we shall see it, + like GOLIATH, fall before us." + +But I shall not trouble you any further upon this subject: but, if you +have a mind to hear any more of this stuff, I shall refer you to the +learned and judicious Author of the _Friendly Debates_ [_i.e._, SIMON +PATRICK, afterwards Bishop of ELY, who wrote _A Friendly Debate between a +Conformist and a Nonconformist_, in two parts, 1669]: who, particularly, +has at large discovered the intolerable fooleries of this way of talking. + +I shall only add thus much, that such as go about to fetch blood into +their pale and lean discourses, by the help of their brisk and sparkling +similitudes, ought well to consider, Whether their similitudes be true? + +I am confident, Sir, you have heard it, many and many a time, or, if need +be, I can shew you it in a book, that when the preacher happens to talk +how that the things here below will not satisfy the mind of man; then +comes in, "the round world which cannot fill the triangular heart of +man!" whereas every butcher knows that the heart is no more triangular +than an ordinary pear, or a child's top. But because _triangular_ is a +hard word, and perhaps a jest! therefore people have stolen it one from +another, these two or three hundred years; and, for aught I know, much +longer! for I cannot direct to the first inventor of the fancy. + +In like manner, they are to consider, What things, either in the heavens +or belonging to the earth, have been found out, by experience, to +contradict what has been formerly allowed of? + +Thus, because some ancient astronomers had observed that both the +distances as well as the revolutions of the planets were in some +proportion or harmony one to another: therefore people that abounded with +more imagination than skill, presently fancied the Moon, Mercury, and +Venus to be a kind of violins or trebles to Jupiter or Saturn; that the +Sun and Mars supplied the room of tenors, and the _Primum Mobile_ running +Division all the tune. So that one could scarce hear a sermon, but they +must give you a touch of "the Harmony of the Spheres." + +Thus, Sir, you shall have them take that of St. PAUL, about "faith, hope, +and charity." And instead of a sober instructing of the people in those +eminent and excellent graces, they shall only ring you over a few changes +upon the three words; crying, "Faith! Hope! and Charity!" "Hope! Faith! +and Charity!" and so on: and when they have done their peal, they shall +tell you that "this is much better than the Harmony of the Spheres!" + +At other times, I have heard a long chiming only between two words; as +suppose Divinity and Philosophy, or Revelation and Reason. Setting forth +with Revelation first. "Revelation is a Lady; Reason, an Handmaid! +Revelation is the Esquire; Reason, the Page! Revelation is the Sun; +Reason, but the Moon! Revelation is Manna; Reason is but an acorn! +Revelation, a wedge of gold; Reason, a small piece of silver!" + +Then, by and by, Reason gets it, and leads it away, "Reason indeed is +very good, but Revelation is much better! Reason is a Councillor, but +Revelation is the Lawgiver! Reason is a candle, but Revelation is the +snuffer!" + +Certainly, those people are possessed with a very great degree of +dulness, who living under the means of such enlightening preaching, +should not be mightily settled in the right notion and true bounds of +Faith and Reason. + +No less ably, methought, was the difference between the Old Covenant and +the New, lately determined. "The Old Covenant was of Works; the New +Covenant, of Faith. The Old Covenant was by MOSES; The New, by CHRIST. +The Old was heretofore; the New, afterwards. The Old was first; the New +was second. Old things are passed away: behold, all things are become +new." And so the business was very fundamentally done. + +I shall say no more upon this subject, but this one thing, which relates +to what was said a little before. He that has got a set of similitudes +calculated according to the old philosophy, and PTOLEMY's system of the +world, must burn his commonplace book, and go a-gleaning for new ones; it +being, nowadays, much more gentle and warrantable to take a similitude +from the Man in the Moon than from _solid_ orbs: for though few people do +absolutely believe that there is any such Eminent Person there; yet the +thing is possible, whereas the other is not. + + +I have now done, Sir, with that imprudent way of speaking by Metaphor and +Simile. There are many other things commonly spoken out of the pulpit, +that are much to the disadvantage and discredit of the Clergy; that ought +also to be briefly hinted. And that I may the better light upon them, I +shall observe their _common method of Preaching_. + +[1.] Before the text be divided, a _Preface_ is to be made. + +And it is a great chance if, first of all, the Minister does not make his +text to be _like something or other_. + +For example. One, he tells you, "And now, methinks, my Text, like an +ingenious [_clever_] Picture, looks upon all here present: in which, both +nobles and people, may behold their sin and danger represented." This was +a text out of _Hosea_. Now, had it been out of any other place of the +_Bible_; the gentleman was sufficiently resolved to make it like "an +ingenious Picture." + +Another taking, perhaps, the very same words, says, "I might compare my +Text to the mountains of Bether, where the LORD disports Himself like a +young hart or a pleasant roe among the spices." + +Another man's Text is "like the rod of MOSES, to divide the waves of +sorrow"; or "like the mantle of ELIJAH, to restrain the swelling floods +of grief." + +Another gets to his Text thus, "As SOLOMON went up six steps to come to +the great Throne of Ivory, so must I ascend six degrees to come to the +high top-meaning of my Text." + +Another thus, "As DEBORAH arose, and went with BARAK to Kadesh; so, if +you will go with him, and call in the third verse of the chapters he will +shew you the meaning of his Text." + +Another, he fancies his Text to be extraordinarily like to "an orchard of +pomegranates;" or like "St. MATTHEW sitting at the receipt of custom;" or +like "the dove that NOAH sent out of the Ark." + +I believe there are above forty places of Scripture, that have been "like +RACHEL and LEAH": and there is one in _Genesis_, as I well remember, that +is "like a pair of compasses stradling." And, if I be not much mistaken, +there is one, somewhere else, that is "like a man going to Jericho." + +Now, Sir, having thus made the way to the Text as smooth and plain as +anything, with a _Preface_, perhaps from ADAM, though his business lie at +the other end of the _Bible_: in the next place; [2] he comes to _divide +the Text_. + + _Hic labor, hoc opus + Per varios casus, per tot discrimina rerum, + Silvestrem tenui_. + +Now, come off the gloves! and the hands being well chafed [_rubbed +together_]; he shrinks up his shoulders, and stretches forth himself as +if he were going to cleave a bullock's head, or rive the body of an oak! + +But we must observe, that there is a great difference of Texts. For all +Texts come not asunder alike! For sometimes the words naturally _fall_ +asunder! sometimes they _drop_ asunder! sometimes they _melt_! sometimes +they _untwist_! and there be some words so willing to be parted that they +_divide themselves_! to the great ease and rejoicing of the Minister. + +But if they will not easily come to pieces, then he falls to hacking and +hewing! as if he would make all fly into shivers! The truth of it is, I +have known, now and then, some knotty Texts, that have been divided seven +or eight times over! before they could make them _split_ handsomely, +according to their mind. + +But then comes the Joy of Joys! when the Parts jingle! or begin with the +same Letter! and especially if in Latin. + +O how it tickled the Divider! when he got his Text into those two +excellent branches, _Accusatio vera: Comminatio severa_: "A Charge full +of Verity: A Discharge of Severity." And, I will warrant you! that did +not please a little, viz., "there are in the words, _duplex miraculum; +Miraculum in modo_ and _Miraculum in nodo_." + +But the luckiest I have met withal, both for Wit and Keeping of the +Letter, is upon these words of _St. Matthew_ xii. 43, 44, 45: "When the +unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, +seeking rest and finding none. Then he saith I will return," &c. + +In which words, all these strange things were found out. First, there was +a _Captain_ and a _Castle_. (Do you see. Sir, the same letter!) Then, +there was an _ingress_, an _egress_; and a _regress_ or _reingress_. +Then, there was _unroosting_ and _unresting_. Then, there were _number_ +and _name, manner_ and _measure, trouble_ and _trial, resolution_ and +_revolution, assaults_ and _assassination, voidness_ and _vacuity_. This +was done at the same time, by the same man! But, to confess the truth of +it! it was a good long Text; and so, he had the greater advantage. + +But for a short Text, that, certainly, was the greatest _break_ that ever +was! which was occasioned from those words of _St. Luke_ xxiii. 28, "Weep +not for me, weep for yourselves!" or as some read it, "but weep for +yourselves!" + +It is a plain case, Sir! Here are but eight words; and the business was +cunningly ordered, that there sprang out eight Parts. "Here are," says +the Doctor, "eight Words, and eight Parts! + +"1. Weep not! + 2. But weep! + 3. Weep not, but weep! + 4. Weep for me! + 5. For yourselves! + 6. For me, for yourselves! + 7. Weep not for me! + 8. But weep for yourselves! + +"That is to say, North, North-and-by-East, North-North-East, North-East +and by North, North-East, North-East and by East, East-North-East, East +and by North, East." + +Now, it seems not very easy to determine, who has obliged the world most; +he that found out the Compass, or he that divided the fore-mentioned Text? +But I suppose the cracks [_claps_] will go generally upon the Doctor's +side! by reason what he did, was done by undoubted Art and absolute +industry: but as for the other, the common report is that it was found +out by mere foolish fortune. Well, let it go how it will! questionless, +they will be both famous in their way, and honourably mentioned to +posterity. + +Neither ought he to be altogether slighted, who taking that of _Genesis_ +xlviii. 2 for his text; viz., "And one told JACOB, and said, 'Behold, thy +son JOSEPH cometh unto thee!'" presently perceived, and made it out to his +people, that his Text was "a spiritual Dial." + + "For," says he, "here be in my Text, twelve words, which do + plainly represent the twelve hours. _And one told JACOB, and + said, 'Thy son JOSEPH cometh unto thee!'_ And here is, besides, + _Behold_, which is the Hand of the Dial, that turns and points at + every word of the Text. _And one told JACOB, and said, 'Behold, + thy son JOSEPH cometh unto thee!'_ For it is not said, _Behold + JACOB!_ or _Behold JOSEPH!_ but it is, _And one told JACOB, and + said, Behold, thy son JOSEPH cometh unto thee_. That it is say, + Behold _And_, Behold _one_, Behold _told_, Behold _JACOB_. Again + Behold _and_, Behold _said_, and also Behold _Behold_, &c. Which + is the reason that this word _Behold_ is placed in the middle of + the other twelve words, indifferently pointing to each word. + + "Now, as it needs must be One of the Clock before it can be Two + or Three; so I shall handle this word _And_, the first word of + the Text, before I meddle with the following. + + "And _one told JACOB_. The word _And_ is but a particle, and a + small one: but small things are not to be despised. _St. Matthew_ + xviii. 10, _Take heed that you despise not one of these little + ones_. For this _And_ is as the tacks and loops amongst the + curtains of the Tabernacle. The tacks put into the loops did + couple the curtains of the Tent and sew the Tent together: so + this particle _And_ being put into the loops of the words + immediately before the Text, does couple the Text to the + foregoing verse, and sews them close together." + +I shall not trouble you, Sir, with the rest: being much after this witty +rate, and to as much purpose. + + +But we will go on, if you please, Sir! to [3] the cunning _Observations, +Doctrines, and Inferences_ that are commonly made and raised from places +of Scripture. + +One takes that for his Text, _Psalm_ lxviii. 3, _But let the righteous be +glad_. From whence, he raises this doctrine, that "there is a Spirit of +Singularity in the Saints of GOD: but let the righteous--" a doctrine, I +will warrant him! of his own raising; it being not very easy for anybody +to prevent him! + +Another, he takes that of _Isaiah_ xli. 14, 15, _Fear not, thou worm +JACOB_! &c.... _thou shalt thresh the mountains._ Whence he observes that +"the worm JACOB was a threshing worm!" + +Another, that of _Genesis_ xliv. 1. _And he commanded the Steward of the +house, saying, Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can +carry_: and makes this note from the words. + + That "great sacks and many sacks will hold more than few sacks + and little ones. For look," says he, "how they came prepared with + sacks and beasts, so they were sent back with corn! The greater, + and the more sacks they had prepared, the more corn they carry + away! if they had prepared but small sacks, and a few; they had + carried away the less!" + +Verily, and indeed extraordinarily true! + +Another, he falls upon that of _Isaiah_ lviii. 5, _Is it such a fast that +I have chosen? A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his +head like a bulrush?_ The Observation is that "Repentance for an hour, or +a day, is not worth a bulrush!" And, there, I think, he hit the business! + + +But of these, Sir, I can shew you a whole book full, in a treatise called +_Flames and Discoveries_, consisting of very notable and extraordinary +things which the inquisitive Author had privately observed and +discovered, upon reading the Evangelists; as for example: + + Upon reading that of _St. John_, chapter ii. verse 15, _And when + he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of + the Temple_; this prying Divine makes these discoveries, "I + discover," says he, "in the first place, that in the Church or + Temple, a scourge may be made, _And when he had made a scourge_. + Secondly, that it may be made use of, _he drove them all out of + the Temple_." And it was a great chance that he had not + discovered a third thing; and that is, that the scourge was made, + before it was made use of. + + Upon _Matthew_ iv. 25, _And there followed him great multitudes + of people from Galilee_, "I discover," says he, "when JESUS + prevails with us, we shall soon leave our Galilees! I discover + also," says he, "a great miracle, viz.: that the way after JESUS + being straight, that such a multitude should follow him." + + _Matthew_ v. 1. _And seeing the multitude, he went up into a + mountain_. Upon this, he discovers several very remarkable things. + First, he discovers that "CHRIST went _from the multitude_." + Secondly, that "it is safe to take warning at our eyes, for _seeing + the multitude, he went up_." Thirdly, "it is not fit to be always + upon the plains and flats with the multitude: but, _if we be risen + with CHRIST, to seek those things that are above_." + + He discovers also very strange things, from the latter part of + the fore-mentioned verse. _And when he was set, his disciples + came unto him_. 1. CHRIST is not always in motion, _And when he + was set_. 2. He walks not on the mountain, but sits, _And when he + was set_. From whence also, in the third place, he advises + people, that "when they are teaching they should not move too + much, for that is to be _carried to and fro with every wind of + doctrine_." Now, certainly, never was this place of Scripture + more seasonably brought in. + + Now, Sir, if you be for a very short and witty discovery, let it + be upon that of _St. Matthew_ vi. 27. _Which of you, by taking + thought, can add one cubit unto his stature?_ The discovery is + this, that "whilst the disciples were taking thought for a cubit; + CHRIST takes them down a cubit lower!" + + Notable also are two discoveries made upon _St. Matthew_ viii. 1. + 1. That "CHRIST went down, as well as went up. _When he came down + from the mountain_." 2. That "the multitude did not go 'hail + fellow well met!' with him, nor before him; _for great multitudes + followed him_." + +I love, with all my heart, when people can prove what they say. For there +be many that will talk of their Discoveries and spiritual Observations; +and when all comes to all, they are nothing but pitiful guesses and +slender conjectures. + + In like manner, that was no contemptible discovery that was made + upon _St. Matthew_ viii. 19. _And a certain Scribe came and, said, + "Master, I will follow thee wheresoever thou goest."_ "A _thou_ + shall be followed more than a _that_. _I will follow_ thee + _wheresoever thou goest_." + + And, in my opinion, that was not altogether amiss, upon _St. + Matthew_ xi. 2. _Now when JOHN had heard in prison the works of + CHRIST, he sent two of his disciples_. The discovery is this. That + "it is not good sending single to CHRIST, _he sent two of his + disciples_." + + Some also, possibly may not dislike that upon _St. Luke_ xii, 35. + _Let your loins be girded_. "I discover," says he, "there must be + a holy girding and trussing up for heaven." + + But I shall end all, with that very politic one that he makes upon + _St. Matthew_ xii. 47. _Then said one unto him "Behold thy mother + and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee." But + he answered and said, "Who is my mother? and who are my + brethren?"_ "I discover now," says he, "that JESUS is upon + business." + +Doubtless, this was one of the greatest Discoverers of Hidden Mysteries, +and one of the most Pryers into Spiritual Secrets that ever the world was +owner of. It was very well that he happened upon the godly calling, and no +secular employment: or else, in good truth! down had they all gone! Turk! +Pope! and Emperor! for he would have discovered them, one way or another, +every man! + + +Not much unlike to these wonderful Discoverers, are they who, choosing to +preach on some Point in Divinity, shall purposely avoid all such plain +Texts as might give them very just occasion to discourse upon their +intended subject, and shall pitch upon some other places of Scripture, +which no creature in the world but themselves, did ever imagine that +which they offer to be therein designed. My meaning, Sir, is this. + +Suppose you have a mind to make a sermon concerning Episcopacy, as in the +late times [_the Commonwealth_] there were several occasions for it, you +must, by no means, take any place of Scripture that proves or favours +that kind of Ecclesiastical Government! for then the plot will be +discovered; and the people will say to themselves, "We know where to find +you! You intend to preach about Episcopacy!" But you must take _Acts_, +chapter xvi. verse 30, _Sirs, what must I do to be saved?_ An absolute +place for Episcopacy! that all former Divines had idly overlooked! For +_Sirs_ being in the Greek [Greek: Kurioi], which is to say, in true and +strict translation, _Lords_, what is more plain than, that of old, +Episcopacy was not only the acknowledged Government; but that Bishops +were formerly Peers of the Realm, and so ought to sit in the House of +Lords! + +Or, suppose that you have a mind to commend to your people, Kingly +Government: you must not take any place that is plainly to the purpose! +but' that of the Evangelist, _Seek first the Kingdom of GOD_! From which +words, the doctrine will plainly be, that Monarchy or Kingly Government +is most according to the mind of GOD. For it is not said, "seek the +_Parliament_ of GOD!" "the _Army_ of GOD!" or "the _Committee of Safety_ +of GOD!" but it is "seek the _Kingdom_ of GOD!" And who could expect +less? Immediately after this [_i.e., this argument_], the King came in, +and the Bishops were restored [1660 A.D.]. + +Again, Sir (because I would willingly be understood), suppose you design +to preach about Election and Reprobation. As for the eighth chapter to +the _Romans_, that is too well known! but there is a little private place +in the _Psalms_ that will do the business as well! Psalm xc. 19, _In the +multitude of my thoughts within me, thy comforts delight my soul_. + +The doctrine, which naturally flows from the words, will be that amongst +_the multitude of thoughts_, there is a great thought of Election and +Reprobation; and then, away with the Point! according as the preacher is +inclined. + +Or suppose, lastly, that you were not fully satisfied that Pluralities +were lawful or convenient. May I be so bold, Sir? I pray, what Text would +you choose to preach up against non-residents? Certainly, nothing ever was +better picked than that of _St. Matthew_ i. 2. _ABRAHAM begat ISAAC_. A +clear place against non-residents! for "had ABRAHAM not resided, but had +discontinued from SARAH his wife, he could never have begotten ISAAC!" + + +But it is high time, Sir, to make an end of their preaching, lest you be +as much tired with the repetition of it, as the people were little +benefited when they heard it. + +I shall only mind you, Sir, of one thing more; and that is [4] the +ridiculous, senseless, and unintended use which many of them make of +_Concordances_. + +I shall give you but one instance of it, although I could furnish you +with a hundred printed ones. + +The Text, Sir, is this, _Galatians_ vi. 15, _For in CHRIST JESUS neither +Circumcision nor Uncircumcision avail anything; but a new creature_. Now, +all the world knows the meaning of this to be, that, let a man be of what +nation he will, Jew or Gentile, if he amends his life, and walks +according to the Gospel, he shall be accepted with GOD. + +But this is not the way that pleases them! They must bring into the +sermon, to no purpose at all! a vast heap of places of Scripture, which +the _Concordance_ will furnish them with, where the word _new_ is +mentioned. + + And the Observation must be that "GOD is for _new_ things. GOD is + for _a_ new _creature. St. John_ xix, 41, _Now in the place when + he was crucified, there was a garden; and in the garden a new + sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There they laid JESUS_. + And again _St. Mark_ xvi. 17. CHRIST tells his disciples that they + that are true believers, shall cast out devils, and speak _with_ + new _tongues_. And likewise, the prophet teaches us, _Isaiah_ + xlii. 10, _Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise to the + end of the earth_. + + "Whence it is plain that CHRIST is not for _old_ things. He is not + for an _old sepulchre_. He is not for _old tongues_. He is not for + an _old song_. He is not for an _old creature_. CHRIST is for a + _new creature! Circumcision and Uncircumcision availeth nothing, + but a new creature_. And what do we read concerning SAMSON? + _Judges_ xv, 15. Is it not that he slew a thousand of the + Philistines with one _new_ jawbone? An _old_ one might have killed + its tens, its twenties, its hundreds! but it must be a _new_ + jawbone that is able to kill a thousand! GOD is for the _new + creature_! + + "But may not some say, 'Is GOD altogether for new things?' How + comes it about then, that the prophet says, _Isaiah_ i. 13, 14, + _Bring no more vain oblations! &c. Your new Moons, and your + appointed Feasts, my soul hateth!_ And again, what means that, + _Deuteronomy_ xxxii. 17, 19, _They sacrificed unto devils, and to + new gods, whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up.... + And when the LORD saw it, He abhorred them!_ To which I answer, + that GOD indeed is not for _new moons_, nor for _new gods_; but, + excepting _moons_ and _gods_, He is for the _new creature_." + + +It is possible, Sir, that somebody besides yourself, may be so vain as to +read this _Letter_: and they may perhaps tell you, that there be no such +silly and useless people as I have described. And if there be, there be +not above two or three in a country [_county_]. Or should there be, it is +no such complaining matter: seeing that the same happens in other +professions, in Law and Physic: in both [of] which, there be many a +contemptible creature. + +Such therefore as these, may be pleased to know that, if there had been +need, I could have told them, either the book (and very page almost) of +all that has been spoken about Preaching, or else the When and Where, and +the Person that preached it. + +As to the second, viz.: that the Clergy are all mightily furnished with +Learning and Prudence; except ten, twenty, or so; I shall not say +anything myself, because a very great Scholar of our nation shall speak +for me: who tells us that "such Preaching as is usual, is a hindrance of +Salvation rather than the means to it." And what he intends by "usual," I +shall not here go about to explain. + +And as to the last, I shall also, in short, answer, That if the +Advancement of true Religion and the eternal Salvation of a Man were no +more considerable than the health of his body and the security of his +estate; we need not be more solicitous about the Learning and Prudence of +the Clergy, than of the Lawyers and Physicians. But we believing it to be +otherwise, surely, we ought to be more concerned for the reputation and +success of the one than of the other. + + +I come now, Sir, to the Second Part that was designed, viz.: _the Poverty +of some of the Clergy_. By whose mean condition, their Sacred Profession +is much disparaged, and their Doctrine undervalued. What large +provisions, of old, GOD was pleased to make for the Priesthood, and upon +what reasons, is easily seen to any one that but looks into the _Bible_. +The Levites, it is true, were left out, in the Division of the +Inheritance; not to their loss, but to their great temporal advantage. +For whereas, had they been common sharers with the rest, a Twelfth part +only would have been their just allowance; GOD was pleased to settle upon +them, a Tenth, and that without any trouble or charge of tillage: which +made their portion much more considerable than the rest. + +And as this provision was very bountiful, so the reasons, no question! +were very Divine and substantial: which seem chiefly to be these two. + +First, that the Priesthood might be altogether at leisure for the service +of GOD: and that they of that Holy Order might not be distracted with the +cares of the world; and interrupted by every neighbour's horse or cow +that breaks their hedges or shackles [_or hobbled, feeds among_] their +corn. But that living a kind of spiritual life, and being removed a +little from all worldly affairs; they might always be fit to receive holy +inspirations, and always ready to search out the Mind of GOD, and to +advise and direct the people therein. + +Not as if this Divine exemption of them from the common troubles and +cares of this life was intended as an opportunity of luxury and laziness: +for certainly, there is a labour besides digging! and there is a true +carefulness without following the plough, and looking after their cattle! + +And such was the employment of those holy men of old. Their care and +business was to please GOD, and to charge themselves with the welfare of +all His people: which thing, he that does it with a good and satisfied +conscience, I will assure he has a task upon him much beyond them that +have for their care, their hundreds of oxen and five hundreds of sheep. + +Another reason that this large allowance was made to the Priests, was +that they might be enabled to relieve the poor, to entertain strangers, +and thereby to encourage people in the ways of godliness. For they being, +in a peculiar manner, the servants of GOD, GOD was pleased to entrust in +their hands, a portion more than ordinary of the good things of the land, +as the safest Storehouse and Treasury for such as were in need. + +That, in all Ages therefore, there should be a continued tolerable +maintenance for the Clergy: the same reasons, as well as many others, +make us think to be very necessary. Unless they will count money and +victuals to be only Types and Shadows! and so, to cease with the +Ceremonial Law. + +For where the Minister is pinched as to the tolerable conveniences of +this life, the chief of his care and time must be spent, not in an +impertinent [_trifling_] considering what Text of Scripture will be most +useful for his parish; what instructions most seasonable; and what +authors, best to be consulted: but the chief of his thoughts and his main +business must be, How to live that week? Where he shall have bread for his +family? Whose sow has lately pigged? Whence will come the next rejoicing +goose, or the next cheerful basket of apples? how far to Lammas, or +[Easter] Offerings? When shall we have another christening and cakes? and +Who is likely to marry, or die? + +These are very seasonable considerations, and worthy of a man's thoughts. +For a family cannot be maintained by texts and contexts! and a child that +lies crying in the cradle, will not be satisfied without a little milk, +and perhaps sugar; though there be a small German _System_ [_of +Divinity_] in the house! + +But suppose he does get into a little hole over the oven, with a lock to +it, called his Study, towards the latter end of the week: for you must +know, Sir, there are very few Texts of Scripture that can be divided, at +soonest, before Friday night; and some there be, that will never be +divided but upon Sunday morning, and that not very early, but either a +little before they go, or in the going, to church. I say, suppose the +Gentleman gets thus into his Study, one may very nearly guess what is his +first thought, when he comes there--viz., that the last kilderkin of drink +is nearly departed! that he has but one poor single groat in the house, +and there is Judgement and Execution ready to come out against it, for +milk and eggs! + +Now, Sir, can any man think, that one thus racked and tortured, can be +seriously intent, half an hour, to contrive anything that might be of +real advantage to his people? + +Besides, perhaps, that week, he has met with some dismal crosses and most +undoing misfortunes. + +There was a scurvy-conditioned mole, that broke into his pasture, and +ploughed up the best part of his glebe. And, a little after that, came a +couple of spiteful ill-favoured crows, and trampled down the little +remaining grass. Another day, having but four chickens, sweep comes the +kite! and carries away the fattest and hopefullest of the brood. Then, +after all this, came the jackdaws and starlings (idle birds that they +are!), and they scattered and carried away from his thin thatched house, +forty or fifty of the best straws. And, to make him completely unhappy, +after all these afflictions, another day, that he had a pair of breeches +on, coming over a perverse stile, he suffered very much, in carelessly +lifting over his leg. + +Now, what parish can be so inconsiderate and unreasonable as to look for +anything from one, whose fancy is thus checked, and whose understanding +is thus ruffled and disordered? They may as soon expect comfort and +consolation from him that lies racked with the gout and the stone, as +from a Divine thus broken and shattered in his fortunes! + +But we will grant that he meets not with any of these such frightful +disasters; but that he goes into his study with a mind as calm as the +evening. For all that; upon Sunday, we must be content with what GOD +shall please to send us! For as for books, he is, for want of money, so +moderately furnished, that except it be a small Geneva _Bible_ (so small, +as it will not be desired to lie open of itself), together with a certain +_Concordance_ thereunto belonging; as also a Latin book for all kind of +Latin sentences, called _Polyanthaea_; with some _Exposition_ upon the +_Catechism_, a portion of which, is to be got by heart, and to be put off +for his own; and perhaps Mr. [JOSEPH] CARYL _upon_ [JOHN] PINEDA [_these +two authors wrote vast Commentaries on the Book of Job_]; Mr. [JOHN] DOD +upon the _Commandments_, Mr. [SAMUEL] CLARKE's Lives of famous men, both +in Church and State (such as Mr. CARTER of Norwich, that uses to eat such +abundance of pudding): besides, I say, these, there is scarcely anything +to be found, but a budget of old stitched sermons hung up behind the +door, with a few broken girths, two or three yards of whipcord; and, +perhaps, a saw and a hammer, to prevent dilapidations. + +Now, what may not a Divine do, though but of ordinary parts and unhappy +education, with such learned helps and assistances as these? No vice, +surely, durst stand before him! no heresy, affront him! + +And furthermore, Sir, it is to be considered, that he that is but thus +meanly provided for: it is not his only infelicity that he has neither +time, mind, nor books to improve himself for the inward benefit and +satisfaction of his people; but also that he is not capable of doing that +outward good amongst the needy, which is a great ornament to that holy +Profession, and a considerable advantage towards the having the doctrine +believed and practised in a degenerate world. + +And that which augments the misery; whether he be able or not, it is +expected from him, if there comes a _Brief_ to town, for the Minister to +cast in his mite will not satisfy! unless he can create sixpence or a +shilling to put into the box, for a stale [_lure_], to decoy in the rest +of the parish. Nay, he that hath but L20 or L30 [= L60 to L90 _now_] _per +annum_, if he bids not up as high as the best in the parish in all acts of +charity, he is counted carnal and earthly-minded; only because he durst +not coin! and cannot work miracles! + +And let there come ever so many beggars, half of these, I will secure +you! shall presently inquire for the Minister's house. "For GOD," say +they, "certainly dwells there, and has laid up for us, sufficient relief!" + + +I know many of the Laity are usually so extremely tender of the spiritual +welfare of the Clergy, that they are apt to wish them but very small +temporal goods, lest their inward state should be in danger! A thing, +they need not much fear, since that effectual humiliation by HENRY VIII. +"For," say they, "the great tithes, large glebes, good victuals and warm +clothes do but puff up the Priest! making him fat, foggy, and useless! +and fill him with pride, vainglory, and all kind of inward wickedness and +pernicious corruption! We see this plain," say they, "in the Whore of +Babylon [_Roman Catholic Church_]! To what a degree of luxury and +intemperance, besides a great deal of false doctrine, have riches and +honour raised up that strumpet! How does she strut it! and swagger it +over all the world! terrifying Princes, and despising Kings and Emperors! + +"The Clergy, if ever we would expect any edification from them, ought to +be dieted and kept low! to be meek and humble, quiet, and stand in need +of a pot of milk from their next neighbour! and always be very loth to +ask for their very right, for fear of making any disturbance in the +parish, or seeming to understand or have any respect for this vile and +outward world! + +"Under the Law, indeed, in those old times of Darkaess and Eating, the +Priests had their first and second dishes, their milk and honey, their +Manna and quails, also their outward and inward vestments: but now, under +the Gospel, and in times of Light and Fasting, a much more sparing diet is +fitter, and a single coat (though it be never so ancient and thin) is +fully sufficient!" + +"We must look," say they, "if we would be the better for them, for a +hardy and labouring Clergy, that is mortified to [the possession of] a +horse and all such pampering vanities! and that can foot it five or six +miles in the dirt, and preach till starlight, for as many [5 _or_ 6] +shillings! as also a sober and temperate Clergy, that will not eat so +much as the Laity, but that the least pig, the least sheaf, and the least +of everything, may satisfy their Spiritualship! And besides, a +money-renouncing Clergy, that can abstain from seeing a penny, a month +together! unless it be when the Collectors and Visitationers come. These +are all Gospel dispensations! and great instances of patience, +contentedness, and resignation of affections [in respect] to all the +emptinesses and fooleries of this life!" + +But cannot a Clergyman choose rather to lie upon feathers than a hurdle; +but he must be idle, soft, and effeminate! May he not desire wholesome +food and fresh drink; unless he be a cheat, a hypocrite, and an impostor! +And must he needs be void of all grace, though he has a shilling in his +purse, after the rates be crossed [off]! and full of pride and vanity +though his house stands not upon crutches; and though his chimney is to +be seen a foot above the thatch! + +O, how prettily and temperately may half a score of children be +maintained with _almost_ L20 [= L60 _now_] _per annum_! What a handsome +shift, a poor ingenious and frugal Divine will make, to take it by turns, +and wear a cassock [_a long cloak_] one year, and a pair of breeches +another! What a becoming thing is it for him that serves at the Altar, to +fill the dung cart in dry weather, and to heat the oven and pull [_strip_] +hemp in wet! And what a pleasant thing is it, to see the Man of GOD +fetching up his single melancholy cow from a small rib [_strip_] of land +that is scarcely to be found without a guide! or to be seated upon a soft +and well grinded pouch [_bag_] of meal! or to be planted upon a pannier, +with a pair of geese or turkeys bobbing out their heads from under his +canonical coat! as you cannot but remember the man, Sir, that was thus +accomplished. Or to find him raving about the yards or keeping his +chamber close, because the duck lately miscarried of an egg, or that the +never-failing hen has unhappily forsaken her wonted nest! + +And now, shall we think that such employments as these, can, any way, +consist with due reverence, or tolerable respect from a parish? + +And he speaks altogether at a venture that says that "this is false, or, +at least it need not be so; notwithstanding the mean condition of some of +the Clergy." For let any one make it out to me, which way is it possible +that a man shall be able to maintain perhaps eight or ten in his family, +with L20 or L30 _per annum_, without a intolerable dependence upon his +parish; and without committing himself to such vileness as will, in all +likelihood, render him contemptible to his people. + +Now where the income is so pitifully small (which, I will assure you, is +the portion of hundreds of the Clergy of this nation), which way shall he +manage it for the subsistence of himself and his family? + +If he keeps the glebe in his own hand (which he may easily do, almost in +the hollow of it!) what increase can he expect from a couple of apple +trees, a brood of ducklings, a hemp land, and as much pasture as is just +able to summer a cow? + +As for his tithes, he either rents them out to a layman; who will be very +unwilling to be his tenant, unless he may be sure to save by the bargain +at least a third part: or else, he compounds for them; and then, as for +his money, he shall have it when all the rest of the world be paid! + +But if he thinks fit to take his dues in kind, he then either demands his +true and utmost right; and if so, it is a great hazard if he be not +counted a caterpillar! a muck worm! a very earthly minded man! and too +much sighted into this lower world! which was made, as many of the Laity +think, altogether for themselves: or else, he must tamely commit himself +to that little dose of the creature that shall be pleased to be +proportioned out unto him; choosing rather to starve in peace and +quietness, than to gain his right by noise and disturbance. + +The best of all these ways that a Clergyman shall think fit for his +preferment, to be managed (where it is so small), are such as will +undoubtedly make him either to be hated and reviled, or else pitifully +poor and disesteemed. + + +But has it not gone very hard, in all Ages with the Men of GOD? Was not +our Lord and Master our great and high Priest? and was not his fare low, +and his life full of trouble? And was not the condition of most of his +disciples very mean? Were not they notably pinched and severely treated +after him? And is it not the duty of every Christian to imitate such holy +patterns? but especially of the Clergy, who are to be shining lights and +visible examples; and therefore to be satisfied with a very little +morsel, and to renounce ten times as much of the world as other people? + +And is not patience better than the Great Tithes, and contentedness to be +preferred before large fees and customs? Is there any comparison between +the expectation of a cringing bow or a low hat, and mortification to all +such vanities and fopperies; especially with those who, in a peculiar +manner, hope to receive their inheritance, and make their harvest in the +next life? + +This was well thought of indeed. But for all that, if you please, Sir, we +will consider a little, some of those remarkable Inconveniences that do, +most undoubtedly, attend upon the Ministers being so meanly provided for. + +First of all, the holy Men of GOD or the Ministry in general, hereby, is +disesteemed and rendered of small account. For though they be called Men +of GOD: yet when it is observed that GOD seems to take but little care of +them, in making them tolerable provision for this life, or that men are +suffered to take away that which GOD was pleased to provide for them; the +people are presently apt to think that they belong to GOD no more than +ordinary folks, if so much. + +And although it is not to be questioned but that the Laying on of Hands +is a most Divine institution: yet it is not all the Bishops' hands in the +world, laid upon a man, if he be either notoriously ignorant or dismally +poor, that can procure him any hearty and lasting respect. For though we +find that some of the disciples of CHRIST that carried on and established +the great designs of the Gospel, were persons of ordinary employments and +education: yet we see little reason to think that miracles should be +continued, to do that which natural endeavours, assisted by the Spirit of +GOD, are able to perform. And if CHRIST were still upon earth to make +bread for such as are his peculiar Servants and Declarers of his Mind and +Doctrine; the Laity, if they please, should eat up all the corn +themselves, as well the tenth sheaf as the others: but seeing it is +otherwise, and that that miraculous power was not left to the succeeding +Clergy; for them to beg their bread, or depend for their subsistence upon +the good pleasure and humour of their parish, is a thing that renders that +Holy Office, very much slighted and disregarded. + +That constitution therefore of our Church was a most prudent design, that +says that all who are ordained shall be ordained to somewhat, not ordained +at random, to preach in general to the whole world, as they travel up and +down the road; but to this or that particular parish. And, no question, +the reason was, to prevent spiritual peddling; and gadding up and down +the country with a bag of trifling and insignificant sermons, inquiring +"Who will buy any doctrine?" So that no more might be received into Holy +Orders than the Church had provision for. + +But so very little is this regarded, that if a young Divinity Intender +has but got a sermon of his own, or of his father's; although he knows +not where to get a meal's meat or one penny of money by his preaching: +yet he gets a Qualification from some beneficed man or other, who, +perhaps, is no more able to keep a curate than I am to keep ten footboys! +and so he is made a Preacher. And upon this account, I have known an +ordinary Divine, whose living would but just keep himself and his family +from melancholy and despair, shroud under his protection as many Curates +as the best Nobleman in the land hath Chaplains [_i.e., eight_]. + +Now, many such as these, go into Orders against the sky falls! foreseeing +no more likelihood of any preferment coming to them, than you or I do of +being Secretaries of State. Now, so often as any such as these, for want +of maintenance, are put to any unworthy and disgraceful shifts; this +reflects disparagement upon all that Order of holy men. + + +And we must have a great care of comparing our small preferred Clergy +with those but of the like fortune, in the Church of Rome: they having +many arts and devices of gaining respect and reverence to their Office, +which we count neither just nor warrantable. We design no more, than to +be in a likely capacity of doing good, and not discrediting our religion, +nor suffering the Gospel to be disesteemed: but their aim is clearly, not +only by cheats, contrived tales, and feigned miracles, to get money in +abundance; but to be worshipped, and almost deified, is as little as they +will content themselves withal. + +For how can it be, but that the people belonging to a Church, wherein the +Supreme Governor is believed never to err (either purely by virtue of his +own single wisdom, or by help of his inspiring Chair, or by the +assistance of his little infallible Cardinals; for it matters not, where +the root of not being mistaken lies): I say, how can it be, but that all +that are believers of such extraordinary knowledge, must needs stand in +most direful awe, not only of the aforesaid Supreme, but of all that +adhere to him, or are in any ghostly authority under him? + +And although it so happens that this same extraordinary knowing Person is +pleased to trouble himself with a good large proportion of this vile and +contemptible world; so that should he, now and then, upon some odd and +cloudy day, count himself _mortal_, and be a little mistaken; yet he has +chanced to make such a comfortable provision for himself and his +followers, that he must needs be sufficiently valued and honoured amongst +all. But had he but just enough to keep himself from catching cold and +starving, so long as he is invested with such spiritual sovereignty and +such a peculiar privilege of being infallible; most certainly, without +quarrelling, he takes the rode [?] of all mankind. + +And as for the most inferior priests of all, although they pretend not to +such perfection of knowledge: yet there be many extraordinary things which +they are believed to be able to do, which beget in people a most venerable +respect towards them: such is, the power of "making GOD" in the Sacrament, +a thing that must infallibly procure an infinite admiration of him that +can do it, though he scarce knows the _Ten Commandments_, and has not a +farthing to buy himself bread. And then, when "CHRIST is made," their +giving but half of him to the Laity, is a thing also, if it be minded, +that will very much help on the business, and make the people stand at a +greater distance from the Clergy. I might instance, likewise, in their +Auricular Confession, enjoining of Penance, forgiving sins, making of +Saints, freeing people from Purgatory, and many such useful tricks they +have, and wonders they can do, to draw in the forward believing Laity +into a most right worshipful opinion and honourable esteem of them. + +And therefore, seeing our holy Church of England counts it not just, nor +warrantable, thus to cheat the world by belying the _Scriptures_; and by +making use of such falsehood and stratagems to gain respect and +reverence: it behoves us, certainly, to wish for, and endeavour, all such +means as are useful and lawful for the obtaining of the same. + +I might here, I think, conveniently add that though many preferments +amongst the Clergy of Rome may possibly be as small as some of ours in +England; yet are we to be put in mind of one more excellent contrivance +of theirs: and that is, the denial of marriage to Priests, whereby they +are freed from the expenses of a family, and a train of young children, +that, upon my word! will soon suck up the milk of a cow or two, and grind +in pieces a few sheaves of corn. The Church of England therefore thinking +it not fit to oblige their Clergy to a single life (and I suppose are not +likely to alter their opinion, unless they receive better reasons for it +from Rome than have been as yet sent over): he makes a comparison very +wide from the purpose, that goes about to try the livings here in England +by those of the Church of Rome; there being nothing more frequent in our +Church than for a Clergyman to have three or four children to get bread +for, by that time, one, in theirs, shall be allowed to go into Holy +Orders. + +There is still one thing remaining, which ought not to be forgotten (a +thing that is sometimes urged, I know, by the Papist, for the single life +of the Priests) that does also much lessen the esteem of our Ministry; and +that is the poor and contemptible employment that many children of the +Clergy are forced upon, by reason of the meanness of their father's +revenue. + +It has happened, I know, sometimes, that whereas it has pleased GOD to +bestow upon the Clergyman a very sufficient income: yet such has been his +carelessness as that he hath made but pitiful provision for his children: +and, on the other side, notwithstanding all the good care and +thoughtfulness of the father, it has happened, at other times, that the +children, beyond the power of all advice, have seemed to be resolved for +debauchery. + +But to see Clergymen's children condemned to the walking [_holding_] of +horses! to wait upon a tapster! or the like; and that only because their +father was not able to allow them a more genteel education: these are +such employments that cannot but bring great disgrace and dishonour upon +the Clergy. + + +But this is not all the inconvenience that attends the small income that +is the portion of some Clergymen: for besides that the Clergy in general +is disesteemed, they are likely also to do but little good in their +parish. For it is a hard matter for the people to believe, that he talks +anything to the purpose, that wants ordinary food for his family; and +that his advice and exposition can come from above, that is scarcely +defended against the weather. I have heard a travelling poor man beg with +very good reason and a great stream of seasonable rhetoric; and yet it has +been very little minded, because his clothes were torn, or at least out of +fashion. And, on the other side, I have heard but an ordinary saying +proceeding from a fine suit and a good lusty title of honour, highly +admired; which would not possibly have been hearkened to, had it been +uttered by a meaner person: yet, by all means, because it was a fancy of +His Worship's, it must be counted high! and notably expressed! + +If, indeed, this world were made of sincere and pure beaten virtue, like +the gold of the first Age, then such idle and fond prejudices would be a +very vain supposal; and the doctrine that proceeded from the most +battered and contemptible habit [_clothes_] and the most sparing diet +would be as acceptable as that which flowed from a silken cassock +[_cloak_] and the best cheer. But seeing the world is not absolutely +perfect, it is to be questioned whether he that runs upon trust for every +ounce of provisions he spends in his family, can scarce look from his +pulpit into any seat in the church but that he spies somebody or other +that he is beholden to and depends upon; and, for want of money, has +scarce confidence to speak handsomely to his Sexton: it is to be +questioned, I say, whether one, thus destitute of all tolerable +subsistence, and thus shattered and distracted with most necessary cares, +can either invent with discretion, or utter with courage, anything that +may be beneficial to his people, whereby they may become his diligent +attenders and hearty respecters. + + +And as the people do almost resolve against being amended or bettered by +the Minister's preaching, whose circumstances as to this life are so bad, +and his condition so low: so likewise is their devotion very cool and +indifferent, in hearing from such a one the _Prayers_ of the Church. + +The _Divine Service_, all the world knows! is the same, if read in the +most magnificent Cathedral or in the most private parlour; or if +performed by the Archbishop himself, or by the meanest of his priests: +but as the solemnity of the place, besides the consecration of it to GOD +Almighty, does much influence the devotion of the people; so also the +quality and condition of the person that reads it. And though there be +not that acknowledged difference between a Priest comfortably provided +for, and him that is in the thorns and briars; as there is between one +placed in great dignity and authority and one that is in less: yet such a +difference the people will make, that they will scarce hearken to what is +read by the one, and yet be most religiously attentive to the other. Not, +surely, that any one can think that he whose countenance is cheerly and +his barns full, can petition heaven more effectually, or prevail with GOD +for the forgiveness of a greater sin, than he who is pitifully pale and is +not owner of an ear of corn; yet, most certainly, they do not delight to +confess their sins and sing praises to GOD with him who sighs, more for +want of money and victuals, than for his trespasses and offences. Thus it +is, and will be! do you or I, Sir, what we can to the contrary. + +Did our Church indeed believe, with the Papists, every person rightfully +ordained, to be a kind of GOD Almighty, working miracles and doing +wonders; then would people most readily prostrate themselves to +everything in Holy Orders, though it could but just creep! But as our +Church counts those of the Clergy to be but mortal men, though peculiarly +dedicated to GOD and His service; their behaviour, their condition and +circumstances of life, will necessarily come into our value and esteem of +them. And therefore it is no purpose for men to say "that this need not +be, it being but mere prejudice, humour, and fancy: and that if the man +be but truly in Holy Orders; that is the great matter! and from thence +come blessings, absolution and intercession through CHRIST with GOD. And +that it is not Philosophy, Languages, Ecclesiastical History, Prudence, +Discretion, and Reputation, by which the Minister can help us on towards +heaven." + +Notwithstanding this, I say again, that seeing men are men, and seeing +that we are of the Church of England and not of that of Rome, these +things ought to be weighed and considered; and for want of being so, our +Church of England has suffered much. + +And I am almost confident that, since the Reformation, nothing has more +hindered people from a just estimation of a _Form of Prayer_ and our holy +_Liturgy_ than employing a company of boys, or old illiterate mumblers, to +read the _Service_. And I do verily believe, that, at this very day, +especially in Cities and Corporations, which make up the third part of +our nation, there is nothing that does more keep back some dissatisfied +people from Church till _Service_ be over, than that it is read by some +L10 or L12 man, with whose parts and education they are so well +acquainted, as to have reason to know that he has but skill enough to +read the _Lessons_ with twice conning over. And though the office of the +Reader be only to read word for word, and neither to invent or expound: +yet people love he should be a person of such worth and knowledge, as it +may be supposed he understands what he reads. + +And although for some it were too burdensome a task to read the _Service_ +twice a day, and preach as often; yet certainly it were much better if the +people had but one sermon in a fortnight or month, so the _Service_ were +performed by a knowing and valuable person, than to run an unlearned rout +of contemptible people into Holy Orders, on purpose only to say the +_Prayers_ of the Church, who perhaps shall understand very little more +than a hollow pipe made of tin or wainscoat. + +Neither do I here at all reflect upon Cathedrals, where the _Prayers_ are +usually read by some grave and worthy person. And as for the unlearned +singers, whether boys or men, there is no complaint to be made, as to +this case, than that they have not an all understanding Organ, or a +prudent and discreet Cornet. + +Neither need people be afraid that the Minister for want of preaching +should grow stiff and rusty; supposing he came not into the pulpit every +week. For he can spend his time very honestly, either by taking better +care of what he preaches, and by considering what is most useful and +seasonable for the people: and not what subject he can preach upon with +most ease, or upon what text he can make a brave speech, for which nobody +shall be the better! or where he can best steal, without being discovered, +as is the practice of many Divines in private parishes. Or else, he may +spend it in visiting the sick, instructing the ignorant, and recovering +such as are gone astray. + +For though there be churches built for public assemblies, for public +instruction and exhortation; and though there be not many absolutely +plain places of Scripture that oblige the Minister to walk from house to +house: yet, certainly, people might receive much more advantage from such +charitable visits and friendly conferences, than from general discourses +levelled at the whole world, where perhaps the greatest part of the time +shall be spent in useless Prefaces, Dividings, and Flourishings. Which +thing is very practicable; excepting some vast parishes: in which, also, +it is much better to do good to some, than to none at all. + +There is but one calamity more that I shall mention, which though it need +not absolutely, yet it does too frequently, accompany the low condition of +many of the Clergy: and that is, it is a great hazard if they be not +_idle, intemperate_, and _scandalous_. + +I say, I cannot prove it strictly and undeniably that a man smally +beneficed, must of necessity be dissolute and debauched. But when we +consider how much he lies subject to the humour of all reprobates, and +how easily he is tempted from his own house of poverty and melancholy: it +is to be feared that he will be willing, too often to forsake his own +Study of a few scurvy books; and his own habitation of darkness where +there is seldom eating or drinking, for a good lightsome one where there +is a bountiful provision of both. + +And when he comes there, though he swears not at all; yet he must be sure +to say nothing to those that do it by all that they can think of. And +though he judges it not fit to lead the Forlorn in vice and profaneness: +yet, if he goes about to damp a frolic, there is great danger, not only +of losing his Sunday dinner, but also all opportunities of such future +refreshments, for his niceness and squeamishness! + +And such as are but at all disposed to this lewd kind of meetings; +besides the Devil, he shall have solicitors enough! who count all such +revelling occasion very unsavoury and unhallowed, unless they have the +presence of some Clergyman to sanctify the ordinance: who, if he sticks +at his glass, bless him! and call him but "Doctor!" and it slides +presently [_i.e., the Clergyman drinks_]. + +I take no delight, I must confess, to insist upon this: but only I could +very much wish that such of our Governors as go amongst our small +preferred Clergy, to take a view of the condition of the Church and +Chancel; that they would but make inquiry, Whether the Minister himself +be not much out of repair? + +I have now done, Sir, with the Grounds of that Disesteem that many of the +Clergy lie under, both by the _Ignorance_ of some, and the _extreme +Poverty_ of others. And I should have troubled you no further, but that I +thought it convenient not to omit the particular Occasions that do concur +to the making of many of our Clergy so pitifully poor and contemptible. + +The first thing that contributes much to the Poverty of the Clergy is +_the great scarcity of Livings_. + +Churches and Chapels we have enough, it is to be confessed, if compared +with the bigness of our nation: but, in respect of that infinite number +that are in Holy Orders, it is a very plain case, that there is a very +great want. And I am confident, that, in a very little time, I could +procure hundreds that should ride both sun and moon down, and be +everlastingly yours! if you could help them but to a Living of L25 or L30 +a year. + +And this, I suppose, to be chiefly occasioned upon these two accounts: +either from _the eagerness and ambition_ that some people have, of going +into Orders; or from the _refuge of others_ into the Church, who, being +otherwise disappointed of a livelihood, hope to make sure of one by that +means. + +First, I say, that which increases the unprovided-for number of the +Clergy, is people posting into Orders before they know their Message or +business, only out of a certain pride and ambition. Thus some are hugely +in love with the mere title of Priest or Deacon: never considering how +they shall live, or what good they are likely to do in their Office; but +only they have a fancy, that a cassock, if it be made long, is a very +handsome garment, though it be never paid for; that the Desk is clearly +the best, and the Pulpit, the highest seat in all the parish; that they +shall take place [_precedence_] of most Esquires and Right Worshipfuls; +that they shall have the honour of being spiritual guides and +counsellors; and they shall be supposed to understand more of the Mind of +GOD than ordinary, though perhaps they scarcely know the Old Law from the +New, nor the _Canon_ from the _Apocrypha_. Many, I say, such as these, +there be, who know not where to get two groats, nor what they have to say +to the people: but only because they have heard that the office of a +Minister is the most noble and honourable employment in the world; +therefore they (not knowing in the least what the meaning of that is), +Orders, by all means, must have! though it be to the disparagement of +that holy function. + +Others also there be who are not so highly possessed with the mere +dignity of the office and honourableness of the employment; but think, +had they but licence and authority to preach, O how they could pay it +away! and that they can tell the people such strange things, as they +never heard before, in all their lives! That they have got such a +commanding voice! such heart-breaking expressions! such a peculiar method +of Text-dividing! and such notable helps for the interpreting all +difficulties in Scripture! that they can shew the people a much shorter +way to heaven than has been, as yet, made known by any! + +Such a forwardness as this, of going in Holy Orders, either merely out of +an ambitious humour of being called a Priest; or of thinking they could do +such feats and wonders, if they might be but free of the Pulpit, has +filled the nation with many more Divines than there is any competent +maintenance for in the Church. + +Another great crowd that is made in the Church is by those that take in +there only as a place of shelter and refuge. Thus, we have many turn +Priests and Deacons, either for want of employment in their profession of +Law, Physic, or the like; or having been unfortunate in their trade, or +having broken a leg, or an arm, and so disabled from following their +former calling; or having had the pleasure of spending their estate, or +being (perhaps deservedly) disappointed of their inheritance. The Church +is a very large and good "Sanctuary"; and one Spiritual shilling is as +good as three Temporality shillings. Let the hardest come to the hardest! +if they can get by heart, _Quid est fides? Quid est Ecclesia? quot sunt +Concilia Generalia_? and gain Orders; they may prove Readers or +Preachers, according as their gifts and opportunities shall lie. Now +many, such as these, the Church being not able to provide for (as there +is no great reason that she should be solicitous about it) must needs +prove a very great disparagement to her; they coming hither, just as the +old heathens used to go to prayers. When nothing would stop the anger of +the gods, then for a touch of devotion! and if there be no way to get +victuals; rather than starve, let us Read or Preach! + +In short, Sir, we are perfectly overstocked with Professors of Divinity: +there being scarce employment for half of those who undertake that +office. And unless we had some of the Romish tricks, to ramble up and +down, and cry Pardons and Indulgences; or, for want of a living, have a +good store of clients in the business of Purgatory, or the like, and so +make such unrighteous gains of Religion: it were certainly much better if +many of them were otherwise determined. Or unless we have some vent +[_export_] for our Learned Ones, beyond the sea; and could transport so +many tons of Divines yearly, as we do other commodities with which the +nation is overstocked; we do certainly very unadvisedly, to breed up so +many to that Holy Calling, or to suffer so many to steal into Orders: +seeing there is not sufficient work and employment for them. + +The next thing that does as much to heighten the misery of our Church, as +to the _poverty_ of it, is the Gentry's designing, not only the weak, the +lame, and usually the most ill-favoured of their children for the office +of the Ministry; but also such as they intend to settle nothing upon for +their subsistence: leaving them wholly to the bare hopes of Church +preferment. For, as they think, let the Thing look how it will, it is +good enough for the Church! and that if it had but limbs enough to climb +the pulpit, and eyes enough to find the day of the month, it will serve +well enough to preach, and read _Service_! + +So, likewise, they think they have obliged the Clergy very much, if they +please to bestow two or three years' education upon a younger son at the +University: and then commend him to the grace of GOD, and the favour of +the Church; without one penny of money, or inch of land! + +You must not think, that he will spoil his eldest son's estate, or hazard +the lessening of the credit of the family, to do that which may, any way, +tend to the reputation and honour of the Clergy! + +And thus it comes to pass, that you may commonly ride ten miles, and +scarce meet with a Divine that is worth above two spoons and a pepper +box, besides his living or spiritual preferments. For, as for the Land, +that goes sweeping away with the eldest son, for the immortality of the +family! and, as for the Money, that is usually employed for to bind out +[_apprentice_] and set up other children! And thus, you shall have them +make no doubt of giving L500 or a L1,000 [= L1,500 _or_ L3,000 _now_] for +a stock [_capital_] to them: but for the poor Divinity son, if he gets but +enough to buy a broad hat at second-hand, and a small _System of Faith_ or +two, that is counted stock sufficient for him to set up withal. + +And, possibly, he might make some kind of shift in this world, if anybody +will engage that he shall have, neither wife nor children: but, if it so +fall out, that he leaves the world, and behind him either the one or the +others: in what a dismal condition are these likely to be! and how will +their sad calamities reflect upon the Clergy! So dismal a thing is this +commonly judged, that those that at their departure out of this life, are +piously and virtuously disposed, do usually reckon the taking care for the +relief of the poor Ministers' widows, to be an opportunity of as necessary +charity as the mending the highways, and the erecting of hospitals. + +But neither are spiritual preferments only scarce, by reason of that +great number that lie hovering over them; and that they that are thus on +the wing, are usually destitute of any other estate and livelihood: but +also, when they come into possession of them, they finding, for the most +part, nothing but a little sauce and Second Course (pigs, geese, and +apples), must needs be put upon great perplexities for the standing +necessaries of a family. + +So that if it be inquired by any one, How comes it to pass, that we have +so many in Holy Orders that understand so little, and are able to do so +little service in the Church? if we may answer plainly and truly, we may +say, "Because they are fit for nothing else!" + +For, shall we think that any man that is not cursed to uselessness, +poverty, and misery, will be content with L20 or L30 a year? For though, +in the bulk, it looks, at first, like a bountiful estate; yet, if we +think of it a little better, we shall find that an ordinary bricklayer or +carpenter (I mean not your great undertakers [_contractors_] and master +workmen) that earns constantly but his two shillings a day, has clearly a +better revenue, and has certainly the command of more money. For that the +one has no dilapidations and the like, to consume a great part of his +weekly wages; of which you know how much the other is subject unto. + +So that as long as we have so many small and contemptible livings +belonging to our Church, let the world do what it can! we must expect +that they should be supplied by very lamentable and unserviceable Things. +For that nobody else will meddle with them! unless, one in an Age +abounding with money, charity, and goodness, will preach for nothing! + +For if men of knowledge, prudence, and wealth have a fancy against a +Living of L20 or L30 a year; there is no way to get them into such an +undertaking, but by sending out a spiritual press [_press gang_]: for +that very few volunteers that are worth, unless better encouraged, will +go into that Holy Warfare! but it will be left to those who cannot devise +how otherwise to live! + +Neither must people say that, "besides Bishoprics, Prebendaries, and the +like, we have several brave benefices, suffice to invite those of the +best parts, education, and discretion." For, imagine one Living in forty +is worth L100 [= L300 _now_] a year, and supplied by a man of skill and +wholesome counsel: what are the other thirty-nine the better for that? +What are the people about Carlisle bettered by his instructions and +advice who lives at Dover? It was certainly our Saviour's mind, not only +that the Gospel should be preached to all nations at first; but that the +meaning and power of it should be preserved, and constantly declared to +all people, by such as had judgement to do it. + +Neither again must they say, that "Cities, Corporations, and the great +trading towns of this nation, which are the strength and glory of it, and +that contain the useful people of the world, are usually instructed by +very learned and judicious persons." For, I suppose that our Saviour's +design was not that Mayors, Aldermen, and merchants should be only saved: +but also that all plain country people should partake of the same means; +who (though they read not so many _Gazettes_ as citizens; nor concern +themselves where the Turk or King of France [_Louis XIV_.] sets on next) +yet the true knowledge of GOD is now so plainly delivered in Scripture, +that there wants nothing but sober and prudent Offerers of the same, to +make it saving to those of the meanest understandings. And therefore, in +all parishes, if possible, there ought to be such a fixed and settled +provision as might reasonably invite some careful and prudent person, for +the people's guide and instruction in holy matters. + +And furthermore, it might be added, that the revenue belonging to most of +the Corporation Livings is no such mighty business: for were it not for +the uncertain and humorsome contribution of the well-pleased +parishioners, the Parson and his family might be easily starved, for all +the lands and income that belong to the Church. Besides, the great +mischief that such kind of hired Preachers have done in the World--which +I shall not stay here, to insist upon. + +And as we have not churches enough, in respect of the great multitude +that are qualified for a Living: so, considering the smallness of the +revenue and the number of people that are to be the hearers, it is very +plain that we have too many. + +And we shall, many times, find two churches in the same yard, when as one +would hold double the people of both the parishes. If they were united for +the encouragement of some deserving person, he might easily make shift to +spend, very honestly and temperately, the revenue of both. + +And what though churches stand at a little further distance? People may +please to walk a mile, without distemperating themselves; when as they +shall go three or four to a market, to sell two pennyworth of eggs. + +But suppose they resolved to pretend that they shall catch cold (the +clouds being more than ordinarily thick upon the Sunday; as they usually +are, if there be religion in the case); and that they are absolutely bent +upon having instruction brought to their own town. Why might not one +sermon a day, or (rather than fail) one in a fortnight, from a prudent +and well-esteemed-of Preacher, do as well as two a day from him that +talks, all the year long, nothing to the purpose; and thereupon is +laughed at and despised? + +I know what people will presently say to this, viz., that "if, upon +Sunday, the Church doors be shut, the Alehouses will be open! and +therefore, there must be somebody (though never so weak and lamentable!) +to pass away the time in the Church, that the people may be kept sober +and peaceable." + +Truly, if religion and the worship of GOD consisted only in _negatives_, +and that the observation of the Sabbath, was only _not_ to be drunk! then +they speak much to the purpose; but if it be otherwise, very little. It +being not much unlike, as it is the fashion in many places, to the +sending of little children of two or three years old to a School Dame, +without any design of learning one letter, but only to keep them out of +the fire and water. + +Last of all, people must not say that "there needs no great store of +learning in a Minister; and therefore a small Living may answer his +deserts: for that there be _Homilies_ made on purpose by the Church for +young beginners and slow inventors. Whereupon it is, that such difference +is made between giving Orders, and License to Preach: the latter being +granted only to such, as the Bishop shall judge able to make sermons." + +But this does not seem to do the business. For though it be not necessary +for every Guide of a parish to understand all the Oriental languages, or +to make exactly elegant or profound discourses for the Pulpit; yet, most +certainly, it is very requisite that he should be so far learned and +judicious as prudently to advise, direct, inform, and satisfy the people +in holy matters; when they demand it, or beg it from him. Which to +perform readily and judiciously requires much more discretion and skill, +than, upon long deliberation, to make a continued talk of an hour, +without any great discernible failings. So that were a Minister tied up, +never to speak one sentence of his own invention out of the pulpit in his +whole lifetime; yet doubtless many other occasions there be, for which +neither wisdom nor reputation should be wanting in him that has the care +and government of a parish. + +I shall not here go about to please myself with the imagination of all +the Great Tithes being restored to the Church; having little reason to +hope to see such days of virtue. Nor shall I here question the +almightiness of former Kings and Parliaments, nor dispute whether all the +King HENRIES in the world, with ever such a powerful Parliament, were able +to determine to any other use, what was once solemnly dedicated to GOD, +and His service. By yet, when we look over the Prefaces to those _Acts of +Parliament_ whereby some Church revenues were granted to HENRY VIII., one +cannot but be much taken with the ingenuity of that Parliament; that when +the King wanted a supply of money and an augmentation to his revenue, how +handsomely, out of the Church they made provision for him, without doing +themselves any injury at all! + +_For_, say they, _seeing His Majesty is our joy and life; seeing that he +is so courageous and wise; seeing that he is so very tender of, and well +affected to, all his subjects; and that he has been at such large +expenses, for five and twenty whole years, to defend and protect this his +realm: therefore, in all duty and gratitude, and as a manifest token of +our unfeigned thankfulness, We do grant unto the king and his heirs for +ever, &c._ + +It follows as closely as can be, that because the king has been a good +and deserving king, and had been at much trouble and expense for the +safety and honour of the nation, that therefore all his wants shall be +supplied _out of the Church_! as if all the charges that he had been at, +were upon the account only of his Ecclesiastical subjects, and not in +relation to the rest. + +It is not, Sir, for you or I to guess, which way the whole Clergy in +general, might be better provided for. But, sure it is, and must not be +denied, that so long as many Livings continue as they now are, thus +impoverished; and that there be so few encouragements for men of +sobriety, wisdom, and learning: we have no reason to expect much better +Instructors and Governors of parishes, than at present we commonly find. + +There is a way, I know, that some people love marvellously to talk of; +and that is a just and equal levelling of Ecclesiastical preferments. + +"What a delicate refreshment," say they, "would it be, if L20,000 or +L30,000 a year were taken from the Bishops, and discreetly sprinkled +amongst the poorer and meaner sort of the Clergy! how would it rejoice +their hearts, and encourage them in their Office! What need those great +and sumptuous palaces, their city and their country houses, their parks +and spacious waters, their costly dishes and fashionable sauces? May not +he that lives in a small thatched house, that can scarcely walk four +strides in his own ground, that has only _read_ well concerning venison, +fish, and fowl: may not he, I say, preach as loud and to as much purpose +as one of those high and mighty Spiritualists? Go to, then! Seeing it +hath pleased GOD to make such a bountiful provision for His Church in +general, what need we be solicitous about the emending the low condition +of many of the Clergy, when as there is such a plain remedy at hand, had +we but grace to apply it?" + +This invention pleases some mainly well. But for all the great care they +pretend to have of the distressed part of the Clergy, I am confident, one +might easily guess what would please them much better! if (instead of +augmenting small benefices) the Bishops would be pleased to return to +them, those lands purchased in their absence [_i.e., during the +Commonwealth, which were restored to the Bishoprics at the Restoration_]: +and then, as for the relieving of the Clergy, they would try if they could +find out another way! + +But, art thou in good earnest? my excellent Contriver! Dost thou think +that if the greatest of our Church preferments were wisely parcelled out +amongst those that are in want, it would do such feats and courtesies? +And dost thou not likewise think, that if ten or twenty of the lustiest +Noblemen's estates of England were cleverly sliced among the indigent; +would it not strangely refresh some of the poor Laity that cry "Small +Coal!" or grind scissors! I do suppose if GOD should afterwards incline +thy mind (for I fancy it will not be as yet, a good while!) to be a +Benefactor to the Church; thy wisdom may possibly direct thee to disperse +thy goodness in smaller parcels, rather than to flow in upon two or three +with full happiness. + +But if it be my inclination to settle upon one Ecclesiastical person and +his successors for ever, a L1,000 a year [= L3,000 _now_] upon condition +only to read the _Service_ of the Church once in a week; and you take it +ill, and find fault with my prudence and the method of my munificence, +and say that "the stipend is much too large for such a small task": yet, +I am confident, that should I make thy Laityship heir of such an estate, +and oblige thee only to the trouble and expense of spending a single +chicken or half a dozen larks once a year, in commemoration of me; that +thou wouldst count me the wisest man that ever was, since the Creation! +and pray to GOD never to dispose thy mind, to part with one farthing of +it for any other use, than for the service of thyself and thy family. + +And yet so it is, that, because the Bishops, upon their first being +restored [in 1660], had the confidence to levy fines, according as they +were justly due; and desired to live in their own houses, if not pulled +down! and to receive their own rents: presently, they cry out, "The +Churchmen have got all the treasure and money of the nation into their +hands." + +If they have, let them thank GOD for it! and make a good use of it. Weep +not, Beloved! for there is very little hope that they will cast it all +into the sea, on purpose to stop the mouths of them, that say "they have +too much!" + +What other contrivances there may be, for the settling upon Ministers in +general, a sufficient revenue for their subsistence and encouragement in +their office; I shall leave to be considered of, by the Governors of +Learning and Religion. + +Only thus much is certain, that so long as the maintenance of many +Ministers is so very small, it is not to be avoided, but that a great +part of them will want learning, prudence, courage, and esteem to do any +good where they live. + +And what if we have (as by all must be acknowledged) as wise and learned +Bishops as be in the world, and many others of very great understanding +and wisdom; yet (as was before hinted) unless there be provided for most +towns and parishes some tolerable and sufficient Guides, the strength of +Religion, and the credit of the Clergy will daily languish more and more. + +Not that it is to be believed that every small country parish should be +altogether hopeless as to the next life, unless they have a HOOKER, a +CHILLINGWORTH, a HAMMOND, or a SANDERSON dwelling amongst them: but it is +requisite, and might be brought about, that somebody there should be, to +whom the people have reason to attend, and to be directed and guided by +him. + + +I have, Sir, no more to say, were it not that you find the word +_Religion_ in the Title: of which in particular I have spoken very +little. Neither need I! considering how nearly it depends, as to its +glory and strength, upon the reputation and mouth of the Priest. + +And I shall add no more but this, viz., that among those many things that +tend to the decay of Religion, and of a due reverence of the _Holy +Scriptures_, nothing has more occasioned it than the ridiculous and idle +discourses that are uttered out of pulpits. For when the Gallants of the +world do observe how the Ministers themselves do jingle, quibble, and +play the fool with the Texts: no wonder, if they, who are so inclinable +to Atheism, do not only deride and despise the Priests; but droll upon +the _Bible_! and make a mock of all that is sober and sacred! + +I am, Sir, Your most humble servant, + +T.B. + +_August_ 8, 1670. + +FINIS. + + + + +ISAAC BICKERSTAFF + +[_i.e._, RICHARD STEELE]. + +_The miseries of the Domestic Chaplain, in_ 1710. + +[_The Tatler_. No. 255. Thursday, 23 Nov. 1710.] + + +_To the Censor of Great Britain. + +Sir, + +I am at present, under very great difficulties; which is not in the power +of any one besides yourself, to redress. Whether or not, you shall think +it a proper Case to come before your Court of Honour, I cannot tell: but +thus it is. + +I am Chaplain to an honourable Family, very regular at the Hours of +Devotion, and I hope of an unblameable life: but, for not offering to +rise at the Second Course, I found my Patron and his Lady very sullen and +out of humour; though, at first, I did not know the reason of it. + +At length, when I happened to help myself to a jelly, the Lady of the +house, otherwise a devout woman, told me "It did not become a Man of my +Cloth, to delight in such frivolous food!" But as I still continued to +sit out the last course, I was yesterday informed by the butler, that +"His Lordship had no further occasion for my service." + +All which is humbly submitted to your consideration, by, + +Sir, + +Your most humble servant, &c._ + + +The case of this Gentleman deserves pity, especially if he loves +sweetmeats; to which, if I may guess by his letter, he is no enemy. + +In the meantime, I have often wondered at the indecency of discarding the +holiest man from the table, as soon as the most delicious parts of the +entertainment are served up: and could never conceive a reason for so +absurd a custom. + +Is it because a licorous palate, or a sweet tooth (as they call it), is +not consistent with the sanctity of his character? + +This is but a trifling pretence! No man of the most rigid virtue, gives +offence by any excesses in plum pudding or plum porridge; and that, +because they are the first parts of the dinner. Is there anything that +tends to _incitation_ in sweetmeats, more than in ordinary dishes? +Certainly not! Sugar-plums are a very innocent diet; and conserves of a +much colder nature than your common pickles. + +I have sometimes thought that the Ceremony of the _Chaplain flying away +from the Dessert_ was typical and figurative. To mark out to the company, +how they ought to retire from all the luscious baits of temptation, and +deny their appetites the gratifications that are most pleasing to them. + +Or, at least, to signify that we ought to stint ourselves in the most +lawful satisfactions; and not make our Pleasure, but our Support the end +of eating. + +But, most certainly, if such a lesson of temperance had been necessary at +a table: our Clergy would have recommended it to all the Lay masters of +families; and not have disturbed other men's tables with such +unreasonable examples of abstinence. + +The original therefore of this _barbarous custom_, I take to have been +merely accidental. + +The Chaplain retired, out of pure complaisance, to make room for the +removal of the dishes, or possibly for the ranging of the dessert. This, +by degrees, grew into a duty; till, at length, as the fashion improved, +the good man found himself cut off from the Third part of the +entertainment: and, if the arrogance of the Patron goes on, it is not +impossible but, in the next generation, he may see himself reduced to the +Tithe or Tenth Dish of the table. A sufficient caution not to part with +any privilege we are once possessed of! + +It was usual for the Priest, in old times, to feast upon the sacrifice, +nay the honey cake; while the hungry Laity looked upon him with great +devotion: or, as the late Lord ROCHESTER describes it in a very lively +manner, + + _And while the Priest did eat, the People stared_. + +At present, the custom is inverted. The Laity feast while the Priest +stands by as an humble spectator. + +This necessarily puts the good man upon making great ravages on all the +dishes that stand near him; and upon distinguishing himself by +voraciousness of appetite, as knowing that "his time is short." + +I would fain ask these stiff-necked Patrons, Whether they would not take +it ill of a Chaplain that, in his grace, after meat, should return thanks +for the whole entertainment, with an exception to the dessert? And yet I +cannot but think that in such a proceeding, he would but deal with them +as they deserved. + +What would a Roman Catholic priest think (who is always helped first, and +placed next the ladies), should he see a Clergyman giving his company the +slip at the first appearance of the tarts or sweetmeats? Would he not +believe that he had the same antipathy to a candid orange or a piece of +puff paste, as some have to a Cheshire cheese or a breast of mutton? + +Yet to so ridiculous a height is this foolish custom grown, that even the +Christmas Pie, which in its very nature is a kind of consecrated cake and +a badge of distinction, is often forbidden to the Druid of the family. + +Strange! that a sirloin of beef, whether boiled or roasted, when entire, +is exposed to his utmost depredations and incisions; but if minced into +small pieces and tossed up with plums and sugar, it changes its property; +and, forsooth, it is meat for his Master! + +In this Case, I know not which to censure [_blame_], the Patron or the +Chaplain! the insolence of power, or the abjectness of dependence! + +For my own part, I have often blushed to see a Gentleman, whom I knew to +have more Wit and Learning than myself, and who was bred up with me at +the University upon the same foot of a liberal education, treated in such +an ignominious manner; and sunk beneath those of his own rank, by reason +of that character which ought to bring him honour. + +This deters men of generous minds from placing themselves in such a +station of life; and by that means frequently excludes Persons of Quality +from the improving and agreeable conversation of a learned and obsequious +friend. + +Mr. OLDHAM lets us know that he was affrighted from the thought of such +an employment, by the scandalous sort of treatment, which often +accompanies it. + + _Some think themselves exalted to the sky, + If they light in some noble family: + Diet, a horse, and Thirty pounds a year; + Besides th' advantage of his Lordship's ear, + The credit of the business, and the State; + + Are things that in a youngster's sense sound_ great. + _Little the unexperienced wretch does know, + What slavery he oft must undergo! + Who, though in silken scarf and cassock drest, + Wears but a gayer_ livery, _at best. + When dinner calls, the Implement must wait, + With holy words to consecrate the meat: + But hold it, for a favour seldom known, + If he be deigned the honour to sit down! + Soon as the tarts appear, "Sir CRAPE, withdraw! + These dainties are not for a spiritual maw! + Observe your distance! and be sure to stand + Hard by the cistern with your cap in hand! + There, for diversion, you may pick your teeth + Till the kind Voider comes for your relief." + + Let others who, such meannesses can brook, + Strike countenance to every Great Man's look: + I rate my freedom higher!_ + +The author's raillery is the raillery of a friend, and does not turn the +Sacred Order into ridicule: but it is a just censure on such persons as +take advantages from the necessities of a Man of Merit, to impose upon +him hardships that are by no means suitable to the dignity of his +profession. + + + + +NESTOR IRONSIDE + +[_i.e., RICHARD STEELE_]. + +_Another description of the miseries of the Domestic Chaplain, in_ 1713, +A.D. + + +[_The Guardian_. No. 173. Thursday, 17 Sept. 1713.] + +When I am disposed to give myself a day's rest, I order the _Lion_ to be +opened [_i.e., a letter-box at BUTTON's Coffee-house_], and search into +that magazine of intelligence for such letters as are to my purpose. The +first I looked into, comes to me from one who is Chaplain to a great +family. + +He treats himself, in the beginning of it, after such a manner as I am +persuaded no Man of Sense would treat him. Even the Lawyer, and the +Physician to a Man of Quality, expect to be used like gentlemen; and much +more, may any one of so superior a profession! + +I am by no means encouraging that dispute, Whether the Chaplain, or the +Master of the house be the better man, and the more to be respected? The +two learned authors, Dr. HICKS and Mr. COLLIER (to whom I might add +several others) are to be excused, if they have carried the point a +little too high in favour of the Chaplain: since in so corrupt an Age as +that we live in, the popular opinion runs so far into the other extreme. + +The only controversy between the Patron and the Chaplain ought to be, +Which should promote the good designs and interests of each other most? +And, for my own part, I think it is the happiest circumstance in a great +Estate or Title, that it qualifies a man for choosing, out of such a +learned and valuable body of men as that of the English Clergy, a friend, +a spiritual guide, and a companion. + +The letter which I have received from one of this Order, is as follows: + + _Mr. Guardian, + + I hope you will not only indulge me in the liberty of two or three + questions; but also in the solution of them. + + I haw had the honour, many years, of being Chaplain in a noble + Family; and of being accounted the_ highest servant _in the house: + either out of respect to my Cloth, or because I lie in the + uppermost garret. + + Whilst my old Lord lived, his table was always adorned with useful + Learning and innocent Mirth, as well as covered with Plenty. I was + not looked upon as a piece of furniture, fit only to sanctify and + garnish a feast; but treated as a Gentleman, and generally desired + to fill up the conversation, an hour after I had done my duty_ + [i.e., said grace after dinner]. + + _But now my young Lord is come to the Estate, I find I am looked + upon as a_ Censor Morum, _an obstacle to mirth and talk: and + suffered to retire constantly with_ "Prosperity to the Church!" _in + my mouth_ [i.e., after drinking this toast]. + + _I declare, solemnly, Sir, that I have heard nothing from all the + fine Gentlemen who visit us, more remarkable, for half a year, than + that one young Lord was seven times drunk at Genoa. + + I have lately taken the liberty to stay three or four rounds_ + [i.e., of the bottle] _beyond [the toast of]_ The Church! _to see + what topics of discourse they went upon: but, to my great surprise, + have hardly heard a word all the time, besides the Toasts. Then + they all stared full in my face, and shewed all the actions of + uneasiness till I was gone. + + Immediately upon my departure, to use the words of an old Comedy, + "I find by the noise they make, that they had a mind to be + private." + + I am at a loss to imagine what conversation they have among one + another, which I may not be present at: since I love innocent Mirth + as much as any of them; and am shocked with no freedoms whatsoever, + which are inconsistent with Christianity. + + I have, with much ado, maintained my post hitherto at the dessert, + and every day eat a tart in the face of my Patron: but how long I + shall be invested with this privilege, I do not know. For the + servants, who do not see me supported as I was in my old Lord's + time, begin to brush very familiarly by me: and they thrust aside + my chair, when they set the sweetmeats on the table. + + I have been born and educated a Gentleman, and desire you will make + the public sensible that the Christian Priesthood was never + thought, in any Age or country, to debase the Man who is a member + of it. Among the great services which your useful Papers daily do + to Religion, this perhaps will not be the least: and it will lay a + very great obligation on + + Your unknown servant, + + G.W._ + + + + +BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. + +_Poor RICHARD improved, Being an Almanac, &c., for the year of our Lord_ +1758. + +RICHARD SAUNDERS. Philom. + +Philadelphia. + + +COURTEOUS READER. + +I have heard that nothing gives an author so great pleasure as to find +his works respectfully quoted by other learned authors. This pleasure I +have seldom enjoyed. For though I have been, if I may say it without +vanity, an _eminent_ author of _Almanacs_ annually, now a full quarter of +a century, my brother authors in the same way, for what reason I know not, +have ever been very sparing in their applauses; and no other author has +taken the least notice of me: so that did not my writings produce me some +solid Pudding, the great deficiency of Praise would have quite discouraged +me. + +I concluded at length, that the people were the best judges of my merit; +for they buy my works: and besides, in my rambles, where I am not +personally known, I have frequently heard one or other of my Adages +repeated, with "as _Poor RICHARD_ says!" at the end of it. This gave me +some satisfaction, as it shewed, not only that my Instructions were +regarded, but discovered likewise some respect for my Authority. And I +own, that to encourage the practice of remembering and repeating those +wise Sentences: I have sometimes _quoted myself_ with great gravity. + +Judge, then, how much I must have been gratified by an incident I am +going to relate to you! + +I stopped my horse lately, where a great number of people were collected +at a Vendue [_sale_] of Merchant's goods. The hour of sale not being +come, they were conversing on the badness of the Times: and one of the +company called to a clean old man, with white locks, "Pray, Father +ABRAHAM! what do you think of the Times? Won't these heavy taxes quite +ruin the country? How shall we be ever able to pay them? What would you +advise us to?" + +Father ABRAHAM stood up, and replied, "If you would have my advice; I +will give it you, in short; for _a word to the wise is enough_, and _many +words won't fill a bushel_, as _Poor RICHARD_ says." + +They all joined, desiring him to speak his mind; and gathering round him, +he proceeded as follows: + +"Friends" says he, "and neighbours! The taxes are indeed very heavy; and +if those laid on by the Government were the only ones we had to pay, we +might the more easily discharge them: but we have many others, and much +more grievous to some of us. We are taxed twice as much by our IDLENESS, +three times as much by our PRIDE, and four times as much by our FOLLY: +and from these taxes, the Commissioners cannot ease, or deliver us by +allowing an abatement. However let us hearken to good advice, and +something may be done for us. _GOD helps them that help themselves_, as +_Poor RICHARD_ says in his _Almanac_ of 1733." + +It would be thought a hard Government that should tax its people +One-tenth part of their TIME, to be employed in its service. But Idleness +taxes many of us much more; if we reckon all that is spent in absolute +sloth, or doing of nothing; with that which is spent in idle employments +or amusements that amount to nothing. Sloth, by bringing on diseases, +absolutely shortens life. _Sloth, like Rust, consumes faster than Labour +wears; while the used key is always bright, as Poor RICHARD says_. But +_dost thou love Life? Then do not squander time! for that's the stuff +Life is made of_, as _Poor RICHARD says_. + +How much more than is necessary do we spend in sleep? forgetting that +_the sleeping fox catches no poultry_; and that _there will be sleeping +enough in the grave_, as _Poor RICHARD_ says. If Time be of all things +the most precious, _Wasting of Time must be_ (as _Poor RICHARD_ says) +_the greatest prodigality;_ since, as he elsewhere tells us, _Lost time +is never found again_; and what we call _Time enough! always prows little +enough_. Let us then up and be doing, and doing to the purpose: so, by +diligence, shall we do more with less perplexity. _Sloth makes all things +difficult, but Industry all things easy_, as _Poor RICHARD_ says: and _He +that riseth late, must trot all day; and shall scarce overtake his +business at night_. While _Laziness travels so slowly, that Poverty soon +overtakes him_, as we read in _Poor RICHARD_; who adds, _Drive thy +business! Let not that drive thee!_ and + + _Early to bed, and early to rise, + Makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise_. + +So what signifies _wishing_ and _hoping_ for better Times! We may make +these Times better, if we bestir ourselves! _Industry need not wish!_ as +_Poor RICHARD_ says; and _He that lives on Hope, will die fasting. There +are no gains without pains_. Then _Help hands! for I have no lands_; or +if I have, they are smartly taxed. And as _Poor RICHARD_ likewise +observes, _He that hath a Trade, hath an Estate_, and He that _hath a +Calling, hath an Office of Profit and Honour_: but, then, the Trade must +be worked at, and the Calling well followed, or neither the Estate, nor +the Office, will enable us to pay our taxes. + +If we are industrious, we shall never starve, for, as _Poor RICHARD_ +says, _At the working man's houses Hunger looks in; but dares not enter_. +Nor will the Bailiff, or the Constable enter: for _Industry pays debts, +while, Despair increaseth them_, says _Poor RICHARD_. + +What though you have found no treasure, nor has any rich relation left +you a legacy. _Diligence is the Mother of Good-luck_, as _Poor RICHARD_ +says; and _GOD gives ail things to Industry_. Then + + _Plough deep, while sluggards sleep; + And you shall have corn to sell and to keep,_ + +says _Poor DICK_. Work while it is called to-day; for you know not, how +much you may be hindered to-morrow: which makes _Poor RICHARD_ say, _One +To-day is worth two To-morrows_, and farther, _Have you somewhat to do +to-morrow? do it to-day!_ + +If you were a servant, would you not be ashamed that a good master should +catch you idle? Are you then your own Master? _Be ashamed to catch +yourself idle!_ as _Poor DICK_ says. When there is so much to be done for +yourself, your family, your country, and your gracious King; be up by peep +of day! _Let not the sun look down, and say, "Inglorious, here he lies!"_ +Handle your tools, without mittens! Remember that _The cat in glove +catches no mice!_ as _Poor RICHARD_ says. + +'Tis true there is much to be done; and perhaps you are weak handed; but +stick to it steadily! and you will see great effects, For _Constant +dropping wears away stones_, and _By diligence and patience, the mouse +ate in two the cable_, and _little strokes fell great oaks_; as _Poor +RICHARD_ says in his _Almanac_, the year I cannot, just now, remember. + +Methinks, I hear some of you say, "Must a man afford himself no leisure?" + +I will tell thee, my friend! what _Poor RICHARD_ says. + + _Employ thy time well, if thou meanest to gain leisure! and + Since thou art not sure of a minute, throw not away an hour!_ + +Leisure is time for doing something useful. This leisure the diligent man +will obtain; but the lazy man never. So that, as _Poor RICHARD_ says, _A +life of leisure, and a life of laziness are two things_. Do you imagine +that Sloth will afford you more comfort than Labour? No! for as _Poor +RICHARD_ says, _Trouble springs from idleness, and grievous toil from +needless ease. Many without labour, would live by their Wits only; but +they'll break, for want of Stock_ [_i.e._, Capital]. Whereas Industry +gives comfort, and plenty, and respect. _Fly Pleasures! and they'll +follow you! The diligent spinner has a large shift_, and + + _Now I have a sheep and a cow + Everybody bids me "Good morrow."_ + +All which is well said by _Poor RICHARD_. + +But with our Industry; we must likewise be Steady, Settled, and Careful: +and oversee our own affairs _with our own eyes_, and not trust too much +to others. For, as _Poor RICHARD_ says, + + _I never saw an oft removed tree, + Nor yet an oft removed family, + That throve so well, as those that settled be_. + +And again, _Three Removes are as bad as a Fire;_ and again _Keep thy +shop! and thy shop will keep thee!_ and again, _If you would have your +business done, go! if not, send!_ and again, + + _He that by the plough would thrive; + Himself must either hold or drive_. + +And again, _The Eye of the master will do more work than both his Hands;_ +and again, _Want of Care does us more damage than Want of Knowledge;_ and +again, _Not to oversee workmen, is to leave them your purse open_. + +Trusting too much to others' care, is the ruin of many. For, as the +Almanac says, _In the affairs of this world, men are saved, not by faith, +but by the want of it_. But a man's own care is profitable; for, saith +_Poor DICK, Learning is to the Studious,_ and _Riches to the Careful;_ as +well as _Power to the Bold,_ and _Heaven to the Virtuous_. And further, +_If you would have a faithful servant, and one that you like; serve +yourself!_ + +And again, he adviseth to circumspection and care, even in the smallest +matters; because sometimes, _A little neglect may breed great mischief_; +adding, _For want of a nail, the shoe was lost; for want of a shoe, the +horse was lost; and for want of a horse, the rider was lost_; being +overtaken, and slain by the enemy. All for want of care about a +horse-shoe nail. + +So much for Industry, my friends! and attention to one's own business; +but to these we must add FRUGALITY, if we would make our industry more +certainly successful. _A man may_, if he knows not how to save as he +gets, _keep his nose, all his life, to the grindstone; and die not worth +a groat at last. A fat Kitchen makes a lean Will_, as _Poor RICHARD_ +says, and + + _Many estates are spent in the getting, + Since women, for Tea, forsook spinning and knitting; + And men, for Punch, forsook hewing and splitting_. + +_If you would be healthy_, says he in another _Almanac, think of Saving, +as well as of Getting! The Indies have not made Spain rich; because her +Outgoes are greater than her Incomes_. + +Away, then, with your expensive follies! and you will not have so much +cause to complain of hard Times, heavy taxes, and chargeable families. +For, as _Poor DICK_ says, + + _Women and Wine, Game and Deceit, + Make the Wealth small, and the Wants great_. + +And farther, _What maintains one vice, would bring up two children_. + +You may think perhaps, that, a _little_ tea, or a _little_ punch, now and +then; diet, a _little_ more costly; clothes, a _little_ finer; and a +_little_ entertainment, now and then; can be no great matter. But +remember what _Poor RICHARD_ says, _Many a Little makes a Mickle_; and +farther, _Beware of little expenses! a small leak will sink a great +ship_; and again, _Who dainties love; shall beggars prove!_ and moreover, +_Fools make feasts, and wise men eat them_. + +Here are you all got together at this Vendue of Fineries and knicknacks! +You call them Goods: but if you do not take care, they will prove Evils +to some of you! You expect they will be sold cheap, and perhaps they may, +for less than they cost; but if you have no occasion for them, they must +be _dear_ to you! Remember what _Poor RICHARD_ says! _Buy what thou hast +no need of, and, ere long, thou shalt sell thy necessaries!_ And again, +_At a great pennyworth, pause a while!_ He means, that perhaps the +cheapness is apparent only, and not real; or the bargain by straitening +thee in thy business, may do thee more harm than good. For in another +place, he says, _Many have been ruined by buying good pennyworths_. + +Again, _Poor RICHARD_ says, _'Tis foolish, to lay out money in a purchase +of Repentance_: and yet this folly is practised every day at Vendues, for +want of minding the _Almanac_. + +_Wise men_, as _Poor DICK_ says, _learn by others' harms; Fools, scarcely +by their own_: but _Felix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum_. Many a +one, for the sake of finery on the back, has gone with a hungry belly, +and half starved their families. _Silks and satins, scarlet and velvets_, +as _Poor RICHARD_ says, _put out the kitchen fire!_ These are not the +necessaries of life; they can scarcely be called the conveniences: and +yet only because they look pretty, how many _want_ to have them! The +artificial wants of mankind thus become more numerous than the natural; +and as _Poor DICK_ says, _For one poor person, there are a hundred_ +indigent. + +By these, and other extravagances, the genteel are reduced to poverty, +and forced to borrow of those whom they formerly despised; but who, +through Industry and Frugality, have maintained their standing. In which +case, it appears plainly that _A ploughman on his legs is higher than a +gentleman on his knees_, as _Poor RICHARD_ says. Perhaps they have had a +small estate left them, which they knew not the getting of. They think +_'tis day! and will never be night!_; that _a little to be spent out of +so much I is not worth minding_ (_A Child and a Fool_, as _Poor RICHARD_ +says, _imagine Twenty Shillings and Twenty Years can never be spent_): +but _always taking out of the meal tub, and never putting in, soon comes +to the bottom_. Then, as _Poor DICK says_, _When the well's dry, they +know the worth of water!_ but this they might have known before, if they +had taken his advice. _If you would know the value of money; go, and try +to borrow some!_ For, _he that goes a borrowing, goes a sorrowing!_ and +indeed, so does he that lends to such people, _when he goes to get it in +again!_ + +_Poor DICK_ further advises, and says + + _Fond Pride of Dress is, sure, a very curse! + Ere Fancy you consult; consult your purse!_ + +And again, _Pride is as loud a, beggar as Want, and a great deal more +saucy!_ When you have bought one fine thing, you must buy ten more, that +your appearance may be all of a piece; but _Poor DICK_ says, _'Tis easier +to suppress the First desire, than to satisfy All that follow it_. And +'tis as truly folly, for the poor to ape the rich; as for the frog to +swell, in order to equal the ox. + + _Great Estates may venture more; + But little boats should keep near shore!_ + +'Tis, however, a folly soon punished! for Pride that _dines on Vanity, +sups on Contempt_, as _Poor RICHARD_ says. And in another place. _Pride +breakfasted with Plenty, dined with Poverty, and supped with Infamy_. + +And, after all, of what use is this Pride of Appearance? for which so +much is risked, so much is suffered! It cannot promote health or ease +pain! It makes no increase of merit in the person! It creates envy! It +hastens misfortune! + + _What is a butterfly? At best + He's but a caterpillar drest! + The gaudy fop's his picture just_. + +as _Poor RICHARD_ says. + +But what madness must it be, to _run into debt_ for these superfluities? + +We are offered, by the terms of this Vendue, Six Months' Credit; and +that, perhaps, has induced some of us to attend it, because we cannot +spare the ready money, and hope now to be fine without it. But, ah, think +what you do, when you run in debt? _You give to another, power over your +liberty!_ If you cannot pay at the time, you will be ashamed to see your +creditor! You will be in fear, when you speak to him! You will make poor +pitiful sneaking excuses! and, by degrees, come to lose your veracity, +and sink into base downright lying! For, as _Poor RICHARD_ says, _The +second vice is Lying, the first is Running into Debt_: and again, to the +same purpose, _Lying rides upon Debt's back_. Whereas a free born +Englishman ought not to be ashamed or afraid to see, or speak to any man +living. But Poverty often deprives a man of all spirit and virtue. _'Tis +hard for an Empty Bag to stand upright!_ as _Poor RICHARD_ truly says. +What would you think of that Prince, or the Government, who should issue +an Edict forbidding you to dress like a Gentleman or Gentlewoman, on pain +of imprisonment or servitude. Would you not say that "You are free! have a +right to dress as you please! and that such an Edict would be a breach of +your privileges! and such a Government, tyrannical!" And yet you are +about to put yourself under that tyranny, when you run in debt for such +dress! Your creditor has authority, at his pleasure, to deprive you of +your liberty, by confining you in gaol for life! or to sell you for a +servant, if you should not be able to pay him! When you have got your +bargain; you may, perhaps, think little of payment, but _Creditors_ +(_Poor RICHARD_ tells us) _have better memories than Debtors_; and, in +another place, says, _Creditors are a superstitious sect! great observers +of set days and times_. The day comes round, before you are aware; and the +demand is made, before you are prepared to satisfy it: or, if you bear +your debt in mind, the term which, at first, seemed so long, will, as it +lessens, appear extremely short. TIME will seem to have added wings to +his heels, as well as shoulders. _Those have a short Lent_, saith _Poor +RICHARD, who owe money to be paid at Easter_. Then since, as he says, +_The Borrower is a slave to the Lender, and the Debtor to the Creditor_; +disdain the chain! preserve your freedom! and maintain your independency! +Be industrious and free! be frugal and free! At present, perhaps, you may +think yourself in thriving circumstances; and that you can bear a little +extravagance without injury: but + + _For Age and Want, save while you may! + No morning sun lasts a whole day,_ + +as _Poor RICHARD_ says. + +Gain may be temporary and uncertain; but, ever while you live, Expense is +constant and certain: and _'tis easier to build two chimneys than to keep +one in fuel_, as _Poor RICHARD_ says. So _rather go to bed supperless, +than rise in debt!_ + + _Get what you can! and what you get, hold! + 'Tis the Stone that will turn all your lead into gold!_ + +as _Poor RICHARD_ says. And when you have got the Philosopher's Stone, +sure, you will no longer complain of bad times, or the difficulty of +paying taxes. + +This doctrine, my friends! is Reason and Wisdom! But, after all, do not +depend too much upon your own Industry, and Frugality, and Prudence; +though excellent things! For they may all be blasted without the Blessing +of Heaven: and, therefore, ask that Blessing humbly! and be not +uncharitable to those that at present, seem to want it; but comfort and +help them! Remember, JOB suffered, and was afterwards prosperous. + +And now to conclude. _Experience keeps a dear school; but Fools will +learn in no other, and scarce in that!_ for it is true, _We may give +Advice, but we cannot give Conduct_, as _Poor RICHARD_ says. However, +remember this! _They that won't be counselled, can't be helped!_ as _Poor +RICHARD_ says: and farther, that, "_If you will not hear reason, she'll +surely rap your knuckles!"_ + +Thus the old gentleman ended his harangue. The people heard it, and +approved the doctrine; and immediately practised the contrary, just as if +it had been a common sermon! For the Vendue opened, and they began to buy +extravagantly; notwithstanding all his cautions, and their own fear of +taxes. + +I found the good man had thoroughly studied my _Almanacs_, and digested +all I had dropped on those topics during the course of five and twenty +years. The frequent mention he made of me, must have tired any one else; +but my vanity was wonderfully delighted with it: though I was conscious +that not a tenth part of the wisdom was my own, which he ascribed to me; +but rather the gleanings I had made of the Sense of all Ages and Nations. +However, I resolved to be the better for the Echo of it; and though I had, +at first, determined to buy stuff for a new coat; I went away resolved to +wear my old one a little longer. Reader! if thou wilt do the same, thy +profit will be as great as mine. + +I am, as ever, Thine, to serve thee! + +July 7, 1757. + +RICHARD SAUNDERS. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of An English Garner +Edited by Professor Arber and Thomas Seccombe + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN ENGLISH GARNER *** + +***** This file should be named 10489.txt or 10489.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/4/8/10489/ + +Produced by Charles Aldarondo, Keren Vergon, Beth Trapaga and PG +Distributed Proofreaders + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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